Dec. 31, 2010 - Jan. 6, 2010 edition

Philadelphia Gay News Dec. 31, 2010 - Jan. 6, 2011

Honesty Integrity Professionalism

Vol. 34 No. 53

PGN

Top Stories 2010 PGN Staff In the last 12 months, the LGBT community has been on a collective rollercoaster, with setbacks and progress, crime and redemption, and a few draws. On the positive side, the community saw the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” as well as the introduction of a statewide civil-union bill and the passage of several local nondiscrimination ordinances. For the first time, the city raised a rainbow flag over City Hall during Gay History Month.

On the negative side, several pro-LGBT legislators and candidates were defeated in November’s election and New Jersey’s marriage-equality bill failed.

In Philadelphia, the ongoing dispute between the city and the Cradle of Liberty Council roiled on, with a jury ruling, a proposed settlement and a community not satisfied with the pending outcome.

The issue of bullying and LGBT teen suicide gained mainstream attention after several gay — or perceived gay — teens took their own lives.

WINS Marriage amendment fails in PA For the third consecutive session, an effort

to amend the state constitution to ban samesex marriage failed in the Pennsylvania legislature.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted in March to table the so-called Marriage Protection Amendment, proposed earlier this year by Sen. John Eichelberger.

The 8-6 vote to table came from the same committee that, two years ago, voted 10-4 in favor of advancing a similar measure.

Eichelberger had announced his intention to introduce the measure last year and received sharp criticism for his comment on a radio debate that same-sex couples were “allowed” to exist.

State sees first civil-union bill A few months after the first marriageequality bill in Pennsylvania was introduced to the state legislature, a measure to allow civil unions also surfaced.

In April, Rep. Mark Cohen (D-202nd Dist.) introduced the state’s first civil-union bill, with 31 cosponsors. It was sent to the Judiciary Committee but did not see a vote.

Although both Cohen’s bill and Sen. Daylin Leach’s marriage-equality legislation did not advance this session, the legislators said they intend to reintroduce them next session.

Federal legislation losses

By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The 2009-10 federal legislative session boasted some landmark LGBT victories, although there were several LGBT-rights measures that failed to advance through the Democratic-controlled Congress, which soon will include a sharp influx of Republicans.

The legislature did hand the LGBT community two very important victories: the October 2009 passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate-Crimes Prevention Act and the December 2010 repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Beyond those, however, there were several LGBT measures that died with little progress this session.

Employment Non-Discrimination Act The federal measure that would ban employment discrimination against LGBT individuals died again this year.

ENDA has been introduced in every legislative session but one since 1994 and,

while the House approved the measure in 2007, no votes were taken on the bill in the past session.

Out Congressman Barney Frank (DMass.) introduced the House bill in June 2009 and it was sent to the Education and Labor Committee, which held a hearing in September of that year.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Senate version in August of that year, and it died in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee.

Both bills saw their highest level of support yet, with 203 cosponsors in the House and 45 in the Senate.

Respect for Marriage Act The first legislative effort to repeal the federal ban on same-sex marriage was initiated in this session.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced the Respect for Marriage Act in September 2009, seeking to lift the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. See LEGISLATION, Page 3

Progress in the suburbs With an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination bill stalled in the state legislature, several suburban municipalities have taken it upon themselves to advance LGBT rights.

The governing council of Doylestown in August and Lower Merion in December unanimously approved similar nondiscrimination protections for LGBT residents and visitors. With the success of both pieces of legislation, the state now has 18 municipalities that prevent LGBT discrimination.

A handful of other municipalities, such as Radnor, Bethlehem and Haverford, are considering similar bills.

The Hatboro Borough Council approved an LGBT-nondiscrimination ordinance in a 4-3 vote this fall, but the town’s mayor later vetoed it, and an effort to override the mayor’s rejection failed.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repealed This year saw one of the biggest LGBTrights victories in recent history as Congress repealed the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers.

While the House of Representatives approved a repeal measure in May, the initiative, which was attached to a defense-authorization bill, stalled in the Senate, failing two cloture votes this fall.

Decade notables The past 10 years have seen a wealth of progress for the local LGBT community, as it gains visibility and influence within Philadelphia and beyond.

Philadelphia’s position as a bastion of LGBT history was solidified in 2005 when the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved the placement of the Gay Pioneers Historical Marker at Sixth and Chestnut streets, which tells of the 1960s Annual Reminder protests.

The Gayborhood also received its own boost with the April 2007 installation of 36 rainbow street signs. The initiative was spearheaded by the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus and supported by the city and, since 2007, an additional 32 signs have been put in place.

Also elevating the city’s place as an LGBT tourist destination, Philadelphia hosted the 2010 U.S. Mr. Gay competition in November, and the city won the bid for the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America’s World Series in August 2011.

Within the city, the LGBT community has also seen extensive growth.

The transgender and ally commu-

MURPHY (RIGHT) AT THE 2009 VOICES OF HONOR TOUR KICKOFF TO REPEAL “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” PGN file photo

Following the long-awaited publication of the Pentagon’s report on the policy, which largely showed there would be little risk in repeal, and a series of Senate hearings on the measure, the repeal effort gained momentum at the end of the year.

Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy See TOP STORIES 2010, Page 7

nity came together to organize the first Transgender Health Conference in 2002, which has gained national prominence.

LGBT health facility Mazzoni Center expanded its reach in 2008 with the launch of the LGBT Family and Community Medicine primary-care practice.

The community’s financial infrastructure saw a boon with the 2002 launch of LGBT grantmaking agency Sapphire Fund, while the business community launched LGBT chamber of commerce Independence Business Alliance in 2007.

In 2008, Mayor Michael Nutter hired the city’s first director of LGBT affairs, Gloria Casarez, to provide direct outreach to the LGBT community.

The local LGBT sports scene gained momentum with the launch of the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League, Gryphons Rugby and Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association. And the community saw inclusion in mainstream sports with the start of Gay Community Nights at the Philadelphia Phillies, 76ers and Flyers. ■ — Jen Colletta

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

LEGISLATION From Page 1 Nadler’s bill had 120 cosponsors but died in the Judiciary Committee.

Uniting American Families Act The bill to make immigration laws more equitable for LGBT individuals was introduced in the House and Senate this session but did not make it out of committee.

Congressman Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced the measure in February 2009 and it was sent to the Subcommittee on Immigration, where no action was taken.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-N.Y.) sponsored the companion bill and, although the Judiciary Committee held hearings on the it in June 2009, the committee did not vote on the bill.

UAFA has been introduced every session since 2000, and this marked the highest number of cosponsors in both chambers: 135 in the House and 25 in the Senate.

Leahy and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, to which UAFA is attached, earlier his year, but no action was taken on it.

Student Non-Discrimination Act In January 2010, out U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) introduced the Student NonDiscrimination Act, which sought to mandate that federally funded schools must adopt LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policies.

The measure, which drew 126 cosponsors, failed to advance from the Committee on Education and Labor.

Safe Schools Improvement Act A measure was introduced in both houses of Congress this year that would have required federally funded schools to adopt uniform anti-bullying policies, with sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) introduced the House measure in June 2009, drawing 131 cosponsors.

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) spearheaded the Senate version in August 2010, with 17 cosponsors.

Both measures died in their respective education subcommittees.

Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act Out Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (DWisc.) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) introduced legislation that would provide gay federal employees and their partners some of the same rights and benefits as heterosexual married employees.

The lawmakers introduced the inaugural version of the measure in 2007, but it failed to advance.

Although the bill was approved in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, it was never brought to the House or Senate floor. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Notable deaths this decade Dr. Alan Barman (d. September 2010, age 52): Barman was one of the founders of the City of Brotherly Love Softball League and was a longtime player and supporter of the league.

Pennsylvania from 1992-2008, as well as a five-year stint as the agency’s executive director, lobbying for LGBT-rights legislation and connecting state lawmakers with the LGBT community.

Don Belton (d. December 2009, age 53): Belton was a Philadelphia native who taught English at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University and was a well-respected gay poet and writer.

Dr. John Fryer (d. February 2003, age 64): Fryer was a Temple University psychiatry professor who helped create the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force and, in 1972, spoke about homosexuality to the American Psychological Association as “Dr. H. Anonymous,” with a wig and mask on, an action that spurred the declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder, which took place the following year.

Bob “Brownie” Brown (d. January 2010, age 66): Brown was a native Philadelphian who served as a waiter at Venture Inn for nearly 40 years, whose passion for the venue earned him a very large following.

Brian Caffall (d. May 2003, age 56): Caffall was a local freelance writer who contributed stories to PGN, Philadelphia Weekly and City Paper and also worked as an HIV/AIDS educator.

John Keith Clark (d. May 2003, age 61): Clark was PGN’s managing editor and also served as a writer, as well as a contributor to other LGBT publications such as the Bay Area Reporter.

Rosalie Davies (d. July 2009, age 70): Davies was a local lesbian activist, founding Custody Action for Lesbian Mothers in 1974 and providing free legal services to lesbian mothers, attaining her law degree after facing her own custody battle when she came out as a lesbian.

Brittany DeLoach (d. April 2007, age 31): DeLoach was a Philadelphia transgender activist who filed a complaint against the Philadelphia Police in 2004, contending she was profiled as a sex worker because of her transgender status.

Harry Eberlin (d. December 2006, age 69): Eberlin was PGN’s first photographer and was integral in documenting some of the city’s early LGBT developments.

Charles Engel (d. October 2005, age 75): Engel was a longtime LGBT activist who was a founding member and longtime supporter of ActionAIDS and contributed to the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force, the AIDS Task Force and the Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives, the predecessor to Mazzoni Center.

Bruce Flannery (d. August 2009, age 54): Flannery was a local activist who served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition of AIDS Service Organization from 1995-2005, securing expanded state funding for HIV/AIDS issues and widening the medications available through the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

Larry Frankel (d. August 2009, age 54): Frankel served as the legislative director of the American Civil Liberties Union of

Barbara Gittings (d. February 2007, age 75): Gittings lost her battle with breast cancer after a long career as an LGBT-rights activist, having organized demonstrations such as those held at Independence Hall in the 1960s and launching groups like Daughters of Bilitis.

Dale Lorenzo Grundy (d. April 2007, age 49): Grundy was a local community and political activist who served as a board member of ActionAIDS and the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance and was chair of the University of Pennsylvania’s HIV/AIDS Prevention and Research Community Advisory Board, initiating the agency’s annual Red Ribbon Awards.

Sean Halpern (d. July 2004, age 35): Halpern was a partner at Reed Smith, LLP, and devoted an extensive portion of his work to pro-bono representation of members of the HIV/AIDS community.

Jon Paul Hammond (d. November 2010, age 500: Hammond was a longtime HIV/AIDS and harm-reduction activist in Philadelphia and California who served as a co-founder of the city’s first syringeexchange program, Prevention Point.

Harry Hay (d. October 2002, age 90): Hay is largely considered the founder of the LGBT-rights movement. He founded the nation’s first gay-rights organization, the Mattachine Society, in 1950, as well as the Radical Faeries in the 1970s.

Laurel Hester (d. February 2006, age 49): Hester was a 23-year New Jersey police veteran who, after learning she was dying of cancer, began a crusade to allow her partner to receive her pension benefits, a decision granted weeks before her death.

Cheryl Ingrahm (d. March 2002, age 45): Ingrahm was an out attorney who served as a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia and helped create the LGBT-rights committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Robert Jones (d. February 2006, age

64): Jones was a successful gay businessman who owned several local gay hot spots from the 1970s through the ’90s, including The DCA Club and Steps.

Dr. Walter Lear (d. May 2010, age 87): Lear is considered one of the region’s most well-respected and earliest LGBT leaders, helping to launch such agencies as the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force, the local Radial Faeries and the predecessor to the William Way LGBT Community Center. He was the city’s first deputy health commissioner and the first openly gay member of the city’s Human Relations Commission.

Harry Langhorne (d. May 2001, age 53): Langhorne was an early local LGBT activist who was key in the passage of the city’s 1982 LGBT-rights ordinance, helped establish the governor’s Council on Sexual Minorities and successfully pressed for an executive order banning LGBT discrimination in state government.

Marilyn Maneely (d. September 2005, age 55): Maneely was a New Jersey resident who, with her partner of 14 years, served as a plaintiff in the landmark Lewis v. Harris marriage-equality suit, which allowed civil unions in the state in 2006.

Alan Lee Morrison (d. August 2002, age 35): Morrison was a local psychiatrist who focused on HIV/AIDS and LGBT issues and served on the board of the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives.

Gerald O’Neill (d. September 2002, age 41): O’Neill was a CBLSL player and commissioner, treasurer of the William Way LGBT Community Center board and finance director of ActionAIDS. Rand Skolnick (d. July 2008, age 50): Skolnick was a gay businessman and philanthropist who owned New Hope bar The Raven with his partner.

Tony Sparacino (d. February 2007, age 44): Sparacino was a popular Gayborhood businessman who owned Sparacino Mens and Sparacino Shoes, and also served on the board of the Sapphire Fund and organized a monthly LGBT networking party.

Otto Tornvall (d. June 2003, age 43): Tornvall was a local gay businessman who owned Philadelphia’s Post Bar and the Silhouette Lounge in Scranton.

Stanley Ward (d. August 2010, age 67): Ward served as editor of the PGN throughout the 1980s, guiding the paper through its coverage of the AIDS crisis.

Mort Wernik (d. April 2009, age 73): Wernik was the original owner of gay bar Uncles, which he operated for 25 years. ■

PHILADELPHIA NEWS PHILADELPHIA GAY GAY NEWS

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DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

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“I Love You, Phillip Morris” is objectionable and stereotypical.

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DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Decade in review — 2000-2010 PGN Staff City bans trans discrimination Following a campaign by LGBT activists, the city of Philadelphia moved to ban transgender discrimination in 2002.

In May of that year, City Council, in a 152 vote, approved a measure that amended the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance to include gender identity among the classes protected from discrimination in the city.

Then-Mayor John Street signed the bill into law, making Philadelphia the sixth jurisdiction in the state to offer nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity. The ordinance was introduced by Councilman Frank DiCicco and garnered the support of all councilmembers except Brian O’Neill and Joan Krajewski.

The original law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation passed in 1982.

LGBT hate-crimes law approved, later overturned The Pennsylvania legislature approved the extension of hate-crimes protections to LGBTs in 2002, but a court later overturned that measure on a technicality.

Lawmakers voted in 2002 to amend the Ethnic Intimidation and Institutional Vandalism Act to include protections for crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as other classifications, and then-Gov. Mark Schweiker signed the bill into law.

Antigay organization Repent America sued the state, arguing that the measure was passed unconstitutionally: The hatecrimes amendment was added to an agricultural bill, which Repent America argued violated the state constitutional provision that prevents legislation from being altered to change its original purpose.

The Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled in favor of the group in 2007 and the state Supreme Court upheld the decision the following year.

The state legislature has since unsuccessfully attempted to reinstate LGBT protections in the law.

PA court OKs second-parent adoption The state’s top court ruled in 2002 that children may be legally adopted by a parent’s unmarried partner, bolstering the legal rights of same-sex parents.

In a groundbreaking decision handed down in August that year, the court overturned a 2000 Superior Court ruling that found that gay and lesbians cannot adopt a same-sex partner’s child.

Same-sex parents could jointly adopt a child prior to the 2002 ruling, but one member of the couple could not be listed as a second parent if that individual was not the original birth or adoptive parent.

The Supreme Court decision enabled children of same-sex parents to more readily access health insurance, Social Security benefits and child support from the second

parent, as well as ensure both parents had legal rights to the child.

The effort to overturn the 2000 ruling was backed by a broad coalition of LGBT, women’s rights and mainstream organizations.

Questions abound in Nizah Morris murder The murder of transgender performer Nizah Morris has aggrieved the local LGBT community for eight years and still remains unsolved.

Morris was found unconscious with a head injury in the early-morning hours of Dec. 22, 2002, in Center City, after leaving the Key West bar intoxicated.

Morris had been offered a courtesy ride from police and, although she lived at 5000 Walnut St., the officer dropped her off at 15th and Walnut streets. Shortly afterward, a passerby found her lying in the street with a head wound, and she died at the hospital two days later from her injury.

The investigation into her murder has been fraught with allegations of police mishandling, as the original investigation files were twice deemed lost by the police.

abandon the policy or face city action: Based on a longstanding deal with the city, the chapter was using city-owned property rent-free, which Street said the city could no longer subsidize because the agreement violated the city’s LGBT-inclusive Fair Practices Ordinance.

Although the chapter adopted a nondiscrimination policy, it was forced to rescind the statement at the urging of the national organization. In 2007, City Council voted 16-1 to authorize the eviction of the Scouts, unless the organization agreed to pay fairmarket rent for the property. The chapter filed suit the following year, alleging the city was violating its rights.

In the summer of 2010, a federal jury handed down a mixed verdict that declared that the city didn’t discriminate against the organization but did violate constitutional rights in handing down the eviction ultimatum.

Last month, the city announced a settlement deal with the BSA council, which has yet to be approved by City Council.

State, city get gay officials Although Pennsylvania does not yet have any out members of its state legislature, it did gain several out officials in the past several years.

Stephen Glassman became the highest-ranking openly gay public official in the state in 2003 when Gov. Ed Rendell appointed him as the chair of the state Human Relations Commission.

Locally, the Hon. Ann Butchart became the first openly LGBT elected official after her 2005 election EIGHT YEARS AND COUNTING: A small group gathered to remember murdered transwoman Nizah Morris to the Court of Common on Dec. 22, the eighth anniversary of her fatal attack, Pleas. In 2007, the Hon. at the former Key West bar, Juniper and Chancellor Dan Anders became the streets. After leaving the bar, police gave Morris a first openly gay male to courtesy ride: She was later found at 15th and Walnut serve on the bench in the streets with a head injury. She died two days later. The city, as he was nominated unsolved case is under review by the Police Advisory by Gov. Ed Rendell and Commission, which will hold a community meeting, later confirmed by the where the case is likely to be addressed, at 6 p.m. Jan. Senate to fill a Common Pleas vacancy. In 2009, 17 at the center, 1315 Spruce St. Photo: Scott A. Drake Anders was elected to a full 10-year term.

No charges have ever been filed in the case, nor have the officers originally Gays rally against Santorum Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum mobiinvolved the night of Morris’ murder been lized the LGBT community when, in 2003, charged with any wrongdoing.

The case remains under investigation by he took his strongest stance yet against gay rights. the Police Advisory Commission.

Santorum declared in an interview that City challenges Boy Scouts he didn’t think sexual privacy was an inherThe local chapter of the Boy Scouts of ent right and said homosexuality should be America came to national attention when prohibited by law. Santorum likened samethe city attempted to evict the agency from sex relationships to pedophilia, incest and its headquarters due to the club’s policy of bestiality. While Santorum argued that banning gays and atheists. some of his comments were misconstrued, In 2003, then-Mayor John Street urged the local Cradle of Liberty Council to See DECADE, Page 6

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Media Trail Chicago gay health center gets cash to remain open The Chicago Tribune reports Chicago’s gay and lesbian health center has raised $650,000 in 50 days after a financial emergency had it on the brink of closing.

Howard Brown Health Center launched an appeal for donations Nov. 4, announcing it may have to close its doors after more than 35 years.

Officials say more than 1,400 donors responded, including corporations, clients, staff and board members. An anonymous donor offered $200,000 to be used to match other gifts. The names of each donor will be displayed in the North Side building’s lobby.

Biden says gay marriage ‘inevitable’ MSNBC.com reports Vice President Joe Biden predicted Dec. 24 the evolution in thinking that will permit gays to soon serve openly in the military eventually will bring about a national consensus for same-sex marriage.

Changes in attitudes by military leaders, those in the service and the public allowed the repeal by Congress of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, Biden noted in a nationally broadcast interview.

“I think the country’s evolving,” he said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “And I think you’re going to see, you know, the next effort is probably going to be to deal with socalled DOMA [Defense of Marriage Act].”

Biden said he agreed with Obama that his position on gay marriage is “evolving.”

Gay marriage is legal in only a handful of states, mostly in the Northeast and in Iowa.

Science honors two HIV advances Yahoo News reports two major advances in HIV prevention made Science magazine’s top 10 achievements of 2010.

Included on Science’s list was a study that demonstrated a microbicide can effectively reduce HIV transmission in women. The majority of the study, conducted in South Africa, was funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Of the 889 women who took part in the trial, microbicides reduced HIV transmissions by 39 percent.

Also honored among the top 10 science achievements of the year was the PreExposure Prophylaxis Initiative (PrEP), which demonstrated daily use of the drug Truvada significantly lowered HIV transmission in men who have sex with men. ■ — Larry Nichols

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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DECADE From Page 5 he stood by his assertion that Americans did not have a right to privacy in the bedroom.

The LGBT and ally community began to organize against the senator with initiatives like Philadelphians Against Santorum, led by openly gay director Ray Murphy.

Santorum was eventually defeated by current Sen. Bob Casey, by a 19-point margin.

CONGREGATION BETH AHAVAH at Rodeph Shalom

A GLBT synagogue welcoming people of all gender and sexual identities since 1975

JOIN US MONTHLY FOR SHABBAT SERVICES AT 8:00 PM

Coffee, cake & conversation at the oneg following services

Friday, January 21, 8:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Tu Bishvat Seder. Please join us for this special service celebrating the New Year for the Trees. Delicious wine and fruits served to celebrate the New Year for the Trees!

Friday, February 18, 8:00 PM. Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services. Please join us for our monthly BA Shabbat Service followed by a sumptuous oneg (social hour).

Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are affiliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah affiliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues.

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

Community center sees advances T h e Wi l l i a m Wa y L G B T Community Center experienced several important gains in the past decade.

In 2003, the city’s west wall was adorned with a 7,500-squarefoot mural, “Pride and Progress,” that pays tribute to the city’s rich LGBT history and community.

The center’s infrastructure also received a huge boost in 2005 when philanthropist Mel Heifetz paid off the building’s nearly $275,000 mortgage. Because of Heifetz’s gift, the center board was able to allocate the rest of the agency’s annual savings to expand its programming and launch its Way Gay U classes the following year.

In 2009, a years-long effort to make the center handicap-accessible came to fruition, as an elevator was installed, with the support of state and city funding and community donations, and unveiled during the organization’s annual Building Bash in June.

Philly promotes gay tourism The city began its first-ever LGBT-focused tourism campaign in November 2003, with the launch of the “Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay” campaign.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation in collaboration with the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus, made

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

Philadelphia the first destination in the world to utilize a television advertisement to reach out to LGBT travelers.

Since that time, the campaign has gone on to become the most award-winning LGBT-tourism campaign in history, garnering top prizes in contests like the Hospitality Sales and Marketing International Awards, and largely being credited for keeping Philadelphia rapidly climbing LGBT travel lists.

NJ governor comes out Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey sent shockwaves throughout the nation when he announced that he was a “gay American.”

McGreevey declared in an August 2004 press conference that he was resigning from his post as governor, with two years still left in his term, and admitted to an extramarital affair with a man. Following his coming out, reports surfaced that McGreevey was being threatened with a sexual-harassment suit by the man, Golan Cipel, whom he had hired as a homeland-security adviser.

Since his announcement, McGreevey and wife Dina Matos have divorced, and have joint custody of their daughter. The former governor went on to attend theological school. He has been with partner Mike O’Donnell since 2004.

Antigay protesters sue over OutFest arrests Protesters associated with antigay group Repent America were arrested during a demonstration at the 2004 OutFest in the city’s Gayborhood.

Philadelphia police arrested 11 protesters at the Oct. 10 event when they refused to move from their location after being ordered to do so several times to prevent violence. They were charged with criminal conspiracy, obstructing a highway, disorderly conduct and a hate-crimes violation.

In 2005, a state court dismissed the charges, and the group filed

www.dignityphila.org Facebook – Dignity Philadelphia Join us at St. Luke & the Epiphany Church 330 S. 13th Street, between Spruce and Pine streets, Philadelphia, PA

Sunday Mass at 7:00 p.m.

Communion in the form of Consecrated bread, wine and grape juice.

Gluten-free communion available upon request.

a suit against the city and Philly Pride Presents, arguing their First Amendment rights were infringed upon.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania dismissed the protesters’ suit in January 2007, finding that Philly Pride had the right to exclude the antigay group and their “contrary message” from the event, a ruling the Third Circuit Court of Appeals later upheld.

Civil unions legalized in NJ Following a lawsuit by a group of same-sex couples in New Jersey, the state Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that same-sex couples were entitled to the same rights and benefits as married heterosexuals. The ruling led to the state legislature passing a civil-union bill in December 2006, which was signed into law by then-Gov. Jon Corzine.

The law created the Civil Union Review Commission, which released a wide-reaching report on the law in 2008, finding that many same-sex couples were still being treated unfairly. The commission recommended that full marriage equality was the only way to uphold the court’s ruling.

Although a marriage-equality bill was introduced in both chambers of the legislature in 2009, it failed to advance past a Senate vote in early 2010.

Nondiscrimination bill stalls in PA legislature Pennsylvania continues to lack protections for LGBT residents as numerous efforts to pass an inclusive nondiscrimination law have been met with resistance.

The bill was originally introduced in October 2006 in the House by Rep. Chris Ross (R158th Dist.) and in the Senate by Sen. Joe Conti (R-10th Dist.), but eventually died in the House State Government Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee with no action.

Rep. Dan Frankel (D-23rd Dist.) reintroduced the measure in June 2007, and it was eventually tabled by the State Government Committee in September 2008; the Senate Judiciary Committee failed to move on Sen. Pat Browne’s (R16th Dist.) companion bill.

Frankel again spearheaded the measure in March 2009 and it successfully passed out of the Appropriations Committee, marking the first time the bill garnered committee approval. However, Republicans mired the bill with amendments, and it died without seeing a full House vote. ■

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

TOP STORIES 2010 From Page 1 reintroduced the measure as a stand-alone bill in December, and the House approved it 250-175 Dec. 15, followed by a 65-31 Senate vote Dec. 18.

President Obama signed the bill into law Dec. 22.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is expected to last a little longer, as the Pentagon revises its regulations, and Obama and military leaders approve implementation.

LOSSES NJ marriage equality fails Hopes for marriage equality in the Garden State hit a setback this year, as the New Jersey legislature defeated a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

The New Jersey Senate voted 2014 Jan. 7 against a bill that would have extended marriage rights to same-sex couples. The vote came days before Republican Chris Christie, an opponent of marriage equality, took over as governor, succeeding marriage-equality supporter Jon Corzine.

In March, Lambda Legal and Garden State Equality filed a motion with the New Jersey Supreme Court, seeking to compel the court to revisit its 2006 ruling that paved the way for civil unions.

The suit contends that the civilunion law, enacted after the court ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights and benefits of heterosexual marriage, has not fulfilled its mandate.

Election hits Dems hard Democrats were hit hard in the November midterm elections, as Republicans took over the U.S. and Pennsylvania Houses and made other significant gains.

Among the federal losses was the defeat of Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak by Pat Toomey in his Senate bid, and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” champion Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy.

Locally, Republican Tom Corbett defeated Democrat Dan Onorato to become Pennsylvania’s next governor, and out state House candidate Fern Kaufman also lost her race.

CRIME Former Colours head goes to prison Dorena Kearney, former executive director of The Colours Organization Inc., was sent to prison this year for embezzling money from the LGBT agency.

A f e deral judge sentenced Ke a r n ey i n February to one year in prison and three years probation.

KEARNEY The FBI and the city’s Inspector General’s office indicted Kearney in April 2009, charging that she stole nearly $140,000 during her time as executive director of Colours, a post she resigned from in 2007. Prosecutors contended Kearney used the money for plastic surgery, vacations and dog grooming.

Kearney pleaded guilty to the charges, but she and several supporters, including her partner of 13 years, appealed to Judge Anita Brody for leniency, asking her to spare Kearney jail time because of medical problems.

Brody’s final sentence was outside the scope of sentencing guidelines, which could have provided up to two years in prison.

the scene. Both face a preliminary hearing Jan. 12.

Murder at Club Motivation Two women were arrested this fall after allegedly driving a car repeatedly into a crowd outside a popular LGBT ballroom event, killing one woman.

P o l i c e arrested Sharonda Cheeves, 23, and Jesslyn Williams, 22, on Oct. 19 in connection with the Sept. 4 murder of Alisha Moore, 27.

Moore and several other patrons of Club Motivation, also k n o w n a s CHEEVES (TOP) the Breakfast AND WILLIAMS Club, were outside the venue on North Eighth Street when the suspects were prevented from entering because they were intoxicated. The pair left the scene but returned a few minutes later in a car, which they took turns driving around the block and into the crowd, striking several people, police say.

Cheeves is charged with murder, vehicular homicide, aggravated assault, driving under the influence and related charges; Williams is charged with aggravated and simple assault, DUI and leaving

Trans prostitute arrested for murder A t r a n sg e n d e r s ex worker is facing murder charges after allegedly killing a man in an Old City hotel this fall.

Police say BURTON 22-year-old Herman Burton, known as Peaches, beat and strangled Patrick Brady, 49, Oct. 30 at the Omni Hotel.

Brady was staying at the hotel that night, but police have declined to disclose if the two had a sexual encounter or how they met.

Rescue personnel responded to reports of a fire on the eighth floor Saturday morning and found Brady’s body in his room, where a small fire had been set.

Burton was arrested Nov. 2, and police later arrested Richard Collins, who they say helped Burton try to make the murder look accidental.

Burton faces murder, theft, arson and other charges, while Collins was charged with theft, abuse of a corpse and other charges.

Both suspects are in prison awaiting hearings.

Blahnik leader murdered The Philadelphia LGBT community lost a popular member this fall, with the murder of Stacey Blahnik, a figurehead in the House of Blahnik.

Blahnik’s body was found in her South Philadelphia home Oct. 11, and the Medical Examiner determined she was strangled with a pillowcase. There was no sign of forced entry and, nearly three months later, police have yet to identify a suspect or release a possible motive.

Her death, which took place on National Coming Out Day, resounded with the local LGBT community as well as the entire Blahnik family, which has members throughout the country. A vigil was held in Love Park for Blahnik, as well as a memorial service at the William Way LGBT Community Center, and she was referenced throughout the local observation of Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Woody’s owner indicted, sentenced Michael Weiss, co-owner of Woody’s and president of the board of Voyeur, spent the year embattled

PAGE 7

in a court case stemming from illegal tax filings.

A grand jury indicted Weiss on several counts of tax fraud WEISS in relation to his work with nonprofit Spring Garden nightclub Palmer Social Club, charging that he underreported the venue’s earnings in 2004 and 2005 by $1.6 million on IRS forms.

Two charges of aiding and abetting the preparation and filing of false tax returns were dropped, but Weiss pleaded guilty in June to corrupt endeavor to impede the due administration of the tax code.

A judge in November sentenced Weiss to one year of house arrest, community service and a $30,000 fine. The club, owned by Weiss’ father, lost its tax-exempt status and has to pay back taxes.

COMMUNITY Equality Advocates continues changes Pennsylvania’s statewide LGBTadvocacy organization continued its evolution this year, with a new executive director.

Equality Pennsylvania, formerly known as Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, named LGBT activist Ted Martin as its executive director in April.

The organization underwent a bevy of changes in the past two years — shifting from an LGBT legal-services agency to an LGBTadvocacy group — and launched a search for a new director after former head Lynn Zeitlin stepped down in late 2009 after less than a year in the post.

This year, the agency added new board members, opened a Harrisburg office and partnered with the Human Rights Campaign.

Rainbow flag flies high For the first time in Philadelphia, a rainbow flag flew outside of a municipal building this fall.

LGBTs and allies crowded outside City Hall in October for the inaugural raising of the gay symbol to mark Gay History Month.

The flag-raising was largely spurred by city director of LGBT affairs Gloria Casarez, who said it reflects the city “formally acknowledging, as part of our efforts in City Hall, the events and things that have been going on in our community during this month for years.”

The flag-raising is expected to

become an annual tradition.

Gay suicides gain attention The epidemic of LGBT youth suicide gained national attention this fall, beginning a widespread debate on the issues that lead gay youth to take their own lives.

After news of a number of incidents in which gay teens committed suicide in September, the national media turned its spotlight on the suicide of a gay New Jersey college student.

Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi jumped from the George Washington Bridge Sept.

22 after his roommate posted his sexual encounter with a man online.

Clementi’s death spurred vigils and an anti-bullying law in New Jersey, which passed last month.

Senior residences proposed for Philly A plan to provide affordable housing for LGBT seniors moved toward fruition this year.

The Dr. Magnus Hirschfield Fund announced its proposal this fall to construct residences geared toward low-income LGBT seniors attached to the William Way LGBT Community Center. The proposal would allow for some 70 residences in an 11-story structure behind and above the current center, and the plan also includes renovations for the existing center.

The center board voted in N ove m b e r t o c o n d i t i o n a l l y approval the plan, and will take a final vote in March.

The initiative, expected to cost about $20 million, has received $7 million from the state and $2 million from the city.

Boy Scouts case still in limbo The long-awaited trial regarding the local Boy Scouts of America council headquarters was held this year, resulting in a mixed verdict and an ongoing debate.

A federal jury in June ruled that while the city didn’t discriminate in attempting to evict the Scouts from their city-owned property — on account of the Scouts’ discriminatory policy banning gays — it did act unconstitutionally in demanding fair-market rent or that the local chapter denounce the national policy.

The future of the building, which the Scouts have occupied rent-free, is still in question. City Councilman Darrell Clarke introduced legislation in December to allow for the sale of the building to the Scouts. Shortly after, gay philanthropist Mel Heifetz offered $1.5 million for the property. ■

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 8

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

Editorial Resolutions Amy: To remind myself everyday of all the people and things I have to be thankful for.

David: Save enough money to take the trip to Italy that I have been wanting to take by the end of the year.

Greg: To stop destroying important documents in my washing machine.

Jen: To be more appreciative for all that I have.

Larry: More quality over quantity.

Sarah: To eat better, exercise more, be grateful for what I have and become more self-actualized.

Scott: Take more time for myself.

Sean: To be more focused on time management and to walk the dog more often.

Timothy: That I diversify my activities, and become less rigid in my adherence to the macrobiotic diet. ■

Got a favorite?

As a reader, we know you care about PGN’s content — what we cover, what we don’t, who we cover, who we don’t. For PGN’s 35th anniversary edition, we’d like to know what impact PGN had on you. Was there a story that particularly moved you? A column, photo or writer you loved? Something you hated? Has PGN changed your life (for better or worse)? Did you meet your partner through its pages?

If you have a PGN story, send it to editor@epgn. com by Jan. 31. Tell us in 250 words or less why you love (or hate) us. Please include your name, a daytime phone and your city and state.

Submissions will be edited for spelling, grammar, punctuation and spatial considerations. ■

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.

Other Views Leslie Robinson Hopes for the New Year As 2010 draws to a close, I’m looking ahead. Here are some of my hopes for the LGBT community in 2011, along with a few predictions.

I hope next year the Pope will reveal a new attitude toward gays. I predict he won’t.

Now for a bolder prediction concerning Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who has the grinding task of holding together the worldwide Anglican Communion as it convulses over the gay issue: I think poor Rowan will chuck it all.

He’ll become a pagan, and periodically be seen frolicking at Stonehenge wearing nothing but a whimsical smile and un-strategically placed flowers.

Turning to another part of the planet, it is my fond hope that the murderous antigay bill still pending in Uganda’s parliament will be quietly withdrawn.

Or loudly — I’m not particular.

Now that the frothing homophobe Yuri Luzhkov has lost his job as mayor of Moscow, let’s hope that city can finally have an open, legal Pride.

Russian LGBT folks need an infusion of freedom. Luzhkov, married to a billionaire, needs a soul, but he’ll probably settle for a Piaget watch.

Turning to these shores, I don’t want 2011 to bring on a case of “As Maine goes, so goes New Hampshire.”

You know that in 2009 Maine voters

shot down the state’s same-sex marriage law. Now conservative legislators in New Hampshire are gearing up to repeal gay marriage in the Granite State.

Repeal would be a dagger in the heart of every LGBT person in the state. Plus it could mess with my plans.

My partner and I have been considering getting hitched in New Hampshire, my home state. If the legislators kill samesex marriage, the state will miss out on all the money we planned to spend — on a six-pack and a bag of cheese popcorn.

Regarding the Proposition 8 litigation, experts tell us that whatever the outcome in the appellate court, the case won’t really be decided until it reaches the U.S. Supreme Court. I’ll nonetheless hope for an appellate court victory.

I’m not against being bathed in validation.

With “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on its official way out of Dodge, what can we expect in 2011 from Sen. John McCain, the Obstructer-in-Chief? After fighting with such baffling intensity to keep the ban, McCain’s passion, or bile, over the issue of gays in the military will continue. Look for him to chain himself to the Pentagon. Or to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, causing interesting rumors about the two of them.

By the way, if Adm. Mike Mullen,

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is still peeved with Gen. James Amos, head of the Marines Corps, for his public opposition to the DADT repeal, I can guess whom Mullen will choose to replace him: Lady Gaga.

If she can wear raw meat from head to toe, she can stomach it.

Turning to other performers, country singer Chely Wright and Christian music artist Jennifer Knapp came out this year. Since both hail from genres traditionally unfriendly to gays, I want this fine trend to continue next year.

Hey 2011, bring us a reggae artist.

Each year I hope a male pro athlete who’s still playing will come out, but so far nobody has obliged me. I hope 2011 will be the year a football, baseball or basketball player does the deed.

But I’ll happily settle for a hockey player. With or without teeth.

Finally, I hope that next spring I don’t have to write another column about a gay teen’s fight to attend his or her prom with the appropriate date.

If Constance McMillen could triumph in 2010 in small-town Mississippi, no place is safe from prom equality. ■ For the next three months, Leslie Robinson will continue to date her checks “2010.” E-mail her at lesarobinson@gmail.com or check out her blog at www.generalgayety.com.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

Mark My Words Mark Segal ‘I Love you Phillip Morris’ — our Amos and Andy Rarely will you see a film review in this space. But I feel a certain responsibility since the media portrayal of gays was my first campaign back in the early 1970s. This film has hit a sensitive spot that calls for response, and it’s so retro it takes us back to the early days of Gay Liberation and what we were fighting against. Meet “I Love You Phillip Morris.”

By far the worst LGBT film of 2010, let’s put this as gently as we can: It’s the Amos and Andy film of gay people. The two (and only) gay characters are Steven Russell, played by Jim Carrey, who is a con man, and Phillip, played by Ewan McGregor, a bighearted romantic who is a little short in the brains department. As they stumble from one adventure to another, you can almost hear in the background, “Feet don’t fail me now.” And in the courtroom, you certainly can imagine, “Here comes the judge.”

Add to that the mandatory scene of a swishy halfdrag Carrey and we have a stereotypical gay character we have not seen in decades. It’s a giant step backward for gays in cinema. Vito Russo, writer of “The Celluloid Closet” — the definitive book of the history of gays in film — is turning over in his grave. Sorry, Vito.

Some of us thought we were beyond such a cheap depiction of our lives. The film tries to get past that by pretending to be a satire, but all the jokes, gags and set-ups are cliché. Even when the main character comes out, it’s what is commonly called by

stand-up comedians a “gay out,” a phrase coined by David Brenner.

This film plays to the worst stereotypes while pretending to be entertainment. It’s disguised as a film for sophisticated individuals in large metropolitan urban cities. The problem is it is in wide release.

One question: Would you want this film to be the first film about gays people see? Just imagine someone in Mississippi or Alabama watching the swishy thief — and, oh, let’s not forget his ex-lover/kept boy who, to add a little sympathy to the story, dies of AIDS. Yes, this is the perfect film about gay men your right-wing Christian Republican wants to see. A swishy thief who either dies or ends up in prison. I won’t even discuss the depiction of their intimate relationship. There is just so much wrong with this film, it’s as if the writer and director were trying way too hard to make John McCain smile.

Are there any redeeming factors? This should answer that question. According to this film, life in prison is pretty good for gay guys, since we can buy most anything we want and fall in love. Maybe the hidden point is that prison is a place to put gays: They’ll be very happy there and we’re doing them a favor.

A film with gay characters can still be trash. And that’s where this film belongs, in a trashcan. ■ Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media, having recently received the 2010 Columnist of the Year Award from the 2,000-member Suburban Newspapers of America. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.

PAGE 11

Street Talk Who made the biggest impact on LGBT rights this year?

Tylynn Carter student West Chester

Joseph Kazmierski writer Society Hill

“Oprah Winfrey. She does a lot of good for people. Her show covers LGBT topics in a sensitive way.

Whenever she’s asked if she’s gay, she denies it — but also uses that opportunity to explain that being gay is OK. She doesn’t bash gay people to make people believe she’s straight.”

“Dan Savage. I admire his efforts to reduce or end bullying. He tells the truth. If more people would follow his example, we’d have more thinking people — and a more understanding society.”

Shanea Long student Harrisburg

Shanice Long student Harrisburg

“President Obama.

He’s all about change, including better lives for LGBT people. I respect his attempts to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ It’s very unfair to prevent people from serving their country because of their sexuality.”

“Ellen DeGeneres. Her show is awesome. She’s a great representative of the community — because she has confidence and does her own thing without worrying about the opinions of others. I think she’s a good role model.”

Letters and Feedback In response to “Nationwide gay tour stops in Philly,” Dec. 24-30: What a great story, Jen! These guys sound really cool and have a really great idea. I think I remember you wrote something when they first started this, am I right?

I have to admit I don’t read a lot of the news stories past the first paragraph or two because they’re so long and dry, but this was very interesting.

Let us know how the boys finish up and what happens next.

— Tommy T ‘ In response to “Pride dilemmas and position,” Dec. 10-16: Wise move, Franny: Equality Forum (aka Malcolm-fest), because of their horrendous choice of location last year — The

Piazza in Northern Liberties.

Pride already agreed once to move their parade and festival to be the Sunday of the week of Equality Forum. I have seen no similar flexibility on Equality Forum’s part to try and compromise. Plus, Franny making this move brings an event back to the Gayborhood, where we can support local neighborhood merchants, rather than nameless concessionaries at Penn’s Landing.

— phillyccgwm [Editor’s note: At present, Philly Pride Presents Gay May Day is a separate event from Pride.]

In response to “Scouts trial set to begin June 14,” June 11-17: Something seems to be frequently overlooked in situations where religious doctrine is brought

up. I speak of the 2005 Papal Encyclical referring to homosexual acts as “intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law.”

First, religious doctrine is not admissible in court. But more important is the crass and blatant error of that encyclical. If God created all nature, yet only gave humans the power of free will, then it stands to reason that he created the animal kingdom to his liking.

To date, there are over 1,500 species of animals who have been confirmed to have the same prevalence of homosexuality as the human species. Homosexuality is not contrary to natural law.

As this is established biological fact, which is easily researched and verified, I find the repeated use of this as a “validation” for prejudice both infantile and pathetic.

— Christina Bartley

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 12

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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between Dec. 13-19. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association.

surveillance. The suspect entered the building and was taken into custody and later identified by the complainant. The 20-year-old alleged offender with a Locust Street address was charged with robbery and related offenses.

REPORT: Between 4-9 a.m. Dec. 13, someone forced open a door to offices on the eighth floor of 1315 Walnut St. and stole a laptop. Offices were secure at 4 a.m. when security checked them.

Central Detective Division was on scene to process for evidence.

REPORT: At 2:20 a.m. Dec. 17, out-of-town complainant was in conversation with a male in the 1300 block of Locust Street when the male announced that he was taking the complainant’s money, then punched him in the face and fled east on Locust. The alleged offender was described as a black male, 6-foot-1, with no further details.

ARREST: At 4 p.m. Dec. 13, complainant was in his dormitory room, 1346 Chestnut St., when two males knocked on the door.

Complainant knew the one male because he owed him money for drugs and allowed them to enter.

While inside, one of the males held his hand under his coat as if to have a weapon while the other male took an iPod, a laptop and a camera to satisfy the debt. The males left and complainant called the police. Sixth District Officers Dilworth and Romanczuk went to the address where complainant knew the one male lived and set up

REPORT: Between 1:30-1:35 p.m. Dec. 15, complainant’s bicycle was stolen from outside 111 S. 11th St.

REPORT: At 2:30 a.m. Dec. 17, complainant was accosted outside 106 S. 13th St. by a male with a handgun who took complainant’s backpack with a laptop, cell phone and cash. The alleged offender fled west on Sansom Street. He was described as a black male, 35 years old, 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, clean shaven and wearing a black and white coat.

REPORT: Between 10:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17, complainant’s 2002 Subaru, parked in the 1200 block of Spruce Street, had a window smashed and damage done to the interior, although nothing was taken. This report was received by the DPR Unit via phone, thus police were not dispatched.

REPORT: At 12:40 a.m. Dec. 19, inside Woody’s Bar, 202 S. 13th St., complainant was involved in a disturbance with another female patron when she was hit on the head with a bottle, causing a cut. The alleged offender, who was not detained, was described as a black female, 5-foot-7 with a heavy build.

REPORT: Between 2-2:20 p.m.

Dec. 19, security video at the 12th St. Gym, 204 S. 12th St., showed a male entering the Camac Street entrance four times, each time leaving with furnishings from the common area. The offender was described as a white male, 40 years old, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds with black hair and wearing a green jacket, dark pants and white sneakers.

REPORT: Between 8-8:50 p.m.

Dec. 19, complainant’s 2003 Dodge pick-up, parked in the parking lot at 315 S. 13th St., was stolen. ■

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On Being Well

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PHILLIP R. REEVES, MD

Dr. Robert Winn

PSYCHIATRY FOR LGBT COMMUNITY PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND PSYCH0THERAPY

HIV in 2010 On WorldAIDS Day, Dec. 1, we often take time to reflect on the impact HIV has had on our lives and remember those who are

no longer with us.

Although HIV has taken away so many in our community, in 2010 we consider HIV to be a chronic manageable disease — something you can live with, not die from. We have a multitude of HIV medications that are easier to take, extremely powerful and have fewer side effects. Even patients who have been on medications since the ’90s are often able to switch to these newer regimens.

We counsel HIV-positive patients about near-normal life expectancies as long as medications are taken when recommended.

At medical conferences, we are now talking about the aging HIV patient. HIV is no longer a death sentence — at least in this country.

In 2010, AIDS still devastates entire villages and urban communities throughout the world, where medical care and HIV drugs are unavailable. Thankfully we live in a city where getting HIV care and necessary medicines is obtainable by nearly all of its citizens.

Even for uninsured individuals in Philadelphia, Ryan White Care Act funds are available to cover medical care, and the Special Pharmaceutical Benefit Program will cover the cost of meds and labs.

We need to do a much better job of reaching out to find all of those infected in Philadelphia to bring them into care but, at the moment, we have made their care a possibility and a priority.

In the realm of HIV prevention, some things are as true now as they were at the beginning of the epidemic. Condoms are an incredibly effective way to prevent the virus from passing from one person to another (you just have to wear them!). That being said, one of the most effective prevention strategies is “knowing your status.”

It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of new HIV infections originated from indi-

viduals who did not know their status. Too many people don’t get tested regularly or at all, and continue to have unprotected sex without full knowledge of their status. Particularly during early infection, transmission rates can be exceedingly high — without any symptoms at all. Although a decision about using protection during sex is a personal one, making an informed choice is always best. Free and anonymous testing is available throughout the city.

The CDC recommends that sexually active individuals be tested at least once a year.

This month, data were released showing that certain men at high risk for HIV could successfully reduce transmission rates by taking a daily regimen of HIV medication before having sex.

There are other ways to lower HIV-transmission risk as well.

When a condom breaks or when risky unprotected sex has occurred, there is medical intervention that lessens the chance that an HIV exposure becomes an HIV infection. This is known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

If significant exposure risk has occurred, you should contact a medical professional as soon as possible to see if prophylaxis can help you. Taking one full month of HIV medications, if started within 72 hours of an exposure,

PAGE 13

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, HIV, CHRONIC PAIN

can significantly reduce transmission of HIV. This month, data were released showing that certain men at high risk for HIV could successfully reduce transmission rates by taking a daily regimen of HIV medication before having sex. This is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The study suggested that some men may benefit from this method as long as they miss very few pills. While still very controversial, we may have found yet another prevention strategy for our armory to curb the trend of increasing HIV rates among men who have sex with men.

Sex is a natural part of life and something we should talk more about, particularly ways to make it safer to enjoy. Knowing your partners’ status is important information, whether you’ve just met on Manhunt or have been together for many years. We need to be better at talking about sex before we have sex and making informed choices before the moment of passion.

Condoms should always be considered. Choosing lower-risk sexual activities (like oral sex) is certainly a way to reduce risk.

However, when a risky act does occur or if you are always engaging in unprotected sex, talk to your doctor about prophylaxis and whether it’s right for you.

Having HIV is manageable, but most people with HIV wish they were negative. Until we find a cure, using prevention methods is the only way to stay negative.

OFFICES AT 1601 Walnut St., Suite 1128 AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

EVENING HOURS AVAILABLE

(215) 740-4311

■

Dr. Robert Winn is medical director at Mazzoni Center, the region’s only LGBT-specific health center.

Mazzoni Center offers confidential rapid HIV testing and STI screening. Make an appointment and get tested.

610-446-2844

PAGE 14

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

From cafés to

Broadway

Out performer juggles songs and stage

By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer It has been a very busy year for Levi Kreis. When the out singer-songwriter and actor wasn’t on the road supporting his latest album, 2009’s “Where I Belong,” he was earning rave reviews for his Tony Award-winning role as rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis in “Million Dollar Quartet,” currently on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre.

Originally from Tennessee, Kreis, 29, has been juggling music and acting since releasing his debut album “One of the Ones” in 2005, which coincided with his appearance on NBC’s reality show “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump. His songs have appeared on TV shows “Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and The Restless.” His musical achievements are just as impressive. As a performer, Kreis and his brand of Americana-laced pop music have shared the stage with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Melissa

Etheridge and Cyndi Lauper.

But is Kreis taking a breather at the start of the New Year?

No. Instead, he’s coming to Philadelphia to perform with local singer-songwriter Eric Himan. Between his many Broadway curtain calls, Kreis took a few moments to talk to PGN about the ups and downs — most of them ups — of his bustling career, and how Himan’s success as an independent artist helped light the way for the musical side of his vocation.

PGN: How did you end up joining forces with

Eric Himan for this string of shows?

LK: I’ve been following Eric Himan since 2004.

I remember when I first released my first independent album, he was the first singer-songwriter [I heard about] that it ever occurred to me that I could do it on my own and do it successfully. I had gone through eight major record labels and had just left Atlantic Records and decided to do it on my own terms. He was just one of those guys that I found and began to watch the way that he tours and handles himself. I was very inspired by what he was doing. So when I released my first album, it was a big surprise for me for his representation to hear my album, call me and ask me to go on tour with him. It was my first time touring the country and it was sponsored by Gay.com.

We hit about 65 cities in 63 days. We were road dogs for about two-and-a-half months together.

It was the start of a friendship. Recently I got involved with this musical in New York City. So when I decided it was important for me to get back on the road, I thought it

Detour

A departure from the ordinary

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

would be a really lovely idea to reconnect with Eric and do a few dates together.

PGN: Is it diffi-

cult to balance your acting career with your music career?

LK: I’m finding the rhythm.

Initially acting took me by surprise. It’s always been something I’ve sort of fallen into. I moved to L.A. and randomly went on this cattle call just for fun and ended up being cast on “Rent.”

I inadvertently became cast in a couple of short films, an indie film, and then played Matthew McConaughey’s brother in “Frailty.” And I was saying to myself, “Why am I finding myself in these opportunities when it was never on my radar to grow up to be an actor?” I think this experience, especially this past year, has really let it occur to me that not only is it something that I have a talent in, but I need to nurture it and hone it and let it be a part of my life. So over the last year I’ve tried to find a way to figure out what it’s going to look like. How do I balance both

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

an acting career and a recording-artist career? But people do it. It’s just finding what works for you.

PGN: What

were some of the difficulties you had as an artist working with those major labels?

LK: One of the biggest things I have to admit to is perhaps the labels didn’t know what to do with me. I wasn’t being entirely authentic with them. I had left Tennessee and might have come out of the closet, but I moved to L.A. and went straight into the entertainment closet.

So oftentimes they wanted to mold me into whatever the next version of the young TV straight heartthrob kid would be. But it never felt authentic. I think at the end of the day, no one knows what to do with you if you’re spending most of your time hiding who you are. That was one of the biggest things for me getting out of Atlantic Records and watching Eric. It wasn’t just about it occurring to me that I could do it on my own. It was about me being able to do it on my own and finally honor

who I am and do it authentically. I had to tell my own story. If you hide your story, you have nothing to say. For me it was really a journey of authenticity. My success didn’t even come to me until I decided to be authentically who I am.

PGN: Will any new music be seeing the

light of day on these upcoming dates?

LK: With Eric I’m touring the current

album, “Where I Belong,” which came out in May 2009. The cool thing about it is it sort of has a second life now. The second single, “Gonna Be Alright,” is hitting [adult contemporary] radio stations across the country and, with the tour, is picking up a lot of exposure that I don’t think the album had the opportunity to have back in 2009, when most of my energy was really in being in “Million Dollar Quartet,” which was great. But it’s really nice to see that this album is being heard to the scope that I always believed that it could be.

So I’m really committed to spending the next year really allowing audiences who never got a hold of this album to discover it. I’ve always had the home base of the LGBT community. What’s interesting is a lot of women are finding this album. A lot of other demographics outside of our own demographic are beginning to discover my music for the first time, which is giving fuel to “Where I Belong.”

PGN: With the success you’re currently

THE MANY FACES OF LEVI KREIS: Songwriter, actor, Broadway performer Above: Levi (left) in character as Jerry Lee Lewis in the musical “Million Dollar Quartet.” Photo: Joan Marcus

experiencing in the realm of acting, do you feel any pressure to put music aside and focus more on theater and television work?

LK: Just from the sense of exhaustion, I think so. It’s so much to do, when you’re already doing eight shows a week, to wake up and give attention to an entirely different job. Ever since I became a part of “Million Dollar Quartet” I’ve sort of

PAGE 15

seen it as working two jobs. That can get pretty exhausting because, already as a recording artist, I could easily put over 40 or 50 hours a week into my own stuff. Sometimes it’s tough to spread yourself so thin. I think that it’s tempting to put music on the backburner, but I don’t know that I have the liberty to do that because my music is the thing that feeds my soul. If I don’t continue to engage myself with my own music, I tend to lose that fulfillment. It’s crazy that we’re doing these tour dates on the only nights off when I’ve already had eight shows a week. I don’t know what I’m thinking.

PGN:

What are your plans for 2011?

LK: I think I’m going to start doing some writing and I’ll let “Where I Belong” continue doing what it’s doing. I’ll continue doing tour dates on it.

But I’m anxious to start working on a new project.

PGN: Do you have a direction in mind for the new album?

LK: I feel like it’s going to be a lot more fun. I’ve always made a concerted effort with my music to try and offer something that I hope is inspiring and uplifting. But I sort of feel like what’s coming out of me now is simpler, more fun and less introspective. So I’m interested to see where that leads me. To have an album that laughs a little and has fun, I don’t know what that looks like for me yet. But I’m about to find out. ■

Levi Kreis and Eric Himan perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 3 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information, visit www.levikreis.com or www.erichiman. com or call (215) 222-1400.

Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

PAGE 16

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 17

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 18

Family Portraits The Mummers aren’t the only ones in town who will be rocking feathers and gender-bending outfits to kick off 2011. Liberty City Kings Drag and Burlesque will perform classic cabaret with a queer twist at 8 p.m. Jan. 1 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. And when I say twist, think tassel-twirling competition and much more. PGN spoke to J. Rudy Flesher, aka MC OMG, about how he got involved with the Liberty Kings and got a peek at what he plans to wear (at least for a while).

PGN: Are you a Philly boy?

JRF: I’m a Jersey boy.

PGN: So how did you end up in Philly?

JRF: I moved here a few years ago when I got a job working

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

Suzi Nash for the U Penn health system.

Very quickly I found I was not in love with that at all. What I did enjoy was volunteering for the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. I met a lot of people there over the years including Heather Coutts, who founded Liberty City [Kings].

At this year’s film fest in July, Heather asked me if I would start performing with the troupe.

PGN: And what do you do with them?

JRF: I’m the regular master of ceremonies. I started when they had their calendar-release party in August. They put out an awesome calendar that they sell to raise money for the group. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of playing with gender, so I asked

Heather if she wanted me to dress up for the show since it is all about drag and burlesque. I had this great corset from Delicious Boutique that I thought would be fun to wear high-femme classic burlesque. I changed throughout the show and did all these different gender presentations, ending up in leather at the end. I had so much fun and the audience really responded well, so I became the regular MC from then on.

PGN: I’ve been involved with the film festival as well, pretty much since the first year.

JRF: Yeah, I love it. I started volunteering as an usher and then, since I’m the kind of person who talks to everybody, I quickly got to know people and became a house manager.

PGN: Name three of your favorite films.

JRF: There was a film, I think it was from Argentina, called “XXY.” It was about a teenager who was intersexed trying to resist the labels that everyone was trying to apply. Very well done.

I also always love the documentaries. Narrative film is great, but the documentaries give you a look into other cultures, even other queer cultures that I might not be aware of. There was one film about drag-queen pageants, which was a world I was not familiar with at all, but it was fascinating to learn all about it.

I also loved Michelle Pollino’s short film, “Looking For ... ” PGN: So backing up, where in Jersey are you from?

JRF: South Jersey; I did most of my growing up in the Mt. Laurel area. It’s right over the bridge, so to speak, so Philly has always been the city that I came to. My mom worked at Strawbridge and Clothier for many years until they went out of business.

I remember coming into the city on the PATCO and being totally amazed at being on a train on the bridge and then getting off at Eighth and Market and thinking that being able to go right into the store from the subway without having to go outside was pretty cool. [Laughs.] When people hear Philadelphia and department store, they immediately ask me about the light show and organ at Wanamaker’s. But since we were a Strawbridge’s family, we never went to Wanamaker’s

J. RUDY FLESHER Photo: Suzi Nash

and I never saw the famous holiday light show until I was in my 20s. Christmas was always breakfast with Santa in the Corinthian Room, which I guess was Strawbridge’s version of the Crystal Tea Room at Wanamaker’s and the Dicken’s Village display.

PGN: What did your dad do?

JRF: He’s a special-education teacher.

PGN: Any siblings?

JRF: I have a brother who’s five years younger than me. He’s a junior at the University of Maryland. I like to think we’re both pretty smart kids, but he got the math and I got the English DNA. He’s getting his degree in aerospace engineering and I did mine in women’s and gender studies. We’re different sides of the coin.

PGN: Having been a women’s studies major, I’m guessing you’re out to the family.

JRF: Yes, I was the president of my gay-straight alliance in high school, so it was pretty clear.

PGN: Did you have any problems being openly gay in high school?

JRF: No, I think that sexuality wasn’t a big deal in my high school. I don’t recall anyone going out of their way to harass anyone or say anything mean or cruel. There were the occasional general insensitive comments, like sayings that something was gay, but never anything directed at a particular person. Our teach-

ers were pretty receptive as well: If I heard something I thought was problematic, I felt comfortable speaking to a teacher or administrator about it and they would then bring it up and address it in the classroom. It was a pretty accepting environment.

I mean we were the first ones in our district to have a GSA though it did take a little bit of doing.

We weren’t immediately granted status as a club — they first just gave us space to use, but no faculty advisor — but we soon got that changed and once we were granted status, other schools were then allowed to have similar clubs without having to go through the same process. So we paved the way for other clubs, which was a great thing.

PGN: What were you like as a kid?

JRF: Um, I was a lot less social.

I was a bookworm and kind of shy. I never felt comfortable with my peers so I always gravitated to people who were older than me. I still do to some extent.

PGN: Where did you go to college?

JRF: I went to The College of New Jersey in Ewing. I attended for four years and changed my major from biology and secondary education to nursing, then I stopped going when I got a job offer at Penn. I took the job so I could get health care and then figured I’d go back to school at Penn, but it didn’t work out and I didn’t get back to school until this past January. I officially graduate

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

tomorrow! I’ll have my bachelor’s degree in women’s and gender studies.

PGN: What made you pick that major?

JRF: I’ve always been interested in the subject matter but, to be honest, I had a few degrees I could have pursued but that was the one I’d be able to achieve in two semesters. I do remember when I was a kid seeing a program on people who were transgender and was intrigued by it. It seemed like a transperson would have a whole different perspective on the world.

Being able to see the world from both sides of the gender coin would seem to almost give you insider knowledge that few of us had. Then, in college, I took a course called “Women and Health: Power, Politics and Change.” That was the class that made me identify as a feminist and also as an activist. I learned that laws were still being written that oppressed women and it got me angry. I also realized how feminist issues were connected to queer issues and other things as well.

PGN: Tell me a little about your acting.

JRF: The acting came out of a film I worked on after QFest 2007. I worked on Kelly Burkhardt’s “Tremble and Spark” and fell in love with working on a movie set. Then I got a small part in a film called “I Quit.” It was my first speaking role and I got the acting bug. I started taking acting classes a year and a half ago with Wendy Ward and we’re putting up a play next May. It’s a lot different than the MC work.

PGN: You’re a busy person, and you also

Q Puzzle Together Again Across

1. Cinderella’s coming-out party 5. North Sea feeder 9. Gertrude Stein’s “A Long Gay Book,” for one 13. Where to find Moby Dick 14. Takes advantage of pupils?

15. Heavy burden 16. Movie based on an Alice Walker novel 19. Punished for illegal parking 20. W. or H., to Auden 21. Rubber 23. Like a really big shoe 24. Butt 26. Wilder’s “The Bridge of San Luis ___ ” 27. Bernstein’s fifth 29. Cylinders for thread

do a blog?

JRF: Yes, I’ve been doing a blog for the New Civil Rights Movement, which was started by David Badash after the 2008 elections and the Prop. 8 vote. I also did an internship with PhinLi Booking, an LGBT and sex-positive booking agency last summer, so I did some writing for them as well. I write mostly about queer arts and culture and politics.

PGN: Ever play any sports as a child?

JRF: No, I wasn’t super-athletic as a kid: I grew into that a bit later. In college, I played rugby. I was the team leader and treasurer and, I have to say, that was an amazing experience. In the history of the team, I was the only out queer person on the team — ever. To play with a bunch of straight guys on what is considered one of the most brutal sports and have them completely take me on my merits and what I brought to the field as opposed to who I slept with was amazing. It definitely took some adjusting, but it wasn’t long before they were all onboard to the point that if a new guy came on and made a homophobic comment, the rest of the team would immediately stop them and say, “That’s not what we do. We don’t use those terms and we don’t talk about people like that.”

I run now and am planning on doing some marathons soon.

PGN: Other than your corset, what’s your favorite conversation piece?

JRF: Well, you nailed it on the head with the corset. Everyone always wants to know

31. You, to Frida 33. Start of a Shakespearean title 34. She played Sofia in 16-Across 38. Burl of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” 39. The active crowd 40. Break off 43. Mysore Mr. 44. James Dean’s “East of Eden” role 47. Areas for Dr. Callie Torres 48. Dog or work area 5 0 . Yo u n g m a n ’s p a r t i n Shakespeare’s day 52. Respond to the cold 55. “A Streetcar ___ Desire” 56. She played Celie in 16-Across 58. Band in Boston 59. Feisty female in “The Lion King” 60. “Ziegfeld Follies” costume designer 61. Sexy clothing material 62. Eat beaver-style 63. Young miss

Down

PAGE 19

how I got into it or if it hurts. Other than that I would say my “Nobody Knows I’m a Lesbian” T-shirt draws the most comments. I think it confuses people.

PGN: A smell that makes you stop and reflect?

JRF: There’s an odd smell that’s a combination of kerosene and muskiness that reminds me of the attic over my grandparents’ garage. I used to love to get into things and to explore places like attics and basements. Especially places that had been closed up for a time with old stuff stacked in the corners. So my uncle used to take me exploring in the garage. I always had fun at my grandparents’. My maternal grandmother was an identical twin and they married two brothers and lived in the same house and raised their children together. My uncle and grandfather had a business right down on Market and Second streets — Yokum Farms. They delivered meat to all the delis. When they retired, the twins opened up a gift shop in Drexel Hill. They had that very South Philly aesthetic with everything overstuffed or covered in plastic — big rhinestones, crystals on the lamps, lots of gilt.

They were on the news every Christmas as the identicals with the glitzy store.

PGN: A talent you’d like to have?

JRF: Hmmn, that’s a good one. Of all things, I’d like to be better at math. It’s a world that’s currently not available to me. It’s like speaking another language and I think it opens up whole other

1. Pancake mixture 2. Away from one’s first mate 3. Street named for writer Harper?

4. Shoestrings 5. Immigrant ed. choice 6. Fifth-century pope 7. Swiss capital 8. Makes out 9. Gay-friendly singer Amos 10. Conditionally out 11. Megan of “Will & Grace” 12. Tongue ending 17. Ukrainian seaport 18. Sch. in Dianne Hardy-Garcia’s home state 22. Kind of IRA 25. Copies of a women’s magazine 28. Like porn 30. Crew tools 31. Bear that may be a minor 32. God in Granada 34. Rubber 35. Where to find real bitches

36.

37.

38.

41.

42.

44.

45.

46.

49.

ways of thinking. My brother is studying aerospace engineering and my cousin graduated from MIT working on artificial intelligence. Some of the time I can’t even understand what they’re saying!

PGN: Any crafty stuff?

JRF: Yes, I’ve made some really fun Mardi Gras masks in the past: feathered, beaded, award-winning masks. I want to expand my repertoire and start making some costumes for the Liberty City Drag Kings. I want to make something for myself for New Year’s out of clearance items from the Christmas bins.

PGN: What’s memorable about performing with the Kings?

JRF: When you’re on stage, people have difficulty separating what we do with who we are. [Laughs.] We’re more than just a strip tease, but sometimes people will be very forward with us off the stage. We have a mostly lesbian audience and they’re usually very complimentary and polite to me, but at my first performance there was a guy who came up afterward and growled, “I really like the way you fill out that jockstrap. I could see you from the back row.” I didn’t really know what to say other than, “Well, good for you, thank you so much.” People say the darndest things when you’re taking your clothes off. ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

Big name in soft balls ___ of Dorothy Oft-broken promise Illegal block by Esera Tuaolo In possession of Mapplethorpe’s tool Gives a heads-up to Precarious places Started out

51. Nancy Clue creator Maney 53. ___ Hashana 54. Marlene’s “Blue Angel” role 56. Secretary’s stat 57. Jude of “The Talented Mr. Ripley”

See SOLUTION, Page 25

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 20

Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations

Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies.

Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: 3-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 3-6 p.m. Tuesday; noon-6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000.

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (215) 536-2424.

Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 222-3871.

Spanish/English.

HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m.

Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803.

Key numbers

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; (610) 586-9077.

Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; (215) 5630652. www.mazzonicenter.org.

Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care; 809 Locust St.; (215) 563-0658.

Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.

■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: (215) 587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: (856) 933-9500 ext. 221

■ Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658

■ AIDS Library: (215) 985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 592-1513

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): (215) 572-1833

■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212

■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: (215) 686-4670

■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: (215) 772-2000

■ Equality Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378 ■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria.

Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) Meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and the Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 3861981; www.critpath.org/actup.

Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; (856) 863-3061; www.dvau.org.

Equality Advocates Philadelphia Holds a volunteer night second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; (215) 731-1447; www.equalitypa.org.

Green Party of Philadelphia Holds general meetings fourth Tuesday of each month (except April) at 6:30 p.m., 4134 Lancaster Ave.; (215) 243-7103; www.gpop.org.

Log Cabin Republican Club of Philadelphia Meets at 7 p.m. third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Community Center; (215) 4655677; www.phillylogcabin.org.

Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club Meets seasonally; (215) 760-7184; www. libertycity.org.

Arts

Gay Men’s Book Discussion Group Meets at 6:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 18 S. Seventh St.; (215) 685-1633.

Library Book Club Meets to discuss a new book at 7 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center.

New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Mondays in Princeton, N.J.; (609) 675-1998.

Open-mic night An amateur poetry, music and storytelling event sponsored by The Pride Center of New Jersey, meets at 8 p.m. every third Friday at the George Street Playhouse, 1470 Jersey Ave., North Brunswick, N.J.; (732) 846-0715.

Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses from 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; (215) 731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org.

Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club Meets to share and listen to recordings at 6:30 p.m. on last Saturday of the month; (215) 2246995.

Philadelphia Voices of Pride Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; (888) 505-7464; www.pvop.org.

Queer Writer’s Collective Workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. on fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center.

Women’s Book Group Meets first Thursday of the month at 6:45 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; brassygrrl@hotmail.com.

■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www. mazzonicenter.org. Legal Services: (215) 563-0657, (866) LGBT-LAW; legalservices@m azzonicenter.org

■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; (215) 496-0330

Activism/Politics

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: (215) 683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (267) 216-6606; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m.

Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Recreation

Diversity Dancers Ballroom dancers meet the first Sunday of the month for tea dance and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; (215) 922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol.com.

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011 Male Oenophile Group Male group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call (267) 230-6750 for more information.

Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social Activities for sexual-minority seniors are held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center.

PhilaVentures Philadelphia’s GLBT outdoor group meets for a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Borders Books, Music and Café, 8701 Germantown Ave.; (215) 271-8822.

Rainbow Bridge Group Congenial group meets for supper and to play bridge monthly on a Monday at 6:30 p.m. Members rotate serving as host. New players welcome. For information call Gerry at (215) 592-1174.

Rainbow Room A meeting/activity night held for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their friends Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Rainbow Room of Planned Parenthood in Doylestown; (215) 348-0558.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club Meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at Greene Field, Howell Street and Moore Road, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org.

City of Brotherly Love Softball League GLBT softball league serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; (215) 4622575; www.cblsl.org.

Frontrunners Running club meets Saturday mornings at 9:30 for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.frontrunnersphila.org.

Gay and Lesbian Bowling League Bowls at 8 p.m. Thursdays in the Norristown area; call Doug Schneidig; (716) 864-4393.

Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club GLBT and allied soccer club; practices Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. at Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park;www.falcons-soccer.org.

Philadelphia Fins Swim Team Male and female swimmers meet at 7 p.m.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m.

Saturdays in Center City; (610) 564-6661; www. philadelphia-fins.org.

Philadelphia Gay Bowling League Meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September through April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; (856) 889-1434; www. philagaybowling.com.

Philadelphia Gay Flag Football New group forming. Contact Jered at gayflagfootball@gmail.com or (214) 770-5373.

Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club Team seeks players; all skill levels welcome; (215) 913-7531; info@phillygryphons.org.

Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association Meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday at William Way Center; into@plta.us.

Philadelphia Phoenix Women’s football team seeks players; (267) 6799535; www.philadelphiaphoenix.org.

Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; (917) 656-1936; phury@gayhockey.org.

Gay Bridge Club Non-beginners group meets Monday afternoons at the William Way Center; (215) 985-4835.

Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley Motorcycle club meets regularly; (215) 836-0440; www.groups.yahoo.com/group/rainbowridersdv/.

Gay-friendly Scrabble Club Meets from 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; (215) 382-0789.

Rainbow Rollers Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 9 p.m. on Tuesdays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467.

Gay and Lesbian Scrabble Players in the tri-state area gather for socializing and friendly/competitive games; ScrabbleGroup@excite.com.

Gay Opera Guys of Philly New group for opera appreciation meets last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/ Andorra area; (215) 483-1032.

Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists Meets second Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 985-1456; www. humboldtsociety.org.

Indepedence Squares GLBT square dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; (215) 735-5812; www.independencesquares.org.

Etc.

AIDS Law Project Provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing; 1211 Chestnut St., suite 600; (215) 587-9377; www.aidslawpa.org.

BiUnity Philadelphia area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the William Way Center; www. biunity.org.

Global A political, community and social group that also works to promote Bordentown as a gayfriendly community meets on the first Saturday of the month at Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut St., Bordentown, N.J.; jerseyglobal@yahoo.com.

Delaware Pride Meets at 7 p.m. on first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 E. Main St., Newark, Del.; (800) 292-0429.

Delaware Valley Pink Pistols For LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense; meets at 2 p.m. on third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southhampton; (267) 386-8907; www. pinkpistols.org.

Friday Feast and Fun Dinner hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. second Friday of the month, 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; (215) 576-8008.

Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance Open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; (610) 896-4938.

Latina/o Virtual Community Local listserv offers various information and resources; (215) 808-2493; Zorros_mail@yahoo. com; LatinPhillyLGBT@yahoogroups.com.

LGBTQ and Friends Activity Group Meets at 7 p.m. on third Friday of the month to plan outings and potlucks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County.

Long Yang Club Philadelphia Social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; P.O. Box 401, Philadelphia, Pa. 19105; www.longyangclub. org/philadelphia.

Our Night Out A casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, allied communities, friends and colleagues meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, send email to OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; PhillyGayCalendar.com/org/OurNightOut. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice Offered from 5-8 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month; (215) 238-6333.

Philadelphia Prime Timers Club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; (610) 344-0853; www. primetimersphiladelphia.org.

Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. first and third Mondays of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; (215) 627-1662.

Philly Paw Pals Gay and lesbian dog owners and their dogs meet on first Saturday of the month at a dog park; (215) 618-5290; PhillyPawPals@aol.com.

Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL affiliated; private; weekly HF nets, monthly newsletter, e-mail server; (302) 5392392; www.rara.org.

South Jersey Gay Bowling League Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7 p.m. on Fridays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467.

Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party A party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts at 10 p.m. every second Wednesday at N. 3rd, Third and Brown streets; (215) 413-3666.

Spartan Wrestling Club The gay wresting team meets from 7-9 p.m.

Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; (215) 732-4545; www.phillyspartans. com.

Silver Foxes Social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older meets from 3-5 p.m. on fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center.

Team Philadelphia Meets at 8 p.m. second Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center; www.teamphiladelphia. org.

Stonewall Model Railroad Club Meets monthly; (215) 769-4230; k3k@yahoo. com.

Women’s Table Tennis New group forming. Interested women are encouraged to e-mail michelesimone19144@yahoo.com.

Thirsty Third Tuesdays Collingswood Out in the Neighborhood meets at 7 p.m. on third Tuesday of the month for coffee, dessert and conversation at Three Beans, 40 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield N.J.; (215) 439-8337.

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 21

Mombian Dana Rudolph An LGBT parenting year in review As 2010 gives way to 2011, let us ask: How has the year been in terms of political and legal progress for LGBT parents and our children?

The most notable parenting-specific win of the year was arguably Florida’s judicial overturn of its ban on adoption by gays or lesbians. Mississippi, however, continues to ban same-sex couples from adopting, and Arkansas, Michigan and Utah ban unmarried couples, which means essentially the same thing. The federal “Every Child Deserves a Family Act,” which would have withheld federal funds from states and other entities that discriminate against gay men and lesbians in adoption or foster-care placements, was introduced in March, but failed to make it out of committee.

There were also state rulings in a variety of custody cases that pitted non-biological or non-adoptive parents against biological or adoptive ones. The rulings were mixed — in Texas, two different appeals courts even made opposite rulings about whether a non-biological mother has visitation rights — but it unfortunately doesn’t look like these types of cases, or the variety of rulings, will go away any time soon.

On a more positive note, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a fifth petition from Lisa Miller, an “ex-lesbian” mom who has been battling her former partner, Janet Jenkins, for custody of their daughter. Miller went into hiding with the girl a year ago, but her lawyers asked the court to reconsider the

Virginia ruling that requires Miller to comply with a Vermont Supreme Court order and give Jenkins primary custody.

Families also played a strong role in the federal case to determine the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8. The defense claimed that marriage should be limited to opposite-sex couples to ensure responsible procreation and child-rearing.

District Court Judge Vaughn Walker, however, ruled for the plaintiffs, saying, “The evidence shows beyond any doubt that parents’ genders are irrelevant to children’s developmental outcomes.”

The defense used its same old argument, however, before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in December. The plaintiff’s attorneys seemed to negate it just as adeptly.

The appellate ruling remains to be seen — and the case will likely end up at the U.S. Supreme Court — but the hearings provided a very public airing of the extensive evidence about the suitability of same-sex parents. That can only be a good thing.

Some of the biggest steps forward for LGBT families this year came not from courts or legislatures, but from several federal departments: — The Department of Health and Human Services issued new regulations requiring that hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds allow patients to designate their visitors, who could include same-sex partners and non-legal children. President Obama ordered HHS to take action after he heard the story of partners Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond. A Florida hospital in 2007 kept Langbehn — and the couple’s three children — from Pond’s side as she lay

dying from a sudden aneurysm.

— The Office of Personnel Management issued new regulations stating that federal employees may take sick or bereavement leave for same-sex domestic partners or children of a domestic partner.

— The Department of Labor clarified that under the existing Family and Medical Leave Act, an employee may take unpaid leave to tend children under their care, “regardless of the legal or biological relationship.”

— The Department of Education likewise clarified that federal law requires schools to take action against bullying, including gender-based and sexual harassment of LGBT students.

Bullying, of course, burst into mainstream consciousness through a series of tragic and highly publicized youth suicides related to anti-LGBT harassment. The greater awareness of the issue — including “It Gets Better” videos from President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among others — should indeed help us address the problem. It is a shame, however, that the awareness comes at the price of lives, and that steps to prevent such tragedies were not taken years ago. And two federal bills that would provide stronger anti-bullying protections for LGBT students have died in committee.

The biggest LGBT victory of the year, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” was not specific to LGBT parents, but will impact those parents in the military. First and foremost, I imagine they will find immediate emotional relief in no longer

having to hide or worry that their child’s inadvertent comments could cost them their family’s livelihood.

LGBT parents will be able to pursue second-parent adoptions in jurisdictions that allow them, without worrying about the public paper trail they would leave. They may also now marry or have civil unions/ domestic partnerships without fear of the paper trail — and that may be a comfort to their children.

Similarly, they won’t have to worry about exposing their relationship by naming a partner as the recipient of certain “member-designated” benefits, such as being a life-insurance beneficiary or having hospital-visitation rights, as LGBT family law expert Nancy Polikoff explained in her blog (beyondstraightandgaymarriage. blogspot.com) Nov. 30.

What they will not be able to do, however, is receive the same benefits for a same-sex partner as for an opposite-sex spouse. The repeal bill specifically says that it does not require benefits “in violation of ... the ‘Defense of Marriage Act.’” Repeal of the ban was a major step forward. But full equality for lesbian and gay servicemembers and their families remains a future step.

There was some definite progress in 2010, then, even though — as every parent knows — change is not always linear.

Let us celebrate the victories and recommit ourselves to addressing the remaining obstacles. Best wishes of the season. ■ Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (www.mombian.com), a blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

Diversions Your guide to arts and entertainment

Theater

presents an all-new production of the holiday Annie Broadway musical, through Media Theater presents the musical with comedian Jan. 9, 825 Walnut St.; (215) Wanda Sykes starring as 574-3550.

Miss Hannigan, Jan. 1223, 104 E. State St., Media; Les Misérables The Kimmel Center pres(610) 891-0100. ents a new, 25th-anniversary production of Boublil Black Nativity Theatre Double presents & Schönberg’s legendLangston Hughes’ holiday ary musical, Jan. 4-15 at gospel play, through Dec. 31 Kimmel’s Academy of at St. Mary’s Chapel, 1831 Music, 240 S. Broad St.; Bainbridge St.; (267) 575- (215) 790-5847.

4888.

Blue Man Group The wildly popular musical and visual show returns, through Jan. 2 at Merriam Theatre, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Parenting 101: The Musical!

The musical comedy about the various stages of raising children is on stage through M a r c h 6 a t K i m m e l ’s Innovation Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

The Borrowers Arden Theatre Company presents an adaptation of the beloved children’s novel, through Jan. 30 on the F. Otto Haas Stage, 40 N. Second St.; (215) 922-1122.

This is the Week That Is 1812 Productions presents the smash news comedy returning for its fifth year, through Dec. 31 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Caesar’s Palace O’ Fun Delancey St.; (215) 592The Walnut Street Theatre 9560. presents a musical variety show centered around The Three Musketeers: a n o u t r a g e o u s l o u n g e A Musical Panto lothario, through Jan. 2 at People’s Light and Theatre Independence Studio on 3, Company presents a swash825 Walnut St.; (215) 574- buckling musical, through Jan. 9, 39 Conestoga Road; 3550.

(610) 644-3500.

Cirque du Soleil: Dralion Cirque’s take on the ancient Chinese circus tradition hits town through Jan. 2 at Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St.; (215) 204-2400.

I Capture The Castle The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents the romantic comedy about 17-year-old budding writer Cassandra and her eccentric family, who live in a crumbling 17th-century English castle, through Jan. 2, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, N.J.; (973) 408-5600.

Temple Ave., Sellersville; endary composer Jan. 6-9 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, (215) 257-5808.

260 S. Broad St.; (215) 7905847.

HaleStorm The female-fronted rock band performs at 9 p.m.

Dec. 31 at the Trocadero Art of the American Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; Soldier (215) 922-6888.

The National Constitution Center presents the worldSteph Hayes and the debut exhibition of over Good Problems 15,000 paintings and The out singer-songwriter sketches created by 1,300 and her rock band perform American soldiers in the line at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at World of duty, through Jan. 10, 525 Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; Arch St.; (215) 409-6895.

(215) 222-1400.

Exhibits

Sarah McLachlan The singer and Lilith Fair founder performs at 10 p.m.

Dec. 31 at Caesars Circus Maximus Theater, 2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City; (609) 348-4411.

Carrie Underwood The country singer performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 1 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; (609) 317-1000.

Attila Glatz Concerts Presents: Salute to Vienna The Kimmel Center presents a new cast of European singers and dancers to delight and inspire with famous Strauss waltzes, polkas and operetta excerpts, 2:30 p.m.

The Understudy Jan. 2 at Kimmel’s Verizon Wilma Theater presents a Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; comedy about a war of wills (215) 790-5847. between actors, through Jan. 30, 265 S. Broad St.; Levi Kreis and Eric (215) 546-7824.

Himan

The Very Merry Xmas Carol Holiday Adventure Show Theatre Horizon presents a comedic nontraditional vision of the holiday, through Dec. 31, 208 Dekalb St., Norristown; (610) 2832230.

Music

The out singer-songwriters perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 3 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 2221400.

English Beat The rock band performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 6 at Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; (215) 257-5808.

Dr. K’s Motown Revue Irving Berlin’s White The R&B band performs at Mozart’s Requiem Christmas 7 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Philadelphia Orchestra The Walnut Street Theatre Sellersville Theater, 24 W. performs works by the leg-

Between Now & Then AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by Matthew Ostroff and Amber Dubois, through Jan. 8, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250.

KEEP THE PARTY GOING: For those who want to keep the debauchery from the previous evening’s festivities rolling, catch Vixens & Vagabonds Queer & Kinky Cabaret, a risqué cabaret show featuring performances by the Liberty City Kings (pictured) and special guest appearances by Peachy LaFever, Sven Handlesbod, the Rev. Pat Firmass, Geppetta and musical guest Nicole Reynolds. Don’t miss a single drop of this show, from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Jan. 1 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. For more information, visit facebook/ libertycitykings or call (215) 964-9675.

Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt The Franklin Institute presents an exhibition of 150 artifacts from Egypt, through Jan. 2, 20th Street diversity and beauty of the and the Parkway; (215) 448- female form, through Dec. 31, 201 N. Third St.; (215) 1200.

923-7030.

Eakins on Paper: John Folinsbee and Drawings and American Modernism Watercolors from the Woodmere Art Museum Collection Philadelphia Museum of presents a fresh look at the Art presents an exhibition New Hope painter’s life and of 10 rarely seen drawings work, revealing the artist’s and watercolors that survey move from impressionism the early work of Thomas toward modernism, through Eakins, through Jan. 9, 26th March 6, 9201 Germantown Street and the Parkway; Ave.; (215) 247-0476.

(215) 763-8100.

Mark Cohen: Strange A Glimpse of Paradise: Evidence Philadelphia Museum of Gold in Islamic Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition Art presents an exhibition of a select group of some exploring the unique status 50 of Cohen’s black-andof gold in Islam through white and color photoa small group of objects graphs made over the past drawn from the museum’s 40 years, through March 13, collection, through April, 26th Street and the Parkway; 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100.

(215) 763-8100.

Pleasures and Pastimes in Japanese In My Body Wexler Gallery hosts a ret- Art rospective exhibition of Philadelphia Museum of Art works by photographer and presents an exhibition of mixed-media artist Leah costumes, masks and poetry Macdonald, celebrating the exploring the ways in which

leisure time was interpreted across all social classes in Japanese art, through January, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100.

Virtues and Vices: Moralizing Prints in the Low Countries, 15501600 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of moralizing prints created between 1550-1600 in Antwerp and Haarlem, through Feb. 27, 26th Street and the Parkway; (215) 763-8100.

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 9256437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn.com.

Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

Dance

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the holiday-themed show through Dec. 31 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.

Film

“Sound of Music” singalong This is not going to help your hangover, at 7 p.m. Jan. 1 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Summer Wars The Japanese anime sci-fi/ romance film is screened at 2 p.m.

Jan. 1 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Sullivan’s Travels The 1941 satirical film is screened 2 p.m. Jan. 2 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223.

Books

Diaspora Reading Group The group discusses “Suspension: A Novel” by Robert Westfield, at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Women’s/Trans Reading Group The group discusses “Ash” by Malinda Lo, at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960.

Cabaret

Uptown Express The pop/cabaret band performs at 6 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

Vixens & Vagabonds Queer & Kinky Cabaret Philly’s sexiest queer music, drag and burlesque artists perform a risqué cabaret show from 8 p.m.2 a.m. Jan. 1 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; (215) 964-9675.

Etc.

Eddie Gossling The comedian seen on “Tosh 2.0” performs at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 496-9001.

Joel McHale The comedian from “Talk Soup” and “Robot Chicken” performs at 7 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and

Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 3171000.

Mummers Parade Fancy Brigade Finale Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs at the Mummers Parade finale, noon Jan. 1 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.; fancybrigade.com/ shows_events/newyears_show. php.

PAGE 23

PGN

Pick

Ladies 2000 New Year’s Day Ladies 2000 hosts a New Year’s Day party with dancers and drink specials beginning at 3 p.m. Jan. 1 at 12th Air Command, 254 S. 12th St.; (215) 545-8088.

The Scene: New Year’s Day Tea The monthly LGBTQ dance party kicks off the New Year at 3 p.m.

Jan. 1 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; facebook/tlbtbproductions.

Morris Arboretum’s Holiday Garden Railway The holiday-themed quarter mile displays bustling model trains and buildings, through Jan. 2, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.; www.morrisarboretum.org. ■

If you’re the type of New Year’s Eve reveler who wakes up fresh as a daisy on New Year’s Day, hangover-free and ready to do something agonizingly cheerful with your holiday, swing on down to World Cafe Live for “The Sound of Music” sing-along at noon and 7 p.m.

Jan. 1, 3025 Walnut St. Fair warning: The early show is a lunchtime show aimed at attracting children, so if you want to spare yourself the sound of a chorus of innocent but tonally challenged voices mangling words to a movie they’ve been forced to watch by their parents who’ve ignored their pleas for a viewing of “Kung Fu Panda” or “Tangled,” you might want to aim for the 7 p.m. screening. For more information, call (215) 222-1400.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 24

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

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PAGE 25

worth watching: The Talk Out actress Sara Gilbert hosts the talk show alongside Sharon Osbourne, Julie Chen, Leah Remeni and Holly Robinson Peete. 2 p.m. on CBS. The Nate Berkus Show Monday-Friday, 2 p.m. on NBC. The Ellen DeGeneres Show Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. The Rachel Maddow Show Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC. FRIDAY Beyonce ... I Am Yours The pop superstar performs in Las Vegas. 8 p.m. on TV One. Pink: Funhouse Highlights from the pop singer’s Australian tour. 8 p.m. on Logo.

Troy Orlando Bloom and Brad Pitt star in this sword-and-sandal epic. No, really. 8 p.m. on TNT. SATURDAY VH1 Diva Salutes the Troops Kathy Griffin hosts with musical performances by Katy Perry, Sugarland, Nicki Minaj and more. 9:30 on VH1.

Saturday Night Live A repeat with Rihanna performing. 11:30 p.m. on NBC. SUNDAY Brothers & Sisters Look for out characters Scotty and Kevin. 10 p.m. on ABC. MONDAY How I Met Your Mother Out actor Neil Patrick Harris stars as the womanizing Barney in this new episode. 8 p.m. on CBS. Little Richard A biopic about the flamboyant rock icon. 8 p.m. on BET. Tabatha’s Salon Takeover The out hairstylist helps struggling salons. This week she travels to Provincetown. 10 p.m. on Bravo.

TUESDAY Biggest Loser: Couples Out trainer Jillian Michaels is back for a new season. 8 p.m. on NBC. Glee Out actress Jane Lynch stars in the acclaimed series. This week is a repeat. 8 p.m. on Fox. Live to Dance Paula Abdul hosts this team-oriented dance competition. 8 p.m.

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on CBS. The Fashion Show: The Ultimate Challenge Out designer Isaac Mizrahi hosts. Johnny Weir guest judges a challenge in which the designers create fashions for a gay wedding. 10 p.m. on Bravo.

WEDNESDAY Modern Family Look for gay couple Mitchell and Cameron in this new episode, in which they are bewitched by a mysterious neighbor. 9 p.m. on ABC. People’s Choice Awards Queen Latifah hosts the 37thannual edition of the awards show. 9 p.m. on CBS. Top Chef: All-Stars The reality competition features the best chefs from the past seasons, including two out competitors. 10 p.m. on Bravo.

THURSDAY Grey’s Anatomy Out character Arizona returns to a not-so-warm welcome. 9 p.m. on ABC. Hellbent A slasher film in which a killer targets gay men during a Halloween carnival in West Hollywood. 9 p.m. on Logo. ■

“WEIR” HERE: Figure-skating star Johnny Weir joins out fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi and supermodel Iman for an episode of “The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection” to judge a challenge in which the contestants have to design fashions for a gay wedding, 10 p.m. Jan. 4 on Bravo. Photo: Heidi Gutman/Bravo

SOLUTION From Page 19

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 26

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

Classifieds With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals

Mortgage rates edge down after 5 weeks of gains

By Janna Herron The Associated Press

Rates on fixed mortgages dipped after rising for five weeks in a row.

Still, they remain more than a half-point higher than last month and are at the highest level since late spring.

Freddie Mac said last Thursday the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage slipped to 4.81 percent from 4.83 percent in the previous week. Last month, the rate reached a 40year low of 4.17 percent, but has since been edging higher.

The average rate on the 15year loan, a popular refinance option, also fell to 4.15 per-

cent from 4.17 percent. It hit 3.57 percent in November, the lowest level on records starting in 1991.

Rates had been rising since early November as investors shifted money out of Treasurys and into stocks, on expectations that the recent tax-cut plan will boost economic growth and potentially increase inflation.

The sell-off comes even as the Federal Reserve buys up $600 billion in bonds to try to lower interest rates.

Yields tend to rise on fears of higher inflation. Mortgage rates track the yields on the 10-year Treasury note.

This week, Treasury yields stayed in a tight range due to

thin trading before the Christmas holiday.

Higher mortgage rates have become another obstacle for the ailing housing market.

The number of buyers looking to refinance fell for the sixth straight week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said last Wednesday, while the ranks of people applying for a mortgage to buy a home slid 2.5 percent from the week before.

And while more buyers bought previously occupied homes and new homes in November than the previous month, the sales pace of both is far from what analysts consider healthy.

The National Association of Realtors said last Wednesday

that sales of previously owned homes rose 5.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.68-million units last month.

It’s the third gain in four months, following the worst summer for home sales in more than a decade.

The Commerce Department said last week that sales of new homes rose 5.5 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 290,000 units. But that increase came after sales had fallen to the second-lowest level in 47 years in October.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac collects rates from lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday of each week. Rates often fluc-

tuate significantly, even within a single day.

The average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 3.75 percent from 3.77 percent.

The five-year hit 3.25 percent last month, the lowest rate on records dating back to January 2005.

The average rate on one-year adjustable-rate home loans edged up to 3.40 percent from 3.35 percent.

The rates do not include addon fees, known as points. One point is equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount. The average fee for the 30-year, 15-year and one-year loans in Freddie Mac’s survey was 0.7 point. The average fee for the five-year ARM was 0.6 point. ■

Location! Location! Location!

This week’s featured property

Beds: 4 Baths: 2.1 Cost: $298,500 Square footage: 1,650 Age of property: 69 years Realtor: Andrew J. Mariano Real-estate co.: RE/MAX Preferred Phone: (610) 325-4100 Phone: (610) 789-0982 Website: www.gayparealtor.com

Tranquil Chatham Village Colonial. Mature landscape and additional deeded parcel of land. Enc. front porch leads to a formal living and dining room. New E/I kitchen features granite counters and sliders to outside patio. Full bath on 1st floor. Finished basement. Second floor features 4 bdrms and 1.1 baths. Shows beautifully.

Check your ad

PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing

310 Walnut Place, Havertown

address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors.

Phone calls can only be returned during business hours.

For more information, see the coupon page in this section.

Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears.

To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge.

PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language.

Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity.

Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.

�

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Real Estate REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

SALE

SOUTH PHILLY ROWHOUSE FOR SALE 3 BR Wider Rowhouse. Hardwood floors, 2 f/baths, new roof and newer appliances.

Finished basement, deck, off street parking. $288,000. 856-889-8765. _______________________________34-53 ����������� PENNS GROVE, NJ HOME DELAWARE�RIVER AND SUNSET VIEWS Reportedly originally owned by W.C. Fields’ family, where he stayed often. Gorgeous views of Delaware River and sunsets. Only 1⁄2 hour from downtown Philly. Large, fenced yard. 3 bedrooms, den, breakfast, living and dining rooms, upper deck and separate lower deck w/benches, both with river views.

Recently renovated kitchen, bath and new ��������������������������������������� roof and central A/C. Mature trees, off street ������������������ parking and beautiful new plantings. Original ���������������������������������������������������������� refinished hardwood floors with inlaid designs. ����������������������������� $174,900 from owners. 856 415 9668 or 609 ����������������� 202 2916. _______________________________34-53 ��������������������������������������������������������

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VENTNOR, NJ, FACING THE BAY House and Adjacent Lot (inground swimming pool). 1st floor 3 bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and deck.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS 2nd floor 2 bedrooms, bath, efficiency kitchen, living room, dining area and deck. Central Air. Corner ����������� Property. Call 215-468-9166 evenings only. $675,000.00. Also property for rent� plus utilities.

1500.00 month _______________________________34-53 IT’S FINALLY HERE A HANDSOME HOME Stately Single in Huntingdon East - NE. Built 1924, plenty of charm, double lot, very private back yard, close to train station to Center City, 3 Bdrms, 2 Baths, Fireplace, two sets of french doors, 2 Car Garage, Hardwood Floors/ ��������������������������� 9 ft. Ceilings, large attic, Granite Counters, And So Much More...

Visit Us Today. 1320 �������� Grant Ave. For Price & Photos..Text 32075.. ����������������������������������������������������� mstg: Price1950. Keller Williams Real Estate ����������������������������� - Langhorne, Jim������������� Downs (215) 869-6194 / (215) 757-6100 ���������������������������������������������������� _______________________________34-53 ����������������������������������������

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E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com

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PAGE 27

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-53 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability (215)735-8050. _______________________________35-12 QUEEN VILLAGE 3rd & Catharine. Perfect commercial/professional space. 2 floors, 2400 sq. ft. $1800 total.

215-687-8461, 215-336-4629. _______________________________34-53 JEFFERSONVILLE, NEAR K OF P, BLUE BELL Large efficiency on private wing on home with large yard. Private bath, entrance, kitchen. $495/mo. + elect. & sec. dep. Call 610-5396381, leave message. _______________________________34-53 SOUTH PHILA., 10TH & TASKER 2 BR, 1.5 BA, new carpet, hdwd flrs. Total rehab, brand new everything. C/A, all new appl. $1150. 267-278-0824. Must See! _______________________________34-53

3XX DURFOR ST. 3RD & WOLF Award winning street! 2 BR, all appl., new oak fl. garden patio. $990. 215-990-3405. _______________________________34-53 12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (nego� tiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________34-53 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability PAGE 47 (215)735-8050. _______________________________35-12 QUEEN VILLAGE 3rd & Catharine. Perfect commercial/professional space. 2 floors, 2400 sq. ft. $1800 total.

215-687-8461, 215-336-4629. _______________________________34-53 JEFFERSONVILLE, NEAR K OF P, BLUE BELL Large efficiency on private wing on home with large yard. Private bath, entrance, kitchen. $495/mo. + elect. & sec. dep. Call 610-5396381, leave message. _______________________________34-53

SOUTH PHILA., 10TH & TASKER 2 BR, 1.5 BA, new carpet, hdwd flrs. Total rehab, brand new everything. C/A, all new appl. $1150. 267-278-0824. Must See! _______________________________34-53 3XX DURFOR ST. 3RD & WOLF Award winning street! 2 BR, all appl., new oak fl. garden patio. $990. 215-990-3405. _______________________________34-53

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

RENTAL

RENTAL

RENTAL

SALE

����

SALE

��������� ��������������� ����������������� �������������������������

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������������������������ ������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������� New Listing! 513 Lombard Street Contemporary 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms town home w/ one car deeded parking. Thoughtful floor plan, dramatic living room with 11’ceilings, spacious dining room with separate kitchen, large garden and sun deck. $719,000 New Listing! 440 S. Broad Street #2106 Spectacular 2 bedroom + den with 2 full bathrooms. Granite and stainless kitchen, balcony, southern exposure, one car garage parking and awesome views of the city. $865,000.

New Listing! 408 S. Camac Street Beautiful 2 bedroom +den on one of the nicest blocks. Pretty living room with w/b fireplace, eat-in kitchen, large patio, h/w floors and great architectural details. $319,000 New Listing! 1108 Lombard Steet #45 Beautiful 2 bedroom/1.5 bath town home with h/w floors, 2 fireplaces, eat-in kitchen and big patio. 399,900 Also for rent for $1900.00 per month 2301 Cherry Street 4J -Just Reduced Pretty 3 bedroom/ 2.5 bathrooms with eat-in kitchen, separate dining room, 2 fireplaces, roof deck and one car garage parking. 389,900.

RENTAL

ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-53

VACATION

AFFORDABLE FORT LAUDERDALE All Gay Resort. Apts., full kit, 10 min Gay Nightlife, beaches, attractions. Clothing opt. pool, WiFi. 877-927-0090, www.LibertySuites.com _______________________________35-02

HELP WANTED Drivers- Flatbed OWNER OPERATORS. Up to $1000 Sign-on Bonus! Earn $1.85/mi or more!

No age restriction on tractors /trailers. CRST Malone 877-277-8756 www.JoinMalone.com_ _______________________________34-53 Drivers- 100% Tuition Paid CDL Training! No Credit Check, No Experience required! TRAINERS EARN $.49/MILE! 888-417-7564 CRST EXPEDITED www.JoinCRST.com _______________________________34-53 CDL-A Drivers: ‘Tis The Season For Providing All The Extras to Our Drivers! Bonuses, Miles, Equipment. $500 Sign-On for Flatbed. CDL-A, 6mo.OTR. Western Express. 888-801-5295. _______________________________34-53 Reefer, Tanker, Flatbed Drivers Needed!

Prime’s extensive freight network offers you: *Plenty of Miles. *Steady Freight. Call Prime Today! 1-800-277-0212 www.primeinc.com _______________________________34-53 P/T ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus seeks a part-time admin assistant to manage office and coordinate communication. 10 hours/week, $10/hour. FMI, visit http://www.facebook. com/philagmc To apply, send cover letter and resume to treasurer@pgmc.org by 1/15/11. _______________________________35-01

������������������������������

4530 Regent Street Beautiful 6 bedroom +den/ 2 full bath, porch- front town home on a quiet block next to Clark Park. Pretty h/w floors, new windows, roof and cute patio. 349,000

SERVICES

�����������

2101 Market Street #2706 Fabulous 2 bed/ 2 bath condominium at The Murano.

Sunny, southeastern unit with breathtaking views, gourmet kitchen with granite and s/s, brazilian cherry h/w floors, balcony plus one car deeded garage parking and storage locker!! $599,900

Psychic Love Specialist. Helps reunite lovers, Restores happiness (free reading) 707-5007024 . _______________________________34-53 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________34-53 ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical *Business *Paralegal *Computers *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 888-220-3984 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________34-53

���������������������. Furness Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath. last unit left in this highly desirable building. Close to all Center City Hospitals. Low fees and taxes ................................������������� ������������������������ “George T. Sale Condo” Unique Garden level 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax Abatement. Lowest price 1 bd. in area ........................��������.

FOR RENT 247 S. Warnock Street Fantastic 3 bedroom/ 1 bathroom home in mint condition with open floor plan, H/W floors throughout, granite and stainless kitchen, tumble marble bathroom, straight staircase and outdoor space. $2,300.00 per month.

����������� ����������������������. New open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo with low taxes and condo fees. Great small pet friendly building. .........................................................................�������� ������������������� Old Swedes Court. New Listing Large 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath with Garage, roof deck and hardwood floors.

210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Phila., PA 19103 215.790.5234 Direct 215.546.0550 Office

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 28

FOR SALE NEW Norwood SAWMILLS- LumberMate-Pro handles logs 34” diameter, mills boards 28” wide. Automated quick-cycle-sawing increases efficiency up to 40%! www.NorwoodSawmills. com/300N. 1-800-661-7746 Ext 300-N. _______________________________34-53

BUSINESS

OPORTUNITIES Do you earn $800 in a day? Your Own Local Candy Route! 25 Machines and Candy All for $9995. 877-915-8222 All Major Credit Cards Accepted! _______________________________34-53 Frac Sand Haulers with complete rigs only. Tons of Runs in warm, flat, friendly and prosperous Texas! Great company, pay and working conditions. 817-769-7621, 817-769-7713. _______________________________34-53

AUTOS AAAA** Donation. Donate Your Car, Boat, or Real Estate. IRS Tax Deductible. Free PickUp/Tow. Any Model/Condition. Help Under Privileged Children. Outreachcenter.com 1-800-597-8311. _______________________________34-53 DONATE VEHICLE RECEIVE $1000 GROCERY COUPON. NOAH’S ARC SUPPORT NO KILL SHELTERS, RESEARCH TO ADVANCE VETERINARY TREATMENTS. FREE TOWING. TAX DEDUCTIBLE. NONRUNNERS ACCEPTED 1-866-912-GIVE. _______________________________34-53

PETS FOR

ADOPTION The Gentlemen Cats of Green Street Rescue: Mikey enjoys conversations (he listens and talks back!), shared meals, couch snuggles, and warm and fuzzy companionship. Marzipan survived an abusive situation and now sports a cute little bunny tail. All he needs to make his life complete is a kind heart, a warm loving home, and extra doses of TLC. Crème looks like the ice cream treat his name suggests and will wait for you at the door, for cuddles and hugs. Check them out: http://gentlemencatsofgreenstreetrescue. blogspot.com/ Green Street Rescue focuses on rescuing stray and feral cats in the city, matching lovable kitties with furever homes full of warm hearts and open arms. We will help you find the new love (or loves) of your life! Adoption fee of $75 (for one or a pair!) applies. For more information on our cats available for adoption, please email greenstrescue@gmail.com or check our adoptables album at Facebook. _______________________________34-53

PGN

COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

resOURce COMMUNITY

MARKETPLACE

Listings for everything you need. Click the resource button on the home page to start shopping today!

resOURce COMMUNITY

HOME

IMPROVEMENT

HOME

IMPROVEMENT

SERVICES dunbar SERVICES DIRECTORY painting

I Work Alone To Ensure Job Quality!

Cell 215-715-7335 Interior/Exterior Painting • Plaster/Drywall Repair • Wallpaper Removal • Finish Carpentry • Old House Specialist• Excellent References - Photos of Work Available

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Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

PAGE 29

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY Filippone Electrical

Our prices won’t shock you!

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Looking to Buy, Sell or Just Clean Your Antiques?

We’ve been in business since 2000.

We buy and sell antique’s and fine furniture. But we don’t limit ourselves to just furniture.

Liquidate Estates Take Donations Quick Pick-up Buy Vintage Item’s Period Liquidate Small Equipment, and Art Deco Tools Liquidation’s Hosting and Fine Upholstery Cleaning Auction’s Close-Outs And Clean-Outs

JOHN’S FIBER KLEEN

Call 215 726-6828 or 610 757 8207 www.JohnsFiberKleen.com

Philadelphia Pa and Tri-State Area

John Cardullo & Sons, Inc. 703 Christian Street • Philadelphia, PA 19147

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PAGE 30

HEALTH DIRECTORY APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

S

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008

After 35 years...

Wills, Trusts, Estates and Probate

AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

As a member of the LGBT community, Jeremy A. Wechsler can provide compassionate and sound solutions for all of your estate planning needs

Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney PAGE 110 APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008

CLASSIFIEDS Get In Touch:

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Learn how we’ve helped 1,000’s of individuals find a new and rewarding ���Call (215) � career. � � ��� 321-1963 to schedule a complimentary coaching session.

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in honor of our

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35th

Anniversary

Lou Csabay Self-employment Coach

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is pleased to debut a

NEW LOOK IN 2011!

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011

FRIENDS

MEN

LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape.

I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. _______________________________34-53 Got a big torpedo? Fire it into a white butt. Call 8-11 PM, 215-732-2108. _______________________________34-53

nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 ADULT PERSONALS PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out FRIENDS of towners welcome.

Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18

MEN

Erotic Dungeon Master

looking for your dream home?

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Adult CERTIFIED

����� Hot Italian Man ���������������������� ����������������������������� Does Massage For ��������������������������������� Stress & Tension ������������������������ ������������������������������������� Call 610-368-2032 24/7

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r FULLB “A

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PAGE 31

MASSAGE ���������������������������� MASSAGE

6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________35-15 Bi WM ISO WM who is interested in receiving oral pleasure. Call Jack at 856-761-7616.

Please, New Jersey only. Thank you. _______________________________35-02

FRIENDS

Books

Str

Sensual/Erotic Massage I will tailor your massage to suit your needs...

Incall/Outcall

6’, 195 lbs, Muscle Gives Sensual / Therapeutic Massage

Call 215-432-6030 FRIENDS

Gay is our middle name.

MEN

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Convenient to Lower Bucks, NE Phila.

15 mins from CC & S.Jersey G12 Available to any Phila area Hotel

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MEN

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��� UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT!!

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MONDAY – FRIDAY

Business Man Special 4hr Lockers (8am-4pm) Members $5 Non-Members $15

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PANG PARTY DECEMBER 19TH FROM 3PM TO 6PM

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Support the advertisers who support our community.

PAGE 32

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

DEC. 31, 2010 - JAN. 6, 2011