Pgn062113 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Something “Wicked” this way comes

Family Portrait: Stephanie Acevedo

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Scouts continue creating controversy

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June 21-27, 2013

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Vol. 37 No. 25

Local becomes first lesbian Latina federal judge

Justice still elusive in murder of gay S. Philly man

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com

By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Around this time last year, 30year-old Michael J. Fox was getting ready for his return to the world of artistic roller skating, hoping to regain momentum from his glory days as an award-winning skating champion. Fox, however, would never get to lace up his skates again. He was found dead in his South Philadelphia apartment June 22, the victim of a murder. Fox lived in an apartment on the corner of Eighth and Christian streets and was found in a pool of blood on his bedroom floor. According to an autopsy, he died of blunt-force trauma to the head. One year later, his killer has yet to be apprehended. Fox was an openly gay man who enjoyed hair styling, makeup, fashion and spending time with his friends and family. Fox’s mother, Diane Fox, said the aspiring stylist and make-up artist was a pleasure growing up. “He had a great sense of humor. Michael had great timing. He was very creative, whether it was in art or singing,” Diane said. Fox grew up in South Jersey but eventually moved to Philadelphia. He worked at Gap stores in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, winning a number of workplace awards. Fox graduated from Oak Crest High School in Mays Landing, PAGE 14 N.J., and went

A MEANINGFUL MEAL: Keith Lucas (center), executive chef at Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance, dished on the lunches at MANNA’s 10-millionth-meal celebration with Mayor Michael Nutter and MANNA executive director Sue Daugherty. Staff, volunteers and clients turned out for the June 17 luncheon, held at MANNA headquarters at 23rd and Ranstead, to celebrate the agency’s predicted 10-millionth-meal delivery this summer. MANNA provides nutritional meals to people with life-threatening illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. Photo: Scott A. Drake

A longtime Philadelphia judge has officially become the first openly lesbian Latina to sit on the federal bench. The U.S. Senate confirmed Nitza Quiñones Alejandro June 13 to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She is the first LGBT Hispanic person to be confirmed to the federal bench, and only the seventh LGBT federal judge nationwide. President Obama nominated Alejandro for the judgeship in November, supported by both Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R) and Bob Casey Jr. (D). Alejandro served as a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge since 1991. She received

both her bachelor’s in business administration and law degree from the University of Puerto Rico. The Senate also confirmed Berks County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Schmehl to the federal bench. Casey said in a statement that he was pleased to see the bipartisan decision to bring Alejandro to the federal court, adding her service and story could provide a positive example. “Nitza’s life as a lawyer, judge and civic leader make her a true American success story,” Casey said. “Her 21 years on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas have prepared her well for a seat on the federal bench, and I’m confident she’ll serve the Eastern District of Pennsylvania well.” Toomey added that Alejandro’s diverse courtroom and civic expePAGE 12 riences will be

Victims of the night: Stories of trans sex workers By Victoria A. Brownworth Special to PGN First in a series Tiffani and I are standing a few feet from the doorway to Club Upscale, a big, almost block-long taupe-colored building with curved black awnings over blacked-out windows. The streetlight a few yards down from the club door is out and it seems excessively dark on the block. I shiver slightly, but I’m not cold. Tiffani’s smoking a cigarette and talking. I’m leaning against my car. I’m trying to listen, but I’m feeling a little bit nervous and a whole lot white. We’re near the corner of Germantown Avenue and some little side street without a sign, about a block from Broad and Erie in Nicetown. It’s Friday night and no one knows I’m here with Tiffani except Tiffani. Suddenly I feel scared, remembering what happened the night I met her. People go in and out of the club. The music blasts, then ebbs, but there is always that kind of thumping reverb surrounding us. Occasionally, Tiffani will call out to someone she knows as they head toward the club and they wave and then make some sign in my PAGE 8 direction. Who’s that white lady with you? I wave *Author’s note: Pronouns represent the gender chosen by the interviewees unless otherwise noted.

GOIN’ TO THE CHAPEL: Pope Cubby (from left) “formally attached” Sisters staffer Frannie and patron Peg at Sisters’ “Big Gay Wedding Weekend” June 15. The two-day event began last Friday to raise funds for such initiatives as next weekend’s bus trip to Harrisburg to rally for marriage equality. Friday served as a bachelor and bachelorette party, while on Saturday couples could “wed” in the downstairs chapel — for the night, the weekend or eternity — getting a keepsake certificate and rings. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

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Scouts to get a plaque at city-owned building By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A plaque in honor of the Boy Scouts of America will be installed on or near the city-owned building one group occupied, according to a legal agreement reached last month between the city and the BSA Cradle of Liberty Council. Cradle is leaving the building at the end of June, thus settling a protracted legal fight to remain there rent-free. In return, the city will give Cradle $825,000 for improvements reportedly made to the building, which is located at 231-251 N. 22nd St. Additional details of the settlement were released last week. The plaque will state: “On this site in 1929, the Philadelphia Council of the Boy Scouts of America constructed the first Boy Scouts headquarters in the United States. The Beaux Arts-style building was built on land provided by the City of Philadelphia and was occupied by the Philadelphia Council and later the Cradle of Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts until 2013. Since 1910, thousands of boys in the Delaware Valley have participated in the youth-development activities of Scouting.” Palma M. Rasmussen, an outspoken critic of the Scouts, blasted the plaque. “The City of Brotherly Love shouldn’t be a party to any effort honoring the Scouts,” ��

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she said. “It’s unconscionable to award a Commission for a historical marker. plaque to an organization that’s taking half“In my opinion, Cradle isn’t going through assed steps to include gay youths but not the correct route because they know state their parents.” officials wouldn’t put up with their biased Rasmussen expressed strong displeasure language [on the plaque],” she said. with the last sentence of the plaque, which Kera Armstrong, a Cradle spokesperson, recognizes the Scouts’ had no comment on “youth-development “If the Scouts had some whether Cradle would activities.” apply to the state for a “The Scouts don’t character, they’d do the historical marker. develop character,” right thing and stop disAbout 2,000 she said. “If the Scouts s u c h m a r ke r s a r e had some character, criminating. Money is located throughout they’d do the right their god. It was only the Pennsylvania, with thing and stop diswording that accurately reflects the criminating. Money is threat of funding cuts their god. It was only that motivated them to background of historithe threat of funding cally significant sites. cuts that motivated allow gay youths.” The Cradle settlethem to allow gay ment also contains youths.” a provision forbidding city officials from She said the Scouts no longer can rely on referring to Cradle in disparaging terms. steady financial support due to their antiMargaret A. Downey, president of the quated policies. Freethought Society, blasted that provision. “There’s no honor among thieves, and the “Cradle officials disparaged themselves Boys Scouts are thieves because they steal by condoning discrimination, and the city the souls of individuals by depriving them should never turn a blind eye to their behavof their civil rights,” Rasmussen said. ior,” she said. Mark McDonald, a spokesperson for the Downey questioned whether the proviNutter administration, had no comment sion would impede the city’s ability to vigabout the plaque, nor whether city tax dol- orously enforce its antibias rules, should lars will pay for it. Cradle return to the city. Rasmussen also noted Cradle could have She noted Cradle allegedly uses a jobapplied to the state Historical and Museum application form that forbids the hiring of

gays and atheists, which would be in conflict with the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance. “People worked too hard for that law to have it be flouted by Cradle,” Downey added. “If Nutter officials hide behind the non-disparagement provision, rather than vigorously enforcing the law, they’ll have another fight on their hands.” Rasmussen echoed her concerns. “The Nutter administration represents the taxpayers,” Rasmussen said. “It should never compromise its First Amendment right to criticize Cradle. Cradle holds fast to its antiquated exclusionary practices. The city should hold fast to its First Amendment right to criticize those practices.” McDonald had no comment about the non-disparagement provision. He also had no comment on the city’s future plans for the building. Downey said the building should be used as a community center for nonprofits that seek to lessen the damaging effects of discrimination, including discrimination against nontheists. The settlement also allows Cradle to remove four artifacts from the building. They include an altar, a carving, an indoor statue and an outdoor statue. Additionally. the settlement states that Cradle will receive the $825,000 in city tax dollars in November, after a retail store operated by the Scouts vacates the premises. ■

locations in Pa. outside of Philadelphia

Allentown • Allentown Brew Works, 812 Hamilton St. • Candida, 247 N. 12th St. • MCCLV, 930 N. Fourth St. • Stonewall, 28-30 N. 10th St. • Annville • Lebanon Valley College, Sheridan Ave. • Ardmore • Ardmore Station, Anderson Ave. near Coulter Ave. • Bethel • Adult World, 341 Midway Road • Bethlehem • LGBTQ Services Lehigh U, 25 Trembley Dr. • Bloomsberg • Bloomsberg University LGBTA Center, 400 E. Second St. • Bristol • Bristol News World, 576B Bristol Pike • Bryn Mawr • Bryn Mawr College, Canaday Library • Bryn Mawr Station, Morris Ave. near Bryn Mawr Ave. • Fox & Roach Realty, 763 Lancaster Ave. • TLA Video, 761 Lancaster Ave. • Chester • Harrah’s Chester Casino, 777 Harrah’s Blvd. • Widener University, 1 University Place • Collegeville • Adult World, 3975 Ridge Pike • Devon • Devon Station, Devon State Road & Lancaster Pike • Doylestown • Doylestown Bookshop, 16 S. Main St. • Siren Records, 25 E. State St. • East Stroudsburg • Rainbow Mountain Resort, 210 Mt. Nebo Road • Easton • La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. • Gibson • Hillside Campground, 1 Creek Road • Glen Mills • Imago Dei MCC, 1223 Middletown Road • Glenside • Keswick Cycle, 408 N. Easton Road • Harrisburg • 704 Strawberry Café, 704 N. Third St. • AIDS Community Alliance, 100 N. Cameron St. • Brownstone Lounge, 412 Forster St. • Liquid 891, 891 Eisenhower Blvd. • Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. 3rd St. • MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St. • Stallions, 706 N. Third St. • Haverford • Haverford Station, Haverford Station Road near Lancaster Ave. • Kutztown • Kutztown University, 15200 Main St. • Lancaster • Downtown Books, 227 N. Prince St. • Sundown Lounge, 429 N. Mulberry St. • Tally Ho Tavern, 201 W. Orange St. • Lansdale • Gwynedd Vet Hospital, 1615 W. Pointe Pike • Lehighton • Woods Campground, 845 Vaughn Acres Road • Levittown • Levitt Books, 7406 Bristol Pike • Malvern • Malvern Station, King St. & Warren Ave. • Media • Unitarian Universalist Church, 145 W. Rose Tree Road • The Media Theater, 104 E. State St. • LGBT Alliance Group, Delaware Co. Campus, Penn State Univ., 901 Media Line Road • Moosic • 12 Penny Saloon, 3501 Birney Ave. • Narberth • Narberth Station, Haverford & Narberth avenues • New Hope • Café Europa, 11 Market Place • Cornerstone Gym, 419 York Road • Eagle Diner, 6522 York Road • Havana, 105 S. Main St. • John & Peters, 96 S. Main St. • Karla’s Restaurant, 5 W. Mechanic St. • La Chateau Exotique, 31A W. Mechanic St. • Havana Bar & Grill, 105 S. Main St. • The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St. • Sandbar, 90 S. Main St. • Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive • Wildﬂowers, 8 W. Mechanic St. • New Milford • Oneida Campground, 2580 E. Lake Road • Newtown • Bucks Co. Community College, 275 Swamp Road • North Wales • Adult World, 608 Upper State Road • Paoli • Paoli Station, North Valley Road & Lincoln Highway • Plains Township • Twist Bar, Fox Ridge Plaza, Rte. 315 • Quakertown • Adult World, 880 S. West End Blvd. • Reading • Berls Aid Network, 429 Walnut St. • Reading Adult Center, 316 Penn St. • Rosemont • Rosemont Station, Airdale Road & Montrose Ave. • Spring Grove • Atland’s Ranch, RR6, Box 6543 • Swarthmore • Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Parrish Hall • Temple • Naughty But Nice, 4502 N. Fifth St. • Upper Darby • Honor Box, 69th Street Station • Villanova • Villanova Station, Spring Mill Road near County Line Road • Warminster • Darkanyu, Bux Mont Unitarian Church, Street Road at Rt. 611 • Planned Parenthood of Bucks Co., 610 Louis Dr. • Wayne • Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Ave. • Stafford Station, Old Eagle School & Crestline roads • Wayne Station, N. Wayne & West Ave. • West Chester • Chester County Books, 975 Paoli Pike • Williamsport • Peachies, 144 E. Fourth St. • Willow Grove • Barnes & Noble, 102 Park Ave. • Wynnwood • Wynnwood Station, Wynnewood & Penn roads •

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LIKE PUTTY IN YOUR HANDS: Clay Studio instructor Duc Tang (right) helps Jessica Childress (left) shape her clay as Jessica Yambo and Diane Vasquez look on. The three first-timers were part of a group of 14 who participated in LGBT Date Night June 14 at Clay Studio, 137 N. Second St. Participants got a brief lesson in throwing and had plenty of time to make three or four bowls each and paint them for firing while enjoying beer, wine and snacks. For future date nights or classes, go to theclaystudio.org. Photo: Scott A. Drake NEWS

Gettin’ On Local News Briefing Obituary Paw Prints

18 2 20 19 12

Contents

EDITORIAL/OP-ED

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

10 10 11 11 11

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How do you feel about a plaque commemorating the Boy Scouts at the site of the building controversy? 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

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

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The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” column. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

After woman’s death, local musician makes money for mom By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com

on the weekends with the kids. We liked the same music, we liked to have a cocktail after the kids went to bed. We had so much The Defense of Marriage Act, which in common. And then she kissed me, and could see its demise in the coming days with my whole world changed. That was Jan. 21, the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling, 1984.” The two were together since, sethas wrecked havoc on the lives of LGBTs across the globe for years — forcing bina- tling in Germantown and together raising tional couples apart and preventing untold Hennessey and McIntyre’s niece, Kerry, numbers of married same-sex couples from and nephew, Paul, who has since died. “It was a very loving household,” reaping the financial and other benefits of federal marriage recognition. One local Hennessey said. “We had a lot of parties, a musician is looking to right some of the lot of friends, a lot of fun. They supported wrongs that his one mother is now facing, me in whatever I wanted to do. I just had a really fun childhood.” after the recent death of his other mother. McIntyre worked as a government conShawn Hennessey, 32, has launched a crowd-sourced fundraising site to generate tractor until about seven years ago, when funds for his surviving mother, Maureen she started her own business contracting for the U.S. Navy supportHennessey — and to ing the Foreign Military raise awareness about Sales Program, a venmarriage inequality. ture that quickly grew Maureen’s wife, Mary from six employees to Beth McIntyre, passed more than 20. When the away last month after a pair met, Maureen was four-year battle with cana UPS driver but, at age cer. Because of DOMA, 35, earned her teachMaureen, who legally ing degree. She went on married her partner in to teach with the city’s Massachusetts, cannot school district and later receive Social Security at a charter school. survivor benefits. She While Hennessey said will also have to pay a MARY BETH MCINTYRE (LEFT) his moms provided him state inheritance tax, AND MAUREEN HENNESSEY an idyllic childhood, from which heterosexMaureen said she and ual married couples are McIntyre experienced the same pressures exempt. Hennessey, songwriter and percussionist and challenges as all couples and parents. “I’d love to say it was always perfect, for the band Hennessey Bonfire, is midway through a one-month IndieGoGo campaign but it was sometimes tough. We had to deal seeking to generate a total of $108,518; with the step-parenting issue so that was while he estimated that his mother could sometimes a challenge. When it was good, incur a loss of up to $300,000 that a het- it was very good, and when it was bad, it erosexual spouse would have received, he was horrible because were two bull-headed chose that number in recognition of the time Irish women,” she said. “But our ideas about family were always the same — the and date that McIntyre died. “The number has significance to us but importance of being there for our kids and it’s also arbitrary to show the ridiculousness involved and keeping them safe and teachof the necessity of this project,” Hennessey ing them to love and not hate. That was both of our main thrust.” said. Maureen left her teaching position to care Depending on the level of their donation, supporters can receive items such as for McIntyre after her 2009 cancer diagnoa signed Hennessey Bonfire CD, music les- sis. Once McIntyre learned that she wouldn’t sons and private performances. H e n n e s s e y, a m u s i c t e a c h e r a t be able to overcome the disease, Maureen Germantown Friends School, said his love said, they had to confront the realities of her of music was fueled with the support of his passing. “We had some heartbreaking discusmoms. “I wouldn’t be the musician I am today sions about what she was going to miss and and wouldn’t be able to write the songs that how much we would miss not having her I do if I wasn’t raised by these two women,” here. Shawn’s having a baby in July and she wanted to make it for his CD release he said. “They made me who I am.” Maureen, 53, is Hennessey’s biological party, and we knew she wasn’t going to. mother and met McIntyre when her son Everybody has those same discussions, gay was 4. At the time, McIntyre was caring for or straight; when your other half leaves you, her young niece and nephew after her sister it’s devastating.” The couple also had to have some practipassed away. “I met Mary Beth through a mutual friend cal financial discussions. and very few other lesbians had kids then,” “She was always the breadwinner,” Maureen said. “We met and I found out she Maureen said. “She was the totem pole that PAGE 15 liked to do things like go to Great Adventure held this family together.

Please join us at any of these events, all free with registration. Register online at www.fight.org/aem or call 215.985.4448 x200 4 The Opening Reception JUNE 5:30 � 7:30PM 2013 The Racquet Club of Philadelphia 215 S 16th Street

26 Beyond the Walls: Prison Health Care JUNE and Reentry Summit 2013 8:30AM � 5PM The Pennsylvania Convention Center 12th and Arch Streets

12 14th Annual HIV Prevention and 27 National HIV Testing Day JUNE Outreach Summit JUNE All Day 2013 8AM � 5PM The Pennsylvania Convention Center 2013 Throughout Philadelphia 13th and Arch Streets Keynote Speaker Rev. Al Sharpton 29 AIDS Education Month Community and Musical Guest Jamar Rogers! JUNE Cookout 2013 11AM � 3PM Fairmount Park, Area #2 18 Movements for Change 33rd Street and Cecil B Moore Ave JUNE 5:30 � 7PM 2013 Friends Center 15th and Cherry Streets

Co-Chairs

Chris Bartlett, Executive Director

Mary Harper, Coordinator of Faith and Spiritual Affairs

LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Ugandan advocate shares experiences at trans conference By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com J u l i u s K a g g w a , d i r e ctor of Support Initiative for People with Atypical Sex Development, was one of thousands in town last week for the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, bringing his experience advocating for LGBT people in his home country of Uganda. Kaggwa is intersex and focuses his work on Uganda’s intersex adolescent and adult populations, drawing on his own life experiences. Kaggwa said his coming out started when he informed his family that he was male, although they had been raising him as female for the first several years of his life. “I went to missionary school and it was an all-girls school. I was in that school not as a girl, but dressed as a girl, so that was really huge,” he said. “It was a very well-known school and I went to a very well-known evangelical church as well, so news of the fact that this prestigious girls school had a boy in

there was huge and many peo- country’s anti-homosexuality ple received it differently.” law, that has been debated in Kaggwa said people on the Uganda and testified in front street would often ask him of Congress in 2010 about his where his sister was. experiences. “It was very difAlthough Kaggwa does ficult and on several occasions not identify as gay, he said I actually felt suicidal because I he feels passionate about this didn’t think what I see now was bill because it could affect possible. I didn’t his friends and colleagues. even think I would “I cannot be able to live in imagine someone my own country,” telling me that they he said. “But sharare going to kill my ing my story and my lesbian friend just experiences with my for being who they own friends helped are. There is no reaand then I started son why I am going to get support from to keep quiet about my own family and this. I may not be I think that was the JULIUS KAGGWA gay, but I am a sexmajor positive for Courtesy: American me. My family was Jewish World Service ual minority and I know what it is like ve r y s u p p o r t ive to be pushed around right from my childhood when they were hiding me and actually feel like taking and trying to figure out how to your own life and if someone handle this intersex issue. I’ve is making it easier by telling legislators to take your life for always been very supported.” Kaggwa has been at the fore- you, I don’t think that is somefront of the fight against the thing I can keep quiet about. It “Kill the Gays” bill, which is both a passion and a duty.” In Uganda, Kaggwa said the would instate the death penalty for some violations of the environment for LGBT men

and women is different, with men often seeing the most outward violence, yet women often subjected to sexual violence. “Most of the hatred targets gay men and I think that might have something to do with our culture. We think men should be a symbol of strength and they should be dominating and asserting their maleness and having sex with women and making lots of children. So when a gay male, especially an effeminate gay male, comes across as wanting to defy this norm, society is more up in arms. Then, in many circles when it comes to abuse and violence, it is mostly the women because men rape them to try and normalize them. They try to assert that patriarchy.” Kaggwa said increased American support is needed to ensure the bill does not become a reality. “We need to put pressure on faith extremists here who are sending hate influence back to our country and engage our parliamentarians and make sure the bill never goes through and is never debated,” he said. ■

STARTING OFF THE DISCUSSION:

Keynote speaker Geleni Fontaine addressed the packed crowd at the Trans-Health Conference’s opening event June 13. A record 3,200 people

attended the conference. “We are so proud of what our community has built over the past 12 years, and we can’t wait to see what the future will bring us,” said PTHC conference coordinator Jacsen Callanan. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

First openly gay bishop visits Philly By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com The Right Rev. Gene Robinson is known for his controversial position as the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Church. However, Robinson also values his roles as father, husband, author and LGBT advocate. Robinson was in Philadelphia June 12 for a signing of his new book, “God Believes in Love: Straight Talk about Gay Marriage,” at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The following day, he participated in a talkback at the WHYY screening of “Love Free or Die,” which traced his life. The now-retired Robinson grew up in the Episcopal Church, but he did not always have aspirations of church leadership. “When I was growing up, I wanted to be a pediatrician partly because I idolized my own pediatrician,” he told PGN. “When I got to college, I realized I wasn’t terribly interested in the science of medicine — I was interested in people.” He entered the seminary and was ordained a deacon 1973 and later a priest. He married and had two children. Robinson said he long felt the call to serve in church leadership but was daunted by his 1986 coming out. “I really resisted the call that I felt toward becoming a bishop because I knew there would be hell to pay for it,” he said. “So I had some fairly vigorous conversations with God along the lines of, ‘Are you kidding me right now?’ But ultimately I felt that God would stand with me through this and that we would just see where it went. And I had no idea I would wind up here.” In 2003, Robinson was elected bishop by the New Hampshire diocese. He said his election saw both negative and positive reactions, but he never expected the attention he would receive. “I knew it would be controversial but I thought, in three to six months, it would just all blow over and I would be the bishop of New Hampshire,” he said. “I think in the early 2000s, we were reaching this critical moment where the culture as well as religious institutions were dealing with the fact that the world finally knew gay people and that created a tension between what we said about LGBT people and the people we actually knew. So I think my election just sort of became a lightning rod for all those feelings, both positive and negative. I never had any idea it would be this big of a deal.” Robinson received death threats both when he first took on the position and during his tenure. But the positive messages far outweighed the negative ones, he said. “Even still, I get five-six emails a week from some kid from some godforsaken town who sees my election and sees my serving as a sign of hope that one day he or she will one day be able to walk in their own churches and bring all of who they are with them and not just feel God’s embrace, but that of the community. That inspires me more than anything else.”

Robinson said he also gains inspiration from individuals who see the broader implications of the LGBTrights movement, such as one man who approached him after he appeared on an Australian talk show. THE RIGHT REV. “Some guy came GENE ROBINSON up to me and said, ‘Oh, I saw you on ‘Q&A’ last night, you were fantastic. I’m a Muslim and we’re experiencing the same sorts of exclusion your community experiences. We have to understand the dynamics of what you are trying to do because it would help our community.’ Here was a guy who is making the connections between other oppressions and this particular oppression and that is incredible.” Although some communities have made connections to the LGBT struggle, Robinson said fear has kept many religious from publicly supporting the community. “I think there are a lot of people who are feeling very much more accepting of us but they are afraid of the same kinds of negativity that we have experienced and so they are quiet. Those who really support our inclusion

need to find their courage to stand up and speak.” That hesitancy is one of the reasons Robinson wrote his latest book, to help LGBTs and allies explain their advocacy and the issues surrounding it. “There are a lot of people who are buying it who are a gay or lesbian couple who are getting married but their aunt feels really conflicted about whether to come to the wedding or not, so this is a great book to send to an estranged brother or your aunt or your grandmother who you want to understand. We tend to do this in fragments but this kind of lays out the whole process and ultimately winds up saying, ‘God is all about love, marriage is all about love; there is no reason not to move forward.” Robinson said he’s optimistic the Supreme Court will agree. “I think DOMA is going to fall. They know where this is going and I think they may want to be on this side of history,” he said, adding that he predicts Proposition 8 will also be overturned, with the ruling limited to California. But, although marriage equality is an important issue, it is not the only one that the LGBT and ally communities should focus on, Robinson said. “Ninety percent of Americans believe it is illegal to fire someone for being gay when in fact, in a majority of states, there are no protections. You can be fired on the spot if

somebody sees you at a Gay Pride parade or whatever and there is no legal recourse. A new Employment Nondiscrimination Act is being put forward in Congress and includes transgender people, as it should, and so that is a piece of work we really need to get done. The frightening thing is that most Americans think it has already been done, so it is not even on their radar.” Robinson also noted the importance of international LGBT issues. “We need to start caring about LGBT people in other countries. There was a bit of interest in Uganda with the ‘Kill the Gays’ bill, but the fact of the matter is there are over 70 countries where sexuality has been criminalized. In seven countries, you can still be put to death, so I think we need to turn our attention overseas and do what we can to support those people.” Robinson also encouraged the LGBT community to support the rights initiatives of other minority communities. “It is time for the LGBT community to stop just thinking of ourselves and start thinking of the other oppressions going on in the culture, whether it be against immigration reform, racism and sexism. I think we need to take what we have learned in our own movement and apply it to other marginalized groups that deserve our support. We can’t expect them to show up to support us if we haven’t shown up to support them.” ■

NEWS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

sex in an alley or park or abandoned buildslightly back, then run my hand through my ing or in cars. She’s even worked out of her grandmother’s house when her grandhair when I’m ignored. mother was at her job. Tiffani looks nice. She’s dressed up like The night I met her, Tiffani had just had any other girl going out to the clubs on the sex with a man in an SUV parked behind weekend — super-high patterned platform The Germantown Cricket Club, a block heels, patterned tights, short-shorts. Her where sex in cars is not unusual and where hair is a mass of braids swirled together around her head in another intricate pattern. used condoms litter the sidewalk, which is across from an elementary school. After Everything on her is big — big earrings, Tiffani had given him oral sex, the man had big bracelets, long, fake eyelashes, long reached under her skirt and said he wanted nails in a black-and-white pattern. On her to touch her. left ring finger the nail has gold instead of “He got all upset,” she explained. “He white. She tells me one of her friends does said he wasn’t no gay, he wasn’t into no nails. She could get a good manicure for gays, he wanted his money back, he was me, cheap. gone hurt me bad for lying to him, he was I laugh a little, glance at my unpainted gone mess me up.” nails. I’m still shivering. The man had grabbed Tiffani’s purse and We are waiting for Tiffani’s friend, taken not just the money he’d given her, Mo’Nique, then we’re all going to have a but all the money she had, as well as her drink at the Eagle Bar at Broad and Erie. cigarettes. He’d punched her several times Tiffani wants a cheese steak at Max’s, and twisted her arm, shoving her out of the which is as famous as Pat’s or Geno’s SUV onto the sidewalk. She’d broken a except white people don’t come up here, to couple of nails and torn her stockings. One Nicetown. of her shoes — a black platform heel with Tiffani wants Mo’Nique to tell me her glinting silver accents — was badly scuffed story. Mo’Nique, Tiffani says, is in trouble. I met Tiffani on a crisp night in early March. I was taking a walk near my house in Lower Germantown, about a mile from where she and I are now. Tiffani was standing at the bus stop in front of the church behind my house. She asked me if I had a cigarette. I told her I don’t smoke. She asked me if I would buy her a cup of coffee. I said I’d give her money for coffee, if that’s what she needed, but I didn’t feel like walking the two blocks to the nearby pizza place to get it. I pulled some bills out of my skirt pocket and she had suddenly started to cry. Not a few simple tears running down her face, but real sobbing. Where I live, you don’t strike up conversations with strangers. You answer politely if someone talks to you, and you move on. Quickly, but decisively. Bad things happen in the GERMANTOWN AVENUE IN NICETOWN 39th Police District, which is one of Photo: Maddy Gold the most dangerous in the city. Bad things have happened to my friends with some of the silver pieces torn off. Up and neighbors. Very bad things have hapclose, I could see her eye makeup was a pened to me. Last month, there were three separate shootings within two blocks of my mess. I asked her if she wanted me to call the house, including one where police killed police. I asked her if she wanted me to take the suspect after he shot two men and a her to the hospital. I could see now that pregnant woman and her 2-year-old boy as there was blood streaked on her hand where they sat on their stoop. the nails had broken all the way up into the Bad things happen here. nail bed. There was a dark mark where he That particular night — a lovely night when you could smell spring in the air, per- had twisted her wrist. “I just want to go home, but I got no fect for a late-night walk — something very money.” bad had happened to Tiffani. We walked to my car and I drove her to Tiffani is one of Philadelphia’s many her grandmother’s house, a rundown brick transgender sex workers. Police call them row home near Simon Gratz High School prostitutes, neighbors call them streetwalkon a street with a pretty 18th-century name, ers, pros, whores. Tiffani’s worked out of but no pretty houses. bars and clubs along Germantown Avenue We sat in my car outside the place where near Wayne Junction and near the Erie subshe lived with her grandmother, and someway stop. She’s worked the streets doing times her mother when her mother was “off what’s called “walking dates” — having TRANS SEX from page 1

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them drugs” and her grandmother — wary, because Tiffani’s mother had stolen from her before — let her stay. I tried not to look at a dirty stray cat that darted across the quiet street as Tiffani told me that I was the first person to be nice to her “in a really long time, I mean like I don’t remember, that’s how long. You treat me like a friend.” I gave her my business card and a $10 bill and told her to call me if she needed anything. She wrote her cell-phone number on the back of another one of my cards. Then she leaned over and gave me a quick hug, got out of the car and went into the dark little house. When I saw the downstairs light go on, I drove away. I’d spent just over two hours talking to Tiffani that night. I didn’t like thinking about what had happened to her. But I couldn’t stop. There are no statistics on how many transgender street sex workers there are in the U.S. or even in Philadelphia, nor are there statistics on how many teenagers are lured into prostitution each year, although the FBI floats the number of 100,000, with another couple-million adult prostitutes. That number seems low, given the economy and the ease with which “escort” services can be advertised online, and that individuals can advertise free of charge on Craigslist, Facebook and Twitter. A quick search of Twitter under “transgender prostitutes” netted dozens of names and groups and links to websites. But within the FBI estimates, a percentage of those are transgender, and in Philadelphia, with a large number of street sex workers as well as escorts, and a significant population of homeless youth, the numbers may be in the thousands. Pennsylvania ranks seventh in the top-10 states for most prostitution arrests. There were just under 2,000 of those arrests in Philadelphia last year. Last weekend, six people were arrested in a prostitution sting in the Rhawnhurst section of the city. Tiffani and her friend Mo’Nique have both been picked up by police, but neither has eve been charged. Tiffani worries that her luck is running out. “Everybody else I know been arrested a coupla times. So I know I’m just waiting on it.”

Tiffani and Mo’Nique were among a dozen young transgender sex workers I met over several months. Every one had a story of violence to tell. According to Gender Law Justice at Berkeley in California, transgender women are at increased risk of violence from almost every avenue. They are often victims of domestic violence — first in their families of origin, then in their personal relationships. They are also frequently victims of street violence. The Women’s Law Project’s information sheet on prostitution is sobering: Prostitutes are commonly victims of crime, but rarely report because they fear arrest themselves. However, 70 percent of all incarcerated women are in jail for prostitution or prostitution-related crimes. In a paper presented in July, the Women’s Law Project noted that prostituted women were raped on average eight

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

then more feminine-style clothing and started calling herself Tiffani. She gradually stopped going to school, even though she liked it, because the taunts from other students had become untenable. “All the time it was ‘he-she’ and guys getting all up on me trying to get me to suck they dick or something else. I just couldn’t take it.” Tiffani says teachers didn’t do anything to stop the harassment she endured and some even made comments themselves about her gender. Tiffani doesn’t like hooking — it’s risky and dangerous — but she feels it’s her only option right now. She’s been doing it for three years, since she was 16. She says men like her, and she says it with pride. She says that she dresses nice and that men like her body; she has small, high breasts and a slender waist. She says she pads her ass to make it appear rounder and more feminine.

Tiffani’s worked out of bars and clubs along Germantown Avenue near Wayne Junction and near the Erie subway stop. She’s worked the streets doing what’s called “walking dates” — having sex in an alley or park or abandoned building or in cars. She’s even worked out of her grandmother’s house when her grandmother was at her job. to 10 times a year. A 2012 study from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs found that trans women of color like Tiffani are at extreme risk for hate crimes, rape and other violence, including homicide. LGBTQ people of color represented 53 percent of the total reported survivors and victims of all hate crimes, but they represented a full 73.1 percent of homicide victims. In all reported homicides, the victims were women. Like Tiffani. Tiffani dropped out of school when she was 16. Slender and slight, she says she had always felt like a girl. By the time she was 13, she had been trying on her mother’s clothes and stealing clothes from local shops. She had grown her hair out and started wearing eye makeup to school,

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Tiffani also says she lets men do almost anything they want with her as long as it doesn’t hurt. She says she’s not into pain, but she’s been anally raped at least a dozen times in the past three years. The risks of violence for transgender women is high even without the added danger posed by sex work. But violence is not the only risk; HIV and other STD infection is also high. A study from the University of Pennsylvania on HIV infection, published May 30 in the journal “Clinical Infectious Diseases,” found that transgender women were more likely to have the most risky sexual contacts: MSM, or sex with men who do not define as gay or bisexual. An April 23 report from the Centers for Disease Control showed that transgender women were at the highest risk for HIV

infection — 41 percent higher than any other group. The CDC statistics, which were also included in the HUP study, reported newly identified HIV infection rates of 2.9 percent for transgender women, compared to 0.9 percent for non-transgender males and 0.3 percent for females. The CDC report also noted that 95 percent of the cases of HIV infection among transgender persons were among transgender women. Approximately 90 percent of the people were black or Hispanic and were also more likely to have been infected in their teens or 20s. In addition, among newly diagnosed people, 50 percent of transgender women had documented records of substance abuse, commercial sex work, homelessness, incarceration and/or sexual abuse — nearly twice the incidence as that of non-transgender people. As we wait for Mo’Nique, I ask Tiffani what she does with the men she “dates.” Everything she tells me is terrible. Men jerking off on her face, men forcing her to give them oral or anal sex without a condom, men asking her to undress completely and then examining her like a “freak” when both her breasts and penis are exposed. Tiffani doesn’t like to look at her body from the waist down; she likes it covered. “I know I’m all woman. I don’t need people getting in my way with that, you know?” She looks like she might cry when she says it. Tiffani has also been beaten many times — from “simple” slaps across her face to punching and kicking. One man choked her until she lost consciousness, another pulled a knife on her and cut her arm. She shows me a small scar. She’d like to stop, but she can’t. She can’t imagine a different way of making money. A tall, curvy African-American woman suddenly comes up behind us and says, “Hey y’all” in a deep, breathy voice. Mo’Nique has arrived. The three of us walk toward Broad and Erie and Tiffani starts talking about steak sandwiches. Mo’Nique turns to me, puts a hand with elaborately lacquered nails on my arm. “So, can you help me or what?” she says. ■

This series will continue in next week’s PGN.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Robert R. Reilly

Editorial

More than marriage The U.S. Supreme Court will likely issue its landmark ruling on state and federal bans on same-sex marriage in the coming days — and, regardless of the myriad ways the justices could rule, marriage equality will be center stage on television, in newspapers and across social media. While the LGBT community is deservedly anxiously awaiting the outcomes of these momentous cases, this is a good opportunity to educate the public — both those who already support our community and others who have more learning to do — about the countless other rights struggles the LGBT population is facing. Marriage is something to which non-LGBTs can relate and understand — whether from their own relationships, that of their parents, family members, friends or in popular media. People get what it means to be married and, as growing numbers of people have gay family members and friends, it’s not hard to make the connection to why loved ones shouldn’t be deprived the same rights afforded to you. While most Americans and Pennsylvanians know there’s a patchwork of marriage-equality laws in the nation, and that the fight is ongoing, far fewer likely know that we lack both a federal and state law prohibiting LGBT people from being fired for their orientation or identity. In a recent survey of Pennsylvania small-business owners, the vast majority was unaware of the gaps in state and federal laws, although they supported such an initiative. Pennsylvania and many other states also lack protections for LGBT people in their hate-

crimes laws. Same-sex couples are impacted by a host of discriminatory state laws, including that they are not exempt from potentially hefty inheritance taxes in the event of the death of their partner, unlike married heterosexual couples. And even the marriage-equality movement has a wealth of other issues involved. If and when the Defense of Marriage Act falls, it will not mean marriage for all gay and lesbian Americans, but rather that legally married couples are eligible for Social Security benefits, can jointly file taxes, sponsor a foreign partner for citizenship and a sea of other effects. These and many other issues aren’t getting the attention and support that same-sex marriage is — not because the support doesn’t exist, but rather because the awareness and the personal connection may both be lacking. Job discrimination, violence and legal and financial hurdles may not be things that would-be allies have much personal experience with, lessening the chances of those issues having personal resonance. LGBTs should take the opportunity afforded by the Supreme Court cases to not only talk about marriage, but the many other ways in which the community is denied its rights. Many Americans may assume that the blossoming support for marriage equality means that gays and lesbians already have the host of rights that are still eluding the community. With attention on the LGBT-rights movement in the coming weeks, now is the time to set the record straight on LGBT inequality. ■

It always comes back to the children. It doesn’t matter how or where the conversation starts: If homosexuality is involved, someone who is opposed to equality will point to little Susie and Johnny and bemoan their loss of childhood innocence now that they’re burdened with the knowledge that not only do LGBT people exist, but that LGBT people are people. People making the “What about the children?” argument usually accuse LGBT people of trying to recruit or indoctrinate kids as part of some kind of well-oiled homosexual agenda. Because to the antigay right, gay people are made, not born, and the way people become gay is by being exposed to nondiscriminatory depictions of LGBT people. Because if society really cared about children, we would go out of our way to teach kids about the terrible, horrible, no-good, very-bad gays. Robert R. Reilly recycles this argument in a June 10 piece he wrote for MetcatorNet.com titled “Queering education.” He writes, “It is a measure of the depravity of the homosexual movement that it will not spare the innocence of children in the spread of its rationalization, which must embrace everyone at every age, regardless of price. Innocence cannot be left to stand in its way.” His use of the word “innocence” is interesting. Is a child’s innocence really preserved in some way by growing up believing that gays have, as Reilly calls it, “an affliction” and therefore deserve condemnation? No, of course not. Unless, that is, you believe, as Reilly clearly does, that gays are supercalifragilisticexpialid(isgusti ng). “Everyone who has an affliction deserves respect and consideration. But respect does not require calling the affliction something other than what it is — much less its opposite,” he writes. “One cannot teach about sickness and at the same time call it health. It is much worse to promote moral sickness as moral wellbeing, especially to children.” Obviously if you think that being gay is a “moral sickness,” then you’re going to freak out, as Reilly does, about a teacher reading “King and King” to an elementary-school class. You’re going to panic, as Reilly does, about the existence of

gay-straight alliances in schools. You’re going to be upset by a first-grader reading an essay about how much she loves her two moms. In fact, after he mentions that little girl, he writes, “Evidently, no one has told poor Emily that one of her parents is a dad.” Aw, snap! Take that, you precocious little 7year-old, you! Throughout his article, Reilly seems to be equating “innocence” with “ignorance.” Sure, there are some things that kids just don’t need to grapple with if they are lucky (like, say, addiction to meth, sex slavery or genocide). But learning that one of your classmates has two moms or reading a book about gay penguins? That is hardly what I would call “depravity” and I certainly wouldn’t, as one commenter did, call it “child abuse.” Reilly apparently thinks that if children are aware that gay people exist, then those children will totally become gay people or, more specifically, gay-sex-havers. “Classroom presentations by homosexuals or on the subject of homosexuality are invitations to obscenity,” Reilly writes. If gay men aren’t presented as depraved perverts to children, then children “will ineluctably be drawn to the subject of sodomy.” And Reilly argues, they’ll want to try it, obviously, and then die and go to hell. If only we could go back to the good old days where gays and lesbians hid out in dark bars waiting in fear for the next police raid but risking it nonetheless for a chance to be themselves for just one night. Back then, folks like Reilly were in the majority. Not anymore. Thanks to education. ■

Reilly seems to be equating “innocence” with “ignorance.”

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

Correction In “SafeGuards launches new HIV test at Pride,” June 14-20, PGN incorrectly referred to the Family Planning Council as

Family Research Council. FPC is the ﬁrst community-based organization in the city to utilize INSTI Rapid HIV test.

OP-ED PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Reaching the places equality hasn’t The Supreme Court will be ruling on example, the strongest group in that state marriage equality in the next few days. are the followers of the Church of Jesus Whatever the outcome — and it would sur- Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons. prise most court watchers if it were not at They control the political system, and are least somewhat supportive — the case for viewed by many as antigay. They certainly were the major funders of Proposition 8 marriage equality has already taken center and other ballot initiatives. The stage as the civil-rights issue of question is, like with some other the day. religions, can they be educated Unless the Supreme Court rules that marriage is an outto change their position and, right civil right for LGBT peothereby, if not support marple, and the chances of that are riage equality, at least not fight slim, this battle will go state by against it? We’re not asking state, and therefore will go on them to change, but to accept for possibly decades. Decades, our civil rights. you say? Think Mississippi That change might have and Alabama, think Ohio and already happened. The Mormons were one of the Pennsylvania, which still don’t first religious organizations to have statewide nondiscrimination laws. announce they’d accept the new So a victory of any sort at the Boy Scouts’ rule on nondiscrimSupreme Court is not the end of ination. It’s time to start to supthe fight; it’s just one battle that Mark Segal port LGBT Mormons, Catholics and others who are trying to was started over 40 years ago when the Rev. Troy Perry and Metropolitan educate their religious orders, rather than making them feel as though they are outCommunity Church applied for “same-sex casts. Our job as activists is to advance marriage licenses around the nation.” Take progress, even in the religions that have a look at how much work still will need to oppressed us for thousands of years. That be done by just looking at Perry’s actions. Two of the states where his church mem- is how change happens. And those LGBT bers applied for marriage licenses were fighters in the Mormon, Catholic and other churches are heroes who should be supCalifornia and Utah. We all know that ported by the rest of the community. ■ California will shortly have marriage, with or without the Supreme Court, but Utah? Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the That is a place that will need lots of work — read: education. nation’s most-award-winning commentaAnd that is where we sometimes miss tor in LGBT media. He can be reached at our lobby opportunities. Using Utah as an mark@epgn.com.

Mark My Words

Letters and Feedback The sad state of Pennsylvania To the editor: I couldn’t help but notice all over my social media recently the excitement about the possibility of Illinois becoming the latest state to accept marriage equality. My first reaction was a similar excitement at watching a pro-gay tide of history wash over the country, state by state, seemingly inexorable. Take that, Rick Santorum! And then I thought, Wait, could Rick Santorum be having the last laugh? In all the discussions of which states will be next on the path to marriage equality, what the time frame might be and what strategies may be employed, conspicuously missing is any mention of Rick Santorum’s home state. As far as Pennsylvania is concerned,

marriage equality is not even on the wishful-thinking agenda. Why is that? Well, those of us who reside in Pennsylvania have a popular, and only partly joking, description of our state: Pennsylvania consists of Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west and Alabama in the middle. I say “partly joking” because those of us saying it have to laugh, lest we break into tears at the tragic accuracy of the description. With the exception of Ed Rendell’s recent, shining tenure as governor, Pennsylvania state politics have been dominated by Republicans for as long as I’ve lived here. (I relocated here from Texas in 1979 — yes, I’m that old.) In fact, currently, it’s really pretty sad how regressive the center of the state has become.

We’ve got a state legislature whose agenda would make Paul Ryan’s nipples stand up and a governor who is not only owned lock, stock and pipeline by oil companies, but who also seems to kneel worshipfully at the altar of Mitch McConnell. It’s ironic, really, considering that Philadelphia is one of the most progressive cities in the country. We’ve got a strong (some might say too strong) laborunion presence; the city’s politics is overwhelmingly Democratic; and as far as LGBT issues are concerned, we’re at or near the top of the heap nationally. Also, because of its large and progressive population, Philadelphia (with help from Pittsburgh) is often able to swing Pennsylvania into the blue column during presidential elections. But

Street Talk What’s your dream summer vacation? “The Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador. They’re beautiful. And they have giant tortoises that Maggie Grindrod are becoming teacher extinct. I Queen Village read about one called ‘Lonesome George.’ I love nature. I really want to see a giant tortoise before they all die out.”

“A trip to Paris. They call it the city of love. I’m in a committed relationship. Paris is a romantic Trina O’Donohoe place to student spend time South Philadelphia with him. I’m studying French in high school so it would be cool to be able to use the language. And I’ve always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower.”

“Montreal, Canada. It has a European feel, without having to travel all the way to Europe. The weather Zachary Therrien is cooler, carpenter so you can Ashford, Conn. escape the heat. There’s so much to see in Montreal. I would enjoy the sightseeing. And it would be cost-saving for me because I could drive there, I wouldn’t have to fly.”

“Swimming anywhere in Florida. It’s never too hot down there. And the water is crystal-clear: You can see Daniel Valle the ocean student floor. It would South Philadelphia be a welcome change from the polluted Schuylkill River. When I turn 16, I want to be a lifeguard at Wildwood’s beach. Swimming in Florida would be good practice to pass the lifeguard test.”

somehow, Philadelphia’s and Pittsburgh’s clout during presidential elections is not translated into any discernable influence over statewide politics. Throughout most of the state, Philadelphia is more than a little despised. This attitude manifests itself in the frequently adversarial relationship our city has with Harrisburg, resulting in the state often cutting or withholding much-needed funds for such things as schools and transportation. So, we’ve got a solidly Democratic city with a mostly moribund Republican presence, while on the state level, the situation is exactly reversed. One of the results is that

Pennsylvania is nowhere near even starting the process of gaining marriage equality. Why is that? Let me state upfront that I’m not here to crucify local activists like PGN publisher Mark Segal. Our local LGBT community, exemplified by Mark and a whole slew of his colleagues and adversaries, for all its contentiousness, nevertheless gets a lot of good things done. Nor am I coming down on local politicians like our new State Rep. Brian Sims, who is proving to be a fresh and energetic (if not particularly imaginative) voice for us in Harrisburg. Who I am criticizing, mostly, is the state Democratic

leadership, which has been thoroughly inadequate and inept at promoting Democratic candidates and a progressive agenda in our state. In fact, the slate of candidates fielded by the Democrats on the statewide level has been as lame and ineffectual as a Log Cabin contingent at a Republican convention. This was exemplified most recently by Dan Onorato’s campaign for governor, which had all the fire of a matchstick in the middle of Hurricane Sandy. So, if I had to point a finger and cry “J’accuse!” it would be at our state Democratic machine, such as it is. But our local activists PAGE 19 can’t

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

PETS PGN

Have tick, will travel The season is upon us now when we see ing on their primary hosts, either animals or families planning summer trips, humans. In the spring, the tick’s which for many include taking eggs hatch and the smallest form of tick, the larval form, is created. their special four-legged companions with them. What peoThese larva feed on birds and rodents in the summer months ple don’t always consider when and on humans and animals in the preparing for these fun family fall and winter. They are smaller vacations is what might choose than a pinhead and usually are to follow you home. too small to carry the bacterium. Ticks are known carriers of The following spring, these larva several diseases that not only mature into the nymph stage, still afflict humans but also their as small as a pinhead, but are family companions. In April, a large enough to carry the infecconference was held in Hershey to discuss the recent rise in ticktious bacterium. This tick is the transmitted diseases in humans. Dr. Claudia greatest source of infection since it is too small for human detecAccording to the Pennsylvania Casavecchia tion. The final stage is the adult Lyme Resource Network, form, which the tick reaches in Pennsylvania now has the highest number of reported cases of tick diseases the fall. This type is usually big enough for in humans. At our practice in the past two humans to see so, even though they carry years, more than 4 percent of our patients these organisms, they are less likely to cause that were tested for tick-transmitted diseases disease. The adults lay their eggs in late were positive for the organisms that cause winter to early spring, and the cycle begins Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis again. and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The most commonly recognized tickThere are several varieties of ticks that transmitted disease is Lyme Disease, caused exist in the Northeast but two in particular by the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. — the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapuFlu-like symptoms and/or the characterislaris, and the lone-star tick, Ambylomma tic bulls-eye target rash occur in 80 percent americanum — carry the most commonly of those bit by the Ixodes tick that carries seen diseases of Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Lyme. Many people never even note the tick Ehrlichiosis. The life cycles of these ticks nor the rash. In dogs, the disease is very difallow them to spread these diseases by feed- ferent in that it can take weeks to months

Paw Prints

after exposure to a tick bite for the animals to show the symptoms of joint pain. Many dogs exposed to Lyme never manifest any symptoms and do not require treatment. But there are some that do succumb to the kidney damage caused by the prolonged response of the dog’s immune system against the spirochete. Another tick disease on the rise in our canine population is Ehrlichia canis, transmitted by the brown-dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, or Ehrlichia lewinni, transmitted by the lone-star tick. There are three phases of this disease. The acute phase can cause a dog to become listless, have a lowered appetite and enlargement of the lymph nodes. The organisms cause a reaction in the dog’s immune system that starts to destroy platelets essential in blood-clotting. Some dogs will even have swollen, painful joints. In the subclinical phase, many dogs exposed to Ehrlichia do not show any symptoms until months to years later, as the organism hides in their spleen. Blood tests help determine if the Ehrlichia is causing changes in the platelet count and indicate if the dog is reacting to the organism with an elevated protein globulin level. The last phase is the chronic phase, in which the dog gets sick from abnormal bleeding as its platelet numbers are too low to help form a clot. Some of these dogs have eye changes due to deep inflammation, called uveitis, and/or kidney damage due to the chronic immune stimulation, causing them to lose protein in their urine. The deer or black-legged tick is also responsible for spreading Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an infection that affects the platelets. Dogs may be sick for one to seven days with lethargy, fever or joint pain leading to lameness. Other less-seen signs may be vomiting, diarrhea, coughing and shortness of breath or seizures. Some dogs may not be sick for close to five-and-a-half months after the tick bite. Blood tests can detect the organism and assess the level of

thrombocytes that exist. All of these ticktransmitted diseases, when causing symptoms, are treated similarly with the same antibiotic, Doxycycline, with treatments lasting 28 days. The tick must feed for more than 24 hours to transmit these infectious organisms. Prevention is essential in protecting your family companion and the members of your family. Many effective flea and tick medications exist that will either kill or repel the tick before it gets to transmit the infection to your companion. These products should be used every month throughout the entire year, since the life cycle of the tick keeps them feeding for more than 75 percent of the year. Check your companion around its head, ears, neck and legs after any walks through grassy areas, even in the city parks since more than 50 percent of our patients who tested positive for tick-transmitted diseases had not left Philadelphia. Removing a tick is quite easy; place your finger on its body and slowly spin the tick’s body counterclockwise for about 20 seconds, after which it will release its bite and can then be safely grasped and flushed away. So as you plan your summer getaway, or even your next walk in Washington Square, make sure your companion has had its monthly dose of prevention or is wearing a tick collar. Talk to your veterinarian about what they recommend as the best protection for your companion and make sure you let them know if you saw a tick on your pet. An annual simple blood test will let you know if your companion has been exposed to Lyme, Ehrlichia or Anaplasmosis and let you know if you have done a great job protecting your family from tick-transmitted diseases. ■

JUDGE from page 1

Elicia Gonzales, executive director of GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization, said Alejandro is a role model for LGBT Latinas everywhere. “Part of my reason for working at GALAEI was, as somebody who is queer and Latina, I was able to see myself reflected for the first time in my entire life,” Gonzales said. “With the appointment of Nitza as the first openly gay Hispanic woman, it further exemplifies having people reflective of all the community. And I think particularly with queer gay women, we don’t get a chance to see ourselves reflected in positive ways. It is usually overly sexualized and eroticized versions for heterosexual male consumption. It is going to speak volumes.” ■

beneficial in her new role. “In her 21 years on the bench, Nitza Quiñones Alejandro has presided over many cases incorporating different facets of the law. In addition to her extensive experience in the courtroom, she has also remained active in her community through her work with schools and mentoring summer law interns,” Toomey said. “She is eminently qualified and a committed public servant. Moreover, I am proud that Judge Quiñones will be the first Latina judge to serve in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.” While Alejandro’s confirmation made national history, it was especially hailed locally.

Dr. Claudia Casavecchia is a general practitioner at Society Hill Veterinary Hospital. For more information, call 215-627-5955 or visit www.societyhillvets.com.

Philadelphia Gay News

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

FOX from page 1

on to attend the Art Institute of Philadelphia for design, but did not complete his education there. “With Michael, it was 120 percent or nothing,” Diane said. He had most recently attended Jean Madeline Aveda Institute. “His passion was in hair and make-up. If you didn’t coordinate, he would let you know,” Fox said. Fox said her son came out when he was a sophomore in high school and later revealed to her the difficulties of being gay in

high school. “I had been asking questions, but he wasn’t forthcoming to me and then when he was a sophomore, he came and told me he was gay,” Diane said. “Later in the years, I told him how great it was that he came out so early in life and commended him for doing so, but Michael did let me know how hard it was in high school because there was bullying happening in his school.” But things got much better for her son when he moved to Philadelphia, Diane said.

NEWS PGN

“He always loved Philly and he was comfortable with that community,” she said. “After working at the Gap, he started bartending at Woody’s and felt very comfortable there.” But, all of that changed last summer. Fox was last seen June 20. When he was found by a roommate, his bedroom had been ransacked and authorities believe the incident may have stemmed from a robbery. Detectives believe the killer was someone Fox knew person-

ally, but no person of interest or suspect has been publicly identified. Police spokesperson Officer Jillian Russell said that Homicide Capt. James Clark said there are no leads in the case. “Detectives are actively working the case and will continue to ask for the public’s assistance if they may have seen anything the day of his murder,” Russell said. Diane said she is satisfied with the detective work on the case. “We are very pleased with the officers who are in charge of

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his case. They are truly working hard, there are just no leads and every time they think there is a lead, it comes to a dead end,” she said, noting that lead investigator Detective Jim Burns has been especially responsive. “He has been in touch with me every week or every other week and I believe Detective Burns is like that anyway but as Michael’s parents, we would make sure that if we didn’t hear from them, they would hear from us.” On May 18, WPVI ran an update on Fox’s story. The Citizens Crime Commission and the city are offering a reward of up to $21,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Fox’s murderer. “I think the Crime Commission and Channel 6 did an excellent job on that piece. Our parents were ecstatic. Michael was close to every family member, whether it was his sister, nieces, nephews, cousins — they were all pleased with the piece,” Diane said. Diane said her son’s death has been difficult for their entire family, especially his sister. “It has been difficult for his sister losing him. She has two children and it was fortunate that he was able to spend some time with them, but she feels like they will never know Uncle Michael. We’ve been strong for each other and we know we have to keep going on, but it is difficult, especially due to the nature of the crime that happened.” Diane said the family plans on distributing fliers around the area where Fox lived and will continue their contact with Burns. The family has also started a scholarship in Fox’s name, which will be dispersed every year on his birthday in October. While Diane said her family is aware that justice could take time, she is confident that the killer will ultimately be caught. “People have asked me if we will have closure when his killer is caught and I don’t know that you ever have that when you lose a child. We will definitely have answers and that is really what we are looking for. We don’t know why, who or what happened and it will be justice for Michael, but for us? I don’t know that until we get there. We won’t know but we hope that happens and we do realize it could be tomorrow, a year or three years from now.” Anyone with information on Fox’s murder is urged to call the Citizens Crime Commission anonymous tipline at 215-546TIPS. ■

PGN LOCAL HENNESSEY from page 5

We had some debt. Because her company was new, we didn’t have a lot of life insurance. As hard as it was having those other discussions, we also had to talk facts and financials.” The record was near completion in McIntyre’s final days. As a tribute to his moms, Hennessey used a photo of the pair from 1986 on the CD and ultimately he and his friends conceived of using the CD to think bigger. “We wanted to use music to change people’s minds about how the laws right now are hurting gay couples who are raising families. They made me the musician I am, and I want to draw that connection for the public. So people can say, ‘Oh wow, here’s a good musician with good songs, and he was raised by two women.’” Maureen said McIntyre was wholeheartedly behind the idea. But, Hennessey had to push the CD release back because of McIntyre’s condition. She ultimately passed May 18 at age 55, surrounded by her family. Hennessey held the CD release party and the launch of the IndieGoGo initiative at World Café Live 10 days later in a party called “A Grand Bazaar for Marriage Equality,” in reference to his song, “Grand Bazaar,” written for McIntyre. Hennessey said that, if this campaign is successful, he could see it being replicated by other families of same-sex couples or by LGBT organizations. Maureen acknowledged that she was initially uncomfortable with the idea, but believes in its mission — and in her son’s music. “I’m not accustomed to having attention or even talking about money out loud. But Shawn’s intentions are so true. Money’s one thing but the fact that this can let people know that our families are, at a minimum, as good as everyone else’s, that’s what this is all about,” she said. “And Shawn’s music is so good, he’s phenomenal. All I care about is that his music is heard. He has so much love in his heart and so many things to say. Both Kerry and Shawn are great kids, they’re perfect. Their hearts are so real and honest and neither of them have a bone of discrimination in their hearts. We may not have money, but I think Mary Beth and I did a kick-ass job. We raised some great kids.” For more information or to contribute to the campaign, visit http:// www.indiegogo.com/projects/lifelove-death-and-marriage-equality.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

AGING PGN

Shining a spotlight on a public-health crisis: elder abuse There are more than 2.1 million reported cases of elder abuse or exploitation in the U.S. each year, and some estimates of the actual number of these cases are 10 times higher. For LGBT older adults, there are many reasons why this abuse is of great concern. We’ll get to this later, but first, let’s define elder abuse. Abuse has many labels and comes in many forms: domestic, verbal, emoEd tional, sexual, neglect, exploitation, physical, financial, to name a few. The Administration on Aging, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, defines elder abuse as “intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that causes harm to a vulnerable elder.” The United Nations designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The aim was to focus global attention on the problem of abuse of elders. Locally, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office has formed an Elder Abuse Task

Force. Deborah Cooper Nixon, director of the Elder Justice Program and chair of the Task Force, calls elder abuse “a publichealth crisis.” Diane Menio, executive director of the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, agrees. “We have been addressing this crisis for over 30 years,” Menio said. “It is encouraging that international organizations the U.N., and Bomba like locally, the District Attorney’s office, are shining a spotlight on this epidemic.” Because most LGBT seniors do not have children or traditional family structures that provide watchful eyes and protection against possible abuse, many live in varying degrees of isolation. That isolation can make them easy targets for abusers. Some elders are at risk because they choose to remain in the closet and fear being outed. As a result, they are more susceptible to blackmail, manipulation, fraud and abuse.

Gettin’ On

Same-sex couples do not have the same legal rights that protect opposite-sex married couples. Same-sex couples are denied Social Security spousal and survivor benefits. In many states, including Pennsylvania, a surviving “partner” is forced to pay inheritance taxes while their “married” counterparts pay nothing. The result is financial insecurity that puts LGBT seniors at greater risk of manipulation than those with more secure financial rights. In addition to these risk factors, there are some types of abuse that are unique to the treatment of LGBT elders. Refusal to allow same-sex partners to visit each other in a nursing, long-term care or other similar facility is elder abuse. Refusal to let same-sex partners live together in a continuing-care community or similar setting is elder abuse. Forcing a transgender person to dress in a fashion that represents the gender he or she was assigned at birth is elder abuse. Not treating an LGBT elder with dignity and respect because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity is elder abuse. These acts, and others like them, can no longer be considered just discrimination or homo- or transphobia: They are all acts of

abuse and should be prosecuted. According to the Task Force’s Nixon, “We want to make sure that these cases [of elder abuse] are identified and treated with sensitivity within the criminal-justice system. We want to make sure that older adults know that there is a place to go. We need to give older adults a voice and a place where they feel safe to discuss these issues.” As with so many other issues, it is our entire community’s responsibility to take care of its own. Elder abuse is no exception. Philadelphia Corporation for Aging has a comprehensive list of the warning signs of elder abuse on its website, www.pcacares.org. Some of those signs in older adults are: • Bruises, broken bones, burns, abrasions or other unexplained injuries • Poor hygiene, unusual weight loss or dehydration • Lack of needed glasses, hearing aids or other assistive devices • Over- or under-use of medication • Emotional state: anxious, timid, fearful or depressed. If you suspect elder abuse, report it to your local adult-protec-

tive-services agency. For individual state reporting numbers, call the Eldercare Locator at 800-6771116. In Philadelphia, call PCA Protective Services at 215-7659040. The CARIE LINE helps victims and can be reached at 215545-5728 or 800-356-3606. The SeniorLAW Center provides legal help through its Protection from Abuse and other measures, and can be reached at 215-988-1242 or 877–PA SR LAW. Other important resources and help lines are The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) and The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). ■

Ed Bomba is communications chair of the LGBT Elder Initiative. The LGBTEI, headquartered in Philadelphia, fosters and advocates for services, resources and institutions that are competent, culturally sensitive, inclusive and responsive to the needs of LGBT elders in the Delaware Valley and beyond. To comment on this article, suggest topics for future articles or for more information, visit www.lgbtei.org or call the LGBTEI at 267-546-3448. Watch for “Gettin’ On” each month in PGN.

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

LOCAL PGN

Obituary

Do You Have a Plan?

Michael Eiswerth, comedian and data analyst, 46 By Angela Thomas angela@epgn.com Michael Eiswerth, stand-up comedian and data analyst, died May 31 of a heart attack. He was 46. Eiswerth was a native of Pittsford, N.Y. He attended Pittsford High School before finishing his undergraduate degree at West Chester University and his MBA and MHA at the University of Pittsburgh. Eiswerth volunteered as a Life Scout and Ambulance Explorer Scout during his time in Pittsford. Since his move to Philadelphia about 20 years ago, he joined the Spruce Street Singers and Voices of Pride. Eiswerth worked as a data analyst at Cross MediaWorks. He also worked on the side as a stand-up comedian at clubs in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York. Eiswerth, or “Big Mike,” as some of his friends knew him due to his height, was a frequent visitor to The Bike Stop, said his close friend, Wayne Marquardt. “I dance with Men on Tap and we rehearse every Monday at The Bike Stop and Mike used to stop in to play pool with us. He wasn’t a part of Men on Tap, but he joined our group and played pool with us.” Marquardt said Eiswerth was someone who truly valued his time with his friends. “Whenever you were with him, you were with him. He was not on his cell phone or thinking about other things. It was your time together and I think that he displayed that LETTER from page 11

escape some modicum of responsibility. Their inability, thus far, to expand their political and social successes much beyond their local realm betrays a certain weakness of vision and dedication beyond the local. If there is any lesson to be learned from New York, Washington and other states, it’s that marriage equality frequently depends on the active support of a strong, progressive governor. With such support, it’s even possible to work it through a reluctant conservative legislature. But in Pennsylvania, not only do we have a staunchly conservative Republican state legislature, but a repressive Republican governor — and a tepid state Democratic Party willing to concede the battle before it even starts. What our Democratic Party needs to do is reinvent itself with the courage of its convictions, rededicate itself to providing a progressive alternative to state Republican hegemony, and perhaps take a few lessons from their more successful brother and sister Democrats from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. And our local activists need likewise reach out more effectively — being careful not to exacerbate the historic

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

with everyone he knew,” he said. “If he had to buy a gift for a friend, sometimes that could take four or five stores to find the perfect card and gift.” Eiswerth’s brother, Tom Eiswerth, said his brother had a wonderful sense of humor that everyone could appreciate, which added to his comedy performances. “He had a dry, quick sense of humor,” he said. “He was very smart and very determined.” Marquardt agreed and said it was easy for Eiswerth to find humor in situations. “He had a witty but dry sense of humor. He wasn’t into going to the lowest common denominator to find something funny.” Marquardt said Eiswerth was fond of coffee dates and was a true people person. “He loved people watching and he loved life. We would sit out at a lot of coffee houses in the city and watch people go by,” he said. “One of the things that he gave to everyone was his attention. Few people really listen to their friends, but he was the best listener and when you were there with him, he was there for you.” A celebration of life was held June 15 at the Continental Midtown Rooftop Bar. Those who couldn’t make it, Tom said, can still honor his brother in a simple way. “If anyone would like to do something, Mike was a pay-it-forward kind of guy, so do something nice for somebody else.” In addition to Tom, Eiswerth is survived by parents Thomas and Andy Eiswerth, sister Debra and brother-in-law Daniel Carmody, nephews Sean and Luke and many good friends. ■ resentment the rest of the state has towards Philly and its “big-city ways.” It’s not an easy task, nor can it happen overnight — though perhaps some hopeful cracks are starting to appear in the Republican hegemony in the center of the state. As reported in this paper, there has been a small flurry of pro-gay ordinances in a number of local municipalities, bucking the Republican machine. It’s not much, but that should lend hope and determination to make and continue the effort. It’s got to be done, in some manner and fashion, if we ever want to see marriage equality even just discussed seriously in Harrisburg in our lifetime. We need to find a viable progressive gubernatorial candidate, as well as legislative candidates who are, if not Democratic, at least more moderate. There are roughly a dozen states in line where marriage equality may become a reality in the very near future. Activists and politicians in those states aren’t doing anything that we can’t do here. And it must be done, if we’re ever to free the citizens of this poor state from the shackles of Alabama. — Gary L. Day Philadelphia

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

LOCAL PGN

News Briefing No response from Ramsey to Morris report Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has yet to issue his response, due May 5, to the Police Advisory Commission’s report on the Nizah Morris incident. Morris was a transgender woman found with blunt-force trauma to her head shortly after she received a “courtesy ride” from Philadelphia police in 2002. Her homicide remains unsolved, and in April, the PAC released a report that recommends state and federal probes. “In the end, we have a report that shows there was a homicide investigation that wasn’t handled properly,” said PAC chair Ronda B. Goldfein. “We have our suspicions as to why it wasn’t handled properly. There should be some controls implemented, such as the recommendations we’ve made, to prevent future mishandling of investigations of harm that comes to a Philadelphia citizen.” The PAC report also recommends enhanced LGBT training for police cadets, along with clearer policies on courtesy rides and cell-phone use by police. In a related matter, Goldfein said the PAC won’t object to the release of its Morris investigative records, if the city law department clears the way for such a release. A 2008 judicial order requires all city agencies to release their Morris investigative records to PGN, upon request. Last month, the paper requested additional Morris records received by the PAC in 2011, but the city law department hadn’t responded to that request at presstime. “If the city law department clears the way, the Police Advisory Commission will not object to the release of its Nizah Morris investigative records,” Goldfein said. — Timothy Cwiek

Dance the night away at prom Rock a tuxedo, dress or attire of your choice for the area’s longest-running prom event for LGBT and allied youth. The 18th Annual Alternative Prom runs from 7-11 p.m. June 21 at University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce St. Tickets are $10 and include dinner. For more information, visit www. facebook.com/pages/The-PhiladelphiaAlternative-Prom. Tickets can be purchased at the Mazzoni Center, Y-HEP, The Attic Youth Center or GALAEI or online at www.eventbrite.com/ event/6772136643/SRCH. ■ — Angela Thomas

Liberty City Press JUNE 16-23, 2013

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1. From left: Nicole Gold, Sharon Graham, Tiffany Leonard, Lorraine Ryan and Laura Kasper. 2. From left: Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, vice president of government relations for Independence Blue Cross and Jo Ann Bongart, general manager of Holiday Inn Express. 3. From left: Ursula Augustine, Nicole Johnakin and Erin Gruber volunteered their services to provide make up for the models. 4. From left: Arlene Freedman, Councilman David Oh and Brucie Baumstein. 5. From left: Vittoria Woodill, CBS3 Trafﬁc Reporter; Jillian Mele, NBC 10 Trafﬁc Reporter; Cherri Gregg, community affairs reporter for KYW Newsradio 1060; and Annie McCormick, 6ABC reporter, were all celebrity models in the Career Wardrobe fashion show. They modeled their own clothes, which they donated to the organization to be sold. 6. The celebrity models from the fashion show pose for a photo. HughE Dillon/photographer

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

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PHOTOS: Joan Marcus

‘Wicked’ returns with two out cast members By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com The theatrical Land of Oz sets up shop once again in Philadelphia with the return of “Wicked,” the globally popular musical based on the best-selling novel by out author Gregory Maguire, June 27-Aug. 4 at the Academy of Music. “Wicked,” which has won numerous awards, including a Grammy and three Tony’s, tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, from her birth up until her fateful conflict with Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. The production is still going strong since its debut a decade ago, with seven productions running worldwide. “Wicked” is somewhat of a yellow brick road for two out cast members from the upcoming Philadelphia production. Brandon Rubendall, an ensemble cast

member and understudy for the role of Fiyero, and Kevin McMahon, who plays Elphaba’s father, said they are excited to be part of such a successful stage production. “I’ve never been in anything like ‘Wicked’ before, where you come to a city and the show is already sold out and the audiences are screaming and really excited to be there,” McMahon said. “It’s truly a unique experience. It’s thrilling to be a part of it.” For Rubendall, “Wicked” is just another highlight in a career that has included being a backup dancer for Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and, most recently, Beyonce at the Super Bowl halftime show. “I feel very fortunate to be part of it,” Rubendall said about “Wicked.” “Besides being on stage with Madonna, my passion truly is theater. That’s something else I just fell into because the option presented itself to me. ‘Wicked’ is one of those dream

shows that I never in a million years thought I’d ever be in. Now I feel like I can do anything. I’m known as a dancer, so to be able to do this, now I feel that I am unstoppable.” Rubendall, a native of Reading, was also in the original cast for superhero rock-opera “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark,” which had a number of high-profile production troubles, delays and accidents. Accordingly, he said, said being a part of that show was both a curse and a blessing. “That experience was the worst experience of my life and the best experience of my life. It put me on the map. Had I not done that show, I would not be here or have done half the stuff I would have done. So I’m so thankful for it. But it was the hardest thing I have ever experienced as a performer and person. Because I was an original cast member, I was there every day, and to watch

stuff happen behind the scenes and know the truth and to hear what the press was saying — some of it was true, some of it wasn’t — was really hard. At one point, I stopped watching TV. It was so hard to endure. To watch the whole world want us to fail, it was really hard. But, three years later, it’s still going and doing great. It was hard but it was also great. It was a cool thing to be a part of and legendary because everyone wants to talk about it now. You can’t be mad at that.” Both actors acknowledged that audiences can’t get enough of “Wicked.” “It’s just the perfect show,” Rubendall said. “It has a little bit of everything for you. It has the drama, it has the comedy, it has catchy tunes, and the visual aspect of it is stunning. All together, it works as a perfect show. I feel like it speaks to everyone and that’s why it can stand PAGE 24

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on its own two feet for so long.” Added McMahon,: “There is something iconic about ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ It brings people back time and time again. We have a lot of repeat audiences, which is why we are so successful. There are few musicals in the canon that can do this: ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and now ‘Wicked.’ It’s become part of our collective consciousness and that is why people keep coming back.” McMahon also said that fans of the book might be surprised if they come to the show. “I find that people have not read the book,” he said of the theatergoing fans of “Wicked.” “I read it back when it first came out. I think some of the adults have read the book but the kids certainly have not. The book is very different than the musical. What I like about the musical is that it has taken the core of the book and twisted it. It’s kept its integrity but the book is very dark and political and that’s not transcribed into the musical so much.” Added Rubendall: “People are very surprised at what the show is. I have not read the book. I feel like you can’t really compare them because they changed it so much to work as a musical. People are surprised at what the show is and how good it is.” Like Rubendall, McMahon has a career outside of theater as a singer, with his debut solo album of pop standards, “Mirror,” available online. He said being a part of the “Wicked” cast is giving his singing career a boost. “It does help,” McMahon said. “I see people are buying it every once in a while on Amazon or iTunes. It must be from ‘Wicked’ because people read about it in my bio and check it out when they see it.” Rubendall said being able to perform in both theater and pop circles has its advantages. “When I‘m doing musical theater, I present myself to the cast as a pop dancer, which is a cool thing because you can do both,” he said. “When I do back-up dancing, I say I’m a musical-theater guy because they are like, ‘What are you doing here?’ So I play the other end of it because it gives you street cred, as crazy as that sounds, because people don’t do both. You either do one or the other. There are a handful of us that can do both worlds.”

BRANDON RUBENDALL By the way, since Rubendall had a unique perspective, we had to ask — who gave the better Super Bowl halftime show, Madonna or Beyonce? “They were both my bosses at one point in my life, but I have to go with my girl Beyonce,” he said. Rubendall said that unless something extraordinary presents itself to him in the pop universe, he’s sticking with theater for the foreseeable future. “That is something I’ve always dreamed of,” he said about touring with world-famous pop divas. “The fact that I was able to fall into this world without even tryi n g wa s r e a l l y cool. But for me, New York knows me as a dancer and my dream role is Fiyero and now I’m covering Fiyero. I realize that anything is possible. You have to pick and choose. Yeah, you can do it all and I’ve done it and that is great. Now I want to present myself as a singer KEVIN MCMAHON and be a leading guy. So because that is happening right now, my focus is on being a singer and a leading guy, so I have to hang up those dancing shoes for a little bit. The Super Bowl, they called me out of the blue. I didn’t audition for that. If something like that happened, maybe I would do it again. But I feel like the dreams that I had that I never thought could happen, happened. So I’m going to let that be and push forward as a singer.” ■ The Kimmel Center presents “Wicked” June 27-Aug. 4 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5800.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Suzi Nash

Stephanie Acevedo: Bringing color to the city’s mural-arts scene This is why I love doing this column. If you haven’t read it before, the idea for the column started when I was at a party for QFest. As I was chatting with a group of acquaintances, I realized how often we have casual relationships with people but never really get to know much about them. I wanted to change that. Case in point ... Stephanie Acevedo used to work at Sisters nightclub, where I host karaoke on Thursday nights. Any time I needed a burst of energy, I’d look for Stephanie on the floor and no matter what she was doing — working the door, helping the bartenders, in coat check — she’d always be smiling and dancing. It wasn’t until we were talking about the column at Pride this month did I find out that she was a muralist. And a great storyteller ... PGN: Were you born and raised in Philly? SA: Yes, I’m from West Philly. PGN: Tell me about growing up. SA: It was a little difficult. I’m the oldest of eight kids so I was the designated babysitter. I kind of raised my brothers and sisters while my dad and mom worked and did their adult things. They were young so they still enjoyed going out a lot. On the good side, I earned a lot of money as a kid. PGN: You got paid for babysitting? I wasn’t smart enough to think to ask for money. SA: [Laughs.] I demanded it. I had a whole list of demands! I told them, “Your kids are horrible, so I need big bucks for this. I need candy and I need access to the master bedroom and the TV so I can watch ‘Nick at Nite,’ and I want an extended curfew.” They went for it! I was always a good student and responsible so they trusted me. And it was hard keeping up my grades because I got bullied a lot. PGN: Why was that? SA: I was really chubby. I was a chubby kid and really nerdy. I was into reading and playing chess so I got picked on. PGN: What do the parents do? SA: My mother is an artist. I don’t have the skills that she does; she can draw anything. I’m very abstract and known for my creativity with colors and she’s more realistic. Her work just pops out. We are opposites but I definitely got my artistic talent from her. My dad is a man of all trades. He taught me how to do construction when I was young. When I was 14, I was like, I like money. I’ve got to do something to make more because the babysitting and chores aren’t cutting it. So he hired me under the table and taught me how to do floors and roofs and all that stuff. When I got to the age where I needed some privacy away from all the other kids, he had me

build my own room and bedroom set in the basement. PGN: Other than art class, what was a favorite class at school? SA: I actually hated art class! It was so boring to me. They always wanted you to color inside the lines. English was my favorite class. It was so creative and you learned so many ways to use your mind and your words. And you got to read great books and learn about how other people think. I loved reading “Of Mice and Men” and “Catcher in the Rye” and “Star Wars.” Our teacher had us read all different kinds of books with different kinds of imagination. It was cool. PGN: Schools are so important, it’s crazy to me that we’re closing them left and right. We seem to have no regard for education. SA: In my opinion, I think it’s all about corruption. If you look at the administrative finances, a lot of people who don’t actually teach children, who aren’t in the schools, are making more money than the teachers who are entrusted with actually educating the kids. I feel it’s all about politics and these people are worried about money over the welfare of the kids. PGN: Back to something happier, you mentioned your best friend ... SA: His name is Jim Jordon. I’ve known this guy since ninth grade. He liked me, thought I was going to be his girlfriend, until he found out that I was gay and then we were like Dora and Diego. We were inseparable and always on adventures. Once we figured out everything going on at school for the day, we would cut and travel around the city and explore. We made all sorts of fun and crazy discoveries. PGN: What was one of your favorite adventures? SA: One time we walked all the way from William Penn High School to Upper Darby. I don’t know why but somehow, someway, we always got rescued by Aquafina water. We could be thirsty, dying of dehydration and it somehow always showed up. It’s the craziest thing. In this case, we’d been walking for hours, it was hot and we were trying to find someplace, anyplace to get some water when a guy sprung out of nowhere from an alley way, as if it were magic, carrying a case of Aquafina! He was like, “Hey, what’s up?” and we were like, “Can you help us out, please? We haven’t had water for five hours and we really need something to drink.” He gave us a few bottles and then we found a little creek behind a row of houses and found a secret tunnel. There was a mini waterfall too. It was the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen. I couldn’t

even tell you where it was, we used to just walk until we got lost and then we’d find the most amazing things. PGN: What was the craziest adventure? SA: One time we found a half-built house in the middle of the woods. It looked abandoned and as we started to explore it, this guy with a long beard and a shotgun came out of nowhere and started chasing us! PGN: Woah! SA: [Laughs.] Yup, my parents never knew about our adventures. We’d leave school and make sure we were home by 4 p.m. and walk in as if nothing had happened. No one knew Jim and I had traveled half the city when we were supposed to be in class. He was my partner in crime and we’re still friends! PGN: What did you do after graduating high school? SA: Oh, I got into partying a lot. I met a bunch of kids that I used to hang out with

back and forth and then Chris decided they should do a challenge to settle it. He had his mom’s car so we all jumped in. I got in the back with two of our friends because we were like, “Aw, this is going to be good, we gotta see this!” Chris took off and started speeding around the park, he’s jumping bridges and going ridiculously fast. He came back to the starting point and was like, “Yes, four minutes and 30 seconds, try to beat that!” So she got behind the wheel and took off. She was going faster than him and hitting the bridges even harder and at one point she hit one of the bridges and went too high. We hit the ground and started spinning uncontrollably, we were in the back seat screaming our lungs out, “Ahhhhhh, we’re gonna die!” We were spinning towards the highway pillar and got so close that the side mirror broke off on the side where I was sitting! The car stopped so close I couldn’t open the door. My life flashed before my eyes and my heart practically jumped out of my chest. When I got out in one piece I said, “That’s it, enough of that stuff.” I completely changed after that night, I stopped drinking, I changed my entire life. It was like, “Goodnight, that’s a wrap, so long everybody.” PGN: What did you do? SA: I started working at GNC [General Nutrition Center] and learned all about vitamins and nutrition and herbal remedies and healing. I learned about healthy living and building muscles and exercising.

PGN: When did you go from being a chubby kid to being a fit kid? SA: I was really back and forth a lot when I was a teenager. I was at about 250 at my heaviest and about 190 at my lowest. Then when I turned about 23, I was feeling really crappy about myself and I ballooned up again and then something just snapped Photo: Suzi Nash at FDR Park. We’d skateboard and spray in me and I said, “What the hell am I doing?” So I paint and chill. It was fun at the time went into a totally positive mindset where but then I had a near-death experience that turned me around. I would run up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, I started dancing all the time, PGN: Do tell. everywhere I went. I started the Subway SA: We were all drinking — of course we diet; I’d have two footlong subs a day, 6 were still teenagers, so we weren’t supinches every four hours. And I stopped posed to be — but we were getting wasted a lot of the unproductive things I’d been and one kid, Chris, and our friend Kristen doing, like sitting around eating junk food got into a friendly argument over who all day. I gained a little back last summer was the better driver. They were going when I broke my PAGE 32

BOOKS PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

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Local author blends reality, fantasy in new novellas By Ray Simon PGN Contributor

That choice seems apt for his new book, which tackles themes he’s been mulling over for quite some time: guilt, religion and “Sometimes people get answers in sexuality. In his early 20s, Nickels explored the posthe strangest places,” says author Thom sibility of entering a religious order, even Nickels. He’s referring to his new book, “Two going so far as to participate in a retreat at Novellas: Walking on Water & After All a Benedictine monastery to test whether This,” published by STARbooks Press this he had a genuine vocation. Today, he conspring. Nickels hopes these two dream-like, tinues to engage with religion, serving as phantasmagoric tales will entertain and spirituality editor of the “Lambda Literary Review.” enlighten readers. The fact that Dennis is drawn to a monIn “Walking on Water,” historical personastery in the opening of ages such as Thomas Merton “Walking on Water” has interact with the protagonist, clear autobiographical roots, Dennis, who can change as Nickels acknowledged. his external reality at will But, he also cautions readbut who also struggles with ers against searching for a the guilt resulting from his one-to-one correspondence desire to love other men between the author’s life and and his desire to love God. the work of fiction. Dennis reappears in “After “As a writer, you want All This,” a post-apocalyptic to make a book intereststory that begins in a deving to write,” he said. astated New York City and “Autobiography can be like continues in Philadelphia. straightforward reporting: Although marketed as sciYou know what happened ence fiction, both works defy and where the story is going. genre expectations. Fantasy and miraculous ele“It’s not conventional AUTHOR THOM NICKELS ments take the story elsescience fiction,” the author where.” said. “It’s more fantasy and In the context of these novellas, “elsehas elements of surrealism. But in the bookselling world, everything has to be catego- where” has a twofold meaning. On the one hand, it is a good way to describe the setrized.” On June 22, Nickels will read from this ting. Historical figures and well-known new work at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th locations give readers an illusion of reality, St. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will but Nickels defamiliarizes things by allowbe followed by a reception featuring wine, ing Dennis to shift his landscape at will. And on the other hand, elsewhere refers cheese and conversation. This is actually Nickels’ ninth book. Past to the innumerable possibilities of what efforts include “The Boy on the Bicycle,” might have been. Unconstrained by biology published in 1993, and “Philadelphia or history, Dennis is not limited to one path A r c h i t e c t u r e ,” w h i c h r e c e ive d t h e in life. Reflecting on his situation, Dennis P h i l a d e l p h i a A I A L ew i s M u m f o r d thinks, “When he was tempted to stop, he Architecture Journalism Award in 2005. told himself that this place — this monasEarly versions of both stories in the current tery — was just a dream and that, theoretivolume were first published in 1989, but cally, he could do anything he wanted.” Fortunately for readers, Nickels stuck to Nickels has revised them so extensively that the path of becoming a writer. they amount to a new work. Not one to rest on his laurels, he is A prolific author, Nickels writes on a wide range of topics, everything from architec- already hard at work on two major projture and LGBT issues to politics and travel. ects. The diligent author is under contract He regularly contributes to publications as to publish a book he affectionately refers varied as “The Spirit,” a local weekly serv- to as “Legendary Locals.” This illustrated ing residents of Philadelphia’s river wards, compendium about the lives of Center City and “The Huffington Post,” an online jour- denizens will include biographical sketches nal of news and opinion reaching readers of both the noteworthy and the notorious. He is also completing a memoir entitled around the country. Nickels, who was raised in Chester “Harvard Square,” which will examine his County, roams far afield in his nonfiction, service as a conscientious objector during which blends straightforward reporting, the Vietnam War, along with other personal cultural criticism and social commentary. experiences from the heady days of the late It’s the sort of writing that would be right 1960s. According to Nickels, both books at home in a European feuilleton. But even are near completion. Readers curious to keep abreast of the most creative author of nonfiction is constrained by facts, which is why Nickels Nickels’ work can visit his website, www. thomnickels.blogspot.com. ■ occasionally makes forays into fiction.

NIGHTLIFE PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Hot in the city The humidity’s rising, so here are some hot tips for keeping cool in and around the Gayborhood.

cials until 5 p.m., an amazing hot-dinner buffet and DJ Steve Singer spinning all your favorites.

’90s Party God, the ’90s feel like they were only yesterday, but it’s been 20 years! So if you moshed to “Teen Spirit” or graduated to “Everybody Wear Sunscreen,” I hate to break it to you but you’re now officially old. Like me — welcome to the club! And that club is called the AARP. Join your classmates at 10 p.m. June 21 under the stars onboard the Moshulu, 401 S. Columbus Blvd., where DJ Deejay will spin all ’90s music, all night long. Cover charge is only $5! Which means you’ll have plenty of nickels left over for the senior special at the MidTown. (Just kidding, you kids aren’t old ... yet. Wish I could say the same about me!)

Blend Queer Coffee & Games Night If you’re looking for a change from the bar scene, then make a date for 7-10 p.m. June 28 at Chapterhouse Café, 620 S. Ninth St. Grab an iced coffee and head for the basement, where you can listen to music and make new friends while enjoying a good old-fashioned game night.

Bingo a Go-Go I don’t take back every mean thing I’ve ever said about Delaware (I lived there for more than 25 years so I can’t — the list is hella long) but I will say that I’m incredibly impressed by this next event. Join the Delaware Pride organization from 6-9 p.m. June 29 at the Delaware City Community Center, 250 Fifth Wet n’ Wild In The Country St. in Delaware City, which is Jim Kiley- possibly the last place on Earth Got a hankering for football players, male models, cockwould have expected to see a Zufelt Igay tails, barbecue and lounging event scheduled. Well done, folks! by the pool? Then from noon-5 The cover charge is only $18 in advance p.m. June 22 you want to be at The Raven, or $20 at the door, and they’ll gladly sell 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope. This party, sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Flag you a Bingo dauber or two so you can keep Football League, covers all those bases, up with the callers. This month’s theme is with models from Metro Men’s Clothing Disco Fever, so dust off those bell bottoms and squeeze into that polyester pantsuit giving you a fashion show by the pool while you sip cocktails and nibble on tasty — you might win the costume contest! For barbecue. more information and advance tickets, visit Don’t have a car? No problem! Your $15 www.delawarepride.org. ticket includes a round-trip bus ride from You also kind of have to give props to Philly and admission to the party. The bus any gay group that gets a company named “Siemens” to sign on as a corporate sponwill leave from Riverview Plaza at 11 a.m. sor. The high-school sophomore in me and will return by 6 p.m. For more information, see www.phillyflagfootball.com. loves that! Seating is limited on the bus, so if you Cazwell want a ride, RSVP on their website today! Catch red-hot rapper Cazwell at 9 p.m. Rock n’ Roll Gay Bar June 29 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. Whether Check out the best new dance floor in you know him from the ice cream truck or Center City at 10 p.m. June 22 at The Bike from that time he saw Beyonce at Burger Stop, 206 S. Quince St. DJs Robert Drake King, either way you don’t want to miss and John Stanley will be spinning all your him. He’s appearing with DJs Xavier B and rock, punk and new-wave dance favorites Javascript, plus opening act JNATHEN and — guaranteed 100-percent rock and 0-perhostess Tammy Faymous. Tickets are $15 cent disco-diva filler. The party’s up on the in advance or $30 for a VIP meet and greet with Cazwell, including a one-hour open third floor, with new lights, new sound, bar (twerking lessons not included). For kickass AC and drink specials all night more information and tickets,visit www. long. All for just a $5 cover! tabuphilly.com. ■ Ladies 2000 40 ’n’ Up Questions, comments, strangely shaped Join Ladies 2000 for a Gatsby Girl moles you need checked out? Contact Jim reunion from 4-9 p.m. June 23 at Top Dog at barcrawlr@gmail.com or follow him Taco and Tequila Bar (what, they changed on Facebook for links to back articles and their name again?) 2310 W. Marlton Pike totally bitchin’ music videos! And P.S. — (Route 70), Cherry Hill. Weird new name, happy 27th anniversary, honey! but the same great power-hour drink spe-

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PENNSYLVANIA 6 BISOU - SEA SCALLOPS YELLOWFIN TUNA TARTARE WITH CRISPY PORK BELLY

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Worth Watching

There’s more new and to do in A.C. RESURRECTED: Rescued from cancellation by popular demand, “Drop Dead Diva,” which features out comedian Margaret Cho (pictured), returns for a fifth season, 9 p.m. June 23 on Lifetime. Photo: Richard Ducree

Full disclosure: As chief strategy officer for the Atlantic City Alliance, it is my job to tell people about the new in A.C. Before joining the organization behind the “Do AC” ads, I frequently wrote about A.C. in this column. Now that I am the official “AC Insider,” I wanted to share a few tips on what I think you will enjoy.

the rocket’s red glare will be 10,000 multicolored fireworks that will illuminate the night. The “DO AC Fireworks Spectacular” is four beautifully choreographed, visually stunning and elaborate fireworks shows along the Atlantic City Boardwalk and Marina on Thursday, July 4, starting at 9:30 p.m.

Lots of new Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opened a new restaurant (28 West Bar & Bites), debuted a new burlesque show and updated its club, mur.mur. Resorts Casino Hotel opened the brand-new Margaritaville on Memorial Day while Revel opened its ultra-luxe HQ Beach Club. Steel Pier added more new rides and a great boardwalk bar and grill. The Atlantic Club has a Jazz Sunday Brunch and Tropicana launched new restaurants and a renovated IMAX theater. For LGBT nightlife, there is Pro Bar at Resorts and a new after-hours bar called the Rainbow Room, at 55 S. Bellevue Ave.

• World Championship of Sand Sculpting: The century-old art form returns to its roots in A.C. The competition marks the first time the World Championship of Sand Sculpting will be held in Atlantic City, where sand artistry had its earliest beginnings in the late 1800s. Check out the massive displays created by artists from 13 countries.

Hotel deals With 20,000 hotel rooms in A.C., many of which are newly renovated, there are usually great deals to be found. Midweek hotel prices are the best bet in Atlantic City. Right now the casino resorts and hotels deliver summer midweek deals geared for every taste and budget (all under $200 per night) and with no minimum stays that are often found in beachside resorts in high season. Yes, Saturday-night stays are in high demand — especially in summer. Free events • July Fourth Fireworks: Imagine standing on the famous A.C. Boardwalk at the legendary Steel Pier and seeing fireworks everywhere—to the left and to the right and even behind you! On this July Fourth,

DOME-AGEDDON: The residents of a New England town find themselves suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by a massive transparent dome in the new mini series “Under The Dome,” based on the novel by Stephen King, 10 p.m. June 24 on CBS. Photo: Michael Tackett

• “Boardwalk Beat” — a new, familyfriendly, nightly 3D light and sound show — is a foot-tapping, heart-thumping journey through eight decades of musical history, including ’20s ragtime, ’30s cotton club, ’40s Broadway musicals, ’60s surf music, ’70s disco, ’80s pop and ’90s hard rock. Historic Boardwalk Hall is magically transformed into a gigantic whimsical jukebox hopping randomly from one musical era to another. • Miss America’s return to her home in Atlantic City will be a 13-day event following Labor Day weekend and will include three nights of preliminary competitions that will take place on Sept. 10, 11 and 12 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. This historic return will be a monumental event complete with the much-anticipated Miss America “Show Us Your Shoes Parade” that will be held on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk on Saturday, Sept. 14. ■ Jeff Guaracino is the author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.”

‘DESPERATE’ LIVING: Soap star Susan Lucci stars in the new Lifetime series “Devious Maids” by executive producer Eva Longoria, premiering 10 p.m. June 23 on Lifetime. Photo: Richard McLaren

‘SWAP’ MEET: Sure, it goes against the title, but this should be interesting all the same. Joan and Melissa Rivers pull one Bristol Palin and her brood into their fashionable and busy world for a new episode of “Celebrity Wife Swap,” 8 p.m. June 23 on ABC. Photo: Rick Rowell/ABC

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

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Ty, Tommy and Reggie at Tavern on Camac

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Joe (left) and Michael at Westbury

Will at Sisters

Concrete commentary at the corner of Spruce and Camac streets—it survived about a day before being smoothed over.

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�� Scott Scott A. A. Drake Drake ��

Julia, Jess and Shawn at The Bike Stop Joe and Peter at The Bike Stop

AJ and Dan at Knock

Angie at Sisters

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

FUN PGN & GAMES

Q Puzzle Share the freedom Across

1. It can help you hold your liquor 5. “I ___ Andy Warhol” 9. Orlando group that plays with balls 14. Michelangelo’s David, and such 15. Prefix meaning “half” 16. You must remember this 17. British carbine 18. Persian Gulf land 19. Story of Greeks and Trojans 20. Start of the answer to “Why can’t we give 35Across to LGBT people?” 23. 12-inch stick 24. Pastoral pieces 28. Threat words 30. Think tank output 32. Big part 34. When repeated, a “Funny Girl” song

35. Freedoms that all should enjoy 39. She had her hand up Lamb Chop 41. Sultry Horne 42. Dean Cain’s Clark Kent, for one 44. Part for a Singer 50. Species of Mr. Squarepants 51. Fire, to Frida 52. End of the answer 57. Dallas dweller 60. Skye on screens 61. “Catch you later” 62. Funny Cheri 63. Admit openly 64. Latin poet 65. Greek sorceress 66. Part of YMCA 67. The L.A. Sparks strip them Down 1. Milk neighborhood 2. Bea of “The Golden Girls” 3. “Remington ___” 4. Where bitches

PORTRAIT from page 25

ankle and couldn’t dance as much. PGN: Who’s the funniest in the family? SA: Ha! Probably me ... and my brother Will. He’s a pain in the butt, but he’s funny, I’ll give him that. He’s a joker. [Grins.] But I’m the prankster. I love to pull pranks on people. I love the classics like a hand in warm water — that really works! — and putting whipped cream on someone’s hand and then tickling their nose. And I enjoy that ink that you squirt on people which comes out blue but then turns invisible. PGN: Best prank? SA: Oh boy, one time at the end of the school year, I slipped some Viagra into my teacher’s drink. He had a boner the whole class. He didn’t realize it at first until everyone started laughing. Now I feel bad about it, but as a teenager it was great. PGN: Where did you get Viagra? SA: I found it in my dad’s drawer, which was a little scary. Like, “Uh, Dad?” PGN: How did you get into the art world? SA: I was a very inquisitive kid, the kind who always asked, “What’s this, what’s that? Why?” I’d never shut up, so my mother found that the easiest way to get me to stop talking was to give me a little corner with some crayons and a coloring book. You would not see me for hours. I would make backgrounds for the pictures and do shadowing and add in things that weren’t in the original picture. She saw that it was something I loved so I got

hang out 5. It might poke you in prison 6. On the spot 7. Poet Khayy·m 8. Like Tim 9. Principle course at Star Canyon 10. Urban pussy 11. Queer in Quebec 12. “_ ___ Yankee Doodle Dandy” 13. Provincetown’s Cape 21. Hesitation sounds 22. Lubricant 25. Jar tops 26. Island necklace 27. U-turn from NNW 29. Cotton gin inventor Whitney 30. Fruit peeler 31. Top Norse deity 33. Woods of _Legally Blonde_ 35. Melissa may attach one to her neck 36. Pots and pans, e.g. 37. State named for a queen who

wasn’t sexually active 38. Gift of Ellen DeGeneres 39. June grads 40. Like cool cats 43. Address book no. 45. Frequently, to Shakespeare 46. Place where you often see the slogan of this puzzle’s theme 47. Mind one’s manners 48. “No need to explain” 49. Rootless types 53. Neeson of “Kinsey” 54. Didn’t go straight 55. Source of this puzzle’s quote (abbr.) 56. Randy Shilts’ area 57. Hulce of “Amadeus” 58. Season abroad 59. Crossed through, with “out” PAGE 34

countless coloring books and art supplies. I went to an art charter school but didn’t like the classes; they were too rigid for me. Still life is soooo boring. I was like, “OK! We’ve been staring at fruit for three hours! I don’t want to do this!” And then they’d give us blocks of art class so it was great, now we’re staring at one pear for hours instead of a bowl of fruit. I’d try to incorporate my designs in the still life and it wasn’t particularly appreciated. I’m not good at conforming so I was at war with a lot of teachers, even as a kid. I’m lefthanded and I had a teacher who used to try to make me write with my right hand. She’d grab the pencil out of my left hand and stick it in my right hand. So I started holding pencils in both hands!

Golden, Robyn Buseman—and they saw me drawing and said, “You’re hired.” I worked on the “Taste of Summer” mural across from the William Way Center. I took the muralist training program and started networking and met Ernel Martinez, who did “The Roots” mural. I volunteered to help on that and put in about 100 hours of free time. They saw how hard I worked for nothing and so they hired me to do a teaching job, teaching young men from 18-24 how to make murals, how to draw from an image, how to graph them, how to build greenhouses and do carpentry. And now I’m working on two murals. One is going to be at 55th and Chester and another that’s going to be on a rec center at Eighth and Lombard.

PGN: That’s really funny. I’m a fellow lefty but fortunately never had to deal with that. SA: Yeah, so then I got into music. I took piano and dance class, every arts class but art. Until I graduated and then I started getting inspired to start doing a lot of symmetrical artwork. I started experimenting with a lot of color combinations. I’m really into a lotta, lotta color. Designs within designs.

PGN: That’s amazing. You must be really proud. I forgot to ask you about coming out. SA: I never really got a chance to come out. I was more so kicked out of the closet! It was very awkward. I had my first girlfriend in high school and we used to cut school to hang out in her room. One day her sister burst into the room while we were in the middle of “hanging out,” if you know what I mean, and it was terrible. She gave us a whole speech on God and I took off. When you have a lot of siblings in a big house and you come home and the whole house is dark and quiet, you know that something’s up. I was terrified. There was no music on, no TV, no loudness, it was trouble. Apparently, she called my dad and told him everything. He freaked out. He was totally against it. As I was standing in the empty house the phone rang

PGN: And the mural arts? SA: My mom actually was involved first. She was doing murals and they were showing some of her artwork at a gallery in New York. She couldn’t make it and asked me to read a speech on her behalf. I’m not a big public speaker but I went and on my way there I was with some of the people from the Mural Arts Program—Jane

and it was my dad. I knew I was in trouble when he full-named me! “Stephanie Nicole Acevedo! We have to talk!” That scared me all the way down to the bone. [Laughs.] I was thinking, I’m going to die! I’m gonna die! He asked me about my friend and what kind of friends we were. He wanted to know if I got it from my mom. He told me it was a disease and all that craziness. PGN: From your mom? SA: Yeah, my mom is gay, but I was scared to come out to her because I thought she would blame herself. But I knew I was gay from the beginning. To my surprise, my mom was like, “Yesss! That’s so cool! I didn’t know you were gay, now we can be even closer!” And we are, we’re good friends. I was 16 when that happened and it took my father until I was about 22 to come around. PGN: And how did you know you were gay? SA: I remember in kindergarten there was a girl I had a crush on. We would hold hands and we had those butter cookies with the hole in the middle. I’d put it on my finger and we’d nibble it off together and we’d sneak kisses behind the teacher’s back. I didn’t even know that it was gay until I got older. [Laugh.] I know now, though! PGN: I bet you do! ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portrait,” write to portraits05@aol.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

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PGN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

OUT & ABOUT The week ahead Fri. 06/21 Aiden James The out singersongwriter performs 8 p.m. at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St.; 215928-0770. Low and Mike Doughty The alt-rock artists perform 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. The Rolling Stones The rock band performs 8 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215389-9543. Who’s Bad The Michael Jackson tribute band performs 8

p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. The Zombies The British Invasion rock band performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-5727650. MST3K: Hobgoblins The bad B sci-fi movie is screened and lampooned 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-0223.

Sat. 06/22 Thom Nickels The author of “Walking on

Water” and “After All This” hosts a reading 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215923-2960. Rancid The punk band performs 7:30 p.m. at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800745-3000. Rock n’ Roll Gay Bar The rock ’n’ roll dance party starts 10 p.m. at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; 215627-1662.

Sun. 06/23 The Uninvited The 1944 supernatural thriller is screened 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.

Mon. 06/24 LORDS OF THE FIREFLY: A impressive list of bands is descending upon Delaware this weekend for the Firefly Festival, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Amanda Palmer (pictured) & the Grand Theft Orchestra, Vampire Weekend and more, June 2123 at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway, 1131 N. Dupont Highway. For more information or tickets, visit fireflyfestival.com.

Free Quizzo & Board Game Night Roll the dice, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Philly Rising Showcase Local artists perform 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400. Bruno Mars The singer performs 7:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Margalit Fox The author of “The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322.

Congratulations We want to know!

Downloaded and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure The double feature of films is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-8622081.

Tue. 06/25 One Direction The boy band performs 7:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543. Billy Cox presents the Band of Gypsys Experience The music of Jimi Hendrix is performed 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.

Wed. 06/26 Escape From New York The sci-fi action film is screened 7:30 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888. Raymond Sokolov The restaurant critic and author of “Steal the Menu: A Memoir of Forty Years in Food” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322.

Thu. 06/27 Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show The outrageousness begins 11 p.m. at Bob and Barbara’s, 1509 South St.; 215545-4511.

Fri. 06/28 Close Encounters with Carrie Rickey ... with M. Night Shyamalan The filmmaker is interviewed

live onstage 7 p.m. at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. HOLLER! The open-mic night starts 7 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. America The rock band performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. The Burlesque Show The new event kicks off 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-3171000.

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.

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE: Fresh off the road from his spring tour in support of his recent album “Trouble With This,” out singersongwriter Aiden James heats it up when he performs 8 p.m. June 21 at Tin Angel, 20 N. Second St. For more information or tickets, call 215-928-0770.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Firefly Festival Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Amanda Palmer & the Grand Theft Orchestra, Vampire Weekend and more perform through June 23 at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway, 1131 N. Dupont Highway; fireflyfestival. com. In Visible Skin: Portraits of Transgender Philadelphia The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts a exhibition by artist Emily Smith Satis, through June 28, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220. Pinocchio The classic children’s tale comes to life on stage through June 23 at Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. Second St.; 215-922-1122. THE WITCH IS BACK: The hit musical “Wicked,” based on the novel by out author Gregory Maguire about characters from the land of Oz, returns to the area June 28-Aug. 4 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-790-5800.

Opening Dave Matthews Band The rock band performs 7 p.m. June 28-29 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300. Wicked The hit musical about characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” June 28-Aug. 4 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.

Continuing All Dressed Up: Fashions for Children and Their Families Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of clothing from the late-18th through mid-20th centuries, comparing and contrasting adult apparel with children’s styles, through Dec. 1, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. The Art of Golf Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of painting celebrating the sport, through July 7, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Candy Coated Wonderland Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition by Philadelphia-based multimedia artist Candy Coated (formerly Candy Depew) reinterpreting children’s fancy dress costumes from the museum’s collection, through Nov. 17, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Design for the Modern Child Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition featuring some of the latest furniture, toys, tableware, wallpaper and tex-

tiles designed in Australia, Asia, Europe, Great Britain and the United States, along with classics from the museum’s design collection, through Oct. 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. DINO! An Evening with Dean Martin at the Latin Casino Walnut Street Theatre presents a recreation of a legendary Dean Martin concert, through June 30 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Ragtime The Centre Theater presents the musical written by Terrence McNally with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, through June 23, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown; 610-279-1013. SPANK! A musical comedy and parody of “Fifty Shades of Grey” through June 22 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847. ■

MARS ATTACKS!: Pop maestro Bruno Mars comes to town 7:30 p.m. June 24 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-3899543.

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

Grease Walnut Street Theatre presents the classic musical through July 14, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.

Closing Bootycandy The Wilma Theater presents the production consisting of sketches that interconnect to portray growing up gay and African-American, through June 22, 265 S. Broad St.; 215-546-7824. From page 32

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

Only in

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Classifieds Real Estate Sale

Real Estate Sale 

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 

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

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

Real Estate Sale

Help Wanted

NE PA LACKAWAXEN Country party house, 4,100 sq. ft. 5 bed. 3.5 bath, Indoor jacuzzi, exercise room and sauna, 1,500 sq ft. deck. 2.5 hrs from Phil. $439,000 Call for slide show. 570 685-4660. ________________________________________37-27 OFFICE SPACE IN HATBORO 3,264 Sq. Ft. Open Floor Plan. Subdivadable & Income producing. Close to PA turnpike & Byberry Rd. Owner Financing Available. Off street parking. Under $470,000. Available now. Call 215-674-1180. ________________________________________37-26 Waterfront Lots-Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Was $300k, Now From $55k. Large Lots, Community Pool, Pier and Recreational Center. Great for boating, ﬁshing & kayaking. www.oldemillpointe.com 757-824-0808. ________________________________________37-25 Our Newest Affordable Acreage Upstate NY/Owner Financing. 60 Acres, Cabin, Stream & Timber: $79,995. 80 Acres, Nice Timber, Stream, ATV trails, Borders Farmlands, Great Hunting: $74,995. 73 Acres, Pine Forest, Road front, Utilities. Minutes to Oneida Lake Boat Launch: $79,995. Small Sportsmen’s Tracts: 3 - 5 Acres Starting at $12,995. Call 1-800-229-7843 or info@landandcamps.com ________________________________________37-25

Heavy Equipment Operator Career! 3 Weeks Hands On Training School. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. National Certifications. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497. ________________________________________37-25 2013-2014 VACANCIES High School Principal (9-12), Physics (9-12), Biology (9-12), Biology/Physics (9-12), Earth Science (9-12), Mathematics (8-12), Physical Science (5-8), Special Education General Curriculum (K-4), Special Education Early Childhood- Prince Edward County Public Schools, Farmville, VA- (434)315-2100. www.pecps.k12.va.us Closing Date: Until filled. EOE. ________________________________________37-25 A $5,000 SIGN-ON BONUS For exp’d solo OTR drivers & O/O’s. Tuition reimbursement also available! New Student Pay & Lease Program. USA TRUCK 877-521-5775 www.GoUSATruck.com ________________________________________37-25 CDL-A DRIVERS NEEDED! Solos up to $.38/mile. $.50/mile for Hazmat Teams. New Trucks Arriving Daily! 800-942-2104 Ext. 7308 or 7307 www.TotalMS.com ________________________________________37-25 YOUR NEW DRIVING JOB IS ONE PHONE CALL AWAY! Experienced CDL-A Drivers. Excellent Benefits. Weekly Hometime. 888-362-8608. 1 to 5 Weeks Paid Training. Recent Grads w/a CDL-A can apply online at AverittCareers. com Equal Opportunity Employer. ________________________________________37-25 GORDON TRUCKING, INC. CDL-A Drivers Needed! Up to $3,000 SIGN ON BONUS. Starting Pay UP to .46 cpm. Refrigerated Fleet, Great Miles, Full Benefits, Great Incentives! No Northeast Runs! Call 7 days/wk! TeamGTI.com 866-554-7856. ________________________________________37-25 A. Duie Pyle Needs: Owner Operators for Regional Truckload Operations. HOME EVERY WEEKEND!!! O/O AVE. $1.85/Mile. N0-TOUCH FREIGHT. REQUIRES 2-YRS EXP. CALL DAN @ 888-301-5855 OR APPLY @ www. driveforpyle.com ________________________________________36-25 HOME DAILY! Exceptional pay $40-$50K Annually, paid vacations, paid holidays, 401K. No NYC metro and No Touch Freight! Call 866-511-1134 Or visit online www.DRIVEJTC.com ________________________________________36-25

Travel & Resorts OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________37-25 609-345-8203. oceanhouseatlanticcity.com ________________________________________37-45 NORTH WILDWOOD, NJ - FLORENTINE FAMILY MOTEL Beach/Boardwalk Block, Heated Pools, Efﬁciency/Motel units refrigerator, elevator. Color Brochure/Specials 609522-4075 Department 104 www.ﬂorentinemotel.com ________________________________________37-25

For Sale SAWMILLS From only $3997.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________37-25

Services

Open Houses - Sunday June 23, 2013 12:00-2:00 PM 1027-31 Arch St #409, Philadelphia, PA 19107 2BR/2BA Bi-level condo. Low fees! $349,900 1020 S. Randolph St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Unique rehabbed Queen Village 3BR/2BA multi-level home. $324,900 936 N. 30th St, Philadelphia, PA 19130 Beautiful 3BR/2.5BA home in Art Museum Area. $350,000 Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.phillyrealestateagents.com Dan Tobey

1401 Walnut St. • 8th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19102

215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.558.1063 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com • www.cbpref.com

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

EXP RELIABLE HOUSECLEANER Let me free up your valuable time by cleaning your house or apt. Weekly biweekly monthly. I have 10+ years exp. FREE estimates. Call Wayne 215-422-2654. Ref’s upon request. ________________________________________37-27 AIRLINE CAREERS Begin here-Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA approved training. Financial aid if qualiﬁed-Housing available. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-834-9715 ________________________________________37-25

Adoption ADOPT A happily married couple promises cozy home, secure future, extended family, unconditional love for baby of any race. Expenses paid. Leslie/Daniel TOLL-FREE 1-855-7672444. danielandleslieadopt@gmail.com ________________________________________37-25

Business Opportunity OFFICE SPACE IN NEW JERSEY Large & small offices available. Inexpens. rent incl. Elec, Water, Heat, A/C, Taxes, & Snow Removal. No Sec. Depos. Also have large, completely outfitted medical & legal space. Ample parking, uncongested area. Adjacent 1,500+ homes provide huge client base. 10 mins from Coll’wood, Haddfld, AC Exprswy, BHP, 295, & Philly. John (609)413-5832. ________________________________________37-25

Friends Men LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________37-25 BM, 60 looking for British gent, 35-45 for intimate encounters. 215-763-3391, 6PM-Midnight. ________________________________________37-25 Senior GWM ISO male, 40+, all races for platonic relationship. Phila. area only. PO Box 302, Merion Sta., PA 19066. ________________________________________37-28 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________37-27 SEEKS GUYS FOR FRIENDSHIP AND MORE GWM, 50s, 5’7”,145, looks & acts younger seeks younger 18-45. Me: quiet, easygoing, likes music, ﬁlm, theater, cooking, exercise. Leave msg 215-590-1446. ________________________________________37-27 CUTE ITALIAN, 36 Cute Italian, 36 looking for beefy or guys with hard bodies for good times. I live near Philly in NJ. Call Gregg at 412-596-9050, cell. ____________________________________________37-25 64 yo, hot, in shape 5,7, seeks hunky, top only masc guys 4 fun. Asian, PR great. Leave message 215-264-1058. ____________________________________________37-25

Massage David, 63, 6’, 200 lbs., educated. 215-569-4949. ________________________________________37-32

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Scott A. Drake Photography 267-736-6743

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

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TUESDAYS Half Price Rooms (6am till 12 Midnight)

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PGN

12-step programs and support groups Al-Anon

■

Pennsylvania Al-Anon Alateen Family Groups: Events, meeting times and locations at pa-al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

■ Acceptance meets 7:30 p.m. on Fridays at

Episcopal Church, 22nd and Spruce streets.

■ Community meets 8 p.m. on Thursdays at

Holy Communion Church, 2111 Sansom St. Gay and lesbian, but all are welcome. ■ Early Night Out meets 5:30 p.m. daily at Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St., second ﬂoor; 215-985-9206. ■ GLBT Alcoholics Anonymous meets 7 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 100 W. Windsor St., Reading; 484-529-9504. ■ Living Sober meets 8:30 p.m. Saturdays at the William Way Center. ■ No Other Way Out meets 11 a.m. Sundays at the William Way Center. ■ Night Owl meets 11:30 p.m. daily at the William Way Center. ■ Stepping Stone meets 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the William Way Center. ■ Sober and Gay meets 8:30 p.m. Sunday-Friday at the William Way Center. ■ Young People’s meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Mark’s Church, 1625 Locust St.

Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)

■ Meets 7 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday,

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the William Way Center.

Emotional Support

■ Pink and Blues, a free peer-run mental-health

support group for LGBT people, meets 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; 215-627-0424. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc. meets 7:30 p.m. on ﬁrst Tuesday of the month at 3535 Market St., Room 2037; 215-545-2242; www.phillysos. tripod.com. ■ Survivors of Suicide Inc., Chester County, meets 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at Paoli Memorial Hospital, Willistown Room, Medical Ofﬁce Building; 215-545-2242; phillysos.tripod.com.

HIV/AIDS

■ Strength In Numbers

Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ SINPhiladelphia.

Mondays: ■ Positive Brothers, a support group for men of color living with HIV/AIDS, meets 6 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330. Tuesdays: ■ A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets 1:30-3 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St., first floor; 215-769-3561; bebashi.org. ■ “Pozitive Light HIV/AIDS Support Ministry,” presented by Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Philadelphia HIV/AIDS Ministry and Girard Avenue Pharmacy, meets 5-7 p.m. at 112 N. Broad St., first-floor group room; 267481-5085; blaclikme@comcast.net. ■ Encuentros, a group for HIV-negative Latino men who have sex with men, meets 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month at 1201 Locust St. ■ “Feast Incarnate,” a weekly ministry for people affected by HIV/AIDS, meets 5 p.m. at University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. Bible study follows at 6 p.m.; 215-387-2885. ■ A support group for people recently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS meets 6:30-8 p.m. at Mazzoni

Center; 215-563-0652 ext. 235.

■ Youth Outreach Adolescent Community

Awareness Program’s Voice It Sistah, a support group for HIV-positive women, meets 11 a.m. ﬁrst and third Tuesday at YOACAP, 1207 Chestnut St., Suite 315; 215-851-1898.

Wednesdays: ■ AIDS Services in Asian Communities’ weekly volunteer work group meets 6-8 p.m. at 340 N. 12th St., Suite 205; 215-629-2300. ■ Project Teach, a peer-education and empowerment program for people living with HIV/AIDS, meets at Philadelphia Fight, 1233 Locust St.; ﬁght.org. ■ Positive Effect, for HIV-positive people 18 and over, meets 5-7 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; 856-963-2432. Thursdays: ■ A support group for HIV-positive men and women meets 6-8 p.m. at BEBASHI — Transition to Hope, 1217 Spring Garden St.; 215-769-3561. ■ Diversity, an HIV/AIDS support group for all infected or affected, meets from 7-9 p.m. at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.; call Zak, 215-848-4380; azaklad@craftech.com. Saturdays: ■ AIDS Delaware’s You’re Not Alone youth support group meets during the school year. Call 800-810-6776 for location and time.

Debtors Anonymous

■ Meets 7-8 p.m. Monday and Thursday at the

William Way Center.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA)

■ Open meeting, Tuesdays, 5:45 p.m., and

7 p.m. Fridays, at Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N. 15th St.; call Troy for ﬂoor/ room number, 215-514-3065; www.oa.org. ■ Meets 11 a.m.-noon at the William Way Center.

S.A.R.A.

■ Substance Abuse – Risk Assessment; day and

evening hours; 215-563-0663 ext. 282.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous

■ Meets 7:30 p.m.Thursdays at All Saints

Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; 302-542-3279.

SEPCADD

■ Safe space to meet and discuss substance

abuse problems at the William Way Center.

Health

Alder Health Services provides LGBT health services on a sliding-fee scale; 100 N. Cameron St., Ste. 301 East, Harrisburg; 717-233-7190 or 800-867-1550; www.alderhealth.org. Anonymous, free HIV testing with Spanish/ English counselors, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. MondayFriday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 3439 N. Hutchinson St.; 215-763-8870 ext. 6000. HIV treatment: Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents available 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215685-1803. HIV health insurance help: Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available at 17 MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Philadelphia FIGHT provides HIV primary care, on-site lab services, clinical trials, case management, mental-health services and support groups for people living with HIV regardless of insurance status or ability to pay; 1233 Locust St., fifth floor; 215-985-4448; www.fight.org.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

Community Bulletin Board Community centers

■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331; atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 48:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available MondayFriday. See the Youth section for more events.

■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-898-5044; center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

■ ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377 ■ AIDS Law Project of Southern New Jersey: 856-933-9500 ext. 221 ■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851 ■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215592-1513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800662-6080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 ■ The COLOURS Organization Inc.: 215-496-0330 ■ District Attorney LGBT Liaison: Helen “Nellie” Fitzpatrick, 215-686-

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065 rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Key numbers 9980, helen.fitzpatrick@phila.gov ■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215731-1447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378 ■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria Casarez, 215-6862194; Gloria.Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: 215-686-2555

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

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

■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-9209537

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

■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Health

Anonymous, free, conﬁdential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 216 W. Somerset St.; 215763-8870. ActionAIDS Provides a range of programs for people affected by HIV/AIDS, including case management, prevention, testing and education services at 1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088; www.actionaids.org. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 1711 S. Broad St.; 215-629-2300; www.asiac.org. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; 215-851-1822 or 866-222-3871; www.galaei. org. Spanish/English HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays (walk-in) and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays (by appoint-

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

ment) at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; 215-685-1821. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications and confidential HIV testing available 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays at 13 S. MacDade Blvd., Suite 108, Collingdale; Medical Office Building, 722 Church Lane, Yeadon; and 630 S. 60th St.; 610-586-9077. Mazzoni Center Free, anonymous HIV testing; HIV/AIDS care and treatment, case management and support groups; 21 S. 12th St., eighth floor; 215-563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org. Mazzoni Center Family & Community Medicine Comprehensive primary health care, preventive health services, gynecology, sexual-health services and chronicdisease management, including comprehensive HIV care, 809 Locust St.; 215-563-0658. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206.

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

■ National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association The Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, open to professionals and students, meets for social and networking events; www. nlgja.org/philly; philly@nlgja.org.

■ Independence Business Alliance Greater Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing networking, business development, marketing, educational and advocacy opportunities for LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses and professionals. Visit www.IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com for information about events, programs and membership; 215-557-0190; 1717 Arch St., Suite 3370.

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

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com June 21-27, 2013

PGN

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