PGN Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2014 by The Philadelphia Gay News

The Ice dance cometh PAGE 27

D.A. denies police access to files in Morris case

Family Portrait: Barbara Hammer gets the picture

PAGE 5

PGN launches new youth-generated supplement

PAGE 31

PAGES 19-26

Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

��

Vol. 38 No. 5

Prison commish defends transgender policy

Philly Bar Association backs marriage equality By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com City prison commissioner Louis R. Giorla says the department’s new transgender policy may not be perfect, but it’s a work in progress and he’s fully committed to the humane treatment of transgender inmates. The policy, which went into effect earlier this month, reflects recent federal regulations that implement the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003. “It’s our intention to be fully compliant with the federal regulations,” Giorla told PGN. “Anybody who becomes incarcerated in one of our facilities — and their family members — can be assured that we’re committed to their safety, which includes their physical health and well-being.” The new policy was lambasted by some transgender activists because it doesn’t specify that, in some circumstances, it’s appropriate to house a pre-operative female in a female prison or a pre-operative male in a male prison. But Giorla said that omission doesn’t mean housing decisions are made solely on the basis of an inmate’s genital status. PAGE 13 “Potentially, we can

Antigay activist seeks to get involved in marriage cases By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com A local antigay activist is continuing his quest to become involved in several legal challenges against the state’s ban on samesex marriage. James D. Schneller, president of the Philadelphia Metro Task Force, filed a brief Jan. 25 in the Whitewood v. Wolf case, again calling on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania to permit him to become an intervener. The case was filed last summer by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a group of same-sex couples, two children and a widow, and was the first PAGE 18

SWIMMING WITH A PURPOSE: The Philadelphia Fins Aquatic Club hosted its annual Postal Swim Jan. 25 at Friends Select School. Approximately 30 swimmers turned out for the meet and although fundraising runs until Feb. 9, Fins president Bob Breitel said the club typically raises $2,000. This year, funds raised with go towards the club and also to the American Heart Association. Breitel said the event had an excellent turnout with many new swimmers and a new digital clock in tow. “There was a lot of energy and I think everybody had a great time. We had some terrific swims.” Photo: Scott A. Drake

For the first time ever, the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association this week voted to endorse marriage equality — and called on the state to take action on pending legislation to grant same-sex couples equal marriage rights in Pennsylvania. On Jan. 27, the approximately three-dozen board members voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that calls for the legalization of same-sex marriage in the Keystone State. With the resolution’s approval, support for marriage equality is now the official position of the Philadelphia Bar Association. According to association director of communications and marketing Meredith Z. AvakianHardaway, although subsets of the organization have backed marriage-equality measures in the past, this is the first time the issue

was brought to the full board of governors. “There have been a variety of different resolutions over the years but some of the resolutions in the past may have been from a section of the association,” AvakianHardaway said. “This is the first time it was at this level before the entire board, who represent our 13,000 members. It is a big deal for us.” The resolution was developed by the association’s LGBT Rights Committee. Committee co-chair Mike Viola said drafters contacted each section or committee chair throughout the association, about half of whom endorsed the effort; while some didn’t respond, no one rejected the resolution, Viola noted. The resolution was then submitted to the cabinet of the board of governors, which then passed it on to the full board. Viola said the collective voice PAGE 15 of the associa-

Senior center readies for ribbon-cutting By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

The John C. Anderson Apartments will officially open its doors with a ribboncutting ceremony next month, with local, state and national guests on hand. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the LGBT-friendly senior complex, 249-257 S. 13th St., is slated for 10:30 a.m. Feb. 24 in front of the building. Seating will be reserved for invited guests only, but there will be a roped area for spectators. Residents of the building, who have been moving in since the beginning of the month, will be in attendance. Joining the festivities will be former Gov. Ed Rendell, Mayor

Michael Nutter, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and the Philadelphia Congressional delegation, state Treasurer Rob McCord, a state House delegation led by Rep. Mike O’Brien, a state Senate delegation led by Sen. Anthony Williams and a host of City Councilmembers led by Councilman Mark Squilla. Also on hand will be a group of early LGBT-rights activists. “We’ll be making announcements of other speakers in the next couple of weeks, but we’re very excited that we’re going to have a lot of pioneers of the gay-rights struggle in attendance,” said PGN publisher Mark Segal, president of the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund, which spearheaded the PAGE 17 project with

HAPPY HOMECOMING: New residents of the John C. Anderson Apartments were the guests of honor at a welcoming reception Jan. 26 in the building’s Community Room. The event allowed the residents to mix and mingle with one another and with the board of the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund, which spearheaded the project with Pennrose Properties. Residents began moving in earlier this month, and organizers will celebrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 24 at the site. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

PGN

locations in Philadelphia UNIVERSITY CITY

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. • Bucks County Coffee, 3430 Sansom St. • Bucks County Coffee, 40th & Locust sts. • 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. •

SOUTH OF CENTER CITY

Bethel Community Home, 933-935 S. Third St. • Black N Brew, 1523 E. Passyunk Ave. • Carmen’s Country Kitchen, 11th & Wharton sts. • 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. • Kris Restaurant, 1100 Federal St. • Rockerhead Salon, 607 S. Third St. • South Philly Bagels, 613 S. Third St. • Ultimo Coffee, 1900 S. 15th 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 •

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. ��

free library and honor box locations � � � LIBRARIES

Andorra Branch, 705 E. Cathedral Road • Blanch A. Nixon Branch, 5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway • Bustleton Branch, 10199 Bustleton Ave. • Falls of Schuylkill Branch, 3501 Midvale Ave. • Fishtown Branch, 1217 E. Montgomery Ave. • Frankford Branch, 4634 Frankford Ave. • Independence Branch, 18 S. Seventh St. • Joseph E. Coleman Branch, 68 W. Chelten Ave. • Kingsessing Branch, 1201 S. 51st St. • Lehigh Branch, 601 W. Lehigh Ave. • Logan Branch, 1333 Wagner Ave. • Lovett Branch, 6945 Germantown Ave. • Main Branch, 1901 Vine St. • McPherson Square Branch, 601 E. Indiana Ave. • Northeast Regional, 2228 Cottman Ave. • Oak Lane Branch, 6614 N. 12th St. • Ogontz Branch, 6017 Ogontz Ave. • Olney Branch, 5501 N. Fifth St. • Passyunk Branch, 1935 Shunk St. • Richmond Branch, 2987 Almond St. • Rodriguez Branch, 600 W. Girard Ave. • Roxborough Branch, 6245 Ridge Ave. • South Phila. Branch, 1700 S. Broad St. • Southwark Branch, 932 S. Seventh St. • Welsh Road Branch, 9233 Roosevelt Blvd. • West Phila. Branch, 125 S. 52nd St. • Wynneﬁeld Branch, 5325 Overbrook Ave.

HONOR BOXES

2nd & Chestnut sts. • 2nd & Market sts. • 2nd & Walnut sts. • 2nd & South sts. • 2nd & Wildey sts. • 3rd & Arch sts. • 3rd & Market sts. • 3rd & Race sts. • 3rd & Spruce sts. • 4th & Bainbridge sts. • 4th & Chestnut sts. • 4th St. bet. Arch & Market sts., by Holiday Inn • 5th & Chestnut sts. • 5th & Spring Garden sts. • 5th & Spruce sts. • 6th & Chestnut sts. • 6th & South sts. • 6th St. & Washington Square West • 7th & Pine sts. • 8th & Market sts. • 8th & South sts. • 8th & Walnut sts. • 9th & Market sts. • 9th & Pine sts. • 10th & Pine sts. • 10th & South sts. • 10th & Spruce sts.• 10th & Reed sts. • 11th & Arch sts. • 11th & Locust sts. • 11th & Pine sts. • 11th & Walnut sts. • 12th & Filbert sts. • 12th & Locust sts. • 12th & Manning sts. •12th & Spruce sts. • 12th & Walnut sts. • 13th & Arch sts. • 13th & Chestnut sts. • 13th & Locust sts. • 13th & Pine sts. • 13th & Sansom sts. • 13th & Spruce sts. • 13th & Walnut sts. •15th & Spruce sts. • 16th St. & JFK Boulevard • 16th & Market sts. • 17th & Lombard sts. • 17th & Pine sts. • 17th & Spruce sts. • 18th St. & JFK Boulevard • 18th & Locust sts. • 18th & Market sts. • 19th & South sts. • 20th & Fitzwater sts. • 20th & Locust sts. • 20th & Pine sts. • 20th & Sansom sts. • 20th & Vine sts. • 21st & Walnut sts. • 22nd & Chestnut sts. • 22nd & Market sts. • 22nd & South sts. • 22nd & Walnut sts. • 23rd St. & Fairmount Avenue • 27th & Poplar sts. • 28th & Girard sts.• 29th & Girard sts. • 30th & Market sts. • 34th & Spruce sts. • 34th & Walnut sts. • 36th & Walnut sts. • 37th & Spruce sts. • 38th & Chestnut sts. • 38th & Spruce sts. • 38th & Walnut sts. • 40th & Walnut sts. • 40th & Spruce sts. • 63rd St. & City Ave. • 69th St. SEPTA station • 505 S. Fourth St. • Broad & Chestnut sts. • Broad & Ellsworth sts. • Broad & Race sts. • Broad & Spruce sts. • Broad & Walnut sts. • Front & Girard sts. • Germantown & Girard sts. • Juniper & Market sts. • Main & Cotton sts. • Main & Levering sts. • Passyunk Ave & 10th & Reed sts. • Passyunk & Mifﬂin sts. • University City SEPTA Station • Walnut & Dock sts., by Ritz Movies • Welsh Road & Roosevelt Boulevard • Wyndmoor SEPTA Station •

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

http://www.epgn.com/pages/where_to_find

PGN

PARX LUCKY HOUR EVERY FRIDAY • 7PM – 9PM Get lucky drink specials! Available at 360, Jax & Parxgrill Bar! Get lucky slots! $50 free slot play winner every 60 seconds!

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

THIS WEEKEND AT 360 FRIDAY, JANUARY 31 • Drop Dead Sexy & DJ Sev One

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 • Billy D. Lite, The Rockets & DJ Eric Vanderslice Visit parxcasino.com/calendar for full listing.

DROP & WIN EVERY TUESDAY 2PM – 10PM Each Tuesday, earn 60 entries to play Parx Drop & Win! Prizes range from $50 to $1,000 free slot play!

WATCH THE BIG GAME AT JAX! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 6:25PM START TIME Featuring over 20 SUPER-sized TV’s to watch every action-packed moment of this season’s BIGGEST game!

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE EVERY THURSDAY 2PM – 10PM Earn 30 entries each Thursday to unwrap sweet treats, up to $5,000 free slot play!

UFC 169: BARAO VS FABER SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 • 10PM • You’re home for all UFC & boxing events!

PARXCASINO.COM •

MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR CANCEL THESE PROMOTIONS AT ANY TIME. MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. VISIT XCLUB FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS, RULES & REGULATIONS. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1.800.GAMBLER

VOTED ONE OF USA TODAY’S TOP 10 SPORTS BARS!

Enjoy All-You-Can-Eat Snow Crab Legs for only $29.95 every Wednesday! PLUS, $3 Heineken & Amstel Light Drafts!

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

We’re all getting older. For LGBT seniors, being out in the golden years can pose a whole new set of challenges. Each month, Gettin’ On brings you insights on aging, from legal issues to sexual health.

Gettin’ On Read On Gettin’ On third Friday of the month

NETWORKING NEWS: Independence Business Alliance members celebrated the launch of the LGBT chamber of commerce’s new monthly mixer IBA ConnX, launched to bring together members of IBA and the recently shuttered Greater Philadelphia Professional Networking Group. The launch event was held Jan. 28 at UBar and brought a packed crowd, including Joan Manuel Rivera (from left), Tom Streeper, GPPN founding member Thom Cardwell, IBA president Rich Horrow, Rebecca Levin and Tom Cavanaugh. The next IBA ConnX will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at MANNA, 2323 Ranstead St. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Only in

Crime Watch International Local Media Trail News Briefing

Tired of eating at the same old dives? Thinking about hitting a new hot spot? We’ll tell you what we liked — and didn’t

Dining Out Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

Creep of the Week Editorial Op-Ed Mark My Words Street Talk

10 10 11 11 11

PGN Gay is our middle name. PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

For advertising inquiries: advertising@epgn.com or 215-625-8501 ext. 218.

Art Director/Photographer Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com

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

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

Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

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

Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com Staff Writers Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Angela Thomas (ext. 215) angela@epgn.com

Only in

6 12 5 9 6

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

Advertising Sales Representatives Prab Sandhu (ext. 212) prab@epgn.com National Advertising Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863 Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com Executive Assistant/ Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com

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

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

City: D.A.’s Morris records off-limits to police By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Dozens of interviews conducted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in 2003 while investigating the Nizah Morris case are unavailable to the police department, according to city attorneys. The confidential records include a key interview with Sgt. Michael Dougherty, who reportedly told the D.A.’s Office he authorized a courtesy ride for Morris shortly before she became a homicide victim. The transwoman’s 2002 killing remains unsolved, and her advocates want Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane to intervene. Information in Dougherty’s interview didn’t come to light until last year, when the city’s Police Advisory Commission issued its second report on the Morris incident. The PAC obtained the D.A.’s Morris records in November 2011, after visiting the D.A.’s Ofice and requesting copies, but the records never made it to the police department. In a recent letter to PGN, Assistant City Solicitor Katharine L. Janoski said the D.A.’s Morris records aren’t available to city agencies, aside from the PAC. “[T]he documents never formed a part of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Investigative File,” Janoski wrote. “These are records of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office over which the city has no jurisdiction and control, and the District Attorney’s Office has not authorized the release of the records to the city.” Janoski’s letter goes on to state: “The PAC only has possession of these documents pursuant to a non-disclosure agreement entered into with the District Attorney’s Office.”

Police Internal Affairs didn’t know about Dougherty’s interview when it reviewed the case for departmental infractions in 2004. Former state Rep. Babettte Josephs said the lack of record-sharing among agencies highlights the need for a state probe. “How can any unprofessional behavior or crime on the part of the police be investigated adequately if the D.A. isn’t sharing information with the police?” Josephs posed, adding that “it’s outrageous that the police department still doesn’t have the D.A.’s [Morris] records. Haven’t they learned anything from this debacle? The situation is bizarre, and cries out for Ms. Kane’s involvement.” Lt. John Stanford, a police spokesperson, had no comment on whether Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey would seek copies of the D.A.’s records for the department’s Morris homicide file. Stanford also had no comment on whether Ramsey would initiate an overall review of the record-sharing practices between the D.A.’s office and the police. Compounding problems was the loss of the police department’s Morris homicide file for several years, which resulted in Internal Affairs also not having the unredacted Morris police report. The unredacted report indicates that responding officers were aware of Morris’ anatomical gender and impaired physical condition earlier than they conveyed to Internal Affairs. Similarly, the PAC members in 2006 weren’t aware of Dougherty’s interview and the unredacted police report when they held public hearings on the Morris case. At this week’s PAC meeting, members said requests for information contained in

GSE leader steps down By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com After about one year at the helm, Troy Stevenson is stepping down as executive director of Garden State Equality to pursue a new leadership role. Stevenson served his last day of New Jersey’s statewide equality organization on Jan. 26, which coincided with GSE’s 10year anniversary celebration. He will move on to take over as executive director of The Equality Network in his home state of Oklahoma, where a federal judge recently ruled that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Prior to taking over GSE, Stevenson worked for four years as the agency’s managing director. He said in a statement that he has been honored to work for LGBT rights in New Jersey. “All of you made me grow to love my adopted home almost as much as my home state. The GSE family and the community that has been created over the last decade cannot be compared to any other organi-

zation of its kind,” he said. “That sense of community is what gives me faith that GSE will continue to grow, continue to thrive and continue to make history.” GSE managing director John Mikytuck will serve as interim executive director while the board conducts a nationwide search for its next leader. “John has my utmost confidence,” Stevenson said. “He has over 20 years of nonprofit experience, including working in LGBT- and HIV/AIDS-advocacy arenas.” Last year was a momentous one for LGBT rights in the Garden State, with the state legalizing marriage equality and banning conversion therapy for minors. Stevenson credited the members of GSE with being a large part of the agency’s, and the state’s, LGBT-rights victories. “Garden State Equality and all of our accomplishments are a testament to you, our members. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to all of you and look forward to watching your accomplishments in the future,” he said. “A part of my heart will always be in New Jersey.” ■

their Morris file would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the information exists in their file and it’s legal to release it, they will do so. After the meeting, Jackie Cassel, a member of the Justice for Nizah committee, expressed support for full transparency in the Morris case. “In the name of justice, and for the sake of Nizah Morris’ family, friends and community advocates, I question obfuscation of facts under the guise of ‘confidentiality,’” Cassel said. “The public has a right to know the truth of what happened 11 years ago when Nizah became a homicide victim, shortly after getting inside a Philadelphia police vehicle.” In a related matter, Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civilrights organization, recently added its name to a growing list of organizations calling for a state probe into Morris’ death.

“Nizah Morris’ family has had to live with too many questions about her death for more than a decade,” said HRC state legislative director Sarah Warbelow. “Inconsistencies exist in the accounts of the Philadelphia Police Department surrounding the timeline leading up to Nizah’s death. We all deserve dignity and respect, and a state probe would go a long way in giving that to Nizah Morris. We are hopeful that Attorney General Kane will follow the recommendation of numerous advocates and the city’s Police Advisory Commission and open a probe into this troubling matter.” Other groups supporting a state probe include the National Center for Transgender Equality, GALAEI, Equality Pennsylvania, GLAAD, Keystone Progress, the ACLU of Greater Philadelphia, Jewish Social Policy Action Network and the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Organization for Women. ■

QDF @QCKDRR NE XNTQ @AH KH SX SN O@X

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

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between Jan. 13-19. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). Follow the 6th District on Twitter: @PPDBrianKorn. INCIDENTS — Between 6-7 p.m. Jan. 13, someone stole a 2009 Suzuki motorcycle from outside 306 S. 13th St. — At 9:55 p.m. Jan. 14, a woman was using the parking kiosk at 301 S. Ninth St. when a male stole her iPhone from her hand and fled east on Spruce Street. The suspect was described as a black male in his 30s, wearing a tan coat and light-blue jeans. — At 5:35 p.m. Jan. 15, a man held up an individual at gunpoint in the hallway of the apartment building at 1105 Spruce St. The suspect was described as a 5-foot-11 black male with braided hair and a heavy build, wearing a red bandana over his face, a long black coat, black knit cap and dark baggy pants. He fled west on Spruce Street. — At 8 a.m. Jan. 16, a woman left her apartment in the unit block of South 13th Street, locked the door and returned at 12:45 p.m. to find a laptop, iPad and camera were missing. There was no forced entry into the premises; only building management has a key. Sixth District Officer Minnis attempted to lift fingerprints. — At around 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16, someone stole a bicycle from inside

Starbucks, 1001 Chestnut St. — At 7 p.m. Jan. 16 (reported 9:15 p.m. to the 22nd District), a woman’s cell phone was snatched from her hand at 11th and Chestnut streets by a black male in his early 20s, wearing a black hoodie and jeans. He was last seen running south on 11th Street. — At 7:10 p.m. Jan. 16, while in the subway concourse at 1300 Market St., a woman’s iPhone was snatched from her hand. The victim chased the suspect and retrieved the phone. The suspect was described as a black female teenager with a heavy build wearing a yellow jacket and jeans. — Between 2-9:30 a.m. Jan. 17, someone stole cash from the register at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom St. The door was found open, with no forced entry. Central Detective Division was on scene to recover evidence and fingerprints. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 9:05 p.m. Jan. 15, 6th District Officers Butler and Burell arrested a male outside 251 S. 13th St. who was wanted on a warrant for probation violations. The 48-year-old suspect with a South Philadelphia address was charged with escape. — At 2 a.m. Jan. 16, 6th District Officer Williams arrested a male inside the Capitol Grill, 1338 Chestnut St., after he broke a window to gain access and went to sleep in one of the booths. The 19-year-old homeless suspect was charged with criminal mischief and related offenses. — At 9 p.m. Jan. 17, two males and a female entered an apartment in the 1200 block of Walnut Street using a key stolen from a complainant earlier. Once inside, the trio confronted the victim’s cousin and stole a laptop

from a table after a struggle with the occupant. The female suspect, who is the ex-girlfriend of the complainant, was arrested in the 14th District and charged with robbery and related offenses. Central Detective Division will obtain arrest warrants for her two alleged accomplices. — At 1:25 p.m. Jan. 18, 6th District plainclothes Officers Calhoun and Kovach arrested two males running a curbside gambling operation outside 27 S. 11th St. The 41-year-old suspect with a Francisville address was running a Bottle Cap (Shell) Game, and the 49-year-old suspect with a West Philadelphia address was running a Three Card Monte Game. Both were charged with gambling and related offenses. — At 2:40 p.m. Jan. 18, 6th District Officer Romanczuk was on patrol and heard a woman yell for help at 400 S. 10th St. The officer saw a male running north on 10th Street with a woman chasing him and stopped the male after observing him discard a handbag and iPhone. The woman identified the man for snatching her handbag, and all items were recovered and returned to her. The 22-year-old suspect with a Tioga address was charged with robbery and related offenses. — At 1:05 a.m. Jan. 19, a man exited Woody’s Bar, 202 S. 13th St., and another man asked to borrow his phone. After using the phone, the male simulated having a weapon, demanded cash and fled south on 13th Street. Officers from the 17th District apprehended a suspect at 16th and Bainbridge streets. No weapon was recovered. The 36-year-old suspect with a Chester address was charged with robbery and related offenses. ■

AC ul t ure &

rts

Because Life Is More Than Just Gay News

Film Reviews, Theater Reviews, Food Reviews, Book Reviews, Music Reviews, Nightlife, Sports and Travel

News Briefing Activist seeks AIDS-funding recommendations Jacob P. Fyda, an HIV/AIDS activist, has filed a request for the funding recommendations of a confidential city panel that helps allocate millions of AIDS dollars in the nine-county region. On Jan. 15, Fyda filed a state Right-to-Know law request with the city Department of Public Health. He wants all funding recommendations made by the city’s Resource Allocations Advisory Committee since January 2013. On Jan. 24, city attorneys requested an additional 30 days before deciding whether to release the recommendations. Last year, Fyda asked the health department for the committee’s membership list. But city attorneys argued that releasing the list would violate important privacy rights. Earlier this month, a Philadelphia judge sided with the city, and Fyda said he doesn’t expect to appeal the judge’s ruling. — Timothy Cwiek

Drexel hosts benefit concert for AIDS org. Drexel University College of Medicine will host the 21st annual Pediatric AIDS Benefit Concert at 5 p.m. Feb. 15. The concert will be held at the Main College Building, 3141 Chestnut St. The concert will support the Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric and Adolescent HIV at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. The concert will include a live variety show, open bar, dinner buffet and silent auction. Tickets can be purchased at http://drexelmed/wix.com/pabc and are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Businesses, restaurants or individuals who want to donate to the auction and/or dinner buffet can email pabc2014@gmail. com or call 215-991-8537. ■ — Angela Thomas

High quality dental treatment and preventive care

• Cosmetic dentistry • Veneers • Crowns • Whitening • Implants

Craig T. Wakefield, DDS Proudly serving the LGBT community and PWA for over 20 years. Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pa 19103 (215) 732-8080 Evening hours available.

LOCAL PGN

Philly readies for Olympics By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, have largely been shadowed by the unprecedented LGBT discrimination in the host country — but LGBT athletes and allies across the globe, including in Philadelphia, are now joining forces to support equality in the Games, and in Russia. Pride House International is organizing “Remote Pride Houses” where LGBTs and allies can take part in Olympic viewing parties, discussions, rallies and other activities to support LGBT sporting equality. Pride Houses have become staples at largescale sporting events for LGBT athletes, but organizers in Russia denied such a request, prompting the agency to rally support remotely. Philadelphia will have two Remote Pride Houses: William Way LGBT Community Center and Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar. The center, 1315 Spruce St., will host a viewing party for the Opening Ceremonies from 7-11 p.m. Feb. 7, in partnership with Go! Athletes’ #Out4Olympics campaign. Admission is free for students, and there is a $10 suggested donation for adults. Free food and beverages will be provided. GO! Athletes executive director Anna Aagenes said the campaign is an effort to show LGBTs in Russia that they have widespread support, and to raise awareness about the ongoing endemic of discrimination. “Folks in Russia don’t have

the opportunity to have a Pride House, so we want to be in solidarity with them and what they’re going through, and hopefully these Pride Houses across the world and across our country can show that LGBT athletes and sports fans are in support of their rights,” she said. “Our hearts are with the people traveling to Russia and also the citizens of Russia, who don’t have the opportunity to exercise their civil rights.” Aagenes said the center’s event will also help connect younger LGBT athletes and students with members of Team Philadelphia and other local sports leagues. “It’s a community-driven event. It’ll be grassroots and we’re hoping that we’ll be able to establish some longterm connections,” she said. Tabu, which has 18 televisions throughout its three floors, will screen all sporting events throughout the more-than twoweek Games. “Tabu has joined in an effort with Pride House International to provide a safe and entertaining place to watch the Sochi Olympics for the LGBT community in Philadelphia,” said owner Jeff Sotland. “We continue to strive to provide the LGBT community and our allies with a welcoming and supportive place.” For more information about Pride House International, visit www.pridehouseinternational. org. For more information about the local events, email anna@goathletes.org or visit www.tabuphilly.com. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

Fins celebrate 25 with nod to departed member By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Philadelphia Fins Aquatic Club celebrated its silver anniversary this past weekend with a special tribute to a late longtime member. On Jan. 25, the Philadelphia Fins hosted the annual Postal Swim, with proceeds going to both the Fins and the American Heart Association. The event was dedicated to Dennis Clegg, who died of cardiac arrest last month, and was foll ow e d b y a celebration at a m e m b e r ’s home with food, drinks and entertainment. T w e n t yf i v e y e a r s DENNIS CLEGG ago, the Fins were founded on the premise of bringing LGBT and ally swimmers together for a safe space to socialize and practice the sport. Founded in 1988, the Philadelphia Fins are a member of the United States Masters Swimming and the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics. The club, which currently has more than 100 members and five primary coaches, welcomes swimmers of all genders, sexual orientations and swimming experiences. They host practices on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m.

at Friends Select School at 16th and Race with weekend practices from 10-11:30 a.m. The Philadelphia Fins are among a handful of LGBT athletic groups in the Philadelphia area. Fins president Bob Breitel said that, although the world has become a more accepting place for LGBT issues in general, there is still work to be done, where groups like the Fins can come in. “Society has progressed a lot in terms of some of the issues and judgments and so forth, but I think having a positive place for LGBT athletes to connect and bond as teammates and socially, it is still really important,” Breitel said. “There is still discrimination in the world today so having a safe place for LGBT athletes to swim and not be judged is really important.” Breitel also noted that the Fins and other LGBT athletic groups provide an alternative to the LGBT nightlife in the city. “There are people coming to the team looking for a place where they can be themselves. This is a place that they can do that and meet other people in the LGBT community besides going to gay bars,” he said. Breitel, who has been a member of the Fins for three years, said the team has a good relationship with Friends Select and appreciates the space. “We are grateful for our pool time at Friends Select. It’s always a concern if we don’t have the

pool to work out in, then we need to find another place and there are very limited places to work out, so we are grateful to use their pool.” The team has also developed strong ties to the local LGBT community, Breitel said. The Fins always have a table at events like Pride and OutFest and host fundraisers for various LGBT organizations in the city, including The Attic Youth Center. While the group has seen a wealth of organizational growth in the past 25 years, it is the personal connections that members establish that are most rewarding, Breitel said. “What is great about swimming is it doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are, you can be who you are,” he said. “It is the people, the friendships, that are created by those on the team that develop as a result of this sport.” Breitel said the Fins are looking to have a more visible presence in the city’s sports scene in the city, but added the team will ultimately rely on its longheld attributes to continue to keep it afloat. “We are only growing. The sport is becoming more popular and we are open to all, even though we are an LGBT team. We have a diverse team and diversity will continue, and I don’t see any reason why the Fins will not continue to thrive in the future.” For more information, visit www.philadelphiafins.org. ■

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE WANTED

PGN currently has an advertising sales position avaiable for an energetic, selfmotivated individual with outstanding communication skills. Our ideal candidate must have polished sales skills with experience in lead generation and cold calling, combined with a track record of closing the sale.

QUALIFICATIONS: • Two years of successful sales experience, preferably in print and/or online sales • Strong verbal and writing skills • Excellent at relationship building • Ability to work independently and part of a team • Knowledge of local media market and/or LGBT community a plus • Computer literacy a must Salary/Benefits: Salary plus commission. Our benefits package includes medical and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation and a casual work environment. Qualified individuals interested in applying are encouraged to send their resume to greg@epgn.com.

LOCAL PGN

Temple student explores unconditional love in new film By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com For Temple University student Sylvie Borschel, a family member’s coming-out experience influenced her to create a way for LGBT individuals to tell their own sometimes-scary, yet oftenrewarding, coming-out stories. Borschel, a film and media-arts major who will graduate in May, was 12 when her mother came out to her as a lesbian. Borschel is now finishing a documentary that pays tribute to her mother’s and several other Philadelphians’ coming-out experiences. “I knew my mom was a certain way and we never talked about the LGBT community, but after a while I understood this was who she was,” Borschel said. “It was sad that she had to hide that part of herself for so long.” The documentary, “Unconditional,” started out as a class project, but Borschel said she had been eager to produce a film of this nature for some time. The film was meant to be only 15 minutes but, after she submits it for class in April, she plans to extend it to 30 minutes.

Borschel, 21, produced, filmed and edited the documentary, which was originally titled “Love Each Other Unconditionally.” But, she decided to cut it to just one word that summed up the meaning of the film. “The love of a mother is unconditional and the same goes BORSCHEL for a child. I loved my mom before she came out and after she came out,” she said. “It was the only word that fit because we do love our family unconditionally and it is sad that people don’t continue that love after people come out.” Borschel hopes her documentary reaches a broad audience, from those in the LGBT community to those who are unfamiliar with LGBT issues. So far, her subjects have run the gamut and include a Philadelphia police officer talking about his coming-out experience, as well as a pair of sisters, one who just

came out, and their experience explaining LGBT identification to young children. Borschel said the sisters, Jean and Xiomara Alban, have an interesting story and one to which she could relate: Xiomara, who just came out, was raised in a strict Catholic family with her sister Jean, who has a 2-year-old daughter, Ariyana, “It is interesting how Ariyana interacts with Xiomara because she loves Xiomara unconditionally,” she said. “It doesn’t matter to her at this age.” Borschel is still interested in filming more subjects for “Unconditional” and plans to finish the documentary in June. She will upload it to Vimeo and hopes to host viewings at The Attic Youth Center and Temple University. She recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for transportation, equipment and food for subjects, as well as for film-festival entrance fees, with the goal of raising $1,500. For more information on “Unconditional,” visit https:// w w w. k i c k s t a r t e r. c o m / p r o j ects/1842679187/unconditionala-short-documentary. ■

NATIONAL PGN

Media Trail Blue Cross cuts family policies for gay N.C. couples The News & Observer of Raleigh reports North Carolina’s largest insurer is canceling family-insurance policies sold to gay and lesbian couples under the federal-overhaul law due to contract language Blue Cross plans to remove next year. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina invalidated policies for 20 couples because of standard policy language that defines “spouse” as “opposite sex.” Gay-rights advocates point out the insurer offers domestic-partner benefits to its own employees. Blue Cross insurance plans offered by large North Carolina companies also include health benefits for employees and their same-sex partners. The only other insurer selling subsidized policies on North Carolina’s federally run marketplace for private coverage is Coventry Health. Spokesman Walt Cherniak said Coventry doesn’t bar same-sex couples from buying family policies.

S.D. bills allow refusal to take part in gay weddings The Rapid City Journal reports two bills have been filed in the South Dakota legislature to protect clergy and businesses that refuse to take part in gay marriages or wedding receptions. The measures’ main sponsor is Sen. Ernie Otten, who said the proposals are intended to prevent people from being sued if they say their religious beliefs keep them from taking part in a same-sex ceremony. Otten argued a baker should not be sued out of business for refusing to provide a cake. Both the South Dakota Constitution and state law ban gay marriage.

Don Frankenfeld is a member of an organization that supports gay rights and says clergy can already refuse to perform samesex marriages. But he says he thinks businesses do not have the right to refuse service because of a customer’s sexual orientation.

Utah gay-marriage backers, foes hold dueling rallies According to USA Today, the battle over Utah’s ban on gay marriage hit the state’s Capitol building Jan. 28 as hundreds of opponents and supporters of same-sex marriage held twin rallies. Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, said Utah is the epicenter of the fight over marriage and how it’s decided. “Activist judges now feel no qualms in simply putting forward their opinion as the law,” Brown said. “The people of Utah voted on this.” The National Organization for Marriage, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that opposes same-sex marriage, held its rally inside the Capitol building with a local group called Celebration of Marriage. About 500 people attended. A few hours earlier, about 300 supporters of same-sex marriage rallied at the Capitol steps, carrying rainbow flags and homemade signs with messages such as “Love is legal” and “It’s OK to be gay.” Speakers at the rally called for the recognition of same-sex marriages and attacked arguments made by their opponents that children do best with a mother and a father. More importantly, children need a safe and supportive home, said Mark Lawrence, director of the group Restore Our Humanity, which is backing the legal challenge to the gay-marriage ban. “Marriage is the foundation of society. Yes, we agree with that,” he said. “And that foundation will only be strengthened when it’s built upon equality, decency and humanity.” Lawrence also addressed arguments made by opponents who say gay rights are equal to carving out special rights for one particular group. “We are not asking for special rights,” he said. “We are demanding human rights.”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

The opposing gatherings are the latest square-off over gay marriage, an issue that took Utah by surprise over the past month. More than 1,000 gay couples rushed to wed when a federal judge overturned Utah’s constitutional amendment banning samesex marriage in late December. Voters approved the amendment in 2004. Same-sex marriages continued in Utah until early January, when the U.S. Supreme Court granted Utah’s request for an emergency halt to the weddings. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert then ordered state agencies to freeze recognition of the marriages. The state has also appealed the federal judge’s ruling to the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is expected to decide in a few months. While the case will play out in federal court this spring, it could eventually wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Seattle-area Catholic school won’t rehire gay man KIRO TV reports a Catholic school in a Seattle suburb won’t rehire gay former vice principal Mark Zmuda, who was forced out in December after his same-sex marriage. In a statement following a Jan. 23 meeting with parents, Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish said Zmuda was aware of Catholic doctrine and that he was not in full

compliance with his employment agreement. The school also said it will remain a Catholic school and support the teachings of the Catholic Church. Recently, the school’s president, Sister Mary Tracy, resigned after student protests and petitions with tens of thousands of names asking for Zmuda to be reinstated. The private school in the Seattle suburb has about 900 mostly high-school-age students.

NYPD investigating beating of gay journalist According to WCBS-AM, New York City police are investigating the beating of an openly gay journalist as a possible bias attack. An NYPD spokesman says the department’s hate-crimes taskforce is investigating the beating of journalist Randy Gener. Police say the 46-year-old man was found lying on the ground unconscious with head trauma at about 3 a.m. Jan. 19. Gener has undergone brain surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital since the attack. His family and friends held a vigil Jan. 26 and want the public to help find his attacker. Gener is an award-winning arts journalist who has worked for several national media outlets. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

NEVER GET INTO A COLD CAR AGAIN ****REMOTE STARTER SPECIALS***

617 South 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

CAR AUDIO • CAR ALARMS • IPOD INTEGRATION

215-545-5293 email: GK@allthatjazzphilly.com

HID LITES • GPS • TINT • LOGO VANITY PLATES & KEY CHAINS

267.736.6743 scottdrakephotos@gmail.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Council Nedd II

Editorial

By youth, for youth This week, PGN marks its first-ever supplement written specifically for and by LGBT and ally youth, an exciting development that aims to show our future leaders that they are valued, valuable contributors to our community — and that age should be seen as an asset, not an inhibitor, to leadership. For several years, PGN has happily noticed that the crowds at community events such as Pride, OutFest and Equality Forum’s SundayOUT! are younger and younger. High-school students feel comfortable to walk hand-inhand with their boyfriend or girlfriend and eagerly go from table to table, collecting information about their community and its myriad resources. While the burgeoning LGBT acceptance among younger generations is refreshing, it can also create hurdles for LGBT-serving organizations and outlets like PGN. The high-school and college-aged LGBT community may share some experiences with older generations — bullying in schools, discrimination in work settings, lack of governmental backing — but they also confront issues older members of the community may not have during their coming-out experiences: cyber harassment, the ever-growing complexities of social media’s impact or the dichotomy between growing societal acceptance and familial rejection. So how do we learn about the issues our youth are confronting and how to remedy them? Writing is a natural outlet for many at PGN, so we thought, Why not let our youth tell us what’s important to them in their own words? We contacted a host of youth leaders

and youth-serving agencies, requesting recommendations of LGBT and ally youth who have an interest in writing and who would want to get involved in this new project. We didn’t require résumés or writing samples; the only eligibility requirement was a desire to explore the community’s issues through writing (and an appreciation for deadlines didn’t hurt, either). Each youth was asked if he or she preferred to submit a news, arts, creative-writing or opinion piece, and PGN worked with each to identify a topic. Drafts came in, editing revisions were sent back and the final touches were put on the works. We were blown away by the quality of writing, and the level of enthusiasm, these young writers exhibited. Apart from being a practical experience for aspiring writers, this project will ideally inspire young LGBTs to recognize the potential of their own skills, and to embrace their potential in the community. It’s never too early, or too late, to pursue one’s passion — whether it’s writing or another area — and it’s also never too early, or too late, for LGBTs and allies to take active roles in our community. Our community will one day be led by the young men and women walking our high-school halls and college campuses, and they deserve to know their community supports and wants to hear from them. In that vein, PGN will run the LGBTQ Youth Supplement three more times this year: May, August and October. Email editor@epgn.com to get involved. PGN and our community would love to hear from you. ■

It is Martin Luther King Jr. Day as I write this, which means that people on the Interwebs are debating about whether or not King would’ve supported the fight for LGBT civil rights. We can only go on King’s teachings, combing through his speeches and writings to find support for the “he’d love gays/he’d love gays not” arguments. But the Episcopal Missionary Church Bishop Council Nedd II has got it all figured out. During an interview with Radio America host Greg Corombos, he said King would definitely be a conservative and he’d no likey the gays. “A lot of [gay-rights] activists say that this is the natural extension of the civilrights movement,” Corombos said. “Where do you come down on that and what do you think Dr. King would think about that?” “Well, I’ll start by saying gay is not the new black,” Nedd replied. “Any individual who happens to be homosexual, they’re already covered under, um, the law because of their color, because of their sexuality, because of various other things. It’s not a separate classification, um, and personally I’m offended by it.” I, too, am offended — though my offense stems from the fact that sexual orientation isn’t a category automatically covered under civil-rights laws. Nedd, on the other hand, seems pretty confused. I don’t know what “law” he’s talking about that covers people “because of their sexuality” and yet also does not consider sexual orientation a classification. Thankfully his ignorance isn’t stopping him from speaking out against the gays. He continued, “And I’m offended by pastors who sold out on the issue and decided, ‘You know what, I don’t really care what the Bible says. Um, you know, the black president wants me to support this so I’m going to support this.’ It’s absurd.” Damn that black president with his powers to rival Jesus! Seriously, though, as far as Nedd’s concerned, if a pastor supports LGBT people, then that pastor’s clearly being used as a puppet by Obama and has no convictions of his or her own. Meanwhile, fine upstanding folks like

Nedd are making the right-wing media rounds to make white people feel better about their continued oppression of people of color. When Corombos asked how King “would see America today in terms of racial equality,” Nedd claimed that King “would say that a major victory had been accomplished.” “The world he knew was a very segregated America,” Nedd continued. “At the end of his life, there were, you know, riots in the street. Again, they were turning water hoses and dogs on children in parts of this country and because of the advent of television, people were able to see it in the country and were rightly appalled by what they saw.” But today? “There’s equality in the eyes of the law. Segregation is, I guess, you know, legally banished from the land...” Indeed, segregation is “legally banished.” That’s not the same as actually banished. But defacto segregation is largely invisible to folks who don’t have a vested interest in seeing it. Therefore many people are, wrongly, not appalled. Later Corombos asked, citing Jesse Jackson as one example, “Why do you think so many leaders of that era ended up being more liberal?” Nedd responded, “I’m not exactly sure why.” Oooh, oooh, can I guess? Can I guess? Maybe it had something to do with those fire hoses Nedd mentioned? Or Freedom Riders being murdered? Or King getting thrown in jail? Or the government monitoring him like he was a terrorist? Or, I don’t know, seeing King gunned down right before their eyes? Or all of the above? Or, I don’t know, since folks like Jackson and Al Sharpton and John Lewis are still alive, Nedd and Corombos could just ask them. But I suspect their answers wouldn’t go over well with the World Net Daily crowd. ■

Seriously, though, as far as Nedd’s concerned, if a pastor supports LGBT people, then that pastor’s clearly being used as a puppet by Obama and has no convictions of his or her own. Meanwhile, fine upstanding folks like Nedd are making the right-wing media rounds to make white people feel better about their continued oppression of people of color.

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

OP-ED PGN

Irene’s story Let me introduce you to Irene Benedetti: facing intimidation. She was released after a short, slim, soft-spoken woman who hails proving she was a woman by having to demonstrate, despite the humiliation, that from South Philly, but could be from any she was wearing three pieces of traditionItalian neighborhood in any major city. ally female clothing. At a recent dinner party, someone asked Irene, like many others, found shelter in her what it was like growing up as an out those bars. On occasion, they lesbian in the early 1960s. You were raided, mostly during elecsee, Irene is now a senior, and tion time when those car stops most LGBT activists of today and other forms of harassment only know a little of our elders’ stories, since it is their heritage were a regular occurrence for LGBT people so politicians and what they claim to be fighting for. But in our community, could say “We’re cleaning up LGBT seniors are largely invisthis town,” no matter if it was ible. Our activists talk about Los Angeles, San Francisco, or mention Stonewall and all it Philadelphia or New York City. symbolizes, but that symbolism This was a regular pattern of is rarely personalized. oppression nationally. Irene always knew who she Regardless of having no family support, with fears of arrest, was, and from an early age she seeing the occasional friend wanted to be true to herself. being gay-bashed or reading When she was old enough, she attempted to fit in; she Mark Segal about the murdered faggot, Irene continued to hold her head high. even became a regular on the She lost many jobs in her quest to be who national TV show “Bandstand.” She was one of those teenagers who danced in the she was. audience to Bobby Rydell and Chubby By the 1970s, as she put it, she was a Checker. Finally, one day she came out to “bad person.” She was drinking a lot at her parents, only to be greeted with the “all those clubs and taking the party favors of you need is a good man” line. She snapped the time, psychedelic drugs. She, like othback, “Do you want me screwing men to ers, was attempting to escape what she was going through. On one of those nights, she prove a point? Or can I please be myself was bashed on the street and remained in a and happy?” That ended that conversation, coma for three days. and Irene was OUT. At that point, the best Still, her resilient spirit climbed. Irene word to describe her relations with her recovered and joined a young movefamily might be distant. ment for gay rights. She began to work She began doing what LGBT people did for LGBT businesses and, finally after all in those days: They found what we called those years, late in her life she was chothe wild side of town, where they’d find a sen to become the LGBT liaison for a City bar, which usually was Mafia-controlled, or cruised with their friends (translation: Councilman. riding around in cars where they thought Irene was, and is, a pioneer. She never they would be safe or just hanging out with hid and she suffered continually until socifriends). ety caught up to her sense of pride in who This in the 1960s was dangerous. For she was. Arrest, humiliation, gaybashing Irene, it meant being picked up by police. and shame never pinned her down. There She was riding in a car that police stopped are many like Irene, and it’s important to outside one of those clubs. The police know their stories since it is our history. claimed the driver didn’t use a turn signal. From a grateful community, thank you Irene. ■ Once the officer shined a flashlight in the car, he asked Irene, “What are you doing in Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the the back seat with that other woman?” She nation’s most-award-winning commentareplied, “Nothing,” but she and the other tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at three women were arrested, taken into the mark@epgn.com. police station and spent the next six hours

Mark My Words

Op-Ed

John Bright

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

Street Talk Should transgender people be permitted to amend their birth certificates without undergoing gender-reassignment surgery? “Sure, why not? There may be all sorts of legal consequences [that] I’m not aware of but from my point of view, it’s fine for Christopher Hagg transgender soldier people to Malmo, Sweden change their birth certificate. I’m sympathetic to the transgender community. As long as people aren’t hurting anyone, I don’t care what they do.”

“Yes, but I think the person should have at least two years on hormone therapy, and be well into their Jessica Mele transition. student And there Rittenhouse Square should be sufficient documentation from a professional who recommends the [birthcertificate] change. Those steps are needed to weed out fraudsters, people doing it for the wrong reason.”

“No, it’s a historical document that shouldn’t be tampered with. A birth certificate should state the gender that you were David Metz born with. store manager I’m fine with South Philadelphia whatever anyone wants to be. I’m not God, I can’t judge them. But I draw the line at changing a birth certificate.”

“Yes, if that’s what they want, their wishes should be respected. They should be taken at their word, and officials Lukeja should Wnukowski grant their student request. It’s South Philadelphia an issue of self-determination. I’m a strong supporter of the transgender community.”

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.

addressed to Circle, but have broader applicability. You can Google the details if you want; we have become familiar with the pattern of these stories, and this one follows the familiar arc. The head of Circle of Hope, Rod White, initially offered the reporter a sanctimonious “as Christians, they need to come to me directly with accusations,” then became entirely uncommunicative when told that Andy and I would have been happy to meet with him.

Jonny Rashid, the man who told Andy he had to leave, and who has since been promoted to pastor, told the reporter, “I don’t really remember [the meeting] that well, so I’m not able to speak to Andy’s experiences ... [Andy] never really connected, I don’t have a clear memory of him,” just days after he texted Andy things like, “I’d love to talk more about it! I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, reading and praying PAGE 15 about it!” “You want

Hoping for dialogue in Circle of Hope On Dec. 4, an article appeared in City Paper about my friend Andy Stahler and how he was thrown out of a local Christian group called Circle of Hope for, to quote Philadelphia Magazine’s headline, “speaking too publicly about homosexuality.” Stories about gay folks having problems with churches are hardly news, if the word “news” requires some element of the unusual. I think the primary reason City Paper printed the article was that, two

months earlier, they ran a piece that gave Circle positive publicity for being progressive. Reading this article inspired Andy to contact the reporter, who was sensitive to Andy’s concerns. I was also quoted in the article because I corroborated the story for the reporter; I left Circle of my own volition before Andy did, but I watched his story unfold in real time. My purpose here is to add just a little detail and then make comments that are

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

NEWS PGN

cized the move along with business magnate and investor Sir Richard Branson, who has urged for a corporate boycott of Uganda. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni recently announced he would not be signing the bill.

International

Vatican urges ex-Swiss U.K. man held in Uganda Guard to detail gay threat A senior Vatican official has urged a forto be deported A British man charged in Uganda after images of him having sex with a man were published in a newspaper is to be deported back to Britain. Hellen Ajio ruled Bernard Randall, 65, should be deported from Uganda within 12 hours. All charges against him have been dropped. He was charged alongside Albert Cheptoyek, 30, a Ugandan national with whom he shares a house. Randall, from Kent, was arrested in October and charged with “trafficking obscene publications” after Uganda’s Red Pepper newspaper made public the details of the video on its front page under the headline: “Exposed — Top City Tycoon’s Sodomy Sex Video Leaks.” Randall, who has pleaded not guilty, claims the film was unearthed by robbers who stole his laptop and passed the footage to the newspaper. He would have faced a possible two-year prison sentence if found guilty. In December, Uganda’s Parliament passed legislation to toughen the punishment for same-sex sexual activity, including life imprisonment for “repeat offenders.” The U.K. and U.S. governments criti-

mer Swiss Guard commander to come forward with details about accusations that the gay culture in the Vatican posed a security threat to the pope. Elmar Maeder, who headed the Swiss Guards from 2002-08, said that he didn’t doubt that predatory gays worked at the Vatican. He was quoted as saying that in his experience, “many homosexuals tend to be more loyal toward each other than toward other people or institutions.” He said he wouldn’t promote gay guards out of fear they might be disloyal. In an interview, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, numbert-two in the Vatican’s secretariat of state, urged Maeder to provide names to back his accusations. His office confirmed his quotes Jan. 24.

Nigeria: Thousands throw stones to urge executions of gays Nigerian security personnel were forced to fire guns into the air Jan. 22 to disperse thousands of protesters who threw stones at a court containing men accused of being gay. The demonstrators threw rocks at the

Sharia court in Bauchi city, urging the conviction and execution of 11 men arrested for belonging to gay organizations. After dispersing the crowd, the prisoners were returned safely to the prison, and Judge El-Yakubu Aliyu closed the court following the disruptions. The judge said in response to calls for the men to be put to death: “No one can be sentenced to death until confirmed without a reasonable doubt.” Only three of the 11 accused had given testimony before the violence began. Because of the disruptions, the defense counsel did not succeed in submitting an application for bail, and the remaining eight defendants were not able to give testimony. The court has not confirmed when proceedings might continue. A man in Northern Nigeria last week received 20 lashes after the same court convicted him of breaking laws against samesex activity. Mubarak Ibrahim, 20, was among 12 Muslim men accused of violating their religion due to their alleged sexuality in recent weeks. Predominantly Muslim states in Nigeria introduced Sharia law, a legal system based on Islamic theory and philosophy of justice, in 2000. It sanctions severe physical penalties for violating its code. There has been worldwide condemnation of Nigeria after the country’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, signed into law a draconian antigay bill. Anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union may be jailed for up to 14 years. The law also bans people who register, operate or participate in gay clubs, societies or organizations, or who publicly show that they are in a same-sex relation-

��

ship. Reports out of Northern Nigeria suggest that Sharia-law enforcers have been emboldened by the introduction of the law. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague have all criticized President Jonathan’s decision. Same-sex relationships were already illegal in the country prior to the new law passing.

Ivory Coast: Mob attacks gay-rights org. A mob has ransacked the headquarters of Ivory Coast’s most prominent gay-rights organization, underscoring the dangers confronting such groups even in the few African countries where homosexual acts are not crimes. The attack in Ivory Coast took place Jan. 25 but was not publicized until Jan. 27. Nearly 200 people stormed the offices of Alternative Cote d’Ivoire in the suburb of Abidjan, flinging stones to shatter windows and stealing computers. Others heaved sacks of garbage over the property’s exterior walls and left trash and broken glass at the entrance. Signs hung on walls demanded “Stop the homos!” and “Pedes get out!” The word “pede” is short for pederast or pedophile. The violence followed days of antigay protests in Ivory Coast, which is sometimes considered a safe haven for LGBTs fleeing in persecution elsewhere in the continent. It contributed to a growing sense that activists championing gay rights in Africa are under siege. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

NEWS PGN INMATES from page 1

house them anywhere, depending on what we feel is right for their safety and our operational needs,” he explained. Gioral cited the example of a post-operative transgender male who was housed in a female facility, largely due to the inmate’s request. Giorla said prison officials take into account an inmate’s own perceptions of their vulnerability, but many other factors are considered. “I’m going to talk to the psychologist and the doctor. What’s the best situation? It has to be a case-by-case basis,” Giorla said. “We don’t want to deprive anybody of their rights. It’s all about the safety and the good order of the facility.” The new policy sets forth the rights of post-operative transgender inmates to genderappropriate housing. “In the event that a transgender inmate who has completed a surgical sexual-reassignment treatment program is admitted to [a city prison], the inmate will be placed in a correctional facility appropriate for his/her reassigned gender,” the policy states. The policy permits transgender inmates to receive hormone therapies at pre-incarceration levels, but it rules out the possibility of initiating hormone therapies. Giorla said the hormone-therapy provision

may be revisited. “We have to look at it. We don’t initiate hormone therapy. The doctor would have to explain to me what the medical need is. I don’t know of any requests to initiate hormone therapy while in custody. But I wouldn’t necessarily be informed of those requests.” Activists also blasted the policy for not ending the practice of gender-segregated commissary items. For example, transgender women in male prisons aren’t routinely given access to panties or bras. “Traditionally, we’ve blocked the female items from inmates in male facilities and vice versa,” Giorla acknowledged. “But that’s something we’re looking at.” He said he’s aware of at least one pre-operative female inmate who was able to obtain a bra. “The deputy warden made arrangements for her to get one,” he said. The new policy also doesn’t specify the right of transgender inmates to be addressed by their preferred name and pronoun. “We haven’t addressed the pronoun preference or name preference. We refer to the name on the commitment paper, regardless of who you are. The pronoun issue is something we’re examining.” Jordan Gwendolyn Davis, a local transgen-

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

der activist, blasted the new policy. “When prison officials are given so much [housing] discretion, it never ends up good for the transgender inmates,” Davis told PGN. “They’re placed in settings where they can’t express their gender identity safely.” Davis added: “The city’s policy forces transgender inmates to choose between being in general population and being in danger of sexual assault, or going into protective custody, where they’re isolated and don’t have the same program, job and educational opportunities.” Giorla conceded that protective custody results in a more isolating experience for an inmate. But he said efforts are made to offer the protective-custody inmate as many activities as possible. Davis also slammed the hormone-therapy provision. She said a categorical rejection of transition-related procedures, absent a sound medical reason, could be unconstitutional. “Denying hormones to someone who needs them serves no penological purpose and amounts to torture,” she contended. “Prison officials have a duty of care — whether the inmate is in a long-term or short-term facility. Philadelphia prison officials are derelict in their duties.” Additionally, Davis said inmates should have unfettered access to gender-appropri-

ate commissary items. Otherwise, they’re thwarted in their ability to express their gender identity in daily-life activities, as recommended by many physicians. “I don’t feel the policy is friendly to the transgender community, and it’s especially terrible for pre-operative women because it places them at risk for rape and other forms of violence,” Davis concluded. Leon A. King 2d, a former city prison commissioner, expressed support for a more transgender-friendly policy. “[Prison officials] need to sit down, revisit this issue and have a good conversation with LGBT advocates,” King told PGN. “In the past, we thought you can’t have a penis and a vagina in the same prison area — or else there’s trouble. But that’s 19th-century thinking. This is the 21st century. And we now know that’s not always the case.” Giorla said he’s reached out to many LGBT individuals and groups in the past, and he’s always open to hearing from the transgender community. “I’d like to hear their concerns, complaints if any, and proposed solutions,” he said. “I don’t know it all. And we don’t know it all. But we’re always willing to listen. Yes, we’ve got to tweak the policy somewhat. But we’re not just blatantly denying anyone. The policy will evolve.” ■

��

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

��

�

��

AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

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

215-735-1006

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

��

NEWS PGN PHILLY BAR from page 1

tion can be powerful. “I think it can have significant impact because it tells the world that the official position of the Philadelphia Bar Association is that there should be marriage equality,” he said. “It is not an individual attorney saying this, but collectively. It is a civil right for all.” The resolution contends that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the state constitution, which guarantees Pennsylvanians’ “right to pursue their own happiness,” the “enjoyment of any civil right” and equality regardless of one’s sex, as well as violating the federal constitution. The association, the oldest lawyers’ organization in the country, adopted a OP-ED from page 11

to talk about it in person next week?” and “There’s more to talk about, so hopefully we can talk.” It is my understanding that telling a reporter that you don’t remember a person and his issues while simultaneously texting that person about his issues is called “lying,” but I am not a pastor so perhaps I am mistaken. After the article was printed, I privately emailed Rod, Jonny and Joshua Grace, another Circle of Hope pastor who was involved, about this. I never received a response. Circle of Hope clearly wants to be thought of as progressive and dialogue-oriented. In the words of their own website, they are “a new generation of the church” that believes “dialogue is essential,” and they cite Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day as “people who have inspired us.” Their target demographic is millenials. Yet today, in 2014, it is demonstrably their position that they will not even talk about the place (if any) of gay people in their church. When the issue arose, it was immediately met with silence and dishonesty. From inside a religious tradition, it is always very hard to admit your leaders and your tradition are doing something that is very wrong, even when it is plainly and clearly obvious to those outside of the tradition who do not have an emotional stake in the issue (see: Republican Party). With that in mind, to those within Circle of Hope, I say the following: You are not progressive if you cannot even talk about what is universally regarded as one of the great progressive issues of your day, and you are not dialogue-oriented if your response to questions is silence and dishonesty. Neither Rod White, nor Jonny Rashid, nor Joshua Grace, nor anyone else, are the perfect representatives of Christ on Earth, and the Circle tradition is neither the best example of the emerging church tradition nor the perfect rediscovery of primitive Christianity. It is simply a way you have chosen to do things, with people you choose to acknowledge as leaders. Nonetheless, the good things that you learned at Circle are, in fact, good things. The good things that Circle does are, in fact, good things. But in this world, nothing is entirely holy, and any person,

resolution in 1996 opposing a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage — Pennsylvania has a statute banning marriage equality, but not a constitutional amendment — and the national American Bar Association adopted a 2010 resolution urging state, territorial and tribal governments to eliminate legal barriers to civil marriage between same-sex couples. Monday’s resolution endorses “marriage equality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” and goes on to state its support for Senate Bill 719 and House Bill 1686, the pending marriage-equality bills, as well as any “similar legislation that would afford same-sex couples the freedom to be married within the Commonwealth.” ■

institution, policy — anything — that is implicitly treated as such and placed behind velvet ropes beyond comment is a religious problem just waiting to happen. If someone is directly disingenuous, in a public way, in an I’m-doing-this-as-areligious-leader context, they should probably be called on it, for their own good and everyone else’s. Remember all of your frustrations with institutional religion, evangelical culture or fill-in-the-blank that led you to Circle of Hope? All of those things followed you there, and now they are pissing other people off, just like they used to piss you off. Allowing the leaders of a congregation that actively promotes itself as progressive and dialogue-oriented to censor any conversation about gay Christians for years is not some kind of spiritual practice; it’s institutional self-preservation. The distance between the views of the leadership and the views of the target audience causes tension of which the leadership is afraid. This is an old story (see: Roman Catholic Church) and not a secret you’re cleverly hiding. You have the same problems as everyone else. You’re just less honest about this one. But I’d like to end on a positive note. The really ironic and wonderful thing, from the perspective of this Christian, is this: The primary argument that has advanced gay rights, that has moved the population of this country with unprecedented speed, is a question. It is straight people asking themselves, How would I want to be treated if I was gay? How would I want my family member, or my friend, to be treated, if he or she were gay? Does that question sound familiar? It is the personalized, interrogative form of “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Asking it as a question doesn’t count as quoting the Bible, of course; it’s just accepting Jesus’ words and putting them into practice. And doing that has changed the country in a very few short years. Isn’t that something worth talking about? ■

John Bright works for the Christ Church Historic Trust and the international, interfaith Dialogue Institute at Temple University. His views are his own.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

PGN

��

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

��

PGN ANDERSON page 1

Pennrose Properties. “This will probably be the largest collection of LGBT pioneers at one event in many, many years.” The 56-unit facility is only the nation’s third affordable LGBT-friendly senior-housing building, and the only one that is funded fully by government funding and tax credits. It is the nation’s largest-ever LGBT building project. Ground was broken in late 2012 for the facility, and up to 200 construction workers were on site each day last year building the six-story complex. Most residents will have moved in by ribbon-cutting, Segal said, and the final five will move in in March. Segal said organizers will announce at the ceremony that the project hit each of its demographic goals. “The building is a diversified rainbow, which we are thrilled with,” he said. About 90 percent of the building’s residents identify as LGBT, Segal said. Residents include several veterans, transgender people and diversity among gender and race. The dmhFund hosted a reception Sunday for the building’s new residents in its Community Room, which will be open for use by local organizations. Segal said he has been “amazed” by the level of community support for JCAA. “I’ve never seen a more unified effort in my 44 years in this community,” he said. “It has been overwhelming to watch the organizations who have jumped in to help do this work. William Way, Mazzoni Center, ActionAIDS, Philadelphia Corporation on Aging all jumped in and will be doing services from the day we open this building.” Pennrose Properties president Mark Dambly said the project has been a “fantastic opportunity for Pennrose to continue our strong history of partnering with nonprofit organizations. To develop one of the nation’s first LGBT-friendly apartment communities only emphasizes our record of diversity for the customers we serve,” he said. Segal joked that he has begun a countdown to a vacation he is planning now that the yearslong project is wrapping up. “It has probably been the most laborious project of my life,” he said. “But also the most rewarding.” ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

��

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

NEWS PGN

to challenge the constitutionality of the state law prohibiting same-sex marriage. The case is set for trial in June. Gov. Tom Corbett and Attorney General Kathleen Kane were originally named as defendants but were removed in early November, and Health Secretary Michael Wolf remains the only defendant. Schneller, who has also led unsuccessful efforts to thwart LGBT nondiscrimination ordinances in Conshohocken and Haverford, filed a motion to intervene as a defendant in November on behalf of Pennsylvania citizens. In his most recent filing, which followed the plaintiffs’ Jan. 8 opposition to his being an intervener, Schneller said the plaintiffs — who argued in part that Schneller’s only interest in the issue was that it “offends him morally and because he sees a threat in the accomplishments and tactics of those he labels ‘homosexual activists’” — “cherry pick[ed]” the reasons he asserted for his involvement. Schneller argued that citizens’ religious freedom, and rights to free speech, to freedom from government collusion, to freedom from seizure or confiscation of rights and to freedom from arbitrary enforcement “have and remain infringed upon, with the prospect of exponential increase, should the requested nullifying of the marriage act’s definition of marriage and forbiddance of recognizing out-of-state ‘gay marriage’ be granted.” Schneller also filed a brief Jan. 17 to be included as an intervener in the Palladino v. Corbett case, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in September. The case, filed by Philadelphia residents Cara Palladino and Isabelle Barker who were married legally in Massachusetts, claims that section two of the federal Defense of Marriage Act violates equal-protection rights by denying valid same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. Schneller cited his lengthy litigious history challenging municipal LGBT nondiscrimination ordinances for his ability to enhance the “factual basis” of the issues. Schneller said his was an “emergency” motion to intervene, following the plaintiffs’ recent request for summary judgment. He also argued that recent court rulings have favored marriage-equality proponents. “Recent decisions indicate a trend to omit or un-prioritize health-, moral- and traditional family-related considerations in proceedings of this nature,” Schneller wrote. Schneller said in the Palladino filing that he has also filed motions to intervene in the Commonwealth Court case where severaldozen same-sex couples are suing for recognition of marriage licenses issued to them in Montgomery County last summer, as well as in the case of a Bethlehem woman who is challenging the state law in county court after being forced to pay inheritance tax on the estate of her late wife. A hearing had been scheduled for this week in that case, but was delayed until March. ■

PGN LGBTQ Youth Supplement by our youth, for our youth, for our future

Locals get national student award By Jen Gregory, 22

Choosing the right college is difficult. How far away? How much? What majors do they offer? What’s the surrounding neighborhood like? How is the athletics program? The list is virtually endless. In the LGBT community, aspiring college freshmen have to add another important question to their college search: Is it LGBTfriendly? Unfortunately, “LGBT-friendly” is not a term that many colleges advertise on their marketing brochures and websites. This can make it difficult or nearly impossible for LGBT high-school seniors to make the most informed decision. More often than not, the choice of college comes down to the almighty dollar — not the comfort level in the school itself. But Campus Pride, a national nonprofit organization, is seeking to provide the answers to these questions. Originating as an online clearinghouse for college students to seek out LGBT information and resources, Campus Pride now has eight national programs that seek to provide support to college campuses that do not have many LGBT resources locally available to them, as well as an ongoing list

of LGBT-friendly colleges. Executive director and founder Shane Windmeyer is passionate about helping the voices of young LGBT people be heard. “Campus Pride is effective because we actually have relationships with young people,” he said. “We see our movement as a social-justice movement that is led by young people.” In 2007, Campus Pride began to recognize the efforts of LGBT youth leaders through its annual Voice & Action Awards. Student leaders across the country submitted their applications, highlighting the strong points of their socialjustice work for the LGBT community. “Currently in the community there is not a way to recognize young adult leaders,” Windmeyer said. “We spend too much time focusing on donors or organizations. If we are going to really have an impact on the future, we need to focus on today’s youngadult leaders.” Starting in 2010, Campus Pride opted to highlight a few of its Voice & Action applicants with the Leaders in Action Award as a way to honor the commitment these student leaders have to LGBT and PAGE 8 social-justice

PA youth unite around PASS Act

STUDENTS CAROLYN PANDOLFO (FROM LEFT), NICOLE MAHONEY, FAITH ELMES, JAKE TOLAN AND ASHISH KALANI ADVOCATING FOR THE PASS ACT IN HARRISBURG Photo: Jason Landau Goodman

By Victoria Martin, 20 Pennsylvania’s anti-bullying law is shockingly weak and inadequate. Thousands of students throughout the commonwealth are faced with dangerous verbal, physical and cyber harassment on a daily basis. With the help of a clear policy on preventing and resolving school violence, safer schools can become a reality. In 2011, a collective of youth activists met to discuss Pennsylvania’s weak bullying

laws, and what could be done to better protect students. They then began to draft the Pennsylvania Safe Schools (PASS) Act, a comprehensive anti-bullying law to reduce school violence and empower teachers and school staff to mediate incidents of bullying. The PASS Act is now in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, being driven by the historic work of students in favor of strong safe-schools policies. The PASS Act establishes a

New program shows youth potential of science careers By Karim Sariahmed, 22 Creating new programming to serve marginalized communities is a slow and delicate process. I’ve been at work with wonderful people whose LGBTQ advocacy predates my own political consciousness, but their expertise and knowledge of the Philadelphia LGBTQ community has raised more questions for me than it has answered. Chief among these questions is this: How can the nonprofit sector’s scarce resources be used to fiercely promote social justice? Working on the Out4STEM program at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, with the help of Penn Med’s LGBTPM+ and the Educational Justice Coalition, has given me some hope. Out4STEM is a pilot program for connecting LGBTQ youth in

LOCAL STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS FIELDS AT THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIAN’S LAUNCH EVENT FOR OUT4STEM AT THE MÜTTER MUSEUM Photo: Scott A. Drake

Philadelphia to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)

education resources and mentorship in a safe space. Reflecting on

the Out4STEM launch this past month reassures me that there is valuable, intersectional work to be done in the LGBTQ community. A critical perspective on the accessibility of STEM will be necessary to effectively enlist the wealth of resources available to serve Philadelphia’s LGBTQ youth, many of whom are marginalized in other ways as well. At the launch earlier this month, a facilitated discussion with LGBTQ youth, community members and STEM professionals turned into a discussion about being queer in a conservative STEM environment. The young people in the room listened with rapt attention to the adults’ stories. One gay man described being avoided by a closeted colleague and feeling generally “pushed PAGE 8 aside” by man-

reporting mechanism for incidents of bullying; creates a strong definition of bullying; enumerates protection for students against bullying based on actual or perceived characteristics including race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or presentation as well as other protected classes; and provides training for educators to identify and resolve cases of bullying and harassment. The bill currently has a recordbreaking 99 cosponsors, making it the most supported safe-schools bill in Pennsylvania history, as well as the most co-sponsored bill that includes LGBT protections. There are now 50 Republican and 49 Democratic co-sponsors. The PASS Act is additionally supported by nearly 50 Pennsylvania mayors who have signed a Mayors for Safe Schools statement, and numerous clergy members from faith communities across the state who have signed a Clergy for Safe Schools letter. The success of the PASS Act is due to a groundbreaking studentled advocacy effort, in which a collective of youth activists design and execute strategies to support the bill. These activists work in association with organizations in the PASS Partnership, a coalition of educational and social-service PAGE 6 organizations

What’s inside Rutgers offers LGBT History class: page 2 — Q&A with the ‘Youth Action’ co-chairs: page 3 — LGBTQ V-Day dance coming,“Stick Fly”: page 4 — “We Will Rock You” and “RuPaul’s Battle of the Seasons”: page 5 — Bullying hits home, For the love of butches: page 6 — “Straight Answers”: page 7

PAGE 2

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

New Rutgers course uncovers LGBT history By Mason Hopkins, 18 and Mariah Brown, 21 “In the summer of 2013, I was registering for my first semester of college. I asked my advisor what classes I should take. She suggested a history class. History had never been the most interesting field of study to me but, I figured, why not? While looking at the course listings, I noticed a class entitled “Queer America: An Introduction to LGBTQ History.” I knew that I had to take the course. I immediately thought of my best friend, who came out the summer before senior year of high school. It was such a powerful thing to me, a straight person. It was a statement that would change his life forever but, unknowingly, it would change mine too.” — Mason Hopkins “When adding a course to the Rutgers schedule of courses, the first question is: Who will be interested in this class? As I sat down on the first day of the class, I knew what my intentions were. I am a lesbian who knows practically nothing about the community that I identify with and wish to work in. My personal question for everybody else in the room was: Why were they there, and did any of them identify as a part of the LGBTQ community? It was interesting to find out that about half the class identified as an ally and took the class to find out more about the community and also, as an ally, what they could do to help. The other half in some way identified as a lesbian, bisexual, trans or queer. Many students in the class shared the desire to learn more about a community that is largely overlooked and not included within history textbooks.” — Mariah Brown The fall semester of 2013 at Rutgers University in Camden saw the first LGBTQ history course offered at the campus. The creation of the course began when Rutgers-Camden instructor Dawn Walsh, who holds a master’s degree in women’s history with an emphasis in LGBTQ history, noticed that the university did not offer a course in LGBTQ history. She first met with Dr. Laurie Bernstein, chair of the History Department and, previously, director of Women’s and Gender Studies, to make sure that

the class was cross-listed so it could fulfill a history requirement. Walsh also met with Dr. Ellen Malenas Ledoux, current director of Women’s and Gender Studies, who ensured the course would fulfill a diversity requirement. When asked about the reason for creating the course, and the goals for it, Walsh said, “It’s all our American history, and the goal is to teach it from that perspective and to allow students to have an experience of LGBT history within the context of history at large.” Walsh also expressed hope that this course would encourage more LGBTQ-focused courses on campus. Ledoux noted Walsh had a great syllabus and was more than ready to get started. She also pointed out that this course was “really important for Rutgers politically. We have a wonderful group of LGBTQI students on this campus, and we want them to feel welcomed and that their history is important and recognized.” The overarching question of the class was: What is LGBTQ history and how has the LGBTQ experience evolved from the beginning of the 20th century to present day? The students covered a variety of topics during the semester. The course included the use of textbook, film, poetry and student projects in order to give students the best possible overview of LGBTQ American history and how it plays into the standard narrative of American history. As student Noahawke Ramos stated, “[I] appreciate [learning about] a history that hasn’t been part of general history.” This class showed that LGBTQ history is indeed American history. Although Bernstein stressed how important it was that the course be historical in nature, she also noted its relevance to Rutgers-Camden’s commitment to civic engagement. As part of the course, students went to the Triad House, a residential group home for homeless LGBTQ youth

in Ewing, N.J., where they played games, baked cookies and hung out with the youth staying there. “Especially in the wake of the Tyler Clementi tragedy for Rutgers,” said Bernstein, “I think that anything we do to support our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students is really, really important.” Student Elizabeth Graves shared Bernstein’s thoughts on supporting the community. “Everyone deserves a voice and everyone deserves to be heard,” Graves said. “Silence is oppression. By speaking out and just by having this class, we are giving all of these men and women a voice.” Dr. Joseph Schiavo, associate dean of Rutgers-Camden, acknowledged the need for a diverse campus. “If we’re going to show that we’re a diverse campus, and we want to learn how to respect other people, it’s important to have courses like this,” he said. He added that it is important for students to be well-rounded and open-minded. In 1988, Rutgers-New Brunswick/ Piscataway, seeing a need to address issues of the LGBT Rutgers community, formed the Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities. The Center holds events throughout the year to further educate individuals, as well as entertain and provide a safe place to socialize with other LGBT individuals and allies. The Center acknowledges the success of LGBT leaders within the entire Rutgers system (New Brunswick, Newark and Camden), holding a Rainbow Graduation where they mark student triumphs as well as address challenges they faced while at Rutgers University. The positive LGBTQ-friendly environment continues on the two additional campuses. At Rutgers-Newark, the LGBTQ and Diversity Resource Center mission is to focus on community development and educational opportunities. The Center has several annual events as well as a

“Especially in the wake of the Tyler Clementi tragedy for Rutgers, I think that anything we do to support our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students is really, really important.”

Rainbow Graduation every year. At Rutgers-Camden, the LGBTQ Alliance is a studentrun organization. The Alliance is currently working to revamp the organization and create a fun, but also educational, environment. During the spring semester, Rutgers Camden and the surrounding community, can look forward to the annual drag show produced by the Alliance. In recent years, Safe Zone, a program designed to raise awareness and create an accepting and welcoming space for the LGBTQ community, has been launched at the Camden campus. “Queer America: An Introduction to LGBTQ History” is the continuation of diverse LGBTQ-related courses being offered at Rutgers-Camden. This class has been the first to focus specifically on LGBTQ history. However, Rutgers-Camden also offers other classes that address issues of sexuality, such as “The History of Sexuality,” “Queer Nineteenth Century,” “Philosophy of Sex, Gender and Sexuality” and “Sexuality and Society.” Via a survey taken in the “Queer America” class, students stated they would like to see more classes offered at Rutgers-Camden covering topics such as queer theory, LGBT literature and film and transgender identities and politics. Meanwhile, the future of “Queer America” looks bright. The course will be offered again in the fall semester. Walsh said it was a very rewarding experience to teach the class. The hope for all of the people involved is that the course leads to other courses in LGBTQ studies. “I am so honored that I had the opportunity to take this class. It opened my eyes to a world that I never knew about. It gave me a wide array of literature that I now love.” — Mason Hopkins “For me, this class dusted off a hidden passion. The LGBT community at Rutgers-Camden is growing and needs the support of educators, administrators and students alike. I have a personal wish of education and that starts with people like Walsh and everybody who got us to this point in LGBTQ history. The future of this class, as well as the possibility of an LGBTQ studies minor, is an amazing possibility.” — Mariah Brown ✮

WINTER 2014

College GSAs Bucks County Community College — Gay/Straight Alliance: Provides a safe haven for LGBTQA campus community members and works to combat stigma on campus; fratrikc@bucks.edu or altemose@bucks.edu. Cabrini College — Sanctuary: Offers affinity groups, peer support and educational activities to promote a greater understanding of the LGBT community. Chestnut Hill College

— H.E.R.O.: Promotes awareness of and appreciation for the LGBTQQIA community and works to instill a sense of unity between the community and allies; kociszewskim@chc.edu.

Community College of Philadelphia — Gay/Straight

Alliance: Advocates for LGBT inclusion and acceptance on campus with programming and events, and offers resources for LGBT and ally campus communities; scooks1@ccp.edu.

Drexel University

— LGBTQA Student Center: Supports the development, growth and education of Drexel students with a safe and inclusive campus location for the community and allies on campus; Creese Student Center Room 48-C.

Holy Family University

— The Alliance for Student Equality: Works to recognize the respect and dignity of the whole person in support of promoting the development of personal identity and social equality on campus; drafter@holyfamily.edu or mmbobholz@holyfamily.edu.

La Salle University — The Alliance: Pledges to provide a safe place and support for the LGBT members of the community; http://studentaffairs.lasalle. edu/umas/service-opportunities/ advocacy-groups/the-alliance/; alliance.lasalle@gmail.com.

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

WINTER 2014

Philadelphia University

— Gay/Straight Alliance: Connects LGBT campus community with resources throughout the university and region; caulford4949@mail.philau.edu or horowitzh@philau.edu.

Saint Joseph’s University

— The Alliance: Fosters open and honest discussion about diversity and LGBT issues and works to affect an environment where homophobia and hatred are replaced by mutual understanding and respect; www. sju.edu/int/resources/alliance/ about.html; gsa@sju.edu.

Temple University — Queer Student Union: Strives to provide a safe social space to LGBTQIA students while exploring issues relevant to the larger community; https://twitter.com/TempleQSU; nurodney. prad@temple.edu. University of the Arts — OUT@UArts: Through discussion, cultural events and outreach through art, seeks to make a difference for LGBTQ individuals at UArts and beyond; www. uarts.edu/students/outuarts; cfreeman@uarts.edu. University of Pennsylvania — LGBT Center: More than 20 undergraduate and graduate LGBT student groups abound at Penn, with meetings and community events held at the Center, 3907 Spruce St.; www.vpul.upenn. edu/lgbtc/; center@dolphin. upenn.edu; 215-898-5044. University of the Sciences — Alliance: Increases awareness of LGBT issues on campus and provides support for LGBT students, faculty, administration and staff; http://orgs.usciences. edu/alliance/; alliance@mail. usciences.edu. West Chester University — LGBTQQA Services: Provides information, resources, support and programming for the campus community and is home to the LGBTQA Student Organization; LGBTQA@wcupa.edu; www. wcupa.edu/_services/stu.lgb/. ✮

PAGE 3

Q&A:

Youth Action co-chairs on trans-millennial issues, politics and visibility in the Keystone State By Angel B. Hardy, 25 Marking its return this February, the Pennsylvania Youth Action Conference will again assemble our region’s promising LGBTQ student leaders for a three-day summit highlighting our commonwealth’s policies and legislation — or sheer absence of — that will shortly influence the lives of every queer millennial across the gamut. This year’s gathering, Feb. 1416 at University of Pennsylvania, will focus on issues relating to transgender youth, involving areas regarding civic protection in schools to marriage to federal equal rights. Now in its third year, YAC has seen its grassroots engine pick up a whole lot of steam. Regarded to be one of the rising landmark events for queer youth in the tri-state region, YAC not only educates young minds on today’s social-justice landscape but also challenges the status quo of Pennsylvanian’s not-so-tolerant politics. Often referred to as a “purple” state, Pennsylvania has a long history of teeter-tottering between laissez-faire adapted progressiveness to deep-rooted MiddleAmerican conventionalism. But this doesn’t seem to faze the youth running the conference. In fact, there is quite an amalgam of radical activism and by-the-book bureaucracies that resonate in the heart of the conference — generating a fine frenzy without causing a scene, per se. While the spirit of stentorian yells from Stonewall are embossed onto every trans and queer youth, this is not about that at all. No political impasses are needed. No marches to Harrisburg will do. The only signs essential are for decoration. And yet, while the measures of extracting this year’s message for transgender parity has reformed, the blueprint provided by legacies such as Pauline Park, Calpernia Addams and this year’s keynote speaker, Alyson Robinson, remains intact. I recently caught up with YAC’s newly elected co-chairs Turner Stulting, a sophomore at Bucknell University, and Rod Cook, a sophomore at University of Pennsylvania, to discuss all of

the YAC happenings. PGN: What made you two get involved in this year’s Youth Action Conference? TS: I ended up going to last

year’s Youth Action Conference because one of my close friends in Bucknell’s GSA, Alexander Vining, was involved with Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition already, and made an announcement one week at our meeting. I thought it sounded interesting so I decided to go and had a wonderful time and met amazing people. Alexander invited me and two freshman from Bucknell to go to PSEC’s Convening this past fall. It was there where I started getting involved for the planning of the conference.

RC: What really interested me was that I haven’t heard of something, at least on the Pennsylvania level, that brought together people with specific focus on youth, where youth voices were the ones going to be first and foremost heard. So, I thought that was amazing, especially for LGBT activism. For this conference, I think that it’s extremely important that we take the time to narrow the LGBT focus and focus specifically on the transgender, gender-nonconforming population. That’s something that I’m primarily dedicated towards at my time here at Penn.

PGN: In terms of workshops and caucuses, what will the conference cover this year? RC: We have a really wide range of caucuses and sessions that are happening this year. The workshops come first. We have one session on how to get a GSA or a queer student group started on the high-school level. We also have a presentation entitled “Beyond the Dominate Trans* Narrative.” It will teach audiences how to effectively and truthfully tell trans* stories without simplifying their experiences. TS: There’s one workshop being done by the Mazzoni Center on legal rights in Pennsylvania for trans* individuals. There’s also one on what different faith backgrounds believe about people who identify as trans* or anywhere on the gender spectrum.

There will be caucuses that are identity-based, such as allies, transgender, bisexual, gay, lesbian, youth of color, etc. We also have regional caucuses for the different regions within PSEC to discuss how to better unify those communities. PGN: Turner, as a trans* individual yourself, was there an urgency to bring trans-specific issues unto the discussion? TS: There was a definite urgency to bring the trans* community to the forefront because so often the “T” in LGBT is overlooked. It’s so important for there to be a visible trans* community so that other people can start to recognize the issues that face the trans* community. PGN: Have you seen a shift in more LGBT youth becoming more politically informed? And why do you think that is? TS: I have definitely seen a shift in LGBT youth becoming more politically informed. Things like social media have certainly aided in that, but also recent events within the federal government, like DOMA and Prop. 8, which have made national headlines. RC: One of the things that unites us the most is being able to utilize social-media outlets to talk to those who aren’t physically close to us about these kinds of issues. So, I think the ability to go onto sites like Facebook and Tumblr and to share your story while also learning about other people who’re going through the same struggles and trying to accomplish the same things that you are is extremely helpful. PGN: In terms of trans rights and representation, how does the state of Pennsylvania fare? TS: Pennsylvania has certainly made strides in the right direction. I look at Kasey Caron and Issak Wolfe, who fought for their rights, and I see hope. At the same time, those stories show us that we do still have a long ways to go, like the rest of the country. I think one of the biggest things holding us back from progress is a lack of understanding. The only real way to help people better understand is to expose them to people who identify on the

trans* spectrum, so that they can realize that we are human too. But because there is a lack of understanding, it can sometimes be hard for the trans* community to step outside their community to help educate others, so it just becomes this cycle that we have to break. PGN: With cisgender-dominated “gay rights” becoming more secured within our local and national laws, do you foresee trans rights becoming the new publicized civil-rights movement? TS: I am so hopeful that trans* rights are becoming the next publicized movement for civil rights. There have been some major public figures in the trans* community, like Laverne Cox and Cece McDonald, and I believe that having public figures like them can really start the push for trans* rights. RC: It’s important to recognize that trans* rights do have an extremely close connection with the rights of cisgender queer people. Historically, the movement was initiated by transgender women, drag queens and people in nonconforming communities but has since veered towards cisgender rights. I believe there is an opportunity to rekindle that flame for trans* people in the community while also identifying that their struggles have different needs and goals. PGN: To wrap things up, what do you hope attendees get out of this year’s event? TS: The biggest thing I want youth at the conference to get out of it is that they can make a difference. Until I came to Bucknell, I never felt like I could do advocacy work because I was too young and, looking back, I hate that I had that attitude. I want youth to realize that there is no age requirement for making a positive impact in the world. ✮ The third-annual Pennsylvania Youth Action Conference will be held Feb. 14-16 at the University of Pennsylvania. Meals and refreshments will be provided throughout the weekend event. For more information or to register, visit www.youthactionconference.com.

PAGE 4

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

WINTER 2014

Celebrate V-Day with new LGBTQ dance Arden talks taboos

with ‘Stick Fly’

By Sean Morris, 16 As anyone can tell you, being gay, bi, trans or any other part of the wonderful rainbow is not the easiest thing in the world. This is particularly true for younger people. Chances are, they will still live with their parents or guardians, so they don’t always know how the older generation feels about it. They might try to tell themselves that they’re not gay — enough times to think it might be true. Add to this the ignorant and uninformed atmosphere that exists in many schools and it can be hell, frankly. Being openly gay, I have been very blessed so far, but I know that many others in Philadelphia just don’t have the comfort of accepting family, friends or schools. This year, as a member of the GSA at Science Leadership Academy, I kept thinking to myself, What would be something fun and beneficial for other gay youth? It hit me that Valentine’s Day was just around the corner and, since my high school has been the gracious host of numerous dances, I decided to challenge myself and my fellow GSA members to put on Science Leadership Academy’s first-ever LGBTQ Valentine’s PASS ACT from page 1

in support of a strong statewide anti-bullying law. Since the PASS Act’s inception, Pennsylvania students have been contacting state legislators to secure their support. Last fall, CommonGround PA, a statewide youth-policy organization, launched an interactive advocacy website that allows Pennsylvanians to directly contact their legislators to ask them to back the PASS Act. Over 40 youth activists joined together at the Capitol Building in April to hold a press conference to draw attention to the importance of the legislation. One of those youth leaders was Kevin McKeon, the president of Pennsylvania College of Technology Alliance. An Eagle Scout from Bucks County, McKeon went to his former Scout leaders and asked them to write to their representatives in support of the PASS Act. McKeon himself has met with numerous legislators at their Harrisburg offices, and was successful in urging his own local representative to sign on to the bill. “There are nearly 1.8-million students in Pennsylvania, and it’s

By Mia B., 23

Day Dance. My school is small, and does not have a large gay community, so we decided to make the dance a citywide event. I was able to achieve a more widespread audience with my fantastic group of volunteers, who began to spread the word at The Attic and the Mazzoni Center. We have printed up wonderfully designed flyers that will be making their way across the city. Tickets are available in advance at SLA and, if need be, at other schools. The dance will be held at SLA, 55 N. 22nd St., from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 7. When thinking about what I would like participants to get out

of this, I think of a quote from Harvey Milk: “Hope will never be silent.” I hope that our event will inspire other schools to organize their own LGBTQ dances. I want it to be so that LGBTQ teens don’t have to hide in a small and cramped closet, but instead be themselves with people who will love them for who they are. And I would like it if this dance, this one single dance, can help start a conversation about equal rights for every LGBTQ individual living in this state. For more information, email smorris@scienceleadership.org.

estimated that bullying impacts 77 percent of students at some point in their life — that’s 1.4-million bullied students,” McKeon said. “This is a serious issue, and the PASS Act provides real solutions.” Since beginning her work with the PASS Partnership, Faith Elmes, the president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania Pride Alliance, has made more than a dozen visits to the Capitol in Harrisburg to deliver letters to legislators and speak with staff members. Elmes has rallied friends at her university and community leaders in her hometown, in Perry County, to support the bill. She met with members of her local school board to urge them to contact their representatives about the legislation. “The PASS Act, as opposed to a zero-tolerance policy, has a better understanding of the needs of students,” Elmes said. “It is important that schools provide support for students who bully others, rather than criminalizing bad behavior. Punishment does not necessarily improve behavior or school climate.” Pennsylvania currently has one of the weakest safe-schools laws

in the country, as reported by the United States Department of Education in 2011. The current anti-bullying law, first adopted in 2008, essentially states that bullying is prohibited, without explaining how to effectively prevent or mediate incidents of school violence. Since 2005, school districts have been required to report the number of bullying incidents that occur in each school year. However, in the 2011-12 school year, 200 districts in the state reported that not one case of bullying occurred within their schools. Ninety-four percent of districts reported that bullying impacted less than 1 percent of their student body. Even with the unprecedented support the PASS Act has received, school safety has still not been considered a priority in Harrisburg. Progressives and conservatives alike tend to talk about bullying when serious incidents arise, but have been ineffective in embracing the political will necessary for the bill to become law. Student activists will continue to fight for the PASS Act in Harrisburg until a comprehensive safe-schools policy becomes reality in Pennsylvania. ✮

“Stick Fly” is a new and proactive play that ran at the Arden Theater in the fall. The play, written by Lydia R. Diamond, features the LeVays — a pristine upper-class family, and the only family to live in their gated vineyard community — as the family gathers to meet the two sons’ fiancées. Their conversations drift from college memories to heated discussions on racial tensions, social

From an LGBTQ perspective, the wants and needs of the characters in “Stick Fly” are the desires in our community as well, regardless of race or social background. Most of us have encountered a time in our lives where we felt that we were unseen or unheard, and carried those thoughts and feelings about our personal experiences as we moved through a world that was not completely accepting of us or how we saw ourselves. I would encourage all of my friends and fellow art-lovers to

✮

U.R. (LEFT) AS FLIP LEVAY AND JEROME PRESTON BATES AS JOE LEVAY IN “STICK FLY” Photo: Mark Garvin

taboos and family secrets. The actors all fully embody their characters’ ambitions, hopes and heartaches, as they delivered riveting and emotional performances. As each character reveals his or her own secrets, fears and desires, one of the main messages of “Stick Fly” is also revealed: Each person deeply longs to be accepted by the individuals in their lives and heard by society. ■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331; atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events.

see “Stick Fly.” Enjoy the humor and take in the taboos that are blurted out by characters as common topics of conversations one minute and long-hidden secrets the next. For me, the main message of “Stick Fly” were questions I had to ask myself: How can I morereadily see and accept others? And be more honest with my expression of who I am in the world? ✮

Community centers

■ 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; noon6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. MondayFriday.

■ 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.

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

WINTER 2014

PAGE 5

‘We Will Rock You’ rocks the Academy By David Santos, 16 The title says it all — “We Will Rock You.” That’s exactly what it did. From the minute I was informed that the show, which recently played at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music, was based on the music of Queen, it caught my interest. While “We Will Rock You” is based on Queen’s music, this was not a musical just for Queen fans, but for everyone. This musical-comedy was everything and more. There weren’t any disappointments. The audience and actors were well-engaged. Everyone clearly had a great time, as laughter filled the air of the Academy. The storyline was unique and powerful. It was about how rock

Events GLBT Group of Hunterdon County Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meets at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J. Schedule at www.glbtofhunt erdoncountyofnj.com; 908-300-1058. HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; 610-868-2153. HiTOPS A safe-space support program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J. Call Connie at 609-683-5155 (day); hitops.org. PRYSM Youth Center For youth ages 14-20. Meets 6:30-8:30 p.m Wednesdays at center, 126 East Baltimore Pike, Media; 610-357-9948. Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St.; 267-6876648. Young, Trans and Unified A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center. Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino youth ages 14-24. Meets 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.

and roll, and music in general, was banned from a future world (iPlanet) by the Killer Queen, the future dictator who made everything Internet-dependent. But The Dreamer (Galileo Figaro) dreams of music and searches for something beyond the Internet. In his unexpected journey, he runs into Scaramouche, another outcast, and the pair then connects with the rebelling Bohemians, who were in search of a dreamer who could bring rock and roll back from the dead. The actors were great in connecting directly to their characters. There were plenty of hilarious parts, with one specifically being the names of the characters, as the Bohemian women were given male singer names and vice versa. In addition to the comedy, there was plenty

RUBY LEWIS (LEFT) AS SCARAMOUCHE AND BRIAN JUSTIN CRUM AS GALILEO IN “WE WILL ROCK YOU” Photo: Paul Kolnik

of romance and drama. The part that stands out the most would

be the Killer Queen’s rendition of “Another One Bites the Dust.”

The costumes were extravagant. Their ensembles were filled with color and great detail. The Killer Queen’s many costumes were hard to miss, each bold and beautiful. The Bohemians’ costumes were inspired by the rock era, with plaid shirts, dark colors, jean vests and fishnets. Everyone else who was involved wore futuristic clothing, which included neon colors, shoulder padding and shiny metallic-like fabrics. Overall, the entire musical was great. It got the audience energized and wanting more, scene after scene, never knowing what was going to happen next. Each character had something that stood out, so no character outshined another. I recommend this play to everyone. No matter who you are, you will enjoy it. ✮

‘RuPaul’ queens thrill at Troc By Jen Gregory, 22

The line of shivering people nearly wrapped around the corner; excited conversations further animated by puffs of thin, white air from between chattering teeth. Some were wrapped in layers of jackets and scarves, others in nothing but a hoodie. A few men opted for corsets, pantyhose, high heels and a face full of bright-blue eyeliner and red lipstick — not even a scarf to keep the late January chill at bay. The large, teased and heavily hairsprayed black and blond wigs atop their heads hopefully provided some protection from the cold. After what seemed like an eternity in the frigid air, the doors opened and the line lurched forward hurriedly, pushing into the dark, warm and inviting interior of The Trocadero Theatre for “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons.” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” judge Michelle Visage, clad in a sleek lack blazer, leggings and highheeled boots, was the first to take the stage, introducing herself as hostess of the night’s forthcoming entertainment. Visage dominated the stage just as much as she entertained the crowd, opening the show with an interactive rendition of iconic song “Science Fiction Double Feature” before announcing first performer Alaska Thunderfuck. Notorious for her otherworldly antics (she is the result of a

cosmic, radioactive collision in Matanuska Valley, Alaska, after all), Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 exploded with energy and sass, igniting the crowd with her signature catch phrase, “Your makeup is terrible!” Despite her name, Mimi Imfurst was the second queen to take the stage, appearing as a less familyfriendly version of “The Wizard of Oz’s” Dorothy. After a psychotic lip-synced monologue, Mimi underwent a brief off-stage quick change into the Wicked Witch of the West, in which she lip-synced a guitar-laden remix of Wicked’s “Defying Gravity,” while utilizing her flying broomstick in a decidedly inappropriate manner. While each queen brought her own unique performance to the table, it was Ivy Winters who sent chills of excitement down the spines of the crowd. Ivy first appeared on the stage covered by a cloak of metallic plastic strands resembling tinsel. The cloak covered her entire body, including the stilts that caused her to tower over the crowd. Her song choice, “Wings” by Little Mix, began slow and soft, slowly building with emotion. As the song’s slow introduction suddenly burst into an almost-tribal

drumbeat, Ivy dropped her shimmering cloak and revealed pink and black butterfly wings, which soared and flowed with her as she continued to expertly navigate the stage on stilts. The song’s message, inspiring and empowering, shifted the focus of drag away from being hypersexual and comedic to artistic and emotionally charged. Ivy’s second performance was considerably more intense than the first, beginning again with her elevated and shrouded in a voluminous black dress, complete with a large hood. The song, a dubstep-infused remix of David Guetta’s “Titanium,” slowly escalated as Ivy drew the audience in with her dark performance. At the song’s drop, Ivy dropped to her knees and slowly emerged from the black material in a shimmering silver costume reminiscent of Walt Disney’s self-proclaimed “Mistress of All Evil,” Maleficent. Without missing a beat, Ivy emerged from the folds of the black cloth, picked up three silver scimitars and began juggling them as she confidently commanded the catwalk. Fake snow drifted down from the ceiling around Ivy, creating an evil, icy aura around the former drag — now evil

— queen. Stilts and juggling now old news, Ivy had one more trick up her silver sleeves to turn up the heat in the place. Tossing the scimitars, a flame appeared in her hand, followed by a second. The flames twirled on their respective poles in front of the evil queen’s body, reflecting the silvery sheen of her costume. She lifted the flames toward her face and proceeded to extinguish them with nothing but her tongue, appearing to delight in the fiery taste. A fire-breathing juggling evil drag queen on stilts? What’s not to like about that? Overall, each queen put forth her finest efforts, and even Visage appeared throughout the show, offering a rendition of Chicago’s “When You’re Good to Mama” in an expression of her love and respect for all of the queens she has seen in her two seasons as a judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Drag has come a long way from strictly being a bar-related, nightclub-only form of entertainment. Currently in its fifth season, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” continues to not only provide entertainment to the masses, but produces quality performers who are just as, if not more, well-loved by their fans and followers than any Hollywood celebrity. “RuPaul’s Battle of the Seasons” brought the show from the shadowy confines of reality television into the real world — live and still just as fabulous. ✮

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

PAGE 6

For the love of butches By Kenya Calloway Butch. Aggressive. Dominant. Stud. The only kind of woman you can call by any of these names and still sound as sweet rolling off my feminine tongue. I have always had a romanticized idea of what butch is. Strong. Protective. Chivalrous. Aggressive. Of course, all fantasies give way to the harsh truths of reality. There is no one specific type of butch, contrary to the core definition of the aggressive lesbian. They are all different ... and like most femmes, I’ve done seen ’em all. The Faithful: lover and protector of her femme with a true heart and honorable values and intentions The Player: the stud who captivates the hearts of femmes through smooth-talking, glorious sex ... and empty promises The Bad Boi: the dangerous block-hugging, nickel-and-dime hustling, money-chasing, weedsmoking, rapsheethaving, progressively stifled, just-asking-fortrouble type of woman The Blue Collar: the strong, hardworking, machine-operating, mechanically inclined, not-afraid-to-get-herhands-dirty butch The Activist: the pro-womyn, progressively feminist, poetically talented, self-righteous revolutionary butch lesbian The Unobtainable: the one whose heart is too big to be obtained by a single woman; she is complex and easy to love with the sex of a goddess. She is smart, funny, complicated and, unfortunately, and unintentional heartbreaker.

packaged in men’s attire. Butch. She walks with a lean, her face serious, full of social battles, love wounds and a “fuck the world” attitude. I love her hair, whether it be long in a wrap, ponytail, braids, boi cut or locks. I often ponder what her thoughts are — what she is feeling in that exact moment in passing on the street. Butches. I love the way they walk bravely in the face of the judgmental society that stereotypes and condemns them for the way they identify. I love the sense of protection of the company of a butch, the chivalry of walking on the right side of the curb beside her femme. I love a butch who’s good with her hands (pun intended). I love the way her loose-fitting jeans sit perfectly on her hips; the way a wifebeater clings to her woman figure. I love the aggressive woman. I defend her identity to those who don’t understand. I passionately emasculate men who dismiss them. I write for them, about them, for them in the hope that they

when they enter public restrooms. Women called dykes and bulldaggers. I know these women; I’ve loved these women. Last year, I read a book called “Stone Butch Blues” by Leslie Feinberg, which was so beautifully written that the first seven pages made me cry. Every piece of feminist-lesbian literature I’ve read since age 19 has referenced this book, so when I finally got a hold of it, it changed my entire perspective of femme ... and butch. The novel was set in the late ’40s, and ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s, in a time when queers ventured to underground gay clubs and when living openly as a lesbian could have devastating or deadly repercussions. It speaks to a time when butches protected their femmes from a world of patriarchal oppression in a community of competitive butchhood. It reads of a time when femmes bandaged their butches’ wounds after being physically or sexually assaulted and catered to their bruised and violated masculinity. It was the femmes’ job to come up with quick escape routes for butches and queens when the gay bars were raided by police. It was a time when the fellowship among butches was admirably supportive; they leaned on, related to and looked out for one another. Queers held safe houses for those in need and sought refuge from the world. They fed, clothed and sheltered one another. Can you imagine such a time? Such unity? After reading that book, I felt a sense of missing something that I’d never had; a whole sense of unity is the only thing missing in the life for me. “Stone Butch Blues” gave me a further appreciation of the history of butch/femme dynamics and relations, but most importantly, it gave me a sense of responsibility. My responsibility as a femme goes beyond any potential partner; it’s a communal thing. All it takes is some understanding, a sense of compromise and the willingness to submit while maintaining my convictions. It is my duty to support my butch cohorts — offering my positivity, my advice, my ability to listen and sometimes catering to the taboo butch masculine ego. ✮

“Stone Butch Blues” gave me a further appreciation of the history of butch/femme dynamics and relations, but most importantly, it gave me a sense of responsibility.

Like I said, I’ve met them all. But I am fortunate to be able to say that I have had the pleasure of knowing, bedding, loving and sustaining wonderful friendships with some of the most honorable and coolest AGs throughout this journey called femme. They all have touched my heart each in their individual way. To me, butches are an enigma of aggressive complexity balanced with a womanly essence appropriately

know the real femmes; that good femmes do indeed exist. I cry for their pain, I admire their strength, their perseverance and their audacity to walk through life without sexual or gender compromise. I know these women, women who’ve been disowned or challenged by their families because they stepped out of the gender norm. Women who have survived rape. Women who have endured and survived hate crimes. Women who’ve lived in discretion to make the system work in their favor in exchange for fighting for their country. Women who at times found themselves passive-aggressively discriminated against because they did not aesthetically match the gender box checked off on their application. Women who receive stares in the street and find silent questions of judgments

WINTER 2014

When bullying hits home By Damien Walker, 13 Bullying has become an epidemic, ranging from cyber to physical — it causes untold amounts of trauma in the lives of developing youth across the globe. My personal experience with bullying started as soon as I moved to Philadelphia from Brooklyn at the age of 6. As I would walk through the halls of school, I heard murmurs and whispers. It was clear that the bouts of laughter were at my expense. One day, a kid pushed me into a wall and started punching me and said that “it would help you lose weight and be less gay.” This caused me both physical and emotional distress. I started believing a lot of what they said and would cry myself to sleep. I started to cut myself at the age of 8. I thought that the issue was me. I felt responsible, as if the pain that I had to endure was my fault. I felt like a plague and my peers were trying to stymie who I was. I lived day by day on a battlefield fighting who I was, feeling guilty as people hurt me, making me lose sleep as I spent the nights crying and questioning why society had marked me an outcast. My anger reached its apex months later when a girl asked to borrow my pencil and didn’t want to return it. After all the situations I had encountered, it was an instance when my property was being threatened that made me grab a chair and throw it at her. Which sparked questions about my mental health, and I was then put on a plethora of antidepressants and anxiety medications. Of course I’m not the only one who has this problem: Millions are bullied all around the world. It goes from within the intimacy of one’s house to the concrete jungle that is school. A lot of people bully because they have been bullied or are being bullied; it stems from a feeling of helplessness and anger for their own differences. Most bullying takes place in schools. But a group of girls from Troy Middle School are taking a stand against bullying and were recently recognized for it. They’re barely even teenag-

ers, but they’re already making a difference. The girls started Helping Hands, a club dedicated to looking out for anyone who is being bullied and putting a stop to it. “It’s going great, we got almost 30-40 kids already in the club to stop bullying,” said member Kaitlyn Tate. The group makes posters, holds weekly meetings and designates members to be on the look-out for bullying issues. Michelle Jolliff, principal of Troy Middle School, couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished. We should be just like this group of girls and work to make a dramatic difference in this world. I’m not saying we just need more LGBT youth programs or bullying programs, but I’m also not saying that we don’t need more LGBT youth programs — I’m saying we need to have some effective groups. There are a lot of things kids would learn from these groups because I know I have learned a lot from one group called LEAD at Mazzoni Center. LEAD is a oneday youth-run, youth-led conference that focuses on strengthening the gay-straight alliance movement in Pennsylvania. It consists of workshops that are developed and facilitated by youth about different topics of interest. I’ve learned a lot from LEAD, especially about how to make our neighborhoods less prejudiced and more accepting. We talked about how we can help LGBT youth come out and ways to come out without feeling uncomfortable. As far as bullying goes, if one of the workshops is around bullying, then it could potentially give students coping skills for dealing with bullying. Bullying occurs as an act of ignorance and prejudice, when one person imposes their ideas or will on someone and belittles them in order to make something out of their own existence. The person being bullied feels dehumanized and rejected. But they are not alone: There’s an army of misfits and outcasts they can rally with and find support in. Thanks for reading and “Be, Don’t Become.” ✮

THE NEXT YOUTH SUPPLEMENT WILL BE IN THE MAY 30 ISSUE OF PGN

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

WINTER 2014

PAGE 7

Straight Answers By Mia B., 23 At the beginning the lights UPSTAGE are dim. MR. FREEDMAN sifts through papers in his desk drawer. KENYATTA sulks in the leather chair opposite MR. FREEMAN’S desk. The spotlight flashes directly on DIONNA JOHNSON. DIONNA: You think you know it all, Kenyatta. I remember when I used to have to tie your shoelaces for you. Now you running around this city like a chicken with its head cut off doing whatever you want to do. It makes me sick to my stomach. One day you’re going to trip over your own two feet and fall flat on your face. The spotlight dims on DIONNA and illuminates FLOYD JOHNSON. FLOYD: Sweetie Pop, you’re one of the smartest kids I know. And I’m including my students in that. Always keep your head on straight, and keep it in the books. Stay out of trouble. I see those bags under your eyes nowadays. FLOYD chuckles and pulls at the bags under his own eyes. FLOYD: Every scholar’s got ’em. And pick a good boyfriend. Somebody with a j-o-b who knows how to be a man. The spotlight snaps off. ROSEE: I don’t know how you’re going to feel about this. The spotlight slowly turns on and we see ROSEE with a handwritten poem open in her hands. She reads from the page. ROSEE: Baby, I can’t play these lying games with you anymore. I’m tired of letting go of your hand when we walk through classroom doors. When I ask to meet your parents, all we ever do is fight. And because you c — ... because you can’t sleep with me, I cry alone

at night. I wish you loved me with your actions like you do your words. I’ll miss you if I have to go, but my heart just hurts. ROSEE looks up from the paper as if she is looking into KENYATTA’S eyes. ROSEE: I’m proud of who I am, and I’m not gonna let anyone take that away from me. Not even our relationship. I’m not going to force you to live your life the way I want you to, but I’m not going to force myself into the closet just because I see you cramming yourself into it. ROSEE rolls up her poem and holds it out to the audience as if handing it to KENYATTA. ROSEE: This is for you. The light dims on ROSEE until she is no longer visible to the audience. Stage lights go up, illuminating MR. FREEMAN’S OFFICE. KENYATTA holds the poem in her hands. It is still rolled up in the same fashion as ROSEE gave it to her. KENYATTA hunches over the letter pensively. MR. FREEMAN: Wassup lil’ sistah? You don’t look like yourself. KENYATTA: Just uh a lot on my mind, Mr. Freeman. MR. FREEMAN: Well, I’ve got some good news for you. KENYATTA: Oh yeah? MR. FREEMAN lays the forms out on his desk in sorted piles as if they are wishes granted on paper. MR. FREEMAN: La Salle University College of Communications and Writing, and the University of the Arts. All accepted.

joy, I hope. KENYATTA wipes the tears from her face. She notices the look of concern on MR. FREEMAN’S face. KENYATTA: Just a lot of stress this week. MR. FREEMAN: What’s going on, Ms. Johnson? KENYATTA: Man, just call me Kenyatta. MR. FREEMAN: Aww, but you’ve got to get used to formalities now. What do you think everyone will be calling you when you write your first best-selling anthology of poems, or fiction novel for that matter? KENYATTA: Oh I dunno. MR. FREEMAN: They’ll be calling you Ms. Johnson! Ms. Johnson can I have your autograph? Ms. Johnson do you have advice for writers? (His volume and pitch escalate.) Ms. Johnson, did you just walk away from me? KENYATTA laughs and her tension begins to melt away. She relaxes a little in her seat. MR. FREEMAN: You sure you’re OK? KENYATTA: I’ll be all right. MR. FREEMAN: Well OK. Now there’s a little additional information to the news I just told you. KENYATTA sits up in her seat attentively. MR. FREEMAN: Now, you got 65 percent of financial aid. But you have to make up the extra 35 percent. Now how much did your parents say they could do per year? KENYATTA: Four thousand.

KENYATTA folds her lips and begins to cry.

MR. FREEMAN: Oh all right.

MR. FREEMAN: Tears of

KENYATTA: That’s

including my, like, you know, my clothes, food and books. MR. FREEMAN tries to hide his disappointment. MR. FREEMAN: Oh, well that’s ... then that’s about two thousand per year. KENYATTA: Really? That’s it? MR. FREEMAN: Now don’t despair now, Ms. Johnson, there’s still hope. KENYATTA shakes her head and rubs her forehead. MR. FREEMAN: See the University of the Arts costs 55 thousand per year, and La Salle costs 45 thousand. KENYATTA: What? MR. FREEMAN: I know. Never had that much money in your wallet at the same time in your life and you won’t until your bestseller. MR. FREEMAN gives her a fatherly smile. MR. FREEMAN: And how’s ROSEE? KENYATTA: Everything’s fine. MR. FREEMAN: You’re lying through your teeth Ms. Johnson, but all right ... You know what I always say. There’s some good in the bad and some bad in the good. Some ying in the yang and some yang in the ying. And, as always, I was careful to look at your financial situation. There is in fact a scholarship available for you. KENYATTA looks into the distance. The lighting on her face fades and ROSEE appears at the front of the stage, far right. ROSEE: It’s up to you. I’m

not going to force you to do anything. I can’t force you to love anybody, not even me ... Or to be proud of who

you —

The light goes out on ROSEE. MR. FREEMAN: Ms.

Johnson! Did you just now take a mental vacation? Kenyatta, do you want to go to college?

KENYATTA enters STAGE LEFT.

MR. FREEMAN: Back so soon?

KENYATTA: Yeah. I forgot my letter.

MR. FREEMAN: Good.

Well it’s an LGBT scholarship.

KENYATTA reaches over to the leather chair she was sitting in and grabs ROSEE’S poem. She holds it in her hands, turning it over as if it were fragile.

KENYATTA: A what now?

MR. FREEMAN: (Gently)

KENYATTA: Uh, I do.

MR. FREEMAN: An L-G-

From who?

B-T scholarship.

KENYATTA: Rosee.

KENYATTA slumps into her chair

MR. FREEMAN: I see.

MR. FREEMAN:

Kenyatta, let’s be honest.

KENYATTA: I’m straight. MR FREEMAN:

Kenyatta! I know your girlfriend.

KENYATTA: I don’t want to talk about it.

MR. FREEMAN: He rais-

es his eyebrows and shakes his head.

MR. FREEMAN: All

right, your life, your choices. I’m not gonna make you choose a scholarship you don’t want.

KENYATTA: I ... I didn’t wanna leave it.

MR. FREEMAN: I’m sure you wouldn’t.

KENYATTA: She would be pretty mad at me if I did.

MR. FREEMAN: I know she would.

KENYATTA: Mr.

Freeman? What happens if I say I’m a lesbian?

MR. FREEMAN: Then

you’ll be the “L” in LGBT.

MR. FREEMAN holds the folder out and displays the open folder to KENYATTA.

KENYATTA walks off and slams the door of MR. FREEMAN’S office.

MR. FREEMAN: Wanna

MR. FREEMAN folds his arms, leaving the four piles of stacked papers on the desk and leans back in his reclining chair. The stage darkens. There is a sole spotlight on DIONNA.

KENYATTA stops in her tracks. She looks like a young fawn who has been stunned by headlights.

DIONNA: Baby, please

stop dressing like that ... What the hell you think you tryna be? I see you every day after school with that girl. Honey, you weren’t made to be like that. God didn’t make you to be like that.

DIONNA’S image fades as the light dims. The stage is completely dark.

take a look at it? Parents have to sign page 13.

MR. FREEMAN: And

there’s an essay on pages eight and nine. But I know you’ll take care of that, Ms. Johnson.

KENYATTA turns around and looks back at MR. FREEMAN. KENYATTA: Yeah, I can handle it. She walks towards the door. END SCENE. ✮

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

PAGE 8 OUT4STEM from page 1

agement at his technical-research job. A transwoman had actually lost jobs because of her gender identity, but has since found stability thanks to her technical prowess. After the discussion, medical students from LGBTPM+ led the youth on a tour of the Mütter, the popular museum of medical anomalies housed within the college. Jacqui Bowman, director of the Center for Education and Public Initiatives at the college, says the “cool factor” of the Mütter Museum’s unusual collections has been invaluable in attracting hardto-reach demographics and sustaining interest in programming. The Teva Pharmaceuticals summer internship, for example, has created a strong community of youth whose lives have been affected by gun violence. Quincy Greene, founder of the EJC, thinks these resources could have a particularly strong impact on LGBTQ youth. The etiquette of the research world left Greene feeling a need to leave his identity as a gay black man at the door in order to be taken seriously when working in biostatistics at Penn. A well-respected mentor in the field encouraged his work with LGBTQ youth of color after Greene came out near the end of his time in that position. This mentorship made all the difference in his own career trajectory. “I really lucked out getting a mentor like him who actually made me feel like I was smart,” Greene said. “If someone like that believes in you, you think you must be smart too.” Later, Greene discovered that the key to getting minority youth interested in STEM was by framing it within a narrative relevant to their communities. With that in mind, he created a project for a group of EJC youth that would encourage them to tackle issues in their own community using statistics. They collected data on the social determinants of health within Philadelphia’s ballroom community, learned data-processing techniques and analyzed the data with help from biostatisticians. Greene helped them turn their community into a research lab. “Kids can solve problems in their own communities using these resources. Why is there shade? Why HIV? Why a lack of success? Well, go do some research and figure it out,” he said. “That’s what QSpot is about, and I hope that’s what Out4stem will be about. It’s not just about your career, it’s about your community.” Sabrina Gill, a queer medical

student at Penn Med, had faced struggles similar to Greene’s while working in a lab run by a religious fundamentalist researcher. When it came to medical training in a clinic, a notion of neutral “professionalism” took precedence over concerns about diversity and inclusion. “People want spaces to be as safe as possible, but the extent of their depth is that they should be nice to everyone, considerate to students and patients,” Gill said. “It’s not a homophobic space, but it’s a really professional space.” Still, Gill said, she feels most comfortable in her work at the Covenant House, which is a queer and trans-friendly safe space. There is clearly a tension between identity politics and professionalism in the science world. Homophobia, racism and sexism are institutional phenomena by definition. We can’t overcome their pervasiveness just by being “nice to everyone” in our workplaces. These global systems

their perspectives could enrich our understanding of gender and sexuality. Gender is a particularly prominent category for biological inquiry, whose consideration as a variable is sometimes unrefined. A fresh perspective from an influx of queer cognitive scientists could help bring a more nuanced understanding of gender and sexuality to the mainstream. Balasubramanian spoke to a more general need for science to take on the concerns of marginalized groups. “With more engagement of marginalized communities, the fundamental basis of asking questions would be rooted in how to minimize suffering.” More diversity among scientists would certainly help enhance the social accountability of scientific research. This is where programs like Out4STEM could come in. Mentorship is particularly important for increasing the presence of LGBTQ people and people of color in the sciences. Greene sees providing LGBTQ youth and minorities with access to mentors as key to ensuring that young people don’t internalize homophobic or racist narratives about who can do science and who cannot. “The best way is these sorts of programs, [like with] the panel discussion we’re planning in February; we need to put these faces in front of them, and they don’t necessarily all have to be minorities themselves, but they have to be faces that will say, ‘You can do this,’” Greene said. “All kinds of people like that with all different backgrounds helped me get where I am. It took all kinds of people encouraging me.” Out4STEM at its core represents an opportunity for a radical sharing of The College of Physicians’ STEM resources. This has already begun, thanks to its existing youth programs, with encouraging results that I’ve seen firsthand. By making STEM more accessible to LGBTQ youth, we take another step towards creating a scientific community that faithfully represents the full range of human experience and suffering. Putting the generative potential of scientific imagination in the hands of people with marginalized experiences could inspire the pursuit of new and important questions. Maybe, just maybe, the answers to those questions could help reduce the suffering that inspired them. For more information about Out4STEM, email ksariahmed@col legeofphysicians.org or follow them on Twitter at @Out4STEMprogram.

“Kids can solve problems in their own communities using these resources. Why is there shade? Why HIV? Why a lack of success? Well, go do some research and figure it out.” of discrimination interact with the scientific world in a way that goes beyond the personal interactions between people who happen to do science. Institutions of social domination affect how science itself is implemented. Janani Balasubramanian, a queer South Asian artist/organizer based in New York, has a unique perspective on this issue. Studying climate engineering and queer studies at Stanford, they experienced how the position of scientists in society affects the science that gets done. Balasubramanian was particularly frustrated by the lack of consideration by climate engineers for indigenous people living in sinking island nations, who are the most severely affected by climate change. “How can we not consider who’s living on the land, who’s working it and what environmental knowledge they are using and have access to when developing risk assessments or decision support systems?” Balasubramanian said. This is one of the most dramatic examples of how human experiences not represented in the formulation of scientific questions and narratives can lessen the impact of the work. By the same token, more representation of queer people and

✮

WINTER 2014

CAMPUS PRIDE from page 1 she said. “It made it very easy to get involved.” issues. Focusing her efforts on colTwo of the nine winners were from Pennsylvania: Bucknell laborating with groups such University freshman Jesse Klug as PATH and GO! Athletes, and University of Pennsylvania Yankelev has done a lot for the Penn LGBT athletic community sophomore Eliana Yankelev. Klug, a Seattle native and out in a short time. “There is a place for this kind athlete, feels his biggest contribution to the LGBT commu- of activism here,” she said. “The nity so far was his opinion piece work I’ve been doing has been featured on Outsports.com. great. I’m one of the few out “An Open Letter to Those Who athletes at Penn and it’s really Disapprove of Homosexuality” cool to be part of a group that’s has been viewed more than so stable.” So how does a 70,000 times and Pennsylvania native shared via Facebook and LGBT activist feel more than 9,000 times. about the state’s lack “Jesse takes initiaof marriage equaltive to be an agent of ity and LGBT protecchange through his tions? actions,” Windmeyer “Pennsylvania is said. “His ability to KLUG special because it has create safer spaces for two large blue centers LGBT people is made — Philadelphia and clear through his expePittsburgh — with rience coming out on nothing but red in campus to his teambetween,” she said. On mates, as well as reacha local level, “the city ing out to appropriate may be broke, but that resources for support and guidance. Jesse YANKELEV doesn’t mean the people aren’t interested in carries out Campus Pride’s mission and goals as he being progressive and liberal.” The issue, she said, lies in the looks beyond policy change and focuses on active change in his conservative majority in the state population. She is, however, environments.” In Klug’s home state of hopeful that, in time, people will Washington, marriage equal- begin asking themselves “how ity is the norm. But attending far behind they want themselves college in Pennsylvania drove to be,” in terms of providing home the impact of patchwork equal rights to all people. Windmeyer said Yankelev’s LGBT-equality laws. “It reminds me of how restrict- desire to promote unity around ed the LGBT community is in LGBT issues made her a perfect terms of movement for work, fit for the award. “Her tactics show to be crefamily or any other reason,” he said. “They just have to consider ative to bridge the gap between a lot more consequences when LGBTQ+ athletes and the aththey consider moving: Are they letic department as a whole allowed to have custody over while minimizing homophobia,” their children? Is their marriage he said. “She understands how still recognized? Can they be to utilize organized groups such legally discriminated against? as PATH and GO! Athletes to work with other leaders to gain etc.” Yankelev, also an out athlete strength and utilize a forum to and a native of Montgomery share ideas.” Campus Pride will be County, entered her freshman year at Penn with the intention announcing the winners of the of becoming heavily involved in Voice & Action Award soon. Check campuspride.org for the LGBT community. “The resources were there,” updated information. ✮

PGN will run the LGBTQ Youth Supplement three more times this year: May, August and October. Email editor@epgn.com to get involved. PGN and our community would love to hear from you.

AC ul t ure rts

PGN FEATURE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

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

Page Page Page Page Page Page

29 31 38 36 33 37

PAGE 30

Out performer helps put Disney’s Magic Kingdom on ice By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com A cavalcade of beloved characters will strap on some skates to the delight of spectators when “Disney on Ice” comes to the area through Feb. 2 at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, N.J. Celebrating “100 years of magic,” Disney will bring 65 of its most unfor-

gettable characters from 18 of its classic stories to life — including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney princesses. The production includes moments from hits like “The Lion King” and “Toy Story.” “Our show is a variety show so it has a lot of stories in it, from classic to old to new,” out cast member and ice skater

Tommy Do said. “We have the classic stories of ‘Pinocchio’ and ‘Mulan’ to the newer ones like ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘Finding Nemo.’ We have a lot of princes and princesses, so Cinderella, Pocahontas and Snow White are in the show.” Do, a Boston native who has been skating sing he was 5 years old, said that all of the performers in the Disney cast

take on multiple roles in the show. “Because it’s a big show we all play many characters,” he said. “There’s a small-role section where we do green Army men from ‘Toy Story’ to soldiers from ‘Mulan.’ So I play a number of parts. I’m also an understudy for Aladdin and Woody.” The children of this generation may be hipper, more tech-savvy PAGE 28

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

SKATE from page 27

and less jaded than those of previous generations, but Do said both kids and their parents love to see characters they loved growing up take to the ice. “For our show, there is a huge range,” he said about the age of the audience. “We tell a bunch of stories that are relatable to younger kids as well as older audience members. The younger kids love the ‘Finding Nemo’ section. It’s really cute. There are bubbles involved. The older audience members love the ‘Mulan’ section. It’s very dynamic and there’s a giant battle scene between the Army and the Huns. It’s a spectacle.” With the elaborate costumes and showstopping skating routines, Do said the “Disney on Ice” shows are every bit as challenging to pull of as routines you will see in the Olympics. “Technically, I think our show is very advanced,” he said. “I think we have some Olympic team members on our cast. The amount of jumps and the technical ability we are able to consistently land and do in each show is magnificent. We’re a very technical show.” Do added that the audition process for the roles in the production is pretty involved. “Usually they have you send in a videotape showcasing your skill and artistic ability,” he said. “Then they see if you are fit and if you can fit a role in the show before bringing you in for a live audi-

FEATURE PGN

tion. Then they see your technical abilities in person as well as artistic abilities. They’ll also have you skate in groups because there are a lot of big production numbers. They want to see if you can acclimate to the environment, learn a routine quickly and jibe with a group. They are looking for people who are eager to learn. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect in your audition. They are just looking for people who are positive and r e a l l y ex c i t e d to learn new things.” Though performing in “Disney on Ice” “DISNEY ON ICE” CAST MEMBER TOMMY DO is a lot of work, performers. Do said, he enjoys touring and the “The atmosphere and the touring lifecamaraderie of traveling with his fellow

style is something that I’ve grown accustomed to and really enjoy,” he said. “I really enjoy my cast. It’s a really big family. Everyone is supportive of each other and encouraging. Everyone tries to stay fit and healthy. Also, being in different cities every week is fun. We have people from all around the world: Japan, the Ukraine, Russia, the States and Brazil.” He added that, with so many characters in the Disney cannon, there is the potential for other characters to make appearances in future productions. “This show is set but you never know,” he said. “They might decide next year to add new characters. ‘Disney on Ice’ shows are always changing. There are eight running ice shows right now. They are always changing. They are always updating them and adding new characters. So you never know which ones they use.” Beyond his adventures on the ice, Do hopes to establish himself entertaining people with his sense of humor. “I’m an aspiring comedy writer so I’ve been taking classes at the Upright Citizen Brigade in New York City,” he said. “So I’ve been working towards that. That’s what I’m embarking on next.” ■ Check out “Disney on Ice” through Feb. 2 at Sun National Bank Center, 81 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-6563200 or visit www.disneyonice.com.

Tattoo Convention

Jan 31st - Feb 2nd 2014

PA Convention Center COME GET TATTOOED 1101 Arch St, Philadel p hia, PA 19107

Friday 2 PM - 12 AM Saturday 11 AM - 12 AM Sunday 11 AM - 8 PM $22 Day / $45 Weekend Show Info 215-423-4780

The Enigma Suspension Sideshow Burlesque Tattoo Contests

Over 800 Tattoo Artists LA Ink / Ink Master Best Ink / Tattoo Rescue America’s Worst Tattoos Live Bands & More

VillainArts.com

NIGHTLIFE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

The new kid in town Right on the heels of a couple area bars the Sand” at 10 p.m. Feb. 1, and “Barbara closing comes news of a new bar coming to Hammer Shorts” at 7 p.m. Feb. 13, featuring a special appearance and post-film distown. Sweet! Boxers, a sports-themed institution in cussion with the director. Tickets are only $9 for adults or $7 for New York City’s Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods, will soon be opening a Philly seniors and students. For tickets and more information about these and location in the old Ritz Camera other films in the program, see on Walnut Street between Juniper www.ihousephilly.org/calendar. and Broad. That’s right next to Nuts to You, which should totally Philly Burlesque Battle start staying open for “late-night Royale nuts and butts,” if you ask me. Yes, Boxers isn’t targeting the Keep up with the weekly batexact same demographic as the tles at 9 p.m. Feb. 4 and 11 at bars we’ve lost recently, but there Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. The comis certainly a little bit of overlap. petition, showcasing a number I’m a strong believer that change of burlesque performers with a is good, and competition is even crazy variety of styles, experibetter. A little new blood in the ence and genders, is only about water will help everyone stay at the top of their game, and we Jim Kiley- half over. There’s still plenty of time for you to catch up, pick a here in the Philly community can Zufelt favorite or two and cheer them only benefit from it. on as they work their way to the MileyBall climax March 11.

Repairs, Renovations and Remodeling

(215) 467-3335 Pa. HIC #026545 Phila. Lic. #17895

“Our” Family Plumber for over 30 years

Barcrawlr

Twerk ’em if you got ’em! At 10 p.m. Jan. 31 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St., DJ DeeJay will take you on a tour of all things Miley until the wee hours of the morning. Cover charge is only $5 until 1 a.m. I hope he plays “#GETITRIGHT” — then you can dance in the mirror and feel like you got no panties on, either! Cupid’s Safe Word Get your fix of glitter, kink and fabulousness at Vixens & Vagabonds Queer & Kinky Cabaret, 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. Liberty City Kings and their special guests will work you up, bring you to the brink, then toss you back in your seat when they’re good and done with you. No safe word is safe enough! Stick around after the show for a dance party with DJ NiiLo and to stalk your favorite performers. Cover charge is $10 if you’re in drag or gear, $12 if not. Proceeds benefit the Leather Leadership Conference, a kink symposium dedicated to strengthening and developing the leather community and its members, which is coming to Philly in early April. Free to Love Film Festival The “Free to Love” film festival continues at International House, 3701 Chestnut St.. Films address gay, straight and other sexual themes from defining times in our cultural history. Highlights in the coming weeks include “Barbarella” at 5 p.m. Feb. 1, “Boys in

Gear Up, Team Up Did Santa stuff your stocking full of new gear? Did you lose control in the vendor mart at MAL? If so, here’s your chance to strap it on and show it off, 9 p.m. Feb. 8 on the top floor at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. This party will have a strictly enforced dress code, which means if you’re not in sport, leather, rubber, latex, uniform or some other fetish gear, you will have to strip down and go shirtless — or else go back downstairs. Your co-hosts will be the members of Philadelphians MC and Gryphons Rugby Football Club. Between them and special guest DJ Dave Huge from Nasty Pig in New York City, you’re guaranteed to have a hot and sweaty night! Cover charge is only $5, and proceeds will be split 50/50 between the two clubs and their charitable endeavors.

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

(215) 829-0170

Ladies 2K Valentines’ Day Ladies 2000 are mixing it up V-Day style from 3-9 p.m. Feb. 9 at Havana, 105 S. Main St. in New Hope. Get there early for the $3 vodka specials, enjoy the hot buffet, dance to the sounds of DJ Steve Singer, then get down in the “Singles Mingle” upstairs in the loft! Cover charge is only $10. ■

253 S. 10th St., 1st Floor Philadelphia

JEFFREY E. GOLDMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW SPECIALIZING IN PARTNERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT LAW Proven track record of recovering millions of dollars for wrongfully treated employees!* Experience litigating: • Partnership & business disputes • Non-competes • Executive compensation • Employment discrimination • Real Estate Litigation

Questions, comments, need motivation to take those Christmas lights down? Contact Jim at barcrawlr@gmail.com or follow him on Facebook for links to back articles and some totally bitchin’ retro music videos!

Jeffrey E. Goldman, Esq. 100 S. Broad St. Suite 1330 Philadelphia, PA 19110

Also handle: • Wills, Living Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney

Jeff.Goldman@verizon.net

*Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Put 18 years of experience to work for you!

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

PGN FILM

Revisiting ‘Boys,’ four decades later By Ray Simon PGN Contributor Winter weather may have Philadelphia in its icy grip, but film fans can turn up the heat by catching Wakefield Poole’s groundbreaking 1971 gay-porn movie “Boys in the Sand,” which plays at International House Feb. 1. The screening opens with gay director Tom Chomont’s experimental short film “Love Objects” and is part of the series “Free to Love: The Cinema of the Sexual Revolution.” “Boys in the Sand” mixes poetic imagery and hardcore pornography. Unlike earlier loops, where the sex was often gritty and shameful, “Boys” welcomes viewers to a fantasy world where the frank depiction of gay male sexuality is portrayed as carefree and natural. In each of the film’s three scenes, Poole, who shot the film using a hand-held camera, allows his performers ample time to enjoy one another. He also added touches of humor and tension, two elements generally lacking in most pornography. According to Jesse Pires, who organized “Free to Love,” Poole’s seminal movie is noteworthy for its impact on society at large. “‘Deep Throat’ tends to get discussed as the first X-rated movie to reach a wide, mainstream audience and usher in this era of ‘porno chic,’ but in fact ‘Boys in the Sand,’ which was released about six months before ‘Deep Throat,’ was also incredibly popular

and also is often regarded as kicking off this ‘porno chic’ moment,” he said. A favorable mention in Variety and a cheeky ad campaign in The New York Times helped “Boys in the Sand” to escape the confines to Times Square’s seedy porn theaters, but there was more to it. Gay pornography existed long before Poole picked up a camera, but what distinguished the former choreographer’s first movie from earlier work in the genre was his ability to bring a positive outlook and an artistic sensibility to depictions of explicit sex. In the commentary accompanying the 2002 re-release of the film on DVD, Poole summed up his directorial philosophy succinctly. “I swore when I started making films I would never put anything in a movie that was unattractive or when a person looked unattractive,” he said. “And I think I kept that promise.” To achieve that end, Poole scouted his locations and performers carefully. The steamy action in his debut takes place on Fire Island. The gay resort’s rustic boardwalks, lush groves and charming seaside cottages provide the backdrop for every shot in the film. Then there are the “boys” themselves. The men appearing in Poole’s film are handsome, fit and sexy, but they also seem approachable. Viewers could easily imagine running into guys just like them on Fire Island’s beaches or in its bars. The performers included Danny Di Cioccio,

a hunky carpenter and occasional beefcake model; Tommy Moore, an attractive African-American man who tended bar at a nearby club; and also Peter Fisk, who was Poole’s lover. Casey Donovan, however, was clearly the star. A sexy, uninhibited blond, he dominates all three vignettes that comprise “Boys in the Sand,” moving through partners and positions with abandon. He’s PETER FISK AND CASEY DONOVAN IN equally believable sharing a tender “BOYS IN THE SAND” moment by the bay with Fisk and iment, I didn’t want them to go right to it. So taking a vigorous pounding from Di Cioccio. Amazingly, whether top, bottom or they naturally had to feel each other through and make it a true sexual experience.” in-between, he never loses his erection. That heat can still be felt four decades later. “He had a direct line to his dick,” Poole For his part, Pires hopes audiences enjoy the said. “I mean, it was unbelievable.” That sexual prowess made Donovan an movie, but he also wants it to remind them of early icon of gay porn, and he went on to the sexual revolution’s revolutionary aspect. “I was looking at films that don’t porappear in other notable features, such as “The Other Side of Aspen” and “L.A. Tool & tray sexual experimentation and different approaches to sex as a bad thing or as having Die.” Donovan’s charisma is undeniable, but part negative consequences,” he said of the films of what makes “Boys in the Sand” so plea- chosen for “Free to Love.” “Ultimately, this is an era of utopian aspirasurable is that Poole captured genuine sexual chemistry on film. Rather than tell the per- tions, when we can openly view explicit films formers exactly what to do, he gave them and we can have a free public dialogue about sexuality, often prompted by these images on great leeway. “When I shot ‘Boys in the Sand,’ I set up film or in the media.” ■ something and explained to them what the For more information, visit http:// situation was,” Poole said. “We started to get into the sex scene and I wanted them to exper- ihousephilly.org/calendar/boys-in-the-sand.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

Suzi Nash

Barbara Hammer: Behind the lens of lesbian filmmaking “Sex is an emotion in motion.” — Mae West If Ms. West is correct, get ready to be moved as the International House of Philadelphia continues its month-long film series about sex, “Free to Love: The Cinema of the Sexual Revolution,” through Feb. 15. More than 60 commercial and underground films from the 1960s and ’70s will be presented. For those who don’t know (I was a mere tot myself), that was the era of the Stonewall Riots, Andy Warhol and a time when people started thinking differently about gender roles, premarital sex and sexual orientation. The films run the gamut from mainstream cult classics like “Barbarella” to a number of LGBT-themed programs such as an evening of short films by Pat Rocco, an important pioneer of queer cinema, “Boys in the Sand,” arguably the first pornographic film to spoof the title of a mainstream feature and other programs to open your mind and awaken the libido. The series also includes appearances and talks by several of the original filmmakers and influential film historians, including this week’s Portrait, Barbara Hammer — the mother, or perhaps grandmother, of lesbian filmmaking, known for creating groundbreaking experimental films dealing with women’s issues such as gender roles, lesbian relationships and coping with aging and family. She is also responsible for some of the first lesbian-made films in history, including “Dyketactics” (1974) and ”Women I Love” (1976). PGN: So you’re a California girl/woman? BH: Yup, born in Hollywood. My parents came out from Illinois because California was the place where you could make it financially. At the time, Shirley Temple was making more money than any woman in the United States and they thought, This girl likes to talk to people, let’s put her in films, but it didn’t work out. I went for an audition and was told I needed professional training and they didn’t have money for acting lessons. So that was the end of that. Of course I later went on to make films, so that might have been an early influence. PGN: What did the folks do? BH: For some time my mother was a secretary for screenwriters in Hollywood and she also worked as a secretary at Northrop, even though she was Mortar Boarded [Mortar Board was the first allfemale honor society] and graduated with a degree in journalism. She got her degree in three years too, which was exceptional at that time. Still is. I never asked her but I don’t imagine it was easy at that time for a woman, especially a mother, to get a job in that field. My father graduated with a bachelor’s degree and he ended up working/managing in a gas station. Later on he became an accountant.

PGN: What was your first car? BH: [Laughs.] Oh, I had terrific cars. I had a 1937 Dodge. It was rounded and the back door wouldn’t close properly. An old LaSalle. We had some interesting cars back then. PGN: Were you an only child? BH: No, I have a younger sister. She lives in Northern California and sells real estate. PGN: Did your sister act or were you the outgoing one? BH: I don’t know about outgoing, but I enjoy being on the other side of the camera. By the way, I was just filming when you phoned. I’m in Key West and I just filmed an 82-year-old man who has decorated his bicycle with two aquariums — fake fish in one and fake animals in the other — and hoops of light going all around the bicycle. He told me his greatgranddad bought the land we were standing on for $300 and now it’s worth $2 million. I asked if he was going to sell it and he said no, it was going to his grandkids. So for me it’s more interesting to meet and film other people than to be in the videos myself. And Key West is full of interesting older people. Tomorrow I’m going to meet a 100-year-old woman. It’s fascinating to talk to people.

time. It wasn’t like I left him for a woman; I’d wanted my freedom. It was then that I realized I was sexually attracted to women. I didn’t know it earlier. PGN: A late bloomer. BH: [Laughs.] In art and in love! PGN: Do you have a partner now? BH: Yes, we’ve been together for 25 years. We got married in San Francisco during that brief period when it was possible, pre the repeal of DOMA. Then New York recognized it, then San Francisco repealed it but now the federal government recognizes our marriage. We live in the West Village in New York. PGN: What’s she like? BH: She’s fabulous. Florrie Burke. She’s actually well-known in her field as a leader in the fight against human trafficking. She was just given the Presidential Award last October. We were both flown to D.C. for the ceremony and John Kerry put the ribbon

PGN: That’s why I love my job! So as a kid did you have a favorite toy? BH: Oh my! Well, the first thing that came to mind was my blue Schwinn bike. Maybe because I just drove back from Bahama Village on a balloon-tired bicycle that I’ve been using to get around here. I love transportation. I kayak, I ride a motorcycle, I love to travel. So my Schwinn or even my tricycle, which was pretty cool too, were my favorites. PGN: Who was your best friend as a kid? BH: In sixth grade it was Billie Jo Minyard, then in junior high there were two girls who lived nearby, our backyards abutted, and they had a big fight over me to see who was my number-one girlfriend. An actual fistfight! Judy Buss won so I dumped Billie for her! [Laughs.] What a heel I was! PGN: Did I read you studied philosophy? BH: No, I studied psychology for my bachelor’s at UCLA. I got a master’s degree 12 years later, wait, no — that was my second master’s ... I got the first master’s just a few years later in English literature. Then I came out and decided I wanted to be an artist, rather than a teacher, and that’s when I got a degree in film. PGN: Were you married when you first came out? BH: Yup. I came out in 1970 and got a divorce the same year, but I left him before coming out. I was not living with him at the

around her neck. PGN: Looking at the film festival you’re participating in, it strikes me that we’re in an odd sexual time: We’re kind of promiscuous and prudish at the same time. There was a lot of freedom and nudity in your films that we wouldn’t see now. BH: That’s funny that you’re asking me because that’s just the sort of thing I’ve been asking here in Key West. I think in the ’70s we were breaking barriers left and right. We

didn’t have critical theory or lesbian studies, nothing to make us look over our shoulders. There was nothing holding us back. No one to call us intentionalists or constructionists, we – and there weren’t many of us – were just doing what we were imagining. How could a lesbian life be? If we thought there was freedom in performance in the nude, we did it. [Laughs.] Or at least I directed it! If I wanted to take over the city of San Franscico for “Superdyke” in 1975, we did, then we made “Superdyke” T-shirts and we went into Macy’s and tried out the vibrators. We did everything publicly: We kissed on the streets, we danced in front of City Hall, we went into the erotic art museum and held up our Amazon shields, we masturbated in front of erotic pictures. Whatever I thought of, I would find women who would perform it. I would be in the pictures myself because it didn’t seem fair to ask someone else to do something I wouldn’t do. That was the spirit of the times. Then there was a backlash during the ’80s. It was a very conservative time and I think we all pulled back and in the ’90s we came forward again with identity politics. So now we had a theory to go with our motivations. We were more intellectual about our construction of a lesbian body on film or in paintings and writings. With that thoughtfulness I think we developed more complex and philosophical works. I think my generation has been women who came out in the ’70s, kept quiet in the ’80s, matured into the ’90s and roared into the aughts. I find that young people — lesbians, gays, trans, bisexual, asexual and even straight who identify as queer — are very excited now about the spirit of the ’70s that comes across in my films. There’s a bit of a revival, as evidenced by this film series. That’s pretty exciting! PGN: I wonder if some of it is because we’ve tried so hard in our generation to assimilate, to show that we’re just like everyone else, that we’ve lost our sense of community. BH: Yes! That’s probably it. I was never interested in assimilating. I was always afraid we’d lose our culture. And lesbian and queer culture was decidedly different from straight culture and we needed to celebrate that. I knew when to keep my mouth closed for safety’s sake, but I’ve generally found that just being open and friendly to people I was able to make friends PAGE 36

CITY HALL g

3 4

Market St. Loews Hotel

11th St. 4

GOLIJOV

Out in the h Gayborhood 12th St. 3

— T h e N e w Yo r k Ti m e s

13th St. 4

“Ingenious”

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

Chestnut ess St. 4 Fitn e t i . Un

Prince Music Theater

iii

2 2. A a •2 d nemEve i C 15. onis C . t & t S Sansom St. 3 in m S am por 13. ansom ema al S . Sansony’s Ad m i Plea t St. G n p 4 a 1 O sure • • 7. D y 2. Che m • 1 st H. Inn Walnut St. 3 Express Forrest 18. Stir Theatre Lou ks o y l o l nge B ’s hi ody The rpio ub P •5. e Stop Sco . Wo • 6. Cl . 7 6 2 u • ym Bik •1 Tab Chancellor St. 19. th St. G r • u 2 e .1 oy •1 4. V •2 St. James St. el Hot ck ent 4. A d Kno n . e r 1 a p TTIC 1 Locust St. 4 • de .UB YOUT 0. In HC • 21 •1 Academy ENT c ER Latimer St. of Music ama deo on C e St. Vi n r e c v u a Spr GBT 0. T Merriam AY L R •2 •17 . ICandy W E T M N Theater E •9 ILLIA YC Manning St. 26. WOMMUNIT y r Wilma e Inn r u C ntu stb n e e V Theater er In 3. 5. W and •2 •2 x e l .A Kimmel Spruce St. 3 •3 Center

about the controversial life and defiant death of Federico García Lorca in this vivid, flamenco-infused Spanish production making its only U.S. appearance.

J o i n T h e We l c o m i n g C o m m i t t e e a n d d o z e n s of LGBTQs at Opera Philadelphia on Feb. 7. V i s i t t a k e o v e r p h i l l y. c o m f o r m o r e i n f o .

Quince St.

dult bs • A yms tclu ers h g G g i n i • odg ent s, N •L Tavern unity C ars, Comm •B •

FEB. 7, 9M, 12, 14, 16M, 2014 ACADEMY OF MUSIC

EXPERIENCE THE GRAMMY AWA R D - W I N N I N G O P E R A

Camac St.

FOUNTAIN OF TEARS

Juniper St. 3

AINADAMAR

Broad St.

1. 12th Street Gym 204 S. 12th St. 215.985.4092 12thstreetgym.com 2. Adonis Cinema 2026 Sansom St. 215.557.9319 3. Alexander Inn 301 S. 12th St. 215.923.3535 alexanderinn.com 4. Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St. 215.545.4331 atticyouthcenter.org 5. The Bike Stop 206 S. Quince St. 215.627.1662 thebikestop.com

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

6. Club Philly 1220 Chancellor St. 215.735.7671

OPERAPHILA.ORG | 215.893.1018

7. Danny’s Adam & Eve 133 S. 13th St. 215.925.5041

8. Giovanni’s Room 1145 Pine St. 215.923.2960 giovannisroom.com Oldest LGBT bookstore in the country 9. ICandy 254 S. 12th St. 267.324.3500 clubicandy.com

•8

14. Sansom Street Cinema 120 S. 13th St. 215.545.9254 15. Sansom Street Gym 2020 Sansom St. 267.330.0151

16. Scorpio Books 205 S. Juniper St. 10. Independent Hotel 215.525.2181 1234 Locust St. 17. Spruce Street 215.923.3535 Video theindependenthotel. 252 S. 12th St. com 215.546.6843 11. Knock 18. Stir Lounge 225 S. 12th St. 1705 Chancellor St. 215.925.1166 215.732.2700 knockphilly.com stirphilly.com 12. Optimal Sport 1315 Walnut St. (entr. on Juniper St.) 215.735.1114 optimalsporthealthclubs.com 13. Pleasure Chest 2039 Walnut St. 215.561.7480

R ni’s van o i G .

19. Tabu 200 S. 12th St. 215.964.9675 tabuphilly.com 20. Tavern on Camac 243 S. Camac St. 215.545.0900 tavernoncamac.com

oom

Pine St. 4

21. U Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660 22. Unite Fitness 105 S. 12th St. 215.733.0633 uniteﬁtnessstudios. com 23. Venture Inn 255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 24. Voyeur 1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 voyeurnightclub. com 25. Westbury 261 S. 13th St. 215.546.5170 thewestburybar.net 26. William Way LGBT CC 1315 Spruce St. 215.732.2220 waygay.org 27. Woody’s 202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

PGN

Come see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new at your local, non-corporate, gluten-free historic queer bookshop! Browse, chat, and support the oldest continuously operating LGBT book store in the USA!

10% most hardcovers, over 5 million books and 3 million eBooks available at queerbooks.com email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

Upcoming Special Issues Feb. 14: Love & Lust March 7: LGBT Wedding Issue March 28: Summer Travel April 18: Home Improvement April 25: Summer Concerts May 2: Northern Liberties Issue May 16: Visit Bucks County May 23: Summer Reading

June 6: Pride Only in

Are you taking care of yourself? Howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your health and well-being?

On Being Well

Read On Being Well every fourth week of the month Only in

PGN

��

Proud to serve the community for over 38 years.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

FUN PGN & GAMES

Q Puzzle Mother Ruth Across

1. Start of one description of Mother Ruth’s father 6. Longtime oldest out lesbian “Mother Ruth” 11. They may zip out 14. Notarize 16. Head problem 17. “Northern Exposure” extra 18. Legislators in O. Wilde’s land 19. Take a whack at 20. Dorm VIPs 2 1 . Ya d d a - y a d d a yadda ... 22. End of one description 25. George of “It’s My Party” 28. Bellows on the set 29. Puts on a happy face 33. As a whole 34. Bard of boxing 35. Show that aired TV’s first lesbian kiss 36. Aspen’s hrs.

37. Kind of fiction 40. “Much ___ About Nothing” 41. Crude dude 43. Tatum of “The Bad News Bears” 44. Barbra’s “Funny Girl” guy 45. Start of another description of him 47. More of another description 49. Tabloid tidbit 51. Nemesis of Tinkerbell 52. End of another description 57. Con man’s mark 58. “___ at time!” (No threesomes!) 59. What Sam twitched on “Bewitched” 61. “The Good Earth” heroine 62. Christopher of “Superman” 63. Frasier’s response to a client 64. It’ll spice up your meat 65. Tops of arenas 66. A lot, maybe

PORTRAIT from page 31

with people of all classes and races and religions and across borders and identities. PGN: I’m sure people have told you stories about how your films have affected them. What was a memorable moment? BH: Oh, back in the mid-’70s we were showing “Dyketatics,” a lesbian lovemaking film at the Lark Theater in San Francisco. I was there with my lover at the time, and this woman behind us was crying and then fled to the lobby, so we went out to see what the problem was. We put our arms around her and asked what was wrong and she said that, watching the film, she realized that she was gay. It was something she hadn’t admitted to herself. I don’t know if you know the singer Rhiannon, but that’s who it was. She was very popular in women’s music in San Francisco at the time. So that was very emotional for all of us, realizing that a film could have that much impact on our lives. PGN: It seems in recent years larger queer film festivals have had to program mainstream films to be financially viable, but lately there’s been a growing interest in more experimental films. BH: Yes, there’s a real resurgence of filmmakers going back to using 8- and 16-mm film and doing truly experimental work. I think it’s in response to the commercialism of the art and film worlds. There are some real underground festivals and showcases popping up. In New York, the New York Film Festival tried to stop their weekend of experimental films and there was such an outcry they had to put it back. And of course programs like this film series are great in helping keep the experimental spirit alive.

Down

1. David Bowie genre 2. Like a stereotypical wrist 3. Bannon and others 4. Cube with pips 5. Loads, as software 6. Like pencil marks 7. OCS grads 8. Have a thing for 9. “___ first you don’t succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed” 10. Together, after “in” 12. What one does to one’s loins 13. “What?” 1 4 . W i t h “ N o r t h ,” Maupin’s birth state 15. Cowboy actor Jack 22. Shakespearean prince 23. ___ Coyote (one who wants to eat the Road Runner) 24. Three R’s org. 25. “The Lion King” protagonist 26. R.E.M.’s “It’s the ____ the World as We Know It”

27. Swamp critter 30. You must remember this 31. Woman who goes both ways? 32. Uttered obscenities 38. It may not mean what you think 39. Sets of environmental conditions 42. Clothing 44. Where to find a Pacific Rim job 46. Sodom suffix 48. Young lady coming out 50. Sal of “Exodus” 51. Close one, for a drag queen 52. Type of skirt worn by a Hawaiian man 53. Lesbian character in “She’s Gotta Have It” 54. Swarm 5 5 . Fr u i t o f Pe t e r Pears? 56. River in NW Belgium 57. Buns and shags 60. Shrek’s shoe size, perhaps PAGE 39

PGN: I was watching some of your videos with some friends and they wanted me to ask where you get your glasses? BH: Ha ha! The red ones or the purple ones? Red? My lover found this great store on Madison Avenue between 51st and 53rd that only had red glasses in the window. They had the weirdest, most wonderful glasses. One pair was round on one side and square on the other. I thought that was cool but a little much for me. They had case after case of red-hued glasses with different plaids and stripes and I kept asking my friends which ones they liked. We couldn’t decide and they left the store. Then the guy pulled out one last case and I found these. I put them on and ran down the street and shouted, “What about these?” Everyone said, “Yes!” And that’s how I got them. PGN: What’s a conversation piece in your home? BH: Oh my God, there’s a sculptor in San Francisco named Jann Nunn, and my lover has been collecting her work for ages. About 10 years ago, she bought a life-sized brassiere made out of lead. We recently got the girdle that goes with the bra and have had them installed in our new place. They’re hanging as if a body were inside of them. You wouldn’t believe how big they are! PGN: You narrate a lot of your films. Did you cringe the first time you heard yourself? BH: [Laughs.] Yes, it’s so strange, isn’t it? We just don’t sound the same way inside our heads as we do when listening to it from the outside. PGN: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve heard about yourself? BH: Hmmn, I did a film called “Diving

Women of Jeju-do.” Jeju-do lies between Korea and Japan and is the largest of the Korean islands. Since the 11th century only the women are allowed to dive and collect shellfish, octopus and urchins for sale at the markets. They dive all the way to the floor of the ocean without a breathing apparatus. The first day I showed up for filming there was a woman coming out of the water. I was there with a woman anthropologist from Korea who stopped her and said, “This filmmaker wants to talk to you.” She lifted her mask and said, “Is this the American grandpa?” Later in the week I was in the changing room, where the women get into their wet suits, and they didn’t believe I was a woman so I had to show them my breasts and let them grope me through my bathing suit to prove it! I think they just weren’t used to seeing a woman with a camera, taking a dominant role. PGN: I saw that film, I forgot that was you! So what movie could you watch over and over? BH: Oh that’s easy. Dziga Vertov’s “Man with a Movie Camera,” 1928. PGN: I noticed that you do a lot of traveling. Your films are shot all over the world. What was a memorable travel moment? BH: Oh boy, I guess crossing the Sahara south of Morocco. It was 1972 and my lover and I were hitchhiking through Europe and Africa. She was a biologist and we were going across the desert in Africa to see a 3-foot giant white toad. We were on a truck and there were about 25 of us in the back. We’d eat camel soup and follow the sand tracks. There were no buildings or anything around. At night we’d stop and sleep in the back under the stars. One night there was

an attempted rape on my girlfriend in the truck. We would sleep in our clothes and she was wearing these big heavy boots so she stomped on the guy and that diffused the situation, but from then on we’d sleep in the desert. We’d wait until it got dark and hide behind a bush so no one knew where we were. That was an early adventure, but I’ve had lots of them since then. PGN: Sometime I’ll have to tell you about my trek through Greece to see the cliff where Sappho killed herself. BH: Oh, how cool. I taught filmmaking on the island of Lesbos with the Aegean Woman’s Study Institute in 1981 and we made a film called “The Lesbos Film.” PGN: Do you collect things from your travels? BH: We’re trying to scale down so I’m trying not to bring things home. I do take a sketchpad with me and I make my own postcards and scenes. I used to keep really good journals. PGN: And now you’re traveling to Philadelphia. BH: Yes, I love screening films at I-House. They have a great projectionist, I’ve known him for many years, and the curator Jesse Pires has really put together a good program. The audiences in Philadelphia are always very vocal, not shy at all, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m sure I’ll enjoy their questions as much as I’ve enjoyed yours. ■ For more information on Armour, visit http:// armourphiladelphia.com/. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

TELEVISION PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

Worth Watching COMING OUT SWINGING: Remember years back when Janet Jackson’s nipple caused a major uproar when it made a millisecond appearance during the Super Bowl half-time show? Yeah, this year, sensing Bruno Mars doesn’t have the star power to pull the job off, they’ve added the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the halftime show — a band known to occasionally run around on stage wearing just a tube sock. Good luck with that, 6 p.m. Feb. 2 on Fox.

HAVE YOU SEEN MOLLY?: Melissa McCarthy hosts a new episode of “Saturday Night Live” with musical guest Imagine Dragons, 11:30 p.m. Feb. 1 on NBC.

20TH-CENTURY FOXY: Cinematic badass and icon Pam Grier stars in the Quentin Tarantino crime caper “Jackie Brown,” 8 p.m. Feb. 5 on IFC.

THEY’VE LOST IT: Another season of “The Biggest Loser” comes to a close with out trainers Bob Harper (from left) and Jillian Michaels alongside fellow trainer Dolvett Quince and host Alison Sweeney, 9 p.m. Feb. 4 on NBC. Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBC

February 14

Devotion or Desire PGN covers both sides of

Valentine’s Day (as only we can)

DEADLINE TO ADVERTISE FEBRUARY 7

215-625-8501 ext. 201 or email greg@epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 01/31 The Doobie Brothers The classic-rock band performs 8 p.m. at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, 777 Harrah’s Blvd.; 609-4415000. Back to the ’80s Show with Jessie’s Girl The 1980s tribute band performs 9 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Janelle Monáe The R&B singer performs 9 p.m. at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Sat. 02/01 AfricanAmerican Children’s Book Fair Meet bestselling authors and illustrators 1-3 p.m. at Community College of Philadelphia, 1700 Spring Garden St.; 215-787-2665. Groundhog Day The 1993 comedy film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223. February SingerSongwriter Showcase Amelia Scalies, Colin McGetrick, Jenee Halstead, Kate Mills, Orion

Freeman and Sahffi perform 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Goo Goo Dolls The rock band performs 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000. Ryan Cabrera The singer songwriter performs 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave.; 215-257-5808. Vixens & Vagabonds Queer & Kinky Cabaret: Cupid’s Safe Word Liberty City Kings and special guests perform 8 p.m.2 a.m. at Tabu Nightclub, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Sun. 02/02 Journey to Italy The 1954 drama film is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Mon. 02/03 Free Quizzo & Board Game Night Roll the dice, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Amon Amarth The Nordic/ Viking-themed heavy-metal band performs 8 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011. Natural Born Killers The 1994 action film from Oliver Stone is screened

GIRL-POWER POP: Eclectic and dapper R&B singer Janelle Monáe lands in Atlantic City 9 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa’s Music Box, 1 Borgata Way. For more information or tickets, call 609317-1000.

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; 215-8622081.

Tue. 02/04 Yuna The Malaysian singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Three Sheets to the Warrior Pose Yoga instruction, beer, music and more, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Like us.

Win tickets, passes and other great stuff!

Beth Orton The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave.; 215-257-5808.

Panic at the Disco The rock band performs 8 p.m. at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.

Wed. 02/05 The Burlesque Show The new event kicks off 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Murder City Devils The rock band performs 8 p.m. at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215232-2100. Paula Poundstone The comedian performs 6:30 and 9

p.m. at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave.; 215-257-5808. Bearlesque A burlesque show featuring bear-ish performers 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675. ■

Thu. 02/06 LGBT Wills & Estates Seminar The William Way LGBT Center hosts a free one-hour seminar on wills and estate-planning for the LGBT community, 6-7 p.m., 1315 Spruce St.; 215-391-4300 or www.waygay.org. Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215-545-4511.

Fri. 02/07 Catie Curtis The out singersongwriter performs 8 p.m. at Steel City Coffee House, 239 Woburn St., Phoenixville; 610-933-4043.

RAGE AGAINST THE MARLENE: The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts hosts The Bearded Ladies as they explore gender, politics and sex with new show “Marlene & the Machine, A German Expressionist Cabaret” Feb. 7-8 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. For more information or tickets ,call 215-898-3900. Photo: Kate Raines

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening

filmmaker Feb. 1-April 27, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Ainadamar Opera Philadelphia performs the Spanish production Feb. 7-16 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215790-5847.

Serenade and Other Dances The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Feb. 6-9 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800.

Ax, from Bach to Strauss The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 6-8 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.

The Sounds of Simon and Garfunkel The Philly POPS perform Feb. 7-9 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Be Alarmed: The Black Americana Epic The Leeway Foundation presents an exhibition of short films and mixed-media work by out artist Tiona McClodden Jan. 31-March 15 at Esther Klein Gallery at the Science Center in University City, 3600 Market St.; www.leeway.org.

Continuing

The Bearded Ladies: Marlene & the Machine, A German Expressionist Cabaret The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents a show by the experimental cabaret group Feb. 7-8 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Janis Siegel The cabaret singer performs Feb. 7-8 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888596-1027.

Diary of Anne Frank Media Theatre presents the story of a family hiding from the Nazis through Feb. 16, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. Free To Love: The Cinema of the Sexual Revolution More than 60 commercial and underground films dedicated to the sexual revolution are presented through Feb. 15 at International House Philadelphia’s Ibrahim Theater, 3701 Chestnut St.; 215-387-5125. Live Cinema/Fiona Tan: Inventory Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a multiprojection installation inviting viewers to consider museum collections, as well as the human compulsion to capture the transience of time and lived experi-

FOLK WISDOM: Out singer-songwriter Catie Curtis returns to the area 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Steel City Coffee House, 239 Woburn St.; Phoenixville. For more information or tickets, call 610-9334043.

Michael Snow: Photo-Centric Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from the experimental

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

ence, through March 23, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Marc Newson: At Home Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of furnishings by the influential designer through April 20, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

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

IN THE WRY (COMEDY): Comedian Paula Poundstone gives the area a double dose of funny when she performs 6:30 and 9 p.m. Feb. 7 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave. For more information or tickets, call 215-257-5808.

Menagerie Painted Bride Arts Center presents a solo mixed-media installation by Lynette Shelley through Feb. 16, 230 Vine St.; 215-235-3405. The Surrealists: Works from the Collection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the museum’s unique collection of great masterpieces and lesserknown works of the movement through March 2, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Tribes Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of a deaf man and his family who talk a lot but hardly ever listen through Feb. 23 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-9850420.

Closing Beautiful Thing Mauckingbird Theatre Company presents the story of a boy who falls in love with the boy next door through Feb. 2 at the Adrienne Skybox, 2030 Sansom St.; www.mauckingbird.org. Driving Miss Daisy Walnut Street Theatre presents the stage adaptation of the award-winning film through Feb. 2, 825 Walnut St.; 215-5743550. Radu Lupu Joins Yannick The Philadelphia Orchestra performs through Feb. 1 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. ■

Photos: Scott A. Drake

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

PGN

Food & Drink

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

Classifieds Services

Legal Notices

Real Estate Sale

EXP RELIABLE HOUSECLEANER Let me free up your valuable time by cleaning your house or apt. Weekly biweekly monthly. I have 10+ years exp. FREE estimates. Call Wayne 215-422-2654. Ref’s upon request. ________________________________________38-05 AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get FAA approved Aviation Technician training. Financial Aid for qualiﬁed students. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1888-834-9715. ________________________________________38-05 MEDICAL OFFICE TRIANEES NEEDED! Train to become a Medical Ofﬁce Assistant. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Online training at SC gets you job ready! HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed! 1-888-778-0463. ________________________________________38-05

Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, December Term, 2013, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 23, 2013, the petition of Bethany Anne Spiers was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to Andrew Bethany Spiers. The Court has fixed February 24, 2014, at 12:30 P.M., in Room No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted. ________________________________________38-05 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, February Term, 2014, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 3, 2013, the petition of Laurel Michelle Dunlap was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to Treyson Michael Dunlap. The Court has fixed February 24, 2014 at 12:30 p.m., in Room No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted. ________________________________________38-05 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, October Term, 2013, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on October 25, 2013, the petition of Samantha Marie Brussels was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to Sami Brussels. The Court has fixed February 24, 2014 at 12:30 P.M., in Room No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted. ________________________________________38-05

SECLUDED HISTORICAL DISTRICT OF LUMBERTON Beaut. rest. 1870’s home, 3 BR, 1.5 BA, 30 mins to Phila. 3 ﬂoors, all new HVAC, screened porch, 3/4 acre, mod. kit & baths, beaut. details. $285,000. 609-784-8324. _____________________________________________38-10 VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________38-10

COUNTRY BARN/5 ACRES $29,995 Rustic “Country Barn,” Well-Built & Sturdy. On 5 Wooded Acres, Meadows, Apple Orchard. Frontage on State Rte 13, Mins to Salmon River. Adjoins NY Snowmobile Trails. Call 800-229-7843 or visit www. LandandCamps.com ________________________________________38-05

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 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N ________________________________________38-05

Business Opportunities PROFITABLE PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESSES For sale by owners. Many types, sizes, locations, terms. $25K to $15M. Other states available. www.BizSale.com Call 1-800-617-4204. ________________________________________34-05

Collingswood

Help Wanted Heavy Equipment Operator Training! Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. 3 Weeks Hands On Program. Local Job Placement Assistance. National Certifications. GI Bill Benefits Eligible. 1-866-362-6497. ________________________________________38-05 Regional Owner Operators for dedicated run hauling plate glass needed. All Miles Paid! Also need regional stepdeck and RGN Contractors. Contact Daily Express 800-669-6414. ________________________________________38-05 CDL-A SOLO & TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED Top Pay for Hazmat. OTR & Regional Runs. CDL Grads Welcome. 700+ Trucks & Growing! 888-928-6011 www. Drive4Total.com ________________________________________38-05 Exp. Reefer Drivers: GREAT PAY /Freight lanes from Presque Isle, ME, Boston-Lehigh, PA. 800-277-0212 or driveforprime.com ________________________________________38-05 NEED CLASS A CDL TRAINING? Start a CAREER in trucking today! Swift Academies offer PTDI certified courses and offer “Best-In-Class” training. *New Academy Classes Weekly *No Money Down or Credit Check *Certified Mentors Ready and Available *Paid (While Training With Mentor) *Regional and Dedicated Opportunities *Great Career Path * Excellent Benefits Package. Please Call: (866) 271-7613. ________________________________________38-05 HOME WEEKLY & BI-WEEKLY EARN $900-$1200/WK. Major Benefits Available. Class A CDL & 6 Mos. Exp. Req. No Canada, HAZMAT or NYC! 877-705-9261. ________________________________________38-05 WEEKLY HOME TIME AND EXPERIENCE BASED PAY! Class A Professional Drivers Call 877-457-1313 for more details or visit SuperServiceLLC.com ________________________________________38-05 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. ________________________________________38-05

PGN

Friends Men LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________38-10 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________38-06 Curious senior WM ISO WM that would let me give him oral pleasure. Call Walt at 856-761-7616. ________________________________________38-06 WM, 53 looking for my Valentine. xrx1515@aol.com ________________________________________38-05 BM, late 60’s, non medical degree seeks physical and oral study of Hispanic and Caucasian males over 25 with prominant conditions of gynocomastia or uncut at your personal exam room. 856-963-2405 7-11 PM. 609-3325808 text or call anytime. ________________________________________38-08 BM has big tool over 9 incges, Like to have middle age redhead, uncut, for docking. Bring your own poppers; that makes the difference. You must be natural redhead from top to bush. Call between Noon to 8 AM Monday thru Wednesday and Thursday to Sunday Midnight to 12 Noon. No phone calls will be taken after those times. 215-763-3391. ________________________________________38-10

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

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.

Collingswood Restaurant For Lease. -1900 +/- sq ft dining room (includes banquet room) -fully-equipped 600 +/- sq ft kitchen -Center of Town Location Call Pat Ciervo for additional details or to preview. 609-868-2185 $3,800 per month Collingswood

Situated on Knight Park, 6 bedrooms, 41⁄2 bath Colonial Revival Mansion (c. 1915) was home to Bishop Bartholomew J. Eustace. Wrap porch with massive columns, center hall staircase. Spacious rooms, high ceilings, hardwood ﬂoors, archways, crown, marble...LR with ﬁreplace, huge kitchen/family room with island. Master bedroom with luxury bath. $674,900 Collingswood

3 bedroom, 11⁄2 bath Colonial with wood floors and many upgrades. Spacious living room with fireplace. Updated kitchen with granite, stainless appliances and breakfast bar and pantry. Dining room with bonus sunny room for office/den. Cedar walk-in closet. Partially covered 14x13 deck with ceiling fans. Walk out basement, detached garage. $285,000

Main Street Realty

730 Haddon Avenue • Collingswood, NJ

856-858-2200 www.MainStRealty.com 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.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

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

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

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

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday

7am-6am

(closed an hour for cleaning)

Friday- Sunday:

Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

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

LOVELACE

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

XoXo Saturday, Feb. 15th • Time: 11pm-3:30am WHAT TO EXPECT: • DJ David Dutch • Complimentary Food & Beverages • A Full House of Guys To Choose From & So Much More

BUSY TIMES FOR US:

These our are most popular days when people come-

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

SUNDAY RELIEF

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

MONDAY thru FRIDAY:

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

TUESDAYS

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

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission

& Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight) ROOMS: Members: $25.00 & Non-Members: $35.00 LOCKERS: Members: $18.00 & Non-Members: $28.00 Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS &

ROOMS GO QUICKLY!!!C HECK IN EARLY!

JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

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

PGN

Community Bulletin Board

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

Real Estate Sale

■ 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

■ 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)

■ 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

 





   

    

POCONOS REAL ESTATE LET GINGER B REALTY FIND YOUR POCONO HOME

■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288

Health

■ Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia GALLOP holds board meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 100 S. Broad St., Suite 1810; GALLOP also provides a free referral service; 215-627-9090; www.galloplaw. org.

  

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

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

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-

Real Estate Sale 

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.

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.

Call Ginger or Steve

Ginger B. Broker

570-894-3400

LGBT FRIENDLY - VERY

Steve G.

Associate Broker

954 Route 196, Tobyhanna, PA 18466

YES, that’s a rainbow in our logo!

is mobile

Now you can read your favorite local LGBT news site on your Android or iPhone/iPad Just go to epgn.com on your mobile device

Also check out our digital “ﬂipbook” of the full print edition at issuu.com/philagaynews with issuu’s Android app.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2014

PGN