PGN June 27 - July 3 2014 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Out musician takes top prize with proposal song

Presbyterian Church embraces equality

Family Portrait: Jamai brings the beat to the street

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Transman makes history at Mr. Gay Philadelphia PAGE 5 June 27-July 3, 2014

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Vol. 38 No. 26

Schaefer reinstated as Methodist minister

Corbett nominates out attorney By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Republican Gov. Tom Corbett last week nominated an openly lesbian attorney from Philadelphia to fill a vacant judgeship on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Corbett called Abbe Fletman June 19 to notify her of her nomination. Fletman was among five Corbett nominees announced last week. Also nominated to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas was Kenneth J. Powell Jr., Michael Fanning and Vincent N. Melchiorre, and Anthony D. Scanlon for Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. Fletman told PGN it was an honor to be nominated by Corbett. “I hope to fulfill the confidence that he is placing in me,” she said. Each nominee must be approved by a twothirds majority of the state Senate within the next 25 session days in a two-thirds vote. If approved, they will serve on the bench until PAGE 25 2015, when the next

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com

WRITING AN INJUSTICE: PGN writerat-large Timothy Cwiek (right) accepted the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi award for investigative reporting June 20 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Cwiek was honored for his continued coverage of the homicide of Nizah Morris, a local transgender woman killed in 2002. Cwiek was recognized in the category along with such publications as the Wall Street Journal. His marked the only award of the night given to an LGBT publication, and it is believed that this was the first SDX Award ever given to an LGBT outlet. Photo: Mark Segal

The Rev. Frank Schaefer, who officiated at his son’s gay wedding in 2007, has been reinstated as a Methodist minister. In December, local Methodist officials stripped Schaefer of his ministerial credentials after he declined to promise not to officiate at another same-sex wedding. But in an 8-1 vote Tuesday, the church’s Committee on Appeals for the Northeast Jurisdiction ordered him immediately reinstated, with back pay and benefits retroactive to Dec. 19, 2013. Schaefer’s salary and benefits package total about $65,000 annually. Schaefer praised the appeals committee’s decision. “This is very encouraging news for everybody,” Schaefer told PGN. “It’s definitely a big step in achieving LGBT equality within the church. And a big step towards ending

the exclusionary policies within the church. However, there’s still a lot of work to do.” It’s against church rules for Methodist ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings, and the appeals committee left in place a 30-day suspension for Schaefer. But the appeals committee said his defrocking was too harsh. “I think the decision will cause more of a rift or division within the church,” Schaefer noted. “It will heighten the tension that’s already there between conservatives and progressives. But it’s wonderful news for the LGBT community. And it will encourage pastors to be more courageous everywhere.” The appeals committee held a three-hour hearing June 20 in a hotel near Baltimore before issuing its decision. Advocates for Schaefer argued he was unfairly penalized for behavior he might carry out in the future. But proponents of his penalty argued that Schaefer should stay defrocked. On July 1, Schaefer will resume his pastoral work in Santa Barbara, Calif., where Methodist Bishop Minerva G. Carcano PAGE 12 offered him a position

Windsor impact continues, one year later By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

PGN file photo

The U.S. Supreme Court handed down its seminal decision on marriage equality on June 26, 2013 — and the full effect of the ruling continues to be realized one year later. That day, the nation’s top court found that the portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as being between one man and one woman was unconstitutional, following a lawsuit from Philadelphia native Edie Windsor, who was being forced to pay an exorbitant inheritance tax after the death of her wife. With the ruling, the key provision of the 1996 law crumbled, causing a landslide among discriminatory state and federal laws

and policies. State impact Pennsylvania is among the states whose marriage-equality laws have done an about-face in the last year. Since the Windsor ruling, seven states have legalized marriage equality — Hawaii and Illinois through legislative efforts and New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Indiana (as of presstime) through court rulings. Judges in an additional eight states overturned their respective states’ marriage-equality bans, but those decisions have been stayed by the ruling judges or appellate courts pending appeals. Judges in three more states issued rulings overturning elements of the states’ PAGE 13 marriage-

ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET: About 150 young people from throughout the region turned out for the 19th annual Philadelphia Alternative Prom, June 20 at Fire & Ice Lounge. The event, staged by GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization and The Attic Youth Center, allowed LGBT and ally youth to enjoy traditional prom offerings in a safe, accepting space. The evening featured dinner, dancing, music and live performances. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

late brief by July 14. Then, Bucks County prosecutors will have 30 days to file a response. Prosecutor Stephen B. Harris told PGN that after he reads Chester’s brief, he may ask the court for permission to file an oversized response.

News Briefing

Call held in marriagerecognition case

Milano’s killer can file triple-size brief Three appellate judges have permitted Frank R. Chester to file an oversized legal brief in his appeal to be cleared of all charges in the grisly slaying of gay artist Anthony Milano. On June 18, Third Circuit Court of Appeals judges Thomas L. Ambro, Thomas M. Hardiman and Kent A. Jordan ruled that Chester can file a 90-page brief, rather than a standard 30-page brief. After a 1988 trial in Bucks County, Chester and co-defendant Richard R. Laird were convicted of murdering Milano and sentenced to death. They’re currently housed on death row. But Chester claims his attorney had a pending DUI charge at the time of the Milano trial, and didn’t serve him effectively. He wants the appeals court to void all of his convictions relating to Milano’s murder. Chester’s attorneys must file their appel-

A marriage-recognition case filed in federal court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania remains pending, due to the unsettled state of marriage equality. Cara Palladino and Isabelle Barker are suing in federal court to ensure their out-of-state marriage is recognized in Pennsylvania. U.S. District Judge Mary A. McLaughlin considered dismissing the case, noting that same-gender marriages became legal in Pennsylvania due to the Whitewood ruling. But a Schuylkill County official is appealing the Whitewood ruling. In a June 17 conference call, attorneys for Palladino and Barker explained the unsettled nature of marriage equality in Pennsylvania. Michael L. Banks, an attorney for the women, said the conference call went well. “We had a phone conference with the judge to report on the status of the case,” Banks told PGN. “Attorneys for Gov. Corbett and Attorney General Kane participated. The judge said she would consider

how best to handle our case, but hadn’t yet reached a decision.”

Nizah group to meet The Justice for Nizah committee will hold a meeting next week to discuss future activities. Morris was a transgender woman who became a homicide victim in 2002 shortly after entering a Philadelphia police vehicle. The case remains unsolved, and her advocates are seeking a state probe. Agenda items for the J4N meeting include an update on endorsements that have been gathered for a state probe. The meeting is scheduled to begin 6 p.m. June 30 in the community room of the William Way Center, 1315 Spruce St. The public is invited to attend. — Timothy Cwiek

Vocal group celebrates pride, history At 7:30 p.m. June 30, come out for a special free concert performed by Philadelphia Voices of Pride at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Prior to the concert, there will be an opportunity to view the exhibit “That’s So Gay: Outing Gay America” at 5:30 p.m. at the Library Company. The PVOP draws

inspiration from the Library Company’s early American sheet-music collection. In addition to the concert, the tap-dancing group Men on Tap will perform their hit number, “Light in the Loafers.” PVOP is a vocal ensemble devoted to promoting a positive image of the LGBT community. For more information on this event and other upcoming events, visit pvop.org.

Gay community night at Phillies On Aug. 5, join hundreds of LGBT baseball fans and non-baseball fans at the 12th Annual Gay Community Night at the Phillies. Sit with your LGBT friends, family and allies in the reserved Gay Community Night sections. The Phillies will take on the Astros at 7:05 p.m., but be in your seats before 6:40 p.m. to see someone from the LGBT community in Philly throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Tickets are $26 (sections 201-206) or $17 (sections 301-305). A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Sean Halpin Memorial Scholarship Fund, which supports continuing LGBT students attending law school in the greater Philadelphia area. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Phillies.com or call Colleen at 215-463-5000. ■ — Matty Bennett

locations in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA — NORTH OF C.C.

1 Shot Coffee, 1040 N. Second St. • 2601 Parkway Condos lobby, 2601 Pennsylvania Ave. • Bebashi, 1217 Spring Garden St. • Beehive Hair Salon, 2319 Fairmount Ave. • Beth Ahavah, 615 N. Broad St. • Bridgeview Place Condo lobby, 315 New St. • Colonnade Condos lobby, 1601 Spring Garden St. • Community College CCP Lambda, 1700 Spring Garden St. • Congresso de Latinos, American St. & Lehigh Ave. • Crooked Frame Café, 2545 Brown St. • Darling’s Diner, 1033 N. Second St. • Filter Coffee House, 331 Race St. • Girard Vet, 28th St. & Girard Ave. • HIV Early Intervention Clinic, St. Joseph’s Hospital, 16th St. & Girard Ave. • Logan View Apts. lobby, 17th & Callowhill sts. • Northern Liberties Iron Works, 821 N. Second St. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphian Condos lobby, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. • PYT Restaurant, 1050 N. Hancock St., at the Piazza • Sammy’s Place, 1449 N. Fifth St., 1st ﬂoor • SILOAM Ministries, 1133 Spring Garden St. • Temple University Student Activity Center, 1755 N. 12th St. • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • Whole Foods Market, 2001 Pennsylvania Ave. •

PHILADELPHIA — SOUTH OF C.C.

Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Class Act Auto Repair, 2042 S. Bancroft St. • Equal, 1516 Snyder Ave. • Essene, 719 S. Fourth St. • Expressive Hand, 622 S. Ninth St. • Fuel, 1917 E. Passyunk Ave. • Hideaway, Days Inn, 2015 Penrose Ave. • Jackson Place, 501 Jackson St. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • South Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • Ultimo Coffee, 1900 S. 15th St. •

PHILADELPHIA — UNIVERSITY CITY

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. • Bucks County Coffee, 3430 Sansom St. • Bucks County Coffee, 30 S. 33rd St., Rom. 113 • Drexel University, 4001 Walnut St. • Fresh Grocer, 4001 Walnut St. • Goodman Hall, 710 S. 42nd St. • International House, 3701 Chestnut St. • LGBT Center at Penn, 3907 Spruce St. • Old Quaker Condos lobby, 3514 Lancaster Ave. • Oslo Hall, 510 S. 42nd St. • Penn Bookstore, 3610 Walnut St. • Sheraton Hotel, 36th & Chestnut sts. • St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk • University of the Sciences England Library, 4200 Woodland Ave. • University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. • Wilson Hall, 708 S. 42nd St. • World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. •

PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS — OTHER

Almost Paradise, 742 Frankford Ave. • Coffee Junction, 7210 Cresheim Road • Elfant Wissahickon Realty, 8962 Ridge Ave. • Fantasy Island Books, 7363 State Road • GWHS Beacon Center, 10175 Bustleton Ave. • Harry’s Natural Foods, 1805 Cottman Ave. • Infusion Salon, 7133 Germantown Ave. • Morris House, 5537 Woodland Ave. • One Day At A Time, 2532 N. Broad St. • Philadelphia University KANBAR Center, 4201 Henry Ave. • Prevention Point, 166 W. Lehigh Ave. • Today’s Videos, 9255 Roosevelt Blvd. • Touch of Class Books, 3342 Kensington Ave. • WCAU TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road • Weaver’s Way, 559 Carpenter Lane • Welker Real Estate, 2311 Fairmount Ave. • WPVI TV lobby, City Line Ave. & Monument Road •

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 June 27 - July 3, 2014

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Protect yourself and your partner. Talk about testing, your status, condoms, and new options like medicines that prevent and treat HIV. Get the facts and tips on how to start the conversation at cdc.gov/ActAgainstAIDS/StartTalking

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Weekly features

News&Opinion 2 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Letters/Feeback Mark My Words Street Talk 19 — Crime Watch 21 — Media Trail International News

AC &

29 30 31 33 34 36

C o l u m n s

— — — — — —

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

14 — On Being Well: Another look at Trans-Health Conf. 18 — Mombian: Pride books for children

MANNA’s second annual Guac Off brought in 15 competitors and lots of green.

30 M IS FOR MARRIAGE: M Restaurant hosted “A Night OUT” June 20 to celebrate marriage equality in Pennsylvania. On the one-month anniversary of the historic court ruling that made the Keystone State the 19th in the nation to sanction same-sex marriage, LGBTs and allies enjoyed drinks, food and live music at the restaurant’s outdoor garden, on South Eighth Street. Photo: Scott A. Drake

This week in PGN 7 — Nutter revisits sick leave for city employees; joins mayors backing national marriage equality 9 — IBA elects new board 12 — The Williams Institute hires former Philly man to head division; PNC LGBT ally retires

Lolita brings some great Mexican food to the table in a throw-down to the established corner in the Gayborhood.

27 — Arts & Culture cover story: Local singer-songwriter in Penn concert series 33 — Zines for women at two locales

37 — Get Out and Play: A summer soccer storm

Classifieds

40 — Real Estate 41 — Personals 43 — Bulletin Board

“My hope is that we stop gravitating to these very few verses that deal with homosexuality in various cultures and look at the overwhelming amount on poverty and take more time to address that.” ~ Katie Day, on the Presbyterian Church changes in policy, page 6

Next week The first part in a series: After prison, gay-porn burglar speaks out

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Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com Staff Writers Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Angela Thomas (ext. 215) angela@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

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World Cup soccer mania is sweeping the sports bars in the ’Hood and the Philadelphia Falcons are riding the wave.

Art Director/ Photographer

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

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Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2014 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155 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.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Mr. Gay crowns first trans winner in Philly By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

Cutler hails from Wayne, N.J., and currently lives in West Philadelphia. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University Last Saturday marked a first for the annual and a master’s from the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine. He Mr. Gay competition. Lou Cutler, 33, was crowned Mr. Gay currently works as an acupuncturist. This was Cutler’s first time participating Philadelphia out of 14 contestants — making him the first transgender winner in any in a competition like Mr. Gay Philadelphia. “I’ve always wanted to be in some kind city since the national competition began. of event like this, and also to do some kind Philadelphia’s competition began in 2007. of modeling, but stage fright has always gotten the best of me. It was time,” he said. Cutler came out as transgender at 23 but said he knew at the early age of 5 that his true gender didn’t match the one assigned to him. “ I h a d n eve r met a trans person before to my knowledge. I simply told my parents it was life or death, without being able to tell them with CUTLER (CENTER, WITH TATTOO ON ARM) WITH THE specific trans-idenCOMPETITION Photo: Scott A. Drake tified language,” he

said. “I visibly transitioned on campus at Rutgers in 2004 as the only transman at the time, as far as I know. It certainly wasn’t one of the easier things I’ve done, but it literally saved my life.” Cutler said initially, the transition was difficult for his family to accept but they went on to become very supportive. He said he has also been bolstered by support from friends, including his best friend, Tia. Cutler took the stage June 21 at Field House with the 13 other contestants and competed in casual wear and swimswuit portions, as well as a question-and-answer session. Cutler said he believes his ability to be true to himself helped him stand out. “People pick up on this and my humility right away. I think they see my individuality, which is not only conveyed in my clothing, hair and tattoos, but also in my warm personality, demeanor and the way that I move through the world,” he said. “For the Q&A, I think people appreciated my genuineness and authenticity and can pick up on my sense of humor.” Cutler said that his participation communicated a powerful message about visibility,

both to the audience and to himself. “By simply being me, I have the power to influence and can change the relationship that people have to LGBT folks, including the relationships between people already in the LGBT community. Visibility isn’t always easy, but it can be extremely powerful. And it reinforced something I already knew: Staying true to my authentic self is the best thing I can do for me,” he said. “People can be uncomfortable and even hateful towards what they are unfamiliar with. I believe that by being seen, people will become more accepting and aware of trans people, if they weren’t before. It’s also important for me to be a visible gay trans guy. We also exist. The ‘T’ is not silent.” Since winning, Cutler’s story has made the rounds on social media and national LGBT sites like the Advocate. Cutler said he’s grateful for the opportunity to represent his city and community. “I’ve been ecstatic — like the waking-upat-5-a.m.-excited kind. I am so humbled by this experience. When the first article was released and said I ‘made history,’ I came close to tears. I am so moved by all of this. It’s so very special for me.” ■

Coming to the Delaware River Waterfront June 27 – August 31 www.SpruceStreetHarborPark.com

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REGIONAL PGN

Presbys affirm marriage By Matty Bennett PGN Contributor

CHORUSING COAST TO COAST: Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus and Portland Gay Men’s Chorus came together for a joint concert June 21 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. The performance celebrated the hits of Cole Porter, some of which Philly’s group performed in a May concert and some that were new additions to the lineup. This marked the first time the two choruses have performed in a major concert since their home states legalized marriage equality, which happened within one day of each other last month. This was also the first time PGMC performed in Rehoboth Beach in more than a decade. Photo: Patrick Hagerty

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On June 19, the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted at its General Assembly to allow ministers to perform same-sex marriages and to change its constitution’s definition of marriage from “a man and a woman” to “two people.” Starting last weekend, Presbyterian ministers were permitted to start marrying samesex couples in the 19 states and Washington, D.C., that sanction marriage equality, after 61 percent of the General Assembly voted to allow ministers the discretion to marry same-sex couples in states where it is legal. While the decision allows ministers and churches to perform same-sex weddings, it does not force them to do so. Katie Day, a parish associate and long-time member of the Tabernacle United Church in Philadelphia, said she was euphoric when the majority votes were announced. “It’s been a good week to be a Presbyterian,” Day said. However, she said, many Presbyterian clergy have been affirming same-sex couples long before last week. “I performed my first same-sex commitment ceremony 25 years ago,” Day said. “Many Presbyterian clergy have supported marriage equality for many years.” While the ministerial vote went into effect almost immediately, in order for the language change to be finalized, it will require approval by a majority of the church’s 172 regions, or presbyteries, which is a yearlong process. About 71 percent of the General Assembly opted to change the constitution’s language concerning the definition of marriage. The new language reads that marriage is a civil contract between “two people, traditionally a man and a woman.” This particular language reflects a changing world yet also describes the historical realities of marriage — and demonstrates a compromise made between those on both sides of the Presbyterian debate regarding same-sex marriage. The Presbyterian Church is a Protestant denomination that spans a wide range of liberal and conservative Christians. On two previous occasions, the church voted to ban pastors from performing samesex marriages (1991 and 2008). At the last General Assembly in 2012, delegates voted against a proposal that would amend the constitution to define marriage as being between “two persons.” Church leadership has also put ministers on religious trial for defying the prior ban and affirming gay couples. In 2010, the GA voted to allow openly gay members to serve as ministers, prompting a number of conservative congregations to leave the church. Sharon Groves, director of the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion and Faith Program, discussed the significance of these latest votes.

“Young people and their families can go into a Presbyterian church and know that their denomination has not turned a blind eye to them,” Groves said, “but has instead taken a giant step toward becoming a more loving and welcoming place for all people to worship.” Chris Purdom, a Tabernacle United Church of Philadelphia elder and 50-year member, said the historic decisions have been a long time coming. “The decision-making process is very slow,” Purdom said, “but it is a correction to a problem in the Book of Order.” The Book of Order is the constitution for the Presbyterian Church — which will be amended if a majority of presbyteries vote in favor of the new marriage definition. The Tabernacle United Church in Philadelphia is a More Light Presbyterian Church. According to Purdom and Day, this means they welcome LGBT people into the full life of the congregation. There are many More Light Presbyterian churches throughout the country. Even though marriage is not a sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, Day said it is a primary function of the church and is highly regulated. But, Purdom expressed his desire for the church to focus on other issues besides the marriage debate. “Marriage is not a part of [Presbyterian] church law,” he said, “but we sure spend a lot of time arguing about it.” Day echoed that sentiment, wishing the Presbyterian focus was less on debating marriage equality and more on poverty. “There are hundreds of verses on how we should respond to the poor, and that’s very hard to ignore,” Day said. “My hope is that we stop gravitating to these very few verses that deal with homosexuality in various cultures and look at the overwhelming amount of poverty and take more time to address that.” Highlighting the clear divide within the Presbyterian Church, there were many congregations and members that left the Presbyterian denomination due to the proLGBT ordination decision four years ago. Other conservative congregations on the brink of leaving could do so following last week’s votes, but Day said the church is changing with society. “Our congregation has lost some people,” she said, “but the attrition is slowing down because the country is changing so fast.” For many, the General Assembly vote is a clear sign that the Presbyterian Church has become a more inclusive, Christ-like place. However, critics of the vote argue it is a sign the church is simply following the masses of society and ignoring the Bible — an argument Day said holds little weight. “There are many things from the Bible where we say, ‘That was another time, that was another culture.’ There are very few passages that deal with homosexuality, and they are engrained in the cultural context of that time.” ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Nutter revisits paid sick leave Convicted gay basher to be paroled By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com After 15 years of incarceration, convicted gay basher Herbert C. Haak will be released to a halfway house in August. Last month, the state Board of Probation and Parole decided to grant parole to Haak. He’s scheduled to be released to a halfway house on or about Aug. 18. The location of the halfway house won’t be divulged until Haak begins residing there, a state Department of Corrections spokesperson said. Haak, 43, is expected to live in the halfway house for about 30 days, before being released to the community. In 1995, Haak and co-defendant Richard Wise assaulted a gay man with a tuna can and stole his jacket. A Philadelphia jury convicted Haak of robbery and criminal conspiracy. In a separate bench trial, Wise was convicted of aggravated assault and related offenses. Wise, 38, was paroled in 2010. The incident took place near Schuylkill River Park, a gay-cruising area at the time, and police termed the incident a “gay bashing.” Three days earlier, Kimberly Ernest was raped and murdered while jogging in Center City. Haak and Wise were accused of her murder, but they were acquitted by a jury in 1997. Haak contended that local authorities retaliated against him for the acquittal by unfairly linking him to the gay-bashing incident. He has consistently denied harboring any anti-LGBT sentiments. Susan Bensinger, a state DOC spokesperson, said the department recommended that Haak be released. “Mr. Haak has completed any and all programs he was required to attend,” Bensinger said. “His institutional adjustment has been satisfactory. He’s been employed as a peer educator while incarcerated. He had some minor misconducts. But it’s been more than six years since his last infraction.” If Haak were required to serve his maximum sentence, he wouldn’t be released until Aug. 18, 2029, according to DOC records. ■

One year after vetoing LGBT-inclusive legislation that would mandate paid sick leave for local workers, Mayor Michael Nutter is revisiting the concept. Councilman-at-Large Bill Greenlee introduced the legislation twice — in 2011 and 2013 — both resulting in a veto from Nutter. Earlier this month, Nutter announced he would convene a task force to examine the economic impact of paid sick leave on employees and business, as well as on the city’s overall business climate and public health. As written, Greenlee’s bill would have required Philadelphia companies with 12 or more employees give one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked; companies with five-11 employees could earn up to 32 hours of paid sick leave. Companies with five or less employees would be exempt from the legislation. In its original form, the bill would have allowed same-sex partners time off to care for one another — which seemingly would be nullified by Pennsylvania’s recent marriage-equality gain — and also would facilitate time off for transgender people recovering from surgery and for those with HIV/AIDS. The legislation passed with an 11-6 vote in March 2013 but could not gain enough votes to become veto-proof. At the time, Nutter said the bill would make it difficult for the city to attract new businesses.

But on June 12, Nutter announced the new investigatory task force, helmed by Health Federation of Philadelphia executive director Natalie Levkovich and Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce vice president Lisa Crutchfield. The task force will deliver a final report to Nutter and City Council by Dec. 1 with recommendations on how to proceed on the issue. In a statement, Nutter said paid sick leave is a “complicated policy question that profoundly impacts employees and employers,” necessitating the task force. “It is critical that we thoroughly evaluate this issue in order to continue to strengthen our business climate while ensuring the health and well-being of employees,” Nutter added. Greenlee told PGN he is optimistic that the mayor is open to conversation about his legislation. “He said he has noted that other cities have done this and they didn’t fall apart,” the councilman said. “I have been open from the beginning to conversations and this task force will have conversations about this issue and see where it leads. I’d love to have a situation where everybody is onboard.” Greenlee said he hopes to reintroduce the legislation but is unsure of a specific timeline. He added that he had conversations with fellow council members on the issue, and said opinions are changing. “It is an issue that resonates with people, so we will see what happens as time goes on,” Greenlee said. ■

Nutter, other mayors back national marriage equality By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is among a coalition of mayors urging the U.S. Supreme Court to mandate marriage equality across the nation. The U.S. Conference of Mayors on Monday adopted a resolution calling on the nation’s top court to issue a definitive ruling in favor of marriage equality. The vote came during the conference’s annual meeting, which concluded Monday in Dallas, Texas. The resolution was signed by 29 mayors, including Nutter, former president of the conference. Nutter is a longtime member of the Mayors for Freedom to Marry, which, according to this week’s resolution, has more than 400 members from 39 states and Washington, D.C. The resolution references the sweeping

court decisions recently handed down in favor of marriage equality, as well as the “untenable patchwork” of marriage laws, which the mayors say impose “great legal uncertainty and hardship on committed same-sex couples in the 31 states that deny their freedom to marry and refuse to respect their lawful marriages, even as the federal government rightly treats these couples as married for federal programs and purposes.” The group formally endorsed marriage equality in 2009. Since that time, the resolution noted, “support for marriage for samesex couples has grown to nearly 60 percent nationwide, with majorities in every region of the country and opposition diminishing dramatically.” The document went on to urge “federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to speedily bring national resolution by ruling in favor of the freedom to marry nationwide.” ■

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Looking for ﬁreworks all day and night?

DON’T MISS THE DO AC 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS Citywide show starts at 9:30pm from 3 locations. Watch from the beaches, Boardwalk and Marina. Keep it interesting – plan your fun before and after the ﬁreworks – come early and stay late!

PLAN YOUR JULY 4TH GETAWAY AT DO ATLANTIC CITY.COM

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Biz group elects new leaders By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Independence Business Alliance, the region’s LGBT chamber of commerce, recently elected six new board members. The new members were voted in at the IBA’s Annual Membership Meeting, held June 24 at Ralph’s Café in the Comcast Center. More than 130 people attended the event, which IBA executive administrator Tom Cavanaugh said was the highest attendance yet for the meeting. “It was fantastic,” he said. “It was the largest annual meeting that IBA has had ever. The venue was great and the event was sold out.” The meeting also coincided with IBA’s new monthly networking mixer, ConnX. Cavanaugh said the monthly mixers, which started earlier this year, have been successful. “They are going really well. We average each month between 75-100 attendees,” he said. “The brand seems to have taken off and people seem to have really noticed and taken to them.” During the event, the board and general membership voted on the new leaders. The election process began in March, when IBA sent out an email to all IBA members asking for nominations for new board members. The nomination committee then reviewed the candidates’ biographies and résumés

and made recommendations to the board, which were approved Tuesday. The six new members are Deb Cassidy, director of sales, marketing and family services at West Laurel Hill Cemetery; Greg DeShields, executive director of the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress; Mike Fanelle, director of new business development at Bozeken; Samantha Giusti, executive director of the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund; Rob Nonemacker, events manager at the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance; and Christopher Whibley, executive assistant for information, security and data protections at Elsevier. The new board members will begin their terms July 1. The IBA also re-elected secretary Tom Streeper and member Conrad Kahn for another term once their current term ends June 30. Cavanaugh said the new members come from very diverse backgrounds and experiences and noted that Streeper and Kahn bring a historical perspective to the board due to their longtime membership. “A few within the pool of new directors are new to the IBA and a few have been a part of IBA for quite some time but they will come to the board with new ideas and new energy that will serve to benefit our members and grow and expand the organization,” Canvaugh said. For more information on the Independence Business Alliance, visit http://independencebusinessalliance.com. ■

GUAC AND ROLL: Chili’s showed off its best guacamole at the second-annual Guac Off, June 22 at Sonesta Hotel. The event raised $3,317 for Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance, which delivers nutritional meals to those with life-threatening illnesses. Seven restaurants and eight individual chefs put their best guacamole recipes to the test, as more than 100 spectators came to sample the dishes. A panel of celebrity judges including Tracy Davidson, Roberta Pipito and Patty Jackson gave the individual grand prize to Flam’s Rockin’ Guac and the restaurant grand prize to Tortilla Press. Molcajete Mob won the award for best table display, while Guacan’t Believe It’s Not Butter! took home the people’s choice award. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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PGN

Gay is our middle name.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Scott Esk

Editorial

LGBT journalism PGN had the opportunity to accept a prestigious award from the Society of Professional Journalists last weekend, given in recognition of Tim Cwiek’s more-than decade-long coverage of the still-unsolved homicide of local transgender woman Nizah Morris. The PGN team was both honored and humbled to have our name announced amid the traditional “greats” in journalism. While the recognition was appreciated, seeing Nizah’s story played out in front of such a wide audience reinforced the notion that the real value of journalism — LGBT journalism in particular — lies not in circulation numbers, page clicks, “likes” or shares, but in the stories themselves and the people whose lives are positively impacted by them. The field of LGBT journalism is infused with the spirit of a community that in large part has its foundations in activism. Our community has spent decades fighting for rights, recognition and respect, and that attitude has translated into the media outlets that represent us, PGN included. The evolution of media, however, has brought about a changing face of journalism. People want their news now, and competition is rife — causing some to rely on packaging of the product, rather than the product itself, to grab readers. But where is the journalistic value, for instance, in a recent piece published in Philadelphia that stereotyped the older gay male community as sex-focused, superficial and striving for youth? By the youth-centric commentary, it was clearly produced by a young writer. But putting forth such images in LGBT media not only promulgates stereotypes — certainly not all, or even anywhere near the majority of, gay men past middle age spend their weekends trolling summer hot spots looking for young dates — but also diminishes past progress made by a generation that paved the way for LGBT writers of today. What last weekend’s ceremony showed PGN is that we need more stories that uphold the activist spirit of our community. Tim Cwiek’s Nizah Morris coverage has taken him to court after court, judge after judge, hangup after hangup. He’s met with and interviewed officials across the police department, legal department, police-oversight committee. PGN has pressed elected officials during each campaign season about the action they would take on the case. Tim has poured over page after page of legal jargon, and weeded through it to find the myriad inconsistencies that are making the search for justice all the more elusive. We need journalism like this. Not stories about beach bods and bar specials. We need stories that illustrate, through the words and the work behind them, the resilience, strength and power of our community. ■

When I was a little kid, I really wanted a rock tumbler. I remember looking through the JC Penney catalog and telling my mom that I hoped Santa would bring me one for Christmas. My mom said something about the tumbler using too much electricity and Santa never came through. I’d basically forgotten about this unfulfilled wish until I read about Scott Esk, a Tea Party Republican running for the 91st District seat in the Oklahoma House. He also has a wish that involves rocks. However, while my wish was to make the river rocks around my family’s backyard into shiny gems, his wish is to use those rocks to kill gay people. That’s right, folks. In 2014, a candidate for office is publicly endorsing stoning gay people to death. Because God. And also because he’s a terrible person. Granted, he doesn’t have any gay-stoning plank in his platform, but he still made a public pronouncement via Facebook a while back. His declaration was in response to Pope Francis saying, basically, “Gays? Meh.” So Esk posted a couple of Bible verses he said advocated stoning gay people. And someone asked him if he was seriously advocating death to gays. “I think we would be totally in the right to do it,” Esk posted. “That goes against some parts of libertarianism, I realize, and I am largely libertarian, but ignoring, as a nation, things that are worthy of death is very remiss.” Totally in the right to kill homos, eh? Very remiss, indeed. But don’t worry. If elected, Esk won’t make this a priority. “I never said I would author legislation to put homosexuals to death, but I didn’t have a problem with it,” he said, according to the Inquisitr. See? I mean, he might co-sponsor such a bill, but he’s not going to do the hard work of writing it or anything. “I know what was done in the Old Testament and what was done back then

was what’s just,” he continued. “And I do stand for Biblical morality.” I don’t know if you’ve read the Old Testament, but let me just tell you, it’s super-violent, super-shitty toward women and basically a blueprint for a world no sane person would want to live in. But to Esk, it’s apparently paradise and we should base our laws on Old Testament justice, where women and children were killed with impunity ... Oh, wait. Actually, considering the number of women and children who die at the hands of men in this country, especially men with guns, I guess we already do that. But that apparently doesn’t go far enough for Esk. This is problematic considering that, according to reports, Esk is currently separated from his wife. Which means he might well be heading toward divorce. And we all know that God hates divorce. Apparently the whole “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” doesn’t apply so long as you’re doing the Lord’s work by killing the gays. The good news is that the backlash against Esk has been swift. Even a blogger for the National Review Online wrote, “So, there we have it: 2014’s first nominee for the Todd Akin Toes-onTonsils Award.” Let’s hope that Esk gets his ass kicked in his primary election June 24. ■

That’s right, folks. In 2014, a candidate for office is publicly endorsing stoning gay people to death.

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 and roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing at the University of Michigan.

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

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

OP-ED PGN

Sex talk with the Wall Street Journal Never in my almost-39 years of jour— the people from the Wall Street Journal nalism would it have dawned on me that must have thought they had stepped into an PGN, the little LGBT newspaper that just alternate universe. wouldn’t quit, would be honored with the Mike’s award-winning article was titled national Society of Professional Journalists “Champ” and explores the world of a male Sigma Delta Chi award for investigative porn star who has done gay porn for pay. I reporting. The prestigious award was given chime in to the Journal staff and ask, “Gay to our longtime reporter Tim for pay, a good financial story, something the Journal can wrap Cwiek at a Washington, D.C., its hands around?” And then I ceremony last weekend for his realized what I said ... Unfazed, coverage of the almost-12-year Mike and Tim continue to comodyssey of twists and turns pare their stories and investigaattempting to understand why tions. an African-American transwoman offered a courtesy ride In between, I did learn from home by police wound up dead the award-winning Wall Street on a Philadelphia street from Journal that when someone who blunt-force trauma to the head. works at a company gives you information and suggests you After finding doors slammed buy that company’s stock, that’s by police officials and district inside trading and illegal. But, attorneys, Tim demanded hearwhen a member of Congress or ings and traveled off to numerous courts to demand official their staff knows of legislation Mark Segal that is going to be passed that documents under the Rightto-Know Law ... and somecan affect a company’s stock how that won Tim and PGN a trip to the and goes out and buys it, that is not illegal. National Press Club and its sold-out black- The Wall Street Journal won an award this tie-optional banquet. year for that story. As we arrive, Tim, our editor Jen Then it is Tim’s time to accept his award. Colletta and myself are escorted to our The announcers have as a backdrop the full front page of PGN and on the side in table. We are sitting with the Wall Street bold letters winner for “Coverage of Nizah Journal staff, who are accepting an award Morris Case.” This brings about a rumble for investigative journalism as well. The only other person at our table is a reporter of mixed emotions in me. First, seeing from the Miami New Times, Mike Miller. PGN honored along with The Washington We all sit down and begin to mingle, Post, Boston Globe, NPR, CNN and Wall with Jen and me talking with the staff from Street Journal is a new pinnacle for LGBT the Journal and Tim with Mike, chatting media. Then, there’s seeing Nizah’s name away like old buddies. There’s a lull at the in lights, and the thought that she’d like that. table with only Tim and Mike talking and So, I guess you can say we talked sex, then Tim says to all of us: “He covered a politics and money at our table, with a murder also and his was a porn star.” Now little journalism on the side. And you can everyone at the table was glued to Mike and Tim. When the silence was at a cutting bet that the Nizah Morris story is still not edge, someone from the Journal looks at over, until there are answers. That is called social justice for all. ■ Tim and asks, “What was yours about?” Tim starts to tell the story of Nizah Morris, Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the and Mike chimes in about the possible nation’s most-award-winning commentagay angle of his story, since the straight male porn star had murdered a closeted tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com. gay man, and — how should I put this?

Mark My Words

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Street Talk Should military recruiters be barred from LGBT events, since trans people can’t serve openly? “Yes, they should be barred. If you can’t support the community in full, you have no business at a community Steven Dodge event. It’s student really messed Washington Square up how trans West people are treated as subhuman. The military should stop dragging their feet and accept anyone ready to serve.”

“No. That’s being a little too harsh. It looks selfish on the part of the organizers. There will be a time when transgenders Latrice Mitchell student are welcome North Philadelphia in the military. The community should be more patient. Understand that change takes time.”

“Yes. I wouldn’t want to minimize the issues that trans people face on a regular basis. One form of discriminaSarah Smith tion isn’t less student egregious Wilmington, Del. than another form. So I would support barring military recruiters until they accept transgender service members.”

“Yes. I don’t agree with the military’s antitransgender policy. Military recruiters should be Kevin Williams excluded student from LGBT Newark, Del. events until trans folks are welcome. I hope excluding the recruiters will apply enough pressure for the military to make the necessary changes.”

and the Hon. Ann Butchart for lending their professionalism and grace to Pride Day and marrying our proud couples. As promised, our entertainment was the best in a decade. The Village People managed to pack all four sections of seats in the amphitheater and all standing room on the walkways, a feat not heretofore accomplished. Well-Strung, Lynne Koplitz, Wendy Ho, AKiRE, Ariana & the Rose, BETTY and our local entertainers rounded out enough talent and genres for everyone. (And, lest anyone resent the $15 admission, Well-Strung appeared in a New Hope cabaret the month before and tickets were $30 for them alone.) Philly Pride

Presents, unlike most gay Pride organizations, offers entertainment as part of our festival. The Pride groups that charge admission to their festivals have a separate and stand-alone entertainment venue for which a separate admission is charged. We are happy to do it all for one low admission price. Several weeks prior to Pride Day, the wonderful folks at Yikes designed Philly Pride Presents a completely new website. We could not learn WordPress in sufficient time to permit us to edit the site prior to Pride Day, but it is now up and running. Several Pride coordinators donated yet another June Sunday to PAGE 14

Letters and Feedback An open letter from Philly Pride Presents: Philadelphia reflected its Pride on June 8, 2014. Philly Pride Presents would like to thank the record number of LGBT citizens (and, of course, our straight friends) for making Pride Day 2014 an overwhelming success and certainly the best Pride we have organized in our 26-year history. The numbers are simply staggering: an increase in paid festival attendance of 40 percent (to 15,000), an increase in parade contingents of 20 percent (to 71) and an increase in overall number of participating groups and businesses of 22 percent

(to 179). The festival has been sold out of vending spaces for several years in a row, so now we just try to utilize our space better. That we were able to achieve record numbers of festivalgoers given our increase in admission fees to $15 makes the numbers even more remarkable. Once again, your participation and pride made June 8 a singular success. We extend our best wishes to those married couples who exchanged their vows at the reviewing stand at Independence Hall. Achieving marital equality a few short weeks prior to June 8 put the spotlight on us to celebrate it appropriately. We are eternally grateful to the Hon. Dan Anders

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

LOCAL PGN

Former Philly leader named to staff of Williams Institute LGBT ally retires one attorney who advertised in a gay Philadelphia and at Wellspring have By Angela Thomas from PNC Bank paper,” he said. “There were no out partners helped him prepare for the position at The angela@epgn.com of any large law firms. The law schools in Williams Institute. A former Philadelphian and founder of Equality Pennsylvania’s predecessor was recently hired to lead international programming at The Williams Institute, an LGBT thinktank at the University of California. Andrew Park began his position as the institute’s international program director earlier this month. Park, 51, founded the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights in 1996 and served as its executive director for five years. The organization went on to ultimately become the statewide LGBT-rights organization Equality Pennsylvania, and its legal department transitioned to Mazzoni Center. He is also co-founder and former co-chair of Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club. Park lived in Philadelphia from 19922003. Prior to moving to the West Coast, Park served as program director for Wellspring Advisors LLC, based in New York City. He now lives in Los Angeles, where the institute is located. The agency is part of the university’s law school and conducts independent research on LGBT law and public policy. Park, a former trial attorney with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, said the legal landscape for LGBT people has improved dramatically since he founded the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights. “When it was founded, there was only

Pennsylvania did not teach LGBT rights. It was hard to get an attorney to take your case. But now, you find the legal community is responding to LGBT issues.” Public policy, however, still is lacking, he noted. “The laws on the state level were completely insufficient to protect people from discrimination; unfortunately, that is still the case,” he said. ANDREW PARK Park said he’s been impressed by how Equality Pennsylvania and Mazzoni Center have worked to address those and other issues. “Mazzoni Center serves people who may not have had access to an attorney simply because of the rates of poverty in the LGBT community,” he said. “There is still this myth that gay people have wealth but if you look at patterns in Pennsylvania, the LGBT community has higher rates of poverty. They serve a population that would have a hard time getting attorneys. And Equality Pennsylvania has taken their advocacy outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and engaged in advocacy in the middle and northern parts of the state.” Park said his experience both in

“At Wellspring, I ran grantmaking programs for philanthropists active in the field of LGBT rights and so I became very familiar with global LGBT organizations and issues. And my experience at the Center helped me understand how evidence on the lives of LGBT people can help affect public policy,” he said, noting that the institute strives to examine issues like poverty, health and education relating to LGBT populations and present that to policymakers. “What I did in Philly helped me learn how that worked.” Park said within the past 20 years, global LGBT research has focused on examining human-rights abuses, and that he believes research will be branching into different areas in the future. “I think the research will now be based around LGBT people in poverty-stricken countries and whether or not they will be included in the concept of human development,” he said. “So when we look at programs to relieve poverty and elevate systems of education and health, the question will be, Are LGBT people included in those services and programs?” Park said the international program director position was the next natural step in his career. “I have been doing advocacy and humanrights work for many years, and Williams is the place where we can start pushing the next global phase of activism, which is about human development.” ■

SCHAEFER from page 1

William E. Ewing, an attorney for Schaefer, said Johnson should disallow an appeal. “From the beginning of this process, Bishop Johnson has been led by bad legal advice into committing gross offenses against the fair process, which is guaranteed by the United Methodist Book of Discipline,” Ewing said. “I hope she will not abdicate her rightful role as bishop in misguided deference to those same legal advisors. She should now step forward to tell [Fisher] that ‘Enough is enough. There will be no appeal.’ “Stop causing schism in the church at the church’s own expense,” Ewing continued. “The decision whether to appeal belongs to the Conference, which Bishop Johnson heads. [Fisher’s] role is to follow the direction of his client, not vice versa. Although the Book of Discipline makes an exception to that rule with respect to the decision to file charges in the first place, it does not authorize [Fisher] to file an appeal on his own initiative.” Even if Fisher decides to appeal, Schaefer said, he’s optimistic the Judicial Council will uphold his reinstatement. Schaefer is the father of three LGBT children and one non-LGBT child. He said the support of his family has helped him get through the ordeal. He lives in North Cornwall Township

and for the past 11 years was pastor of Zion of Iona United Methodist Church in South Lebanon Township. Prior to his defrocking, he’d been an ordained Methodist minister for 17 years. Schaefer said his defrocking can be traced to an altercation with Deborah Boger, a former senior choir director at Zion of Iona. Her son, Jon, filed a formal complaint against Schaefer for officiating at his son’s 2007 gay wedding, six years after the fact. When contacted by PGN, Deborah Boger declined to comment on Schaefer’s reinstatement. Jon Boger couldn’t be reached for comment. For the past six months, Schaefer has been a guest speaker throughout the country. He’s also written a book, “Defrocked,” which will be published in July. He said he’ll return to Philadelphia in November for the opening of a play that will reenact his trial. Next year, a documentary about his ordeal is expected to be released. Schaefer has received numerous honors and awards during the past six months that mean a great deal to him, he added. “Now my family and I can finally put some of the stress behind us.” ■

ministering to college students. Schaefer said his wife Brigitte will relocate with him, and he expressed excitement with his new role. “It’s time for us to move on,” Schaefer said. “We’re going to have a new life and a new ministry. And we’re happy to put this behind us.” He said returning to his former church in South Lebanon Township wasn’t an option because it has a new pastor. In a statement, Bishop Peggy A. Johnson of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church said the Rev. Christopher Fisher will decide whether to appeal Schaefer’s reinstatement to the church’s Judicial Council. The Judicial Council is the church’s top court. “This has been a challenging judicial process, and I express my heartfelt appreciation for the diligent efforts made to ensure due process and uphold our United Methodist Discipline with respect, understanding and compassion for all involved,” Johnson added. Johnson selected Fisher to serve as Schaefer’s prosecutor last year. He’s known to be very conservative, and has 30 days to decide whether to appeal.

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com After a more-than 40-year career in the banking industry, Bill Mills will retire this week. Mills, 66, has served as president of PNC Bank’s Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey region for 13 years. He joined PNC in 1989. Mills, a straight LGBT ally, was heavily involved in PNC’s diversity efforts and LGBT outreach, serving as executive sponsor of its LGBT employee resource group. He helped pioneer PNC’s partnership with LGBT chamber of commerce Independent Business Alliance. Mills said PNC has long understood the need for diversity; the agency has offered domestic-partner benefits for same-sex couples for a number of years, as well as medical benefits specific to transgender employees. “We took a pact as a company that we would embrace diversity and pursue it to our advantage in the sense that we find a real diverse workforce allows us tremendous flexibility and the ability to grow this company,” he said. Since 2010, PNC has teamed with IBA to offer the annual PNC LGBT Business Award, a $5,000 grant to help an LGBT-owned small business grow. “Small businesses have a challenge no matter what they are,” he said. “And this is the only award that I am aware of where a major corporation encourages a small business to grow. It is a great award because it is just another way to help them become successful.” Mills said PNC has benefited from its involvement with IBA. “We have employees that are involved in it. It really has fostered broader thinking in our company. We want everybody to bring their full self to work every day,” said Mills, who serves on IBA’s board of directors and IBA’s executive committee. “The IBA is the most successful of all the chambers that I am aware of in the city. The style and the way it is growing should be a model for all kinds of chambers.” IBA board president Rich Horrow said Mills’ work in the LGBT community, and leadership in his company on LGBT issues, has been significant. “Bill’s visibility at our events has had a huge impact on the LGBT business community, serving as a strong role model for small businesses and other leaders in our community,” he said. “His legacy has created a strong partnership with the IBA that will endure for years to come.” As for Mills, he plans to stay busy in retirement by remaining on a number of organizational boards — and spending time with his grandkids. “The reality is, the most fun I will have is with my five grandchildren, who all luckily live in the region, so I am looking forward to spending time with them and spoiling them,” he said. “I am a young retiree and I’ve got a lot of stuff I want to do.” ■

PGN

WINDSOR from page 1

equality bans, all of which are also being appealed. That’s a total of courts in 16 states — 22 courts all together, counting multiple rulings from individual states — that have moved to strike part or all of their states’ laws against same-sex marriage in just one year. No court that has considered the issue since Windsor has upheld a marriage-equality ban. On Wednesday, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals became the first federal appellate court to find a constitutional right to marry for same-sex couples. Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, samesex marriage was legal in 13 states and Washington, D.C., covering about 30 percent of the country’s residents; that number now stands at 20 states and D.C., or about 45.6 percent of Americans. Witold Walczak, who was on the legal team that led the case that ultimately overturned Pennsylvania’s ban on marriage equality, said the Windsor case has had a direct impact on the state challenges. “I think it was hugely important,” Walczak said about the Supreme Court decision. “Windsor stopped short of declaring that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry but the reasoning the majority employed has really triggered all of the decisions turning down marriage laws across the country. That can be directly attributable to Windsor.” All of the decisions striking down marriage bans have referenced Windsor. “Clearly, the Windsor ruling had a domino effect on the states,” added Equality Pennsylvania executive director Ted Martin. “The decision opened the door for all of the states to have real conversations about what

Total U.S. population: approx. 316,128,000

In courts: 8 states, 200,022,000; approx. 65% Post-Windsor: 20 states, 144,131,000; approx. 46% Pre-Windsor: 13 states, 95,586,000; approx. 30%

means for all families to have the freedom to marry.” Policy impact Last week, the Department of Justice issued a report detailing the federal policy changes put in place since Windsor. Among the review was the news that the Social Security Administration and Veterans Administration will not be able to fully extend benefits to all same-sex married couples. Currently, both agencies recognize marriage based on the state of residence, not the state of celebration, meaning couples who live in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage, even if they are legally married out of state, are ineligible. The DOJ report indicates that Congressional action is needed to revise both agencies’ policies. A group of federal lawmakers, including Pennsylvania Congressmember Allyson Schwartz, gathered on Capitol Hill Wednesday to advocate for the Social Security

The year since United States vs. Windsor Same-sex marriage legal Same-sex marriage legal pending appeal Recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriage legal pending appeal 11/13/13 Hawaii 6/26/13 U.S. Supreme Court overturns the key provision of DOMA as unconstitutional.

9/27/13 New Jersey Federal judge overturns marriageequality ban. State plans, then drops, appeal. Marriages begin Oct. 21.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Governor signs bill legalizing same-sex marriage. They begin Dec. 2.

11/20/13 Illinois Governor signs bill legalizing samesex marriage. They begin June 1.

12/19/13 New Mexico

Marriage Equality Act. The legislation, introduced last month, would confer full spousal benefits to all legally married same-sex couples. However, for now, some SSA benefits, such as survivor and lump-sun death benefits, will be available to couples living in states that offer some recognition for same-sex relationships, such as Colorado, Wisconsin and Nevada. And, the VA will begin allowing same-sex spouses of veterans to be buried alongside them at national cemeteries. Also last week, the administration moved to allow same-sex spouses, regardless of the laws of the state in which they live, to be included equally in the Family and Medical Leave Act. The latest changes follow a host of federal policy revisions since last summer.

Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality. Marriages in interim acknowledged by federal government. Appellate court rules June 25 to uphold; stay remains in effect.

Shortly after the Windsor decision, President Obama directed a team of DOJ lawyers to work with lawyers for all federal agencies to ensure the ruling was reflected in federal policies. A number of agencies changed their marriage-recognition policies from being based on the state of residence to the state of celebration, while agencies without official policies on the books adopted residence-based rules. “Given that a majority of states still do not allow or recognize same-sex marriages, this issue often determines whether the federal government can provide marriagedependent benefits to all same-sex married couples, including those who now live in non-recognition states,” the report stated. Among the most significant changes: The Internal Revenue Service recognizes all same-sex marriages for federal tax purposes; the Department of Defense provides equal marriage benefits to same- and opposite-sex couples; same-sex married couples can sponsor one another for immigration purposes; federal employees can add same-sex spouses to their healthinsurance plans; and same-sex married couples are being treated equal in terms of federal judicial proceedings. “There is a sea change at the federal level and it looks like there will be more to come,” Martin said. “More can be done via executive order and we hope that states will take this model as an example of how to win victories for LGBT people in the states. The report goes on to detail a wealth of marriage-related changes that have taken place in the last year in 18 federal agencies. “The administration’s sweeping interpretation and implementaPAGE 25

5/9/14 Arkasas

2/12/14 Kentucky Federal judge overturns ban on recognition of out-of-state marriages, issue stays pending appeal.

State Supreme Court rules same-sex marriage is legal. Marriages had been allowed in some counties previously.

12/20/13 Utah

and

Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality; state Supreme Court issues stay pending appeal.

2/13/14 Virginia

Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality, issues stay pending appeal

4/10/14 Indiana Federal judge rules that the marriage of one out-of-state couples should be recognized. The court fully overturns the ban on marriage equality June 25. As of presstime, no stay was issued and marriages began immediately.

3/14/14 Tennessee 1/14/14 Oklahoma Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality, issues immediate stay pending appeal

5/19/14 Oregon Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality. Ofﬁcials decline to appeal and marriages start immediately.

Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality, issues immediate stay pending appeal.

2/26/14 Texas

Federal judge overturns ban on recognition of out-ofstate marriage for three couples; appeal pending.

5/20/14 Pennsylvania 5/13/14 Idaho

Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality. Appellate court issues stay pending appeal.

Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality. Ofﬁcials decline to appeal and marriages start immediately.

Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality. Appellate court issues stay pending appeal.

4/14/14 Ohio 3/21/14 Michigan

Federal judge overturns ban on recognition of out-ofstate marriages, issues stay pending appeal.

6/6/14 Wisconsin Federal judge overturns ban on marriage equality, issues stay pending appeal.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Another side of the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference: Exploring the professional medical track Many of my colleagues at Mazzoni of attorneys, CLE credits). For medical Center are still recovering from another and legal providers alike, these credits are successful conclusion of the Philadelphia a key element to maintaining licensure and Trans-Health Conference, which took staying current in standards of care. place at the Pennsylvania Convention To ensure we are providing the best, Center June 12-14, and this year drew most accurate and consistent information in these professional workshops, we more than 3,500 attendees from throughout the region and around the have a tightly controlled screening process for presenters and world. Each year the event is content. We were particularly a whirlwind of activity, inspiration, education and commuexcited about our partnership this year with the Gay and Lesbian nity engagement. Medical Association (GLMA), While many are familiar with the “general” conference which has been a leader in LGBT health for decades, and — which draws the largest which served as the certifying crowds — Mazzoni Center body for medical and nursing has also been working over continuing-education credits that the last two years to develop participants in our professional a smaller-scale professional track within the conference, track received. It’s a sign of the which is specifically aimed growing recognition within the at practitioners of medicine, medical community of the need to understand and implement behavioral health and law, to help them gain the knowledge Dane Menkin high-quality, culturally competent health care for trans-identithey need to provide the highest level of service to clients fied individuals. who are trans-identified. It’s an opportuEach year, our presenters are nity to share new developments and best selected based upon a particular theme or practices, to network and learn from others focus, as well as areas of clinical expertise. This year, the focus was on current working in the field. As one of the organizers and coordinators of our professional research and unique case studies, which track, I have been especially thrilled at the are seen by Mazzoni providers with regugrowth of this area in recent years, and the larity, but probably less often by clinicians who have fewer transgender patients in overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve received from colleagues around the coun- their practices. Among the workshops featry. The Trans Clinical Care and One of the most notable Management Program (TCCM), which is where I’m involved, was developed emerging trends in the from the idea that there is no other confield of trans health is ference in the United States that provides the space for exchange of information the treatment of genderon the clinical care of trans and gennonconforming children, der-nonconforming people. The World Professional Association of Transgender and this was definitely Health (WPATH) has been the leader reflected in the conversainternationally for transgender health care for many years, but its annual gathering is tions among providers at often expensive and requires a capacity to this year’s conference. travel internationally to attend. Our goal at the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference tured was a presentation by a local Ph.D. is to provide clinical information about candidate looking at the cardiovascular transgender health care, from the basic to changes of transgender patients comthe advanced level, to any interested provider, and to do so at a reasonable cost. pared to cisgender counter populations. Since its inception, the Philadelphia We also had a researcher from Columbia Trans-Health Conference has taken great University Hospital in New York who is pride in being a free conference to ‘”regugathering data from transgender patients lar” attendees; there is no registration fee regarding their experiences in emergency to participate in the general workshops departments around the country. and activities of the conference. However, One of the most notable emerging we do charge a nominal fee for those who trends in the field of trans health is the attend the professional tracks of the contreatment of gender-nonconforming chilference because they receive Continuing dren, and this was definitely reflected in Education Credits in return (or in the case the conversations among providers at this

On Being Well

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year’s conference. Here at Mazzoni, we launched a program earlier this year that is specifically aimed at gender-nonconforming youth and their families, to provide them with the most current information and treatment options and collaborate with each patient and family system in order to form a comprehensive and individual treatment plan. As health-care professionals, we are only just beginning to look at transgender health from a long-term perspective. At Mazzoni Center, we have about 10 years of solid data specific to transgender patients and their care, which we are able to study and which enables us to identify outcomes and trends that will help guide our practices going forward. This data helps us understand and make adjustments to things like hormone-delivery methods, monitoring bloodwork and recognizing unintended and not-well-understood health impacts of medical transition. In medicine, there is always more to learn. Having access to our own data, along with the opportunity to exchange ideas and information with other providers, is what will help us provide the best possible care and advice for our patients. Mazzoni has long utilized an “informed consent” model for transgender care, which essentially means that the individual patient is empowered to make decisions regarding his or her health care, after receiving and evaluating information from a team of medically trained providers. (We do not require patients to bring us a letter from a therapist or to spend a prescribed amount of time living as their preferred gender in order to receive transitionrelated care). We are now seeing informed consent become the standard of care around the country. At the Trans-Health Conference, providers exchange methods and advice on offering patients the most accurate and helpful information so they can provide informed consent. This has become an expectation among clinicians in attendance. As the Trans-Health Conference continues to grow, the organizers will continue to evaluate and update the content we are presenting so we can best meet the needs of the providers who attend. The area of high-level provision of transgender health care is one that is changing rapidly and the Trans-Health Conference is providing a place for dedicated professionals to receive up-to-date information, year after year. ■ Dane Menkin, MSN, CRNP, AAHIVM, is clinicaloperations manager at Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine. For more information, call 215-563-0652 or visit www.mazzonicenter.

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LETTER from page 11

learn the new system. Check out our new web home at phillygaypride.org, which differs slightly from the old home address of phillypride.org. Our Pride coordinators will now burnish their National Coming Out Day gear and prepare for OutFest 2014, Sunday, Oct. 12. From the meager beginnings of 2,500 people at the National Coming Out Day Block Party at 12th and Pine streets, OutFest has repositioned itself in the Gayborhood, attracting upwards of 40,000, and is now the largest NCOD event in the world. OutFest has the look and feel of an old-fashioned block party and is safely ensconced in the Gayborhood. Pride Day, in keeping with the historical events of June 1969 at Stonewall, continues to celebrate in the most open and noticeable way possible: with a parade through the heart of the city and a massive celebration at the Great Plaza of Penn’s Landing. Philly Pride Presents is committed to continuing the historical nuances of both events. Philly Pride Presents remains one of the most active and vibrant LGBT grassroots organizations in the city. Our meetings are held at the William Way LGBT Community Center and anyone can attend, volunteer and hopefully become a Pride coordinator. Monthly meetings are always announced on our website, and they become weekly as we approach events. Philly Pride Presents was the first — and still may be the only — LGBT group in the city to abolish corporate officers. You will not find a president, vice president, secretary or treasurer at Philly Pride Presents; only coordinators. We are very much a working board. You will find a single paid staff member, our executive director, who works for the board of Pride coordinators. Some of our longer-serving board members remember the bad old days when we had to reinvent the wheel each year. Having an executive director permanently in place avoids totally repetitive exercises, for which there is a brutal learning curve; the number of different permits and city agencies to deal with is staggering in and of itself. Philly Pride Presents organizes and coordinates these yearly events, but make no mistake about it: Our LGBT groups and businesses, and our area businesses and sponsors, determine the content and character of those events. Each group prepares its own parade contingent. Each group stages its own festival location. Each group or business determines how it participates in OutFest. We simply reflect who we are as a community. The best way of changing any of our events is to simply participate. We love showcasing the best and brightest of LGBT Philadelphia. ■ — Chuck Volz Senior advisor, Philly Pride Presents

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Two kids’ books about Pride span the decades

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Go to almost any LGBTQ Pride parade these days, and the number of strollers rivals the number of motorcycles. Somewhat-older children march with their families, schools or religious groups. Unlike other holidays, however, Pride has had few children’s books written about it — but there are two: One that is more than two-decades old, by a seminal author, and a brand-new one just published a few weeks ago. The older book, “Gloria Goes to Gay Pride,” is by the esteemed Lesléa Newman, author of the classic “Heather Has Two Mommies.” Published in 1991, two years after “Heather,” by the new children’s imprint of LGBT press Alyson Publications, Gloria’s story begins by showing how she celebrates Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Hanukkah and Mothers’ Day with her Mama Dana Grace and Mama Rose. Pride Day is special, though, she tells us, because she “gets to be in a parade.” She and her moms make signs (hers reads, “I love my mommies”) and head to the parade, where they meet other families with children, the neighborhood mail carrier and Gloria’s music teacher, among others. It was quite a statement to include a gay teacher back in 1991, when sensitivities about allowing gay people around children were even higher and the threat of firing even greater (not that things are better in many places even now). Not all is perfect in the world she creates, though. Most of the spectators smile and cheer, but on one page, a few sit by a sign saying, “Gays go away.” When Gloria asks why, Mama Rose explains, “Some women love women, some men love men and some women and men love each other. That’s why we march in the parade — so everyone can have a choice.” Despite being more than two-decades old, the story holds up remarkably well, conveying the celebratory nature of Pride in the context of a loving family and supportive community (despite the few who are opposed). It reminds us that while children may be more prevalent in today’s Pride parades, they’re hardly a new phenomenon. The one thing that makes it feel a bit dated is the term “Gay Pride” rather than the more current “LGBT Pride.” The black-and-white pencil sketches by Russell Crocker are charming but may feel dull compared to the full-color world of many children’s books. Enterprising parents or children may want to add their own colors if they can find their own copy of the book. Alas, it is out of print, but one can find used copies through some online (and offline) booksellers, or borrow an electronic copy from the Open Library

(openlibrary.org). Just out in May, however, is the lively and colorful “This Day in June,” by Gayle E. Pitman, a professor of psychology and women’s studies at Sacramento City College. The bouncy rhymes (“This day in June/Parade starts soon” ... “Motors roaring/Spirits soaring”) convey feelings and snapshots of parade scenes rather than a narrative storyline, but that doesn’t lessen the book’s impact. We’re introduced to dykes on bikes, people in leather, drag queens and others of varying gender expressions, politicians, marching bands and parents with their children. The diverse characters in Kristyna Litten’s colorful illustrations jump and dance and swirl. One gets a better sense of the full range of the LGBTQ community — from staid to queerly flamboyant — from Newman’s book, but Rudolph than I see that as a factor of the two books’ publication dates rather than a criticism of Newman, who remains a master of sweet, inspiring family tales. The book is published by Magination Press, an imprint of the LGBTQ-friendly American Psychological Association, so readers can be confident the advice is developmentally sound. LGBTQ parents, parents of LGBTQ children and any parents whose families may encounter a Pride parade, through family, friends or simply being in the neighborhood, should welcome this upbeat book that shows children what to expect and gets them excited about watching or participating. Teachers, clergy and others leading children in Pride parades will also appreciate having this delightful resource to prepare themselves and their charges. All one needs to add is sunscreen. “This Day in June” is targeted to children ages 4-8, but even younger children may appreciate the rhymes and colorful pictures. “Gloria Goes to Gay Pride” skews a few years older, in my opinion, as it does touch (however briefly) on antigay sentiment. Parents should decide whether that topic would be introducing or assuaging fears — but for those who want to bring it up, “Gloria” is a gentle first choice. There’s much more that could be written about Pride for kids. I’d love to see a middle-grade novel centered around a Priderelated mystery (e.g., who stole the banner for the float?). Nevertheless, a fun new picture book and a pioneering one on the topic are both great to share with our kids, even as they whet our appetites for more. ■

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Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and resource directory for LGBT parents.

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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the Sixth Police District between June 9-15. Information is courtesy of Sixth District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice. com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). Follow the Sixth District on Twitter @PPDBrianKorn. INCIDENTS — At 4:15 a.m. June 9, a woman was in the unit block of South Juniper Street when three women made rude comments to her, then struck her with the heels of their shoes. During the incident, the three women stole the victim’s purse, then fled north on Juniper Street. The suspects were described as black females in their 20s; one was wearing a white dress and another had long black curls. — At 1 p.m. June 9, a man stole a pharmacy bag with prescription medication while on the subway at Broad and Locust street. The sus-

pect was described as a black male with a beard, wearing a red shirt and jeans. — At 3:35 p.m. June 12, a man was in the Broad Street Subway concourse at 201 S. Broad St. when two males stole his cell phone and SEPTA transpass. The man notified his mother, who searched the area and found the suspects at Broad and Fitzwater. She recovered the stolen items and the suspects fled before police were called. The suspects were 17-year-old black males; the first wore a gray Nike shirt and the second a gray hoodie. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 3:50 p.m. June 10, a man allegedly asked patrons of an ATM at 123 S. Broad St. for a dollar; they refused and he left. While at the corner waiting to cross the street, the male then pulled out a knife, accused the victims of calling him a name then fled when a police car passed by. The victims alerted the police officer, and the male was apprehended. The 41year-old suspect was charged with attempted robbery. — At 5:50 p.m. June 10, Sixth

D i s t r i c t O ffi c e r s C a s h a n d McBaine arrested a male outside 200 S. Broad St. who was wanted on a warrant for probation violation. The 60-year-old suspect with a homeless-shelter address was charged with escape. — On June 11, police were called to Broad and Lombard streets for an assault, where the complainant reported he was hit in the face with a brick during an argument that occurred in the 400 block of South 13th Street. The suspect was still on location and was arrested by Ninth District officers. The 21-year-old suspect with a Germantown address was charged with aggravated assault. — At 11:45 p.m. June 12, Sixth District bike-patrol Officers Keenan and DeLuca arrested a male outside 1228 Locust St. who was wanted for failure to appear for court. The 32-year-old suspect with a Stratford, N.J., address was charged with contempt of court. — At 4 p.m. June 12, a person intervened in an argument inside the Urban Affairs Coalition office, 1207 Chestnut St., and was punched in the face, suffering a broken nose. Sixth District Officer Romanczuk apprehended the

18-year-old suspect with a West Philadelphia address and charged him with aggravated assault. — At 7:40 p.m. June 13, Sixth District Sgt. Palma witnessed a male pushing another male against a wall outside 122 S. 12th St. and go through his pockets. He pursued and apprehended the suspect in the 1000 block of Sansom Street. The victim’s wallet was recovered and returned. The 24-year-old suspect with a Westville, N.J., address was charged with robbery and related offenses. — At 11:45 p.m. June 13, Sixth District Officers Keenan and DeLuca stopped a motorist for traffic violations outside 1211 Locust St. The operator appeared intoxicated and was taken into custody. The 34-year-old suspect with a Hamilton, N.J.,address was charged with DUI. — At 9:15 p.m. June 14, officers assigned to the Sixth District Narcotics Enforcement Team observed a narcotics transaction outside 220 S. 11th St. An 18year-old suspect was charged with illegal narcotics sales. A quantity of crack cocaine cash was recovered.

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SUMMARY ARRESTS — On June 10, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 2:35 p.m. outside 121 S. Broad St. and at 10 p.m. outside 1300 Sansom St. — On June 11, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses at 11:50 a.m. outside 1300 Drury St., at 9 p.m outside 255 S. 12th St. and at 11:05 p.m. outside 1228 Locust St. — At 11:05 p.m. June 12, Sixth District officers issued citations for summary offenses outside 1228 Locust St. and 261 S. 13th St., and Center City District officers issued a citation for a summary offense at 1:35 p.m. outside 1100 Market St. — At midnight June 13, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1300 Sansom St. — At 2 a.m. June 14, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 1107 Walnut St. — At 3:50 a.m. June 15, Sixth District officers issued a citation for a summary offense outside 912 Walnut St. ■

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International Mexico coach defends antigay slur Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has defended World Cup fans chanting an antigay slur, which is under investigation by the sport’s international governing body. Mexico fans shouting the slur as the rival team’s goalkeeper takes a goal kick is “not that bad,” Herrera said June 20. “We’re with our fans. It’s something they do to pressure the opposing goalkeeper,” he said. Fare, the European fan-monitoring group, reported the chants at Mexico’s 1-0 win over Cameroon in Natal, Brazil. FIFA subsequently opened a disciplinary case against the Mexico federation, which is responsible for the behavior of its fans inside stadiums. The chant originated with fans of Mexican club Chivas and became popular during a Mexico-United States qualifying match for the 2004 Athens Olympics played in Guadalajara. It has become a common chant at professional matches across Mexico.

Media Trail Mass. to cover genderidentity treatment According to the Boston Herald, a range of gender-identity treatments, including hormone therapy and gender-reassignment surgery, could soon be covered by insurance for Massachusetts residents. Gov. Duval Patrick’s administration said June 20 that it’s seeking to extend health-care coverage for medically necessary treatments to address gender identity or gender dysphoria. The administration said that MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, will publish proposed regulations in the coming weeks for the coverage for residents who need transgender-related services. Gender dysphoria is the diagnosis given to people who experience extreme distress due to a disconnect between their birth sex and gender identity. In a written statement, Patrick said he was “proud to be part of a commonwealth that puts equality as its top priority.” “Massachusetts is a leader in health care, where we make the tough decisions for the

“That was how the chant was created and it was adopted by the other fan groups in Mexico,” Herrera said. FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Brazil President Dilma Rousseff have pledged to use the World Cup as a platform to fight racism and discrimination.

Neo-Nazi violence prompts LGBT progress The Mongolian government is considering the implementation of nondiscrimination legislation to protect its LGBT citizens in the face of rising neo-Nazi violence. The legislation, put forward in May, includes language that protects against crimes of bigotry, hate and those committed against migrant communities. It is likely to pass with extensive amendments. The law was proposed in response to the outcry within Mongolia’s LGBT community after a number of brutal attacks by neoNazi groups in the capital Ulaanbaatar. Nationalist neo-Nazi groups have been gaining power in Mongolia in recent years in an effort to maintain cultural and racial purity. They see LGBT tolerance as a negative influence of Western values and retaliate against the LGBT community by threatening, harming and discriminating against them. Discrimination against LGBT individuals is common in Mongolia, where homosexuality has been banned since the 12th good of our communities, and where discrimination, of any kind, will not be tolerated,” he said. The administration said the state Division of Insurance will also advise insurers that they may not deny services ordinarily available to individuals based on the perceived gender identity of that person when that denial is due only to the individual being identified as belonging to the other sex. The change also applies to individuals who have undergone, or are undergoing, gender transition. The administration is recommending the Group Insurance Commission, which provides coverage for city and town workers and their families, approve similar changes.

Texas man admits abducting, beating gay man According to the Lubbock AvalancheJournal, a North Texas man has pleaded guilty to a kidnapping charge, admitting he abducted and severely beat a gay man he met through an online service. Brice Johnson could be sentenced to life in prison and fined up to $250,000 for the abduction of a man court documents identify only as “A.K.” Prosecutors have agreed to drop a hate-crime count the 19-year-old Springtown man faced in his indictment.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

century. Cases of discrimination and crimes committed against the LGBT community are underreported due to social stigma and a homophobic justice system. Attacks on LGBT individuals since 2011 have captured the attention of the Mongolian government and brought the issue of hate crimes to the forefront.

Mayor, diplomats join Pride in Greece Police say more than 6,000 people marched June 21 through the streets of Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, in its third gay Pride parade. Taking part was Mayor Yiannis Boutaris and the consuls of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland and Portugal. U.S. Consul Robert P. Sanders carried a banner that read “Diplomats for Thessaloniki Pride.” The mayor said he and diplomats took part this year “because we support diversity and freedom of choice, both in sex and religion.” The march again was condemned by the local Orthodox Church, whose leader, Bishop Anthimos, described it as a “promotion of perversion.” Police maintained a heavy presence to deter antigay attacks. None occurred. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols Johnson will remain in custody pending his Nov. 17 sentencing. According to an affidavit, Johnson used social media to invite the man to his home on Sept. 2. It alleged Johnson beat him because of his sexual orientation and threw him in his car trunk. A.K. was hospitalized for 10 days with multiple skull and facial fractures.

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Meetings, Team Sports, & Support Groups on our Out guv candidate leads Pride parade

ABC News reports a Democrat who reluctantly made public his homosexuality last year served as the grand marshal of Maine’s biggest gay Pride parade. Mike Michaud would become the nation’s first openly gay person to be elected governor if he unseats Republican Paul LePage in November. He was the headliner at the June 21 Portland Pride Parade. He was joined by a coordinator at the University of Southern Maine’s Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity and a transgender student who won a discrimination lawsuit after her school refused to let her use the girls’ bathroom. Michaud says many equality issues facing the country will be dealt with at the state level. He says it would be powerful for the LGBT community to have a voice at the table if he wins. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

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tion of the Windsor decision has led to the greatest conferral of equal rights, benefits and obligations to LGBT people in our nation’s history,” said Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin. “In record time, Attorney General [Eric] Holder has moved heaven and earth to guarantee equality, and the LGBT community could not ask for a better partner in progress.” What’s next Martin said the Windsor case “opened the door for all loving couples and families to take their own cases to court,” noting, “It’s only a matter of time until every state sees the justice for all on marriage.” As marriage bans are falling state by state, a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on the fundamental issue of the constitutional right to marry by same-sex couples would fasttrack the issue nationwide. Walczak said he believes the top court could issue such a ruling in the next year, based on one of the state challenges working its way through the legal system. “I think it’s likely the U.S. Supreme Court is going to take one of the marriage cases that’s in the pipeline now. In the near future we’re going to start seeing federal appellate court decisions and it’s possible some will result in losses for the good guys,” Walczak said. “But I think that, with what’s going on, the U.S. Supreme Court will have to take one of those cases and I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a decision by them by next June. Certainly if not by then, then the next term, but I think it’ll be in this next term.” While marriage equality is on the fast track, Martin emphasized that the majority of states — Pennsylvania included — still lack basic nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people. “Equality PA has made it a priority to be sure that it will no longer be legal in Pennsylvania for LGBT people to be fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes or turned away from a business just because of who they are,” Martin said. ■ FLETMAN from page 1

municipal judicial election is scheduled. Fletman, a commercial litigator for Flaster/Greenburg, had launched a campaign for a Common Pleas judgeship, but withdrew from the race after a lottery put her in the 24th spot out of 36 on the ballot. There were six openings. Earlier this year, Fletman, who earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, received The Legal Intelligencer’s 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award. Fletman said she hopes to bring her 25year experience as an active litigator to the bench if she’s approved. “I have been fortunate enough to be before many good judges so I hope I can take the good I have observed in the judges and incorporate that,” she said. If approved, Fletman will serve alongside other openly LGBT Court of Common Pleas judges Dan Anders, Ann Butchart and Barb McDermott. ■

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Local singer-songwriter featured in Penn concert series By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

The Penn Museum’s Summer Nights Concert Series will feature outdoor live music from a diverse and eclectic group of bands and musicians throughout the summer. On July 2, the stage will feature the four winners of the annual songwriting contest Philadelphia Songwriters Project, including out singer-songwriter Andrea Nardello. Nardello said efforts like Philadelphia

Songwriters Project and organizations like Penn Museum are a boon for local musicians trying sustain themselves independently. “It’s been amazing so far,” she said. “All of the sponsors and showcases are happening after the fact. It’s incredible to me how much things have shifted as far as local awareness. As an independent artist, you don’t have a lot of reach sometimes to get your name out there. That’s one of the main reasons why, when organizations and festivals want to promote

your music, that is an incredible experience for artists like us.” The song that won Nardello the Philly Songwriters Project, “Home to Me,” was inspired by her girlfriend — and she later used it to propose to her. The song was released on her new EP, “Echo.” Over the course of her career, Nardello’s rock-infused folk style has been compared to singer-songwriters like Melissa Etheridge and Shawn Colvin. However, her new EP came about after a long period of uncertainty for Nardello,

as she had to overcome a two-year stretch of writer’s block in order to get her songwriting groove back. “Part of it is just the simple self-doubt when you start to put ideas together sometimes,” she said about her creative struggles. “You think to yourself the ideas aren’t good or the melodies or you don’t like the chord progressions. So therefore you never finish the idea that you are working on.” She said “Home to Me” was a breakthrough, and she also PAGE 28

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NARDELLO from page 27

committed herself to writing one song a week. “It’s really about the exercise of writing. It doesn’t need to be a complete song or a work of art. It just needs to be an idea completed. It forced me to push through it even if I didn’t like what I was doing. I just got it down on paper, got it done and didn’t overthink it. That really helped as well.” She added that bouncing her ideas off other songwriters was more appealing to her than presenting her song ideas in progress to the public. “In a songwriting group, it’s a handful of artists and you tend to not care if people like it or not,” she said. “You send it out into the atmosphere and hope for the best. It’s also a place of safe criticism. It’s more encouraging than someone hearing the song and writing back something negative. I think it is more about working through your idea and hearing what other people do creatively to try to inspire you. I’m definitely the type of writer that ... I always worry if people are going to like the music or connect with it or understand where I’m coming from. One of the most vulnerable things you can do is put your work out publicly for the world to hear. I’ve developed a tough skin over the years but I am definitely sensitive to negative feedback. You take everything with a grain of salt and move forward.” Besides helping her overcome her writer’s block, Nardello said another benefit of being part of the group is that she developed a better pool of songs to draw from for “Echo.” “After each album, I just tried to evolve as much as I can in every element of my music: my vocals, my guitar-playing. I think I really put a lot more, though, into these songs,” she said. “Before, I used to get collections of songs that were enough for an album and then put out an album.

This time around, I collected a bunch of songs and tried to pick the best ones for the EP that made the most sense. I think that made a difference. I put a little more effort into the songs this time around and tried to make them as polished and solid as I could.” Judging by her busy schedule this year, Nardello’s audiences have noticed the difference as well. The album came out in February and she set out on a winter tour with CD release parties throughout the East Coast. S h e ’s p l a y i n g a t a n u m b e r o f Pennsylvania festivals this summer and then heading to the West Coast in August. “Things should slow down a little bit in the fall but the summer is jam-packed with touring.” Touring will slow down just in time for her planned fall wedding. Speaking of her wedding, we had to ask if the acclaim and attention given to “Home to Me” caused her significant other and sometimes-muse to expect future heartfelt songwriting brilliance. But Nardello said she isn’t worried about setting a creative precedent in the relationship. “She dated three musicians before me and none of them ever wrote a song about her. So it was a little bit of pressure to come up with a good one. I think I hit it out of the ballpark with the proposal song. I don’t know if she expects me to write songs for her now that this one is out there. I think they kind of come naturally. I’ve never been super-good at writing songs for people but I definitely have gotten better at that kind of stuff.” ■ Andrea Nardello performs as part of Penn Museum’s Summer Nights Concert Series, 5-8 p.m. July 2 at 3260 South St. in University City. For more information, visit www.andreanardello.com or www. penn.museum.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

DINING PGNOUT

Lolita: quite the Food and Drink Directory temptress By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com With a new look and a new menu, Lolita, 106 S. 13th St., makes us feel like there is a new chica in the Gayborhood — strutting her stuff and competing for our Mexican-cuisine affection — and frankly we are finding her really, really hard to resist. And considering the long-standing Mexican-food institution just across the street (that rhymes with “Gel Mez”), that is saying something. Lolita’s new street-food-inspired menu may not be extensive but its focus is laser-like on delivering dishes that stand out among the stiff competition in the city, while providing diners with a sleek, relaxing environment to set the mood for their feast. The tacos keep things simple and effective. The cornflake-crusted mahi tacos ($12) deliver a satisfying crunch and depth of flavor that can compete with any of the best fish tacos the city has to offer. The

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

Photo: Larry Nichols

camarones tacos ($12) are even better, with spicy hotsauce-marinated shrimp and an apple-citrus salsa that gives them a surprisingly bold kick. The filet-tips tacos ($12) take a welcome detour into the wildly popular Korean-taco territory with kimchee and jicama, giving them a fresh blast of flavor. Lolita knocks it out of the park with other Mexican staples as well. The street-style corn ($5) was a musthave, dressed with chipotle mayo, ancho spices and lime juice. The queso fundido ($11) was a cheeselover’s heaven, a tasty vegetable-laden dip existing in a tricky but perfectly rich and gooey middle ground of solid and liquid. It’s available as a vegetarian dish but you can also opt to take it up a notch by adding spicy chorizo. Lolita takes nachos to a new level with its shortrib chilaquiles ($15), tortilla chips piled high with the usual suspects like beef, black beans, salsa verde and avocado puree, as well as some unexpected but amazing twists like a fried egg, giving the dish a pleasing range of flavors and textures. Lolita is one caliente mamasita. The king of Gayborhood Mexican food isn’t dead, but there is a queen throwing her culinary weight around. And we are not above cheating on either one of them. ■ Lolita

If you go

106 S. 13th St. 215-546-7100 www.lolitaphilly.com Open daily 5 p.m.-midnight

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Suzi Nash

Jamai: Overcoming obstacles to make it in the music world OK, I admit when I first saw dance/ pop singer Jamai at Equality Forum’s SundayOUT!, I assumed he was gay. With his thigh-high boots, shock of red hair and barely there shirt, I assumed he was “family.” But à la the artist known as Prince, Jamai is a straight boy with flair who embraces, and has been embraced, by the LGBT community. With several CDs under his belt and a slew of music videos, Jamai has been steadily gaining a following from America to Asia, Amsterdam to Africa. At 25, he’s already become a producer, entertainer and philanthropist. Look out, world. PGN: How did you end up at SundayOUT!? J: My manager and I are always seeking new opportunities for me to get my music out there. I saw a commercial for Equality Forum and thought, That really seems like a good place to play. My manager, Brandon, instantly did his magic and got on the phone and was able to speak to one of the gentlemen who was organizing the event. I went to church, came home and he told me I was on the schedule. It happened that fast. I was amazed and honored that they said yes so quickly. PGN: Did you know it was an LGBT event? J: Yes; I don’t know if it said it specifically, but it was pretty clear that it was a gay event. Being that I’ve never performed at an LGBT event, I was like, Yo, I want to be a part of that. I want to see what it’s all about. PGN: Years ago, I did an event and had a celebrity guest host who apparently did not know it was an LGBT event, though he had been told and given information about it, which he obviously hadn’t read. Turned out he was extremely religious and antigay and refused to do the event days before it was scheduled. It all worked out in the end as we wound up getting Don Lemon, now on CNN, to replace him. J: Oh no! I love playing for an LGBT audience. It’s so much fun. I always know it’s going to be a positive experience. This was my second year doing it and I appreciate [Equality Forum executive director] Malcolm [Lazin] giving me the chance. I’ve always felt different from everyone else around me and a little bit of an underdog, so I think the LGBT community picks up on that and it’s one of the reasons we appreciate each other. PGN: Tell me about yourself. J: I’m 25 years old and I was born and raised in Chester. I was raised on R&B and soul music; however, once I grew up and learned a little more about music, I started getting more into pop and electronic-dance music, house music and rock. I like to mix it up. That’s me!

PGN: So how does a young guy from the mean streets of Chester become so openminded? J: My parents were definitely openminded. I lost my mother to murder at the age of 6 and my grandmother and my great-grandmother and grandfather played an important role in my life. They have always been welcoming to everyone, all races or genders or sexual orientations, so I just naturally grew up accepting everybody. Though, the area I grew up in Chester is a very urban setting where being gay or bisexual was not accepted by most people; it was generally mocked if spoken about at all. But I was raised to respect everyone I encountered.

and tell me I was gay. I was a pretty good student academically but by the time I got into high school I was like, This ain’t what I’m here for. I’m supposed to be famous. I need to get out and concentrate on my music. I’ve been pursuing it since I was 15.

PGN: Are there any LGBT people in your family? J: Not that I’m aware of. The person closest to me is probably one of my background dancers. She’s bisexual; sometimes she has a girlfriend and sometimes she has a boyfriend. We just love her, whoever she’s with.

PGN: Do you wear a little Cupid outfit for Valentine’s Day? J: No! I do not. I’ve always wanted my business to support my artistry so I come wearing a nice suit and just sing my little heart out. [Laughs] No bear costumes, no Elmo, no Barney.

PGN: I read you were quite the little entrepreneur. J: Yes, at 15 I had the idea to start singing for people on Valentine’s Day. So I made up some fliers and started doing singing telegrams. It worked so well I quickly expanded and started doing Mother’s Day telegrams, proposals, you name it. It’s now a company called J Telegrams and has become a pretty good business for me.

PGN: You said you lost your mother at a young age. What happened? J: She was brutally murdered at 23 by her boyfriend. I was 6 years old at the time. She was going to school to become a registered nurse and was working with special-needs kids. Unfortunately, she was in a domestic-violence situation that she didn’t seem to be able to get out of. I had to develop a relationship with God to get me through it, to become at peace with it and to be hopeful that I will see her again. There will always be a wound there but it’s begun to heal around the edges. The song “Dead Roses” from my first album was inspired by the pain of losing her. PGN: I understand the family helped you make your first CD. J: After my mother passed, I think we all went into a depression. Christmas wasn’t the same, Thanksgiving definitely wasn’t the same — my mother was murdered on Thanksgiving eve, 1995. Holidays were nonexistent for many years. The family was supportive but always made me aware of what a long shot [a career in music] was; they wanted me to be a realist. But I kept at my music. One year, they asked what I wanted for a Christmas present and I said a recording package, so they all pitched in: my grandma, great-grandma and uncle. They scraped together enough money for me to cut my first CD. PGN: What were you like as a kid? J: Bad! Syke, I was actually a really good kid, but I was always different from everybody else. I was never into sports; music was always my passion. Because of that, I got teased. People used to call me names

PGN: What was your most touching moment? J: Last Mother’s Day, a daughter hired me to sing for her mother, a gift from the kids to mom. There was one brother who had been estranged from the family and just as I was about to sing, he walked in. It was a touching experience because they didn’t know that he was going to come home. After I finished singing everyone was crying and hugging. It was touching because

I expressed in song everything that they wanted to say. PGN: I read that you said, “People send me to their mothers, daughters, lovers and I’m privileged because I get to be the messenger of love.” J: Yes, it’s almost magical — getting to help a boyfriend tell his girlfriend how much he appreciates her, or a mother telling a daughter how much she is loved, or a friend saying “Get better soon” or a family saying how proud they are that you graduated. They are usually crying or laughing and can’t stop, but it’s always a great experience. PGN: You’re busy helping other people find love; what about Jamai? J: Oh boy. Single! PGN: Who was your first girlfriend? J: [Laughs] Should I really say her name? Whitney Cannon. We were in kindergarten and we used to get all touchy when the teacher wasn’t looking. We’re still friends. She’s going to be hysterical when she reads this. PGN: So let’s talk about your music career. I watched several of your videos and you kept it pretty clear of the misogyny that I see in most music videos today. Is that something you’re mindful of? J: To be 100-percent honest, no it isn’t. This is the first time someone’s mentioned it to me, but I’m usually more concerned about being true to myself as an artist. As a black man doing pop music, there are so many expectations ... You have to be a sex symbol, cool and aloof, and for me that’s not really who I am. I’m the goofy guy who likes to laugh a lot. I try to stay as true as I can to that with my music because I’m not always interested in talking about sex or “how much Photo: Suzi Nash money I got.” I try to focus on the overall visual picture: what I wear and how I present myself and what’s going to entertain my audience. But I will try to be more aware of that now to make sure I’m not being exploitive. I don’t think I am, but I will be more aware of it now. PGN: You did pretty well from what I saw. J: I try, I really do. I want my grandma to be able to watch it. PAGE 36

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

PGN

��

Proud to serve the community for over 38 years.

Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month - and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

ART & TELEVISION PGN

Feminist zinesters stage Philly fest By Ray Simon PGN Contributor The Philly Feminist Zine Fest, which takes place June 28-29, will offer plenty of print for people who prefer reading publications produced outside mainstream media channels. Organizers expect more than 50 authors and publishers to attend the two-day event, which is free and open to the public. Readings, workshops and skill-shares covering all aspects of zines will be held in a variety of venues throughout the city, including Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St., and Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South St. Organizers are also planning a series of raffles to raise money for Project SAFE, a local grassroots organization that advocates for the health and safety of sex workers. The Philly Feminist Zine Fest, also known as PFZF, has its roots in a visit that Sarah Sawyers-Lovett made to the NYC Feminist Zine Fest a few years ago. Sawyers-Lovett, author of the long-running zine “Tazewell’s

THE INAUGURAL ZINE FEST AT WILLIAM WAY LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER IN AUGUST 2012 Photo: Dre Grogropol

Favorite Eccentric,” had attended zine fests before, but none like this. “It was such a different experience than any other zine-related event I had ever been to,” she said. “It was affirming, and it was an entirely different sort of energy to have all of these people who were queer, and female-identified, and gender-queer or just generally politically on the same level.” Back home, Sawyers-Lovett began talking to fellow zinesters about creating something similar here in Philadelphia. Enthusiasm and support were strong enough that she and a handful of volunteers pulled together the first PFZF in August 2012. By all accounts, the first PFZF was a resounding success, but Sawyers-Lovett is hoping that this year’s gathering will be even better. Planning for the second PFZF began roughly five months ago, when a sixwoman collective began hashing out ideas. This year’s PFZF will be slightly bigger than the first and include more events. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is PFZF’s commitment to feminism, understood in a broad and inclusive way. “We have more support in place and we have a safer-spaces policy,” Sawyers-Lovett

said. “In general, we also prioritize the presence of female-identified zinesters, of queer people, of people of color and people with disabilities.” A quick scan of the schedule reveals that LGBT issues will be well-represented at PFZF. Attendees can find copies of Elvis Bakaitis’ zine “Homos in Herstory,” which focuses on the accomplishments of lesbians, who have sometimes been “erased” from standard histories. They can also purchase issues of Sherley Olopherne’s “Black Lesbians @ Lesbian Herstory Archives.” Olopherne, a self-described Haitian butch, based her zine on materials in the archive related to African-American women. And those are just two examples. According to Sawyers-Lovett, “We have over 50 zinesters and people who are tabling, and I would say, probably, a thirdto-half of those people identify in some way as queer. There are just a ton of zines that explore gender and sexuality in really personal, cool ways that you might not necessarily see in mainstream media.” PFZF is also notable for its significant inclusion of gender-queer and transgender women. Topside Press, the country’s only publisher of work exclusively written by transgender women, will be tabling, as well as the Transgender Oral History Project. This variety is actually typical in zine culture, according to Sawyers-Lovett. “There are as many different types of zines as there are people,” she said. For those unfamiliar with zines, it might be helpful to know that they are generally small and inexpensive. Most are about the size and length of a pamphlet. They cover a range of topics, too: everything from gender and politics to booking punk shows and baking vegan cupcakes. Some are handwritten; others resemble comic books. A second important feature of zines is their independence. They are generally written by people who want to express themselves, but who lack access to traditional forms of media like newspapers or magazines. Sawyers-Lovett praised the format for being so egalitarian. “It is the most democratic form of media because it doesn’t need to go through a gatekeeper like an editor or a publisher in order to be put out in the world,” she said. PFZF is about more than just zines, though; it’s really about fostering relationships. Sawyers-Lovett, who describes herself as “a nice queer lady from a small town,” notes how important the event is to all involved. At the first get-together, plenty of zinesters struck up new friendships or embarked on cool new collaborative projects. But one memory stands out for her. “There was a girl who randomly asked if she could read from this zine that she wrote about being queer in high school,” she said. “And it was her 16th birthday, and I just thought that was such a sweet, apt summary of everything I wanted to accomplish.” For more information, visit www.phillyfeministzinefest.com. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Worth Watching TEA TIME: Bravo’s newest docu-series, “Ladies of London,” follows a group of elite British socialites and American expats who run in similar social circles but are worlds apart, 10 p.m. June 30 on Bravo.

STUCK ON YOU: The mysterious dome becomes magnetized when “Under the Dome” returns for its second season. 10 p.m. June 30 on CBS. Photo: CBS

NOT TONIGHT, DEAR, I’M A LESBIAN: Out comedian Judy Gold swaps places with comedian/magician Penn Jillette’s wife on a new episode of “Celebrity Wife Swap,” 10 p.m. July 1 on ABC.

OH ‘BROTHER’: Julie Chen oversees the drama on a new season of “Big Brother,” 8 p.m. July 2 on CBS. Photo: CBS/ Bill Inoshita

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 06/27 Avril Lavigne The rock singer performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Hip Hop for Philly Concert Featuring Wale Philadelphia FIGHT and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia present a free concert featuring Grammynominated and chart-topping hiphop artist Wale, 7-11 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Black Queer Identity Matrix Book Reading Event Dr. Sheena C. Howard hosts a reading of her new book, “Black Queer Identity Matrix: Towards An Integrated Queer of Color Framework,” 7 p.m. at Mostly Books Philly, 529 Bainbridge St.; 215-238-9838. DJ White Shadow hosted by Lady Starlight The DJs and producers associated with Lady Gaga start spinning 10 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa’s Mur Mur Nightclub, 1 Borgata Way,

Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Fallout Boy and Paramour The rock bands perform 7 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-3651300.

Sat. 06/28 Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux Amici Opera Company presents the opera at 4 p.m. at Redeemer United Methodist Church, 1128 Cottman Ave., Lawndale; 215224-0257. One Republic The boy band performs 7 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-3651300.

New Edition The R&B group performs 7:30 p.m. at the Mann Center for Performing Arts, West Fairmount Park, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 800-745-3000. Bill Maher The comedian performs 8 p.m. at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-8931999. Bridget Everett The comedian performs 8 p.m. at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215569-9700. Counting Crows and Toad the Wet Sprocket The alt-rock groups perform 8 p.m. at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

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EARLY NIGHT WITH ... : Comedian and political pundit Bill Maher comes to town 8 p.m. June 28 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-893-1999.

Lady Gaga The pop singer performs 8 p.m. at Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3487000. The Machine The Pink Floyd cover band performs 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808.

Sun. 06/29 The French Connection The crimedrama film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223. The Black Slot by Warren Hoffman InterAct Theatre Company presents a reading of the satirical play exploring racism and hypocrisy of the American regional theater 57 p.m. at Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.; 215568-8077.

Mon. 06/30 Free Quizzo and 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.

Sid & Nancy and Repo Man The two popular cult 1980s films are screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. 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; 215862-2081.

Tue. 07/01 Rodrigo Amarante The Brazilian singer-songwriter and member of Los Hermanos performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.

Wed. 07/02 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-9941400.

Thu. 07/03 Foreigner and Styx The rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.

Black Oak Arkansas The classic-rock band performs 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808. The Burlesque Show The naughty fun begins 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Fri. 07/04 Sarah Dash The funk/disco/soul singer performs 8 p.m. at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027. Red, White And Bear: Fourth Of July Bear Dance Party A dance party for bears, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675.

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. SASSY AND BRASSY: Comedian and New York City cabaret ﬁxture Bridget Everett comes to town to bring the laughs 8 p.m. June 28 at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215-569-9700.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening The Debbie Allen Dance Academy presents Brothers of the Knight The tap-musical adaptation of the classic “Brothers Grimm” tales runs July 3-6 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999. Making a Classic Modern: Frank Gehry’s Master Plan for the Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the comprehensive design for the renewal and expansion of the museum by the internationally celebrated architect, July 1-Sept. 1, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Continuing Artificial Light: Flash Photography in the 20th Century Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of diverse examples of flash photography, which gained wide-

Jonathan Cohn Glass: Window Aquarium Installation Graver’s Lane Gallery presents an exhibition of one-of-a-kind hand-blown glass pieces of high quality and creative design through Aug. 18, 8405 Germantown Road; 215-247-1603.

Deathtrap Bucks County Playhouse presents the comedy thriller through July 13, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2121. How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying The Walnut Street Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical about a lowly window washer climbing the corporate ladder through July 13, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change Walnut Street Theatre presents the hilarious revue about love and relationships through June 29 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550.

BALLING OUT: If you missed Lady Gaga when she stormed through Philly earlier this year on her ARTRAVE: ARTPOP BALL world tour, you have another chance when the pop singer performs 8 p.m. June 28 at Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-348-7000.

Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting the works of the famed fashion designer through Nov. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Picasso Prints: Myths, Minotaurs and Muses Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s response to the world of classical antiquity in nearly 50 prints from four critical decades of his career through Aug. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. That’s So Gay: Outing Early America The Library Company of Philadelphia CO-STARS: Lady Gaga’s cowriters and cohorts DJ White Shadow and Lady Starlight (pictured) take over the DJ booth when they perform 10 p.m. June 27 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa’s Mur Mur Nightclub, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. For more information, call 609-317-1000.

spread use in the 1920s with the invention of the mass-produced flashbulb, through Aug. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

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

Closing

Triangle Medical General Practice Progressive HIV Care MARK T. WATKINS, DO REBECCA CALDER PA-C

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Lainie Kazan The Tony- and Golden Globe-nominated actor and singer performs June 27-28 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027. Tim Meadows The comedian seen on “Saturday Night Live” performs through June 28 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001. Where Children Sleep The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition of photographs by James Mollison through June 29, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-3409800. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Q Puzzle So Sophia Across

1. Not rosy 6. Wild pig 10. Top 14. Palmer of “The Boys From Brazil” 15. Tops 16. Kahlo’s cross 17. Visibly shocked 18. Stick it in a tough guy 19. HIV exam, e.g. 20. Sophia Burset’s job on “Orange Is the New Black” 23. Film set VIP 24. Chicago paper, for short 25. Hot stuff 27. Advocate.com, for one 30. State of being gai? 32. One-armed bandit’s opening 33. “Love Songs” poet Sara 35. Succeeds a la Log

Cabin 38. Thomas ___ Edison 39. Erie, to fifty million Frenchmen 41. Hard to come by 42. Whoopi and others, in _The Lion King_ 45. “Annie” showstopper 48. Knock off 49. “The King and I” setting 50. Plague for payment 51. Act up, e.g. 54. “I ___, I float, I fleetly flee, I fly” 56. Went down on 57. Sophia’s job before transitioning 62. Puts on the dog? 64. NASCAR driver Yarborough 65. Use your tongue forcefully 66. Sitting sound 67. Sometime defender of gay rights 68. A bit, informally 69. “I’m too ___ for my shirt”

PORTRAIT from page 31

PGN: So speaking of being a sexy black man, when you’re on stage at something like Equality Forum, how comfortable are you with men screaming over you? J: I’m very comfortable. This is what I tell people all the time: I’mma sing for whoever wants to hear me sing. Anyone taking the time to pay attention or listen to me, I’m humbled by it. If you’re screaming my name, I’m humbled. It’s not any different for me than if you asked what do you think about a bunch of Italian people being into you. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable if you’re from a different background than me; in fact, it makes me more excited to know that I’m able to appeal to a different audience. I appreciate being able to be versatile as an artist. That I can go to an LGBT event one week and a gospel event the next and be welcomed at both is a compliment to me. PGN: At 25, you’ve already begun doing some philanthropic work. J: I’d always said that when I got rich and famous I was going to give back to the community. Somewhere along the way I heard someone say, “You can always do something now.” So in 2011, I created a “Follow Your Dreams Tour” and traveled to 25 high schools and elementary schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. It was something I funded and promoted myself because I wanted to entertain and inspire the students to be their best selves. I hoped that I could be an example that you don’t always have to follow the traditional route in order to achieve your dreams. My family wanted me to go to college but I knew that it wasn’t for me. And I know so many people who spent all that time and money and now they are miserable and have accrued student loans that will take them 20 years to pay off. That’s great if it’s your passion but it’s not

70. _Maude_ producer 71. In a state, in southern states

Down

1. Vanilla 2. ___ Gay Hamilton 3. Educational level of many fairy tale lovers 4. On the ball 5. Family 6. Glenn Burke’s sport 7. Expresses awe 8. Biscotti flavoring 9. Gear for going to the rear 10. Be in a cast 11. Type of fraud for which Sophia was imprisoned 12. Samuel Barber’s output 13. Word on some condom wrappers 21. Musical meter maid 22. ___ in the hay 26. It’s human 27. Place for Young men? 28. Depend (on)

PGN FUN & GAMES 29. Transgender actress who plays Sophia 31. You really suck if you use them 34. Less nuts 36. Drop ___ (moon) 37. Assured, with “up” 40. Synonym of 20Across 43. “Yeah, right!” 44. Impassive 46. Bamako’s country 47. Cry of panic 51. Sounds like Fierstein 52. Scrabble piece that often goes with the Q 53. Smidgen 55. Ecstatic spasm, like an orgasm 58. Anne Hathaway’s “__ Enchanted” 59. Pastry with fruit, perhaps 60. Caesar’s last question 61. Realize, as profits 63. Professional voyeur?

for everyone. Sometimes you need to just follow your dreams. PGN: So did that go well in the schools, telling kids not to pursue college? J: [Laughs] Well, I didn’t exactly put it that way. I tried to be more diplomatic. I just emphasized that you need to work really hard and that it wasn’t all peaches and cream. We made a giant banner and had all the kids sign a pledge to follow their dreams, wherever it might take them. Then in 2013, I did a “ThanksGiving Giveaway” and was able to supply 10 families with Thanksgiving meals. I tried to reach out to families who may have fallen through the cracks from regular organizations: people living in hotels, etc. It was sobering to see people living in that state. It made you feel bad about yourself for the times you were ungrateful for the little — make that the lot — that you have. I was also a partner in an antiviolence campaign and concert called “Piece on the Streets.” PGN: That’s lovely. OK, random question time: What is your favorite fabric and why? J: Ha! Patent leather. It’s fake leather but it gets the job done. It’s stretchy and I can perform in it. It’s sexy! PGN: You’re so into fashion, would you consider yourself a metrosexual? J: I’m not really sure what that means, but if it’s someone who’s interested in their appearance and how they present themselves then, yeah, I guess that’s what I am. I don’t really like labels, though; it seems like, in order for society to understand something, they have to put it in a category, which leads to misunderstandings: A white guy gets labeled a nerd because of the way he dresses or a black guy gets labeled a thug because he’s wearing a hoodie. I absolutely hate, hate, looking like

everyone else; it’s a slow death for me to conform. I just want to be myself, an individual. PGN: As a straight man, what do you do when you hear someone make a homophobic slur? J: I don’t really know because I tend to surround myself with people who wouldn’t use that kind of language. I get stuff written on my Facebook page and website but I just ignore it. I know who I am, so if someone writes something calling me gay, it just goes in one ear and out the other. I’m not going to object like there’s something wrong with it. PGN: What’s your go-to karaoke song? J: “Purple Rain”! I love Prince, he’s a big inspiration. PGN: Best celebrity encounter? J: Singing to Beyoncé. I was at her concert down in the front and she handed over the mic to me. It was surreal. She gave me this look and instead of moving on to the next person she let me finish the song and the crowd went wild. I am inspired by her beyond measure and to have that moment is something I’ll never forget. PGN: What’s a movie that makes you cry? J: Aw, “Selena,” man. Between the music and the murder, that movie always gets me. It came out in 1996 and my mom was killed in 1995. PGN: An interesting fact about a family member? J: Had she followed through with it, my grandmom, who I call Mom, would have been the first female firefighter in Pennsylvania. PGN: If you were undead, would you be a vampire, a zombie or a ghost?

J: What? A vampire of course! They are so fly and they have the best fashions. PGN: What’s your guiltiest pleasure? J: The Strawberry Cheesequake from Dairy Queen. It’s life-changing. PGN: How do you keep in such good shape with a diet like that? J: It’s all smoke and mirrors. I think I look better in pictures than I do in person. [Laughs] In photos I look cool, but up close you might see that my six-pack is really a four-pack! But I’ve been working towards living up to my pictures! I have to confess that before Equality Forum I dieted for two weeks. It’s hard to sing and dance and breathe and hold in your stomach at the same time, so I wanted to make sure I was in shape for everyone. PGN: By the reaction of the crowd, I think you got the job done! ■ For more information on Jamai, visit www. jamaimusic.com. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

SPORTS PGN

Get Out and Play

Scott A. Drake

Soccer to us There are still a couple of weeks left in the FIFA World Cup, and I admit I am enjoying watching it even though I’m not that savvy about soccer. I’m the same way with rugby. Of course, all three are football depending on where you start learning your sports, and yet for some reason American football bores me. Perhaps the difference is that, with the first two, there is constant play, running, passing, scrumming, kneeing and whatever else they do, and with our football it’s grunt and collide, run or pass for eight seconds, then sit and wait five minutes for another rock ’em-sock ’em six seconds of play. And people say baseball is boring. I have learned a few things about soccer this summer just by paying attention and remembering bits and pieces as the matches proceed. (By the way, they are called matches, not games?) The International Football Association Board currently acknowledges 17 laws of soccer that are the standard for any professional or international match played. Seventeen? Could it be any simpler? One of the other cool things about the World Cup is rooting for Team USA. It’s kind of like the Olympic hockey team, where it doesn’t matter who does what exactly, just that we win as a nation. Besides, I haven’t a clue as to what stats one might follow in soccer besides the number of goals made and the number of times someone has been kicked out of a game. Match. I’ll get the hang of this yet. Of course, once this quadrennial event concludes, you may still have a soccer buzz. That’s where the Philadelphia Union comes in. This Chester-based organization plays at home two to three times per month. Tickets run around $30 and the season continues

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

NEW EXPERIENCES CHERISHED MEMORIES

into October; Philadelphiaunion.com. Fly, Falcons, fly! Our Philadelphia Falcons have a new opportunity for all of us new soccer-curious people. They have initiated a Falcon Fledglings skills practice for beginning soccer players 5 p.m. every Sunday at Edgely Fields. No skills required. Anyone want to join me this week? If you have some seasoning already, summer league begins July 9 and goes through Aug. 27 and, of course, there are always the Tuesday and Thursday pick-up games. Registration is open on their website (falcons-soccer.org) and new members get $10 off if you use the promotion code PRIDE. Short stops • Philadelphia Soul celebrates the fans with an appreciation day 4 p.m. July 20 with thousands of dollars in giveaways, plus the first 3,000 fans receive a 2014 team poster and the first 5,000 receive a T-shirt courtesy of Parx Casino. Discounted club-box tickets are $25, a $20 savings. It’s the last regularseason home game and you could go home with a 70-inch HDTV! • The annual Liberty Belle Bowling Invitational continues its Independence Day weekend tournament July 3-6; Libertybelle. org. • Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association is having a Wimbledon breakfast 9 a.m. July 6 at Westbury. Come commiserate and get some more information about the upcoming Philadelphia Open, July 18-20; plta2014. ning.com. ■ Countdown to Gay Games 9: 42 days. Summer home and summer not; what is your group doing this summer? Email scott@epgn.com.

MARINEMAX HELPS YOU ENJOY NEW EXPERIENCES Get the most out of your boating experience. Learn all about our full line of boats, boating classes, events, Getaways!® and more. Stop by your local MarineMax today! MarineMax Somers Point 600 Bay Avenue | Somers Point, NJ 08244 (888) 614-8034 | www.marinemax.com/somerspoint ®

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� � � SOCCER TIES THAT BIND: On June 22 at Pennsylvania 6 for the United States vs. Portugal match, members of the Philadelphia Falcons piled in to cheer and groan with the rest of the country as the Americans came from behind to outscore Portugal but then settled for a tie after a last-second goal. Whether our team makes it to the finals or not, the Falcons will converge at Westbury for the championship match. Photo: Scott A. Drake

News updates more reliable than “a little bird told us”.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Do you have very particular requirements for your dream home?

Give PGN’s Real Estate listings a try. FOR ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP AT (215) 625-8501

Classifieds Real Estate Sale ENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________38-25 CHENTENHAM 3 BR STONE RANCH Exceptional 3br 2.5bth, easy commute to Center City. Professionally designed kitchen, subzero fridge, dacor oven, custom exhaust. French limestone luxury bathrooms. 3rd br designed as study w/cherry built-ins. High-end everything!! $285,000. Photos, www.weichert.com/52533114. Showings, CindyGRosenfeld@gmail.com. ________________________________________36-27 NEW YORK LAND, RIVERS & CAMP BARGAINS 8.4 Acres w/ New Cabin & Access to Fish Creek River: $29,995. .. 34 Acres Cherry Forest & Access to Little Salmon River: $49,995. .. 27 Acres, Mohawk River Frontage: $49,900. .. We Finance Land! Call Christmas & Associates: 800-229-7843. Or Visit: landandcamps.com Owner/Broker. ____________________________________________38-24

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. 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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Real Estate Sale

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

Vacation Rentals

Friends Men

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________38-26 Rooms for men. oceanhouseatlanticcity.com ________________________________________38-3

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. ________________________________________38-30 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, #06743-015, Englewood FCE, 9595 W. Quincy Ave., Littleton CO 80123. ________________________________________38-29 SOUTH OF THE BORDER GWM seeking men south of the border: Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, South Americans, also Asians for friendship and more. Social drinker, no drugs and pefer non smoker. Ole! 856-547-4163. ________________________________________38-27 IN SEARCH OF SOMEONE To share my love and life. Intelligent, older WM looking for a special guy. Take a chance! Call Alan at 215-677-5610. ________________________________________38-26 BM with big tool wans to nail a bottom to the ﬂoor. BM has equipment to make a bottom wish he wants more. I’m 6 ft and 198 lbs. and have 8.5 inches and 1.25 girth and know how to use it. Call anytime 215-763-3391. All replies answered. ________________________________________38-26 Friendly bi man, 50 seeks pretty TS lady, mature, in shape and healthy with big boobs for fun loving relationship. I live in the burbs, driving would be a plus. 267-393-3655. ________________________________________38-26 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________38-28

Help Wanted

Services MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a Medical Ofﬁce Assistant now! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training gets you ready! HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed! 1-888-424-9412. ________________________________________38-26 AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get FAA approved Aviation Technician training. Financial Aid for qualiﬁed students. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1-888-834-9715. ________________________________________38-26

Business Opportunities BE THE 1st Medical Alert Company in your area! Owning your own local distributorship. We do 70% of the work! Unlimited $ return. Investment required. Free Call(844)-225-1200. ________________________________________38-26

Adoption Young, married couple wishes to adopt child of any race. Loving, secure, happy home. Promises lots of hugs, reading, and fun. Expenses paid. JamieAndConorAdopt. com 917-324-4884. ________________________________________38-26

Hiring OTR Professionals who want Consistent Milesaverage 2,700+; consistent pay- average $51,400 per year; 2011 or newer trucks; Call Fischer Trucking today at 1-800-486-8660. ________________________________________38-26 Want A Career Operating Heavy Equipment? Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. “Hands On Training” & Certiﬁcations Offered. National Average 18-22 Hourly! Lifetime Job Placement Assistance. VA Beneﬁts Eligible! 1-866-362-6497. ________________________________________38-26 EARN $500 A-DAY Insurance Agents Needed; Leads, No Cold Calls; Commissions Paid Daily; Lifetime Renewals; Complete Training; Health/Dental Insurance; Life License Required. Call: 1-888-713-6020. ________________________________________38-26 Restaurant staff, live in available. Northeast PA. Call Tim. 917-992-5262. ________________________________________38-28

For Sale SAWMILLS from only $4897.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1800-578-1363 Ext.300N ________________________________________38-26

Massage David, 64, 6’, 200 lbs., attentive. 215-569-4949. (24/7) ________________________________________38-28

Placing Classiﬁeds Liner Ads In Person: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, By Phone or on the Web: 24 Hours, 7 Days

Deadline for Line Advertising is Friday at 3 p.m. for the following Friday’s issue. You may place your ad via our secure voicemail system, fax or e-mail at any time, or on our Web site. Please have the following information ready to place your ad:

YOUR AD COPY • YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER • CREDIT CARD INFORMATION PHONE: 215-625-8501 ext. 200 OR 215-451-6182 (DIRECT) • FAX: 215-925-6437 • E-MAIL: don@epgn.com GENERAL INFORMATION

All classified advertising must be in our office by 3 p.m. Friday for the next Friday’s paper. Ads arriving after that time will be held for the next available issue. PGN reserves the right to edit or rewrite ads as needed, to refuse any ad for any reason and to determine the final classification. Ads determined to be in bad taste, directed to or from persons under the legal age of consent or containing racially or sexually discriminatory language will be refused. We need your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number on the insertion order form for you ad. This information is confidential and will not appear in the paper. Any ads received without full information will be destroyed. Sexually explicit language will be edited or refused at the discretion of the management.

PAYMENT AND PLACEMENT

Classified ads may be placed online or by mail, fax, e-mail or in person at the PGN offices at 505 S. Fourth St., Phila. Phone, fax and e-mail orders are accepted with credit/debit cards only. A $10 minimum applies to all charges. If you are paying in person with cash, please have the exact change as we cannot make change at the office. All ads must be prepaid for their entire run. NO EXCEPTIONS! DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL; IT’S NOT SAFE AND CANNOT BE GUARANTEED.

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CANCELLATION POLICY All PGN Classified ads are cancelable and refundable except for “FRIENDS” ads. Deadline for cancellation is 3 p.m. Friday. The balance will be credited to your credit/debit card. Checks take two weeks to process. The date of the first issue the ad appeared in, along with the classification, your name, address and daytime phone number is required to cancel your ad.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

ADONIS CINEMA

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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

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PGN

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) meets 6-9 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 215732-2220. 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; 267-2306750. 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.phila-

gaybowling.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 full-tackle football league holds fall tryouts; phillybelles.com. Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association plays yearround, all skill levels welcome; philadelphialibertytennis. com. Philadelphia Firebirds women’s football team seeks players; www.philadelphiafirebirds.com. Philadelphia Women’s Baseball League seeks players, all skill levels and ages. 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; 215587-9377, 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 selfdefense, meets 2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southampton; 610-879-2364; www.pinkpistols.org. Delaware Pride holds planning meetings 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 Main St., Newark; 302-265-3020, delawarepride.org. Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance holds open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays during the school year in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; 610-896-4938. 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; 267-2733513, 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 5-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; 215-238-6333. Philadelphia Prime Timers club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; primetim ersofphiladelphia@yahoo.com. Philadelphians MC Club, for leather men and women, meets 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; philadelphiansmc.org. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL-affiliated, weekly HF nets, quarterly newsletter; www.rara.org. 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 June 27 - July 3, 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 48:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available MondayFriday. See the Youth section for more events.

■ 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. Monday through Thursday; 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, 215-686-

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

■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 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 9980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670 ■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel: 215-6863318 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBT-LAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658

■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537

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

■ 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. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 S. Broad St.; 215-629-2300; www.asiac.org. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 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 appoint-

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at at 6:30 p.m. first Wednes6:30 p.m. thethe first Wednesday daythe of month the month at 100 S. of at 100 S. Broad St., Suite GALLOP also Broad St.,1810; Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides free referral provides a freea referral service; service; 215-627-9090; www. 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw. org. galloplaw.org. ■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, selfemployed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a website where everyone is invited to sign up for email notices for activities and

ment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available 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 Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups events; www.gppn.org; 215-9223377.

■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www. nlgja.org/philly; philly@nlgja.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. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.

■ Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus A regional organization dedicated to promoting gay and lesbian tourism to the Greater Philadelphia region holds meetings every other month on the fourth Thursday (January, March, May, July, September and the third Thursday in November), open to the public; P.O. Box 58143, Philadelphia, PA 19102; www. philadelphiagaytourism.com; 215-840-2039.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 27 - July 3, 2014

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