PGN July 3 - 9 edition by The Philadelphia Gay News

Philadelphia Gay News Vol. 33 No. 27

Honesty Integrity Professionalism

July 3 - 9, 2009

Local, national LGBT leaders mark Stonewall at White House By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer

MEETING OF THE MINDS: Gloria Casarez (from right), the city’s director of LGBT affairs, introduces the panelists during an LGBT town-hall meeting June 25 at Tavern on Camac. State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.), who recently introduced a bill in the Pennsylvania Senate to legalize same-sex marriage in the state, spoke about his commitment to marriage equality, while Steve Glassman, chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Brian Sims, president of the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia; and Jake Kaskey, policy and outreach director at Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, also addressed the crowd about other issues affecting the local LGBT community. Photo: Scott A. Drake

President Obama welcomed about 200 LGBT leaders from around the country, including three local activists, to the White House June 29 for a reception to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, during which the president reiterated his support for LGBT-rights issues. Obama spoke to the crowd for about 15 minutes, encouraging LGBT and ally individuals to continue the ﬁght that began in New York City 40 years ago the previous day, when hundreds of LGBT people fought back against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, spurring what is considered the birth of the modern LGBT-rights movement. Obama noted that current change can be fueled by reﬂecting on “the story of the Stonewall protests ... when a group of citi-

zens — with few options and fewer supporters — decided they’d had enough and refused to accept a policy of wanton discrimination.” “The riots at Stonewall gave way to protests, and protests gave way to a movement and the movement gave way to a transformation that continues to this day,” the president told the crowd. “It continues in your work and in your activism, in your ﬁght to freely live your lives to the fullest.” During the reception, Obama recognized longtime LGBT activist Frank Kameny, saying the community was “proud” of him and “grateful for [his] leadership.” Last week, Kameny received

Photo: Kathy Padilla

a written apology from the Office of Personnel Management for his 1957 firing from his post as an astronomer with the federal government because of his sexual orientation and was also invited to be present when Obama signed a presidential memorandum granting some benefits to the same-sex See WHITE HOUSE, Page 9

Temporary measure allows LGBT tax-free property transfers By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large After pressure from LGBT advocates, the city has developed a temporary procedure that allows unmarried couples to transfer property without being taxed by the city. The procedure will stay in effect until the city’s Department of Revenue implements a permanent regulation, which is expected to occur by Sept. 30. Prior to 2007, the city required unmarried same-sex or opposite-sex couples who wanted their partners placed on a deed to pay a transfer tax. The city tax amounted to 3 percent of the fair-market value of the house. Property transfers between legal spouses have always been tax-exempt under city policy. But advocates said this policy disproportionately affected LGBT couples because Pennsylvania does not recognize same-sex marriages. In November 2007, Philadelphia City Council attempted to rectify the inequity by enacting a law exempting ﬁnancially

interdependent couples — both samesex and opposite-sex — from the transfer tax. The ordinance stated that ﬁnancially interdependent persons must have lived together for at least six months, must have shared the common necessities of life and must have been responsible for each other’s welfare. However, the ordinance didn’t specify the evidence needed to determine eligibility. Instead, the ordinance directed the revenue department to specify “any additional evidence such persons must submit to establish their eligibility for this exemption, except where individuals are registered as Life Partners.” To be designated as life partners, couples must register with the city’s Human Relations Commission and provide speciﬁc evidence of their life partnership, such as a joint back account or reciprocal insurance policies. This past January, the AIDS Law See PROPERTY, Page 13

A CONGRESSIONAL CALL: ACT UP members demonstrate outside of Sen. Arlen Specter’s (D) Center City office June 30 to draw attention to HIV/AIDS issues, such as a lack of federal funding for AIDS housing and needle-exchange programs. About 100 supporters took part in the protest, marching from the Liberty Bell to Specter’s office at Sixth and Arch streets. The organization chose to target Specter because he sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which has jurisdiction over funding for government programs. Photo: Scott A. Drake

PAGE 2

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 3

Declare your Advertising Independence!

Philadelphia Gay News presents these new summer special issues: Commitment Ceremonies July 10, deadline: July 2 Summer Hot Spots July 17, deadline: July 10 Unions Issue July 24, deadline: July 17

Call (215) 6258501 to reserve your space!

Greg, ext. 201 Kelly, ext. 207

PHILADELPHIA NEWS PHILADELPHIA GAY GAY NEWS

PAGE 4

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

News Editorial 10 International News 14 Letters/Feedback 10 11 Mark My Words 7 Media Trail 5 News Briefing 7 National News Op-Ed 10 5 Regional News 11 Street Talk

PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506

Swabbies on the road

Street Talk

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

National HIV/AIDS Testing Day had this Mazzoni Center crew RVing around Philadelphia.

Street talkers talk up marriage as an inalienable right.

Mark Segal (ext. 204)

Page 7

Page 11

Detour Comics Diversions Meeting Place Portraits Q Puzzle Scene In Philly Worth Watching

mark@epgn.com

Editor Sarah Blazucki (ext. 206) sarah@epgn.com Art Director Christopher Potter design@epgn.com Staff Writers Jen Colletta (ext. 215) jen@epgn.com

22 26 24 20 22 21 28

Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208)

“Hollywood je t’aime” kicks off the 15th annual LGBT ﬁlm festival (and the ﬁrst as Philadelphia QFEST) July 9. Page 16

Family Portraits:

Jessica Graham

“Prodigal Sons” balances family and personal issues in a transgender-directed ﬁlm.

Page 20

Page 17

Columns Offline Out Online

Publisher

Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com Photographer/Graphic Artist Scott A. Drake (ext. 216) scott@epgn.com Advertising Manager Greg Dennis (ext. 201) greg@epgn.com Advertising Sales Representatives Morgan Levine (ext. 212) morgan@epgn.com

19 19

Kelly Root (ext. 207) kelly@epgn.com

Classifieds Directories

29 33

Out Online

Offline

Diversions

Adoption Corner

Count me in, Uncle Sam.

Making music in the summertime

“Light Fell” author Evan Fallenberg will read at Giovanni’s Room July 8.

Star is a PAWS newcomer with lots of lovin’ energy.

Page 19

Page 27

Page 12

Page 19

Who throws the best Fourth of July party? Poll results from our online survey as of July 1: 44% Philadelphia 11% Boston 0% New York 0% Washington, D.C. 44% (insert your small hometown here)

Worth Watching

Go to www.epgn.com to weigh in on this week’s question: Page 28

What is your favorite social networking site?

National Advertising Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Office Manager/Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com Executive Assistant Credit/Billing Manager Carol Giunta (ext. 202) carol@epgn.com Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press National Gay Newspaper Guild Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 2009 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155

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

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 5

News Briefing

Regional

Smithson pleads no contest to child porn

LEAVING A LEGACY: Former president of the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund and current board member Dorothy Wax presents Jeremy Gussick (center) with one of the 2009 Platinum Awards during the organization’s Platinum Reception June 25 at PNC Center Hall. The local LGBT grantmaking organization honored Gussick, a financial advisor, and attorney Ted Greenberg (right) with this year’s awards in recognition of their efforts to counsel their clients on the importance of contributing to the local LGBT community. DVLF executive director Perry Monastero (left) said the awards ceremony, which capped a day of workshops and brainstorming sessions among local LGBT leaders on the future of the community, drew more than 150 participants. Photo: Scott A. Drake

LGBT bowling tournament marks milestone By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer LGBT individuals from around the country will converge on the Philadelphia area this weekend to take part in a 21stbirthday party that will be celebrated not in a bar but a bowling alley. The 21st-annual Liberty Belle Invitational Tournament kicks off July 3 and is expected to attract about 200 LGBT and ally bowlers and spectators. Competitions will be held July 3-5 at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Route 73 South, in Maple Shade, N.J., about a 15-minute drive from the city. The tournament will also feature bar events and other social opportunities. The Philadelphia Gay Bowling League is one of dozens throughout throughout North America with competitors in the tournament, an afﬁliate of the International Gay Bowling Organization. Phil Maceno, the event’s fundraising director, said planning for this year’s tournament has been a year-long task and included a number of additional fundraising events to compensate for the economic downturn. “What I’ve done to counteract [the economic conditions] is basically just busted my butt and done more than what

we normally would have done to make up for it,” Maceno said. “We did notice a big difference, but this year we tried to raise the bar a little bit and have a few more fundraisers.” Tournament officials have spearheaded raffles, bar nights and monthly roller-skating parties, held on the third Monday of each month at Cherry Hill Skating Center in New Jersey — the latter of which has become a significant draw for the group. “[Rollerskating is] a major pastime for people and has become a really big thing that people enjoy and something that we’re becoming known for,” he said. While the fundraisers garnered money for the tournament, they also helped to raise donation dollars for local LGBT health clinic Mazzoni Center. Ten percent of all money raised during the events throughout the year was contributed to the center, which will also benefit from 10 percent of all raffle sales made during the tournament. “We’ve developed a really great bond with [Mazzoni] and helped to cross-promote one another and get our names out there,” said Ralph Fera, tournament director. “We have a really good relationship with them, and people feel good when they’re coming to our events knowing that the money raised is not just benefiting the tournament but is

also going to a really great charity.” The tournament itself will feature singles, doubles and four-person competitions, with top prizes of $500 for the winners of each category, as well as a $500 prize for the allevents winner. Bowlers who don’t place can also get a big payoff, as Fera noted there will be about $7,000 in rafﬂe prizes given away during the tournament, including trips to Washington, D.C., New York City and a “takeover” of a bed and breakfast in Rehoboth Beach, Del., for the winner and more than a dozen of his or her friends. Although bowlers don’t need to be “experts” to compete in the tournament, they do need to be a member of one of the certiﬁed IGBO leagues and have an established average. The tournament will feature a diverse representation of age, with bowlers from their 20s to their 60s. About 75 percent of the bowlers are male, which Fera said is relatively standard in many of the leagues. Fera noted that in the tournament’s 21 years of operation, participation in the event has waxed and waned, guided mainly by the economy at the time, ranging from 125 bowlers to a sold-out crowd of 250. See TOURNAMENT, Page 8

William F. Smithson, the Delaware County gay man convicted of killing a coworker, has pleaded no contest to charges that he had child pornography on his computer at the time of the 2006 homicide. On June 26, Smithson appeared in the courtroom of Delaware County Common Pleas Judge Barry C. Dozor and entered the plea. Dozor set sentencing for 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at the court house, 201 W. Front St., Media, after Smithson undergoes a psychological evaluation. In November 2008, a jury found Smithson guilty of first-degree murder in the strangulation death of 23-year-old Jason Shephard. Smithson was sentenced to life imprisonment, but he continues to maintain his innocence. In a recent letter to PGN, Smithson also denied the child-porn charges. Several people had access to his computer, and the images in question were in a folder with someone else’s name on it, Smithson claimed. “Let me make it clear: Any image depicting children in an abusive or inappropriate manner sickens me to my core,” Smithson wrote. He said he pleaded “no contest,” in part, to facilitate his transfer to a state prison, where he no longer will be confined to his cell 23 hours a day. Erica G. Parham, a spokesperson for the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, had no comment about Smithson’s statements. “We’ll have an opportunity on the day of sentencing to express our feelings to Judge Dozor, and so will Mr. Smithson’s counsel,” Parham told PGN. — Timothy Cwiek

DVLF hosts shopping party Neiman Marcus in King of Prussia Mall, 160 N. Gulph Road, will open its doors to the LGBT community for a private shopping event at 6 p.m. July 15. “The Art of Entertaining” will feature complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and will raise funds for local LGBT grantmaking organization Delaware Valley Legacy Fund. Perry Monastero, executive director of DVLF, said the fundraiser will enable the organization to unite supporters from a variety of locales beyond the Philadelphia boundaries. “We are delighted to be partnering See NEWS BRIEFING, Page 8

EWS

PAGE 6

PAGE 15

By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Gays and lesbians in the state of Delaware will soon be protected under state law from discrimination. Both chambers of the Delaware General Assembly passed a bill last week that would include sexual orientation as a class protected from discrimination in employment, housing, publicworks contracting, public accommodations and insurance. The Senate approved the bill

14 that uropean be held

mprised , the in and ll meet st event

of the ople In ess for vealed, 2,000

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Del. OKs nondiscrimination bill

Russia cent of ry. o yet m the

national such as mnesty o attend eriences hts and

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

late in the evening June 24 and about an hour later, the House followed suit. A spokesperson for Gov. Jack Markell (D) confirmed that the governor will sign the bill, but said it is not scheduled to come to his desk until later this month. “We’re very excited,” said Bob Martz, president of Delaware Liberty Fund, which backs LGBT-friendly candidates and legislation. “We aren’t the first, even though we are the first state, but we certainly aren’t the last.” Over the past 10 years, the

Triangle Medical Spring Cleaning www.epgn.com and Maintenance Find help in the Home PGN Improvement Directory

PGN

sgender sgender he city arty for

General Practice Progressive HIV Care MARK T. WATKINS, DO JOHN DEL ROSSI, PA-C

(215) 829-0170 253 S. 10th St. First Floor Philadelphia

ched at

Craig T. Wakefield DDS A committed and caring dentist who has built his practice on referrals from patients.

High Quality Dental Treatment Cosmetic Dentistry Veneers Crowns Whitening Implants Evenings Hours PWA’s Welcome

Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 South17th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19103

Preventive Care

215

732-8080

House approved three similar bills, but the Senate never took up the legislation, falling victim to the so-called “desk-drawer veto” policy, which allowed Senate President Pro Tempore Thurman Adams (D), who died the day before the Assembly vote, to refuse to assign the legislation to a committee, effectively killing it. At the beginning of the latest legislative session, however, the Senate approved new rules requiring the president pro tempore to assign bills to committees. After the House approved the nondiscrimination bill in March, however, Adams assigned it to the executive committee, which he chaired. Martz said through some “political wrangling,” Sen. David Sokola (D) reintroduced the bill and it went to the Senate Insurance Committee, which approved the legislation last month. “The votes were stacked against us in the Executive Committee, but they reached an agreement to reintroduce the exact same bill with a different number,” Martz said. “We had enough votes to suspend the rules and force a vote out of the committee, but the leadership decided that rather than suffer a loss there, we’d have it sent to a favorable committee, and ultimately it passed there.” Prior to the vote, supporters of the bill defeated numerous amendments. Opponents unsuccessfully attempted to amend the legislation to clarify that the legislature does not “purport to acknowledge, bless, encourage or otherwise uphold same-sex relationships” and “reafﬁrms its commitment to marriage as the union of one man and one woman, as made abundantly clear in Delaware law.” Another amendment included a measure that the bill should not be interpreted to allow “any educational authority ﬁgure” to discuss “sexual-orientation-related behavior, families [or] family structures” in a school setting. The legislation includes an exemption for religious organizations. A similar bill currently in the Pennsylvania legislature would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 7

National

Media Trail Texas gay bar raided Advocate.com reports police in Ft. Worth, Texas, raided a gay bar in the early hours of June 29, arresting seven people and resulting in one serious injury. The raid at the Rainbow Lounge occurred on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City. Ft. Worth police claim they conducted a routine alcohol-beverage code inspection on at least one other bar that night and that the arrests at the Rainbow Lounge were for public intoxication. Police say some of the patrons arrested made “sexually explicit movements” toward ofﬁcers. Witnesses said that ofﬁcers used excessive force and reported that one patron was hospitalized with a fractured skull as a result of the raid. More than 100 protesters gathered at the county courthouse later that day to rally and demand an investigation into the raid.

Pride posters defaced HEADING SOUTH: With Philadelphia Magazine’s recent designation of the East Passyunk Square neighborhood in South Philadelphia as the “new gayborhood,” Mazzoni Center’s mobile testing unit and collective crew parked themselves right in the heart of it for National HIV Testing Day on June 27. Over the course of the day, the MTU tested more than 50 people in East Passyunk, North Philadelphia and near South Street. Photo: Courtesy of Dave Rumsey/Mazzoni Center

Senate hears hate-crimes testimony By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer A committee of the U.S. Senate heard testimony last week on a bill that would include sexual orientation and gender identity in the federal hate-crimes law. The Senate Judiciary Committee’s June 25 hearing on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Protection Act, also known as the Matthew Shepard Act, garnered testimony from six individuals, four of whom supported the bill, including, for the first time, the U.S. attorney general. Attorney General Eric Holder began his remarks by noting that he came before the same committee in 1998, when he was a deputy attorney general, to back a bill that was almost identical to the current legislation. “While it is unfortunate that 11 years have come and gone without this bill becoming law, I am confident that we can make the important protections that it offers a reality this year,” Holder said. “One of my highest personal priorities upon returning to the Justice Department is to do everything I can to help ensure that this legislation finally becomes law.” The bill, which the House passed in April and which President Obama has pledged to sign, would expand the 1969 hate-crimes

law to include sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and mental or physical disability; provide funding to local and state agencies to investigate hate crimes; remove the current stipulation that offenses must be committed while a victim is engaging in a federally protected activity; and provide the Department of Justice greater jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. Holder noted that perpetrators of hate crimes “seek to deny the humanity that we all share,” regardless of race, religion or “whom we choose to love,” and cited statistics that more 12,000 hate-crimes incidents between 1998-2007 were motivated by the victims’ sexual orientation. “These crimes fell entirely outside the scope of current federal jurisdiction,” Holder said. “The department therefore welcomes the expanded coverage ... which would allow us to prosecute and deter violent acts of this sort more effectively.” Several Republicans on the panel questioned Holder about the necessity of increased federal jurisdiction over such crimes. “Murders occur all over America every day,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.). “Robberies, assaults, rapes, burglaries occur every day, and those are handled by our state and local jurisdictions. They do a pretty good job.”

Holder countered that while some municipalities may effectively be able to investigate and prosecute crimes, others may lack the resources to do so. Others testifying in favor of the bill included the Rev. Mark Achtemeier, theology professor at Dubuque Theological Seminary, who sought to counter the arguments of some religious leaders who have vocalized that the legislation could lead to preachers being arrested for speaking out against homosexuality. “The Matthew Shepard Act targets not speech or thought or religious expression, but violent crime,” Achtemeier said. “We are talking here about physical assault on the person of another solely because of who they are. Violent attacks on another person are not a legitimate expression of anyone’s belief, Christian or otherwise. There is nothing in this legislation for law-abiding Christians to fear.” Michael Lieberman, Washington counsel for the Anti-Defamation League, also provided remarks in support of the legislation, noting that the fundamental cause of bias-motivated violence “is the persistence of racism, bigotry, homophobia and anti-Semitism,” to which there are “no quick, complete solutions.” See HATE CRIMES, Page 8

The New York Times reports U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis recently issued a warning letter to departmental employees after posters celebrating Gay Pride Month in 35 department elevators had been vandalized. In an e-mail message sent to the entire department, Solis, who helped found the House of Representative’s LGBT Caucus when she was in Congress, said she was outraged. “It appears, however, that some members of the Labor Department team have a different view, as it has come to my attention that most of the posters have been continually defaced or removed,” Solis wrote. “I do not believe these actions represent the majority of our employees, so I refuse to let this situation deﬁne us.” The posters were scheduled to stay up throughout the month.

O’Donnell to host radio show Yahoo News reports Rosie O’Donnell is returning to the airwaves to host a daily show for Sirius XM Radio this fall. “Rosie Radio” will feature the 47-yearold comedian-actress discussing news and entertainment as well as hosting occasional guests. O’Donnell said she was approached by the company after she appeared on Howard Stern’s Sirius XM show earlier this year. O’Donnell said she plans to broadcast her call-in radio talk show from a studio being built inside the guesthouse of her New York property. ■ — Larry Nichols

PAGE 8

TOURNAMENT From Page 5 Fera said the tournament committee considered moving the event from the usual Fourth of July holiday one year to boost involvement from local bowlers, but that the difference in attendance wasn’t noticeable enough to warrant a permanent change. “Fourth of July and the Liberty Bell are everything that Philadelphia is about,” he said. “Out-of-town bowlers love coming to the city this weekend because we pair up the tournament with Welcome America! and all the stuff going on in the city. This offers the best all-around package for a fun trip because most people are not here just to bowl.” Fera noted that the networking and social opportunities afforded by the tournament are often even more important to the bowlers than the competition. “Yes, you’re bowling, but it’s also just as much, if not even more, for many people a social event. When you’re bowling against 200 people, no matter how well

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

you bowl, not everyone can win, so we try to make it as entertaining and enjoyable as possible because it’s not just about the competition. We’re competitive to some extent, but for the most part, bowling’s bowling; it’s a night out with friends, drinking, laughing and just having a good time.” Maceno said LGBT bowling in general is an ideal outlet for LGBT individuals looking to become more active in their local communities. “It’s a great opportunity for individuals, whether they’re single or in relationships, to socialize and meet other people, other folks who might have common interests,” Maceno said. “It’s another way to have fun and not have to rely on the bar scene to do so. It’s just a ton of fun.” For more information about the tournament, visit www.libertybelle. org, and for more information about the International Gay Bowling Organization, visit www.igbo.org. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.

HATE CRIMES From Page 7 He addded that the federal government has the opportunity and obligation to take on a leadership role in combating such prejudices. Janet Langhart Cohen, playwright and wife of former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, told the committee about her work, “Anne & Emmett,” a story about Anne Frank and Emmett Till. Cohen’s play was scheduled to debut at the Holocaust Museum earlier this month, but was postponed after a security guard was murdered at the museum by an alleged white supremacist. “My play is a call to action, to have our society not be silent witnesses and bystanders, but to act,” Cohen said. “I call on you to act. To pass this hate-crimes legislation that is expanded to include those of us who are the most vulnerable ... because of our race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identiﬁcation [and] those of us who are disabled and physically challenged. Although you may not ﬁnd yourself representing any of those groups,

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

you’re not safe either when hate decides to strike.” Testifying against the bill were Brian W. Walsh, senior legal research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, and Gail Heriot, member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, submitted written testimony, which was read during the hearing. In a statement following the hearing, Solmonese expressed thanks to the committee for taking the testimony and urged the legislative body to take action on the bill before Congress’ August recess. “After more than a decade and nine successful votes in Congress, there is no good reason for any delay on bringing this bill to the president’s desk,” Solmonese said. “Too many families have been devastated by hate violence. We must ﬁnally pass this bill and start the important steps to erasing hate in our country.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.

NEWS BRIEFING From Page 5 with Neiman Marcus and to be reaching out to our constituents in Montgomery and Chester counties and other western-suburban friends and allies,” Monastero said.

House of Blahnik scholarships The House of Blahnik is accepting applications for scholarship awards for the 200910 school year. The LGBT nonproﬁt, which has chapters in Philadelphia, New York City and other areas, focuses its work on the performing arts, speciﬁcally supporting the house/ballroom community. The scholarship encourages LGBT individuals to aspire to their own educational goals while acting as role models for their peers in the ballroom community. Completed applications are due Aug. 7. For more information or to access an application, visit www. houseofblahnik.com. ■ — Jen Colletta

P G N

www. epgn. com

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

WHITE HOUSE From Page 1 partners of federal employees. Kameny noted that as the president entered the room for the reception, he recognized him from the memorandum signing and greeted him by name, something Kameny never imagined would be possible in the early days of his activism. “I’m on first-name terms with the president of the United States; I definitely never expected that to happen,” he said. “Forty-four years ago we picketed outside of the White House, never reasonably ever expecting to be inside in this kind of fashion, to be invited specifically on the same merits we picketed, as the gay community. To be invited in this formal sense is in my mind like a storybook ending. It’s a wonderful commentary on the progress we’re capable of making in this country.” Kathy Padilla, a local transgender activist who attended the reception, said she was honored to be included. “I really was a bit overwhelmed at being there,” she said. “I don’t think many transgender people have gotten an invitation to the White House.” Mark Davis, president of local LGBT mental-health group Pink and Blues, called the reception “wonderful and beautiful” and shared Padilla’s sentiments of

being overwhelmed by the surroundings. “I felt like a kid in a candy shop,” Davis said. “I just couldn’t believe I was in the White House. I called a couple friends on my cell phone just to say I was calling from the White House.” In his remarks, Obama acknowledged that many in the LGBT community and many present at the reception “don’t believe that progress has come fast enough,” but pledged to follow through on his promises of LGBT equality. He referenced the extension of domestic-partner beneﬁts to federal employees and went on to say he has encouraged Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal ban on same-sex marriage that, according to the administration, prevented it from extending full health and other beneﬁts to the same-sex partners of employees. The president drew backlash from the LGBT community after the Department of Justice released a brief in support of DOMA last month. Obama noted during the reception that the DOJ has a commitment to uphold existing laws, but that it “in no way lessens [my] commitment to reversing this law.” The president went on to restate his support for the passage of employment nondiscrimination and hate-crimes laws that are inclusive of the LGBT com-

munity, and for the repeal of the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers, which he contended “weakens national security.” Obama did not offer a timeline on when the community could expect any of these steps, but said he has instructed the secretary of defense and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff to “develop a plan for how to thoroughly implement a repeal” of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “We have made progress and we will make more,” the president said. “And I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I’ve made, but by the promises that my administration keeps. We’ve been in ofﬁce six months now. I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration.” Padilla said she was struck when the president told the crowd that it wasn’t his place to tell them to be patient. “He’s encouraging people to help him make this change happen,” Padilla said. “I think we have to look back to what FDR once said, which is yes, we need folks to make this happen. The president said to keep pressure not just on the larger community but on him also to make it possible to do the things that we want to do.” Davis noted that although the

ser Body Sculpting (LBS) (LBS) Laser Summer Is Here!

Before

No Is The Time To Get That Now Body You’ve Always Wanted.

A Few Months at the Gym

oﬃce This laser treatment is performed in the comfortt and safety of our oﬃce. LBS can remove the fat in those hard to lose areas. It also shapes, tones & tightens many areas of your body (chin, arms, belly, love handles, back fat, thighs, knees & calves)

Call Today For Your FREE Consultation! Hurry, Appointments Are Filling Up Fast.

856-589-LIPO (5476)

Check Out Our Website For Special Events

www.creationsmedicalspa.com

Jose Diaz-Jimenez, M.D., Cathy Corson-Diaz, M.D. Medical Directors

PGN 7/3/09

Mill Pond Village Shopping Center 380 Egg Harbor Road • Sewell, NJ 08080 www.creationsmedicalspa.com

Thanks for voting us the Best of South Jersey 2 years in a row!

After

A Few Hours at Creations

EYE LIFTS Now Available

Do you have Bags under your Eyes, Droopy Eyelids, or Always Look Tired? Get these corrected at Creation Medical Spa Call Now For Free Consultation

25% Oﬀ

Physician-Supervised Weight Loss Initial Visit Only Expires 8/03/09

BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFTS Now Available

PAGE 9

reception got little airtime on networks such as CNN, the president’s remarks and the issues he discussed need to be heard by the LGBT and general population. “You could really feel his heart through his words,” Davis said. “Yes, there are things he could do right away, but you don’t want to do things haphazardly. Look at ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Our communities have been without anything for the past eight years, and I think we’re longing for anything we can grab onto right now. He’s only been in office for a little over five months; with what we’ve been through in the past eight years, sometimes patience is a virtue. I felt confident that right now he’s talking the talk, but will eventually walk the walk with us.” Kameny also disagreed with the contention that the administration is not moving quickly enough. “I can understand that people

get impatient, but things take time,” he said. “The president has been in ofﬁce for about 160 days. It took us 10 years to turn the psychiatrists around. As a personal project, it took me 30 years, one month, four days and 11 hours to get the D.C. sodomy law repealed. To say he hasn’t done everything we want in 160 days is unreasonable.” Kameny also referenced the “extremely full platter” handed down to Obama by the previous administration, adding that, “Unlike his predecessor, his heart is very much in the right place. I have no reason to think he’s not 100-percent sincere. And unless we somehow end up with an extremely intransigent Congress, I think we will see many of these issues resolved by the time his administration is over.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

PAGE 10

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Letters and Feedback

Editorial Noting Independence

In response to “Radio show heats up local marriage debate,” June 26-July 2:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Before the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a small group of homophiles gathered at Independence Hall on July 4 to demonstrate for sexual-minority rights. The men wore shirts and ties; skirts and dresses, heels even, for the women. They carried signs that read: “Homosexual citizens want: an end to government hostility” and “Homosexuals ask for: equality before the law.” These “annual reminders” — the foundation of the modern gay-rights movement — ran from 1965-69 and served to remind mainstream society that gays and lesbians deserved equality. The demonstrations were conservative and peaceful — a sharp contrast to the Stonewall Riots. The final reminder took place just days after the Stonewall Riots in New York City, and marked a split in the gay-rights movement: The younger radicals were turned away from the demonstration, as organizers didn’t want to tarnish their image as upstanding citizens. More than 40 years later, the divide — largely generational — is all but forgotten. Sexual minorities are more visible than ever, even to the point of being invited to a special LGBT reception at the White House this week to mark the Stonewall anniversary. Over the years, the gay-rights movement has learned that visibility is the key to equality: As more sexual minorities come out — and mainstream society realizes that gays and lesbians are people with names and faces and families and jobs and worries about finances and healthcare — they will become more accepted in society. While it’s true that the LGBT community doesn’t have full rights yet, the community has done a tremendous job of educating society and working toward equality. As the Founding Fathers noted in the Declaration of Independence, all men (and women) are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights. Though there hasn’t been a formal list of those rights, certainly life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness cover a good bit of ground. As LGBT Americans, we have secured the first two. The next hurdles involve the pursuit of happiness. As the LGBT community celebrates the Fourth of July, we should be mindful of the sacrifices of our forebears, and remember that, while it takes courage to put ourselves out there and be public and visible every day, it’s the only way that equality will be achieved. ■

Tell us what you think Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: (215) 925-6437. Please include a daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space considerations.

Glenn Lash (glennlash@yahoo.com)

Op-Ed Chuck Volz A roadmap for Pride’s future On behalf of the board of directors of Philly Pride, its executive director, our volunteers and board interns, I would like to thank the many and diverse elements of our community for coming together and putting forth one of the best PrideDays in recent history. The weather was great; the enthusiasm unbridled; the political participation unprecedented; parade contingents colorful; and festival multidimensional. All of this was with the backdrop of recession, which cut participation and sponsorship, and the body blow from the city charging us for police coverage. It was an epic struggle, but it happened anyway. And it was spectacular. Our community is just awesome. There were a few letters to PGN, written by a “PrideGuy” and a “PhillyFan,” criticizing elements of PrideDay. To them I say, “Get involved.” The 10 of us who organize this event in June and Outfest in October are mere facilitators and, trust me, we are overworked and underpaid. It is the community who puts forth their ﬂoats, entertainment, marching contingents, etc. If PrideGuy thinks the parade needs improvement, then he should get involved with a group and make it better. It is, after all, the community that makes the parade entries, not the Philly Pride organization. PhillyFan doesn’t even want us to have a parade, as it can’t

epgn.com

PGN

equal the parade in Washington, D.C., or New York. PhillyFan doesn’t grasp the concept of the parade, which is visibility for the gay community. Parades in Philadelphia prove to the world that there are gays in Philadelphia, not just in New York or D.C. The reality is that PrideDay is a remarkably expensive undertaking in a poor economic environment. Governmental largesse is a thing of the past and there are staggering bills from the police department, for entertainment and for Penn’s Landing. All indications are that it will be getting worse. We recently put forth the proposal to the Equality Forum that it move its sequence of events to June to culminate in our Parade and Festival. For Equality Forum to be staggered with police costs a short month before PrideDay makes no sense and puts additional strain on a community already beset with ﬁnancial burdens. Many of our common vendors and community groups will not be able to continue participation in both events. It is well past the time that Equality Forum and the PrideDay Parade and Festival be coordinated. We ask the community to make its voice heard as the Equality Forum’s board takes up the proposal. ■ Chuck Volz is senior advisor for Philly Pride Presents.

philagaynews.com

Marriage is collapsing amongst heterosexuals. And the divorce rate is about 50 percent. My 41-year marriage is now a rarity. One would think that the right-wing churches would embrace gay people marrying, and use it to embarrass the majority of their parishioners into staying in marriages. Remember how we see signs that say, “Love conquers all”? Well, for the hateful homophobic churches — it is similar but oh-so-different — religious hatred conquers the mind. Little different than the mentality that, taken further, gave us 9/11. — KatieMurphy In response to “States’ rights regression,” June 26-July 2: Hadn’t thought of that one. Wonder how the right-wing Jesus freaks would react if states passed laws that said that they would not recognize marriage from other states, unless those states recognized gay marriages [as] they do? Maybe a couple million of our Christian taliban would have a heart attack. — Jason21TX Interesting idea. If states did that, maybe it would make the feds repeal DOMA. We love to rant and rave about people taking our money and this would require all married couples to pay for another marriage license. Maybe staight couples should also have to pay for all their divorce papers, adoption papers, etc. Great way for states to make extra money. — Noah G. In response to “Obama extends beneﬁts to LGBT federal employees,” June 19-25: This is such BS. This doesn’t do anything that wasn’t in the law already. It does precisely nothing. —Mike K.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Mark My Words

Mark Segal

Obama talks the talk, but will he walk the walk? I’m the only writer in the LGBT media who can write this analysis. Let’s get right down to the facts, for fairness. Before last April, this writer was considered the most outspoken journalist opposing Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic primary; some said I was in the Clinton camp. At the time, I pointed out that Obama, unlike Clinton, gave few interviews to gay press, but made many statements with no follow-ups and always held out the possibility of an interview to local LGBT media until their state primary was over. The reason personal interviews are so important is that you get to follow up and not allow a candidate to just recite his/her standard stump speech; it gets the facts out there. To be sure, answering a questionnaire is not an interview: It most likely is answered by a low-level campaign staffer. Looking back at my history of activism, going back to Stonewall and the action group and the community’s ﬁght against the TV networks, it’s ironic that I was viewed as being in Clinton’s camp — the “establishment” Democratic candidate. Needless to say, I received thousands of hateful emails and phone calls. Then, when Obama pulled the same tricks in Pennsylvania — well, sorry, he wasn’t going to get away with it in my backyard. Next to Clinton’s front-page interview, we at PGN ran a blank space with a box noting where you would have read Obama’s interview. It didn’t end there: We continued to campaign every day. Finally, on his whistle stop across the state, he gave six exclusive interviews. Five of them, including two networks and mainstream newspapers, asked him about his problem with the gay community. Since Pennsylvania was considering antigay-marriage legislation, he was also forced to take a stand on gay marriage — the same one he took later with California. So, that is what might be considered my antiObama time. One of my favorite gay Web sites is Queerty; take a look at how they handled all this. They did it with fairness, expressing the national LGBT community’s anger with me. And they were correct. Next fact. A week before the Pennsylvania primary, I was at a very small VIP party with Obama, and attempted to stay far away from him. But that didn’t happen. I took a photo of him at the request of the City Council president, and he learned I was in the room. He pulled me close and wanted to chat with me personally about his LGBT positions. Obama lost Pennsylvania and you’d think that would be it. But, his camp reached out to me and apologized. Then asked for advice in dealing with gay media. Many more gay publications and electronic media got interviews leading up to his nomination in Denver, after which I made it clear that I expected him to do at least one interview during the campaign with LGBT media. I had a similar role with John Kerry’s campaign and others, as far back as Jimmy Carter. There were many media outlets vying for that LGBT interview. I advocated on behalf of The Gay History project, which won out. I have never done so much research for an interview in my 33 years in journalism. I checked my questions and research with

two members of Congress, a couple of judges and a constitutional lawyer. These were questions Obama hadn’t been asked before and that would surprise him. (Listen to the interview at www.epgn.com.) In that interview, PGN asked about an amicus brief on the Defense of Marriage Act for the first time. He was even asked about a signing statement or executive order to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” (Servicemembers Legal Defense Network helped me with that one.) If you re-read that interview, which was published in scores of local LGBT newspapers — Obama’s only LGBT interview as the nominee — you’ll note that he’s now doing exactly what he said he’d do. In other words, he’s keeping his promises. Here’s where the schism comes in. We expect him to live up to everything he stated during the entire campaign, especially early in the campaign when it was easy to promise anything to everyone, right now. The mother’s milk of a campaign is to secure your base early and then go to the middle in the final days. Obama is an inspirational man, but he is also a politician who wanted to win. Of course he went to the middle and, if we believe in him, we wanted to give him room to do so. We also wanted him to win. Problem two: He wins. He now comes up against the realities of the presidency. His top staffers are veterans from the Clinton administration, which made the mistake of taking on gays in the military as one of their first initiatives. Their efforts backfired and it hampered Clinton for the remainder of his first term. Put that together with Obama’s need to completely change our military strategy (let’s not even talk about the economy, Iran, North Korea, etc.), he needed time on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” His administration was at fault in how it was handled. Our community was lectured, not brought in to assist. While we appreciate that the president is trying to build a coalition around this issue — and we hope he continues to do so — the servicemembers who are being discharged right now need a remedy. We suggest creating a commission or issuing an executive statement — as we suggested in our interview. As for the Department of Justice DOMA brief, the attorney general dropped the ball and should publicly apologize. And whoever wrote those offensive lines should be dealt with. As for those blogs — and you should make it a point to visit Pamsblendhouse, Queerty, Towleroad and PageoneQ — it is their job to question the administration and create dialogue. For hard news, background and a local connection, look to your local LGBT weekly publication. The bottom line: If you thought Obama was a savior, he’s not. He’s dealing with centuries of hatred and disinformation about our community. Change does not come in six months. Those who best understand this are those of us who have talked the talk and walked the walk on gay rights for 20, 30, 50 or more years. We know it takes time and, in the end, it comes down to this: Do we trust him to please us by the end of his first term, as he said at the LGBT White House reception? Well, this writer does. In fact, I have no doubt. So keep the pressure up and, in three years and six months, we’ll know that answer. ■ Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.

PAGE 11

Street Talk Is marriage an inalienable right?

Wes DeMarco graphic designer Tampa, Fla.

Tamara Leone graphic designer Hershey

“Personally, I don’t understand all the assimilation. I don’t need a certificate to legitimize my relationship. I don’t want any control by the state, at all. People have the right to relationships of their choice, as long as they’re not hurting anyone else.”

“Yes. God created humanity, and gay people are part of humanity. Gay people have the same fundamental right to marriage as other people who are currently permitted to marry.”

Andre Michaels student Washington Square West

Jason Wallace Realtor Northern Liberties

“Yes. But the government can set restrictions against adult/child relationships, inbreeding and polygamy. But people have a right to express their sexual orientation as they see fit — as long as it’s safe and respectable.”

“Obviously not, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Marriage is more about politics and power struggles, rather than being an inalienable right. Why put so much emphasis on that word? It’s just a word. I don’t need a word to validate my relationship.”

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 12

Move Forward Fitness L OOK B ETTE R NAKE D !

Adoption Corner

THREE WEEK FITNESS PROGRAM:

Name: Star Breed: Pit bull/Mastiff mix Age: 1-1/2 years old Sex: Female Health: Excellent, with up-todate vaccinations

• LOSE FAT! • GAIN MUSCLE! • SPEED METABOLISM!

Guaranteed Results!

PGN

Jared Carter, CSCS

MoveForwardFitness.com

215-399-3541

Gay is our middle name

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Scott A. Drake amount raised was not ﬁnalized at press time, but organizers anticipate it will rival last year’s $200,000. Another fundraising dinner is in the works.

Other information: Star will be spayed prior to adoption and microchipped so other shelters and veterinarians with microchip reading equipment or the SPCA can identify them. History: Star arrived at PAWS on June 24. Star’s owner reluctantly surrendered her because she did not have the time to provide Star with the attention she craves. Star is a happy dog that still has the exuberance of a large puppy. She gets excited when it’s time to go out or play but calms down and minds when told to sit. She enjoys the company of other dogs, especially males, and likes to enthusiastically play with cats. The ﬁfth-annual Chefs’ Dinner for PAWS, held on June 29 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, was a sold-out success with over 300 guests for dinner and scores of other pet lovers who participated in the cocktail social hour. The total

STAR

Update: Duchess is still in need of a permanent, loving home. Her current foster-home stay has been longer than anticipated and has taken a toll on the foster caregivers. PAWS rescued Duchess last December from Philadelphia Animal Control. She understands the commands sit and paw, walks well on a leash and is a quick learner. She is described by the PAWS staff as a “ball of energy” and needs a ﬁrm owner who has time to spend on her enthusiastic approach to play. The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is dedicated to promoting public welfare and to saving the lives of Philadelphia’s homeless, abandoned and unwanted animals and has a no-kill policy.

DUCHESS

Karam Mounzer, M.D., Medical Director Joseph Onderein, PA-C

PAWS 100 N. Second St. (215) 238-9901 Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. www.phillypaws.org

Karen Goldstein, MD Sarah Smith, PA-C

Angela Kapalko, MHS, PA-C Rebecca Barnaby, BSN, MA

HIV PRIMARY CARE • Consultation for Drug-resistant HIV • Access to clinical research Including Early Access Programs • Help with beneﬁts

Most insurance, Medicare, Medicaid accepted.

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PROPERTY From Page 1 Project of Pennsylvania began advocating for an East Oak Lane man who wanted his male lover’s name placed on the deed of the house where they live. Adding the name to a deed is considered a property transfer that would be taxed by the city if an exemption isn’t approved. Since the men have lived together for 17 years — and considered themselves to be financially interdependent — they wanted city officials to grant the exemption. “The process became stalled because the revenue department hadn’t developed a regulation — or temporary procedure — to permit this type of transaction, with no city tax,” said Ronda B. Goldfein, executive director of the AIDS Law Project. One of the men didn’t wish to be designated as a life partner. But even if he did — and the men registered as life partners — it’s unclear whether the department would have processed the transaction without a city tax, Goldfein said. “Nobody at the revenue office seemed to know anything about the tax exemption — whether it be for life partners or other financially interdependent couples,” she said. “It wasn’t the workers’ fault. Nobody told them what to do.” She said it was frustrating to wait for the interim procedure. “I felt very concerned for my clients. They weren’t able to take advantage of the benefit to which they were entitled for several months, due to the delay. It wasn’t a question of making the system user-friendly. The process didn’t exist. It was a question of creating the process.” Goldfein commended Rue Landau, executive director of the city’s Commission on Human Relations, for helping to implement the temporary procedure. “I worked with several city officials, and they were more than happy to work together to resolve this situation,” Landau told PGN. “It was a long process. But it’s gratifying that we’re moving toward a final resolution of the matter.” The temporary procedure requires a couple to sign an affidavit certifying their status as financially interdependent persons, under penalty of perjury. It does not require additional

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

supporting evidence. City Revenue Commissioner Keith J. Richardson said he hopes the permanent regulation will be in place by Sept. 30. “We understand that something should be in place, and we will look at getting the regulation in place, in accordance with the ordinance that was passed back in 2007,” he said. Richardson added that he didn’t know whether the temporary procedure would become the permanent regulation. “It’s temporary; it may not be the ﬁnal solution,” he said. “When my staff and I sit down and review everything, we will properly vet it to come up with some kind of ﬁnal regulation. We will look at the temporary procedure. We may incorporate it, we may not.” Goldfein said her clients saved about $2,879 due to the transfertax exemption, but they still had

to pay a state realty-transfer tax of about $959. Their home is valued at $96,000, she said. Their new deed was filed under both men’s names at the city Department of Records on May 26, according to Goldfein. “Having both names on a deed is another way for people to cement their relationship.” Goldfein added the temporary measure has adequate safeguards to prevent fraud, but stopped short of saying it should become the permanent regulation. “We think that a person’s affirmation under penalty of perjury should be sufficient,” she said. “The interim step satisfactorily responds to the needs of all the parties. If and when a final regulation is issued, we’ll assess it at that time.” ■ Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.

PAGE 13

Fi r st Ba p t i st C h u r c h SERVICES: Wednesdays Noontime Sundays 11a.m.

17TH & SANSOM STREETS PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

215.563.3853

Contemporary Service: Last Sunday of month Breathing Room Wednesdays 7 p.m.

Pastor Jerry deJesus

www.fbcphila1698.org A Loving Family of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Catholics & our allies invites you to celebrate

Sunday Mass, 7:00 PM Social immediately following Mass Please Join Us! - Services are held at St. Luke & the Epiphany 330 S. 13th Street, between Spruce and Pine streets, Philadelphia, PA Communion in the form of Consecrated bread, wine and grape juice. Gluten-free communion available upon request. Information: 215-546-2093 www.dignityphila.org www.dignityusa.org

Wednesday, July 8, 7:30 PM: Light Fell: A Discussion with Israeli Novelist, Evan Fallenberg. Book reading and discussion on a powerful and poignant love story between two married men, one a rabbi, in the world of Israeli Orthodoxy. Learn how the men cope with their forbidden desires, how their families and communities are affected, and how pieces of disrupted lives are reassembled. Sponsored by Society Hill Synagogue, Congregation Beth Ahavah at Rodeph Shalom, and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. This event will take place at Society Hill Synagogue, 418 Spruce Street in Philadelphia. There is no cost for admission. Tuesday, August 4th, 7:05 PM: 7th Annual Gay Community Night at the Phillies. Join us for the game against the Colorado Rockies. Tickets are $24, checks payable to Congregation Rodeph Shalom (please indicate name, address, phone number, and the words “Phillies game” on your check.) Payment requested by July 3 to help get BA’s name in lights at the ballpark. (Final deadline is July 25, no exceptions.) Please watch this space for announcement of Beth Ahavah Shabbat Services schedule. Beth Ahavah and Rodeph Shalom are afﬁliated in spirit and share a sacred home. In July 2007 Beth Ahavah afﬁliated with Rodeph Shalom. Beth Ahavah retains its congregational status within the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and proudly offers its congregation dual membership at both synagogues.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 14

Philadelphia Gas Heating & Air Conditioning

SALES

Starting At:

$1695

$1195

A/C check-up $80.00

Call Now 215.456.1300 FAST EMERGENCY SERVICE

PGN

Together We Can, a discussion group for people dealing with emotional, mental and addictive problems, will meet at 7 p.m. at The The Trans-Health Information Project will hold a drop-in center for all trans persons from 7-11 p.m. oor; The Humboldt Society, a gay and lesbian naturalist club, will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the William Way

International News Activists march in India Hundreds of gay-rights supporters waved flags and danced past traffic during marches through three Indian cities June 28 to celebrate gay pride and call for the decriminalization of homosexuality in the deeply conservative country. Activists took to the streets of the southern cities of Chennai and Bangalore and the capital, New Delhi. Marching bands blared horns and pounded drums while men wearing saris and women waving rainbow flags chanted for their rights. The New Delhi parade passed near the Delhi High Court, which is reviewing a law that prohibits gay sex and stipulates a punishment of

Larry Nichols

10 years in prison. Law Minister Veerappa Moily also said he would soon meet with two other government ministers to discuss changing the country’s anti-homosexuality laws. Gay-rights activists said momentum is on their side. “This piece of legislation makes no sense,” said Ponni Arasu, 25, a law student and march organizer. “You cannot deny people their basic civil rights.” Sex between people of the same gender has been illegal in India since a British colonial-era law included it as a forbidden sexual act “against the order of nature.” Activists said the law sanctions discrimination and marginalizes the gay community. Health experts maintain the law discourages safe sex and has been a hurdle in ﬁghting HIV and AIDS. Roughly

��

2.5-million Indians have HIV. Supporters of the law, which include leaders of the Hindu right, argue that gay sex should remain illegal and that open homosexuality is out of step with the nation’s values. Sexual minorities are slowly gaining acceptance in some parts of India, especially in its larger cities. Many bars have gay nights and some high-proﬁle Bollywood ﬁlms have dealt with gay issues. Still, being gay is deeply taboo in India, and many marchers covered their faces because they hadn’t told their friends and families about their sexuality. Marchers said the parade was meant to send a message to authorities to repeal the law criminalizing gay sex, known as Section 377 of the Indian penal code. But it was also meant to reach Indians still in the closet. “We’re going to tell them that you’re not alone,” said Arasu. “We are all going to be around to support you so you can live with dignity.”

�� Gay referee �� speaks out �� A Turkish soccer referee �� recently spoke out after he was �� ﬁred for being gay and then outed

��

Ties That Bind Us, a 12-step

SNYDER OPTICIANS

251 S. 17th Street, Phila, PA 19103 215-735-5656

Mon.-Fri. 10am-5pm • Wed. 10am-7pm • Sat. 10am-2pm

Perfect fit. Prescriptions that are right-on. We’re at your service.

Air Conditioning

Heater Sale

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

to the press. “They thought I was an ant that they could crush, they thought I would run away and hide in a corner,” said Halil Ibrahim Dincdag. “But they have destroyed my life and I will fight them to the end.” Dincdag, a soccer referee in Trabzon, Turkey, for 13 years, has gotten much support from the country after deciding to come out on a popular television sports program. Three-quarters of the 80 referees in Trabzon have called him to offer support, while 30,000 people have signed a petition started by Turkey’s most influential newspaper in support of his campaign. “The day the press started writing about me, I went into a coma, and the day I appeared on TV I died,” Dincdag said. “Thirty-three years of my life had disappeared. Since then, I have been trying to resurrect myself.” Dincdag was fired in March for being gay and, shortly afterward, news reports started popping up about him across the country. Though homosexuality

Youth in Transition, a support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 12-23, will meet from 7:30-9 p.m. at The Attic Youth Center.

�

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

is not illegal in Turkey, there is widespread homophobia typical of many Middle Eastern countries.

Lithuanian prez vetoes antigay law The president of Lithuania has vetoed a law that would have banned from schools materials promoting gay relationships. Human Rights Watch said sources in the eastern European country had conﬁrmed that President Adamkus vetoed the Law on Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information. The law would ban materials that “agitate for homosexual, bisexual and polygamous relations” from schools or public places where they could be seen by youth, on the grounds that they would have “detrimental effect on the development of minors.” The country’s parliament has the option of overriding the presidential veto.

Petchalonis Dental & Associates

Located Near Rittenhouse Square General & Aesthetic Dentistry Now Accepting New Patients Early Morning Appointments Available 248 South 21st St., Phila, PA 19103

Ira Sheres, DMD

~ Now Accepting New Patients ~ 215.732.3350

www.yourphillydentist.com • General and Specialized Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Early Morning and Evening Hours Anthony Petchalonis, D.M.D Featuring One Hour Teeth Whitening • Education Cornell University, B.S., 1986 U of P School of Dental Medicine, DMD, 1990 Temple University, Residency in Prosthodontics, 1992

Online. Anytime. WE HAVE MOVED!

S. 21st Street • Phila, PA 19103 WWW.248 EPGN .COM Call 215-546-6111

Dr. Ira Sheres (right) with his

Robert Metzger

PLUMBING

U.K. gay paper suspends printing Pink Paper has announced it is suspending printing due to the economic downturn. A statement issued June 24 said the newspaper would suspend its print and distribution schedule at the end of that month. It is hoped that printing can be resumed when the economy improves. “The decision to suspend fortnightly print and distribution of Pink Paper has been one of the toughest we have had to make in a long time, but in order to ensure that we can continue providing a service to the LGBT community in future, we have taken the decision now, rather than when the situation has worsened to a point that we would need to cease Pink Paper all together,” said Kim Watson, media director of the Millivres Prowler Group, which owns Pink Paper. “We are looking forward to increasing delivery of our weekly newsletter and ensuring that our Web site continues to grow in its visitors and interaction.” Pink Paper, which was launched as a weekly LGBT newspaper in 1987, will continue to produce content for its Web site, www. pinkpaper.com. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

Registered Master Plumber License No. 3647 Repairs, Renovations and New Construction

P.O. Box 31697 467-3335 Philadelphia, PA 19147

custom portraits

Sistah2Sistah, a discussion/ support group for sexual-minority women of color ages 16-24, will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m.PAGE at 1201 15 Chestnut St., 15th oor; (215) 4960330. Wednesday, Jan. 9 � You’re Not Alone, a support � A support group for HIV-positive group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, women will meet from 9:30-11:30 Locatedtransgender Near Rittenhouse Square youth, and questioning Generalwill & Aesthetic Dentistry a.m. at the Arch Street United meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Now Accepting New Patients Methodist Church, Broad and Arch Rehoboth Library, 226 Rehoboth Early Morning Appointments Available streets; (215) 387-6055. Ave., Rehoboth, Del.; (800) 810� The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS 248 South 6776. 21st St., Phila, PA 19103 Education Initiative will offer free, � Pink and Blues, a free depression 215.732.3350 on-site walk-in HIV testing from www.yourphillydentist.com and bipolar support group for sexual 3-6 p.m. at 1233 Locust St.; (215) minorities, will meet at 7 p.m. at St. 985-3382. Luke and The Epiphany Church, � The library and reading room will 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 627-0424. Anthony Petchalonis, D.M.D be open from 3-9 p.m. at the WilliamFeaturing One Hour Teeth � Philadelphia Gay Whitening Men’s Chorus Way Community Center. will rehearse at 7 p.m. at the William � Project Teach, a peer-education Way Community Center; (215) 731and empowerment program for 9230. people living with HIV/AIDS, will � The Temple University Lambda meet from 3-5 p.m. at the William Alliance will meet from 7-8 p.m. Way Community Center. Licensed Psychologist at The Village outside the Lambda � A smoking-cessation support group ofce, SAC 205, 1755 N. 13th St.; for sexual minorities, conducted by (215) 204-6954. Gay Men’s the Mazzoni Center, will meet at � Groups The Trenton Gay and Lesbian focusing West on intimacy issues. card and games 5:30 p.m. at the Washington Civic Association’s Project, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563Please call for further nightinformation. will be held from 7-10 p.m. 0663 ext. 242. at 986 S. Broad St., Trenton, N.J.; � AIDS Services in Asian (609) 638-7264. Communities’ 1326 Spruceweekly Street volunteer � The Women’s Center of work group will meet from 6-8 p.m. Montgomery County’s lesbian Philadelphia, PA 19107 at 1201 Chestnut St., Suite 501; support group will meet from 7(215) 563-2424 ext. 10. 9 p.m. at 101 Washington Lane, � Coming Out, a support group for Jenkintown; (215) 885-8440. gay, bisexual or questioning men, � A men’s coming-out group will will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. at AIDS meet at 7:30 p.m. at The Pride LGBT COMMUNITY Delaware, SuitePSYCHIATRY 315, 100 W. 10th FOR Center of New Jersey. St., Wilmington;PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (800) 292-0429. � Survivors of Suicide Inc. Chester PSYCH0THERAPY � A gay-friendlyAND Scrabble Club will County, a support group, will meet meet from 6-11DEPRESSION, p.m. in the P.I.C. ANXIETY, HIV,p.m. at Paoli Memorial at 7:30 Building, 42nd and Locust PAIN streets; Hospital, CHRONIC Willistown Room, (215) 382-0789. Medical Of ce Building, Lancaster OFFICES Group AT 1601 St., Suite 1128 � The LGBT Discussion willWalnut Pike, Paoli; (215) 545-2242; Web AND at MONTGOMERY meet from 6-8 p.m. the United COUNTY site: phillysostripod.com. Church of Christ,EVENING 300 E. Main St., � Under the Rainbow, a discussion HOURS Newark, Del.; (800) 292-0429. AVAILABLE (215) 740-4311 and social group for 18-25-year-old � A meeting/activity night will gays and lesbians, will meet at 7:30 be held for gay, lesbian, bisexual, p.m. at The Pride Center of New transgender and questioning youth Jersey. and their friends from 6-8 p.m. � The Gay Married Men’s at the Rainbow Room of Planned Association support group will Parenthood in Doylestown; (215) meet at 8 p.m. at the William Way 348-0558 ext. 65. Community Center; (610) 626� A men’s support group for those 2577. with HIV/AIDS will meet from � The steering committee of Team 6-7:30 p.m. at Mercer County Philadelphia, a gay sports league, Area Early Intervention Services will meet at 8 p.m. at the William in Trenton, N.J. For location, call Way Community Center. �

Jeffrey L. Eiberson, Ph.D.

215-546-1767

PHILLIP R. REEVES, MD

Craig T. Wakefield DDS A committed and caring dentist who has built his practice on referrals from patients.

Graham Nolan as seen by

High Quality

jasonsmith.com

Dental Treatment PGN Cosmetic Dentistry Veneers Crowns Whitening Implants Evenings Hours PWA’s Welcome

Medical Towers Building • Suite 2306 255 South17th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19103

Preventive Care

215

732-8080

will be p.m. at Center. � Brea cessati at The � Gay from 6 Walnut � Pee be ava William (215) 7 � A s incarce will m Educat Health St.; (21 � 40 A group from 6 St., 15t � Twe and wo meet a St., 15t � Dive group meets United and A 848-43 � The will m 7 p.m. Jersey. � Rai Alcoho Anony meetin Presby Limest (302) 4 � The lesbian at 7:30 Comm � Sex a a 12-st p.m. at Ave., R 542-32 � The W will m Center � T Allianc meet a Room Brunsw

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 16

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

DDetour etour

“Mr. Right”

“Pop Star on Ice”

Film Q

A departure from the ordinary

“And Then Came Lola”

“Prodigal Sons”

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PAGE 17

Film fest marks 15 years, new name By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor QFest, the new name for the annual Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, unspools July 9-20 on area screens. In addition to the 100plus features and shorts are parties, panel discussions and award ceremonies that showcase the latest in LGBT cinema. This year’s festival also celebrates its 15th anniversary with flashbacks from the past — presentations of fabulous classics like “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” and notso-fabulous films, like “Myra Breckinridge.” Yes, QFest provides something for every queer taste. Although it opens with a whimper — “Hollywood je t’aime” (see review below) — and not a bang, there are some real highlights. Here are reviews of some titles to catch before the closing-night world premiere of “The Big Gay Musical.” The pre-credit sequence of

“Hollywood je t’aime,” filmed in stylish black and white, has Jerome (Eric Debets) moping around rainy Paris. His lover Gilles (Jonathan Blanc) has left him, he hates his job and he desperately needs a change. Spotting a travel ad for California, where it’s summer every day, Jerome hops a plane and the film jumps into color. It’s time for sun, love and possibly a career as an actor. But as Jerome (and audiences) soon discover, his vacation from life is hardly much fun. In fact, “Hollywood je t’aime” is more boring than anything else, as it lumbers along from one uninteresting episode to the next. (It says something that, outside of “Speed,” few films have spent so much time on an L.A. bus). Jerome’s trip to the beach proves that California can be chilly in

December. At least while he’s there, he meets a friendly drug dealer (Chad Allen, recipient of the festival’s Artistic Achievement Award), who introduces him to a possible agent. Moreover, his fast friendship with Kaleesha (Diarra Kilpatrick), a transgender prostitute, helps him find a room in a house owned by Norma (Michael Airington), an aging drag queen. These relationships reinforce those cliché old saws that Hollywood is filled with dreamers, stoners and whores. But surely they can be more appealing and complex than this film’s assortment of tired, jaded characters. Nothing that happens — an open casting session, a job at a restaurant or a

potential hookup in a bathhouse — has any dramatic impact or meaning. And Debets plays the morose Jerome so dispassionately, it becomes hard to care about him or his efforts to get out of his funk. In fact, one almost wishes he’d stayed home. Viewers may wish they’d stayed home too. Thursday, July 9, 7 p.m., Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; Saturday, July 11, 2:30 p.m., Ritz East 1, 125 S. Second St. Johnny Weir, dubbed a “Pop Star on Ice,” is one queer figure skater. That’s queer as in odd or different, and not in necessarily sexual orientation. While folks may assume the flamboyant, out-

spoken skater is gay — he enjoys shopping and wearing fabulous clothes, and he takes a bath with his best male friend — Weir never publicly addresses his sexuality. This wonderful, enthralling portrait of the Quarryville native and elite athlete captures just what life is like being Johnny Weir. From his struggles with his coach and pressure to perform, to participating in fashion shows and photo shoots and meeting with his elementaryschool teacher, Weir is funny, likable and often frustrated. He may reveal himself to be every inch the troublemaker — saying scandalous comments to the media or See FILMS, Page 18

“HOLLYWOOD JE T’AIME”

Reconciling ‘Prodigal Sons’ — and daughter By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Kimberly Reed, the transgender director of “Prodigal Sons” — a documentary about her family — started making movies when she was a boy growing up in Helena, Mont. As Paul McKerrow, he filmed his brothers playing parts in Super 8 home movies. Reed’s adopted brother, Marc, loved being the center of attention, and he always had the lead. Reed’s other brother, Todd, who is gay, always played the female. Now that the children are adults, Reed films her family again. This time, however, the story is very different — and much more painful. Returning home after a long absence, the director hopes to reconcile with Marc, from whom she has been estranged for many years. She also is coming to terms with her own identity, introducing her girlfriend Claire to her family and reuniting with her highschool friends, all who are meeting Kimberly for the first time. What happens in “Prodigal Sons” is, as they say, stranger than

fiction. Marc suffers from mental illness, the result of a head injury he sustained as a young man. He has some frightening onscreen outbursts. What’s more, Marc discovers that he is the grandson of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. At one point, Kimberly accompanies him on a trip to Croatia to meet Oja Kodar, Welles’ last lover. Although this resolves some identity issues for Marc, his illness soon gets the best of him. His subsequent fighting with Kimberly — he literally pummels her in one horrific moment caught on camera — soon forces the family to deal with Marc’s demons. Yes, much of the film is difficult to watch, but it is also quite riveting. On the phone from New York City and between film festivals, Reed talked about making “Prodigal Sons” and “balancing” the storytelling by focusing on her relationship with her brother and their simultaneous stories

expression. The first job you have is to explain yourself and be as tough as you are. Otherwise, it’s a solipsistic journey that others can’t relate to.” Her personal approach benefits the film immensely. An outsider would not be able to get the family intimacy Reed captures on camera — such as a tense moment when the police are called to prevent Marc from hurting himself and/or others at a holiday gathering. “The increasing intimacy develops as the film moves along,” Reed said about the narrative arc, noting, “I don’t think an outsider could ever have been privy to that.” Moreover, the filmmaker defends her decision to show Marc and her family at extremely low moments. Significantly, she said, she doesn’t feel “Prodigal Sons” exploits her siblings or their mother by presenting this difficult chapter THE MCKERROW BROTHERS in their lives.

regarding personal identity. “What I was trying to do with the structure of the film was to make a statement about being transgender through understatement — letting that issue disappear.” At times, however, Reed reminds viewers of her identity struggle, as when Marc shows pictures of Kimberly as male to folks in Croatia, which upsets her. Although Marc is not always seen in a positive light, Reed felt she had to be hardest on herself. “It’s tricky when you work in the first person in any means of

“I have a really amazing, resilient family that is capable of tremendous love and support. I knew if I kept the camera rolling, that would come out as much as the challenging times,” Reed said. “What fueled me and my mom, who has become quite an activist, is giving [the mentally ill] a voice.” The juxtaposition of Marc and Kimberly’s stories shows how much Reed grew from filming her brother, even when their relationship hit a snag. She recalled, “When I was making the film, he said, ‘The truth is the truth.’ And, to use a good overly pretentious word, I was obfuscating. I really learned from Marc how to make peace with my past by admitting that the truth was the truth.” “Prodigal Sons” is a remarkable story of a family’s transformation, and one that Reed and viewers will benefit from sharing. “Prodigal Sons” plays at QFest Friday, July 10, 9:15 p.m., Ritz East 2, 125 S. Second St.; and Friday, July 17, 5 p.m., Ritz East 2. ■

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 18

FILMS From Page 17 wearing inappropriate clothing at a competition — but he has the talent and the desire to perform. “Pop Star on Ice” suggests Weir is more than ready for his closeup, but this fun documentary also asks if he has the talent to back up his spontaneous and possibly self-destructive behavior. Fans of Weir will understand this skater better, while those who are unfamiliar will undoubtedly appreciate him after getting an eyeful of his antics here. Friday, July 10, 5 p.m., Prince; Saturday, July 11, 12:15 p.m., Ritz East 1 Featuring a raven-haired beauty named Lola racing through

the city streets and against the clock, “And Then Came Lola” is a fun and funky homage to “Run, Lola, Run.” In this fabulous film, set in a beautiful San Francisco populated almost entirely by same-sex couples, the title character (Ashleigh Sumner) has to get photographs from her ex (Jessica Graham of “2 Minutes Later”) to her girlfriend Casey (Jill Bennett). Casey is giving them to her ex, Danielle (Cathy DeBuono), in hopes to land a job. And if first Lola doesn’t succeed, it’s try, try again. Like the German film on which it’s based, “And Then Came Lola” is formatted as a triptych, with different scenarios and outcomes all mirroring Lola’s internal struggle to commit to her relationship with Casey — or not. Writers/directors

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Ellen Seidler and Megan Siler are smart — and sassy — enough to blend in lesbian-relationship angst (as seen in a series of directaddress “therapy” sessions), as well as fantasy scenes and animation, to concoct a delightful romp that also raises questions about how these various women care for and about each other. They are aided immensely by the adorable Sumner’s star-making performance. She encounters her every obstacle with a palpable sense of determination and gusto that makes viewers root for her. Sumner is aided by uniformly fine work by the sexy supporting cast. Run, don’t walk, to this one. Saturday, July 11, 7:15 p.m., Prince; Sunday, July 12, 4:15 p.m., Ritz East 1

Glossy, good-looking and very gay, “Mr. Right” is an irresistible British rom-com featuring one straight and three queer couples facing relationship issues. Harry (James Lance) is a reality-show producer who is living with Alex (Luke de Woolfson), a cater-waiter who really wants to be an actor. Lawrence (Leon Ockenden) is an actor on a TV show and dating William (Rocky Marshall), a gay dad who can’t fully commit to the relationship because of his needy young daughter. Meanwhile, Larrs (Benjamin Hart) is a hunk living off artist/gallery owner Tom (David Morris), and Louise (Georgia Zaris) is the token fag hag with the adorable straight (or is he?) boyfriend, Paul (Jeremy Edwards). “Mr. Right” introduces these characters and

“IT CAME FROM KUCHAR”

has them meet and talk and sometimes bed each other (chastely). The dramatic centerpiece is an awkward dinner party where several of the relationships come undone, forcing everyone to take stock of their lives and decide if loving their partner is either a risk or a form of security, however false. Innocuous, for sure, one can take issue that the characters here are all pretty and pretty onedimensional. Yet “Mr. Right” is less concerned with the viewer’s long-term relationship; it wants to give folks a good time for 94 minutes, which it does. Viewers will care about the characters, and be mostly satisfied with the outcome by the time the credits roll. Friday, July 17, 9:30 p.m., Prince; Saturday, July 18, 4:45 p.m., Ritz East 1

A smattering of options ...

“THE BABY FORMULA”

“FAMILY”

“HOMEWRECKER”

“EL NIÑO PEZ”

“PATRIK, AGE 1.5”

“RIVERS WASH OVER ME”

“LIMBO”

“WRECKED” “ZOMBIES OF MASS DESTRUCTION” K O S H E R

K O S H E R

SINGAPORE Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant

STREET TAKE-OUT AVAILABLE

Domestic & Foreign Care State Inspection & Emissions Inspection

215-928-0376

820-22 S. 11th Street at Christian

• “Excellent” - Zagat Survey 1997 - 2009 • “Best vegetarian restaurant” - Seven Arts 1997 • “Excellent vegetarian artistry” - Gerald Etter 1995 • “Unbeatable breathless feasting” - Elaine Tait 1993 • Best of Philly 1993 • Best Kosher Restaurant in Chinatown Reservations Recommended

KAROKE NIGHT EVERY FRIDAY

BYOB • All Major Credit Cards Accepted Banquets & Catering Available Including Bar & Bat Mitzvahs

1006 Race St. Phila • 215-922-3288

Parking at 929 Race Free Delivery in Center City (Minimum $20)

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

OUTonline

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 19

Jason Villemez

Uncle Sam, are you paying attention? Capturing a politician’s attention is a tricky task. A different breed than your average human, politicians have keen evasive skills and foolproof self-preservation systems, and are masters of deniability. Call them on the phone and they’re unavailable. Send a letter and it never arrived. Even protesting with thousands of people on a national level isn’t guaranteed to get their attention because, for the most part, the only platform audible to a politician’s ears, the whistle guaranteed to bring them running, is the voting booth. Re-election: the word on every politician’s mind almost all the time.

Offline

However, along with voting, there is one other process our elected officials follow closely because it too affects their jobs: the U.S. Census, that little sheet of paper we receive every 10 years that asks us where we live, who we live with, how much we make and other identifying questions. Used for statistical purposes, the Census is important in allocating congressional seats, electoral votes and government funding. It shows demographics across all spectrums, including race, wealth and sexual orientation, and is a good indicator of social issues. For elected officials, it gives them a good idea of who their voter base is and exactly whose vote they need to court. Using a site like Gay Demographics (www.gaydemographics.org), one can see how

many gay couples live in each county or congressional district in the country. We can gauge fun facts like how West Hollywood is now America’s gay capital, or that only 1.09 percent of people live in areas without same-sex couples. But more importantly, facts like home ownership, employment, education, income and children for same-sex couples can be found as well. Numbers don’t lie. The Census is how we know that 1 in 5 samesex couples is raising children, the average income is $78,038, and that racial diversity is four times greater than in straight couples. In California’s 8th Congressional District, 7.73 percent of couples are same-sex, compared to 0.22 percent in Iowa’s 2nd. Almost every state in the country reported dramatic increases in same-sex couples in 2000 compared with

1990. And you can bet that next year, the numbers will rise once again. Of course, these numbers are skewed due to the fact that many couples choose not to fill out the Census, out of fear or other reasons, and that sexual orientation cannot be determined for single individuals. But, they are a solid showing of how large our demographic truly is, and how much it will continue to grow. For our community, visibility is extremely important, and the Census is one of the only official ways for us to show our strength in numbers. For fun, I checked out a Census Snapshot of Pennsylvania’s LGBT couples, compiled by The Williams Institute at UCLA Law School (www.law.ucla.edu). In 2000, 21,166 same-sex couples lived throughout every county of the state. Five years later, almost

8,000 new couples disclosed their status. The median age of gay couples is nearly 10 years younger than straight couples, along with a 10-percent greater employment rate. Perhaps most shocking, though, is that Philadelphia County does not have the highest percentage of LGBT couples in Pennsylvania. Pike County, congratulations. Recently, officials announced that couples who are legally married in states that allow it will be able to indicate their status on the 2010 Census. While it might seem like an insignificant gesture, it will be yet another way to tell the government that we are here, we are queer, married, educated, diverse and important. Get used to it. ■

out the “Arts and Entertainment” page of PGN’s online business directory at www.epgn.com. One of Philadelphia’s most enduring qualities is its close proximity to other major urban areas like New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston. But if you want a unique live music event outside the city, look no further than Atlantic City — specifically, the Borgata Hotel and Casino (www.theborgata. com). Since opening in 2003, the Borgata has built a reputation for attracting incredibly popular and talented musicians. With Katy Perry (July 30) and Patti Lupone (Aug. 15) performing this summer, it’s high time for a musical trip down the shore! Since I’m a bit preoccupied with live performance right now, I’d like to close by giving you the scoop on a new event I’m planning for this fall. In the spirit of competition formats, such as “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent,” Nightlifegay.com is gearing up to present the first

annual “Gayborhood Games” on Sept. 26 at PURE Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. This groundbreaking event will pit local performers against one another with prizes and titles at stake in the following categories: Outstanding Dance Crew, Outstanding Comedian, Outstanding Vocalist, Outstanding Salon/Hairstylist, Outstanding Drag Act, Outstanding Bartender and Outstanding Chef. This is the only live competition to determine who deserves Gayborhood bragging rights. An esteemed panel of industry professionals will judge each category; their names will be announced by Sept. 1. Check www.nightlifegay.com for updates on the “Gayborhood Games.” That’s it for now. Have a wonderful July 4 weekend. ‘Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer! ■

Contact Jason with feedback at outonline@gmail.com.

Bruce Yelk

Summer 2009 music issue With the untimely passing of Michael Jackson last Thursday, it seems fitting that I devote this column to music. Arguably the most prolific entertainer in history, Jackson left an indelible mark on every fan and artist who connected with his music. Without Michael, “pop” music and its contemporary stars would be light years behind in their vocal, choreographic and artistic development. No matter what genre of live music you prefer, please find time in the coming months to experience its power and joy. To help identify an event that whets your musical appetite, I offer the following suggestions: The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the most beloved groups of its kind in the world. Our orches-

tra provides one of the most accessible and family-friendly cultural experiences in the city. During the summer, you can find the Philadelphia Orchestra playing numerous concerts at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave., in Fairmount Park. I’m most excited about “Hollywood Classics” (8 p.m. July 21),“All Gershwin” (8 p.m. July 24) and “Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang” (8 p.m. July 30). To see a complete list of upcoming events, or to learn more about the orchestra’s musical style and history, visit www.philorch. org. If you prefer pop music to classical, keep an eye on the Wachovia Center’s (3601 S. Broad St.) concert schedule over the next several months. On July 23 and 24, teen pop sensations the Jonas Brothers will perform with former “American Idol” champion Jordin Sparks. It appears tickets are still available, but I can’t imagine they’ll be around much longer. If you have a “tween”

www.epgn.com

niece or nephew, a surprise trip to this concert will undoubtedly make you the favorite aunt or uncle. Also, mark your calendar for Britney’s “Circus” tour and Pink’s “Funhouse” show on Aug. 30 and Nov. 3, respectively. Visit www.ticketco.com to reserve your spot. Though live concerts are easily among the most exciting cultural experiences, many big-name stars command exorbitant ticket prices. Luckily, Philadelphia has a number of smaller venues, such as World Cafe Live (www. worldcafelive.com), the Electric Factory (www.electricfactory. info) and TLA (www.theateroflivingarts.net), with more cost-effective options. From local independent groups to seasoned bands that tour year-round, these venues provide a more-intimate experience than their larger counterparts. For a comprehensive listing of Philly’s live music venues separated by genre, visit www. phillymusic.com. Also check

Philadelphia Gay News

If you have comments or information on upcoming events, e-mail Bruce@nightlifegay.com, reference Offline.

www.philagaynews.com

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 20

Family Portraits She was born in Chester and now lives in L.A., but we claim her as our own. Before moving to the City of Angels, actor Jessica Graham was a staple of the Philadelphia-area scene. Graham co-founded both Theater Catalyst’s Eternal Spiral Project and Stonegraham Productions (producers of girL, Philadelphia’s longest-running lesbian party). She has also worked with a number of Philadelphia filmmakers and has not one, but two films in next week’s QFest (formerly the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival). The multi-talented Graham has done stage, screen and television, including commercials for Southwest Airlines, AOL and PETA; various stage productions and the lead role in the sexy thriller “2 Minutes Later.” PGN had a chance to chat with her about her time in Philadelphia, her thoughts as an out actor and what’s next on the agenda. PGN: You grew up in Chester. What was that like? JG: Chester was not quite a suburb, but not quite the city. [Laughs.] Being right along 95, I’m told it’s a hub for drugs coming into the city. I was born in Chester but I’ve lived all over the place in the suburbs. The last seven years before moving to California, I was in Center City. PGN: Family? JG: I’m the oldest of three sisters and I have a half-brother and two stepbrothers. PGN: That’s a lot of kids. JG: Well, at that point we lived in Ridley Creek State Park in a big 400-year-old park house. My mother and stepfather rented it from the park and, in fact, still live there. They have a deal where they are allowed to rent it as long as they help maintain it. So our backyard growing up was a state park. PGN: What did you do for fun? JG: We didn’t have a television so we ran around outside all day long. We found ways to entertain ourselves. PGN: Was there a reason for no television? JG: They thought that we should learn to be creative and they didn’t want our heads filled up with images from television.

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Suzi Nash They wanted us to make up our own stories and read books and explore. Even though I thought it was annoying at times when I was a kid, I’m really grateful for it now. I still don’t own a TV. PGN: A favorite memory from playing in the park? JG: If you hiked about 25 minutes from our house, there were these big rocks that we would play on. We called them “skull rocks,” as if they were something out of Peter Pan. We’d hang out on the rocks and play games or go beyond the rocks where there was a creek where you could swim. PGN: Scariest moment? JG: When I was about 10, a friend of mine and I got lost in the park. We wandered around the woods for hours with no idea where we were. We finally found a house and got the people inside to call our parents to come get us. They had been really worried about us, so they were relieved to get the call. PGN: Favorite book as a kid? JG: Oh boy, I read so many. Let’s think. I remember trying to read “The Hobbit.” I was only about 7 and it was very difficult but I sure did try. I don’t know how successful I was. PGN: When did you get bit by the acting bug? JG: I was making up plays and shows and performing them for family and friends from the time I was young. I was mostly homeschooled, but from fourth through sixth grade I went to an amazing school called The School in Rose Valley. My mother had gone there when she was a kid. It was a very cool school: They had this big hippie dome where we would sing Beatles songs in the morning. We would call all the teachers by their first names and we had at least an hour a day for free time — it was rad! They had a really strong emphasis on the arts and I was in my first real play there. We were doing “Antigone” and my teacher told me that I was going to play the lead. I immediately said, “No, no, I don’t want to do it.” She told me to think it over for a few days and get back to her. I did and still said no, so she told me that I had to do it. I ended up playing the role and I loved it. My parents and

their friends all came out. People were saying to my mother, “Your daughter is really talented!” and that felt great. I was happy that people felt I was good at something! Eleven years old can be an awkward and uncomfortable period and theater lets you escape and be someone else for a time. It’s one of the reasons I enjoyed it and, until recently, that escape was still a major reason why I loved acting so much. Only in the last few years when I’ve found a more mature way of looking at acting have I discovered it more as a craft and less of an escape. Anyway, after Rose Valley, I started doing regional theater: I did a lot of stuff at Hedgerow Theatre, took classes and did children’s theater, etc. PGN: What do your parents do? JG: My mother raises and trains alpacas — you know, the animal that looks kind of like a llama. She also works as a gardener for an all-women’s gardening company. My stepfather is a carpenter, he makes fine cabinets, and my father, who recently passed away, worked in an oil refinery. PGN: Your least favorite moment on stage? JG: I was going through a horrible breakup with my girlfriend. It was in my early 20s, that period when you think it’s the end of the world and you can’t eat or sleep and your stomach is in such knots you are physically ill. I had to go on stage and try to push it out of my mind so I wouldn’t cry at the wrong moments! But that’s your job; you just have to put on a face and do it. I’ve seen people go onstage after someone has died and have to do a comedy. You just do it. But I love performing, whether it’s on stage or in films; they’re all my favorite moments. I feel at home on the stage. PGN: Awards? JG: I won the Best Actress Award at the Tampa [International] Gay and Lesbian Film Festival for my role in “Two Minutes Later.” That was a pretty cool and unexpected moment. PGN: So tell me about coming out. JG: I’ve always been attracted to both guys and girls, so I guess I’m kind of the B on the LGBT continuum. Even when I was a kid, I had little boyfriends and lit-

tle girlfriends. I’ve had people on both sides tell me, “Well, you know as you get older, you’ll probably shift and settle on one side.” And I’ve said, “Well, you know, it really hasn’t worked that way.” It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I really fell in love with a woman for the first time. I’d dated girls before but it was the first time I really fell in love, moved in, the whole 9 yards. As far as my parents and friends were concerned, there was never a problem. I never worried about JESSICA GRAHAM Photo: Hilary Jones my family being angry or my friends shunning try trip together. We had so much me. There was never a personal fun: We stopped in my dad’s issue for me, either. I had a few hometown of Texarkana, Texas, hurdles to jump when it came to and sprinkled some of his ashes investing in a relationship with a there in some of the places he woman, but it was never anything used to hang out when he was a moral. If anything, I feel more teenager. of a coming-out now, because I am very involved in the comPGN: What was the culture munity and have been in a lot of shock moving to L.A.? gay films and I have a boyfriend JG: The emphasis on physical right now. My friends and associ- appearance in L.A. is different. ates have been very loving and It’s not like you come here and accepting, but sometimes you everyone talks about your looks, find people on both sides who but it’s subtle. For instance, have a problem with it. I’ve had in the city paper here, the LA people in the past tell me not to Weekly, every other ad is for mention that I had a girlfriend breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and now I’ve had people tell me or vaginal rejuvenation surgery; not to mention that I have a boyevery page offers some sort of friend. I haven’t listened to either. change for your body. I’ve been For me, I just put my energy in living in L.A. for four years now relationships that make me feel and I didn’t realize how much it good. Whether it’s personal or affected me until I was gone for professional, I don’t get involved those few months. I live in Echo in projects that don’t make me Park, which is a small community feel good about what I’m doing. that’s really laidback, and I don’t It’s not about just taking anything go into Hollywood except for that comes your way. I love actauditions, but you are still affecting, but if it made me feel like I ed by seeing the emphasis placed had to lie about who I was, I’d on physicality all around you. find something else to do. But I’ve been very lucky and have PGN: Do you ever feel pressured been able to do what I love withto follow that path? out compromising who I am. JG: No, I’ve never felt the desire PGN: A fun travel experience? JG: As I mentioned, my father passed away recently. I came home for a few months to take care of him. I’d planned on flying home, but I needed a new car and L.A. is so car dependent, I didn’t want to even arrive at the airport without wheels, so I decided to get one here and drive it home. After the funeral, my sister came with me and we did a cross-coun-

to shoot stuff in my face. But as I get older and develop lines, who knows? But I don’t want to be the sort of actress who needs breast implants or anything like that. I look at women like Diane Lane and Helen Hunt, and I don’t know if they’ve had work done or not, but they look like real women. They don’t look like they’re trying to be cookie

See PORTRAIT, Page 23

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 21

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 22

Protect your ASSets....BUY GOLD The government is printing money like crazy. Gold cannot be printed! History will repeat! – It always does! Why blow your wad on the stock market? Real estate can be like throwing money down a hole!

WE BUY and SELL GOLD BULLION & COINS No sales tax on Coins or Bullion

Krugerrands

Eagles Maples Credit Swiss Foreign Exchange

Sansom Coin Exchange 215 629 8898 721 Sansom Street Jewelers Row

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Q Puzzle Stand-up Straight Across

1. Foam at South Beach 5. Voting group 9. Nightclub in a Manilow song 13. John Goodman’s “Normal, ___ ” 14. Car that used to be yours 15. Guinness of “The Lavender Hill Mob” 16. Commercial snap 17. Golden agers’ org. 18. Diggs play about leased digs 19. With 47-Across, what 34Across thinks lesbians say about him 22. Cunning 23. Long, in Hawaii 24. Nice buns, e.g.? 27. Water heaters 31. Beginning of life? 32. Drives from the closet 33. Break for Heather’s mommies 34. Companion of Jerry Seinfeld 38. Caesar’s three 39. Like smoking areas at a gay club 40. “Say, Say, Say,” say 41. Settles down for the night 43. Negligent 45. Scar, in “The Lion King,” for example 46. Hatcher of “Desperate Housewives” 47. See 19-Across 53. What gay partners can tie in Massachusetts, with “the” 54. Put in order 55. Man, as a cruising goal 56. “No” voter 57. Satisfy and then some 58. Sea bottom captain 59. It might go right to the bottom 60. Pigged out (on) 61. Mardi ___

Down

1. Out of shape 2. Ejaculation of concern 3. ___ Mae Brown 4. Where cobblers put their tongues 5. Free-for-alls 6. Vermont Senator Patrick 7. “Aida,” to Gomer? 8. Cockpit companions 9. Type of knowledge 10. Spread served in bars 11. Bottled (up) 12. Thespians do it 20. Pose for Diana Davies 21. Showing arousal, perhaps 24. Texas A&M athlete 25. Escort from the door 26. One who grins and bears it 27. Channel marker 28. Cause of “bed death” 29. Tears down 30. Lover’s quarrels 32. Publisher Adolph 35. Entire range 36. Oral pleasure in a tiny cup 37. Mingling 42. Like Feniger’s vinegar

43. Took a breather 44. Palindromic preposition 46. Rich cake with nuts 47. “Tales of the City”’s Madrigal 48. Lanford Wilson’s “The ___ Baltimore” 49. Thoroughfare 50. Friendly opening 51. Soprano Gluck 52. Tolstoy and others 53. “Cabaret”’s Kit-___ Klub SOLUTION

Send submissions for Meeting Place to pgn@epgn.com or PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication.

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PORTRAIT From Page 20 cutouts. Those are the kind of women I admire. PGN: What was the last personal mail you received? JG: My friend Sochi, from Philadelphia, sent me a postcard. PGN: You ride horses? JG: My grandparents have a horse farm, so we grew up riding. I was first on a horse when I was 6. I’ve been thrown a few times and had the horse run off, which is kind of scary. Someone was just telling me that there’s a theory that straight girls like horses and lesbians like monkeys. Have you heard that? PGN: No, but I do like monkeys! JG: Me too, but I like horses better. PGN: Well, that would explain the bi part! JG: [Laughs.] But I have a friend

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

who is strictly lesbian and she likes horses better too. I’m just saying ... PGN: Hmm, perhaps the exception that proves the rule ... So, tell me about your films. JG: I have two films that I act in that are playing in the festival. In Kelly Burkhardt’s short film, “Tremble & Spark,” I play the villain of the story. I’m in love with a woman named Charlie, who is played by Cathy DeBuono, one of the stars of “Out at the Wedding.” It’s a romantic-noir sort of thing. It was fun: They made me very pretty, a kind of femme fatale, and I got to wear some cool costumes. The other film is a feature called, “And Then Came Lola.” It’s a really fast-paced funny lesbian romp. Ashleigh Sumner plays Lola and I play her ex-girlfriend, Jen. Jen’s a little surly, which is fun. I’m leaning more and more toward character roles and less toward the ingénue. I’m getting past the range for that anyway.

We’ve had a great response to the film: It sold out the Castro Theatre and people really seem to love it. PGN: What’s a favorite onscreen kissing moment? JG: I did a movie called “Devil Girl,” a supernatural horror film about a young woman who gets stranded in a small town when her car breaks down while she’s driving cross-country. I had a make-out scene — well, a sex scene actually — with Vanessa Kay, who played Devil Girl. Vanessa was from a show called “The Man Show,” where veryendowed women jump around on trampolines while guys talk about whatever guys talk about. She was also on the Nip-pocalypse episode of “Crossballs: The Debate Show.” The kind of stuff that rubs my feminist side the wrong way, but she was really nice and we got along well. Anyway, we had this scene to do; it was just me and her and all of her red latex paint.

PAGE 23

It was a fun, messy sex scene and during the scene I wore my personal cowboy boots. They came off by the end of the scene, but to this day, I still have red paint on them from being all over her. It was hilarious. The funny thing was that we had to do several takes, so they had hair and makeup there with towels to wipe me down and more red paint to retouch her in the areas where her latex had rubbed off onto me! PGN: What’s next? JG: I’m shooting another project called “Socially Registered” with Robert Gaston, who produced “Two Minutes Later.” He’s also one of the writing assistants on “King of the Hill.” I can’t tell you how excited I am to work on this project. He is so talented as a writer, director and filmmaker — I love working with him. The script is phenomenal and I love the character he wrote for me. It’s about a small street in a neighborhood and what goes on

behind closed doors. It’s funny but it also deals with some serious themes. What excites me about the script is that it crosses genres. I like when a story is not just about gay or straight or black or white. Because that’s not real life. I want a film that shows what we really are, which encompasses so much more than we usually see. We have gay people and black people and straight people and young people and old people; why are the usual choices either a gay drama or a boymeets-girl film when life is more complicated and embracing than that? I want to see something that reflects real life ... Catch Jessica Graham on screen at QFest starting July 9. Visit www.qfest.com for more information. ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 24

Meeting Place A community bulletin board of activities, facilities and organizations

Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center: For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday through Friday. See the Youth section for more events. 255 S. 16th St.; (215) 545-4331 ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 898-5044; center@dolphin.upenn.edu, Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 348-0558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center: 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 732-2220; www.waygay.org. Peer counseling: Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m. Library hours: Mondays 3-9 p.m., Tuesdays 3-6 p.m., Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., Thursdays 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. Volunteers: New Orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.; Volunteer Velada, third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.

Health Anonymous, free, confidential HIV testing Spanish/English counselors offer testing 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, 166 W. Lehigh Ave.; (215) 763-8870 ext. 6000. AIDS Services In Asian Communities Provides HIV-related services to Asians and Pacific Islanders at 340 N. 12th St., suite 205; (2215) 536-2424. Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative Free, anonymous HIV testing from 9:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at 1207 Chestnut St., fifth floor; (215) 851-1822 or (866) 2223871. Spanish/English. HIV testing Free, anonymous testing and counseling is offered from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment at AIDS Resource, 520 W. Fourth St., suite 2A, Williamsport;

Key numbers ■ 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

(570) 322-8448. HIV treatment Free HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment for Philadelphia residents are available from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad St.; (215) 685-1803. HIV health insurance help Access to free medications, conﬁdential HIV testing available at 17 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; 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652. www.mazzonicenter.org. Washington West Project Free, anonymous HIV testing. Walk-ins welcome 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; 1201 Locust St.; (215) 985-9206.

Casarez, (215) 686-2194; Gloria. Casarez@phila.gov; Fax: (215) 686-2555 ■ Mazzoni Center: (215) 563-0652; www.mazzonicenter.org ■ Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: (215) 563-0658

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: (215) 5921513

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

■ AIDS Treatment hot line: (215) 5452212

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

■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: (215) 685-1633

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

■ The COLOURS Organization Inc. 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 4960330. ■ Equality Advocates Pennsylvania: (215) 731-1447; (866) LGBTLAW ■ Equality Forum: (215) 732-3378 ■ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Peer Counseling Services: (215) 732-TALK ■ Director of LGBT Affairs: Gloria

■ Philadelphia Police Department liaison — Chief Inspector James Tiano: (215) 685-3655 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: (215) 494-LGBT; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com ■ Philly Pride Presents: (215) 875-9288 ■ SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: (717) 920-9537 ■ Transgender Health Action Coalition: (215) 732-1207 (staffed 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Activism/Politics

ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) Meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at St. Luke and the Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St.; (215) 386-1981; www.critpath.org/actup. Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Seeks activists and supporters of church-state separation. Holds monthly meetings and events; (856) 863-3061; www.dvau.org. Equality Advocates Philadelphia Holds a volunteer night second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., 1211 Chestnut St., Suite 605; (215) 731-1447; www.equalitypa.org. Green Party of Philadelphia Holds general meetings fourth Tuesday of each month (except April) at 6:30 p.m., 4134 Lancaster Ave.; (215) 243-7103; www.gpop.org. Log Cabin Republican Club of Philadelphia Meets at 7 p.m. third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Community Center; (215) 4655677; www.phillylogcabin.org. Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club Meets seasonally; (215) 760-7184; www. libertycity.org.

Arts

Gay Men’s Book Discussion Group Meets at 6:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at the Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 18 S. Seventh St.; (215) 685-1633. Library Book Club Meets to discuss a new book at 7 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus Chorus rehearses from 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; (215) 731-9230; auditions@pgmc.org. Philadelphia Gay Men’s Opera Club Meets to share and listen to recordings at 6:30 p.m. on last Saturday of the month; (215) 224-6995. Philadelphia Voices of Pride Philadelphia’s first mixed GLBT chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the William Way Center; (888) 505-7464; www.pvop.org. Queer Writers Collective Workshop and discussion group meets 4-6 p.m. on fourth Saturday of the month at the William Way Center. Women’s Book Group Meets first Thursday of the month at 6:45 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; brassygrrl@hotmail.com.

Recreation

Diversity Dancers Ballroom dancers meet the ﬁrst Sunday of the month for tea dance and lessons. Other events scheduled throughout the year; (215) 922-2129; DiversityDancers@aol.com. Gay Bridge Club Non-beginners group meets Monday afternoons at the William Way Center; (215) 985-4835. Gay-friendly Scrabble Club Meets from 6-11 p.m. in the P.I.C. Building, 42nd and Locust streets; (215) 382-0789. Gay and Lesbian Scrabble Players in the tri-state area gather for socializing and friendly/competitive games; ScrabbleGroup@excite.com. Gay Opera Guys of Philly New group for opera appreciation meets last Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. in Roxborough/ Andorra area; (215) 483-1032. Humboldt Society: Lesbian and Gay Naturalists Meets second Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 985-1456; www. humboldtsociety.org. Indepedence Squares GLBT square dance club, modern Western square dancing. Monthly open house. Tuesday classes in the fall; Lutheran Church, 2111 Sansom St.; (215) 735-5812; www.independencesquares.org.

JULY 3 - 9, 2009 Philadelphia’s GLBT outdoor group meets for a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Borders Books, Music and Café, 8701 Germantown Ave.; (215) 271-8822. Rainbow Room A meeting/activity night held for LGBTQ youth and their friends Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Rainbow Room of Planned Parenthood in Doylestown; (215) 348-0558.

Sports

Bordentown, N.J. Friends, Lesbians and Gays A political, community and social group that also works to promote Bordentown as a gay-friendly community meets at 6 p.m. on second Sunday of the month at Firehouse Gallery, 8 Walnut St., Bordentown, N.J.; (609) 298-3742.

Brandywine Women’s Rugby Club Meets for Tuesday and Thursday practice at Greene Field, Howell Street and Moore Road, West Chester; www.brandywinerugby.org.

Delaware Pride Meets at 7 p.m. on ﬁrst Thursday of the month at the United Church of Christ, 300 E. Main St., Newark, Del.; (800) 292-0429.

City of Brotherly Love Softball League GLBT softball league serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Games are played Sundays, beginning in April, in Fairmount Park; (215) 4622575; www.cblsl.org.

Delaware Valley Pink Pistols For LGBT people dedicated to legal, safe and responsible use of ﬁrearms for self-defense; meets at 2 p.m. on third Saturday of the month at Classic Indoor Range, 1310 Industrial Blvd., Southhampton; (267) 386-8907; www.pinkpistols. org.

Delaware Grifﬁns Women’s football team seeks players; (302) 6339054; www.delawaregrifﬁns.com. Frontrunners Running club meets Saturday mornings at 9:30 for a run and brunch. Lloyd Hall, No. 1 Boathouse Row; www.frontrunnersphila.org.

Friday Feast and Fun Dinner hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church at 6:30 p.m. second Friday of the month, 24 N. Ridge Ave., Ambler; (215) 576-8008.

Gay and Lesbian Bowling League Bowls at 8 p.m. Thursdays in the Norristown area; call Doug Schneidig; (716) 864-4393.

Haverford College’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance Open meetings 10-11 p.m. Mondays in the lounge in Jones Basement at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave.; (610) 896-4938.

Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club GLBT and allied soccer club; practices Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. at Edgeley Fields in Fairmount Park;www.falcons-soccer.org.

Latina/o Virtual Community Local listserv offers various information and resources; (215) 808-2493; Zorros_mail@yahoo. com; LatinPhillyLGBT@yahoogroups.com.

Philadelphia Fins Swim Team Male and female swimmers meet at 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays in Center City; (610) 564-6661; www. philadelphia-ﬁns.org.

Lesbians and Gay Men of New Brunswick A social, educational and potluck group meets at 8 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey.

Philadelphia Gay Bowling League Meets 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays September through April at Brunswick Zone, 1328 Delsea Drive, Deptford, N.J.; (856) 889-1434; www. philagaybowling.com. Philadelphia Gay Flag Football New group forming. Contact Jered at gayﬂagfootball@gmail.com or (214) 770-5373. Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Football Club Team seeks players; all skill levels welcome; (215) 913-7531; info@phillygryphons.org.

LGBTQ and Friends Activity Group Meets at 7 p.m. on third Friday of the month to plan outings and potlucks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County. Long Yang Club Philadelphia Social organization for gay Asians and their friends holds monthly socials; P.O. Box 401, Philadelphia, Pa. 19105; www.longyangclub.org/philadelphia. Metropolitan Community Church Christian education program is held Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. at the William Way Center.

Philadelphia Phoenix Women’s football team seeks players; (267) 6799535; www.philadelphiaphoenix.org.

Our Night Out A casual social networking party of LGBT professionals, allied communities, friends and colleagues meets in a different Philadelphia hot spot each month. To receive monthly event invitations, send email to OurNightOutPhilly@gmail.com; PhillyGayCalendar.com/org/OurNightOut.

Philly Gay Hockey Association Philadelphia Phury seeks players; (917) 656-1936; phury@gayhockey.org.

Philadelphia Bar Association Legal Advice Offered from 5-8 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month; (215) 238-6333.

Rainbow Riders of the Delaware Valley Motorcycle club meets regularly; (215) 836-0440; www.groups.yahoo.com/group/rainbowridersdv/.

Philadelphia Prime Timers Club for mature gay and bisexual men and their admirers meets regularly; (610) 344-0853; www. primetimersphiladelphia.org.

Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association Meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday at William Way Center; (215) 755-2641; into@plta.us.

Rainbow Rollers Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 9 p.m. on Tuesdays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467. South Jersey Gay Bowling League Gay and lesbian bowling league meets 7 p.m. on Fridays September-April at Laurel Lanes, 2825 Rte. 73 South, Maple Shade, N.J.; (856) 778-7467. Spartan Wrestling Club The gay wresting team meets from 7-9 p.m. Mondays at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St.; (215) 732-4545; www.phillyspartans. com. Team Philadelphia Meets at 8 p.m. second Wednesday of the month at the William Way Center; www.teamphiladelphia. org. Women’s Table Tennis New group forming. Interested women are encouraged to e-mail michelesimone19144@yahoo.com.

Etc.

Male Oenophile Group Male group forming to discuss, appreciate and taste various wines. Will meet once a month to investigate the nuances and glories of the fermented grape. Call (267) 230-6750 for more information.

BiUnity Philadelphia area social and support network for bisexuals, their family members and friends meets at 7 p.m. the ﬁrst and third Tuesdays of the month at the William Way Center; www.biunity.org.

Mornings OUT LGBT Senior Social Activities for sexual-minority seniors are held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the William Way Center.

BiZone A group open to all bisexual, bi-curious and bifriendly people and their partners has meetings at 7:30 p.m. the ﬁrst Wednesday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey.

PhilaVentures

Boomers and Beyond A support and event programming group for sexual-minority seniors meets at 7:30 p.m. every ﬁrst and third Monday at The Pride Center of New Jersey.

Philadelphians MC Club for leather men and women meets 7:30 p.m. first and third Mondays of the month at The Pit at The Bike Stop, 201 S. Quince St.; (215) 627-1662. Philly Paw Pals Gay and lesbian dog owners and their dogs meet on first Saturday of the month at a dog park; (215) 618-5290; PhillyPawPals@aol.com. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association ARRL affiliated; private; weekly HF nets, monthly newsletter, e-mail server; (302) 539-2392; www. rara.org. Rock ’n’ Roll Queer Bar Party A party for gay and lesbian rockers with host Psydde Delicious starts at 10 p.m. every second Wednesday at N. 3rd, Third and Brown streets; (215) 413-3666. Silver Foxes Social and educational group for gays and lesbians 50 and older meets from 3-5 p.m. on fourth Sunday of the month at the William Way Center. Stonewall Model Railroad Club Meets monthly; (215) 769-4230; k3k@yahoo.com. Temple University Lambda Alliance Meets from 7-8 p.m. on Thursdays at The Village outside the Lambda office, SAC 205, 1755 N. 13th St. Thirsty Third Tuesdays Collingswood Out in the Neighborhood meets at 7 p.m. on third Tuesday of the month for coffee, dessert and conversation at Three Beans, 40 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield N.J.; (215) 439-8337.

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Diversions

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Your guide to arts and entertainment

Theater

City of Nutterly Love: Funny as Bell! Philadelphia Theatre Company collaborates with legendary The Second City comedy theater to create this world-premiere revue, July 8-26 at Suzanne Roberts Theater, 480 S. Broad St.; (215) 985-0420. Grease The sickeningly popular “musical,” this one featuring “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks, runs July 7-19 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. The Producers The Walnut Street Theatre presents an all-new production of Mel Brooks’ Tony Award-winning musical, through July 12, 825 Walnut St.; (215) 5743550.

campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morris Township, N.J.; (973) 408-5600.

N.J.; (800) 336-6378.

Bruce in the USA The Bruce Springsteen tribute band performs at 7:30 p.m. July 5 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple St.; (215) 257-5808.

Urban Convergence Asian Arts Initiative hosts a multi-artist exhibition merging and morphing artistic genres and culture — high art with street art, underground with pop, ﬁne art with street culture — through Aug. 2 at 1219 Vine St.; (215) 557-0455.

Chris Ayer The award-winning singersongwriter performs a CDrelease show 8 p.m. July 5 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Willy Wonka Jr. The Media Theater presents the stage adaptation of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which features the songs from the classic family ﬁlm “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” through July 4, 104 E. State St.; (610) 891-0100.

Matisyahu The reggae artist performs at 8 p.m. July 8 at the Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; (215) 6271332.

Music classical

Chelsea Chen The Kimmel Center The Rock Tenor presents the classical The Wilma Theatre presents organist at 7 p.m. July 9 at a show fusing rock ’n’ Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 roll anthems, Broadway S. Broad St.; (215) 790classics, opera favorites, 5847. country rhythms and classical melodies, July 8West Philadelphia Aug. 2, 265 S. Broad St.; Orchestra Balkan (215) 546-7824. Dance Party The 15-piece group packs Say Goodnight Gracie: itself in to perform at 9:30 The Life, Laughter and p.m. July 9 at Tritone, 1508 Love of George Burns South St.; (215) 545-0475. and Gracie Allen Renowned Broadway actor Joel Rooks reprises his Third Annual Tritone/ critically acclaimed role of Bob & Barbara’s George Burns in the TonyIndependence Day nominated play, through Extravaganza July 18 at the Robert Bands like The Spades, Shackleton Playhouse of Stinking Lizavetta and the Cape May Stage, 31 Crowds & Power perform, Perry St., Cape May, N.J.; starting 2 p.m. July 3 at (609) 884-1341. Tritone, 1508 South St.; (215) 545-0475. The Tempest The Shakespeare Theatre Doobie Brothers of New Jersey presents The classic rock band William Shakespeare’s performs at 8 p.m. July 3 at magical and mysterious Tropicana Casino & Resort, romance, through Aug. 2 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic at the Greek Theatre on the City, N.J.; (609) 340-4000.

Music other

ALL GREASED UP: Anyone who attended a high school with a drama department knows that “Grease” is one of the most wretchedly putrid musicals ever made. But somehow, in some sick and perverse way, people love 1950s nostalgia (happy homemakers, 10-cent hamburgers and segregation, yippee!). And if that gets you excited, the fact that this Philly-bound production features “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks must have your bobby-socks just dripping wet with your own urine. Enjoy the show July 7-19 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. For tickets, call (215) 790-5847.

Il Divo The pop vocal group performs at 8 p.m. July 3 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 317-1000. The Wallﬂowers The rock band performs at 8 p.m. July 3 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 317-1000. Project/Object featuring Ike Willis & Don Preston

Jimmie Van Zant The Southern rock icon performs the hits of Lynyrd Skynyrd at 8 p.m. July 8 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple St.; (215) 257-5808. Rock Royalty Tour The Zombies, The Yardbirds and The Spencer Davis Group perform at 8 p.m. July 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 5727650.

New Riders of the Purple Sage The rock musicians perform The psychedelic cowboy band performs at 8 p.m. the music of Frank Zappa July 9 at Sellersville and more, 7:30 p.m. July 3 Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400. St.; (215) 257-5808. Amy Speace The singer/songwriter performs a CD-release show 8 p.m. July 3 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.

Ritual and Undertow The Jane’s Addiction and Tool tribute bands perform at 8 p.m. July 9 at The North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St.; (215) 787-0488.

Bad Company

Rosanne Cash The singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. July 9 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650.

The classic-rock band performs at 8 p.m. July 4 at Resorts International Superstar Theater, 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City,

Exhibits

The Art of Japanese Craft: 1875 to the Present The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition surveying the rich diversity of 20thcentury Japanese craft, through Oct. 18, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100. Draw 4 Art Star Gallery & Boutique presents a group exhibition featuring Ryan Myers, Lisa Hurwitz, Kurt Halsey, Isaac Bushkin, Mandy Sutcliffe of Belle & Boo, Angie Mason, Ashley Goldberg, Rachel Bone and Susie Gahremani of Boy Girl Party, through July 26, 623 N. Second St.; (215) 238-1557. Folk Art The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College presents an installation focusing on examples from Dr. David Bronstein’s collection of Pennsylvania and Northeast folk art and artifacts, through Aug. 29, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville; (610) 409-3500. Frenz Fleisher/Ollman presents an exhibition of works selected by Will Oldham, the proliﬁc singersongwriter who records and performs under the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy, through the end of summer, 1616 Walnut St., suite 100; (215) 545-7562. Hello! Fashion: Kansai Yamamoto 1971-73 The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the work of one of the founding fathers of Japanese contemporary fashion, through July 31, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

A Modern Edge Part 1 Edge Gallery presents an exhibition of abstract paintings by the gallery’s stable of artists, through July 26, 72 N. Second St.; (215) 413-7072. New Work The Clay Studio presents an exhibition of works from artist Alyssa Welch, through July 26, 137 N. Second St.; (215) 925-3453. Outgrowths AxD Gallery presents a solo sculpture exhibition by artist Carey Netherton, through Aug. 2, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250. Richard Schultz: Five Decades of Design The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by the legendary outdoor furniture designer, through Aug. 23, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100. Shopping in Paris: French Fashion 18501925 The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the American experience

abroad between 1850-1925, through Oct. 25, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, N.J.; (609) 884-5404.

Something to Wear: Fashion in Print 18501925 The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the world of fashion and consumer culture through printed publications, through Sept. 7, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

Philly Tap Challenge ’09 On Fire Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company presents some of the world’s top tap dancers converging to instruct, perform, meet and celebrate, June 26-27 at University of the Arts’ Arts Bank, 250 S. Broad St.; (215) 490-3717.

A Taste for Modern: The Jeanne Rymer Collection of Twentieth-Century Chairs The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an installation of 23 chairs by the acclaimed designer, through Sept. 20, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100. Velocity: Works on Paper by Peter G.-Ray AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by artist Peter G.-Ray, through July 18, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 627-6250. What Were They Thinking: 160 Years of Bad Taste Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts presents an exhibition of styles that were the height of fashion at some point in recent history, through Nov. 8 at The Carriage House Gallery at the Emlen

MANY PHILA. CONTRIBUTORS TO

SMASH THE CHURCH, SMASH THE STATE: THE EARLY YEARS OF GAY LIBERATION, EDITED BY

TOMMI AVICOLLI MECCA $18.95 PB

MON. - SAT. 11:30 - 7p.m. SUNDAY 1:00 - 7p.m. email: giovannis_room@verizon.net

scottdrakephotos 267.736.6743

Himalayan Visions Blue Lotus Gallery presents an exhibition by Nepalbased photographer Kishor Kayastha, through July 19, 1314 Sansom St.; (215) 545-2800.

Dance

Film

Borat The 2006 comedy is screened at 8 p.m. July 6 at The Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 9225483. Rear Window Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents a screening of the classic Alfred Hitchcock ﬁlm, July 7-8, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-9898. Philly QFest The festival formerly known as The Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival celebrates its 15th year, July 9-20, at various locations; www.qfest.com.

Books

Evan Fallenberg The author of “Light Fell” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. July 8 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 9232960.

Warren Hoffman The author of “The Passing Game: Queering Jewish American Culture” hosts a reading from 7-8:30 p.m. July 9 at Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Ave.; (215) 3873434.

Cabaret

PAGE 27

Club, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 496-9001. Greg Giraldo The comedian seen on the

PGN

Comedy Central roasts performs July 9-11 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 4969001. ■

Pick

It’s Madame With an E! The puppet diva returns to vamp it up, 8:30 p.m. July 4 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

Etc.

Chelsea Handler The humorist and TV personality performs at 8 p.m. July 4 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 317-1000. Jo Koy The comedian seen on Comedy Central performs July 3-4 at Helium Comedy

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 9256437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

Evan Fallenberg, author of “Light Fell,” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. July 8 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. In his prize-winning debut novel, 20 years have passed since Joseph left his family and his religious Israeli community when he fell in love with a man, the brilliant rabbi Yoel Rosenzweig. Now, for his 50th birthday, Joseph is preparing to have his five sons and the daughter-in-law he has never met spend the Sabbath with him in his Tel Aviv penthouse. For more information, call (215) 923-2960.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 28

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

Q on the tube: R.I.P. Jacko By Victoria A. Brownworth PGN Contributor When Michael Jackson died suddenly last week, the news cycle shifted from politics to pop culture. An icon for GenXers and baby boomers who grew up with his music, Jackson’s songs provided backdrop for our lives and loves. Unlike other celebrities, Jackson wasn’t just famous for being famous — he was famous for altering pop music. Like Elvis and the Beatles, he revamped pop culture. His album “Thriller” remains the biggest seller of all time. And Jackson made the TV music video a pop-culture art form. But like Elvis, Jackson had serious demons. He unwittingly and unwillingly became one of America’s queerest icons, a man continually linked to young boys whose best friends were aging actresses known for being fag hags. A perpetual Peter Pan, Jackson repeatedly said he never wanted to grow up. He remained trapped between his public persona and his odd vision of who he wanted to be. Somewhere in between, the music continued. The June 28 episode of “The Insider” played a clip of a 16year-old Donny Osmond and a 15-year-old Jackson together after a gig. Osmond is incomparably pretty and Jackson looks incredibly normal. In the interview, Jackson looks longingly at Osmond. Viewing the scene, one cannot help but wonder: What if Jackson had been able to come out then, be openly gay? How different — how normal — would his life have been? But that’s not what happened. As Jackson grew up, he grew eccentric, then strange, then bizarre. In an interview with Oprah from 20 years ago, replayed June 28, she asks Jackson — only a few years younger than she but looking like one of Peter Pan’s Lost Boys — if he’s a virgin. He giggles like a schoolgirl and says, “Now why ask me that?” Oprah also asks Jackson — whose skin, once the color of hers, is nearly white in the interview — if he’s ashamed of being black. Jackson says if all the people in Hollywood who have had plastic surgery disappeared, it would be a ghost town. Jackson also told Oprah that he wanted everyone to love him. Scandal stalked Jackson. There were continual accusations of pedophilia. There were lawsuits and payoffs. A series of interviews with ABC’s “Nightline” co-anchor Martin Bashir provided some of the most damaging footage of Jackson’s career when he stated that sharing a bed with children is an act of love. Jackson made similar comments in an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” correspondent Ed Bradley. Both Bashir and Bradley seemed repulsed during the interviews. Bradley was openly hostile; Bashir was embarrassed. At the time of his death, Jackson was set to embark on a worldwide comeback tour. News clips of him rehearsing the night before his death show a Jackson radiating the magic his music and incomparable dancing always generated. Pundits have queried since Jackson died whether he would be known most for his music or the personal scandals. Tabloid TV and TV news will continue to revive the Jackson scandals for weeks to come. TV made and broke Jackson. But it was his music — not the scandals — that became a permanent feature in our lives. It’s to be hoped that, in the end, the tragedy of his strangely stunted life will recede into the dark corners, where he spent so much of his ﬁnal years, and the magic of his musical repertoire is what will be remembered. ■

‘POPS’ STARS: Our favorite late-night TV personality, host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” will host the “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular,” featuring Grammy Award-winning pop icon Neil Diamond, at 10 p.m. July 4 on CBS. Photo: Studio G Productions/Robert Votes CBS

worth watching: FRIDAY Jeffrey and Cole Casserole Gay blogger Jeffrey Self goes bananas. 11 p.m. on Logo.

SATURDAY A Capitol Fourth Jimmy Smits hosts the D.C. special with Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow and more. 8 p.m. on PBS.

Kings

Raising the Bar Charlie’s facing life as an openly gay law clerk. 10 p.m. on TNT.

Weeds Marijuana plus a queer teenager. 10 p.m. on Showtime.

Nurse Jackie Edie Falco and queer nurse MoMo. 10:30 p.m. on Showtime.

David goes on a mission. 8 p.m. on NBC.

TUESDAY America’s Got Talent

Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular

The best talent show on TV, with many queer contestants. 9 p.m. on NBC.

Traditionally the gayest of the celebrations, with Broadway stars and pro-gay singer Rob Thomas. 9 p.m. on NBC.

Mental With diffident dyke doctor Chloe. 9 p.m. on Fox.

SUNDAY Hung

WEDNESDAY America’s Got Talent

A teacher makes the best of an anatomical gift. From the creators of “The Riches.” Smart and funny. 8 p.m. on HBO.

8 p.m. on NBC.

The Philanthropist

True Blood

Summer’s best new drama. Teddy and Philip uncover a sex-trafficking ring. 10 p.m. on NBC.

A body is found at Merlotte’s. 9 p.m. on HBO.

The Real World: Cancun

MONDAY Gimme Sugar: Miami The LA Truck Stop gals head to Miami to hook lesbians up for love. 10 p.m. on Logo.

Kathy Grifﬁn: My Life on the D-List Calling all queers — the diva of dish is back, hailing the homos. 10 p.m. on Bravo.

Boys gone wild. 10 p.m. on MTV.

THURSDAY So You Think You Can Dance? Only 10 finalists left. 8 p.m. on Fox.

The Fashion Show Tonight: draping. What could be more queer? Isaac Mizrahi hosts. 10 p.m. on Bravo.

Queer TV you can always see: The Young & The Restless On June 25, Michael Muhney replaced Chris Engen as Adam Wilson and promptly started touching Rafe’s (Yani Gellman) face and telling him he had “feelings” for him. Cut to both of them putting their clothes back on. Yet minutes earlier he’d been in bed with Heather. Is Adam manipulating Rafe — or Heather — for a get-out-of-jail-free card? Monday-Friday, 12:30 p.m. on CBS. As the World Turns Noah has been kidnapped by his presumed-dead father. Luke is trying to ﬁnd him before he gets killed. Henry is now cross-dressing daily for Kim’s TV show. Monday-Friday, 2 p.m. on CBS. Guiding Light Natalia says she’s tired of waiting for Olivia. They decide to make Fourth of July their “independence day” and go to the Bauer picnic as a couple. But Natalia’s feeling very ill these days. Is she pregnant with Frank’s baby? MondayFriday, 10 a.m. on CBS. Ellen Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. on NBC. The Rachel Maddow Show Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PAGE 29

Classifieds

With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals

Houses on market for years have unwanted upkeep By Rose Hanson The Associated Press Owning an unwanted house can be expensive. In the year-and-a-half that Ed Tuttle, 31, has tried to sell his unoccupied brick one-story in Oklahoma City, he has hired people to mow the lawn, regrout tile, stage the home, repair a squirrel-eaten hole in the roof, trap squirrels in the attic and ﬁx a blown-down fence. “It’s an absolute nightmare maintaining it,” said Tuttle, who has moved to Rockville, Md., for a job. “It’s absolutely the most frustrating and demoralizing thing in the world.” Homeowners who want to sell but can’t in the poor economy are unhappy to be doing repairs and upgrades they hoped would be a new owner’s responsibility. Those who have given up on selling or refuse to risk losing money on a sale are redecorating, landscaping and remodeling when they can afford it

to try to enjoy the homes they are stuck in. The number of people who moved in 2008 was the smallest since 1962, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 35.2 million people changed residences in 2008, down from 38.7 million in 2007. The slowdown means a lot of people are living in houses they have outgrown, and some emptynesters and others are stuck with too much space. Michael Puhala, 38, said he and his wife bought the biggest house they could afford when they moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2005. Now they want a smaller one to free up cash for other expenses. They tried to sell their house for two years before taking it off the market recently after more than 100 showings, three realestate agents, one failed contract and one lowball offer, Puhala said. They had lowered the price from $1.06 million to $728,000. People touring the home complained that the kitchen was

outdated and that a neighboring house seemed to encroach on the lot’s privacy, so the Puhalas upgraded to stainless-steel appliances and planted two giant ﬁcus trees out back. Puhala said he was not willing to spend thousands of dollars to add granite counters or other major updates to the kitchen. “In a buyer’s market, almost anything you’ve done to your house, it’s not true that you are not going to lose money,” he said. Remodelers say homeimprovement projects often are less elaborate than in past years. Joel Bell, executive vice president of Handyman Connection, a Cincinnati-based chain of craftsmen, said he has noticed more people staying in their current homes and deciding to spend money on remodeling projects they had always wanted to complete. People taking on bathroom or kitchen remodels have more often been completing the projects

in phases, said Greg Miedema, president of Dakota Builders in Tucson, Ariz., or choosing to replace counters and ﬁxtures instead of overhauling the entire room. Some people waiting to sell their homes in hopes of a higher price are doing upgrades to try to compete better. Jessica von Wallenstein, 25, wants to remodel the kitchen in her townhouse in Hopedale, Mass., because she has decided not to move until her home’s value increases. A real-estate agent suggested that she and her husband list the home for $235,000, which is $45,000 less than they paid for it. “My heart just dropped,” von Wallenstein said. So they’re delaying plans to move to a larger home, and Jessica’s husband, Cory von Wallenstein, will have to continue driving 90 minutes to his job in New Hampshire. When Kelly Land ﬁrst started trying to sell her house in the western North Carolina mountains

three years ago, she said she was in a panic to get out of the house and felt she couldn’t spend more money on improvements. Her family wants to return to the town where they used to live, about 10 miles from their current house in Barnardsville, she said. But Land, 42, won’t go along with her real-estate agent’s suggestion to lower the sale price by $120,000. With the house on sale for a third summer and showings slowing to one every few months, Land ﬁgures her family will stay at least two more years. She decided to spend $17,000 this year to hire an interior designer and buy custom curtains and new furniture. She would like to put a kitchenette and shower in the basement and add to the landscaping. “We’re never going to get this money out of this house at this point, but is anybody going to?” she said. “We feel like we’re kind of investing in our own life anyway.” ■

Location! Location! Location! This week’s featured property

125 Kenilworth St. - Queen Village

Beds: 3 Baths: 1 Square footage: 1,200 Cost: $525,000 Age of property: 249 years Realtor: Barbara Louridas Real-estate co: Long and Foster – Independence Hall Phone: 215-409-6900 Cell: 215-429-9605

Check your ad

PLACING ADS Using voicemail? Please be sure to have the following information ready when you call: • Your ad copy • The type of style you want • Desired abbreviations • American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA information • Your name and mailing

Queen Village historic home; many original details including ﬂoor; beautiful, quiet street in lovely neighborhood. Family has continuously lived in for over 100 years.

address • Daytime telephone number Having all this information ready will speed your order and help to avoid errors. Phone calls can only be returned during business hours. For more information, see the coupon page in this section.

Philadelphia Gay News assumes responsibility for errors in classified ads only when notified by noon the Tuesday after the ad first appears. To receive credit for errors, please notify PGN by then. Credit only will be extended in the form of additional advertising space. Any cash refunds, for any reason, are subject to a $10 service charge. PGN will publish no classified ad — in any category — that contains sexually explicit language. Obviously excluded are traditional four-letter words that relate to sexual activity. Other words may be excluded at the discretion of the publisher, who reserves the right to edit or rewrite any ad that, in his opinion, violates this policy or its intent.

PAGE 30

JULY 3 -9, 2009

CLASSIFIEDS

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

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

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

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

PAYMENT AND PLACEMENT

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

TERM DISCOUNTS - BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ISSUES PREPAID 4 weeks, 5% • 8 weeks, 10% • 16 weeks, 15% • 26 weeks, 20%

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

Classiﬁeds Liner Insertion Order

Select the TYPE STYLE you want from the examples below, and begin each line under the arrow to the left of the letter representing that style. Write to the end of the line (hyphenate words correctly. Do not stop at any other arrow, as each arrow represents a starting point. Allow one block for each letter, number, punctuation mark and space. Be sure to skip a space between words. PHONE NUMBER MUST INCLUDE AREA CODE. Be sure to circle one of the classiﬁcations and compute the cost of your ad. Liner advertising is on a PREPAY BASIS ONLY, and payment must accompany this form. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL. Type STYLE A Type STYLE B TYPE STYLE C

HEADLINE (24 SPACES PER LINE) FREE WHEN PLACED ONLINE 40 spaces Per Line 36 spaces Per Line 24 SPACES PER LINE

7 point 7 point 7 POINT

NAME ADDRESS CITY PHONE

PLEASE PRINT STATE

ZIP

AMEX • MASTERCARD • VISA • DISCOVER CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION SIGNATURE NAME ON CARD # # #

“A” LINES @ $5.50 - $ “B” LINES @ $7.50 - $ “C” LINES @ $10.00 - $ BOX YOUR AD $5.00 SUBTOTAL

NUMBER OF WEEKS X SUBTOTAL % TERM DISCOUNT AD TOTAL CLASSIFICATION (CIRCLE ONE) REAL ESTATE FOR SALE • REAL ESTATE FOR RENT • ROOMMATES • SEASONAL RENTALS • SERVICES • FINANCIAL SERVICES HELP WANTED • JOBS WANTED • BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES • FOR SALE • AUTOMOTIVE • AUCTIONS • TRAVEL RESORTS ADOPTION • PERSONALS • FRIENDS MEN • FRIENDS BISEXUAL • FRIENDS TV/TS • FRIENDS WOMEN

PGN now offers

FREE online classifieds. Go to www.philagaynews.com for the details. You can also place your print ad through the Web site it’s fast and easy!

TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED

Return form and payment to: Masco Communications 505 S. Fourth St., Phila., PA 19147 or fax: 215-925-6437 or email: don@epgn.com

MAY 1 - 7, 2009 JULY 3 - 9, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 45

CLASSIFIEDS

PAGE 31

�� Real Estate

REAL ESTATE �� SALE ��

GORGEOUS IN BURLINGTON CITY �� 2Available Blks from LiteforRail to Camden/Phila in time summer fun. Located onand the Trenton and Beachwood, Burl/Bristol Bridge. Move in w/no river in quiet NJ. Large home with $6 down. 4 bd/2 bath, all new custom kit, 3 bed, 3.5 bath, water views from all rooms,flr6 oversized home. pool, Laundry NEWmore. C/A, decks, inground hot on tub2nd andflr. much gas heat, updatedCall elec, plumbing, walls. Priced at $899K. LBO Realty, ask for Move Elliott in now. $188,750. $8Kand taxfor credit. Motivated 732-674-3851 for info showing. seller. Call Lisa Herman, NJ REALTOR @856_______________________________33-18 701-8778. REALTORS Warminsterpatmurphy.com > 55 community.inc. 2 BR, 2 BA with 856-428-4800. bsmt condo. $200K. dgr5162@verizon.net _______________________________33-29 _______________________________33-18 WE WELCOME YOU To this magnificent Estate Home Circa 1864 with botanical grounds at 302 Wood St, Burlington, NJ. Perfectly Restored. $479,900. Call Maxine Brimmer, BA, RE/MAX Tri County 609291-7077 x360. www.maxinebrimmer.com _______________________________33-27 New York State Family Owned Farm Since 1880 -FOR SALE 5 Acres -Gorgeous Reidgeline Views -$19,900. 10 Acres w/Meadows, Woods, Streams -$25,900. Larger Tracts Available 800-229-7843 www.LandandCamps. com _______________________________33-26 Potter County- 2 wooded acres near State Forest Land perfect for cabin or camper. 20 minutes from Coudersport. Electric, Perc $19,900. 800668-8679 or shawn@sylvanglen.com _______________________________33-26

�� Condo 4 Sale, End Unit, 3rd Fl., 2 BD/1 BA, XL Kitchen-granice countertops, cherry wood cabinets, H/W wood ﬂoors t/o, Mstr. BD with w/i closet & loft, hi ceilings, 6ft. windows in $4 hund’s. Pet friendly. Doree Gitzes, Realtor, Long & Foster Real Estate, 215-348-0000, X-8015. Open House, Sunday May 3, 1-3 _______________________________33-18

Attention Hunters! 60 Acres- $99,900 Timber BRETT BENDER co. liquidating a hunting 20AC with Utilities & paradiseCountry loaded Road w/big was Realtor®deer. ABR ALHS whitetail hardwood trails me$99,900 Now All $69,900 BLMsetting, access. Deer & E-Mail: brett.bender@prufoxroach.com andering throughout, pristine mountain views. elk galore! Call to view 877-229-7840 www. Old state road frontage, just 20 minutes to town. Best buy in West Virginia! Easy owner _______________________________32-16 ﬁnancing. Call now 1-877-526-3764. _______________________________33-18 Luxury four bedroom, four bath. Fully furnished.

REAL ESTATE �� SALE ��

��

Mountain and lake views. $678,000. Call Dave

��

At the Rittenhouse _______________________________32-16 210 W. Rittenhouse Suite 406, Philadelphia, PA 19103line 72 acres alongSq.,McKean/Potter County Bus 215 546-0550 Cell 215wooded, 850-2088some near Shinglehouse. Mostly Directarea, 215 790-5513 545-5768 open includes Fax old 215 hunting cabin, An independently ownedField and operated electric, $199,000. andmember Stream RE. of the Prudential Real Estate Aﬃliates, Inc.

��

�� _______________________________32-16 ��

��

REAL ESTATE �� SALE ��

PAGE 48

��

�� Areas include Shawnee, Camel Back, �� Mt. Airy�� Casino and Rainbow Mt. Corners of Routes 390 & 447 • Candensis, PA 18325 ��

��

PGN

www.epgn.com

�� Conrad Kuhn Broker/Sales Rep. Since 1987 �� NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 1991- 2007 Weichert President’s & Ambassador’s Clubs ��

Ofﬁce: 856.227.1950 ext. 124 Cell: 609.221.1196 �� www.conradkuhn.com Realtor856@aol.com

satellite TV, heat and hot water, all included. �� WashingtonYou Township pay; gas Ofﬁce cooking and electric. Subway 42 door. $1,200 / month. and 5070 bus atRoute the front �� 215-416-5545. Available May 2008. This is a Turnersville, NJ 08012 _______________________________32-18 �� 5 bedroom, 2 Baths Bank Repo only $45,000! Payments from $199/month! 5% down, 20 �� _______________________________32-16 �� 3 Bedroom Bank foreclosure only $207/month! 4 bedroom, 2 bath home only $238/month! �� 5% down, 20 years @8% apr! For listings ��

Art Museum Area-- off 26th St. (800 N. Bambrey, 19130) Corner house on quiet street, close to public transportation. Newly renovated, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, hardwood floors, AC, laundry, deck, PARKING, wired. $1600+ call 215-990-4850. Go to kratzworks. com for pix. _______________________________33-20 �� Two bedroom split-level apartment on second floor of row home at 20th and Christian streets. LR, kitchen/dining, bath, small foyer. On-street parking, pets okay. Utilities separate. $875+two months deposit. Scott 267.736.6743. _______________________________33-18 �� 1 BR apts. avail. Various choices. $750 to $1000/mo. Call soon, 215-901-0041. _______________________________33-21 �� 3 room apartment, living room, kitchen, bath, and bedroom (all Large rooms) 2nd floor, private entrance. $1000.00 month, includes

��

_______________________________32-16

�� ___________________________________ �� Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split �� level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 Lovely 3 W/D, bd. 1upper ba. fully furnished home in full baths, and lower decks, use of �� beautiful secluded gay court. 2 blocks to kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1

�� What’s going on? Check out Diversions.

beach, jitney at corner. Long season-12,500.

min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + _______________________________32-17 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________33-19 Lg. twhnse, 3 BR, 2.5 BA. No pets or smoking. NE Phila. house to share. $350/mo. Call Jim, _______________________________32-19 215-821-1062. _______________________________33-18 Best selection�� of affordable rentals. Full/partial weeks. Call for free brochure. Open daily. Beach blk. Share lovely 3 BR house w/senior Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online citizen. Full house privileges. Must be employed. $950/mo. Call Jim at 609-458-3711 _______________________________32-16 to discuss details. eld, Debordieu, The _______________________________33-19 Jewels of the South Carolina Coast. House/ condo rentals. Beach vacations start cable. here! Share 2 BR apt. Upper Darby, W/D, www.lachicotte.com. For availability call 1$350. Call 610-352-1188.

��

PHIL

��

Mystery Undercov and dinin required. _______ Pensione PM only. _______ �� No exp. shore are _______ Travel, T $500 Pe Guys/Ga Lovers W Start Tod _______ Part-time $500-$10 Training details. w _______ � Avg. Pay Federal B tions. PT _______

National C Able to S Furnished Training. _______

The P editor editor event projec

Intern and jo etc.) a

Intern journa have t must b

This is per we

Skills: Com Pho Org Soli Tea

Pleas Sara

PAGE 32

REAL ESTATE

SALE

�� REAL�� ESTATE ��

SALE

�� CLASSIFIEDS �� REAL ESTATE ��

JULY 3 -9, 2009

SALE

��

E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com

��

1608 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

www.philarealtyexchange.com

AVENUE OF THE ARTS 250 S. 13th Street- 1 br, doorman building, hw fl, tenant occupied $230,000 Kera Ritter 1326 SPRUCE ST (Center City One)-2br, 2 bth, 29th fl views $399,000 Tom Gangemi 1326 Spruce St-1br, 1bth, on 24th fl, high ceilings, balcony w/ south views, $282,500 Tom Gangemi 226 W. RITTENHOUSE SQ -2 br/den. 2 bth, newly renovated, with park view, $895,000 Tom Gangemi 401 S. 17th St-401 S. 17th: Quaint space, great location, new kitchen, commercial on 1st floor. $499,900. Kera Ritter

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA 1904 S. 9th St- 2br home in Bella Vista w/ large living room, $139,900 WASHINGTON SQUARE 1213 Pine St- 3br,2.5bth, in Washignton Sq West w/ private garden and garage $529,900 John Perno GERMANTOWN 502 W. Harvey St- Large home, 4br Twin , 2.5 baths, hw ﬂoors, servant’s stairs, porch, yard $249,000 Janis Dubin

FOR RENT

�� . Furness Flats. Large 2 bed, 1 bath. last unit left in this highly desirable building. Close to all Center City Hospitals. Low fees and taxes ................................�� “George T. Sale Condo” Unique Garden level 1 bd, 1 ba. unit w/ private entrance.. Low fees & Tax Abatement. Lowest price 1 bd. in area ........................��. �� . New open style 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo with low taxes and condo fees. Great small pet friendly building. .........................................................................�� Old Swedes Court. New Listing Large 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath with Garage, roof deck and hardwood ﬂoors. Low association fees in Queen Village ....................�� . NEW LISTING. Large update 4 bd. 2 ba. with huge garden and wonderfully roof deck with city skyline views. .................................................................................��

��

MOUSE

we can fix that...

PGN

NEW LISTING- THE PHEONIX

Various, one and two bedroom condos available for rent in Logan Square. You can live, rent and play in the Phoenix building, while enjoying all the amenities that the Phoenix has to offer. OPEN HOUSE EVERY SUN-MON, 12:00-3:00pm, Call Tom Gangemi 484-654-6117or email tomjgangemi@aol.com for an appt and more info. RENTALS IN AND AROUND TOWN PHOENIX-UNIT #619-995 sq ft, 1b/1bth $21000MO Tom Gangemi #1602- 925 sq ft, 1/1, $1990 MO Tom Gangemi #519- 100 sq ft, 1/1, $2000 MO Tom Gangemi #1714- 1,090 sq ft, 1⁄2, $2200 MO Tom Gangemi #721- 995 sq ft, 1/1, $3200 MO Tom Gangemi #1806- 1,467 sw ft, 2/2, $3200 MO Tom Gangemi #903- 965 sw ft, 1/1, $1950 MO Tom Gangemi #1906- 1,287 sq ft, 2/2, $2700 MO Tom Gangemi #1006- 1,090 sq ft, 1/1.1, $2180 MO Tom Gangemi #2009- 867 sq ft,1br loft, $2100 MO Tom Gangemi 240 S. 13TH ST-. Sunny studio, new kitchen, hardwood ﬂoors, $1000 INCLUDES HEAT-Kera Ritter 250 S. 13TH ST #13C-2br,2bth in Lenox Bld designated parking, heat incl $2500MO Kera Ritter 2314 REED ST- 2 apts avail STARTING AT $795MO Janis Dunis 3512 BARING ST – Studio, utilities included in rent STARTING AT $900 MO Kera Ritter 1513 S. 31ST-Ultra Modern 1 BR, 1 BA with deck in Gray’s Ferry. Avail May 1 - $575 MO NO PETS Janis Dubin 502 W. HARVEY ST-4br Twin w/ porch, yard avail July 1 $1800 MO Janis Dubin COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT 1608 SPRUCE ST-Spacious Commercial Ofﬁce Space on 2nd Floor ,2 WORKING FIREPLACES, ACCESS TO ROOF DECK. KIT, STORAGE IN BSMT, $2000 CAREER OPPORTUNITY FOR FULL TIME SALES AGENT- FOR INTERVIEW CALL OFFICE SPECIALIZING IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT-CONDOS AND APARTMENTS 2-10 UNITS

REAL ESTATE

ART MUSEUM PENTHOUSE CONDO Pet-friendly 2BR/2BA Penthouse Condo in the historic Bergdoll Brewery. 2 large Bedrooms and Baths, all recently renovated. Ample closet space. Private roofdeck with amazing panoramic views of sunsets, Center City, Art Museum and Fairmount Park. Cherry hardwood ﬂoors, New kitchen and bathrooms, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances. Quiet and private. ***Secure bike-room & gated parking for 2 cars included in monthly rent ***Rent also includes water, snow removal, landscaping, use of community garden and BBQ grills. Walking distance to great restaurants, bars, museums, Kelly Drive, parks (great dogparks nearby!) Check out the Brewery Condo website: http://www.brewerycondo.com/tour/tour.html Available immediately. Please call for showing: 215-356-2206. _______________________________33-27 AVENUE OF THE ARTS Entire 3rd ﬂoor apartment for rent has large eat-in kitchen with ice maker, built in micro, d/w, garb disp. lots of counter and storage. hall closet, very large living room, rent includes all channel Tevo. bathroom has a washer/dryer, another hall closet and two bedrooms with more closets. Heat and hot water is also included. $1,200.00/month. This is a non-smoking building. 215-416-5545. _______________________________33-28 Affordable! Great Area! 3bd 2ba Home only $275/mo! Rent Applied to Down Payment! For Free Info & Listings 800-516-8301. _______________________________33-26

12TH & DICKINSON ST. 3 Room Apt for Rent. Living Room, Kitchen, Bath and Bedroom w/walk-in closet (very large rooms). $800. mo plus util. Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________33-28 12TH & DICKINSON AREA Furnished Townhouse for rent: 3 levels. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2 bedrooms , bath. Very Unique. 1500. mo plus util. (negotiable). Call 215 468-9166 after 6 pm. or 215 686 3431 daytime. _______________________________33-28 19XX S. CHADWICK ST. Live on a gay street! Rent a row house in back of St. Agnes Hospital in South Philly, 1 block from public transportaton. 1 BR, 1 BA, 3 floors including finished basement, W/D, new stove, new refrigerator, garbage disposal, private back yard. $800 per month., Available 7/1/09. Call 717-589-7828 or 215-917-4261. _______________________________33-27 MINUTES FROM CENTER CITY 3 BR, 1 full bath, 2 half baths, hdwd flrs thruout, lg. EIK, stainless steel appl, D/W G/D, W/D, clean & spacious basement, lg. back yard. Pets OK. $1500/mo. 267-278-1636. _______________________________33-28 $1200/MONTH SPECIAL 2 bedrooms, kitch, W/D, living room, hardwood flr, ultra modern steel refrig and dishwasher. Central air. New apt. of year in Queen Village. All tile bathroom and kitchen floor. Sexy! Must see! 215-687-8461, home 215-336-4629. _______________________________33-26

RENT

�� PROBLEM? Services Directory

PAGE 108 CLASSIFIEDS

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

VACATION RENTALS OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800-638-2102 Online reservations www.holidayoc.com _______________________________33-26 OBAMA VISITING GHANA! ...You should too! Culture. History. Adventure. Scenery. Wildlife. Friendly native guides. World famous hospitality. www.EasyTrackGhana.com _______________________________33-27 American Eagle 40EQS Diesel Pusher Motorhome 4 rent. “Hotel on Wheels,” leather, fully loaded. Privately owned. eryok@yahoo. com or 215-880-5171. _______________________________33-26

FOR SALE SAWMILLS From Only $2,990.00--Convert your LOGS TO VALUABLE LUMBER with your Norwood portable band sawmill. Log skidders also available. norwoodsawmills.com/300n. Free information: 1-800-578-1363-Ext300-N. _______________________________33-26 PAGE 108 ONLINE PHARMACY Buy Soma, Ultram, Fioricet, Prozac, Buspar $71.99/90 $107/180 Quantities. PRICE INCLUDES PRESCRIPTION! Over 200 meds $25 Coupon. Mention Offer:# 21A31. 1-888531-6744. tri-pharmacy.info _______________________________33-26 GET YOUR NEW Power Wheelchairs, Power Scooters and Hospital Beds at absolutely NO COST if you qualify!! Fastest delivery available!! Call Toll Free 1-800-470-7562. _______________________________33-26

SERVICES TTEND COLLEGE ONLINE From Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualiﬁed. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com _______________________________33-26 AIRLINES ARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualiﬁed -Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. _______________________________33-26

Is it time to look for a NOTICES new doctor?

Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord wants to put money back in your wallet! Treasury is seeking the owners of over $1 billion in unclaimed property. Search www.patreasury.org. You could have money waiting for you! _______________________________33-26 FREE Log Home Workshop. Maintaining or Restoring your Log Home. August 15. Hess Log Home Supplies, Petersburg, PA 16669. For Reservations 800-257-4864. Perma Chink Systems. _______________________________33-26

ROOMMATES PGN WILL NOT PUBLISH RACIAL DISTINCTIONS IN ROOMMATE ADS. SUCH NOTATIONS WILL BE EDITED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. ___________________________________ GREATER NE PHILA. Have your own bedroom in a beautiful split level home with 2 gay men. House is 4 BR, 2 full baths, W/D, upper and lower decks, use of kitchen. Property is by Welsh & the Boulevard, 1 min. to 58 bus. We ask only that you be at least reasonably neat and employed. Rent is $600 + 1/3 utils. Contact Dave at 215-698-0215. _______________________________33-29 2614 W. MONTGOMERY AVE. Rooms for rent ranging from $350 to $500. Located on 2nd & 3rd ﬂoor. Utils. paid by landlord. Please contact Mrs. Johnson. 917825-7761 _______________________________33-28 Have private 2 rms in 15 room hist. house. Share 1st ﬂ. $575+ el. 215-844-8118. _______________________________33-28

BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES VANGUARD CLEANING SYSTEMS FRANCHISE Commercial Ofﬁce Cleaning. Operate a Business that YOU own! Since 1984, as low as $1500 down, Equipment, Support, Customers. Phone: 717-260-3678. _______________________________33-26 ALL CASH VENDING! Do you earn $800 in a day? Your own local candy route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy All for $9,995. 1-800-460-4027. _______________________________33-26

AUTOS DONATE VEHICLE Receive $1000 Grocery Coupon. Noah’s Arc Support No Kill Shelters. Research to Advance Veterinary Treatments. Free Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners accepted 1-866-912-GIVE _______________________________33-26 2004 Honda Accord only $2500! Leather Interior! Low Mileage! Police Seized and Repos! Free info & lists 800-760-3643. _______________________________33-26

ADOPTION Adoption-multiracial family hopes to adopt a newborn. We promise love, happiness, security & opportunities. Expenses Paid. Calvin & Michael 1-888-529-5770. _______________________________33-27 Pregnant? Considering Adoption? A childless young (35/31) couple seeks to adopt. Full-time parent. Musical family. Financial security. Expenses paid. Call Jeremy & Greg at 1-888-752-3032. _______________________________33-26 ADOPT Childless loving woman (teacher) wishes to adopt a newborn. Financially secure home with close extended family. Legal/Conﬁdential. Expenses paid. Please call Denise: 1-866-2014602 Pin#01960. _______________________________33-26

Want to see something more interesting in that chair?

CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 33

��

Is it time to look for a new doctor? CLASSIFIEDS

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008

Want to let mom, dad and all of your �� exs know you’re tying the knot?

PAGE 108

Is it time to look for a new doctor?

PGN

Web Personals

��

PAGE 34

JULY 3 -9, 2009

CLASSIFIEDS

��

HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY ��

��

ARE YOU HOT!

��

Dowd Heating & Air Inc. 215-752-3638

PAGE 106

“Gay owned and PAGE 106 CLASSIFIEDSoperated”

2490 Williamson Court �� Bensalem, Pa 19020 Fax�� : 215-501-8306

��

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!

PAGE 106 CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

APRIL JULY 325 - 9,- MAY 2009 1, 2008

CLASSIFIEDS PAGE PAGE107 35

HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY G.I. CONTRACTORS Complete start to finish contractors:

Electrical • Plumbing Carpentry • Ceramic Tile Siding • Rooﬁng • Decks DJK Rooﬁng Kitchens & Baths

24 hour emergency service 15 West Walnut Ave Insured with certiﬁ ed technicans Westmont, NJ 08108 State License 267-240-7535 (856) 869-4300 215-917-6328 # 13VH01175500 job too small! Fax (856) No 869-9680 Bonded

DE SANTIS Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. • Sales

• Thermostats • Condensers • Fan Motors

Licensed & Insured

• Service

• Gas Valves • Circulator Pumps • Duct Work

• Installation

• Maintenance Contracts • Hot Water Heaters • Boilers & Furnaces

Ofﬁce: (215) 336-0156 Residential & Fax: (215) 336-0351 Commercial - MC, Visa, Amex, Discover -

RESTORATION CONSTRUCTION INC. • KITCHENS, BATHS • REMODELS • CUSTOM CABINETRY • DESIGN SERVICES • PRACTICING GREEN CONSTRUCTION General Contractors Licensed, Insured, References PO Box 359 Broomall, PA 610-353-2018 gjennings@randcinc.com

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today!

PAGE 36

CLASSIFIEDS

SERVICES DIRECTORY

JULY 3 -9, 2009

��

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625-8501 Today! �� HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Advertising Sales Representative

HELP WANTED Wanted: person for cleaning. 1bedroom 1bath and also a half bath. Living room, dining room and kitchen. No laundry and no windows. Neg. hours, days and pay. 856 223 9482. Mullica Hill, NJ. _______________________________33-26 POST OFFICE NOW HIRING! Avg. Pay $21/hour or $54K annually including Federal Benefits and OT. Paid Training. Vacations. PT/FT 1-866-945-0341. _______________________________33-26 RV delivery drivers needed. Deliver RVs, boats and trucks for PAY! Deliver to all 48 states and CN. For details log on to www. RVdeliveryjobs.com _______________________________33-26 $12.00 GUARANTEED For every envelope stuffed with our sales material plus a free sign on bonus. FREE 24 hour information 1-866-526-0078. _______________________________33-26 HEAT & AIR TECHS Have Recession Proof Careers! 3wk Training Accreditation. EPA/OSHA Certified. Local Job Placement Assistance. Financing Available. COULD QUALIFY FOR GI/VA BENEFITS. 1-877-994-9904. _______________________________33-26 Werner Enterprises. 40 Driver Trainees needed. Drive the Big Rigs. No CDL, No Problem. No Credit, No Problem. $700-$800/week plus Benefits Call Now! 1-800-961-4319Over 18? _______________________________33-26 Driver CDL-A We’ve Got The Freight!! OTR Experienced or Truck Driving Training. Reefer and Flatbed Positions Available. Min. 21 years of age. CALL NOW!! 800-277-0212. _______________________________33-26 Mailing Brochures! Weekly pay + Bonus. Supplies furnished. Guaranteed Opportunity. Call Now! 1-800-307-7131. _______________________________33-26

PGN, one of the country's most award-winning Gay and Lesbian publications, is looking for a special candidate to fill this position in our advertising sales department. Applicants should have previous advertising sales experience, preferably in a similar environment. You should have a strong work ethic, good communication skills (both written and verbal), and an aggressive desire to sell advertising in this very special niche market. Most important, you should aspire to become an integral part of our successful sales team. Reach 40,000 Readers We offer aOver competitive salary plus bonus,Weekly as well as Health Insurance. Applicants should call Greg Dennis at 215-625-8501, ext. 201. Email resume to greg@epgn.com or send resume to:

Want to let Alexander Inn mom, dad and all of your exs prior hotel experience with references. Good salary know you’re plus bonus pkg. Apply in tying the person or call days. Call John 215-923-3535 knot? Let’s Talk! HELP WANTED

��

�� Hotel desk clerk for full �� or part time. Must have ��

Between High School and College? Travel and Have Fun w/Young Successful Business Group. No Experience Necessary. 2wks Paid Training. Lodging, Transportation Provided. 1-877-646-5050. _______________________________33-26 WANT GREAT MILES AND STILL BE HOME EVERY WEEKEND? MARTINI: Hiring Co. Drivers and O/O’s with CDL-A & 1 yr OTR exp. 866-460-8464 www. gomartini.com _______________________________33-26 CLASS-A Drivers: Looking for a job with Excellent Pay, Beneﬁts, Fleet Options and the Stability of being Debt Free? Call Crete Carrier Today! 1-800-998-2221. _______________________________33-26 NOW AVAILABLE! 2009 POST OFFICE JOBS. $18-$20/HR NO EXPERIENCE, PAID TRAINING, FED BENEFITS, VACATIONS. CALL 1-800-910-9941 TODAY! REF #PA09. _______________________________33-26

For As Little As $25.00 A Week.

Send us your wedding/civil union/ commitment ceremony announcement and we’ll share it with the City of Brotherly Love.

E-mail information to editor@epgn.com or fax us at goingReaders on? Check outForDiversions. ReachWhat’s Over 40,000 Weekly As Little As $25.00 A Week. (215) 925-6437.

PGN, 505 S. 4th St., Phila. PA. 19147 Attn.: Greg Dennis EOE

PGN

��

RC, CVE

bility

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

JULY - 9, 2009 PAGE 3110

APRIL APRIL25 25--MAY MAY1,1,2008 2008

CLASSIFIEDS/THE PLAYGROUND CLASSIFIEDS

LEGALHEALTH & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS

AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

Concentrating in Planning for Lesbian and Gay Couples • Probate • Wills • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2008

215-735-1006

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008

Terence S. Brady, Esq. Legal Representation In New Jersey Drunk Driving, Speeding, All Traﬃc Cases, Family Matters, Divorce, Visitation, Custody Criminal Matters, Real Estate Purchases, Foreclosures

PAGE APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 200837

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. _______________________________33-28

PAGE 54

Erotic Dungeon PAGE 75 Master

CLASSIFIEDS

Mt. Holly, N.J. 609 504 6310

6’, 165 lbs., 60 year old Master, greek active, french passive requires obedient slave for training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected and expanded. Assistant Master wanted. Call Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________33-48 GWM, Italian, top or bottom, 7” cut. Also into assplay, toys & water sports. Bi, straight, out Attorney-at-Law of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. �� All Serious Injuries _______________________________33-26 Accidents FriendlyAutomobile men. � oceanhouseatlanticcity.com _______________________________33-28 Medical Malpractice RELATIONSHIP �� GWM, Wills, top, 39,Estates, 5’10”, 165 Probate lbs., athletic build, Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 looking for LTR with bottom. Only serious need Philadelphia y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for reply. Call 703-772-7774. other GWM, 30-50, 735-2255 who is also in good shape. (215) _______________________________33-28 I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are Hi, I’m Joey. I’m 40 yrs old, 140 pounds, 5’9”, Hope also sensitive,New caring with a fun personality. If very thin. I(215) on the Main Line in Ardmore. 862-7101 this soundslive interesting to you feel free to call I’m looking for a friend to play with and have me, David, 215-698-0215. fun. We can massage each other. Call me at _______________________________33-28 484-238-4707. _______________________________33-26 FLORIDA MAN IN TOWN Bi WM, 5’10”, 160 lbs. 30” waist. Top. New to Teach some got hot greek sex! Need a 6’, this. 165 lbs., 60me year old Master, active, workover. 863-401-5437. french passive requires obedient slave for _______________________________33-29 training, S&M, B/D, W/S, etc. Limits respected formerly the Center for Lesbian TO TOP? and expanded.WANT Assistant Master wanted. Call and Gay Civil Rights You: equipment! Me:day real white butt. Davebig at 215-729-6670, ornice evening. 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. South Phila loc. _______________________________33-48 _______________________________33-29 Xdress sex party. CD house orgy every Sat. WM, NE Phila. you’re looking nite. GWM couple IfISO GWMs 18-40 for yrs. hot for action, call group 215-934-5309. No pantyhose, calls after 1 on 1 and sex. Stockings, 11 PM. etc. Starts 9 PM Sat. Call Sat. 7-8 PM 856_______________________________33-29 910-8303, ask for Mark. Yo! I’m Jay. Masculine, attractive BM ISO _______________________________33-24 masc. 35-50 y.o. to fulﬁll7”my fetish. GWM, BMs, Italian, top or bottom, cut.foot Also into Iassplay, want to toys give you a foot massage, close body & water sports. Bi, straight, out contact and also hot J/O together. Call me at of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 267-882-5018 after 4 PM to 12 AM. 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-30 _______________________________33-18

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

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

AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

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

215-735-1006

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

PARTNERS IN LAW PARTNERS IN LIFE

Torchia & Kaufmann, L.L.C. William A. Torchia, Esquire THIS SPACE IS YOURS

James JamesM. M.Quesenberry, Quesenberry,MA, MA,CRC, CRC,CVE CVE James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Attorneys-at-Law Attorney-at-Law Disability Consultant James M. Quesenberry, MA, CVE Disability Consultant CRC, Disability Consultant Disability Consultant

Estate* & Tax Planning Estate & Tax Planning Only $25.00 GENERAL PRACTICE FOR THE COMMUNITY GENERAL PRACTICE THE COMMUNITY Social Security Disability Per Week! Social Security Disability FOR•Social Security Disability Estate Administration • Domestic Relations • Incorporation ��

PROVIDING DIRECT • Wills, Living Wills, Trusts • Adoption • Criminal Claims Appeals • Powers of Attorney • Name Change • Immigration LEGAL SERVICES, 215-629-0585 215-629-0585 215-629-0585 • Property Agreements • Guardianships • Social Security APRIL 25 MAY 1, 2008 CLASSIFIEDS APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 215-629-0585 • Accidents • Real Estate • Elder Law A Week’s Worth Of EDUCATION & 1528 Walnut St. Suite 1220, �� Suite 202 Suite 202 Suite 202 Double Mocha Lattes Oxford Valley Rd.Philadelphia, PA 19102 POLICY REFORM Suite 202 Rd. �� Oxford Valley Oxford Valley Rd. Oxford Valley Rd. 215-546-1950 (Voice) 215-546-8801 (Fax) 215-546-1950 (Voice) Fairless Hills, PA 19030 215-546-8801 (Fax) Fairless Hills, PA 19030 *8 Week Minimum Fairless Hills, PA 19030 Fairless Hills, PA 19030 FOR THE LGBT � � � � � THISCOMMUNITY. SPACE IS YOURS Social Security Disability Claims Appeals Claims Appeals �� Claims Appeals That’s Less �� Than ��

��

GALLOP

Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia Bar Association Serving Southeastern PA., South Jersey; and Delaware. Organized to promote civil and human rights. GALLOP Referral Service provides free referrals to attorneys sensitive to the needs of the community For info or a referral, call 215-627-9090 P.O. Box 58279, Penn Center Station, Phila., PA 19102 www.galloplaw.org

Only $25.00* Week! FREEPer LEGAL HOTLINE (215) 731-1477

Thomas E. Hora

�

��

EroticEquality Dungeon Master Advocates

WM 60, 5 ﬁt, hot, se NE. 215_______ WM, NE action, ca 11 PM. _______

You: big 215-732_______

Pennsylvania

LessAs Than Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For That’s As Little $25.00 A Week. Call 215-625MINSTER & FACCIOLO, LLC • WILLS & ESTATES • • DISCRIMINATION • • SMALL BUSINESS • • DIVORCE • • EMPLOYMENT • • REAL ESTATE • • CIVIL ACTIONS • • AUTO ACCIDENTS • • POWER OF ATTORNEY • • DOMESTIC PARTNERS •

215-627-8200 PA 302-777-2201 DE 521 S. 2ND ST., PHILA., PA APPT. ALSO AVAIL IN DE & NJ

Financial Advice for the GLBT Community Jeremy R. Gussick Financial Advisor

Smith Barney

1211 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107

215-238-5849 jeremy.r.gussick@smithbarney.com A division of Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. Member SIPC

A Week’s Worth Of Double Mocha Lattes

www.equalitypa.org *8 Week Minimum

James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Disability Consultant

Social Security Disability Claims Appeals

FREE LEGAL HOTLINE

(215)731-1447

215-629-0585

� www.equalitypa.org

Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030

Charles S. Frazier, Esq. Attorney at Law

• General Practice • Wills and Trusts • Living Wills • Powers of Attorney • Cohabitation Agreements

Wayne, PA (610) 687-4077 cstar1@verizon.net

PROVIDING DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES, EDUCATION & POLICY REFORM FOR THE LGBT COMMUNITY.

this space: THIS SPACE IS YOURS only $25 per week*

$25.00* Only Your ad dollars Per Week!

go further when That’s Less Than you target your A Week’s Worth Of audience

Double Mocha *whenLattes you run

Gregory H. Quigley, Esq. Attorney at Law Real Estate / Zoning Law Liquor Licenses and Laws

1822 S. Broad St. Philadlephia, PA 19145

for a minimum of 8 weeks *8 Week Minimum

(215) 389-3626 (215) 389-8941 Fax (215) 389-1761

R. FLittle RANCISCO CORBIN, ESQUIRE Reach Readers Over 40,000 Readers Weekly As As $25.00 Week. ach Over 40,000 Weekly For As Little For As $25.00 A Week. Call A 215-625-8501 Today! Areas of Practice: Automobile Accidents Slip and Falls Workers Compensation

3000 Market Street Suite 201 Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 243-3450

��

PAGE 38

JULY 3 -9, 2009

THE PLAYGROUND

Adult/Personals CERTIFIED

FRIENDS

MASSAGE

MEN

FRIENDS

MEN

FRIENDS

MEN

Handsome Certified Therapist 6’, 195 lbs, Muscle Gives Sensual / Therapeutic Massage

Call 215-432-6030

B-7

PGN

FRIENDS

MEN

JULY 3 - 9, 2009

MASSAGE

REHOBOTH MASSAGE

SENSUAL NUDE MASSAGE

Convenient Full Service at

Your Location (Suite Available)

$75.00

Up To One Hour No Extra Fees or Charges

• Erotic

THE PLAYGROUND

Come and Enjoy

a professional, Strong Hands Massage & More therapeutic, and

B-2 B-2

nds

G-02 G-02 G-02

MEN

MASSAGE PAGE 71 MODELS

ESCORTS

P Ph h ii ll ll y y '' s s P P rr e em m ii u um m

E PPAA ,, NNJJ && DDEE Es sc co o rr tt S Se e rr v v ii c ce e SSiinnccee 19 198877 Reliable, Reliable, Safe, Safe, Honest Honest & & Discreet Discreet

sensual massage tailored to your needs in my convenient NW suburban location

Now In Our 21 s t Ye a r !

Let my strong hands

release- all your tensions. Steve 717.615.2178 FULLBODY • SENSUAL • EROTIC “Ask about my specials” 610.203.2798 Have car and will travel City/Suburbs/Jersey Shore/Hotels

PGN

(215)465-2427

G-02

Tall, attractive, muscular Sensual/Erotic Massage

ersey Shore Jersey Shore

FRIENDS

PREMIER

SSeerrvviinngg

Man for Man Massage

ns. ns. EROTIC EROTIC s” ls”

Gay is our middle name. ESCORTS

B-2

G-06 G-06

MEN

D99

MODELS

CERTIFIED

MASSAGE

865

mrldj@hotmail.com

• Full Body • Deep Tissue

y sue

FRIENDS

D98

(267) 752-5238

E GE

MEN

FOR DISCREET MEN Good Looking 46yo 5’10 well endowed OUTCALLS ONLY Michael 609-238-6247

By Appointment

ce A

FRIENDS

MASSAGE

• Sensual

PAGE 39

THE PLAYGROUND

MODELS

ESCORTS

Serving

PA , N J & D E S i n c e 19 8 7

Incall/Outcall

Convenient to Lower Bucks, NE Phila. 15 mins from CC & S.Jersey Available to any Phila area Hotel

215-313-1010 G12

Handsome by handsome athletic man

Forrest

Philly's Premium Escort Service 2N 2o wn d I nYeOaurr! Reliable, Safe, Honest & Discreet

www.PremierEscorts.com

215-733-9779 Jon-Jon

Deep Tissue, Sensual and Erotic Massage

ESCORTS

PREMIER Cory

I will tailor your massage to suit your needs...

MODELS

Marcello

30 Others Available On Our Website www.PremierEscorts.com - Black Box = New

Certified Therapist

Phila.11AM 215.733.9779 Or Always til 2AM Hiring Toll Free 888.765.6665 Alwaystil Hiring Hours:11AM 2AM

6’, 195 lbs, Muscle Gives Sensual / Ask about the After Midnight Special. Therapeutic Massage Call Franco anytime 24/7

at 215-463-0368 Call 215-432-6030B24

B-7 B-7 B-7

Our Special Guests OurSpecial SpecialGuests Guests Our Work Out Exclusively at WorkOut OutExclusively Exclusively at Work 12th Street Gym 12thStreet StreetGym Gym 12th

PGN