Feb. 8 -14, 2019 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 43 No. 6

Family Portrait: Ruckus knows his leather PAGE 31

Feb. 8-14, 2019

Could ‘Pastor Pamm’ be Pa’s first lesbian state rep? PAGE 2

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

It’s showtime for Philadelphia Theatre Week

PAGE 29

Special section focusing on older adults PAGES 16-23

New Jersey becomes the second Witness retracts account of state to require LGBT studies Gayborhood attack as police investigation continues By Josh Middleton PGN Contributor

Within the next five years, all public-school students in New Jersey will learn about the contributions of LGBTQ pioneers like Barbara Gittings and Harvey Milk as part of their regular social-studies curricula. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that requires all public middle- and high-school teachers and boards of education to update curriculum to “accurately reflect the political, economic and social contributions” of gay, lesbian and transgender citizens. In a statement to Philadelphia Gay News, the governor said he is “honored to sign the legislation” and “believes that ensuring students learn about diverse histories will help build more tolerant communities and strengthen educational outcomes.” The law goes into effect during the 2020-21 school year, which gives advocacy and education groups time to develop

By Victoria A. Brownworth PGN Contributor

appropriate resources for educators on how to weave LGBTQ-related stories into their lessons on U.S. history. Garden State Equality worked with GLSEN to develop and promote the bill, and is now taking a lead in working with groups like Make it Better for Youth and the New Jersey Education Association to develop the appropriate instructional materials. “We’re looking beyond textbooks — because most student learning doesn’t happen through textbooks anymore,” said GSE policy director Aaron Potenza, who pushed to get the bill scheduled and testified in front of the assembly and senate committees. “The PAGE 14

Another LGBT contender for city council By Brittany M. Wehner PGN Contributor Daniel “Duke” Orsino, 32, a blue-collar worker and LGBT advocate, has jumped into the race for a seat on Philadelphia City Council. Orsino, who joins the growing crop of LGBT candidates for council, hopes to not only be the first openly gay man to hold a seat, but is also looking to bring a healthy change to the city. “I do feel that there is not enough LGBT representation, not enough representation of the lower classes in government. I’m a firm believer anybody should have the right to run, regardless of class and that is one of the

reasons I’m doing this to prove that,” said Orsino, a Democrat. Orsino joins other out city council hopefuls including Sherrie Cohen, the lesbian daughter of late Philadelphia Councilman David Cohen; Adrian Rivera-Reyes, a young cancer biologist; and transgender woman Deja Lynn Alvarez. No LGBTQ person has held a city council seat. All 17 city council seats are up for election in 2019. City Council is comprised of 10 members elected by district and seven members elected at-large. The five Democratic at-large candidates receiving the most votes in the May 21 primary election will go on to the Nov. 5 general election. “There are good people in the government, but nobody is acting. I want to be a voice in the government,” Orsino said. Orsino is originally from New Jersey and has resided in Philadelphia for the past two years and describes himself on his Twitter page as, “Just a millePAGE 6

As the police continue to investigate the violent attack on a 50-year-old gay man outside a popular Gayborhood venue, they have one less eyewitness to interview — and possibly one less motive. In a Jan. 30 interview, Josh Schonewolf, a bartender at the Toasted Walnut, 13th and Walnut streets, told PGN he witnessed a gaybashing in front of the club Jan. 27. Schonewolf had given an on-camera interview with a similar account to WPVI/6ABC the day before. Late on Jan. 31, Schonewolf contacted PGN to retract his account of the incident. “I never went outside during the altercation,” he said. Both PGN and ABC removed their original reports from their respective websites. The original story appeared in the print version of this newspaper last week. In a Facebook post, Schonewolf wrote: “I jumped the gun, plain and simple … I never saw a car, and I never saw the altercation itself happen.” Schonewolf posted that he witnessed only the end of the attack from the bar, which looks out onto the street. “I was just trying to help catch the guys who I thought committed a gay bashing & punched one of my friends,” he wrote. Sources close to the investigation affirmed to PGN Feb. 1 that Schonewolf had not been outside the Toasted Walnut

during the attack. As PGN reported originally, general manager Rocco DeFinis did go outside and attempted to break up the altercation, during which he was struck. He declined medical SCHONEWOLF attention, as previously reported, and was not the subject of the attack, despite rumors on social media. The facts of the case remain murky. The police and District Attorney’s Office are evaluating security footage in an attempt to determine what transpired and how best to address the incident. However, according to one city official, the incident is likely not a hate crime, as originally suspected. “After reviewing the evidence of the incident and speaking with the witnesses and complainant, [last] Sunday evening’s incident does not appear to be a hate crime,” said Amber Hikes, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs, in a Feb. 1 statement to PGN. “The complainant and witnesses have confirmed that no homophobic slurs were uttered during the altercation and the assault was not motivated by bias or homophobia. “Initial accounts indicating that the complainant was randomly targeted and PAGE 15 assaulted because of his

Obituary Barbra “Babs” Casbar Siperstein, 76, was a trailblazer for transgender rights and the first trans person to be selected to the Democratic National Convention. The “Babs Siperstein Law,” a NJ law to allow individuals to change their gender identity on their birth certificate without proof of gender reassignment surgery, was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on Friday Feb. 1, and went into effect immediately, just 48 hours before her death. PAGE 8

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Resource listings Legal resources • ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215-592-1513; aclupa.org • AIDS Law Project of PA: 215-587-9377; aidslawpa.org • AIDS Law Project of South Jersey: 856-784-8532; aidslawsnj.org/ • Equality PA: equalitypa. org; 215-731-1447

• Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations — Rue Landau: 215-686-4670 • Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-7603686; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com • SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-920-9537

• Office of LGBT Affairs — Amber Hikes: 215-686-0330; amber.hikes@phila.gov

Community centers • The Attic Youth Center; 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. • LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania; 3907 Spruce

St.; 215-898-5044, center@dolphin.upenn.edu.

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

Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org.

• William Way LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org.

Health and HIV testing • Action Wellness: 1216 Arch St.; 215981-0088, actionwellness.org • AIDS Healthcare Foundation: 1211 Chestnut St. #405 215971-2804; HIVcare.org • AIDS Library: 1233 Locust St.; aidslibrary.org/ • AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800-6626080 • Bebashi-Transition to Hope: 1235

Spring Garden St.; 215769-3561; bebashi.org • COLOURS: coloursorganization.org, 215832-0100 • Congreso de Latinos Unidos; 216 W. Somerset St.; 215-7638870 • GALAEI: 149 W. Susquehanna Ave.; 267-457-3912, galaei. org. Spanish/English • Health Center No. 2: 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821

• Mazzoni Center: 1348 Bainbridge St.; 215-563-0652, mazzonicenter.org • Philadelphia FIGHT: 1233 Locust St.; 215-985-4448, fight.org • Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center: 1201 Locust St.; 215985-9206 • Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207

Other • Independence Branch Library Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection: 215-685-1633 • Independence Business Alliance; 215-557-0190, IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com

• LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK • PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 • Philly Pride Presents: 215-875-9288

‘Pastor Pamm’ seeks to become Pa.’s first out lesbian state representative By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor On the afternoon of her announcement of a run at Pennsylvania’s 190th District’s special election seat, West Philadelphia’s Pamela Williams — lesbian, community advocate, LGBTQ activist and ordained minister known to her flock as “Pastor Pamm” — was bouncing off the ceiling. That Williams could be the Commonwealth’s first openly lesbian state representative is one thing. To serve her constituency with the credo, “Progress Starts with the People,” as her campaign motto reads, is quite another. With a full and easy laugh, and boundless energy after a long day on the stump, Williams preached the gospel of great works and good political maneuvering. Q: Why move into politics, or direct political action? Certainly, you’ve changed the lives of those to whom you minister, and you are an always-involved community activist who traffics in direct action. Why go the extra step? What was your initial inclination? A: The first thing is that I truly believe that I am the best candidate for this job. Going to Harrisburg gives me the opportunity to set policy and legislation that will remain in place for years to come. When I look out at the district that I serve, I can tell you that I truly listen to their needs, wants and concerns. I firmly believe that it’s time for someone to go to Harrisburg and stand up for these people. I do say that ‘progress starts with the people,’ but I do not believe that they have had the voice that they require in government, let alone state legislature. I have been involved in advocacy and social justice work, but I prayed about this, and this is the right thing for me to do. Q: This is in your blood, however, as your mother (Novella Williams) was a longtime civil rights activist in West Philly. A: I’ve been involved in politics and social activism my entire life. She took me around on all her campaigns, knocking on doors, placing bumper stickers on cars, and putting up posters, during my early childhood. I’ve been an executive committee member at the 60th ward, as well as a vice chair there. I’ve always been involved in politics. I just want to take it to another level. People have been denigrated and treated amorally. They need a voice. Q: Especially one that knows the polit-

ical process. Where were you raised, because I remember your mom well, and, I believe we’re from nearly the same neighborhood, mine being 58th & Elmwood. A: I was born at Misericordia and lived at 54th and Cedar. My mother’s activism brought our neighborhoods together. Her works helped prevent the division in the city. We came together. Q: … You will be the first out woman to serve in the state house. What is the first thing that you do for the local LGBTQ community? A: Stand up and let them know that I am a lesbian African-American woman and that I love all of God’s children. I carry the fearlessness of same-gender loving people with me when I go to the state legislature. Q: Along with you not being a politician — rather, an activist outsider — you come from the Working Families Party. People don’t always get what an independent party stands for. Sell me. A: We are connected to the philosophies that people, all people, matter. We’re built on the principles of economic justice and the freedom of all people to exist how they choose. It is truly a party for the people. Too many times, we get involved in party separation and divisiveness where the people are un-included in the process, that they are not cared for or looked after. I may not be a politician, but I know politics. I know that democracy was created so that all people have a voice. The Working Families Party is interested in empowering all people. Q: People often say religion and politics don’t mix. How will faith play a role in your administration? A: My life is governed by my relationship with the God of whom I serve — Jesus the Christ, the prophetic voice of God himself, herself, themselves. To cross-pollinate politics and religion is necessary because of how most of us have been taught. Q: Do you believe African-American Philadelphia is well represented at a statehouse level, and what changes would you like to enact? A: I am at a crossroads there. What does it mean to represent the African-American people? Me being African-American, anyone being African-American, doesn’t necessarily mean they represent. I stand and will serve on the premise that all God’s people matter. I get there — I will stand tall and proud. I may have to scream some days at my colleagues in the house. There have been people in my district who have been underrepresented in the past, and that will no longer be the case. That’s our goal and promise. n

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

News Briefing Dinner series celebrates the 30th anniversary of GALAEI The Loving the Legacy series event will begin Feb. 9 in honor of the 30th anniversary of the local queer Latinx social justice organization. Starting Saturday, 30 dinners will be held throughout the city to celebrate 30 years of the organization. Members of the community can host a dinner at their home or other space. Fore more information or to register a community dinner, visit www.galaei.org.

Workshop gives tips on preserving personal archives William Way LGBT Community Center will hold a special workshop on Feb. 13 1-4 p.m. focused on addressing the preservation of personal archives, including photographs, sketchbooks and other personal items. The workshop will provide information on recommended supplies for storing personal collections. William Way LGBT Community Center is located at 1315 Spruce Street. For more information on the free workshop, or on William Way, visit www.waygay.org.

New Roadmap to Homes board to help implement homeless plan Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services announced a new board, Jan. 29, and its job will be helping implement a new five-year strategic plan. The city says Roadmap to Homes “reflects a dramatic shift toward a strategic, system-wide approach that coordinates efforts, reduces duplication and increases efficiency, especially in the use of resources.” It has five primary goals: expanding homeless housing resources, coordinating across and integrating systems, implementing a transparent and inclusive quality improvement process, communicating more effectively, and connecting people to employment and workforce development. There are 21 voting board members: 11 appointed, and 10 elected by community

members. They each serve for one year. Among them is Syreeta Vereen, who is housing manager at Action Wellness’ North Branch (Casa Nueva Vida). The board — including members with firsthand, lived experience with homelessness — will track and report on Philadelphia’s progress and take community input into making decisions. Go to http://philadelphiaofficeofhomelessservices.org/news/publications/ for details on Roadmap to Homes.

Temple unveils inclusivityfocused Pride flag The Howard Gittis Student Center at Temple University recently added a new flag to its collection of 63 international flags hanging in the building’s atrium. The “Progress Pride” flag, designed by Daniel Quasar, depicts the standard six-striped rainbow Pride flag accompanied by an additional five stripes, representing the black and brown stripes for POC, and the blue, white and pink of the trans pride flag. Temple is the first university in Philadelphia to display the Progress flag. The university has often stated its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, with its most recent National Coming Out Week theme centered on intersectionality. Temple officials hope the installation of this flag will engage conversations about diversity on campus.

News & Opinion “We want each of these youths to become ambassadors, to articulate, advocate and educate for themselves and the needs and demands of other LGBTQ youths around them.” ~ Watts Newman, page 5

Columns

9 — Thinking Queerly: Advice to gay men about women 14 — Out Money: Make identity theft tougher

Arts & Culture 29 30 31 32 35

— — — — —

Feature Q Puzzle Family Portrait Out & About Scene in Philly

We want to know! Just married or getting engaged? To be included in our March 8 Wedding Issue, send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.

Filing deadline for grant money approaching The Racial & Economic Justice Fund provides grant money each year for groups who take action to make social change, according to a recent news release. The Fund appropriates $10,000 to groups working to address issues including oppression, violence and injustice. Groups falling into this category and wishing to apply for such money have until March 1. In order to qualify for grant funding, groups must meet a list of eligibillity criteria, as well as provide a vision for longterm strategies working to improve racial and economic justice and build a local base addressing issues. Groups must also work to change community members involved with decision makers. An information session regarding this grant funding will be held Feb. 12 in an effort to address and answer any concerns or questions. For more information on grant funding and the program, or to apply, visit https:// breadrosesfund.org/grants-scholarships/ racial-economic-justice-fund/. n

10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Mark My Words Street Talk 24 — SOTU analysis

PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

Publisher Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com Office Manager/Distribution Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com

Phone: 215-625-8501 Fax: 215-925-6437 E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Web: www.epgn.com

Art Director/Photographer Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com 267-736-6743 Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

Editor

Denise Fuhs (ext. 206) editor@epgn.com Staff Writers Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

Advertising Sales Joe Bean (ext. 219) joe@epgn.com

Prab Sandhu (ext. 212) prab@epgn.com National Advertising Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863 Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America

Copyright © 1976 - 2019 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate companies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and it’s WWW sites.) All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public performance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com

Compiled by Brittany M. Wehner and Miranda Lankas The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

LOCAL PGN

Q Spot returns to shift the circumstance for Philly’s LGBTQ youth By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor On a sunny Super Bowl Sunday, a group of friendly associates were eating pepperoni pizza and drinking iced tea at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia. They weren’t there for the match-up between the Patriots and the Rams. “I could care less about this,” said Maria Watts Newman with a laugh. “Not without the Eagles.” What a group of teachers, therapists, pastors, team organizers and community leaders — along with a handful of smart and street savvy, gay black teens — were doing at the 21st and Chestnut street church and civic center on Sunday was holding a town hall-like introduction to Q Spot Philly. The goal was to re-define and refine the group’s social mission statement toward providing a safe space for LGBTQ young adults in Philly. They were there to help recruit members and promote programming, set up regular meeting schedules, and, in accordance with the meeting’s notes, attract/ develop partnerships and cultivate sponsors to help grow and sustain the organization’s outreach and educational initiatives. “Everyone — feel safe when you come here,” program’s creator Quincy Greene said at the top of the meeting. Created by Greene as a resource program for the gay/trans young community members and all matters of social justice, Q Spot Philly (QSP) isn’t solely about keeping LGBTQ teens safe, healthy and psychologically and fiscally sound (positive mental health and financial independence initiatives are high on the QSP agenda). “Financial security and all forms of health concerns — those at risk, those concerning mental well-being — are a priority for Q Spot,” said Watts Newman, an adviser and board member. “Knowing all the resources available to them is crucial to their education and empowerment.” Greene’s organization is also about developing a sense of community among these same youth to create new leaders and additional, continuing networks. “If you have stake in this, you’ll make it happen,” Watts Newman said. Better put by one of the attending teens, survival skills are of utmost importance, whether developed through QSP programs or on their own. “Everyone knows how to steal. Not everyone knows how to cook and wash clothes. We’d like to get to a point where we don’t have to trick or do credit-card scams.” To that end, during this first meet-up, all attending black teens — along with speaking their hard truths about how it is getting by on Philly’s streets, tricking and hustling — joined up with group leadership in individual teams to create events and activities that would raise awareness and funds for QSP’s future. Greene, the president of the Educational

Justice Coalition — the nonprofit created in 2008 from which Q Spot Philadelphia evolved as a full-fledge entity in 2011 — has been at this mission and has had this vision for some time. As Q Spot has never had a dedicated funding resource, much of its work has been out-of-pocket, without pay for its advisory board or programs. “Oh boy, some of that has been out of choice, since we started in 2008 as a volunteer organization whose first goal was to create an LGBTQ-friendly high school based on the Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQ Youth in New York,” noted Greene. Because Greene and those working with him encountered local resistance to creating that school at first blush (“we’re not done with that concept,” he said), Q Spot’s thennew goals were to create an educational and awareness-based advisory-community board to continue with a similar feel. After re-focusing its mission, Q Spot set up meeting space, first, at Broad Street Ministry in 2011 with volunteers and in-kind donations. “I’m not a wealthy person, but I reached into my pockets as often, far and as deeply as I could,” Greene said. “After Broad Street Ministry decided they wanted to charge us, we moved to William Way Center, which does charge, but was more affordable.” In 2017, Greene put a pause on Q Spot to catch his breath, only to reestablish it in 2018, with a surprising number of the same people on board in an advisory capacity. With that, Greene was happily surprised to see such a full and rich turnout for this initial town hall on Super Bowl Sunday — not just teens, but advisers. “Because we took a hiatus, we knew we would lose some of our constituents. But this turnout was great, and I believe that those in attendance show off how much potential this committee and community advisory board has going forward.” Watts Newman, an educator and finance manager for several top tier area agencies, noted that students and young people of minority status and color tend to be at a disadvantage at knowing how to navigate resources. “In addition to the support that connects them to worthy opportunities for employment or schooling, I’m there as a support — as a navigator — to help them break through any forms of adversity that may stop them from going forward,” she said after Sunday’s meeting. “I think this meeting generated enough good information so that those in attendance will get other youths in the area to come through Q Spot in the future. We’re just advocates, but we can’t be the only ones. We want each of these youths to become ambassadors, to articulate, advocate and educate for themselves and the needs and demands of other LGBTQ youths around them. And then for THOSE youths to pick up the ball and do likewise.” n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

LOCAL PGN

Another openly gay man nabs top position at Welcome America By Josh Middleton PGN Contributor P h i l a d e l p h i a n o n p r o fi t We l c o m e America, Inc., loses one openly gay CEO but gains another with the naming of Michael DelBene as its new president and chief operating officer. He steps into the role after the departure of Jeff Guaracino, another out man, who became Visit Philadelphia’s new president and CEO last fall. Guaracino had been with the organization since January 2016 and will continue to sit on its board. DelBene, a native of Hammonton, N.J., arrives at Welcome America with several years of experience working in the Philadelphia nonprofit sector, having worked at the National Constitution Center as head of major gifts, and, most recently, the Mann Center, where he led fundraising efforts for six years. That experience should serve him well at Welcome America, Inc., where, among other things, he’s tasked with building and maintaining relationships with citizen and corporate sponsors. He’ll also work closely with the City of Philadelphia and mega companies such as Wawa, Comcast NBC and LiveNation to host huge annual events like the Wawa Welcome America Festival and the Philly Holiday Festival — the entity behind the tree-lighting and other wintertime attractions at City Hall. Wawa Welcome America will take up the bulk of his time. The five-day citywide festival comprises almost 50 events, including the popular Wawa Hoagie Day, a massive fireworks show above the Philadelphia Museum of Art and a star-studded concert ORSINO from page 1

nial guy, who cares about his community.” He said, “I think the government needs a fresh new pair of eyes in a new generation.” According to the city council candidate, there is a need for an affordable housing program for working middle class people and unions need a stronger voice. Orsino added the importance of just getting a voice out there, regardless of political party. “It doesn’t matter what political party, Democrat or Republican. It’s the same group of people running, over and over. It’s the same tribe, same ideas, expecting different results to happen and acting suprised when the same thing happens over and over again. I think the government needs a fresh pair of eyes in a new generation,” he said. Orsino works in a factory creating inserts for shoes and graduated from Rowan College at Gloucester with an associate degree. The candidate added that it is important to recognize everyone, regardless of their class or

that floods the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with 250,000 revelers each year. Planning is well underway for the 2019 celebration, so DelBene says his first few months on the job will involve a lot of learning, and making sure that the details that are already in place come off without a hitch — so don’t expect any big changes on his watch, at least not this year. “It would be wise for me to capitalize off Jeff’s leadership and this amazing team — it’s a recipe that works,” he says. “For 2019, there are going to be new things in the festival that folks haven’t seen before… but I’m personally not gonna come in and change anything this year. I’m just gonna hold on tight and ride the wave, and then — once I get one cycle under my belt — that’s when we can look at where the opportunities are to do new things.” A major emphasis of that growth outlook includes broadening Welcome America, Inc.’s community outreach and working to make the festival feel as all-inclusive and grassroots as possible. “We’re doing a lot of work to push the festival off the Parkway and into neighborhoods,” he says. “Our ability to do things at the community level — in the neighborhoods — is really, really important.” He believes that being a member of the LGBTQ community makes him particuarly driven to make that happen, because he understands what it’s like to be part of a marginalized group. “As an out gay man, I think it’s really important that all generations, ethnicities, races, backgrounds, languages and cultures are reflected in the festival. It’s my pledge and my commitment to continue that trajectory and make sure that Welcome America is as warm and welcoming and inclusive as the City of Philadelphia. I’m committed to that.” n sexuality. “I care about people. I’m just tired of people getting stepped on,” Orsino said. “I relate to the needs of others. I’m tired of seeing the same rich people, both political parties, doing the same thing over and over. The whole reason I’m doing this is because I want to help people like myself,” he said. Other issues Orsino wants to tackle include helping the city’s poverty situation, looking to encourage school-board reform and eliminating the city’s “soda tax” (The Philadelphia Beverage Tax). “I want to tackle the poverty issue, offer educatinon for those in poverty, and look at how to help people start small businesses and sustain affordable housing,” Orsino said. Orsino also hopes to address the HIV and AIDS crisis in Philadelphia. For more information on Orsino’s campaign, visit www.facebook.com/ DukeForCityCouncil2019 or www.twitter. com/DanDukeOrsino. n

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

DEAR HIV, ’ WE DIDN T GIVE UP. XOXO, SCIENCE There is no cure, but science is still in the battle against HIV. Today’s HIV treatments may help you get to undetectable. That means the amount of virus is so low it can’t be measured in lab tests. Ask your healthcare provider about HIV and treatment options.

Learn about an HIV-1 treatment option at

XOXOSCIENCE.COM

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

LOCAL PGN

Obituary Barbra Casbar Siperstein, first trans person selected to the DNC, dies By Victoria A. Brownworth PGN Contributor By all accounts, Barbra Casbar Siperstein was funny, smart and unafraid. She was a champion of transgender rights and a towering figure in local trans history. Everyone called her “Babs.” Siperstein died Feb. 3 of cancer at RWJBarnabas Health in New Brunswick, N.J., announced Garden State Equality. She was 76. A longtime Democrat who was deeply involved in local and national politics, Siperstein made history as the first openly transgender member of the Democratic National Committee. In 2009, Tim Kaine, then-DNC chair, appointed the New Jersey native to the committee. In 2011, she was appointed to the DNC’s executive committee and served in that capacity until October 2017. Siperstein also served as a superdelegate for Hillary Clinton at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Among her numerous notable efforts was her campaign for legislation to allow individuals to change their gender identity on their

birth certificates without proof of gender-reassignment surgery. It was legislation for which she had fought for over a decade and which had previously passed the state legislature twice, only to be vetoed by then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R). According to Aaron Potenza, Garden State Equality’s policy director, Siperstein even worked to amend the law to have it include nonbinary people. The “Babs Siperstein Law” was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on Feb. 1 and went into effect immediately — just 48 hours before her death. In a two-part profile in PGN for LGBT History Month several years ago, Siperstein talked at length about how she came to transition at age 50 after life as a successful businessperson, military veteran and husband with a wife, children and grandchildren. Her wife, Carol Ann, helped her through her transition process and Babs became an activist overnight as the first out trans activist in New Jersey politics. Carol Ann died from cancer in 2001. The couple had been married 34 years. Siperstein said her grief pushed her into activism. “If gays and lesbians are second-class citizens, what was I as a single transgender person? I kind of used my grief and my anger to change the law,” she told PGN. To get laws passed, Siperstein cultivated friendships and alliances in both political par-

ties, and worked with the administrations of Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R) as well as Murphy. Siperstein told PGN that maintaining a presence among lawmakers was essential to activism. “You have to engage people one on one. That’s how you get to people. That’s how I got to people. I’ve had a taste of very different worlds. I feel comfortable with everyone. There’s a little bit of me in everyone. I’ve worked in factories and sat in boardrooms. I can relate to and respect people for what they are. “When the chair of the DNC relations committee had to step down, I offered to step in and I became the new chair,” she said. “I wanted to get as many trans people to show up and be present as I could. I hate being the only one.” While local and national groups were asking for nondiscrimination protections for sexual orientation only, Siperstein worked to get gender identity protected too. She recounted lobbying former Sen. Robert Torricelli (D) at a fundraiser. “New Jersey politics is always about the cash. I brought an envelope with 10 $100 bills. I caused a little commotion. I ended up using a credit card. I told Torricelli sexual orientation doesn’t include people like me. You have to add gender identity.” Longtime friend and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker

(D-N.J.), with whom Siperstein would joke about his vegan diet, called her Sunday night. In a tribute last year, when the Babs Siperstein Law passed the New Jersey Assembly, Booker wrote: “Babs is a leader, a trailblazer, and a role model for an entire generation of New Jerseyans. If you don’t know her, you probably know someone touched in some way by her tireless activism. It’s an honor to know her, to work with her, and to call her my friend. Here’s to many more years of activism to come, and to a legacy that has changed the lives of so many.” Siperstein told PGN that, as important as it was to have been appointed to the DNC, she considered it more critical that she’d convinced the Democratic Party to add gender identity to its charter and bylaws as a protected category. “That’s much more important, because it’s there,” she said. “It’s part of the infrastructure, and I think it shows the commitment the Democratic Party has for full inclusion for all the LGBT community.” Murphy issued a statement after Siperstein’s death in which the governor noted her impact on New Jersey. “In the long and proud history of New Jersey’s LGBTQ community, few voices spoke with the power and passion of Babs Siperstein,” he stated. “She was a tremendous advocate and good friend, and was never shy to push us to open our hearts and minds, and to move our thinking ever forward.” ■

Discover the Good Life Whether your interests include rediscovering your passions, exploring new horizons or devoting more time to life-long hobbies, the choice is up to you. Discover Foulkeways Retirement Community today.

foulkeways.org 215-283-7010 Retirement Living Rediscovered

1120 Meetinghouse Rd Gwynedd, PA 19436

MENTAL PGN HEALTH

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

A message to gay men about their female-identified friends This won’t be my most popular column. interaction highlighted the inherent I almost didn’t write it. I almost continprivilege of this human to tell me someued to avoid this topic as I have been for thing that I needed to fix about myself. years as female and a femme-identified A thing I quite literally would never member of this community. fathom doing to anyone short of a close The thought of writing friend, and even then may about misogyny within the hesitate on. LGBTQ community has The week before that, a come to me literally dozens lesbian client of mine shared of times, but somehow, I’ve with me that a gay man told always found a reason not her, unprompted, that she to address it. I’m a natural looked like she’d been getpeople pleaser and prefer to ting fat and “needed to lose get my opinions out without weight ASAP.” Literally. A ruffling any feathers. In fact, similar situation to mine, by in many ways I’ve built my the way — the man was not entire practice around offering a good friend, just a casual thoughts, opinions, feelings, acquaintance. Not long before guidance and support, while that, a different female client aiming to keep all parties told me that a gay man, withinvolved completely at ease. permission, grabbed her Kristina Furia out I usually succeed at it, by breasts as he proclaimed how the way. A socially instilled fabulous they were. But hey, female attribute? You can decide for that’s a compliment, right? And some of yourself on that one. This article isn’t you may be thinking to yourselves that about that though. This article is about this sort of behavior isn’t really an issue pointing out a problem, and if you’re a since gay men obviously aren’t attracted to women and thus don’t like breasts. gay man I’d like you to keep reading. But, the thing is, that behavior and the Actually, especially if you’re a gay man entitlement that accompanies it is, in you need to keep reading. As follows: fact, a massive issue that is both perpetLast week at a gay bar, a gay man, uated by and that perpetuates a larger unprompted, told me I needed a hairsocietal disrespect toward women. cut. This was a person I’d met before. We know each other “from around” and Separate from the very real issue of conwere happily chatting over our sepasent in play in the last example, all three rately ordered drinks when this comment examples relate to privilege. was dropped. A bit shocked (although I’m entirely sure that the vast majorafter 15+ years in this community, I ity of gay men wouldn’t share their suppose I really shouldn’t have been), I uncensored opinions about hair or laughed and pretty much brushed it off, weight or anything else to a straight but it stayed on my mind. Not because man that they hardly knew. So, why I needed a haircut (which I did — but are such unprovoked (and usually that’s not the point), but because the unwanted) comments made toward

Thinking Queerly

• Cosmetic dentistry • Crowns • Implants • Veneers • Whitening

High quality dental treatment and preventive care

women with no hesitation or remorse? We must assume it is because of the unconscious or perhaps semiconscious knowledge on the part of gay men that it is simply OK to make comments like I’ve described. In reality, if it didn’t feel OK to do, gay men would have adapted and stopped such behaviors long ago. The bottom line is that not enough red flags have been raised nor consequences given to provoke such a shift. This relational dynamic that I speak of between gay men and women (gay or straight, cis or trans) is the very reason why I’ve chosen to commit pen to paper, so to speak, about this subject. I am not suggesting that gay men have the same amount of privilege as straight men do. I am also not suggesting that gay men do not have their own share of struggle and

Please think before you speak and before you act. If you are thinking of unapologetically sharing your opinion about a woman’s appearance, take a few seconds first to consider whether it is truly appropriate to do so. criticism and sometimes worse. I know for a fact that they do have all of those things, but I also know that gay men are in fact men and have been raised with most or all of the privileges bestowed upon males in our society. So, if you’re a gay man and you’ve

stuck it out with me thus far: first, thank you for hanging in. No one wants to have a mirror held to his face about things that he may be doing wrong so, thank you. Second, please check yourself. Please think before you speak and before you act. If you are thinking of unapologetically sharing your opinion about a woman’s appearance, take a few seconds first to consider whether it is truly appropriate to do so. And, if you are a woman that relates to the experiences I’ve mentioned, I’d like to encourage you to speak up. Whether it be a gay man with an eye for good hair or someone in some other forum trying to tell you how to look or be, consider what you can say or do that will make you feel proud of yourself if you were to look back on the interaction a few days later. If a forced laugh and a keep-itmoving mentality works for you that is your prerogative. But, if it’s not, I want to empower you to do something different. As is with most things in life, what we accept is what we will keep getting. To my fellow women whether gay, straight, femme, butch, cis, trans, non-conforming, or anywhere in between: you are amazing and deserving of respect in all moments. To the gay men that spend time with us, care about us, love us and look to us for support: help us to get and stay empowered. We’re all doing this thing called life together and lucky for us we all get to do it as a part of this community. So, let’s practice kindness over all else… even if one of us needs a haircut. n Kristina Furia is a psychotherapist committed to working with LGBT individuals and couples and owner of Emerge Wellness, an LGBT health and wellness center in Center City (www.emergewellnessphilly.com).

event and travel photography

Andrea V. Cronin, DDS Craig T. Wakefield, DDS Proudly serving the LGBT community and PWA for over 25 years. Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pa 19103 (215) 732-8080 Evening hours available.

scottdrakephotos@gmail.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Donald Trump

Editorial

Pennsylvania, get with the equality program News came out last week that a record number of pro-LGBTQ bills were introduced in 2018, and that the prospects of many more states passing similar legislation in 2019 seems likely. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the Equality Federation Institute on Jan. 31 released their fifth annual State Equality Index, a report detailing statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ people and protect them from discrimination. While those on the federal level continue to push for a nationwide Equality Act, current LGBTQ protections depend on in which state they reside. HRC’s report notes that in 30 states, LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services because of their gender or orientation status. So, more than half of these United States believe it’s OK to discriminate against our community or don’t believe we’re worth the effort. The sad thing is, Pennsylvania is one of them. Certain members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are dragging their feet on this legislation. Meanwhile, we have lawmakers like U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, pushing on the federal level as a cosponsor of the Equality Act — a bill that would establish comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people regardless of state. What’s the disconnect? Come on, state legislators: Get with the program. Last month, a leadership change in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives hinted that LGBTQ people in the Keystone State could have a renewed chance for protections. The change had Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12th Dist.) out as chair of the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee after eight years. Metcalfe had prevented pro-LGBTQ bills from getting to the House floor. One of those bills was the Fairness Act, which would expand existing nondiscrimination provisions in employment, housing and other areas to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Metcalfe was reassigned to a new committee on Jan. 2. Meanwhile, the new State Government Committee chair, Rep. Garth Everett (R-84th Dist.), told PGN he was just getting organized in his new role and hoped to look into the Fairness Act in February. We hope you’re settled, Mr. Everett — because it’s February. So, while we keep our fingers crossed that those on the federal level act, let’s demand that our state legislators also take action — and now. Why the wait? n

Donald Trump is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad president. This is something that has been clear to the majority of Americans from the get-go. Trump’s white evangelical Christian base, however, is largely sticking with him, though poll numbers show he is slipping with them, too. Grinding the government to a halt while he stomped his feet demanding his Great Wall of Racism be built, which tossed billions of dollars into the toilet was not a popular move it turns out. Not that his base really blamed him for the shutdown. The media did a fantastic job of both-siding the story as if Trump, asking for something completely unreasonable, and Democrats, saying NOPE, were equally to blame. Still, his base won’t quit him because Trump is always throwing them a bouquet blooming with bigotry. After all, when it comes to keeping the base happy, it’s all about hurting the right people. Which is why it feels right to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division of the Department of Health and Human Services. If you don’t remember, the division was created to protect healthcare providers who have a religious objection to participating in sin-care like abortion or gender-affirmation procedures. Under President George W. Bush, healthcare workers were given pretty broad protections for refusing to do something if they claimed God told them not to, but President Obama rolled back those protections because they were discriminatory and harmful. But discriminatory and harmful is totally in Trump’s wheelhouse, so the Department of Health and Human Services made “religious freedom” its top priority. The policy protects objectors and punishes places that aren’t totes cool with say, a pharmacist refusing to fill a birth control prescription; a doctor who refuses to treat AIDS cases; or a nurse who won’t help transgender patients. Politico reported that this was “a significant shift for the office, which currently focuses on enforcing federal civil rights and health care privacy laws.” In other words, a department that is supposed to protect people from discrimination instead protects the people who want to do the discriminating. It’s OK as long as the discrimination is God-approved, of course. “This is the use of religion to hurt people because you disapprove of who they are,” Harper Jean Tobin of the National Center for Transgender Equality said in 2018, according to Politico. “Any rule that grants a license to discriminate would be a disgrace and a mockery of the principal of

religious freedom we all cherish.” Tobin was on the money, though disgrace and mockery are also Trump strong suits, so I suspect there was never a chance he would be moved. Now you might be asking yourself, “Does this really matter? Our healthcare system is free-market based! If a doctor doesn’t want to treat you then just go to another one! Vote with your feet.” If this is possible for you, then congratulations on your privilege. But this is, of course, not possible for a lot of people. For one thing, if you’re seeking emergency care for, say, a burst appendix, you can’t really shop around. Nor do you have much choice if you’re in a small town with only one pharmacy or if you’re having a miscarriage in an area of the country that is served only by Catholic hospital systems (“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” did an amazing segment on this issue in 2016. Google it). The new and improved religious freedom rule was unveiled right before the annual March for Life in Washington D.C. where abortion opponents gathered to protest abortion. This is not to be confused with March for Our Lives at which actual living children marched to protest being gunned down at their schools. Trump’s religious-right supporters see him as an instrument of God who will finally, by packing the Supreme Court with far-right extremists, undo legal abortion in the United States and give every child a chance to be shot at school. Like God intended. These same supporters would also like to see marriage equality undone. And we’ve already seen the constant battering transgender and gender non-conforming folks have received at the hands of this president and his administration. The creation of the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division of HHS is one of the reasons I can’t watch the second season of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Mike Pence is another. It feels too much like a documentary. A lot of damage has been done since 2016. And there’s a lot more to come. A right-wing nosedive into fascism is not inevitable. It doesn’t have to be like this. Keep fighting. n D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

OP-ED PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

HRC doing nothing again The Human Rights Campaign must learn a nomination, you would need to get four to actually do something other than issue Republicans to either vote against a judge press releases announcing its positions on or not vote. various federal judicial nominations. The How about announcing a campaign that group needs to do what this would warn that any senator up community used to do: Take for reelection in 2020 would action. Or, at the very least, not be endorsed if he/she votes show a plan. for homophobic judges? Maybe So, without HRC’s lead, let take out a full-page advertiseme offer the following suggesment in the Washington Post? tion on how to make change Whom would that affect? almost immediately and on a Maybe Susan Collins of Maine, subject we all care about. Cory Gardner of Colorado, Federal judges are appointed David Perdue of Georgia and by the President of the United Thom Tillis of North Carolina? States and confirmed by the Those are four swing states U.S. Senate. The Senate needs where the races will be tight and 50 votes to confirm, and then every vote will be needed. Plus, a judge has a lifetime appointthose four Republican senators ment. In the current Congress, are all up for reelection in 2020. Republicans have 53 senators. Mark Segal And guess what? The odds The vice president can vote in are on our side in 2020, as case of a tie. So in order to stop there are more Republicans up

Mark My Words

OUTPour

for reelection than in 2018, when there were more Democrats facing voters. And, if things keep going as they are, and the Republicans are beginning to get nervous, other senators from other states might pay attention. Here’s the finer point: While federal judges are appointed by the president, they are suggested by the senators from the region where they will sit. Translation: An announcement that we will not support your reelection might, on its own, stop senators from “suggesting” homophobic nominees to the process. HRC, stop sitting on your hands and having lovely dinners. Do something that actually matters and can create real change. n Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s mostaward-winning commentator in LGBT media. You can follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at https://twitter.com/ PhilaGayNews.

Antar T. Bush

Dance Tommie Dance! Choreographer, professor, and mentor Tommie-Waheed Evans kicks off our new OUTPour series called a “A Day in the Life,” celebrating a staple in Philadelphia’s modern dance community. With nearly two decades of professional choreography experience, Tommie is not kicking back — he’s just beginning to kick high. His dance resume includes the Alvin Ailey student showcase group, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and the Emmy Awards. Word on the streets is there’s modern dance, and then there is “Waheed” dance. Raised by a single mother, he first realized he wanted to be a dancer when she would take him to her co-worker’s kids’ recitals. Seeing children his age motivated him to learn the art of dance. After he graduated from the Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, he went on to the Lula Washington Dance Theater — also in Los Angeles — his first professional dance company. Inspired by the African American church and the death of his grandmother, Tommie has created amazing choreography such as

“Crossroads” and “Dust,” which premiered in December 2011. The Waheed technique can be described in one word “Everything!” It cannot be put in a box. He learned how to infuse all of these different dance techniques from his mentor Lula Washington. As a professor at the University of the Arts Conservatory in Philadelphia, Tommie feels as though he does not just teach his students choreography, he shows them the mission of dance. He wants his students to see themselves in his choreography, to speak to their beauty and lived experience. Working on his third decade of professional dance, the professor sits with OUTpour. Our own Robert Graves reports Tommie shows no signs of slowing down as he is just getting warmed up. n Antar Bush is a public-health advocate, professor at West Chester University and executive producer of OUTPour LGBTQ. He is committed to advocating for health equality in all communities. Follow him on Instagram @antarbushmswmph.

Letters and Feedback Sen. Harris Wofford, 92, U.S. senator and activist who married his male partner (Issue of Feb 1-7) I interned for Sen. Wofford when he was in the Senate and I consider him someone who shaped my world view in many ways. I refer to him as a “quiet giant,” a true role model for how to live a good and meaningful life in service to things larger than yourself. Brad T. Snyder Program director is latest to leave Mazzoni Center (Issue of Feb 1-7) Incredible legacy of dedicated service - thank you to my dear friend R Perry Monastero for working hard to benefit LGBT health in Greater Philadelphia. Proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished! Christopher Pinto

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.

Street Talk What political issues are you most passionate about right now? “Income inequality. I think there’s such a disparity between the CEO of a company and the lowest level Catherine Brown worker, and Student the disparPhiladelphia ity is just shocking and unnecessary. It feels kind of like an unbreakable cycle.” “Climate change. It’s obviously an issue affecting the world at large and a lot of people are just denying its Annabeth existence, Eichmiller even though Student Scranton, Pa. it has a scientific basis. People are either ignorant or so against the facts they belittle those that present them.”

“Campaign spending costs. It’s a waste of money. I want a candidate who focuses on cutting them rather than Alicia Fuller giving me Student false prom- Secaucus, N.J. ises.”

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

PGN Entertainment

Nightlife, Concerts, Art Exhibits, Readings, Cabaret, Films, Theater, Food, Books, Music, Sports and Travel

Because Life Is More Than Just Gay News

Get SPECIAL FINANCING on a Mitsubishi Ductless System NOW with payments as low as

$33/month 33/month..

when you purchase by February 28*

• Heating and Cooling Control for ANY room • Highly EFFICIENT • Extremely QUIET

PROMO CODE:

BBPG01

610-491-9400 sila.com *Cannot be combined with any other offer or applied to previously quoted or installed jobs. Residential homes only. Financing available for qualiﬁed buyers. Restrictions may apply. Call for details. Offer expires 2/28/19.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

February 9 • 6pm – 10:30pm

Friday, February 8 • 8pm

Herbie Hancock

Earn entries from 2/3 – 2/9 for your chance to win a romantic getaway to Aruba! Two lucky finalists will be selected every half hour to participate in the grand prize giveaway. One finalist wins the trip to Aruba – remaining finalists receive big free slot play prizes up to $1,000!

Saturday, February 9 • 8pm Sirius XM Presents

Gin Blossoms

Friday, February 22 • 8pm

Frank Caliendo

Saturday, February 23 • 8pm

38 Special

Friday, March 1 • 7:30pm

Joe Hand’s Xcite Fight Night 3 Saturday, March 2 • 7pm

CFFC 73

Friday, March 8 • 8pm

Creedence Clearwater Revisited

To purchase tickets, visit parxcasino.com/xcitecenter

February 24 • 12pm – 8pm • Jax Bar Earn 100 entries and make your way to Jax Bar to spin the Parx Mega Wheel filled with slot play prizes up to $500! Participants who land on $100 free slot play can DOUBLE their prize by answering a movie awards trivia question correctly!

PARXCASINO.COM • MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR CANCEL THESE PROMOTIONS AT ANY TIME. VISIT XCLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

FINANCES PGN

How to reduce the chance of identity theft Q: A friend of ours had his identity stolen when he clicked on a link in an email he thought was from his bank, but wasn’t. How can we be more careful to be sure we’re not putting our own information at risk? A: Identity theft affects millions of Americans each year. And while it’s nearly impossible to protect all of your information all of the time, this article can help you learn the risks, and give you some ideas on how you can better protect your sensitive data from cybercriminals.

Cybercrime: A rapidly shifting model

Although online crime is a fast-moving target, currently, the primary methods used by identity thieves are social engineering and phishing — or typically a combination of both. As the term implies, social engineering relies heavily on human interaction and often involves tricking unsuspecting victims into breaking normal security procedures. In short, it is a way for criminals to gain access to your computer or mobile device and the sensiRecognizing and avoiding tive personal data it stores. For online scams instance, a social engineer may use text messaging to contact a According to the Identity device inviting the user Jeremy mobile Theft Resource Center, the to click on a link to a bogus number of U.S. data breaches Gussick website where the thieves colhit a new high in 2017. lect user credentials and other Nearly 20 percent of breaches personal information. included credit- and debit-card informaSimilar results can be achieved through tion, a nearly 6 percent increase from the a phishing attack, in which the criminal prior year. The actual number of records uses email to lure victims to fake websites included in these breaches grew by a draand then gain access to their passwords matic 88 percent.1 and usernames, credit card numbers and This crime occurs when a thief obtains other key data. Phishing emails often confidential information — including appear to be from a legitimate company passwords, personal identification numthat the victim recognizes. bers, Social Security numbers or an In yet another instance, attackers may account number used with a financial inject infected “malicious” code onto your institution — and uses it to commit fraud. computer via email attachments, links conIdentity thieves use a victim’s stolen tained in emails, infected search engine information to open bank and brokerage results or through videos and documents accounts, run up bills for credit card puron legitimate websites, particularly social chases, obtain loans and commit other networking sites. In the mobile device forms of financial fraud. world, criminals can corrupt a legitimate Criminals obtain a victim’s personal smartphone app and upload it to a thirdinformation in a number of ways — both party site. If users innocently install the online and off. But as incidents of idenapp, they expose their devices to assaults tity theft increase, so too does the arsenal by hackers who collect personal user data, of tools and sophistication level of techchange device settings and sometimes conniques used to perpetrate the crimes. trol the device remotely.

Out Money

STUDIES from page 1

goal is to develop resources on particular moments in LGBTQ history that not only highlight certain events, but also encourage broader thinking about how transformative those realities were to American history.” For instance, a lesson about Stonewall would “create a vision of what is true to the reality of what actually happened on that night — that it was primarily transgender people and people of color who were instrumental in that fight,” he said. Potenza added that students could also learn about court cases in the earliest days of the country that sought to condemn crossdressers, the McCarthy-era “Lavender Scare” that cost at least 1,000 LGBTQ government employees their jobs — and, in some cases, their lives — and the Hollywood code that restricted screenwriters from mentioning homosexuality in film. Emphasis on LGBTQ history would not only educate students on how queer citizens have been part of the fabric of the

country since the very beginning, but it also could have a positive impact on gay-related bullying in schools, said Potenza. “GLSEN school climate surveys have found that students enrolled in schools that include LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum have vastly reduced events of bullying because of sexual orientation,” he said. That added sense of security may also extend to educators. Virginia DeWees, who identifies as nonbinary, recently moved to New Jersey from Baltimore to teach English to seventh- and eighth-grade students at Mastery Charter East Camden Middle School. “Knowing that other teachers and not just ‘the gay teacher,’ as my students most likely see me, are teaching about LGBTQ issues will be really monumental in so many ways,” said DeWees. “It’ll make my day-to-day easier, being a queer teacher, and it’ll make my students’ lives easier. It’ll help reduce bullying and hopefully reduce mental-health issues that so many queer

Don’t be a victim In today’s 24/7/365 world, it is nearly impossible to secure all sources of personal information that may be “out there” waiting to be intercepted by eager thieves. But you can help minimize your risk of loss by following a few simple hints offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): • Never divulge your credit card number or other personally identifying information over the Internet or telephone unless you initiate the communication. • Reconcile your bank account monthly, and notify your bank of discrepancies immediately. • Actively monitor your online accounts to detect suspicious activity. Report unauthorized financial transactions to your bank, credit-card company and the police as soon as you detect them. • Review a copy of your credit report at least once each year. Notify the credit bureau in writing of any questionable entries and follow through until they are explained or removed. • If your identity has been assumed, ask the credit bureau to add a statement to that effect to your credit report. • If you know of anyone who receives mail from credit-card companies or banks in the names of others, report it to local or federal law enforcement authorities. Finally, be very wary of any email or text message expressing an urgent need for you to update your personal information, activate an account or verify your identity. Practice similar caution with email attachments and downloadable files and keep your computers protected with the latest security updates and virus protection software. n

youth — and staff — experience.” The teacher added she’s optimistic that the effects of the bill will reverberate far beyond the Garden State. “I also think that it’s going to have a national impact. With this policy, New Jersey students will become agents of change for ensuring that LGBTQIA+ members of society will be supported in all the institutions and communities in the country. They’ll set an example for the rest of this nation’s youth about what it means to be a socially engaged member of society.” New Jersey is the second state in the nation to pass such a law, behind California, which enacted similar legislation in 2011. It’s also not the first time the neighboring state has forged ahead of Pennsylvania on issues of LGBTQ equality. “There is nothing like [the LGBTQ curriculum bill] in the works right now for Pennsylvania. We don’t even have basic nondiscrimination protections in the stat-

1”Identity Theft Resource Center, 2017 Data Breaches, 2018. Jeremy R. Gussick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional affiliated with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning and retirement income needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2018 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager as mentioned in Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including DVLF (Delaware Valley Legacy Fund) and the Independence Business Alliance (IBA), the Philadelphia Region’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, you can contact him via email at jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. Jeremy R. Gussick is a Registered Representative with, and securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. This article was prepared with the assistance of DST Systems Inc. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. This communication is not intended to be tax advice and should not be treated as such. Please consult me if you have any questions. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by DST Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall DST Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content. © 2018 DST Systems, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited, except by permission. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2018, based on total revenues. **Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2018 Five Star Wealth Managers.

ute,” said Jason Landau Goodman, executive director of Pennsylvania Youth Congress, which is pushing legislation that would ensure antidiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. “It is on our radar but … at this time, it would be up to local school districts to set LGBTQ inclusion in their curriculum.” In a statement to PGN, J.J. Abbott, press secretary for Gov. Tom Wolf, said the governor “believes Pennsylvania students must have the ability to learn and thrive in school environments that address diversity, inclusiveness and equity, including the LGBTQ community.” Abbott pointed to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Equity and Inclusion Toolkit, which contains LGBTQ and gender-identity-specific sections that enable teachers and administrators to access links to studies and resources on the importance of promoting inclusivity in the classroom and ways to incorporate queer-centric histories in their lesson plans. n

PGN RECANT from page 1

sexuality are false,” Hikes’ statement continued. PGN also spoke with Toasted Walnut owner Denise Cohen on Feb. 1. Cohen, well-known in the community for her various club operations including Sisters, shared her concerns over the incident. She said she was upset that anyone had been injured in the Gayborhood, including her employee, DeFinis, whom she clarified was not a target in the attack but was merely trying to help the victim. “The police are investigating and we really want to leave it to them,” she said. Cohen added, “As many know there has been much circulating about this incident on 13th Street and soon so much became rumor and extreme exaggeration. “In the aftermath of the incident and with much discussion we were not of the thought that it was a hate crime situation however, that was not our determination to make or post about with the simple fact that we did not at that time witness what had instigated this situation. We handled it swiftly that evening with the police and left it to be further investigated by them. On Monday upon learning of the inaccurate statements made on social media and in an ABC news interview by an individual who was speaking on his own without our knowledge, I was in immediate contact with community leaders and the police.” The police still had not released the victim’s name by press time. The PPD Office of Media Affairs gave PGN the following statement about the assault: “On Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 at approximately 10:52 p.m., police responded to the 1300 block of Walnut Street for a person screaming. A 50-year-old male victim was assaulted by four male defendants and one female defendant. The defendants fled in a vehicle prior to police arrival. The victim was transported to Jefferson University Hospital by medic unit for head injury and is listed in stable condition. This investigation is active and ongoing with Central Detectives Division. Offenders and vehicle make unknown at this time.” Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sixth District at 215-686-3060. n

Wedding Issue March 8 only in

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

PGN

OLDER ADULTS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Life is livelier when shared with friends. SageLife disrupts the negative paradigms around aging; outdated mindsets that have been barriers to recognizing community living as an aspirational move; as the wisest choice for aging well.

S E N I O R L I V I N G , B U T D I F F E R E N T.

NEW! Come see our models.

MALVERN, PA

WALLINGFORD, PA

LivingAtEchoLake.com

484-568-4777

Retirement Living, Reinvented

PAOLI, PA

NORTH WALES, PA

PlushMills.com

DaylesfordCrossing.com

KyďŹ&#x192;nGrove.com

Independent & Supportive Living

Supportive Living & Memory Care

610-690-1630

610-640-4000

267-460-8100

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

OLDER ADULTS PGN

Common-law marriage opens doors to legal rights for LGBT elders By Tiffany Palmer, Esq. PGN Contributor Marriage equality came to Pennsylvania in 2014 through the Whitewood v. Wolf case, and nationally in 2015 through the Obergefell v. Hodges case. But long before those cases, many LGBT couples made commitments and promises to each other to live their lives together as spouses — even without government recognition or a marriage license. Sometimes those commitments were formal through a commitment ceremony and sometimes they were private through an exchange of rings and promises. Sadly, some LGBT people lost their loved ones before they could have a legal recognition of their relationships through marriages. Now there is a legal process to recover the rights and benefits of marriage retroactively by establishing a common-law marriage. Pennsylvania courts are granting retroactive recognition of those relationships in the form of common-law marriages, which has benefitted many LGBT elders. Probate courts have entered orders to recognize a marriage date as the date that the couple

exchanged promises to live their lives as a married couple in a number of cases where a partner died before a marriage license could be issued. Many people have misconceptions about common-law marriage and what it takes to establish one. Marriage in Pennsylvania is a civil contract. A common-law marriage is a marriage by express agreement of the parties by words uttered in the present tense for the purpose of establishing a marriage, even without any formal marriage license. LGBT couples and surviving spouses have proven common-law marriages by submitting evidence to the court such as affidavits confirming that rings were exchanged, copies of documents such as wills and powers of attorney, financial documents and beneficiary designations, among other ways. Common-law marriages are marriages. That means that they come with all of the same rights, benefits and responsibilities of legal marriage, including important rights in the event of the death of a spouse such as access to Social Security survivor benefits and access to pensions and other assets. It also means that a zero-percent tax rate

on Pennsylvania inheritance tax would be assessed instead of the 15 percent for nonspouses. A refund would also go to the surviving spouse if the inheritance taxes were already paid. Surviving partners have also been able to amend a death certificate of a deceased

A common-law marriage is a marriage by express agreement of the parties by words uttered in the present tense for the purpose of establishing a marriage, even without any formal marriage license. partner to include the marital status as “married” and adding the surviving spouse’s name and to inherit through intestate succession (inheritance without a will) from a deceased partner. A declaration of common-law marriage also allows spouses to take advantage of divorce laws, giving them access to alimony determinations and division of marital property through equitable distribution. This recognition of common-law marriages is possible because a Pennsylvania

Superior Court case in 2017 confirmed that same-sex couples have the same right to prove a common-law marriage as opposite-sex couples under the United States constitution, applying the Obergefell v. Hodges and Whitewood v. Wolf cases retroactively. Recently, a Philadelphia court entered an order recognizing a common-law marriage for a same-sex couple who had been together since 1972. Since all common-law marriages were abolished in Pennsylvania in January 2005, a couple must have entered into the common-law marriage before that date. Outside of Pennsylvania, laws governing common-law marriages vary widely. The majority of states do not recognize common-law marriages. LGBT elders who have lost a loved one prior to marriage equality should consult with an experienced LGBT family law and estate attorney to determine if they qualify for rights and benefits through establishing a common-law marriage. n Tiffany Palmer is a partner at Jerner & Palmer, P.C. in Philadelphia and is the director of the Family Law Institute of the National LGBT Bar Association. She was awarded the Justice in Action Award by Mazzoni Center in 2018 for her advocacy for LGBT civil rights. Palmer is running for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in a May 21 primary election.

OLDER ADULTS PGN

Pennsylvania poised to carry on momentum in LGBTQ aging By Heshie Zinman and David Griffith, LGBT Elder Initiative PGN Contributors

Snovel. The Aging Workgroup will be able to augment the work being done by the commission and be a voice specifiThis past October, the LGBT Elder cally for LGBTQ older Pennsylvanians. Initiative came together with state offi- Additionally, the workgroup will be able cials, healthcare professionals, aging to provide recommendations to state services providers and LGBTQ older agencies that are responsible for adminPennsylvanians at the 2018 LGBTQ Aging istering services to older adults, such as Summit. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania the Department of Aging, Department of Health and Department of Department of Aging, the Human Services. summit sought to address Some of the issues that affect many of the issues facing LGBTQ elders will require the LGBTQ elder communities passage of legislation. The and to share best practices Pennsylvania Fairness Act, for professionals working for example, which would add with LGBTQ populations. sexual orientation and gender Summit content identified identity as protected classes policy priorities related to under the state’s nondiscrimiLGBTQ aging and developed nation law, would need to be recommendations to improve passed by the Pennsylvania the lives of LGBTQ older House and Senate before it can Pennsylvanians. be signed into law. It was the first-ever stateHowever, other issues wide event in Pennsylvania can be addressed through dedicated to LGBTQ changes to policies and proaging issues, and one of cedures within state agencies. the first statewide LGBTQ For example, a priority of the aging events in the counworkgroup is to improve the try. Numerous partners from ways that data on sexual oriacross the state — including entation and gender identity LGBTQ-serving non-profis collected. Currently, most its, aging services providers state agencies do not track and state agencies — joined data on sexual orientation together for the planning of the and treat gender as a male/ summit. With more than 300 female binary. Beginning to people in attendance, it was collect data on sexual oriinspiring to see the passion entation and gender identiof individuals from across the HESHIE ZINMAN ties beyond the male/female Commonwealth dedicated to (TOP) AND DAVID binary would allow agenmaking LGBTQ aging issues GRIFFITH cies to better understand the a statewide priority. needs of LGBTQ people and A few months prior, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the formation of the how they are — or aren’t —receiving serPennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ vices. Additional efforts can take place through Affairs, signing an executive order that made Pennsylvania the only state in the influencing state agencies’ strategic priorcountry to have a standing commission ities for community outreach, training, dedicated to LGBTQ issues. The role funding and service delivery. Every four of the commission is to help coordinate years, the Pennsylvania Department of efforts taking place across Pennsylvania Aging prepares its State Plan on Aging, for greater equality for LGBTQ people. which acts as a blueprint for serving the Included among the 40 Commissioners Commonwealth’s older adult population, appointed by the governor are several identifying priorities for enhancing proLGBTQ older adults and aging advocates. grams, delivering services and allocating Between the summit and the seating of this resources. This year, the Department of Aging commission, there is great momentum for addressing the issues that impact LGBTQ will begin crafting its State Plan for 2020older adults. There is also now an infrastruc- 2024. The Aging Workgroup — along with organizations and advocates across ture in place to be better able to do so. At its first meeting, the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania — will need to make our Commission on LGBTQ Affairs autho- voices heard to keep LGBTQ aging rized the creation of an LGBTQ Aging issues on the forefront. Ensuring that the Workgroup. The workgroup is being new State Plan sufficiently addresses the chaired by Commissioner Joanne Carroll needs of our LGBTQ older adults will be and Heshie Zinman with support from the an essential step in carrying on the great Executive Director of the Pennsylvania momentum that has been building over the Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, Todd past year. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Staying Connected

When older Pennsylvanians make the most of programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, we all beneﬁt.

Prescription Drug Programs Free Transit & Reduced-Fare Shared Rides Hot Meals Programs Property Tax & Rent Rebates Long-Term Living Services

To learn more visit palottery.com. Must Be 18 Years or Older to Play. Please Play Responsibly. Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

PGN OLDER ADULTS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Body U

Megan Niño

Looking to get in shape, shed a few pounds or just prioritize self-care? Body U answers your exercise questions to help you be your best you.

Only in Online and in print every first Friday.

Advocacy and action for and by LGBT Terri Clark, MPH PGN Contributor Individuals and communities alike are working across the Commonwealth to better focus on awareness of and access to services for LGBTQ older adults and their caregivers. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s October 2018 LGBTQ Aging Summit was planned to be a catalyst to connect the aging services network with the LGBTQ senior community to help drive many needed changes at the local and state levels to better address the needs of our diverse LGBTQ seniors. At the summit, Michael A d a m s , C E O o f S AG E (Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders) outlined a number of issues and shared a call to action with this statement, “Recognizing that you are advocates, and that we are all advocates, we must work together to advance the policies that improve the lives of LGBTQ older adults.” Adams went on to outline five key advocacy issues: Pass the Fairness Act. Currently in Pennsylvania, we have a patchwork of legal protections for LGBT residents rather than a uniform anti-discrimination

law. Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast without such a law protecting the LGBTQ community. The Fairness Act needs to pass to provide protections across the Commonwealth. Designate LGBT older adults and those living with HIV as greatest social needs populations in the Older Americans Act. The term “greatest social need” refers to the need caused by noneconomic factors, which can include discrimination, social isolation, disproportionate poverty and health disparities, and a lack of access to culturally competent providers. Being designated “greatest social needs population” would improve access to supports and services, including needed funding. Provide protections in long term care settings. Pennsylvania can follow the lead of Massachusetts and California in advancing an LGBT Long-Term Care Facility Residents Bill of Rights, which protects people from discrimination on basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and HIV status in long-term care settings.

Require cultural competency training for the Aging Services Network. Pennsylvania can follow the lead of California and Massachusetts to require LGBT cultural-awareness training as part of certification for long-term care providers. Gather Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data. Collecting SOGI data is essential to providing high quality, patient-centered care to LGBT people across their lifecycle. We understand that the Department of Aging has the ability to begin to gather data on their funded programs (i.e., through the AAA and LINK networks). Advocacy in 2019 Advocacy is happening locally with the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs and its Elder Advisory Committee, chaired by Gigi Nikpour. The committee meets monthly and has forged partnership with strong national advocacy organizations such as AARP, SAGE and CARIE (Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the Elderly). We welcome community advocates to join our efforts to advance the needs of LGBT older adults and their caregivers in Pennsylvania. For more information, please contact Gigi Nikpour via email: digiyaya@ gmail.com or the Office of LGBT Affairs at 215-686-0330. n

PGN OLDER ADULTS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Am I a senior? By Scott A. Drake scott@epgn.com At 59, I am in that gray area (so to speak) that exists between middle age and senior citizen. In my head I don’t feel like a senior. In truth, I may technically be one by the end of the year when I turn 60, but I still don’t find any reason to consider myself one so I looked into what constitutes a senior. The federal government says I am eligible for Medicare at 65. Social Security varies by what year a person was born. My retirement age is 66 years, 10 months. Anyone born after 1959 retires at 67. SEPTA gives riders a senior discount starting at 65, and Denny’s starts discounting for seniors once the person is over 55. The PA SeniorLaw Helpline offers free legal advice once I turn 60. Those ages haven’t been reviewed in decades, so they’re not an accurate reflection of what constitutes a senior. But while I’m at it, let’s take a look at another group of numbers: Life Expectancy at Birth (LEB) and current life expectancy. LEB is a calculated using death rates, living conditions, gender, income, new medicines or surgical procedures, and many others factors. In 1959, life expectancy was 66.8 years (in general, not differentiated between male or female). Expectancy gradually grew more than 13 years by 2015. It dropped the past three years and now stands at 78.8. Experts say the most recent decrease is due to increased drug use and general despair. Both are alarming trends that so many people want to escape. Current life expectancy can be calculated through a multitude of apps found on the internet. They use factors such as blood pressure, smoking, family health history, seat-belt use, diabetes, weight and frequency of exercise. No two apps are the same. In fact, trying three of them gave me life expectancies of 76, 82 and 91. At least at 82, my student loans would be paid off. Whatever the number, it made me re-examine how I live and what changes I should/might make. But all this does is tell me longevity, not how healthy, active or coherent I will be. Physical condition is a great area of discussion among seniors. There are ailments and physical limitations that are more prevalent in older age. There is

less ability to fight the flu or infection, memory loss, fatigue, reduced range of motion and a host of other maladies. I admit to more stiff joints, arthritis in thumb joints from using cameras and bicycles all my life, some occasional lower back pain due to being overweight, and maybe a few others. So it seems like our health is a determining factor. When faced with my face, I see some lines and locks of gray hair. An interesting thing about aging is that we don’t see it happening. Changes from day to day are minimal. Hair turns color, and we notice the first gray hair, maybe the first few. We have it “touched up” or completely colored and it’s gone only to pop back out in our roots exponentially. I look at my hands and suddenly they seem foreign. I don’t recall when my skin started appearing less supple. Ever notice how film and television frequently make characters in their 50s or 60s look like they were born 100 years ago? There are many senior stereotypes we don’t realize as we see them because it’s been ingrained as we grew up. A great thing about The Golden Girls was its normalization of people in their retirement years. They portrayed active, cognizant (mostly), involved people, not walker- or- wheelchair-bound ladies waiting for their medication. Which takes me to that most nebulous of all considerations: What is my own interpretation of my age, longevity, health, appearance, activity? This is the mental side of growing older. And let’s face it, getting older is always better than not getting older. Part of the mental side is worry, and I will freely admit I do plenty. I worry about how to improve my health and lower my weight. I worry about whether I will be able to retire at a reasonable age or at least how long I’ll have to keep working to get the maximum out of my only source of retirement income — Social Security. (Answer: A little more than another 13 years. Five more years than two of my three life expectancies.) But on that mental flip side, I am still curious, adventurous and learning new

things. Even with a gout flare-up in January, I only missed about a day and a half of work. I like a good bike ride occasionally and gardening in general. I no longer feel agile enough to toss around a Frisbee for great lengths of time, but it doesn’t mean I won’t go out for a little bit of fresh air and exercise and give the thing a whirl. Considering it wasn’t until I was in my 50s that I tried zip lining, fencing, yoga and skydiving, I have just as high hopes for my 60s. After wading through pages and websites and my own thoughts, my conclusion is inconclusive. But this has offered me some insights on aging that brings my own borderline case into a somewhat clearer focus. I don’t feel like a senior; even those days when something might ache. My body may slow me down from time to time, but I still keep going at it. I still look as though I am not a senior, though I’m probably not too far away from being called one. My overall health is good, but I can make some changes that would boost my longevity and delay my senior moments a bit longer as well. Most importantly, I don’t think I’m a senior. And that should matter the most to any person. Personal, honest assessment will always be more accurate than anything someone else can evaluate and determine. If being a senior means slowing down, then I am not a senior. In the past, I have used terms such as old man or pops or grandma without knowing that person’s age or background. I was discriminating based upon looks and mobility. I promise I will no longer judge another’s life by my personal yardstick. I will, however, take umbrage when some punk 30-something calls me old. This final 50s year is going to be one great adventure. And so will next year after I’m 60. I’m not a senior except by another’s label. That’s fine. And let the government give me special treatment. That’s fine too. But I refuse to ask for a senior discount just because I am eligible. I’m waiting until I get old. n

Considering it wasn’t until I was in my 50s that I tried zip lining, fencing, yoga and skydiving, I have just as high hopes for my 60s.

Our March 8 Wedding Issue celebrates local couples who have, or are planning to, put a ring on it.

Email editor@epgn.com by Feb.28 to have your announcement included.

Gettin’ On

LGBT people age just like the rest, with important exceptions. More than the average number have HIV or other LGBT health issues, many are living alone with no close relatives, and others live mear poverty levels. Gettin’ On explores these and other senior LGBT issues every month.

Only in Online and in print every third Friday.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

OLDER ADULTS PGN

HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIRECTORY

Small businesses can afford special attention in our PGN directories. Spaces this size are only $50 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

This Fabulous Space Could Be Yours

for only $50 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

OLDER ADULTS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Providing care and services to LGBT+ older Vintage whine: Life as adults: It’s a process and a journey an LGBTQ senior By Rabbi Erica Steelman PGN Contributor A rainbow flag near the entrance to your organization is great, but it’s not enough. To truly be an organization that is sensitive to and provides a spectrum of services to older LGBT+ adults takes a lot of commitment and ongoing work. Whenever your clientele consists of older adults, you’re dealing not only with issues of homophobia, heterosexism, transphobia, and other isms related to identity -- but of ageism. Unfortunately, ageism exists not only in mainstream society, but even in the LGBT+ world. If you’re really committed to providing person-centered care, then you as a practitioner and an organization need to become inclusive, competent, and affirming of LGBT+ older adults and their families. Keep in mind that just because LGBT+ older adults, and LGBT+ people in your organization, aren’t out, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. This work takes time and is multifaceted. What you’re working against is most people’s lack of education, deep-seated internalized prejudice, stigma, and a long history of discrimination and harm by institutions including medical, legal, and religious. It is understandable that LGBT+ older adults would choose not to disclose their sexual orientation and/or gender identity to service providers because of legitimate concerns of being mistreated or even harmed. Doing this work, which includes better and open communication between care provider and client for the sake of optimum person-centered care, will also result in a healthier

and more responsive organization. And as the Baby Boomers become older adults, many more out and proud, you’ll be ready to provide appropriate services for them. There are several things to do to get started. Acknowledging and affirming that older people have sexuality is an important place to begin. Then, start having conversations about sexuality and gender, incorporating precise, normalizing language including “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” “lesbian,” “gay,” “bisexual,” “transgender,” and “cisgender.” Talk openly about the existence of older LGBT+ adults. Keep in mind that you might be working with LGBT+ colleagues, or they may have LGBT+ family members – or you, yourself, may be LGBT+, and understand first hand challenges LGBT+ people have had, and continue, to face. Straight professionals who are

of sexual and gender minorities in terms of both services provided and employment, and is committed, with time and financial resources, to evolving into an inclusive, affirming, and competent organization. Another component of this work involves assessing your organization’s policies and forms beginning with nondiscrimination policies for staff and clients. Make sure they include the phrases “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” Intake forms should provide opportunities for self-disclosure of sexual orientation, gender identity, sex assigned at birth, name and pronouns used, and relationship history beyond the three options of married, single, or divorced. Inclusive bathroom signage, such as “all-gender bathroom” is important. Acknowledging and celebrating Pride Month in June and LGBT History Month in October can provide additional opportunities for learning. A task force to assist in these efforts can be helpful. Finally, doing this work, ideally on an ongoing basis,

If you’re really committed to providing person-centered care, then you as a practitioner and an organization need to become inclusive, competent, and affirming of LGBT+ older adults and their families. aware of and sensitive to LGBT+ issues can play an essential role in providing and affirming a supportive environment for their LGBT+ colleagues and clients. Straight and/or cisgender allies, your support and involvement in this work can make a huge difference. But individuals can only go so far without the enthusiastic, sincere support from the leadership of any organization. The leadership needs to be clear that it does not tolerate discrimination

requires training and education in sexual-orientation and gender-identity with a focus on LGBT+ older adult experiences, needs and concerns for all employees, from the top down. The goal? Open-hearted, healing encounters -- not based on assumptions or judgments – in which meaningful connections and growth can occur. n Rabbi Erica Steelman, MAHL, MPP, is Director of LGBT+ Initiatives and Staff Chaplain for Abramson Senior Care.

By Mary Groce PGN Contributor Suz and I collect things. We’ve been together now for almost 25 years, and we’ve collected seven kids, five grandkids, three ex-husbands, two heart attacks, five different cancers and one doozy of a concussion. Now, with me in my late 60s and Suz in her mid-70s, we found ourselves to be still madly in love, but also worn out, impoverished and physically unable to carry on with what was left of our jobs. Believe it or not, we landed on our feet. We were on the waiting list for the John C. Anderson Apartments (LGBT friendly) in downtown Philly; so, in our desperation, we knocked on the door to check our status. At this point, we were unable to pay the rent on our old apartment, so we were being aided by a cancer charity to temporarily help cover some bills. Suz was still very ill from recent chemo, surgery and recurrent infections, plus unsteady on her feet and hard of hearing from the concussion. Me, I was paranoid that, with all the stress, caregiving and work, I was surely due for another heart attack. I mean, with all that was going on, why the hell not? By some miracle, our subsidized apartment was soon available, and on May 1, 2017, we moved in. Now we would actually be able to survive on our social security. For the first time in years, we could breathe. With the help of the social worker, we were able to navigate our way to accessing benefits. Then we discovered local perks, like free bus rides for seniors. Ed Miller, our liaison with William Way, helps us with van trips to local super markets, and hosts festive get-togethers. As Suz started feeling better, we decided to celebrate our new home and neighbors — now friends — by paying it forward and doing what

we love: writing and socializing. In that vein, we started a newsletter and a writers’ group. Our next goal is to help create a resident handbook that will contain pertinent information, plus contact and emergency numbers. So many LGBT folks our age, even here at JCAA, feel isolated and ignored, and don’t have someone to talk to over a cup of coffee. Sometimes, they’re just too tired or sick or disabled or depressed to advocate for themselves. Most residents live alone. We’re all “of an age,” and many of us are LGBTQ, but there’s no policy that binds us together as a community. We must do that for ourselves. And we’re the lucky ones. JCAA is still one of very few places in the country that openly welcomes us, and Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, fought hard to make that happen. Suz and I were invited guests at Pennsylvania’s first LGBTQ Aging Summit in Harrisburg in October, and we realized that we’re not alone in our desire to help our community. No, a whole movement is afoot! A ballroom full of caring folks spent a lot of time and effort identifying our needs and making plans to implement solutions. As representatives of the target community, we were honored, heard and taken seriously. Now we see that there’s a unified effort to reach out and provide services and care for our queer seniors. There’s also an effort to ensure we’re welcome and respected in ALL senior facilities, with policies put in place that will ensure our safety and well-being. Our pioneers are now being acknowledged by new pioneers who see us, listen to us and care. And, right here in Philly, the LGBT Elder Initiative is carrying the torch forward. The future of out and proud seniors is looking much brighter. n

pgn Philadelphia Gay News

LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

OLDER ADULTS PGN

Welcom�

TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

LIVING AT SIMPSON HOUSE TRULY

feel� lik� hom�!

Residents and staff enjoy meaningful relationships and are a reflection of the familiarity found in the tight-knit neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Our modern Independent Living residences offer a dozen floor plans, unique architectural designs and upgrades to suit your taste and lifestyle. There is also so much to see and do. Our location provides easy access to center city Philadelphia and the many cultural events and fine dining it has to offer. With a host of amenities and a full calendar of events and activities, you’ll have plenty of time for the people and things you enjoy most.

Cal� u� today

at 215-871-5211 to schedule a tour, meet our residents and enjoy a meal in one of our three dining venues.

2101 Belmont Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131 SimpsonHouse.org

News analysis Trump calls for unity — and an end to HIV/AIDS By Victoria A. Brownworth PGN Contributor President Donald Trump’s second State of the Union address was long, chaotic and lacking in policy initiatives. An event meant to highlight the accomplishments of the president, the SOTU instead drew attention to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the women of the 116th Congress and Stacey Abrams, the first black woman to give a SOTU response. For LGBTQ Americans, the SOTU was defined more by what was not in it than by what was. Among the guests in the SOTU audience was Navy Lt. Commander Blake Dremann, a trans man who has been deployed 11 times and won numerous accolades. The active-duty Dremann, a guest of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) — one of four female senators running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination — is president of SPARTA, an LGBT advocacy organization. Trump has banned trans people from enlisting in the military and, last month, the U.S. Supreme Court — with the help of Trump’s two new appointees — upheld the ban in a 5-4 decision, while lower courts continue to debate its merits. Trump did not acknowledge Dremann or the ban in his speech. Before Tuesday’s SOTU, the White House hinted that Trump would use the address to declare war on HIV/AIDS, with a 2030 end-date for curtailing the disease. In anticipation of this announcement, various AIDS advocacy groups such as New York’s ACT-UP, issued lengthy commentaries. Politico had reported “under Trump’s 10-year strategy, health officials would target the U.S. communities with the most HIV infections and work to reduce transmissions by 2030. The strategy has been championed by top health officials, including HHS Secretary Alex Azar and CDC Director Robert Redfield.” Trump said during the address, “In recent years, we have made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Scientific breakthroughs have brought a once-distant dream within reach. My budget will ask Democrats and Republicans to make the needed commitment to eliminate the HIV epidemic in the United States within 10 years. We have made incredible strides. Incredible. Together, we will defeat AIDS in America. And beyond.” He didn’t offer a specific sum or plan and his dismantling of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS a year ago is an action that contradicts his words.

PGN OLDER ADULTS

Abrams’ rebuttal on behalf of Democrats received widespread acclaim, with most commentators and pundits declaring it the speech Trump should have given. Social media lit up with posts urging Abrams to run for president. The former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives was the Democratic candidate in the state’s recent gubernatorial election, narrowing losing to Republican Brian Kemp in a hotly contested race. Pelosi and other Democratic Congresswomen dressed in white to honor the centenary of suffrage and passage of the 19th Amendment. The huge block of women in white provided a striking image on the House floor. The sheer volume of new women — including women of color — in the Democratic Congress provided a stark contrast to the white Republican Congressmen, distinguished solely by differing tie color. The SOTU was held a week later than originally scheduled. Pelosi had refused to allow the president to make his address in the House of Representatives while the government was shut down. A moment in which the smiling Pelosi stood to give seemingly sarcastic applause to Trump quickly took on multiple meme forms on social media, garnering millions of views and responses. Trump made no mention of the shutdown in his 82-minute speech, although he reiterated his demand for a wall at the southern border and again cited “caravans and buses filled with illegal immigrants” headed toward the United States. As expected, Trump also addressed economic and employment gains under his presidency, if not always with accuracy. “No one has benefited more from our thriving economy than women, who have filled 58 percent of the new jobs created in the last year,” he declared., eliciting perhaps the evening’s most animated response as the Congresswomen in white stood up and cheered wildly. “You were not supposed to do that,” the president quipped. “Thank you very much. Thank you very much. All Americans can be proud that we have more women in the workforce than ever before,” he said, adding: “Don’t sit yet. You are going to like this. And exactly one century after the Congress passed the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote, we also have more women serving in the Congress than ever before.” The irony wasn’t lost on those in attendance and many viewers: It was Trump’s election that spurred women to run for office in record numbers. Pennsylvania — which had sent only eight women to Congress before the recent election — is now represented by four women. Trump ended his address with a call for Americans to “rekindle the bonds of love and loyalty and memory that link us together as citizens, as neighbors, as patriots. I am asking you to choose greatness.” n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

PGN

International Hong Kong court denies male status to three transgender men Hong Kong’s High Court has refused to allow three transgender men to be recognized as males on their official identity cards because they have not undergone full sex-change operations. The Feb. 1 ruling was seen as a blow to the fledgling LGBT movement in the semiautonomous Chinese city of 7.4 million people, which is preparing to host the 2022 Gay Games. The three, identified as Henry Tse, Q and R, are shown on their ID cards as having been born female, but are undergoing hormone therapy. A full sex change would require the removal of female sexual organs. The decision follows a recent ruling by Japan’s Supreme Court upholding a law that effectively requires transgender people to be sterilized before they can have their gender changed on official documents.

Media Trail

Greek bishop convicted over comments attacking gays A Greek court has convicted a prominent Orthodox Church official of violating laws against racism and abusing his office over an anti-gay blog posting. Amvrossios, Bishop of Kalavryta and Aigialeia in the southern Peloponnese region, received a seven-month sentence, suspended for three years. Amvrossios urged readers in his 2015 posting to “spit upon” homosexuals, adding: “They are not human beings, they are rejects of nature.” The three-judge court in the southern town of Aigio unanimously found against the bishop, who is one of the most conservative in the powerful Church of Greece. A lower court had acquitted him, but the case was appealed. Lawyer Kleio Papandoleon, representing a group of citizens seeking legal action against the bishop, hailed the Jan. 28 ruling, saying it set limits to “inflammatory and racist speech.”

Cuban evangelicals push back against gay marriage A Cuban government push to legalize gay marriage has set off an unprecedented reaction from the island’s rapidly growing evangelical churches, whose members are

formal complaints, she lost her Advanced Placement classes and was brought to a disciplinary hearing. She was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following the ordeal. School officials declined to comment on the specific case, but spokeswoman Raven Hill said they follow state guidance on youth gender identity nondiscrimination.

Trans teacher sues DC-area district, citing discrimination North Carolina updates gender-change process for A transgender English teacher is suing a Maryland school district claiming that licenses she was repeatedly harassed by students, parents and colleagues at three schools in the district, and when she complained to Prince George’s County school officials, they retaliated, according to The Washington Post. Attorneys for the teacher, Jennifer Eller, said the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined her claims had merit. The 41-year-old’s complaint said she was called a pedophile, told to present as male, referred to by male pronouns and threatened with rape by a student, among other offenses. She said that after filing

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is issuing a new application form making it easier for some transgender people to list their gender on their driver’s licenses and identification cards, according to a report on WRAL.com. The left-leaning news outlet NC Policy Watch first reported the change, saying the new form replaces a requirement for a surgeon’s letter when changing the gender marker on the cards. The release said while it still requires authorization from medical providers, it allows for a broader range of providers. The new form still calls for “male” or

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

expected to widely reject a state-proposed constitutional reform in a nationwide referendum this month. The reform is almost certain to pass by a broad margin of Cuba’s seven million voters — language opening the door to gay marriage is only one element of the reform — but the evangelical vote could shave hundreds of thousands of votes from its victory. With many pastors promoting “no” votes from the pulpit, the swelling evangelical rejection of the constitution is a novel development for a state that prides itself on projecting an image of ideological unanimity. Cuban government-endorsed candidates and proposals typically receive “yes” votes well above 90 percent.

Noted Indian transgender activist shakes up Hindu festival Indian transgender activist and Bollywood TV star Laxmi Narayan Tripathi has shaken up the male-dominated monastic orders that run the Hindu Kumbh Mela festival — held from January through March in northern India and is expected to draw as many as 150 million pilgrims. The Kumbh takes place every three years at one of four sites Hindus consider sacred. It’s a series of ritual bathings led by 13 allmale Hindu monastic orders.

“female,” which doesn’t acknowledge people who identify as neither, but LGBTQ advocates call the new form a step in the right direction. N.C. Department of Transportation spokesman Jamie Kritzer said the policy is similar to policies in 13 other states.

Transgender Illinois inmate feels safer after transfer A transgender inmate who received rare approval from Illinois prison authorities to move from a men’s to a women’s prison said she feels safe in the new accommodations, according to the Chicago Tribune. Strawberry Hampton, 27, said she no longer worries about being attacked for being a woman. Hampton, whose legal first name is Deon, was recently transferred to Logan Correctional Center, a women’s prison in Central Illinois. She’s serving a 10-year sentence for burglary. The move comes after a yearlong legal battle. Hampton requested the transfer arguing that she’d be less vulnerable to sexual assault, taunting and beatings. Hampton alleged she experienced abuse and sexual assault by inmates and staff at multiple

Though Hinduism’s ancient Vedas scriptures describe transgender people as integral, for centuries they have been marginalized, forced to leave their family homes as children and often sold into sex trafficking. Tripathi is capitalizing on the ruling Hindu nationalist party’s emphasis on India’s Hindu roots to claim a place for transgender people among the nation’s religious elite. �

Former landscaper pleads guilty to eight murders in Canada A former landscaper charged with killing eight men with ties to Toronto’s gay village is said to be pleading guilty. The former landscaper, Bruce McArthur, said Jan. 29 that no one is pressuring him to enter the guilty plea to eight counts of first-degree murder. The police last year found the remains of seven of the men in large planters at a property where McArthur had worked. The remains of the eighth victim were found in a ravine behind the same property in midtown Toronto. The 67-year-old McArthur was arrested after an investigation into several disappearances in a gay neighborhood of Toronto.n Compiled by Larry Nichols

men’s facilities in the state. Hampton has pending lawsuits against corrections officers at various prisons she said abused or failed to protect her.

Los Angeles group buys gay resort in Oklahoma City An Oklahoma City hotel that bills itself as the largest gay resort in the Southwest has new out-of-state owners, The Journal Record reported. Los Angeles-based Alternatives Resorts has bought the 170-room Habana Inn. Oklahoma County property records show the property sold for $2.4 million. Alternatives Resorts spokesman Arnold Greenspan said the property will be renamed Hotel Habana and that a first phase of renovations will start in the fall. The resort has two nightclubs, a novelty store and a closed restaurant space. The hotel recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is a centerpiece of a string of businesses catering to LGBTQ clientele along a stretch of road that was part of historic Route 66 that connected travelers from Chicago to Los Angeles. n Compiled by Larry Nichols

Recently engaged or married? PGN wants to hear from you!

PGN

The

Guide to the Gayborhood

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

Marriage equality still the law of the land . Our March 8 Wedding Issue will celebrate local couples who have, or are planning to, put a ring on it.

1330 Walnut St. facebook.com/ boxersphl Sports bar with a TVs, pool table, brick pizza oven, sports specials

Voyeur

Toasted Walnut Woody’s 1316 Walnut St. 215.546.8888 Festively lit women-owned bar complete with a “beer” pong table

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

202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com Includes attached Walnut Street bars Rosewood and GloBar

❍

❍ <—

Chancellor St.

❍

St. James St.

❍ Locust St.

❒

❍ Manning St.

❍

Quince St.

Latimer St.

12th St.

<—

Camac St.

13th St.

❍

❒

206 S Quince St. 215.627.1662 Levi Leather men’s bar; pool tables, second floor sports; basement has enforced dress code

Walnut St.

❍

The Bike Stop

11th St.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Juniper St.

❍ Spruce St.

❍

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

Cypress St.

Writer’s Block Rehab William Way 1342 Cypress St. 267.603.6960 A cozy, comfortable bar and lounge perfect for escaping the norm

Frankie Bradley’s

LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org A resource for all things LGBT

1320 Chancellor St. 215-735-0735 Resaturant, dance club, live performers and entertainment

<—

West of Broad Street The Attic Youth 1705 Chancellor St. Center Stir Lounge

Email editor@epgn.com by March1st to have your announcement included.

1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660 Relaxing corner bar, easy-going crowd, popular for happy hour and window watching

Tavern on Camac

<—

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

U Bar

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

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

Knock

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

Tabu

254 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com Three floors with a dance floor,, drag shows, lounge and rootop deck.

Bar X 255 S. Camac St. Bar and dancefloor

FEATURE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

entertainment Philly Theatre Week: Celebrating women who live by their own rules By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

Women breathing underwater may conjure images of mermaids, but not in this production. “I don’t think there’s a reference to merIt’s that time of year again when Philadelphia Theatre Week celebrates the maid in it, actually,” Abrams said, describing diverse artistry of the city’s stages with an a bit of the plot: Clara, the protagonist, sits eclectic series of productions, readings, inter- on the bottom of the ocean for a few hours breathing water when she needs time to active events and more. Two productions featured during this think. From her dorm room, the character is year’s festival, running Feb. 7-17, focus on somehow able to access this mystical safe women who buck society’s expectations and haven of blue. “It definitely draws a lot of inspiration live by their own rules, whether in a fantasy from modern college cultural norms that a world or in the real world. The fantasy side comes in the form of lot of college students might be able to relate “marry, fuck, breath of water,” a world-pre- to — the dorming experiences as well as the miere play about the love between two young communal experience of living on a campus women who sometimes retreat to the bottom with other people,” said the director. The actors playing the main roles have of the ocean to breathe water. The show’s director, Emily Abrams, who drawn upon their experiences while queer identifies as a queer trans woman, said the and trans nonbinary performers also breathe play’s narrative came from a poem by out life (pun intended) into these characters. “Madeline Claire Webb is playing Clara playwright Megan McKiernan. “She had written a poem titled ‘Things and she has a lot of the similar upbringing I Never Told the Pacific Ocean’ and the and time coming to terms with her sexuality poem was this really funny magical world,” that her character did,” Abrams said. “That has helped to develop this character. Her Abrams said. “People really took to it.” McKiernan was given an opportunity to voice has really been a major influence on expand the poem into a one-act play for a that character. “Sav Souza, they are binary. They are workshop, where the more-narrative format, while still maintaining some poetic elements, playing Sasha. Sav, prior to coming out as nonbinary, had been identifying as a lesbian was well-received. “So we decided we wanted to continue woman and the character Sasha is very proud to workshop it and bring it to the public,” of that identity, often in a joking way and in almost a protective manner. Sav’s voice has Abrams said. been a huge voice for Megan as the piece has been written.” Abrams added that while fantastical and dramatic turns play a prominent role in the narrative, the overall tone of the performance is fun and humorous. “While there is a queer narrative that we’ve picked this year, we really didn’t want it to be seen as something to be sad about,” she said. “We cherish the love between these two women. Even though it’s not easy, there’s a lot of fun and love and joking around throughout the play. There is a lot more comedy in the play than there is drama.” Another production for Theatre Week, “Broads,” brings audiMADELINE CLAIRE WEBB (LEFT) AND SAV SOUZA IN “MARRY, FUCK, BREATH OF WATER” ences back to the real world.

Dining Out Family Portrait Out & About

Page 34 Page 31 Page 32

Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

The musical comedy revue, presented by 1812 Productions, stars Joilet Harris, Mary Elizabeth Scallen and Jess Conda. The show celebrates the songs and the styles of some of the brashest, funniest and groundbreaking female performers of the 1920s-’60s, such as Mae West, Moms Mabley, Ida Cox, Bessie

is very appealing to me as an artist. These women, these broads, deliberately chose taboos and found ways to do it. As an artist, I know that I found a kind-of permission in what we do that I couldn’t find anywhere else. These broads, for me, are shining models of all that; making your own way and not asking permission first.” The artists said they also discovered, in playing these roles, how much things have changed — as well as how much things have remained the same — for women in society. “Even in the era that they lived in, they were more oppressed and suppressed than we were,” Harris said. “They had no permission to do these things as women. [Being] barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen [was the norm]. You break those morés and step outside of that? Oh man! To take that platform and sing about it and not accept it and not take on the characteristics of the good girl — that, in and of itself, was making a statement.” “One of the shocking things to MARY ELIZABETH SCALEN (FROM LEFT), JESS me is finding out how similar their CONDA AND JOLIET HARRIS IN “BROADS” issues are to our issues,” Scallen said. “My God, we’re saying the Smith and Rusty Warren. exact same things that they were saying then, Scallen and Harris said that performing but this was 1925 or 1930.” tributes to these pioneering women resonates Historical lessons and insights aside, both strongly with them as artists. performers said that, at the end of the day, “The biggest thing for me was that these “Broads” is nothing short of a rollicking women appear to be completely unapologetic good time for them and the audience. about their own power,” Scallen said. “Even “The stuff these women wrote is irreverby today’s standards, I’m finding what they ent, witty, surprising and delightful,” Scallen sang very shocking. And then when I think said. “It raises the spirit. People will leave about it in a historical context, it’s astounding the theater thinking they can go back out and what they got away with. They really didn’t fight another day. This show will appeal to back down. They went out there like Mae anybody that can appreciate a strong, sassy, West. They let society react and then they defiant and confident personality.” took the consequences, but they didn’t comHarris added, “The older crowd will recpromise whom they were. ognize the songs, and the younger crowd will “The material is all about challeng- feel empowered by the songs.” n ing taboos. That’s extremely appealing to artists in general,” she added. “They Headlong Studios presents “mary, fuck, breath identified the limits of society’s rules. of water” Feb. 8-15, 1170 S. Broad St.; 1812 They identified which of those rules they Productions presents “Broads” Feb. 13-24 at thought were absurd and then they delib- Play & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place. erately broke them. For more information, visit http://www.the“There’s something about the fact that they atrephiladelphia.org/whats-on-stage/phillywere all, in their own way, provocateurs that theatre-week or www.1812productions.org.

Page 30 Page 35

Valentines Day Films PAGE 32

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

PGN

Sales Representative at PGN

Philadelphia Gay News (PGN) currently has immediate opening for advertising sales position available for an energetic, self-motivated individual with outstanding communication skills. Our ideal candidate must have polished sales skills with experience in lead generation and cold calling, combined with a track record of closing the sale.

Q Puzzle Goodbye, Dolly Across

1 LesbiaNation. com and Gay.com 5 Gig for Michael Carbonaro 13 He cruised for 40 days straight 14 Without dissent 15 Beloved Dolly portrayer (19212019) 17 “...farewell, auf Wiedersehen, __” 18 JFK predictions 19 Zadora in ”Hairspray” 20 “Annie Get Your ___ “ 22 Trunks of Mapplethorpe’s photos 27 Heated arguments 29 Make griefstricken 30 Clark of fashion 32 Killed, to King James 33 Start of a quote by 15-Across 38 Street urchin 39 Supporter for Cassatt 40 Tinged with gold 43 Treat badly 47 Type of arm tattoo

48 Guns N’ Roses frontman Rose 49 Long of “If These Walls Could Talk 2” 50 Current band of the past? 52 Lets up 54 End of the quote 58 Worked at Barneys, e.g. 59 Mr. Right-now, e.g. 60 Use Viagra successfully 61 “Sex and the City” creator Darren

Down

1 Opens bottles 2 Worker under Ricky Martin 3 Rope to catch a long little dogie 4 Where a cobbler puts the tongue 5 Britten’s raincoat 6 Visibly shocked 7 Whipping boy 8 Present from birth 9 L-word bleeper, perhaps 10 Friend of Rimbaud 11 Pink-slip 12 “Star Trek” sequel, briefly 16 Landau’s “Ed Wood” role 21 R. Nureyev’s

land, once 23 Hawk at a flea market 24 Casa part 25 Out partner 26 Works under Edith Head, perhaps 28 Chewy candy 29 Sappho’s B 31 Comment about watching gay porn? 33 Christmas poem opener 34 Word before ass 35 Wilde country 36 Throw in the trash 37 Disney dog Old ___ 41 Virtual reality stand-in

42 Computer whiz 44 Oust, as a homophobic incumbent 45 Nap for Lorca 46 Judy Garland’s parade day 48 Remembers some S&M 51 Oscar ___ Renta 53 Totals 54 Jackie O.’s second husband 55 Kevin Bacon in “Footloose” 56 Truncation abbreviation 57 Ending for a fruity drink

Qualifications: * Two years minimum of successful sales experience, former print and/or advertising sales are a plus * Strong verbal and writing skills * Excellent at relationship building * Ability to work independently and part of a team * Knowledge of local media market and LGBT community a plus * Computer literacy a must Salary/Benefits: Competitive Salary based on your past experience, plus commission. Our benefits package includes medical and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation and a casual work environment. Qualified individuals interested in applying are encouraged to send their résumé. to mark@epgn.com

*PGN is an equal opportunity employer

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Suzi Nash

Ruckus: Such a good boy! Polish those boots because it’s almost time for the Mr. & Ms. Philadelphia Leather contest. The annual competition will take place 8-10 p.m. Feb. 16 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. “Pup” Ruckus has judged, staffed and volunteered at many leather and fetish events across North America. Self-described as a smart husky with a true passion for obedience school, he is the past title-holder for Mr. MidAtlantic Leather.

PGN: Tell me a little of your coming-out story. R: Well, at 13, I came out to my family as a lesbian, and then about seven or eight years later, I came out as trans.

PGN: What were you like as a kid? R: I grew up in a very Southern and Greek household. We grew up in Savannah and parts of Florida.

PGN: What were some early signs you were part of the LGBT community? R: I knew from a very early age that I liked women. There was never any questioning or shame about it. I never had that, Oh my God, I think I’m gay! moment. I liked women. It was just something that was natural for me. My family raised me in a very queer-positive environment. So I never thought of it as something to be ashamed of.

PGN: Is there a large Greek population in Savannah? R: There is, yeah. There’s a big church there and the Greek population is pretty prominent. Same thing in Tarpin Springs, Fla., where I mostly grew up. It actually has the second-highest concentration of Greeks in the world.

PGN: What made it a queer-positive environment? R: I grew up with a gay uncle. My brother also had a lot of queer friends growing up. I was exposed to gay media early on: My mom’s favorite movie was “The Birdcage” and she enjoyed “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” So I was raised with stuff like that.

PGN: What were you like as a kid? R: I was a water baby. That was my big thing. I love swimming in pools. I love swimming in the ocean. You couldn’t get me out of the water as a kid. I was really adventurous. I loved exploring and being outside a lot.

PGN: What’s your favorite LGBTQ film? R: I really like this film called “Boy Meets Girl.” It was about a young trans woman who tries experimenting with women, but falls in love with her best friend. It’s a really good film. And then there was “But I’m a Cheerleader,” the quintessential gay film when I was growing up.

PGN: What did you want to be when you grew up? R: A marine biologist. I really loved dolphin and sharks, octopus and squid, animals like that. PGN: So how did you end up in Philadelphia? Not too many squid around here. R: Ha! Well, my mother and I moved to New Jersey. Then, when I was about 21, I moved here to go to Temple to study biology. PGN: Are you in the field now? R: [Smiles] No, I actually work in tech. I’m an IT guy. I work with servers and domains and a little bit of coding. While I was in school, I started working for a nonprofit organization. I was always interested in tech too, so when a position opened up, I dove right in. I didn’t even finish college and that’s how I got to the position I hold now. PGN: What’s the nonprofit? R: It helps people acquire the public benefits they qualify for: medical assistance, housing, Medicaid and things like that. It’s a really great organization and it makes the system, which can be tricky for people, accessible and easy.

PGN: What’s something people don’t know about the leather community? R: It’s very philanthropic. We do a lot of fundraising, especially around HIV/ AIDS research and groups like Trans Lifeline, groups that support us and provide medical care. PGN: So let’s talk about the upcoming Mr. & Ms. Philadelphia Leather. You held the title of Mid-Atlantic Puppy 2017. What did you do to win? R: Yes, I actually held it for an extended reign of about 19 months. The current titleholder is Pup Skunk; he’s my title son. So, to win, you are judged on your overall presentation the whole weekend: As soon as the meet-and-greet starts until they announce the scores, you are being judged. Presentation and how you interact with people is important; how you get along with other puppies, showing that you can be a good ambassador for the community.

PGN: How did you find community there? R: I didn’t. When I was 16, I helped create the first gay/straight alliance at my high school. I’d been looking for it and it didn’t exist, so I decided to create it. PGN: When did you transition? R: I started to medically transition at 22, right about when I moved here.

PGN: When did you get involved with the leather community? R: I’ve been experimenting with kink and BDSM since before I was 18, in different sexual and romantic relationships I’d had with other women. But publicly I got involved with the leather community when I was about 23, about a year after my medical transition started.

PGN: Something others think is dangerous that you may not? R: Hmmm, a kink that I engage in quite often is blood play. A lot of people are really squicked by blood, which is understandable. PGN: “Squicked”? R: It makes you go [shudders]. I partake in blood play with one person, my fiancé Caressa. We’re completely fluid- and bloodbonded, and that’s something some people find dangerous. But we use clean needles and make sure everything is sanitized. PGN: [Laughing] Yeah, I’m one of those who gets “squicked.” I can’t even watch “Grey’s Anatomy”! Something that makes you feel good? R: Getting my leather family together. It doesn’t happen often because we’re so spread apart. My fiancé is moving here, but she currently lives near Seattle. We have multiple dynamics, but she is my owner. We have a dog-and-handler dynamic, and I also have a puppy Roke who is collared to me and they live in Houston. Roke has another puppy in Ohio.

PGN: Where did you live before coming to Philadelphia? R: South Jersey, Egg Harbor Township area.

PGN: How was the family’s response? R: It wasn’t great at first. They struggled with pronouns and my name for quite some time, but since then they’ve become great allies and great activists, speaking out when they’ve encountered something homophobic or transphobic.

PGN: Does the leather community ever get pushback from the animal-rights community? R: No, we actually have quite a few vegans and vegetarians. Most of them wear faux leather or neoprene or rubber. There’s also a sexy or hot-wear outfit, which you don while answering random pop questions. You get judged on how quickly and how well you present your answer.

PGN: OK. I need Leather 101: What is a puppy? R: A puppy is a human of any gender who engages in some type of canine role-play. You can be a puppy, you can be a dog or a wolf. I find the difference is often the attitude. Puppies naturally tend to be more playful, and dogs can be a little more serious. Though I should say that just because you identify as a puppy or wolf, etc., does not mean that you are leather-identified.

PGN: What does the handler-puppy dynamic entail? R: Just like you see at a dog show, when we go to puppy events she’s my handler. I’m also her service dog, so if she needs to get up or walk somewhere, she will hold on to straps on me and I’ll help her. I’m a physical service dog, just like one with four legs would be. PGN: What are you looking forward to at this year’s Mr. & Ms. Philadelphia Leather? R: I’m looking forward to seeing all the contestants. There are so many different people who come together for this event. Whether they win or lose, I like to see what people have to present. I like the vulnerability and the bravery of all the contestants. It’s something to see and experience. n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Films to melt your heart for Valentine’s Day

TIM KALKHOF AND ROY MILLER IN “THE CAKEMAKER” By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor For lovers who want to cuddle up and get romantic this Valentine’s Day, there are hundreds of watch options. While there are classic LGBT romances ranging from heartbreaking (“Brokeback Mountain”) to hopeful (“Desert Hearts”) to delightful (“Go Fish”), here are a dozen newish romantic films, now available on DVD or streaming services, to watch this week. “He Loves Me,” out Feb. 12 on DVD, is a wistful, poetic and erotic drama that asks, “How easy can it be to love when you actually find love?” Two uninhibited guys (Hermes Pittakos and Sanuye Shoteka) go to a beach to be alone together. A narrator (Thanos Lekkas) voices the observations one lover has about their relationship — their arguments and intimacies, and his efforts to sabotage it. Meanwhile, images of the guys skinny-dipping, sunbathing nude or stopping mid-hike to have sex underscore their desires. “Kept Boy” is a delicious and naughty romantic comedy about the title character, Dennis (Jon Paul Phillips), who fears his relationship with his sugar daddy, Farleigh (Thure Riefenstein), is ending. When the hunky Colombian Jasper (Greg Audino) gets professionally — and perhaps personally — involved with Farleigh, the jealous Dennis schemes to save his relationship. “Kept Boy” skewers superficial gay culture while it makes some shrewd points about the price of beauty, love and trust. For a terrific double feature, watch it with “Boy Culture,” Q. Allan Brocka’s modern classic depicting the gay romance that unfolds between antisocial hustler X (Derek Magyar) and his sexy roommate Andrew (Darryl Stephens). The affecting romantic drama “Loev,” on Netflix, has Sahil (the late, magnetic Dhruv Ganesh) deciding whom he loves. Annoyed with his boyfriend Alex (Siddharth Menon), Sahil meets up with his pal Jai (Shiv Pandit) for a weekend trip. Some very strong emotions surface and change everything. “Loev” is an intimate and quietly powerful

drama from India. The compassionate American indie “Princess Cyd,” on Netflix, by out gay writer/director Stephen Cone, has the title character (Jessie Pinnock) unexpectedly falling in love with the gender-nonconforming Katie (Malic White). This lovely, unassuming film charms viewers as Cyd slowly acts on her attraction to the alluring Katie. The erotic Canadian romance “Below Her Mouth,” on Netflix, features sex scenes that are as hot as the two female protagonists. Dallas (Erika Linder) is a love-’em-andleave-’em type who catches sight of the fetching Jasmine (Natalie Krill), a fashion-magazine editor who is engaged to Rile (Sebastian Pigott). The frisson between the beauty and the butch is palpable. “Below Her Mouth” may feature a flimsy script, but the film is best when the actresses are engaging their mouths on each other, not the dialogue. Two films on Nexflix feature bisexual love triangles involving Jews and food. Out gay filmmaker Ofir Raul Graizer’s “The Cakemaker” has German baker Tomas (Tim Kalkhof) falling for his late lover Oren’s (Roy Miller) widow, Anat (Sarah Adler), when he contrives to work at her kosher cafe. The intimate relationship that develops between the two survivors is both meaningful and heartfelt. In contrast, the romantic comedy “To Each Her Own” has Simone (Sarah Stern), a closeted lesbian, grappling with her sexuality and identity. When she finds herself attracted to Wali (Jean-Christophe Folly), a Senegalese chef, Simone’s girlfriend Claire (Julia Piaton) accuses her of being a closeted hetero. Comedy ensues as Simone tries to please both her lovers — neither of whom her Orthodox-Jewish parents know about. “To Each Her Own” uses broad humor and stereotypes to make its points about love, shame and acceptance. “Boy Meets Girl” is a sweet, sensitive drama about sexual identity. Ricky (Michelle Hendley), a transgender teen, is grappling with her feelings for Francesca (Alexandra Turshen), who is engaged to David (Michael Galante). Ricky gets PAGE 37

“The Concert of the Century,” through March 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

A DIVA DYNASTY: R&B star and TV personality, Toni Braxton, brings her “As Long As I Live Tour” with special guests, SWV, to Atlantic City for a roof-raising performance 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way. For more information or tickets, call 609-317-1000.

Theater & Arts Arte Povera: Homage to Amalfi ’68 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an installation recreating one artist’s reactionary exhibition against minimalism and pop art, through July 7, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Betrayal Lantern Theater Company presents a drama exploring love, sex, marriage and friendship, through Feb. 17 at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St.; 215829-0395. Between Nature and Abstraction: Edwin Dickinson and Friends Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the works of the modern American painter, through Feb. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Bill Bellamy The comedian and actor performs through Feb. 9 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. The Bridges of Madison County Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-winning play based on the bestselling novel, Feb. 8-March 3 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215985-0420. Dieter Rams: Principled Design Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition surveying the designer’s prolific body of work — from radios, clocks and cameras to kitchen appliances and furniture, through April 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100. Equality — Pride in Our History Exhibit A new exhibition takes visitors on a journey through

the decades of gay Pride, showcasing a collection of stories, photos and memorabilia contributed by LGBTQ individuals and their allies, through March 23, at Bucks County Visitor Center, 3207 Street Road, Bensalem; www. newhopecelebrateshistory.org. Hedwig A special benefit performance of the gender-bending rock musical, 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James St.; 215-735-5772. Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors Walnut Street Theatre presents the comedy set in 1930s Paris, just hours away from

Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the Feminine Ideal Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the influence of Miss Fanchon, the ultimate toy for privileged girls in the 1860s-’70s, through March 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. A Midsummer Night’s Dream Opera Philadelphia presents Shakespeare’s classic comedy, Feb. 8-17 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999. Mimi Imfurst Presents Drag Diva Brunch Mimi Imfurst and special guests perform 11 a.m.2 p.m. Feb. 9 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. New Chinese Galleries Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring 4,000 years of Chinese art, ongoing through summer, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215763-8100.

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

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Photographer David Lebe holds retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

IT’S A CELLO-BRATION: Blending chamber music with alternative rock, Rasputina brings its unique and brilliant brand of Victorian volume to town 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford St. For more information or tickets call 215-739-9684.

Oleanna Walnut Street Theatre presents David Mamet’s explosive drama about gender politics, privilege and power, through Feb. 17 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215574-3550.

Viva España! The Philadelphia Orchestra performs an evening of Spanish compositions, through Feb. 9 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Shen Yun The classical Chinese dance troupe performs Feb. 8-March 3 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

Peter Murphy The rock singer performs classic Bauhaus songs, 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.

A Space Odyssey The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Richard Strauss’s “Zarathustra,” Feb. 14-16 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999.

Who’s Bad The Michael Jackson Tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650.

Weeding Out The Stoned Comedians perform and the audience gets to figure out who’s medicated among them, 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Good Good Comedy Theatre, 215 N. 11th St.; 215399-1279.

Music

Bob Mould Band The out rock singer performs 8:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.

Nightlife Pokemon: Let’s Go Philadelphia Lorna Doom hosts this gaymer-

themed drag show, 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Tabu, 254 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Drag Wars: Disney Night Drag performers get decked out in their best Disney themes, 8:30-11:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James St.; 215-735-5772. SWAY The monthly queer dance party featuring all QTPOC DJ’s returns, 10 p.m.2 a.m., Feb. 9 at Tabu, 254 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Amateur Drag Night Drag performers compete for cash, 8-10 p.m. Feb. 10 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215592-0656. Glitter High / Drag Out Philly’s first all drag king/ drag monster show featuring appearance by Baked Pizza and Nile Raven, 8-11 p.m. Feb. 10 at Tattooed Mom, 530 South St.; 215-238-9880.

Glitter and Garbage presents: Love is EASY A cabaret Valentine’s Day show that celebrates all the A.D. Amorosi good and the bad, PGN Contributor 7-10 p.m. Feb. 14 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth With this week’s start of the Philadelphia St.; 215-592-0656. Museum of Art exhibition “Long Light | Photographs by David Lebe,” the out, Outta New York-to-Philadelphia transplant puts Town all of his starkly experimental work and its diverse subject matter into one bushel, The Dark Crystal shakes it up and comes up with this The classic sobering survey. fantasy film by The exhibition runs Feb. 9-May 5 at the the legendary Jim PMoA’s Perelman Building. Henson is screened Renowned for homoerotic “light paint1:30 p.m. Feb. 9 ing” images, proactive and provocaat The Colonial tive black-and-whites of gay porn star Theatre, 227 Bridge “Scott,” shots from 1987’s Great March St., Phoenixville; on Washington for LGBTQ rights, and 610-917-1228. those of his longtime partner’s daily struggle with AIDS, the exhibition — as Ladysmith Black whole — might seem jumbled, discomMambazo bobulated or too askew. But what conThe world music nects every element of Lebe’s work, spirit band performs 8 and tone is his intuition. p.m. Feb. 11 at “My work derives from my life, my life Sellersville Theater experiences,” he said from his studio. “I 1894, 24 W. Temple don’t illustrate ideas, but set up and then Ave., Sellersville; work intuitively within parameters.” 215-257-5808. Talking about how all of his photographs connect fully with who Lebe Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ is as a gay man at all times, and how The rock band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. Between the Buried and Me, and Tesseract The prog-metal bands perform 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331. Kick It Out The Heart tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808. Switchblade Sisters The actions/ exploitation film is screened 9:45 p.m. Feb. 15 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228. n

coming out changed his perspective, the photographer who began teaching in Philadelphia in 1985 at the now-University of the Arts said, “Coming out was a difficult process for me growing up as I did with parents who always preferred to see me as they wanted me to be, not how I was. As for how it affected the photos, since the early 1970s I’ve striven to be out in my work without necessarily being self too conscious about it.” Though “Long Light” is a wide-scope and all-encompassing envisioning of the Lebe aesthetic, many viewers will focus on “The Scott Pictures,” an honest, playful essay of a man plying his trade and being himself. “The Scott pictures were a lucky break,” said Lebe. “Scott O’Hara was my favorite porn star, so when one evening my good friend Scott Tucker, one of Philadelphia’s most prominent gay activists, called up to ask if I wanted to photograph Scott O’Hara, I wasn’t at first sure if he was being serious. With Scott O’Hara it was a real collaboration. Scott believed in honest porn, that is real personal sex in front of the camera not acting, and that is why I think I responded so strongly to his on screen self. This of course was long before amateur porn. We got along great and I PAGE 34

1040 We understand 1099 them all 2439 3468 3903 4255 5405 8283 8863

EITC

LGBT

Phoenix Tax Consultants The Phoenixville area’s top tax preparation experts for over 25 years

(610) 933-3507

www.TAXTACKLERS.com $30 OFF IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL PREPARATION FOR NEW CLIENTS Discount Code: PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

DINING PGNOUT

Ocean Prime serves up ‘quality’ surf and excellent ‘turf’ By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com It’s no surprise that an upscale establishment like Ocean Prime thrives in the bustling nerve center of Center City it occupies. The vibe and décor is posh and glamorous, but the overall atmosphere is relaxed and accessible. The attentive and friendly staff informs you straight out of the gate that all of the seafood and meats are of the highest quality and freshness, and that anything that’s not made in house is only because another local establishment does it better. Duly noted. Who wants cocktails? We do! The cocktails at Ocean Prime, located at 124 S. 15th St., were a harbinger of the culinary craft and showmanship we were in for. The Berries and Bubbles ($15) is Ocean Prime’s fruity take on a Kir Royale shanked with dry ice and decorated with an assortment of berries. When poured into a generous martini glass, the concoction bubbles and smokes like a frigid

If you go Ocean Prime 124 S. 15th St. 215-563-0163 www.ocean-prime.com Mon.-Sat.: 4-10 p.m. Sun.: 4-9 p.m.

FILET MIGNON WITH SHRIMP SCAMPI

Wedding Services Directory

WE DO. • Six wedding venues • Unmatched amenities • Affordable packages

Book a consultation today. ValleyForgeWeddings.com GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER

cauldron of 40-proof bliss. The dinner menu is classic steakhouse and seafood fare peppered with Asian influences and executed at a high level of gastronomic excellence. Appetizers like the Point Judith Calamari ($20) eschew classic presentation by tossing the tender fried favorite into a sweetand-spicy chili sauce, then dusting it with sesame seeds. The ahi tuna tartare ($19) was a cool and creamy experience that got more texturally complex the deeper in. The crowning achievement by far was the goat cheese ravioli ($15), which has a substantial heartiness thanks to being wrapped in wontons and awash in a robust and luxuriously flavored mushroom broth that added a nice richness to the pleasantly strong goat cheese. The entrees were textbook high-end steakhouse fare in the best sense of the words. The filet mignon ($44 for 8 oz.) was impeccable, topped (or ”accessorized” as they put it) with a perfect buttery, garlic shrimp scampi ($13). There were a number of pleasantly decadent sides offered. We gravitated toward the smoked Gouda tater tots ($12). We were not disappointed. The massive tots (seriously, who makes tater tots nearly three inches long?) were hot and crispy on the outside with a lovely rustic mashed-potato consistency on the inside. Ocean Prime has definitely earned its name and status. If you want to gorge yourself like a VIP, this establishment is definitely worth your attention. n PHOTOGRAPHER from page 33

photographed him a number of time over some years; the last time being not long before he died of AIDS.” Returning to Philadelphia for the “Long Light” show has been a challenge for Lebe, an artist living with AIDS with a partner also struck by the disease. “It’s been very emotional for me being back in Philly, seeing the city — it’s changed of course but still recognizable - as we drove in,” he said. “I’ve been working with PMA’s wonderful photography curator, Peter Barberie, non-stop to hang the show all this week — very intense — that I haven’t yet had much of a chance to see much of the city. I grew up in Manhattan but I spent so many important years of my youth here and did so much work here, Philly is very special to me. I love this city. I’d just say people coming to the show who don’t know my work should suspend their idea of what a photography show is and expect some surprises.” n

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

Shakespeare, Smith & Co. By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor Bass-vocalist Brent Michael Smith is but a neophyte when it comes to Philadelphia, having moved here two years ago to go on “this journey of artistic growth at the Academy of Vocal Arts,” as he puts it. The out singer is now not only a resident artist at the Academy, with two of its operas coming his way this spring, but also is making a prestigious debut with Opera Philadelphia for its colorful world premiere of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.” The production, based on composer Benjamin Britten’s 1960 opera version, will be at the Academy of Music Feb. 8-17. The opera melds Smith’s deep provocative vocals with some “Games of Thrones”-style play courtesy of the fairy Puck (a non-singing role played by Miltos Yerolemou, known for his portrayal of swordsman Syrio Forel in “GOT”). Add to that a stage filled with flying beds and lots of green hair. “Philadelphia now holds a dear place in my heart,” Smith said. “It feels like home. When I first moved here, though I had lived with two good friends and fellow singers, it felt lonely to be here. Then I met my partner, who has been my rock.” The professional road, however, is less genteel. Smith said it’s a privilege and a joy to work within the halls of the Academy of Vocal Arts, despite that it’s hardcore work and learning environment. As a second-year AVA resident artist, Smith will go from singing the Don Alfonso role in “Così Fan Tutte” by Mozart (March 2, 5, 7, 9 and 12) to the Friar in “Roméo et Juliette,” (April 27 and 30 and May 2, 4 and 7) as part of the school’s four-year program for opera singers. “I wouldn’t be making my debut at Opera Philadelphia without the help of AVA,” said Smith. As Peter Quince — one of Midsummer’s six mechanicals of Athens, and the author of the play-within-an-opera “The Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisbe” for the Duke Theseus and his wife Hippolyta — Smith is over the moon to be part of Opera Philadelphia’s new traditionalism and insistent invention.

“The kinds of works and the level of community engagement that the company has done is equally impressive and laudatory,” Smith said. “During a time when the importance of classical arts is being questioned, it’s important for companies to be innovative. And this kind of new traditionalism brings a timeless Shakespeare classic to the public and allows it to be a visual wonder that is so much fun.”

BRENT MICHAEL SMITH As for some explanation of the six mechanicals, or rustics, each one has a unique trade — and Quince, as a carpenter, is the most educated of the bunch. “Despite this, he and the others are quite common folk,” Smith said. “One of them, Snug, does not know how to read. None of these men has any theatrical training or much artistic experience. Because of this, it’s quite touching that they delve into the complexities of writing and putting up a play for the Duke of Athens, no less! Imagine being asked by Queen Elizabeth II to write and put on a play for a royal wedding with no experience. These humble men have quite the feat ahead of them and are rightfully both very excited and very nervous. Chiefly among them, Quince feels the weight of responsibility for things going well. He takes it upon himself to write the play, gather the players and assign the parts. The hilarity ensues as they devise ways to make the play work. Suffice it to say, the play will be outrageous.”

rev. dr. Nadine

Rosechild Sullivan, ph.d.

Spiritual Counseling drsullivan@rosechild.org

215.704.4264

www.rosechild.org

Spirituality • Sexuality • Relationships • Self-Esteem

Smith came out in 2011. Before then, he said, he was more reserved in his physical and emotional expression in life and also on stage. “Coming out helped me to release the inner power of instinct and creativity that I had bottled up for fear of being found out as gay. As an artistic transition, I went from being nervous about accessing all that a character could offer to discovering the authenticity that comes with becoming a character through self-awareness.” Then there’s the LGBTQ presence within modern opera, and how Smith, as a gay man, personifies such commanding presence. “Well, this is a loaded question. Opera has long been a gay obsession. If anyone has not yet read Wayne Koestenbaum’s ‘The Queens’ Throat,’ I recommend it. Essays by Susan Sontag are also great windows into what opera was in the mid20th century to gay men. “I think most modern opera has diminished the camp that has long made it a staple of LGBTQIA+ culture,” Smith said. “Furthermore, our community has lost touch with our subcultural roots of the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, as we have won more equality on the national political stage. However, when our rights are being threatened more and more everyday under this administration, it’s important

that we unite together. One of the ways we can unite is through our celebration of the arts and particularly of what we find whacky and queer.” Smith said that while the LGBTQIA+ community has long been at the forefront of artistic creativity and innovation, he believes Opera Philadelphia is finding a good balance between accessibility to all people while honoring this queer heritage. “Just think of out-international star counter-tenor Anthony Roth Constanzo’s one-queer-person show that was a highlight of the O18 festival last year, or queer ally Stephanie Blythe’s genderfuck cabaret performances during that same festival,” Smith said. “‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is such a unique combination of high art and low art, which ultimately delivers that campy element. Britten, the composer, was gay. He wrote the part of Flute, one of the Rustics, for his life partner Peter Pears. The fact that Flute dresses up like a woman in the play, while historically accurate, takes on a whole new meaning with the advent of drag in the 60s, when the show premiered. It’s so amazing to see the work of a queer composer of the mid-20th century continue to be performed. It says something about the genius that comes with being LGBTQIA+.” n

900 Penn Valley Rd. - Media, PA Welcome home!

From the moment you enter this beautiful stone colonial farmhouse you understand why there have been just 4 owners since constructed in 1798. The charm and warmth of this home seamlessly blends with the subsequent additions in 1821 and then later renovation in 2001.Original details have been preserved in the foyer, formal living room and dining room with original random width hardwood floors, cook fireplaces and period woodwork. The newest addition boasts a large modern kitchen with double ovens, one convection, granite counters and kitchen island as well as a large dining area overlooking the large back yard and opens to the deck. The Family Room leads to the all-season Sunroom with gas fireplace. This home is perfect for entertaining with great flow, unique touches and comfort all around the .74 acre property. With two stairways, common to such a home, you access a large 2nd floor family room with built in bookcases. The light filled master bedroom suite offers hardwood floors, and a gable window that streams moonlight. The master bath is well designed, is beautifully tiled and includes built in storage. His and Her closets and a Dumbwaiter to the Laundry room on the first floor is a bonus! Two additional bedrooms on this floor, one with a sitting room which could be used as 4th bedroom, are charming. A full hall bath is nicely appointed with soaking tub. Continue up to the 3rd floor for a very special large bedroom under the eaves. Hardwood floors gleam, some of which are King’s Boards. There is a large closet and extra storage and a reading nook. The biggest surprise is a large Attic storage that includes an original Smoke House room. The current owners have been diligent with keeping the original or where new, compatible with the original. You can feel the love when you walk in the front door. All these features and history just 20 minutes from Philly, and minutes from Downtown Media’s Shops, Restaurants, and Professional Theatre. You could be the 5th owner in 220 years of this great home!

Offered at $635,000

Monica Geary Simpson, REALTOR® License # RS34109

Monica.simpson@foxroach.com

BHHS Fox &Roach Realtors 601 Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063 610-566-3000 Office 610-704-7430 Cell/Text

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

FILMS from page 32

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY When It Comes To Your Money… Experience Counts Serving our LGBT Community for over a decade. • Retirement Income Planning • Investment Management • Estate Planning • Insurance and Annuities

2018 Five Star Wealth Manager Philadelphia Magazine

AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney

215-735-1006

1900 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 www.amysteerman.com

PARTNERS IN LAW PARTNERS IN LIFE

Award details at www.fivestarprofessional.com

Jeremy R. Gussick, MBA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

856-452-0060 jeremy.gussick@lpl.com

A Registered Investment Advisor Member FINRA/SIPC

PGN directory ads are terrific way to tell people about your services. Spend as little as $50 a week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

Call 215-625-8501 for more info.

Advertise your business in our directories for only $25 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

MINSTER & FACCIOLO, LLC • WILLS & ESTATES • • DISCRIMINATION • • SMALL BUSINESS • • DIVORCE • • EMPLOYMENT • • REAL ESTATE • • CIVIL ACTIONS • • AUTO ACCIDENTS • • POWER OF ATTORNEY • • PRE-NUP AGREEMENTS•

215-627-8200 PA 302-777-2201 DE 521 S. 2ND ST., PHILA., PA APPT. ALSO AVAIL IN DE & NJ

Small businesses can afford special attention in our PGN directories. Spaces this size are only $50 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

some support from her best friend Robby (Michael Welch), who also feels slightly jealous toward Ricky and her new friend. Writer/director Eric Schaeffer deftly addresses issues of shame, hate, judgment and gender as the characters define and redefine themselves. “Romeos,” a film from Germany, is a tender drama about Lukas (cisgender actor Rick Okon), who is transitioning from female to male and fearful of making his gender identity known. Housed in a girls’ dormitory against his wishes, he leans on his lesbian best friend, Ine (Liv Lisa Fries), for support. When Lukas meets the hunky lothario Fabio (Maximilian Befort), the guys are attracted to each other. The sexual tension builds as they tease and compete with each other. But will Fabio accept Lukas when he knows his truth? There is plenty of heartache for the film’s gay, lesbian and trans characters before a happy-for-now ending. Two films about threesomes are also worth watching. “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women,” by out lesbian filmmaker Angela Robinson, is a stylish period film about the polyamorous relationship featuring Dr. William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans), his wife Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall) and Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote). Robinson captures the sexual energy among the three lovers and emphasizes how society was not ready to accept such forward-thinking ideas about relationships and sexuality. Likewise, gay Argentine filmmaker Marcelo Briem Stamm’s “Somos tr3s/We Are Thr3e,” now out on DVD, celebrates the threesome that develops among Ana (Flor Dragonetti), Nacho (Carlos Etchévers) and the bisexual Sebastián (Juan Manuel Martino), who is attracted to them both. How the characters navigate the challenges and pleasures of this polyamorous relationship forms the basis of this low-key film. Lastly, for curmudgeons or the heartbroken who think “not every romance is a fairytale,” there is Asian auteur Scud’s glossy “Love Actually … Sucks!” Full of beautiful people behaving badly, this anti-romance opens with a groom sabotaged by his lover before stories of incest, infidelity and unrequited love unfold. Various jealous gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight characters lie, betray and seek revenge in naughty, compelling vignettes that illustrate the gulf between sex and love. Happy Valentine’s Day — and happy viewing! n

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

PGN

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

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

Part tme position availabe for cleaner/cashier. Will interview on the spot. Looking for somone who is self motvated. Adonis Theater 2026 Sansom St. Interviews from 9 to 2. _____________________________________________43-05

Wanted to Buy FREON R12 WANTED: CERTIFIED BUYER will PAY CA$H for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. (312) 291-9169; www. refrigerantﬁnders.com ________________________________________43-05

Services AIRLINES ARE HIRING Get FAA approved hands on Aviation training. Financial Aid for qualiﬁed students – Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 877-207-0345. ________________________________________43-06 A PLACE FOR MOM The nation’s Largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-855-400-1032. ________________________________________43-06 Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You and Your Family May Be Entitled to Signiﬁcant Cash Award. No Risk. No Money Out of Pocket. For information Call 888-652-1799. ________________________________________43-05 MobileHelp, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1-844-677-1569. ________________________________________43-06 Dental Insurance: Call Physicians Mutual Insurance company for details. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for 350 procedures. 855-890-4914 or http://www.dental50plus. com/Penn Ad# 6118. ________________________________________43-06

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY

John Wissinger Inc.

HARDWOOD FLOORS Old Floors, Sanded & Finished Floors Stained New Floors Laid Steps Scraped (215) 335-4472 (215) 887-2899 Cell: (215) 816-4472

Advertise your business in our directories

Legal Notices Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, August Term, 2018, No. 2794. Notice is hereby given that on August 28, 2018, the petition of Kevin James McLaughlin was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to Kvn Josef Shapiro. The Court has fixed March 1, 2019 at 1pm, in Room No. 691, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if any they have, why the prayer of the said petition should not be granted. ________________________________________43-06 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, September Term, 2018, No. 770. Notice is hereby given that on September 10, 2018, the petition of Anthony Brown Cruckles was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to Anthony Michael Brown-Anderson. The Court has fixed March 1, 2019 at 1pm, in Room No. 691, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if any they have, why the prayer of the said petition should not be granted. ________________________________________43-06

Friends Men WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________43-05 Bruce, Philip & Michael Roses are red, Violets are blue, I’m excited to be with you. Teddy Boy Theodoremichael@hotmail.com. 745 Cedar St., 49855 ________________________________________43-08

Massage M4M Massage. Convenient Mainline location. 610-7106213 or email: mainlinefun@gmail.com for info. _____________________________________________43-06

Getting married?

for only $25 per week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

Free Estimates

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 8-14, 2019

PGN