PGN Feb. 28 - March 6, 2014 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Mazzoni recognizes out EEOC member PAGE 5

Family Portrait: Growing the Flower Show artistry with Gary Radin

Israeli LGBT leader brings storytelling to Philly

On board with Penn’s all-male theater group

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Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

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Vol. 38 No. 9

Senior center officially open By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

Rainbow confetti flew through the air Monday morning, marking the official opening of the John C. Anderson Apartments, an LGBT-friendly senior-living facility and the nation’s largest publicly funded LGBT building project. Hundreds packed into a tent on 13th Street to mark the occasion, which has been several years in the making. JCAA is just the third complex of its kind and the only to be supported solely by public funding, with city, state and federal money, as well as tax credits, fueling the $19.5-million project. The effort was spearheaded by the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund and Pennrose Properties, and officials from both were on hand to celebrate the opening, which was kicked off by dmhFund president and PGN publisher Mark Segal reading a commendation on the project by President Barack Obama. The building is home to 56 units of affordable housing for those 62 and over. Many of the residents were in the audience at the opening. Also on hand were a host of political dignitaries — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey; Congressmembers Bob Brady, Chaka Fattah and Allyson Schwartz; former Gov. Ed Rendell; state Treasurer Rob McCord; state Sens. Michael Stack and Anthony Williams; state Reps. Mike O’Brien and Dwight Evans; Mayor Michael Nutter; City Councilmembers Darrell Clarke, Jim Kenney, Mark Squilla and David Oh; and former Councilmember Frank DiCicco. Also taking the stage was the Rev. Jesse Anderson, brother of the late gay councilman and namesake of the building. Anderson noted that his brother had a long history of fighting discrimination — from being the first African-American studentbody president at Overbrook High School to battling racial injustice in the Pennsylvania Bar Association, before he entered the political realm and became a driving force behind Philadelphia’s law banning discrimination on sexual orientation. “John’s spirit says all of God’s children ought to be celebrated, no matter their station in life, race, nationality, religion, political affiliation or sexuality. The question being raised is not who or what you are, but what you have to offer PAGE 25

PGN PUBLISHER MARK SEGAL WITH SOUL CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER JOHN ADAMS DURING A RECENT VISIT TO THE PGN OFFICES

Soul launches nation’s first pro-football LGBT event

BROTHERLY LOVE: The Rev. Jesse Anderson spoke on behalf of his brother, the late John C. Anderson, at the Feb. 24 opening of his namesake, the city’s LGBT-friendly By Jen Colletta senior residences. The building, on 13th Street in the heart of the Gayborhood, is only jen@epgn.com the third of its kind in the nation. Elected officials representing city, state and federal governments were on hand for Monday’s opening and, instead of cutting an official ribThe nation’s first pro-football LGBTbon, rang a series of doorbells to welcome residents to their new home. More coverage, awareness event will take place this spring pages 24-25. Photo: Scott A. Drake — hosted by the city’s own Philadelphia

LGBT center opens in Northeast PA By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com More than 200 people turned out last weekend to celebrate the opening of an LGBT community center in Northeastern Pennsylvania — the first of its kind in the area.

The LGBT Center of NEPA, organized by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance, opened its doors Feb. 23 in Wilkes-Barre. The space is a decade in the making. “We ran all of our programs out of people’s homes or rented rooms,” said Rainbow Alliance executive director John Dawe. “It had come to the point where people started asking for the center. We started having programs such as support groups for those just coming out or for the trans community and they were not comfortable coming to a public venue or someone’s house.” Rainbow Alliance stages Pride events in the PAGE 27

Soul. “OUT with the Soul, Champions for Equality” will be staged May 10, during the Soul’s match-up with the New Orleans VooDoo. Philly’s pro-football club was established in 2004 and has won the American Conference Championship in the Arena Football League the last two seasons. Chief operating officer John Adams said the concept was floated by him last summer and coincidentally a few weeks later, Soul co-owner Cosmo DeNicola also proposed hosting an LGBT night. “We sat down with the ownership group and ran it by everybody and it was never a question of whether we should do it or not,” Adams said. “With some teams, that might be a question, but our ownership group was very on board. Our whole conversation was just about how we do it right because we don’t do theme nights just to do them; we want there to really be meaning and significance behind it.” To that end, the club PAGE 26

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Oral arguments set in Morris case By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Oral arguments are scheduled for the spring in a documentaccess dispute relating to the Nizah Morris case. Morris was a transgender woman who became a homicide victim in 2002, shortly after entering a police vehicle for a “courtesy ride.” The case remains unsolved. PGN is seeking a computerized dispatch record relating to the Morris case. It pertains to a vehicle stop initiated by Officer Elizabeth Skala while her earlier dispatch resulting in the courtesy ride was still pending at the 911 call center. The ensuing confusion contributed to paperwork by responding officers that recorded the entire Morris incident as a “hospital case,” even during the time period when Morris was a courtesy-ride recipient. In 2008, PGN received an incomplete copy of the dispatch record from the city’s Police Advisory Commission. The copy is missing several entries, and one of its entries has a redaction. Last year, PGN requested a copy of the complete dispatch record

from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, citing the state’s Right-to-Know Law. The D.A.’s Office recently informed PGN that it doesn’t have any dispatch records relating to the Morris case. That statement, however, conflicts with two letters sent by the D.A.’s Office in 2008, indicating that it has multiple dispatch records relating to the Morris case. PGN has filed an appeal in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, and oral arguments have been tentatively set for 9 a.m. June 2 in Courtroom 426 of City Hall. Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Alice Beck Dubow is scheduled to preside. The complete dispatch record could help explain why Skala didn’t assist at 16th and Walnut streets — where motorists found Morris with a fractured skull. Police records indicate that Skala was notified of a “hospital case” in that vicinity, but her vehicle stop took precedence. The complete dispatch record would detail the level of urgency Skala conveyed to her dispatcher about the vehicle stop, which took place at 13th and Filbert streets. As it turned out, Morris remained at 16th and Walnut for about 40

minutes, before being transported by medics to Jefferson University Hospital. She was braindead by the time she arrived there, according to hospital records. In a related matter, the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia recently voted unanimously to add its name to a growing list of organizations calling for a state probe into the Morris case. “GALLOP wants to lend its voice to the movement requesting an investigation into this case, with the hopes of finding the justice that is deserved,” said GALLOP chair Angela D. Giampolo. “With the rise of murders of transgender individuals in our city, and the lack of police and investigative efforts into those murders, it is the very least we can do an as organization of concerned LGBT lawyers.” Other groups that support a state probe include GALAEI, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, the National Center for Transgender Equality, Equality Pennsylvania, Keystone Progress, the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Organization for Women, Project SAFE, Jewish Social Policy Action Network and the American Civil Liberties Union of Greater Philadelphia. ■

Schneller denied from intervening in marriage cases By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com An antigay activist who sought to intervene as a defendant in two legal challenges to Pennsylvania’s ban on marriage equality has been blocked in doing so. Commonwealth Court Judge Dan Pellegrini on Monday denied Radnor resident James Schneller’s efforts to become a party in the case brought by several-dozen same-sex couples who were granted marriage licenses in Montgomery County. Schneller argued that the potential overturning of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage would infringe upon his religious freedom, but Pellegrini said Schneller did not properly demonstrate how he would be personally affected. Schneller, 58, president of the antigay Philadelphia Metro Task Force, has previously attempted to block the implementation of several LGBT-inclusive municipal nondiscrimination ordinances.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones also denied Schneller’s request to become an intervenor in Whitewood v. Wolf, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a group of samesex couples, two children and a widow. In that case, Jones said Schneller’s involvement in the case could “introduce undue complexity and hinder the speedy resolution of this case.” Schneller filed a Feb. 20 motion for reconsideration of his request. Schneller is also seeking to become a party in a municipallevel challenge and in another case filed in federal court. Also this week in the Whitewood case, both parties agreed that Bucks County Register of Wills Donald Petrille could have a reduced role in the proceeding. Petrille was named as a defendant after he denied a same-sex couple a license. Petrille will not be required to attend the trial, scheduled for this summer. ■

locations in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA — AROUND THE GAYBORHOOD

12th Street Gym, 204 S. 12th St. • 13th Street Gourmet Pizza, 209 S. 13th St. • AACO, 1101 Market St., 9th floor • Action AIDS, 1216 Arch St. • Apt. & Townhouse Rentals, 304 S. 12th St. • ASIAC, 1711 S. Broad St. • The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. • Bioscript Pharmacy, 1227 Locust St. • Cafe Twelve, 212 S. 12th St. • Charlie Salon, 203 S. 12th St. • City Hall NE Entrance • Club Body Center, 1220 Chancellor St. • Com-Har Living Room, 101 S. Broad St., 14th floor • Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. • Cut Salon, 204 S. 13th St. • Danny’s Bookstore 133 S. 13th St. • Dignity/St. Lukes, 330 S. 13th St. • Dirty Frank’s Bar, 13th & Pine sts. • The Foodery, 10th & Pine sts. • Fusion Gym, 105 S. 12th St., 2nd floor • Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. • I Goldberg, 1300 Chestnut St. • ICandy, 254 S. 12th St. • Independent Hotel, 13th & Locust sts. • Mazzoni Clinic, 809 Locust St. • Midtown II, 122 S. 11th St. • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust St. • Pa. AIDS Law Project, 1211 Chestnut St., 12th floor • Paolo Pizzeria, 1336 Pine St. • Parker Hotel Lobby, 261 S. 13th St. • Phila. FIGHT/Aids Library, 1233 Locust St., 5th floor • Phila. Family Planning Commission, 260 S. Broad St., 10th floor • Planned Parenthood, 1144 Locust St. • Sansom Cinema, 120 S. 13th St., basement • Santa Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Scorpio Books, 202 S. Juniper St. • Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St. • Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St. • Packard Apartments, 317 N. Broad St. • Safeguards lobby, 1211 Chestnut St. #610 • Salon K, 1216 Locust St. • Sansom Cinema, 120 S. 13th St. • Sante Fe Burrito, 212 S. 11th St. • Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. • Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac St. • Toast, 12th & Spruce sts. • Triangle Medicine, 253 S. 10th St., 1st floor • U Bar, 1220 Locust St. • Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. • Venture Inn, 255 S. Camac St. • Voyeur, 1220 St. James St. • Westbury, 261 S. 13th St. • William Way LGBT Community Center, 1325 Spruce St. • Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St. •

FREE LIBRARY LOCATIONS

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All of these locations are now visible on a zoomable Google Map at

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION ON THIS LIST? Contact Don at don@epgn.com or 215-625-8501 ext. 200 to arrange for delivery of complimentary copies.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

PGN

GRASSROOTS GROWTH: Jeff Becker (left) and Kevin Taylor of Havertown displayed their support for HB 300 at a Feb. 19 Equality Pennsylvania event at Friends Meeting House. The event drew about 50 new volunteers, who will assist with the statewide LGBT group’s grassroots work to move forward the long-stalled effort to ban LGBT discrimination in Pennsylvania. NEWS

Upcoming Special Issues

Crime Watch Local Media Trail News Briefing On Being Well Obituary Work It Out

19 2 27 9 18 8 19

Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

Creep of the Week Editorial Letters/Feedback Mark My Words Street Talk

10 10 11 11 11

March 28: Summer Travel April 18: Home Improvement

March 7: LGBT Wedding Issue

April 25: Summer Concerts May 2: Northern Liberties Issue

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

Staff Writers Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com

May 16: Visit Bucks County

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

Angela Thomas (ext. 215) angela@epgn.com

May 23: Summer Reading

Publisher Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com

June 6: Pride Only in

Executive Assistant Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com

Editor

Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com

Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

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

Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America

Advertising Sales Representatives Prab Sandhu (ext. 212) prab@epgn.com

National Advertising Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863 Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200)don@epgn.com

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

Out EEOC commissioner awarded at Mazzoni Center By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Mazzoni Center will honor the first openly LGBT person to serve on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at its fifth annual Justice In Action fundraiser next month. The event, which raises funds and awareness for Mazzoni Center’s legal-services program, will be held from 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. March 4 at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia, 1200 Market St. EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum will be the guest of honor at the event. Feldblum played an instrumental role in drafting the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Employment Nondiscrimination Act. S h e r e c e iv e d h e r bachelor’s degree at Barnard College and her law degree at Harvard FELDBLUM Law School. She has been a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center since 1991 and founded the Federal Legislation and Administrative Clinic at the law school. President Obama nominated Feldblum to serve on the EEOC, which enforces federal nondiscrimination law, in 2009 and she was confirmed by the Senate in 2010. Her first term as commissioner lasted until July and she was again nominated by Obama to serve her second term until July 2018. Feldblum grew up in New York City and was just 19 when she came out to her father in 1978. “I had come out to my father the previous fall as no longer being a religious Jew — and I can tell you, that was a much harder ‘coming-out’ experience for both him and me,” she said. Feldblum grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family, where she said she came from a long line of rabbis — including her grandfather, who was a Hasidic Rebbe in Philadelphia. Feldblum said family members accepted her from the start. Her father had hopes of her pursuing Talmudic studies, but after she decided to separate from the Orthodox identity, she chose to pursue a career in law. “I worked in various political jobs after college and I met lawyers who did amazing social-justice work,” she said. “Although I never knew any lawyers growing up, I decided that’s what I wanted to do.” Feldblum knew from an early age that she wanted to make a difference in the world for two communities to which she belongs. “I care about making the world a better place, which includes achieving full human and civil rights for LGBT people and people with disabilities,” she said, noting she

was diagnosed years ago with an anxiety disorder. Feldblum said equality for the LGBT community and people with disabilities is part of the “overall fabric of human and civil rights.” “Equality on all bases — race, gender, religion, national origin, age, as well as disability, sexual orientation and gender identity — is essential. They all connect as the basis for a good society.” Feldblum worked to craft the ADA from 1988-90 while also working as legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union AIDS Project. Feldblum said important partnerships arose during the effort to advance that measure. “Members of the AIDS community and the disability community got to know each other very well during that process, and both communities got to know members of the overall civil-rights community very well. Those collaborations have continued to this day.” In fact, Feldblum said the partnerships that were set during her work on ADA have helped fuel her work for ENDA, which saw a Senate victory in the fall. Feldblum said the success of ENDA now depends on the willingness of House leaders to bring the measure to a vote. Without ENDA, the EEOC cannot investigate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. But, Feldblum said, charges of LGBT discrimination have been brought to more than 50 EEOC offices around the country. “Our EEOC staff is investigating these charges to see if there is reasonable cause to believe that the federal law’s prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex has been violated,” she said. “If our staff finds such cause, they will try to eliminate the alleged unlawful employment practice through methods of conciliation and persuasion with the employer.” The EEOC announced in April 2012 that it categorized discrimination against transgender people as a form of sex discrimination and that discrimination against LGB people could also be argued on the basis of sex discrimination. Feldblum said that if ENDA passes, the law could help solidify those protections. In order for the LGBT community to continue to garner full equality, a strong community foundation is needed — which is made possible by agencies like Mazzoni Center, Feldblum said. “LGBT centers, such as the Mazzoni Center, are key foundations for creating supportive and affirming communities,” she said. “I can’t imagine all of us doing all the hard work we need to do without having that community support behind us.” For more information on Justice In Action, visit www.mazzonicenter.org. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

NOTICE OF PRIMARY GENERAL ELECTION

TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014

LOCAL PGN

Israeli leader talks LGBT storytelling in Philly

Between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. in all election districts and divisions in the City and County of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania there will be NOMINATED by the voters of the City and County of Philadelphia persons to fill the following offices, as certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Philadelphia County Board of Elections.

GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR U.S. CONGRESS STATE SENATOR (EVEN DISTRICTS) STATE REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE REPUBLICAN WARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DEMOCRATIC WARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PHILADELPHIA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS Anthony Clark Chair, City Commissioners

Al Schmidt Vice Chair City Commissioners

Stephanie Singer City Commissioner

Tim Dowling Acting Supervisor of Elections

AVISO DE

ELECCIONES PRIMARIA GENERALES

MARTES, 20 DE MAYO DE 2014

Entre las 7:00 a. m. y 8:00 p. m. en todos los distritos y las divisiones electorales en la ciudad y el condado de Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, los votantes de la ciudad y del condado de Philadelphia NOMINARIAN personas para cubrir los siguientes cargos según lo certiﬁca el Secretario de la Mancomunidad y el Consejo electoral del condado de Philadelphia.

GOBERNADOR TENIENTE GOBERNADOR REPRESENTANTE EN LA CONGRESSO SENADOR DEL ESTADO (EVEN DISTRICTS) REPRESENTANTE EN LA ASSEMBLEA GENERAL MEMBRO REPUBLICANO COMITE DEL ESTADO MEMBRO DEMOCRATA COMITE DEL ESTADO REPUBLICANO BARIO EJECTIVO COMITE DEMOCRATA BARIO EJECTIVO COMITE CONSEJO ELECTORAL DEL CONDADO DE PHILADELPHIA Anthony Clark Presidente, Comisionados Municipales

Al Schmidt Vicepresidente, Commisionados Municipales

Stephanie Singer Comisionada Municipale

Tim Dowling Supervisor Interino de Elecciones Municipales

IRIT ZVIELY-EFRAT (CENTER) WITH THE ATTIC YOUTH CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CARRIE JACOBS (LEFT) AND TALI EFRATY, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AT THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF ISRAEL TO THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Philadelphia Consulate of Israel welcomed a special guest to its offices last week. Irit Zviely-Efrat, executive director of Israeli organization Hoshen, visited the office after a stint in the United States to advocate on behalf of LGBT youth and Hoshen services. Hoshen, which stands for the Hebrew acronym for education and change, is a leading information center for the LGBT community in Israel. The nonprofit group currently has more than 300 daily volunteers who work within Israel’s non-secular schools to create visibility for LGBT people and fight stereotypes, particularly by sharing personal stories. “By creating this platform for dialogue, we create a better environment through and for the LGBT community,” Zviely-Efrat said. “We are trying to increase the awareness and tolerance and make the students more like allies.” Zviely-Efrat said the organization, which was established in 2004, is the only LGBT group in Israel working outside of the LGBT community. She said the agency has significantly grown throughout its 10 years. “Five years ago, we reached 3-to-4 percent of secular high schools in Israel. Now we reach more than 15 percent of secular schools in Israel. We meet around 1,800 students a year,” she said. “We manage to create a community inside a community and we are creating change in the Israel education environment.” The organization has tripled its budget in recent years and gone from one employee to three. Zviely-Efrat said the group’s next goal is

to create a year-round LGBT-friendly history and literature curriculum for students. Although the organization has had success in reaching secular students, ZvielyEfrat hopes to broaden its audience. “The Israeli school system is separated into religious and secular. We are quite confident in our secular work and in the next few years, we hope to increase our presence in both the Jewish religious education system and the Arab education system,” she said. Zviely-Efrat also hopes to reach out to the increasing number of Russian and Ethiopian immigrants. Hoshen currently has no Ethiopian volunteers and only one Russian volunteer. “We are trying to reach new immigrants and start a dialogue with them and someday we will have enough volunteers. We are very diverse and, working in Israel, you cannot just look at Israel as a whole. Israel has many layers and we are trying to reach as many layers.” Zviely-Efrat said the stories volunteers share are not only relatable for the LGBT community but for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. “We talk about keeping secrets, feeling ashamed and feeling we have to hide any kind of identity, and these are things you don’t have to be LGBT to relate to. Talking about these kinds of issues increases the dialogue.” Telling such stories on a global level can help create a sense of community on an even broader scope, she said. “What I realized throughout the years is although we can live thousands of miles away from each other, we face the same challenges.” For more information on Hoshen, visit www.hoshen.org. ■

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Public Hearing Notice City of Philadelphia The Committee on Law and Government of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, March 10, 2014, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item:

140001

An Ordinance amending Chapter 10-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Safety,” by providing for ending the existing procedure of mandatory custodial arrests for the crime of Marijuana possession, and by requiring the reporting of the number of arrests and related information with respect to those arrested for Marijuana possession; all under certain terms and conditions.

Copies of the foregoing item are available in the Oﬃce of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall.

A MODERN CLASSIC: Ching-Yun Hu delighted audiences Feb. 22 at William Way LGBT Community Center. The concert marked Hu’s fourth fundraising engagement at the center. Hu played a diverse arrangement of classical pieces and also mixed and mingled with center supporters at a VIP reception preceding the show. Hu is the winner of the 2008 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano competition and the 2012 Golden Melody Award for Best Classical Album. Photo: Scott A. Drake

‘30 Rock’ star to take local HRC stage By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign is gearing up to host its annual gala, with some help from a popular sitcom star. The HRC Greater Philadelphia Gala will kick off at 6 p.m. March 8 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St., and will include dancing, food and music. Organizers will present the Visibility Award to NBC’s “30 Rock” actor Maulik Pauncholy. HRC vice president of policy and political affairs Tom O’Donnell will serve as keynote speaker. First-time gala co-chair Katherine Sprissler-Klein said O’Donnell will help bring in a new energy this year. “We are super excited because we have a brand-new HRC staffer delivering the message and he is from the Philadelphia area,” she said. “He knows the hometown and the issues here and he will speak on what Philly is interested in hearing.” Pauncholy, who recently came out and was named one of Out Magazine’s top 100, contacted the HRC about getting more involved with LGBT advocacy. Sprissler-Klein said celebrities such as Pauncholy are helping to improve the environment for others to come out.

“HRC is really working with celebrities at large to make sure that when they come out they feel comfortable,” she said. “That is an important message — not only for celebrity partners but for everyone. Everyone should be able to live comfortably in their community, at work and at school. Pauncholy embraces that message and came to us to ask how he could help share this message.” According to HRC Board of Governors member Jonathan Gundersen, this year’s gala will include some local flavor for attendees to enjoy. “I think every year is a little bit different because you have the unique point of view of the co-chairs who take the format that is handed down from the national organization and make it unique to each individual city,” he said. Out state Rep. Brian Sims (D-182nd Dist.) will also participate in the program, and Sprissler-Klein said there will be a performer with Philadelphia roots but said further information couldn’t yet be released. The gala will include a silent auction where attendees can bid on luxury items such as vacation stays and shopping sprees. Tickets for the event range from $125$225. For more information, visit www.hrc. org/events/entry/hrc-philadelphia-gala-dinner. ■

Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Law and Government, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed item. Michael Decker Chief Clerk

Public Hearing Notice City of Philadelphia The Joint Committees on Transportation & Public Utilities and Public Safety of the Council of the City of Philadelphia will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at 3:00 PM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item:

140028

Resolution authorizing the Joint Committees on Transportation and Public Utilities and Public Safety to hold hearings to investigate the conditions of railways, bridges and other surface transportation infrastructure owned, operated or maintained by CSX Transportation in the City of Philadelphia.

Copies of the foregoing item are available in the Oﬃce of the Chief Clerk of the Council, Room 402, City Hall. Immediately following the public hearing, a meeting of the Committee on Law and Government, open to the public, will be held to consider the action to be taken on the above listed item. Michael Decker Chief Clerk

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

251 S. 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 • (215) 735-5656

LOCAL PGN

RED HOT: Attic Youth Center members Princess (left) and BAHJA, both 17, performed TLC’s “What About Your Friends” at the fourth-annual Sweethearts and Red Hots Feb. 21 at William Way LGBT Community Center. The event was staged by The Attic’s Drag Company and raised $1,500 for the organization’s youth-leadership programming. About 150 spectators turned out for the show. Photo: Andrew Paszkiewicz

Obituary E. Huntington “Hunter” Parker, costume designer, 72 By Scott A. Drake scott@epgn.com E. Huntington “Hunter” Parker, costume designer and seamster, died Feb. 9 of metastasic lung cancer. He was 72. Parker was born in Providence, R.I., but spent the majority of his life in Philadelphia. His passion for the arts spanned decades and his true calling was that of costume designer and seamster — for large theaters, smaller troupes and individuals. He designed and oversaw costume creations for the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Walnut Street Theatre and Alvin Ailey. Longtime friends of Parker remember him as a gentle, dry-witted individual who always had a moment for friends. To anyone who knew the name Hunter, there was but one image: a congenial round face and a plaid shirt with dozens of buttons, which were given to him by friends over the years, pinned on it. It was also not uncommon to encounter him in the late-night hours after a long day of sewing, evidenced by the forgotten tape measure around his neck. One of his closest friends, Melissa Blimline-Morales, was with Parker at the end. Blimline-Morales met Parker at a party years ago and afterwards shared a cab home. “I had locked myself out and by the time someone brought keys to let me in, we were fast friends,” she said. “He would go out of his way every week to pick up a copy of PGN. When he couldn’t get it himself any longer, I brought him one every week, he enjoyed it so. He always enjoyed seeing how far [the LGBT community] had

come in the nation.” “He was truly a gifted man, passionate about the arts and knew everyone,” she added. “Hunter worked for every theater company there was to work for. He had a serious passion for dance. I remember being at a show at the Walnut Street Theatre and calling him during intermission. He told me about the stitching on the butler’s coat.” Parker is survived by sister Carol P. Helgerson, brother Robert M. Parker, Jr., two nephews, three nieces and scores of devoted friends. A private ceremony will take place in Providence in early summer. A memorial life celebration is being planned for Philadelphia. ■

LOCAL PGN

News Briefing Lesbian clemency request pending The clemency request of Lois J. Farquharson remains pending with the state Board of Pardons. In 1974, Farquharson, who is a lesbian, was convicted of murdering Leon Weingrad in Philadelphia. She’s been incarcerated for 40 years, and she’s believed to be the oldest female inmate in Pennsylvania. In December, BOP members indefinitely tabled Farquharson’s request for clemency. Jane Keller, an advocate for Farquharson, expressed hope that the BOP will revisit the matter promptly “Lois’ age is the obvious reason that the delay is simply cruel,” Keller told PGN. “She will be 89 in June. The BOP has blessedly given her reason for hope — for the first time in her 40-plus years of incarceration. But it’s left her in purgatory as she watches time slip away — knowing that even if the BOP recommends clemency, she must wait for the governor’s approval and spend a year in a halfway house.” The BOP’s next public hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 13 in Room 437 of the Main Capitol Building in Harrisburg. At presstime, the agenda items weren’t announced.

Activist appeals denial of AIDS-funding info AIDS activist Jacob P. Fyda is appealing the city’s denial of access to funding recommendations by a confidential city panel that helps allocate millions of AIDS dollars in the nine-county region. On Jan. 15, Fyda filed a state Right-toKnow law request, seeking all funding recommendations made by the city’s Resource Allocations Advisory Committee since January 2013. On Feb. 24, city attorneys denied Fyda’s request, claiming the funding recommendations aren’t available to the public. This week, Fyda appealed to the state Office of Open Records. Last year, Fyda requested the committee’s membership list. But city attorneys argued that releasing the list would violate important privacy rights. In January, a Philadelphia judge sided with the city, and Fyda didn’t appeal the judge’s ruling.

Philadelphia Gay News

New LGBT initiative kicks off A new LGBT initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will host a cocktail party from 6-8 p.m. March 5 at Valanni, 1229 Spruce St. The event is co-chaired by LGBT advocates Lynn Zeitlin and David Gold. “In addition to sharing information about Federation’s existing services and resources within the LGBT community, this gathering will help brainstorm new directions and ideas about how Federation can better serve its LGBT constituents and identify unmet needs for services,” Zeitlin said. She added: “Federation leadership has established this [LGBT] initiative to find out how much more can be done to address the needs of the LGBT Greater Philadelphia Jewish community.” Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a $36 cover charge is requested. For more information and to register, please contact Rachel Sigman at Federation, 215-832-0513 or send an email to rsigman@jfgp.org. — Timothy Cwiek

Hearing continued in murder case The case against a man accused of murdering a local transgender woman last

Jewish

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

summer remains stalled pending a psychological evaluation of the defendant. Charles Sargent, 44, is charged with the murder of Diamond Williams last summer. He has also been charged with possession of an instrument of crime and abuse of a corpse. At a Feb. 21 hearing, Municipal Court Judge James DeLeon ordered a continuance in the case until a psychological evaluation, first ordered in December, is completed. A status hearing on the case will be held at 8:30 a.m. March 21 at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St., in Room 406. Sargent is being held at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.

Giovanni’s Room program rescheduled After being postponed because of inclement weather, the Giovanni’s Room 40thanniversary program has been rescheduled to 7:30-9 p.m. March 11 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Pine St. The event will bring owners from the past and present together to share their stories of working and reading at the nation’s oldest LGBT bookstore. Last year, owner Ed Hermance announced his plan to retire and sell the bookstore, and he will provide an update about the store’s future. The event is free to the public.

Adams memorial set A memorial date has been set for late LGBT and HIV/AIDS activist Jaci Adams. Adams died Feb. 15 from complications of cancer. Her memorial will be held at 5:30 p.m. March 21 at Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany, 330 S. 13th St.

Casinos come together for marriage contest Resorts and casinos in Atlantic City will come together to celebrate marriage equality. Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Bally’s and Showboat will host Instagram contest “We Say ‘I Do’ To Love,” in which samesex couples will have the chance to win a $50,000 wedding. The package will include a ceremony and reception for 100 guests, a cocktail hour, dinner, custom cake, photographers, flowers, entertainment, accommodations and bachelor and bachelorette parties. Contestants must create a 15-second video detailing why they should win the giveaway and upload it to Instagram, tagging @Total_ AC with the hashtag #LoveIsLoveInAC. Submissions will be accepted until March 14. ■ —Angela Thomas

The LGBT Jewish Initiative of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia invites you to join us for

Cocktails & Conversation. Reception & Reﬂection. Leadership & Libation. Join fellow community members and leaders to learn how Federation is engaging and serving Philadelphia’s LGBT Jews and discover how you can get involved. Share your thoughts with us about how we can do more with greater impact. L’dor v’dor - “from generation to generation” - we begin with you, helping build the plan to make the LGBT Jewish community stronger and more involved for the next generation.

MARCH 5, 2014 | 6 - 8 PM VALANNI, 1229 Spruce Street, Philadelphia Couvert • $36 There will be no solicitation of funds at this event

For more information contact Rachel Sigman: 215.832.0513 or rsigman@jfgp.org

COMMITTEE AS OF 1.24.14 Craig Blackman | Gary Bramnick | Malcolm Lazin Joan Levin | Lee Rosenfield | David Schwartz

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Ted Cruz

Editorial

A gift of generations If you passed through the Gayborhood this week, you may have seen the rainbow-colored gift wrapping on the John C. Anderson Apartments. While the project is certainly a gift to our community, what was clear at Monday’s opening of the LGBT-friendly senior-living facility is that the decades of work and leadership from our LGBT elders have yielded gifts that our community benefits from each day. Many of the residents of the JCAA grew up and came out in a time when gay bars were raided frequently by police, and LGBT people were carted to prison for trumped-up charges that sprang solely from their being LGBT. Many LGBT gatherings were underground, with covert entrances to LGBTcentric venues. They grew up and came out in a time when homosexuality was classified by many major medical organizations as a mental disorder. Gay people were banned from becoming teachers, and investigations were launched to root out LGBT employees in government. Laws were on the books to criminalize same-sex activity. The infrastructure of the entire country was inherently anti-LGBT — not to mention how that entrenched misunderstanding and discrimination fueled personal perceptions of and reactions by family and friends to an LGBT person’s coming out. But, this generation of our community weathered those storms. Through their coming out, they began fighting discrimination on a personal level, and through their gradual community-building they began working to deconstruct the perva-

sive, endemic LGBT discrimination at the societal level. Today, our gay bars line many of Philadelphia’s streets, with rainbow flags flying proudly and large windows opening to the street. Our Pride events turn the city rainbow and make headlines — positive headlines — in print and televised mainstream news. All credible medical organizations have declassified homosexuality as a disorder and many are working to evince the damage caused by trying to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT people are employed across all fields, in schools — most of which now are home to gay-straight alliances — and in city, state and federal government. Laws guaranteeing the rights of LGBT people are gaining speed across the country. And with that rapidly building societal acceptance, LGBT people are feeling free to come out younger and younger, to increasing instances of family support. Certainly, there is tremendous work that lies ahead — the state of Arizona is proof-positive of that. But, the aboutface our country has done in the last several decades is thanks to our early pioneers. They are the ones who have made it possible for our community to be a community, and one that is vibrant, successful and full of possibility. JCAA is certainly a gift that will be treasured by our community for years to come. But it’s the courageous contributions of the men and women who walk its halls that granted the gift of freedom to LGBT generations to come. For that, we thank you. ■

America is a tough place for sensitive men. Crying is forbidden unless a guy wants to be seen as some kind of fag. But there are a few select places where guys can get a pass if they shed a few tears. Weddings, for example. Everybody cries at weddings: men, women, babies (although the babies usually cry because, well, that’s what babies do and they’d do it anywhere regardless of whether or not everlasting love and commitment were being promised between two people. Still). Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is no exception. He’s not afraid to declare publically that he “weeps” at weddings. And that would be totally commendable if those were happy tears, but the weeping Cruz is copping to is a result of his sadness that gay couples are finally starting to get treated like equals in this country. In a Feb. 13 interview with professional homophobe Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Cruz expressed his dismay that marriage equality has been winning over and over again in the courts. “Our heart weeps for the damage to traditional marriage that has been done,” he told Perkins. First I’d like to make note of Cruz’s use of “our heart,” rather than “our hearts” or even “my heart.” It’s a subtle slip, but it allows a glimpse into the little-known fact that Tea Partiers like Cruz share one heart between them. After all, one doesn’t have to be well-versed in Tea Party policies to see that their ideology really requires no heart at all. Secondly, the fact that Cruz is crying over the “damage” samesex couples have done to the institution of marriage, damage that exists only in Cruz’s antigay fantasies, is indicative of the fact that Cruz not only lacks a heart, but a brain as well. Cruz then goes on to regale Perkins with anti-marriage-equality talking points. “You and I both know that the best environment for a child to be raised in is a loving home with a mother and father and a strong marriage that is the foundation for that family, for the community, for the church,” Cruz said. And he’s right, to a point. The best environment for children is, indeed, a loving home with two parents. But no credible research has shown that those parents have to be of the opposite sex or that the children of same-sex parents are harmed in any way. Additionally, I agree with Cruz that

strong marriages play an important foundational role in society. But again, marriage doesn’t depend on one penis and one vagina for strength. “We’re seeing that marriage is under attack,” Cruz continued. “We need to stand up, I believe, and defend traditional marriage and especially do everything we can to prevent the federal government from forcing a different definition of marriage that’s contrary to the views of the citizens of each state.” And Cruz has just the plan to keep those dastardly homos from getting their cooties all over marriage. On the day before Valentine’s Day for fucksake, Cruz introduced the State Marriage Defense Act, which seeks to invalidate the federal recognition of samesex marriages if those couples dare cross state lines into a state that bans their unions. For example, my wife and I live in Michigan, where our marriage is not recognized by the state. But since we were legally married in California, our marriage is recognized by the federal government regardless of where we live. Cruz wants to strip federal recognition of our marriage, essentially unmarrying us simply because our marriage makes him weep. As my grandma used to say, “Quit crying or I’ll give you something to cry about.” And, thankfully, marriage equality is winning this battle, so I don’t expect him to stop crying any time soon. ■

Cruz introduced the State Marriage Defense Act Feb. 13, which seeks to invalidate the federal recognition of same-sex marriages if those couples dare cross state lines into a state that bans their unions.

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

OP-ED PGN

Pride in being pushy At the ribbon-cutting of the John C. were all about being pushy to create what Anderson LGBT-friendly senior apartis today known as the LGBT community. ments Monday, former Gov. Ed Rendell, With us Monday were Jim Fouratt, Mark in a very warm-hearted way, called me a Horn, Michael Levery and Sue Silverman. pain in the ass. No, Ed, what I really am But the following day at lunch with my is a pushy Jew faggot (well, that’s what cousins, they told me stories of how what people used to say to put me their cousin was doing in the down, but in reality I took it as ’60s and ’70s had affected their a statement of just who I am). I lives. My cousin Ilene explained am that pushy Jew faggot. But that her husband was introduced today, as the publisher of the to me when he saw me arrested nation’s most awarded newspaon TV, and then he would tell per for the LGBT community, his friends at work about his as a member of Comcast Joint future cousin and they would be enlightened about LGBT issues. Diversity Council, as a board But it went even further. Cousin member of the Pennsylvania Ilene’s house soon became one News Media Association, the Philadelphia International where her children’s friends Airport Board and so much could be out. In the 1970s, there more, people can’t say that. So were few places for our LGBT they just say I’m a pain in the youth. And, to the chagrin of her ass. children, their friends coming to But Ed was kind enough to Mark Segal her house always got safe-sex add, “There has to be someinformation. one pushing to get the vision completed.” Many of us in the early LGBT struggle He’s right, and the proof of that was right either lost the support of their families or in front of us in the audience. And as I they had little time for their families. I was looked in the audience, I saw my fellow the latter, and I’ve always felt a little guilty pioneers, each of whom was at one time about it. Earlier this week, my nephew, or another called pushy — some simply who is like a son, wrote me an email that because they marched with a sign outside said just that. I’ll paraphrase: “While we of Independence Hall each Fourth of July always don’t have enough time, yesterday from 1965-69 with slogans like “Equality at the ceremony made me proud and I now for homosexuals.” In 1965, that was pushy know what I want to do.” and brave. We had four of those brave men The wealth of family is almost too emotional for me to grasp. There’s my brothers and women with us Monday for the ribbon-cutting. Please remember their names: and sisters from the past, my cousins, and Ada Bello, John James, William Kelly and then there is my new family, those living Randy Wicker. in the John C. Anderson senior apartments. Then there were my fellow Gay Could anyone be more rich? ■ Liberation Front and Gay Youth sisters and Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s brothers. We sort of changed the direction of the LGBT struggle for equality in most-award-winning commentator in LGBT 1969. We were not asking for equality; we media. He can be reached at mark@epgn. com. were in-your-face out LGBT people who

Mark My Words

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.

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

Op-Ed

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Street Talk How many countries do you think criminalize LGBT relations? [Answer is 77.] “Twenty-five countries. I’m thinking about India, Africa and the Middle East. I’m assuming Europe and North Patrick Hatfield and South bartender America Queen Village are more enlightened. They pretty much have a live-and-let-live attitude.”

“I have no idea. It seems like more than a handful, but not the whole world. I will guess it has to be Helen Horstmann a quarter computer programmer of the world Queen Village that still makes same-sex relations a criminal act.”

“Between 10 and 20 countries. I’m hoping it’s not more. Ideally, it would be zero but I’m realistic enough to Jay Lippe know it’s a cook significant Queen Village number. It’s ridiculous to criminalize people for behavior that’s nobody’s business but theirs.”

“Twohundred countries. A lot of people are closeminded and ignorant. We only hear about LGBT Karlee Markarian issues in dance teacher our area. West Philadelphia We don’t realize what’s going on in other parts of the world. Pockets of Philadelphia are very accepting of the LGBT community but it’s not like that everywhere else.”

Brian Cahill

An open letter to Gov. Corbett Dear Gov. Corbett, In deference to your analogy last October, my sister has agreed to marry me next month with the full knowledge that I will in turn marry my niece in May. Each of these events will fall well within the law, though their descriptions are purposely misleading to reflect your comment equating incest to gay marriage. You see, I will conduct the ceremony for the marriage of my niece and my future nephew-in-law in Vermont. My sister will conduct the ceremony for my partner and me in Delaware. We will hold our reception in Philadelphia where we live. Both my niece and I can be legally wed in Vermont to our prospective partners, but only she can be in Pennsylvania. She was 12 when I met my partner 15 years

ago, and has known him as her uncle all this time. Upon buying a house together then, I have considered us uncommonoutlaw married. What’s more absurd than that term is that reality. In case you haven’t kept tabs, Pennsylvania is the only Northeastern state without gay marriage. Even Virginia and Kentucky have struck down bans on gay marriage. Kentucky! Kind of takes the punch out of referring to my home state as Pennsyltucky. Your shift in support of banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations demonstrates a compassion that should logically extend toward marriage. My niece will not suddenly dismiss her boyfriend and marry a woman in Vermont as a result of my ability to marry my

same-sex partner. Her twin brother is gay and cannot marry a man of his choosing. How are these twins not equal under the law? I would very much like to be married in the state in which I was born and have lived my whole life, nearly half a century. Won’t you please come down on the right side of history before March 15, and let me be wed here in the City of Brotherly Love? Thank you and best regards, Brian J. Cahill Brian Cahill is the Premium Finance Manager for Aon Risk Solutions’ Northeast region.

PARENTING PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

New book about gender-nonconforming child adds to growing genre A new picture book by Sarah respond. Ultimately, Bailey finds and Ian Hoffman, “Jacob’s New comfort in a new friend who Dress” (Albert Whitman, 2014), shares the same fashion love. is a welcome addition to the Despite the happy outcome, the small but growing number of negativity of the family bothers me, even if it unfortunately books for and about gender-nonconforming and transreflects some real gender children. families. Parents reading the book with their The authors, a wife children should be and husband who have prepared to discuss a gender-nonconforming child themwhy Bailey’s family selves, tell the story might have responded of a young boy who as they did. (Ewert told me in an interfirst wants to wear a dress and be a prinview in 2009 that he cess during dress-up envisions Bailey’s partime in school. He ents eventually comlater wants to wear a ing around — so that’s dress to school as his one angle for converregular outfit. Despite Dana Rudolph sation.) the teasing of one In “Jacob’s New classmate, he finds support in Dress,” however, Jacob’s parents his parents, teacher and a friend. (and teacher) are much more Energetic illustrations by Chris supportive of his desire to wear Case enliven the warmly told tale. dresses, perhaps reflecting a growing awareness and accepThe book invites comparitance of gender nonconforming sons to Marcus Ewert’s “10,000 Dresses” (2009) and Cheryl children even in the few short Kilodavis’ “My Princess Boy” years since “10,000 Dresses.” The (2010), which also show children one classmate who teases Jacob seems realistic, alas — but so do who are viewed as boys but want the many more who support him. to wear dresses. Each book takes Another difference between a somewhat different approach, the books is that Bailey is clearly however. transgender, stating, “I don’t feel In “10,000 Dresses,” a child like a boy.” Jacob expresses no named Bailey dreams of having beautiful, magical dresses. “Boys such sentiment. Jacob’s mom even tells him, “There are all don’t wear dresses,” Bailey’s sorts of ways to be a boy” — a mother, father and brother

Mombian

reassuring statement if he indeed identifies as one, but leaving no space for the possibility that he doesn’t. That’s less a criticism than a heads-up, so that families can seek out either or both books as feels right for them. “My Princess Boy” is more similar to “Jacob’s New Dress” in that the child in question is a gender-nonconforming boy, not a transgender girl. “My Princess Boy,” however, is more of an extended poem by a parent about her/his child, a series of scenes from the child’s life with little plot (and oddly faceless drawings). “Jacob’s New Dress” and “10,000 Dresses,” in contrast, are told from the child’s perspective and have a more traditional story arc, with suspense building over whether Jacob and Bailey will indeed find ways to dress as they wish. As a gentle poem of love about a gender-nonconforming child, “My Princess Boy” has merit, but may not engage children in the way the other books do. Two other related recent picture books are the colorful, fantastical tales by S. Bear Bergman. “Backwards Day” (2012) tells of the planet Tenalp, where a child named Andrea waits eagerly every year for the day when girls turn into boys and vice-versa. One year, however, Andrea doesn’t change — until

the next day, when she, now he, doesn’t change back. His parents take him to consult with the Backwardologists, who help the family understand what’s happening. “The Adventures of Tulip, Birthday Wish Fairy” (2012) follows the eponymous character who grants wishes to all the 9-year-olds in North America. When Tulip encounters a child named David who wishes to live as Daniela, a request he’s never had before, he asks the Wish Fairy Captain for advice. Both stories are told with humor and whimsy as well as understanding and compassion. Tulip seems to me a little wordy for the picture-book age range, while at the same time, 9-yearolds are mostly beyond picture books, but that may depend on the particular child reading it. A simpler and slightly older picture book about gender nonconformity is Andrea U’ren’s “Pugdog” (2001), about a dog whose owner thinks he is male — only to find out from the vet that Pugdog is biologically female. The owner then tries to “feminize” Pugdog with a grooming makeover and ribbons in lieu of a spiked collar — but Pugdog reverts to romping and mud-rolling and the owner realizes his mistake. The book is now unfortunately out of print, but is avail-

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able in limited quantity through online booksellers. Some local libraries may also have it. Even older is Munro Leaf’s 1936 classic “The Story of Ferdinand,” which tells of a peace-loving, flower-sniffing bull. The gender message is much more subtle — it is a story about non-violence as much as gender — but it proves that children’s books showing gender nonconformity have a longer history than we might think. We still need more such books, showing gender-nonconforming and transgender children across the spectrum as they encounter the challenges and delights of today’s world and explore the many ways of expressing gender that go beyond just wearing a dress (or not). Even cisgender kids who mostly conform to one gender will likely benefit from knowing that the bounds of gender are not as restrictive as might appear. “Jacob’s New Dress” seems the most positive, engaging and straightforward of the recent lot — but each book, like each child, adds its own perspective to the whole. ■ Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian. com), an award-winning blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

The Bazemore Gallery is excited to share our space and love of art with the community. Our gallery design is based on our intuitive perception of the ﬁve elements of feng shui. The art on our walls is food for the soul. We aim to sell our paintings to new and seasoned collectors, interior designers purchasing for their clientele and buyers for corporate collections. The Bazemeore Gallery is a boutique art gallery. We are proud to be located in the historic section of Manayunk, Philadelphia.

4339 Main Street • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19127 215.482.1119 • www.thebazemoregallery.com

HEALTH PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Looking to our youth LEADers safety of students, they responded, “We do not need saving, we are saving the world.” It is that kind of youth leadership that is at the core of Mazzoni Center’s Ally Safe Schools Program. Most of us are aware that this school Since 1998, the Ally year started with 23 fewer public schools in the Philadelphia Safe Schools Program has been district, as compared with working with students, teachers, parents and administralast year. The large number of school closings forced thoutors in the Philadelphia Public sands of students across the city School District. The objective to enroll at new schools in new is to help create safer, more neighborhoods, often much farwelcoming and more inclusive climates for LGBTQ youth, ther from their homes. This has raised serious concerns about who are by far the most frestudents’ safety and well-being. quently targeted by bullying For LGBTQ youth, who are in schools. The Ally program already among the most vulnerworks to help establish and able and the most frequent tarcoordinate gay-straight alliances in middle and high gets of bullying and violence, throughout the city, and the situation was especially Louie Ortiz schools also provides in-school trainfrightening. This has been the ings for students, teachers and dominant narrative around the state of Philadelphia public schools. While staff. Last year the Ally team worked with 56 active GSAs at middle schools and it does in fact remain a conversation that high schools in the Philadelphia School must continue, we also should be introducing a narrative that speaks to the power District and hosted seven citywide GSA and wonder of young people. meetings, which brought dozens of students from the city and surrounding areas Last month, two members of our together for networking, collaboration and Student LEADership Board facilitated a friendship. training on “Creating Safer Spaces” for Given the School District of teachers at their school. Imagine that! Students reminding us all that, while some Philadelphia’s current state, it is imperative that we work to ensure that all youth resources are dwindling in schools, youth have access to resources that not only are in fact our greatest resource! When enhance their education, but also their asked how they felt training the teachers who are charged with maintaining the personal development. We know that stu“For queer people, our first act of resistance is choosing to stay alive.”— Geoffrey Winder

On Being Well

dents who were forced to change schools have faced difficulties and challenges during the transition — and many continue to express concerns about their physical safety, as they navigate new school environments without GSA/QSAs. We know that the most vulnerable youth are the most likely to be impacted by violence and bullying. We need to create safe spaces for students to express their concerns, feel affirmed in their power and gain the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the troubled waters of the education system. It is also essential to reinforce that being an Ally means not simply creating a safe space for LGBTQ students, but leading others to celebrate diversity in all forms, through nonviolent interactions. To that end, in the past six months, we have worked directly with more than 20 GSA/ QSAs to support the great work of students and teachers. One way Mazzoni Center works to provide such a space is through the annual LEAD conference, which will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 1 at Science Leadership Academy, 55 N. 22nd St. Organized by students, LEAD is aimed at any high-school student who is currently involved or interested in becoming involved in a GSA at his or her school. In addition to students, their family members, teachers and school faculty are invited to attend. This free, daylong event will include interactive workshops for youth and adults, raffles and giveaways for

youth and an exciting performance from our Ally Drag Revue hosted by legendary Icon Ebony Fierce. The workshops presented at LEAD are not only designed for students, they are facilitated by the youth themselves. This provides a great opportunity for young people and their allies to network, build relationships and develop strategies to create safer schools and stronger GSAs. All high-school students, young people, teachers, parents, GSA leaders, community members and allies are invited to attend. We believe the young people who are facilitating and participating in this event are extraordinary — that’s why we call them LEADers. Being a LEADer takes a lot of work, and it is also important to celebrate the incremental steps towards progress. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all LEAD attendees, and we’ll have snacks available throughout the day. We will also have SEPTA tokens to cover transportation for middle- and high-school students. The only thing missing from LEAD is you and your youth! If you’re a student, a teacher or family member who wants to advocate for the young people in your life, please call us at 215-563-0652 ext. 251 to register today. We look forward to a powerful day filled with passion, fun and transformation. ■ Louie Ortiz is Mazzoni Center’s education manager. For more information, visit www. mazzonicenter.org or call 215-563-0652.

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PGN

Work it Out

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Sharon Hershman

Saving the endangered species of children who know how to play In the “old days,” a column about kids’ fitness in a gay newspaper would seem odd, to say the least. But, because of adoption and surrogacy, many in the LGBT community now have children. Maybe same-sex marriage hasn’t arrived in Pennsylvania, but all around us lots of same-sex couples are suddenly faced with the challenges of raising happy and healthy children, which means they are parents who want healthy activities for their young children. In a time when more Americans are obese than in any other country, and Philadelphia is one of the fattest cities in America, it’s important to get young children into healthy habits of eating right and exercising. When we were children, we would play outside with the neighborhood kids. We would meet on the corner with our bikes, decked out with playing cards, and round up the whole gang for a day of fun. We’d go to the local pools every day in the summer or, if we happened to live outside the city, hike through the woods, building forts and storming other kids’ forts. Activity facilities for kids are popping up all over Philadelphia and now they’re making the most of our dollars. Philadelphia’s Kids On 12th was the first activity club in Philadelphia to provide multiple choices of

activities in one space for children of many ages. Now activity clubs can be found in many Philadelphia neighborhoods, many offering several activities under one roof. They’re all expanding to bigger and better facilities with more space, more expensive equipment, gymnastic floors, one-way mirrors and parent cafés. But what’s best for the kids? The best fitness formula for children today is, and has always been, balance, safety and fun! Fitness should never be work for a child. The age-old rule is true: Children won’t do it if it isn’t fun! And remember: Besides health and fitness, play has countless social and emotional benefits. With parents or teachers always nearby, children never need to solve their own problems. They have consistently busy schedules and spend most of their days either at school or at camp. Kids don’t feel the need to be creative because the adult will direct the activity for them and they don’t learn social skills. Leadership, cooperation, self-confidence, empathy and friendship are all naturally learned through play. When looking for childcare for either a preschooler or elementary school-aged child, a parent needs to consider: Is there convenience of hours, location, flexibility of time and schedule changes? Is the facility clean

and well-maintained, not necessarily with expensive equipment and loads of bells and whistles? Do you like the staff and the director? What are the safety rules and do the children understand the rules? What is the play-to-structure ratio? For busy parents with hyperactive schedules, finding active play opportunities with other kids is sometimes a major-league challenge. I took my kids to gym classes where they had to walk like cheetahs and slither like snakes and fly like an alligator — their imaginations got to play along with their young bodies! Sadly, I’ve been to art classes where children had to draw a face with perfect dimensions, regardless of how they saw the face from their own perspective. Even at the playground there was a group of concerned mothers telling them to go down the slide

slowly, don’t climb up or down the monkey bars, don’t jump from the top and then giving me sideways glances as if to say, “What kind of mother are you to let your children play like that?” This is why I opened Kids On 12th, so kids can jump, play and learn safely, with enthusiasm and creativity every day. At Kids On 12th, we are truly committed to saving the endangered species of children who know how to play! ■ Forerunners of kids’ fitness in the metro area, Kids On 12th opened its doors seven years ago in the 12th Street Gym Complex. Today, Kids On 12th helps children (and their parents!) enjoy the benefits of quality kids’ fitness with activities as far-ranging as swim club, trampoline fitness and arts and crafts. Find out more at kidson12th.com.

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between Feb. 10-16. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). Follow the 6th District on Twitter @PPDBrianKorn. INCIDENTS — At 4:30 p.m. Feb. 14, a man was shoveling snow outside his residence in the 300 block of South Iseminger Street when a male asked for money. The resident took a dollar out of his wallet and the male grabbed the wallet, stole $20 and fled north. The suspect was described as a 45-year-old black male, 5-foot-10, with a dark complexion and wearing a brown coat. — At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 (reported 8:25 p.m. to the Third District), a man was descending the stairs to the Broad Street Subway at Broad and Locust streets when a male grabbed him and stole his wallet. The suspect was described as a black male, 25-35, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-11, with a medium complexion and wearing a gray jacket. — At 2:30 a.m. Feb. 15, a complainant, after meeting a man at a local bar, went back to

the male’s apartment in the 1200 block of Spruce Street, where the resident punched and threatened the visitor with a knife. The complainant escaped and called police, who went to the apartment but didn’t find the suspect. The suspect was described as a 27-year-old white male, 5-foot-8, wearing a hoodie and jeans. — Between 8 p.m. Feb. 11 and 10:30 a.m. Feb. 12, someone removed the door hinges at Go Popcorn, 112 S. 12th St., and stole cash from the register. Contractors fixed the door before the report was made to police. — At 10:35 a.m. Feb. 16, a group of teenage males entered the Dunkin’ Donuts at 11 N. Juniper St. and one of the males stole a cup of Munchkins from the counter. An employee chased the males to Commerce Street, where the culprit threw the cup of Munchkins at the employee and then displayed a handgun and walked away. The suspect was described as a black male, 1516, 5-foot-11, thin, wearing a black hoodie, a backpack and black sweatpants. He was in the company of five or six other teenage black males. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 9:10 p.m. Feb. 14, Sixth District Officers Ferrero and Grant arrested a male outside 201 S. 13th St. who was wanted on a warrant for probation violations. The 51year-old suspect with a Juniata Park address was charged with escape. ■

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NEWS PGN

GRADUAL GROWTH: This series depicts the JCAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress over the last yearand-a-half. Groundbreaking was originally slated for Oct. 29, 2012 but was delayed because of Hurricane Sandy. Construction workers spent months building the frame and a topping-off ceremony was held in June, followed by tours with city, state and federal officials. Residents began moving in in early January. Photos: Scott A. Drake

NEWS PGN

ANDERSON from page 1

for the betterment of society,” Anderson said. “There is a cadre of Andersons looking down from their resting place along with John saying, ‘You go, Philadelphia. Show your love.’” Nutter noted that John Anderson was his inspiration to enter politics and said he keeps one of his campaign posters framed in his office. “If my name is ever printed in the same sentence as the late John C. Anderson, I will know that I did maybe 1 percent of the great things he did for this city,” Nutter said. Rendell commended Segal’s perseverance in seeing the project to fruition, and said he thinks JCAA will serve as a model throughout the nation. “I think you will see similar buildings in the LGBT community all over the country,” he said. “Mark set his mind to this and people told him it could never be done, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer.” ■

A GROUNDBREAKING DAY: (Above) Mayor Michael Nutter toured the JCAA Monday with dmhFund president Mark Segal, with a stop at the portrait of John C. Anderson in the building’s lobby. The building was wrapped in a rainbow ribbon for the occasion, which drew a sea of elected officials, many of whom participated in the symbolic doorbellringing to officially open the building. Photos: Scott A. Drake

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SOUL from page 1

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formed an LGBT advisory board, which has been meeting monthly to plan the event since the fall. The team has nine home games, and Adams said organizers made sure to pick a game for LGBTawareness night that will be nationally televised — it will be broadcast on CBS — to ensure maximum visibility. “My co-owners and I are so proud to bring this special LGBT professional-football game to Philadelphia and a national TV audience, with a message of openness and pride,” DeNicola said. The Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League will play an exhibition game on the field prior to kickoff, and the Soul is working on a networking event with LGBT chamber of commerce Independence Business Alliance. The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will sing the National Anthem to start the game. Players will all have rainbow colors incorporated into their uniforms that night, and the giveaway of the night will be 3,000 colored rally towels — with each section receiving a different color to form a rainbow around the arena. “There’s going to be a fantastic presence, and it’ll be very noticeable when you walk into the arena that night that it’s LGBT-awareness night,” Adams said. About 9,000 spectators usually turn out for Soul games. Homophobia in sports has been a hot topic lately, with athletes like Jason Collins and Michael Sam recently coming out, and Adams said the team is eager to do its part to make LGBT people feel more welcomed in sports communities. “We’re going to be telling our kids in 10-15 years that it used to be a big deal when people had to come out and tell people they were gay or that professional athletes didn’t tell anyone because they were afraid it would hurt their career, perceptions of them or how they were treated in the locker room. It’s crazy, but we’re living that history now,” Adams said. “In a few years, it won’t be a big deal but we can’t forget the challenges and issues that will come as part of getting to that point. We want to be a part of the process of getting rid of that stigma.” Any community organizations or members interested in becoming involved in the planning process for “OUT with the Soul” can email Adams at jadams@philadelphiasoul.com. For more information, visit www.philadelphiasoul.com. ■

NEWS PGN NEPA from page 1

northeastern region of the state, and Dawe said supporters he has encountered at such outings have been asking for a more sustainable space to fill a needed gap in the area. “We are the one organization that puts on the Pride events and people say it is wonderful but they would ask, ‘What about the other 364 days of the year?’ So our mission was to find a location, renovate it and then put programming into place.” The center is in Wilkes-Barre, 1174 Highway 315 Fox Ridge Plaza in an approximately 1,500-square-foot space. It will be staffed by one employee and supported by 10 volunteers. Funding has come primarily from grants and sponsors, including the Diversity Partnership Fund of Luzerne Foundation, The Woodlands Inn, Canada Dry Royal Crown of Scranton, Raymour & Flanigan Furniture and proceeds from PrideFest. Community members also donated money to create the center, and a community member is renting the space to the organization, which put a good deal of work into upgrading it. “We didn’t do anything as grandiose as tear down walls but the space hadn’t been used in three or four years,” Dawe said. “It had some water damage and the carpet had to be cleaned.” The center also received a generous donation of furniture from community members and from Raymour & Flanigan. “We had generous donations of chairs, desks and tables — all because different members of the community see this as the next logical step in the evolution of the LGBT community in Northeastern Pennsylvania.” Dawe said the center will have a slow start and only be open when certain programs operate. Programs include discussion groups for both youth and adults, a book club and film screenings. The organization will also partner with area agencies to stage other programming. “If there is a program out there that the LGBT community needs, we will find that organization and bring them into the center,” Dawe said. “We partner with an organization called Caring Communities and they come here one or two days a month and they do HIV/AIDS testing. We are not going to do testing as an organization, but we have partnerships in place to do that. The center makes it possible to bring that all under one roof.” Because the LGBT community is spread throughout the rural areas of NEPA, Dawe said it’s important to have one central location for the community to gather for support. “It’s all about building a local community,” he said. “You certainly could go for a support group and drive three hours to Philly or two-and-a-half hours to New York City. Are you going to? Probably not? But we know people do it. We needed that location where people can go and find others.” For more information, visit www. gaynepa.com. ■

Media Trail Ariz. treasurer urges veto of antigay bill The Arizona Daily Sun reports Arizona State Treasurer Doug Ducey, who is running for governor, says a bill allowing business owners to refuse to serve gays by citing their religious beliefs should be vetoed. The Republican said Feb. 21 that he would try to create some kind of consensus legislation to protect religious liberty but that the current bill goes too far. The legislation currently awaits a signature, or veto, from Republican Gov. Jan Brewer. The state House passed the bill last week, following Senate approval. It stipulates that business owners can turn away customers based on their “sincerely held” religious beliefs, which critics say is targeted primarily at LGBT people. The bill drew sharp backlash across the nation in the past week.

Ore. won’t defend gaymarriage ban According to Oregon’s Register-Guard, the state’s attorney general will not defend Oregon’s ban on gay marriage, joining fellow Democrat attorneys general in at least five other U.S. states who have made similar decisions. In documents filed in federal court Feb. 20, Ellen Rosenblum argued Oregon’s ban cannot withstand a federal constitutional challenge. Her decision comes less than one month after a federal judge decided to consolidate two lawsuits alleging the West Coast state’s ban violates the U.S. Constitution. Attorneys filed the first lawsuit in October on behalf of two women who have been in

Bendi 

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

a relationship for more than 30 years and another couple who sought to have their union recognized in Oregon. The American Civil Liberties Union then filed a lawsuit two months later on behalf of two same-sex couples. The first suit argued that limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples violates the due-process and equal-protection rights of same-sex couples. “Oregon law treats similarly situated people differently without legal justification by providing civil marriage to heterosexual couples but not to gay and lesbian couples,” the suit alleged. Last year, Rosenblum signed on to U.S. Supreme Court briefs, arguing it was unconstitutional to deny gays the right to marry. Nationally, attorneys general in five states (Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois and Nevada) have declined to defend samesex marriage bans against lawsuits filed by gay couples, while a sixth, in New Mexico, challenged longstanding legal interpretations that said such unions were impermissible there. The legal landscape in the United States for marriage equality has rapidly shifted in recent years. In a movement that began in 2004 and gained momentum over the past year, 17 states plus Washington, D.C., now allow gay marriage. Most are clustered in the Northeast. The Democrat running for Colorado attorney general called on the current Republican officeholder to stop defending the state’s prohibition. And in Texas, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis demanded that her likely Republican opponent, Attorney General Greg Abbott, do the same. Conservatives have accused them of shirking their sworn responsibility. They say attorneys general, as the top lawyers for their states, are supposed to represent their client, the state, regardless of personal beliefs. But the attorneys general say the legal case against gay marriage is crumbling and that it would be improper for them to argue positions they have concluded are clearly unconstitutional. ■

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PGN FEATURE

AC ul t ure

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

rts

PAGE 34

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

Page Page Page Page Page Page Page

33 37 35 40 38 31 39

JORDAN RODNIZKI (IN RED, BOTTOM CENTER) AND MEMBERS OF PENN’S MASK AND WIG CLUB IN “WISHFUL SINKING”

All-male theater group heads out to sea with new show By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The Mask and Wig Club celebrates 126 years of musical comedy with its new production, “Wishful Sinking,” through April 4 at the Mask and Wig Clubhouse. Launched in 1888, Mask and Wig started with a small group of Penn undergraduates who were interested in the stage but wanted to do something different, much like the students who attend the college today. Jordan Rodnizki, currently a sophomore

at Penn, was looking for just such a group. “I’m a theater major at Penn and I’m actually one of the few in the company,” he said. “When looking at Penn, I saw that the best musical-theater experience that the university offered was the Mask and Wig experience, which produced an all-original, two-act musical comedy that was written every single year. Most people don’t know about Mask and Wig before going to college but I definitely did my research and knew that was what I wanted to do.” Andres Martinez, currently a junior at

Penn, said Mask and Wig got his attention because it was the theater group with the most challenging auditions. “They only accepted six members that year,” he said. “The other groups accepted a lot more people and weren’t as challenging. This group had a lot of history and talent and was a comfortable environment for me to be in.” Mask and Wig upholds the traditions the club had when it started, producing comedies written by Penn undergrads, where all the roles, regardless of gender, are played

by men. “It’s a very long-standing tradition,” Rodnizki said. “It stems from this idea that, in Elizabethan comedies in the 1600s, men always played women. In the theatrical history of the University of Pennsylvania, people who wanted to do classical Greek tragedy studied in the Classics Department, and people who wanted to do Shakespeare studied in the English Department. There was no avenue for the vaudevillian theater that was popular at that time, and Mask and Wig provided that PAGE 30

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

FEATURE PGN

MASK AND WIG from page 29

opportunity. At that time, women weren’t allowed to attend the university, it being the late 19th century. So men got to do the typical vaudevillian troups, which involved playing women as well. We’ve kept that tradition going with growing questions of whether or not that is politically correct in today’s climate. There was an organization that was created in the 1970s that was a female response to Mask and Wig, which is known as Bloomers. Today we have an amazing relationship with them and work together in different capacities.” This year’s production, “Wishful Sinking,” takes place aboard a cruise ship, and the passengers realize that all is not ship-shape. Rodnizki plays Ellie, who is in a love triangle with the protagonist. “Ellie is the romantic leading lady in this story,” he said. “She is the Broadway star of the show that is being performed on the ship. My story is, three years ago I was engaged to be married to this gentleman and mysteriously I vanished with no trace. Bryan is coming with his new wife, Kym, on his honeymoon and sees that I am the Broadway star on this ship and the romance is rekindled. Will he break up his relationship or will he continue with his newlywed happiness? It’s a devilish, diva-ish role but, at the same time, we find out that Kym might not be who she says she is. I enjoy playing the multifaceted role that allows me to be a criminal and a diva, but as well be

MEMBERS OF THE MASK AND WIG CLUB GET THEIR PIRATE ON

a kind-hearted woman on the inside and to really explore the different emotions of this character.” Martinez plays Fabrizio, who is the catalyst for Bryan’s transformation. “He’s a salesman,” Martinez said. “It’s kind of a pun character. He comes to save the lead character of the show who keeps getting beat up by his wife. At the end of the show, I have a number urging Brian to man up and stand up against his wife. That leads to making Brian the hero at the end of the show.” Both Rodnizki and Martinez said that the humor of the show doesn’t hinge upon

some of the performers being in drag. “We definitely avoid using cross-dressing as the crux of the humor,” Rodnizki said. “Instead, we flesh out the multifaceted female characters that are just another part of the topical pop-culture humor. We really don’t use the appropriation of women as part of the humor in our production. We think we are smarter than that.” “We have been so used to performing as girls in drag in Mask and Wig, so for us it’s a matter of not making it campy or that being in drag is a joke,” Martinez added. “We strive to look as much like girls as possible and emulate feminine moves and

walks. You have to shave your beard and chest hair. For us, it’s not out of this world. We don’t make it campy or offensive. Of course there is humor is us playing girls, but internally we really get inside the character and try to act as the character would, without caring about gender.” Both also said that audiences, gay and straight, will enjoy “Wishful Sinking.” “For a mainstream audience, they enjoy the hip references and topical humor, where a gay audience would appreciate the classical humor that we have,” Rodnizki said. “There are lots of influences from oldtime musical theater. As a gay member of the company, it’s fun to see my collegiate bawdy humor exercised on one end but, at the same time, the more Patti Lupone divaish classical-theater side as well. All audiences can get something wonderful out of this production.” “I don’t think we do anything that is offensive,” Martinez added. “My friends who are mostly LGBT or allies absolutely love the show. There is nothing that wouldn’t be appealing to them. It’s just a night of entertainment. We care about performing and theater. We are committed. There are no ulterior motives or message that wouldn’t be appealing to an audience.” ■ Mask and Wig presents “Wishful Sinking” through April 4 at Mask and Wig Clubhouse, 310 S. Quince St. For more information or tickets, visit www.maskandwig.com.

In celebration of love and equality, PGN presents

the LGBT Wedding Issue - March 7, 2014. This issue will cover the ins and outs of getting hitched not just the legal logistics of pursuing a formal marriage or civil union all around our region, but planning tips for making your big day exactly as memorable and unique as you want it to be.

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TRAVEL PGN

Lancaster: Fusion of country charm and city chic By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com If the town of Lancaster conjures images of rolling hills and horse and buggies, you have the right picture. But just beyond the bucolic countryside is the city of Lancaster, a chic yet quaint urban enclave rife with restaurants, nightlife, boutique shopping and LGBT-friendliness. While the wider Lancaster County encompasses Amish culture that is certainly worth checking out, the city itself defies outsider conceptions of Lancaster, and boasts an abundance of offerings for LGBT travelers. Downtown Lancaster is definitely different from downtown Philadelphia, but the difference is what makes the city such a standout. While Philly streets are shadowed by skyscrapers and big-name businesses, Lancaster thrives from its quaint, occasionally cobblestoned streets lined with rowhomes and brownstones, and peppered with more than 300 boutiques and businesses — from art galleries to vegan eateries to vintage thrift stores galore. While Lancaster could be a day-trip visit, there’s so much to see and do in the city and the surrounding area that it makes a perfect weekend getaway. On a recent trip to Lancaster, we stayed at King’s Cottage (kingscottagebb.com), an eight-room bed and breakfast rich with both historic charm and modern luxury. Built in 1913, King’s Cottage is a sprawling establishment, with hardwood floors throughout and stained-glass windows that harken so vividly to turn of the century that King’s Cottage has been honored for the quality of its historic preservation; the venue is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America and Mobil-Excellent. Guests are invited to make themselves at home in the first-floor common areas, which include a living room adorned with plush sofas and an airy Florida room, where midday snacks are served and which offers ample space to enjoy a quiet read. A wide, centrally located staircase leads to the seven guest rooms situated in the main house; an adjacent Carriage House is also utilized for guests looking for added privacy and romance. All rooms include televisions, DVD players and access to free WiFi — but a true B&B experience, especially at King’s Cottage, can be best appreciated by disconnecting. Most rooms have ensuite bathrooms, and those that are separated are non-shared. All rooms have their own fireplaces, and several offer Jacuzzi baths, such as the Princess Room, whose oversized whirpool tub is as impressive in size as it is in its capacity for immediate relaxation. The Princess Room also opens onto a balcony where guests can enjoy morning coffee

or evening wine overlooking the B&B’s grounds. Supporting and enhancing the cozy atmosphere conveyed at King’s Cottage are innkeepers Ann Willets and Janis Kutterer, who, with dog Sampson, are there to help guests navigate every step of their stay in Lancaster. Each morning, they serve a sumptuous breakfast in the elegantly adorned dining room — on our stay, a mouthwatering

And, King’s Cottage is less than 2 miles from the hub of downtown Lancaster, so if you venture out to explore the city and are looking for a touch of relaxation, you can also stop in to Restoration Spa (restorationspa.net). Owned by Rose Linken, the business specializes in massage and bodywork, as well as facial services, with a strong concentration on aromatherapy. Linken doesn’t deliver a cookie-cutter massage

THE PRINCESS ROOM AT KING’S COTTAGE BED & BREAKFAST, ABOVE, KING’S COTTAGE EXTERIOR, BELOW Lancaster County apple stuffed with oatmeal, walnuts, cloves and butter; a broccoli and Swiss cheese frittata; and locally made apple-glazed sausage — and then help guests with their daily and nightly plans, including offering menus of and personalized directions to your selected restaurants. The innkeepers are ever-ready to lend a hand, yet they encourage guests to make themselves at home in the inn, which encourages a familial and relaxed atmosphere. Willets and other assistants also offer massage therapy for guests looking for an added touch of luxury.

that’s the same for all clients; instead, she works with each individually to identify pain or discomfort and pays special attention to problem areas. With highly reasonable prices and with decades of experience under her belt, Linken’s business is a great go-to for a touch of pampering while out on the town. Once you’re loose and limber, you can head out of the spa and to the nearby block of 300 North Queen Street (downtownlan caster300block.com). The street is home to a diverse assortment of galleries, retro thrift stores and antique shops — many of which carry LGBT publications by their

doors. The shops make for a fun afternoon of perusing and purchasing and, if you happen to be in town for First (and Third) Fridays, the block is swarming with arts-minded audiences. While on your shopping excursion, stop by Mio Studio (miostudio.com) to check out the vast collection of handmade jewelry, as well as fine art. The gayowned business features a large selection of items made largely from precious metals and wood, and which have an architectural element to them sure to impress jewelry and art lovers of all stripes. If you want to try your own hand at an artistic venture, The Bead & Pottery Works (thepotteryworks.com) is a great spot for a couple’s or a girls’ (or guys’) night. Visitors of all skill levels can handpaint pottery — ranging from teacups to Christmas décor — selecting their own colors and styles, or can also try their hand at beading, If you’re looking for a dose of education while in town, head to North Museum of Natural History and Science (northmuseum.org), whose three floors offer just enough to keep the history and science buff enthralled, yet not too much to bore the non-museum type. The museum’s lower level offers an impressive collection of taxidermy birds, as well as a vast mineral exhibit. The first floor features everything from a live-animal room to weather stations to a dinosaur gallery, while the upper level explores the museum’s 60-year history. The museum is also home to a planetarium that features a changing roster of programs exploring the solar system. While the museum is largely youthfocused, even if you don’t have kids in tow for your Lancaster trip, as we didn’t, a visit is a great way to feed your inner nerd with some interactive and accessible educational activities. If your sweet tooth is aching while in town, stop by Miesse Candies (miessecandies.com), which has been making and selling sweets in the Lancaster area since 1875. Customers can take a tour of the company’s factory (and won’t need to curb their chocolate obsession for too long, as samples are given out generously), where workers still use vintage equipment and hand-dip their wares. You can also add to your dessert stash at the Lancaster Central Market (centralmarketlancaster.com). The country’s oldest farmers’ market, open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, brings the country into the city, with a vast selection of locally produced foods good for on-thespot noshing or as a take-home treat. Speaking of nosh, ForkNSpoon Café (forknspooncafe.com) can get your day off to a satisfying start. The gayowned venue offers breakfast and lunch Wednesday-Friday, as well as weekend brunch. The locale features gourmet comfort food, with an emphasis on organic

NIGHTLIFE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

I melt with you The ice has finally melted away and the warm weather has people coming out in droves! I swear, even the suburban Wawas are getting cruisey as everyone is literally busting at the seams from cabin fever. I really love snowy winters, but even I’m counting the days until spring and watching that forecast for the first hint of 70degree weather. There’s a patch of sand at the Jersey Shore with my name on it and I can’t wait to get reacquainted with it! Until then, check out all the different ways you can heat things up and shake off those winter blues in the next couple of weeks.

and a twist on traditional — with menu items such as wheat-berry bread, toastedherb baguettes and pecan wood-smoked bacon. If you’re looking for a more formal feasting spot, the gay-owned Belvedere Inn (belvederelancaster.com) is it. Opened in 1998 in a 19th-century mansion, Belvedere offers contemporary American cuisine with an upscale-casual feel. The decoration fosters a cozy, comfortable atmosphere, supported by the dark, rich woods and ubiquitous candles, which make Belvedere the ideal spot for a romantic dinner. The venue is home to two dining rooms, a first-floor bar and a second-floor piano bar and lounge, with live jazz on the weekends, and a terrace open for dining and drinks in warm weather. For a cold-weather visit, you can warm up with Belvedere’s pumpkin-spice sangria or the apple-pie martini. Both embrace the taste of the season with a new and satisfying twist on the drinks. The menu is also seasonal and offers selections to whet the appetites of all diners. The appetizers shined in their fusion of several components: a rib eye that was impossibly tender laying atop polenta with lobster sauce, and fried eggplant smothered in goat cheese, the right combination of crunchy and smooth. The entrees included staples from fish to pasta to pork chops, each of which was a unique take on the dishes. The freerange chicken breast was juicy and flavorful, while the filet mignon, brushed with marrow butter and candied onions, was cooked to perfection. The accompaniments — a heaping spread of fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes and asparagus that was the right match of tender and crispy — added a welcomed flair to the dishes. If you have room for dessert, don’t pass it up, as all are made fresh on the premises. Especially memorable was the cranberry cheesecake, made with goat cheese and offering a compliment of soft sweetness with a crunchy, crumbly base. While the restaurant’s award-winning

Flower Show preview Celebrate the impendTHE SECOND-FLOOR BAR AT FENZ ing arrival of spring from dishes speak for themselves, a visit to 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Belvedere Inn is about much more than Pennsylvania 6, 114 S. 12th food, as the top-notch service, enchanting St., at a VIP cocktail party décor and sophisticated yet welcoming right before the opening of the setting make for an unforgettable dining Flower Show preview. You’ll experience. get a complimentary first Another gem of the Lancaster food drink and nibbly bits as you scene is FENZ (fenzrestaurant.com), enjoy a special performance which puts a chic touch on casual comfort by Brittany Lynn and the Drag Jim food. Situated in a former factory buildMafia. You could end up having dating to the 19th century, FENZ is ing so much fun that you ditch anything but dated. The two floors are the the preview! epitome of urban-chic in décor and setup, and each is home to its own bar. On a Leather Women’s Bar Night Saturday night visit, both were bustling, Oh yes, it’s ladies’ night and the feeland tables on both floors were filled with ing’s right from 7-9:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the couples and parties that illustrated the basement at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince diversity of Lancaster. St. Whether you’re in leather or not, come A night at FENZ can include drinks and hang out with the girls. There’s no and a sampling of the restaurant’s small meeting, no agenda, and no fundraiser plates, or you can enjoy the full entrée — just fun! If you do wear your leathers, menu, conceived around the notion that though, Mid-Atlantic Bootblack Amelia traditional comfort foods can use a conChan will be on hand to give them some temporary update — a satisfying protender loving care. Remember, no perfume posal. or cologne in The Pit please! The wild-mushroom bisque was the perfect complement for a warm night, Leather Men’s Bar Night smooth and silky, yet brimming with tenThe very next night, from 8 p.m.-midder mushrooms. night March 1, at The Bike Stop, 206 S. The vegetable also made a welcome Quince St., the men of Excelsior MC from appearance in the winter risotto, which New York City will be in town hosting a fused wild mushrooms and mushbar night of their own. It’s the only local room consommé with truffle cream and stop on their “Mars May Need Women, Locatelli cheese, the result of which was But Uranus Needs Men! World Tour,” proa creamy dish where each component moting their upcoming annual run on Fire stood out on its own. The grilled filet Island the weekend of May 16-18. And mignon was fall-apart tender and accom- yes, you saw that right: Uranus. Needs. panied by a clever array of onion rings, Men. God, I hope my mom doesn’t read mushrooms and fingerling potatoes. this issue ... Perhaps the most impressive element of the meal was the warm apple crisp; Damsels & Divas the apples, cinnamon and caramel litIt’s time to get your glitter on again at erally melt in your mouth and are per8 p.m. March 1 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St., fectly complemented by the locally made with the Liberty City Kings and special vanilla ice cream — a perfect ending to guests. The Kings will get you all hot and an exemplary meal. bothered, and then after the show you can From the food to the shopping to the shake your booty until your wig flies off cultural offerings, Lancaster defied expec- dancing to the tunes of DJ Niilo. Cover tations at every turn — and showed this charge is $10 in kink, drag or costume; city dweller that the “country” isn’t that $12 if not. Proceeds benefit SisterSpace of far from home. ■ Delaware Valley.

Rugby Social Join the scrum or pant heavily from the sidelines from 9 p.m.-midnight March 1 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. The Philadelphia Gryphons will unleash a fresh batch of rookies during their first Saturday spring social. Don’t miss your chance to size up the new recruits! Miss Mardi Gras Can’t get to New Orleans? Catch the next best thing at 9 p.m. March 4 at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., in New Hope. It’s the Miss Mardi Gras 2014 Pageant and fundraiser, hosted by none other than Miss MG 2013 herself, Miss Thunder Showers. Get there early for great Creole dinner specials from 6-10 p.m. and stick around for the after-party with DJ Armando Martinez from 11 p.m.-close. Your $10 cover charge and all proceeds from the 50/50 will benefit LifeTies, providing a wide variety of care and services to youth in crisis.

Barcrawlr

CutN Paste Get your cards read at a tarotthemed edition of the CutN Paste dance party, 10 p.m. March 7 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. They’ll have portraits, tarot readings, photo booth, pool tables, projections, drink specials and literally hundreds of hot young guys and gals. This party may be one of the best-kept secrets in town, but it won’t be for long.

KileyZufelt

Rio Gay-Janeiro Bingo Feel the excitement of Carnivale at GayBINGO! from 6-9 p.m. March 8 at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. Get there early to get a good seat and to catch up with your favorite BVDs and to flirt with your hosts, the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League. As always, GayBINGO! is sponsored by the AIDS Fund and your $20-25 cover charge will benefit their mission. Giovanni’s Room 40th Anniversary Something special is happening from 7:30-9 p.m. March 11 at the William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. You may remember this event was postponed a few weeks ago during all that crazy-ass weather. Don’t miss your chance to hear past and present owners of Giovanni’s Room share stories about our beloved hometown LGBT bookstore’s amazing history. Hear about its humble beginnings, how it became one of the cornerstones of our community and how it is now the oldest LGBT bookstore in the country. ■ Questions, comments, spring fever symptoms? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail. com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

FILM PGN

Queer-related docs shine on Oscar-nominee list By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor At the Oscars on March 2, queer eyes will be on “Dallas Buyers Club” to take home some statues, but there is an interesting competition between two films — one with queer content, the other by a queer filmmaker — vying for Best Short Subject Documentary. PGN recently spoke with the two filmmakers about their projects.

PGN: How did you come to learn about the story of Tim and Matthew? JC: This was part of a larger project with the Fetzer Institute, a nonprofit that does work about promoting love and forgiveness. Tim and Matthew’s story jumped out at me; it was about exploring this process of forgiveness. In talking about how we address bullying and hate, it struck me as something I wanted to explore.

“Facing Fear,” written and directed by the straight Jason Cohen, artfully chronicles the intersecting lives of Tim Zaal, a Neo-Nazi, and Matthew

PGN: Do you think you could have forgiven Matthew if you were Tim? JC: I had to think about how I

MATTHEW BOGER (LEFT) AND TIM ZAAL IN “FACING FEAR”

Boger, a gay man. Twenty-six years ago, Tim and his friends beat up Matthew and left him for dead. Yet Matthew survived. Working as a manager at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, Matthew unexpectedly reunited with Tim — now a former Neo-Nazi — and forgives his attacker.

would react in that situation, but I really don’t know. I don’t know that I could forgive. But the only way to know is to be [Matthew] and go through his experiences. Forgiveness is not a cut-and-dry issue. We wanted to show that their personal experiences and societal factors were part of the

process as they came back into each others’ lives. PGN: Do you think Matthew was just in the wrong place at the wrong time? JC: I think this attack happened in 1980, so there was no such thing as a hate crime. It was a gay-bashing. If it happened today, it would have been looked at differently.

visit, I stationed myself in the infirmary, as I was highlighting the hospice program. I got to know the inmate volunteers, who are also orderlies. Jack was a long-term patient. Three months into my stay, I realized he was one to focus on, and got to know his story.

Edgar Barens’ “Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall” is a somber and fascinating short-documentary film that explores a unique hospice center at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Chronicling the last two weeks in the life of Jack Hall, a decorated soldier who went to prison for 21 years for murdering a drug dealer, Barens’ film prompts a reconsideration of how end-of-life care issues are being handled for the incarcerated.

PGN: What was your goal in making this film? EB: My first goal was to humanize the prisoner. These are people who made horrible mistakes. I wanted to know the inmate who was dying, why the inmates who helped were doing it, as well as about the doctors and nurses. My goal was to show these [hospice] programs work, that they don’t cost anything and they need to be expanded.

PGN: How did you come to learn about the story of Jack Hall and the Iowa State Prison Hospice? EB: I didn’t seek Jack out from the get-go; it was a random thing. By the time Iowa State Penitentiary approved me to

PGN: You are a gay filmmaker. Was there a reason you chose not to tell a gay story? EB: I don’t shy away from gay issues, but none of my larger films are gay-themed. My next documentary started with a queer topic. I love doing films on

PGN: How has being nominated for an Oscar changed your life and/or work as a filmmaker? JC: I’m happy to be nominated, and we’ll see what happens. It’s a huge boost and hopefully it will continue to blossom from there. With this recognition, we get to do this on a wider scale.

criminal justice. It’s become my cause. I feel that society needs to open their eyes and we can’t lock people up and throw away the key. I guess it is my calling. These people have no voice. PGN: What has been the impact of the experience of being nominated on your life and work as a filmmaker? EB: I don’t think I prepared myself for this. I’m flabbergasted by this sudden attention

DIRECTOR EDGAR BARENS

the film is getting. Other folks who have been nominated or won said that my life will or might change the way of getting funding, and people will be interested in your projects. I’m bracing myself. Nothing drastic has happened yet. It’s crazy. My friends are more flipped out than I am. But this is actually happening. When I got the cover letter from the Academy, it gave me chills. ■

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Suzi Nash

Gary Radin: Making art and architecture meet at the Philly Flower Show Call me kooky, but I’ve been enjoying the snow. Since I’m a writer, I’m usually home in a solitary little bubble, and snow days mean my 9-to-5 friends are actually home for a change. The minute the snow hits 6 inches I start inviting all my neighbors to come play at my house. But for the rest of you who have had your fill of winter, you can get a brief reprieve this week at the Flower Show. The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the world’s oldest and largest indoor flower show, and features large-scale gardens, elaborate landscapes and over-the-top floral creations. One of the most anticipated aspects of the Flower Show is the grand entrance garden. It sets the tone for the show and is always sure to elicit a gasp. The man responsible for creating the “wow” moment is this week’s portrait, Gary Radin. PGN: Tell me about the first entrance piece you did for the Flower Show. GR: The theme was called “Jazz It Up,” and it was a tribute to New Orleans. We built a two-story building front with balconies that were typical of New Orleans architecture. PGN: I remember that one! It had two huge keyboards and large-scale instruments in front. So I know this is like asking which one of your kids is your favorite, but what were some of the projects you enjoyed the most? GR: It’s hard to put my finger on an absolute favorite — there are unique things about every year — but I did enjoy the New Orleans entranceway. I liked the scale and the architectural elements. I also enjoyed the Hawaii garden where we introduced some technology into the design for the first time. That was the one where you came in and there was an underwater effect. We used projectors and sound effects to make it a multi-sensational experience. Of course we haven’t seen this year’s completed yet, but I expect I’m going to like it in a very unique and particular way. It’s a very abstract and contemporary design and it’s neat because the theme this year is not based on a particular location, so we had a little more creative freedom. PGN: So if you tell me what this year’s design is, do you have to kill me? GR: [Laughs.] No, the overall theme is ArtiCulture, which is a made-up word fusing art and horticulture. The way that we look at this particular season is more abstract than usual: You have the horticulture, which is its own art; for instance, a flower has its own particular design and style when you look at the petals and the colors, then you open up to the landscaping, which has its own style of design and composition in and of itself. On the

flipside, you have literal art and artists and the influence horticulture has had on them and vice-versa. A lot of the exhibits are inspired by different artists and specific artwork. The entranceway this year is inspired by the art of Alexander “Sandy” Calder. He’s a great choice because he and the Calder family have such great ties to Philadelphia. His grandfather is the sculptor who created the giant statue of William Penn that’s at the top of City Hall, his mother was a portrait artist who studied at the Sorbonne and also at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and his father, Stirling Calder, was a well-known sculptor who created the Swan Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle and many other sculptures found throughout the city. Of course, Alexander is best known for creating the kinetic mobile as well as the large outdoor sculptures that can be seen along the Parkway. The exhibit is going to be really cool. There’s an aerial dance troupe who will be performing above and within the display. PGN: So do you come up with the creative design once they give you the theme? GR: Yes, along with another designer I work with, Bill Lance. He consults with me on the Flower Show because it’s such a large project. It’s a give-and-take process. There’s exploration and concept development, where we go through many ideas around a particular theme until one idea rises to the top. I love the process. You never know where or when the inspiration is going to come from. It might not necessarily be in the board room during the design discussion. [Laughs.] The idea that may end up being the winner may come to you while you’re driving or when you’re in the shower! You never know when the winning idea will hit you. PGN: Do you find your inspiration from things you see in your daily life? GR: Yes, that happens a lot. Architecture, landscape design, anything we see in our environment can be an inspiration, whether it be built or natural — either in a broad scope, like the way something may be laid out, or it may be in the details, like the bark on a tree or the texture of a leaf. PGN: I read that the design period is about 18 months long. So do you already know what next year’s theme is going to be? GR: Yes, but that I can’t tell you! They will announce it at the end of the last day of the show though. It is true that the theme is solidified well in advance; the process starts about a year-and-a-half ahead of time so we’re already wellentrenched in planning the theme for 2015. PGN: What are some of the considerations when you’re designing the entranceway?

GR: That’s interesting. There are the usual things we concern ourselves with, like scale and color and form, but what’s particularly unique about doing the Flower Show is that we have all of this living plant material, whether they be plants or cut flowers; all of it is temperamental and responsive to climate. Since the Flower Show occurs in the winter, all the flowers have to be forced to bloom since they’re being shown out of season. I’m not responsible for that, but I do have to take into consideration that the flowers need to be watered and maintained. Everything has to be installed in one week and has to stay alive during the course of the show, plus you have to take into consideration that this is an event that will be attended by over 250,000 people, so you really have to make sure there’s a great flow through the space. PGN: So where are you originally from? GR: I grew up in Connecticut and lived there through high school, then I moved

PGN: Just the one sibling? GR: Yes, an older sister. PGN: And what did the parents do? GR: They were both originally teachers but then got into the corporate world and started working as executives for a cosmetic company. My dad also worked as a motivational speaker. He passed away 16 years ago. So I grew up in a family with an entrepreneurial spirit. PGN: Did I read that you got your first job at 13? GR: Yes, that was my first paying job. I worked as a model maker for an architectural firm. PGN: How did you even get interested in the field? GR: When I was 10, my family designed and built a custom home. I was really interested in the whole process and started doodling around and drawing layout and floor plans, and a lot of the things I came up with were used in the final product. It really inspired me to learn more. I was lucky in that there just happened to be a famous architectural model maker in our town, and with my dad’s help I was able to get a job with them, even though I was underage. PGN: Were your little fingers good at putting together those tiny models? GR: Yes, I made lots of little trees.

PGN: I understand you and I both have a love of cardboard. When I was a kid I took a bunch of refrigerator boxes from the nearby appliance store and made them into apartments in my backyard. I then rented them out to friends of mine for a small fee. GR: Ha! One of the first companies my parents Photo: Suzi Nash to Boston and went to University of worked for had a distriMassachusetts at Amherst,__ where I bution center with a big studied interior design with a concentrawarehouse. My sister and I used to take tion in architecture. I stayed in Boston for the boxes that the cosmetics came in and several years until I moved to Philly. we would line them up and tape them together and build cityscapes. We would PGN: What brought you here? draw on them and cut windows out and GR: Work. My sister and her business make a post office and a bank with a partner at the time had a business designdrive-through teller, really elaborate ing for television and music videos. I got cities. I think it’s one of the things that to spend several years working with my really sparked our interest in design. sister, which was really great. PAGE 38

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

PGN

Food and Drink Directory

Looking for a new way to reach out to customers? Try Food and Drink Directories in PGN. CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP AT (215) 625-8501

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

THANKS FOR MAKING IT A IHOP DAY

DINING PGNOUT

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Going hog wild at The Fat Ham By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

angry donkey. The setting is perfect for the restaurant’s Southern-inspired menu, featuring family-style small plates with some interWith the success of his namesake resesting twists of familiar flavors. taurant, Sbraga, on the Avenue of the Arts, The Southern Hummus ($6) is gar“Top Chef” winner Kevin Sbraga is taking nished and flavored with crushed boiled a more laidback approach with his newest peanuts, which give it a fresh perspecPhiladelphia eatery, The Fat Ham, 3131 tive. The roasted root vegetables ($6) Walnut St. — with equally impressive were warm and comforting, cooked with results. hearty pieces of bacon. Some of the more decadent dishes were the oyster sliders ($5 each), which are made with plump, perfectly fried oysters with coleslaw on a yeast roll. The shrimp and grits ($14) were irresistibly silky and buttery. Other dishes boasted strong Southern roots with explosive flavors. The collard greens ($7) were excellently flavored with meaty pieces of pork shank. The charred cabbage ($9) was delightfully bright and tasty, served with a savory tomato pie and topped with pork rinds. The pulled pork ($11) was exceptional. Your average version of this dish lets a sauce do all the work, but this pork was juicy and marinated to perfection by itself. You get a warning with the hot chicken ($13) that it is very spicy, and they were not kidding. If you have even the faintest aversion to spicy food, approach with caution. While the chicken itself, fried good and crispy, has a lot going on in the spice department, the surprise hits you when you dig into the bed of white bread, ranch dressing and pickles underneath the chicken. The sauce, along with the spiciest parts of the oils used on the chicken, seeps down into the bread and dressing, so when you go there looking for a counterbalance to the spice SPICY CHICKEN (TOP) AND AN OYSTER from the chicken, you end up giving SLIDER the spice some aggressive but pleasantly fiery reinforcements. Keep the sweet tea close by just in case. Speaking of sweet, our dessert, banana Occupying the space that used to be pudding ($5), thankfully didn’t try to home to Tria Wine Bar, The Fat Ham’s blow off our doors with homey atmosphere sweetness like Southern seems right at home with treats tend to try to do. mismatched place setThe pudding let the natutings and serving dishes ral flavor of the bananas made to look like they The Fat Ham shine without the added were carved out of tree 3131 Walnut St. punch of extra sugar. trunks. There is also 215-735-1914 Judging from the numhouse- made hot sauce www.sbragadining.com/ ber of patrons wanton each table made fresh fatham/ ing to get their picture every two days. We are Lunch taken with the star chef, told they have a problem Mon.-Fri.: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sbraga isn’t going to with people stealing the Dinner have too much trouble bottles of hot sauce and Mon.-Thur.: 5-10 p.m. getting people to visit they will soon be sellFri.-Sat.: 5-11 p.m. his new restaurant. But ing the bottles, and they it’s the food that is going should. Their hot sauce to keep them coming has bold flavor that kicks back. ■ you in the chest like an

If you go

FASHION, CIRCUS, SPECTACLE: PHOTOGRAPHS BY SCOTT HEISER MARCH 8 – JUNE 1, 2014 Scott Heiser’s (1949–1993) evocative photographs feature fashion runways, circuses, dance competitions, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and famous faces of the 1970s and ’80s. This is the first retrospective for Heiser, a Wilmington native.

2301 Kentmere Parkway Wilmington, DE 19806 302.571.9590 | delart.org

Organized by the Delaware Art Museum. This exhibition is generously supported by the Johannes R. and Betty P. Krahmer American Art Exhibition Fund. Additional support is provided by grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Michael Vollbracht, New York, 1980. Scott Heiser (1949–1993). Gelatin silver print, 5 1/4 x 7 3/4 inches. Estate of the Artist.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

FUN PGN & GAMES

Q Puzzle Michael Sam comes out Across

1. Soup from the Samurai’s land 5. Elton John Broadway musical 9. Regained consciousness 15. Q ___ queen 16. Circumcision sound 17. Key with all white notes 18. Start of Michael Sam’s 2013 SEC football honor 20. Save from going down at sea, e.g. 21. Becomes involved with 22. Smokers at St. Mary’s 23. Stand next to Georgia O’Keefe 24. Cross-dresser Klinger’s hometown 26. Men on top, perhaps 29. Become familiar with

33. Popular fruit drink 36. They may be blowing in the wind 38. Area of Tennessee? 39. Hacker’s phrase 41. More of the honor 43. Treated a swollen member 44. Stick it to 46. It may be under the tongue 48. Bambi’s aunt 49. Place to hang dildos? 51. Enjoy a hot tub 53. Untimely end 55. Hard to penetrate 59. Cracks up over 62. Education 65. Like a drag queen’s bosom 66. End of the honor 67. Sit on, in a way 68. Gyro bread 69. 160 rods 70. Got the bottom line 71. Give the cold shoulder 72. Application for drag queens’ school?

PORTRAIT from page 35

PGN: Speaking of which, tell me a little about your company and what you do aside from the Flower Show. GR: My company is called GMRdesign and we do a lot of different things. We do a lot of live-event design like conferences and conventions, trade shows, as well as corporate work. I also do a lot of set-design work for cable-television shows. We also do architectural and interior design, and a lot more. PGN: Do you get to travel much through your work? GR: Enough to make it interesting but not enough to make me homesick. I like a balance: I enjoy traveling both personally and professionally, but I also enjoy my home life. PGN: What was a memorable travel moment? GR: When I was in college, I had a chance to travel to Thailand. There was an architect who was a friend of one of my professors and I had a chance to meet up with his family. They were quite wealthy by local standards and I got to have a very traditional dinner at his house. He had a car pick me up and take me about an hour out of the city, which kind of freaked my parents out since they had no idea where I was going. There I was in a foreign country traveling with someone I didn’t know to a place I’ve never been. I was only about 18 so that was quite an adventure. PGN: Were you a very adventurous kid? GR: Not really, I was a bit conservative. I found myself struggling socially until my junior year, when we moved to a different town. The new school had a notable theater program that I got involved with that really

Down

1. Kim Novak’s _Picnic_ role 2. “___ little silhouetto of a man ...” 3. Examines carefully 4. “Keep your pants on!” 5. The A in GLARP 6. Pt. of B.D. Wong 7. Clod on the golf course 8. Ancestor of homo sapiens’ 9. Go out of control 10. Changed a bill 11. Michael Sam played NCAA football at this school 12. Suffix with prefer 13. Madonna’s Blonde Ambition, e.g. 14. Vein contents 19. David’s “Frasier” role 22. Proverbial gay hiding places 25. Heeds a master 27. Pos., to neg. 28. Approach for sex 30. How quickly one

comes 31. Foreboding sign 32. Lorca’s zip 33. Branch of soc. studies 34. Online intro 35. “See you later” 37. Gay pride marchers close them 40. Michael Sam may be an early selection in this 42. ___ Speedwagon 45. Track support 47. Hombre of the cloth 50. Blown away 52. Nairobi native 54. Like a leprechaun 56. Dorothy, to Em 57. Catch in a trap 58. White-plumed bird 59. Silence for Copland 60. “___ put it another way ...” 61. Words before were 63. Caesar’s last question 64. Moby Dick chaser 66. Army missions

helped me pursue my creative interests and meet new friends. PGN: When did you come out? GR: When I graduated college. It wasn’t a particularly eventful moment. Not unimportant, but uneventful. My family was very accepting. PGN: So your father was alive when you came out? GR: Yes, he died in 1998. He had a very rare neurological brain illness, Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), a form of dementia. When we got the terminal diagnosis, I purchased a townhouse in South Jersey so they could move here from Connecticut and my sister and I could help take care of him. I was 26 and my father was only 54. I spent about three years being a live-in caregiver and it was a life-altering experience, which I wouldn’t trade for anything. It was a real experience to move through my fears and to learn not to take things for granted and to go after things that I really wanted. That was a philosophy that my dad lived by, which thankfully he did because if he’d waited around until his retirement to do the things he wanted, he would have never lived to see them. While I am a responsible person, if there are things that I really want to do, I do them, and if I have something to say to someone, I don’t hold back. It was an early life lesson that I learned. PGN: And now you’re teaching some of those life lessons through your foundation and book. GR: Yes, my family started the Caregivers Relief Foundation to support other caregivers in need who were suffering like we were. At the time there was little to no help for health care available through

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insurance or the government or private agencies because of his age and financial status. It wasn’t considered a disability and there was no consideration for the families and how it affected them. The mission has changed a bit as things have progressed and advanced over time. There is now more help available but it’s still a struggle. I wrote the book because at the time there was almost no information available about his type of dementia, which was often confused with Alzheimer’s. I did a lot of my own research and learned a lot about the subject. After he died, I wanted to share the knowledge I’d accrued with other people. Over 20 extremely generous healthcare and other professionals took the time to write chapters for the book with the goal of creating a comprehensive guide addressing every aspect of caring for someone with FTD. I’m very proud of it. PGN: And you also have a cookbook? GR: Yes, it’s a collection of my maternal grandmother’s recipes that we had lying around on cards and note papers and in an old handwritten cookbook. We came up with the idea of archiving them and inviting family members to give a few stories and photos that we included. PGN: If you had to design a house and couldn’t have any input, who would you trust to design it for you? GR: Oh, that would be so hard. I already designed and had my own house built, I can’t imagine handing it off to someone else without being able to put my stamp on it! Possibly Richard Meier. PGN: What kind of architecture do you like? Are you more of a Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater type of person or are you a Dubai hotel skyscraper type?

GR: Definitely more Fallingwater. Frank Lloyd Wright happens to be one of my favorite architects. I have a book of his architectural drawings and they are fascinating to me. PGN: If you could walk into any painting and experience the moment, which would it be? GR: It would probably be a Mondrian: There’s something about the simple geometry and organization that talks to me and yet it’s still very colorful. PGN: I didn’t ask, do you have a partner? GR: Yes, his name is Vince and we just celebrated our 17th anniversary last week. He’s in the HR field but he is a writer at heart. PGN: Since you design for television, any favorite celebrity encounters? GR: Well, when I first moved here and I was working with my sister, we did a lot of music video sets for groups like Boyz II Men so I got to meet a lot of people, but my closest celebrity encounter was probably with Ben Affleck. He was in town working on a movie and we had to set up a studio for him to do interviews. He left his T-shirt behind so I am now in possession of Ben Affleck’s T-shirt. PGN: Nice souvenir! ■ For more information on Radin or his book, “What If It’s Not Alzheimer’s?” visit www.garyradin.com. For more information on the Philadelphia Flower Show, visit www.theflowershow.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol. com.

TELEVISION PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Worth Watching Repairs, Renovations and Remodeling

A PICTURESQUE EVENING: Out comedian and television icon Ellen DeGeneres returns to host the Oscars for a second time, 8 p.m. March 2 on ABC. Photo: ABC/

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BANGING IT OUT: Out awardwinning actor Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) hosts a new episode of “Saturday Night Live,” 11:30 p.m. March 1 on NBC.

RIPPING THE RED CARPET: The fashions worn at the Oscars are dissected by comedian Joan Rivers and fashion experts on “Fashion Police,” 9:30 p.m. March 3 on the E! Network. Photo: Timothy White

JEFFREY E. GOLDMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW FACE TO FACE: Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake star in “The Social Network,” the story of Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg and the creation of the socialnetworking site that would become known as Facebook, 8 p.m. March 1 on ABC. Photo: Sony Pictures Television/Merrick Morton

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 02/28 Loft23 presents The Game Loft The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts a game space geared towards gamers, 21-29, and is an opportunity to meet new people, play games and socialize outside of the bar/club scene, 6-8 p.m., 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. Animals as Leaders The progressive metal band performs 7:30 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. The Pink Floyd Experience The music of the classic-rock band is celebrated 8:30 p.m. at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800745-3000.

Sat. 03/01 Eat a Burrito Stop by Chipolte at 15th and Walnut streets from noon-4 p.m. and mention GALAEI and a portion of your meal cost will be donated to the queer Latino social-justice organization. Searching for Bobby Fischer The drama film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Photos: Scott A. Drake

’s Get Out and Play All the action with Philly’s jocks Every other week in PGN

Alo Brasil Carnaval 2014 The Brazilian music group performs 7 and 10 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Jim Florentine The comedian performs 8 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Vixens & Vagabonds Queer & Kinky Cabaret: Cupid’s Safe Word Liberty City Kings and special guests perform 8 p.m.2 a.m. at Tabu Nightclub, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675. Pulse Party for the Animals Pulse Events hosts its monthly LGBT party with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting animal agency Humane PA at Smokin’ Betty’s, 116 S. 11th St.; 215-922-6500.

Sun. 03/02 Bedlam The 1946 Boris Karloff film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. Los Lobos The Latin-rock band performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Robin Thicke The pop singer performs 8 p.m. at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Scott Ian of Anthrax A speaking per-

formance by the metal musician 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Mon. 03/03 Free Quizzo & Board Game Night Roll the dice, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Philly Rising Showcase Local artists perform 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081.

Tue. 03/04 Miss Mardi Gras 2014 Pageant & Show The ninth-annual pageant and drag show 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215862-2081.

Wed. 03/05 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Qventures Flower Show Catch the Philadelphia Flower Show with the Qventures gang at 7 p.m. at the Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., after a happy hour at 5:30 p.m. at Smokin’ Betty’s,

FUNNY BUSINESS: Out comedian, actor and TV personality Rosie O’Donnell comes to town to make the masses laugh March 6-9 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. For more information or tickets, call 215-4969001.

116 S. 11th St.; https://secure. interactiveticketing.com/a/376694.

Thu. 03/06 Bob Egan The singer performs 8 p.m. at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-5961027.

Fri. 03/07 Amy Schumer The comedian performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650. Jeffrey Ross The comedian performs 9 p.m. at Borgata Hotel,

Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Manhunter The 1986 thriller is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. ■

The Burlesque Show The new event kicks off 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215545-4511. Bearlesque Bears and burlesque join for a night to remember, 9 p.m.- 2.m. at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

DIRTY JOKES: Comedian Amy Schumer comes to the area with her edgy brand of humor in tow 8 p.m. March 7 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

presents the exhibition exploring gay culture through Oct. 17, 1314 Locust St.; 215-546-3181.

Opening Dick Gregory The legendary comedian performs March 1-2 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027.

Why Do Fools Fall in Love? Media Theatre presents a bachelorette party where four ladies reveal the details of their love lives through March 30, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.

Doug Elkins Choreography, Etc. The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the contemporary-dance company March 6-8 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Closing Firebird and Cinderella The Philadelphia Orchestra performs through March 1 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Hedda Lettuce: The Carpets Match the Drapes The drag performer comes to New Hope March 7-8 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027. Paul Evans: Crossing Boundaries and Crafting Modernism The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition or works from the designer and craftsman March 1-June 1, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-3409800. Rosie O’Donnell The out comedian performs March 6-9 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. The Suit Prince Music Theater hosts the Tony Award-winning Peter Brook play about love, revenge and redemption set in South Africa through March 8; 215-893-1999.

Continuing Be Alarmed: The Black Americana Epic The Leeway Foundation presents an exhibition of short films and mixed-media work by out artist Tiona McClodden through March 15 at Esther Klein Gallery at the Science Center in University City, 3600 Market St.; www.leeway.org.

Marc Newson: At Home Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of furnishings by the influential

dreaming about a summer get away?

Mamma Mia! The musical featuring the music of ABBA returns through March 2 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. THE QUEEN OF GREEN: Drag queen, comedian and singer Hedda Lettuce brings her show “The Carpets Match the Drapes” to the area March 7-8 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope. For more information or tickets, call 888-596-1027.

designer through April 20, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Michael Snow: Photo-Centric Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from the experimental filmmaker through April 27, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. That’s So Gay: Outing Early America The Library Company of Philadelphia

The Skivvies The comedy/pop duo of Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley perform through Feb. 28 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027. The Surrealists: Works from the Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the museum’s unique collection of great masterpieces and lesserknown works of the movement through March 2, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Well The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents writer/performer Lisa Kron’s newest work about her mom through March 2 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-8983900. ■

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.

In a Relationship: Art, Science & Medicine The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition of works by Richard E. Goldberg, M.D., joined by works from renowned sports photographer Howard Schatz and stained-glass artist Kenneth Leap, through April 13, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800. Live Cinema/Fiona Tan: Inventory Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a multi-projection installation inviting viewers to consider museum collections, as well as the human compulsion to capture the transience of time and lived experience, through March 23, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

SHAKE(SPEARE) YOUR RUMP: The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the contemporary and hip-hop-inﬂuenced dance company Doug Elkins Choreography and its program fusing Shakespeare’s “Othello” with the music of Motown, March 6-8 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. For more information and tickets, call 215898-3900.

SUMMER TRAVEL ISSUE

March 28 DEADLINE TO ADVERTISE March 1 215-625-8501 ext. 201 or email greg@epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

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Thinking it’s about time for some professional help with the home repairs? PGN’s Services and Home Improvement Directory is a great place to get started when looking for contractors that know and proudly serve our community.

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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.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Help Wanted

SECLUDED HISTORICAL DISTRICT OF LUMBERTON Beaut. rest. 1870’s home, 3 BR, 1.5 BA, 30 mins to Phila. 3 ﬂoors, all new HVAC, screened porch, 3/4 acre, mod. kit & baths, beaut. details. $285,000. 609-784-8324. _____________________________________________38-10 VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________38-10 NEW YORK STATE LAND SALE 5 Acres w/ Utilities: $12,900. 6 Acres w/ Trout Stream: $25,900. 6.6 Acres, Adirondack Cabin: $19,900. Best Quality Land in Years! Call: 800-229-7843. ________________________________________38-09

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Real Estate Rent SOUTH PHILADELPHIA 22XX S. 11th ST. 2 Bedroom Apartment (2nd Floor). Newly renovated Everything is brand new. Hardwood ﬂooring throughout, C/A, W/D., tile bath. $1000 a month. Call 215-450-2780. Available April. ________________________________________38-11

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Adoption PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? All About Love Adoptions is here to help with questions, counseling and resources. All of our families are screened/ approved. 866-495-0229; AALadoptionagency.com ________________________________________38-09

Friends Men LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________38-10 BM has big tool over 9 inches. Like to have middle age redhead, uncut, for docking. Bring your own poppers; that makes the difference. You must be natural redhead from top to bush. Call between Noon to 8 AM Monday thru Wednesday and Thursday to Sunday Midnight to 12 Noon. No phone calls will be taken after those times. 215-763-3391. ________________________________________38-10 Philly boy looking for mail correspondence with guys in Philly while I ﬁnish my incarceration. 6’3”, blond hair, hazel eyes. Lots to discuss. Will reply to every letter. Give this a try, I guarantee you’ll have fun. Kenneth Houck, #06743015, Englewood FCE, 9595 W. Quincy Ave., Littleton CO 80123. ________________________________________38-12 YOUNGER ASIAN Wanted to be a companion to an older Caucasian man. 215-677-5610. ________________________________________38-16 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________38-10

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

Real Estate Sale

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Massage David, 64, 6’, 200 lbs., attentive. 215-569-4949. (24/7) ________________________________________38-12

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

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

ADONIS CINEMA “THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”

2026 Sansom St (located 3 doors up from Sansom St Gym)

215-557-9319 4 Small Theaters with Video & Dark Room Area

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday

7am-6am

(closed an hour for cleaning)

Friday- Sunday:

Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

THE BIGGER, BETTER & CLEANER CLUB IN THE CITY...

GREEN LANTERN

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

LUCKY CHARMING Saturday,March 15th • Time: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More. ROOMS: Members: $25.00 & Non-Members: $35.00 LOCKERS: Members: $18.00 & Non-Members: $28.00 - ROOMS GO QUICKLY!!! CHECK IN EARLY -

BUSY TIMES FOR US:

These our are most popular days when people come-

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

SUNDAY RELIEF

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

MONDAY thru FRIDAY:

Business Mans Locker Special (8am to 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

TUESDAYS

Half Price Rooms (6am till 12 Midnight) Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE

$12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight) Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

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

PGN

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) meets 69 p.m. Mondays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-386-1981, www.actupphilly.org. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; www.dvau.org. Equality Pennsylvania holds a volunteer night 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month, 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; 215-731-1447, www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia holds general meetings 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month, except August and December; 215-243-7103, www.gpop.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club meets seasonally; www.libertycity.org.

Arts

Library Book Club meets to discuss a new book 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at William Way. Men On Tap, an LGBT group that performs with choirs, organizations and at the Fringe Festival, rehearses 8 p.m. Mondays at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; dale@magicalfantasies.com. Philadelphia Freedom Band, an audition-free LGBT band that does concerts and parades, rehearses 7-9:30 p.m. Mondays; philadelphiafreedomband.com. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays; 215-731-9230, auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club meets to share and listen to recordings 6:30 p.m. the last Saturday of the month; 215-732-7898. Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia’s first mixed LGBT chorus, rehearses 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way; www.pvop.org. Queer Writer’s Collective workshop and discussion group meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at William Way. Reading Queerly, open to all women and genderqueer/ trans people, meets 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.

Recreation

Gay Bridge Club non-beginners group meets Monday 2-5 p.m. at William Way; reservations required. Call 215-732-2220. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club meets 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Abner’s Steaks, 38th and Chester streets; 215-382-0789. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists meets 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at William Way; 215-985-1456, www.humboldtsociety.org. Independence Squares LGBT square-dance club, modern Western square dancing hosts an open house and Tuesday classes in the fall at Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; philadances@gmail.com, www.independencesquares.org. Male Oenophile Group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape; 267-230-6750. Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social activities for senior gay men are held 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays at William Way. PhilaVentures, Philadelphia’s LGBT outdoor group, meets for hikes in Wissahickon Valley and Valley Forge Park; philaventures.org.

Sports

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club meets for practice at p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Greenfield Park, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org. City of Brotherly Love Softball League serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area with games on Sundays, beginning in April, at the Dairy and Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park; www.cblsl.org. Frontrunners running club meets 9:30 a.m. Saturdays for a run and brunch at Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.philadelphiafrontrunners.org. Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club, open to LGBT and allies, practices 8-10 p.m. Mondays and 2-4 p.m. Saturdays; www.falcons-soccer.org. Philadelphia Fins Swim Team, open to male and female swimmers, meets 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Friends Select School and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays; www.philadelphia-fins.org. Philadelphia Gay Bowling League meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September-April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; 856-889-1434, www. philagaybowling.com. Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League plays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at FDR Park; www.phillyflagfootball.com Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club,

open to players of all skill levels, meets 7:45 p.m. Thursdays at Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.; 215-913-7531, philadelphiagryphons.org, becomeagryphon@gmail.com. Philadelphia Liberty Belles women’s semi-pro fulltackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles. com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays yearround, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis.com. Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com. Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages. Practice is 7 p.m. Thursdays at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 17th and Fitzwater streets, with games at 2:30 p.m. Sundays; 215-991-5995 (day), 301-919-1194 (evening), phillywomensbaseball. com. Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; 917-656-1936, phury@gayhockey.org. Philly QCycle LGBT bicycling club promotes organized recreational riding for all levels in the Greater Philadelphia region; contact the organization via Facebook. Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley motorcycle club meets regularly; 215-836-0440, www.groups. yahoo.com/group/rainbowridersdv/. Rainbow Rollers gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia; rainbowrollers.com. Spartan Wrestling Club gay wrestling team meets 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; 215-732-4545, www.phillyspartans. com.

Etc. AIDS Law Project provides free legal assistance to people with HIV/AIDS and sponsors free monthly seminars on work and housing at 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 600; 215-587-9377, www.aidslawpa.org. BiUnity, Philadelphia-area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends; http:// biunity.org. Delaware Valley Pink Pistols, for LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of firearms for self-defense, meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southampton; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistols.org. Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020, delawarepride. org. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. Men and Women for Human Excellence support group meets from noon-2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month at 26th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue; 267-273-3513, cmoore8300@yahoo. com. Long Yang Club Philadelphia, social organization for gay Asians and their friends, holds monthly socials; www.longyangclub.org/philadelphia. Our Night Out, a casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, friends and colleagues, meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, email OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; more information on Facebook. Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice offered 58 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primeti mersofphiladelphia@yahoo.com. Philadelphians MC Club, for leather men and women, meets 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL-affiliated, weekly HF nets, quarterly newsletter; www.rara. org. Silver Foxes, a social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older, meets 3-5 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at William Way; 215-732-2220. SNJ Queers meets monthly for queer/queer-friendly folks in South Jersey to mix and mingle; 856-375-3708, wmf69@comast.net.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

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

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221 ■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization, Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ District Attorney LGBT Liaison: Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, 215-6869980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215-

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

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday-Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. MondayThursday; noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation, first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers 731-1447; www.equalitypa.org

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

■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000

■ GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization: 215-8511822

■ Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-686-3318

■ LGBT Elder Initiative: 267-5463448; info@LGBTEI.org

■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com

■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-5630652;Legal Services: 215-5630657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

■ Philly Pride Presents: 215-8759288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Health

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/ AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088, www. actionaids.org. GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appointment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1821.

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; free referral service at 215-6279090, www.galloplaw.org. ■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals; 215557-0190, www.Independence-

HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center LGBTQ counseling and behavioral health services, HIV/ AIDS care and services, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652, www. mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronic-disease management, including comprehensive HIV care, as well as youth drop-in (ages 14-24) 5-7p.m. Wednesdays; 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 pm. Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups BusinessAlliance.com. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgja. org/philly; philly@nlgja.org. ■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus Regional organization dedicated

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

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2014

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