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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 29, 2017 - Jan. 4, 2018
FAVORITE PGNPHOTOS
Our favorite photos of 2017 By Scott A. Drake scott@epgn.com
When the favorite photos feature began, we had just enough to find ten really good ones and a few runners-up. Each photo had its own story on why it made the cut and some personal input on the backstory to each one. Subsequent years gave us tons of pics: marriage equality, the DNC, Pulse and other high-profile moments. There are always more than enough to choose from. This year, the biggest news photographically was the seemingly nonstop protests. It made sense to collect our favorite protest/ protester photos up front and start with those representing all of our worst fears and nightmares. The pictures on this page show the diversity of crowds, locations, themes, times of day and times of the year. We protested Trump. We protested cuts to the ACA. On Tuesdays, we protested Toomey. We protested bathroom bills, environmental piracy, senators, judges, North Carolina, an anti-trans bus, women’s rights, children’s health coverage, antigay politicians, and a whole simmering melting pot of issues. In cold weather and warm, at City Hall and the Municipal Service Building, days, nights and over lunch hours: We filled plazas, disrupted traffic and waved hundreds, if not thousands, of signs and marched. On the opposite page are other moments that help remind us that while the country is crumbling under the weight of politicians paid for by Russians, the NRA and energy companies, there’s still a lot of other cool things happening in and around Philadelphia. From top left: 1. The line outside Little Pete’s as they give away free lunches on its last day. This was the site of LGBT sit-ins during the 1960s. 2. Henry Sias, the first transgender man to run for judgeship, with Gov. Wolf at Stir Lounge. 3. The AIDS Walk 2017 was a first for Walter Fralix (left) who was greeted at the finish line by Mayor Jim Kenney. Fralix plans to lead Team Wheelz in 2018. 4. The Rev. Jeffrey Jordan of Whosoever Metropolitan Community Church, megaphone in hand, counters anti-LGBT protestors at Outfest. 5. Groundbreaking for the Gloria Casarez Residence, an LGBT youth home in north Philly. Casarez’ wife, Tricia Dressel, and Gloria’s mom, Elisa Gonzalez, are far left. 6. New historic markers went up for Dr. John Fryer and the anniversary of the AIDS Library. Founders and first volunteers shown here were honored during the dedications. 7. DA-elect Larry Krasner celebrates victory at the William Way LGBT Community Center. 8. Philly AIDS Thrift comes in second out of two teams in the annual Thrift Bowl, but they still celebrate. PAT also celebrated hitting $2 million in donations for the AIDS Fund. 9. A 35-foot-tall Trump rat stares down the statue of Frank Rizzo. Most are hoping both disappear (Trump and the statue) in 2018. 10. The high-heel drag race in New Hope is one of the more fun fundraisers in the greater Philadelphia area. Money goes to the New Hope Celebrates LGBT Pride organization. Enjoy this look back on 2017. n
FAVORITE PHOTOS PGN
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Dec. 29, 2017 - Jan. 4, 2018
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PHOTOS: SCOTT A. DRAKE
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