PGN Sept. 29 - Oct. 5, 2017 by The Philadelphia Gay News

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 39 Sept. 29 - Oct. 5, 2017

Boyertown trans students’ protections challenged in appeal PAGE 2

Dr. Nancy Brisbon is Mazzoni’s new medical director PAGE 5

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

PGN LGBTQ Youth Supplement PAGES 19-26

Family Portrait: Kenny Wittwer enjoys his reign of terror PAGE 39

Commission on LGBT Affairs names two co-chairs By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

BI AND PROUD: About 80 people assembled Sept. 23 at Board Game Art Park for the second-annual local observation of Bi Visibility Day. The event featured remarks by Mayor Jim Kenney, Office of LGBT Affairs Director Amber Hikes and state Rep. Brian Sims, among others. Organizer Steven Johnston noted he received great feedback about the rally, including one woman who said it was her first LGBT event and others who applauded having a gathering specifically for the bi community and its supporters. “I cannot express how important Bi Visibility Day is for the bisexual community,” Johnston said, “which faces disparities in mental health, living open lives as their authentic selves and discrimination from inside and outside the LGBTQ community.” Photo: Kelly Vincent

Landmark trans Suspect sought in disability case Gayborhood gunfire settled By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com Kate Lynn Blatt, a Pottsville trans woman who filed suit in 2014 claiming her former employer failed to reasonably accommodate her disabling gender dysphoria, recently settled her case. Blatt alleged Cabela’s Retail Inc. violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when denying her access to a gender-appropriate restroom and nametag. Under the ADA, private employers are required to make “reasonable accommodations” for disabled workers. Blatt’s case was hailed as a milestone for trans equality when a federal judge in May granted her permission to seek relief PAGE 15 under the ADA. Prior

Police are seeking a man they say opened fire in the Gayborhood last weekend. Officers were on patrol around 2:50 a.m. Sept. 24 when they heard “multiple gunshots” near 13th and Locust streets. According to police, no one was struck, but one man was treated for injuries after a bullet shattered the window of his vehicle. The shooter escaped into the PATCO station, police said. He was described as black, 5-foot-10 to 6 feet, 160 pounds, with a medium build and dark complexion. He was wearing a dark-colored shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers. As of presstime, police had not announced a motive for the incident. The case is being handled by Central Detective Division. ■ — Jen Colletta

The Mayor’s Commission on LGBT Affairs last weekend named two new co-chairs. Jason Evans and Barrett Marshall will serve as co-chairs in the position previously occupied by Sharron Cooks. Director of LGBT Affairs Amber Hikes said Evans is “invaluable and infinitely talented — the man that gets the job done.” In regard to Marshall, she said “their big-picture focus brings an exciting vision to the commission and will catapult the group forward to unforeseen heights.” “Jason and Barrett’s skills combine to form some sort of highly effective, emotionally intelligent, process-oriented superhuman,” Hikes added. “We’re all fortunate they’re implementing these skills for the good of our community.” Both co-chairs were nominated by their fellow commission members and accepted their nominations. Evans will continue in his treasurer role until a new individual is selected for that position. In a statement, he said he sees this “as an opportunity for the commission to continue its efforts of working to improve our community” and believes he and Marshall will make “a great team.” “I am most looking forward to laying down a sturdy foundation [through] which the commission can continue to grow, thrive

and better help our community,” Evans said. “As the commission is less than one year old, many of us have been working together to define how the commission works, while addressing the needs of our community. I feel that this groundwork is essential for the longevity of the commission.” Marshall noted in a statement that the commission “has seen considerable evolution already.” They said they have spoken with each of the individual commissioners and are “amazed by their accountability to service and desire to meet the needs of LGBT Philadelphians.” “The best part of being a commissioner has always been the opportunity to work with my extraordinarily talented colleagues on the commission,” Marshall said. “I consistently learn from and am inspired by this group of people, and serving as co-chair will give me the chance to engage more deeply with everyone’s expertise. I’m looking forward to supporting their work and, hopefully, maximizing the effect we can have on the community. Being selected as a co-chair is an honor.” The co-chairs were named months after Cooks was voted from her chair position after commissioners raised concerns about “creating an unwelcoming environment” through meetings and social-media channels, a city spokesperson told PGN in May. Hikes said the commission would finalize

social-media guidelines at an upcoming meeting. Additionally, four new commissioners were named this month. Hikes said Naomi Washington Leaphart, Aeryanah Von Moi, Ja’nae Tyler and

COMMISSION CO-CHAIRS JASON EVANS (TOP) AND BARRETT MARSHALL

William Lee “bring a wealth of professional knowledge and personal experience to our commission.” “I am honored to continue this incredible work with such a dynamic, hardworking and esteemed group of leaders,” Hikes added. ■

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

Resource listings Legal resources • ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215-592-1513; aclupa.org • AIDS Law Project of PA: 215-587-9377; aidslawpa.org • AIDS Law Project of South Jersey: 856-784-8532; aidslawsnj.org/ • Equality PA: equalitypa. org; 215-731-1447

• Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations — Rue Landau: 215-686-4670 • Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-7603686; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com • SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-920-9537

• Office of LGBT Affairs — Amber Hikes: 215-686-0330; amber.hikes@phila.gov

Community centers • The Attic Youth Center; 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. • LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania; 3907 Spruce

St.; 215-898-5044, center@dolphin.upenn.edu.

• Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center

Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org.

• William Way LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org.

Health and HIV testing • Action Wellness: 1216 Arch St.; 215981-0088, actionwellness.org

• AIDS Library:

1233 Locust St.; aidslibrary.org/

• AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800-6626080

• COLOURS: colour-

sorganization.org, 215832-0100

• Congreso de Latinos Unidos;

216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870

• GALAEI: 149 W. Susquehanne Ave.; 267-457-3912; www. galaei.org. Spanish/ English

• Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad

St.; 215-685-1821

• Mazzoni Center:

1348 Bainbridge St.; 215-563-0652, mazzon-

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Pennsylvania students are appealing a federal court judge’s decision to uphold a Berks County district’s trans-inclusive policies. Earlier this year, four Boyertown Area School District students filed a lawsuit after claiming their privacy was violated while sharing facilities with trans students. Judge Edward G. Smith last month denied a preliminary injunction from the Alliance Defending Freedom and Independence Law Center, organizations representing the students, and allowed the school district to continue operating its trans-inclusive policies as the case moves forward. However, attorneys with the two firms filed an appeal of the decision Monday on behalf of the students and parents. “School officials have a duty to protect the privacy and dignity of all students,” ADF Legal Counsel Christiana Holcomb said in a statement. “Because the Boyertown District has failed to fulfill its responsibility, we are asking the appellate court to protect their rights while the lawsuit proceeds. This is important not only for our clients, but for all students within the Boyertown Area School District.” Independence Law Center Legal Counsel

Jeremy Samek added that “many students and parents are rightfully concerned that the district’s new policy permits a student to unilaterally violate the privacy rights of other students based simply on that student’s beliefs about gender.” “A person’s privacy rights are theirs and theirs alone,” Samek added. “Beliefs about gender shouldn’t be a license to violate privacy inside boys’ or girls’ locker rooms and restrooms. That defeats the very purpose of sex-separated facilities.” Representatives from the Boyertown Area School District declined to comment on the appeal. The lawsuit began in March when a male student changing in a locker room realized there was another student, a trans male, wearing shorts and a bra. The student and classmates approached Assistant Principal Dr. E. Wayne Foley and, according to the initial complaint, Foley responded that students have a right to use facilities corresponding to their gender identities. The student’s parents met with Foley and Principal Brett Cooper, who said the school was “all-inclusive” and recommended students with concerns change in the nurse’s office. The suit claimed the student has experienced “anxiety, stress, intimidation, fear, apprehension and loss of dignity.” ■

icenter.org

• Philadelphia FIGHT: 1233 Locust

St.; 215-985-4448, www.fight.org

• Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center:

1201 Locust St.; 215985-9206

• Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-7321207

Other • Independence Branch Library Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection: 215-685-1633 • Independence Business Alliance; 215-557-0190, IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com

• LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK • PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 • Philly Pride Presents: 215-875-9288

Boyertown students appeal court’s decision to protect trans youth

Doctor’s lawsuit against AIDS agency settled By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A federal lawsuit filed by Dr. Emmanuella Cherisme against AIDS Care Group recently was settled, according to court papers. Terms of the settlement weren’t available and neither side had a comment for this story. Cherisme’s 2015 lawsuit alleged she was fired from her job at AIDS Care Group after refusing the sexual advances of a supervisor. But AIDS Care Group maintained Cherisme was fired because her job performance was lacking and she had poor interpersonal skills with colleagues and superiors. Founded in 1998, AIDS Care Group provides a wide array of services to people with HIV/AIDS, with offices in Delaware and Berks counties. Cherisme, 45, of Middletown, worked at AIDS Care Group from April 2013 to January 2014. She was hired to help the

agency expand its women’s healthcare program. According to Cherisme’s suit, her supervisor sexually harassed her for several months, until she electronically blocked his calls and texts, thus triggering her firing. The alleged harassment at AIDS Care Group caused Cherisme to suffer from depression, a medical condition that lingers to this day, Cherisme said in a deposition. Cherisme turned down a good job offer in Ohio due to the opportunity to work at AIDS Care Group, only to be mistreated there, according to her deposition. Cherisme allegedly was subjected to racially offensive comments at AIDS Care Group, despite her philanthropic efforts to build a hospital in Haiti, which has a high incidence of AIDS cases. In defense papers, AIDS Care Group argued that Cherisme’s alleged harasser was merely a coworker — not a supervisor — and that their sexual encounters were consensual. ■

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OCTOBER IS LGBT HISTORY MONTH

News & Opinion

10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Transmissions Mark My Words Street Talk 14 — Media Trail 15 — International News

Our history is full of small actions that brought big impacts.

Columns

33 — Get Out and Play: 10 years of Falcons soccer tournaments

Exclusive LGBT history coverage throughout the month in PGN helps to bring the details into focus.

Arts & Culture

31 — Feature: Comedy couple stands united 35 — Scene in Philly 39 — Family Portrait 36 — Out & About 40 — Q Puzzle 41 — Comic

Photo: obamawhitehouse.archives.gov

The 31st annual AIDS Walk Philly kicked off Sept. 22 in Rittenhouse Square.

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“He is so unpopular and he made it even worse with this fight he has picked with the NFL players. He’s discrediting his own approach. The bad news is that he’s so terrible but the good news is that the public understands it. We are seeing the beginning of a breaking of the hold that the right wing had.”

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Ballet X returns for another season of creative and collaborative performances.

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Mazzoni names new medical director By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Mazzoni Center announced the new director of its medical practice last week. Dr. Nancy Brisbon has assumed the role of medical director at the LGBT health facility, which has undergone a number of transitions in the past few months. Brisbon fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. Robert Winn, who was the target of an investigation into alleged sexual impropriety with patients; two separate third-party investigations into the Winn allegations are expected to be wrapped up and turned over to the state Board of Medicine in the coming days, according to Mazzoni Center Interim CEO Stephen Glassman. Former CEO Nurit Shein departed in the spring, and the organization’s front-line staff voted to unionize earlier this month. “I want to make sure that patients understand that they’re our focus,” Brisbon told PGN. “No matter what else is happening in the larger organization, we want them to feel that they’re being well-cared for, and we want to be taking care of them well.” Brisbon, 53, who identifies as a lesbian, earned her medical degree from Temple University and a master’s of public health from Thomas Jefferson University. The Philadelphia native trained at Jefferson’s Department of Family and Community

Medicine and was on staff at the hospital while also working as a contracted clinician at Mazzoni Center for about 10 years; Brisbon left the Jefferson position to take on the medical director role. Glassman said center leadership developed two separate search processes, for internal and external candidates, and focused on Brisbon’s application first before opening a national search for an external candidate. Glassman said the process prioritized staff input, which he said wasn’t previously emphasized in the hiring process. “The process reflected the need for a variety of staff voices throughout the organization, as well as voices of community members, to be heard and involved in making such an important decision for Mazzoni Center,” Glassman said. “This was a wellthought-out process that is evidence of the changes and reforms we are putting in place at Mazzoni Center that allow for staff members to be a part in decision-making processes at the highest levels.” The organization established a 12-person selection committee, which included management and non-management and two community representatives: Office of

LGBT Affairs Director Amber Hikes and William Way LGBT Community Center Executive Director Chris Bartlett. Staff representatives from each department had the opportunity to interview Brisbon and provide feedback to the committee, which developed a report on the candidate and, ultimately, unanimously approved her selection. Glassman noted the staff was “wildly enthusiastic” about Brisbon’s selection, which was announced at a staff meeting last week. “We felt that Nancy was such a strong candidate as an internal candidate that if we had conducted a national search, we’d be unlikely to find someone with better credentials and a greater understanding of the responsibilities and community and culture of Mazzoni Center.” Brisbon will continue to see patients but will also oversee the director of the medical practice. “I’m still going to engage in clinical care, about half of the time,” she said. “The other part of my work will be management, from day-to-day working with the practice manager and the other administrative and clinical staff to developing policies on care — we’re going to start with controlled-substance prescribing practices — to working on developing new programs.” Brisbon said she is particularly interested in expanding the practice’s outreach to

aging populations and to current and prospective parents. “I’m a family doctor so I always think about the whole age spectrum. I was trained in obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, so I always like to see those populations included more in care,” she said. “We have a very strong history of providing care to folks who are HIV-positive and to people of transgender experience, but I’m not sure that people know we see couples as they’re having babies and then can also provide pediatric care, so that’s an area I’d like to see people learn more about. And clearly the community is aging so, even if folks have health care elsewhere, we want them to know that our health center is a place they can age with; we’re able to handle the full range of care for our community.” She is also interested in expanding Mazzoni Center’s research division, particularly regarding transgender and HIV/ AIDS topics. “My goal moving forward is to focus on programs and lines of service that are responsive to patients and the community,” Brisbon said. “I want us to be a good primary-care practice but also a clinically sound practice, a place where people are comfortable and excited about coming to work every day. My hope is we can all join together and talk about what that environment looks like and how we can make it together.” ■

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LOCAL PGN

AIDS Walk/Run returns with expanded mission By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com AIDS Fund Executive Director Robb Reichard participated in his first AIDS Walk/Run Philly 30 years ago, one year after the event started and shortly after he came out as gay. He went on to walk every year and, as time went on, the event became more personal. “I started to see the impact; people I knew were dying,” Reichard said. “I attended far too many funerals in my 20s.” The 31st Annual AIDS Walk/Run Philly 5K, held Oct. 15, aims to lessen the ongoing epidemic, and the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. The event kicks off at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., with registration starting at 6:30 a.m. The run begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk follows at 9 a.m. AIDS Fund will display 25 panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt to memorialize those who died from the disease. All donations raised through participation and sponsorships will go toward AIDS Fund’s mission to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. The organization also expanded that mission last year to more directly assist the HIV/AIDS community. Fundraising from the walk will also support grants to assist people living with

HIV/AIDS who are facing financial difficulties. The grants range from $400-$1,000 and eligibility is determined by an individual’s need and overall health. Medical providers submit applications on behalf of clients. Reichard said these grants can help individuals pay bills, rent and health-insurance premiums. However, he also noted they can be used for more specific items such as a refrigerator to store nutritious food and a bed in which to get a good night’s sleep. “We want to make sure people have all of the things necessary to live a long and healthy life with HIV,” Reichard said. When considering this grant program, Reichard said AIDS Fund learned that these types of resources did not exist. “If [case managers] had a client who was facing eviction — particularly a client who lived in subsidized housing — they had no resources to keep them from losing their housing,” he said. “So they got evicted. They were essentially homeless and would go back on a waiting list for subsidized housing. It’s essential that we keep people in care. The barriers oftentimes to staying in care are the basic necessities in life: food, shelter, a roof over your head. Sometimes those are the things that impede people from being able to maintain their health.”

While Reichard noted the significance of the walk’s fundraising, it is also about raising awareness. “Those funds are critical for us to continue to provide the grants, but today we are talking about getting to zero — zero infections, zero stigma and zero deaths. We really try to keep all of our focus on that goal. When somebody is a fundraising walker and they’re going out and talking about their participation in the walk and why they’re doing it, that helps to combat stigma, in addition to helping us get the message out about new treatment methods and new prevention methods such as PrEP. All of that helps to move us toward that goal of getting to zero.” Reichard said there is still “a ways to go” when it comes to achieving this goal and noted other strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “We see, nationally, a decline in the number of new infections annually. We are seeing a greater number of people knowing their HIV status because of testing. But we have this gap between where people know their status but are able to maintain themselves in care. That’s why we wanted to look at what we could do to help narrow that gap.“ ■

U=U: AIDS Fund assistant director Terrie Hawkins stands next to this year’s addition to the organization’s AIDS timeline. The snadwich boards tell a vivid and sometimes heartbreaking year-by-year story of the AIDS epidemic. Hawkins’ contribution for 2017 Visit www.aidswalkphilly.org or www.aidsrun- marks a milestone in hope: Undetectable = philly.org for more information or to register. Untransmittable. Photo: Scott A. Drake

LOCAL PGN

N.J. hospital to host state’s first LGBT health-care conference By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com A New Jersey hospital that launched LGBT primary-care services earlier this year is now gearing up to host a conference on LGBT health-care needs. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset and Garden State Equality will host New Jersey’s first Healthcare Conference for the LGBT Community Oct. 6 in Bridgewater. Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino said in a statement that his organization is “proud” to partner with RWJUH Somerset to present the inaugural conference “focused on educating LGBT individuals about their rights to empower them to get the health care they need.” “Health care is a big concern for members of the LGBT community, who often experience stigma, discrimination and outright denial of care because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Fuscarino said. The conference will focus on topics such as civil rights, intersectionality and federal support services. Additionally, Rutgers University law professor Christina Ho will discuss LGBT health-care coverage under the Affordable Care Act during her keynote speech. She called this particular conference “fantastic.” “It’s incredibly important that all communities mobilize around health,” Ho said. “Health is a political lightning rod. It really is one of the most intimate and important issues, and it’s highly polit-

icized. Sometimes, it’s about communities [and] their ability to flourish and thrive. This [conference] is an expression of that, and you’re going to see it more and more.” RWJUH opened its PROUD Family Health office to offer specialized care for the LGBT community Jan. 30. In the leadup to the opening of the office, RWJUH President Tony Cava said the hospital’s leadership developed a relationship with Garden State Equality, which provided trainings for hospital staff. Sanofi, a pharmaceutical company, approached RWJUH to coordinate a conference. Cava said the hospital’s team, Garden State Equality and the Pride Center of New Jersey put together an agenda for the conference and Sanofi accepted it, awarding them a grant to support the free conference. Cava said he would like to see the conference become an annual event, noting this is a “great opportunity to serve a community that’s been underserved, particularly in New Jersey.” He added that LGBT people living in the state will often go to major cities for care. “It’s all about awareness,” Cava said. “It’s getting the message out there and having people feel comfortable talking about it, and sharing a lot of information that sometimes is only done through social media, or means like that, rather than opening a public forum.” ■ The free Healthcare Conference for the LGBT Community will be held 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Raritan Valley Country Club, 747 State Route 28, Bridgewater, N.J. Call 888-MD-RWJUH to register.

Local lawyer to head national LGBT family project By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com A Philadelphia attorney who focuses on LGBT family law was recently named to head the national LGBT Family Law Institute. Tiffany Palmer will serve a twoyear term as director of the organization, a joint venture of the National LGBT Bar Association and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The entity was founded in 2009 to establish a national network of family-law practitioners. Palmer, 45, is a partner and founder of Jerner & Palmer, P.C., based in Germantown. Her practice areas include family formation — through adoption and assisted-reproductive technology — and parentage litigation. Palmer began attending the LGBT Bar’s Lavender Law Conference in 1999 and has been involved with FLI, whose members meet at the conference, since its inception. The FLI director position is a volunteer one. While balancing that commitment with her practice

will be a “challenge,” Palmer said, she noted much of the work can be done virtually. Palmer said the FLI team is already planning its involvement in the next two Lavender Law Conferences, which will be held in August 2018 and 2019 in New York City and Philadelphia, respectively. She said she wants to continue to develop FLI as a resource for the legal and LGBT communities, especially as work continues to ensure family law is fully inclusive of marriage equality. “What I’m looking to do is lead the organization into the post-marriage-equality world for LGBT rights,” she said. “I want to create a space for lawyers to connect with each other, and share ideas, briefs and strategies for bringing about full implementation of marriage equality. I also want to create a way for clients and potential clients to find highly qualified lawyers who are very experienced in LGBT-rights litigation.” FLI members, Palmer noted, have to sign on to a set of standards, developed by the Gay and

Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, for litigating LGBT-rights cases ethically. “It’s important for attorneys to use ethical community standards when litigating these cases, and the Family Law Institute provides a way for the public to find attorneys who are held to these standards,” Palmer said. The organization’s work is even more important given the current political climate, noted Cathy Sakimura, family-law director at NCLR, in a statement. “The Family Law Institute has been a vital part of the advancement of the legal rights of LGBT families,” Sakimura said. “We are privileged to have Tiffany Palmer’s leadership and expertise in this time when the rights of so many in our communities are under attack.” LGBT Bar Executive Director D’Arcy Kemnitz added that FLI is a “hallmark” of the organization, which will “continue to flourish” under Palmer’s leadership. ■ For more information about the Family Law Institute, visit http://bit. ly/2fnDEH0.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

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Equality Forum celebrates 25th anniversary, names historic markers By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com An LGBT education nonprofit next week will celebrate its 25th anniversary and designate two historical markers. Equality Forum will host its anniversary celebration at the National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East. The organization will also place historic markers Oct. 3 on Locust Street for the AIDS Library of Philadelphia and in honor of former Temple University professor John Fryer. History Malcolm Lazin and other activists founded PrideFest Philadelphia, the original name for Equality Forum, in 1993. It began as a weekend event in which 15 regional LGBT organizations participated. “It was so successful that in the second year, we were up to 30 organizations,” Lazin said. “By the third year, it was 45. And then in the fourth year was when we started to bring in national organizations and it ultimately grew from three days to five days to seven days with 60 programs.” The organization’s board of directors changed its name to Equality Forum in 2003 but, even before then, the group went on to produce several documentaries. These included “Gay Pioneers,” “JIM IN BOLD”

and “Saint of 9/11.” Equality Forum launched LGBT History Month in 2006 and continues the project to date.

“He is unquestionably one of the AIDS pioneers and among the most significant contributors, so we’re honoring him with the Frank Kameny Award for his distinguished and lifelong service,” Lazin said Awards and recognition of Staley. Days later, Equality Forum will recogEquality Forum will honor Sen. Bob nize specific LGBT movements with hisCasey with the International Role Model torical markers. Award and Peter Staley with the Frank The AIDS Library of Philadelphia, which Kameny Award. will host a 30th-anniversary celebration Lazin called Casey a “longstanding Nov. 10, provides the community with inforfriend for the LGBT community.” The mation and resources related to HIV/AIDS. senator previously This includes co-sponsored the “If you’re going to empower books, articles and Equality Act, which Internet sources on would provide the next generation, we treatment, history statewide LGBTmedical referneed to be telling them the and inclusive protections rals. for workplace, hous- history of the movement “It was the first ing, education and library of its type public accommoda- and narratives and providin the nation,” tions. ing them with role models.” Lazin noted. “It “Certainly by virhas been a model tue of his leaderfor others [since] ship in the U.S. Senate, he has helped to 30 years ago when it was started by John advance our civil rights,” Lazin said. Cunningham and Heshie Zinman. It proStaley founded the Treatment Action vided a remarkably important resource for Group (TAG), an HIV/AIDS research the community.” and policy organization, and educational Equality Forum will also honor Fryer, website AIDSmeds.com. Additionally, who died in 2003. Fryer disguised himhe launched an ad campaign on the link self as “Dr. H. Anonymous” on a 1972 between crystal-meth use and HIV in gay panel challenging the American Psychiatric and bisexual men. Association’s classification of homosexual-

ity as a mental illness. “I am a homosexual, I am a psychiatrist,” Fryer said at the panel while wearing a mask and voice modulator. Fryer delivered his speech at a time psychiatrists could lose their medical licenses for being gay. Lazin called Fryer’s history “a remarkable story every gay person should know.” “When no other psychiatrist in the country would appear on that panel, John Fryer did,” Lazin said. “At that moment in time, homosexuality was defined as a mental illness and because of his testimony, the American Psychiatric Association set up a study committee and a year later, they recommended that homosexuality [no longer] be classified as a mental illness [in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.” The future of Equality Forum Lazin said the organization opted not to host its usual weeklong event this year since the LGBT movement has “achieved so much” in regard to equality, specifically marriage equality. The organization instead will focus its efforts on LGBT History Month. “If you’re going to empower the next generation, we need to be telling them the history of the movement and narratives and providing them with role models,” Lazin said. “That’s very empowering. Without PAGE 13 that, you can’t expect an

LOCAL PGN

Five to be awarded at Outfest By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Five individuals and one community organization will be presented awards at next weekend’s OutFest celebration. “We try to acknowledge people that are beyond just being out and proud,” said Franny Price, executive director of Philly Pride Presents, which is staging the Oct. 8 event. “We choose people who are prestigious and who really deserve to be acknowledged for being out and proud.” The following will be honored at OutFest: • Gilbert Baker National OutProud Award: Michael P. Williams • Jaci Adams OutProud Transgender Award: Tenika Watson • OutProud Award: Bread & Roses Community Fund • OutProud Couple Award: Ashley Coleman and Dena Underwood • OutStanding Youth Award: Alex Phillips Williams, a local attorney, drafted legislation that added protections based on gender identity to nondiscrimination laws in Philadelphia and New Hope. “Michael has been a longtime activist, out and proud with who he is,” Price said. “When I first read his resume, I almost fell off my seat. I cannot list all of the things Michael did being out and proud.” Watson survived a 1982 accident while in singer-songwriter Teddy Pendergrass’s car. Pendergrass became paralyzed from the neck down and media outlets outed her as a sex worker and transgender woman. The experience resulted in survivor’s guilt, ostracization from neighbors and a former drug and alcohol addiction, which she recounted in her book, “My Life is No Accident: A Memoir

by Tenika Watson.” “Our generation knows that she was with Teddy Pendergrass the night he had the accident but it was not easy for her,” Price said. “She got hurt too.” The Bread & Roses Community Fund raises money to support community groups dedicated to racial equity and economic opportunity. “They should get acknowledged for what they do. They’ve been doing this for 40 years,” Price said. Coleman and Underwood will receive Philly Pride Presents’ first-time OutProud Couple Award. Price called them “the perfect OutProud Couple for this generation.” She noted Coleman’s leadership as general coordinator for Mazzoni Center’s Trans Health Conference and with the organization’s front-line staff. “She is definitely a leader and will continue to grow as an even bigger leader,” Price said. Additionally, Price recalled her own work with Underwood, a local musician. “I know every time I asked Dena to do something, she never says no. She’s somebody that we’re very proud of,” Price said. “She has a beautiful voice.” The Attic Youth Center selected Phillips for the OutStanding Youth Award. The Rowan University theater-arts major has had short stories, poems and op-eds published in outlets such as Teen Vogue and GLSEN.org. “Alex is truly exemplary and well-deserving,” Carrie Jacobs, executive director of The Attic, said in a statement to PGN. “They have demonstrated commitment and leadership as a member of The Attic Youth Center and to the LGBTQ youth movement. Upon meeting Alex, you quickly realize their positive energy, which is one of the unique features of this very unique person.” Oufest will take place noon-6 p.m. Oct. 8 along 12th and 13th streets, between Walnut and Spruce. ■

D.A.’s Office warns of sizable fee to certify Morris record By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office last week said it expects to charge more than $100 for certification of a dispatch record relating to the Nizah Morris incident, despite a maximum certification fee of $5 per record set by the state Office of Open Records. On Sept. 6, Commonwealth Court ordered the D.A.’s Office to certify a one-page Morris dispatch record in response to an open-records request submitted by PGN in 2015. On Sept. 21, the D.A.’s Office conveyed to an attorney for PGN that the certification fee would be in excess of $100. As of presstime, the office hadn’t tallied an exact amount. The following day, PGN’s attorney replied that the paper declines to pay more than $5 for certification — which is the maximum fee set by OOR, as posted on its website. PGN’s position is that paying a fee in excess of $5 would impede efforts for publicly accessible and affordable Morris records. Morris was a trans woman of color found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after accepting a “courtesy ride” from Officer Elizabeth Skala. In the pre-dawn hours of Dec. 22, 2002, Skala was dispatched to handle Morris outside an LGBT bar in the Gayborhood. Prior to the dispatch, a 911 call

was placed on Morris’ behalf, stating she was intoxicated and had mobility issues. Inexplicably, Skala initiated an unrelated traffic stop while assigned to handle Morris. In May 2015, PGN requested a certified copy of all dispatch records pertaining to Skala’s traffic stop at the D.A.’s Office. Prior to submitting its open-records request, PGN received a partial dispatch record for Skala’s traffic stop from the Police Advisory Commission and shared it with the D.A.’s Office in 2013. In an 11-page ruling, Commonwealth Court said the D.A.’s Office proved in an affidavit that its only dispatch record for Skala’s traffic stop is the partial record from PGN in 2013. The court ordered the D.A.’s Office to certify the partial dispatch record. PGN contends certification will help ensure the D.A.’s Office conducts a proper search for a complete dispatch record for Skala’s traffic stop in its criminal files. Justin F. Robinette, an attorney for PGN, said agencies should charge a reasonable fee for certification of a public record. “The Office of Open Records established a fee structure that recommends a $5 maximum fee for certification of a public record,” Robinette noted. “PGN will gladly pay the maximum certification fee. But paying an excessive fee would be antithetical to the goal of transparency in the Morris case.” ■

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIRECTORY rev. dr. Nadine

Rosechild Sullivan, ph.d.

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EDITORIAL PGN EDITORIAL

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Bob Marshall

Editorial

Dropping the ball The racial-justice movement had an unlikely stage last weekend, at football arenas around the nation. In the wake of President Donald Trump’s Twitter rants about footballers like Colin Kapernick taking a knee during the National Anthem to protest racial injustice, scores of other players joined the silent protest. Some knelt, others linked arms like the Eagles and others stayed off field during the song. The more players protested, the more agitated Trump seemed to get on social media. Giving a big middle finger to the temporary occupant of the Oval Office was surely an aim on the minds of many players. But the effort may have also had some other results. Like never before, we’ve seen a heightened discourse on the root issues at the heart of the #TakeAKnee movement. There is clearly friction between the crowd blasting the effort as disrespectful and supporters, but that chasm is opening up the opportunity for education — on issues of racial inequality, police brutality and white privilege. Such lessons surely aren’t best addressed by the NFL, an organization plagued with its own systemic problems and biases. Many have argued that the NFL has willfully overlooked violence and rape committed by players but blacklisted Kapernick when he stood up for people of color. Support for this cause is indeed late, and may ring hollow to many. Time will tell if this is a movement that will be sustained, and validated through tangible action. But it is support in the right realm. NFL fans don’t have a reputation for being socially progressive or enlightened; this is a crowd stereotyped as all-American working-class folks, brimming with machismo and Miller Lite. It’s a trope that fits many Trump supporters as well, a group of people who desperately need their eyes opened to the reality of what it means to live as a person of color in America. Even if they don’t immediately become card-carrying members of the NAACP and ACLU, at least this conversation is finally happening in an environment in which they exist, as ignorance is often bred by lack of relativity. The movement also highlighted the stark contrast between what the president does care about and what he should care about. When he sent several-dozen tweets about the NFL and a scant few about the humanitarian crisis ravaging Puerto Rico, his ineptitude comes into shaper focus — for those who may have still been questioning it. ■

For a long time now, we’ve been hearYes, bigots being ing about people terrified that they might called out for their share a public restroom with a transgender bigoted bullshit is a person out of fear that trans people will pee change — a refreshon them. (That’s the fear, right? I’m pretty ing one if you’re sure I read that on World Net Daily.) Now a member of an we’ve found someone terrified to share a oppressed minority stage with a transgender person. in the United States. Bob Marshall, a member of the Virginia Maybe we have House of Delegates (R-13th Dist.), is learned something running for reelection. His challenger, from the election Democrat Danica Roem, is hoping to of Donald Trump: unseat Marshall, thus becoming Virginia’s a white supremacist, a misogynist and an first openly transgender elected official. LGBTQ foe. But if you’re a straight white Marshall, however, is basically pretendguy in America and being called “a bigot ing that Roem doesn’t exist. He won’t or a hatemonger” feels oppressive to you, debate her at a candidate forum, he said, well, it’s literally the LEAST everyone else because he doesn’t want to get called could do. names. As an added bonus, the candidate forum You see, nasty LGBTQ advocates have Marshall is refusing to attend is hosted by taken to calling him “Bigot Bob.” the NAACP. I suspect that in addition to According to the Washington Post, not wanting to have to treat a trans perMarshall got this son like a human nickname “because Well hell, if he has feet like being in public, of his sponsorship Marshall probably of a ‘bathroom bill’ a duck, quacks like a duck also has a problem that would have and denies LGBTQ people with the NAACP, regulated transgenspecifically that their humanity, then he’s a it’s allowed to use der people’s use of restrooms in govthe term “colored ducking bigot. ernment buildings. people” but he, a That measure was 73-year-old white unsuccessful. Marshall also sponsored man, isn’t. Again, that’s just a guess. I Virginia’s constitutional amendment barsuppose we’ll never know since he won’t ring same-sex marriage — which stood attend the forum. until the U.S. Supreme Court declared such According to the Prince Williams Times, prohibitions unconstitutional.” Roem and other Democrats are still planWell hell, if he has feet like a duck, ning on meeting with voters regardless. “I quacks like a duck and denies LGBTQ think it’s a damn shame that he refused to people their humanity, then he’s a ducking debate, but we’re going to do it anyway,” bigot. Roem said. But Marshall takes offense to the label. Cosmopolitan magazine calls the fact He tells the Prince Williams Times that it that Roem is running against Marshall “is simply not correct” and chastises Roem “cosmic poetry,” and I have to agree. It for “hurling insults.” would be a beautiful thing to see her unseat “In the same interview,” the Times Bigot Bob. reports, “Marshall doubled down on call“The message that I can succeed because ing Roem … ‘he.’” of my gender, not despite it, because of “Why do you call Danica a female?” who I am without being afraid of who I am Marshall asked the Times reporter. “Did is a human message,” Roem told Cosmo. ■ Danica’s DNA change?” Sick burn, bro. Like, seriously, your con- To learn more about Danica Roem, who is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, tempt for transgender people is sickening. Then Marshall has the nerve to cry to the Emily’s List and the Victory Fund, among others, and to throw a few bucks her way, Washington Post about a “lack of civility.” visit http://danicaroem.ngpvanhost.com. You “In the last few elections, there’s been can also follow her on Twitter @pwcdanica. a distinct lack of civility,” Marshall said. “Prior to that, it wasn’t so bad. You weren’t D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian automatically identified as a bigot, or a living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been hatemonger or anything like this. That has writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow changed.” her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

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.

OP-ED PGN

‘Gypsy’ the musical is LGBT history? LGBT history can be found in every Momma Rose was born Rose Thompson. aspect of our lives. Sometimes it just She had several marriages but eventually comes as a surprise to learn that somegave birth to two daughters and became thing, or someone, you’ve known about a stage mother. Both her girls went on was gay. Given the title of this column, you to fame: Gypsy Rose Lee as a stripper, may think this is going to be about the lyrauthor and talk-show personality, and June icist of “Gypsy” — my favorite Broadway Havoc as a film star. But what happened to composer, Stephen Sondheim, Momma Rose? who’s gay — it isn’t. And if you She ran several schools for think it’s about another member children, a chicken farm, a of the production company of summer camp — oh, and she that original Broadway bombaswas tried for murder. In a nuttic hit — so many of them were shell, here are the facts: Rose gay — again, it isn’t. was running a boarding house It’s about one of the real-life in New York, referred to by characters on whom the musisources at the time as a “seedy cal is based. “Gypsy” tells the boarding house for lesbians,” life story of Gypsy Rose Lee where she also lived. During and her stage mother — the this time, Gypsy paid a visit to stage mother of all stage moththe house and for some reason ers, Momma Rose, played a young woman who has been in the original production by described as Momma Rose’s Ethel Merman and since by lover at the time didn’t know Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Mark Segal Gypsy was her daughter and Patti LuPone and Bernadette mistakenly thought Gypsy Peters, and in the film version by Rosalind was making a pass at Rose. Rose and the Russell. As you can see, it’s one hell of a woman reportedly had a vicious fight and classic and beloved Broadway musical. Momma Rose shot the woman. That character played by all those I think this gives a whole new meaning famous actresses, Momma Rose? Guess to the climactic song by Momma Rose, what? She was a lesbian. How do we know “Momma’s Turn.” There are several other that? From good research by Carolyn lovers mentioned in Quinn’s book, and it’s Quinn, who took her fascination with a great read. Gypsy and her family and wrote a fascinatIt’s LGBT History Month and you’ll ing book that, by any description, could be never know where our history is and what called a page turner. surprises you’ll find when exploring it. If you’ve seen the musical film or stage LGBT history is fascinating. version of “Gypsy,” you should know that the character of Momma Rose was sort of Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award“cleaned up for public consumption.” She winning commentator in LGBT media. His was more outrageous than the script could memoir, “And Then I Danced,” is available have shared with America in the 1950s. on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or at Here’s what we know from the script: your favorite bookseller.

Mark My Words

Transmissions

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

Street Talk Who's your favorite LGBT television character? “Titus Andromedon from ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.’ It’s a goofy show but he’s really funny. He takes Kelly Haggerty everything to clerk the extreme. Gayborhood He does parodies that always make me laugh. I’ve binge-watched that show.”

"Kurt Hummel from 'Glee.' He's an amazing singer. He's a little over the top but I enjoy watching him. He doesn't do anything for me physically, but energy."

"I'm a huge fan of Jack from 'Will and Grace.' I watched the show all through law school. He's unapologetically Cecelia Isaacshimself. His Blundin personality is attorney Rittenhouse Square carbonated, when other people are flat."

"Stella Gibson on 'The Fall.' It's on Netflix. She's a bad-ass bisexual woman in a power position. We need more Vera Torres of that on scientist TV. As a Rittenhouse Square high-ranking police official, she's very smart and clever. She exemplifies everything a person should be."

me then to explain how I felt a bit more expertly, then I too would have been able to make it clear in which restroom I better fit. Indeed, my own feelings on this start sometime around when I was 3 years old, which puts me well before the first grade. At that time, resources for any transgender person were scant; for trans youth, they were nonexistent. I was substantially beyond the first grade when I finally got my hands on some solid information in my college library. Today, transgender people are being recognized and treated at much earlier ages. We have not only better resources, but also a potentially more knowledgeable populace — notwithstanding Mateer and the First Liberty Institute. You see, I don’t think it’s Satan’s plan that children are cared for and treated well, nor that we take the needs of our kids seriously. Contrary to the views of

Mateer, being trans is no diabolical plan, but simply part of the human condition. Transgender people simply are. Now while I sport neither horns nor barbed tail, and I preside not over Hades but rather a small apartment I share with my spouse, I too have a plan. It’s a simple one: Let us be. Trans people are an amazing part of humanity, don’t get me wrong. We’ve existed for centuries alongside the rest of humanity. We have been commoners and rulers, and in spite of plenty of people attempting to squelch our existence, we remain a part of this world. We may well be some of the stronger people you’ll find, given all we have to face in this world just to survive, let alone thrive. Yet most of our desires are fairly mundane. We just want to live. We want to be able to walk down the street and let the sunlight warm our faces. We want to PAGE 13 be hand-in-hand with

Kurt Hirsch paralegal South Philadelphia

I admire his

Gwendolyn Ann Smith

Satan’s plan In between yelling at football players, eroding our freedoms and attempting to bar transgender service members from, well, serving their country, President Donald J. Trump is busy nominating judges. One in particular deserves a bit of scrutiny: Jeff Mateer is up for a judgeship on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Two years ago, Mateer — who at the time was general counsel for the First Liberty Institute before becoming first assistant attorney general for Texas — delivered a speech titled “The Church and Homosexuality” for said organization. The First Liberty Institute is a Plano, Texasbased conservative law firm focused on so-called “religious-liberty” lawsuits. As part of the speech, Mateer veered onto transgender issues. Unsurprisingly, it was a restroom case. “In Colorado, a public school has been sued because a first grader — and I forget

the sex, she’s a girl who thinks she’s a boy or a boy who thinks she’s a girl, it’s probably that, a boy who thinks she’s a girl,” said Mateer in an archived copy of the speech. “And the school said, ‘Well, she’s not using the girl’s restroom.’ And so she has now sued to have a right to go in. Now, I submit to you, a parent of three children who are now young adults, [does] a first grader really knows [sic] what their sexual [sic] identity [is]? I mean, it just really shows you how Satan’s plan is working and the destruction that’s going on.” Yes, a man who is up for a federal judgeship believes that transgender people are a part of “Satan’s plan.” The thing is, when I was in the first grade, I had a pretty good sense what my gender identity was. I did not have all the words for what I was, but I knew I did not feel like it was right to assign me as a boy and felt much more that I was a girl. If, perhaps, the language was available to

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

PGN

Thinking Lehigh Valley Barney Frank talks Trump Queerly orgs. to merge and how Democrats can

Kristina Furia

Thinking Queerly explores the psychological and social experiences of being LGBT in America and sheds light on the importance of LGBT community members prioritizing their mental health.

Only in Online and in print every second Friday.

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

Two Lehigh Valley-based LGBT organizations will merge in an effort that organizers say will support the production of the area’s annual Pride festival. The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center will add a volunteer Pride Festival Planning Committee to assist Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley in producing Allentown’s annual Pride in the Park Festival. The boards of directors for both organizations unanimously voted for the merger. Greater Lehigh Valley President Shawn Bausher said in a statement that the organization wanted to ensure Pride in the Park would continue “well into the future” as they considered the upcoming 25th year of the festival in 2018. He added that this merger will add professional staff “to support the festival and will also lead to more resources for our community by cutting out duplicative administrative costs between the two organizations.” “Our board is very enthusiastic about this proposed merger,” Bausher said. “Our current board leaders plan to continue to stay involved with festival planning through the Pride Festival Planning Committee at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center and we are grateful that the center is willing to take this on.” Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley is an all-volunteer organization, while Bradbury-Sullivan employs five fulltime and three part-time employees. However, Bradbury-Sullivan Executive Director Adrian Shanker noted the center’s roots. “Our organization also started as an all-volunteer organization, so we understand how all-consuming it is for volunteer leaders to manage a nonprofit, let alone produce an annual festival,” Shanker said. “We look forward to continuing to work with volunteers to produce an annual LGBT Pride festival and we hope that, through this merger, the festival can be stronger than ever before.” Shanker told PGN that the center’s volunteer committee will have a similar model to its group that plans its annual Fall Gala & LGBT Community Leadership Awards. It will include a group of board members, staff members and community members. To get involved, visit http:// www.bradburysullivancenter.org/volunteer. ■

‘take back’ power By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

An out former Congressman next week will take a local stage for a series of performances. Former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank will narrate Gunther Schuller’s 1962 story “Journey into Jazz” Oct. 6-8 as part of Chamber Orchestra’s FIRST EDITIONS program. The former Congressman from Massachusetts noted that the orchestra stage is a new platform for him. “It’s a new thing for me but I’m looking forward to it,” the 77-year-old said. “I think it’s going to be fun.” Frank retired from Congress in 2013, more than 25 years after coming out as gay. He noted how different the current political climate is from when he left D.C., calling the presidential election in November a “disaster.” “Donald Trump has been such an obvious failure as president, even by his own standard,” Frank said. “He is so unpopular and he made it even worse with this fight he has picked with the NFL players. He’s discrediting his own approach. The bad news is that he’s so terrible but the good news is that the public understands it. We are seeing the beginning of a breaking of the hold that the right wing had.” Frank specifically referenced current perceptions of health care. He said President Obama’s Affordable Care

Act has gained public support since Trump’s efforts to try to repeal the law. “The political climate has significantly improved in reaction to Trump’s outrages,” Frank said. He urged residents in Republican-majority areas to mobilize to tell representatives not to vote for “terrible” laws. He also recommended gearing up now for midterm elections so Democrats can take back the House and the Senate. “I think the chances are getting better and better now for big Democratic gains,” Frank said. “Be organized now. The midterm elections are a little over a year away. Start getting engaged. There’s a couple of good candidates. Go work with one of them. Work with the local political organizations. The focus at this point should be on mobilizing and making sure we get the maximum vote in 2018.” That outreach effort needs to extend to those who sat out the last election, Frank added. “We’ve got to get everybody to vote. If all of the people who disagree strongly with Trump [vote], we’ll take back the House and maybe the Senate. The key thing is to build on the unpopularity of Trump for the midterm election.” For more information on Frank’s upcoming stage appearances, visit chamberorchestrafe. org. ■

Trans woman continues to seek accurate birth certificate By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A trans woman born in New Jersey continues to seek a gender-accurate birth certificate, despite opposition from state officials who insist she already has an accurate birth certificate. “Jane Doe” filed suit last year, challenging the Garden State’s policy of requiring gender-confirmation surgery before changing the sex on a birth certificate. On Aug. 16, U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp temporarily dismissed Doe’s suit and last week attorneys for Doe filed a 24-page amended complaint. The defendants are state registrar Vincent T. Arrisi and state health commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett, along with the agencies they head: the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and the New Jersey Department of Health, respectively. “Defendants’ failure to recognize [Doe’s] gender on her birth certificate, and identify her by sex instead, with attendant consequences, has and will continue to exacerbate Ms. Doe’s gender dysphoria,” Doe states in

her suit. Doe alleges that New Jersey’s policy violates multiple laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also notes that gender-confirmation surgery “is not medically necessary for all trans people, and may even be medically contraindicated for some.” Additionally, she emphasizes in the suit the “harmful” and “irrational” nature of New Jersey’s birth-certificate policy. In defense papers, New Jersey officials maintain Doe already has an accurate birth certificate reflecting her male anatomy at birth. Julie Chovanes, lead counsel for Doe, expressed optimism about the case. “We’re fighting for fundamental constitutional rights for trans people,” Chovanes said. “Our fight for trans rights is a fight for some of the most disadvantaged people in the country. We plan on continuing and winning that fight. And truly making America great.” A spokesperson for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office had no comment. ■

PGN

T:7.5625”

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

EQUALITY FORUM from page 8

18-year-old to understand what it was like 30 years ago when one needed to be firmly in the closet for a lot of compelling reasons.” Lazin said the organization has updated the website lgbthistorymonth.com. The site, now in its 11th year, honors 31 LGBT icons each October with a video and downloadable resources. He noted that the U.S. Department of Education uses these resources annually and said this is one of Equality Forum’s many accomplishments. “We accomplished a fair amount over the course of our 25 years,” he said. ■

If you go

• The Equality Forum 25th Anniversary Celebration will take place 6-9 p.m. Oct. 3 at the National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East. • The AIDS Library of Philadelphia Historic Marker Dedication will take place 12:15-12:45 p.m. at 1233 Locust St. • The John Fryer Historic Marker Dedication will take place 1-1:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at 13th and Locust streets.

TRANSMISSIONS from page 11

T:11.35”

those we love and who also love us. We want to be able to labor, have a roof over our head and otherwise have a peaceful existence. Also, we wish to do all these things in a gender of our preference. Whether we’re in the first grade or a nursing home, we simply expect our gender to be respected. You’ll find that isn’t even that difficult to do — and that it may actually be more work and hassle to fight against our lives. After all, you can say what you will about us, but that doesn’t stop us from existing in the first place. It’s a simple plan: Treat us as human beings with all the rights afforded to same and, well, we’ll do the same. We’re not here to “destroy” anything, as Mateer seems to think — although I will admit a personal interest in smashing the patriarchy. Meanwhile, it is those like Mateer who seem to have their own plan. Think back to the quote above, and consider that Mateer is demonizing a 6-year-old who certainly is no threat to the First Liberty Institute or, likely, anyone. He seems to be mistaking this child for the antichrist. Rather than letting us be, people like Mateer seem hell-bent on our destruction. They will seek to legislate us out of existence, taking away our rights to use public accommodations, to serve in the military, to work, to have a home and so on. They view us as their adversary and seek our immolation. Now who sounds more in league with the devil — me or this potential federal judge?

available at x nity.com/stream

■

Gwen Smith believes there’s no devil, just evil-minded people. You’ll find her at www.gwensmith.com.

available on XFINITY Stream app

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

Gettin’ On

Mombian Dana Rudolph

The department declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.

Media Trail School board asks court to dismiss transgender teen’s suit

We’re all getting older. For LGBT seniors, being out in the golden years can pose a whole new set of challenges. Each month, Gettin’ On brings you insights on aging, from legal issues to sexual health.

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An estimated one-third of LGBTs in Philadelphia have children. Every month, Dana Rudolph dissects parenting from our perspective, from watching your children grow up to teaching them how to deal with bullies, to interviews with authors and filmmakers.

According to the Washington Post, a Virginia school board has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a transgender teen who sued for the right to use the boys’ bathroom at his high school. The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent Gavin Grimm’s case back to a lower court last month, asking a judge to decide whether it’s moot because Grimm graduated in June. The Gloucester County School Board filed a motion Sept. 22 asking the judge to throw out Grimm’s amended complaint. The board argued that the school didn’t discriminate against Grimm and that the restroom policy does not apply to alumni so there is no issue to be settled by court. Grimm’s lawyers have said he’s entitled to use the boys’ restroom when he attends school events as an alumnus.

Trans women sue Iowa over Medicaid coverage ban The Des Moines Register reports two transgender women are suing an Iowa state agency, arguing the state’s ban on Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment-related medical services violates the state constitution. Carol Ann Beal of northwest Iowa and EerieAnna Good of the Quad Cities filed the lawsuit Sept. 21, saying the ban by the Iowa Department of Human Services violates patients’ rights to equal protection. Iowa’s Medicaid code bans sex-reassignment surgeries, referring to them as “cosmetic, reconstructive or plastic surgery.” Rita Bettis is the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, which is representing the women. She said the ban is unfair because transgender patients aren’t covered for some surgeries that non-transgender Iowa residents are, such as mastectomies.

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Judge rejects couple’s argument for refusing gay customers NBC News reports a federal judge has dismissed a legal challenge by the owners of a Minnesota video company who want to shoot weddings for heterosexual couples only. Carl and Angel Larsen own Telescope Media Group and filed a lawsuit in December against the state’s human-rights commissioner and attorney general contesting a Minnesota law that bans businesses from denying wedding services to samesex couples. The St. Cloud couple’s lawsuit was a pre-emptive effort to avoid penalties for turning away same-sex customers. Chief District Judge John Tunheim rejected the Larsens’ argument that the law was an effort to “stamp out expression opposing same-sex marriage.” The Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents the Larsens, says the couple plans to file an appeal.

Arizona Supreme Court says gays get equal parental rights According to the Arizona Daily Star, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled a lesbian who is divorcing her spouse is entitled to parental rights under the U.S. Constitution even though a state law doesn’t recognize those rights. The Sept. 19 ruling says U.S. Supreme Court precedent requires same-sex couples be afforded the same “constellation of benefits” as straight couples. The ruling comes in a case involving artificial insemination. State law assumes the man in a marriage is the father of any child born during the marriage, but that law doesn’t include women. Kimberly McLaughlin’s attorney argued that Arizona law doesn’t establish any rights in artificial-insemination cases for the non-biological parent of the same sex. The court sided with Suzan McLaughlin, saying she is entitled to the same parental rights that a man would receive. ■ — compiled by Larry Nichols

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

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International Montenegro: Pride event urges less violence, more rights About 200 people gathered at an LGBT pride event in Montenegro Sept. 23 urging more rights and zero tolerance for violence against gay people in the conservative Balkan country. Participants held banners with sayings such as “Proud my son is gay” and “My daughter is lesbian” as they marched through the Montenegrin capital of Podgorica. Police sealed off the area for protection. The country of some 620,000 people is known for its macho culture. The Sept. 23 event was dubbed “With chivalry against violence” in reference to Montenegro’s proclaimed heroic tradition. An organizer of the event, Danijel Kalezic, said LGBT-rights activists want stricter punishments for antigay attacks that he says currently are treated as “ordinary fistfights.” Supporters also say Montenegro needs to improve human rights as it seeks membership in the European Union.

First U.N. expert on gender identity resigns A spokesperson for the U.N.’s Human Rights Council has confirmed that its first independent expert on sexual orientation SETTLEMENT from page 1

to the ruling, the ADA was considered by many to be off-limits for trans-antibias litigants. “I changed federal civil-rights laws,” Blatt noted this week. Blatt declined to comment on specific terms of the settlement but indicated satisfaction with the outcome. “I believed in the system,” Blatt said. “I pushed it all the way. And I feel the system ultimately came through for me.

and gender identity has resigned for “personal reasons.” Spokesperson Rolando Gomez confirmed the authenticity of a letter published Sept. 12 by the Washington Blade in which Vitit Muntarbhorn informed the council president about his resignation effective Oct. 31, citing illness in his household. Gomez told reporters Friday that a successor for Muntarbhorn will be named at an organizational meeting for the council on Dec. 4. Muntarbhorn, who is from Thailand, was appointed last September. Supporters of LGBT rights won a major victory at the United Nations in New York in December with the failure of an attempt by some African nations to stop Muntarbhorn’s work.

Brazil ruling that homosexuality is disease to be appealed Brazilian pop stars and LGBT-rights activists have come out against a federal court’s injunction allowing psychologists to treat homosexuality as a disease. Judge Waldemar Claudio de Carvalho ruled last week that homosexuality could be considered a disease that could be treated with sexual orientation-conversion therapies. Ivete Sangalo, one of Brazil’s most popular singers, said on Instagram that believing being gay is a disease is an “absurdity.” Toni Reis, who heads the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance, told reporters the injunction is a step backward and that he plans to appeal it at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The Federal Council of Psychology approved a resolution in 1999 prohibiting psychologists from treating homosexuality

I’m 36 years old and this case has occupied close to a third of my life. I’ve fulfilled my contribution to the trans community. Now I’m really looking forward to just being Kate Lynn.” Blatt also praised her attorneys, Sidney L. Gold and Neelima Vanguri, for their skillful handling of the case. Cabela’s is a retail chain that specializes in outdoor sports items. Blatt worked at Cabela’s outlet in Hamburg as a seasonal

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

as a disease. The council says it also would appeal the injunction.

Tunisia agrees to stop forced anal examinations of gay and bi men Tunisia’s human rights minister has announced that the country will no longer perform anal exams on bisexual and gay men without their consent. The practice, which is considered to be torture by Amnesty International, is to be scrapped by the country, which is used to punishing men for homosexual practice. Previously, if an accused man refused to undergo the examination, it would be considered proof that he was gay, and could cause him to serve up to three years in jail. Now, if a man refuses, he will not be punished. “These exams can no longer be imposed by force, physical or moral, or without the consent of the person concerned,” announced Human Rights Minister Mehdi Ben Gharbia. The move, which has been praised by Amnesty International, has been called “a step in the right direction.” “But the government must swiftly implement these reforms if its promises of human-rights progress are to be realized,” said Heba Morayef, North Africa research director at Amnesty International. However, the impending “Repression of attacks against armed forces” bill would grant security forces immunity from prosecution for unnecessary use of lethal force and criminalize criticism of police conduct, which would place LGBT people in jeopardy, according to the human-rights charity.

On Being Well

Are you taking care of yourself? How’s your health and well-being?

■

— compiled by Larry Nichols

stocker for about six months in 2006-07. An attorney for Cabela’s had no comment for this story. Justin F. Robinette, a local civil-rights attorney, expressed mixed feelings about the case. “I feel gratified the case has helped nudge the door open a bit for transgender people. But I look forward to the day all antitrans bias is prohibited under the ADA. Trans people without disabling gender dysphoria —

or without any form of gender dysphoria — also should be protected under the ADA. If you have a record of a disability, or are perceived or regarded as disabled, you should still be able to recover under the ADA. This includes if your sex did not match your gender at birth, or if your employer treats you differently or adversely because they think your gender doesn’t appropriately match your sex.” ■

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PGN LGBTQ Youth Supplement by our youth, for our youth, for our future

What’s inside — Horror movie magic “Annabelle: Creation”: page 2 — Chechnya’s victims and how you can help: page 3 — From anime to art: the imagination process: pages 4-5 — Thoughts on religion and being gay: page 6 — “Some Freaks” gets some ink: page 7 — Event listings for the fall: page 8

Great LGBT youth and the literature bond it be in relation to a charac- future, I envisioned a flawless By Maxwell Saurman School ter who lost their parents or a library wedding: My future husAge: 17 character who has two mothers. band with coarse, whiskered Activities For thousands of years, writ- Inclusion in literature is only the cheeks and hair graced with ing has been a branch of artis- beginning for educating future a sheening slick. The fantasy that allowed generations in love and toler- future became fuzzier and only (aka, a GSA) ticthoseself-expression who were often consid- ance. Values learned at a young returned as wisps as I grew older By Emmah Evangelista Age: 18 A GSA (gay-straight alliance or gender-sexuality alliance) is a club that focuses on the LGBT community. GSAs can demonstrate this focus in a variety of ways, between discussion topics that focus on queer issues, being actively involved in their school and community, or simply providing a safe space for the members of the LGBT community (and its allies). GSAs can be incredibly important to the development of queer teenagers, and having one in each school can help create a support system that they may not have otherwise had. Being a part of a GSA is not just being a part of a club, it is being a part of a support network, an education system, a group of friends, a family. One key reason that GSAs are necessary is that they can be educational. For most of my life, I knew that I was different in that I never quite felt comfortable with what are thought to be “normal” activities for girls and having crushes on boys. However, I never managed to explore my identity beyond these thoughts and I never assumed my identities were different than what my parents had told me. As a result, I walked into my first GSA meeting believing I was there as an ally. It was not until I was educated on the LGBT community that I realized I identified among it. GSAs can provide vital information to questioning students, they can help them explore identities and possibly find the ones that suit them. Learning about the LGBT community is different for many people because, more often than not, the child in question does not have an LGBT parent. Therefore, the child must learn about the community him or herself, and a very simple way to do that is through the GSA at school. In addition to providing education for questioning people, a PAGE 6 GSA can also

ered peculiar to find an alternate sense of belonging outside of the rigid norms of society. Writers who were part of the LGBT community were forced to live a life of secrecy behind their pen and paper. Writers like Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, Alice Walker, Poppy Z. Brite and Christopher Isherwood used their words to ignite a revolution with language, some using poetry to purposely break the structural norms of literature in a rebellious manner. Authors often hid the true themes of romantic poetry and writing behind unspecific pronouns, masking the truth within the stories of their true hidden lovers. Inclusion begins with words Why would one feel the need to ignite a revolution with words? Broad education from an early age helps children better find where they belong, whether

age are instilled for a lifetime and never forgotten. As children grow into adults, they take the values learned and apply them to their own lives.

Personally, reading Wilde and Isherwood was the beginning of a revelation in life that I was never expecting. From a young age, I fretted daily; thoughts passing through my head exclaiming like a flashy road construction sign in the distance. When picturing my

and reignited them by discovering authors with similar visions to my own. I found myself nose-deep in a palm-sized, purple-tattered hardback and every time I blinked a flash of my past vision returned. Wilde’s lesser-known poem, “Wasted Days,” scrawled across the milky page described a similar fantasy to mine. Discovering not only characters but authors that I strongly related to gave me the liberty to live my life as myself and allowed the bravery that aided me in my unwavering confidence to come out. My journey into LGBT literature unraveled from this point on, as finding one author led to a slew of others. Reading became a vessel through which I could embody who I am. An author’s bravery lives on Wilde was an Irish-born playPAGE 7 wright and

SET UP: Every year, hundreds of people volunteer to work tables at OutFest. There is still time to contact one of your favorite organizations and help out this year for an hour or two. OutFest will be held Oct. 8, rain or shine.

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

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FALL 2017

Despite flaws, ‘Annabelle: Creation’ delivers horror-movie magic By Dax Doyle Age: 25 The latest entry in James Wan’s horror universe, “Annabelle: Creation,” brought to us by director David F. Sandberg, is a supremely entertaining horror thrill-fest. The film concerns a group of young girls and a nun who transfer their closing orphanage to the private farmhouse of a former doll-maker and his bedridden wife. No sooner do the young women arrive at the home than do strange, supernatural — dare I say, evil — events begin to unfold, risking the lives of all the innocent souls within the house. Oh, and there happens to be an oversized, disturbing-looking demonic doll at the center of it all. If your only major concern with horror movies is whether or not they are scary, this one passes the test. If I were to time each scare in this 109-minute-long film, I would wager not more than two or three minutes passes between each one. “Creation” is unnerving — from the setting of an old-fashioned farmhouse and its many dark rooms, to the impressive way most of the child actresses, led by Lulu Wilson and Talitha Bateman, seem genuinely frightened, inviting viewers to share in their fear. The creep factor is delivered via a grab-bag full of old-school horror suspense and new-school visual trickery. This film surely packs the scares missing from

its predecessor, “Annabelle” (2014), and the restraint missing from Sandberg’s directorial debut, “Lights Out” (2016). With “Annabelle: Creation,” we are treated to spooky fun, but Sandberg is quite careful to hold out on showing any monstrous figures too early, so as to preserve some mystery. This wise decision results in a feeling of dread and suspense sure to please anyone who needs just a little something witchy to tide them over until Halloween. However, if you go beneath the surface and start poking around for weaknesses, you will find them here. There are a few convenient setups — things completely unnecessary given the story but which serve as cheap avenues to guaranteed scares. The real issue is that these setups make no sense with the rest of the story and don’t serve to motivate the plot or characters in any capacity. For example, a solid five minutes of screen time is dedicated to a scare, telegraphed towards the beginning of the film, involving a conveniently placed scarecrow. After the actual fright takes place, the scarecrow fails to come up again in any way after these few minutes. In the moment, it’s easy to ignore the issue of whether or not this has anything to do with the rest of the film because the scares are so effective. However, when you reflect on your viewing experience later, you’ll probably think,

Community centers ■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-5454331; atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St.; 215-8985044; center@dolphin.upenn. edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215957-7981 ext. 9065; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. ■ William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center 1315 Spruce St.; 215-7322220; www.waygay.org. Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Peer counseling: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday Library hours: noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers: New orientation: First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

And what was the point of ____ ? What did that have to do with anything? This proves to be quite frustrating because the visuals are interesting and eerie enough without needing to shoehorn in clichés and nonsense. Each time this is done, the audience benefits from the extra jump-scares, but at the expense of watering down an otherwise decently, deservedly

tense film. The other issue to be found with “Annabelle: Creation” is that it all but abandons the original story in question, right up until the final 15 minutes or so. The film begins by showing us the doll’s physical creation, which bears no influence on its evil qualities, and doesn’t explain how the doll came to be dangerous until the very

end (in an all-too-familiar scene, no less). Instead of building and explaining the creation narrative, most of the running time is spent following little girls as they’re being scared and startled (admittedly, that’s the fun part). When it finally is explained away exactly how Annabelle, the doll as we know it, came to be, it is done so through unconvincing, stiff and poorly articulated dialogue. At this point, the creation story is clumsily and half-heartedly related to the film we’ve been watching and then mashed together with the ending. The ending itself feels tacked on, a forgotten idea to rehash a story we’ve already seen in the first film and a self-indulgent reminder to the audience that they are viewing part of a successful franchise, not simply a stand-alone film. The result is that the last quarter of the film feels rushed, misplaced and plain sloppy compared to the first three quarters. Despite both of these detractions, Sandberg’s final product not only somehow works but is tremendously fun. At its core, the film is a simple, old-fashioned horror film meant to be enjoyed with a crowd. Your mind won’t be blown, and there are several of the same scares we’ve seen utilized in many a Wan-iverse film past. However, if you are able to suspend your disbelief and go into the film willing to follow the narrative wherever it may lead, “Annabelle: Creation” is a spine-tingler you’ll enjoy. N Dax Doyle is a horror-movie aficionado and aspiring film critic living and working in southern New Jersey. Follow him on twitter @vapidyouth.

Key numbers ■ Action Wellneww: 215-981-0088 ■ AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania: 215-587-9377

■ Equality Pennsylvania: 215-7311447; www.equalitypa.org ■ Equality Forum: 215-732-3378

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

■ GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization: 267-457-3912

■ AIDS Library: 215-985-4851

■ LGBT Elder Initiative: 267-546-3448; info@LGBTEI.org

■ ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215-5921513 ■ AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800-6626080 ■ Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection at the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library: 215-685-1633 n The COLOURS Organization, Inc.: 215-496-0330

■ LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK ■ Mayor’s Director of LGBT Affairs: Amber HIkes, 215-686-2194; Amber. Hikes@phila.gov ■ Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0652; Legal Services: 215-563-0657, 866-LGBTLAW; Family & Community Medicine: 215563-0658

■ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 ■ Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: 215-686-4670 ■ Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force: 1-877-pride-2000 ■ Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-760-3686 (Rick Lombardo); 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)

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

FALL 2017

Youth Resources ■ The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St.; 215-5454331; atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies. Groups meet and activities are held 4-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 4-8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Case management, HIV testing and smoking cessation are available Monday-Friday. See the Youth section for more events. ■ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3907 Spruce St., 215-8985044; center@dolphin. upenn.edu. Regular hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.5 p.m. Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. ■ Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies Youth Center 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065 rainbowroom@ ppbucks.org.

PAGE 3

How to help the victims of Chechnya’s Holocaust By Sean Morris Age: 19 There’s a common phrase that occurs when we inform ourselves about the Holocaust, typically after one has left a museum or watched a documentary: “May we never forget,” in reference to the institutional mass murder of marginalized people. Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republican, has forgotten, or he simply doesn’t care, as he is committing similar atrocities against the same kind of people that Adolf Hitler targeted. This will surprise no one who has followed the news over the last year, particularly on LGBT-themed news sites like Advocate, Huffpost Queer Voices, etc.; however, in the reporting of the tragedy and horror, there hasn’t been much said about what people can do to help. One thing we often ask ourselves about the Holocaust is, If I were there, what would I have done? Well, you are currently living in one. It’s not in your own country but it is happening to people like you. I wish to both inform the audience about the extent of the crisis at hand and share what you can do to help those suffering right now. First, it seems best to provide a reminder about what has happened and is happening in Chechnya. Kadyrov has report-

edly been rounding up gay men in Chechnya and imprisoning them in concentration camps, murdering many of them. Despite denials from Kadyrov, there have been numerous reports about the practice, which piles onto Kadyrov’s multiple accusations of humanrights abuses. Kadyrov even goes so far as to claim, “We don’t have any gays” but also, “If we have [gay] people here, I’m telling you officially their relatives won’t let them be because of our faith, our mentality, customs, traditions.” He went on to officially condone honor killings, to the point that

long periods of time and, when water is given, it’s filthy. Many have died, or are going to die, and there seems no end to it. So what can we do? It would be next to impossible to convince the Chechen government to stop or help the people at risk, nor would making any plea to the Russian government seem to help. There wouldn’t be anything this current American administration would do to help if they could. Part of the tragedy of the story was in finding out how little international asylum laws have been able to help these men. According to an interview on CNN with

One thing we often ask ourselves about the Holocaust is, If I was there, what would I have done? Well, you are currently living in one. It’s not in your own country but it is happening to people like you. some men have been let out of prison early so their families can murder them. The reports and the testimonies given from the area are horrifying; one man said they “put electric pliers to my genitals and electrocuted me” until he confessed to his own orientation and informed the police of others like him. Other torture includes putting men’s heads into ice water, beating them with fists and batons, denying food and water over

the Russian LGBT Network, “If any of the Chechen men were to apply for U.S. visas, they would ‘most probably’ be denied.” The organization went on to note that Chechnya is a fairly poor area, so trying to move, or be granted a visa to travel, is next to, if not completely, impossible. However, there are still some options, one of the most notable being to donate to a charity called Rainbow Railroad, which is working to free the

gay people under threat there. Slate did a good piece on suggestions for assistance, including taggin Kadyrov’s Instagram (@kadyrov_95) to flood his profile with condemnation and pleas. Supporters can also sign an open letter (found on nonprofitsupportbox.com) to encourage powerful companies that do business with Chechnya to speak out against the torture. Some organizations working on the ground include ORAM, which also works with other refugees, and the Russian LGBT Network, which has been working with Rainbow Railroad on the crisis. These organizations can always use donations and support from whoever can help and assist. You can also try to support the distribution of humanitarian visas by contacting a Congressperson or Senator, as this will allow the victims a better chance of escaping their surroundings. As difficult as the problems at home can be, it is always important to see how we can help those who are not that different from us, and even share the same community. We need to try to move from the mistakes and horrors of our past and present and work together to build a better future when our governments and our leaders fail to do so. N Sean Morris is a sophomore at Temple University.

Philadelphia HIV testing sites Center City Action Wellness 1026 Arch St. 267-940-5515 Mon. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tues. 10 a.m.-noon Wed. 1-4 p.m. Thur. noon-2 p.m. Action Wellness North Office 2641 N. Sixth St. 215-291-9700 Third Tuesdays 1-4 p.m. The Attic Youth Center 55 S. 16th St. 215-545-4331

Mazzoni Center and GALAEI’s Washington West Project 1201 Locust St. Mon.-Thur. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. 1-5 p.m. 215-985-9206 Planned Parenthood Elizabeth Blackwell Office 1211 Chestnut St. Suite 405 215-496-9696 Mon.-Wed. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thur. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Planned Parenthood Locust Office 1144 Locust St. 215-351-5560 Mon. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues. and Thurs. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wed. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. William Way LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce St. 215-732-2220 Mon. 4-7 p.m. Youth Health Empowerment Project 1417 Locust St., third floor 215-564-6388

South/West Philadelphia CHOP 3550 Market St., fourth floor 215-590-3537 Health Center #3 555 S. 43rd St. 215-685-7504 Health Center #4 4400 Haverford Ave. 215-685-7601/7654 Urban Solutions 1408 S. Broad St., first floor 215-755-0700

North Philadelphia Congreso 216 W. Somerset St. 215-763-8870 Walk-in hours Wednesdays and Thursdays Covenant House Health Services 251 E. Bringhurst St. 215-844-1020 GALAEI 149 W. Susquehanna Ave. 267-457-3912 Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Maria de los Santos Health Center 425 W. Allegheny Ave. 215-291-2500 PHMC Health Connection 1035 W. Berks St. 215-765-6690 Planned Parenthood Far Northeast 2751 Comly Road 215-464-2225 Mon. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tues. and Thur. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed. and Fri. noon-3 p.m. Sat. noon-2 p.m. St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, 3601 A St. 215-427-5000

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

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During the spring cycle of The Attic’s programming, there was a group called Fox Tales, based on an anime we had watched in the previous cycle. The anime, “Naruto,” is about a young boy whose father imbued him with a demon called the nine-tale fox. This led to him having

Fox Tales

BY CRYSTAL SPARROW, LORAN GRISHOWSCHADE, FOX TALES FACILITATORS

a hard time fitting in with his society. We discussed this

FALL 2017

in the context of our own lives, when we’ve felt separate from those around us. This led to an anthology of youth-created art, poetry and flash fiction about group members’ struggles with their own “nine-tale foxes.” Here are some examples.

Confidence WRITTEN BY MITCH ILLUSTRATED BY KARIN

Fierce Drag

There are always the naysayers They try to knock down and kicky you They will burn and mock your differences They’ve done it to me

ILLUSTRATED BY LIYANNA WRITTEN BY MITCHELL Fighting dirty glares In my own way I express Eternally my own me Rejected by some Community in its own right Every performance I am really

They saw my gumdrop coil hair They could smell my natural oil They noticed the bluebell eye contrast on my face They saw my differences and mocked me If I told, they denied If I cried, they laughed My confidence was downtrodden and crushed

Down the catwalk Runway performance Always on point Gotta get my tens

My hair fell out My eyes were so familiar with the floor it could be the back of my hand I felt like nothing from their words But like their hands, others struck a chord Cowards die many times before their deaths The valiant never taste of death but once These words breathed new life into me I grew my hair and kept it natural I stared people down with my sapphire eyes They were thrown My once-gentle gaze Had hardened My confidence was renewed

The Castle and the Sun WRITTEN BY BILLIE JONES Oh castle covered in darkness, Rain pouring down on its walls. Thick thorns climbing, clinging The thunder rolling, Then striking the dark clouds With lightning. Those who look upon the bleak castle, The Castle of Despair They too fall into despair and grief The rain The wind The clouds Just their presence alone Weighs them all down Like the heavy, oynx bricks That the castle is made from But the storm never stays When the rain stops and the clouds break, The sun shines over the castle

With a beautiful, endless sea of blue above Roses blossoming along the thorns The wet bricks are sleek and clean. Those who see the bright light The Sunlight of Hope They too are filled with hope and joy The sun The sky The roses All of this lifts the despair away Making the air unsuffocating Reminding everyone that the pain never lasts The despair never lingers long Grief eventually crawls away We will always have our own Castle of Despair But our Sunlight of Hope Will always shine as well

Scales ILLUSTRATED AND WRITTEN BY VINCENT Scales was known as Vincent Daniels. He was one of the unpopular kids in school. He had only one friend named Emily Steinberg. Vincent went to Oxdon University, a very small college campus in Philadelphia. Vincent identified as a homosexual male. He’s a science major in chemical formulas. His professor considers him one of his straight “A” students in the class. His bullies’ names are Braheim, Naheim and Mike. They used to beat him up after school. They use to put feces on his assigned chair and push him against the lockers. Emily made him comfortable in his school. They have been friends since kindergarten. A long-lasting relationship as friends that was indestructible finally came to an end when Vincent and Emily were walking home one school night. Emily and Vincent were turning on Norkock Street, which is the street they both lived on. A mysterious black Camry was following them. Vincent turned around as Emily yelled, “Look out!” She

jumps in front of Vincent as the gunshot goes off. Next day was Emily’s funeral. Vincent pays his respects and says a few words about his best friend. On Monday, he’s back in school with everyone being devastated about Emily’s death. Vincent stays in the school to go to work on his project. As he walks

towards the lab, there’s a green glow coming out of the room. He peeks in the door and finds his science professor has created an illegal experiment. He bangs on the door and his professor accidentally splashes his experiment on him. He runs out as Vincent is on the floor in pain. He now is known as Scales.

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

FALL 2017

My Raging Ocean

Peace from Broken Pieces

WRITTEN BY MITCHELL For as long as I can remember, I’ve been sailing in this seemingly endless ocean. I don’t remember being given my boat, or when I first set off. I just remember being here. In what I can only assume as my early days, there was nothing but smooth sailing. The water was clear and the fish were plenty. I can remember laying in the hull of my little sail boat watching as the clouds passed me by. I remember the smell of the ocean as it would lull me to sleep in the peaceful nights. I’ve always loved my little sailboat. The body of my little ship was made from a sturdy oak and painted with my favorite colors. In the bow, there was a little perch for me to sit on so I could watch the fish swim around me. I always did enjoy watching the jib and mainsail as the wind would blow on them. I would sometimes climb the mast and look out on the open ocean. I loved my little SS Self. There were times when I fell out of my boat but climbing back in was never a problem. It was always just a matter of keeping calm and catching my bearings. Occasionally there would be storms, they would rock me and my little boat. None of the storms did any damage. Until one day there was one nasty storm. It knocked off my tiller so I couldn’t control the rudder anymore. I was left at the mercy of the ocean. After some time, I noticed that the waters around me became murky and the schools of fish I used to watch slowly disappeared. My once-beautiful and clear Ocean was becoming polluted and no longer held the beauty I once knew. The dirty waters began to affect my little sailboat. The name began to fade away and the paint chipped. The once-hearty wood would swell and rot. My precious SS Self seemed to be dying. There is one day of sailing that I will never forget. The worst storm I have ever seen. The early-morning sky no longer held its orange-ish, reddish tint that I was so used to seeing. When I woke that day, the sky

was completely gray. The clouds looked heavy and full. I could smell the storm before it was even there. Before I had time to prepare for the onslaught, the stagnant air began to blow harder than I had ever seen. It was constantly changing direction, whipping my hair around my face and pushing my poor deteriorating SS Self around. Waves crashed down on me and my poor boat. I was constantly being knocked over and pushed down by the storm and my moribund fared no better. All I could do was try my best to keep my Self together as best I could. That was until I was finally knocked off the boat and into the storming waters. Normally I would just swim back to the surface and climb

The clouds looked heavy and full. I could smell the storm before it was even there. Before I had time to prepare for the onslaught, the stagnant air began to blow harder than I had ever seen. into my boat. But these storming waters made such an act nearly impossible. I could no longer tell which end was up or which was down. I kicked and kicked my feet. I couldn’t see further than my arms could reach in the water. There were times when I would bump into fish or coral. I remember at some point in my struggle to surface I gave up. I felt as though there was no point in trying. I was prepared for whatever was waiting for me on the other side. I don’t know how long I was left there; time seemed to stand still and the world around me faded into an empty darkness. I could feel fish as they swam past me, but I saw nothing. I was left to drown in this endless raging black ocean

PAGE 5

with no sense of my Self. The one thing I do remember was the day the water around me seemed to still. The water was no more clear than before but I could feel myself slowly float back to the surface. I was filled with new hope as I kicked my feet and began to swim again. When I was finally in a position to surface, I did not see my boat. My Self was nowhere to be seen. There was nowhere for me to go so I decided to just float and let the ocean take me wherever. After some time, the sky began to clear. The once-gray clouds were replaced with the fluffy white I once loved so. The day the sky cleared, a small piece of driftwood appeared before me. It was from my boat. A small piece of my Self had somehow managed to survive the violent storm. I pulled myself up on the wood, and with this little piece of my Self I began to feel hopeful. I knew that things would never be the same now but there was hope for my future. I floated with the last piece of my Self for days until one day on the horizon I saw two boats floating. All I could think of was salvation. I held tight to the last part of my Self. As I swam I saw someone on one boat. “You’ve been struggling haven’t you child?” this person said to me. “You have been alone all this time. Climb onto the boat, you can have it if you want. It is broken and in need of care but it will keep you dry and safe from the dangers of the ocean.” I did as the person said. As I swam up to the boat, I saw the name painted on the side; it was called New Beginnings. As I climbed onto the boat I saw a hole in the floor, one that the last surviving piece of my Self could fit in. As I placed the lone oak plank on the cedar boat, I looked around the new boat and I couldn’t help but smile. It resembled my old Self and had a very homey feeling to it. “I’ve been waiting for someone to claim this boat.” The person smiled at me who helped me, this stranger sailor in the boat named Dawa.

PGN will run the LGBTQ Youth Supplement again in 2018. Email editor@epgn.com to get involved. PGN and your community would love to hear from you.

WRITTEN BY JAKE ILLUSTRATED BY KARIN A Puzzled Guy gave away many parts of himself; he didn’t realize he was breaking slowly like puzzle pieces. On the outside, he was all cool and chill. But on the inside, pieces had been taken away. He gave away and had not taken care of himself, now he has put back the pieces with self-growth, realizing his value. He knows the value of value of now; it is not giving yourself to the extent where the other person becomes a thief looking for things to help him cope, hurting — his journey to discovery and become a stranger individual.

ILLUSTRATED BY KIHEEM

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

PAGE 6

Hourglass By Alexander Khan Age: 17 I hate feeling obligated to be religious because all of my favorite poets mention god when they talk about inspiration. I start wondering if maybe I’d be a better writer if I actually believed in something. It’s not a proven theory — I’ve never given it a try, or found someone who has. And maybe that’s a good thing, actually, because god tends to be associated with people who hate everything I am. I never grew up with religion — never experienced church firsthand or was forced to pray before bed. The closest I ever got was my grandmother. I still wonder now if she would’ve accepted me, or disowned me under the same logic that pushes a parent to disown a child, or a church to protest. She gave me a cross once when I was a kid. I think about it a lot now. How believing in God almost feels like surrendering. When Donald Trump mentions how this nation worships god and proceeds to push for a ban of trans people in the military, I wonder if my favorite writers had a reason not to like god. Maybe they found it easi-

Alexander Khan is a senior at Science Leadership Academy.

HAVEN For GLBT, intersex, questioning, queer and allied youth ages 14-20; meets 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, meets 2:30-4:30 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays at 21 Wiggins St., Princeton, N.J. Call Connie at 609-683-5155 (day); hitops.org. PRYSM Youth Center For ages 14-20. Meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at center, 126 E. Baltimore Pike, Media; 610-357-9948.

der-neutral bathrooms, a channel help provide education for allies. in which transgender students can There are many people who sim- have their names and pronouns ply do not understand the LGBT changed in the school system community, and need a safe space and a more friendly and welcomto ask questions and learn more. ing environment. My GSA also This in turn allows a safe place gives presentations to teachers for LGBT people to express their each year about how to approach opinions and explain their view- sexuality and gender identity in point to allies. GSAs allow a the classroom, as well as how space for conversation and under- to develop better communication standing to take place. LGBT with queer students about their people often lack safe spaces to preferred names and pronouns. However, even if a GSA is express their ideas and identities, and GSAs can give that to students not active in the school or community, the who may not fact that the have anyone Through the GSA and club exists or anywhere else to turn. its members, our school in a school environment Having a gained gender-neutral can help GSA can questioning help LGBT bathrooms and a more and closets t u d e n t s friendly and welcoming ed students explore feel more themselves environment. comfortable and have a safe space to do so, as well as coming to school and exploring educate people in general about their sexuality. If your school does not have a GSA, start one! Reach the LGBT community. GSAs can also be crucial to out to a trusted teacher or member making schools more inclu- of the administration about creatsive. The GSA at our school has ing the club, or about how your made great strides in changing existing GSA can become more our school environment for queer involved. N people. Our GSA has had several Emmah Evangelista is a freshman meetings with various teachers at George Washington University and members of the administra- majoring in political science. tion to change policies within the They hope to continue to be proschool. Through the GSA and its active in the LGBT community members, our school gained gen- throughout their college years. GSA from page 1

er because they had nothing to fear. At Pride, when there are anti-LGBT protesters lining the streets, protected by policemen with batons, the first thing you notice are the big signs that read “God hates fags.” It’s almost as if the world is telling us in bright neon lights you can’t be both — religion or LGBT+. People of churches and religion are never all bad and I recognize that, I have to. It’d be wrong of me not to — to generalize people in the ways that I hate — but when your first interaction with a group of people is being told you’re hated and that you’re unnatural, I hope it’d be understandable why I‘m hesitant to befriend people who speak highly of god. I never know if they’re speaking on god’s actual word, or the makeshift stories people put together to make the Bible accessible for pick-andchoose bigotry. So when these people I look up to — the people that inspired me to write, say they found inspiration in god — I wonder how I’m supposed to find inspiration in places I’m so commonly hated. N

GLBT Group of Hunterdon County Social and support groups for youth, teens and young adults, as well as parents and family members, meets at North County Branch Library, 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, N.J. Schedule at www. glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com; 908-3001058.

FALL 2017

Space to be Proud, Open, and Together Open to all LGBTQ queer youth and allies, ages 14-21, the SPOT meets Thursdays, 6:308:30 p.m., at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 S. Wayne St.; 267-687-6648. Young, Trans and Unified A support group for transgender and questioning youth ages 13-23 meets 7:15 p.m. Thursdays at The Attic Youth Center. Youth Making a Difference For GLBTQ African-American and Latino individuals ages 14-24. Meets 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday at Camden AHEC, 514 Cooper St.; 856-963-2432.

Bucks County Community College — Gay/Straight Alliance: Provides a safe haven for LGBTQA campus community members and works to combat stigma on campus; fratrikc@bucks.edu or altemose@bucks.edu. Cabrini College — Sanctuary: Offers affinity groups, peer support and educational activities to promote a greater understanding of the LGBT community. Chestnut Hill College —

H.E.R.O.: Promotes awareness of and appreciation for the LGBTQQIA community and works to instill a sense of unity between the community and allies; kociszewskim@ chc.edu.

Community College of Philadelphia — Gay/

Straight Alliance: Advocates for LGBT inclusion and acceptance on campus with programming and events, and offers resources for LGBT and ally campus communities; scooks1@ccp.edu.

Drexel University —

Rainbow Room — Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center For ages 14-21; meets 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065; rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. Social X Change Social activity group for LGBT youth of color ages 13-23 meets 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays at 112 N. Broad St., 11th floor; 215-496-0330.

College GSAs

The Youth Supplement is also available on the PGN website: epgn.com

LGBTQA Student Center: Supports the development, growth and education of Drexel students with a safe and inclusive campus location for the community and allies on campus; Creese Student Center Room 48-C.

Holy Family University

— The Alliance for Student Equality: Works to recognize the respect and dignity of the whole person in support of promoting the development of personal identity and social equality on campus; drafter@ holyfamily.edu or mmbobholz@holyfamily.edu.

La Salle University — The Alliance: Pledges to provide a safe place and support for the LGBT members of the community; http://studentaffairs. lasalle.edu/umas/service-opportunities/advocacy-groups/ the-alliance/; alliance.lasalle@ gmail.com.

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

FALL 2017

PAGE 7

Coming-of-age flick lets the ‘freak’ flag fly Philadelphia University

— Gay/Straight Alliance: Connects LGBT campus community with resources throughout the university and region; caulford4949@mail. philau.edu or horowitzh@ philau.edu.

Saint Joseph’s University

— The Alliance: Fosters open and honest discussion about diversity and LGBT issues and works to affect an environment where homophobia and hatred are replaced by mutual understanding and respect; www. sju.edu/int/resources/alliance/ about.html; gsa@sju.edu.

Temple University — Queer Student Union: Strives to provide a safe social space to LGBTQIA students while exploring issues relevant to the larger community; https://twitter.com/TempleQSU; nurodney.prad@temple.edu.

University of the Arts — OUT@UArts: Through discussion, cultural events and outreach through art, seeks to make a difference for LGBTQ individuals at UArts and beyond; www.uarts.edu/ students/outuarts; cfreeman@ uarts.edu. University of Pennsylvania — LGBT Center: More than 20 undergraduate and graduate LGBT student groups abound at Penn, with meetings and community events held at the Center, 3907 Spruce St.; www.vpul.upenn. edu/lgbtc/; center@dolphin. upenn.edu; 215-898-5044. University of the Sciences — Alliance: Increases awareness of LGBT issues on campus and provides support for LGBT students, faculty, administration and staff; http://orgs.usciences. edu/alliance/; alliance@mail. usciences.edu. West Chester University — LGBTQQA Services: Provides information, resources, support and programming for the campus community and is home to the LGBTQA Student Organization; LGBTQA@ wcupa.edu; www.wcupa. edu/_services/stu.lgb/. N

By Dax Doyle Age: 25 “Some Freaks” is a beautifully understated examination of the journeys three outcasts take while on their paths to self-discovery. It is also the story of balancing who you want to be with the person others wish you to be, as well as that of falling in love with one person and falling out of love with someone unfamiliar to you. This brisk, 97-minute debut film from director Ian MacAllisterMcDonald dives right in, as we are introduced to our main protagonist, Matt, while he’s being taunted by bullies for having just one eye. When Matt meets Jill — the chubby, blue-haired, punkrock relative of his best friend, Elmo — Matt is at first repulsed by the idea of dating her due to her weight. After incidentally being forced to get to know one another through hanging out with Elmo, Matt and Jill fall hard and fast in love. However, much in the way of teenage life, things change for the lovebirds. When Jill is accepted to college in California, any big plans of the two moving out west and building a life are quickly cut short by crippling reality. The couple is forced to separate f for six months while Jill attends college and Matt works as a dishwasher to save money. When the couple reunites, Jill has lost 50 pounds and changed her style of dress from punk rock to boho chic. Matt has ditched his old, worn-out eye patch in favor of a prosthetic eye. Matt quickly begins to resent that Jill now receives so much positive attention; Jill begins to wonder if there may be a better, more handsome match for her than Matt. This film manages to take the coming-of-age narrative and slightly twist it. Most films of this subgenre would have the three outcasts clearly cut out to be our WILDE from page 1

poet known for his extraordinarily flamboyant fashion and flowery speech in Victorian England. This way of life was often frowned upon by men, and eventually Wilde’s manners and style were deemed under a new label of that time, “dandy” or “beau.” Wilde was a popular playwright, often doing very well in making a living from his work. He was fortunate to live a life of luxury, later meeting Lord Alfred

heroes and framed solely as victims of the bullying they endure. In “Some Freaks,” each of the characters is both a victim of bullying, which they seem to accept as completely normal, and a perpetrator. Likewise, each of these outcasts resents the presumptions others make about them while simultaneously making narrow-minded, unfounded assumptions about others. Because of this, it is easy to know whom we’re supposed to be cheering on, but easy, too, to question whether or not these characters are indeed our heroes — or even likable. In the ways of fitting in, Matt, Jill and Elmo are, at first, behaving how they think they are “supposed to.” We see this in small instances; to gain Matt’s affection, Jill performs a sexual act on him before they ever even kiss because she assumes that’s what will keep him around; to fit in with “normal” high-school couples, Matt asks Jill to be his prom date even though neither seems particularly interested in the event; Elmo continuously pretends to be homophobic in an effort to fit in with other guys, particularly his crush, a jock named Justin. These events in the film, as well as many others, allow “Some Freaks” to ask us: What happens when you reach your goal of fitting in? Is it worth sacrificing your personality to gain inclusion? Do you give your heart to someone who likes the new you, or stay with someone who treasures the person you used to be? I won’t reveal the film’s answer here, but I will say that the subject is explored thoughtfully and with accuracy. As teenagers, when a friend’s personality changes as we grow closer to adulthood, even minor differences in their tastes seem to be major. “Some Freaks” reminds us of this and recreates the distance felt between slowly differing friends and lovers in Douglas, or as Wilde called him, Bosie. Wilde and Douglas lived in secrecy, attempting to keep a strong distance from Bosie’s father, who knew about his love for the other poet and often threatened to harm his son due to his relationship. Eventually by the hand of Douglas’ father, Wilde was taken to court over homosexuality being outlawed in England. He lost the case due to his homoerotic writing themes in “Dorian Gray.” His own writings,

its beautiful cinematography and seamless acting. Thomas Mann and Lily Mae Harrington are tailor-made for their roles as Matt and Jill, respectively. Their lines are delivered with earnestness and often ring painfully true. “Some Freaks” is certainly worth a watch. It is a refreshingly nondramatic, natural take on a very dramatic and unstable time in most everyone’s lives — the transition from teenager to adult, yes, but also the transition from being unsure of oneself to self-acceptance. We could all benefit

from a viewing of this film, perhaps not to emulate the characters’ actions or words, but to serve as a reminder of our own goals, values and aspirations. “Some Freaks” will remind viewers, too, that it’s OK to let your freak flag fly — because, just maybe, another freak will come along and love you for it. N

though he thought them secretive enough, landed him in prison, and he passed away shortly after his release.

out seeing representation within film, magazines or books, which creates a sense of isolation. A nonfiction or fiction story that one relates to can offer youth a temporary home that will remain in their minds for years to come, and hopefully be passed down to others who need it. N

Bonding with books Though the love of Wilde and Bosie may seem outdated and extreme, many LGBT youth face difficulties of the same level or possibly even worse. LGBT youth like myself can feel lost or out of place in society with-

Dax Doyle is a horror-movie aficionado and aspiring film critic living and working in southern New Jersey. Follow him on twitter @vapidyouth.

Maxwell Saurman is a senior at Archbishop Ryan High School and enjoys studying medicine, art and reading.

PGN LGBTQ YOUTH SUPPLEMENT

PAGE 8

OUTFEST IS OCT. 8

PGN’S PREVIEW ISSUE IS FRIDAY OCT. 6

FALL 2017

Fall & winter events GayBINGO! 7-9 p.m. Sept. 30 The Gershman Y 401 S. Broad St. www.aidsfundphilly.org AIDS Fund’s monthly GayBINGO! event celebrates the return of “Will & Grace.” The all-ages festivities feature several rounds of Bingo, performances by the BingoVerifying Divas and remarks from community speakers, with proceeds benefitting local people affected by HIV/AIDS. Temple University National Coming Out Week Oct. 2-6 Locations, dates vary https://sites.temple.edu/ ncowequality/events/ LGBT and ally students and friends are invited to celebrate National Coming Out Day with a series of events, including a drag show, film screening, Bingo game and festival.

LGBT History Month Flag-Raising 4-5 p.m. Oct. 6 Philadelphia City Hall Broad and Market streets The Office of LGBT Affairs hosts the eighth-annual raising of the rainbow flag, which this year was enhanced with black and brown stripes. This is the first time the event will be held on a Friday. Speakers will include city and community leaders. Philly Trans* March 3-6 p.m. Oct. 7 Kahn Park 11th and Pine streets http://bit.ly/2f9U1GI The demonstration and march mobilizes trans individuals and allies to advance for trans equality and celebrate the community’s accomplishments. Participants are asked to wear black as a symbol of protest against anti-blackness, of unity and in mourning for trans lives lost to violence.

Get hired at Out & LGBT Career Day

The pre-OutFest edition of PGN has all the info about what’s going in Philly for OutFest weekend! From cover to cover, PGN will be your guide to help you celebrate being out and proud in the Gayborhood and beyond. To reserve ad space today, email prab@epgn.com or call 215-625-8501 ext. 212 (Issue date: Oct. 6; advertising/art deadline: Sept. 29)

LGBT young adults are invited to LGBT Career Day next week, which will be held during a global gathering on LGBT workplace equality. The hiring event will be held from 9:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. More than 75 companies will be represented. Job-seekers are encouraged to bring copies of their resume, dress in business-casual attire and practice their elevator pitch. The job fair is free but registration is requested: http://bit.ly/2xQH403. The event is held in conjunction with the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, held in Philadelphia Oct. 9-12. The conference is expected to attract more than 4,000 employees and experts and features several-hundred workshops, panels, mixers and more. For more information, visit outandequal.org. N

OutFest Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 8 Gayborhood www.phillygaypride.org The world’s largest National Coming Out Day celebration features vendors, performances, food and drinks and an awards ceremony. A Nightmare in Rainbow Land 6-10 p.m. Oct. 28 The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St. www.atticyouthcenter.org The Attic Youth Center’s Thrive Project is staging a Spooktacular Halloween House Party. The party features music, food, horror films and a costume contest. The free event is open to those 14-23. A Queer Thanksgiving at The Attic Youth Center 4 p.m. Nov. 20 The Attic Youth Center 255 S. 16th St. www.atticyouthcenter.org Join members of The Attic Youth Center for fun, fellowship and a full Thanksgiving meal.The annual event is sponsored by GLAD, the LGBT employee-resource group at DOW Chemical. TOY 7-10 p.m. Dec. 9 Top of the Tower 1717 Arch St. www.dvlf.org Grantmaking agency DVLF fundraises for its programs and collects toys for local youth affected by HIV/AIDS at this annual holiday event, which features music, food and a silent auction. N

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Comedy couple teams up for stand-up tour By Larry Nichols larry@epgn.com Comedians and real-life married couple Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher are coming to Philly as part of their “Back to Back” standup tour Oct. 6 at the Trocadero. At this point in their careers, Esposito and Butcher are used to their professional pursuits being intertwined — they are the stars and creators of TV comedy series “Take My Wife,” which makes them notably the first gay, married couple to co-create, co-star and co-run a TV show. Also, back in their home base of Los Angeles, the two co-host the weekly comedy show and podcast “Put Your Hands Together” at the famed Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. But it is stil rare to see two comedians who are in a relationship performing on the same show. So we asked them if their material when they are apart is the same as

when they are together. “If Rhea is not on the show, I just say the worst shit about her,” Esposito said jokingly. “No … it’s not typically different. What is a little different about this show is that we will do our own sets separately, then we’ll also do a set together as a team.” Esposito added that sharing the stage with another comedian does take some getting used to, even if you are married. “The skill of stand-up is learning how to take up space and completely command the audience’s attention and be the only one that they are listening to,” she said. “Since we both started doing stand-up by ourselves, learning how to relax those boundaries and allow somebody else to draw focus is really hard. It’s also really fun because I love doing my job and new challenges, like performing in bigger venues or different cities. Doing stand-up with Rhea also helps to keep it interesting; it’s

like being a singer-songwriter, then joining a rock band.” We asked how their individual styles of comedy compare — which almost started a slight rift. “Huh … interesting … ” Butcher said. “You don’t know this?” Esposito asked. “I do know it,” Butcher said. “It’s just I’m never the one that answers these questions. Cameron is fiery and intense and driven; I mean that in a positive way. She commands and takes control of the room. Whereas I am just a cool cucumber, trying to come in and make everybody listen to me by sitting on a chair backwards and talking chill.” We also asked if there are any hard and fast rules about what aspects of their relationship they aren’t allowed to joke about on stage. “I feel like that happens all the time. ‘Please don’t talk about this,’” Butcher

said. “That happens a lot. Usually we’re just trying to figure out who is going to talk about something, but then the beauty of what we do is we can both talk about it. You get one perspective then you get the other perspective, which is what is unique about our duo and part of our stand-up. You get to hear both sides and that’s what sets us apart.” “I would also add that we’ve never had a disagreement about what things are private and what things are useful for comedy,” Esposito said. “That’s something that makes it a lot easier. Of course, we have a private life like everybody does. We protect our family and we protect each other. There’s stuff that Rhea does that is superfunny so I have to make fun of her for it.” “We communicate very well,” Butcher added. “We’re on the same page about what is public and what is private. When you have that agreement PAGE 32

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with someone else, that is what makes you stronger.” It probably doesn’t hurt that the two mine their relationship for stories to tell on their sitcom, “Take My Wife,” which had its debut on the Seeso comedy subscription service. Seeso recently shut down, so the future of the series is up in the air. “We don’t k n o w , ” Esposito said about the show’s future. “It’s not the most pressing thing right now. We have a second season that never aired. We’re focusing our attention on trying to get that somewhere where people can actually see it. From there, we both have other awesome stuff coming up in the future. I love ‘Take My Wife’ and would love to make more seasons of that show but, for right now, the focus is on trying to get people to see what we have already made.” Esposito and Butcher said they perform for all kinds of audiences in a lot of difference media, as the key to their success is staying busy. “It really is just tackling all that is important,” Esposito said. “Rhea and I have podcasts and a television show. I’m writing a book. We’re doing a lot of touring. All of that has to happen for every type of audience and that is how you sustain a long-term career.” Both said that streaming services serve a great purpose as an avenue for LGBT writers and show creators who might not be mainstream enough for TV and cable networks.

“There are barriers to entry and what’s exciting is that those barriers no longer prevent people from doing it themselves because there is the Internet,” Esposito said. “Phones make it really easy to have a television-production studio in your pocket or podcast using the microphone on their phone.” “A lot of people are making their own stuff because they can’t go through traditional c h a n nels in the i n d u s t r y,” Butcher a d d e d . “Things are changing but the progress is incremental. I think a lot of people are making their own things to make their own thing.” “A lot of queer folks come [to our shows], all kinds of groups,” Esposito added about their comedy appeal. “And a lot of people who love comedy come. We are lucky to work and play for all of those audiences. It’s also really nice to hear from people on social media about role-modeling for younger folks in the queer community. This is an opportunity to exist in different spaces where maybe we wouldn’t have felt safe 10 or 20 years ago. It doesn’t mean that things are better; it just means that our community is a community that likes a lot of different things, and we go see those wherever they happen.” n Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher perform their “Back To Back” tour 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St. For more information or tickets, call 215-9226888 or visit www.cameronesposito.com or www.rheabutcher.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

Scott A. Drake

Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club hosts OutFest weekend tournament The Philadelphia Falcons Soccer League (falcons-soccer.org) made the decision earlier this year to move its annual Liberty Bell Classic from Memorial Day weekend to the weekend of OutFest. The tournament has had several morphs in date, location and size. With a little help from Falcon member Jessie Drummer, I reconnected with Craig Carty, who was there at the very beginning. In his words: “The Falcons’ Liberty Bell Classic was conceived during a time when various LGBTQI sport clubs in Philadelphia were coming together to share ideas around how to strengthen our collective impacts. It wasn’t unusual to see Falcons players hanging out with swimmers, wrestlers and softball players. In hindsight, it is clear that we shared a desire to be inclusive during a time when many of us felt marginalized. “During my presidency, I found a strong mentor in Jeffrey Sotland, then-president of the softball league. He suggested that we launch a Memorial Day weekend tournament to coincide with its own, already going by the moniker ‘LBC.’ The aim was to build on the momentum that Philadelphia’s reputation was experiencing as a friendly and accommodating city that could host world-class sporting events, all of which were proudly supported by local and national businesses together with the amazing Parks Department. The rest just fell into place. “Much to our surprise, we had a great turnout, owing in large part to the efforts of Manuela Tripepi, Michael Schmidt, Pam Candelaria, Anh Dang and Monika Kreummling. We invited a number of teams from across the USA and Canada, and held the first event at Pennypack Park in Northeast Philly. In the end, we had representation from New York, St. Louis, Boston, Atlanta and Washington. We also had a smattering of solo players who linked up with teams ad hoc. “The fact that this event still carries on today is a testament to the importance of collaboration, the strength of gay sport in Philadelphia and its sustained impact on our communities and beyond.” Couldn’t have said it half as well myself. Drummer filled in the blanks for the tournament this year: It will be held at SoFive Soccer Center in Elkins Park.

The team’s reveal party is Oct. 6 at Writer’s Block Rehab from 6-8 p.m., outside the bar if weather permits. The tournament will start at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 and will run until about 4 p.m., and the tournament dinner will be at Fado Irish Pub from 7-10 p.m. On Sunday, play-

ers will enjoy the OutFest celebration together. The tournament is friendly, open to Falcons members and non members alike and players with a range of skills and abilities — so whatever your experience level, come out and play! Short Stops • The Jefferson Street ballpark-dedication ceremony honoring Octavius Catto and the first interracial baseball game ever played will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 30 at 1400 N. 26 St. Seating is limited so it’s recommended you bring a chair. • Stonewall Sports PHL is holding another Prom Night party, this time at the Loews Hotel. Prom goes from 7-10 p.m. Nov. 11, followed by an after-party at host sponsor bar Boxers PHL from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. For tickets, visit Stonewallphilly.org. n Scott A. Drake was the 2015 Sigma Delta Chi national winner for best sports photo and the 2017 Professional Keystone Press Awards winner for best sports column in a weekly paper. If you have a person or event you think should be highlighted, email scott@epgn.com.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

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Tennis legend scores silver-screen treatment By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor The highly entertaining comedy-drama “Battle of the Sexes,” opening Sept. 29 at area theaters, depicts Billie Jean King’s public struggle for equality on the tennis courts and her private struggle with her sexuality. The film, directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton (of “Little Miss Sunshine” fame), chronicles the discrimination King (Emma Stone) faced in 1973, when she was the most successful female tennis player of all time. Earning a $100,000 prize, King gets a call from President Nixon, but no respect from U.S. Lawn Tennis Association director Jack Kramer (Bill Pullman), who thinks that people pay to see the men play because they are more exciting to watch. When Kramer offers King an eighth of the men’s prize money, she — along with her tart-tongued promoter, Gladys Heldman (Sarah Silverman) — start their own women’s league to prove Kramer wrong. The film focuses on King’s fight for gender equality in an era when the women’s movement was making huge strides. King insists that while she may identify as a feminist, she is “a tennis player who happens to be a woman.” Watching her dress down Kramer, rude male journalists and tennis legend and self-proclaimed male chauvinist pig Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) provides much of the film’s feistiness and humor. However, in King’s magnanimous efforts to promote women, she also finds herself becoming attracted to them. When she meets stylist Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough), a routine haircut becomes something of an erotic awakening for King. She soon starts to respond to her same-sex feelings, spending a night with Marilyn that may be blissful, but with the caveat that it can’t last. King explains to her lover that she has too much at stake with her career to act further on her desires. Although she and Marilyn continue to spend evenings together on the road, the relationship starts to affect more than just her game. Not only does King lose a match against a female rival, but she also jeopardizes her marriage to Larry (Austin Stowell). It is at this juncture that the 29-yearold King, boxed into a corner for various reasons, accepts the ridiculous offer to play against the 55-year-old, three-time Wimbledon champ Riggs, who wants to prove that King can’t beat a man. The “battle of the sexes” quickly becomes a huge publicity stunt generated by Riggs to inflate his sense of superiority. For King, the game is an opportunity to prove herself and improve gender equality. “Battle of the Sexes” spends most of its first half setting up the match between King and Riggs, but the climatic game is exciting

even if the outcome is known. Watching Riggs mouth off about a woman’s place “being in the kitchen or bedroom,” or dressing in ridiculous costumes (and even undressing for “Cosmopolitan” magazine), is as amusing as it is disrespectful. But this braggadocio only makes Riggs’ come-uppance that much more satisfying. Such

broad comedy underscores the very real, very emotional journey that King is going through while this spectacle is unfolding. King may be distracted by her personal life, but she is counseled by Ted (Alan Cumming), a gay designer on the women’s circuit who serves as King’s wise old uncle. He tells her to be careful about her sexuality, even giving her a heads-up one night when Larry arrives unexpectedly at the hotel where King and Marilyn are sharing a bed. How the film addresses queer identity politics is interesting, as the era was not very forgiving and sponsorships were critical for players’ financial success. That athletes could not be openly gay and women lacked equal pay are topics that, unfortunately, are still timely. But “Battle of the Sexes” never overemphasizes these points, even if the music tells viewers what to feel during the tennis matches or dramatic moments. Such emotional manipulation isn’t necessary in a film that is both rousing in its “Go, girl!” moments and considerably touching in scenes as when King asks Marilyn, “How are you so free to be yourself?” Curiously, the filmmakers handle King’s story so well, they falter somewhat in depicting Riggs’ storyline about his gambling addiction, his rocky relationship with his wife, Priscilla (Elizabeth Shue), and his penchant for over-the-top showmanship. Carell gives a fine, deliberately grating performance, but Riggs never comes off as a real character; he’s more of a caricature. The filmmakers try to engender pathos showing how bored and depressed Riggs is, but he is just too unsympathetic. Stone delivers a very convincing performance, getting the tennis legend’s gait and body language right while also making her internal, emotional struggle palpable. “Battle of the Sexes” adroitly captures the era and an event that still has importance for women and the LGBT community. n

Theater & Arts AFROFEST 2017 The Annual African/Caribbean indoor festival and party runs 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Cameron Esposito & Rhea Butcher: Back To Back The two out comedians, partners and actors perform 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. First Glance Film Festival 20th Anniversary The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival runs Oct. 6-8 at the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215893-1999. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Walnut Street Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim’s classic Tony Awardwinning musical through Oct. 22, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550. Hocus Pocus The 1993 comedy/ horror/fantasy film starring Bette Midler is screened 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. Kinky Boots The Broadway musical, with music by Cyndi Lauper, centers on how a drag queen’s sturdy footwear helps save a failing shoe factory Oct. 3-8 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S.

Broad St.; 215-8931999. Lewis Black The comedian performs 9 p.m. Oct. 6-7 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Philadelphia Assembled Initiated by artist Jeanne van Heeswijk, with hundreds of collaborators from across the city, the project explores Philadelphia’s changing landscape and tells a story of radical communitybuilding and active resistance through Dec. 10 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100. Robert Kelly The comedian seen on “Louie,” “Trainwreck” and “Nurse Jackie” performs Oct. 5-7 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215-606-6555. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel Media Theatre presents the classic American musical through Oct. 22, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-8910100. Whitney Cummings The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-5727650.

Music Dinosaur Jr. The alternativerock band performs

GIGGLES & GLAM: British comedian, actor and writer Eddie Izzard lands in Philly on his “Believe Me Tour,” an intimate evening where he performs stand-up, shares photos and stories and answers questions from the audience, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St. For more information or tickets, call 215-8931999.

8:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215232-2100. Hello, I Must Be Going: The Ultimate Phil Collins Tribute No jackets are required for this concert, 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215222-1400. Ani DiFranco The out folk-rock singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-5727650. The Church The alternativerock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215232-2100. Herbie Hancock The award-winning instrumentalist and R&B songwriter performs 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at Kimmel’s

Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215790-5800. Harry Styles The British singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets; 610-352-2887. Zakk Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde leads a Black Sabbath tribute band 9 p.m. Oct. 5 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St.; 215-627-1332. Paramore The rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets, 610-352-2887. Chris Robinson Brotherhood The roots-rock band featuring The Black Crowes singer performs 8:30 p.m. Oct. 6-7 at Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Ave.; 610-649-8389.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

The ladies of Labelle get their star By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor

POETRY IN MOTION: Dance Affiliates presents Philadelphia’s acclaimed contemporary dance company BalletX as it makes its Annenberg Center debut, performing three of the company’s favorite pieces Oct. 6-7 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. For more information or tickets, call 215-898-3900.

KMFDM The industrial-rock band performs 9 p.m. Oct. 6 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St.; 215-627-1332.

Nightlife Happy Bear: Salmon Run The bear-themed party swims upstream 5-9 p.m. Sept. 29 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Baked Alaska Aurora Whorealis, Lili St. Queer and special guest Maria Topcatt perform at this “high”-ly entertaining drag show 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Sept. 29 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Philadelphia Leather Pride Night The leather and kink communities are celebrated with an auction and dance party hosted by Ms. Philadelphia Leather 2017 Heather Raquel and Ms. New Jersey Leather

2017 and Velvet Storm 5-11:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St.; 215-7355772. Amateur Drag Night Drag performers compete for a cash prize of $100 at this Halloween-themed event 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.; 215-5920656. Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul The E Street Band member rocks out with his side band 8:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at The Electric Factory. 421 N. Seventh St.; 215627-1332. See You Next Tuesday: An Evening with Philly’s Most Hated Queens A screening of “Mean Girls” followed by a drag show featuring Chastity St. Cartier, Cherry St. Cartier, Satine Harlow, Onyx Black and Aunt Jennifer 9

p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 3 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675. Bebashi Happy Hour Money raised from drink purchases will be donated to AIDS Fund, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 5 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-964-9675. Happy Bear: OutFest Weekend 2017 The bear-themed party makes the fur fly 5-9 p.m. Oct. 6 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215964-9675.

Outta Town Natalie Douglas: A Tribute to Nina Simone The singer

performs songs by the influential R&B singer 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888596-1027. Stone Sour and Steel Panther The hard-rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Sands Bethlehem Event Center, 77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem; 484-777-7777. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the quirky musical comedy through Oct. 15, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215-7850100. n

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

The Philadelphia Music Alliance inducts Jill Scott, Sister Sledge, McFadden & Whitehead, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Soul Survivors, WOGL’s Bob Pantano and the Ruffhouse Records team of Chris Schwartz and Joe Nicolo into its Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame next week. But one long-awaited induction will stand out. Those attending the afternoon ceremony on Avenue of the Arts or the evening gala at the Fillmore Oct. 4 will witness Labelle — the legendary rocking R&B trio of Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx — finally getting their due. Dash and Hendryx were both born and raised in Trenton (unlike the Philly-born Patricia Holt, who later became “LaBelle”), and each discussed how crucial their upbringing in the churches of northern New Jersey was to whom they would eventually become. Hendryx, currently releasing “The World of Captain Beefheart” with guitarist Gary Lucas, mentioned that it was Dash who connected her to Labelle. “I didn’t really know Sarah, but she just came up to me out of the blue one day and asked me if I wanted to be in a group,” said Hendryx, who also mentioned another local act, called The Ordettes, which included LaBelle and Camden’s Cindy Birdsong. When asked to do a record for Newtown Records by a local manager, it was Hendryx, Dash, Birdsong and LaBelle who united for a studio session for “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman” in 1962. “I think we got comfortable with each other very quickly,” said Hendryx, an alto to Dash’s soprano. “The harmonies, for some reason, just came very naturally for us. Our voice had a natural blend. And it was natural for Patti to be our lead singer because she had a tremendous voice and a big personality. We had four strong, unique colors.” When Labelle became three colors with the departure of Birdsong (to The Supremes), Hendryx wondered aloud if the sounds and ideas that eventually defined Labelle — a trip of rediscovery in London and Manhattan, a sartorial image change, socially and sexually aware compositions, mostly by Hendryx but Dash as well — would’ve worked in a quartet setting. Dropping the bouffants and poofy dresses for afros and jeans, then Bowie-esque glam gear, was only part of the funky equation for Labelle. “Being in London and New York City made us aware of a more cosmopolitan society,” Hendryx said. “We shopped where the Stones shopped in London. It was an evolution.” The politicized and physicalized songs of “Moonshadow,” “Pressure Cookin’”

and beyond, penned by Hendryx, weren’t looked at as oddities within Labelle’s ranks. Contrary to popular belief, Hendryx said, each member was pleased to be moving into the funky and socially and sexually aware present. “We were artists and happy to be moving with the times, with fellow poets, painters and such. Patti, in particular, blossomed in New York.” Even in their break-up, Hendryx said each woman remained vibrant, and that the trio talks “way more than you would imagine we do; we’re truly old friends.” Dash concurs. A Grammy governor for advocacy, a soon-to-be-installed Ambassador of Music for Trenton and a songwriting solo artist whose “One Woman” show is ongoing, Dash laughed when she remembered Hendryx’s claim “that I got her into music. But she had such a great voice, and we needed an alto. Please join the Del Capris.” Later, the twosome paired LaBelle’s Ordettes twosome (“members on both side fell away due to marriage and babies”), and Dash teased that “we met and merged on the New Jersey Turnpike.” There was trepidation in having Dash — the daughter of a preacher — move into secular music, but it was her mother who truly recognized Dash’s drive and strong personality. “And in the end, my dad became my biggest fan,” she said. “I remember him when we played the Metropolitan Opera House, him with his collar on.” The move to place LaBelle at the forefront was, surprisingly, a business one, in order to satisfy the Musicians Union. As there was already an act called The Bluebelles, the (then) quartet became Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles, and saved themselves reprinting costs. “I liked being part of a group; I was holding it down and there were leads and co-leads for me on songs such as ‘Can I Speak to You Before You Go to Hollywood?’” Dash recalled. “I did many leads on stage, especially when Patti’s voice gave out.” Dash said she was always the truth-seeker and speaker of the bunch and stood for what was best and most soulful for the group. “There was never any back-biting in me. My views made me the person in the middle, but I never was someone who just went along. I had my own thing and made it known.” Considering how she steered the trio through changes in music, sound and attitude, Dash was stalwart and strong. “No, I did not ever want us to wear pants on stage,” she said with a big laugh. “I was a skirt girl. I knew what I wanted to look like. And in terms of how we — and I — sounded, I think that’s clear, even today.” n For more information about the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame, visit http://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.org.

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Suzi Nash

Kenny Wittwer: Scaring up a ‘Terror’-izing time at Eastern State A historic prison in which Al Capone and “Slick Willie” Sutton were both incarcerated is not necessarily a space where you would expect to find a big queer presence — but Eastern State Penitentiary has been a little left of center since its inception. In addition to work on prison reform, ESP hosts film screenings and art installations, and has been a big supporter of the LGBT community. I first learned about Alan Turing at ESP and, earlier this month, was at SisterSpace in Maryland and was surprised to see the penitentiary listed as a donor for the silent auction. But the main thing that ESP is known for this time of year is the 32-day “Terror Behind the Walls.” It features Hollywood-quality sets, animatronics and custom-designed soundtracks, all taking place within the walls of the prison. An elite team of 14 makeup artists spends three hours preparing the cast of 200-plus performers each show night. Consistently ranked among the top haunted attractions in the nation, it was named “one of the top three must-see haunts in America” by Haunted Attraction Magazine. I got a chance to go inside the walls to speak to Kenny Wittwer, one of the talented staff members at TBTW. PGN: What was your favorite Halloween costume? KW: I was always a pirate — every year — which was not my choosing. My mother would just cut out an eye patch, put a red and white shirt over some black pants and call it a day. But when I was in first grade, I went as an M&M. I was the orange one and had this big round body with tight gray pants and big gloves. It was really cute and I loved it, mainly because I was finally something other than a pirate! My favorite Halloweens were probably when we lived in Folcroft, Delaware County. It was all rowhomes so you could get a lot of candy in a short amount of time. Then we moved to a rural suburb in South Jersey and the houses were spread further apart, so you had to do a lot of walking to get the same amount of candy. You really had to earn it there! PGN: Worst Halloween costume? KW: When I was in high school, I had long hair, a little bit longer than now. I wore a toga-like robe and went as Jesus, hoping to spread a little love. But everyone thought I was Charles Manson! From the Prince of Peace to mass murderer, the complete opposite of what I was going for! It was a major costume fail. PGN: [Laughs] Jesus! So you grew up in Folcroft?

KW: Yes, my parents are from Northeast Philly but moved there before I was born. We stayed until I was about 9. We were very eager to leave the neighborhood. PGN: How come? KW: Back in the day, there was a very closed mindset in that area. In 1963, there was what was called The Baker Incident: A black family, Horace and Sarah Baker, moved into the neighborhood. They had a young child and she was expecting another. Just days after Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, thousands of people raided their house. They broke every window and threw Molotov cocktails into the house and terrorized the family as the local police watched. The National Guard had to come in to escort them in and out of their home. Though the incident happened about 30 years before we moved there, the attitudes persisted. I heard the most awful racist comments from first- and second-graders, racist nursery rhymes and jokes. It was not a comfortable environment, so we were happy to move.

PGN: When did you come out? KW: Halfway through my junior year of high school. The neighborhood in South Jersey wasn’t the most liberal place around, but it wasn’t as overt as what we experienced in Delco. When I came out, there were some people who were super into it, to the point that it became a little tokenizing and accessorizing: “Ooh, we can talk about fashion and go brow shopping together!” I actually ended up suppressing a lot of myself because I didn’t want to just be a stereotype. So the aggressive acceptance actually drove me back in a little. Then there was the other side of those at school who didn’t accept it and decided to distance themselves when I came out. But once I got to college, it was smooth sailing. I met a lot of queer activists at Drexel and it ignited the activism in me as well. There were some issues with hazing, between the fraternities and queer students, including me being threatened by someone shouting “I’m watching you, faggot!” from one of the windows. We

PGN: As a kid, I’d guess you had an inkling about yourself even if you didn’t quite know what it was yet. KW: Oh yes, I remember taking bath towels and tying them on my head and pretending I was a girl. I preferred to play with my sister’s Barbies over my G.I. Joes. When I did play with the Joes, I’d socialize them with the Barbies and make them peace-loving G.I.s. I’d turn the barracks into a condo and let them drive the pink convertible. I was also obsessed with Beanie Babies, but come on, who wasn’t in the ’90s? I think I had my first boy crush in first grade, even though I didn’t realize what it was. I just gravitated to him and knew I thought he was cute. Funny ending — at my first Philly Pride, I heard someone call my name, but couldn’t see who it was. Later that night, I got a message saying, “Hey! I saw you at Pride!” and it was from him. We’ve been friends again ever since. PGN: That’s great! So I guess the atmosphere was not the best for a baby gay in Folcroft. KW: Absolutely not. I was first called a faggot in kindergarten. Two of my friends were talking about some sport I wasn’t into and even at 5 they knew to take that as a clue to call me a faggot. I didn’t know what it meant, but I could tell it wasn’t pretty. I told my mom and dad and they told me that it was a bad word and my dad came out and gave them a talking to. But I was pretty flamboyant without knowing it so I’m sure there were plenty of people who connected the dots before I did. I got beat up pretty often for being feminine of center.

reported it and the administration took care of it immediately. The queer students got together and demanded that they create a safe space for us and, though it didn’t happen while I was there, we did get an LGBT center in 2013. PGN: Are you an only child? KW: I’m the youngest of three. My brother Pat is the oldest and my other sibling Ezra is 26. Ezra came out as bisexual in 10th grade and now identifies as gender-queer,

non-binary. My parents were surprised but they were supportive, and seeing that made it easier for me. PGN: So what was a favorite toy growing up? KW: For a little queer boy, I was surprisingly into cars. I wasn’t into the mechanics of them, but I loved to look at them. I had a rug with cars on it in the tiny room I shared with my brother. I was also into Beanie Babies and I would sleep with all of them until I moved to the top bunk. Then, after one too many falling on his head, he insisted I only take two to bed. My brother was nine years older than me and it wasn’t until I got older that I appreciated his patience in indulging me, living in a kid’s room from 9-18 without complaint. PGN: What did you study in college? KW: At first I studied psychology — I thought I’d become an industrial organizational psychologist and help workplaces become more functional and conducive for their employees — but psychology was very depressing and didn’t click for me, so I switched to Temple to study sociology and power structure and the dynamics of race and class, etc. I didn’t finish because I had some health issues and the medical expenses were adding up. I was working full-time to pay them off and trying to go to school. It was burning me out. PGN: What a shame that someone would have to choose between school and health. But at least you would up in a cool place! How did you switch over to museum work? KW: I started at the Franklin Institute volunteering for the Discovery Camp program. My brother and some of my friends worked there. I realized that I loved working with and teaching kids. Photo: Suzi Nash I became an educator and assistant manager for the overnight program. I found out about Terror Behind the Walls through friends at F.I. They would tell me, “You have crazy energy and you’re really weird, you’d fit right in!” I’m skinny, weird, flamboyant — not exactly what you’d call scary or agro — so I didn’t think I’d get in. But apparently I was weird enough to be placed in The Infirmary and I just loved it. That was 2013 and I haven’t looked back. PAGE 40

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

PORTRAIT from page 39

PGN: What was your best moment scaring someone? KW: I was in a scare pocket, where you’re hidden behind a wall and a window drops and you see my face really quickly before it’s hidden again. There was a group of what looked like six college buddies slowly inching forward, terrified, and when I popped out they all screamed and fell to the ground en masse! It was great, it was like — bam! Drop! Then laughter, so I knew they were having a good time. PGN: What are some of the new things people can expect this year? KW: I’m really excited, we have a lot of new things for guests to experience. One of our new attractions this year is Blood Yard. It’s in an area where the public has never been allowed at ESP, so you’ll see corners of the site you’ve never seen before. It’s a gruesome colony of savage cannibal-like creatures who feast on human flesh, complete with warriors and an ancient empress. Hopefully you’ll make it out alive without being sacrificed in a crazy ritual. The props and animatronics are through the roof. It’s very intense. PGN: What is your role? KW: I’m the attraction manager of Breakout, which is the last of the six attractions that guests go through. It’s the big escape so you’re surrounded by inmates trying to get out. There may be nightmares from things you’ve seen previously on the tour, they may ask you for help or turn you around. It’s a very disorienting and energetic grand finale as you try to get out. PGN: If you don’t make it, do you have to work here next year? KW: Exactly! That’s how we hire. PGN: We’re in the section of ESP that was made famous in the “Dude, run!” episode of “Ghost Hunters” where they saw the unexplained apparition in the corridor. Have you ever had any paranormal experiences? KW: Let me preface it by saying that I have a science background — I even have the word “science” branded on my arm — so I’ve always been skeptical about that sort of thing. I’d hear stories my first year and always found a rational reason to explain it — an air compressor or sounds bouncing from another area. However … I have had some experiences that my science brain has not been able to explain. The first year I worked The Infirmary attraction, I went in early one day. The soundtrack wasn’t on yet and there were no guests in the house so it was dead quiet when I heard the sound of a little girl laughing. Now we don’t have any kids in the show and we weren’t open yet. I looked up and saw the silhouette of a schoolgirl with pigtails and a poofy skirt dance along the wall and disappear. I thought, I must just be hungry or dehydrated or something, but no, it happened. Another time during a show I was in a section of The Infirmary in a very tight pocket

PGN

— only big enough for one actor — when I felt someone in there with me, breathing on my neck. I turned around and, of course, there was nothing but wall. Then I turned back around and looked out my peephole to see if there were guests to scare, but the hallway was empty. Suddenly there were two hard knocks on the peephole door! I was staring out and there was no one there, not a soul, and my whole body just went cold. I was like, OK, this is too real. I don’t like this. But luckily it seems like whatever is there is on our side. PGN: Yeah, I’ve had quite a bit of paranormal experiences, but fortunately, so far all positive. What do you do outside of prison? KW: Beyond the walls … I like to bike ride a lot. I travel all over the city and take in the views. And I play music, I call it mega-gay synthy-dance music — Super Nintendo- and N64-inspired music. I went on tour for the first time this summer, which was fun, and I’ve been working to book other people, mostly queer and trans artists who don’t always get a fair crack at work — people of color, anyone who’s been having a hard time breaking into the DYI scene, which tends to be straight, white male artists. I’ve also been working with another amazing group of people on an Escape Room adventure called “Escape the 1980s.” They do a fantastic job of making sure both the staff and the guests have a great experience. It’s really cool, you have to “escape” through four different rooms by traveling back to the ’80s using a push-button phone and, though there are references to “Knight Rider,” “The Goonies,” Walkie Talkies, Cabbage Patch Kids and ’80s radio, you don’t have to know about them to win; you just have to look and listen. I’ve been doing something similar back at the Franklin Institute too. It’s really informed my work here at TBTW, especially with the Hex Challenge, which is a nice addition to the tours. PGN: What is the Hex Challenge? KW: It’s pretty cool, it’s one of our VIP experiences. At the beginning of each of the six attractions, you enter a secret room and you are dared to become part of the action. There are different mental and physical challenges that might require you to enter a ball pit, solve a puzzle, enter doorways as narrow as 17 inches wide or even crawl through small spaces to escape. It takes you even deeper into the narrative of the storyline for the haunt. We also have a speakeasy tour where, after going through TBTW, you can have a drink at Al Capone’s cell or, for historic-minded people, you can take a guided tour of the prison by flashlight before going to the front of the line for the terror tour. PGN: Spirits with the spirits! Count me in. n For more information about Terror Behind the Walls, visit https://www.easternstate.org/ halloween/node/3. To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol.com.

Q Puzzle Edie & Thea Across

1. Family docs 4. ISP invested in PlanetOut Partners 7. Story about a man scattering his seed, e.g. 14. Virginia Woolf novel 16. “My own private” state resident? 17. Go to the bottom 18. With 19-Across, act overturned in the Supreme Court by Edie & Thea’s suit 19. See 18-Across 21. Ariz. clock setting 22. Coin in Nureyev’s pocket 23. Robert De ___ 25. Crude material 27. Poet who inspired “Cats,” initially 28. “You just gotta have ___ or you’re out of luck” (“Funny Girl”)

31. Moan, like Albert to Armand 33. Crowd at the gay rodeo? 35. Bert, to Ernie 36. Takei of “Star Trek” 37. With 59-Across, “Edie & Thea: ___” (2017 film) 40. Homo’s tail? 43. Former Pakistan president 44. Vast area in Asia 48. Popular variety of nuts 49. Jewelle Gomez’s “___ Stories” 51. ___ Tin Tin 52. Very hairy swinger 53. One side of Ed Wood 55. Areas between hills 57. Charlotte of “Facts of Life” 59. See 37-Across 62. Thea Spyer’s wife Edie 64. Relevant to Greer? 65. Cockamamie

66. Willa Cather character 67. “Naked” David 68. Lawyer’s thing 69. Like McCullers’ café

Down

1. Come out, perhaps 2. Like Liberace’s sequins 3. Enjoy the bedroom 4. Mitchell of NBC News 5. River of Ulrichs’ country 6. Petty of “Orange Is the New Black” 7. Like an irregular tongue 8. “Do” in “The Sound of Music” 9. WWII fighter pilots of Eng. 10. Deep throat sound 11. Yves’ evening utterance 12. Avoiding premature ejaculation 13. Uey from WSW 15. Like a thermometer that

tastes funny 20. Process for Niles or Frasier 24. Wilson of “Zoolander” 26. Writer Harper 29. Kind of sheet 30. Elton John’s “Act of ___” 32. Boss of “The Dukes of Hazzard” 34. What a computer may spit out 36. Stick it in the slow ones 38. Rhames of “Holiday Heart” 39. Like Abner, before Viagra? 40. Emissionswatching org. 41. Return to a theme, to

Bernstein 42. Swimmer where sailors cruise 45. What Joan of Arc was maid of 46. Years that go both ways? 47. Word of preference 49. Gay mag and others? 50. Heads off 54. TÈa of “Spanglish” 56. BB’s, e.g. 58. Barry Humphries’ Dame 60. Tutti-frutti ingredient 61. Trait carrier 62. “Till There ___ You” 63. Title for Ian McKellen

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2017

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Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, July Term, 2017, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 9, 2017, the petition of Ashley Lynn Davis was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to Ashton Liam Davis. The Court has fixed October 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall as the time and place for the hearing of said Petition, when and where all persons interested may appear and show cause, if they have any, why the prayer of the said petition should not be granted. ________________________________________41-39 Court of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia, July Term, 2017, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 8, 2017, the petition of David Nelson Turpin was filed, praying for a decree to change her name to Dina Nelson Turpin. The Court has fixed October 6th 2017, at 10:00 A.M., in Courtroom No. 691, in Philadelphia City Hall as the time and place for the hearing of said Petition, when and where all persons interested may appear and show cause, if they have any, why the prayer of the said petition should not be granted. ________________________________________41-39

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Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

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