PGN Feb. 10-16, 2012 edition by The Philadelphia Gay News

Talking with Edmund White and Bram Christopher about their new books

Breaking through the psychological sanctuary in Millennial Poz

Family Portrait: J. Mase III

PAGE 25

PAGE 29

PAGE 13

Feb. 10-16, 2012

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Vol. 36 No. 6

Feds to meet with Philly LGBTs on health By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

FOOTBALL FRENZY: The local LGBT community watched the Giants take down the Patriots — and Madonna wow with her halftime show — at the second-annual Big Game Event Feb. 5 at International House Philadelphia. The Super Bowl party, hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League, drew about 120 people, up from about 80 last year, and raised about $6,000, nearly double the fundraising of the inaugural event. Funds will be split between GPFFL and Action AIDS. Photo: Scott A. Drake

In the coming months, the White House Office of Public Engagement will coordinate a number of comprehensive conversations with LGBTs across the nation about the everyday issues impacting the community, and Philadelphia next week will serve as the inaugural host city for the series. Top officials from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, including Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, will take part in the White House LGBT Conference on Health, a daylong event Feb. 16 at Thomas Jefferson University. The event is being staged in partnership with Mazzoni Center. In addition to Sebelius, the conference will include remarks by HHS assistant secretary for health Dr. Howard Koh, HHS assistant secretary for aging Kathy Greenlee and HHS deputy general counsel

After rejection, lesbian couple at top of St. Joe’s contest

Appeals court rules Prop. 8 unconstitutional

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled California’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional this week, bringing the issue of marriage equality one large step closer to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 2-1 decision handed down Feb. 7, a panel of the appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that Proposition 8, a 2008 voter referendum that overturned the state’s gaymarriage law, violated the due-process and equal-protection constitutional guarantees of gays and lesbians. Andrew Pugno, attorney for ProtectMarriage.com coalition — the backers of Prop. 8 who stepped in to defend the initiative after state officials refused — said Tuesday the group would appeal. While Pugno said opponents of marriage equality have “known PAGE 17

Ken Choe. The event is designed to educate community members about the administration’s LGBT-focused health efforts, and to provide the federal government input from locals about their ongoing health needs. “This is an opportunity to not only look at what the administration is doing this year but at the entire breadth of what they have done in the last three years in advancing LGBT health,” said Mazzoni Center executive director Nurit Shein. “The secretary will be able to articulate well a lot of things that have happened almost under the radar but that have enabled better access to health care and outcomes for LGBT people specifically. That’s not to say the work is done — there is still plenty of work to do — but it’s really remarkable to see the dedication to LGBT health this administration has that we have never seen in any previous administration.” While the conference PAGE 2

FAIRNESS FROM THE FEDS: Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs (from left), introduced Housing and Urban Development Regional Director Melody Taylor-Blancher, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing John Trasviña and operations specialist Sheppard Williams during a community discussion Feb. 3 at the William Way LGBT Community Center. Trasviña briefed the crowd of about 50 on the recently adopted HUD regulations that seek to ban LGBT discrimination and discussed other efforts being undertaken to ensure equal housing opportunities for the LGBT community. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Although a Valentine’s Day-themed contest run by St. Joseph’s University Alumni Association got off to a not-so-sweet start for a local lesbian couple, the women are now poised to become winners — in a number of ways. Katie MacTurk and Megan Edwards are enjoying a very comfortable lead in the “How I Met My Hawkmate” contest, a Facebook competition in which St. Joe’s alums share their stories of how they met their partners on Hawk Hill MEGAN EDWARDS — which the asso- (LEFT) AND KATIE ciation initially MACTURK PAGE 16

Photo: Kathy McLean

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NJ marriage bill progresses By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

New Year’s resolution ... vacation ...

Work It Out

bikini season ...

The effort to secure marriage equality for the Garden State saw another victory last week as a committee of the New Jersey Assembly advanced a same-sex marriage bill. The Assembly Judiciary Committee approved the measure in a 5-2 vote Feb. 2, following the Senate Judiciary Committee’s successful vote late last month. The measure could come before the full Assembly Feb. 16. Openly gay lead sponsor Assemblyman Reed Gusciora acknowledged last week that he had not yet secured the 41 needed votes, but pledged to press his fellow lawmakers for their support. The Senate, which reportedly has enough votes to approve the bill, is expected to take up the issue Feb. 13. The Assembly committee vote was divided along party lines, with the two Republicans voting against the bill. Prior to the vote, the committee heard testimony for more than six hours from members of the public, including opponents who argued from religious standpoints and scores of same-sex couples and LGBT families. Madison Galluccio, the 15-year-old daughter of John and Michael Galluccio, who sued the state of New Jersey in the 1990s for the right to adopt their son, testified about the importance of legalizing same-sex marriage for families like hers. “God made us all in our own unique ways. And if God made my parents gay, then that’s just the way they are, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. “I am proud to be the daughter of my parents. And I will never stop fighting for their rights or for any other gay family’s rights until they get the ability to be legally married and the HEALTH from page 1

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is health-focused, it will address all factors that can affect one’s health, with attention devoted to issues such as housing instability and the unique challenges affecting youth and the elderly. These issues will be explored through a local lens, as the afternoon workshops will be facilitated by teams of local and federal representatives with expertise in a certain subject matter, which Shein said will present a good chance for audience feedback. “These will be more conversations than presentations,” she said. “People will be

respect that they deserve.” Lawmakers also testified, including Gusciora, who noted the inherent disparities the state’s current civil-union system creates. “Why is it that a same-sex couple in another state such as Iowa, New Hampshire, Massachusetts or New York can be duly married, yet when they cross the border into New Jersey they become civil unionized?” he testified. “A marriage law in New Jersey would make a significant difference in providing equality and dignity to samesex couples and their children.” Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, also a sponsor, said in a statement last week that the civil-union law sends “a message to the public that same-sex couples and their families are not equal to married couples in the eyes of the law. It sends a message that same-sex couples are not good enough to warrant equality. This is the same message we heard from Jim Crow segregation laws. Separate treatment was wrong then. Separate treatment is wrong now.” If the bill is able to pass in the full Assembly and Senate, its future remains uncertain, as Gov. Chris Christie has pledged to veto it. Christie came under fire from marriageequality opponents last month after remarking that the issue should be put to a voter referendum. Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who last session abstained from voting on the marriage-equality bill but is now a supporter, categorically denied Christie’s suggestion. “It’s time for everyone, from the governor to the chattering observers, to stop talking about a marriage-equality referendum in terms of ‘if,’” he said. “There will be no referendum on marriage equality in New Jersey. Period.” ■ able to say what they feel, what they think the big issues are, and then the HHS representatives will take that back.” Community members will also have the opportunity to ask questions and offer input following Sebelius’ morning keynote speech and during the “Open Space” program at the lunch hour, which enables community members to engage with the federal leaders. The conference has reached capacity, but email LGBT@who.eop.gov to be placed on the waiting list. ■

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WILD ABOUT WILDE: Out author Paul LeGault read poetry from one of his collections at Giovanni’s Room Feb. 4. LeGault is one of several poets known as the Wilde Boys of New York who participated in “Frank O’Hara’s Queer Litter” at the LGBT bookstore, which drew about 40 literary enthusiasts. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

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Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

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

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Watching the game Watching the commercials Watching everything I’d rather watch the Wing Bowl Watching the halftime Drinking mostly, watch whatever

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Leaders review, preview city’s LGBT issues By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Shortly after President Obama outlined where the nation stands in his State of the Union, Philadelphia’s LGBT leaders came together to delineate where the local LGBT community stands on a number of topics, and where it should focus its attention in the coming year. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club’s State of the City identified a number of areas of focus — including safe spaces for youth, LGBT homelessness, equal access to health care for transgender people and opportunities for economic development — that the local LGBT community can concentrate on in 2012. The first-of-its-kind discussion, held Feb. 2 at The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany, was moderated by Liberty City board member Sherrie Cohen and featured remarks from city director of LGBT affairs Gloria Casarez, former city LGBT liaison and founder of The Colours Organization Inc., Mike Hinson, former co-president of OutFront! Kathy Padilla and president of The Attic Youth Center’s Youth Planning Committee Ibrahim Vicks. The panelists reviewed LGBT accomplishments in the city in the past year, including the progress that was made on the LGBT senior-housing project, the approval of a bill to mandate domestic-partner benefits for partners of employees of city contractors and Mayor Nutter’s vocal support for the national Mayors for the Freedom to Marry movement. Casarez outlined federal efforts, such as the administration’s decision to end its legal support for the Defense of Marriage Act and the recent adoption by the Housing and Urban Development of LGBT nondiscrimination regulations, noting the impact that pro-LGBT policy changes could have in Philadelphia. Locally, the city is on the cusp of launching the nation’s first residential treatment facility for transgender individuals, Casarez noted, and efforts have also been made by several city departments, especially those that work with youth and homeless populations, to educate staffers on LGBT issues. While steps have been taken to support LGBT youth, more outreach and education

CREATING AN AGENDA: About 40 people came out to hear about the current issues facing the LGBT community at Liberty City’s “State of the City” discussion Feb. 2 at The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany. Panelists included Ibrahim Vicks (from left), Gloria Casarez, Mike Hinson and Kathy Padilla. Photo: Scott A. Drake

is needed to ensure young people feel safe in city schools, Vicks said. “LGBT youth need safer spaces in schools. I’ve had friends who have been really hurt by things people say and do in school,” Vicks said. “Students would say, ‘That’s so gay,’ in some classes and get away with it, but not in others, so the teachers really have to be responsible.” Casarez added that the ongoing leadership transitions at the school district have hindered the city’s ability to adequately address LGBT youth issues in schools. Padilla identified a number of aims for the coming year, including enhanced transparency in the Nizah Morris investigation, voter-protection efforts and the launch of an LGBT Community Development Center. Removing exclusions from health-insurance coverage for transgender city employees, an effort that Padilla said has been underway for about a decade, should also be a community aim this year. Other unresolved challenges the panelists referenced included the ongoing debate over the Boy Scouts building, SEPTA’s

Philadelphia Gay News

gender markers and unsolved homicides in the community, including that of Morris and Stacey Blahnik. Despite the breadth of the issues and

interests facing the community, Casarez suggested that collaboration could be integral this year. “Our LGBT community is a community of communities. We’re not one, we’re not whole and we’re not of one particular mindset, need or interest. We as a collective should reject that notion that we are one group. We are many but we do have some points of unity,” she said. “It’s a broad landscape but I firmly believe it’s a great time to be alive, and it’s a really important time for us to be engaged.” Just as unity is critical, Hinson also noted concrete action will be key to achieving progress this year. “We have to be the change,” he said. “We have to be an action and not wait for action to take place. Real transformation requires an investment in being better, being more secure and more complete, and it requires absolute action. Our challenge is to be the change.” Padilla hailed the event as an important conversation starter that could be a useful annual tool. “It was a chance to look backward and see where we’ve come from and to look forward as a community,” she said. “I think it was really brilliant on Liberty City’s part, and I hope it becomes a tradition for them.” ■

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Philanthropic group gets out leader By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A local grantmaking organization that has provided significant support to the LGBT community recently elected an openly gay man to help guide its governance. Duane Perry assumed the role of vice chair of the board of managers of The Philadelphia Foundation last month. The organization manages more than 800 charitable funds in the five-county region that disperse about $15 million annually to 1,000 nonprofits and through scholarships. About 20 of the agency’s component funds focus, either in whole or in part, on supporting the LGBT community, as well as several whose funds support HIV/AIDS causes. Perry, the founder of the Food Trust, which works to enhance access to nutritional food, was originally elected to the board in 2004. “Philadelphia Foundation does amazing work in the region, and I was very much attracted to the organization by its mission of helping communities throughout the

DUANE PERRY

region grow and prosper, in particular those that serve communities of lower-income folks,” he said. Perry was originally recommended as a board member by Jim Bryson, a longtime leader in the LGBT community, and he said the agency has a long record of funding

LGBT causes. “The Foundation has been involved in the LGBT community since its early days,” he said. “It was really the first philanthropic organization that first became involved in AIDS. And then after that it became the place that housed, and in effect founded, [LGBT grantmaking organization] Delaware Valley Legacy Fund along with a group of LGBT and ally leaders. So they have always been committed to the community.” In the past two years, The Philadelphia Foundation has provided nearly $1 million in grants and scholarships to LGBT organizations and students. Having out community leaders involved in agencies that can shape and influence LGBT community organizations is an important investment in the future of the community, Perry said. “It’s always helpful to have LGBT people in positions throughout the community because first we represent a face to folks who are not themselves LGBT. So it’s helpful on both a personal and professional level,” he said. “And it’s important that LGBT community members have a say in

guiding policies and making critical decisions in organizations that serve broader communities because they can also impact the LGBT community. Having LGBT people at the table helps those decisions be sufficient to address the needs of the LGBT community.” Ensuring the community’s needs are met will be a top priority of his tenure as vice chair, Perry said. “I would like to see Philadelphia Foundation continue to grow and prosper because our prosperity directly impacts the LGBT community,” he said. “I’d love to see more LGBT people get involved in creating donor-advised funds in the organization because that’s a very big opportunity for our community. And I want to see the organization continue to help DVLF grow and continue the great work that they’re doing in our community.” Perry’s term as vice chair will last for one year. In addition to Perry, the board elected Lawrence Beaser as chair and William Bullitt as treasurer. ■

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Pennsylvania youth converge for change By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A coalition of LGBT youth from Pennsylvania traded ideas and best practices with LGBT activists from across the nation late last month, tapping into the wealth of experiences they accumulated in their first year in operation. Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition sent 22 young people to the 24th annual National Conference on LGBT Equality — Creating Change, held in Baltimore the last weekend in January. This marked the first time the conference was held in the Northeast region in a decade, and PSEC executive director Jason Landau Goodman said the state’s LGBT youth activists jumped at the chance to attend. “Creating Change is regarded as the premier national conference on LGBT equality,” Landau Goodman said. “Leaders and local organizers gather each year to discuss cutting-edge tactics, and we thought it was very important that youth leaders be exposed to these networks and to the power of the national movement.” Nearly 3,000 people participated in the conference, including federal leaders such as Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and state-level allies such as Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. Each of the PSEC attendees represented a

different county in the state and ranged from about youth engagement in the commuthe student president of a high-school gay- nity,” Landau Goodman said, noting that he straight alliance to a graduate student who attended similar workshops at the previous made national headlines last year as the tar- two Creating Change conferences that were get of homophobic comments from a profes- hosted by a different group. “I was exposed sor. to a lot of my first narratives on youth-led The contingent attended an array of the organizing the last two years so to now be a more than 250 workshops and organized its presenter for a workshop like this was really own session on youth-led organizing that powerful.” drew a crowd of about 60. Landau Goodman also sat on a panel on Several PSEC members presented dur- safe-schools legislation with representatives ing the discussion, exploring the state of the of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education youth LGBT movement by examining youth Network and activists from Massachusetts, action during the suffrage and civil-rights New York and West Virginia. movements and discussing their own experiWhile each state is dealing with its own ences as memunique impedbers of one of iments to just a handful safe schools, of youth-run L a n d a u LGBT groups Goodman said in the country. i t wa s b e n “ We o n l y eficial to hear know of three about the difother youth-led ferent iniLGBT organit i a t ive s a n d zations in the efforts activists nation so we’re are pursuing pretty unique, to secure betand it was ter treatment important for PENNSYLVANIA STUDENT EQUALITY COALITION for the LGBT us to be able to HOSTS THE SECOND-ANNUAL PENNSYLVANIA youth of their raise the level YOUTH CAUCUS JAN. 28 AT CREATING CHANGE state. “We talked of discourse CONFERENCE IN BALTIMORE. Photo: Courtesy of PSEC

about the progress that each state has seen and the tactics that are being employed to promote and defend safe schools,” he said. “It was very interesting to hear the contrast between the work being done in Pennsylvania and in other states — while we’re fortunate that we’re not fighting back any bills that would take away support for LGBT students, we have a whole different set of challenges. So it was really great to bring that up in a forum and have us learn from them and them from us.” About 30 people turned out for the second annual Pennsylvania Youth Caucus, a networking opportunity for PSEC leaders and other young people from the Keystone State. Based on this year’s success, Landau Goodman said PSEC is already looking forward to heading south for the 25th annual Creating Change in Atlanta next year. “It was productive and meaningful,” he said. “The delegation went to a wide range of discussions, made incredible connections and returned to Pennsylvania more empowered on a national level.” Last month, PSEC held its second winter convening Jan. 13-15 at Penn State University, where members adopted three new affiliates: West Chester, Villanova and Wilkes universities. The coalition also voted to create a new region, Appalachia, to give rural youth a greater voice in the organization. ■

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News Briefing City, community to discuss HIV Leaders from the city’s Health Department and AIDS Activities Coordinating Office will take part in a meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., to discuss the city’s strategy for addressing HIV/AIDS. City officials will explain the current approach to ending the disease in the region, detailing the processes for funding for HIVrelated initiatives, and work to increase engagement among stakeholders and community leaders in the future development of the city’s strategy. Community members will have the opportunity to present 90-second testimonials to city representatives with suggestions on how to improve HIV prevention and treatment efforts.

Philly police recruiting The Philadelphia Police Department is now accepting applications for police recruits. Interested applicants can take part in Police Career Days from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 18 and March 10 at the Philadelphia Police Academy, 8501 State Road, to learn more about the process. Per the elimination of the residency requirement, non-city residents are encouraged to apply. Also new this year, recruits must satisfy one of four education or background requirements: have at least 60 college credits, two years of active duty in the military

with an honorable discharge, one year of experience as a state- or commonwealthcertified law enforcement officer, or successful completion of the Philadelphia Police Explorers Cadet program. Applications can be found at www. phillypolice.com and must be completed by March 16. For more information, call 215-6832678.

Show DVLF love this Valentine’s LGBT grantmaking agency Delaware Valley Legacy Fund is asking community members to honor their loved ones this Valentine’s Day season with a donation. Between now and Feb. 14, the organization is seeking contributions from LGBTs and allies in honor or in memory of a special someone, which could range from a partner to a parent to a pet. Donors are also encouraged to post a picture to the organization’s Facebook page of the person whom they are honoring with the gift. To donate, visit www.dvlf.org.

Lecture looks at teen suicide Dr. George Wohlreich, director and CEO of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, will lead a discussion on teen suicide from noon-1 p.m. Feb. 15 at 19 S. 22nd St. as part of the college’s Food & Thought luncheon lecture series. The discussion will center on factors associated with suicide and approaches to working with those who are suicidal in an attempt to encourage ongoing conversation about an otherwise taboo subject. Admission is $12.50 or $40 for tickets to the four remaining Food & Thought discussions. For tickets, visit www.collegeofphysicians.org/fnt.html.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

Nominate ‘revolutionary’ leader The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative is calling for nominations for its annual David Acosta Revolutionary Award. The award, named after GALAEI’s founder, is meant to honor an individual “who shows leadership and works to improve the community in ways that align with GALAEI’s mission.” Nominees must be over 18, reside in the five-county Philadelphia area and be able to attend the awards ceremony April 13. Applications are due March 16, and forms can be found at www.galaei.org.

Bill may push last call Philadelphia City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown has introduced a measure that would allow city bars to remain open an extra hour. The proposal is meant to create additional liquor tax revenue for the city that would be used to fund city schools. “Education is the biggest indicator of success for children and youth and the greatest deterrent from crime,” Reynolds Brown said. “In this day and age of budget shortfalls and declining education funding, we must think of creative solutions, thinking outside the box and exhaust unconventional avenues of revenue.”

Reynolds Brown said keeping bars open until 3 a.m. could bring in an additional $5 million annually. Since bar hours are regulated by the state Liquor Control Board, legislation to authorize the change would also be needed at the state level, and Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-190th Dist.) has pledged to spearhead such a bill. A hearing for Reynolds Brown’s measure has not yet been scheduled.

LGBT or ally legal interns wanted The National LGBT Bar Association and Prudential Financial Inc. are offering a summer internship at a Prudential office in New Jersey for one LGBT or ally law student. The intern will take part in a 10-week program that will include an intern training, direct mentoring by a Prudential attorney and the opportunity to hone interviewing and presentation skills. The intern will receive a stipend of approximately $10,000. The student must be enrolled at an American Bar Associated-accredited law school, be a member of the National LGBT Bar Association, be graduating in 2014-15 and have at least a 3.0 GPA. To apply, email Prudential@LGBTbar. org by 5 p.m. March 16 with a cover letter, résumé, three references and a copy of a transcript. ■ — Jen Colletta

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EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

One Million Moms

Editorial

This week’s mixed bag With Rick Santorum’s three-state sweep, the favorable Proposition 8 ruling and the resignation of a top official at Susan G. Komen, this week has been a mixed bag for the LGBT community. In the three Republican presidential contests held Tuesday in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri, Santorum beat out Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich. On the surface, that’s pretty harrowing. But looking at voter turnout adds some context. In Colorado, Santorum took 40 percent of the vote, Romney took 35, Gingrich 13 and Paul 12. The total number of votes was 65,354 — of a total state population of 5.11 million. In Missouri’s nonbinding primary, Santorum took 55 percent of the votes, with Romney taking 25 and Paul 12. (Gingrich wasn’t on the ballot.) The votes here totaled 243,283 — out of a total population of 6 million. In Minnesota’s caucuses, Santorum took 45 percent of the vote, Paul took 27 percent, Romney took 17 and Gingrich took 11. The votes totaled 47,696 — out of a total state population of 5.34 million. About 350,000 people voted in the three races — and less than 200,000 voted for Santorum. Not a lot of people. Certainly, the population numbers are higher than the number of registered voters, and registered Republicans only make up a percentage of those. Right now, none of the Republican candidates has anything sealed up. This contest is going to Super Tuesday, perhaps even the convention. In the Prop. 8 ruling, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of

Appeals found 2-1 that the voter referendum that outlawed same-sex marriage in California was unconstitutional. The opinion states: “For now, it suffices to conclude that the people of California may not, consistent with the federal Constitution, add to their state constitution a provision that has no more practical effect than to strip gays and lesbians of the right to use the official designation that the state and society give to committed relationships ... ” As the judges stated the opinion is specific to Prop. 8 and California, the case may not proceed to the Supreme Court. (Prop. 8 supporters can appeal to the full Appeals Court or directly to the Supreme Court.) For its part, the Supreme Court may be unlikely to hear an appeal on a state-specific ruling. Lastly, following the controversial announcement that it would end funding for Planned Parenthood, Susan G. Komen for the Cure reversed its decision and Karen Handel, the vice president for public policy credited with the policy to cut the funding, resigned. In her resignation letter, Handel, a Republican who ran for governor of Georgia, stated the decision to exclude Planned Parenthood was based on “the need to distance Komen from controversy.” (Oh, the irony.) To repair the damage — and return to its mission of achieving “a world without breast cancer” — Komen must ensure politics don’t creep into policies. It’s unfortunate that Komen didn’t do that initially. Let’s hope they have learned from this misstep and rectify it. Meaningful partnerships with Planned Parenthood would be a start. ■

Lest there be any confusion, this week’s Creep is not just a million random ladies with kids. One Million Moms is an affiliate of the American Family Association. So you can imagine how much these moms love homos. OMM loves homos so much that they won’t stop calling J.C. Penney Co. to talk about them. Or, specifically, “her,” as in one particular homo: Ellen DeGeneres. I know what you’re thinking: J.C. Penney still exists? And there are really people who are freaked that Ellen’s gay? I thought both of those things became non-issues in 1997. Well, not so much. In any case, DeGeneres recently signed on to be J.C. Penney’s celebrity spokesperson, and antigay folks are fuming because obviously J.C. Penney is trying to recruit young ladies onto Team Lesbo by selling Hush Puppies, tailored suit jackets and softball jerseys in the junior miss section. Also, Ellen will most likely be giving live, in-store lesbian sex demonstrations. Otherwise, what’s there to fuss over? Plenty, if you read the One Million Moms’ poorly written alerts on their website. “Funny that J.C. Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of their customers are traditional families,” OMM muses. “DeGeneres is not a true representation of the type of families that shop at their store. The majority of J.C. Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there. The small percentage of customers they are attempting to satisfy will not offset their loss in sales.” I’m not sure if OMM has noticed, but Ellen DeGeneres has a wildly popular TV show and millions of people love her. So it seems a bit of a stretch to say the “majority” of J.C. Penney shoppers are going to go buy their $8 knit fashion tops and $4

bath towels somewhere less gay-friendly. Well, I’ll give them one thing: DeGeneres really isn’t a true representation of J.C. Penney’s customer base. But it’s not because she’s a lesbian. It’s because she’s rich. OMM is determined to bring J.C. Penney to its gay-loving knees and they’ve been working the phones demanding that Ellen be fired. “Ask J.C. Penney to replace Ellen DeGeneres as their new spokesperson immediately and remain neutral in the culture war,” the OMM website reads. And, of course, to groups like OMM and its parent group, the AFA, being “neutral” means pretending that LGBT people do not exist. And having a prominent lesbian representing a store where “families” shop makes that fiction ever harder to live by. Apparently the OMM call-in campaign isn’t working, as J.C. Penney has announced it has no intention to fire Ellen. And OMM is complaining on their website that J.C. Penney’s corporate HQ keeps hanging up on them. Their solution? Call the managers of local stores and harass them instead. Rather than bother folks with actual work to do, why not fight fire with fabulous and go shopping? Plopping some of your hard-earned dollars down on a J.C. Penney counter is the best way to thank them for not caving to antigay bigotry. And I wasn’t kidding when I said they had $4 bath towels. They even have them in totally gay colors like purple opulence, garnet and exotic pink. Remember, when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping! ■

OMM is determined to bring J.C. Penney to its gay-loving knees and they’ve been working the phones demanding that Ellen be fired.

D’Anne Witkowski is 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.

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OP-ED PGN

The Republican carnival ride toward LGBT equality As the Republican carnival goes from And then, Republican Gov. Chris Christie state to state, it has been a bellyful of clown of New Jersey nominated a gay man to the laughs, but it’s also shaping Republican state Supreme Court. Now, that has become politics for the future. And as always, it’s somewhat of a circus also, but it’s heading the leader of the party, its presidential in the right direction. As we wrote originally, this is the beginning of a change in nominee, who sets that tone. While we the Republican Party on LGBT issues and don’t know the outcome as yet and politics can change on a dime, it looks Santorum is the last homophobe like Mitt Romney. Way back in standing. This is history in the New Hampshire, the way the making. Now there will be a Republicans dealt with LGBT little backsliding at times; look equality took a major turn. Rick for it just before Super Tuesday, since most of those states are Santorum — obviously the in the South. But here’s the George Wallace of homophobia — got into a heated debate with future. Watch as the Republican a student on equality on his first Party takes a page from the day in New Hampshire. It folConservative Party in Great Britain. lowed him from stop to stop On another note, if you and slowed his momentum. He and the other candidates felt the watched NBC’s pre-Super Bowl change in the air: Equality is no broadcast, as well as the Super longer the boogeyman, not even Bowl itself, you might have to Republicans. noticed something very new: I was almost alone among segments on civil rights, Mark Segal the LGBT writers and political women’s rights, immigration, pundits who, from day one, felt an anti-bullying video and no threat from little Ricky Santorum and even an LGBT commercial. All of this is wrote that Santorum’s position on equality new to sports broadcasting and thanks to meant he was toast before the bread of the Comcast’s national Joint Diversity Council, Republican primaries was even in the oven. headed by David L. Cohen. Full disclosure, His only hope was the evangelicals in Iowa I’m on the JDC, and at times in the last and the deep South. I’ll go out on another year I felt it would take forever to make limb. He’s not even in consideration for the changes in this giant of a corporation. But V.P. spot. Do you think any presidential the Super Bowl, the most watched show in candidate wants to see a foaming-at-theTV history? Never in 1971 when the Gay mouth running mate in TV commercials Raiders stormed the networks, did I ever comparing homosexuality to bestiality? dream of something of this magnitude. Romney, not an equality booster himWe still have a way to go, but for one year self, is trying to run from his “moderate” this is an incredible beginning. Thank you, Comcast. past. Even he saw the handwriting on This column was written before the the wall and, as we reported, at the ABC Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado caudebate, a new Republican line in the sand cuses/primary results on Tuesday. My view was drawn, and it was by Romney, the preemptive party leader. The bottom line was on Santorum has not changed. As stated everything but the word marriage: domestic earlier in the column, all it takes is people partners, civil unions, nondiscrimination, on Little Ricky’s campaign trail to engage even LGBT appointments to high politihim on his homophobia. It turns off the cal office like judges — but marriage is electorate, even Republicans. In fact, the still between a man and a woman. The above column is more correct as it proved reporter asking the question was surprised Ricky’s homophobia has been in the closet and posed, “But what will you do to further since New Hampshire. Maybe at rallies, LGBT equality?” Romney replied, “I just we need to remind him and give him an did.” Applause from a Republican audiopportunity to talk. On the other hand, a ence. Not one other candidate on that stage commercial with a candidate talking about bestiality might play well. ■ refuted that stand, including Santorum. Since we made this point, there have been Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s three more debates and guess what? No most-award-winning commentator in LGBT bashing of the LGBT community. Even media. He can be reached at mark@epgn. Newt Gingrich in the last week, who has com. a campaign speech listing the wrongs of President Obama, doesn’t list LGBT issues.

Mark My Words

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Street Talk Does viewing gayness as a choice hurt the LGBT movement? “Yes, it hurts, because being gay isn’t a choice. It’s a feeling. I have feelings for women. I didn’t choose that. It’s not Kelsey Hand truthful to homemaker view it as a Port Richmond choice. That just misleads people.”

“No. My best friend is gay. I love him like a brother. I think it’s so admirable, what he’s doing to Emma Hewett express office clerk himself. He’s Melbourne, Australia a wonderful person, who’s made a choice that should be applauded.”

“No. It’s OK to be gay. It’s a personal choice that doesn’t affect anyone else. It shouldn’t be seen as a negative. It has an empowering effect to view gayness as a choice.”

“Yes, because it minimizes the issue. Some people already think gays are making a big deal about [their Jillian Schayer gayness]. administrative They don’t assistant like the South Philadelphia parades. To also see it as a choice would just aggravate people even more. It doesn’t help things.”

Carl Irwin chef Hamilton, New Zealand

Letters and Feedback In response to “Scouts to judge: Deal is dead,” Feb. 3-9: What happened to Scouting? In the 1930s, when I was a Scout, I was in our troop’s “queer” patrol — we were not “gay” then — of eight boys. The troop’s other patrols had four to six members. I guess they wanted us all in one. (At the time, we did not even think about discrimination.) At summer camp, the afternoon swim was always “Everyone Naked.” No big deal. When did the bigots take over Scouting? — Jerry6 In response to “Former Philly Archbishop dies,” Feb. 3-9: The only question is whether he goes 6-

feet down or to the molten iron-hot center of the earth. SOB was involved in the endless hidden molestation of children. — Billy W In response to “Gay man assaulted at detention center,” Dec. 9-15: Thank you, Timothy, for writing this story on my brother. He has been through a lot and his injuries were much more severe than we thought. He was hospitalized for 59 days and had multiple surgeries, including heart surgery, as a result of the assault. Kenny just informed me that he has to return for another surgery, as there is an active infection on one of the rods they placed in his legs [and] he cannot walk. — anonymous

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

FINANCES PGN

Getting your children involved in saving for college Q: We are a lesbian couple with two daughters in middle school. We’ve already been saving for them to go to college for years. As they approach high school, how can we help them begin to better understand the importance of higher education and begin to think ahead toward college? A: The planning required to send a child to college may seem overwhelming, but parents do not have to do all the work. Getting children involved in college planning may be an excellent way to teach responsibility to young people — a lesson that could reap benefits well beyond their college years. The right age Some experts believe that if children are actively involved in planning for their future, they may be more committed when entering college and ultimately have a more successful experience than they would have otherwise. But what age is the right age to start talking to children about college planning? The U.S. Department of Education says the best time to introduce children to college planning is the middle-school years when they are in the sixth, seventh or eighth grade. At this stage, you may want to start talking about college and explain the importance of developing good study habits and getting involved in extracurricular activities. When students are in the latter part of middle school, they can also start planning to make the most of high-school experiences with an eye toward college. Remind your budding scholar that success in high school depends on skills and attitudes that are developed in middle school or earlier. For example, time-management skills developed in middle school may eventually help a high-school student manage schoolwork, a job, sports and other interests. And when the time comes to pick classes for the first year of high school, a good mix of college prep courses may be important.

Average Annual Costs, 2011-2012 Source: The College Board Private four-year college: — tuition and fees, $28,500 — room and board, $10,089 — total: $38,589 Public four-year college: — tuition and fees, $8,244 — room and board, $8,887 — total: $17,131 Public two-year college: — tuition and fees, $2,963 — room and board, n/a — total: $2,963

A higher gear in high school Many high-school students are mature enough to plan for college at a deeper level. Appropriate planning may include the following: — Matching personal aptitudes with vocational interests: High-school guidance counJeremy selors can help students learn careers that utilize skills Gussick about in math, science, language arts, social studies and other areas of interest, as well as postsecondary courses of study in these areas. — Maintaining high academic standards: Colleges prefer applicants who have exceeded basic requirements and taken more challenging courses in language arts, math, science, social studies, foreign languages and other areas. Many high schools permit qualified students to earn college credits by taking Advanced Placement courses. Excelling in these classes may demonstrate motivation and reduce the number of academic requirements after a student enters college. — Researching scholarships: There are numerous websites with information about sources of financial aid. For example, www. fastweb.com and www.finaid.org provide data about thousands of scholarships with varying eligibility criteria. In addition, www. fafsa.ed.gov provides an overview of federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants, Budgeting basics campus-based aid programs, Stafford Loans, Help your child establish a savings PLUS Loans and others. Also, local libraries account that could be earmarked for educaand high-school guidance offices may have tion expenses. You can use this experience information about state-sponsored aid proto teach basic lessons about compounding, grams and scholarships sponsored by local investing and other money management organizations. issues. And to help students gain a deeper — Earning money: High-school students appreciation of their family’s financial sacrican set aside a portion of their wages from fices, share current college cost information part-time or summer jobs for higher-educawith them (see following). tion expenses. Also, students may be able to

Out Money

obtain jobs that build on career interests as a way of solidifying their future plans. — Getting organized: College planning involves many details, including visiting institutions that a student may want to attend, applying for financial aid, obtaining transcripts and letters of recommendation and meeting deadlines. A high-school student can take responsibility for making sure that important matters are tended to ahead of time. For example, he or she can use school vacation time to help organize a family trip to visit colleges of interest or spend time completing college applications. Some useful Web resources include collegeboard.org, fastweb.com, finaid.org and fafsa.ed.gov. You and your prospective student may be able to think of more ideas that could add value to your family’s efforts to save for a college education. Getting your child involved in the process — financially and otherwise — could ultimately be a pivotal lesson in responsibility that impacts his or her later success in life. ■ Jeremy R. Gussick is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in the financial planning needs of the LGBT community and was recently named a 2011 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by Philadelphia Magazine.** He is active with several LGBT organizations in the Philadelphia region, including the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund the Greater Philadelphia Professional Network and the Independence Business Alliance. Out Money appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, you can contact him at jeremy.gussick@lpl.com. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, 1996-2011, based on total revenues. **Award details can be found at www.fivestarprofessional.com This article was prepared by McGraw-Hill Financial Communications and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. Consult your financial advisor, or Jeremy, if you have any questions. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by McGraw-Hill Financial Communications or its sources, neither McGrawHill Financial Communications nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall McGraw-Hill Financial Communications be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscribers’ or others’ use of the content.

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The psychological sanctuary of poz folk Last week, I received a “thank you” note nothing short of a lifelong enterprise. Even that became the inspiration for this article. if poz folks’ friends treated them without kid The writer of the note explained that, gloves, and all other elements in their lives in his experience, some friends wear “kid felt at peace, those crappy days and equally gloves” around their out poz friends: They crappy states of being engendered by their status will continue to trouble quiet their voices, become very their otherwise placid souls. still, only to bleakly ask, “How This is the reason why psyare you? ... Are you feeling all chological sanctuaries exist. right? ... Is everything OK?” In all reality, there is nothing A poz man as well, the writer recognized the goodwill behind unhealthy about having a sanctuthese “kid gloves,” but also that ary for temporary retreats, but it can be problematic when that poz folks may not want special place becomes one’s primary treatment: Sometimes they feel residence, then turns into psygood, sometimes they feel bad, chological isolation; where one, just like everyone else. out of a fear of unending despair, In my last article, I referred to the “psychological sanctuary” begins to indiscriminately cut off poz folks often retreat to, where attachments to people and their they can weather imminent own self-interests. waves of pathos brought on by An isolated psyche and a Aaron Stella peaceful psyche are especially the perpetual process of reckonhard to distinguish from one ing their HIV status. While the another, particularly in more introverted triggers for these pathological storms are poz folks (I’m a blustery, emotional blabinsignificant in nature, they can quickly bermouth, so this is somewhat unfamiliar devastate even the sturdiest of psyches. territory for me). On the outside, people One such trigger resulted from the previwith isolated psyches seem functional and ously described, however well-intended, scenario: that your status has the potential to at peace, going through the motions of their lives with relative grace. But on the inside, transform mirth into melancholy upon your the once-fulfilling aspects of their lives are arrival. in atrophy. While the situation with friends and kid If this atrophying continues, it can make gloves and all can be tricky to traverse, navivolitionless servants out of dynamic people, gating the caprices for the human heart is

Millennial Poz

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inclining them to make poor decisions regarding their health, career and social life. Happenstance and crowd behavior become their silent masters as their sense of autonomy slowly shrinks. In the shadow of this isolationism, open dialogue with friends about the throes of poz life could ostensibly reverse the due damages. But it’s more complicated than that: Isolationism of this brand doesn’t entirely arise out of sorrow for one’s HIV status, but from past memories and regrets, to which sorrows from their status have wedded. Think of it like this: You’re in a relationship. Something insignificant your partner says or does inspires a disproportionately greater reaction in you. In a matter of seconds, you become angry or despondent, and can’t understand why some little gesture or whatnot caused such a violent change in your mood. In reality, you weren’t reacting to anything your partner did, but something older and greater that the gesture triggered. And it works similarly with triggers in poz people’s lives: when pathos, seemingly brought on by something involving HIV, is actually tapping into a deeper disturbance — something that has yet to be resolved. For myself, being poz made me realize how much trouble I have loving myself and, too, believing that others love and care for me. I had believed — and still do, to some extent — that I had to try twice as hard as

the next person to prove that I’m worthy of love. This belief made me feel lonely — so excruciatingly lonely — that I erected more palisades along the moat of my sanctuary, thinking I could never truly commune with another, that no one would ever understand me. I could name several reasons for why I feel this way, but all of them — prompted by my own volition or happenstance — are in the past, and therefore unchangeable. There is something, however, that I did gain. I could now see myself for what I really was, virtues and vices alike. And with that clearer sight of myself — because I accepted the sight — I could change, and have faith in myself. Faith is like a muscle. Contrary to what some movies or books say, great faith does not suddenly dawn on a person, like a magic spell or a luminous awakening. It grows over time, but only if you exercise it. Little by little, by trusting that everything will be just fine, you can learn to weather any storm of pathos outside the walls of your sanctuary. We’re all in this together, folks. Now get out there and talk about it. ■ Aaron Stella is former editor-in-chief of Philly Broadcaster. He has written for several publications in the city, and now devotes his life to tackling the challenges of HIV in the 21st century. Aaron can be reached at millennialpoz@gmail.com.

Bayard Rustin

Opening February 2, 2012

An exhibit at the Chester County Historical Society to commemorate the Civil Rights leader on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Generously supported by the Philadelphia Foundation, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Heritage Philadelphia Program and PGN.

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NEWS PGN

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Media Trail Police ID trans woman fatally stabbed at D.C. bus stop The Washington Blade reports D.C. police Feb. 3 identified a transgender woman found suffering from a fatal stab wound at a bus stop in Northeast Washington Feb. 2 as 23-year-old Deoni Jones, whose birth name was identified as JaParker Jones. Homicide Branch Lt. Robert Adler, who is leading the investigation into Jones’ death, said police have also released a video of a man considered a suspect in the murder. “We’re hoping someone from the public will recognize the person in the video and tell us who it is,” Adler said. Activists planned to hold a candlelight vigil for Jones on Feb. 7. Two transgender women were murdered in the city in separate incidents in 2011. Both cases remain unsolved.

SC license plates show support of gay residents Fox Carolina reports a new South Carolina license plate advocates equality for gay residents in a state that bans any type of domestic union. The executive director of South Carolina Equality said Feb. 3 the plate provides a way for people to show they support equality for LGBT residents. Christine Johnson said equality is needed

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in areas such as employment and housing. She hopes it lets people know they’re not alone. State law allows nonprofit groups to create specialty plates by either collecting 400 prepaid applications or making a $4,000 deposit. Equality board member Dean Pierce paid the $4,000 deposit. Pierce said it’s difficult to grow up gay in South Carolina, and he wanted to help make it easier for younger generations.

Senators reject protection bill for gays, lesbians The Associated Press reports Utah senators have rejected a bill that would have banned discrimination because of a person’s sexual orientation, political views or gender identity. A Senate committee voted 4-2 against Senate Bill 51 following an hour-long hearing Feb 3. Democratic Sen. Ben McAdams of Salt Lake City said his bill would protect a person from being fired or denied housing because they are gay or transgender. Utah Eagle Forum president Gayle Ruzicka spoke against the bill, stating that protecting people because of their sexual orientation tramples on the freedom of religious people who don’t support the lifestyle. The Legislature has previously opposed similar nondiscrimination measures, including a bill sponsored by McAdams last year that didn’t get a committee hearing. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

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ADRIFT TOGETHER: African-American LGBTs shared their personal stories at I’m From Driftwood’s Black Community Spotlight Feb. 2 at the William Way LGBT Community Center. Driftwood, an initiative spearheaded by founder Nathan Manske (third from left) and videographer Marquise Lee (second from left), documents LGBT life through community members’ own words and recently launched the Spotlight series to focus on particular facets of the community. Supporters and storytellers at the local Spotlight included Shara Dae Howard (from left), Tyrone Smith, Amber Hikes, center interim development coordinator Paul Blore, Mark Dann and Su Matthew. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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PGN NEWS CONTEST from page 1

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excluded the couple from because of their sexual orientation. The pair, both 24, met during their senior year at an LGBT support group at St. Joe’s, where MacTurk double-majored in psychology and Spanish and Edwards studied elementary and special education with a minor in faithjustice studies. Both graduated in 2009 and Edwards went on to become a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, while MacTurk earned her master’s degree in experimental psychology from St. Joe’s and now works at a market-research firm. The couple, who lives in Callowhill, got engaged in October and decided to submit their love story to the Hawkmate contest at the urging of several friends. “A few of our friends suggested we do it and, being part of the LGBT community, I guess you always have this thing in the back of your head of, ‘Will I be included?’ But I honestly thought it would be fine,” Edwards said. “So we came up with the blurb and submitted it and didn’t think anything of it.” When four days went by without their entry being posted to the Facebook site, however, the couple emailed the association to inquire and, after receiving no response for several more days, MacTurk called on Feb. 1. While she said the association representative was apologetic, he informed her that, as St. Joe’s is a Catholic university and the Catholic Church does not recognize same-sex marriage, the organization decided not to include their story. “I wasn’t that surprised to hear that because it had been several days of them not returning our email and not posting our story so we had our suspicions,” MacTurk said. “I was preparing myself for that and going over what I would say, but to hear him actually say, ‘I hate to tell you this but we decided not to post it,’ was really upsetting. I was just shaking and starting to cry, because as much as you can prepare yourself for being discriminated against, it’s still awful.” Edwards said she had a similar reaction when MacTurk texted her at work to inform her of the association’s decision. “I think what affected me most was during that week seeing all of the other couples’ pictures that they were posting and the fact that they weren’t even responding to

us,” Edwards said. “If we hadn’t reached out to them, I’m not sure they would’ve said anything at all. And that’s so opposite of the experience I had at St. Joe’s. It’s a Jesuit school and there’s this underlying theme of accepting of everyone who they are, where they are and whatever walk of life they come from. Hearing from a place that is so near and dear to both of us, a place where we always felt accepted and loved, that we weren’t accepted was really hard.” Later that day, the couple posted an account of their situation on Facebook. Edwards said they weren’t looking for acceptance into the contest but rather for conversation among St. Joe’s and its alums about the association’s attitudes toward same-sex couples. “My first reaction was to type up a letter to start a dialogue. That’s what we were taught at St. Joe’s — nothing bad can come of a dialogue,” Edwards said. “We wanted to see what people thought of why they didn’t include us, the way we were ignored and treated and how the alumni association really hadn’t seemed to consider that they would have any samesex couples who found each other at St. Joe’s. So we thought maybe 10 people or so would share it and we could have some discussions with the alumni association about what they would do to make sure all alumni feel included in events in the future. But then four people shared it in the first five minutes and it just became a whirlwind.” While they initially wanted to resist media requests because they were hoping to keep the story contained within the St. Joe’s community and prevent the situation from turning into a religious debate, the story went viral nonetheless and was picked up by local news outlets, blogs and news sites around the country. Supporters turned up in droves on the alumni association’s Facebook page to voice concerns and Edwards said they were overwhelmed by the response. “We received so many messages from current students who identify as LGBT thanking us, and it was important for us that they were able to see that the support that we were getting was for them too. Our goal was to create change and, at the end of the day, this prompted a very positive dialogue on the campus. I’m very happy with the response and could never, ever in a million years have thought it would have turned into this.”

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When MacTurk initially talked to the alumni representative, they agreed that he would call her back the following day to put her in touch with someone with whom she could file a grievance. However, when he called Thursday, it was to inform her that the association had reversed its decision. “He called and said, ‘I don’t know if you saw, but we did post your picture. This has caused quite a stir within the university and it broke my heart to tell you that yesterday,’” MacTurk said. Last week, the alumni association issued a statement that read, “St. Joseph’s University fully supports and is in agreement with the Catholic Church’s teachings regarding homosexuality and same-sex marriage. As a Catholic, Jesuit university, St. Joseph’s is a welcoming, inclusive community. Our focus is on respect and caring for all individuals as individuals.” The university’s nondiscrimination policy is inclusive of sexual orientation. The association did not respond to a request for comment by presstime. It is unclear who in the association made the decisions regarding the contest and, while MacTurk said she hopes the reversal was made following a thoughtful

discussion and not from a public-relations standpoint, the end result remains the same. “I’d like to think the alumni association discussed it and thought about the Jesuit ideals and what the competition was supposed to be about, as opposed to focusing just on the bad press the university was getting,” she said. MacTurk and Edwards did not receive an apology from the alumni association but have had private conversations with the director of the organization, and will meet with him to discuss future LGBT inclusion. “As much as an apology would be great and mean a lot not just to us, but to the entire LGBT community at SJU,” MacTurk said, “if the university and alumni association can make a more welcoming community for LGBT folks, that is a lot more meaningful.” In terms of the contest, the couple with the most Facebook “likes” by Feb. 14 will win a $100 gift certificate to a restaurant of their choice. After the widespread attention their story received, MacTurk and Edwards had 10 times the number of votes of their nearest competitor at presstime. If successful, they plan to donate the $100 to the St. Joe’s Gay-Straight Alliance. ■

PROP 8 from page 1

The judges all denied the argument held by Prop. 8 proponents that the lower court decision should be rejected because the judge who presided over the cases, Vaughan Walker, is gay. Chad Griffin, board president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the sponsor of the plaintiffs’ case, said the ruling affirmed that “singling out a class of citizens for discriminatory treatment is unfair, unlawful and violates basic American values. Like many other Americans, our plaintiffs want nothing more than to marry the person they love. Committed, loving couples and their families should not be denied this most fundamental freedom.” Mayors for the Freedom to Marry, of which Philadelphia Mayor Nutter is a member, released a joint statement following the ruling saying that the decision “reaffirms that the American Dream is possible for everyone and brings us one step closer to ending marriage discrimination once and for all. We look forward to a day when all of our citizens will be able to share fairly and equally in the freedom to marry.” ■

that the battle to preserve traditional marriage will ultimately be won or lost not here but rather in the U.S. Supreme Court,” it is unclear whether the group will appeal the case to the full Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals or directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. Same-sex couples cannot head back to city halls, however, as a stay that was initially imposed after the 2010 ruling that overturned Prop. 8 remains in place. In the majority opinion, written by Circuit Judges Michael Daly Hawkins and Stephen Reinhardt, the court found Prop. 8 created “meaningful harm” to same-sex couples. Reinhardt wrote that the initiative had “no more practical effect than to strip gays and lesbians of the right to use the official designation that the state and society give to committed relationships, thereby adversely affecting the status and dignity of the members of a disfavored class.” Judge Randy Smith, however, argued the state may have a legitimate interest in intervening in the issue because of the potential impact of the issue on children.

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HUGS AND HONORS: Delaware Valley Legacy Fund raised a glass to its dedicated volunteers at its annual HUG event, Feb. 1 at the William Way LGBT Community Center. About 50 supporters, including DVLF executive director John Moeller (third from left), board president D. Mark Mitchell (center) and director of operations Sandra Thompson (right), celebrated with Volunteer of the Year honorees Stormy Lundy (from left), Mark Beyerle, Ron Lucente and Terrill Thompson. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Senate committee passes LGBTinclusive anti-violence measure By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved the reauthorization of an anti-violence law that for the first time includes protections for LGBT victims. The committee approved the Violence Against Women Act in a party-line vote Feb. 2. A vote by the full Senate has not yet been scheduled. The measure was first adopted in 1994 to provide funding to support the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women. This year, the reauthorization bill includes a statement that programs funded cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the first federal grant program to do so. The measure additionally stipulates that funding be directed to programs that particularly work with LGBT victims of domestic violence. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who is spearheading the reauthorization of VAWA, said some lawmakers have criticized the bill because it seeks to “protect too many victims.” “One thing I know from my time as a

prosecutor, and I would hope it is something we can all agree on, is that all victims count,” he said. “All victims deserve protection. That is a message we have heard loud and clear from our states and something I hope is common ground.” Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said the bill is an important step in protecting LGBT victims. “Victims of domestic violence need assistance, not irrational barriers based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” he said. “We thank the members of the Judiciary Committee that have recognized the discrimination LGBT domestic-violence victims face when seeking assistance. Specifically, Chairman Leahy has shown great leadership in reauthorizing VAWA and ensuring that the bill would explicitly make grants available to service providers doing innovative work with LGBT victims.” Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey is one of the 38 cosponsors of the bill. Sen. Pat Toomey’s office did not return a request for comment by presstime. While the VAWA has been reauthorized twice in the past with bipartisan support, last week marked the first Judiciary Committee vote on the measure that saw no backing from Republicans. ■

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International Killers of S. African lesbian get 18 years Four men convicted of murdering a lesbian near Cape Town have received 18year prison sentences, days before the sixth anniversary of her death. Openly gay Zoliswa Nkonyana, 19, was stabbed and stoned in the homophobic attack in Khayelitsha on Feb. 4, 2006. A total of nine men had been arrested, but Lubabalo Ntlabathi, Sicelo Mase, Luyanda Londzi and Mbulelo Damba were found guilty of the murder in October. The case was reportedly postponed more than 50 times. Sentencing was initially expected before Christmas. The murdered woman’s stepfather, Mr. Mandini, said, “They did not accept responsibility for what they did and we are happy that when we asked for a lengthy jail term, the magistrate agreed to that.” The Social Justice Coalition issued a statement on the conviction, highlighting what it called “consistent failures” of the police and justice system in the six-year

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case. “Over the past six years, a number of Khayelitsha-based civil society organizations including the Social Justice Coalition, Treatment Action Campaign, Free Gender, Triangle Project and Sonke Gender Justice have attended Nkonyana’s court dates, monitored progress, spoken to prosecutors and tried to assist her family in finding justice. It is unlikely that this case would have concluded without the constant support and pressure from these organizations. We have held countless protests outside the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court and raised awareness in the media regarding this case.” The Coalition concluded: “Today we remember Zoliswa and thousands of other people who have been needlessly murdered — many of whom have then had justice denied. We wish Nkonyana’s family well and hope they will be able to move forward from this trauma. However, we cannot forget the larger context. Unless changes are made and the police and criminal justice system improve, families will continue to suffer as the cases of their loved ones drag painfully through the system.”

Lost man ‘jumped’ from gay cruise A man is feared dead after reportedly jumping from a gay cruise near Mexico. The publicly unidentified man, 30, fell

from his balcony on deck 11 of luxury liner Allure of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise liner. The man reportedly fell at 12:10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 3 Royal Caribbean International said that the incident, witnessed by a fellow passenger and CCTV footage, showed the man intentionally going overboard. In a statement, the cruise line said the man had not responded to attempts to contact him in his room: “When the guest did not respond to the pages and was not found on board, the captain alerted the local authorities of the situation. A review of the ship’s closed-circuit camera footage observed the 30-year-old British male guest going over the balcony railing in his stateroom on deck 11. The location of the ship at the time the guest went overboard was marked on the ship’s GPS and the U.S. and Mexican Coast Guard were alerted. Our care team is providing support to the guest’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them.” The ship had been chartered by Atlantis Events, the world’s largest producer of gay and lesbian cruise events.

Gay Finnish presidential candidate defeated Pekka Haavisto, Finland’s first openly gay presidential candidate, lost a runoff election Feb. 5 to former finance minister Sauli Niinisto. Haavisto, a former environment minister, received 37 percent of the vote to Niinisto’s 63 percent. They were competing to succeed Tarja Halonen, the nation’s first woman president, who is finishing her second term and is not eligible to run again. In the first round of voting, on Jan. 28, Niinisto came in first with 37 percent of the vote and Haavisto second with 18.8 percent. Because no candidate received a majority, the runoff was necessary. Haavisto’s sexual orientation wasn’t a major issue in debates, but analysts said it was an obstacle in the race. “The older generation simply isn’t ready for it,” said Olavi Borg, a political analyst.

Lesbians in rural train attacked after kiss

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A court has heard claims that a 16-yearold lesbian in Sussex, England, was attacked on a train after kissing her girlfriend. April James, 19, is accused of attacking the girl in October after people in her party hurled homophobic slurs at the young couple. The prosecution said they were unable to prove James made homophobic comments herself, but said she was in the group that did. Mark Kateley, prosecutor at Hastings Crown Court, said: “When the victim and her partner objected to the comments made, she was then assaulted by a group of females during which she was punched, had her hair pulled and at one point had her

head banged against the door and ended up on the floor being kicked a number of times on the floor. The defendant admits making a kick to the head or shoulder.” The attack reportedly ensued after the girls, both 16, kissed and the victim drank from a bottle of alcohol, which was being shared on the train. Her victim statement said: “This incident made me feel ashamed of who I am and made me scared of going out and getting on a train. It made me scared of being with my girlfriend. It has taken me a long time to be confident with my sexuality and this has knocked me back down.” The defendant claimed the train was too busy for her to have assaulted the girl in the carriage, but admits kicking her on the platform at Bexhill. A further hearing is scheduled to take place in April at Hastings Magistrates Court due to disputed facts.

Edinburgh plans Valentine marriage rally Gay-marriage advocates in the Scottish capital are asking equality-lovers to march in support of the cause on Feb. 14. Organizers have called for supporters to bring a positive attitude to the event to show the government their passion for equality. The Love Equally March is being promoted by the Scottish Youth Parliament, the Equality Network, LGBT Youth Scotland, Stonewall Scotland and National Union of Students Scotland. Scottish Youth Parliament chair Grant Costello said: “All the evidence shows the majority of Scots support marriage equality, and the historic response to the government’s consultation on same-sex marriage demonstrates they are prepared to speak out for equality. Scotland’s young people are determined that the consultation is not the end, but just the beginning of the journey to a better nation with equality at its heart. We need all those supporters of marriage equality to march with us, be our Valentines and love equally on Feb. 14!” Nathan Sparling, NUS Scotland LGBT officer, said: “This Valentine’s Day, students from across Scotland will be taking part in the Love Equally march to show our unwavering support for equal marriage in Scotland. We’ll be marching on the streets of Edinburgh celebrating love, and asking for the Scottish government to give us another reason to celebrate by making same-sex marriage legal in Scotland.” Marchers will assemble at Bristo Square and walk to the Scottish Parliament. A range of supporters for marriage equality will address the rally outside the Scottish Parliament.

China: 16 million women ‘married to gays’ A university professor in China has estimated that 16 million women in the world’s most populous country are mar-

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ried to gays. Professor Zhang Bei-chuan of Qingdao University says the huge number of women – equivalent to the population of the Netherlands – who have tied the knot with gay men are struggling to cope. The academic said as many as 90 percent of gay Chinese men marry to conform with social norms. As of 2010, China had a population of more than 1.3 billion. According to Bei-chuan’s estimate, roughly 3 percent of the country’s adult population is in a gay-straight marriage. The potentially damaging effect of such marriages was highlighted by 29-year-old Xiao Yao, who was married to a gay man and now runs a support website for wives in similar situations. She said: “Most gay men’s wives I’ve known are silently suffering at the hands of husbands who could never love them, and like me, some even got abused by

husbands who were also under great pressure. The website makes them feel they’re not alone and empowers them to make the right choices.” One gay men questioned by the paper was skeptical of the estimate, but others said they would consider marrying a woman. Wang, 27, told the publication he would consider marrying a lesbian if he were forced to wed a woman. Xiao Dong, a gay man involved in HIV/ AIDS prevention efforts, said it was an “unsubstantiated” and “pointless” investigation. Homosexuality was decriminalized in the People’s Republic in 1997 and its status as a mental disorder revoked in 2001, but legal protection for gays is minimal with no nondiscrimination or equal marriage rights and strong censorship rules. ■

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

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Gayborhood Crime Watch The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between Jan. 16-29. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn and Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service. To report crime tips, visit www. phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). INCIDENTS — Between 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Jan. 16, someone stole 45 red Colonial bricks from the side of a residence in the 200 block of South Quince Street. — At 5:05 p.m. Jan. 16, a male entered Spruce Street Video, 252 S. 12th St., simulated having a weapon and demanded money. The suspect fled north on 12th Street with cash, and was described as a black male, in his late 30s, 6-foot-2 with a dark complexion and salt and pepper beard and wearing a black puffy coat and black hat. — Between 8:30-10:30 a.m. Jan. 18, a secured bicycle was stolen from outside 321 S. Broad St. — At 2:15 p.m. Jan. 18, inside the Sprint store at The Gallery, 1001 Market St., a woman was punched in the face and her cell phone was taken by a male friend who fled from the location. Central Detective Division will obtain an arrest warrant for the 26year-old known suspect with a Nicetown address charging him with robbery and related offenses. — At 9:20 p.m. Jan. 22, someone stole a woman’s cell phone from the bar inside Tria, 1137 Spruce St. A witness observed a white female, 25 years old, 5-foot-4, 130 pounds with brown hair and wearing a white puffy coat and dark knit cap take it and exit the bar. — Between 8:30 p.m. Jan. 22 and 12:15 a.m. Jan. 23, someone stole a 2011 Audi parked in a paid lot, 209 S. 12th St. The vehicle was recovered undamaged at 2:20 p.m. Jan. 24 in the 1000 block of Ludlow Street. — At 2:45 a.m. Jan. 24, a man was at 12th and Locust streets and engaged in a conversation with a male dressed as a female, during which time the complainant was pick-pocketed of cash from his pants pocket. The suspect was described as a black male, 5-foot-9 with a thin build and medium-brown complexion and wearing a pink mini skirt and multicolored shirt. — Between 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 24, someone entered an unlocked 2007 BMW parked in the 200 block of South 11th Street and stole $5 in change and credit cards. Sixth District Officer DeLuca attempted to lift fingerprints. — Between 5-5:30 p.m. Jan. 25, someone smashed the window of a 2005 Toyota, parked in the 1200 block of Sansom Street, and stole a laptop. Sixth District Officer Maiorano attempted to lift fingerprints. — Between 5:25-11:40 p.m. Jan. 25, a 1997 Honda was parked by the valet at the lot at 1314 Spruce St., and cash was discovered missing from the trunk by the complainant. There was no forced entry, and the valet had keys. — At 5:40 a.m. Jan. 26, a male ordered drinks at Starbucks, 337 S. Broad St., and could not pay for them — and then wrote a note stating he had a gun and demanded the money from the register. The clerk complied and the male fled. The suspect was described as a black male, 40 years old, 5-foot11 with a medium build and mustache and wearing a black jacket and knit cap with a dark backpack. Central Detectives, which processed the scene for

evidence, collected video surveillance. — Between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 27, someone entered an apartment in the 1200 block of Locust Street without force and stole a laptop. Sixth District Officer Keenan was unable to lift fingerprints. — At 3:10 a.m. Jan. 28, a man at 12th and Spruce streets was threatened at gunpoint by a male known to him. Central Detectives are investigating and will obtain an arrest warrant. — At 5:25 p.m. Jan. 28, while exiting 1111 Market St., a female stopped in front of a male passerby, fell backward stating she was having a seizure while a male behind the passerby lifted his wallet from his rear pants’ pocket and fled back into the building. The suspects were described as a black female, 5foot-3 with short hair and wearing a black leather jacket, and a black male, 6-foot-1 with a thin build and wearing a long black coat with fur collar. NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS — At 3:05 a.m. Jan. 21, in the 400 block of South 11th Street, 6th District Officer Carey was assisting Officer Loggia in placing a male who was under arrest for DUI into the rear of his patrol car when the suspect kicked Carey in the face. The officer was treated and released from a local hospital. The 23year-old suspect with a Sewell, N.J., address was charged with assault on a police officer, DUI and related offenses. — At 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 6th District Officers Grier and Thomas arrested a male wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court outside 1200 Market St. The 28-year-old suspect with a Northeast Philadelphia address was charged with contempt of court. — At 12:35 a.m. Jan. 24, 6th District Officers Macchione and Cifelli arrested a male wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear for court outside 300 S. 12th St. The 26-year-old suspect with a Germantown address was charged with contempt of court. — At 1:45 p.m. Jan. 28, SEPTA police arrested a male in the concourse at 1200 Market St. The 62year-old homeless suspect was charged with indecent exposure. SUMMARY OFFENSE ARRESTS — On Jan. 18, police issued a citation for a summary offense at 7:30 p.m. outside 1300 Walnut St. — On Jan. 21, police issued citations for summary offenses at 8 p.m. outside 1314 Walnut St. and at 10:45 p.m. outside 300 S. 12th St. — On Jan. 22, police issued a citation for a summary offense at 12:55 a.m. outside 1000 Chestnut St. — On Jan. 24, police issued citations for summary offenses at 9:15 p.m. outside 400 S. 12th St. and at 9:25 p.m. outside 1200 Spruce St. — On Jan. 26, police issued a citation for a summary offense at 8:25 p.m. outside 300 S. 13th St. — On Jan. 27, police issued two citations for summary offenses at 9:15 p.m. outside 1314 Walnut St. — On Jan. 28, police issued two citations for summary offenses at 3 a.m. inside 237 S. Broad St.; at 1:20 p.m. outside 261 S. 13th St.; at 1:30 p.m. outside Juniper and Locust streets; two at 7:30 p.m. outside 261 S. 13th St.; 7:35 p.m. outside 1220 Locust St.; and at 8:05 p.m. outside 1300 Spruce St. — On Jan. 29, police issued a citation for a summary offense at 3:40 a.m. outside 1200 Spruce St. ■

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PAGE 37

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UNREQUITED WHITE

Writer Edmund White brings to life Risk-takers: Pioneering gay-male 1960s gay New York writers By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Gay man of letters Edmund White’s irresistible new novel, “Jack Holmes & His Friend,” chronicles the title character moving from the Midwest to New York City in the 1960s and getting a job working for a magazine called The Northern Review. He soon meets and helps Will Wright get a job at the magazine. The men become fast friends, and Jack, who is gay, falls in love with Will. And Will, who is straight, falls in love with Jack’s female friend Alex, eventually marrying her. Over the course of the novel, which unfolds over three decades, White alternates telling the story from the perspectives of each man. On the phone from Key West, the author explained how he came up with his characters and their trajectories. “I started with the idea of a straight man and gay man who are best friends and one is in love with the other. I didn’t know how it would go, so I invented episodes. Once I got Pia [a woman Will has an affair with] — who isn’t based on anyone, but an amalgam of many Eurotrash women I know — she took over, so I had to rein her in. Straight men who have read the book are all enamored of her, and want to have sex with her. It’s funny how people think Jack is sexy and sympathetic, but no one is fascinated by Will.” White is candid about his inclusion of elements of his life — studying Chinese in college, working for magazines and going for psychoanalysis — all thinly veiled. The opportunity to re-imagine his past appealed to him, he disclosed. “I remember Nabokov, in his book ‘Look at the

Harlequins!’ took a version of himself — a vulgarization of himself — and made a story. So I thought it would be interesting to invent a character to lead my life. I went to University of Michigan and then went to New York City [as Jack does]. I worked for Time/Life Books from 1962-1970, and Horizons, a hardcover magazine. That’s what I based The Northern Review on. “I wanted to take someone who wasn’t ambitious, wasn’t a writer, who was better looking, had a bigger endowment and see what he would do in my place. The other character [Will] was pretty much invented.” White not only alternates between the characters, but he changes from third-person narration for Jack to first person for Will. “I wanted Jack to be mysterious,” White explained. “There was some distance for the reader in the third person.” Still, he acknowledged, writing the straight character in first person, particularly Will’s sex scenes, was a challenge. The conversation shifts to explore White’s own sexual history with women. He explains that he did have sex with women years ago, as Jack does. Then he revealed, “I was engaged twice. That was characteristic of the ’60s — gay guys trying to go straight.” White then introduces the element of psychology, which is featured periodically in “Jack Holmes & His Friend”: “People all tried going to shrinks to get straight. I was one.” White wrote a chapter called “My Shrinks” in his book “My Lives,” and confesses to having spent “20 years on couches.” “The only good one was Charles Silverstein, a Gestalt psychologist, and with whom I wrote ‘The Joy of Gay Sex.’ He was gay, so he was not trying to turn me straight, but help me adjust to my gay life and find happiness.” Jack’s dabbling in psyPAGE 26

Christopher Bram’s new nonfiction book, “Eminent Outlaws,” is a fantastic history of American gay-male writers and their literature. And Bram is as good a writer as the many folks he includes here. His engaging storytelling captures the essence of what make these bold, pioneering writers essential to our literary canon. From poet Allen Ginsberg to playwright Tennessee Williams to novelists James Baldwin, Truman Capote, Gore Vidal and Edmund White, among many others, he provides a remarkable chronicle of how gay writing became a catalyst for social change. In a recent email exchange, Bram discussed his book, and the risk-taking writers that inspired him and “Eminent Outlaws.” PGN: You are primarily known as a novelist, but have published nonfiction essays in the past. What prompted you to write this nonfiction book? CB: I was already thinking about possible nonfiction projects when another writer phoned me and wanted to know the state of gay literature

in the 1950s and 1960s. I filled him in for 20 minutes, and I realized no such book existed — and it needed to exist. So I began writing “Eminent Outlaws.” It seemed to be a book I’d been preparing to write for my whole life without knowing it. I read many of the novels and poems I discuss as they came out — or the earlier ones as I came out. I am old enough to remember the antigay press of the 1960s and 1970s, but young [enough] to come out of the experience unscathed. PGN: What did you learn writing the book? CB: Early on, I recognized that the story wasn’t just about my generation — the postStonewall generation — but also the generation before, the generation of Capote, Baldwin and Isherwood. The presence of those two generations — fathers and sons, or uncles and nephews, if you will — really excited me. The story is so interesting, and necessary, that I’m surprised nobody has told it before. I assume other gay writers hesitated for the same reason I hesitated: We want somebody else to write about us. But it’s hard to walk away from a great story. PAGE 28

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WHITE from page 25 move in that position. chology is used in the novel to get him to “I like to write about sex a lot because understand, and accept, his homosexuality. you are alone when you write, and you think White relayed that in the 1960s, coming out about sex.” gay required three “necessary conditions,” Given that the author has published many which he enumerated: acclaimed memoirs and biographies of “Living far from your family, having an gay writers, including Proust, Genet and [independent] income and anonymity. New Rimbaud, does White prefer writing fiction York City met them all, especially if you over nonfiction? were from the Midwest. Women did not “I guess I feel that fiction is the higher art, come out until the beginning of the 20th in that even if your novels aren’t any good, century, because they didn’t have an income only you could have written them.” of their own. They had to be married, or This comment serves to explain why become actresses.” White made Will a writer of failed novels. White uses the 1960s and its social codes “I think writers are more forthcoming,” he as a way of talking about gay liberation, suggested about the character. “When I’ve which is one of the novel’s arcs. “Jack feels written biographies, like ‘Genet,’ the best Will is incredibly tolerant to put up with a interviews were by writers, who are honest gay friend,” the author said. “By the end and remember details. They are interested in of the 1970s, Will realizes it’s trendy to be testifying to the truth and not parroting congay, and people envy [gay ventional wisdom. Even men] — there is a change if Will is a failed writer, of attitude going from he’s sharp in the ways pariah to icon.” I’ve mentioned.” “Jack Holmes & His As for being a gay Friend” ends in the early writer — especially one 1980s, with the onset of included in “Eminent AIDS. The disease has Outlaws,” Christopher important ramifications Bram’s book subtitled, for both main characters “Gay Writers Who and their sexual behavChanged America” — ior and relationships. White demurred, “It’s an When asked if he felt his accident of history that own HIV-positive status you are. I was always prompted him to write quite out and eager to be about promiscuity and AUTHOR EDMUND WHITE identified as a gay writer, AIDS, White answered, Photo: Andrew Fladeboe where other writers are “Maybe I’m sensitive to afraid of losing a larger the issue because I am audience, or being ‘just a positive, but it’s realism. Everybody dis- gay writer.’ If we gays had the same amount cussed AIDS then. It was a fact of life. The of pride and self-acceptance as [other minorsexual behavior of many straight people who ities], we’d see that ‘gay writer’ is an honorwere swingers and wife-swappers and orgy- able title.” goers came to a screeching halt because of Yet White draws a distinction that is also a AIDS.” parallel between straight and gay. “If you’re White takes a moment — and just pride not straight, then you’re gay. Gay reveals the — to mention his work founding the Gay reverse side of the tapestry and shows how Men’s Health Crisis in America, and being the threads come out on the other side.” the first president of the nation’s oldest and Curiously, one of the best passages in biggest gay organization. He also helped “Jack Holmes & His Friend” appears late in Michel Foucault’s lover establish AIDES, the novel, when Jack and Will discuss their in France, when White lived in Paris in the sexuality honestly and openly. White pracmid-1980s. tically balks at the mention of this candid While AIDS puts a damper on the charac- exchange. “I hesitated to write that passage! ters’ promiscuity in the novel — Jack sleeps It was too explicit, very ‘on the money’ diawith countless men, and Will participates in logue as they say in Hollywood. The characorgies — White includes several purple pas- ters say what they think, which is successful sages in his book. And as the co-author of only if you get all the juice out of the fruit. I the aforementioned “The Joy of Gay Sex,” felt I needed to say things about straight vs. White certainly enjoys writing sex scenes. gay life.” “My theory is that it’s fun to write about White was also prompted by his lover, sex, because we all think about it all the writer Michael Carroll, to include more time. It’s a major activity, like eating. I think action and dialogue in his novel and less books should try to reflect proportionally meditation and introspection. human experience as it occurs. “Michael gave me a lot of Richard Yates “My thinking is the opposite of pornogra- to read, and that encouraged me. I used this phy, which is one-handed reading, designed Yates method of scene, scene, scene, and in rhythm and word choice to get you off. action, action, action, which may be why it’s You should try to describe what actu- such a page-turner.” ally happens, which is often comic — the And readers — whether they are longtime body resisting or failing the spirit. You have admirers of White’s writing, or those discovromantic, erotic thoughts, but your body ering the author for the first time — will find can’t deliver. You have premature ejacula- much to enjoy in meeting “Jack Holmes & tion, or can’t get it up or your body can’t His Friend.” ■

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

FEATURE PGN PIONEERS from page 25

PGN: What were your criteria for identifying an author as an “outlaw” or “pioneer”? CB: It’s not an inclusive book and was never intended as such. I had no criteria for whom I included and whom I didn’t. I just concentrated on a handful of writers that best enabled me to tell the larger story — which often meant writers who meant the most to me. Afterward, I went back and wove in some of the writers who didn’t come up naturally — John Rechy, Lanford Wilson, David Leavitt and others.

burst on the scene? How has gay writing changed — and is it for the better? CB: They do, but readers are more experienced — more jaded, maybe — and more difficult to shock or challenge. Baldwin’s “Another Country” was a bestseller in the ’60s because it included straight and gay and interracial sex scenes. Readers complained, but they still bought the book — they clearly enjoyed reading those scenes. People don’t read books for sex scenes anymore — they get their porn elsewhere — but challenging, exciting work is done in other areas.

PGN: You delibPGN: Risk seems erately decided to be a unifying not to include theme in “Eminent yourself in your Outlaws,” as well as book, but how has in your own fiction. your own fiction Why is this such a transformed over critical component to the years in terms gay writing? of the stories you CB: I think risk is create and issues an important comyou explore in ponent to all good your work? fiction writing, and CB: I started not just gay writwith a very selfing. Good writers oriented novel, stick their necks out “Surprising and take chances. Myself,” that They write what wasn’t autobiothey need to write graphical, but was — what they burn about all the issues to write — without that concerned me thinking too much of the consequences. AUTHOR CHRISTOPHER BRAM personally at the time: coming out, Almost all of the writers I discuss began their careers by writ- finding love, making peace with my family. But in everything I wrote since, I tried to ing something gay, got kicked in the teeth, then tried to play it cool, but later came back get beyond that, to explore a wider world. It was always from a gay perspective, but to the subject. Some were quite cagey about I wanted to take in as much new life as I it, such as Gore Vidal, who avoided it after could. Freeing me to do that, enabling me to “City and the Pillar,” then returned with “Myra Breckinridge,” recognizing he had hit explore other areas, was the fact that there were all these other gay writers writing their upon something so polymorphous-perverse own novels. None of us needed to worry it left the idea of “gay” in the dust. Others, about doing Gay Life 101 anymore — if like Christopher Isherwood, swore off the there is such a thing. ■ subject after being slammed by the critics, tried to write something straight and then — Gary M. Kramer said, “Fuck it” and wrote “A Single Man.” PGN: Do you feel that gay men of letters today continue to create work that is challenging as it was when James Baldwin, Allen Ginsberg and Tennessee Williams first

Edmund White and Christopher Bram will read from their books 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St. Admission is free.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

Suzi Nash

J. Mase III: Anti-Cupid poet, activist and twin I don’t know if there is an equivalent to “bah humbug” for Valentine’s Day, but if there is, you’ll probably hear it this Saturday at “Cupid Ain’t @#$%!,” an annual antiValentine’s Day event featuring the bitterest of poets talking about failed relationships, love, sex and bashing that little cherub Cupid. Hosted by event organizer and local poet J. Mase III and featuring a special performance by Def Poet Regie Cabico, poets are invited to share anti-Valentine’s Day musings and compete for a cash prize. PGN: Tell me about J. Mase III. JM: I was born in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey in a small town called Atco. I lived with my mother, off and on with my father, and I have an identical twin. PGN: What was it like there? JM: It was quiet living in the woods. PGN: Did you commune with the animals? JM: Kind of. I went to kindergarten on a farm with about eight other kids. By the time I got to high school, we’d moved to a slightly more suburban area so I graduated with almost 900 kids in the class. PGN: What was a favorite thing to do? JM: As a kid ... just writing, and then in high school, I got into the ROTC and attempted to play a few instruments, though I can’t play anything now. PGN: Favorite poet as a kid? JM: I had two: Phillis Wheatley, who was considered America’s first black woman poet, and Emily Dickinson. I was a very quiet kid and there was a poem by Emily — “I’m nobody! Who are you?” — that I really liked. I look back at it now and think, how depressing! [Laughs.] I try to have more fun with poetry now. PGN: So what is your twin like? JM: She’s also gay but very different from me: She’s high femme! We both work with LGBTQ issues, but aside from that we don’t have a lot in common or any weird twin things. She lives in Brooklyn and, no, I can’t feel it if she gets hurt! PGN: Were you dressed alike as kids? JM: Ugh, until we were 12. And you can just imagine what that does to the psyche of a child trying to find an individual identity. [Laughs.] I’m not sure our extended family even knows our names, they’ve called us “the twins” for so long! PGN: Who came out first? JM: She did, and she reminds me of it all the time. PGN: So was it easy for you to come out after that?

JM: Oh! Ha! I thought you meant literally came out! As in which twin came out first. No, I came out first as LGBT: I came out at 15 and she didn’t come out until we were 20. When I asked her why she waited so long, she said she wanted me to make all the mistakes first. She’s smarter than me. PGN: Where did you go to college? JM: I went to Arcadia University. PGN: Formerly Beaver College. JM: Yes! When I used to see information about it, I remember thinking, who would go to a school called Beaver College? Then, when I was in high school, I got all this info from Arcadia and thought, wow, that sounds like a great place to be! PGN: What was your major? JM: One of the benefits of being at a liberal-arts school is that they let you make up your own major, so mine was multicultural relations. PGN: A favorite teacher? JM: I had two: Dr. Angela Gillem, who I’m still in touch with, and Dr. Ana María García. They were the first queer women of color that mentored me. They’d let me hang out in their offices and let me talk, laugh or cry when I needed it. PGN: How long have you been doing poetry? JM: I’ve been doing performance poetry for about eight years. I love using humor to get a point across. PGN: How did the anti-Cupid event come about? JM: In 2008, I was sitting in a hookah bar with some friends and I was lamenting the upcoming Valentine’s Day. I was single at the time, and thinking, I want a day to celebrate how angry I am at Cupid. A friend of mine said, “Cupid ain’t shit,” and I thought, I want to use that! A number of the people at the table were poets and I asked if they would want to do a show about it. Next thing I knew, we had a venue and did our first anti-Valentine’s Day show at the Bubble House. Now it’s my favorite show to do. We’ve done several performances everywhere from here to New York and even Michigan. PGN: What makes it special? JM: I love that so many people become invested in the humor. A lot of times spoken word can be pretty serious. As activists and artists we forget to laugh. It doesn’t help the movement if I’m miserable about something every day. Life is too short: We need to loosen up sometimes.

PGN: And what draws you to poetry? JM: It’s really a way to educate and entertain at the same time. Not just the words, but for me, it’s also about bringing different factions together. I always try to intentionally engage with multiple communities, from gay people and trans people and straight people and folks of different colors and ages. PGN: What’s a funny piece you’ve heard? JM: Well, people do all sorts of things around sex that are funny. We have one guy, Brian Omni Dillon, who does a piece called “Hey, Thanks for Dumping Me,” which is one of my favorite pieces in the history of the world, and another guy who has a poem about being a gay man who people mistake for straight. They’re both really hilarious, even if I’m not making them sound that way! PGN: Are you involved now? JM: Yes. It makes people question why I still do this, but I have enough bitter

out with matching outfits and everything. Right before were headed out, she broke up with me. It was too late to make any other plans so I was stranded at her house. We ended up going out together but separate: It was very awkward. PGN: Who would you choose as your partner for ”The Amazing Race”? JM: Probably my friend Cheryl. She actually wants us to apply for it. She’s really hyped about it. Me, not so much. PGN: What’s an item you probably should throw out? JM: My phone! I am terrible at keeping up with technology and tend to use things until they die. To this day I still have never owned an mp3 player of any kind. PGN: If you had a theme song that played whenever you walk into a room, what would it be? JM: That would have to be “The Cupid Shuffle.” I work with the kids at The Attic and they’ll all tell you I love step music. It makes me excited when everyone loves a good step. PGN: What do you do for a day job? JM: I work part-time at The Attic Youth Center and I also work with Soulforce. We’re currently organizing the 2012 Equality Ride. PGN: What’s the story behind your name? JM: Mason is my last name, and when people ask me what the J is for, I usually say, “Just Mason.” Me, my sister and my dad all have names that start with J, so since I’m the youngest, I go by J. Mase the III. It makes me feel hipper than I am.

PGN: If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a month, who would it be? JM: Oh, that’s serious. Probably Dr. Angela, because I think we’re both a Photo: Suzi Nash little OCD. She’d probably left over to keep it going for a while. be able to handle my quirks I always tell people when I date them, remember I’m an artist, so whatever we do better than most. may not be confidential! PGN: What do you miss most about being a kid? PGN: Your worst date ever? JM: The colors. Growing up in the woods, JM: There are so many! But one I wrote there were so many colors from different a poem about was with a girl I was datplants and animals, flowers and blue jays ing in Toronto. I went up to visit her over and bright greens in the springtime. You just the holidays. I’d never gone out for New don’t see that in the city. Year’s Eve and we made all sorts of plans for the night. We were going all the way PAGE 35

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

LOVEPGN & LUST

Cupid has his work cut out for him in Philly By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Valentine’s Day is upon us again, the annual holiday that celebrates romance and separates all of us into two camps: the people who have no significant other and are miserable, and the people who are in relationships and miserable but have to slap a fresh coat of feigned happiness to procure the guaranteed action Valentine’s Day encourages. No matter which camp you belong to, there are a ton of Valentine’s Day distractions to get into the spirit of love, or at least take the edge off the intense tsunami of bitterness bearing down on you. A few events around town celebrate cynicism about love. Before the big day, show up for “Cupid Ain’t @#$%!: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Poetry Movement,” 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at A Poet’s Art Gallery, 4510 Walnut St. Here, hosted by J. Mase III (Family Portrait, page 29), bitter poets will opine about failed relationships, love and sex.

The Cupid is Dead Fundraiser Cabaret will benefit the Collage Festival and features headliner Allies For Everyone and locally and internationally renowned musicians and artists from Philadelphia and New York, 7 p.m. at Tritone, 1508 South St. The turn-ons for this event include anything black, dead celebrity crushes, failed relationships, unrequited love, abandonment, love that kills, romantic alternatives, critiques of corporate

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love and expressions of everyday love. Yeah, save us a seat. For more information, visit

LOVEPGN & LUST

www.collagefestival.com or call 215-545- over the werewolves and vampires too. But 0475. Rice is no slouch in the creativity departIn Matchbox Theatre Project’s one-night- ment, and she just might give the legendonly production, “Playdaters,” roommates ary creatures the edge that the Spencer and Erwin exploit a dating web- Twilight Saga stripped away. For site to play a game of pranks on unsuspect- more information or tickets, call ing women. As the rules of the game break 215-567-4341. First Person StorySlam hosts down, so do the rules of a conventional romantic comedy, and their crazy antics an evening of spoken-word perbecome an occasion to examine and laugh formances with the theme of at the chaos, desperation and desire that “The Ex-Files,” so there is bound lies in a “real” relationship. Catch it at 8:30 to be some drama on the mic or 10 p.m. at Plays and Players 3rd Floor as people share stories of love, Studio Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place. For lust and romance lost. Local more information, call 215-735-0630. performer R. Eric Thomas and The Trocadero Theater guest storyteller gets in on the Valentine’s Amanda Feifer action as only it knows O’Brien host how: with love, hate and all the action, 8 apathy. The Troc gets into p.m. at World the spirit of the day with Cafe Live, 3025 free candy grams, arts Walnut St. For and crafts, dating horror more information, call 215-222-1400. stories and a screening Don’t despair. Love of romantic drama “Blue is still alive and well Valentine,” 8 p.m., 1003 on Valentine’s Day in Arch St. For more inforPhiladelphia. mation, call 215-9226888. World Cafe Live also If Valentine’s Day still caters to the lovey-dovey isn’t dark enough for side of the holiday too. you, best-selling gothic Optimistic lovers can AUTHOR ANNE RICE bypass the venom of the horror author Anne Rice is in town to celebrate StorySlam upstairs and the Valentine’s Day release of her latest venture downstairs for a special Valentine’s novel, “The Wolf Gift,” 7:30 p.m. at Central Day wine and jazz dinner featuring The Library, 1901 Vine St. Yeah, we’re kind of Orrin Evans Quartet at 7 p.m.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

Out in Norristown, The Beagle Tavern rewards frequent users of Grindr, adam4adam and Manhunt with A Celebration of Single Life, where patrons can show their various single mobile apps for a buy-oneget-one-free drink special, 9 p.m.2 a.m., 1003 E. Main St. For more information, call 610-272-3133. ICandy and DJ Salotta Lee hosts an all-ages (18 and over, to be exact) spotlight party where “PLAYDATERS” guests are encouraged to dress for the theme: red if you’re taken, yellow if open and green if single. The traffic starts 10 p.m.-2 a.m., 254 S. 12th St. For more information, visit clubicandy.com. Valentine’s evening really heats up in Atlantic City when R&B singer Marsha Ambrosius serenades her fans with love songs, 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk. For more information or tickets, call 609-343-4000. Whether you’re happy or less than happy this Valentine’s Day, we hope life turns into a heart-shaped box of chocolates for you by the end of the evening. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

New restaurant sings for your supper By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com

and a good show. If you want to do your part, dress up in a tux and play along with the throwback fantasy. (But you can dress casually and get treated like a VIP, too.) Unless you are fresh off the kids’ menu in your eating experience, you’ll be familiar with all the dishes Walnut has to offer — the classics any respectable restaurant from the bygone era would have. And Walnut Street Supper Club dedicates itself to nailing each and every one of these dishes perfectly.

The classics never go out of style — and Walnut Street Supper Club, 1227 Walnut St., is living proof. When Portofino Restaurant had to close down last year due to extensive damage inflicted by Hurricane Irene, general manager James McManaman saw an opportunity to reinvent the space into a stunningly gorgeous restaurant harkening back to the supper clubs from the 1940s, with a staff that takes turns performing songs from the Great American Songbook. And what a talented lot they are. Somebody damn near got misty when the waiter who kept refreshing our water and bread busted out “Rainbow Connection.” If you are looking for the latest innovation in food and restaurant trends, this isn’t the place for you. But since we’ve been inundated with all kinds of culinary wizardry of late, it was refreshing to go back SINGER/WAITER DANNY to the basics: good food MARCHESKI

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R e m e m b e r that scene in “Ratatouille” when the jaded food reviewer took a bite and was instantly flashing back to his childhood in the kitchen when his mother cooked his favorite dish for him? Yeah, that’s what it’s like eating at Walnut Street Supper Club. E a c h d i s h d e l ive r s a pitch-perfect food memory, whether real or imagined, taking din-

If you go Walnut Street Supper Club 1227 Walnut St. Open for dinner Monday-Saturday 215-923-8208 www.1227walnut. com

WALNUT STREET SUPPER CLUB Photos: Scott A. Drake ers back to their best earliest fine-dining memories. Appetizers such as the breaded calamari ($8), the seafood medley martini ($10) and the wild mushroom ensemble were flawless and made you feel Frank and Sammy were about to enter the establishment. The entrées were perfect as well. Fans of Portofino’s Italian fare won’t miss the old dishes at all, as they will find serious comfort in the lobster ravioli ($20, and the baby lobster tails that garnished the

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dish were a nice touch) and the fettuccini alla vodka ($17). And we dare anyone to try the “fall off the bone” babyback pork ribs ($18) and tell us they’re not perfection: tender, juicy and perfectly sauced. The tuna steak ($21), one of the specials on our night, was delightfully elegant as well. The desserts included a classic range of cheesecake to cannoli and tiramisu. If a restaurant like Walnut Street Supper Club is the result, Philadelphia should get hit by a hurricane every year. ■

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LOVE PGN & LUST

PROFILE PGN PORTRAIT from page 29

PGN: I’m known for ... JM: Using foul language and making it seem like I’m not. I try to be polite with my cursing. PGN: Movie that makes you cry? JM: Anyone who knows me knows that I love “The Wiz” in an unnatural way. Every time I see it I learn something new. I made the kids at The Attic watch it almost every day for a month! I think it says something about people’s lives, especially people of color. The other movie would be “Across the Universe,” especially the scene where that cutie sings “Let it Be.” That little boy messes me up whenever I see it. PGN: Favorite clothing? JM: Well, I do like to dress up on occasion, so I enjoy my sequins and bright colors and a little tie every now and again. But my favorite piece would be my black sequin sneakers. They’re shiny and I like to put different neon color laces in them. They make me happy. PGN: In your piece, “Neighbor,” you reference the short life expectancy of a trans person. It was astonishing. JM: Well, I identify as transmasculine. In the piece, I speak about encountering my ex-partner’s neighbor. I try to use humor to get people to buy in a little before hitting them with something serious. When we talk about LGBT issues, we gloss over a lot. We all want to be seen as nice people, so we give a nod to the T in LGBT, but don’t really do anything or understand it. Unfortunately, worldwide, the life expectancy of a trans person is believed to be about 23. In the U.S., it’s about 37. That’s pretty crappy. Trans people are some of the few people who can be legally denied health care. A lot of the systems and facilities intended to help at-risk people are sex-segregated, and that alienates people who don’t comply with state-imposed categories. If your paperwork doesn’t match your face, they don’t have to help you. For example, a trans woman may not be able to secure a bed in a homeless shelter. After Hurricane Katrina, a lot of transwomen really had trouble getting any kind of care. They were invisible, weren’t seen as people. So I try to make people aware of things they might not know about. PGN: And what’s the “Start Rhymin’ Stop AIDS” program? JM: I believe it came through Louis Ortiz and the Youth Health Empowerment Project. Louis is a great poet himself under the name Lou Rok. It’s a great way to get people together to express themselves. Poetry saves lives. When you’re doing an art piece, people are listening with different parts of their brain and so you can engage them and give out information without it being a lecture. You can massage the words so that people can really internalize them. PGN: You’re also the author of “If I

Should Die Under the Knife, Tell My Kidney I Was the Fiercest Poet Around.” What was that about? JM: Well, my friend Cheryl — who I said I’d do “The Amazing Race” with — has one of my kidneys. The left one; his name is Shamus. A few years ago, Cheryl sent out a generic email to all her friends saying that she was going into kidney failure. We hadn’t really spoken for a while but when I saw it I felt compelled to get tested. I’m someone who doesn’t like needles, so if you’d asked me five years ago if I’d be willing to donate a body part, I would have laughed at you. But when the request came from a friend, I thought, Well, I’m healthy. Why not at least get tested? I did and I was a match, a better match than even some of her family members, so I did it. I wrote the book because I felt I could raise awareness about donor options as well as raise money for the Gift of Life Foundation. The book has poetry and stories about my own journey of becoming a donor as well as banter between me and Cheryl and some thoughts from my family. I also include resources in case people want to learn more about becoming an organ donor. Especially as people of color, we have the least access to care and yet have high rates of diabetes, etc. I always talk about it in my show because you never know when someone will come up and say, “I have kidney disease,” and it gives them a chance to speak frankly about it and share their stories. Who knows, someone in the audience might be a match that could save someone’s life. PGN: Are you a religious person? JM: Yes and no. I love talking Scripture and about the Bible and the Quran, especially around LGBT issues. I work with a lot of churches on being LGBTQ inclusive and do a lot of workshops through The Attic Youth Center and will be doing a lot of stuff around that subject with Soulforce. The resiliency of a lot of people, kids and adults, is very dependent on them having access to religious spaces that are not only affirming, but are from their own faith background. I was able to write an article about gay teens and the church for Vanderbilt African American Lectionary Online with a colleague of mine. So to answer your question, I would say I’m compelled by a belief in God. For me, I feel like I like to go wherever I feel that God is, and sometimes that is not just one specific type of religious building. I feel like a lot of the reason I get up every morning and do art or poetry or do my work or socialism or activism is because of my faith and wanting to get a good message out to people. Even if I do curse too much ... ■ Catch “Cupid Ain’t @#$%!” at 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at A Poet’s Art Gallery, 4510 Walnut St. For more information, visit www.jmaseiii.com. To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

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3 million eBooks available at www.queerbooks.com Jewelers’ Row Philadelphia �� SansomCoinExchange.com

email: giovannis_room@verizon.net 345 S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 215-923-2960 Mon-Sat 11:30 - 7, Sun 1 - 7

��

�� By John Logan Directed by Anders Cato

Starring: Bob Ari from Broadway’s Frost/Nixon, as Mark Rothko and Randy Harrison from Showtime’s Queer as Folk, as his assistant Ken.

Now Thru February 26, 2012 POST SHOW PRIDE PARTY FRI., FEB. 24. visit GSPonline.org for pride party and show details.

Box office: 732-246-7717 • Online: www.GSPonline.org Only at GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE 9 Livingston Avenue , New Brunswick, NJ 08901 David Saint, Artistic Director • Norma Kaplan, Managing Director This Program is made possible in par t by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Ar ts/Depar tment of State, A Par tner Agency of the National Endowment for the Ar ts.

Bob Ari and Randy Harrison in Red, photo by T. Charles Erickson.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 02/10 Javier Colon The singer and winner of season one of “The Voice” performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650. el malito with Sgt. Sass and KillerWhale The three groups perform 9 p.m. at Level Room, 2102 Market St.; 215564-4202. The 2012 Tattoo Arts Convention After-party Pretty Poison Burlesque and Misstallica perform 11:30 p.m. at The Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Sat. 02/11 Professor Patrick Chen The author of “Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology” hosts a reading 3 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. Peek-aBoo Revue Valentine’s Show! The neo-burlesque cabaret performs 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. Real Diamond The Neil Diamond tribute band performs 3 and 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24

W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808. “Do Ask, Do Tell,” A Gay Comedy Competition The competition starts 9 p.m. at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster; 717509-4487. The 2012 Tattoo Arts Convention After-party Murphy’s Law and Pretty Poison Burlesque perform 11:30 p.m. at The Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Sun. 02/12 Mrs. Miniver The acclaimed 1942 drama is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

The Fog of War The 2004 documentary is screened 4:30 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

SALUTE THE SGT.: Out Philadelphia hip-hop duo Sgt. Sass is set to raise the roof when they perform 9 p.m. Feb. 10 at Level Room, 2102 Market St. For more information, visit www.sgtsass. com or call 215564-4202.

Curtis Symphony Orchestra The orchestra performs 8 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Mon. 02/13 Groove Night Local musicians join forces to bring the R&B, soul, jazz and funk, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. Super The action film is screened 8 p.m. at The Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

�� LGBT HEALTH & WELL-BEING SINCE 1979

• Primary medical care/HIV care

Tue. 02/14 Cupid is Dead Fundraiser Cabaret for Collage Festival Allies For Everyone headline a show featuring local and internationally renowned musicians and artists from Philadelphia and New York, 7 p.m. at Tritone, 1508 South St.; www.collagefestival.com. Unlabeled: The Acoustic/ Electric Open Mic for Up and Comers Sign up and play, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. Anne Rice The author of “The Wolf Gift” hosts a book event at 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.

• Transgender health services • Mental health counseling • Substance abuse treatment • LGBT legal services

Blue Valentine The drama is screened 8 p.m. at The Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

• HIV/STD testing • HIV support services • Community outreach & education

w w w . m a z z o n i c e n t e r . o r g

MAIN 21 South 12th Street Philadelphia PA 19107 215.563.0652

MEDICAL 809 Locust Street Philadelphia PA 19107 215.563.0658

First Person Story Slams Spoken-word artists perform 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. TuesGAY Nights Lyrics Lounge and DJ June Rodrigues

hosts a weekly night of music and performers for the LGBT community at 8 p.m., 6527 Roosevelt Blvd.; 215-533-5888. The Playdaters Erwin and Spencer like playing games. But when Spencer wants to branch out into the reality of a real relationship, Erwin can’t handle it and the wheels start to fall off, 8:30 and 10 p.m. at Plays and Players 3rd Floor Studio Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place; 215-735-0630.

Wed. 02/15

W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215257-5808. SuiteFranchon Presents: Peace, Love & Poetry Local and regional artists will tell stories of love and life through songs and poetry, 8:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and

Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215545-4511.

Fri. 02/17 Aaron Lewis The rock singer performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. MST3K: Time Chasers The cynical robot cinephiles are at it again, 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 215-222-1400. Sex Toy Bingo The crowd will be buzzing 9 p.m. at The Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.

Thu. 02/16 Edmund White The gay literary icon hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. David Johansen The New York Dolls frontman performs 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24

‘PEEK’ PERFORMANCE: Philadelphia neo-burlesque cabaret Peek-a-Boo Revue is making its naughty rounds in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day with shows featuring “one-woman riot” Mennie Tonka (pictured), 8 p.m. Feb. 11 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del., and shows at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. For more information, visit www. peekaboorevue.com.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Opening Oscar Nominated Short Films This year’s crop of shorts is screened through Feb. 16 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223. Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention See some impressive ink, Feb. 10-12 at Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.; 800-541-8239. The Artist The Oscar-nominated silent film is screened Feb. 17-23 at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-9170223. Rachmaninoff Second Concerto The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 17-18 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. The Abduction from the Seraglio The Opera Company of Philadelphia performs Feb. 17-26 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Continuing Collab: Four Decades of Giving Modern and Contemporary Design Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition that includes some of the fin-

snowstorm only to find out that one of them is a murderer, through March 4, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. The Scottsboro Boys The Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-winning musical from the legendary songwriting team of Kander and Ebb exploring the infamous 1930s Scottsboro Case, in which a group of African-American teens are falsely accused of a terrible crime, through Feb. 19 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420. Time, Light, Chance The James Oliver Gallery presents Ron Johnson’s exhibition of oil paintings, through March 2, 723 Chestnut St., fourth floor; www.jamesolivergallery. com. Van Gogh Up Close Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by Vincent van Gogh, through May 6, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Zaha Hadid: Form in Motion Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of product designs by architect Hadid, who in 2004 became the first female recipient of the renowned Pritzker Architecture Prize, through March 25, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

‘DOLL’ PARTS: David Johansen, frontman for the legendary and inﬂuential New York Dolls, performs 8 p.m. Feb. 16 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville. Maybe if you ask nicely, Buster Poindexter will make a cameo appearance. For more information or tickets, call 215-257-5808.

est examples of European, American and Japanese design, through fall 2012, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Doing Time | Depth of Surface Philagrafika hosts an exhibition exploring the architecture and stories of Philadelphia’s historic Holmesburg Prison, through March 17 at The Galleries at Moore, 20th and the Parkway; 215-9654027, thegalleriesatmoore.org. Motherhood: The Musical Society Hill Playhouse presents the musical comedy from the creators of “Menopause: The Musical,” through Feb. 29, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215-923-0211. The Mousetrap Walnut Street Theatre presents the Agatha Christie murder mystery about a group of people trapped in a mansion during a

Zoe Strauss: Ten Years Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a mid-career retrospective of the acclaimed out photographer’s work and the first critical assessment of her 10-year project to exhibit her photographs annually beneath a section of Interstate-95 in South Philadelphia, through April 22, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.

Closing Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak Dance Company The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the dance company that combines elements of fantasy and sideshow imagery, through Feb. 11 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900. Member Artists’ Group Show Twenty-Two Gallery presents a group-

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

ing of 22 local artists’ work in a variety of media, including oils, acrylics, sculpture, print work, mixed media and photography, through Feb. 11, 236 S. 22nd St.; 215-7221911. A Night at the Oscars Peter Nero and the Philly Pops performs through Feb. 12 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Orchestral Spectacular The Philadelphia Orchestra performs through Feb. 11 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Overexposed: A Slightly Awkward Peep Show Quince Productions presents a story about three people trying to figure out who they are in relation to their sexuality, through Feb. 12 at Laurie Beecham Cabaret at the Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St.; www.quinceproductions.com. Pushing Boundaries The Pennsylvania Ballet performs through Feb. 12 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Rent The hit musical about impoverished artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York City’s Lower East Side is on stage through Feb. 11 at Eagle Theatre, 208 Vine St.; Hammonton, N.J.; 856-704-5012. ■

BLOODY VALENTINE: Superstar author Anne Rice runs with the (were)wolves when she comes to town Valentine’s Day to promote her new book, “The Wolf Gift,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St. For more information or tickets, call 215-567-4341.

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.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-8 p.m. MondayFriday; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; 215-898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday

and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981; 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: 12-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 12-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; 126 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning

Religion/Spirituality Arch Street United Methodist Church Services 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 55 N. Broad St.; 215-568-6250. Bethlehem-Judah Ministries Open and afﬁrming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 5091 N. Dupont Hwy., Suite D, Dover, Del.; 302-730-4425. BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Church Services 10:15 a.m. at 2040 Street Road, Warrington; 215-3430406. Calvary United Methodist Church Reconciling, welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 801 S. 48th St.; 215-724-1702.

Key numbers

■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221

■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 1800-662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 112 N. Broad St., third floor; 215-496-0330 ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBTLAW; legalservices@mazzonicenter. org ■ Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine: 215-563-0658 ■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833

Health

AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 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; 12-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St. 215851-1822 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 and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing

■ Greater Philadelphia Professional Network Networking group for area business professionals, self-employed and business owners meets monthly in a different location throughout the city, invites speakers on various topics, partners with other nonprofits and maintains a Web site where everyone is invited to sign up for e-mail notices for activities and events.; www.gppn.org.

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson: 215-683-2840 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 267-216-6606; ppd. lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: 215875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

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

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 3439 N. Hutchinson St..; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000.

■ 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) 6279090; www.galloplaw.org.

■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 215-772-2000

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 chronic-disease 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-Friday except for 12-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

Professional groups ■ 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. ■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals

and students, meets for social and networking events; www.nlgjaphiladephia.org. ■ 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. ■ Philly OutGoing Professionals Social group for gay, lesbian and bisexual professionals meets for social and cultural activities; 856857-9283; popnews19@yahoo. com.

Old First Reformed Church Open and affirming United Church worships 10 a.m. at 151 N. Fourth St.; 215-922-4566; www.oldfirstucc.org. Penns Park United Methodist Church Welcoming and affirming church holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; 215-598-7601. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Progressive and affirming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays with Holy Eucharist at 3723 Chestnut St.; 215-386-0234; www.philadelphiacathedral.org.

Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church Services 11 a.m. and Spirit at Play, an arts-based Sunday school for children, at 9:30 a.m. at 8812 Germantown Ave.; 215-242-9321.

Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Group Meets 5 p.m. Sundays at the William Way Center.

Church of the Holy Trinity Inclusive church holds services 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays at 1904 Walnut St.; 215-567-1267. Dignity Jersey Shore An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets the first Saturday of the month in Asbury Park. For time and location, call 732-502-0305. Dignity Metro NJ An organization for sexual-minority Catholics meets 4 p.m. first and third Sundays of the month at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood; 973-509-0118. Dignity Philadelphia Holds Mass 7 p.m. Sundays at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-546-2093; dignityphila@aol.com. Drexel Hill Baptist Church Nonjudgmental Christian congregation affiliated with American Baptist Churches of the USA holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 4400 State Road, Drexel Hill; 610-259-2356; www.dhbaptist.com. Emanuel Lutheran Church Reconciling in Christ congregation meets 9:30 a.m. Sundays at New and Kirkpatrick streets, New Brunswick, N.J.; 732-545-2673; www.emmanuelnb.org. St. Paul Episcopal Church Welcoming and inclusive church holds services 9:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 89 Pinewood Drive, Levittown; 215-6881796; www.stpaullevittown.org.

available by appointment at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Ofﬁce Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-5869077.

Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia Holds services 1 p.m. Sundays at the University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 3637 Chestnut St.; 215-294-2020; www. mccphiladelphia.com.

Central Baptist Church Welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services 10:45 a.m. Sundays at 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; 610-688-0664.

Church of the Cruciﬁxion Inclusive Episcopal community holds services 10 a.m. Sundays and 6 p.m. Fridays at 620 S. Eighth St.; 215-922-1128.

■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377

Metropolitan Community Church of Christ the Liberator Holds services 10:45 a.m. Sundays at the Pride Center of New Jersey; mccctl.com.

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting worships 11 a.m. Sundays at 1515 Cherry St.; 215-241-7260; cpmm@afsc.org. Resurrection Lutheran Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 620 Welsh Road, Horsham; 215-646-2597. Silverside Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays followed by a group discussion at 2800 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Del.; 302-478-5921; silversidechurch.org. St. Asaph’s Church Inclusive and progressive Episcopal church holds services 9:15 a.m. Sundays, with a contemplative communion at 8 a.m., at 27 Conshohocken State Road, Bala Cynwyd; 610-664-0966; www. saintasaphs.org. St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) Reconciling in Christ congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; 215-646-2451; www. stjohnsambler.org. St. Luke and The Epiphany Church Open and welcoming church holds liturgy 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays fall through winter at 330 S. 13th St.; 215-732-1918; stlukeandtheepiphany.org. St. Mary of Grace Parish Inclusive church in the Catholic tradition celebrates Mass 6 p.m. Sundays in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media; 610-566-1393; www. inclusivecatholics.org.

Evangelicals Concerned Lesbian and gay Christian group; 215-860-7445.

St. Mary’s Church Diverse and inclusive Episcopal church celebrates the Eucharist 11 a.m. Sundays; adult forum 9:30 a.m.; and evening prayer 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at 3916 Locust Walk; 215-386-3916; www. stmarysatpenn.org.

First Baptist Church Welcoming and afﬁrming church holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 123 S. 17th St.; 215-563-3853.

Tabernacle United Church Open and afﬁrming congregation holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 3700 Chestnut St.; 215-386-4100; tabunited.org.

First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne Welcoming church holds services at 10 a.m. Sundays at 140 N. Lansdowne Ave.; 610-626-0800; www.lansdownepresbyterianchurch.com.

Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church Christian Formation: Adult, 9:30 a.m.; Children: 10:30; Youth: Noon Sundays. Worship with nursery care 10:30. First Sunday of the month, 7 p.m. Mosaic: jazz with poetry and prose; 2212 Spruce St.; 215-732-2515; trinityphiladelphia.org.

First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia A liberal, welcoming and diverse congregation that affirms the dignity of all. Sunday services 10 a.m., 2125 Chestnut St.; 215563-3980; www.firstuu-philly.org. The First United Church of Germantown A sexual-minority-affirming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays at 6001 Germantown Ave.; lunch follows; 215-438-3077. www.fumcog.org. Grace Epiphany Church A welcoming and diverse Episcopal congregation in Mt. Airy with services 9:30 a.m. Sundays at 224 E. Gowen Ave.; 215-248-2950. www.grace-epi.org. Holy Communion Lutheran Church ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation worships Sundays at 9 a.m. at 2111 Sansom St. and 11 a.m. at 2110 Chestnut St.; 215-567-3668; www.lc-hc.org/drupal. Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church Sexual-minority congregation worships at 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 1223 Middletown Road (Route 352), Glen Mills; 610-358-1716; www.ImagoDeiMCC.org. Living Water United Church of Christ An open and affirming congregation that meets for worship 11 a.m. on Sundays; 2006 Germantown Ave.; 215-765-1970; www. lwucc.org. Kol Tzedek Reconstructionist synagogue committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community meets at Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th St.; 215764-6364; www.kol-tzedek.org. Mainline Unitarian Church Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon; 610-688-8332; www.mluc.org. Maple Shade Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ Affirming congregation open to all sexual orientations and gender identities holds services 10 a.m. Sundays at 45 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade, N.J.; 856-779-7739; mapleshadeucc.org.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. at 145 W. Rose Tree Road, Media. Interweave, a group for LGBT parishioners and allies, meets noon the first Sunday of the month; 610-566-4853; www.uucdc.org. Unitarian Society of Germantown Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 6511 Lincoln Drive; 215-844-1157; www.usguu.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Holds services 10:15 a.m. Interweave, a group of LGBT Unitarians and their allies, also meets at 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; 856-667-3618; uucch.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration, Mt. Airy Welcoming congregation holds services 11 a.m. Sundays September-June at 6900 Stenton Ave.; 215-247-2561; www. uurestoration.us. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Jersey Shore Holds services 10 a.m. Sundays in Galloway Township; 609-9659400; www.uucsjs.org. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown Holds services 10:30 a.m. at 1565 S. Keim St.; 610-327-2662. www.uupottstown.org. United Christian Church Open, affirming and welcoming congregation holds services 10:15 a.m. Sundays at 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown; 215-946-6800. Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia Diverse, affirming LGBT congregation holds services 2 p.m. Sundays at 55 N. Broad St. University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Welcoming congregation holds services 10:30 a.m. Sundays at 3637 Chestnut St. preceded by “Adult Forum: Sundays” at 9:30 with discussion of religious alienation and struggles of faith; 215387-2885; www.uniphila.org.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

Q Puzzle Taylor-made advice Across

1. One that may be beaten 5. Demonstrated heterosexuality 9. Answer to “Who’s there?” 14. Coin on the Continent 15. It was gauche, for Debussy 16. Henri’s boyfriends 17. St. Patrick’s land 18. Tight-assed 19. Taco topping 20. Start of a quote from Tate Taylor’s “The Help” 23. Thousandth of

an angry inch? 24. Poet’s before 25. S&L assets, maybe 26. Accuse of wrongdoing 28. Old car brand name 30. Takes too much GHB, e.g. 32. Bottom’s offer to pay? 33. Relates with 35. Literate boast? 36. More of the quote 39. Type of hole 40. Weatherspoon of the WNBA 41. Soothing agent 42. Edvard Grieg’s land (abbr.) 43. Swallowed hard 47. At the top 49. BB propellant

50. Vein filler 51. Head of the bd. 52. End of the quote 56. Word before “ho!” 58. Minute opening 59. Charger, to a Cockney 60. Joe of “The Ruffian on the Stair” 61. Resolve, with “out” 62. Poetic adverb 63. “... ___ evil” 64. Relief of Lincoln 65. Blows it

Down

1. Took it off 2. Shirley’s “Terms of Endearment” role 3. Hot dish holder 4. Fine-tune

5. Just out 6. Fruit refuse 7. Cole Porter’s “Well, Did You ___” 8. Penn. neighbor 9. “Hedda Gabler” playwright 10. Leaves for a drink 11. “Giant” actor 12. Robert Preston Broadway role 13. Lifted up 21. Sharpness 22. Scale notes 27. Along the back 29. It won’t give you mono 30. Multiple-choice answer 31. Closet opening 34. “And ___ bed” 35. Get a policy on 36. Playing with a full deck

37. “Daddy’s ___ ” (gay-positive kids’ book) 38. Privates standing at attention, perhaps 39. Pampas cowboys 42. Last in a series 44. Wedding vow word 45. Rubber 46. Tries to put a restraint on 48. One ruled by a dictator? 49. Composer Copland 53. “Spartacus” or “Ben-Hur” 54. In need of Bengay 55. Outta here 57. Maria ___ Trapp

Worth Watching

PEANUTS ENVY: Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang try to make a love connection on “A Charlie Brown Valentine” 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 on ABC.

AND THE WINNER IS ... : Acclaimed singer Adele performs — and will presumably take home a truckload of trophies — at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, 8 p.m. Feb. 12 alongside Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. Photo: Lauren Dukoff

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING: “The Walking Dead” resumes its second season 9 p.m. Feb. 12 on AMC, right after Shane (Jon Bernthal) and company unload on a barn full of zombies in a gut-wrenching cliffhanger. Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) is going to have a hell of a time smoothing things over with their host. Hopefully, they’ll take the hint and leave the farm they have spent the last seven episodes hanging around. Photo: AMC/Gene Page

A LITTLE WHINE WITH DINNER: After closing on the sale of a house to Mitch and Cam’s (Jesse Tyler Ferguson, left, and Eric Stonestreet) friends, Phil and Claire take the couple out for a celebratory dinner, where they proceed to overindulge in drinks, which leads to some over-sharing, 9 p.m. Feb. 15 on “Modern Family.” Photo: ABC/Peter Hopper Stone

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REALPGN ESTATE

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

Classifieds 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.

Home of the Week

Featured property:

Brigantine, NJ - $439,900 Stunning Cathedral Kitchen & Family Room ceilings, w/ Remote skylights & shades.... �� built around a center ﬁreplace with three Casablanca Remote Controlled Fans & Lights. Recessed Lighting, Pendent Quartz PAGE 47 over Island and Kitchen Peninsula. Oak Hardwood ﬂoors in Master Bedroom & Family Rooms. Beautiful Tile Design in Kitchen, Jacuzzi in Master Bath. Two Ext. Porches, One Enclosed, Huge private patio.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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 Seller: James Moffa �� that is in violation of any applicable law.

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�� REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE �� Open House �� Saturday, February 11th, 12-2 �� - Meticulously �� 217 White Horse Pike, Collingswood �� Maintained and upgraded classic 3 bed, 2.5 bath �� Colonial in Collingswood’s Theater District. Close �� to Collingswood’s shopping and dining, 20 minutes �� to center city Philadelphia, easy drive to the shore �� and access to Washington and NYC. House is in �� Perfect Condition! Features new kitchen in 2010, �� two tier deck with lush gardens and back yard �� oasis, retractable awning over the deck, sprinkler �� system, central speaker system inside and in back �� yard. Newer Anderson windows, high efficiency �� heat and c/a, enclosed sun porch with gas stove/ �� fireplace, new master bathroom w/natural stone �� shower, seamless glass door and Grohe fixtures... �� Too much to list, a must see! $299,900 �� Open House �� Saturday, February 11th, 12-2 �� 1015 Park Avenue, Collingswood – Beautiful Colonial with remodeled eat-in kitchen, exquisite �� formal dining room, living room boasts a stone �� fireplace (converted to gas), TV room with fireplace and a beautiful, naturally lit sunroom. The 2nd floor features 3 good sized Br’s, hall bath with subway tile and an unusually spacious master bath with Jacuzzi tub and separate shower stall. The 3rd floor could easily be a 4th Br, studio, etc. The laundry room is on the 2nd floor. Some upgrades: roof, windows, on demand hot water heater, gas heat, refinished hardwood floors, driveway and baths. There is a detached 3 car gar w/opener with 3rd bay off of back.. $349,900

SALE

E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com

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Open House �� Saturday, February 11th, 12-2

24 Harding Avenue, Oaklyn - Completely rehabbed Colonial with hardwood floors and fresh neutral �� colors throughout. The New Kitchen boast of plenty ofLarge cabinet 2 space and1granite ��. Furness Flats. bed, bath.countertops, last newer bathrooms granite counterCity tops. unit left in this highly desirabletwo building. Close with to all Center If you are looking for an open floor plan that flows Hospitals. Low fees and taxes ................................�� and shows magnificently, this is the home that will impress you. $212,200 �� “George T. Sale Condo” Unique Garden

level 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax Main Street Realty Abatement. Lowest price 1 bd. in area ........................��.

730 Haddon Avenue Collingswood, NJ ��. New open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo 856-858-2200 with low taxes and condo fees. Great small pet friendly building. ��

* * * * * * * * * .........................................................................�� www.MainStRealty.com

�� Old Swedes Court. New Listing Large 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath with Garage, roof deck and hardwood ﬂoors. Low association fees in Queen Village ....................��

Phone: 609-458-3711

REAL ESTATE

SALE

RENTAL ��

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Conrad Kuhn

Broker/Sales Rep. Since 1987 NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 1991- 2009 Weichert President’s & Ambassador’s Clubs

Ofﬁce: 856.227.1950 ext. 124 Cell: 609.221.1196 www.conradkuhn.com Realtor856@aol.com Washington Township Ofﬁce 5070 Route 42 Turnersville, NJ 08012

PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________36-10 Independence Place. Owner wants to share 2 BR furn. condo. $600 + utils. 267-519-0091. _______________________________36-06

SALE

LARGE WEST MT. AIRY HOUSE FOR SALE 300 block W. Hortter St.: Modern. 3Brms, 2.5 baths. Fireplace. Front & back yards. Off-street parking, Skylight. Near regional rail. Central air/heating. Whole-house water softener. $275,000. Call 215-848-4000. _______________________________36-15 NY SPORTSMAN & OUTDOOR FAMILY LAND BUYS! This is the best time ever!! 6AC- along snowmobile trail WAS: $29,995 NOW: $13,995. 51AC- Near Salmon River WAS: $69,995 NOW: $49,995. 5AC- Beautiful woodlands & riverfront WAS: $69,995 NOW: $39,995. 97AC- Timber & trout stream WAS: $119,995 NOW: $99,995. In house ﬁnancing. Over 150 land bargains. Call 800-229-7843 Or visit www. LandandCamps.com _______________________________36-06

�� VACATION

ROOMMATES

REAL ESTATE

RENT

12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________36-10 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE AREA Studios & 1 Bedrooms - Call for Availability (215) 735-8050. _______________________________36-17 SOUTH PHILA, PENNSPORT 3 story , 2 BR, 2 full BA, MBR ste w/vaulted ceiling & deck. H/W ﬂrs thruout, ceiling fans, C/A, W/D, granite countertops, 1st. ﬂ patio. CC, ref req. $1750/mo. 1st & last, one mo. sec. req. 215-514-8129, suze331@comcast.net _______________________________36-09

VACATION

RENTAL OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com _______________________________36-06

FOR SALE RED GREEN LIVE A hilarious one-man show. Tues., April 17th, 7 pm, F.M. Kirby Center for Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre. Call 570-826-1100, or visit www. ticketmaster.com www.redgreen.com _______________________________36-06 SAWMILLS From only $3997-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. _______________________________36-06

ADOPTION UNIQUE ADOPTIONS Let us help! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial assistance, housing relocation and more. Giving the gift of life? You deserve the best. Call us ﬁrst! 1-888-637-8200 24-hours hotline. _______________________________36-06

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

www.sansomstreetgym.com

Check out our website for our HOT NEW WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events...

P.A.N.G.(Philadelphia Area Nudist Group) Sunday, February 12h, 2012 TIME: 3pm-6pm

Boys will Be Boys- Awaken Your Spirit - An afternoon of naked socializing & fun... For More Information On Group:www.phillynakedguys.com/

BARRONS URBAN WAREHOUSE PARTY Saturday, February 18th, 2012 TIME:11pm-6am

- Always bringing in the Sexy Black & Latin Men For The NightMUST BE ON GUEST LIST TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO PARTY (PRIVATE EVENT: For More Information & to be put onto guest list email: badboi215@gmail.com)

WEEKLY SPECIALS And if you are in A.C., please check out:

10 South Mt. Vernon Avenue •Atlantic City, NJ 08401

OPEN DAILY! Sunday- Thursday 4pm to 4am Friday & Saturday 4pm to 6am www.brassrailac.com

Business Mans 4hr Locker Special Monday thru Friday (8am-4pm) Members: $5.00 & Non-Members: $15.00 $12 Locker Wednesday & Thursday 4pm-12 Midnight Don’t forget to visit the Adonis Cinema right next door!! 2026 Sansom St/ PH: 215-557-9319

NOTICE OF GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

AVISO DE GENERAL ELECCIÓN PRIMARIA MARTES, 24 DE ABRIL 2012

THE FOLLOWING POLITICAL PARTIES ARE ELIGIBLE TO NOMINATE THEIR CANDIDATES REPUBLICAN PARTY • DEMOCRATIC PARTY

LOS SIGUIENTES PARTIDOS POLÍTICOS SON ELEGIBLES PARA NOMINAR SUS CANDIDATOS PARTIDO REPUBLICANO • PARTIDO DEMOCRATA

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

• • • • • • •

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES UNITED STATES SENATOR ATTORNEY GENERAL OF PENNSYLVANIA AUDITOR GENERAL OF PENNSYLVANIA STATE TREASURER OF PENNSYLVANIA REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS SENATOR IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (Odd Districts Only) • REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY • DELEGATES AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION • DELEGATES AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS STEPHANIE SINGER Chair, City Commissioners ANTHONY CLARK City Commissioner AL SCHMIDT City Commissioner

CARMELO SEMINARA Acting Supervisor of Elections

Entre las horas de 7:00 A.M. hasta las 8:00 P.M. en todos distritos electoral y las divisiones en la Ciudad y Condado de Philadelphia, Pennsylvania los votantes de la Ciudad y Condoda de Philadelphia nominaran personas para lienar los siguientes puestas, como esta certiﬁcado por el Secretario del Estado.

• • • • • • •

PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS SENADOR DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS FISCAL GENERAL DE PENNSYLVANIA AUDITOR GENERAL DE PENNSYLVANIA TESORERO DEL ESTADO DE PENNSYLVANIA REPRESENTATE AL CONGRESO SENADOR DE LA ASAMBLEA GENERAL (Distritos Impares Unicamente) • REPRESENTATE DE LA ASAMBLEA GENERAL • DELEGADOS Y DELEGASDOS ALTERNOS A LA CONVENCIÓN NACIONAL REPUBLICANA • DELEGADOS Y DELEGASDOS ALTERNOS A LA CONVENCIÓN NACIONAL DEMÓCRATA

JUNTA DE ELECCIONES DEL CONDADO DE PHILADELPHIA STEPHANIE SINGER Presidenta De Los Comisionados De La Ciudad ANTHONY CLARK Comisionado De La Ciudad AL SCHMIDT Comisionado De La Ciudad

CARMELO SEMINARA Supervisor Interino De La Electoral

HELP WANTED

SERVICES

NEW CAREER FOR THE NEW YEAR! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! No credit check! Top Industry pay / quality training, 100% Paid CDL Training 800-326-2778 www.JoinCRST. com _______________________________36-06 Attn: Exp. Reefer Drivers: GREAT PAY /Freight Lanes from Presque Isle, ME, Boston-Lehigh, PA. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com _______________________________36-06 CDL-A. DRIVE WITH PRIDE Up to $3,000 Sign-On Bonus for Qualified Drivers! CDL & 6mo. OTR exp. REQ’D. USA TRUCK 877-521-5775 www.usatruck.jobs _______________________________36-06 Driver - Hometime Choices: Weekly, 7/ON7/OFF, 14/ON-7/OFF. Daily or Weekly Pay. Late model trucks! CDL-A, 3 months recent experience required. Top Benefits! 800-4149569 www.driveknight.com _______________________________36-06 Owner/Operators $5,000 Sign-On Bonus! Relocate for tons of warm South TX runs! Frac Sand Hauling. Must have tractor, pneumatic trailers, blower. 1-800-397-2672. _______________________________36-06 MAVERICK ANNOUNCES PAY RAISE!!! Tarp pay now $25. $.42-$.43/mile flatbed. Anniversary pay added, student program pay increased. 21-yrs old & Class-A CDL. Maverick 1-800-289-1100 www.drivemaverick.com _______________________________36-06

EARN COLLEGE DEGREE ONLINE *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV Certified. Call 888-220-3984. www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________36-06 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified - Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)834-9715. _______________________________36-06

nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for 1 on 1 and group sex. Stockings, pantyhose, etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856910-8303, ask for Mark. _______________________________33-24 PGN GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-18

SERVICES

Adult

Books

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

FRIENDS FRIENDS �� MEN 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. _______________________________36-10 Daddy, smooth, 6’, 175, 8 cut sks new friend. Delco. Dan, 610-931-6633. _______________________________36-06

CERTIFIED

WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________36-06 Friendly WM, 6’1’, 210, 59 looking for big bud to appreciate smooth bottom. 215-732-2108 8-11 PM. _______________________________36-06 ROMANCE IS ALIVE Older guy (hopeless romantic) seeking the same of any age. Call 215-677-5610. _______________________________36-08

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Online. Anytime.

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HELP WANTED

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE WANTED

AUTOS

Gay is our middle name. PERSONALS

SELL YOUR CAR, TRUCK or SUV TODAY! All 50 states, fast pick-up and payment. Any condition, make or model. Call now 1-877-8188848 www.MyCarforCash.net _______________________________36-06

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PGN currently has an advertising sales position available for an energetic, self-motivated individual with outstanding communication skills.

Wanted: highly attractive 18-39 Y.O. single bi woman or any woman of legal age regardless of sexual orientation for making private porno films for both personal and profitable reasons. Phila., surrounding areas, Berks Co. Call me on Saturdays from 3 to 9 PM. Serious. Also interested in arranged marrage for financial reasons. For more information and details, call Hector at 484-219-6772 or leave voice mail message _______________________________36-07

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 dan@epgn.com.

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Handsome Certified Therapist

Tall, attractive, muscular Sensual/Erotic Massage I will tailor your massage to suit your needs...

Incall/Outcall

6’, 195 lbs, Muscle Gives Sensual / Therapeutic Massage

Call 215-432-6030

G12

I am just off of I-95, not far from Center City, Lower Bucks, and South Jersey. I specialize in Outcalls to Phila area Hotels.

B-7

215-313-1010

PGN recently replaced many of its older honor boxes along Market, Chestnut and Walnut streets with brand-new ones and added boxes at the locations below.

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If you see a PGN box that might need some sprucing up or to be replaced, or if you have a suggestion for a new location, contact Don at don@epgn.com or call 215-625-8501 ext. 200

Broad & Arch Front & Girard Germantown & Girard 13th & Arch 13th & Ellsworth 18th & Spring Garden 20th & Fitzwater 27th & Poplar 28th & Girard 29th & Girard

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 10-16, 2012

PGN

> 37 highway/29 city mpg* > Starting at $20,200** > 3-year/ 36,000-mile No Cost Maintenance***

Otto’s MINI 305 W. Lincoln Highway Exton, PA 19341 (855) 646-4196

www.ottosmini.com *37 Hwy/29 City MPG with manual transmission. EPA estimate. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle operation. ** MSRP, including destination and handling charges. Price excludes license, registration, taxes, options and labor to install ��