AUG 2013
Family Matters
LGBT families make love a priority
Knit Wits A yarn of a tall tale Eating on
Road
the
Food trucks-the craze you’ll crave
Gaily
Forward
More reaction to historical change
Call her
MissRoss Kierra Darshell channels a Supreme Icon as Pittsburgh welcomes a legend
Find your love. Show your love. Getting tested together regularly is an important part of a healthy relationship and creates an open dialoque about protecting each other. PATF offers free HIV testing 6 days a week.
Call 412-345-7456 for more information
Contact us at 412-345-7456 or visit www.patf.org for 20 minute rapid testing hours and information.
P
Animal Rescue League 14th Annual Paw Prints
Saturday, October 12, 2013 Heinz Field • East Hall • 7-10 p.m. VIP TICKETS VIP individual $200 VIP Couple $350
TICKETS General Individual $150 General Couple $275
Presented by:
Tickets can be purchased at www.animalrescue.org/paw-prints-tickets For more information, contact Ann Yeager at 412-345-0346, ayeager@animalrescue.org or go online: www.animalrescue.org
“THE BEST DOG GONE ELECTRICIANS IN THE BURGH!”
CONTRIBUTORS & THANK YOU’S G. Michael Beigay is a freelance photographer and special education professional for Allegheny Intermediate Unit. His photography has provided educational tools to aid students with cognitive disabilities. He also has worked with a media specialist at his LGBT-friendly church to develop various multi-media productions. Michael has shot for Cue, Whirl, and now Equal. He is one of the hosts for G2H2 and he is also the main photographer. John Britt was born and raised in Jeannette, PA. John has lived and worked all over the city for over 23 years from South Side to Mount Washington to East Liberty. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Political Science and post graduate studies in Information Systems.
Mike Buzzelli is a standup comedian and author. His book, Below Average Genius, a collection of humor pieces culled from his weekly humor column at the ObserverReporter newspaper, is available at Amazon.com.
Karla Doolittle is a mother, wife, writer, artist and advocate. Residing in Regent Square with husband Devon, a professional singer, artist, advocate.
Philip Ezzo, one of the tallest men in Pittsburgh, is currently a pastry cook at the Duquesne Club downtown. He has been a writer and columnist in LGBT publications for over four years. He is known for his sense of humor and charming personality. In his spare time Philip is a chapter leader with Gay 4 Good, Pittsburgh chapter, where he is an outreach coordinator.
Stacey Federoff is a Sutersville, PA, native, Penn State alumna, and reporter living in Park Place near Regent Square. She has written for The Daily Collegian, The Chautauquan Daily, Trib Total Media. She loves music, vinyl records, coffee, running and volunteerism.
Jonathan Fobear is a native of Cass City, MI. For 12 years he has been an art director branding nonprofits, corporations, destinations and city festivals. He’s designed ads, magazines, logos and identities for clients as big as The Dept of Agriculture and NASA, to clients as small as his mom & dad. Jonathan has presented branding workshops both in Pennsylvania and New York and currently lives in Pittsburgh’s South Side. Roy J Gloeckl II is an aspiring voice actor/children’s author with a BA in Creative Writing, Minor in Theatre and Certificate in Children’s Literature from Pitt. Said degree does not assist in the tending of bars, but he remains optimistic. In the meantime, our intrepid writer continues to seek a rabbit hole, down which he may tumble — or a Prince who will carry him off into the sunset.
Anastasia Hons-Astle Anastasia is a seventeen year-old with a passion for human rights and all things glittery. The goal of her obsession with proper grammar and literature is to write full time. In her free time, Anastasia plays with her pitbull, Rose.
Are YOU interested in writing for Equal Magazine? Email joek@equalmagazine.com 4
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
Ramon Harmon has worked in the beauty industry for over ten years, as a professional hairstylist and freelance makeup artist. Ramon can also be found on stage as the drag personality Anna Steezia.
Jay P. Obertance BS, CES, FNS, NASM-CPT, PES. A personal trainer/ nutrition advisor and self proclaimed gourmand. Attended and graduated Franciscan University and the National Academy of Sports Medicine receiving a Bachelor of Biology, licensure, and multiple certifications. Although still residing in his hometown of Toronto, OH; he considers Pittsburgh, PA his home. Mara Rago specializes in portraits, fine art, pets, events, model portfolios, legal, and corporate photography. She has a studio in the East End of Pittsburgh and shoots in studio as well as on location. Photography is Mara’s life. It’s a passion. Capturing visions in her little black box is a gift... and, every day, she is grateful.
Guest contributors: John Altdorfer Dave Allinder Lisa Florian Kate Paine Jason Peck
About the Cover
Cover photo by Mara Rago Cover model Kierra Darshell Shot on location at Cruze Bar
SHOT BOYS Every Tuesday & Friday
BEAT THE
HEAT
Underwear
KARAOKE 1st Thursday of the month
(412) 391-9990 965 Libert y Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Open 2 PM to 2 AM 365 days a year!
KARAOKE Every Thursday
WITH LOVE Dear Friends, Let the sun shine. I’m excited to offer you the perfect summer read... Equal Magazine has packed this issue with so many hot articles that you’ll need sunscreen when you open it. I recommend an SPF of at least 30! Kierra Darshell graces our cover and looks sizzling as the one and only Diana Ross. We asked our resident Drag Queen Anna Steezia to interview Kierra about her supreme impersonation of Miss Ross (after all, who better to talk drag than another fabulous Queen?). I think you’ll agree that the article and accompanying photo spread by Mara Rago shine on page 26. You can bask in the glow of the genuine, real deal, Diana Ross and her remarkable career in a spotlighted article on page 16. We’ve got a rainbow of flavors in two features this month including a nutrition article that may add some color to your life on page 32. We encourage you to spend a little time outdoors dining alfresco with a feature on food trucks on page 44. Our junior writer explores back to school LGBT alliance groups at local colleges on page 38. You can show off your tan while still wearing white, with helpful tips you may need while planning your out of town gay nuptials on page 42. Our favorite out lawyer Kate Paine is back. She too has a “supreme” contribution of sorts with more reaction to the Supreme Court DOMA ruling on page 36. We invite you to take Equal Magazine away with it you on vacation this month and share it with a friend. We’d be happy to ship out of state to new subscribers queer and far so they can enjoy the warmth of our community and the bright stories that help keep us sunny and gay every month. As the sun sets on our summer there are still so many things to try and squeeze into these hot days and warm nights. Check out our calendar on pages 10, 11 and Rolling on Three Rivers on page 40 for some fun suggestions. While you are enjoying a little gaycation our staff’s vacation is over and we are already hard at work on the next issue of Equal Magazine. Please take a little time to relax, enjoy this weather and the stories of OUR community. We look forward to bringing you more Equal Magazine next month. Happy summer, stay cool. LGBT visibility everywhere. With love
Joe King Editor-in-Chief
6
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
WHAT PAGE IS THAT ON? 18
FEATURES Sharing knitting needles
26
She’s Coming Out
36
Order in the Supreme Court
42
Gay Summer Wedding
August
26
18
42
Warhol Bridge in stitches
Kierra pays tribute to an icon We’ve only just begun Tips to ring any bell
IN (ALMOST) EVERY ISSUE 10 Calendar of Events: What’s happening in August 12 Gay and Goin’ On: Out and about in the community 14 Family: The kids are all right- Families like Ours 16 Celebrity: Pittsburgh Welcomes Diana Ross 21 Allies: Local couple creating change 22 Reading Rainbow: Books for the next generation 32 Health: Full Flavor, Full Color 34 Out At Work: Living in the light 38 Edugaytion: Making GLBT friends on campus 40 Rolling on Three Rivers: Staycation on two wheels 44 Let’s Eat Out: Food Trucks pepper our city 46 Hot Guy Reads a Book: A magical surprise
7
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
Subscriptions start as low as
73¢
per issue
Publisher: The Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh Board Members Gary A. Van Horn Jr. President Louise F. Stutler Vice President Brian J. Stankavich Secretary Peter J. Karlovich Treasurer Samuel C. Badger Michael G. Bartley Daniel M. Catanzaro Steven R. Herforth Jim Sheppard Emeritus Board Members Charles W. Honse William R. Kaelin Donnie R. Thinnes
A subscription to Equal Magazine would make the perfect gift for you or someone in your life. Plus it’s the only way to guarantee that you’ll get it every month!
$10 = 11 issues ($0.91 an issue) $18 = 22 issues ($0.82 an issue) $24 = 33 issues ($0.73 an issue) Subscribe today at
pittsburghpride.wufoo.com/forms/equal-magazine-subsription 8
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
Editor-in-Chief Joe King Art Director Jonathan Fobear Director of Marketing and Development Christine Bryan Emotional Support
Mark Coffee Ice Cream
For questions, comments, and advertising inquiries, please email info@ equalmagazine.com EQUAL Magazine, PO Box 100057. Pittsburgh, PA 15233.
Charles P. Tierney
The mission of the Delta Foundation is to be a vigilant catalyst for change that produces increased opportunities and a high quality of life for the LGBT community. Opinions and claims made by advertisers are those of the advertisers ONLY. Equal accepts no liability for claims made by advertisers. All rights reserved. ©2013 Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh.
AUGUST EVENTS
And don’t forget, we’ve got
THE STRIP’S BEST HAPPY HOUR!
FRIDAY, 8/2 Stand-up Comic
Bridget McManus 8:00 PM
Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday, Enjoy $2.50 cocktails & bottles from 7-11 PM!
For tickets, visit: nbandp.com
First Fridays with
Kierra Darshell 11:30 PM
Queens with P R IDE!
SATURDAY, 8/31
Starring...
Divauna Diore, Blade Mathews, Malibuu Peruu, Veronica Lustt, Scarlet Fairweather, Ashley Gilbert and Cherry Jubilique
FRIDAY, 8/23
Lez Liquor Hour 5:30 - 10:00 PM 1600 Smallman Street (412) 471-1400 cruzebar.com Open Wed-Sat 5PM-2AM
Wear your trunks and prepare to get WET!
Last splash of Summer Foam Party!
with DJ Seth Gold!
Aug
STAY BUSY
3
Sat
3
Sat
27-3
Burlesque: The Introduction Cabaret at Theatre Square trustarts.org
3
LGBT Hockey
Life is a Beach party
Cattivo $10 in advance, $15 at the door, Doors open at 8 p.m.
18
Sun
Sat
Pittsburgh
Impulse Pittsburgh presents:
Roxxy Andrews
Sat - Sat
Open Ice/Scrimmage Mr. Lebanon Ice Center 3:30 PM pittsburghgayhockey.net
10 PM-2 AM Paradise Island Bowl & Beach Facebook.com/Impulse Pittsburgh
9
10-11
Fri
G2H2 Happy Hour
Sat - Sun
Knit the Bridge Andy Warhol Bridge
g2h2pittsburgh.org
19-23
Mon - Fri
30
Fri
Dreams of Hope Pittsburgh Opera 5 PM Strip District
10
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
QAMP!
for LGBT and allied youth ages 13 – 19 dreamsofhope.org/camp Images courtesy of Logo TV & RuPaul’s Drag Race
Eric Himan
with Special Guest Southside American 10:00pm doors 10:30pm show Club Cafe
2
Fri
2
Comic Bridget McManus Cruze Bar nbandp.com
12-18
Mon - Sun
Pittsburgh Restaurant Week
pittsburghrestaurantweek.com
23
Fri
Stage AE ticketmaster.com
31
Sat
Last Splash of Summer
FOAM PARTY DJ Seth Gold Cruze Bar cruzebar.com
Fri
FIRST FRIDAY with KIERRA DARSHELL Starring Divauna Diore, Blade Mathews, Malibuu Peruu, Veronica Lustt, Scarlet Fairweather Ashley Gilbert, Cherry Jubilique 11:30 PM Cruze Bar
16
Fri
20 Tues
HMH & Bridge City Bombshells Support Our Troupes Cattivo Bar Doors 9pm Show 11pm
23-24
Fri - Sat
The Second City ppt.org
Heinz Hall 8 PM pso.culturaldistrict.org
23
Fri
LEZ LIQUOR HOUR 5:30-10 PM Cruze Bar cruzebar.com
Sept
2
Mon
Labor Day Parade with the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh Downtown Pittsburgh
11
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
EVENTS
What’s Gay and Goin’ on? Photos by G. Michael Beigay Xtreme Bingo @ Pittsburgh Opera
12
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
G2H2 @ Villa
Pittsburgh Frontrunners
VAIN @ CAVO
Adam Sank & Gab @ Cruze Bar
Eda Bagel @ City Theater
Equal Launch Party @ There
13
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
FAMILY
FAMILY RELATIONS Pittsburgh group meets to help kids and parents fit in. By Stacey Federoff Photos by John Altdorfer, and Families Like Ours
children, FLO attracts parents and children of all kinds, Kate says.
Kate Passarelli remembers the moment her fouryear-old son realized there were other kids like him with two moms.
“People might come for different reasons, but everybody gets something out of it,” she says. “To me, it’s a safe place for my kids, where they’re the ‘normal’ ones … It’s introduced my kids to a lot of different types of families.”
He was telling her about how he liked playing with another boy he met while they were visiting with other children and parents through the group Families Like Ours (FLO).
“One day we were talking in the car and it’s almost like a light bulb went off,” she says, and her son told her, “He’s just like me.”
A divorced mother of two boys, ages 6 and 4, Kate, 32, of Brighton Heights, says families with transgender parents, bisexual parents, biological kids, adopted kids, two moms, two dads, or parents who are single by choice, are all a part of the group.
Families Like Ours is a group for Pittsburgh LGBT parents and their children that began years ago through an online forum.
Usually once per month, FLO meets for a gettogether like a potluck, softball game, pool party, parents’ night or camping trip.
With about 40 active members and 20 to 30
“We just feel like we have a place we can come
14
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
“I’M HOPEFUL WE’RE INVESTING IN HER SELFESTEEM AND PREPARING HER FOR ANY PUSHBACK SHE MIGHT GET AS THE CHILD OF GAY PARENTS.”
and belong,” she says. “Chances are there is going to be somebody in the group you can relate to.” David Murray, 46, of Schenley Heights and his partner joined FLO about five years ago after adopting a baby girl, who is now six years old. “It was just really cool to connect with these people who had different experiences, but were gay parents,” he says. As his daughter gets older, David says he hopes she can use these early experiences with Families Like Ours to give her confidence as she grow up. “I’m hopeful we’re investing in her self-esteem and preparing her for any pushback she might get as the child of gay parents,” he says. As a parent, Kate says she felt isolated without other LGBT friends to relate to things like finding a gayfriendly pediatrician or helping kids feel comfortable talking about their families.
Kate says the main way the group communicates now is via a closed Facebook group. Anyone interested in joining is screened, however, for the safety of the children.
TreaT Your FamilY To ComForT ... DisCover The value oF insulaTion!
David says he enjoys the controlled chaos, when FLO events can garner up to 60 or 70 people. “It’s crazy, but it’s really affirming,” he says. Another mother told Kate that her eight-year-old was apprehensive about talking to other kids about his two moms before they joined FLO. “Since he joined the group, he’s proud of his family and he talks to people about his two moms all the time,” she says. Anyone interested in joining Friends Like Ours can contact Kate via email at klpassarelli@gmail.com to be included in the Facebook group for future events.
Insulating your home will make it more comfortable year-round and can reduce your utility bills substantially ... it could be one of the wisest investments you’ll ever make.
Call usa insulation Today For a Free in-home energy Consultation!
412-492-save usainsulation.net Lic.# PAO52228
“We’re just hanging out as a group of friends that have something in common,” Kate says, which she found helpful as many of her other gay friends were “still doing the bar scene,” but she couldn’t with kids in tow. Members of FLO marched in their third Pittsburgh Pride March in June with parents and children of all ages. David says he enjoys including his daughter in the experience, especially since the crowd reacts a little differently to gay families. “The tenor changes when you see a bunch of kids going by,” he says. “Our kids love participating in the march.”
15
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
FEATURE
Supremely Talented By John Britt
In a remarkable career spanning over 40 years, Diana Ross has proven herself the consummate music artist as well as the most successful female singer of all time. Born on March 26, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan, Diana Ross lived a comfortable life in a working class neighborhood. While her initial desire was to be a fashion designer, life would take her in a different direction. As a teenager in high school she joined with three other girls who lived in the same housing project and they formed a quartet. After singing in talent shows, a local record agent dubbed them “The Primettes.” Even though they performed in local shows, they longed to begin recording. After an audition with Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, he encouraged them to finish high school before pursuing their recording career. In 1961 they were signed to Motown 16
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
Records and renamed The Supremes. The following year, one member left the group and The Supremes became a trio. The recordings began and the results were lackluster. But Diana and her Supremes persevered. And then in 1964, “Where Did Our Love Go” reached number one on the pop charts. What followed were chart topping hits: “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,, “Stop! In The Name Of Love.” and “Back In My Arms Again.” This launched the Supremes and, ultimately, Diana Ross to a different level. In 1967 the trio became “Diana Ross and The Supremes.” Diana was the obvious star of the trio and plans that were set in motion for her to embark on a solo career in 1970. Diana Ross was no longer a member of the Supremes. Diana’s elegant gowns and makeup quickly endeared her to the gay community. In 1970 “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” reached number one and became a very
IN 2007, SHE WAS HONORED TWICE, FIRST WITH THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE BET AWARDS AND LATER WAS ONE OF THE HONOREES AT THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS. popular song performed by drag performers, the audience singing along, right hand waving in the air during the chorus and finale. Intermingled with Diana’s musical career was her foray into cinema. With the film “Lady Sings the Blues,” she established herself as a solid actress and a singer capable of crossing into different styles of music. Also of note was the fact that Diana, along with Cicely Tyson became the first black actresses to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress since Dorothy Dandridge. The soundtrack to “Lady Sings the Blues” became just as successful, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 staying there for two weeks and breaking then-industry records by shipping 300,000 copies during the first eight days of its release. At nearly two million in sales, it is one of Diana’s best-selling albums to date. In 1975 the film “Mahogany” was released. It was another commercial, if not critical, success for Diana. The same year, “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re going To)” became a hit single. Then the disco hits came including “Love Hangover” (1976), “The Boss” (1979), and “Upside Down” (1980). In 1980, “I’m Coming Out,” written by the leaders of the disco band Chic, was released. The idea for the song came from them being at a gay club in New York City, standing at the urinal and they saw three men who looked like Diana Ross. When Diana first heard the song, she was not so certain how successful “I’m Coming Out” would be, or its not-so-hidden message. The “disco sucks” movement had taken shape, but the writers knew that the message of the song was important and would resonate with Diana’s fans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. To this day, “I’m Coming Out” continues to be the song that opens a Diana Ross concert and the album Diana, which featured the song, remains Diana’s biggest-selling album.
While her music career flourished, her next film, “The Wiz,” co-starring Michael Jackson, was released in 1978. While many will remember Diana and Michael singing “Ease on Down the Road,” the film, which at the time was the most expensive film musical ever made, was not a commercial hit.
In 2010, Ross embarked on her first headlining tour in three years titled the More Today Than Yesterday: The Greatest Hits Tour. She dedicated the entire concert tour to her late friend, Michael Jackson, who died in June 2009. In February 2012, Diana Ross received her first ever Grammy Award, for Lifetime Achievement.
The hit singles continued through the 1980s with “It’s My Turn” and then in 1981 with “Endless Love,” a duet with Lionel Richie that became the second biggest-selling single of the year, the biggest-selling single of her career, and her 18th career number-one single.
Among her notable achievements, her songs “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” are among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and entered into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone placed “The Supremes” at number 96 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
More hits would follow including “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” (1981), “Muscles” (1982), “Missing You” (1984), “Swept Away” (1984) and “Chain Reaction” (1985). Earlier in 1985, she appeared as part of the supergroup USA for Africa on the “We Are the World” charity single, which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. In 2004, Diana returned to live touring, first in Europe and then in the United States all within the same year. In 2005, she participated in Rod Stewart’s Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV recording a duet version of the Gershwin standard, “I’ve Got a Crush on You.” The song was released as promotion for the album and later reached number 19 on the Billboard’s Hot Adult Contemporary chart, marking her first Billboard chart entry since 2000. In June 2006, Universal released the shelved 1972 Blue album. It peaked at #2 on Billboard’s jazz albums chart. Later in 2006, Diana released her first studio album in seven years with I Love You which sold 622,000 copies worldwide and later ventured on a world tour to promote I Love You which garnered rave reviews. In 2007, she was honored twice, first with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards and later was one of the honorees at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Other achievements include her Guinness World Record, which was earned due to her success in the United States and United Kingdom for having more hits than any other female artist in the charts with a career total of 70 hit singles. She is also one of the few recording artists to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one as a solo artist and the other as a member of The Supremes. Diana continues to tour quite rigorously recently completing a 2013 South American tour before embarking on her current multi-city U.S. late summer tour. Diana Ross will be appearing at Heinz Hall on Thursday, August 20. For more info, visit www. pso.culturaldistrict.org or call 412-392-4900. For updated news about Diana Ross, visit her www.dianaross.de
17
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
FEATURE
Knit with
Wit
The Andy Warhol Bridge gets its own knitted sweater By Michael Buzzelli Photos by Mara Rago Fiber Artist Amanda K. Gross and a few hundred people have knitted a bridge cozy (think tea cozy on a grand scale). Amanda, outreach coordinator for Fiberart International, and her team of volunteers will yarn bomb the Andy Warhol Bridge aka the Seventh Street Bridge. Yarn bomb is a delightfully scandalous way of saying that they are going to cover the bridge in yarn, with Allegheny County’s permission of course. On August 10-11, 2,500 18
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
linear feet of brightly colored panels will go up, over, and around the bridge; covering the entire structure, for the Knit the Bridge project. According to Amanda, “I wanted to bridge the gap between artists and the community.” She came up with Knit the Bridge concept by using an actual bridge, one that stretches across the river, connecting the North Shore with Pittsburgh; bridging the community metaphorically and literally. Amanda added, “The Andy Warhol Bridge is
also the biggest bridge I know named after an artist.” The Knit the Bridge installation will be a combined effort of hundreds of volunteers and the Pittsburgh Rigging Company, who will outfit the bridge’s hard to reach areas. A series of 600 34” by 72” panels have been hand sewn by international volunteers. Amanda said, “There are a lot of participants from Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania, but we have people from Spain
and Argentina participating. People from all around the world.”
a non-profit organization who serve runaway and homeless youth, contributed a panel.
down in Theater Square, and sunset at PPG Place.
The project will not only bridge the gap between arts and the community, it will also bridge a generation gap. Amanda said, “We had a two year-old boy (whose hands were guided by his parents) knitting in the project, and we have had people in their nineties.”
Alyia said, “As soon as I heard about Knit the Bridge, I knew that I had to get involved.”
She said, “It was a lot of work, but I put all of the pride I feel as a lifelong Pittsburgher into it. I also helped with some of the grant writing, which was a great way to explore a professional interest while doing something positive for the community.”
Diversity is at the heart of the project, Amanda added, “A lot of people knit and crochet. It’s kind of like a very accessible medium and it cuts across all different ethnicities, ages, gender. And so we’ve been basically doing grassroots organizing to get the word out to [knitter and crotchetier communities] to engage people in different ways to help make the work.”
Alyia knits her way into a meditative space. “When you’re keeping your hands busy, it allows your thoughts to flow.”
Our Own Tight-Knit Community People from around Pittsburgh and around the world are participating in the Knit the Bridge project. Our own LGBT community lent a helping cross-stitch or two. Alyia Paulding, who works for the Mid-Atlantic Network of Youth and Family Services (MANY),
She has been working with yarn for eight years and calls it “a wonderful, creative outlet and source of relaxation.”
She picked up the needles, when she inherited two beautiful blankets from her great-grandmother. Alyia said, “Even though I never met her, I feel connected to her. I feel connected to her when I crochet, and to all of the other people who have learned this craft over the centuries.” Alyia described her panel as one that reflects her favorite things about living in Pittsburgh. Her black and gold panel reflects some of Pittsburgh’s best; the fireworks, the stained glass windows in older homes across the city, the ever-blooming magnolia tree sculpture
Dr. Marvin McGowan, D.O. also crocheted a panel for the project. He said, “My friend Lynn Hawker told me about the project.” He cites Lynn as a longtime friend who has helped him keep his lines straight. His panel is bright multicolored squares on a black background, accentuate the prismatic squares. Marvin has been knitting for 12 years, but he’s been crocheting since he was seven years old. The Osteopathic doctor said, “When I was a boy, my cousin got a Knitting Jenny [child’s loom] one Christmas. Everyone was reading the directions; no one could figure out how to use it but me. I crocheted my first potholder on it. And the rest was history.”
“YARN BOMBING IS A FUN, BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL WAY TO CELEBRATE PUBLIC SPACE. UNLIKE GRAFFITI, YARN BOMBING CAN BE DOWN WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE TO HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND IS TEMPORARY AND EASILY REMOVABLE.”
19
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
He added, “Of course my brothers jeered, but my dad said, ‘There is no such thing as male or female art - - there is only art.’” Marvin completed the panel in two weekends. “I’ve been at this for forty-some years, I got pretty fast.” Marvin and his partner, Kurt Colborn, just celebrated their first anniversary as a married couple. He said, “We’ve been together for seventeen years, but last year, Kurt and I went to California and made it official. We were legally married on Bastille Day [7/14/2011].”
Why a bomb? According to the Fiberart Guild of Pittsburgh, “Yarn bombing is a fun, bright, beautiful way to celebrate public space. Unlike graffiti, yarn bombing can be down without any damage to historic structures and is temporary and easily removable.” Amanda said, “It will be the largest scale yarn bomb ever attempted.” When the panels come down in September, they will be washed and distributed to organizations with people in need.
The bridge will be closed August 10-11 while the Pittsburgh Riggers ‘bomb’ the bridge with the yarn.
Tell your friends! Bring your co-workers! Alert the media! Join us at these upcoming dates for Xtreme Bingo:
Sunday, August 18 Friday, September 13 Get your tickets online at pittsburghpride.org/tickets or call 888-71-TICKETS 20
7.19.13 - Bingo Sidebar Ad Aug-Sept.indd 1
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
7/19/13 8:39 PM
ALLIES
Local Couple
Embraces Equality by Karla Doolittle Photo provided by John and Dixie Tymitz
Their careers have allowed them to meet people from all facets of life and have given them the opportunity to create life-long bonds while witnessing their friends and loved ones face daily challenges in acceptance and rights that others have.
Dr. John Tymitz and his wife Dixie have been spreading love and equality together for the last forty-four years and live by the philosophy that all are one.
While attending services at First United Methodist Church in Shadyside, Dixie became involved with an outreach program known as ‘Circle of Faith’ which brings people together of various nominations and to showcase places of worship throughout Pittsburgh welcoming all members of the LGBT community.
In 1976 John co-founded the Institute of Shipboard Education which operates the ‘Semester at Sea’ program. He served as Director of Administrative Affairs until 1984. In 1984, John became Executive Director and in 1997 his title was changed to Chief Executive Officer; a position he held until 2007.
John was especially touched when he saw Bishop Desmond Tutu speak a few years ago at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside. Tutu said, “God is for everyone! Gay, straight, black and brown!”
John has served as Executive Dean on twelve shipboard education voyages where he taught U.S. Diplomatic History. Dixie, a theatre and film actress has traveled with her husband on ‘Semester at Sea’ voyages teaching Theatre and Humanities courses. She’s also been in such films as ‘The Mothman Prophecies’ and ‘Sudden Death’.
That’s when he knew that they must involve everyone in the continued fight for human rights. John and Dixie have a simple motto, ‘All Are Welcome’ and have made it their life goal to ensure fairness, love and equality while continually striving for it on a daily basis through friends, peers, church and people they’ve yet to meet.
In 2012 she had the lead role as Granny D in“You’re Never Too Old to Raise a Little Hell!” The play is about the life of activist Doris (Granny D) Haddock whom at 90 years old walked from California to Washington, D.C. to bring awareness to people about the importance of democracy.
The great Granny D said it best, “You’re never too old to raise a little hell!”
21
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
THE LIBRARY IS OPEN
For the
Young at Heart
by Roy J Gloeckl II
Books for the youngsters are not all sparkly vampires and broomstick soccer
Young-adult fiction or young adult literature (often abbreviated as YA), is fiction written, published, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, although the “young” portion is getting more and more flexible all the time. According to the American Library Association, this genre is meant for folks ages twelve to eighteen, with some publishers claiming as low as ten and as high as twenty-five for their target audience. The appeal of this group of literature, however, does not wish to be contained. Take a look at the mass appeal of the Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games trilogy and the Twilight book series. From elementary students to AARP members, this genre is a hit and recent studies show that 55% of young-adult fiction is actually purchased by readers over 18 years of age. What is it about Young Adult Literature that appeals to so broad of an audience? Heather Panella, Public Services Librarian & Assistant
OTHER LGBT-THEMED YOUNG ADULT & CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Boy Meets Boy
by John Greene & David Levithan
by David Levithan
Hero
by Perry Moore
22
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Director of Moon Township’s Public Library, specializes in Teen Services and her library’s Young Adult collection. “I think certain YA books appeal to a wider audience because a good majority of them make the reader do what any good book should: think.” For example, books like The Hunger Games “bring up good points about humanity, morality, love, courage, sacrifice, faith and more.” These books are also a great form of escape from the mundane. “Oftentimes, big YA pop culture phenomena (Potter and Twilight)… are filled with intrigue, action, fantasy and romance. They give readers of any age a chance to dive head first into a world where spells can be cast, forbidden love can blossom, and adventure is never far away.”
IT IS THE STORY OF FINDING WHO YOU REALLY ARE AND FINDING SOMEONE WHO CONNECTS WITH YOU AT A BASE LEVEL. THIS IS LOVE FROM ONE SOUL TO ANOTHER, ONE THAT TRANSCENDS PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.
Heather pointed out the recent boom of LGBT stories and characters in recent YA books. One book in particular, David Levithan’s every day, showcases the beauty of love no matter your orientation. The story follows the character of A, who awakens in a different body every morning. A guides this person through the day and then moves on, never interfering, never getting attached to people until Rhiannon appears. “It is the story of finding who you really are and finding someone who connects with you at a base level. This is love from one soul to another, one that transcends physical appearance. While it’s considered an LGBT book anyone can relate to it as we all want the same thing: to be loved.” Heather feels that this type of story is especially poignant with a teen
Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Ryan’s Mom is Tall
Ask the Passengers
The Lover’s Dictionary
by Heather Jopling
by A.S. King
by David Levithan
23
Equa lM a g a zine.org
“THERE IS FICTION AND NON-FICTION REPRESENTING EVERY STRIPE OF THE RAINBOW… AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.”
audience because it does not distinguish “gay” relationships from “straight” ones; love is a common thread connecting everyone. every day received the 2013 Lambda Literary Award for excellence in LGBT Children’s/Young Adult Literature. David Levithan’s follow up to every day, Two Boys Kissing, hits shelves August 27. Jessica Pfauth, the director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC)’s Library, is a published author with Dreamspinner Press (pen name Jessica Skye Davies). In her experience, YA literature speaks to a broad audience because it deals with all-inclusive issues like dealing with authority, religion/spirituality, bullying, dependence vs. independence, responsibility, and exploring sexual/gender identity. “I believe YA literature is of great importance. I have said before that the GLCC, and by extension the Library, has the
ability to save lives. Not only is it a place for people within the community to connect but it also offers a place where they can find a positive reflection of themselves that they may not be finding elsewhere.” Pfauth feels that one of the greatest things about the library is its inclusiveness. “There is fiction and non-fiction representing every stripe of the rainbow…and everything in between.” With the bullying, homelessness, and suicide rates in the young LGBT community, Jessica knows how important it is for young people just to know that the center and its library are there for them.
King & King
by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland
Openly Straight
by Bill Konigsberg
24
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
The Mortal Instruments series
by Cassandra Clare
We’re all in this together.
We work better when all of us work together. Inclusion means every person is valued, and all contributions are welcomed. At UPMC, inclusion begins with a core belief that everyone deserves dignity and respect. UPMC Center for Inclusion inspires a culture of collaboration throughout our company and within the communities we serve, all based on the simple idea that inclusion matters — to all of us, every day.
Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
FEATURE
Call Her
MISS
ROSS
Kierra Darshell’s transformation into a living legend. By Anna Steezia Photos by Mara Rago
26
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
For the first time in 30 years, the “Queen of Motown” Diana Ross will be performing live in Pittsburgh. The concert comes, coincidentally, at a significant time in the career of Pittsburgh Drag Queen Miss Kierra Darshell, who many may know is famous for her compelling character impersonation of Diana Ross. Not only is Kierra celebrating the 25th anniversary of performing the art of drag, but it’s also the 20th anniversary of the creation of the “Tri-State All-Star Pageant,” a pageant co-created with her Drag Mother, and which she is now the sole owner. In her extensive career, Kierra has gained a wealth of wisdom and has used the stage to share her knowledge. She now hosts monthly shows at Cruze Bar and There Ultra Lounge, where she opens the stage to showcase other local drag talents. She hosts many of the Pittsburgh pageants, as well as organizes the drag performances at Pittsburgh PrideFest. And she is expanding art even further outside of the LGBT community at local events including the annual South Side Works Street Fair.
I met up with Kierra, perhaps best known as the “First Lady of Pittsburgh Drag,” in her dressing room as she was getting ready for a recent performance. We chatted about her drag career and her character as Miss Ross.
EQ: When was Miss Kierra Darshell born into the world of drag? KD: Back in 1989, when I first started going out to the local bars, a queen by the name of Akasha Kai approached me and said she wanted me to perform at an upcoming AIDS Benefit Show at Travelers in Homewood. See, back then the AIDS epidemic had just hit Pittsburgh, and people weren’t living long after being diagnosed. It was severely affecting the gay population. People didn’t have money for funeral services and all of the associated medical expenses, so there were AIDS benefit shows happening all the time. There would be 4 or 5 a month.
EQ: So would you watch the shows at think “I want to do that?” KD:
No, not really. I didn’t really think of myself as being in drag. I was a young man, just coming out into the gay scene. But Akasha told me that I had amazing facial features for drag and that she could make me a beautiful woman.
EQ: It sounds like she talked you into it! KD: Yeah she really did. She said she’d
do my make-up and get me everything I needed. I was so nervous! But I performed “Home” by Stephanie Mills and the crowd really enjoyed it. People tipped me, at first I wasn’t sure why, but the girls explained it was because I did well. And from there, I caught the bug!
27
Equa lM a g a zine.org
EQ: So you started performing in other shows? KD: Yes, I was then introduced
to “Grandma” Coco and Denise Darshell. They saw potential in me and wanted me to run for the title of Miss Pittsburgh. There had never been a black drag queen to hold that title, so they offered to teach me the art and business of drag. We would have rehearsals once a week, and they taught me how to paint my face, how to be graceful on stage, to be glamorous, how to put a show together, the importance of traveling, and to be humble. They told me not to believe the hype because as soon as you do, you will fail. And to this day, I still live by that motto.
EQ: Well, clearly all of this was great advice. And you ended up being the first African American Miss Pittsburgh in 1991. KD: Yes I did.
The girls at the bar Kissin’ Cousins really supported me and believed in me. Denise always wanted to run for the Miss Pittsburgh title herself, but there was a rule added back then that you could not compete if you were transgender. So she said she was going to live vicariously through me, and she became my Drag Mother.
EQ: Did she give you the name Kierra Darshell? KD: When I was getting ready for
the benefit show, I called my good friend in D.C. and said that I’m going to do a drag show but need a name. He suggested the name Kierra and I loved it. So I just went by Kierra 28
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
until Denise started helping me and added the Darshell.
EQ: So when did the Diana Ross performances start? KD: Once I started doing shows people would come up to me and say that I should do Diana Ross because I look like her. I didn’t think I looked like her at all! But so many people kept saying it to me, and saying it to me. I was so scared to impersonate Diana because see, since I was a child, I idolized her, and I didn’t think I could do her justice. I’m not a control freak, but I believe if I’m gonna do something, I gotta do it RIGHT!
EQ: What is your earliest remembrance of Diana? KD: When I was a little boy,
in 1979 she did a live televised concert from Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. I was mesmerized. She was so glamorous, and lovely. I of course didn’t know anything about drag back then, but I knew she was something special. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her! From then, any time there was a commercial that she would be on, I was glued to the TV. I could not do anything but watch her. She was such an inspiration. We didn’t have very many black female artists that we could watch on TV, so she was something to behold.
EQ: Wow, that explains your intimidation to impersonate her. Once you decided you could do it, where did you get “THE” hair…that infamous long curly wig?
KD: I actually ordered it from a
of it. For some people in the audience it’s about coming out as a gay person, for some it’s about starting over in life and coming out of a bad situation, getting a new start. Pretty much everybody can relate to the song.
EQ: What about the dress?
EQ: And what is your favorite song of hers to listen to?
magazine and had it mailed to me. Back then you couldn’t find anything like that in a wig shop here in Pittsburgh, and we didn’t have online shopping.
KD: I was shopping in Philadelphia
after doing a show, and in this store I saw the most gorgeous gold beaded and sequin gown. It was the Diana Ross dress that I had to have. I didn’t care if I could afford it or not
EQ: And you still have the dress! It must’ve been one of those moments when you knew it was coming together. Where did you do your first “Miss Ross” performance? KD: I’ll never forget it.
It was at Zach’s on 4th Ave. I performed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and the audience loved it!
EQ: Well then, it sounds like all of your hard work paid off. KD: Yes it did. I would look at
books with pictures of Diana. I would watch videos of her. I really did my research on how to “be” Diana Ross.
EQ: Now I know you have done a lot of Diana performances since then, what is your favorite song of hers to do? KD: I really love to perform “Ain’t
No Mountain High Enough” because of the energy of the song. And of course, I love “I’m Coming Out” because there is so much meaning to the song and so many interpretations
KD: Oh my, anything off of the
Mahogany album, or Lady Sings the Blues. The albums are so pivotal in Diana’s career and the music is so meaningful. I could just listen to either one of those forever and ever.
EQ: I’ve heard that you’ve seen Diana in concert a few times. How many exactly? KD: I saw her first in 1983 right
here in Pittsburgh at the Civic Arena. When she opened the show, she came running through the audience to “I’m Coming Out” and it was magical! She had all of the glitz and glamour. She had so much grace on stage. Her stage was in the center of the arena, and a curtain would come down from the ceiling, and when it lifted she would be in a different costume. I was mesmerized all over again! Then in 2007, I saw her in New York City at Madison Square Garden, and in 2010, I saw her in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace.
EQ: And which one would be your favorite? KD: Really, the show in Las
Vegas is the one that I will never ever forget. It was really a full circle moment for me, because remember that the first time I saw her on television in 1979, the show was at Caesar’s Palace. So I was in the very same place that she was back then.
29
Equa lM a g a zine.org
The show was the most spectacular. She was so personable. She had such a connection with the audience. She allowed people to get close to the stage. She enjoyed herself and we enjoyed her. She fed off of our energy and we fed off of her energy. I remember when the show was over I just sat back down in my seat, and put my head down, and just sat there. My eyes were filling up with tears and I just thanked God for blessing me with the resources to be able to be right there, right then, and have that experience.
EQ: Wow, that is pretty moving. Quite a spiritual moment. Do you have any expectations for her upcoming show here in Pittsburgh? KD: I really don’t have any expectations. I
like to just take each experience for what it is, without comparing it to a previous one. I am just really looking forward to enjoying Diana and her music right here in my city.
3 0
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
EQ: What if you ran into her outside of Heinz Hall?
moment is ever presented, that I will just go with it and see what happens.
KD: Oh my gosh! You know, I have been
EQ: Well Miss Kierra I certainly hope that you get that moment, and I’m certain that you will know exactly what to say.
telling anyone and everyone that I know involved in the Cultural District, and anyone that has any power or connections that I NEED to meet Diana Ross! I said “we need to make this happen!”
EQ: YES! And what would you say to her? Have you prepared a speech? KD: That’s a really tough question...
(laughs) I only hope and pray that I would not be too star-struck and freeze up. I think if I did prepare something to say, it wouldn’t come out right anyway. I’m sure I would thank her for being such a role model and inspiration to myself and young black girls for many generations. She has always known how to be sexy when she’s fully dressed. She has made such a huge contribution to the music industry and the African American culture. But I guess I will say that if the
KD: Thank you. Kierra’s motto is “let’s work together to keep classic drag alive,” and is all about passing on to others what she learned from her elders; about remaining humble, helping each other, being respectful, and keeping high the standard of female impersonation. Kierra still performs locally, and on the road, but mostly enjoys using her career to provide a platform for other talent. She believes that because she was given an opportunity that it is her duty to give others an opportunity. For more information about Kierra Darshell, visit www.kierradarshell.com or follow her on Facebook.
KIERRA IN A MINUTE What is your favorite brand of makeup? The IMAN line and also Dermablend concealers. What’s the one item that you could not do drag without? My gold ring that has a huge stone in it. I got it in the early 90s and I wear it in every show. EVERY show! I feel naked without it! If there were a cocktail named “The Kierra Darshell” what would it be? Grand Marnier on the rocks baby! What is one thing that you ALWAYS do when you perform Diana Ross? Red lipstick. Diana always wears red lipstick. What is your favorite hairspray? I don’t really use hairspray on my wigs. I do use oil sheen to keep them shiny. Pizza or Ice Cream? Oh, that’s easy… pizza! What are some pointers you would give to a new queen? First, learn the business of drag. Second, be humble and open to constructive criticism. Third, be true to yourself. Not everybody is a dancing queen. Four, pay your dues. If stardom comes too quickly, it will go away just as quickly. Five, longevity goes a long way. And finally six, earn respect, and you will get it!
3 1
Equa lM a g a zine.org
HEALTH
A RAINBOW ON MY
PLATE by Jay Obertance
It’s okay to judge your food by its cover. ROYGBIV: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet should be a phrase and color scheme we’re all familiar with. Using that color palate should be a no brainer for picking out healthy foods. A rainbow is a pretty strong symbolization; whether it is a symbol of beauty and enjoyable weather, a symbol of human rights, a struggling fight of opposition, or a representation of what is in our food. The phrase “eating a rainbow” of fruits and vegetables is a simple way of remembering to get as much color variety in your diet as possible and to maximize your intake of a broad range of nutrients. The colors of fruits and vegetables are a small clue as to what vitamins and nutrients are included. By getting a variety of colored foods, you are guaranteed a diverse amount of essential vitamins and minerals. Let’s take a look, and see what each color actually holds.
32
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
RED
Red food gets its punch from lycopene. Lycopene gives fruit (yes a tomato is a fruit), its red to pinkish hue in color. Study after study shows just how beneficial red foods are good for your cardiovascular health and a drastic reduction of cancer risks.
How to eat: Our
bodies have a hard time digesting the cell walls of plant material. Since lycopene is concentrated in the skin (wall) of fruits and veggies, its best to eat them pulverized to increase the bioavailability, or the amount we can absorb in the body. Think tomato sauce, juice, and soup. Lycopene is a phytochemical which is fat-soluble, meaning it is absorbed much greater in the presence of fat. So, in order to get an even heavier dose, splash some olive oil to the mix or add some cheese. Mmm, anyone thinking caprese? Don’t like tomatoes? No problem! Watermelon, grapefruit, guava, or any red produce is just as beneficial.
ORANGE
Orange foods get its immune and cancer fighting properties from carotenoids. Who knew things like carrots and sweet potatoes were the perfect complement to a summer day? Betacarotene is one of the carotenoids that give plants their orange-yellow color. It collects in the skin and may help protect against UV damage. (Note: you still need to use sunscreen!) The body converts betacarotene into Vitamin A, which is essential for a killer immune system and vision. Studies are also suggesting that a carotenoid rich diet is linked to lower risk of heart disease and lung cancer.
How to eat: Some
phytochemicals are fatsoluble meaning your body needs fat to better break them down and utilize it. Carotenoids are in that group. So they are best absorbed in oil, and further enhanced if chopped or pureed. But, don’t go guzzling gallons of carrot juice. It is true that if you drink or eat enough, your skin will turn yellow. Think carrots, oranges, butternut, sweet potato, and pumpkin.
YELLOW
Yellow fruits and vegetables are teeming with carotenoids and bioflavonoids, which represent a class of plant pigments that function as antioxidants. Along with antioxidants, sunnycolored foods also have an abundance of vitamin C. Studies suggest that these bountiful nutrients will help your heart, vision, digestion and immune system. Other benefits of naturally yellow foods include maintenance of healthy skin, wound healing, and stronger bones and teeth.
How to eat: To get the
greatest amount of benefits, eat it raw and fresh. Many yellow, Vitamin C containing foods, can lose some of their nutrition through oxidation and heat. So the fruit on a fruit tray will have higher nutrition values the day of purchase, rather a few days after. Cooking can leech some nutrients as well. Think the sun: lemons, bananas, plantains, star fruit, pineapple, yellow peppers, and corn are all great examples. Yellow’s sunny hue is vibrant and bright. After all, who doesn’t love bright colors?
GREEN
Green foods are packed with a slew of phytochemicals like lutein, zeaxanthin, and indoles, many of which are the same phytochemicals in the human eye. Spinach may have given Popeye his muscles, but that might not have been his only claim to fame as he probably had 20/20 vision too. Studies show that not only do these color foods help with sight related issues like cataracts and macular degeneration, but they also help our body speed up carcinogen breakdown and can dramatically help reduce our risk of all cancers. Green colored items are slightly higher in calcium as well, resulting in stronger teeth and bones. Switching to darker colored greens puts the nutrition in overdrive. Dark greens are packed with essential nutrition such as omega-3, which are important in cell growth and regulation of inflammation. Believe it or not, underneath all the green chlorophyll is orange pigment. So many orange colored foods, or carotenoids for that matter, are best utilized chopped up, or with a bit of fat like oils. That bit of oil helps to increase the amount our bodies absorb almost double fold. Go for apples, celery, honeydew, avocado, green grapes, kiwi, kale, zucchini, spinach, and romaine, just to name a few.
How to eat:
BLUE, INDIGO,& VIOLET
Blue, indigo, and violet are all spectrum shades of blue. Ranging from light blue to a dark purple, any food within this color palate is going to be beaming in nutrition. These colored foods are huge in anthocyanidins. Although anthocyanidins are still being studied, research is showing these super antioxidants have anti-inflammation properties. They are also being shown in prevention of blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Most importantly, blue foods are shown to increase memory.
In summary, invigorate the five senses, and taste the rainbow. I’m not talking the one in the clouds, but the one on your plate. Use the rainbow to help yourself choose healthy foods based on appearance. Don’t just dream in color, eat in color too.
Here’s a delicious and colorful summertime recipe for you to enjoy!
FIVE COLORED SALSA
How to eat: Anthocyanidins
can be destroyed to an extent with heat. Therefore it’s suggested to eat them raw or frozen. Cooking your blue and purple produce will only diminish its nutrition content slightly, so if you like it hot, then cook it up. Fats and oils don’t increase absorption like many other colors, but with this class, and any class, eating the skins are important. Go grab some eggplant, blackberries, raspberries, red cabbage, blueberries, black beans, plums, currants, red grapes, and cherries.
Ingredients: 2 -- (15 oz) cans of black beans. Drained and rinsed. 1 -- (17 oz) bag of whole kernel corn, thawed. 1 – (1-lb) Package of grape tomatoes, sliced in half or quarters. 1 – sm. can Pineapple Tidbits 1 – Large avocado, peeled and diced 1 – Small Onion, diced 1 – Mango, peeled and diced 1/3 c. --Sliced cilantro leaves 3 Tablespoon --lime juice 1 Tablespoon –Red wine vinegar Salt and Pepper Directions: Mix all ingredients together thoroughly in a large bowl. Cover and for best flavor, chill overnight before serving. Taste and based on preference add more salt, pepper, or even lime juice for extra tang. Serve as a side with blue corn chips, or on top of grilled meats as an entrée.
33
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
OUT AT WORK
Building a
Better World for the LGBT Community
By Stacey Federoff Photos supplied by Christine Crespo
DC, about ten years later that she felt more comfortable out at work.
Ernst & Young’s departments like recruiting and development.
Before she decided she needed to become more comfortable talking about her personal life at work, Christine Crespo was introverted and kept people there at arm’s length.
A co-worker from California noticed her “roommate” – who was actually her partner Jane Switzer – and asked Chris if they could talk about it.
She also acts as chairwoman of the board for the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
“I was always afraid of what people would think, what they would do – and the reality was most of it was positive,” says Chris, director of the Americas Inclusiveness Center of Excellence at Ernst & Young LLP.
“It was someone giving me the permission that first time that helped me learn how to give people permission in the future,” she says.
Chris says she encourages co-workers to take the “personal journey” toward being out, in order to keep from limiting their personal and professional potential.
Chris, 47, of New Castle, founded the worldwide firm’s Beyond Network in 2003, a resource network for LGBTA employees that works to integrate LGBTA inclusiveness into
“As an inclusiveness director, it is even more important that I be as authentic as possible because so much of the work I am doing is built on trust and relationships,” she says.
She started with the company in 1988, but it wasn’t until a two-year stint in Washington,
34
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
Being out as LGBT can be as important as being “out” with other personal details like being a parent or introvert, as those affect the way she relates to others. “Companies benefit more from the ideas and innovation that are brought forward by diverse experiences,” she says.
She says proudly featuring leadership experiences with LGBT organizations on a resume can combine professional development with personal fulfillment. If questions for a future employer about partner benefits or work environment go unanswered or even unasked, then reconsider those opportunities, Chris says.
Once she had children with her partner, the conversation often turned to the relatable subject of parenting. “You never want your kids to be ashamed of where they come from” so she was more comfortable talking about her and her partner’s family life.
“If you don’t feel comfortable asking those questions of an organization, that’s probably not an organization for you,” she says. Now, Chris’s children have attended events like the Out & Equal Workplace Summit last year in Baltimore.
Living authentically is worth it, she says, and being out at work helps merge work and home lives into one and the same. Thank you Chris Crespo for being such a great leader and role model for Pittsburgh’s LGBT community!
35
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
FEATURE
Pennsylvania Leads
the fight after
D MA for Whole-Milk Marriages By Kate Paine, Esq.
There is much that makes Pennsylvania stand out among its forty-nine sister-states. Not only is it home to Philadelphia, our nation’s birthplace (and whose cheesesteaks people willingly drive hours to devour), you will also find America’s most livable city, Pittsburgh—a city whose people bleed black and gold, no matter the season or the sport. But, as the saying goes, Pennsylvania is “Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and Alabama in the middle.” Sandwiched between two democratic factions, Pennsylvania’s 36
E q u a l M a g a zi n e. o rg
strong conservative presence in the middle of the state has contributed to another of the state’s distinguishing features, albeit one in which (hopefully) significantly fewer people take pride: Pennsylvania remains the only state in the northeastern United States not to recognize either same-sex marriages or civil unions. Indeed, although Pennsylvanians helped to elect and re-elect Barack Obama as President of the United States, and even though more than half of all Pennsylvanians support same-sex marriage, pro same-sex marriage laws have been unable to gain real momentum here in “Pennsyltucky.”
A
On an otherwise-ordinary Wednesday morning this past June, however, the legal status of same-sex marriages—both in Pennsylvania and elsewhere—and federal recognition of those marriages, teetered on the precipice of change. After two suspense-filled mornings waiting for the United States Supreme Court to announce its opinions in Hollingsworth v. Perry (challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 and same-sex marriage generally) and United States v. Windsor (deciding the constitutionality of Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”), we waited to hear whether, to borrow from Justice Ginsburg, our nation’s “skim-milk marriages” would be made whole, further diluted, or end up somewhere in between. Here in Pittsburgh, supporters of marriage equality gathered downtown—enormous rainbow flag in tow— poised to either “riot or rejoice” the decisions. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, Wednesday, June 26, 2013 was ten years to the date since the Supreme Court had stricken down laws criminalizing sodomy, in an opinion emphasizing respect for individuals’ private sexual lives and choices. The Court did not make us wait long for the news. Shortly after 10 AM, we learned that two 5-4 votes had transformed our nation from one in which no same-sex marriage was valid in the eyes of the federal government, and where same-sex couples could not marry in California, to one in which at least some lawfully-married same-sex couples were deemed equal to their opposite-sex counterparts for federal purposes. What’s more, close to one-third of U.S. residents would soon be living in a state permitting, and performing, same-sex marriage. Many rejoiced that the days of skim-milk marriages were finally over. Not so fast. Certainly, DOMA’s timely death and the impending return of marriage equality to California gave cause to celebrate—particularly when considering the predominatelyconservative makeup of the Supreme Court. But, for those living in states, like Pennsylvania, that continue to prohibit same-sex marriage, and which do not recognize same-sex marriages validly entered into elsewhere, the celebrations were muted by the sobering reality that such marriages continue to be of the skimmilk variety. That Pennsylvanians, Arizonians, and Missourians in same-sex relationships need
drive only a few hours—maybe even just a few minutes—to lawfully wed, means little to those whose own state treats them as second-class citizens, excluding them from an array of state marital protections, rights, and responsibilities. Also souring the taste of victory is the uncertainty remaining over whether married same-sex couples living in states not recognizing such marriages are nevertheless deemed “married” for various federal purposes.
IF THE SUPREME COURT AGREES WITH THE ARGUMENT THAT PENNSYLVANIA’S LAWS PROHIBITING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF SEX, THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT ALL SIMILAR STATE LAWS WILL ULTIMATELY BE DEEMED UNLAWFUL. On the one hand, we know that all American citizens are now eligible to sponsor their (lawful) foreign same-sex spouse for a green card, regardless of where the couple will reside. Less clear is whether one partner in a same-sex married couple that lives in a state not allowing same-sex marriage is entitled to collect his or her spouse’s social security benefits. Although social security law has traditionally looked to the law of the wage-earner’s state of residence to determine the validity of one’s marriage, rather than to the law of the state where the marriage
was celebrated, President Obama has voiced his conviction that all lawfully-married samesex couples should receive the same federal benefits. For now, however, couples living in states not recognizing same-sex marriage must wait for the various federal governmental agencies to speak, and for their own state governments or courts to act. In Pennsylvania, the wait may not be long. On July 9, 2013, Pennsylvanians sent a clear message that it’s time to overturn the state’s 17-year-old law prohibiting same-sex marriage and join the ranks of those states permitting the same. Represented by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and on behalf of all same-sex couples in Pennsylvania, (including more than 6,000 same-sex couples raising children), twenty-three Pennsylvania citizens filed Whitewood v. Corbett in a federal trial court in Harrisburg. The plaintiffs are ten same-sex couples, one of the couples’ two teenage daughters, and one widow. Of the ten couples, four have already legally wed and now seek Pennsylvania’s recognition of their marriage. The remaining six couples seek the ability to lawfully marry in Pennsylvania, the state they call home. Whitewood appears to be the first post-DOMA/ Prop 8 legal challenge to a state law forbidding same-sex marriage. The complaint alleges that Pennsylvania’s laws excluding samesex couples from marrying and refusing to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples celebrated in other states unconstitutionally deprive same-sex couple of the fundamental right to marry, discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, and discriminate on the basis of sex (i.e. a man is not permitted to do the same thing a woman may do— marry a man—and vice versa). Key language from Justice Kennedy’s Windsor opinion is woven throughout the Whitewood complaint, most notably, the notion that same-sex Pennsylvania couples are denied a “dignity and status of immense import,” which, in turn, “makes it even more difficult for their children to understand the integrity and closeness of their own family.” Should Whitewood ultimately end up before the Supreme Court, it is the Court’s treatment of this third argument, sex discrimination, to which scholars will pay closest attention. In contrast to the uncertainty over the precise “level of review” (“rational basis,” “intermediate/
37
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
EDUGAYTION heightened,” or “strict”) courts must use in determining whether a law that discriminates based on sexual orientation is constitutional, the law is clear that laws which treat a man differently from a similarly-situated woman must be buttressed by an important reason that existed at the time the law was enacted. If the Supreme Court agrees with the argument that Pennsylvania’s laws prohibiting same-sex marriage discriminate on the basis of sex, there is little doubt that all similar state laws will ultimately be deemed unlawful. Yet, even under the “rational basis standard,” which is extremely deferential toward the government, optimism is high that, at least in Pennsylvania, marriage equality will soon be a reality. The reasoning for this optimism is three-fold. First, Pennsylvania has, for many years, permitted second-parent adoption (adoption of a child by a second parent in the home who is not married to the child’s legal parent). The state thus has little room to claim a “legitimate interest” in fostering a mother-father household as a justification for prohibiting same-sex marriage. Second, the legislative history of Pennsylvania’s laws (i.e. the transcripts from the debates over whether to pass the law) suggests that the Pennsylvania General Assembly was motivated primarily by its “moral opposition to samesex marriages.” Yet, as Justice Kennedy made clear in his Windsor opinion striking down Section 3 of DOMA, the Constitution protects same-sex couples’ “moral” choice to be together. It is, therefore, very possible that Pennsylvania lawmakers were not primarily motivated by even a legitimate reason when they decided to pass laws prohibiting the celebration and recognition of same-sex marriages.
3 8
Finally, in an exciting move, Pennsylvania’s democratic Attorney General, Kathleen Kane (one of several Defendants to the lawsuit), announced that her office will not defend the laws being challenged. Other government officials in Pennsylvania also have the power to defend the states’ laws, so the fact that the Attorney General has refused to do so does not, unfortunately, mean the laws will automatically be struck down. Still, such a bold gesture may influence other key officials to do the same. And, perhaps most importantly of all, Attorney General Kane’s decision reflects the progress that Pennsylvanians, and all Americans, have made toward changing people’s minds about marriage equality, and toward allowing their own minds to be changed. With equality in Pennsylvania seemingly no longer an “if,” but a “when,” it’s time for same-sex couples to begin preparing to upgrade their skim-milk marriages to the full-bodied version. Cheers! Kate is a Litigation Attorney at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC and a member of the firm’s Nontraditional Couples and Families group. She has written extensively on DOMA and Prop 8 for the firm’s Nontraditional Couples blog (www. nontraditionalcouples.com).
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
BACK
TO SCHOOL WITH PRIDE By Anastasia Hons-Astle Photo courtesy of Black-n-Gold.com
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH Pitt’s Rainbow Alliance group works to ensure that all students are given an equal and prejudice-free learning experience. There are many resources available to students, including an allies network, guide to housing, and message to prospective students. For all details, head to www.studentaffairs. pitt.edu/lgbtqa
With the fall semester quickly approaching, many students are looking to add more extracurricular activities to their plate. Whether freshmen or upperclassmen, the universities in Pittsburgh offer many safe havens and activist groups for LGBT students. Here is your guide with pride for the fall semester!
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY Carnegie Mellon continuously strives to promote a campus environment that is inclusive and supportive of student diversity in the areas of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. There are several organizations for LGBTQ students, including ALLIES, which is a student run organization as well as SafeZone, to promote safety and recognition of the community. Additionally, students run and LGBT resource center which can be reached at 412-2688794. For more information, go to www.cmu.edu/studentaffairs/theword/campus_resources/GLBT%20 Resources.html
CARLOW UNIVERSITY The LGBT & Allies organization of Carlow University represents the interests of the community with pride and allows students to feel welcome as they study. Look for more information on campus during the fall semester!
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY RMU SAFE provides a supportive environment for LGBTQ students with weekly meetings in the Jefferson TV Lounge. Meetings and special events are held regularly throughout the year and all are encouraged to participate. Email safe.rmu@gmail. com for details or connect with them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/safeinyourface
ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH AiP Pride welcomes all members with open arms, providing a safe haven for LGBTQIA students. An open forum for discussion, the group meets every Wednesday in the first floor conference room between noon and one in the afternoon. Like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/theart-institute-of-pittsburgh-pride-club
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY FAMILY @ CCAC is dedicated to the equality and safety of LGBT students. Family’s intent is to establish a sense of community between students. Call Advisors Chris Robinson or Lenore Hiller at 412-469-6229. Have a safe and PROUD semester and join a GSA! Don’t see your school here and want a safe haven for LGBT students? Contact your school’s office of student affairs and take the steps necessary to make it happen!
Lambda: Gay – Straight Alliance is a blossoming organization which helps students of the LGBTQ community more comfortable in learning and living on campus. Security is the key to the organization. Look for meetings this semester!
39
EqualMa ga z ine.org
WHEELS
Rollin’
on Three Rivers
By Anastasia Hons-Astle
Segway in Paradise provides a unique view of the Steel City Pittsburgh has, arguably, the most beautiful architecture and scenery on the east coast. Segway in Paradise, located in the Freight House Shops in Station Square, now offers a unique way to tour Pittsburgh that you may have never experienced before. The two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle, the Segway PT, was invented by Dean Kamen, and unveiled on December 3, 2001, following months of speculation. Since then, Segways have had success in niche markets such as transportation for police departments, military bases, warehouses, corporate campuses and industrial sites.
glide through the heart of downtown past popular sites and prominent architecture
At Segway in Paradise, customers can choose between the Classic, North Side, Adventure, or Sunset tour, all with a personal guide:
When I first started riding my Segway, it seemed wobbly and hard to stand on at first but my helpful guide Sara Harper offered plenty of helpful tips on how to learn how to glide. Sara quickly made me feel at ease after a little practice. The Segway pretty much does all the
• The eight mile, two-hour Classic Tour
40
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
• The four-hour Adventure tour features stops at the Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh Aviary, Wood Street Art Gallery, and a stop for lunch. • The two-hour North Side tour is a glide through a few sites featured in the Classic tour, plus you head deep into the North Side of Pittsburgh to check out the area’s very first city, the city of Allegheny. • The two-hour Sunset tour provides a beautiful view of the city as the sun sets and the buildings illuminate, and a sweet ice cream treat,
work for you, measuring your balance over one hundred times per second. If you can stand up straight and walk up and down stairs, you can glide around Pittsburgh on a Segway. After a short stint on a training course, we moved outside to begin the tour. Swooping around turns and gliding down ramps seemed daunting at first, but was simple with only slight motions of my hips and knees. Sara noted that most beginners are nervous upon first embarking on their Segway tour, but get comfortable within minutes. My tour was spectacular and no matter where I was, people waved and said hello, sometimes stopping us to ask about the tour as well. All in all it was a great way to tour the city and I would highly recommend gathering your friends or family together and trying it some day! Segway in Paradise is open May through Halloween. For more info, visit segwayinparadise.com or call 412-337-3941.
8
N Ave
S 18th St
Col lins St
Blv d
sA ve alla SD S Dallas Av e
S Millvale
Blo om fie ld Bri dg e
elo w
S Highland Ave
But ler St
Big
ircle W
gh
Blv d
Sixth Prebyterian Church 1688 Murray Ave
Square Cafe 1137 S Braddock Ave
837
ge rid South Side lB eta Works tM o H
EC ar so nS t
376
837
30
22
Greenfiel eld The Link 91 Wendel Rd
885
ra dd oc
kA ve
22
Forw a
376
Beech wood B lvd
rd Av e
SB
e Brid g
Tun n rty
s Ave
Wilkin
SQ QUIRREL REL HIL LL
Forbes Ave
Ba tes St
nt S t
Cro ssto wn
Gra
e
els
Libe rty
Brid g
Smi thfie ld
s Av e
22
Beechwood Blvd
Lib e
Wilk in
Murray Ave
Wa Merri mac St ba sh Tu nn el
r St Beele
Murray Ave
ff S t
Frank
Ham ilt
Av e
ve 5th A
ve ey A
Blvd of the Allies
Pe nn
egl
Wo od ru
LA
Fed era l St
Av e
ge
Brid
First United Methodist Church 5401 Centre Ave
be
r Fo
380
ve dy A
5th Ave
ve oln A Linc
SHAD S ADYSIDE YSID
P*Town 4740 Baum Blvd
h 5t <— S Bo > qu et e— v St sA
Larimer
Bro ad S t
Sha
e rth Av Ellswo
30
SOUTHSID OUT DE St 8th S1
For
le N
SN
S
St
ve bes A
Circ
cle S nn Cir
St ege Coll
Arlington ton
h 18t
E Carson St
lvd mB Bau ve en A S Aik
Ave
837
ve tre A Cen
Pen n
Animal Rescue League 6620 Hamilton Ave. Homew
Pe
OA AK A KLAND KL
Ave
Ave
376
Spin 5740 Ellsworth Ave
380
St ville N Ne d n Blv Con Billy
(Herminie, PA)
City Theatre Arlington Ave 1300 Bingham St.
Arlington gto
St Irvine
19
Ave
2nd
19
t aig S N Cr
ton
Robinson St
ing
13th St
There Ultra Lounge 931 Liberty Ave
19
376
22
Birmingham Bridge
Arl
GLCC 210 Grant St
51
Forbes Ave—>
22
837
ert yA ve Sci Bloomfield ota d St
380
ve on A Herr
Bluff
E Warrington
n Ave Herro
<—5th Ave
30
St
HILL DISTR CT DISTRICT
St ick patr Kirk
Images 965 Liberty Ave
Centre Ave
Harris Grill 5747 Ellsworth Ave
Lib
380 3 80
Cent re
EAST LIBERTY
5801 Video Lounge 5801 Ellsworth Ave Penn Av e
e Av
idge S 10th St Br
51
d
Cruze Bar 1600 Smallman Club Pittsburgh 1139 Penn Ave
s
Ca rso nS t PJ M cAr dle Rdw E C y arso n
lv wB POLISH ISH elo Big HIdIIL ILL LL L
lv wB elo Big
380
St th 40
ve en A
l
ne
un tT Pit
Ln
22
837
W
R ST
ge rid tB hS 16t
22
279
19
Ave
DOW D OW WN Blvd of t hTOWN TO N eA llie 376
IP
579
Lib
30
HO V
St 9th t 7th S l St
Stage AE 279
W
30
lla
Penn ve erty A
UNT Carson S t SHING TON
t For
279
Federa
837
1-5 79
Isabe
PNC Park Heinz Field
St E Ohio ley s s re P
Cedar
Rivers Casino
28
St hio EO
C R T IS D
Persad Center 5150 Penn Ave.
44 th St
Ave Liberty
Park Pa
EONS 5850 Ellsworth Ave
ve Penn A
31s tS tB rid t. ge S n a m all Sm e Ave Av nn rty Pe Libe — <
T
CAVO 1916 Smallman
h Ave
NOR NOR NORT RT TH SIDE DE
65
28
Pittsburgh Opera 2425 Liberty Ave.
E Nort
W Oh io St
rn Ave Weste Ave Ridge
Gard
n
W
Mancheste te er
ge
Donny’s Place Leather Central 1226 Herron Ave
Brewers Hotel 3315 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh Public Theater 621 Penn Ave
e North Av
St B
Bigelow Blvd
g Sprin
L OV
Real Luck Cafe 1519 Penn Ave
941 & Tilden 941 Liberty Ave
The Warhol 117 Sandusky St
th
rid
279
Humane Society 1101 Western Ave
40
28
H 79 1-2
19
Shepherd Wellness Community 4800 Sciota St.
All e
ll Wi
St Lamar Essen St
n Ave Stanto
e Stanton Av
e le Av ysvil Perr
19
279
Millvale
d sR iam
Ave
19
East Liberty Presbyterian Church H hland Hig a 116 S. Highland Ave
gley
Ave
S Ne
nt
Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force 5913 Penn Ave
Pen nC
Gra
WR EN CE VI LL E
St Howard
xp y
Sta nto n Av e
Mornings gside
Blue Moon on Butler 5115 Butler St
Cattivo 146 44th St en yV all ey E
19
y Rd Seave
Rd an ffm Ho
Maird
East St
Parker St
n HOV L 1-279 en Rd Evergre
ale S t
BIG GAY MAP
51
Haz Ha azelwood
41
Equ a lMa ga z ine.org
FEATURE
“Picture it, Sicily”... By Lisa Florian Photo supplied by Lisa Florian Growing up, my brother and I loved to watch the sitcom – Golden Girls. The late actress Estelle Getty portrayed Sophia Petrillo, my favorite character. Prior to telling any story she would start it with the words “Picture it, Sicily” and followed that typically with the date back in time and a story that would make you laugh. Well, I’d like to take you back in time and tell you a real life story with a happy ending. “Picture it, Pittsburgh, December 2005” My brother Chris and his boyfriend Ken were in town from California for the holidays. They met in April of 2003, just eight months after he moved to California and revealed to me that he is gay. I remember he called one evening and said “Lisa, we have to talk. I have a problem.” I asked what it was and he said “I’m gay.” My answer was “So, what’s the problem?” And he broke down into tears. During a trip to Pittsburgh, we had dinner one evening and decided to take Ken to Mt.
42
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
Washington so that he could see the city from the infamous view…the place where my husband proposed to me and that evening, the place that the love of my brother’s life proposed to him. We were both proposed to at the very same place, yet our journeys to the altar would be significantly different. I was married in a traditional wedding ceremony to my husband in August of 2002. Friends and family surrounded us, a church wedding, and a large wedding party. My brother wanted the same thing – so why shouldn’t he have it? Why couldn’t he have it? Ken and Chris began planning the only thing they could have, a commitment ceremony scheduled for August of 2007. I was to be the “best person” for my brother; however surprisingly I learned that I was pregnant with my second child due in--you guessed it–August of 2007. I wouldn’t be able to attend. I was filled with joy about the baby and at the same time felt that I ruined what my brother had planned. He said he could not go through with a huge ceremony without me there. So in three days’ time, they planned an event in
their backyard, with a limited number of family and friends present ,and were committed to one another on December 26, 2006. Love, commitment, just like the “rest of us”-however not equal under the law. It angered me that they did not have the same rights as heterosexual couples. There was a glimmer of hope the following year when California became one of the few states to allow same-sex marriage. This time, they wanted to plan a real wedding. Then, Prop 8 reared its ugly head. My “brother in law” had hope that it wouldn’t prevail but he was wrong. We were all heart-broken and in disbelief. There was no question that it would eventually be decided by the Supreme Court. In November of 2012, my husband, our two sons, and I flew to California and spent the week with my brother and “brother in law” for the Thanksgiving holiday. As always, my brother and I had long talks and I told him – this will happen in your lifetime and it will happen soon. You will be able to get legally married. You could tell he felt defeated and he told me “I
really don’t think it will happen.” Well, this big sister loves to tell her little brother “I told you so” and in June I was thrilled when DOMA was ruled unconstitutional and Prop 8 was not upheld. While my brother and Ken longed for the perfect wedding ceremony, my advice to them was simply – “go get married”! And they did. On the morning of July 1, 2013, with their good friends Elita and Ryan, and Ken’s sister Nadine present, my brother Christopher Persky and my brother in law (no need for quotation marks anymore although he always was in my heart), Ken Bencomo, were married in a humble ceremony. What took YEARS now only took an hours’ time to obtain a license and get married. It was the best day of their lives and it gives me great peace to know that my brother and Ken are equal in the eyes of the law – at least in California. When I posted on my Facebook page that my brother finally married the most wonderful man it was the most comments and likes I had ever received on a post. I was so pleased to see that there are so many people here in support of equality for everyone. Naturally, and I say naturally because it is and should be for everyone, my family was very pleased – parents, siblings – you name it. Explaining it to my children is a different story as they are young and don’t fully understand the concept of marriage. I said “Boys, Uncle Chris got married the other day”. They looked at me and said “Really? To who Mom?” I said “To Uncle Ken.” My five year old said “Oh, cool” and started singing the song on the radio”. My eight year old looked at me inquisitively but yet didn’t ask a question. He only said “I love Uncle Ken” and then went about what he was doing. As my brother does, I pray that this story gives hope to those who are not confident that change will come their way. “Picture it, in the not so distant future, this will be you”. Love and peace to all.
10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING A SAME-SEX WEDDING By Jason Peck With the recent Supreme Court ruling against DOMA and more and more states across the U.S. making same-sex marriage legal, the traditional face of a wedding has given same-sex couples the opportunity to embrace—and tinker with— established tradition. Whatever traditional or non-traditional elements you wish to choose to include in your ceremony are certainly up to each couple. But one thing is true….gay or straight, sometimes wedding planning isn’t that different after all! 1 So What’s Your Story? Because it’s your day, and the way you met is unique. Why shouldn’t your wedding theme reflect that? 2 The Date: After the theme, most everything usually revolves around the date. Hotel dates can fill quickly depending on the time of year. Planning a Fall wedding? Maybe you love flowers like chrysanthemums and goldenrod, but you’ll pay extra for shipping spring or summer flowers. While Saturday’s have always been a traditional day to get married, more and more couples are marrying on Friday nights. 3 Location: A hotel ballroom? A banquet hall? A church? Tradition certainly plays a part. Hotels get points for convenience – with your family already booked there, the trip to the ceremony is easy! But when it comes to photos, the architecture of a church can make for some amazing shots. Then again, there’s parks, trains, greenhouse, ranches, wineries… 4 The Ceremony: How traditional do you want it? Typically the father of the bride gives his daughter away. Could a mother give her son away in a same-sex wedding? Could both fathers give both brides away? Will there be a name change? And who gets the first dance? This could be fun! 5 Invitations: Maybe certain relatives disapprove. So what? Disapproving relatives are old as the institution of marriage itself. The only question: How simple or elaborate will the invitations look? Take some time on this one. “This is a keepsake,” says Sara Hargreaves,
proprietor of Scribe Fine Papers in Shadyside, which focuses on invitations. “Grandmas will keep them in their Bibles. Mothers might frame it. I’ve had brides ask me for the original engraving plate.” 6 Clothing: Why does the bride get an entrance? Because she’s the best-dressed person in the room! But what if there’s two brides in the wedding? Or no brides? Do the couple’s clothes complement or clash? This is a chance to embrace tradition...or play with it. 7 Legalities: The Supreme Court’s ruling against DOMA cleared the way, but issues remain. Some couples living in states that ban gay marriage (like Pennsylvania, sadly) opt to legally tie the knot elsewhere, before returning home to PA for a reception. 8 Who Officiates? Of course, a judge will always make it legal. But how about something more sacred? The Universal Unitarians come to mind. Other denominations like the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterians at least offer blessings, and gay-friendly ministers could be a Google search away. 9 Find a Wedding Planner: You’ve planned out the details you want. Now – are they feasible? A wedding planner with a good contact list can tell you. Maybe they can even make it cheaper. But certainly, they can help if you want to keep the wedding limited to LGBT-friendly vendors. “There are times when you get bad vibes from certain vendors, and as a planner you just have to do what’s best for the client and move on,” said Rae Coleman of Enhanced Creativity. Her business partner, Eric Toal concurred. “The most important thing you must remember is that you are there to make the process of wedding planning feel effortless for the couple,” he said. 10 The Honeymoon: Whew! The hard work’s over!
43
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
FOOD
Keep on
Truckin’
By Philip Ezzo We have pretty much experienced it all when it comes to dining. First we had farm to table, then dine-in restaurants, the next evolution was drive-ins and fast food, and now restaurants are bringing the food to us! Food trucks are the latest craze for the modern work force as many are not given a break long enough to sit down or travel far from their place of employment. The idea seems rather simple. Put a kitchen on wheels and take it to the people. What many may not realize is that the origins of the food truck had its roots in the years after the Civil War when the push to move westward landed many Americans without proper meals during the cattle drives. The “chuckwagon” was born, carrying preserved foods and water to the cattlemen. Soon, night lunch wagons were implemented to feed workers during the night shift. In the 1950s, stateside Army bases used food trucks called “canteens” to feed their troops, also.
44
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
In later years, food trucks (also known as “roach coaches”) became popular at construction sites, as well. But now, the trend has reached rural and urban areas. They are even used for many special events, like weddings and catered parties. The novelty of it has certain charm, and now that wellknown restaurants are jumping on the trend, customers are more likely to purchase food from a brand they already have come to trust. Pittsburgh may not be LA, Chicago, or NYC, but we have food truck options ranging from sushi & tacos, to burgers & sweets. BRGR, Franktuary, and Dozen are three recognizable names that we know and love. Unfortunately, there are many restrictions on food trucks that make it harder for them to do business. Where they are allowed to park, and how long they can be there is a big issue in our fair city. Food trucks have to park in metered spaces for only 30 minutes at a time. Having a food truck open later for the bar crowd would be perfect, but
restrictions prevent them from doing so. If you love food trucks, you can sign the petition for food truck law reform at www.pghmobilefood. com. You can also get information on how to find your favorite Pittsburgh food trucks as well as follow them on social media. Polish culture has a huge presence in Pittsburgh, and it seemed fitting to get in contact with the local Pierogi Food Truck. One may recognize the Zum Zum truck around the city. They are known for doing special events throughout the area. In fact, they won Best Food Truck, in a competition this past spring at the Tanger Outlets, just south of the city. The prize was a giant four-foot fork! After speaking with representative, Lynne Szarnicki, it was learned that they have only been in operation for a year, but have seen great advances in business. “Before having the truck, we attended farmers markets and other events using a tent and tables. The truck was just a natural transition for us, and has enabled us to do bigger events. including Pittsburgh Pride,
because we can cook on site. This wasn’t taking a chance, we knew it would work and was necessary to serve more customers,” says Lynne. Despite the fact that they sell most of their products via the Internet, and ship all over the country, as well as a few grocery stores, the food truck is now their main retail location, and has really brought them into the local scene. You can follow them and find out where they are going to be via Twitter: @PghPierogi, Facebook: facebook.com/polishpierogi , and their website: PolishPierogi.com
All these signs seem to point to a food revolution, yet some may oppose the food truck craze for health reasons. One could argue that preparing food in a small, mobile environment may increase the odds of food born illnesses. Could the absence of running water and close proximity to petroleum based fuel increase the amount of contaminants? The good news is that food trucks do need to obtain a permit to operate, meaning that inspectors can track them and evaluate their compliance with health codes. We eat with our eyes, so another benefit of patronizing a food truck is that we can
see the food, and the conditions in which it is being prepared. We don’t always get that luxury when dining out. From past to present, food trucks have been meeting us where we have needed them. Food varieties may have changed, and laws may have gotten stricter, but the craze is growing, and if the American dream of convenience is any indication of what is to come, they’ll definitely keep on truckin’.
PITTSBURGH’S GROWING LIST OF MOBILE FOODS FRANKTUARY
New York style, grass-fed local, and vegetarian franks. The truck also serves french fries and poutine. Twitter: @franktuary Web: www.franktuary.com Email: truck@franktuary.com
OH MY GRILL
Grilled Cheese - features natural cheeses, top quality meats and the freshest produce. Each sandwich comes with a homemade dipping sauce. Twitter: @OhMyGrill Web: www.ohmygrill.com Email: larry@ohmygrill.com
BRGR
Gourmet Burgers and Handcrafted Shakes Twitter: @BRGRpgh Web: www.brgrpgh.com/foodtruck E-Mail: info@brgrpgh.com
PGH TACO TRUCK
High-quality tacos and homemade beverages Menu changes daily, and is vegan-friendly as well as all wheat-gluten free. Twitter: @PghTacoTruck Web: www.pghtacotruck.com E-Mail: james@pghtacotruck.com
FUKUDA
Sushi + Robatayaki + Ramen traditions and innovations of Japanese cuisine at their flagship location in Bloomfield and as Twitter: @fukudapgh Web: www.fukudapgh.com E-Mail: fukudapgh@gmail.com
ZUM ZUM
Pierogi, Haluski, and Stuffed Cabbage Twitter: @pghpierogitruck Web: www.PolishPierogi.com E-Mail: info@polishpierogi.com
BELLA CHRISTIE AND LIL Z’S SWEET BOUTIQUE Specialty cakes, tarts, and other desserts Twitter: @bellachristiez Web: www.asweetboutique.com Email: bellachristiez@gmail.com
DOZEN DESSERT TRUCK
Cupcakes, baked goods, homemade ice cream Twitter: @pghdesserttruck Web: www.dozenbakeshop.com E-Mail: desserttruck@dozenbakeshop.com
45
Equa lMa ga z ine.org
DavidAllinder
HOT GUY READS A BOOK
on The Wizard’s Legacy by Craig Karges
Do you believe in real magic? Do you need real magic in your life right now? In this autobiographical book called “The Wizard’s Legacy,” the reader joins Craig Karges through his summer in training, as a teenager, with his uncle, Alain Delyle, to learn what he thought would be magic tricks, but turned out to be much more. Alain DeLyle was a psychic magician performer at the Victoria Theatre in Wheeling West Virginia. Craig Karges has become one of the world’s most prominent mentalist performers, appearing on late night network TV and performing and teaching all over the world. The book tells of one amazing situation after another, where Craig’s uncle teaches him how intuition connects him to this force so that he may be, have and do anything he can imagine with love and passion. His uncle teaches him to access his intuition through practical training such as blindfolding him and sending him to his unfamiliar kitchen to make tea. Somehow Craig locates the tea and all that is necessary to brew and serve the tea with no ability to see anything. Craig learns to accomplish one “impossible” task after another from his dramatic, successful, larger than life uncle. After you read this book you will know that everything you want to do, have and be is possible. A situation in your life may seem completely impossible and you might not see any way it can improve or turn around, but it can and will if you believe, trust and love. 46
E q u a l M a g a z i n e. o rg
W(h)ine Event at Animal Friends Friday, September 27 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Animal Friends Caryl Gates Gluck Resource Center 562 Camp Horne Road Pittsburgh, PA 15237 RSVP by Friday, September 21 Denise Arndt, Senior Client Associate 412-665-9908 denise.arndt@ubs.com
Please join us for our unique event designed with animal lovers in mind! Come and meet our team and other pet owners to savor wine and share dog and pet stories together in a relaxing atmosphere. We hope you can join us for this fun evening and hope to see you there! Hosted by Walnut Wealth Management Group UBS Financial Services Inc. Lee Oleinick Senior Vice President–Wealth Management 5600 Walnut Street Pittsburgh, PA 15232 ubs.com/team/walnut
Lee Oleinick has been recognized by Barron’s as one of the Top 1,000 Financial Advisors in the U.S. (2012, 2013)
We will not rest
Summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different here. Enjoy three provocative exhibitions under one roof.
GENESIS BREYER P-ORRIDGE CALDWELL LINKER NICK BUBASH /through - sept 15.2013/
The Andy Warhol Museum receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency and The Heinz Endowments. Further support is provided by the Allegheny Regional Asset District.