PGN July 17, 2009 by The Philadelphia Gay News

Philadelphia Gay News Vol. 33 No. 29

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July 17 - 23, 2009

Scouts’ case won’t be delayed By Timothy Cwiek PGN Writer-at-Large A Philadelphia judge has declined to grant a three-month extension in a case that could determine whether the local Boy Scouts chapter remains in a city-owned building. Common Pleas Judge Mark I. Bernstein is handling the city’s lawsuit to evict the Cradle of Liberty chapter from a city-owned building because the chapter won’t allow openly gay participants or pay fairmarket rent. Bernstein denied a joint request July 8, ﬁled the previous day by lawyers for the city and the Cradle of Liberty chapter, who wanted to extend a July 6 discovery deadline to Oct. 5. The case has been before Bernstein since June 2008. The discovery phase allows both sides in a legal dispute to gather as much relevant evidence as possible for potential use in the trial. The Scouts have occupied a city-owned building on the

Ben Franklin Parkway near 22nd Street since 1928. But the city charges the Scouts’ antigay policy conflicts with the city’s gay-rights ordinance, enacted in 1982. “In consideration of the filed petition for extraordinary relief, said petition for relief is denied,” Bernstein stated in his July 8 ruling. “All previously entered case-management deadlines shall remain in effect ... This order [doesn’t] preclude additional motions or sanctions for failure to comply with previously entered discovery orders.” In May 2008, the Scouts filed a federal lawsuit, claiming they were being unfairly singled out by the city for enforcement of Philadelphia’s gay-rights law. That lawsuit has been before U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter for 14 months, and he granted another round of extension deadlines last month. Unlike Bernstein, Buckwalter agreed to postpone See SCOUTS, Page 13

Equality Advocates board resigns By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer

SPARKLING STAR: Actor Chad Allen holds his newly received Artistic Achievement Award at opening-night festivities of Philadelphia QFest on June 9. The openly gay star of the festival’s opening film, “Hollywood je t’aime,” thanked the organizers and spoke briefly about his career and his four-and-a-half-year relationship with fellow actor Jeremy Glazer. Allen also appeared in several other films, including “Save Me,” “Third Man Out” and “On the Other Hand, Death,” and has performed on stage and in numerous television roles. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Nearly all of the board members of LGBT legal organization Equality Advocates Pennsylvania have resigned within the past two weeks. Ten of the 13 members stepped down in a move that Lynn Zeitlin, executive director of the group, said was part of a wider restructuring effort. The former board members include president Virginia Gutierez, vice president Trudi Sippola, treasurer Margaret Klaw, secretary Stephen Scardina and members Jodi Bromberg, Charles Ellis, Linda Aline Hawkins, Doug Metcalfe, Cody Poerio and Steven Sokoll. None of the members was willing to comment on the reason for their resignations, although Sippola said she felt it was “a good time for there to be some fresh energy on the board to take Equality Advocates into the next phase of its development.” Metcalfe, the former board

spokesperson who served on the body for seven years, said that “there are certainly some things that have happened in the organization that brought me to the decision that I needed to resign.” Under the restructuring, the organization will now be led by a steering committee including recently elected board members Brian Sims, Ann Loftus and Jay Meadway, as well as Zeitlin as an exofﬁcio member. “The main purpose of this restructure is to expand as a statewide organization and to do the job that is our mission,” Zeitlin said. “I’m really very excited about the possibility of enacting legislation in Pennsylvania to achieve equality that LGBT people need and deserve.” Zeitlin said the board recently approved a resolution allowing for the restructuring. The proposal read, in part: “Equality Advocates Pennsylvania is reorganizing in order to work more effectively to achieve equality for LGBT See BOARD, Page 15

Mass. files suit against DOMA Pretend priest arrested By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer The United States government is being sued by one of its own over the federal ban on same-sex marriage. The state of Massachusetts filed suit against the federal government and numerous other parties last week, challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act — the first state in the nation to do so. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed the suit in U.S. District Court July 8, also naming the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the Department of Veteran Affairs

and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki as defendants. The 1996 law prevents federal recognition of same-sex marriage and allows states the right to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed legally in other states. DOMA prohibits same-sex couples who have been legally married from having some 1,100 rights and responsibilities granted to heterosexual couples by the federal government, such as federal income-tax credits, healthinsurance coverage and Social Security and retirement beneﬁts. Massachusetts was the ﬁrst state in the nation to legalize samesex marriage in 2004 and, since then, more than 16,000 same-sex couples have received marriage

licenses there. The suit maintains that, prior to DOMA, the definition of marriage had been the “exclusive prerogative of the states,” but that Massachusetts and other states that now allow gay marriage must inherently discriminate against same-sex married couples in their states because of the denial of the federal benefits. “DOMA directly interferes with Massachusetts’ longstanding sovereign authority to define and regulate the marital status of its residents, which all states have enjoyed until this instance,” Coakley said during a press conference last week.

By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer

numerous times with the family of Police Office Richard Police arrested a man Hayes, who was this week who they allege critically injured had been impersonating a when a drunk driver Roman Catholic priest hit his patrol car last and visiting with families month. of slain and injured A police official, Philadelphia police however, thought officers. The man’s online Schlear looked social-networking pages too young to be a appear to indicate that he PAUL SCHLEAR priest and launched is gay. and conducted a Paul Schlear, 26, turned background check himself in to police July 13 and was on him, finding that he had only charged with criminal trespassing completed one year of education and false impersonation. He was at a seminary. released on $500 bail. In an interview with CBS 3 Police say Schlear donned a See PRIEST, Page 6 See DOMA, Page 7 priest’s clerical garb and visited

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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News Briefing

Regional

Trans woman dies after NJ voodoo ritual

STAR POWER: LEFT: Filmmaker and programmer of the 15th annual local LGBT film festival QFest Kelly Burkhardt (left) takes the stage at the Prince Music Theater July 11 with actor Ashleigh Sumner, star of “And Then Came Lola,” which made its East Coast premiere earlier that night. Sumner took questions from the audience about her role as the title character in the lesbian-themed romance. Photo: Karen Cornell RIGHT: Ice-skating star Johnny Weir introduced moviegoers at Ritz East July 11 to “Pop Star On Ice,” a documentary that follows the career of the Olympian and three-time U.S. figureskating national champion. QFest runs at area theaters through July 20. Photo: Scott A. Drake

Local AIDS activists arrested in D.C. By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Police in Washington, D.C., last week arrested more than two-dozen protesters, including several local activists, who were calling for federal action on numerous HIV/ AIDS issues. Twenty-six activists were arrested at the Capitol Rotunda July 9, at least ﬁve of whom are members of ACT UP Philadelphia. All of the participants were charged with unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct and loud and boisterous behavior. The local demonstrators were part of a coalition that included members from DC Fights Back, Health Global Access Project, New York City AIDS Network and Housing Works, who sought to bring attention to several key issues affecting the national HIV/AIDS communities. “The protest had three main goals, and they were all under the umbrella that President Obama has failed to meet the promises he made on the campaign trail to ﬁght AIDS,” said ACT UP member Kaytee Riek, who was among those arrested.

Riek said demonstrators called on Congress, which is currently considering Obama’s ﬁscal-year 2010 budget proposal, to lift the federal ban on funding for needleexchange programs and provide more funding for AIDS housing programs and global AIDS causes — actions Riek said Obama previously pledged to take but failed to include in his budget proposal. Protesters entered the Rotunda, which was crowded with tourists, around 10 a.m., carrying a large banner and linking themselves together with a chain, chanting such slogans as “Fight global AIDS now” and “Clean needles save lives.” “The plan was to really show Congress that we’re not going to go away quietly,” Riek said. “These are critical life-or-death issues.” ACT UP member Jose DeMarco, who was also arrested, said the demonstrators went into the protest anticipating police action. “We were prepared to be arrested,” he said. “I guess for the police this was spontaneous, but it was very well-planned on our part.” DeMarco said the arrests went smoothly

and that those involved were released from police custody after about five hours. The day after the demonstration, the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies approved a health and education budget that omits the ban on needle-exchange funding. DeMarco said he suspects the protest “helped that to happen and pushed it over the line.” The bill will next go to the full Appropriations Committee, which will decide whether to send it to the House floor for a vote. Riek said the timing of the Congressional action made the protest even more worthwhile. “A lot of people worked for a long time on this protest and hopefully it was an important part of Congress taking this first step,” Riek said. “This was something we’ve been waiting for for many years, so it’s a pretty amazing thing for it to happen now.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn. com.

A transgender woman died in Camden County, N.J., last week after taking part in a voodoo ritual. Police are still unsure what caused the death of Lucille Hamilton, 21, a Little Rock, Ark., resident who was staying at a house in Sicklerville, Gloucester Township, for a weekend baptism-like ceremony led by the owner of the home, Hector Salva, who bills himself as a Haitian voodoo priest. Jason Laughlin, spokesperson for the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, said individuals in the home called 911 around 11 p.m. July 11 to report that Hamilton was “unresponsive.” Laughlin said there were eight other individuals in the house at the time, including Salva and several children, and that some of the people attempted to perform CPR on Hamilton before rescue personnel arrived. At least one of the visitors staying in the home for the ceremony traveled from as far away as the Netherlands. All those who were in the home at the time were taken to Virtua Hospital in Berlin as a procedural matter, Laughlin said. The New Jersey Division of Youth & Family Services has been notified that children were present in the home. An autopsy was performed July 12 and investigators are awaiting results of a toxicology report, which could take several weeks to complete. Laughlin said investigators didn’t know if Hamilton’s death was connected in any way to the ritual. “It’s definitely part of the investigation, but we’re unsure right now if there is a relationship between the ritual and her death,” he said. The ritual, lave tet, which literally means “washing of the head,” is a threeday voodoo sacrament meant to signify the cleansing and purification of one’s mind and the removal of negative spirits. It is considered the first step for initiation into the religion. During the ceremony, subjects have their heads washed in an herbal mix and then must lie wrapped in a white cloth on a mat and remain in the peristyle, or temple, for the remainder of the day. Lave-tet ceremonies occasionally also involve animal sacrifices and the pouring of herbal mixtures into small cuts made on the arms of the participants. Investigators found several dead chickens around the house. Hamilton paid more than $600 to take part in the ritual. Laughlin said it was too soon to know if any charges would be filed in the case. “At this time we’re not calling this See NEWS BRIEFING, Page 8

EWS

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Philly to host national discussion on LGBT, racial issues

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A local LGBT organization will serve as the host group for a national convention that seeks to produce a realistic and tangible plan to alleviate prejudices plaguing the community. Men of All Colors Together will host more than 125 people from around the country for the National Association of Black and White Men Together annual conference, July 29-Aug. 1 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, 1800 Market St. MACT last staged the conference in 1999, and this year’s event, “Blueprint for Change: Yes, We Can, Together!” seeks to design a plan to unify the LGBT community against homophobia, racism and sexism. “There are a lot of changes taking place in our community, and these are changes that won’t take place successfully unless we plan for them,” said Aaron Libson, co-chair of the event. “We have to decide what kind of change we want to see and how we can go about achieving it. This is a step that the LGBT community needs to take together. We need to be inclusive and we need to plan together, and that’s what we’re

PRIEST From Page 1 Tuesday night, Schlear admitted to posing as a priest in order to provide comfort to the Hayes family. “I said I was a Catholic priest. I said to them I had received a call from the Cardinal and that he was just checking on them,” he described of an instance in which he pretended he was on a cell phone with Cardinal Justin Rigali. “I feel terrible for the Hayes family because they’re going through enough, and I didn’t need to do what I did,” Schlear said. Hayes is still recovering in the hospital. Schlear also told the reporter that he took part in the funerals for slain Sgt. Patrick McDonald in September and Ofﬁcer John Pawlowski in February, walking in the funeral procession in a white robe known as an alb, which can be worn by laypeople. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia released a statement this week

trying to do.” The convention will feature numerous workshops and panel discussions, most of which are free and open to the public, and which will address a diverse repertoire of issues such as health, spirituality, the economy and the process of community organizing through modern technology. Libson said convention organizers tried to design programming this year that encompasses all facets of the LGBT community, including transgender individuals. “For a long time, that community has kind of been put on the back burner, so we wanted to make a special effort to do outreach to this community and make sure their views are represented,” he said. In addition to the educational goals of the conference, Libson said the event also has a social component. Throughout the weekend, guests can partake in a pool party, a Talent/No-Talent fundraiser — a competition Libson jokingly promised will “combine people from both of these categories” — and a social at 12th Air Command Friday night. On Saturday, the convention’s banquet dinner will bring together LGBT leaders, community

members and special guest Patti LaBelle, who will receive an award from the organization for her commitment to the LGBT community. While Libson noted that barriers among people of different races and sexual orientations have lessened since the last time MACT hosted the national convention, the organization still has important work to do to continue to fight societal biases. “Nowadays we see that people can flow back and forth through all communities and it’s very common to see multiracial groups in all kinds of social circumstances, and that’s presented a challenge to us,” he said. “When you’re trying to fight for something and you achieve part of it, you have to answer the question, ‘Do we still have a reason to exist?’ That’s one of the things we’ve had to answer and I think we do; we just have to constantly try to reinvent ourselves and create a new plan, and we want to do that with the help of our friends in the community and our allies.” For more information on the event, visit www.mact-phila.org. ■

stating that Schlear had asked the Rev. Dennis Gill, director of the Archdiocese’s Ofﬁce for Worship, if he could be an altar server for the Masses, but Gill declined the offer and instead told Schlear he could walk in the processions in a section designated for laypeople. The Archdiocese called Schlear’s visits with Hayes’ family “disturbing” and said his actions “violat[ed] the sacred trust that a family places in a priest at a time of crisis.” “The Archdiocese, which has fostered a close prayerful relationship with the men and women of the Philadelphia police force and their families, is pained by the duplicity of anyone who would betray the church and cause such hurt to God’s people in such a vulnerable position,” the statement said. Police are investigating claims that Schlear, dressed as a priest, borrowed thousands of dollars from a local restaurant owner and never repaid him, and also said this week that Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers once witnessed

Schlear posing as a firefighter and instructed him to remove the garb. Schlear’s MySpace page shows photos of him with the 2007 Mr. Gay Philadelphia, at Woody’s Christmas party and at other area LGBT locales. Schlear belongs to numerous LGBT groups on Facebook, such as LGBT party The Scene; supporters of the statewide nondiscrimination bill, LGBT grantmaking organization Sapphire Fund, Gayborhood bar Valanni and LGBT film festival QFest, among others. Schlear is also a member of the GLBT Arts Festival volunteer group online, but T. Desiree Hines, organizer of the festival, said Schlear did not volunteer for the event and was in no way associated with The Traverse Arts Project, which staged the festival this past spring. Hines did note, however, that she frequently saw Schlear at local gay bars and events.

Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

See PRIEST, Page 8

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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National

Media Trail

Congress mulls benefits, school-bullying bills

Another Dallas-area gay bar raided

By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Two separate committees of the U.S. House of Representatives last week held hearings on two pieces of legislation that seek to expand the rights of the LGBT community. The Domestic-Partner Benefits and Obligations Act, which would provide domestic-partner benefits for the samesex partners of federal employees, was the subject of a hearing in the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia July 8. The same day, the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would require schools to adopt antibullying policies that are inclusive of the LGBT community, was considered in a joint hearing of the House Subcommittees on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education and Healthy Families and Communities. The hearings marked the first time that both pieces of legislation were considered before Congressional committees. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), openly gay prime sponsor of the domestic-partner legislation, testified in favor of the bill during the hearing, as did openly gay director of the Office of Personnel Management John Berry, former Romanian Ambassador Michael Guest and four other supporters. Only one person, Dr. Frank Page, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, testified against the bill. Page asserted that the legislation “continues the agenda that has been set forth by a very small yet vocal minority in our country.” Page is a member of President Obama’s 25-member advisory council to the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Baldwin, who noted that her own longtime

DOMA From Page 1 “Massachusetts has a single category of married person, and we view all married persons equally and identically. DOMA divides that category into two distinct and unequal classes of marriage in our state by denying hundreds of rights and protections to same-sex couples and their families.” The suit holds that DOMA has forced Massachusetts to deny medical beneﬁts under MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, to same-sex couples because the program receives partial federal funding,

partner has not been able to share in her employment benefits, said the legislation is not an effort to redefine marriage — an argument raised by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), the ranking Republican of the subcommittee — but rather is an attempt to create a level playing field for all federal workers. Chaffetz contended that the legislation unfairly discriminates against opposite-sex couples who are unmarried, but Baldwin noted that all opposite-sex couples in the country have the option to marry if they’re seeking employment benefits, while gays and lesbians can only do so in a handful of states and are prevented from receiving federal benefits because of the Defense of Marriage Act. Baldwin, along with Rep. Ileana RosLehtinen (R-Fla.), introduced the bill in May and it currently has 112 cosponsors. Sens. Joseph Leiberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are spearheading the companion bill in the Senate, which has 24 cosponsors. Baldwin and Lieberman originally proposed the legislation last session, but both bills died in committee. Obama issued a presidential memorandum last month granting same-sex partners of federal employees and foreign-service workers some benefits, such as access to long-term-care insurance programs, but stopped short of granting all the benefits heterosexual married partners receive, such as access to health insurance, because he said DOMA prevented him from taking such an action. Meanwhile, the Safe Schools Improvement Act also received Congressional attention. The legislation would require schools that receive funding from the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to adopt policies that specifically prohibit bullying stemming from a student’s race, religion, sexual orientation or gender

and also prevents the state from allowing same-sex partners of veterans to be buried in veteran cemeteries. “In enacting DOMA, Congress overstepped its authority, undermined states’ efforts to recognize marriages between same-sex couples and codiﬁed an animus toward gay and lesbian people,” the suit states. Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said DOMA was created a “discriminatory and meanspirited” law and continues to “stand between thousands of married couples and the equal protections they deserve.” “We applaud the

identity, among other motivations. The bill would also require states to track cases of classroom bullying and harassment. Ros-Lehtinen introduced the bill in May, and it currently has 64 cosponsors. During the hearing, lawmakers listened to testimony about the need for expanded anti-bullying measures from a diverse group of witnesses, including Rona Kaufmann, principal of William Penn Senior High School in York, and Jackie and Josie Andrews of Haddon Heights, N.J., teenage sisters and anti-violence activists. Sirdenear Walker, mother of 11-yearold Massachusetts student Carl WalkerHoover, who took his own life in April after persistent antigay taunts at school, also offered her views on the epidemic of classroom harassment. “After Carl died, I could have stayed home and mourned him but instead I’ve chosen to get involved, to speak out about bullying, and I have learned a lot in a short time,” Walker testiﬁed. “The most important thing I’ve learned is that bullying is not an inevitable part of growing up.” Walker said representatives of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network contacted her shortly after her son’s death and, while she admitted she was initially hesitant to partner with the group — reasoning that her son was too young to identify as gay or straight — her eventual interaction with the organization and the diverse group of students it represents showed her “not how different we all were, but how much common ground we had.” “I know now that bullying is not a gay issue or a straight issue — it’s a safety issue,” she said. “It’s about what kind of learning environment we want for our children and how far we’re willing to go to protect and teach them ... School bullying is a national crisis, and we need a national solution to deal with it.” ■

Commonwealth of Massachusetts for stepping forward on behalf of these families and saying, in essence, ‘enough is enough,’” Solmonese said. “Now it is time for the federal government to take afﬁrmative steps to challenge and repeal this discriminatory law that causes real harm to loving, married couples and their children.” Charles Miller, spokesperson for the Department of Justice, which is charged with defending the federal government against legal action, said last week the department will review the case, but that President Obama “supports legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage

Act because it prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits.” The suit could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, but would first have to be heard in both District Court and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. In March, Boston-based group Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders filed suit in a federal court against DOMA. The GLAD suit specifically challenges the denial of federal benefits to same-sex married couples, while Coakley noted the state’s suit is broader in scope. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

The Houston Chronicle reports activists are questioning the raid of a Dallas-area gay bar less than a month after the raid of another club ended with one man injured. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission ofﬁcials entered the Dallas Eagle club around midnight July 10, just a few weeks after the raid of a Fort Worth club where witnesses claimed authorities were overly aggressive. A guard at the Eagle said TABC ofﬁcials were questioning whether the address on the liquor license was changed after the club reopened just yards from its previous location.

Rockstar donates to gay groups Advocate.com reports Rockstar Energy Drink CEO Russell Weiner, son of antigay shock jock Michael Savage, announced on July 9 that his company is donating $100,000 to gay-rights groups. The move comes after several gay Web sites reported that Weiner was Savage’s son, prompting many to assume that Savage helped fund Rockstar and played a role in its business dealings. In a statement, Weiner made an effort to distance his company from his father. The Las Vegas-based Rockstar will be distributing the $100,000 donation to a number of LGBT organizations.

Chico’s Tacos responds to protests The El Paso Times reports a demonstration supporting gay rights took place July 10 outside a Chico’s Tacos, where ﬁve men say they were kicked out after two of them kissed. Some 100 people picketed in front of the restaurant, holding signs that stated, “El Paso is Diversity,” “What About Our 1st Amendment Rights?” and “ ... With Liberty and Justice For All.” Carlos Diaz de Leon, a leader in the protest, claims that at 12:30 a.m. June 29, he and four others were at Chico’s when two of his friends kissed, prompting a private security guard to use an antigay slur and to call police, who cited a statute on homosexual conduct declared unconstitutional six years ago. The security company’s general manager, Robert Gamboa, released a statement on July 10 claiming the men were disruptive and caused a disturbance when the guard approached them. ■ — Larry Nichols

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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NEWS BRIEFING From Page 5 a suspicious death, but rather a sudden death,” he said. “We want to know how she died, and the ﬁeld is wide open right now. We’re trying to ﬁnd out exactly what happened and whether anything illegal took place.”

Company to offer free phones TracFone Wireless Inc., the nation’s largest pre-paid cellphone provider, has launched a new initiative that will provide free phone service for low-income area residents.

SafeLink company’s The Wireless — launched last month in Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery and Northampton counties — is funded through the federal Lifeline program, which seeks to ensure low-income Americans have access to phone service. SafeLink will provide eligible residents with a free cell phone, which will have 42 minutes of air time each month and include voicemail, text messaging, call waiting, caller ID and international calling, for up to one year. Jose Fuentes, director of government relations for TracFone, said more than 300,000 households in the area would qualify for the program, which he said provides them “the opportunity to have the same access and privileges many individuals take for granted when it come to using a cell phone.” For more information, visit www.safelink.com or call (800) 723-3546.

City to encourage peaceful weekend Police Philadelphia The Advisory Commission and an assortment of local organizations and city agencies will present the sixth-annual Weekend of Peace, intended to encourage residents to become active members of their communities and strive to curb violence in the city. centers recreation Six

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Forum addresses men’s health Gay and bisexual men of color interested in learning more about health issues facing the community are invited to the COLOURS Organization Inc.’s next town-hall meeting, 6 p.m. July 27 at the group’s headquarters, 112 N. Broad St., in the ﬁrst-ﬂoor conference room. “Men’s Edition: Ask the Doctor” will feature an open different about discussion mental and sexual-health topics particular to men of color. For more information, call Lawrence Frazier at (215) 4960330.

Grocer to give back to LGBT cause Organic grocer Whole Foods, 929 South St., has selected local LGBT grantmaking organization Delaware Valley Legacy Fund as

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PRIEST From Page 6 “I do know him as a member of the community. Any time I would run into him being out and about, he was always just such a nice, very handsome young man,” Hines said. “He was very respectable, well-dressed and clean cut. I’m a little heartbroken that Paul of all people would do something like this.” Schlear, of the 2900 block of Arlan Avenue in the Northeast, is a 2001 graduate of Father Judge High School who attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary from 2002-03 but did not ﬁnish his education there. According to his Facebook page, he will graduate from Holy Family University in 2010 with a master’s degree,

the beneficiary of a Community Giving Day. On Sept. 23, Whole Foods will donate 5 percent of all of its income to DVLF, which Perry Monastero, DVLF executive director, expects to be about $4,000. Monastero said the organization is still finalizing plans with the store, but the event may include music or dance performances and will allow local LGBT community members to serve as guest baggers and greeters. “This is a great opportunity to raise awareness not only of DVLF but also of our partner organizations, and can help us to find some new allies,” Monastero said.

Comic company seeks LGBT artists LGBT comic company Prism Comics is calling for submissions to its fifth annual Queer Press Grant, which will help fund the creation of an LGBT-related comic work. Interested artists must submit a proposal detailing their ideas for the project and explaining why it would be relevant to LGBT readers; a business and financial plan; a résumé; and any work that has been completed for the project. All materials should be emailed to grants@prismcomics. org by Oct. 1. The grant should amount to at least $2,000. For a complete list of www. visit guidelines, prismcomics.org/grant. ■ — Jen Colletta although the university said this week that Schlear has attended the school only “sporadically.” Schlear also describes that he served as student-body president in 2004, but university officials said the only student-government leadership position he held was as one of four representatives of the junior class. On his MySpace page, Schlear states that, since January 2007, he served as the deputy chief of staff to the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which at that time would have been Dennis O’Brien (R-169th Dist.). But O’Brien told the Philadelphia Inquirer this week that Schlear had never been an employee. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 9

Rodeo rides back into town By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer

winners in each event will receive the traditional trophy buckle, each sponsored by a different Cowboys and girls from around organization or individual, in an the country will stampede into the awards ceremony Sunday, 8-11 area this month for the secondp.m., at the hotel. annual LGBT rodeo. Several local organizations will The Liberty Gay Rodeo also receive their own prizes from Association will host its 2009 stampede organizers in the form Stampede July 31of donations: Some of Aug. 2 at Lulu Shriners the funding generated Rodeo Grounds, 5140 through the event will be Butler Pike in Plymouth dispersed to the William Meeting. The event is Way LGBT Community expected to draw up to Center, Calcutta House, 1,000 people. Mountain Meadow, the LGRAlast year became National Adoption Center the first organization in and Shadow Equestrian. the northeastern United Chris Garten, LGRA States to host an LGBT marketing director, rodeo; previously, said the stampede will Washington, D.C., was highlight the strengths the northernmost locale. of the local LGBT Stampede director population and its many Jim Gallucci said D.C. community organizations will not host its annual for a vast national rodeo this year, which he audience. speculated could further “What we’re really fuel attendance at the looking to do is draw local event. the community together This year’s lineup to the Philadelphia area, is similar to the events and in the process we can staged at the inaugural draw attention to these rodeo, except activities charities as well,” he will take place in a said. “It gives the local different location. Last area the chance to have year’s stampede was held some national exposure at the Devon Horseshow as well as helps with the grounds, but Gallucci financial support that we said event organizers look to provide to these wanted to take the rodeo organizations. It’s a very in a different direction exciting opportunity for this year. DANCING ’TIL THE COWBOYS COME HOME: A the Philadelphia gay “Devon is a beautiful couple dances during the “Cupid’s Corral” Liberty community and even place, but we just City Gay Rodeo Association fundraiser at Pure in helps us branch out to wanted to try someplace February. Photo: Scott A. Drake other communities.” a little different,” Gallucci said the Gallucci said. “Shriners has been wanted to make this a big part of stampede will bring together so accommodating to us. They’ve the weekend,” Gallucci said. a diverse mix of community accepted us with open arms and Country singer James Allen members and allies for a weekend have helped us out in so many Clark will perform during the Aug. in which socializing is just as ways.” 1 dance, as well as throughout the important as competing. Gallucci said the management rodeo events, which will run from “It’s open to everybody, whether at the arena will provide security 10 a.m.-6 p.m. that Saturday and you’re gay, lesbian, straight, with free of charge and offered rodeo Sunday. a family and kids or single,” he officials a fair deal for the space, There will be more than a dozen said. “It’s a lot of friendly, fun which he described as bringing rodeo competitions on both days competition, but also a way to the real flavor of the West to the that will be broken down into meet people without having to go East Coast. roughstock, horse, timed and out to a bar. There’s a real sense of “It’s a real rodeo arena, camp events. Gallucci said there community.” something you’d think you will also be a number of children’s Admission to each day of the wouldn’t see outside of Nebraska events, as the rodeo is usually a big rodeo is $20, as are tickets to the or Arizona,” he said. “It’s a great draw for LGBT and ally parents dances. A weekend package for all location.” with children. of the events is $70. Before participants head to the During the competition, For more information on the rodeo, they’ll have a chance to spectators can also visit vendor stampede or to purchase tickets, strap on their dancing shoes for and food market, which will visit www.libertygra.org. ■ the Independence Ball, 9 p.m.-2 include several DJs and a dancing a.m. July 31 in the Millennium area. Jen Colletta can be reached at Ball Room at the Lowes Hotel, Once competition closes, jen@epgn.com. 1200 Market St., the host hotel for the weekend’s events. The group will also host the Freedom Ball from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. the following night at the hotel. “We’ve found that so many people on the East Coast really like to dance, sometimes even more so than compete in the events, so we

PGN Gay is our middle name.

PAGE 10

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Editorial On racial inequality On June 29, 65 school-age children from an inner-city day camp visited a private Montgomery County swim club, where they encountered what looks to be racist comments and actions on the part of member parents. Allegedly, club members removed their (white) children from the pool and made racist comments about the (mostly black and Hispanic) visitors. The visiting children attended Creative Steps day camp, which paid $1,950 to swim on Mondays through the summer at The Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley. After the incident, the club canceled the swim contract, citing safety concerns. The club eventually reversed its stance, saying it would invite the children back, but Creative Steps has declined to return. Last week, a federal discrimination lawsuit was filed, and possibly another is on the way. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is investigating. Parents, children and concerned citizens have protested outside the club and written letters to news media, voicing their distress that racism is still apparently alive and well in America. Many have noted that the election of an AfricanAmerican president should be a reflection of the progress the country has made on issues of race — and how unfortunate that this isn’t necessarily the case. Truly, the incident is an unfortunate reminder of how deep-seated prejudice can be, and how difficult to rectify once revealed. For the children involved, it’s a bitter taste of the world they live in: Instead of a summer full of learning to cannonball and swim the backstroke, they are learning hard lessons about state antidiscrimination law and civil rights. For the community at large, it’s a reminder of how vigilant Americans still need to be on issues of race. For the LGBT community, the incident serves as a reminder that it needs to make allies with other marginalized groups that also suffer discrimination, for there is strength in numbers. While it’s true the LGBT community doesn’t have the same challenges as the black community — their differences aren’t necessarily visible — the communities have faced similar challenges and discrimination. In some areas, the discrimination is the same: marriage, employment, housing. To be sure, the histories of the minorities are different and can’t be compared equally (hence, affirmative-action policies). But the LGBT community needs to reach out to, engage and support other minority groups, and communicate how discrimination affects us all, regardless of race or sexual orientation or gender or gender identity. ■

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)

Other Views

Jennifer Vanasco

As the Episcopals go ... It doesn’t matter if you attend religious services weekly or if you have fallen away, if you’re atheist or agnostic, if you think religion is the opiate of the people or the road to peace — established religion in America is an important force. So when the bishops of the Episcopal Church voted this month to afﬁrm gay clergy, it was an important move. Ever since 2003, when the openly gay Gene Robinson was consecrated as a bishop, the 77million-member Anglican communion — the worldwide body of which the Episcopal Church is a part — has been threatened with schism. Three years ago, there was a moratorium on future elevation of gay bishops. The gay Episcopal group Integrity says this vote effectively ends that ban, though others say it just afﬁrmed what was already the case: that gays and lesbians are a full part of the Episcopal Church. Last month, conservative breakaway churches in the U.S. formed their own Anglican group aligned with the more conservative South American and African dioceses. Called the Anglican Church in North America, they have a paltry 100,000 members compared with 2 million Episcopalians – yet if the international Anglican groups choose to align with them instead, that could change.

For now, however, their absence has led to a more liberal Episcopal Church. A committee this week voted that the Episcopal Church should also permit the blessing of same-sex couples, though the full body won’t vote on it until later. All of this might seem like inside baseball to you if you’re not Episcopalian, even more so if you’re not Christian or religious at all. But it is important to all of us who are gay and lesbian, for a couple reasons. First, the Episcopal Church is seen as the canary in the coal mine by other mainline Protestant churches. They are waiting to see if accepting gays and lesbians as full members of the church will lead to a breaking-away from the international church, or whether different views will be able to coexist happily. If the Anglican fellowship survives with an inclusive Episcopal Church, it might lead other denominations — Lutherans, Presbyterians — to follow the example of the United Church of Christ and become fully inclusive of gays and lesbians as well. And once all mainline Protestant churches start approving of gay marriage, it will be very difﬁcult for politicians and antimarriage advocates to make a religious argument against gay marriage, since it will be even more clear that not all denominations

agree on this issue. Secondly, however, the entire issue points out something that is easy for us American gays and lesbians to ignore: The rights (or lack thereof) of gays and lesbians internationally has an effect on us here at home. There is the threat of a schism because gays and lesbians in many parts of South America and Africa (South Africa being the notable, progressive exception) lag behind their American counterparts when it comes to how they are viewed by their societies. If gays and lesbians were seen as nearly equal in those parts of the world, we would have more rights in the U.S. now. That is, mainline churches would have accepted us already — which would lead to more pressure on politicians — which would lead to a quicker change in our laws. Our rights at home are affected by gay and lesbian rights abroad. A gayrights battle in one place — whether that place is within the Episcopal Church or in a city in Africa — affects gay rights in every other place. We will not have full equality here until gays and lesbians have equality everywhere. ■ Jennifer Vanasco is an award-winning syndicated columnist. E-mail her at Jennifer.Vanasco@gmail.com.

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Mark My Words

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Mark Segal

Considering a senator’s sentence Vince Fumo was sentenced this week and, like everything he has done in his 30-year political career, the sentence was controversial. Many LGBT leaders in Philly were pleased with the 55month sentence, since Fumo has been the state’s most outspoken supporter of gay issues. He really walked the walk, from funding to his tearful speech on the Pennsylvania Senate floor pleading for gay marriage. And that support went back to before he was an elected official, when he was a lawyer and did probono work on several lesbian cases, one involving adoption rights. Below is the letter I wrote to Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter regarding our friend Vince. Your Honor: I’m writing you about my friend Vince Fumo. Please forgive me in advance since I’ve never written a letter of this sort before and I’m certainly not a lawyer. So, I won’t waste your time on the legal issues, but rather the human issues. Strangely enough, I’d like to use as an example Bernard Madoff, and the sentence he received in New York last week. If I understood it correctly, Madoff had stolen billions of dollars from individuals, pension funds and charities. He was given a 150-year sentence. Personally, I think that’s a fair sentence for the destroyed lives he left behind. Senator Fumo did not destroy any lives, pension funds or charities. In fact, it is the exact opposite. He helped build wealth into pension funds by creating state work for numerous unions, created programs that gave Pennsylvanians education, jobs, food on the table, medical care — especially to children — and so much more. So in my non-legal way, I look at the two cases — one convicted of stealing billions and gets 150 years. And the senator who was convicted of misusing $1.4 million of the people’s money but giving back billions in numerous ways to a multitude of causes. Your Honor, I’m not going to tell you that Vince is a saint: He certainly is not. But what I will tell you is that he’s a public figure who cannot control his image because of his own ego. In that sense, he’s his worst enemy. He adores the image of the tough South Philly politician, especially when he’s being challenged or competitive, but [the] reality is, those are rare times, and when you see the real Vince, you see a guy with a big heart, who cares deeply for this city and state. This is no cliché. Even while waiting to hear your verdict, which will drastically change his life, he’s made it a point to assist the various factions in Harrisburg on ways to solve our budget problem. They ask for help since they acknowledge he is the only one who can get them together. Similarly, he’s helping with numerous other city and state issues even though

PGN

[he’s] not an official or on the books. The job and solving unsolvable issues were what he loved. And like other executives, he had an expense account. Most Americans smile when you use those words, “expense account.” And we all know why. Well, Vince is no different, only and unfortunately larger. He’s not only assisting to solve the city’s and state’s budget problems, he’s also attempting to discover funds for a host of nonprofits hit hard from this recession. When I say host of nonprofits, I do [mean it] since it would take several pages to list them all: from breast cancer, meals on wheels, schools, HIV education, health centers ... on and on. Even though fighting for his life, he still e-mails friends with problems and asks how he can help. He won’t show that side, nor his generous side. He did what a state senator was supposed to do: bring funds back to his district. But Vince, being larger than life, brought funds back to the entire city or almost any project that approached him. Billions of dollars, which enriched this city, from landscape to history to the cultural arts. To get those funds, he did what all politicians do. Garner power. But again the image is not what one might expect. To gain power, you need votes and you expect your coalition to bring them in for you. On two occasions, I told Vince that I and the LGBT community wouldn’t support his candidate. This, after all his vocal and financial support of the community. He asked why, and I explained that, in my opinion, the candidate he wanted me to support was antigay or, to be polite, had done nothing to further gay rights in the commonwealth. Vince didn’t even blink. He said he could easily understand. A few years ago, Vince and I had break-ups of our different relationships. We were both devastated. Neither of us could sleep, so we’d contact each other maybe 2, 3, 4 in the morning and have these conversations. That is the Vince I’d like the world to see, the one pouring out his heart. Years ago, I met U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger at a reception. It was after the Supreme Court ruled on a Georgia sodomy case. I believe it was Bowers v. Hardwick. The court had ruled that gay people had no right to privacy. When I asked Justice Burger about it, he said, “Time was not right yet, give the people a chance to catch up.” My thoughts were that this was the Supreme Court, not a public-opinion poll. Sir, if you’re going to make a ruling based on publicity this letter has been a waste of time for both of us. But if you are making a ruling based on humanity and one’s life achievements, then please take his achievements, generosity, the use he still can be to our current leaders, into consideration. Who knows, maybe this is a time for creative sentences. ■ Thanks for your time, Respectfully, Mark Segal Mark Segal is PGN publisher. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.

PAGE 11

Street Talk Do you find the phrase “no homo” offensive?

Carol Douglas secretary Logan

Scott Jennings ordained minister South Philadelphia

“Yes. It’s a little too harsh for me. I don’t like the sound of it. I don’t see any reason for abbreviating ‘homosexual’ into ‘homo.’ It shows a lack of respect for the individual. I’d feel bad for any gay person who has to hear that.”

“Not necessarily. Sometimes it’s needed for people to clarify their sexual orientation. And in that context, I wouldn’t feel offended. Personally, I wouldn’t say it. But I also wouldn’t prejudge someone who does. Their intentions might not be to say something derogatory.”

Sundae Johnson sales representative Charleston, S.C.

Ryan Moore law student Washington Square West

“Yes. I’m teaching my son not to say that word. I can’t envision the word ‘homo’ making anyone feel good, so why use it? I don’t want him saying something that makes another person feel diminished.”

“No. I’m not hypersensitive about things like that. I’m not going to call someone out on it and make a scene. There are bigger issues to get upset about, instead of kids in North Philly on a basketball court saying, ‘No homo.’”

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 12

Adoption Corner “Awww. They’re so cute!” As this is kitten season, PAWS staffers have been hearing those words frequently this summer. When the sap starts to rise in the spring, so does the desire to mate. Add six weeks for weaning after about nine weeks for gestation and summer means a serious kitten boom. This year has been no exception. But whether it’s been the gorgeous weather, the economy or the ﬁlm festival, the kittens just aren’t leaving as fast as they’re coming in this year. So grab your boyfriend, girlfriend or roommate, or even come alone to PAWS some

Scott A. Drake afternoon, and just look through the window. Pets last longer than relationships anyway, right? To make it even easier to adopt, PAWS works with a few Philadelphia pet stores. The PetSmart in South Philly, 2360 Oregon Ave., has kittens and cats for adoption Mondays through Fridays from 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. PAWS also has dogs on site on most weekends from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. In the Northeast, the same hours apply to the PETCO at Grant Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard and at the Cottman Avenue PetSmart. If you’re not sure about

adoption, you can offer your home to foster a pet for a week or three. Nearly all of the animals at PAWS are candidates for temporary foster homes while they are being placed. Of course, if you get attached, you may want to adopt them yourself, which is ﬁne. Volunteerism is in the summer doldrums as well, so if you want to be around the dogs, cats, kittens and pups but aren’t sure about adoption, volunteer to help out for a couple of months to feed, walk, bathe or play with the animals. More information on adoption, fostering and volunteering can be found on the PAWS Web site. ■ The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society 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. 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

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JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Obituary

PHILLIP R. REEVES, MD

Michael Lyons, 66, social worker By Jen Colletta PGN Staff Writer Michael Lyons, a longtime city worker and former civilrights activist, died June 24 after a long battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was 66. Lyons, a native of Rochester, N.Y., was born March 31, 1943. He moved to Philadelphia in the late 1960s after graduating from college in the Midwest, and also lived for a time in Wilmington, Del., where he served in the Volunteers in Service to America, the predecessor of AmeriaCorps, lending his time to anti-poverty efforts. Bob Kahn, Lyons’ friend of 30 years, said he was very active in the civil-rights movement of the ’60s and was not afraid to stand up for others. He was arrested numerous times — once in Elkton, Md., while protesting the segregation of lunch counters at Woolwoorth’s, and twice while demonstrating against the Vietnam War in Delaware. Lyons started working as a social worker with the City of Philadelphia in 1969, a position he held until 1995. Florence Pisciotta, his friend of nearly 40 years, said he was a “very fair person” and a tireless advocate for the poor and underprivileged, attributes that aided him in his ﬁeld.

SCOUTS From Page 1 the federal case’s discovery deadline from July 6 until Oct. 5 — and agreed to postpone the trial date from Dec. 8, 2009 to April 21, 2010. Those extensions followed an initial round of extensions granted by Buckwalter in April 2009. According to standard operating procedures issued by Buckwalter, discovery for a typical case takes six months unless there is a “compelling reason” for an extension. Andrew A. Chirls, a local attorney monitoring both cases, was pleased that Bernstein denied a postponement in the Common Pleas eviction proceeding. “The longer the Scouts stay in the building, the longer an

PAGE 13

Throughout the ’70s, he held bartending positions at the Westbury and now-defunct Allegro and was a server and bartender at former restaurant Backstage. Peter Lamlein, co-owner of Backstage, said Lyons was a hard worker who interacted well with the customers. “He was great, very easygoing and laidback,” Lamlein said. “He was a very personable person who always made people feel comfortable and at home.” Pisciotta said Lyons, an avid reader and antique collector, was the type of person who could always get a laugh out of his friends. “He was a very charming, very amusing person,” she said. “He was always entertaining us and is going to really be missed by our group of friends.” Kahn said that throughout Lyons’ more-than-10-year ﬁght with cancer, he rarely asked his friends for help and, when he did, he made his gratitude known. “On the 22nd I was up in Philly to visit him and he had a couple other friends over, and it was really the ﬁrst time he ever asked us to do anything for him,” Kahn said. “He lived on his own and always took care of himself, but we did some laundry and put away some clothes. And the next day he called to say that he was injustice is being done,” Chirls said. “I’m not saying the litigation should go faster than its natural life. But we’re ready for it to be decided and to come to an end.” A settlement conference in the federal case has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 31 in Courtroom 31 of the U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market St., before U.S. Magistrate Judge L. Felipe Restrepo. The public is not permitted to attend the settlement conference, according to court documents. Chirls said the scheduled settlement conference doesn’t justify the need for extensions in either case. “If there is a serious basis to settle, why does the city have to wait for a conference on Aug. 31, 2009?” he posed. “If there is a basis for settlement, it could have been explored by now.” Stephan A. Glassman, chair of

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in hospice and thanked me for helping and apologized if he was bossy at all the night before. And then he died the next day.” Lyons is survived by his brother, David Lyons, several nieces and nephews and a large circle of friends. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. July 22 at St. Malachy’s, 1429 N. 11th St. Donations can be made in Lyons’ name to The Prostate Cancer Foundation at www. prostatecancerfoundation.org or by mail to 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401. ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com. the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, agreed. “Human rights must always be a priority in this society,” Glassman said. “One would hope that this would rise to a level of the highest priority for the city of Philadelphia. Every day that goes by when an individual is denied equal opportunity is a day that is a stain on the reputation of the city.” In his ruling, Bernstein has left open the possibility for monetary sanctions due to the missed deadline. Doug Oliver, a spokesperson for the Nutter administration, had no comment for this story. Jason P. Gosselin, an attorney for the Scouts, was unavailable for comment. ■ Timothy Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.

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International News Cleric endorses gay marriage A senior Scottish cleric has said that gays should be able to get married in church. The Rev. Kelvin Holdsworth, the openly gay provost of St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, said he believed civil partnerships were not equal to marriage and that gay couples should be able to walk down the aisle together. “Civil partnerships contain many of the same rights and privileges as marriage, but they are not the same,” he said. “You can’t celebrate a civil partnership in a church and if I tried to I’d be breaking the law. I want every gay couple to be able to walk down the street holding hands if they wish to do so. I also want every gay couple to be able to walk down the aisle holding hands if they want to, too. I want to alert [members of Scottish Parliament] to this, so parliament can bring in this relatively small, but very important, change.” He admitted he had not always been in favor of gay marriage, but said he changed his mind when a male couple asked him to perform a blessing. He also said the words of the Archbishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali, were hurtful. Nazir-Ali said earlier this month that gays should “repent and be changed.” “I wish he wasn’t making the comments he makes and the only thing I can do is wish him a blessing of peace,” Holdsworth said.

Larry Nichols

On the possibility of gay clergy being able to marry, Holdsworth said: “I don’t know how long it will take before clergy can have a same-sex marriage ceremony that is acknowledged by the whole church, but I do believe it is far more likely to happen in Scotland rather than England. I think in some ways Scotland is a more grown-up society than England.”

Swedes to open LGBT nursing home Elderly gays and lesbians in Stockholm may soon be able to live in a special gay-friendly nursing home. A recent city decision to privatize nursing-home care may help the planned Regnbågen (“Rainbow”) nursing home along. “What we want to avoid is the situation which sometimes occurs today where a guy doesn’t dare to tell nursing-home staff that it’s his boyfriend of however many years who is coming for a visit,” said project leader Christer Fällman. He said the idea had support from the city but had so far been unable to progress due to the economic downturn. “The privatization of nursing homes actually made it easier to move things forward because you have a proﬁt-driven company involved which sees the market potential,” he said. Fällman stressed that while the nursing home would be gayfriendly, it would be open to anyone. “We don’t want this to be seen

as a move back into the closet,” he said. “There are already nursing homes for Finnish speakers, and soon we will also have them for Turkish, Greek and Spanish speakers. We’re looking to create a nursing home where LGBT people can ‘speak their own language’ and feel secure in who they are.” Fällman is currently working with nursing-home companies to determine the level of interest among elderly LGBT people and hopes the home will open within two years.

Academic: Islam, homosexuality compatible A leading Muslim academic has said there is evidence in the Koran that homosexuality can be compatible with Islam. Dr. Amanullah De Sondy, 29, who teaches at the School of Divinity in Glasgow University, said: “Homosexuality is not incompatible with Islam. The two can and have coexisted. The important thing is to link it with living a good life and creating a good society.” He added that despite the evidence, conservative Muslims will not accept homosexuality. “If you ask them privately, the vast majority of my generation of Muslims are deeply homophobic. I think it is particularly entrenched because so many Muslim societies are rooted in traditional ideas of the family and patriarchy.” On the story of the destruction of Sodom, which appears in both the Koran and the Bible, he said: “It is often said to illustrate God’s disapproval of homosexuality. But on closer inspection it is about his disapproval of the rape of young boys. There is a big difference.”

Female shortage equals gay penguins A number of male king penguins at Edinburgh Zoo are forming gay relationships, and zookeepers believe a shortage of female birds is making them lonely, causing them to pair off. The zoo has 10 king penguins but only two are female, leaving the other six males without a female mate. Some of them are now forming partnerships. “They have sometimes tried to

Yout group questio meet fr PAGE 15 Youth C �

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physically mate with each other, not very successfully,” head penguin keeper Roslin Talbot said. “But mainly, they sit together in pairs and display to one another. If we had four male king penguins and four female king penguins, this wouldn’t be happening. But this year we have just two females, because older females have died.” In other gay-penguin news, a male couple at the San Francisco Zoo has split up after one had an affair with a female. Magellan penguins Harry and Pepper have been a couple since 2003 and even incubated an egg together in 2008. However, Pepper became violent after a female bird, Linda, lost her mate and befriended Harry. Since the ﬁght, the three have been separated.

Pride funding draws ire After granting ﬁnancial support to Calgary’s annual Pride Week, a tourism minister has been stripped of her responsibility for a major funding program.

BOARD From Page 1 Pennsylvanians. This step is being taken in light of the economy and recognizing the need to expand in Pennsylvania.” “That was approved by the board, and the restructuring included the development of a steering committee,” Zeitlin said. “Three members of the board were asked to stay on the steering committee. One accepted and the other two did not at ﬁrst but then reconsidered.” Zeitlin — whom the board approved as executive director in February after a national search following last summer’s resignation of former executive director Stacey Sobel — said Sims was initially the only one to accept the offer, and Loftus and Meadway declined but later agreed to join the committee. “They certainly have a great deal of interest in the mission of the organization and in helping with the restructuring, and they’re all very smart people,” Zeitlin said. When asked why these three members, the newest on the board, were asked to join the committee, Zeitlin said, “The board was mindful of the need for some new ideas and new blood.” Zeitlin added that the steering committee is not meant to be a permanent board, but rather was

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Critics asserted the move was punishment for funding the event, while the government denied the accusation, saying it had always been expected she would hand over control of the fund to industry minister Tony Clement. Conservative MP Brad Trost, who has criticized Pride, suggested in an interview that federal tourism minister Diane Ablonczy was stripped of her responsibility for the $100-million tourism fund as a punishment. “The pro-life and the profamily community should know and understand that the tourism funding money that went to the gay pride parade in Toronto was not government policy,” he added. “Canadian taxpayers, even nonsocial conservative ones, don’t want their tax dollars to go to events that are polarizing, or events that are more political than touristy in nature.”

Yoga guru: Gays can be ‘cured’

challenging a ruling by the Delhi high court that decriminalized gay sex, claiming that homosexuality is a “disease” that can be cured by yoga. Swami Baba Ramdev ﬁled the petition in India’s supreme court, charging that the lower court erred in legalizing “unnatural sex acts.” He said the “congenital defect” of homosexuality could be treated through yoga, breathing exercises and meditation techniques. Recently the Delhi high court overturned the British colonialera ban on gay sex, but under the Indian legal system, anyone can challenge a court decision in a higher court. Suresh Kaushal, an astrologer, later ﬁled a petition to challenge the overturning of the 148-year-old ban. He claimed the traditions of India do not permit homosexuality, and said the court decision would contribute to the spread of HIV/ AIDS. The Indian government and progay groups will have an opportunity to respond to the petitions.■

The leading television yoga expert in India ﬁled a petition

Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

designed to create the framework for the group’s reorganizing efforts. “There are going to be lots of committees, and the people who chair those committees and subcommittees will be reaching

out to members of the community who would like to be helpful,” she said. “We’re open to new ideas and new people getting involved.” ■ Jen Colletta can be reached at jen@epgn.com.

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Detour PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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A departure from the ordinary

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Margaret Cho talks new TV show and album By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer Who says there aren’t any good new shows on TV during the summer? Lifetime’s new comedic drama, “Drop Dead Diva,” follows the story of a vapid model-in-training, Deb, who dies in a freak accident. At the gates of Heaven, she tries to pull a fast one to get her life back, only to have her soul resurface in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane. Now she has to live as Jane, with only a guardian angel and Deb’s equally superﬁcial best friend as the only people who know who’s really inside Jane’s body. Yeah, it sounds hokey on paper, but on the screen, “Diva”

is probably the most promising TV show of the summer. Bisexual comedian, actress and activist Margaret Cho, who plays Teri, Jane’s trusty and superbly able assistant, said she was also a little skeptical about the show when she ﬁrst heard about it. “I didn’t know how it was going to work,” she said. “When I heard the premise I was like, ‘I don’t get it.’ But when I read the script I thought, ‘Oh, I see.’ For somebody like me growing up and always having issues with body images and weight, it’s really about the struggle of being invisible. I think if you’re a certain size, people don’t look at you. That invisibility is really what the show is about. It’s about turning invisibility

BROOKE ELLIOTT AND CHO ON THE SHOW Photos courtesy Lifetime Television

into visibility. It’s about how Deb was visible before because she was blond and thin and she matched this societal ideal of what beauty is supposed to be. Jane becomes visible in the world because she’s an excellent lawyer. She’s brilliant and goes out of her way to help people. So it’s about marrying those two ideas of becoming visible.” Cho said that Josh Berman, executive producer of the show, had her in mind for the role of Teri from the start. “I think he always wanted me for the role but I’m not sure it was specifically written for me,” she said. “I was doing an album with another artist named Jay Brand and he’s friends with Josh. He came up to me and he was like, ‘I want you to be in my show!’ And I didn’t know what it was. That happens to me a lot when I go out. I never think about if it’s real or legit. So I was like, ‘Sure.’ The next day I got a script from my agent and I loved it. It kind of went from there, but I was excited to be a part of it. I think I was the first person cast for it.” Actors from a number of notable TV shows soon signed on for “Drop Dead Diva,” including Kate Levering (“Cashmere Mafia”), April Bowlby (“Two and a Half Men”), Josh Stamberg (“Lie to Me”) and Brooke D’Orsay (“How I Met Your Mother”). But it’s a relative newcomer in the starring role who pretty much steals the show. Stage actor Brooke Elliott (“Wicked”) is nothing short of amazing with her funny, poignant and utterly convincing portrayal of Jane, who embodies Deb’s shallow personality but Jane’s superior intellect. Cho said she was blown away by Elliott’s performance. “She really has the depth of both characters within her. You can see Deb very clearly inside of Brooke’s acting. She is just so good at this very difficult task of playing two people at once. She’s a tremendous actress. I think it also works because Brooke is so beautiful. She’s way more beautiful than Deb. She woke up even more beautiful. The journey of the show is she learns to see it and I love that. I think it’s just a marvelous idea.” The first episode of “Diva” focuses mostly on Jane and her

APRIL BOWLBY AND CHO IN “DROP DEAD DIVA” Photo: Ed Thompson/Lifetime Television

attempt to come to terms with her new life as a lawyer. But Cho said the show will eventually involve her character and others in Jane’s circle a little more. “It goes deeper into their relationships with Jane,” she said. “It’s centered around Jane and her journey. It examines all these different court cases too and how Jane deals with them, which brings in all these incredible guest stars, which is exciting.” Hanging with celebrity guest stars is nothing new for Cho, but she said working on “Diva” is going to put her in touch with some old acquaintances and a few people she has been anxious to work with. “I get to see people that I love, like Rosie O’Donnell, Kathy Najimy, people I’m close to,” she said. “Also people I don’t know who I can’t wait to meet, like Liza Minnelli and Tim Gunn. It’s a pretty gay show.” Cho added that of all the TV shows she’s been a part of in her substantial career, “Drop Dead Diva” is probably the best. “I’m really proud of it. I’m really amazed with it. I’ve fallen in love with it. Of course, I would love to go do another season of ‘The Cho Show.’ I just love that too, but that’s a totally different thing, and since I’m here doing

this I don’t know if that will be possible. But for right now, I’m very happy. This show is really living up to so many of my dreams and expectations. I’m thrilled about it.” “The Cho Show,” a VH-1 reality show about the comedian, her career and her family, debuted last year. Cho said VH-1 is interested in doing a second season, but that her busy schedule probably won’t allow it any time soon. “I would love to do it again in some way, somewhere else in a different capacity. I just love [costar] Selene Luna and, of course, my family is so great. The show is such a beautiful one, but ‘Drop Dead Diva’ is my project.” Another project predicted to take a while is Cho’s new album, “Guitarded,” a collection of songs she is writing with the help of artists such as Patty Grifﬁn, Jon Brion and Grant Lee Phillips. Anyone who has seen Cho perform on her recent “Beautiful” tour or her burlesque show “The Sensuous Woman” got a taste of her songwriting skills. “I did some rap and I just got inspired to do it. It was fun for me,” she said. “The last few years I’ve been putting out little See CHO, Page 18

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CHO From Page 17 songs here and there. So now I’m just exploring it a little bit more.” Cho was inspired to pick up a guitar last year, and she’s been practicing ever since. “I play every day,” she said. “I play a lot, which is good because I only started playing in November. I wanted to play at the Prop. 8 rally in Cincinnati. All over the country everybody protested in their city. I just happened to be in Cincinnati so I wanted to play a protest song. I had never played guitar before but I just thought, ‘I’m going to start playing now.’ I wrote a song about Prop. 8 and played it. That started it off.” Even for a person who has spent most of her adult life on stage, Cho said that playing guitar in front of a large crowd for the ﬁrst time was not easy. “As this public speaker, I can kind of bullshit my way through anything,” she said. “But with a musical instrument, you actually have to know how to play it. It’s harder than I realized. Although, I have the best teacher in the world, so I can’t complain.” As for “Guitarded,” Cho said

her fans can expect a mixed bag of musical styles. “It’s all over the place. Right now I’m working more on the singer-songwriter-type stuff, but I’m going to be working with lots of different types of artists. It’s going to be techno, some hip-hop, just every type of genre of music. Everything is just crazy. It’ll be cool. I was really inspired by Liz Phair. Cyndi Lauper taught me how to sing. The people that are on this album are amazing. There are a lot of people that I love to listen to that are going to be a part of it.” When it comes to lyrics for the album, don’t be surprised if Cho manages to work in more than a few social messages. “I think it’s all kind of political in nature,” she said. “Who knows what’s going to make it on the record? Right now, there’s something like 50 songs in production at some level. I have no idea which ones will end up being overtly political. We’ll see.” Hopefully, with the “Guitarded” album and/or an upcoming tour, Cho will continue to use her formidable talent to criticize the political machine. A few highproﬁle comics have recently

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

faced criticism for their jokes about political ﬁgures, but Cho isn’t worried about any backlash. “Comedians have a responsibility to be political,” she said. “We’re the only ones who can get away with it. No matter what, comedians should always have the last word. We’re the workhorses of the entertainment world. We’re the hardest working and the most maligned and the most abused. We should at least always get the last word. Comedians should always get to say what they want and politicians should be afraid. David Letterman has a responsibility to speak to as wide an audience [as] possible, so his comments are taken more seriously. Whereas somebody like Wanda Sykes and myself, we have much more freedom because our points of view are clearer-cut and ingrained in our identity. It’s the one time you can actually feel sorry for straight white guys.” “Drop Dead Diva” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on Lifetime. For more information, visit www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/ shows/drop-dead-diva or www. margaretcho.com. ■ Larry Nichols can be reached at larry@epgn.com.

Photo: Pixie Vision Productions

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Leather Lookout Jim Kiley-Zufelt Summer camp It’s hard to believe it’s the middle of July already. Summer might feel half over, but there’s plenty of time to have fun camping it up with bears and leather men! If you haven’t seen the great outdoors in a while, camping is the perfect way to catch up on those Boy Scout badges you missed. All of these campgrounds are membership-based and none are limited to tent camping. They all have electric and water hookups, modern bathrooms and shower facilities, swimming pools, cafés and recreation halls. Some even have laundry rooms, hot tubs and wireless networks. It’s gay camping, after all, not roughing it on the Appalachian Trail. Nightly rates vary at each location. Each campground is clothing-optional, but they all have clearly stated policies against public sex. That means don’t get your freak on in the middle of the road or on a pool floaty: But if you find a nice secluded spot in the bushes, no one will stop you (try to join you, maybe; but stop you, no). The Woods Campground As you drive up the Northeast Extension, the first gay campground you’ll encounter is The Woods. This venue has an annual membership fee of

$25 and admits men and women ages 18 and up. You can find more information at www. thewoodscampground.com. Upcoming leather and bear events include Motorcycle/ Leather II on Aug. 7-8, where Philadelphians MC will be hosting the Friday and Saturday night Pavilion bath-house parties; Bears at The Woods III on Sept. 18-19; Motorcycle/Leather III on Oct. 2-3 with the Mr. and Ms. Woods Leather contests; and Bears at The Woods IV on Oct. 16-17. The Woods is the newest of the bunch so it’s very clean and well-maintained, but its annual fee recently skyrocketed to five times that of the others. The grounds are flat and easy to walk. But if you’re looking for a break from the Philly bar crowd, you should keep driving. The Woods is heavy on Philly folks, so if you think you can whore around in anonymous bliss, you may find your shenanigans plastered all over Facebook before you get home. Hillside Campgrounds Drive up I-81 about 20 miles past the end of the Northeast Extension and you’ll find Hillside. This venue has an annual membership fee of $4 and is open only to men age 21 and up. More details at www. hillsidecampgrounds.com. Upcoming leather and bear events include Motorcycle & See CAMP, Page 32

A CAPITOL FOURTH: Leather men from up and down the East Coast gathered at Washington, D.C.’s Morrison Clark Inn over Fourth of July weekend to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the DC boys of Leather. Photo: Jim Kiley-Zufelt

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OUTonline

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Jason Villemez

Take a break and travel Summer vacation is a bit more complicated now than in years past. Where to go, when to go, who to go with and, of course, why to go, are all questions that need to be answered before one takes that plunge into the sea — or the city. Along with the economic concerns many now face, answering all of those questions may be so daunting to some that the easiest solution is simply to stay home. I recently watched a video of Simon Doonan, Barneys New York creative director and inspiration for the Logo TV show “Beautiful People,” talking about the place he wants to be most. His response was a casual yet afﬁrmative, “On my couch.” It’s true that travel can sometimes feel more like work than, well, work itself. But we all need a break, especially amid the global economic and political turmoil. Ironic as it is, spending money is the best way to help end a recession. And with countless deals out there, taking a trip makes it easy to play a small yet vital role in helping to turn things around.

First let’s focus on where to go and why to go there. Trip Out Gay Travel (www. tripoutgaytravel.com) is a wonderfully designed, refreshing site with LGBT-specific content for almost every major destination, including many places not normally included in a “must-see” list, like Liverpool or Tel Aviv. Starting out with a blank pad, it’ll be easy to generate ideas on where to go by perusing the site’s pages. To find a destination, one can search by city or region, or spin the inlaid Google map to see many countries at once. After pinpointing a place, each location begins with a gayfriendly rating: green for go, red for no, and “fast facts,” including gay places of interest and other community-specific details. Further down sits a more detailed cultural description and thorough LGBT-recommended hotspots. Each spot has descriptions and user comments that often offer more telling advice than any guidebook can provide. For those with a specific theme in mind, finding a place by vacation type, like beaches, food and wine or nightlife, is simple too. There’s the traditional, like the top-10 nude beaches, as well as the atypical, like the top-10 counter-culture sights of Gus Van Sant’s Portland, celebrating

the filmmaker’s hometown as well as the setting of many of his films. No matter one’s taste in food, culture or people, there’s a place for everyone. Being able to afford to go to those places is another matter entirely. As far as discount travel sites go, Travelocity has advertised heavily in LGBT media, and should of course be considered along with sites like Expedia and Orbitz. But, going to each individual site takes time and can grow tedious. Fortunately, Kayak (www.kayak. com) saves users the trouble and can compare prices from many discount sites all in one search. As a child, I loved spinning and stopping my globe, looking at the place my finger landed on and wanting to know what it was like. The Internet has given travel a new dimension, making it easier to see places without really seeing them. But nothing compares to experiencing a place live, breathing the air and taking in the surroundings. So this summer, try to take yourself out of pictures and into the picturesque. With all the positive economic and cultural ramifications, it’ll be worth much more than a thousand words. ■ Contact Jason with feedback at outonline@gmail.com.

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Offline

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Bruce Yelk

LGBT outdoor activity guide

PGN PGN

leader in trail development for recreation and transportation and claims some of our region’s most popular and well-known outdoor paths — such as the Pennypack, the Schuylkill River and the Wissahickon trails — as their own. Open and available for use from dawn to dusk all year around, each Montco trail is designed to facilitate exercise, outdoor activities and an appreciation of open space. To research all the area has to offer, visit www.trails.montcopa.org. For outdoor enthusiasts who are game for something a bit more extreme, plan a visit to Ralph Stover State Park in Bucks County. Located about 2 miles north of Point Pleasant near Route 32, this park is a popular destination for rock climbing on High Rocks and whitewater kayaking on Tohickon Creek. In addition, Ralph Stover State Park boasts a 1-mile hiking trail and shaded picnic area. To make arrangements for kayaking or whitewater rafting, visit Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Web site at www.dcnr. state.pa.us. If you’re a Center City resident looking for a place to get outside while staying close to home, Fairmount Park is perfect. From jogging on Kelly Drive to playing tennis next to The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, there’s no shortage of facilities for a wide range of uses in

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In a few short weeks, I’ll be off to Provincetown for my summer vacation. Needless to say, my friends and I have been spending more and more time at the gym in preparation for long days on the beach and by the pool. At the risk of sounding superficial, I believe everyone wants to feel confident in how they look, and I’m a firm believer that working out is equally beneficial for our bodies, minds and spirits. And since exercise is on my mind, this column highlights some of our area’s most enjoyable outdoor activities. The Philadelphia region is packed with beautiful parks, rivers and trails that provide the perfect backdrop for a fun and challenging workout or a leisurely escape from the city. It won’t be long before the seasons begin to change again, so get out and enjoy our scenic attractions! For the most athletic and ambitious outdoorsmen and women among us, there’s no greater physical challenge around than the Horse-Shoe Trail. This 140-mile trail is designed for hiking and horse riding, and it runs from the intersection of Routes 23 and 252 in Valley Forge National Historical Park to the Appalachian Trail. Though some choose to hike the entire distance over a series of days, there is a multitude of ways to enjoy this trail. With long stretches of the trail running parallel to the Pennsylvania Turnpike through Chester, Berks and Lancaster counties, there are many opportunities to customize the length and difficulty of your route. For more information, check out www.hstrail.org. If you’re looking for a trail that’s more suitable for a jog or bike ride, look no further than Montgomery County. Montco is a nationally recognized

Fairmount Park. Also home to the Philadelphia Zoo and the Please Touch Museum, Fairmount Park has been revitalized in recent years due in very large part to the exemplary leadership of the Fairmount Park Commission. For more information on Philadelphia’s most accessible “natural resource,” visit www. fairmountpark.org. If none of the aforementioned activities interests you, check out the extensive online resource guide from Boundless Philadelphia, an initiative of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, at www. gophila.com. From fishing to hiking to camping, Boundless Philadelphia’s Web site is your one-stop shop to plan any type of outdoor excursion. Also, remember that Philadelphia has a number of LGBT sports teams in disciplines as diverse as swimming, wrestling and softball. Whether you’re a former athlete looking to get back in competitive shape or a novice looking to develop a new skill, joining a team may be the ticket. To check out links to each team’s Web site, visit www.teamphiladelphia.org. That’s all I’ve got for this week. ’Til next time, get offline and see what your community has to offer! ■ If you have comments or information on upcoming events, e-mail Bruce@nightlifegay.com, reference Offline.

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Family Portraits Just like the song in “A Chorus Line,” Matthew Neenan used to watch his sisters dance and exclaimed, “I can do that!” And boy, can he. Neenan progressed from dancing in the living room to becoming a principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet. More recently, Neenan has focused his attention on choreography and, in October 2007, was named choreographer-in-residence. Always looking to stay ahead of the curve, he co-founded BalletX in 2005 with fellow dancer Christine Cox. It’s now the resident dance company at the prestigious Wilma Theater. Neenan was also recently named Best Dance Talent by the editors of Philadelphia Magazine’s annual “Best of Philly.” BalletX wraps up its second season at the Wilma with Summer Series 2009, July 22-26. The innovative program features a world premiere by Jodie Gates in her first BalletX commission, danced to Ravel’s “Bolero,” and two classic BalletX favorites: “Scenes View 2” by Jorma Elo and “Broke Apart” by Neenan. The latter is set to a compilation of songs by female artists: Joanna Newsom, Cynthia Hopkins, Martha Wainwright and female duet She-Haw. The Boston native took a minute from rehearsal to talk about his journey. PGN: You started off young in the business. How old were you? MN: I started dance training at the Boston Ballet School with noted teachers Nan C. Keating and Jacqueline Cronsberg when I was very young. When I was 14, I moved to New York to go to the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and the American School of Ballet, and I stayed in New York for about six or seven years. At the time, my older sister was dancing with Pennsylvania Ballet (I’m the youngest of five and three of us were dancers). Anyway, I would come visit her here in Philly. I really liked what Pennsylvania Ballet was doing and developed a strong affinity for the company, so I decided to move here. They were smaller, so there was more opportunity. I still kept my place in New York. It was rentcontrolled, so I would have been crazy to give it up. In fact, I still have it! I’ve been here about 13 years now. PGN: Were your parents in the arts?

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Suzi Nash MN: No, my father worked for the New England Telephone Company. He was born in South Boston and went to work straight from high school. My mother was pretty much a homemaker once she started having children and we were Irish Catholic, so they started as soon as they got married. She was about 21. But my mom is also a painter: She repairs statues and that kind of thing, so I guess we got some of our artistic bent from her. PGN: How did you get into the arts? MN: It’s the pretty classic tale — my two older sisters were into ballet. At the Boston Ballet, they were always looking for boys to participate, so I danced in the production of “Nutcracker” when I was 4 years old, before I’d even taken a lesson. PGN: Do you have those ﬁrst pair of ballet slippers? MN: I think my mom does. They were these tiny little shoes. PGN: Were you captivated right away? MN: Yes, but during my early teens I got away from it for a little and then decided that I wanted to take it seriously, and that’s when I moved to New York. My older sister was there and she supported me while I was in school. My sister was a Broadway dancer so I got to experience a bit of that world. PGN: Did you ever want to do Broadway? MN: I had thoughts of it, but I preferred ballet. I did study other types of dance — modern dance, the Graham technique, the Limon technique. PGN: What was it like moving to New York at 14? MN: We were in midtown Manhattan and, back then, 49th and Ninth wasn’t such a great area. But I loved living there, I really looked up to my sister and her boyfriend at the time really took care of me. They were some of the best years of my life. Even at that age, I was really focused on what I wanted to do. [Laughs.] Sometimes I look back and think I was more mature in high school than I’ve been ever since. PGN: What did you ﬁrst like about New York?

MN: Well, I’d been there quite a bit. Starting at 12, I would take a plane by myself to visit my sister and I also started taking classes there, at American Ballet, so I had a taste of the city before I moved there. But I loved the diversity of being in New York. I came from an area that was not only all white, it was all Catholic. In New York, it was so diverse that in some of my classes I was the only white boy, and I loved that. I loved the opportunity to meet and mix with a variety of people. PGN: Any hobbies other than dancing? MN: I’m getting into a lot of holistic healing, like acupuncture and herbal medicines. I also like to travel quite a bit. PGN: A favorite place you’ve been? MN: I just got back from Ireland and it was so much more than expected. That’s my heritage, so it was special that way, but the country itself was so beautiful. I’ve never seen green like that before. I’ve seen mountains and cliffs and water before, but there, the mountains are covered with grass of the most vibrant green you’ve ever seen. It was amazing. PGN: So how did you get started doing choreography? MN: I feel lucky, because I always knew that I wanted to do choreography. Even when I first started dancing, I knew that eventually I wanted to be on the other side of it all. Dancing is very absorbing, so you need to be prepared for what comes after you can’t dance anymore. For a lot of dancers who don’t have that, they have to go back to school and find something else to do, which can be very hard. PGN: And BalletX? MN: It started with a group of us from Pennsylvania Ballet who were looking to do something during our down time. So we started a company called Phrenic New Ballet. It was great, but there were five directors — a few too many cooks in the kitchen. So one of the other dancers, Christine Cox, and I decided to split off and create our own company, partially because we knew there was a void in Philadelphia for contemporary ballet. People had a preconceived

notion about ballet: You said the word “ballet” and they would think tutus. We wanted to expand that and give people who’d grown tired of traditional ballet something new. PGN: What does the X in the name stand for? MN: [Laughs.] Oh, exploring, experimental, exciting. Christine is from Generation X, so it fits in a lot of ways. Since we’re a small company, we can push the boundaries more than we could with MATTHEW NEENAN Photo: Suzi Nash Pennsylvania Ballet. We try to showcase that you are going to have to get new choreographers in the in a skimpy costume, you don’t city. Sometimes we’ll bring wait until the last week and starve in someone more established, yourself. You start to change your choreographers with a name, but diet a month out and start cutting ones that Philly hasn’t seen yet, down on the alcohol and junk. or sometimes we’ll use emerging Though, when we were young, choreographers from here that like most dancers I’d smoke haven’t been discovered yet and cigarettes to curb my appetite, but who need an extra push. I grew out of that. I just realized one day that smoke is not really PGN: Do you still dance? good food for your organs. If you MN: No: My official retirement want to last, you need to respect from Pennsylvania Ballet was your body. But at that age, we all 2007, but I’d been dancing thought we were invincible. sporadically with BalletX. Then over the past winter, I was in Italy PGN: What’s your process for and I started stressing about an choreographing? upcoming tour. “Oh no, I have MN: Usually it starts with the to get back in shape, I have to music. You find a piece that get back on stage and perform you like and listen to it a few again.” And I realized that on times and then you start creating top of creating the pieces off the steps in your head. It’s like it’s top of my head and doing the calling it out to you. I think there administrative work, I just didn’t are things around you that get want the stress of performing as absorbed in the psyche without well. Also, I knew if I wanted realizing it that might influence to concentrate on getting the your piece; seeing random things company to the next level, I’d that later come back to you. But it have to let something go. And all starts with the music. I was ready: I was over that everyday struggle of having to PGN: Do you watch “Dancing keep your body in shape to have with the Stars”? the stamina needed to do a show. MN: No, but I think those type of shows, like that and “So You PGN: Are weight issues a Think You Can Dance,” are problem with dancers? helpful. Kids don’t see dance as MN: More so with the younger something so threatening and dancers. With our dancers, we taboo. With all these mainstream don’t want them to be too skinny. athletes and guys doing dance, Fit, yes, but not skinny. There they don’t make fun of it as much is a proper aesthetic look you as they used to. And they see how have to have. We are athletes and much work it is! your body needs to show that by looking strong, not skeletal. PGN: When did you come out? I think we older dancers know MN: It was after I moved here, how to eat well and keep the in my 20s. I think I always body lean and fit. If you know knew, but I fought it. I was

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

raised IrishCatholic, so it was not something I wanted to deal with. I was still trying to have a girlfriend. PGN: Interesting, even with all the gay folks in ballet? MN: In a way, it did a reverse. A lot of my friends from high school didn’t come out until their 20s either. We weren’t out to each other at all. As gay teenagers, we were all denying it and trying to be “regular guys.” When I did come out, I didn’t hide it from my family — I wouldn’t have that — but it’s still a touchy subject with some of them. PGN: What kind of things did you like to do as a kid? MN: [Sighs wistfully.] Mostly dance. I loved to dance. My sisters would play the piano and I would just dance around the living room. For hours. Though, I wasn’t the kind of kid to put on a show for Mom and Dad. I was actually quite shy. My parents would ask me to dance for their friends and I would put the stop sign up. [Laughs.] I just wouldn’t do it. PGN: Favorite toy? MN: Telephones. And anything that I could use my ﬁngers on. This is a little odd, but when I was a kid, my mother had all these bottles of medication that she used to keep on the kitchen counter: a bottle of Advil, a bottle of NyQuil, a bottle of prescription pills, vitamins, etc. At night when the whole family was watching TV and the lights were low, I’d go into the kitchen. I think the counter came up to my chest and I would take the bottles and make them dance. I’d line them up in groups and put certain ones in front, match them up by size and choreograph a whole show using pill bottles. There was just one light inset above the kitchen counter so it was the perfect mood lighting! I always liked things where I could go into my own little world. I had to in order to survive. PGN: Any early signs you were gay? MN: Oh yeah, dressing up in my sister’s clothes. PGN: Did you get caught? MN: Well, my mother found one of my sister’s dresses in one of my drawers. I did that “how did that get there?” thing. She didn’t say anything, but she wasn’t too happy. I think my sisters knew. But I would go to

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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my best friend’s house and dress up there. Her mother was much more casual about it: She would dress us up and let us play games. It was nice because I could go “Silver Deposits” there and be myself. I never had any desire to go outside and play Across sports. 1. Bi PGN: Any traits you inherited from your mother or father? MN: No — I love them, but no. I was always a little different. Plus, since I left home so young, I didn’t spend a lot of time with them. My mother said she cried for a year, because she knew I wasn’t ever coming back. PGN: A disastrous stage moment? MN: Well, I’m double-jointed and I have a chronic shoulder injury. It pops out of its socket at various times. It’s happened on stage and I have to take a moment to pop it back in. PGN: Best time on stage? MN: I think it was my final night on stage with Pennsylvania Ballet. We were doing Paul Taylor’s “Company B” and I had a long, arduous, hard solo that I really got into shape for because I knew it would be my last moment with them. I really embraced it and it reminded me of why I got into dancing in the first place. I put aside all the hard parts and just enjoyed the last moment. It was really apropos because the piece is about World War II and I played a soldier who gets killed. He gets shot and dies, but at the finale he comes back, raises his arm and snaps. At that point all the lights go out and it’s the end. It was a wonderful way to end my last time on stage with Pennsylvania Ballet. ■ To suggest a community member for “Family Portraits,” write to: Family Portraits, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 or portraits05@aol.com.

5. What you say to get a lei 10. Where to find a date in a hot place 15. Quartet after a desertion 16. Sculptor Edmonia 17. One who often screws actors 18. Tribute at a gay rodeo? 21. Source of a long shaft in the night 22. Ballet supporters 23. JFK posting 24. Barely get, with “out” 25. One of the E’s of Socrates 26. National gay org. 27. ___ all-time high 28. They come during finals week 30. Syngman of Korea 32. Act badly 33. Ancient Irish language 34. Cheese in red 35. Wicks making a basket, e.g. 36. Saying from Brendan? 39. Bones on pirate flags 42. Plumbing problem 43. City near Anaheim 47. Flamboyant Flynn 48. “Horny” animals 49. Puts in a postbox 50. “Gorillas in the Mist” author Fossey 51. Expected to arrive 52. One-night-stand partner, crudely 54. Dick, for short 55. Org. for Annapolis grads 56. Photographer Ritts

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PAGE 23 57. Reason to hit the roof 59. Sitcom about a Zadan/ Meron musical? 62. Put into law 63. “Please” to Marcella Hazan 64. R.E.M., e.g. 65. Fosse field 66. Rob of “Melrose Place” 67. Gets hard Down 1. Button or Bean 2. Frog, for one 3. Insufficient lighting 4. Bear’s fur 5. Ready for anything 6. Arthur portrayer in “Total Eclipse” 7. “A League of Their ___ ” 8. Be on target 9. Toward Dinah? 10. Trireme propellers 11. Muslim title 12. Dianne Feinstein, e.g. 13. Thankless one 14. More like a hard master 19. Mick Jagger’s pair 20. The Common Mkt. 27. One that can reproduce nonheterosexually 29. Rat out 31. Dykes on Bikes grab them 32. Heart chart, for short 34. Printers’ measures 35. Type of sucker 37. Conduit bend 38. Knock loose 39. Led to bed 40. Hare ___ 41. From your anus?

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44. Brown known for colorful characters 45. Like a Perry Ellis creation 46. Goes up 48. The Continent, to Britten 49. Greek tale 51. Ph.D., e.g. 53. Places for quickies, perhaps 56. Can’t stomach 58. Stonewall Jackson et al. 60. FDR program 61. Where to find gay.com

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

Diversions

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Your guide to arts and entertainment

Theater

Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 317-1000.

End Days People’s Light and Theatre Company presents an outrageous comedy about acceptance and the importance of family ties, with “guest appearances” by Jesus and Stephen Hawking, through Aug. 3, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern; (610) 644-3500.

Mötley Crüe The rock band performs with ﬁve other rock bands at 5 p.m. July 19 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; (856) 365-1300. VNV Nation The electronic group performs at 8 p.m. July 19 at TLA, 334 South St.; (215) 922-1011.

Grease The popular “musical” featuring “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks, through July 19 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847. A Midsummer Night’s Dream Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival presents a production of Shakespeare’s masterfully orchestrated comedy, through Aug. 2 at Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley; (610) 2829455. Respect: A Musical Journey of Women Act II Playhouse presents a high-energy celebration of just how much women have changed using the best songs of the past 100 years, through Aug. 2, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler; (215) 654-0200. The Rock Tenor The Wilma Theater presents a show fusing rock ’n’ roll anthems, Broadway classics, opera favorites, country rhythms and classical melodies, through Aug. 2, 265 S. Broad St.; (215) 546-7824. Say Goodnight Gracie: The Life, Laughter and Love of George Burns and Gracie Allen Renowned Broadway actor Joel Rooks reprises his

Green Day and The Bravery The punk bands perform at 8 p.m. July 21 at Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; (215) 336-2000. SILLY PHILLY: Philadelphia Theatre Company has brought in the legendary Chicago improv and sketch comedy troupe The Second City to create an all-new revue, giving Philly a good-natured and hysterical ribbing with “City of Nutterly Love: Funny as Bell,” through July 26 at Suzanne Roberts Theater, 480 S. Broad St. The Second City has been a breeding ground for star comedic talents like Dan Aykroyd, Stephen Colbert and Rachel Dratch, so you know they have to be funny or never live down the shame. For more information, visit www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org or call (215) 985-0420.

critically acclaimed role of George Burns in the Tonynominated play, through July 18 at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse of the Cape May Stage, 31 Perry St., Cape May, N.J.; (609) 884-1341. The Tempest The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents William Shakespeare’s magical and mysterious romance, through Aug. 2 at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morris Township, N.J.; (973) 408-5600.

Music classical

Hollywood Classics Under The Stars: Star Wars and More The Philadelphia Orchestra performs classic cinematic

scores at 8 p.m. July 21 at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; (215) 8931999. Sheherazade and Other Tall Tales The Philadelphia Orchestra performs an evening of exotic music at 8 p.m. July 21 at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; (215) 8931999. The Best of Bernstein and the Riches of Rodgers Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform works by two of the most successful and celebrated composers of the 20th century, 8 p.m. July 22 at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; (215) 893-1999.

Music other

Joe and Chico DeBarge The R&B singers perform at 8 p.m. July 17 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650. Black 47 The Irish rock band performs at 8 p.m. July 18 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple St.; (215) 257-5808. Robin Thicke The singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. July 18 at the House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 236-2583. Stone Temple Pilots The rock band performs at 8 p.m. July 18 at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Event Center, 1

The Jonas Brothers The promise-ring-wearing Disney-approved pop band performs at 7 p.m. July 23-24 at Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; (215) 336-2000.

Exhibits

The Art of Japanese Craft: 1875 to the Present The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition surveying the rich diversity of 20th-century Japanese craft, through Oct. 18, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100. Bodies The James Oliver Gallery presents an exhibition uniting the works of Julia Day, Brooke Hine, Sky McDonagh and Dallas Shaw, through Aug. 22, 723 Chestnut St., fourth ﬂoor; (215) 923-1242. Cadaver Corpse Space 1026 presents a corpse drawing, painting and collage show featuring over 50 artists from around the world, through July 31, 1026 Arch St.; (215) 5747630.

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 singer-songwriter 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

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Diversions, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147; fax them to (215) 925-6437; or e-mail them to diversions@epgn. com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

one of the founding fathers of Japanese contemporary fashion, through July 31, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100.

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

(215) 925-3453.

Outgrowths AxD Gallery presents a solo sculpture exhibition by artist Carey Netherton, Himalayan Visions through Aug. 2, 265 S. 10th Blue Lotus Gallery presents St.; (215) 627-6250. an exhibition by Nepalbased photographer Kishor Richard Schultz: Five Kayastha, through July 19, Decades of Design 1314 Sansom St.; (215) The Philadelphia Museum 545-2800. of Art presents an exhibition of works by the A Modern Edge Part 1 legendary outdoor furniture Edge Gallery presents designer through Aug. 23, an exhibition of abstract 2600 Benjamin Franklin paintings by the gallery’s Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100. stable of artists, through July 26, 72 N. Second St.; Shopping in Paris: (215) 413-7072. French Fashion 18501925 New Work The Philadelphia The Clay Studio presents Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from an exhibition exploring artist Alyssa Welch, through the American experience July 26, 137 N. Second St.; abroad from 1850-1925,

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Pick

through Oct. 25, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; (215) 763-8100. 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. A Taste for Modern: The Jeanne Rymer Collection of 20thCentury 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. 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. Velocity: Works on Paper by Peter G.-Ray AxD Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by the artist, through July 18, 265 S. 10th St.; (215) 6276250. 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 Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, N.J.; (609) 884-5404.

Opera Self-published author, actress and singer Kimberly Q, aka The Lesbian Goddess, hosts a reading of her new book, “Lesbian Funk: A Journey Into The Oblivion,” at 5:30 p.m. July 17 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. Her newest book is the last in the “Orchids” series from her company, Women of Choice. For more information, call (215) 9232960.

Siberia Amici Opera Company presents Umberto Giordano’s opera in Italian, 2:30 p.m. July 19 at Garden Church Trinity Methodist, 82 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne; (610) 6231644.

Dance

Urban Dance Explosion Buckets and Tap Shoes, along with Chosen Dance Company, perform at 11 a.m. July 20 at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; (215) 893-1999.

Film

The Rocky Horror Picture Show The camp classic is screened at 10 p.m. July 18 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 9170223. Bright Victory The 1951 drama is screened at 2 p.m. July 19 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-0223. Psycho Bryn Mawr Film Institute presents a screening of the classic Alfred Hitchcock ﬁlm July 21-22, 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, through July 20 at various locations; www. QFest.com.

Books

James Roberts, Hal Tarr, Thom Nickels and Victoria Brownsworth The Philadelphiabased contributors to “Smash the Church, Smash the State: The Early Years

PAGE 27

of Gay Liberation” host a reading at 5:30 p.m. July 18 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; (215) 923-2960. Buzz Aldrin The second man to set foot on the moon and author of “Magniﬁcent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. July 21 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 686-5322. Carolyn Wyman The author of “The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. July 22 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; (215) 6865322.

Cabaret

Chantal Curtis’ All Male Review

The entertainer performs at 10 p.m. July 18 at Harlans at The Nevermore, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.

Etc.

Charlie Murphy The comedian seen on Comedy Central performs July 17-18 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 4969001. Philadelphia Family Pride Annual Summer Picnic LGBT parents and kids meet for a potluck picnic and games from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 18 at Mason’s Mill Pavilion #2, 3500 Masons Mill Road, Huntingdon Valley; (215) 600-2864. ■

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Summertime hot spots Beau Monde

Owners Jim Caiola and David Salama have created one of the city’s most beautiful bistros in Beau Monde, 624 S. Sixth St., bringing the time-honored art of French crêpe-making to Philadelphia. To bring their crêperie to a new level of distinction, Caiola and Salama have researched other American cities, including New York and San Francisco, where crêperies are tremendously successful. In Chicago, Caiola’s aunt and uncle have been operating a crêperie since 1972. Customary crêpe-cooking utensils are used, including imported ﬂat, round, cast-iron crêpe griddles from Brittany to perfectly prepare their light, ﬂavorful crêpes. Onlookers may

watch the cooking process through the restaurant’s large picture windows facing Bainbridge Street. Both Caiola and Salama are accomplished artists. Caiola is well-known as an independent ﬁlmmaker, and has also worked on television shows for the Discovery Channel and PBS. Salama, a native Bolivian, is a painter. Salama was commissioned by famous city planner Edmund Bacon to paint the compass in the City Hall courtyard. For more information, visit www.creperie-beaumonde.com or call (215) 592-0656. Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa When

comes

top-

notch accommodations and entertainment on the East Coast, it’s tough to compete with Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. The 2,000-room luxury casino-hotel is a destination rivaling anything found in nightlife capitals like New York City and Las Vegas. After igniting Atlantic City’s revival in 2003 with its opening as the ﬁrst new hotel property in 13 years, Borgata has hosted the hottest shows and the biggest names in the business, as well as experienced overwhelming popularity and near-capacity occupancy. For more information or reservations, visit www. theborgata.com or call (609) 3171000. Canalside Inn

Building on the best that Rehoboth has to offer, the Canalside Inn, 35 Sixth St., Rehoboth Beach, Del., stands out as a cut above the ordinary. Sophistication, style and affordability deﬁne the casual and contemporary boutique-style inn situated along the picturesque Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. The Canalside Inn is ideally located a short walk from the center of town, the boardwalk and the beach. In the evenings, you’ll appreciate the peaceful, quiet location. All guest rooms at Canalside Inn feature private baths, airconditioning and ceiling fans, LCD ﬂat-screen TVs with cable, cordless phones, AM/ FM clock radios, Wi-Fi Internet access, coffeemakers, compact

refrigerators, irons with full-size ironing boards, comfy terrycloth robes, hair dryers and a full line of spa-style bath products. For more information, visit www.canalside-inn-rehoboth.com or call (302) 226-2006 or (866) 412-2625. Center for the Inland Bays Center for the Inland Bays is hosting its third annual “Decked Out!: A Benefit for the Bays” from 7-10 p.m. July 30 on its deck overlooking Indian River Inlet, at 39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, Del. The evening will feature desserts and munchies by area restaurants Big Fish Grille, McCabe’s Gourmet Market, Catch 54, Nourish, Retro Café and others. Guests can enjoy festive cocktails from The Margarita Man, Dogfish Head and Outlet Liquors, and be entertained with steel-drum music by Sounds of Steel. One of the highlights of the evening will be the opening of a father-son photography exhibit by Kevin and Jay Fleming. Kevin is a well-known wildlife photographer throughout Delaware and has several published photography books. For his son Jay, it will be his first public photography exhibit. Proceeds from the event will benefit the center’s endowment fund at the Delaware Community Foundation. For sponsorship information, ticket reservations or more information about “Decked Out,” visit www.inlandbays.org or call (302) 226-8105. Good Vibrationz Good Vibrationz, 4107 Main St., is your one-stop shop for all your adult-novelty needs. Located on Main Street in Manayunk’s beautiful retail district, Good Vibrationz is a sensual experience with professional, courteous and knowledgeable customer-service personnel to assist with your decision-making process. Along with competitive low prices, Good Vibrationz offers myriad high-quality products, including adult toys, adult videos, body jewelry, bachelor/ bachelorette gifts, massage oils, lubes and fun adult games, just to name a few. Stop by to check out daily specials and see for yourself why Good Vibrationz is truly unique.

PHILADELPHIA GAYSECTION NEWS SPECIAL ADVERTISING

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

For more information, visit www.mygoodvibrationz.com or call (215) 483-6900. University City Dining Days Twenty-one of University City’s most popular dining destinations, including newcomers Desi Village, Distrito, Gold Standard Café and Mary Oaks, are preparing for the annual summer edition of University City Dining Days. Considering the heightened success of the promotion, Philadelphia foodies are encouraged to make reservations early as participating restaurants will once again be offering excellent dining deals from July 23-30. The participating restaurants offer a pre-fixe three-course dinner special for either $15, $25 or $30. The “3 Courses, 3 Prices” concept will accommodate University City’s diverse culinary options and left-of-center reputation. Prices do not include tax, gratuity or alcohol, and reservations are recommended and should be made directly through the participating restaurant. In previous years, thousands of happy diners have descended on University City throughout Dining Days, selling out reservations at many participating restaurants. For more information on sponsors and participating restaurants, visit www.ucityphila. org/diningdays. Restaurante Las Tarascas en Zocalo Restaurante Las Tarascas en Zocalo, 3600 Lancaster Ave., with its sun-colored walls, hand-carved artwork, ceramic masks and authentic figurines, has a warm, comfortable feel. But the true focal points of the dining area are the amazing hand-painted chairs, which depict traditional Mexican pueblo scenes. The food at Las Tarascas en Zocalo is not outdone by the décor. Authentic regional dishes are prepared with precision and passion, using only the freshest ingredients. The menu consists of an array of dishes from central and southern Mexico, with all of the sauces and salsas made from scratch. Chef-owners Mary and Gregory Russell invite you to come and experience the flavors, sounds, culture and hospitality of a truly authentic Mexican restaurant. For more information, visit www.zocalophilly.com or call (215) 895-0139.

Bicycle Therapy Bicycle Therapy, 2211 South St., has been serving Philadelphia’s commuters and cycling enthusiasts for nearly 20 years, gobbling up all the local “Best of” awards for both sales and service. Owner Lee Rogers spends his days helping everyone from UPenn freshmen getting to class on time to Triple Crown pros getting up the Manayunk Wall. Nestled in the (former) Graduate Hospital neighborhood, Bicycle Therapy provides outstanding service, a large selection of bicycles and Lucy, the friendly shop dog. Bicycle Therapy is also Philadelphia’s exclusive specialized bicycle dealer, which means they carry “the good shit” in bike speak. Stop by the shop, visit www. bicycletherapy.com or call (215) 735-7849 for more information. Hobos Restaurant New to Rehoboth Beach, Hobos Restaurant and Bar, 56 Baltimore Ave., can be found on the site formerly occupied by S.O.B.’s. The restaurant offers a warm welcome and good food to everyone, no matter what their dietary requirements. If you want to sit with a newspaper and a French press of freshly brewed Rainbow Java Coffee or relax with friends and family over great food, Hobos is the perfect place to start your day or wind down after it with its signature cocktail menu. Executive chef Gretchen Hanson describes her culinary style as global eco-fusion, a celebration of the subtle simplicity of street food from around the world. The menu combines a mélange of the cuisines of Mexico, Europe and the Mediterranean, with a focus on locally grown produce. Hobos places a ﬁrm emphasis on the concept of community and uses organic, locally sourced and fair-trade produce and products wherever possible. Vegetarians, vegans and anyone with special dietary requirements will ﬁnd custom menus detailing all ingredients as well as their sources. For more information, visit www.myhobos.com or call (302) 226-2226. Never Never Land Kennel and Cattery Never Never Land Kennel and Cattery Inc., 34377 Neverland

Lane, Lewes, Del., was the ﬁrst established boarding kennel in the Lewes-Rehoboth area and has proudly served the LGBT community since 1975. Pets enjoy spacious climate-controlled accommodations in a tranquil country setting located just minutes from most major beach attractions. Never Never Land knows that pets are part of the family, and provides plenty of activity and attention so your pet enjoys coming to the beach as much as you do. Daycare and grooming are also available. Visit www.neverlandkennel. com or call (302) 645-6140 for more information. The Shore Inn Gay-owned and -operated, The Shore Inn, 703 Rehoboth Beach, Del., is an all-male bed and breakfast that’s been in business for more than a decade, and remains one of Rehoboth’s few exclusively gay-male accommodations. Voted “Favorite Bed and Breakfast” by Gay Delaware.com for three consecutive years, the inn is committed to making guests happy. The 15-room house offers air-conditioning, private baths, cable TV, refrigerators and complimentary coffee and tea. The inn’s hot tubs and sun deck are clothing-optional and massage

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therapists are always on call. For more information, visit www.shoreinn.com or call (800) 587-8899. Le Virtù Located along the bustling East Passyunk corridor, Le Virtù, 1927 E. Passyunk Ave., offers authentic cuisine from Italy’s Abruzzo region lovingly prepared by celebrated executive chef and Abruzzo native Luciana Spurio. Handcrafted pastas, slowcooked duck and lamb ragùs, savory chocolate rabbit-ﬁlled ravioli and roasted meats are uncompromisingly prepared according to centuries-old traditions. Visitors can dine alfresco on the beautiful patio overlooking our garden; inside in warmly lit, romantic rooms decorated with ceramics from Abruzzo; or at the elegant, granite-topped bar. The menu features over 40 Italian

The Shore Inn Bed & Breakfast

At Rehoboth

wines, six craft tap beers, 16 bottled craft and imported beers, specialty cocktails and a full selection of liquors. Check out the drink specials on Sunday and Wednesday nights. The trattoria is casual but reﬁned, as Le Virtù strives to make guests feel at home. Visit www.levirtu.com or call (215) 271-5626 for more information. Warsaw Café Since 1979, the Warsaw Café, 305 S. 16th St., has been dedicated to bringing patrons the ﬁnest in Eastern European-inspired cuisine. Owned and operated by Marion Jarzemski in cooperation with his mother, Marie Jarzemski, the Warsaw has established itself as a staple of Center City life. For more information, visit www.warsawcafe.thekalon.com or call (215) 546-0204. ■

14 Rooms, Private Bath, Cable Television with HBO/VCR/DVD, Refrigerator, Coffee in Room Expanded Clothing Optional Sundecks & Hot Tub

Festive Weekend Happy Hours Continental Breakfast Close to Bars & restaurants Pet Friendly Free Wireless Internet

37239 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach, DE 302.227.8487 1.800.597.8899

www.shoreinn.com

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

40% oﬀ 1 item

Exp. 8/25/09 - not to be combined with any other oﬀers or promotions

buy 1 video, get 1 free Exp. 8/25/09 - not to be combined with any other oﬀers or promotions

PGN

Hot Spots on page 34

Meeting Place on page 35

PGN

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAYSECTION NEWS SPECIAL ADVERTISING

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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CAMP From Page 19

34377 Neverland Lane Lewes, DE 19958

Boarding • Grooming Training • Supplies (302) 645-6140 MEMBER ABKA www.neverlandkennel.com

Leather Weekend on July 17-18, with cocktail parties by the Long Island Ravens and Northeast Pennsylvania Leathermen (NEPA), who also produce the Mr. Hillside Leather & Hillside Leatherboy contest; Bears in the Woods III on Aug. 28-29; and Leather/Levi Weekend II on Sept. 11-12. Hillside is great because the higher elevation means nights are very cool and comfortable — perfect for snuggling in a sleeping bag. Every Friday and Saturday night a huge crowd gathers at the bonﬁre outside the rec hall for cruising under the stars. But Hillside is literally on the side of a hill, which some people ﬁnd hard to trudge up and down at certain times of the day — right after cocktails being the toughest. Oneida Campground & Lodge Drive just a little further up I-81 and you’ll reach Oneida. This campground has an annual membership fee of $5 and is

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

open to men and women age 21 and up, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For more information, check out www.oneidaresort.com. Upcoming leather and bear events include Greek Gods & Bears in the Woods on July 31Aug. 1; and Mr. Oneida Leather Weekend on Aug. 14-15. Oneida is a nice balance between The Woods and Hillside because you get cooler temperatures and a ﬂatter terrain. It’s the oldest of these three campgrounds but, thanks to new owners, it has some of the newest facilities, including a café, rec hall, pool and upgraded telephone, DSL and cable service. Leather gossip, girl! No, the Philadelphians MC have not left The Bike Stop. Just because they’ve scheduled a couple bar nights at LAID Saturdays to support the new weekly leather party doesn’t mean they left their home bar of the last 27 years. You can trust this as fact because it’s coming straight from the club’s captain. Some of us miss the days when

WARSAW Open Seven Days

CAFE

gie

306 South 16th Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.546.0204

o p ier ou ut P s gie le S ero ge rkra tzel ero ave i s w e a l s P s e e e i t a eL au se ud au schn ff bS n C bag Str and S nd S no hee ten t am ania b er h n C L a n ga c a a i s a i o n C v n e & e r r r i l g t a g o k e W i nsy tuffed ot B otato auerb eef S rw mp ausa str rk Tra Pu Au No S Po H S B P S

www.warsawcafephilly.com

a leather man in Philly could spend all night bar-hopping between The Post, The 247 and The Bike Stop before passing out after hours in the truck cab at The Cell Block. Now with The Bike Stop, LAID, WOOF and country nights at Woody’s, it’s starting to feel a little bit like old times (anyone for Tea Dance?). Personally, I think competition is good for business, even in a tough economy like this one. It forces the players to clean up their acts and ﬁnd creative ways to attract and keep customers. I know Philadelphians MC will continue to support both The Bike Stop and LAID Saturdays to the best of their ability. There’s room in this town for both. UPCOMING EVENTS LAID SATURDAYS: Every Saturday at 8 p.m., 200 S. 12th St., featuring hot bartenders and guest DJs. Wear your gear! www. laidsaturdays.com WOOF! PHILLY: Every Sunday at 5 p.m., 200 S. 12th St. See www.woofphilly.com for DJ and dancer schedules. CENTAUR MC: The most amazing leather club on the East Coast, which produces MidAtlantic Leather Weekend every January and Olympia every other Labor Day, comes to town for a bar night July 25, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St. ■ Questions? Comments? Leather gossip? Girl, contact Jim at LeatherLookout@gmail.com.

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PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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Key West: still the gay and lesbian oasis By Larry Nichols PGN Staff Writer It’s no secret that the good people of Key West know how to throw a party, and why wouldn’t they? On top of being a subtropical paradise, the island often plays host to hordes of LGBT visitors and a number of annual festivals and events. More than 500,000 LGBT tourists visit the island each year, which boasts rainbow colors of bougainvillea, royal poinciana and hibiscus blooms, as well as its year-round temperatures that seldom go below 70. Gay men and women can choose from exclusively gay-andlesbian water activities such as snorkeling, fishing, sunset sailing and dolphin watching; or join other island visitors above, on or below the sea. The beaches offer sunning, volleyball, wind surfing or just relaxing under the trees. Nearly a third of Key West’s 28,000 year-round residents are gay or lesbian, and a large percentage of businesses proudly fly the rainbow flag. In a recent Harris Poll, Key West was selected as the second-most gay-friendly city in the United States, ahead of every other resort destination. The Key West Business Guild, founded in 1978, operates a gay and lesbian visitor center seven days a week and provides information at www. gaykeywestfl.com and www. returntokeywest.com. LGBT travelers to Key West have more options than ever, featuring different levels of amenities, adult-themed activities, scenic locations and much more. Key West features several menonly, clothing-optional resorts and an internationally acclaimed women-only resort, as well as clothing-optional resorts that welcome both gay men and lesbians. The island also features more than 100 gay-friendly inns, private vacation homes and condos for rent and hotel choices ranging from budget chains to luxury oceanfront resorts. Some of the best bets for accommodations in Key West include The Island House Resort [1129 Fleming St.; (800) 8906284, www.islandhousekeywest. com], which has been consistently voted one of the best male guesthouses. For the ladies, Pearl’s Rainbow [525 United St.; (800) 749-6696] is one of the best women’s guesthouses, featuring

two swimming pools, two hot tubs, onsite massage and a poolside bar. One of the best ways to take in Key West and its rich gay and lesbian history is to catch a ride on the Key West Business Guild’s Gay and Lesbian Trolley Tour, which runs at 10:50 a.m. every Saturday year-round. As the only one of Photo: Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau its kind offered in the U.S., this 70-minute styles, both singles and couples. tour highlights a unique blend WomenFest features a series of architecture, history and the of beach parties, sunset sails, impact gay and lesbian figures snorkeling cruises, galas at area have had on the Keys. For more gay nightclubs and Key West information, call (305) 294-4603 trolley tours. There’s also a golf or visit www.gaykeywestfl.com/ tournament, a lesbian film festival trolley.cfm. Key West’s nightlife has long been known for its uninhibited nature and legendary bars and clubs. Each night, a different crowd of L G B T visitors fills hot spots both on and off Duval Street with options Photo: Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau including cabarets, dance clubs, drag shows, and group commitment ceremony. piano bars, a leather/Levi bar, For more information, visit www. a gay-friendly country bar and womenfest.com. neighborhood saloons. Every October, 50,000-80,000 The bars and clubs should be visitors party in the streets and enough to keep visitors occupied nightspots of Key West during for weeks, but you might want to the outrageous masking and arrange for your Key West visit to coincide with some of the area’s highly anticipated and over-thetop events. August in Key West brings the heat, and it’s not just because of the temperature. The annual Tropical Heat Key West, held Aug. 20-23, is a four-day event for men who like to play. The theme this year is all things Roman, with all kinds of adult events designed to keep attendees dancing and partying all night and into the next day. For more information, visit www. tropicalheatkw.com. Key West’s signature event for women, WomenFest, is a weeklong festival Sept. 8-13 that draws lesbians of all ages and

costuming festival career, while educated tour guides known as Fantasy are on hand to give insightful Fest. The theme for this narratives (i.e. gossip) and answer year’s 30th-anniversary questions. If your sightseeing tastes veer celebration Oct. 23-Nov. 1 is “Villains, Vampires toward the strange and freaky, and Vixens” and includes make a beeline for the Ripley’s costume competitions, Believe It or Not! museum [108 street fairs and a Duval St.; (305) 293-9939, www. grand parade featuring ripleyskeywest.com]. It features 500 marching groups and exhibits ranging from the fantastic lavish floats. For more to the downright disturbing. From its gay and lesbian nightlife, information, visit www. fantasyfest.net. accommodations and events to its Later in the year, things welcoming community and liveget even wilder with the and-let-live, come-as-you-are island city’s New Year’s attitude, Key West is internationally Eve festivities, which serve as as an acclaimed as a top gay and lesbian answer to the New York City ball drop. Drag icon Sushi is lowered in a 6foot red stiletto to ring in the New Year. For several years, the offbeat “drag-queen drop” has been broadcast internationally on CNN. There are Photo: Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau plenty of general tourist attractions to check out destination. Key West was the first city in the in Key West as well. One of the most famous is the Hemingway United States to elect an openly House [907 Whitehead St.; gay mayor and currently has a gay www.hemingwayhome.com]. If police chief and openly gay lawliterature, history or a massive enforcement officials committed amount of cats (more than 60 call to protecting the rights of residents the house home) is your cup of and visitors. For LGBT visitors, tea, this is the place to visit: Ernest Key West is a place to be open and Hemingway lived and wrote here relaxed, as well as a place to play for more than 10 years. Visitors from dawn to dusk. Above all, it’s can step back in time and visit the a prime destination in which to rooms and gardens that witnessed enjoy carefree days and nights on the most prolific period of this an irresistible, accepting tropical Nobel Prize-winner’s writing island unlike any other. ■

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Hot Spots NIGHTLIFE

215.732.2700 Bar/lounge near Ritt. Sq.

Coffee, tea and seating with a great view of the ’hood

12th Air Command 254 S. 12th St. 215.545.8088 12thair.com Multi-level bar, dancing, deck

Tavern on Camac 243 S. Camac St. 215.545.0900 tavernoncamac.com Restaurant, piano bar w/Fri. and Sat. dance nights

Chartreuse 1200 Spruce St. 215.545.7711 www.chartreuseﬂorist.com Flowers, plants

Uncles Bar 1220 Locust St. 215.546.6660 Small, friendly corner bar

Club Body Center 1220 Chancellor St. 215.735.7671 Bathhouse near bars. 24 hrs.

Valanni 1229 Spruce St. 215.790.9494 valanni.com Dinner & w/e brunch

Cut 204 S. 13th St. 215.687.4929 Hair and skin studio

Alfa 1709 Walnut St. 215.751.0201 Bar, dining and w/end brunches The Bike Stop 206 S. Quince St. 215.627.1662 thebikestop.com The city’s only leather bar Bob & Barbara’s 1509 South St. 215.545.4511 Drag night, Thurs. 10 p.m. Bump 1234 Locust St. 215.732.1800 Trendy bar and eatery Cresheim Cottage Cafe 7402 Germantown Ave. 215.248.4365 Gay-owned dining in historic building. 3rd Tuesday OUT Fluid 613 S. Fourth St. 215.629.3686 Trendy dance club off South St. Knock 225 S. 12th St. 215.925.1166 info@knockphilly.com More Than Just Ice Cream 1119 Locust St. 215.574.0586 Lunch, dinner and dessert! Pure 1221 St. James St. 215.735.5772 purephilly.com Late-night club experience Shampoo 417 N. Eighth St. 215.922.7500 shampooonline.com Gay dance club on Friday Sisters 1320 Chancellor St. 215.735.0735 sistersnightclub.com Women’s bar, restaurant, dance ﬂoor, karaoke Stir Lounge 1705 Chancellor St.

Venture Inn 255 S. Camac St. 215.545.8731 Bar/restaurant Thai Chef & Noodle Fusion 2028 Chestnut St. 215.568.7058 Dine in, dine out, delivery and BYOB! Westbury 261 S. 13th St. 215.546.5170 thewestburybar.net Bar/restaurant Woody’s 202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893 woodysbar.com Multi-level bar, dancing

BUSINESSES 12th St. Gym 204 S. 12th St. 215.985.4092 Adonis Cinema 2026 Sansom St. 215.557.9319 Multi-level adult theater AIDS Thrift Store 514 Bainbridge St. 215.922.3186 Clothes, housewares, books, collectibles, etc. Alexander Inn 301 S. 12th St. 215.923.3535 www.alexanderinn.com Luxury rooms, Internet, ﬁtness center Brew HaHa! 214 S. 12th St. 215. 893.5680 brewhaha.com

Dada Rug and Gallery 204 S. 13th St. 215.687.4929 Danny’s Adam and Eve 133 S. 13th St. 215.925.5041 Gay-owned adult bookstore. Video booths. 24 hours Gables Bed & Breakfast 4520 Chester Ave. 215.662.1918 Quaint, gay-owned B&B in University City Giovanni’s Room 1145 Pine St. 215.923.2960 One of the oldest gay bookstores in the country Joe Coffee Bar 1100 Walnut St. 215.562.7384 Gay-owned. Food. Outdoor seating when warm Joe Pesce 1118 Walnut St. 215.829.4400 www.joepescerestaurant.com Sicilian-style seafood Matthew Izzo 151 N. Third St. 215.829.0606 www.matthewizzo.com Fashion, furnishings and fabulous salon Phag 1225 Walnut St. 215.627.0461 Furnishings, art, cards, unique gifts Philadelphia Java Company 518 S. Fourth St. 215.928.1811 Quaint shop off South Street. Food. Outdoor seating

The Pleasure Chest 2039 Walnut St. 215.561.7480 Sansom Street Cinema 120 S. 13th St. 215.545.9254 Adult theater near bars, 24 hrs. Sansom Street Gym 2020 Sansom St. 267.330.0151 sansomstreetgym.com Philly’s newest bathhouse Soleil at 12th Street 202 S. 12th St. 215.735.8786 Tanning booths and beds Spruce St. Video 252 S. 12th St. 215.546.6843 Gay and Hollywood ﬁlm rentals and sales. Supreme Bean Café 615 South St. 215.629.2250 Hipster/hippie shop on South Street Three Trees Custom Framing 722 S. Fourth St. 215.922.4533 TLA Video 1520 Locust St. 215.735.7887 tlavideo.com Gay and Hollywood ﬁlm rentals and sales

Frank Jeffrey’s Hotel Washington 231-233 Bridge St. Phoenixville 610.935.8000

The Woods Campground 845 Vaugh Acres Lane Leighton 610.377.9577 thewoodscampground.com

Hillside Campgrounds Creek Road, Gibson 570.756.2007

DELAWARE

Liquid 891 891 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg 717.939.1123 Neptune Lounge 268 North St., Harrisburg 717.233.0581 Nostalgia 1101 N. Ninth St., Reading 610.372.5557 Rainbow Inn at Sunbury Rt. 61 South, Sunbury 717.988.4688 Rainbow Mtn. Resort Mt. Nebo Road East Stroudsburg 570-223-8484 Scarab 724 Franklin St., Reading 610.375.7878 Secrets Business Rt. 209 East Stroudsburg 570.420.8716

ELSEWHERE PA

Silhouette Lounge 523 Linden St., Scranton 570.344.4259 silhouettelounge.com

704 Strawberry Café 704 N. Third St. Harrisburg 717.234.4228

Stallions Night Club 706 N. Third St., Harrisburg 717.232.3060

Altland’s Ranch Nightclub 8505 Orchard Road Spring Grove 717.225.4479 altlandsranch.com Brownstone Cafe 412 Forster St. Harrisburg 717.234.7009

Stonewall/Moose Lounge 28 N. 10th St., Allentown 610.432.0706 stonewall-mooselounge.com Sundown Lounge 429 N. Mulberry St. Lancaster 717.392.2737

Club XS 36 W. 11th St., York, PA 717.812.1474

The Tally Ho 201 W. Orange St., Lancaster 717.299.0661

Diamonz 1913 W. Broad St. Bethlehem 610.865.1028 diamonz.net

Twist Fox Ridge Plaza, WilkesBarre 570.825.7300 twistbarpa.com

Blue Moon Restaurant 35 Baltimore Ave. Rehoboth Beach 302.227.6515 Cafe Zeus 37 Wilmington Ave. Rehoboth Beach 302.226.0400 Cloud Nine 234 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach 302.226.1999 Restaurant, bar, dance club Frogg Pond 3 S. First St. Rehoboth Beach 302.227.2234 Lambda Rising Bookstore 39 Baltimore Ave. Rehoboth Beach 302.227.6969 Serenity by the Sea Books and Gifts 405 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach 302.227.6818

NEW JERSEY Bounce 1102 Rt. S. 130 West Deptford 856.845.1010 bouncenightclub.net Club Atlantis 1213 Ocean Ave. Asbury Park 732.869.9700 David’s Dusk Til Dawn Café 10 S. Mt. Vernon Ave. Atlantic City 609.347.0808 x 713 Marquis de Lafayette 501 Beach Ave. Cape May 800.257.0432 Charming old hotel across from the beach Paradise 101 Asbury Ave. Asbury Park 732.988.6663

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

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.

Gloria 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 ■ Mayor’s liaison to LGBT communities:

■ 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)

Men

Boys Night Out A social gathering for gay men, meets at 7 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday at Iron Hill Brewery, 30 E. State St., Media; BurbBoysNiteOut@aol.com. Delaware Valley 40-plus Club for Men Social group meets every other month; (215) 587-9933. Gay Married Men’s Association Meets at 8 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at the William Way Center; (215) 483-1032. Men of All Colors Together Meets at 7:30 p.m. third Friday of the month September through June at the William Way Center; (610) 277-6595; www.MACTPhila.org. Men’s Coming Out Group, N.J. Meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Men’s Coming Out Group Meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Washington West Project, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 563-0652 ext. 219. Men of Color United A discussion/support group for gay and bisexual men of color meets from 6:00-8:00 p.m. every Wednesday at 112 N. Broad St., 11th ﬂoor; (215) 496-0330. Men of Standard Provides a place for gay men of color 21 and older to share issues of concern. Meets 7-9 p.m. every Thursday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432 ext. 211; ruberte_ j@camden_ahec.org. Philly DADS An association of gay and bisexual fathers supporting each other meets at 7:30 p.m. fourth Friday of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 668-5239.

Parents/Families

PAGE 35 Interweave New Jersey An organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Unitarian and their allies meets every third Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 401 N. Kings Highway, Cherry Hill, N.J.; (856) 667-3618. Oasis Meets 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays at 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0652 ext. 509. Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine Primary healthcare and specialized transgender services in a safe, professional, non-judgemental environment, 809 Locust St.; (215) 563-0658. Renaissance Transgender Assoc. Meets at 8 p.m. third Saturday of the month at Into the Woods office complex in King of Prussia; (610) 975-9119 box 5; and 7:30 p.m. first Thursday of the month at the William Way Center; www.ren.org. T-MAN People of color support group for transmen, FTMs, butches, studs, agressives, bois, genderqueer and all female-born individuals with gender questions meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, second floor, 1201 Locust St.; (215) 834-9063; tman215@aol.com. Transhealth Programming Committee Meetings are at 5 p.m. second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center. Transhealth Information Project Sponsors a weekly drop-in center from 7-11 p.m. Tuesdays at 1201 Locust St.; (267) 549-6497. Transgender Health Action Coalition Peer trans health-advocacy organization meets at 5 p.m. second and last Sundays of the month at the William Way Center; (215) 732-1207; www. critpath.org/thac. WeXist FTM support group meets from 6-8 p.m. second Friday of the month at the William Way Center; first hour is open; second hour is for people assigned female at birth who have gender issues; (267) 2501548; www.wexist.org.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Bucks County Meets at 7:30 p.m. third Thursday of the month at Penns Park United Methodist Church, 2394 Second Street Pike, Penns Park; (215) 598-8005.

Young, Trans, and Uniﬁed! Support group for transgender and questioning individuals ages 13-23 meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday at The Attic Youth Center; (215) 545-4331 ext. 24.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Cape May, N.J. Meets at 2 p.m. third Sunday of the month in the Maruchi Room of Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, 2 Stone Harbor Blvd.; (609) 861-1848. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Chester County Meets at 7 p.m. ﬁrst Tuesday of the month at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester, 501 S. High St., West Chester; (484) 354-2448.

African Asian Latina Lesbians United Social-issues discussion group meets fourth Thursday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Philadelphia Meets from 2-5 p.m. third Sunday of the month at the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, 3907 Spruce St.; (215) 572-1833.

Expressions Women’s Space Lesbian singles, family and coming-out groups meet at 1538 Church St.; (215) 535-3600.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Princeton, N.J. Meets at 7:30 p.m. second Monday of the month in the George Thomas Room at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St.; (609) 683-5155. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays/Wilmington, Del. Meets at 7 p.m. second Thursday of the month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 13th and Rodney streets; (302) 654-2995. Philadelphia Family Pride Advocacy, support and social network for LGBT families offers play groups, monthly kids and teen talk groups, activities and outings. Planning meetings are held monthly; (215) 844-3360; www. phillyfamilypride.org.

Trans

Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey A transgender civil-rights group meets ﬁrst Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at The Pride Center of New Jersey.

Women

Bucks County Lesbian Alliance Meets monthly for social events; http://buckscountylesbianalliance.org.

Lesbians and BiWomen in Heterosexual Marriages A support group meets at 7:30 p.m. on third Wednesday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey. Lesbian Community of Delaware Valley Social group holds monthly meetings and activities for gay women of all ages in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties; P.O. Box 962, Phoenixville, PA 19460; http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/LCDV/; marichikogirl@yahoo.com.

Social group for women in their 20s meets weekly; (215) 468-1352; queerconnect@yahoo. com. Republican Lesbians Meetings held at 7:30 p.m. on first Monday of the month at The Pride Center of New Jersey. South Jersey Lesbians of Color Meetings are the first and third Fridays at 7:30 p.m. at The Starting Point, 215 Highland Ave., Suite C, Westmont, N.J.; (856) 824-0881; e-mail: SJLOC-owner@yahoogroups.com. Women’s Coffee House for Lesbians A group for lesbian and bisexual women meets on first Saturday of the month at 7 p.m. at The Pride Center of New Jersey. The Womyn’s Village The first womyn-owned and operated thinktank targeting black African, Asian, Latina and Native American LBT and two-spirited womyn. Meets at 5 p.m. on third Thursday of the month at COLOURS Organization, 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 765-0121; the_womyns. village@yahoo.com.

Youth

40 Acres of Change Discussion group for teen and young adults meets from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at The COLOURS Organization Inc., 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. Drop-in Group For gay, lesbian and bisexual youth; meets at 11 a.m. Saturdays at AIDS Delaware, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 315, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 652-6776. HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets from 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, 424 Center St., Bethlehem; (610) 868-2153. HiTOPS A safe-space support program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, will meet from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J.; (609) 683-5155. Main Line Youth Alliance Meets from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays at 109 Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-1861; info@myaonline. org. Mountain Meadow For youth with GLBTQ parents. Monthly programs for ages 8-16, family programs and parent coffee groups. Residential program offered in August; 1315 Spruce St.; (215) 772-1107; inquiries@mountainmeadow.org. Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Doylestown Planned Parenthood, The Atrium, Suite 2E, 301 S. Main St., Doylestown; (215) 3480558 ext. 65; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets from 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; (215) 496-0330. Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St., West Chester; (610) 692-1770 ext. 108 or thespot@ppccpa.org.

Lesbian Couples Dining Group of Montgomery County Meets monthly; (215) 542-2899.

Teen Support Group Drop-in group for teens and adolescents meets Thursdays from 4:30-6 p.m. at 1201 Chestnut St.; (215) 563-0658 ext. 319.

Lesbian Social Network of South Jersey 500-member social group for lesbians holds monthly activities in South Jersey and surrounding area; www.lsn.southjersey.com.

Youth in Transition A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 12-23 meets from 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at the The Attic Youth Center.

Lesbians with Breast Cancer A support group meets from 6:30-8:30 on second Wednesday of the month at Gilda Club Delaware Valley, 200 Kirk Road, Warminster; (215) 4413290.

Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino youth ages 13-24. Meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St., Camden, N.J.; (856) 963-2432 ext. 205; gibbs_ d@camden-ahec.org.

Queer Connections

Send submissions to pgn@epgn.com or fax (215) 925-6437 PGN Meeting Place, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 Meeting Place is a public service. Submissions must include a phone number for publication.

Complete Meeting Place listings of all Parent/Family, Professional, Recovery, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Men, Women, Trans, Youth groups can be found online @ www.phliagaynews.com and www.epgn.com

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

PAGE 36

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Q on the tube: Pitch perfect By Victoria A. Brownworth PGN Contributor There are many depictions of lesbians on TV, but very few approach accuracy. Most lesbian characters on the tube are actually some TV version of bisexual, flitting between men and women with little thought, less emotion and no safe-sex practices. On “Grey’s Anatomy,” for example, Callie has been in bed with men and women within minutes of each other — sans shower or condoms. The insult to women — bisexual or lesbian — is that they are sexy toys with no other function than to spread the joy (literally) between the sexes. Yet with few exceptions, these depictions, often pseudopornographic, are what serve as lesbian representation on the tube. Were it not for Rachel Maddow and Ellen, most Americans wouldn’t have an accurate portrait of a lesbian on TV. Except for the storyline on “Guiding Light” referred to by fans as “Otalia.” Olivia Spencer (Crystal Chappell) was Springfield’s bad girl. Like all soap-opera bad girls, she was married several times and has two daughters, including an 8-year-old, Emma. Olivia is beautiful, smart and owns and runs a hotel. But she was always missing something. Her relationships with men never really stuck. She broke up other people’s marriages and then walked away. Olivia was not a very nice person. Dynamic and sexy, yes. Nice, no. Then she got very sick and needed a heart transplant, which is how she met Natalia Rivera (Jessica Leccia). Olivia received the heart of Natalia’s dead husband. Natalia nursed Olivia back to health and had her and Emma move into her lovely little farmhouse, where she was like Olivia’s loving wife. The relationship between the two women developed over months. Olivia knew she was in love with Natalia long before Natalia could accept it. But Natalia was ready to marry Frank, a detective who had helped her after her husband was killed and who also helped her son, Rafe, a teenager in trouble with the law. Then Natalia left Frank at the altar because she realized it was Olivia she was in love with. Over the past seven months, the two women have come to terms with their feelings. In the process, they have had to deal with Natalia’s son’s homophobia and rejection, scorn from some of their friends and disapproval from Natalia’s priest. “Guiding Light” has managed to get everything right, from the questioning to the acceptance. The women don’t know how to label themselves, so they don’t — but they do acknowledge that they are a couple. Both are fearful of different things: Natalia of losing her son’s love, Olivia of losing Natalia’s. Last week, Olivia went searching for Natalia at a religious retreat. Olivia, desperate to find her, stood in front of a nun who refused to tell her whether or not Natalia was there, and screamed to the sky that she loved Natalia and needed her and that they could work anything out. Poignant beyond measure. These aren’t just Emmy-worthy performances: They are believable and honest portraits of how so many women discover their lesbianism. While prime-time shows and even other soaps seem unable or unwilling to develop realistic lesbian and bisexual characters, the longest-running soap in TV history got it pitch-perfect. Olivia and Natalia may be TV characters, but they are real, their conflicts realistic to a fault. The tube needs more fully realized lesbian/bisexual characters like this couple, with whom we can identify as well as fall in love. ■

RUNNING MATES: Out and outrageous Internet stars Jeffery and Cole get competitive when they run against each other for class president in their sketch-comedy series “Jeffery & Cole Casserole” at 10 p.m. July 17 on Logo. Photo: Liz Liguori

worth watching: FRIDAY Women’s Softball U.S. vs. Italy in World Cup finals in Oklahoma City. Live. 8 p.m. on ESPN. Mental Jack treats a suicidal 16-year-old who has had a dark secret kept from her since birth. Chloe’s girlfriend dumps her. 9 p.m. on Fox. Jeffrey and Cole Casserole Gay blogger Jeffrey Self goes bananas. 11 p.m. on Logo.

SATURDAY Kings Silas continues his plan after jailing David and Jack. 8 p.m. on NBC.

Nurse Jackie Edie Falco and queer nurse Mo-Mo in the best dramedy on the tube. 10:30 p.m. on Showtime.

Philadelphia Ground-breaking, Academy Award-winning AIDS film set in our fair city. Starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. 9 p.m. on Bravo.

TUESDAY America’s Got Talent The best talent show on TV. 9 p.m. on NBC. Also airs Wednesday at 9 p.m.

SUNDAY True Blood Rebuffed by Tara in her relocation efforts, Maryann decides to cast her spell on the staff of Merlotte’s, softening Tara up toward her new “family.” 9 p.m. on HBO. Hung A teacher makes the best of an anatomical gift, from the creators of “The Riches.” 10 p.m. on HBO. 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 Kathy plans a tell-all book. 10 p.m. on Bravo. Weeds Celia discovers that getting rich quick isn’t easy. Silas and Doug’s medical-marijuana dispensary is jeopardized. 10 p.m. on Showtime.

WEDNESDAY The Philanthropist Summer’s best new political drama. Teddy tries to mend rifts in Kosovo. 10 p.m. on NBC. The Real World: Cancun Bronne is a nude model and boxer from Penn State and has issues with boundaries. Derek is openly gay. 10 p.m. on MTV. THURSDAY Big Brother Gay contestant Kevin refers to himself as “simply fabulous.” You be the judge. 8 p.m. on CBS. Other episodes air Sunday at 8 p.m. So You Think You Can Dance? Two of the final eight are eliminated. 8 p.m. on Fox. Zorro, the Gay Blade 10 p.m. on Fox Movie Channel.

Queer TV you can always see: Guiding Light Olivia makes Doris the Dyke Mayor go searching religious retreats with her as she tries to find Natalia. MondayFriday, 10 a.m. on CBS. The Young & The Restless Nikki tells Victor that Adam and Rafe kissed. Phillip tells his ex-wife, mother and grandmother that he faked his own death because he

couldn’t tell them he was gay. Monday-Friday, 12:30 p.m. on CBS. As the World Turns Noah burns his memories of his father. Luke comes up with a new idea for Noah’s film. Noah’s new professor won’t let Noah do Luke’s (gay) script. Monday-Friday, 2 p.m. on CBS.

One Life to Live Kyle and Oliver are the latest gay couple to hit soapland. Oliver is a police officer, Kyle is a criminal. Kyle yearns for Oliver, Oliver is still dallying with Layla. But ... MondayFriday, 2 p.m. on ABC. The Rachel Maddow Show Monday-Friday, 9 p.m. on MSNBC.

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PAGE 37

Classifieds

With Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services and Personals

More toxic loans could haunt lending institutions By Rachel Beck The Associated Press Japan’s economy was paralyzed for a decade as banks failed to deal with their troubled loans. That’s why it’s nothing short of stunning to discover some U.S. banks are doing the same thing now. Despite all the tough talk out of Washington and Wall Street about how the U.S. can’t repeat what happened in Japan, the reality is that banks are granting extensions to borrowers in one key category, commercial real-estate loans, so they don’t default. It’s a bet that economic conditions will improve before the loans come due. “They are kicking the can down the road, hoping things will be better soon,” said Barry Ritholtz, head of the financial research firm FusionIQ and author of the new book “Bailout Nation.” This maneuvering is being called “extend and pretend” in financial circles, reflecting banks’ willingness

to extend loan maturities because they believe — or hope— rental rates and building values could come back to levels seen during the peak of the real-estate market in 2007. Ritholtz and other financial experts worry that banks are just delaying the inevitable by not dealing with troubled loans now. And since commercial loans are such an important part of the portfolio of many small and midsized banks, it also could constrain their ability to make other new loans. An average of 20 percent of local and regional banks’ loan exposure is in commercial real estate vs. 4 percent for the nation’s biggest banks, according to data from Deutsche Bank. “This is a bad strategy,” said Brian Marsal, CEO of the corporate restructuring firm Alvarez & Marsal. “It is really about not facing up to where you are today.” Unlike fixed-rate home mortgages, most commercial property loans

are structured as balloon notes. Borrowers pay only interest for the first five or 10 years until the loans mature, and then the entire amount must be paid back. In the boom years, rising rents and property values made it easy for borrowers to find multiple lenders willing to roll over these loans into new and often larger principal amounts that allowed owners to take out millions of dollars in cash to buy other properties. That game has come to a crashing halt. Cash flows are down on many properties as rental and occupancy rates have fallen, causing the value of many properties to drop significantly. That’s made it tougher for owners to refinance their loans. Delinquency rates on commercial loans have doubled in the past year to 7 percent as more companies downsize and retailers close their doors, according to the Federal Reserve. In some cases, banks are offering a temporary fix by granting borrowers

an extension on loan maturities. On paper, that looks like a plus for the bank because the borrower pays a fee or agrees to pay a higher interest rate, or both. This allows banks to avoid having to foreclose or write down these loans as impaired assets. They also can keep the loans on their books as if nothing were amiss. “This lets the banks post results that are misleading because the loans have more risk to them than they are disclosing,” said Len Blum, managing partner at the investmentbank Westwood Capital. “They can pretend things are better than they are.” That’s just what banks in Japan did back in the 1990s. After its debtfed real-estate bubble burst, Japan slid into what has come to be known as the “lost decade” because of its drawn-out economic and ﬁnancial malaise. Even though the Japanese government injected trillions of yen into its banking system, new lending was constrained because troubled

loans clogged banks’ balance sheets. In some cases, banks refused to foreclose when owners couldn’t even pay the interest. Instead, they added the unpaid interest to the loan’s principal in the hope that borrowers’ problems would be alleviated by an improving economic climate, which never materialized. What’s worrisome is the lack of transparency about how often this is happening now in the United States. Due to privacy issues, banks aren’t required to disclose details of speciﬁc loan extensions, and most news that does trickle out comes from public companies announcing they have reached accommodations with their lenders. Just this week, Bluegreen Corp., a Boca Raton, Fla.-based timeshareresort developer, said it had gotten the maturity dates of a combined $130.1 million in liabilities extended. Others getting loan extensions in recent months were Toys “R” Us, Tanger Factory Outlets and Washington Real Estate Investment Trust. ■

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

Beds: 3 Baths: 3.5 Age of property: 6 years Square footage: 1,475 Cost: $219,900 Realtor: Alicia Fox Real-estate co.: ReMax of Wilmington Phone: 302-657-8000 Direct: 302-419-5477

Beautiful townhome in Bristol Place. Huge eat-in kitchen, ﬁnished basement w/full bath. Great location, close to all major highways. Move-in condition.

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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 38

CLASSIFIEDS

REAL ESTATE

MAY 1 - 7, SALE 2009

GORGEOUS IN BURLINGTON CITY 2 Blks from Lite Rail to Camden/Phila and Trenton and Burl/Bristol Bridge. Move in w/no $ down. 4 bd/2 bath, all new custom kit, 3 flr oversized home. Laundry on 2nd flr. NEW C/A, gas heat, updated elec, plumbing, walls. Move in now. $188,750. $8K tax credit. Motivated seller. Call Lisa Herman, NJ REALTOR @856701-8778. patmurphy.com inc. REALTORS 856-428-4800. _______________________________33-29 SECLUDED HOME FOR SALE in Gloucester County, NJ. Want privacy? This solar designed home in the middle of �� 13 acres of woods is for you. More info MAY 1 - 7,� 2009 www.greenhomesforsale.com enter ID#18897 or call 609-471-7181. _______________________________33-32 �� Bank Foreclosure! 4 Br 3 Ba $10,000! Only Available in time summer fun. Located on the � forHomes $225/Mo! More from $199/Mo! 5% river in quiet Beachwood, NJ. Large home with down 15 years @ 8% APR. For listings 8006 bed, 3.5 bath, water views from all rooms, 6 546-8656 ext 1482 decks, inground pool, hot tub and much more. _______________________________33-29 Priced at $899K. Call LBO Realty, ask for Elliott Potter County-for 39info Acres Coudersport. 732-674-3851 andnear for showing. Perfect for Home or Cabin. Great Views! Perc _______________________________33-18 approved, wooded, many Warminsterelectric, > 55 community. 2 BR, 2excellent BA with building sites.$200K. $139,000. Owner financing. bsmt condo. dgr5162@verizon.net 800-668-8679. _______________________________33-18 _______________________________33-29 NYS LAND SALE JULY SPECIAL! 10 Acres- Lakefront WAS: $79,900 NOW: $49,900. 5 Acres w/ Rustic Camp Salmon River Area $19,900. 46 Acres- Borders Stateland, ponds, foodplot $59,900. 4 Acres in Southern Tier #1 Deer County! WAS: $16,900 NOW: $8,900. Over 100 different properties. Many sizes & areas. Trees, ponds, lakes & streams. www.landandcamps.com 800-229-7843 Christmas & Associates _______________________________33-29

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JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Real Estate ��

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

Bryn Athyn

SALE

PAGE 45

BRETT BENDER

Realtor® ABR ALHS E-Mail: brett.bender@prufoxroach.com

�� At the Rittenhouse

210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Suite 406, Philadelphia, PA 19103

��

�� PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS ��

�� Attention Hunters! 60 Acres- $99,900 Timber �� liquidating 20AC with Utilities Country loaded Road w/big was � End Unit, 3rd Fl., 2 BD/1 BA, co. �a hunting& paradiseCondo 4 Sale, whitetail hardwood trails me$99,900 deer. Now All $69,900 BLMsetting, access. Deer & XL Kitchen-granice countertops, cherry wood andering throughout, pristine mountain views. elk galore! Call to view 877-229-7840 www. cabinets, H/W wood floors t/o, Mstr. BD with Old state road frontage, just 20 minutes to Best buy in West Virginia! Easy owner w/i closet & loft, hi ceilings, 6ft. windows in $4 town. _______________________________32-16 financing. Call now 1-877-526-3764. hund’s. Pet Exquiste friendly. Doree Secluded! countryGitzes, EstateRealtor, surrounded by Penny Pack wildlife preserve. _______________________________33-18 Long & Foster Real Estate, 215-348-0000, Luxury four bedroom, four bath. Fully furnished. 4,400+ Sf, 5 acres. This country “Show Place” w an villa influence is minutes MountainItalian and lake views. $678,000. Call Dave X-8015. Open House, Sunday May 3, 1-3

��

�� from center city, feautring 5 ﬁreplaces, wonderful millwork, wide plank ﬂoors, _______________________________33-18 _______________________________32-16 �� center island kit w granite counter. Fabulous72great rm, 30ft ceiling, “incredible acres along McKean/Potter County line �� Shinglehouse. Mostly wooded, views”, English conservatory, master bdr loftnear w 2 seperate baths & Juliet balcony,some �� open area, includes old hunting cabin, �� sep carriage house w quest quarters & “artist studio”.$199,000. Pool and Lily Pond electric, Field and Stream RE. ��

��

�� $2,250,000 �� _______________________________32-16 �� Jane Douglas �� Vintage, Historic & Classic Properties �� 215-542-2200 X513 ��

��

E-mail us: pgn@epgn.com

�� . 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

��

Bus 215 546-0550 Cell 215 850-2088 Direct �� 215 790-5513 Fax 215 545-5768

PAGE An independently � owned and operated member of the Prudential Real Estate Aﬃliates, Inc.

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JULY 17 - 23, 2009

PAGE 39

CLASSIFIEDS

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

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 Washington Township Ofﬁce 5070 Route 42 Turnersville, NJ 08012

Open Houses Sunday July 19, 2009 NOON - 1:00 1637 Christian St. - 4BR/3BA HOUSE - $875,000

Ultra-contemporary brand new construction, with 4BR/3BA and garage! Brand New Custom Contemporary Home in located next to homes at Million dollar plus properties at 1631 and 1635 Christian St. Ultra-contemporary interior has hardwood floors throughout and 9’ ceilings. The first floor entrance level features a full bath and office/den that could be used as an in-law suite. This space with its full glass wall opens to a lovely landscaped garden. The large finished lower level is designed as a media room. The European-designed gourmet kitchen w/ high-end appliances is open to large living and dining rooms. The first bedroom level features two master size rooms, laundry, and full spa like bath. The spacious Master suite has a large walk-in closet, deluxe tumbled marble spa bath with twin vanities, huge Jacuzzi tub, and separate glass-enclosed shower. Walk out to a large terrace with spectacular skyline view of Center City. This is a very special home for the discriminating purchaser who wants the best of everything in a convenient Center City location. Tax Abatement pending.

1:30 - 2:30P 2320 MADISON SQ - 3BR/3BA HOUSE $550,000

Madison Square garden blocks are among the most historically-certified areas of Center City. This brand-new home is designed by Stephen Maffei of Landmark Design. The facade, while all-new, conforms with the other homes on the block. However, once inside, the interior is a WOW! Every conceivable amenity for today’s modern living has been thought of. The kitchen with its stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and customcabinetry is a gourmet’s delight. Brazilian cherry, 3” flooring has been used throughout the first and second floors. The contemporary skylight-lit three-story, floating steel staircase features poplar treads, hand-inlaid with cherrywood detail. Each of the three full bathrooms are exquisitely finished with granite, marble, and glass-tile details. The home has been fully soundproofed, and features “Smart House” technology. Numerous details incl. recessed lights, sound system, double-layer rubber roof, and rear deck. 10-year tax abatement. Luxurious living on a unique Center City block. For more information, go to: http://www.postlets.com/res/2306585

Search all Philadelphia area listings @ www.thephillyrealtors.com Dan Tobey

The Curtis Center 170 W. Independence Mall , Suite L-44 Philadelphia, PA 19106

215.546.2700 Business • 267.238.1061 Direct 215.432.7151 Cell • 215.546.7728 Fax dtobey@cbpref.com

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Find help in the Home Improvement Directory

OPEN HOUSE – WEDS. – JULY 22 – 5 PM – 8 PM One Level of Luxury Living • All Corner Homes Elevator Building • Safe, designated off street parking All with many Upgrades & Special Features • ‘No Dog Community 2 BR & 2 Full Baths / HWF / Granite Tops + more / 1630+Sq. ft - $379,900. 2 BR & 2 Full Baths / Former Model Home w/Many Upgrades – 1630 + Sq. Ft. / $399,900. 3 BR & 2 Full Baths / Penthouse / 1800+ sq. ft. Many Upgrades - $449,900. All with 7+ years of tax abatement remaining Come to Capri Drive – off 20th street between Packer & Pattison Follow the balloons or call for details & directions

Capozzi Real Estate 215 551 5100 • www.CapozziRealEstate.com Beautiful, Safe Community of Packer Park – immediately adjacent to 350 acres of Fairmount Park, FDR Park (golf, tennis, skateboarding, biking, walking trails) – 7 minutes from International Airport, Sports Complex, I-95 and Walt Whitman Bridge

BARBARA A. CAPOZZI, ESQ.

TEL 215.551.5100

3320 South 20th Street • Philadelphia, PA

PGN

Support the advertisers who support our community.

CLASSIFIEDS

PAGE 40

REAL ESTATE

SALE

REAL ESTATE

SALE

1608 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

www.philarealtyexchange.com

OPEN HOUSE- Sun July 19th 502 W. Harvey Street- 1PM-3PM- Large home, 4br Twn, 2.5 baths,hw floors, servant’s stairs, porch, yard $249,000 Janis Dubin 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 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 John Perno WASHINGTON SQUARE 1213 Pine St- 3br,2.5bth, in Washignton Sq West w/ private garden and garage $529,900 John Perno

FOR RENT 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 #519- 100 sq ft, 1/1, $2000 MO Tom Gangemi #721- 995 sq ft, 1/1, $3200 MO Tom Gangemi #903- 965 sw ft, 1/1, $1950 MO Tom Gangemi #1006- 1,090 sq ft, 1/1.1, $2180 MO Tom Gangemi

#1602- 925 sq ft, 1/1, $1990 MO Tom Gangemi #1714- 1,090 sq ft, 1⁄2, $2200 MO Tom Gangemi #1806- 1,467 sw ft, 2/2, $3200 MO Tom Gangemi #1906- 1,287 sq ft, 2/2, $2700 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 502 W. HARVEY ST-4br Twin w/ porch, yard avail July 1 $700 MO Janis Dubin 1919 GREEN ST- Various apts available. Great for students close to university Kera Ritter

CAREER OPPORTUNITY FOR FULL TIME SALES AGENT- FOR INTERVIEW CALL OFFICE SPECIALIZING IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT-CONDOS AND APARTMENTS 2-10 UNITS

REAL ESTATE

RENT

ROOMMATES

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. _______________________________33-38 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. _______________________________33-38 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. _______________________________33-38 COZY CONDO, MT. LAUREL, NJ $1100.00 + utils. 2 BR, 1 1/2 Bath,W/D, DW, FP & Sun Rm. Call 609-947-2678. _______________________________33-30 11TH & SHUNK 2 BR, 2nd floor, totally renov. tile & hardwood floors throughout, deck. $900 + utils. Pub. trans. nearby. 856-933-9201, Joe. Avail. now. _______________________________33-29

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 _______________________________33-30 SPRINGFIELD, DEL.CO Avail. immed. $550/mo. incl. utils. HSI, digital cable avail. in room. Nice built in pool in yard. On st. pkg. Walk to trans. No pets, no smoking in home. For appt., call 610-328-2255. _______________________________33-31

VACATION RENTALS

FOR SALE

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 _______________________________33-29

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. _______________________________33-29

BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES 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. _______________________________33-29

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

Want to let mom, dad and all Alexander Inn Hotel desk clerk for full of your or part time. Must have prior hotel experience with references. Good salary exs know plus bonus pkg. Apply in person or call days. you’re Call John 215-923-3535 Let’s Talk! tying the knot? Cleaning/Janitorial person

HELP WANTED

Driver-CDL A. Lots of Freight!! OTR Experienced or Truck Driver Training. Reefer and Flatbed Positions Avail. Min 21 years old. Recruiters available weekends! 800-277-0212. _______________________________33-29 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 _______________________________33-29 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! 1-800-961-4319. _______________________________33-29 Driver- CDL-A Great Flatbed Opportunity. OTR Runs, Professional Equipment, Competitive Pay & Regular Hometime. Also Hiring Van Drivers. Western Express/SMX CDL-A, 22 YO, 1 yr. OTR 888-839-2013 www.smxc.com _______________________________33-29

Mailing Brochures! Weekly pay + Bonus. Supplies furnished. Guaranteed Opportunity. Call Now! 1-800-307-7131. _______________________________33-29

for Sisters Nightclub

Must be able to work a full-time ﬂexible schedule, be mature, a self-starter, & capable of receiving deliveries. References Required. Phone calls will be taken only on Mondays between 1 and 3 p.m. Ask for Jim 215-735-0735 WANTED TO BUY WANTED: DIABETES TEST STRIPS Any Kind/Any Brand Unexpired. Pay up to $16.00 per box. Shipping Paid. Call 1-713395-1106 or 1-832-620-4497 ext. 8. www. cash4diabetesteststrips.com _______________________________33-29

SERVICES MAKE MONEY PLAYING THE LOTTERY Guaranteed System. FREE report. Call toll-free 1-877-526-6957 ID#B4679 or go to: www.flalottomagic.net/?=B4679 for more information! Very small investment. Many other extras and discounts are included, as well as a Free 30 min M4M massage for signing up for every month that you are a member, if you contact JT at (856)397-1089. _______________________________33-32 ATTEND 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 _______________________________33-29 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. _______________________________33-29

ADOPTION Pregnant? Considering adoption? We are a childless couple seeking to adopt. Will provide FULL-TIME/AT-HOME parent. Financial security. Expenses paid. Steve & Robert. 1-888-836-3639. _______________________________33-28

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 _______________________________33-29 $500! Police Impounds for Sale! Cars/Trucks/ SUVs from $500! Many Makes and Models. Must See! For listings call 800-546-5204 ext V980. _______________________________33-29

FINANCIAL

SERVICES

Settle IRS Back Taxes for less than you owe! If you quailify we can: Stop wage garnishments. Remove bank levies, tax levies, property seizures. Stop payment plans that get you nowhere. Settle state and business payroll tax problems. Eliminate penalties, interest charges & tax liens. If you owe over $15,000 in back taxes, call now! Free consultation! No Obligation! Conﬁdential! American Tax Relief 1-800-317-9712. _______________________________33-29 Buried in Credit Card Debt? Balances never seem to go down? Only making the minimum payments? We can get you out of debt in months instead of years. We can save you thousands of dollars. We can help you avoid bankruptcy. Not a high-priced consolidation loan or one of those consumer credit counseling programs. Call for your FREE consultation! Credit Card Relief 1-866-475-5959. _______________________________33-29

PGN

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 (215) 925-6437.

PAGE 110 PAGE 110 JULY - 23, 2009 PAGE17 110 PAGE 110

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

APRIL 25 25 - MAY MAY 1, 1, 2008 2008 APRIL PAGE 41 APRIL 25 - -MAY 1, 2008

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

AMY F. STEERMAN Attorney at Law

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

215-735-1006

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

CLASSIFIEDS

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, MARCH 28 - APRIL 3, 2008 Foreclosures

CLASSIFIEDS

Mt. Holly, N.J. 609 504 6310

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

James M. M.SPACE Quesenberry, MA, CRC,CVE CVE AMY F.William STEERMAN A. Torchia, Esquire THIS ISMA, YOURS James Quesenberry, CRC, Attorney-at-Law Disability Consultant James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE Attorney at Law Disability Consultant

$25.00 * Consultant Estate & Tax Planning Concentrating in Planning OnlyDisability for Lesbian and Gay Couples GENERAL PRACTICE FORSocial THE COMMUNITY Security Disability Week! SocialPer Security Disability �� • Probate • Wills �� • Living Wills �� • Powers of Attorney �� CLASSIFIEDS ��

Social Security Disability Claims Appeals Appeals �� Claims Claims Appeals �� That’s Less Than

215-629-0585 215-629-0585

215-629-0585 A Week’s Worth Of 1900�� Spruce Street Suite 202 202 Suite Double Mocha Lattes Philadelphia, PA 19103 Suite 202 Rd. �� Oxford Valley Rd. Oxford Valley

215-735-1006

��

www.amysteermman.com Oxford Valley Rd. 215-546-1950 (Voice) 215-546-8801 Fairless Hills, PA19030 19030 (Fax) Fairless Hills, PA *8 Week Minimum

Fairless Hills, PA 19030

PARTNERS IN LAW Are You Facing: PARTNERS INDebt? LIFEForeclosure? Repossession? Overwhelming

The Law Oﬃce of Alfonso Madrid

725 Bainbridge St., Philadelphia Pa 19147 215-925-1002 • alfonsomadrid.esq@gmail.com As a federally designated Debt Relief Agency, I assist people with ﬁnding solutions to their debt problems, including, where appropriate, the ﬁling of&petitions for relief MINSTER FACCIOLO, LLCunder the Bankruptcy Code.

this space: only $25 per week*

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008

• WILLS &Weekend ESTATESand • evening appointments available. • DISCRIMINATION • • SMALL BUSINESS • • DIVORCE • James M. Quesenberry, MA, CRC, CVE • EMPLOYMENT • Consultant •Disability REAL ESTATE • • CIVIL ACTIONS • • AUTO ACCIDENTS • Social Security Disability • POWER OF ATTORNEY • Claims PARTNERS Appeals • • DOMESTIC

Torchia & Kaufmann, L.L.C. Attorneys-at-Law

Estate & Tax Planning

GENERAL PRACTICE FOR THE COMMUNITY

PROVIDING DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES, • Property Agreements • Guardianships • Social Security APRIL 25 MAY 1, 2008 • Accidents • Real Estate • Elder Law EDUCATION & 1528 Walnut St. Suite 1220, Philadelphia, PA 19102 POLICY REFORM 215-546-1950 (Voice) 215-546-8801 (Fax) FOR THE LGBT � � � � � THISCOMMUNITY. SPACE IS YOURS • Estate Administration • Wills, Living Wills, Trusts • Powers of Attorney

• Domestic Relations • Incorporation • Adoption • Criminal • Name Change • Immigration

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* Per Week! FREE LEGAL HOTLINE (215) 731-1477

That’s Less Than A Week’s Worth Of Double Mocha Lattes www.equalitypa.org *8 Week Minimum

Your ad dollars go further when you target your 215-629-0585 215-627-8200 PA audience 302-777-2201 DE Suite 202 *when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks

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 M W

forme

PRO LEG E PO FO C

FREE

www

521 Valley S. 2NDRd. ST., PHILA., PA Oxford APPT. ALSO AVAIL IN DE & NJ Fairless Hills, PA 19030

Financial Advice for the GLBT Community

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

THIS SPACE IS YOURS Only $25.00* Per Week!

That’s Less Than A Week’s Worth Of Double Mocha Lattes

Gregory H. Quig

Attorney at L Real Estate / Zoni Liquor Licenses an

1822 S. Broad St. Philadlephia, PA 19145

*8 Week Minimum

R. FRANCISCO CORBIN, ESQUIRE Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week. Call 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 42

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

CLASSIFIEDS

SERVICES DIRECTORY

��

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

��

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 #

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.# #

“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 TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED

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

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

Reach Over 40,000 Readers Weekly For As Little As $25.00 A Week.

PAGE 17 108- 23, 2009 JULY

PAGE 108

CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 108 CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

SERVICES DIRECTORY ��

Is it time to Is it time to Is it time to look for a look for a look for a new doctor? new doctor? new doctor?

this space: only $25 per week*

Your ad dollars go further when you target your audience

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2008 CLASSIFIEDS PAGE 43

Want to let W mom, dad m and all of your o exs know ex you’re tying the ty knot?

*when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks

��

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

Advertising Sales Representative 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. We offer a competitive salary plus bonus, 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:

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:

Send us your S wedding/civil union/ wed YOUR AD COPY • YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS • DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER • CREDIT CARD INFORMATION c PHONE: 215-625-8501 ext. 200 OR 215-451-6182 (DIRECT) • commitment FAX: 215-925-6437 • E-MAIL: don@epgn.com ceremony GENERAL INFORMATION announcement a 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 personsit and we’ll share an 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 the City of w is confidential and will not appear in the paper. Any ads received without full informationwith will be destroyed. Sexually explicit language will be edited or refused at the discretion of the management. Brotherly Love. Br 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.

E-mail information to in TERM DISCOUNTS - BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ISSUES PREPAID 4 weeks, 5% • 8 weeks, 10% • 16 weeks, 15% • 26 weeks, 20% editor@epgn.com edit CANCELLATION POLICY PGN, 505 S. 4th St., Phila. PA. 19147 All PGN Classified ads are cancelable and refundable except for “FRIENDS” ads. Deadline for cancellation or fax us at is o 3 p.m. Friday. The balance will be credited to your credit/debit card. Checks take two weeks to process. The Attn.: Greg Dennis date Weekly of the first issueFor the ad As appeared in, alongAs with the classification, name, address and daytime phone Reach Over 40,000 Readers Little $25.00 A your Week. (215) 925-6437. number is required to cancel your ad. (21 EOE �� 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.

PAGE 44

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

CLASSIFIEDS

��

HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY �� ARE YOU HOT! ��

��

Dowd Heating & Air Inc. 215-752-3638

2490 Williamson Court Bensalem, Pa 19020

PAGE 106

“Gay owned and operated”

Fax : 215-501-8306

��

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

Social Security Disability Claims Appeals JULY 17 - 23, 2009

215-629-0585 CLASSIFIEDS

HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY

PAGE 45

Suite 202 Oxford Valley Rd. Fairless Hills, PA 19030

PAGE 106

DJK RooďŹ ng 15 West Walnut Ave Insured Westmont, NJ 08108 State License (856) 869-4300 # 13VH01175500 Fax (856) 869-9680 Bonded

CLASSIFIEDS

this space: only $25 per week*

Your ad dollars go further when you target your audience *when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks

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

��

PAGE 46

��

THE PLAYGROUND

Adult/Personals

�� 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

Erotic Dungeon Master

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. _______________________________33-38

Erotic Dungeon Master

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 FRIENDS Dave at 215-729-6670, day or evening. _______________________________33-48 Xdress sex party. CD house orgy every Sat. masc. BMs, 35-50 y.o. to fulﬁll my foot fetish. nite. GWM couple ISO GWMs 18-40 yrs. for I1want give you asex. footStockings, massage, pantyhose, close body on 1 to and group contact and9also at etc. Starts PM hot Sat.J/O Calltogether. Sat. 7-8Call PMme 856267-882-5018 4 PM to 12 AM. 910-8303, ask after for Mark. _______________________________33-30 _______________________________33-24 FLORIDA IN TOWN GWM, Italian, top orMAN bottom, 7” cut. Also into Bi WM, 5’10”, lbs. 30” waist. Top. New assplay, toys &160 water sports. Bi, straight, out to this. Teach me some hot sex! a of towners welcome. Daygot or night. CallNeed Jeff at workover. 863-401-5437. 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-29 _______________________________33-18

MEN

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 of towners welcome. Day or night. Call Jeff at 215-850-7900. _______________________________33-30 SUB BOTTOM FOR DOM TOP GWM, 6’3”, 250, br/br, goatee, hairy. Submissive bottom looking to service a dominant top. Oral, anan. SM, BD, TT, WS, spanking boots, feet, pits, kink, humiliation, role play, groups! At your service. Del. Co or CC. 610-622-0916. _______________________________33-31 SEEKING FRIENDSHIP AND MORE GWM, 50, 5’7”, 140, attractive, easy-going, seeking younger males 18-40 for friends and more. Let’s check out the fun places in the city together: restaurants, plays, movies, concerts, clubs, bars. Contact: rossri@email.chop.edu _______________________________33-34 WANT TO TOP? You: big equipment! Me: real nice white butt. 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. South Phila loc. _______________________________33-29 Yo! I’m Jay. Masculine, attractive BM ISO WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________33-29

WM 60, 5’7’ 155, bottom, nice looking, discreet, ﬁt, hot, seeks top men only for relationship in NE. 215-264-1058 LM. _______________________________33-19 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. _______________________________33-19 �� You: big equipment! Me: real nice white butt. 215-732-2108, 8-11 PM. _______________________________33-20

GWM seeks new friends. 610-352-1188. _______________________________33-21 �� Shuttle service within city limits, personal shopping, help with bags, companion service, lite cooking, dog walking & house sitting, any reasonable request. 215-205-5453. Refs. avail. Reasonable rates! _______________________________33-18 60 y.o., 5’7”, 160, 7” crossdresser looking for casual sex. Northern suburbs. 215-538-2040 ask for Zeta. _______________________________33-21

��

JULY 17 - 23, 2009

��

MEN Fantasy

Island

FRIENDS

MEN

Adult

Books

�� Online. Anytime.

WWW.EPGN.COM

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CERTIFIED ��

MASSAGE

Deep

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Strong Hands Massage & More Let my strong hands release all your tensions. FULLBODY • SENSUAL • EROTIC “Ask about my specials” Have car and will travel City/Suburbs/Jersey Shore/Hotels

(215)465-2427

El w

G-02

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PAGE 48

PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS

JULY 17 - 23, 2009