PGN Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 40 No. 53 Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

Our favorite photos from 2016 PAGES 8-9

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Family Portrait: Jose Colon-Laird conquers challenges with PAGE 29 positivity

Mazzoni’s long-running HIV/AIDS group shifts PAGE 2 format

Person of the Year 2016: Deja Lynn Alvarez By PGN Staff Whether it’s providing support for homeless LGBT people, connecting those in need with services or speaking out against injustice, Deja Lynn Alvarez has made a mark on the LGBT community this year. “Deja Lynn Alvarez is a tireless advocate for LGBTQ people throughout Philadelphia,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement to PGN. “Her dedication to the most vulnerable and marginalized among us reflects her passion and commitment to the service of Philadelphians. Philadelphia is a better city for having incredible people like Deja here and dedicated to working with and for us all.” Home for Hope Alvarez’s primary work in the LGBT community is as the director of the LGBTQ Home For Hope. The home, which changed its name from The Divine Light LGBTQ Wellness Center earlier this year, is the first shelter in Pennsylvania to specifically serve LGBT individuals. Home for Hope celebrated its first anniversary in September. Sakina Dean, the owner of Home for Hope, had the vision of opening a shelter for LGBT people last year and shared the vision with Alvarez. “We went through the building and [Alvarez] was just

amazed,” Dean said. “And she said, ‘Listen, I’m on board however I can assist you with this. I want to be a part of this.’” Alvarez came on board as the director in November 2015. Among her responsibilities, she oversees residents and the facility, provides formal and informal counseling and leads fundraising. The organization is is supported by donations but Alvarez often buys food and other supplies out of her own pocket. “I needed someone who wanted to do this from the heart and work with me when we were able to get on our feet and she did that,” Dean said. “She has been dedicated. She’s been advocating. She’s been a fighter for the people. I feel confident that I can sleep at night knowing that somebody loves just as much as I do.” Dean mentioned that Alvarez’s willingness to sacrifice her own finances says “so much about a person’s character.” She called Alvarez a “hero” and “a beautiful woman.” “All of our ladies, especially from our trans community, look up to her because she is a vision of hope,” Dean said. “She came from right where they are coming from now and look at the accomplishments that she has done. She’s a gift. She’s my gift and I’m just gracious and very grateful to have her.” Alvarez’s work was recognized by DVLF, which named PAGE 6

ALVAREZ AT THIS SUMMER’S WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH COUNTER-PROTEST AT MAZZONI CENTER Photo: Juan David Franco

Training to offer resources on racism, discrimination By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: More than 75 people attended William Way LGBT Community Center’s annual potluck on Christmas Day. The center’s ballroom was bedecked in holiday colors, and volunteers served a full, and filling, holiday meal with all the fixings. Photo: Bob Skiba

The LGBT community will learn ways to report discriminatory and racist acts during a training next month at William Way LGBT Community Center. The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations will hold a free Know Your Rights workshop Jan. 11 in which agency officials will teach participants how to identify discrimination, how to protect oneself and details about the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, a law prohibiting discrimination, including against LGBT people. The training is part the PCHR’s initiatives to create resources for the LGBT community, which came as a response to PCHR’s Oct. 25 hearing addressing allegations of racism in the community. “At the public hearing, it became clear to us for more members of the LGBTQ community to know exactly what the PCHR does,” said PCHR Executive Director Rue Landau. “We want people to know about all of the protections under the Fair Practices Ordinance, how to file a complaint and the PCHR’s internal process that occurs after people file a complaint.” Landau and PCHR Deputy Director Pam Gwaltney will lead the training, which will include a presentation, handouts and a Q&A segment for participants. “We have handouts and guides that break Fair Practices down into simpler forms so everybody will understand

how to exercise their rights when needed,” Landau said. Landau said she hopes the training will clarify the differences between racism and discrimination while showing how the PCHR can combat each situation. “If somebody throws a racial epithet at you on the street, that’s racism. If your employer yells a racial epithet at you and fires you, that is discrimination,” Landau said. “The PCHR wants to make sure to clarify the remedies available to people based on what they’re experiencing. “If it’s a hate or bias incident, we’re going to engage the police,” Landau added, explaining how the PCHR would deal with different situations. “If it is racism that doesn’t rise to discrimination, we could engage in conflict resolution and mediation tactics and facilitate a dialogue to help create a better understanding between people.” Landau recognized that racism continues to persist in the LGBT community, which she said highlights the importance of individuals knowing their rights. “Sadly, racism in the LGBTQ community has been happening for decades,” Landau said. “And we heard many situations loud and clear at our public hearing that it continues. PCHR is determined to do everything we can to eradicate the racism and discrimination that is happening in our community so that 30 years from now, we are not reliving the same situation as we are now.” PCHR’s Know Your Rights training will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 11 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

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Judge clears way for New format introduced for Mazzoni PA men to marry Center’s HIV/AIDS support group By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Roland “Drew” Bosee Jr. and Nino Esposito plan to get married soon, now that the state Superior Court has ordered a lower court to revoke Esposito's adoption of Bosee. Esposito, 80, and Bosee, 70, have been together for about 45 years. They live in a suburb of Pittsburgh. In 2012, Esposito adopted Bosee to secure limited legal rights. “They wanted to have some semblance of recognition as a family,” said Andrew M. Gross, the couple's attorney. “They wanted inheritance rights, hospital-visitation rights and legal status as a family.” But after marriage equality went into effect in Pennsylvania in 2014, the couple wanted the adoption revoked, so they could get married. “Case law permits the annulment of an adoption decree if the annulment is in the best interests

of the adoptee,” explained Gross. Last year, Allegheny Common Pleas Court Judge Lawrence O'Toole denied the request. The couple appealed in state Superior Court, and O’Toole asked for guidance, Gross added. On Dec. 21, the court told O'Toole to dissolve the adoption. “Although the [state] Adoption Act does not expressly provide for the annulment of the adult adoption, case law does allow it in certain scenarios,” wrote President Judge Susan Peikes Gantman. “This has been a 21-month ordeal for my clients," Gross said. "They're elated that it's finally over. Their constitutional right to marry has been vindicated. It's a wonderful Christmas present for them.” Gross also thanked the ACLU of Pennsylvania for filing an amicus brief. “We believe the ACLU’s brief was helpful in explaining the relevant case law to the Superior Court,” Gross said. n

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The New Year will bring a new format to Mazzoni Center’s long-running support group for people affected by HIV/AIDS. Starting Jan. 3, Positive Living will be presented in a workshop structure. The weekly group, which formed more than a decade ago, has traditionally been peer-driven, without a formal topic for each Tuesday-night session. “Folks meet and talk about that week’s happenings with regard to living with HIV,” said Rand Faulkner, manager of addiction services at Mazzoni Center, who noted that conversations often focus on dating, relationships and disclosure. Occasionally, the facilitator will incorporate a movie clip or article relevant to the group to promote discourse. “We felt like we had run this format as far as we could,” Faulkner said. Organizers have instead developed a 12-week workshop structure, with a dedicated topic for each meeting, such as intimacy, sex and dating; substance use; disclosure and stigma; serodiscordant couples; the evolution of HIV/AIDS in popular culture; and art therapy. Guest speakers will be incorporated throughout the program, which is free and open to the public. Participants will be asked to submit feedback

after each week’s session and then again at the end of the 12-week series. Faulkner said organizers will use the responses to decide where the program will go next, such as if another 12-week workshop is presented or if separate groups on the most relevant topics are launched. “We want folks to give us their thoughts on what worked, what didn’t and then, based off of that, we’ll move forward,” Faulkner said. “I hope people come and take part in it and let us know what they think.” For more information, visit www.mazzonicenter.org or contact Kirk Parsons, CRS, at kparsons@mazzonicenter.org or 215-536-0652, ext. 582. n

If you go: Positive Living

6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays Jan. 3-March 14 Mazzoni Center, 21 S. 12th St.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR IN BALTIMORE. Celebrate African American heritage, give your taste buds a week to remember, experience our second annual festival of light and embrace a whole new year of fun in Baltimore.

WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK

Throughout Baltimore January 13–22, 2017

The most delicious week of winter is back! Dine your way through Baltimore and enjoy specially selected three-course brunch, lunch and dinner prix fixe menu options at participating restaurants.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE

Throughout Baltimore January 16–February 28, 2017

Celebrate Baltimore’s incredible wealth of African American history, culture and heritage with special events, exhibits and programs that kick off with the 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on January 16 and continue through Black History Month in February.

LIGHT CITY BALTIMORE

Inner Harbor & Beyond March 31–April 8, 2017

Baltimore shines during Light City, the free, familyfriendly festival of light, music and innovation. Stroll the 1.5-mile BGE Light Art Walk along the Inner Harbor to enjoy illuminated sculptures, projections, live music, food vendors and an interactive children’s area.

YUMMM! THE HISTORY, FANTASY AND FUTURE OF FOOD

American Visionary Art Museum Through September 3, 2017

Whet your appetite with this imaginative exhibition of food-centric paintings, tasteful embroideries, delectable installations and mouthwatering films. Peruse the menu, but please, do not eat the art.

AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL WINTER SHOW

Baltimore Convention Center February 24–26, 2017

Join more than 650 top contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture and home décor artists from throughout the country for the largest juried indoor craft show in the country. Feel, touch and explore high-quality American crafts and meet the makers behind the work at this flagship event.

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Plan your visit today at BALTIMORE.ORG

12/13/16 2:53 PM

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

News & Opinion

10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Street Talk Transmissions

Arts & Culture

23 — Feature: Art abounds in Philly this winter 27 — Scene in Philly 29 — Family Portrait: Jose Colon-Laird 30 — Out & About 34 — Q Puzzle 35 — Comics

“Once you got past the rough exterior, he was an amazing, awesome person. I know I’m going to miss him.” ~ Jim Sigel on the passing of his friend, James Russell “JR” Guthrie, a former PGN editor, page 13

SPECTACULAR SOUNDS: Tourists and Philly residents alike delighted in the sounds of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus earlier this month at Comcast Center. On Dec. 17, the group performed two holiday-themed sets after the hourly Holiday Spectacular, a multimedia celebration of the sights and sounds of the season. The Holiday Spectacular runs through Jan. 1 at 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

Creep of the Week Jesse Lee Peterson is not one for pushing gender boundaries.

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Temple University senior Drew Bergman will be honored next month for his mental-healthy advocacy.

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Winter Preview: As we gear up for 2017, we look ahead to all the talent that will be gracing Philly’s stages this winter.

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Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra sends 2016 off from The Electric Factory.

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COLOURS youth get visit, donation from GOAL officers

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

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

DEPUTY SHERIFF DANTE AUSTIN (FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT), SGT. RYAN AND POLICE OFFICER MURRELL MET WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN YOUTH AT THE COLOURS ORGANIZATION’S SOCIAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM TUESDAY NIGHT.

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Members of the Gay Officers Action League made a return trip this week to The COLOURS Organization to share stories and build bridges — and impart a holiday gift. Three members of GOAL — which includes LGBT and ally law-enforcement officers from around the region — stopped by COLOURS’ Social Exchange group Tuesday night, which is geared toward ages 16-25. The officers brought a $300 check for COLOURS’ youth programming, collected from donations by GOAL officers. GOAL officers make an annual holiday donation, and picked COLOURS as this year’s beneficiary after meeting with youth members there in October. That event was conceived of by the sergeant of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Recruitment Unit, a GOAL member, who was eager to expand the department’s recruitment efforts to LGBT youth of color. “We took three officers and shared our experiences of being LGBT officers of color,” said GOAL member and Deputy Sheriff Dante Austin about the fall meeting. Austin noted the youth were surprised when the officers came out to them. “When we first walked in, they saw our guns and our uniform pants but once we got up and spoke, they didn’t know that we were LGBT,” Austin said. “They were shocked. One of our officers is a trans man, and they were blown away.” Austin said he was grateful for the opportunity to help the youth put a face to LGBT officers.

“It was a great experience and definitely different for them,” Austin said. “They had never had interactions like that with law-enforcement officers, and we see that so often. Representation is so important. Young black kids see black officers and young girls see female officers, but LGBT youth don’t know who we are. We don’t walk around with a rainbow on our heads. So we have to go out to them like this.” On Tuesday, more than a dozen Social Exchange members shared stories over pizza and cookies with Austin, Sgt. Ryan and Police Officer Murrell. “It was great to have the officers in the room,” said Jarrett Thompson, assistant prevention navigator at COLOURS who helped organize the event. “Whatever charge the youth may have felt — because of police brutality or a lack of support in the LGBTQ community, especially with trans lives, black lives, LGBTQ lives being at high risk — this was an opportunity to engage with the officers in an educational atmosphere. And in a social atmosphere; after the chat, on a human level they were able to talk and say, ‘Hey, how are you? What’s your name?’” Thompson said the money will be used for programming for Social Exchange, which provides educational and dance opportunities Tuesdays at COLOURS. “We have an educational piece before we allow the engaging youth to vogue,” Thompson said. “The point is for them to express their thoughts, their feelings, their emotions through dance.” This week’s GOAL visit opened the door to future collaboration between the programs, Thompson said. “It was great to have them here and we look forward to working with them more in the future.” n

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

PERSON PGN OF THE YEAR

“She’s everywhere,” said Anthony her the Individual HERO at the organiza- Cubbage, Alvarez’s and Dean’s assistant tion’s 10th-annual HERO Awards in April. at Home for Hope. “If there’s a need for Additionally, Home for Hope received the somebody that’s hurting or in any kind of Urban Initiative Award in July from Philly pain, she’s there. She doesn’t turn people Urban Fashion Weekend for its approach to away. If one door is closed, she’s going to go through another door.” combating LGBT homelessness. One of the doors Alvarez went through this year was at the Philadelphia Department Helping others in the city of Public Health, where she began working Dean said “there’s so much more to as one of eight assistant-prevention navigacome” in regard to Home for Hope but, tors in May. In this position, Alvarez meets until then, Alvarez has also kept busy work- with LGBT people remotely and in her ing in other areas of the LGBT community. office at the Municipal Services Building to explore their barriers to receiving care prior to helping them access medical services and appointments. “The idea is about preventative services and remodeling what prevention looks like,” Alvarez told PGN in April. “Prevention is not just about giving out condoms anymore. It’s someone’s whole well-being.” ALVAREZ GIVING A TOUR OF HOME FOR HOPE TO MEMBERS Alvarez said OF U.S. SEN. BOB CASEY’S STAFF THIS SUMMER her first priority DEJA from page 1

Photos: Scott A. Drake

with new residents at Home for Hope is evaluating their health needs. She described her city position as what she was “already doing but just in an official capacity.” Prior to the city title, Alvarez told PGN she previously relied on contacts within city departALVAREZ AND SHARRON COOKS LEADING PROGRAMMING ments. The new AT TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE IN NOVEMBER role allowed her to more effi In July, Alvarez helped organize a ciently help community members navigate counter-protest outside of the Mazzoni the system, she said. Center against anti-LGBT group “It’s going to allow me to connect more Westboro Baptist Church. people to resources,” Alvarez told PGN. “ “This shows the community,” Alvarez told PGN. “This represents the commuSpeaking out against injustices nity in all its different facets. There’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, Alvarez has also been involved with queer, questioning, non-binary — a little speaking out against racism, homophobia bit of everybody is here. And it shows and transphobia in the community. the community is finally coming together “You never have to wonder what Deja’s when it comes to trans issues.” thinking because she will tell you,” said Alvarez also spoke at a Pennsylvania Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of LGBT Youth Congress gathering at the Capitol Affairs. Building in Harrisburg in June. She was

PERSON PGN OF THE YEAR

one of several advocates who voiced support for comprehensive LGBT-nondiscrimination legislation. She was clear that she would not support legislation that excludes public-accommodations protections for transgender people. “The public accommodations would impact the trans community more so than any other,” she told PGN. “[Without them], we’re basically handing a license to any establishment in Pennsylvania to openly discriminate against us.” Additionally, Alvarez helped organize an October meeting at the African American Museum addressing racism. “The best path towards unity is going to be an open line of communication so everyone feels as though their voices are heard,” she told PGN. “That’s part of the problem: People feel as though their voices are not being heard through all this.”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

What’s next? Alvarez continues to raise funds for a new furnace at Home for Hope through a GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/ lgbtqhomeforhope). As of presstime, the page has raised more than $44,000, which is beyond the $42,500 goal. Cubbage said it is an honor to know Alvarez and is encouraged by what he believes she will continued to accomplish. “In the future, I believe she’s going to do some great work,” Cubbage said. “I believe that she’s going to help LGBTQ people outside of Philadelphia. [Her work] is the beginning of something that she is going to take across the United States and to other countries. I see this blowing up big and I see her spearheading it.” n

ALVAREZ AND HOME FOR HOPE FOUNDER SAKINA DEAN OUTSIDE THE FACILITY

2016 Person of the Year Honor Roll By PGN Staff Sharron Cooks

There was a record number of LGBT delegates at this summer’s Democratic National Convention, including Sharron Cooks. The Philadelphia resident held the distinction as the only trans woman of color to serve as a delegate at the July convention held here. The at-large Hillary Clinton delegate participated in official convention activities as well as represented Pennsylvania at several LGBT events throughout the week, including a transgender caucus for the 28 trans delegates. “Just being a delegate in itself is a huge responsibility,” Cooks told PGN at the convention. “When you add intersectionality with race and gender, it’s even more responsibility.” Cooks used that responsibility successfully. She participated in interviews with both local and national publications throughout the convention, using that plat-

form to address inequality and invisibility facing trans women of color. “I have been given an amazing opportunity to bring awareness to issues related to both trans women and African-Americans,” she told Next Magazine. Before the convention, Cooks was tapped to sit on the LGBT Leadership Council for Pennsylvania by the Clinton campaign. Afterwards, she was asked by National Center for Transgender Equality executive director Mara Keisling, also a DNC delegate, to help the agency unveil its groundbreaking survey of transgender Americans; Cooks participated in a press conference and live-stream event of the report’s release in which she shared personal stories of discrimination. She also shared personal experiences this summer in Harrisburg when she lobbied for a statewide LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination law. Cooks, a co-organizer of the Transgender Day of Remembrance event that drew hundreds to William Way LGBT Community Center last month, was awarded the Jaci Adams OutProud Transgender Award from Philly Pride Presents at this fall’s OutFest. Philly4Pulse organizers An unprecedented show of solidarity was exhibited in the Gayborhood this summer. Owners of more than a dozen bars in and around the Gayborhood, along with

nonprofit leaders, planned a neighborhood-wide fundraiser July 21 to benefit victims of the previous month’s mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub. Just three days after the June 12 massacre at the Orlando LGBT club, 14 bars had signed on to participate in Philly4Pulse. In announcing the event, Tabu co-owner Jeff Sotland highlighted that collaboration outweighed the typical competition among the Gayborhood bars. “On any given night, we will compete with each other for every customer who walks into the neighborhood,” Sotland said. “On this night we will not.” The event aimed to raise funds for Equality Florida, which was distributing donations to shooting survivors, as well as the families of victims. Participating bars included Tabu, ICandy, Knock, Woody’s, Tavern on Camac, The Bike Stop, Stir, Boxers, UBar, Franky Bradley’s, Voyeur, Valanni, Bob & Barbara’s and L’Etage. Each venue featured different entertainment, such as drag and burlesque shows. Sober activities were hosted at Wilma Theater and William Way LGBT Community Center. Donations for the cause were collected throughout the event, including through silent auctions, T-shirt sales by Stonewall Sports and bartender and performer tips; all bartenders and performers donated their time. Guest bartenders included Mayor Jim Kenney and Philadelphia Eagles member Connor Barwin, along with local, state and federal lawmakers. The event raised $106,752.25, smashing the goal of $10,000. Sotland and William Way LGBT Community Center Executive Director Chris Bartlett presented a check to Equality Florida CEO Nadine Smith July 27.

Sister Mary Scullion Philadelphia will soon have a new LGBT-friendly youth-housing facility. This fall, Project Home, under the direction of cofounder, president and executive director Sister Mary Scullion, announced construction will start next year on a 30-unit affordable-housing facility geared toward homeless and at-risk young people, ages 18-24. The building will be located at 1315 N. Eighth St. in North Philadelphia. Project Home will partner with developer Middleton Partnership for the project, which was also advanced by Duane Perry, Arthur Kaplan and Mel Heifetz.

The state will invest $3 million in the project through its Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The city’s Department of Housing and Community Development contributed $3.5 million; $4.7 million will come from low-income housing tax credits; and Project HOME will invest $1.8 million. “We fully expect that all the young people who will live in this project and all the projects of Project HOME will be the future leaders of our community,” Scullion said at this fall’s unveiling. “They will be our next elected officials, our next nonprofit leaders and our next corporate philanthropists.” The project also includes a second building that will house 40 units for young adults and adults, not necessarily who identify as LGBT. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

LOCAL PGN

Our favorite photos bring out our fondest, saddest memories By Scott A. Drake scott@epgn.com It was clear from the start of the annual photo review that the bulk of our favorite photos, and some of the best to date, would be from the Democratic National Convention. With a spectacular red, white and blue backdrop, some of the finest orators in the country and thousands of cheering, happy people, well, what could go wrong? The unfortunate truth that we are stuck having to live with is looking back at the DNC photos and finding it isn’t all soothing and embracing; they are also a reminder that a whack job is about to drive our great country (Yes, Donald. It was already great.) into a cesspool of disaster. Yet that little pebble in the shoe aside, there were quite a few other moments and images we thought you’d like to see again and recall the joy, success, triumph, humor and sadness that marked 2016. As far as the DNC is concerned, the party’s over! We had a ball covering the

convention this past summer and recovered nicely through plenty of rest and alcohol. It was truly a highlight of the year, maybe for several years. While the outcome of the election was less than stellar, it must be admitted that the event and the coverage were equally spectacular. These are a few of our other favorite people, places and things.

1. Heroes afield

Mark Bingham was an out, proud gay rugby player from San Francisco who was one of the leaders in the thwarted Flight 93 suicide attack on Sept. 11, 2001. Every two years in his honor, international gay rugby players get together somewhere in the world to play for the Bingham Cup and Hoagland Cup, named for his mother. The defending Hoagland Cup winners Philadelphia Gryphons RFC lost the cup in 2016 in Nashville, but did get to spend some time with Alice Hoagland and get this great group photo. 2. The end of a Venture After the sorrowing closure of Westbury the year before and Sisters in 2013, the community took another hit when Venture Inn on Camac Street was bought and closed as a gay bar and remains closed as any type of business to this day. The staff and regulars enjoyed the closing-day shows, drink specials (clear the shelves!), some entertaining camaraderie and a few emotional moments. Many of the staff are still in the service business. Bob “Sandy Beach” Hitchen is at Stir, Tommy Martinez is at Tabu, Henry Brinton works at Valanni. A solid salute to all of the former Venture Inn staff and patrons!

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

5-6. We are Orlando 3. Easter bonnets. Well, Easter ears, at least, and an over-the-top hat! There is something joyous about seeing people in serious lines of work out doing their jobs and having fun at the same time. Thanks, Mark, Henri and Jim, for everything you’ve done in 2016. “Ears” looking at you!

Tragedy marked Pride month in 2016. Hours before the Philadelphia Pride parade and festival, 49 innocents lost their lives in the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando. In the days and weeks that followed, many responded through fundraisers, support groups and other healing activities, including a get-wellcard signing and a vigil of support here at City Hall. Truly the irony of the two Muslim children decorating cards for victims should not be lost on anyone. The vigil brought together more than 2,000 individuals, who spilled over into the street. A Gayborhood-wide fundraiser later raised more than $100,000 for Orlando victims and families. 7. Baseball is so gay Out, retired baseball player Billy Bean visited Philadelphia this past summer to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the first official Phillies LGBT Night, after a dozen years as a community-led event. Bean took time to talk to each of us and even suggested some selfies with him. A class act and a great ambassador, Bean is the representative of inclusiveness for Major League Baseball.

along with its pop-up history shop, purchased a new huge rainbow flag to fly during its Pride celebrations in May. The official unveiling was just the needed rainbow to break the gray Saturday-morning sky at the corner of Bridge and Main streets. New Hope Celebrates Pride in 2017 will be May 14-21 with the parade and block party on May 21. 9. Invisible people This art installation at City Hall drew some attention to the already-precarious plight of LGBT homeless teens and children across the area. Stark, haunting, lonely, it represented the hundreds, if not thousands, of youth living on their own in the city trying to be productive and make ends meet, sleeping on couches and sharing spaces. One small, bright star in the night is a new LGBT homeless-youth shelter, which will break ground in early 2017 in North Philly and open the following year.

7 4. Making a meal out of a cocktail Not that unusual for some of us, but this Louisville sensation brings a new level of tastiness to the idea. The Hot Brown — a turkey, bacon, mornay sauce broiled on Texas toast — is a gastronomical delight that began decades ago at the Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville. There are many, many variations on the theme, but this Hot Brown Bloody still brings tears of joy to the eye. More on these tasty items and other Louisville delights from my travel story in the June 23 issue can be found at epgn.com.

10. And the winners are …

8. Colors of the wind New Hope is one of our favorite LGBT destinations outside of Philadelphia. Proximity aside, there’s also something for everyone in this little town of wine, retail and song (including a high-heel drag race every fall on Mechanic Street!). This year, New Hope Celebrates Pride,

Editor Jen Colletta and I traveled to receive another Sigma Delta Chi award at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., in June. Our coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage-equality decision and related stories garnered the award, which we 10 shared with graphics artist Sean Dorn. Here’s hoping we get to go back this year for our coverage of the DNC! Photos: Scott A. Drake and Micheal Ward

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Jesse Lee Peterson

Editorial

What was the highlight of 2016 for the PGN staff? Don: The highlight of 2016 has not yet happened. It will be its ending! Gary: The highlight of my 2016 is getting married to my best friend, Hannah. She and I had been together for eight years, so it was beyond time to do it, and this was a great year to do it. Greg: A long weekend in South Beach back in March with some friends. Jen: Though both have been stressful, becoming a home and dog owner were the most exciting parts of 2016 for me. I’ve learned a lot through both processes — and still have a lot to learn! Jeremy: There are two highlights of 2016 that immediately come to mind. The first was embracing my inner nerd and cosplaying for the first time this year as several fictional characters. It was definitely amazing to get a photo of me hugging my husband, Stephen Amell, while dressed as his character’s lover from the TV show “Arrow.” Stephen may not return my calls but I know where his heart is. And of course, the second highlight was becoming a full-time staff writer for the Philadelphia Gay News. It has been great to not only write for a publication I love but to also become connected with many diverse people in the LGBT community. Larry: Every minute I spent outside the country. Hurray for passports! Mark: With the publication of my mem-

oirs, I traveled the nation and met thousands of people whose passion for our community continues to inspire me. Prab: “Moonlight” resonated with me on a deeper emotional level than any other film I’ve seen this year. Sandy: Hmmm … I’ll vote for being alive. And mobilizing. (And having most of my loved ones intact, of course.) Scott: The Democratic National Convention, no contest! The lead-up work and the event itself were physically grueling and time- and energy-consuming, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime gig (at least for me, probably) that I can still feel resonating throughout my being. The sounds, the sights, the joy, the lousy food, passing an FBI background check; what’s not to love? And standing 50 feet away from some of the greatest speakers of our generation as each addressed the nation and the world was truly monumental. And I have the pictures to prove it! Sean: The highlight of 2016 was and is playing music, a couple of different times. Exploring new places and genuinely connecting to people in the audience is always the best. Tim: Attending a housewarming party for a PGN staffer. The setting was lovely. I had an opportunity to meet new people and to engage in camaraderie with old friends. It was a memorable occasion and the social event of the season for me. n

When racist white people who lurk on in the morning. It’s World Net Daily claim they have black really hard to keep friends, they’re probably referring to Jesse up. Lee Peterson, a black man who doesn’t What it all comes seem to like black people much. And that’s down to is, of his prerogative! Nobody can make him like course, bathrooms. black people, but I’m not going to applaud Turns out the battle his bigoted ideas as some kind of moral for civilization will courage. be fought in a pub Basically, Peterson apparently thinks lic restroom stall, that black people are whiny babies who most likely with are mad for no reason and want everythe words, “If you thing for free. In his book, “The Antidote: sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and Healing America From wipe the seatie,” in black the Poison of Hate, Sharpie on the wall. Turns out the battle Blame and Victimhood,” “We need to realize he claims the civil-rights for civilization will that once you give evil movement is “dominated be fought in a public power by letting it have by hustlers, media hacks, its way, it will destroy restroom stall, most politicians, community you. It will destroy organizers and the like likely with the words, you personally, it will who scheme to create destroy your family, it “If you sprinkle wealth without sweat.” will destroy your comThat “wealth” is, of munity and your counwhen you tinkle, be course, food stamps and try, and that’s what it’s a sweetie and wipe welfare. Who among us been doing especially could forget those black in the last eight years,” the seatie,” in black activists in 1961 staging Peterson said. “It’s just Sharpie on the wall. a sit-in at “whites-only” been out of control, to lunch counters in order a point that they are to protest the fact that the government pushing men and women that are confused wasn’t picking up their milkshake tab? about their identities to go into whatever In the same book, Peterson basically bathroom of choice. That’s not even comsays the reason O.J. Simpson became a mon sense, you know that has to be evil.” murderer is because he had a gay dad who Ah. So if something isn’t “common couldn’t teach him to “be a man.” sense,” it must be evil. Got it. Thank good So when Peterson said on news radio ness “common sense” is never shaped by WINA’s “The Schilling Show” that LGBT faulty logic and/or prejudice. Look, going to the bathroom isn’t evil. rights were “evil” and are basically ruining everything, it was hardly his first time It’s a necessity for anyone who isn’t dead. bashing gays. If a trans man or woman uses the restroom Speaking to host Rob Schilling on Dec. that best corresponds to their gender, 15, Peterson bemoaned the advancement in penises and vaginas everywhere don’t sudLGBT rights over the last eight years, prodenly transform into the rippleless geograclaiming it an attack on “man and woman.” phy of Barbie and Ken. Just like marriage “(T)he children of the lie, they are pushequality didn’t ruin the sanctity of maring for no gender. They don’t want you to riage, trans people emptying their bladders identify as a man or as a woman,” he said. and bowels isn’t going to ruin the sanctity The “children of the lie” refers, duh, to of public restrooms. LGBT people and their supporters. And But please, regardless of your gender apparently the Homosexual Agenda now identity, wash your hands and don’t forget includes mandatory androgyny. I wish to flush. That’s just common sense. n right-wingers would stop adding to our D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and agenda. First we wanted to destroy “tradicomedian living in Michigan with her wife tional marriage,” now we want to destroy “man and woman?” I’m still trying to fit in and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on going to the gym a few times a week and Twitter @MamaDWitkowski. making sure my kid isn’t late for school

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

Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.

OP-ED PGN

Taking on 2017 with lessons from the past

We’ve reach that time of year when had already lived through Richard Nixon, we look back, take stock of the year and Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush — begin to think about what will be in the and survived. Reagan and Bush are responNew Year. This year, that is sible for thousands of LGBT somewhat clouded and overdeaths. Yes, you read that corshadowed — as is everything at rectly. Reagan for his lack of this point — by the election of action during the early stages Donald Trump as the next presof AIDS and Bush through his ident of the United States of bashing of our community to America. win re-election. So let’s begin there. It hap We who have lived in times pened, but take solace in the of challenges and who fought fact that half of Americans those fights look at this from didn’t vote for him, or that a different perspective than Hillary Clinton won the popyounger generations. We know ular vote by almost 3 million. the battlefield, we know what And for the fears of what might can be accomplished. While that come, I’ll tell you about a conlast paragraph may have been versation I had with another shocking, this next line should LGBT pioneer, Kay Lahusen. you comfort: During those Mark Segal give Kay and I have been friends times, we as a community back to my Gay Liberation learned how to overcome and to Front days in New York City. She had organize for our very lives. already been an activist for years, along Kay and I both realized that younger with her partner of many years Barbara people in our community have only seen growth and acceptance and didn’t live in a Gittings. But Kay has a place in our histime of such challenges. We both believe tory as well. She literally is the nation’s we will all meet this latest challenge and first out LGBT photojournalist. Many we’ll be a better and stronger community of those pictures you’ve seen from the for it. Sometimes challenges result in progAnnual Reminder Day pickets in front ress. And that brings hope for the future. of Independence Hall in the 1960s were We believe in you to make it work. We Kay’s. Over those many years, Kay and I have believe in our future. n seen the evolution of our community and Mark Segal is the nation’s most-awardwe’ve seen it in times of joy and crisis. So it was not usual, during our holiday call, winning commentator in LGBT media. His for us to discuss the state of the community recently published memoir, “And Then I Danced,” is available on Amazon.com, and where it stands after Trump’s election. The first and easiest point we both Barnes & Noble or at your favorite bookagreed on was that we as a community seller.

Mark My Words

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

Street Talk Will you attend the Mummers Parade? "No. It's not my thing. I'm from Zimbabwe, Africa. I don't really associate with that crowd. I've got nothing Farirai Fundira against the Realtor parade, and Fairmount I'm within walking distance [of the parade]. But I don't have any interest in attending."

"No. I find the parade non-inclusive. It lacks racial diversity and diversity in terms of LGBT participation. Honestly, Christina Poole I wouldn't student even notice Brewerytown if the parade were discontinued. It's not on my radar screen because I'm not on the organizers' radar screen."

"Probably not. It doesn't appeal to me. I'm queer and I don't feel the parade supports the LGBT community. Mariah Richard I'd rather student spend my Gayborhood time on New Year's Day with family and friends who nurture me."

"No. I don't like the drunkenness and craziness that takes place. I wouldn't bring my kids to that. The parade is Ashley Russell coarse and bartender offensive. It Old City was terrible what they did to Caitlyn Jenner last year. I have better things to do on New Year's [Day]."

Gwendolyn Ann Smith

Deadnames On Dec. 2, a fire broke out in a warehouse building in Oakland, Calif. Its tenants knew the building as Ghost Ship, and it housed an artists’ collective. That’s not uncommon in the Bay Area, where affordable housing is scarce. What’s more, the residents were able to find welcoming, supportive community within the walls of Ghost Ship. The fire at Ghost Ship was the deadliest in Oakland’s history, claiming the lives of 36 people. Three of those people were trans: Feral Pines, Cash Askew and Em B. The tragedy was national news, supplanting the latest tantrums of the president-elect. These reports, while usually fairly sensationalist and often quick to blame Ghost Ship’s victims for their own deaths, never once spent a lot of time focusing on what the building held prior to becoming Ghost Ship, nor did any dwell on previous tenants of the building. There

was more respect shown for the identity of a building than the three trans victims of the fire. Much of the coverage stripped away the identities of the trans tenants of Ghost Ship. Hard-won names were ignored, and pronouns that were incorrect for these three lives were applied. Their experience is not uncommon when it comes to media coverage of trans lives. First and foremost, the process of updating your identity documents — such as your driver’s license, Social Security card, passport or birth certificate — remains a burdensome one. Even with some streamlining over the last decade at the state and federal levels, updates can still require letters from medical professionals, a court-ordered name change and other paperwork, each of which comes at some cost. Likewise, there are always judges and others who make name and gender

changes more difficult, rejecting our identities as a morality-based statement, or because they are just plain mean-spirited. This is part of what makes the notion of people using a trans identity to assault people in bathrooms such a ridiculous argument. Transgender people have to work very hard to forge their identities in this society. It’s simply not that easy. Police and rescue personnel may only have the identification papers — such as the driver’s license — of a transgender person, and report that name. Or they feel that it is somehow more “accurate” to use a legal or “wallet” name and gender over the one a person chose, and that which all those knew that person as. This is compounded by the media, who simply use the information they were given, without doing any further due diligence. In some cases, too, it’s not just shoddy reporting or a ham-fisted attempt

to be “accurate,” but a deliberate stripping away of transgender identities in an attempt to “spice up” a story. When the former name of a transgender person is used in such a way, we in the community tend to refer to it as “deadnaming.” The term is perhaps a bit overstated, but it is certainly applicable. I changed my name nearly 25 years ago, and today I have to take a moment to remember what it once was. There is no connection to it, no sense of recognition that one might associate with one’s name. That said, no one wants to be called something they are not. Consider what it might feel like to have a name you do not associate with used as a weapon against you, as a way to de-legitimize your very being? That is what it is to use the “deadname” and use an incorrect gender for a trans person. I transitioned so long PAGE 19

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

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Out suicide survivor to be honored By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com When Drew Bergman was in seventh grade, his parents separated. After learning this news, Bergman, 23, experienced severe depression and began to self-harm. “I went to a private school,” Bergman explained. “So I had a suit-and-tie uniform so it wasn’t as challenging as it may have been for others [to hide self-harm]. But there was this interesting contrast between the presence that I was giving off — wearing the suit, coat and tie — of strength and power against the fact that I self-harmed.” Bergman ultimately attempted suicide on New Year’s Eve during his sophomore year of high school. “I don’t go into the details of how I attempted it,” Bergman said. “It’s one of those things that I want people to understand — that I got more of the feeling of not wanting to live rather than the means in which I tried not to live.” Now, Bergman engages thousands of K-12 students about his experiences as the associate development director for Minding Your Mind, an organization dedicated to providing mental-health education to young people, parents and school officials. He will graduate from Temple University in 2017 with a degree in business marketing. Bergman, who identifies as

gay but said his sexuality did not play a significant role in his depression, will be honored at the Jan. 7 Save A Life Gala, organized by the Philadelphia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He will receive the inaugural Young Friend of AFSP Award for his efforts in mental-health advocacy. “[Bergman] is helping save lives,” said Garden Logan, a spokesperson for AFSP. “He’s touching people and he’s affecting people. He’s been such a champion for our cause that we were so happy to be able to honor him with this award.” Bergman said he met with his guidance counselor daily during his recovery. “At a certain juncture where I was starting to feel better, he asked me what my ultimate goal will be and I told him that my ultimate goal would be to speak about it,” Bergman said. From there, Bergman’s counselor organized a speech for him to deliver in front of his peers during a school assembly. “It was liberating,” Bergman said. “I always say that real recovery for me began when I finally opened up about what I have gone through.” Not long after these events, Bergman went to a community event where he participated in small breakout sessions. He met a Minding Your Mind employee who asked him if he would be

interested in getting involved in advocacy. Bergman began the training process to become a speaker for the organization. He plans to spread his message to other individuals contemplating suicide. “Just take one step back and think about tomorrow,” Bergman said. “Things might not get better right this instant. They might not get better an hour from now, or a day from now or a week from now, but things will always get better.” In addition to Bergman, Kevin Hines, author of the memoir “Cracked Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt,” will be honored with the Lifesaver of the Year Award at the Save a Life Gala. The Save a Life Gala will be held at 6 p.m. for VIP attendees and at 7 p.m. for general admission Jan. 7 at Atrium at Curtis Center, 601 Walnut St. To purchase tickets, visit https://www. eventbrite.com/e/afsp-save-alife-gala-2017-tickets. n

State police revise hate-crime designation By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The Pennsylvania State Police recently revised a hate-crime designation for a 2009 mass shooting near Pittsburgh from “anti-gender-nonconforming” to “anti-female.” In August 2009, George Sodoni opened fire inside an LA Fitness Center, killing three women and injuring nine others. Sodoni then committed suicide. The massacre occurred in Collier Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, and was investigated by township and county police. Sodoni’s writings indicated a deep-seated hatred for women, and Collier Township police reported the incident to the Pennsylvania State Police as an anti-female hate crime. But due to a computer error, in 2013 the incident was re-categorized as an “anti-gender-nonconforming” hate crime on the state-police website. In an email last week, Cpl. Adam Reed, a state

police spokesperson, said the error has been corrected. He said the error occurred when the FBI updated hate-crimes codes in 2013. “We continually strive to provide the most accurate and timely data and information to the citizens we serve,” Reed said. “As such, we are happy that we could successfully resolve this incident.” Pennsylvania’s hate-crimes law doesn’t include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability, but federal guidelines encourage the tracking of bias incidents in those categories. Justin F. Robinette, a local civil-rights attorney, commended the state police for correcting the designation. “I commend the Pennsylvania State Police for investigating and correcting the error when the question was raised,” Robinette said in an email. “Prompt investigation and correction of these types of errors by the police give the community confidence. It’s good to know the state police remedied the problem and appear to be committed to accurate reporting of hate crimes.” n

LOCAL PGN

Sexual-harassment suit refiled in state court By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A former Haddon Township, N.J., police officer has refiled his sexual-harassment lawsuit in New Jersey Superior Court. Jason DeMent, a township police officer from 2004-15, alleges pervasive sexual harassment by Chief Mark Cavallo. Last year, DeMent filed suit against Cavallo and the township in federal court. However, on Nov. 17, U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler dismissed the case in a manner that allowed for DeMent to refile in state court. On Nov. 21, DeMent refiled his lawsuit in New Jersey Superior Court, reiterating his allegations of pervasive same-sex harassment by Cavallo. Attorneys for Cavallo and the township had no comment by press time. In the refiled lawsuit, DeMent alleges he was dismissed from his position because he refused to submit to Cavallo’s sexual

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

James Russell ‘JR’ Guthrie, writer and IT expert, 68 By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

advances. In prior court papers, township officials said DeMent was dismissed because he has a vision problem that renders him incapable of performing the essential duties of a police officer. However, DeMent maintains that he’s capable of serving as a township police officer with reasonable accommodations. According to DeMent’s lawsuit, when he offered to do “anything” to retain his job, Cavallo responded: “You look good. Come over here and let me hold you like a baby.” DeMent also alleges that Cavallo would touch him inappropriately, attempt to kiss him on the neck, pinch his upper leg, stroke his cheek in a sexual manner, refer to him as “hot” and stare at his rear end. DeMent is seeking reinstatement with full seniority and benefits. He’s also seeking an unspecified amount in damages, including back pay, compensation for emotional distress and punitive damages. Neither side had a comment for this story. n

James Russell “JR” Guthrie, former PGN editor, died Dec. 20. He was 68. Guthrie, a George Washington University graduate, had a passion for trains and railroads, which sometimes snuck its way into PGN. Occasionally, Guthrie would find ways to insert photos of trains into the publication. “He used to drive Mark [Segal, PGN publisher] nuts sneaking pictures of trains [into the paper],” said Jim Sigel, a longtime friend of Guthrie. “He was insane over trains.” Sigel said Guthrie was working on a book on the history of anthracite railroads prior to his passing. Guthrie was active in the Anthracite Heritage Museum, the Lackawanna Historical Society, the

Long Island Sunrise Trail Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the New Jersey Midland Railway Historical Society and the New York Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society. He also held positions in radio, print journalism and information technology. In the latter field, Sigel said Guthrie was entirely self-taught. He would read books about computers and wrote his own programs based entirely on the knowledge he gained. “Once you got past the rough exterior, he was an amazing, awesome person,” Sigel said about Guthrie. “I know I’m going to miss him.” Guthrie is survived by his companion of 36 years, Albert Guthrie, and sisters Patrica Guthrie and the Rev. Suzanne Guthrie. He was active in the Episcopal Church all of his life and was most recently a member of Scranton’s St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where the Rev. Rebecca Barnes presided over his Dec. 28 memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Civil Liberties Union, to which Guthrie belonged. n

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PGN

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Dec. 12-18. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Crime Analyst Officer Robert Savino. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686TIPS. INCIDENTS — At 3:53 a.m. Dec. 13, Sixth District officers responded to a burglary alarm at ICandy, 254 S. 12th St., and found a side door open. A search of the premises was done with negative results. On surveillance video, a man was observed stealing the cash register from the business. — At 7:11 a.m. Dec. 15, Sixth District officers responded to a burglary alarm at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. While conducting a walkthrough of the property, they found a 29-year-old man inside the property. He was arrested and charged with burglary. — At 1:20 a.m. Dec. 17, a patron drinking in an establishment in the 200 block of South Camac Street got into an argument with another patron, who he says struck him in the face with a glass. The victim chased and held the suspect for police. The 32-year-old was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

Media Trail HB 2-repeal effort stopped

Happy Holiday Scott A. Drake Photography

Fox 46 Charlotte reports a bid to repeal a North Carolina law that limits nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people has fallen apart because of deep divides over partisan politics and transgender rights. North Carolina legislators tried and failed Dec. 21 to push through a deal to scrap the law called House Bill 2. The law omits LGBT people from state anti-discrimination protections, bars local governments from going further and orders transgender people to use public facilities that align with their birth sex. The law has become part of a new front in the U.S. culture wars involving transgender rights and bathrooms. Big business, conventions and sporting events have stayed away from North Carolina in protest.

Oil field-services company sued for antigay harassment According to the Bismarck Tribune, the Equal Employment Opportunity

— At 5:40 p.m. Dec. 17, a man entered the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1105 Chestnut St. He announced a “stick up” and pointed a plastic bag with a barrel protruding from it at the clerk. The clerk gave the suspect money and he fled in an unknown direction. He was described as black, in his 50s, 5-foot-9, wearing a black puffy coat, a black and gray baseball cap, a multicolored scarf, glasses and gray gloves. — There was one theft from a parked vehicle reported Dec. 12-18: in the 1200 block of Manning Street. — There were two thefts of bicycles reported Dec. 12-18: both outside 201 S. Broad St. ARRESTS — At 1 a.m. Dec. 14, Sixth District Officer Brown issued a summary citation to a 21-year-old man for defiant trespass in the 900 block of Walnut Street. — At 3:08 a.m. Dec. 14, Sixth District Officer Coupas issued a summary citation to a 36-year-old man for drinking from an open container of alcohol in the 100 block of South 12th Street. — At 8:35 a.m. Dec. 16, Center City District Officer Pagan arrested a 45-year-old man for defiant trespass at 1101 Market St. The suspect also had a warrant for a probation violation. n Commission is suing an oil field-services company, alleging a gay worker was harassed at the company’s Williston location. The EEOC says this is the first lawsuit it has brought in North Dakota that deals with harassment over sexual orientation. The lawsuit claims Wyoming-based Rocky Mountain Casing Co. allowed the harassment of Michael Allyn. Among other things, the complaint alleges Allyn was called homophobic slurs by other employees and given pornographic magazines.

University of Minnesota captures transgender experiences The Pioneer Press reports the University of Minnesota has published the first batch of videos in a project aimed at capturing the stories of transgender people in the Midwest. Andrea Jenkins, an oral historian at the university, has recorded interviews with 119 transgender people, discussing how they came to find their gender identity as well as broader issues affecting their community. More than 10 of the interviews have been published online through the university’s Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies. Jenkins, who is also transgender, says the stories are beautiful and moving, and that one of the key themes she has recognized is resilience. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

PGN

International

tion of a U.N. Human Rights Council resolution to determine “the legal basis” for the expert’s mandate. But their proposed amendment for a delay was defeated by a vote of 77-86, with 16 abstentions. The committee vote had the same number of supporters and opponents.

Tegan and Sara launch founU.K.’s first openly gay rabbi dation to support LGBT women dies at 86 British Rabbi Lionel Blue, who was known for his popular early-morning radio spots, has died at 86. Blue was the first openly gay rabbi in Britain. The Liberal Judaism group said he died Dec. 19. He was a frequent guest on BBC radio’s “Thought for the Day” feature, part of the widely heard Radio 4 morning broadcast. Blue was known for the light, genial tone of his radio spots, which often shed light on Judaism and its application in modern-day life. He often discussed his own failings and foibles. Liberal Judaism’s Rabbi Charley Baginsky said Blue helped pave the way for gay clergy of many faiths when he disclosed his sexuality in the 1970s. He praised Blue’s “pioneering spirit.”

Gay-rights supporters win second victory at the United Nations Supporters of gay rights have won a major victory at the United Nations with the failure of a second African attempt to stop a U.N. independent expert from investigating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation. After a first defeat Nov. 21 in the General Assembly’s human-rights committee, African nations led by Burkina Faso attempted again Dec. 19 to suspend the work of the first LGBT expert. But the result was almost identical. The Africans sought to delay implementa-

Lesbian indie-pop duo Tegan and Sara have launched their own charitable foundation to help LGBT women and girls. The twins, who have each been longtime campaigners on LGBT issues created the foundation to work toward a “commitment to feminism and racial, social and gender justice.” “Since the beginning of our career, our LGBTQ fans have supported us in innumerable ways,” a statement on the foundation’s website reads. “Our journey navigating sexism and homophobia in the music industry has always been interwoven with the stories you share with us. Your personal histories of injustice and discrimination at home, school, work, and church have inspired us to use our public status to speak out about the struggles of the LGBTQ community.” The GLAAD media award-winning duo continued: “We learned a great deal from you all, including much more about the needs of LGBTQ people in North America. We learned that the lack of federal funding for LGBTQ services, limited training for doctors about the needs of their LGBTQ patients and severe workplace discrimination are disproportionately affecting women. Most importantly, we learned that LGBTQ women and girls are feeling overwhelmingly rejected and left behind.” The identical twins, from Calgary, Canada, have been writing music since age 15, and are vocal LGBT activists. They publicly supported the decision of trans activist Freddie Bologno to come out to 2.4-million people in a single text message. n — compiled by Larry Nichols

TRANSMISSIONS from page 11

ago that there is no real record of me with that name or gender to be found on the World Wide Web. While I’m sure someone could find it easily enough if they really were determined, it’s not so casually stepped over. I like it that way. Recently, however, I’ve ended up having to sort through paperwork as I apply for a United States passport prior to President-Elect Trump taking office. My birth certificate still has that old name on it, and a gender I left behind decades ago. It’s almost foreign to see it and have to present it as proof of my identity, given that it honestly is not my identity. It is, rather, something alien to me. Yet I too must deal with the fact that, no matter how buried my former name may be, no matter how many identity documents I update, no matter what I do, there’s still that chance that someone will try to use an identity I rejected a quarter-century ago. Maybe it will be police who are “being accurate,” or maybe it will be journalists who want to tell my “whole story” to the public. Then again, it could just as well be someone setting out to deliberately harm me. When we talk about fighting for our rights, the number-one right we need to fight for is the right to exist. That’s not just a reference to our staggering homicide rate, but to the very notion of our identities being respected, and seen as legitimate. Let our “deadnames” rest in peace, and let us live as ourselves. n Gwen Smith is what she answers to. You’ll find her at www.gwensmith.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

locations in Philadelphia CENTER CITY BUSINESSES WEST OF BROAD

Adonis Cinema, 2026 Sansom St. • Art Institute, 1622 Chestnut St. • Art Institute, 2300 Market St. • The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St. • Bob & Barbara’s, 1509 South St. • Dan Tobey R/E, 1401 Walnut St., 8th floor • Dr. Wakefield’s Office, 255 S. 17th St., Suite 2306 • Drucker & Scaccetti, 1600 Market St., Suite 3300 • Drexel Partnership, 1427 Vine St., 3rd floor • Latimer Deli, 255 S. 15th St. • MANNA, 12 S. 23rd St. • Marine Club Condos lobby, Broad St. & Washington Ave. • Metropolitan, 115 N. 15th St. • PA Law Project, 2122 Chestnut St., Suite 1600 • Safeguards Lobby, 1700 Market St., 18th floor • Sansom St. Gym, 2020 Sansom St. • SOSNA offices, 19th & Christian sts. • Stir, 1705 Chancellor St. • U Do It Laundry, 15th & Spruce sts. • Westminster Arch Apts., Vine St., 3rd floor •

WEST PHILLY Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. • Drexel University, 4001 Walnut St. • Fresh Grocer, 4001 Walnut St. • Goodman Hall, 710 S. 42nd St. • International House, 3701 Chestnut St. • LGBT Center at Penn, 3907 Spruce St. • Metropolitan Community Church, 3637 Chestnut St. • Old Quaker Condos lobby, 3514 Lancaster Ave. • Oslo Hall, 510 S. 42nd St. • Penn Bookstore, 3610 Walnut St. • Redcaps Corner, 4812 Baltimore Ave. • Saturn Club, 3430 Sansom St. • Saxby’s Coffee, 40th & Locust sts. • Sheraton Hotel, 36th & Chestnut sts. • St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk • University of the Sciences England Library, 4200 Woodland Ave. • Wilson Hall, 708 S. 42nd St. • World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. •

NORTH PHILLY

1 Shot Coffee, 1040 N. Second St. • 2601 Parkway Condos lobby, 2601 Pennsylvania Ave. • Barnes & Noble, 1700 N. Broad St. • Bebashi, 1217 Spring Garden St. • Beth Ahavah, 615 N. Broad St. • Bridgeview Place Condo lobby, 315 New St. • Colonnade Condos lobby, 1601 Spring Garden St. • Community College CCP Lambda, 1700 Spring Garden St. • Congresso de Latinos, American St. & Lehigh Ave. • Front Street Cafe, 1253 N. Front St. • GALAEI, 149 Susquehanna Ave. • Logan View Apts. lobby, 17th & Callowhill sts. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Packard Apts., 317 N. Broad St. • Philadelphian Condos lobby, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. • Sammy’s Place, 1449 N. Fifth St., 1st floor • SILOAM Ministries, 1133 Spring Garden St. • Temple University Student Activity Center, 1755 N. 12th St. • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • Whole Foods Market, 2001 Pennsylvania Ave. •

SOUTH PHILLY

Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Essene, 719 S. Fourth St. • Famous 4th St. Deli, Fourth & Bainbridge sts. • Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave. • Jackson Place, 501 Jackson St. • Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • Tiffin Restaurant, 1100 Federal St. • Wedge Medical Center, 1939 S. Juniper St. •

PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS — OTHER Almost Paradise, 742 Frankford Ave. • Awbry Aboretum, 1 Awbry Rd. • Caribbean Pharmacy, 3825 N. 5th St. •Elfant Wissahickon Realty, 8962 Ridge Ave. • Fantasy Island Books, 7363 State Road • Harry’s Natural Foods, 1805 Cottman Ave. • Infinity Jewelers, 3528 Cottman+ Ave. • Infusion Salon, 7133 Germantown Ave. • Morris House, 5537 Woodland Ave. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphia University KANBAR Center, 4201 Henry Ave. • Philly Pharmacy, 9475 Roosevelt Blvd. • Riverhouse Condo, 3600 Conshohocken Ave. • WCAU TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road • Weaver’s Way, 559 Carpenter Lane • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • WPVI TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road •

LIBRARY BRANCHES Andorra Branch, 705 E. Cathedral Road • Blanch A. Nixon Branch, 5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway • Donatucci Branch, 1935 Shunk St. • Falls of Schuylkill Branch, 3501 Midvale Ave. • Fishtown Branch, 1217 E. Montgomery Ave. • Frankford Branch, 4634 Frankford Ave. • Independence Branch, 18 S. Seventh St. • Joseph E. Coleman Branch, 68 W. Chelten Ave. • Kingsessing Branch, 1201 S. 51st St. • Lehigh Branch, 601 W. Lehigh Ave. • Lovett Branch, 6945 Germantown Ave. • Main Branch, 1901 Vine St. • McPherson Square Branch, 601 E. Indiana Ave. • Northeast Regional, 2228 Cottman Ave. • Ogontz Branch, 6017 Ogontz Ave. • Richmond Branch, 2987 Almond St. • Rodriguez Branch, 600 W. Girard Ave. • Roxborough Branch, 6245 Ridge Ave. • Southwark Branch, 932 S. Seventh St. • Welsh Road Branch, 9233 Roosevelt Blvd. • West Phila. Branch, 125 S. 52nd St. • Whitman Branch, 200 Snyder Ave. • Wynnefield Branch, 5325 Overbrook Ave.

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CITY COUNCIL Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290

2017 NOTICE OF STATED MEETINGS The Philadelphia City Council will have its Regular Stated Meetings on the dates listed below. All meetings will be held at 10:00 A.M. in Room 400 City Hall, except as noted below. Thursday, January 26, 2017

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Thursday, February 2, 2017 Thursday, February 16, 2017 Thursday, February 23, 2017 Thursday, March 2, 2017

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Thursday, March 16, 2017 Thursday, March 23, 2017

Thursday, March 30, 2017 Thursday, April 6, 2017

Thursday, April 20, 2017 Thursday, April 27, 2017 Thursday, May 4, 2017

Thursday, May 11, 2017 Thursday, May 18, 2017

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Thursday, September 14, 2017 Thursday, September 21, 2017 Thursday, September 28, 2017 Thursday, October 5, 2017

Thursday, October 12, 2017 Thursday, October 19, 2017 Thursday, October 26, 2017

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Thursday, November 16, 2017 Thursday, November 30, 2017 Thursday, December 7, 2017

Thursday, December 14, 2017

CITY COUNCIL Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290

2017 NOTICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Economic Opportunity Review Committee, established and constituted pursuant to Phila. Code § 17-1607 and Resolution No. 120184, will meet in City Council Chambers (Room 400, City Hall) on the following dates and times:

Monday, March 6th, 2017, at 10:00 A.M.

Whether your New Year’s resolution was to shed a few pounds, work on stress-relief or boost conﬁdence at work and at play, our New Year, New You guide gives you tips on how to face 2017 in the best possible physical, mental and emotional health.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

WINTER PREVIEW 2017: THE STATE OF THE ARTS BLOWING INTO WINTER: Jacqueline Green and Jamar Roberts of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (clockwise from top left), “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Balé Folclórico da Bahía, Lady Bunny, “The Bodyguard,” “Stayin’ Alive,” Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lionel Richie. By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The emotional rollercoaster we called 2016 is finally over. Thank goodness. Let’s just take a long hot shower and scrub all the psychic residue of the last 365 days off us. Whew! It’s not like 2017 is looking like it’s going to be a vast improvement, but it’s a new year and we are all going to need something to keep our collective minds off the past, present and future gloom and doom we are wading through. On the bright side, we have a lot of great artists and entertainers coming through the area during the cold and dark months ahead that we need to check out, because really, we need to get all the good times in and support all the talent we can patronize while we still can. So, enjoy! Red wine and Xanax are optional. Books Irene Levy Baker The author of “Gateway to Freedom:

The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad” hosts a reading 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341. Michael Eric Dyson The New York Times opinion writer, MSNBC political analyst and author of “Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Camille Paglia The author of “Free Women, Free Men: Sex, Gender, Feminism” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Alec Baldwin The actor and author of “Nevertheless: A Memoir” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215567-4341. Classical/Opera/World Music All Mozart The Philadelphia Orchestra performs selections for the iconic composer Jan.

5-7 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Broadway Up Close: Vanessa Williams The singer and actor comes to town for a live Q&A 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Andre Watt’s 60-Year Legacy The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 2-4 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Valentine’s Day Concert The Philadelphia Orchestra performs a concert honoring Cupid and St. Valentine 8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-7905847. Brahms Symphony No. 3 The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 17-19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Raiders of the Lost Ark with The Philadelphia Orchestra The Philadelphia Orchestra performs

AC ul t ure rts

the score alongside a screening of the classic adventure film March 17-19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Comedy Judy Gold The out comedian performs 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Rrazz Room at the Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 267-239-2941. Sarah Silverman The comedian performs 8 p.m. Jan. 15-16 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650. Todd Glass The comedian performs Jan. 26-29 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Kathy Griffin The comedian performs 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Lewis Black The comedian performs 9 p.m. March 10-11 at the Borgata Hotel, PAGE 24

Family Portrait Out and About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly PAGE 31

Page Page Page Page

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

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Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Carol Burnett: An Evening of Laughter and Reflection The comedy icon tells stories and answers questions 7:30 p.m. April 11 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Eddie Sarfaty The comedian performs 8 p.m. April 22 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609317-1000.

Le Corsaire The Pennsylvania Ballet performs a lighthearted production about a swashbuckling pirate in search of treasure who becomes enamored with a slave girl March 9-19 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800. Romance The Pennsylvania Ballet performs a playful modern ballet April 6-9 at Kimmel’s Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Dance Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater The legendary international dance company performs Feb. 3-4 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.

Shadowland Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the fulllength piece about a teenage girl who wakes up one day to something incredible lurking behind her bedroom wall April 6-7 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215898-3900.

Balé Folclórico da PHILADANCO Bahía The acclaimed The troupe Philadelphia of dancers, dance company musicians and performs April singers per13-15 at Perelman forms a reperMARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER Theater, 300 S. (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT), Broad St.; 215tory based on Bahian folkRICK ASTLEY, BON JOVI 790-5847. loric dances Exhibits of African origin 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at Hidden History Exposed Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; Photography enthusiasts Tracy Buchholz 215-790-5800. and Jason Giordano present an exhibit highShen Yun 2017 lighting friendship, photography and one The acclaimed international Chinese very cold winter, Jan. 13-Feb. 24 at William dance company performs Feb. 18-26 Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. 215-790-5800. PAGE 28

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

WINTER PREVIEW from page 24

Person of the Crowd: The Contemporary Art of Flânerie The Barnes Foundation presents an exhibition featuring works by 40 international artists making provocative spectacles of themselves to speak to issues like commodity fetishism, gentrification, gender politics, globalization, racism and homelessness Feb. 25-May 22, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-278-7000. American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring watercolor’s remarkable rise in the United States from 18601925 March 1-May 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Marcel Duchamp and the Fountain Scandal Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition celebrating the centennial of the provocative and influential work that changed the course of modern art April 1-Dec. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Music Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven The rock bands perform 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. The Smithereens The rock band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 20 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Adam Ant The classic new-wave rock singer performs 8 p.m. Jan. 26 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-5727650. Rick Astley The pop/dance/R&B singer performs 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000. O-Town The boy band performs 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681. Red Hot Chili Peppers The alt-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-13 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Chely Wright The out country singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-2575808. Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs The acclaimed out actor and singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. Panic! At The Disco The alt-rock band performs 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. KT Tunstall The rock singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 27 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808.

FEATURE PGN

Ariana Grande The pop singer performs 7:30 p.m. March 1 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.

est Cirque adventure, inspired by the rich legacy of the Wild Wild West, Jan. 13-14 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

The Importance of Being Earnest Walnut Street Theatre presents the classic Oscar Wilde play March 14-April 30, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

The Flaming Lips The alt-rock band performs 8:30 p.m. March 4 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor Walnut Street Theatre presents the Neil Simon play that gives the audience a peek into the writer’s room of a hit 1950s television show Jan. 17-March 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I Broadway Philadelphia presents the story of a British schoolteacher who is invited to educate the many wives and children of the king of Siam March 22-April 2 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Mike Doughty The alt-rock singer performs 8 p.m. March 5 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Sting The iconic rock singer performs 8 p.m. March 11 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681. Vanessa Carlton The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. March 11 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey The pop/R&B icons perform 7 p.m. March 18 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543. The Temptations and The Four Tops The R&B groups perform 8 p.m. March 24 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650. Bon Jovi The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. March 31 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543.

Romeo & Juliet Media Theatre presents the classic Shakespeare tragedy Jan. 25-Feb. 19, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. Having Our Say Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of 103-year-old Sadie and 101-year-old Bessie, who welcome us into their home to share an endearing, true story, Jan. 27-Feb. 19 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215985-0420. Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man The romantic comedy takes the audience on a ride where no topic is taboo and the insider “tips” come straight from the source: a gay man, Feb. 9-11 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.

The 1812 ADAM ANT (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Game Show LEFT), “TIPS FOR STRAIGHT WOMEN Spectacular! FROM A GAY GUY,” THE FLAMING LIPS 1812 Productions presents the hilarious mash-up of “Match Game,” “Pyramid” and “The The Beach Boys Price is Right” Feb. 20-21 at Plays & The classic band performs at 3 p.m. and Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 8 p.m. April 1 at Keswick Theatre, 291 215-592-9560. N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-5727650. The Bodyguard Deborah Cox stars in the musical based Anthrax on the hit film Feb. 21-26 at Kimmel’s The metal band performs 8 p.m. April 5 Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh 215-790-5800. St.; 800-745-3000. Shitheads Steve Winwood Azuka Theatre presents the story of a The classic-rock singer performs 8 p.m. down-and-out bike-shop manager in April 22 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th Lower Manhattan Feb. 22-March 12 at St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887. Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 PJ Harvey S. Hicks St.; 215-563-1100. The alt-rock singer performs 8 p.m. Sideshow April 21 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, Media Theatre presents the musical 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681. about the conjoined twins who survive Theater by being part of a “freak” show in the Cirque Eloize: Saloon 1930s, March 8-26, 104 E. State St., Broadway Philadelphia presents the latMedia; 610-891-0100.

Hand to God Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-nominated Broadway comedy about a puppet at the Christian Puppet Ministry who presents a shockingly sinister agenda of its own, March 31-April 30 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420. Cabaret Broadway Philadelphia presents the classic Tony Award-winning musical April 4-9 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Hedwig and the Angry Inch Broadway Philadelphia presents the rock opera about a transgender rock singer April 18-23 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Dirty Dancing Broadway Philadelphia presents the musical based on the hit blockbuster drama May 16-21 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-7905800. Saturday Night Fever Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical based on the popular disco-era blockbuster May 16-July 16, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Misc. Lady Bunny The iconic drag artist performs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027. Wendy Williams The TV personality hosts a live show 9 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Chippendales 2017: Best. Night. Ever. The male-stripper revue comes to town 9 p.m. Feb. 18 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. Martha Graham Cracker in Lashed But Not Leashed The new work created by Dito van Reigersberg for his vivacious alter-ego is a musical fever-dream featuring original songs March 16-18 at the Kimmel Center’s SEI Innovation Studio, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Judy and Liza Together Again! Rick Skye is rejoining Tommy Femia to portray Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli 7:30 p.m. April 15 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-5961027. n

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

Suzi Nash

Jose Colon-Laird: Overcoming obstacles to build business success This upcoming year is going to usher in challenges for most of us. Will we retain hard-fought rights under a (gulp) Trump/ Pence administration? Will we see our friends or loved ones deported? Will we be forced to choose between a trip to the doctor and shoes for the kids? Will there be border patrols monitoring the Burger King bathrooms to make sure that we have the proper genitalia to enter? Buck up: This week’s profile is proof that we can make it through the tough times that life throws at us. Born with severe hearing loss and a learning disability in an impoverished area of North Philadelphia, Jose Colon-Laird had the definition of a hardscrabble childhood. Now he runs his own company, CLC Cleaning Services. His goal is to be an inspiration to others and “to show that a gay minority with a disability can make a difference.” PGN: You said your life was a book. Tell me about the first chapter. JCL: I was born and raised in Philadelphia, Third and Erie. My family is from Puerto Rico; my parents were born there but were raised in the U.S. I started out speaking fluent Spanish but when I got to elementary school I was forced to learn English. It was tough but I caught on quickly. One thing you may find interesting is that my parents didn’t find out that I was deaf until I was 17. So I missed out on a lot of my education because no one knew. All that time they just thought that I was slow and didn’t understand things or that what they were trying to teach me was just going over my head. They finally figured out that something else was going on and transferred me to a different school with all deaf people. My first day, I thought I was in the wrong building because everyone was signing and I didn’t know what that was. But then one girl asked the teacher if she could take me under her wing and she’d go to lunch with me and teach me American Sign Language. Fortunately, I’m a quick learner: You teach me something and I’ll pick it up pretty quick. PGN: That’s pretty incredible. As you know, you speak very well but with a bit of an impediment; no one picked it up? JCL: No, a lot of people who should have been able to help students learn how to speak and to educate them never stepped up. People would always correct me and tell me I was pronouncing things wrong and kids would laugh at me, but no one figured out what the problem was. And so I got bullied a lot at school. My mother used to always yell at me to try to get my attention but then they finally took me to St. Christopher’s Hospital on Erie Avenue. They sent me to the ear doctor and they said to my parents, “Duh, your son needs a hearing aid!” That’s when I was able to

hear everything that I’m supposed to hear. But you can’t make up for lost time, all the things that I missed out on growing up, not going to college because I failed tests at school. Not just because of being deaf — I do also have a learning disability and I do have trouble reading and I do have trouble writing letters. My husband is a lifesaver because he does all the paperwork for the business. I always tell people if I send you an email and you can’t understand it, just call me and we can talk. PGN: So you speak three languages? JCL: Yes, English, Spanish and ASL. And I read lips too! [Laughs] That’s why I keep staring at your lips! PGN: Ha. I thought it was my new shade of CoverGirl. Tell me a little about growing up. What was your favorite toy as a kid? JCL: I never got a chance to play with boy toys. I was always playing with my sister’s doll babies. So I never got into playing with G.I. Joes or racing cars or anything like that. [Laughs] Just me and my sister with the dolls. PGN: Is she your only sibling? JCL: You know what, there’s four boys and one girl, but they’re my half-brothers and sister. I’m the oldest. PGN: And the parents? JCL: My father killed himself at age 23. For the longest time my family told me that he was shot and killed, but that was a lie. My mother was a housewife and my stepfather was the only one in the house who worked. My childhood was a rollercoaster ride; a lot of people ask me how I managed to survive it. Watching my mother get hit all the time, and not just her, I’d get hit too … PGN: Were you close to your father before he died? JCL: You know, I never got to meet him. That’s something I really missed. I flew to Puerto Rico two years ago and visited my father’s grave. It was really hard, I think that’s one reason why I was always attracted to older men. I was looking for that comfortable cushion … which got me into a lot of trouble at times! PGN: How old were you when he died? JCL: About 5. PGN: Moving forward, what did you do after high school? JCL: I moved in with my mom’s sister. There was a lot that went down in my childhood that was not good: abuse, neglect, wearing the same old shoes, going to school in the same clothes. I tried to get into college but they said my education

level was that of a child. My reading, my math, were all behind what they should have been, so I left home and it was tough. I had to learn how to survive in the real world with no love or support from home. When I spoke before about looking for relationships, you’re looking for that love and the lost time and a man to give you the knowledge that a father figure should have given you. That’s not what I got at home. I was molested at a young age and I was scared to tell anyone. Forgive me for being so graphic, but I was bleeding back there and I took myself to the hospital but I refused to tell them what happened. I kept that secret and never told my mother until after I came out as gay. Unfortunately, they acted like it was the molestation that made me gay but it didn’t play any role. I can say that because I had a boyfriend in high school before I came out later. After my mother found out, she beat me almost every day thinking she could beat it out of me.

here.” I’ve been neglected and bullied and molested, I’ve been in and out of therapy, I’ve been in and out of the hospital, I’ve been suicidal, but I’ve been blessed to survive it all and have a second chance. PGN: When you left home, were you on the streets or were you able to find a place to go? JCL: I stayed with my aunt. But I had to get out of there too. Because of living there, I missed my prom and missed job opportunities too. I had a job with the IRS stuffing envelopes and they loved me, but living with her I wasn’t able to stay there. After that I moved from place to place, I got into some bad situations, but I’m happy to say that I never got into drugs and never had to live on the streets or get into prostitution to survive. I did party a lot to bury the pain. It was hard to find acceptance in the community because of my disability and not being educated or the fantasy that people have of gay men. I tried doing some modeling and got a certificate and everything from modeling school but they said I was too short and needed perfect teeth. It made me feel like a failure. PGN: How did you start to turn things around? JCL: I just decided to let go. To let go of the pain, let go of the anger and forgive and to forget the past. But the toughest and most important thing was I learned to love myself and to become my own friend. I used to try to please other people, going to the gym to try to have the perfect body and changing to make other people happy. Now, if you like what you see, great; if not, then too bad.

PGN: When did you start the business? JCL: Last year. It was Steve’s idea. I’d been living on SSI and welfare and he encouraged me to find something I’d like and Photo: Suzi Nash PGN: Yikes. make it a career. Being on JCL: So what I did was I started dating disability restricts you; it a female friend of mine as a cover up and put my life in hold. Because I was afraid once my mother saw her in the picture, the of losing my disability if I worked fullbeatings stopped. But then it backfired on time, I could only take part-time jobs, but me because she got pregnant. Now I have a now I have five businesses and two houses 17-year-old child! that are clients. I gave up my disability last year and I don’t regret it. It keeps me busy, PGN: That was a pretty rough beginning. it keeps me going and it keeps my mind JCL: Yeah, but now I want to use my voice busy. And it lets me share my story with to help empower people. To say, “Hey places like the PGN. I had my ribbon cutI survived hell and back, and I’m still ting last year. PAGE 34

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

CITY COUNCIL Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290

2017 NOTICE OF LIVING WAGE AND BENEFITS REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Living Wage and Benefits Review Committee, established and constituted pursuant to Phila. Code § 171311 and Resolution No. 110807, will meet in City Council Council Chambers (Room 400, City Hall) on the following dates and times: Tuesday, March 7th, 2017, at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 20th, 2017, at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 12th, 2017, at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 12th, 2017, at 10:00 A.M.

RICHARD LAZER, CHAIRPERSON

Living Wage and Benefits Review Committee

CITY COUNCIL Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290

2017 NOTICE OF VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETINGS The Veterans Advisory Commission, established pursuant to Resolution No. 060059 (Adopted February 2, 2006), will meet in City Council Chambers (Room 400, City Hall) on the following dates and times. Wednesday, March 8th, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 21st, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 13th, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 13th, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. GEORGE GINDER, CHAIRMAN

Veterans Advisory Commission

Theater & Arts Bruce Nauman: Contrapposto Studies, I through VII Philadelphia Museum of Art presents the premiere of a new work by Bruce Nauman, which continues the artist’s exploration of video, sound and performance, through Jan. 8, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. The Carols 1812 Productions presents the Christmas comedy set in 1943, in which a group of neighbors gathers at the VFW to make the most of what they have while the world is at war, through Dec. 31 at Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560. Classical Splendor: Painted Furniture for a Grand Philadelphia House Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of furniture designed in 1808 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe through Jan. 1, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. A Christmas Story Media Theatre presents a stage play based on the beloved holiday film through Jan. 8, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100. Disney on Ice Classic Disney characters put on their skates for the holidays through

PARTY LIKE IT’S 1995: The end of 2016 goes up in smoke when alt-rock/ska band Sublime with Rome rocks the joint for New Year’s Eve, 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Event Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia. For more information or tickets, call 610-354-8118.

Dec. 31 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215336-3600. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the holiday tradition through Dec. 31 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. Korea Now: Contemporary Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of contemporary Korean art across all media through Feb. 23, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Live and Life Will Give You Pictures: Masterworks of French Photography, 1890-1950 The Barnes Foundation presents vintage prints of nearly 200 classic images by French photographers and photographers working extensively in

France through Jan. 9 at the Roberts Gallery, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-278-7000. Mamma Mia! The hit musical hits town on its farewell tour through Dec. 31 at the Merriam Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999. New Year’s Eve The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with conductor Bramwell Tovey 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5847. Paint the Revolution: Mexican Modernism, 1910-50 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of Mexican masterpieces by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Frida Kahlo, Rufino Tamayo and many others through Jan. 8, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100.

Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert Strauss Symphony of America performs a new program featuring Strauss waltzes and sweeping melodies from operettas by a full orchestra, acclaimed European singers, ballet and ballroom dancers 8 p.m. Dec. 30 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. The Wizard of Oz The yellow-brick road runs through the Walnut Street Theatre through Jan. 8, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Music Live Wire The AC/DC tribute band performs 8 p.m. Dec. 30 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. The Slambovian Circus of Dreams The folk-pop Americana band performs 8 p.m. Dec. 30 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

CITY COUNCIL

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290 2017 NOTICE OF VACANT PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Vacant Property Review Committee will meet in the Caucus Room, (Room 401, City Hall) from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on the following dates:

PARTY LIKE IT’S 1969: If you’d like your last moment of 2016 to be a long strange trip, catch Dark Star Orchestra, the wildly successful Grateful Dead tribute band, when they perform 8 p.m. Dec. 30 and 31 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St. For more information or tickets, call 800-745-3000.

Rubix Kube The ’80s tribute band performs 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. Sublime with Rome The alt-rock band performs 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Event Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia; 610-3548118. Cherry Poppin’ Daddies The swing/ska band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 3 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. Squirrel Nut Zippers The swing band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 5 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. In The Light presents an evening with The Eagles The local band performs a tribute

concert 8 p.m. Jan. 6 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400.

Nightlife It’s a Union Suit Party! Happy Bear attendees strip down to their skivvies 5-9 p.m. Dec. 30 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Philadelphia Women’s Leather/ Kinkster Bar Night The women’s bar night is open to queer, trans, nonbinary, fetish and leather friends 7-10 p.m. Dec. 30 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; 215-627-1662. The NYE Burlesque Ball HoneyTree EvilEye and Flirt Vonnegut host a night of burlesque stars, including Tesla Tease, Masokiss and Otis Pena, with drag

by Bev and dance music by DJ Spencer Rollins 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675. Gear & Glamour Mr. and Ms. Philadelphia and the Philadelphians MC co-host this geared-up farewell to 2016 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; 215627-1662.

Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Murder for Two: Holiday Edition Everyone is a suspect in this musical murder mystery running through Dec. 31 at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-8622121.

Outta Town

Julie Goldman The comedian and actor performs 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-5961027.

Sound of Music Sing-A-Long Sing along to the beloved musical film 8 p.m. Dec. 30 at World Cafe Live 500 N. Market St.,

Phantasm II The horror film is screened 9:45 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. n

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

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

SUSIE D. JARMON, CHAIRWOMAN

Vacant Property Review Committe

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

The Providing Top-Quality Healthcare and Services to the Community for 25 Years John Bell Health Center

Johnathan Lax Treatment Center

Y-HEP Health Center

Dental Services

Guide to the Gayborhood

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

State-of-the-art primary care for individuals 18 and older living with chronic health conditions.

A culturally competent, patient-centered “one-stop-shop” for people living with HIV.

Compassionate medical care and family planning services for youth and young adults ages 13-24.

Oral health examinations and basic dental services including x-rays, cleanings and more.

267-725-0252 1207 Chestnut Street, 3rd Fl., Phila., PA 19107

215-790-1788 1233 Locust Street, 4th Fl., Phila., PA 19107

215-344-1632 1417 Locust Street, 2nd Fl., Phila., PA 19102

215-525-3046 1233 Locust Street, 3rd Fl., Phila., PA 19107

1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with multiple plasma tvs, pool table, brick oven, more!

Rosewood

Tabu

Woody’s

1302 Walnut St. 215.336.1335 rosewood-bar.com Elegantlyappointed cozy bar with high-end cocktails

200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Sports bar / drag shows and bar food

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

The Bike Stop

Four-level leather bar; basement enforces a dress code; pool tables pn two floors and big-screen sports action

Please visit: www.fight.org for hours & more information about our health centers & services. Walnut St. Chancellor St.

Juniper St.

POTTSTOWN

m m m

St. James St.

m Locust St.

“It all starts with the arts!”

Pottstown ArtsWalk - FREE EVENT - Saturday, January 7, 2017 View original artwork and enjoy live music at many downtown venues. To know Pottstown is to love it. The people behind the businesses and attractions on and around High Street are smart, driven and dedicated to this beautiful historic town. Art has always been a catalyst in the rejuvenation of American communities and is the focus of Pottstown ArtsWalk. Arts and culture organizations, local businesses and restaurants are teaming up to bring you an amazing day of fun, food and entertainment. Viewing the art in a kind of “pub crawl” format adds to the fun and energetic quality of this event. Familyfriendly activities are scheduled from 2 to 4 pm and from 4 to 8 pm, more activities designed for adults. For complete details and to order your FREE ticket, visit: artfusion19464.org/artwalk This event is brought to you in partnership through: ArtFusion19464, Steel River Playhouse, @107, Proudly Pottstown and Advantage Insurance Group.

P.S. A great ending to a great day with lots of laughs! The N Crowd Improv Group from Philly will be at Steel River Playhouse for an 8 pm show! Tickets available at www.steelriver.org.

m Manning St.

Quince St.

<—

Latimer St.

12th St.

13th St.

11th St.

<—

Camac St.

r r Spruce St.

William Way LGBT Community Center

1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org

A resource for all things LGBT

Voyeur

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

U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660

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

Tavern on Camac West of Broad Street Stir Lounge

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

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

Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 knockphilly.com Fine-dining restaurant and bar, outdoor seating (weather permitting), piano in back room

ICandy

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

The Attic Youth Center

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

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

PGN

Food and Drink Directory

The Center City IHOP located at 1320 Walnut St. is now open 24 Hrs on FRIDAY and SATURDAY

THANKS FOR MAKING IT A IHOP DAY

Spring Hollow Golf Club A venue as unique as you!

3350 Schuylkill Road (Route 724) Spring City, PA 19475

610-948-5566

www.springhollowgolf.com www.facebook.com/SpringHollowGolfClub www.facebook.com/spring.hollow

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

Wedding Services Directory

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

PORTRAIT from page 29

PGN: How did you and Steve meet? JCL: I met him at a social event in Media; we both were not looking for anyone. He was a massage therapist and he gave me his card. I didn’t call him for a week and then I invited him over for coffee. We didn’t jump into it right away, we went in slow motion. And now we’re going into our third year of marriage and we’re building a future together. It’s great, neither of us are into material things and we both respect and accept each other. PGN: Are you in touch with your family at all? JCL: To this day, I don’t have a relationship with most of my family. They’re very religious and are always trying to change me or force me to read the Bible. My mother and I have gotten close though. PGN: What advice do you have for entrepreneurs? JCL: If you have a dream and you’re afraid to pursue it because there’s always so much going on in life, just stop and start doing it. It’s hard, but if I can do it, you can do it! PGN: Who inspires you? JCL: Jennifer Lopez. She’s from Puerto Rico and she too had a hard time being accepted. She’s a really hard worker and whenever I see her I think, If she can do it, I can do it. I can work hard too! PGN: Tell me about coming out. JCL: I came out fully right after my daughter was born, when I was about 21-22. I was working at the Lowes Hotel in Philadelphia as a dishwasher and a friend of mine at the time invited me to go to a gay club. It was Woody’s and, believe me, I was nervous. There were a lot of men and it wasn’t easy to process so much but I went home with a guy and right then I knew where I belonged. I found myself again. It was like a light breaking loose, no longer living life in private. But it was scary. I had to say to myself, It’s OK to be gay. You’re not living at home anymore, you don’t have to worry that Mommy’s going to hit you again. [Laughs] It was a time in my life where I was on pills for depression and that night, I skipped my pills. It was a moment to live life again.

PGN

PGN: Are you in touch with your kid? JCL: No, and it breaks my heart because she’s not living in a happy life. She’s not finishing with school and I think she’s going in the wrong direction. I definitely will get in touch when she turns 18 and hope I can show her what’s important. I want her to finish her education and pursue something that will make her happy. PGN: OK, some random questions. Do you talk in your sleep? JCL: Steve tells me that I mumble in my sleep and that sometimes I cry in my sleep. And on occasion I’ll fight in my sleep. It can actually get a little scary for him. PGN: What’s your go-to karaoke song? JCL: I’d have two. The first would be “I Will Survive” and the other is a song called “Finding Yourself Again.” PGN: What questions do you get the most from people about being hearing-impaired? JCL: Were you born deaf? And they ask if the way I talk has to do with my hearing loss. Yes, to both questions. And they’ll ask why I move my hands so much and I have to explain it’s from using sign language. I’m used to talking with my hands. But the funniest thing I get is, “Why are you staring at me?” It’s not that I’m staring, I’m trying to read lips. I’m not sure everyone always believes me! PGN: Do you ever use your superpower to eavesdrop on someone’s conversation? JCL: Oh yeah, in the supermarket I’ll hear/ read things all the time. You hear a lot of bad words! But they have to be right in front of me for it to work. PGN: What’s a pet peeve? JCL: It hurts me when I see people get frustrated dating a deaf person. If they can’t sign they get tired of having to write notes back and forth to communicate. I wish people would be more patient; someday you might be in our shoes. And you’ll be like, “Wow, now I see what it’s like to be different.” n For more information about CLC Cleaning Services, visit www.clccleaningservicesllc. com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Q Puzzle Messing Around the Set Across

1. Tickle pink 5. Milano opera house, with “la” 10. Paquin of “True Blood” 14. Protected from the wind 15. Fondled rudely 16. Pride member 17. Pole, for example 18. You must remember this 19. Men on top, perhaps 20. Will portrayer in 30-Across 23. Battery size 24. Sudden body fluid emissions 25. Confection with nuts 29. Fed. retirement gp. 30. Clinton ad that sparked talk of a “Will & Grace” revival 33. Alan who played Grace’s dad 37. JFK preceder 38. Drags 40. From ___ Z 41. Bottom workers 44. Jack portrayer in 30-Across 47. Descartes’s conclusion 49. PrÌncipe’s island partner

50. Lincoln’s Gettysburg comments 54. Seed spilled by some farmers 55. Karen portrayer in 30-Across 59. Frat toga 60. Part of a religious title 61. Shakespeare’s foot 63. “I Say a Little Prayer for You” writer Bacharach 64. Fairylike 65. “___ homo!” 66. Accts. for the future 67. Language like “bull dyke” 68. Enjoy Forster

Down

1. Carrier to Copenhagen 2. “Legally Blonde” character 3. At the ready 4. Family member, to a homophobe 5. Musical co-starring David Hyde Pierce 6. Branch of math, briefly 7. Aerial defense acronym 8. Fruit in a slot machine 9. Is nuts over 10. Palace, to Othello 11. Em’s Dorothy 12. Hidey-holes

13. Part of Q and A (abbr.) 21. Not Prot. 22. Flat top in high places 25. Top drawers? 26. Straddled one’s mate 27. Anatomical passage 28. Mireille of “The Killing” 31. Summer along the Seine 32. Simpatico sounds 34. Boxing win 35. Bit from Ted Casablanca 36. What Sam twitched on “Bewitched” 39. Like an angry dog 42. Has ants in one’s pants 43. Ramirez of

“Grey’s Anatomy” 45. Georgetown athlete 46. Designer’s studio 48. “American Beauty” director Sam 50. Illicit love affair 51. Messing around the set of 30-Across 52. Like Trump’s hands? 53. Infection fighter 56. Reclined, for Nathan? 57. Brown hanky code symbol for uncut 58. Village People hit 59. Baseball card stat 62. Night spot?

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

“One cannot think well,

love well, sleep well,

if one has not dined well.” -Virginia Woolf Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

Get Out and Play

Scott A. Drake

Philly is known as a sports city, and that’s no different for the LGBT community. Scott A. Drake keeps readers up to date on the LGBT sports news they need to know — from game highlights to team registration deadlines to social outings.

PGN

Out Money Classifieds Jeremy Gussick

From budgets to wills to taxes, financial expert Jeremy Gussick gives us all the info we need — in a way we can understand. OutMoney runs monthly to help readers find answers to all their money questions.

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

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

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HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

I’m Here For You! RANKED TOP 1% NATIONALLY by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors. The Menno Team

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693 South State Street Newtown, Pa 18940 Business 215-968-6713 x3020 Fax 215-968-7823 tom.sherwood@foxroach.com

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Direct

TomSherwood.foxroach.com

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

Real Estate Sale VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________41-10 DURFOR ST OFF 3RD FSBO $199,909 2 BR/1BA renov townhouse. Award winning st. Oak ﬂrs, all appl, ample storage, expansive built in credenza w/ natural cherry surface. Charming patio w/lg planters. Near shopping. Call 215-849-4049. _____________________________________________41-02

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Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

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

WEEKLY SPECIALS:

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F F A T S M THE

O R F S Y A D I L O H Y P

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BIGGER, BETTER & MORE ENTERTAINING EVENTS...

PGN

Men Delco Dudes

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

Meets 7-9 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; www.meetup.com/GAMMAGay-Married-Mens-SupportGroup-in-Philadelphia-PA. Men of All Colors Together

Meets 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, September through June, at William Way; 610-2776595, www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J.

Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey; njwarrior@aol.com. Men of Color United

A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330.

Parents/Families Family & Community Service of Delaware County

Provides comprehensive care serving Delaware County and Philadelphia. Services include behavioral health and addiction counseling; HIV/AIDS medical case management/prevention; housing, food and transportation assistance. Offices in Media and Clifton Heights, the Ralph Moses House in Chester and in other community locations. Insurances accepted. Hours are 8:30 a.m.4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and evenings by appointment; 610566-7540 or www.fcsdc.org. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County

Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park, and hird Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Warminster UCC, 785 Street Road; 215-348-9976. PFLAG/Chester County

Meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St.; 484-354-2448. PFLAG/Collingswood, N.J.

Meets 6:30-9 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at Collingswood Public Library, 771 Haddon Ave.; 609-202-4622, pflagcollingswood@yahoo.com. PFLAG/Media

Meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Unitarian Universal Church, 145 Rose Tree Rd.; 610-368-2021. PFLAG/Philadelphia

Meets 2-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; 215-572-1833. PFLAG/Princeton, N.J.

Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; 609-6835155. PFLAG/Wilmington, Del.

Meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St.; 302654-2995.

Philadelphia Family Pride

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

Trans

Evolutions

A drop-in support group for anyone on the transgender spectrum meets 6 p.m. Thursdays at 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652 ext. 235. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine

Primary health care and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, nonjudgmental environment, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. T-MAN

People-of-color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, aggressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, 1201 Locust St., second floor; 215632-3028, tmanphilly.com. Transhealth Information Project

Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; 215-851-1822. Transgender Health Action Coalition

Peer trans health-advocacy organization, 1201 Locust St., fourth floor; 215-732-1207. Young, Trans and Unified

Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center, 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, www. atticyouthcenter.org.

Women Hanging Out With Lesbians

A group in Central Pennsylvania that organizes concerts, camping, golf, picnics, hikes, plays and game nights in nonsmoking environments; http://groups. yahoo.com/group/howlofpa/. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley

Social group meets monthly for activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/LCDV/. Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County

Meets monthly; 215-542-2899. Mt. Airy Lesbian Social Club

For lesbians in the Philadelphia area ages 35-plus; www.meetup. com/mtairylesbiansocial/. Queer Connections

Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/ queerconnections/. Sisters United

A social/support group for transwomen of color ages 13-24, with weekly social events, open discusson and monthly movie/ discussions meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-496-0330. Women Coming-Out Support Group

Women, ages 18 and over, who consider themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning and are at any stage of the coming-out process are welcome to meet

7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday and third Thursday of the month at the Pride Center of New Jersey; www.pridecenter.org.

Youth 40 Acres of Change

Discussion group for teen and young adults meets 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-851-1975. GLBT Group of Hunterdon County

Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meet at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J.; schedule at www. glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com, 908-300-1058.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

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

HAVEN

LGBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20 meet 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS

A safe-space support program for LGBT and questioning youth meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; 609-683-5155, hitops.org. Main Line Youth Alliance

Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-1861, info@myaonline. org. Project Keeping it Safe

LGBT youth drop-in center offers meetings, HIV and STD prevention and testing, counseling and other services on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432, camden-ahec.org/.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088

Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center

Youth ages 14-21 meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks. org. Social X Change

Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays at 1207 Chestnut St., third floor; 215-8511975. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together

Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Planned Parenthood of Chester County, 8 S. Wayne St.; 267-6876648.

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

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

Key numbers

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

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

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

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

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

PRYSM Youth Center

Youth ages 14-20 meet 6:30-8:30 p.m Wednesdays at the center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610357-9948.

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

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

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

Health

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

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

Young, Trans and Unified

A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center; 215-545-4331, www.atticyouthcenter.org. You’re Not Alone

Sponsored by AIDS Delaware, the group for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth meets during the school year at 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del; 800-810-6776. Youth Making a Difference

A group for LGBTQ AfricanAmerican and Latino youth ages 14-24 meets 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.

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

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

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 30, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017

PGN