PHI LADELPHIA GAY NEWS

est. 1976 HONESTY . INTEGRITY . PROFESSIONALISM

January 10-16, 2020 V ol. 44 N o. 2 pgn

LGBTQ AGING Illness, disability and aging in place PAG E 4

Top positions in Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs

vacant, new appointment imminent
MICHELE ZIPKIN AND
JESS BRYANT
michelle@epgn.com,
jess@epgn.com
The Mayor’s Office of LGBT
Affairs in Philadelphia is currently
without both a director and deputy
director.
Upon Amber Hikes’ resignation
as director of the Office of LGBT
Affairs at the end of July 2019, for-
mer Deputy Director Evan Thorn-
burg handled the responsibilities
of the office, while the city govern-
ment conducted a lengthy search
for Hikes’ replacement.
As of December 2019, Thorn-
burg is no longer working as dep-
uty director for the LGBT Affairs
Office, according to Lauren Cox,
deputy communications director
for the Mayor’s Office.
An automated email from
Thornburg stated she would be out
of the office from Dec. 17 to Jan.
14 of this year. The message also
read, “Please be advised, currently
there is no Executive Director or
P H O T O B Y K E L LY B U R K H A R D T
Deputy Director of the Office of
LGBT Affairs, so it may take some
time to return your message, and
there is limited assistance the of-
fice can provide at this time.”
Cox said Thornburg, who was
appointed deputy director in No-
vember 2017, will transition to
the role of director of training and
program development in the Office
of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
According to Cox, Thornburg’s
position as director of training and
program development “was orig-
inally made before anyone even
knew that Amber was leaving. Part
of the transition was when we did
find out Amber was leaving, Evan
agreed to do both roles for a little
while to make sure there wasn’t a
complete vacancy.”
As director of training and pro-
gram development, Thornburg,
“will be critical in carrying out the
training requirements for managers
and supervisors that
were included in the page 12

Maplewood, NJ welcomes first Mummers participants wear

openly gay deputy mayor blackface, a reminder of the
MICHELE ZIPKIN parade’s racist and bigoted past
michele@epgn.com
He currently does advocacy and policy work.
McGehee hails from Chicago, Illinois, holds
an MBA and has a background in analytical MICHELE ZIPKIN from male to female to the song “Dude
On Jan. 1 of this year, Frank McGehee and marketing, specifically managing logistics for michele@epgn.com Looks like a Lady,” while other members
Dean Dafis were sworn in as Mayor and Dep- million-dollar marketing budgets. He works held offensive signs making fun of Jenner.
uty Mayor of Maplewood, New Jersey, replac- for the music streaming platform TIDAL. Two men wore blackface in the 2020 After the homophobic outburst in 2016,
ing former Mayor Vic DeLuca, who was in the When Dafis served as a township commit- Mummers Parade, plaguing the nearly as well as an instance of one Mummers
role for 14 years. Dafis is the town’s first open- tee member, he wanted to do something visi- 120-year-old tradition with racism and big- group dressing as tacos and in brownface,
ly gay elected official. ble and meaningful in the spirit of inclusivity. otry, again. Ian Morrison, Councilman Squilla and
Dafis is first-generation Greek-American In 2018, he had rainbow-colored crosswalks In 2016, a member of the Finnegan New Mummers Vice President Bill Burke Jr.,
and grew up in the heart of Philadelphia in a installed at a four-way intersection of major Year’s Brigade was caught on video yelling along with other Mummers Parade partic-
working-class family. He has a background in roads in front of the Maplewood Town Hall. “F--- the gays! F--- the gays!” In the same ipants came together to change the original
law, spent time working on Wall Street and was “The idea was that this is parade, other members of the Finnegan Mummer’s charter.
very active in New York City communities. about equality for all; it wasn’t page 14 NYB portrayed Caitlyn Jenner’s transition In a 2016 press release, page 14

PA G E 2 PA G E 3 PA G E 6
DEL. GOP ASKED TO RESIGN PHILLY’S PLACE IN UMC’S PRO- BILL TO BAN LGBT PANIC DE-
AFTER HOMOPHOBIC SLUR POSED SPLIT OVER LGBT ISSUES FENSE STALLED IN COMMITTEE
Chris Rowe, chairman of the New Castle County Re- The Young Artists Program is a free after school art Pennsylvania Senate Bill 212, which would ban LGBT-pan-
publican Committee, was asked to resign after he used a program for LGBTQ high school students run by Fish- ic defenses in criminal cases across the state, has been pending
homophobic slur on social media. town-based art collective and nonprofit The Art Dept. in the state Senate Judiciary Committee for almost a year.
2 REGIONAL
RESOURCE LISTINGS
LEGAL RESOURCES
PHILADELPHIA COMMISSION ON
HUMAN RELATIONS —
Rue Landau
215-686-4670
PHILADELPHIA POLICE
LIAISON COMMITTEE
215-760-3686
ppd.lgbt@gmail.com
SPARC — STATEWIDE
PENNSYLVANIA RIGHTS COALITION
717-920-9537
ACLU OF PENNSYLVANIA
215-592-1513; aclupa.org
AIDS LAW PROJECT OF PA
215-587-9377; aidslawpa.org
AIDS LAW PROJECT OF
SOUTH JERSEY
856-784-8532; aidslawsnj.org
EQUALITY PA
equalitypa.org; 215-731-1447
OFFICE OF LGBT AFFAIRS —
EVAN THORNBURG
215-686-0330
evan.thornburg@phila.gov
COMMUNITY CENTERS
THE ATTIC YOUTH CENTER
255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331
atticyouthcenter.org
For LGBT and questioning youth
and their friends and allies.
LGBT CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF PENNSYLVANIA
3907 Spruce St.; 215-898-5044
center@dolphin.upenn.edu
RAINBOW ROOM: BUCKS
COUNTY’S LGBTQ AND ALLIES
YOUTH CENTER
Salem UCC Education Building
181 E. Cour t St., Doylestown
215-957-7981 ext. 9065
rainbowroom@ppbucks.org
WILLIAM WAY
LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER
1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220
www.waygay.org
H E A LT H A N D H I V T E S T I N G
ACTION WELLNESS
1216 Arch St.; 215-981-0088 ac-
tionwellness.org
AIDS TREATMENT FACT LINE
800-662-6080
AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
1211 Chestnut St. #405
215-971-2804; HIVcare.org
AIDS LIBRARY
1233 Locust St, aidslibrar y.org
BEBASHI-TRANSITION TO HOPE
1235 Spring Garden St
215-769-3561; bebashi.org
COLOURS
coloursorganization.org
215-832-0100
CONGRESO DE LATINOS UNIDOS
216 W. Somerset St
215-763-8870
GALAEI
149 W. Susquehanna Ave
267-457-3912, galaei.org
Spanish/English
HEALTH CENTER NO. 2
1720 S. Broad St
215-685-1821
LGBT ELDER INITIATIVE
1315 Spruce Street, 4th Floor
lgbtelderintiative.org
215.720.9414
MAZZONI CENTER
1348 Bainbridge St
215-563-0652
mazzonicenter.org
NOVUS ACS
MEDICAL SERVICES
11 DUANE RD, STE A
DOYLESTOWN, PA
267-454-7086
NOVUSACS.COM
PHILADELPHIA FIGHT
1233 Locust St.; 215-985-4448
fight.org
WASHINGTON WEST PROJECT OF
MAZZONI CENTER
1201 Locust St.; 215-985-9206
TRANSGENDER HEALTH ACTION
COALITION
215-732-1207
OTHER
INDEPENDENCE BRANCH LIBRARY
BARBARA GITTINGS GAY AND
LESBIAN COLLECTION
215-685-1633
INDEPENDENCE BUSINESS
ALLIANCE
215-557-0190, independence-
businessalliance.com
LGBT PEER COUNSELING
SERVICES
215-732-TALK
PFLAG: PARENTS, FAMILIES AND
FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS
(PHILADELPHIA)
215-572-1833
PHILLY PRIDE PRESENTS
215-875-9288
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020
Del. GOP asked to resign after
use of homophobic slur
MICHELE ZIPKIN In 2013, former Delaware Governor Jack
michele@epgn.com Markell signed the Gender Identity Non-
discrimination Act, barring discrimination
Chris Rowe, chairman of the New Castle on the basis of gender identity and increas-
County Republican Committee, was asked ing legal ramifications for those who target
to resign after he used a homophobic slur people based on such. Markell said on the
on social media. According to screen cap- Delaware government news site,
tures posted on Blue Delaware on Dec. 31, “Our mission to build a welcoming and
Rowe used the word “fa--ot” on Facebook accepting state that can compete in the
in response to a global economy
string of comments requires laws that
on his page. reflect our values.
Members of the Today, we guarantee
Delaware Repub- that our transgender
lican Party made it relatives and neigh-
clear that there is no bors can work hard,
tolerance for such participate in our
language. communities, and
“Neither I nor the live their lives with
Delaware Republi- dignity and in safe-
can Party, which I ty.”
represent, condone Still, another of-
any statements that ficial in the Dela-
demean or show dis- ware GOP received
respect to others,” harsh criticism for
said Republican using anti-semitic
language on Face-
Party of Delaware
Chair Jane Brady. book. Sussex Coun-
“His comment was ty Republican Party
offensive and did Vice-Chairwoman
not reflect the values Nelly Jordan said
of respect and tolerance held dear by the on the social media site, “Many Jews ‘In
Delaware Republican Party.” Name Only’ lend themselves to be in the
Rowe agreed to step down upon Brady’s hoaks (sic) of the pure made up story of im-
request and will be submitting his resig- peachment that the Democrats have woven.
nation over the weekend. Although he Fortunately for us the people that believe
initially refused to apologize for using the that God gave us a brain to think for our-
phrase “Fa--ots can- selves can see through
not handle reality,” in the madness these
left socialist believers
Facebook comments,
he ended up saying had concocted against
sorry for his offensive a President ... God
word choice. please have mercy on
“I just got frustrated them, some of the Jew-
and used an improp- ish people are doing
er word,” Rowe said today as it was in the
in an interview with times of the Old Testa-
WHYY on Jan. 3. “If ment, go against God’s
the use of this word in will even after He had
any manner, injured or mercy on them.”
upset or really hit hard Although Brady is
at the emotions of an unable to remove Jor-
individual and hurt dan from her position,
them… I’m heartfully the Sussex County
sorry.” body will take mea-
Brady also said that sures to remove her
many in the Delaware from the role, WHYY
GOP found Rowe’s reported.
words to be pejora- Brady told WHYY
tive. that Rowe and Jor-
dan’s actions do not
The state of Dela-
reflect the values of
ware banned discrim-
ination on the basis the Delaware Repub-
of sexual orientation lican party, as did the
in 1990, and in 2009, leaders of Delaware’s
incorporated laws House of Representa-
blocking such dis- tive Republican Cau-
crimination based on actual or perceived cus in a statement last week. The leaders
sexual orientation in employment, housing called for Rowe and Jordan to apologize
and other domains. and resign from their positions. n
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
Philly’s place in UMC’s proposed historic split over LGBT issues
VICTORIA A. BROWNWORTH
PGN Contributor
The United Methodist Church has proposed
a split into more than one denomination. The
proposal was made to resolve continuing con-
flict over LGBT clergy and same-sex mar-
riage, according to the church’s official news
agency, United Methodist News Service.
A 16-member group of bishops and church
leaders crafted the proposal, which declares,
“A separation was the best means to resolve
our differences, allowing each part of the
Church to remain true to its theological under-
standing while recognizing the dignity, equal-
ity, integrity, and respect of every person.”
The proposal includes $25 million for the
“traditionalist Methodist denomination.” An-
other $2 million would be set aside for other
potential new denominations. And $39 mil-
lion will be allocated over eight years to “sup-
port communities historically marginalized
by racism.”
The main church would now accept and
embrace LGBT people and clergy and rec-
ognize same-sex marriage. Currently, the
UMC’s Book of Discipline denounces the
“practice of homosexuality” as “incompatible
with Christian teaching.”
The decision to restructure the church is the
latest move by UMC after a series of battles
over the role and acceptance of LGBT people
within the church. It must be formalized at
the annual conference in May to go into ef-
Hamlisch
WITH LOVE
JANUARY 17-19
LOCAL
fect. Since 2016, hundreds of lesbian and gay
clergy have come out in UMC, creating yet
more tension within the church. UMC is the
second-largest Protestant denomination in the
U.S. In February 2019, the annual conference
voted to reinforce the church’s stance against
ordaining gay and lesbian clergy and perform-
ing same-sex weddings.
Philadelphia has continually been the locus
of conflict for the UMC. In 1784, Richard Al-
len, a freed slave, became a Methodist preach-
er in Philadelphia. In 1787, after objecting to
the segregation of Black Methodists and him-
self, he split from the church, forming the Af-
rican Methodist Episcopal church.
In 2004, Rev. Beth Stroud, 34, was tried
and convicted by a 13-member jury of the
UMC and defrocked as a minister for being
a lesbian. Stroud had been pastor at the First
United Methodist Church of Germantown.
UMC regulations forbid “self-avowed, prac-
ticing homosexuals” as clergy and Stroud had
acknowledged that she was in a committed re-
lationship with her longtime partner.
In 2013, Rev. Frank Schaefer was tried in
Philadelphia for officiating at the wedding of
his gay son, Tim Schaefer. He was convicted
and, like Stroud, defrocked. In 2014, UMC’s
judicial body in Pennsylvania voted to allow
Schaefer to remain an ordained minister, but
the decision was based on a procedural issue,
not gay marriage.
Local response to the proposal split the
church has been mixed with some applauding
the move and others sad that it was necessary.
Meredith Thomas, a lifelong Methodist
and “a practicing lesbian,” said, “I am just
sad that it has come to this. Basically, the so-
called ‘traditionalists’ are saying they would
rather tear the church in two than accept that
gay people should be equal at every level in
the church. “
Thomas said, “What about the LGBT peo-
ple who end up in the hater branch of the
church? Their full personhood will still be
denied if they want to be married or become
clergy.”
Rev. Dr. Kipp Gilmore-Clough is an or-
dained Methodist pastor and Ph.D. He is
Acting Senior Pastor at Chestnut Hill United
Church. CHUC has been in the vanguard of
acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ people,
doing outreach to the queer community. Staff
even note their pronouns on the church direc-
tory and website.
Gilmore-Clough, who identifies as a “cis-
gender, straight man,” has a more hopeful
view than Thomas. He told PGN, “The pro-
posed protocol for breaking the United Meth-
odist Church into multiple Methodist denom-
inations is acknowledgment of what has long
been evident: that separation is the best way
forward. It remains to be seen what this looks
like once it has made its way through the
General Conference process in May.”
He said, “My deepest hope is not only for
a gracious separation but also that any agree-
ment include mechanisms for repairing and
Music Director
TODD ELLISON
3
healing some of the damage that has been
done through generations of anti-queer pol-
icy and practice.”
On Twitter, Zach Wilcha, executive direc-
tor of Independence Business Alliance and
one of PGN’s persons of the year, wrote, “I
was raised in an affirming, welcoming, small-
town Methodist congregation. It set my moral
compass. It still heavily influences the way I
think about service in my personal & profes-
sional life. I hope a split heals all who suf-
fered from the leadership’s accommodation
of bigotry.”
New York Conference Bishop Thom-
as Bickerton, part of the group behind the
proposal, told the official United Methodist
News Service that heated debate at the con-
ference demonstrated “the line in the sand
had turned into a canyon.”
He added, “The impasse is such that we
have come to the realization that we just can’t
stay that way any longer.”
At the conference in February 2019, the
denomination decided that United Methodist
churches like CHUC and clergy like Gilm-
ore-Clough could face removal if they do not
affirm its stance against gay marriage and
non-celibate LGBT clergy by 2021.
The new proposal calls for a traditionalist
Methodist denomination that would continue
its opposition to gay marriage and the ordi-
nation to LGBT clergy. A separate denomi-
nation would allow same-sex weddings and
gay clergy. n
Mary Poppins’
ASHLEY BROWN
4 LOCAL
LGBTQ aging: Illness, disability
pgn
and aging in place
The third in a three-part series
Publisher
Mark Segal (ext. 204)
mark@epgn.com VICTORIA A.
BROWNWORTH
Office Manager/ PGN Contributor
Distribution
“I never thought about what
Don Pignolet (ext. 200)
don@epgn.com it would mean to be old.” Tom
Gentile turned 72 at Thanksgiv-
Editor ing, a week after he got diag-
nosed with prostate cancer and
Jess Bryant (ext. 206)
editor@epgn.com diabetes. “A double whammy,”
he said of the news. “It really
Staff Writers made me feel like my time was
up.”
Laura Smythe (ext. 215) Gentile lives in a rowhouse
laura@epgn.com
in Philadelphia’s newly trendy
Larry Nichols (ext. 213) East Passyunk neighborhood
larry@epgn.com
with his dog Benny. He says he
Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) is fortunate to have close friends
timothy@epgn.com and neighbors he can depend
on. “So many people have no
Photographer one. We’ve been lucky,” Gentile
Kelly Burkhardt said.
burkhardtkelly@gmail.com Gentile had shared the home
with his partner of 15 years,
Art Director Nick, who died in 2018. Gentile
Sean Dorn (ext. 211) had retired sooner than he had
sean@epgn.com wanted in order to nurse Nick
through his final illness.
Graphic Artist “When you watch someone
die of cancer, you suddenly
Ash Cheshire (ext. 210) know what you can and cannot
ash@epgn.com
cope with yourself,” Gentile
said. “So my immediate ques-
Advertising Sales tions for my doctor were all
Joe Bean (ext. 219) about survival and self-suffi-
joe@epgn.com ciency. The thought of having a
Prab Sandhu (ext. 212) stranger do for me what I did for
prab@epgn.com Nick — that just isn’t me.”
The first generation of Stone-
National Advertising wall survivors is aging. SAGE,
the nation’s largest organization
Rivendell Media:
212-242-6863 serving LGBT elders states,
“We’re still in the early stages
of grasping what it really means
to be LGBT and older. … Now,
Phone: 215-625-8501 PGN a confluence of a cultural and
Fax: 215-925-6437 505 S. Fourth St.
E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Philadelphia, PA legal shift — along with sheer
Web: www.epgn.com 19147-1506 population size — is changing
how we approach the needs of
Philadelphia Gay News the LGBT senior community.”
is a member of:
The Associated Press The last of the Baby Boomers
Pennsylvania Newspaper will turn 65 in 2030, at which
Association
Suburban Newspapers point a fifth of the U.S. popu-
of America lation — and LGBTQ commu-
nity — will be elders. Many
The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned
“Editorial” col­umn. Opinions expressed in bylined col- LGBTQ Philadelphians feel the
umns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the community hasn’t kept up with
writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of
PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial represen- their needs.
tations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual Alva Diaz, 69, and Rita
orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.
Jones, 73, expected to live out
Copyright © 1976 - 2019 Copyright(s) in all materials what Jones calls their “crone
in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco
Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate compa- years” together. But now their
nies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and its WWW sites.)
All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, mod-
lives are in flux because Diaz’s
ification, public display, and public performance of our health has been deteriorating
materials is prohibited without the prior written consent
of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email and Jones isn’t sure they can
pgn@epgn.com. Published by Masco Communications Inc. manage on their own anymore
© 1976-2019 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-515
without regular help.
“You see all these ads on TV
about ‘aging in place’ or
joining one of these glitzy
communities in the suburbs,”
Jones said. “But those places al-
ways look very white and very
straight, and we’re neither.”
Money is a real concern for the
couple, who have fixed and lim-
ited incomes. But as they have
talked about Diaz’s increasing
incapacitation from heart disease
and rheumatoid arthritis, “aging
in place” may require that they
find a younger caregiver to live
in — something neither woman
wants.
“You get used to a certain lev-
el of intimacy as a couple,” Diaz
explains. “Having a third per-
son here would be like always
having company, always being
‘on.’ I don’t think that would be
good for us — I think it would be
stressful. Too stressful.”
Yet neither woman is sure how
long they will be able to manage
their home and their health on
their own.
According to the National
Council on Aging, LGBT elders
are at higher risk for cancer, men-
tal illness and cardiovascular dis-
ease.
NCOA explains that for LGBT
elders, barriers to health care,
lack of health insurance and fear
of discrimination by doctors
“threatens the healthy aging of a
generation.”
Most elders PGN spoke with
for this series had health issues
and concerns about dealing with
the medical system. Jones said
she “had always hated going to
the doctor.”
Diaz was in the hospital several
times in 2019 and said, “I felt like
every time someone new came in
the room, it meant I had to come
out all over again — it was really
exhausting having to explain my
life — and that it was okay to be
gay — to all these strangers.”
Studies suggest that LGBT
older adults have higher rates
of chronic conditions and other
health problems, such as obesity,
high blood pressure, high cho-
lesterol, arthritis, cardiovascular
disease, diabetes and more. Be-
cause many LGBT older adults
have faced discrimination in
health care, they may delay doc-
tor’s visits or necessary tests that
would help them address these
conditions.
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020
NCOA also makes “a special
note for people in the transgen-
der community: It is unclear
if the use of hormones can
also put you at greater risk of
a stroke or heart attack. Some
studies suggest that cardiovas-
cular risk is unchanged among
transgender men using tes-
tosterone. However, evidence
in transgender women is less
clear. The long-term effects of
hormone treatment are also un-
certain. Along with all the regu-
lar steps to take charge of your
heart health, make sure to ask
your doctor if there are signs
or symptoms you should watch
for as you age.”
Mental health issues are espe-
cially critical for elder patients,
who have the highest suicide
rates, according to the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC).
SAGE notes that depression for
LGBT elders is common and
often untreated.
NCOA notes, 59 percent of
LGBT older adults report that
they lack companionship, and
53 percent feel isolated. NCOA
states that “loneliness can im-
pact your physical health and
cognitive
well-being.”
According to SAGE, more
than 50 percent of individu-
als in a national health study
on LGBT elders had been di-
agnosed with depression by a
health care provider, and 39
percent reported having had se-
riously considered suicide.
Dr. Jennie Goldenberg sees
many LGBTQ people in her
trauma practice, including el-
ders. She said, “Many older
LGBTQ folks are understand-
ably wary of accessing mental
health services, due to their
history of negative experiences
within these systems.”
She said that there are con-
comitant issues for LGBTQ
elders that their straight peers
don’t face. “They don’t trust
mental health professionals to
have the cultural competence
necessary to understand, nor
the ability to empathize with
their minority status within the
larger culture,” she said.
Other health issues often go
unaddressed in LGBT elders
until they are at more critical
stages.
According to a 2011 national
study on LGBT older adults, 19
percent reported having had at
least one type of cancer. Lesbi-
ans are at higher risk for breast
and gynecological cancers than
their heterosexual peers. Gay
and bisexual men are at higher
risk of human papillomavirus
(HPV), and while often un-
der-estimated, HPV is serious,
often leading to cervical and
anal cancer.
Larry Benjamin, Communi-
cations Director for Mazzoni
Center, said LGBTQ elders
are welcome at Mazzoni, but,
“we don’t provide specific ser-
vices for seniors though we, of
course, see seniors in our health
center and other service areas
such as the food bank.”
Benjamin said he is aware
that the need for such services
for LGBTQ elders is great, and
Mazzoni has been in discussion
about the issue.
“We are, however, looking
to launch a program where we
have one of our doctors and or
nurse practitioner visit John C.
Anderson apartments regularly
to perform medicine check-ins,
blood pressure checks, hav-
ing discussions about pre- and
post-hospital stays and what to
do and expect,” Benjamin said.
“everything from cold and flu
symptoms and worries about
other health concerns to more
serious health issues and refer-
rals.”
Goldenberg says the entire
community can work to ease
the impact of aging on LGBTQ
elders and help smooth the
transition into old age for those
in their family and friend cir-
cles.
She said, “Aging in place is
difficult enough — fraught with
fears regarding financial inse-
curity and social isolation. Add
to that the daily micro-aggres-
sions of living as an LGBTQ
minority in a heterosexual
world, and it becomes clear that
it is incumbent upon all of us in
the ‘straight, privileged’ world
to reach out to our LGBTQ
family, friends, and neighbors
and offer support — in whatev-
er form we can offer — in order
to make their world a little easi-
er to navigate and bear.” n
*Some names have been
changed to protect privacy.
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
Philly’s LGBTQ soccer club to hold
annual banquet and free clinics
MICHELE ZIPKIN
michele@epgn.com
The Falcons LGBTQ+ soccer club will
hold its annual banquet at the William Way
LGBT Community Center on Jan. 25. Be-
ginning at 7 p.m., attendees can enjoy food,
drink and socializing, and the club board
will present a new award named for Falcons
founder Drew Adair, which recognizes a non-
club member or organization that has been a
particularly noteworthy supporter of the club.
Other awards include the “hall of fame”
award, “most improved” and “most valuable
player.” The Falcons will also announce the
new board at the banquet.
Since the date of the banquet coincides
with the lunar new year, guests can enjoy
Chinese food, as well as music, dancing and
raffles.
“The purpose of the banquet is just to cel-
ebrate what the Falcons have done in the past
year and highlight the individual players and
teams from our league who have done well,
people who have contributed to the club, and
to have a fun end-of-year celebration,” said
Rob Lizama, the club’s recruitment officer.
The Falcons had a productive year in 2019,
celebrating 30 years as an LGBTQ soccer
club and hosting a tournament with teams
from Pittsburgh, Albany, San Francisco and
other U.S. cities.
The club teamed up with Philadelphia
Union during Pride Night to organize an
evening of soccer games and a small tour-
nament, in addition to marching in the Pride
Parade. The Falcons also hosted the Liber-
ty Bell Classic tournament, which entails a
weekend of playing soccer and celebrating
the LGBTQ community over Outfest week-
end. Local and out-of-state players attended.
The club is offering a series of beginners
skills clinics every Monday for the remain-
der of January, except for on Martin Luther
King Jr. Day. The clinics will take place at
the Guerin Recreation Center in Philadelphia
and are free of charge.
“We are wanting to encourage people who
are unfamiliar or perhaps even intimidated
LOCAL
5
P h o t o : Fa c e b o o k
by the thought of playing soccer, said Fal-
cons Vice President Greg Seaney-Ariano.
“There’s no commitment to join any team by
coming to these skills clinics. It’s a great way
to meet people and see how [participants]
feel about it.”
The Falcons will begin their winter league
in February, so the club’s board hopes the
skills players learn in the beginners clinics
will help them feel more at ease playing in
the upcoming league.
“All of our leagues are recreational,” Liza-
ma said. “We have people from all skill lev-
els, and make up the teams usually from all
skill levels, so it’s not one really good team
playing against a team with all beginners. We
try to balance it out.”
The Falcons began in 1989 with Adair,
who saw the need for an LGBTQ soccer club
in Philadelphia. After Adair worked hard
to get the word out, about eight men came
together on a South Philly softball field to
play the club’s first game. Comprised only of
men at the onset, the group was inspired to
start building women’s teams in 1998, when
a Dallas team declined to play the Falcons
team, which had only one woman player. The
club grew from there, and members continue
to play in Philadelphia leagues and national
tournaments.
As for the future of the Falcons and
LGBTQ soccer, Seaney-Ariano said he
would like to see more queer participation in
the sport.
“I would like the soccer revolution in the
United States to take hold in the gay commu-
nity,” he said. He hopes for “appreciation of
the sport amongst LGBT communities” and
that folks realize “the potential it has in cre-
ating and fostering community.”
The Falcons club welcomes soccer players
of all sexual orientations, gender identities,
ethnicities and backgrounds, who are at least
18 years of age. n
Admission to the Falcons annual banquet
on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. is free for full-year club
members, $10 for half-year members and
$20 for non-members.
6 REGIONAL
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020

Bill to ban LGBT-panic defense

in Penn. stalled in committee
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predicting the bill’s passage in the Repub-
lican-controlled Senate. The bill would also
need to be passed in the Republican-con-
Chester: 610.872.9101 Pennsylvania Senate Bill 212, which
would ban LGBT-panic defenses in crimi-
trolled House before it could reach the desk
of Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature.

Sharon Hill: 610.583.1177 nal cases across the state, has been pending
in the state Senate Judiciary Committee for
almost a year.
The Judiciary Committee is chaired by
state Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne, Pike,
Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming). PGN
asked Baker whether she would schedule a
SPECIAL ELECTION NOTICE vote on the measure. “I am not ruling out
Representative in the General Assembly - 190th District the possibility of any future action,” Bak-
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 er said in a Jan. 6 email. “But we need to
Farnese said passage of the bill was a
priority for him. “It should be a priority for
everyone to eliminate this [LGBT-panic]
defense because it’s an embarrassment to
our state,” Farnese said. “I’ll talk about it
on the floor of the Senate and other venues
in my district.”
“Gay panic” and “trans panic” defenses
seek to excuse crimes such as murder and
assault by arguing that the victim’s sexual

Between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. in the following election districts and divisions in the City and County
take a closer look at the implications of the orientation or gender identity provoked the
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there will be ELECTED by the voters, a person to fill the following office, as certified by proposal and get input from the legal and defendant’s violent reaction, thus blaming
the Secretary of the Commonwealth. justice communities.” victims for the violence committed against
them.

TH
190 DISTRICT On Sept. 6, 2018, state Sen. Lawrence
WARDS 4 [PART, Divisions 1, 7, 8, 12, 13, 19 and 20], 6, 24 [PART, Divisions 6 to 8, 16 and 17], Farnese (D-Philadelphia) introduced the Farnese’s bill would ban criminal defen-
38 [PART, Division 9], 44, 52 [PART, Divisions 1 to 4, 6 to 13, 21 and 28] and 60 [PART, bill, which was initially assigned the num- dants in Pennsylvania from claiming they
Divisions 4 to 6, 8 to 18, 20 and 21]. ber SB 1244. But it died in committee on were provoked into assaulting or killing
Nov. 30, 2018. On Feb. 4, 2019, he reintro- someone due to the “discovery, knowledge
duced the bill, and it was assigned SB 212 or potential disclosure of a victim’s actual or

AVISO DE ELECCIÓN ESPECIAL as its new number. perceived gender identity or expression or
Representante en la Asamblea General - Distrito 190° The bill’s cosponsors are Sens. Vincent sexual orientation, including circumstances
MARTES, 25 DE FEBRERO DE 2020 Hughes (D-Philadelphia); Wayne Fontana in which the victim made an unwanted non-

Entre las horas de 7:00 a. m. y 8:00 p. m. en los siguientes distritos y divisiones electorales en la ciudad y el condado (D-Allegheny); Sharif Street (D-Philadel- forcible romantic or sexual advance toward
de Filadelfia, Pensilvania, los votantes de la ciudad y del condado de Filadelfia podrán elegir una persona para cubrir phia); Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadel- the defendant or if the defendant and victim
los siguientes cargos según la certificación por el Secretario del Estado.

phia); Jay Costa (D-Allegheny); Steven had a romantic or sexual relationship.”
°
190 DISTRITO Santarsiero (D-Bucks); Judith Schwank The states of New York, Hawaii, Califor-
BARRIOS 4 [PARTE, divisiones 1, 7, 8, 12, 13, 19 y 20], 6, 24 [PARTE, divisiones 6 al 8, 16 y 17], (D-Berks); Daylin Leach (D-Montgom- nia, Rhode Island, Illinois, Maine, Nevada
38 [PARTE, división 9], 44, 52 [PARTE, divisiones 1 al 4, 6 al 13, 21 y 28] y 60 [PARTE, ery, Delaware); Art Haywood (D-Philadel- and Connecticut have enacted LGBT-pan-
divisiones 4 al 6, 8 al 18, 20 y 21]. phia, Montgomery), Katie Muth (D-Berks, ic defense bans. Most recently, New Jer-
Chester, Montgomery); Timothy Kearney sey legislators passed a bill banning the

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS (D-Delaware, Chester); Anthony Williams LGBT-panic defense. The bill is expected

JUNTA ELECTORAL DEL CONDADO DE FILADELFIA

(D-Philadelphia); James Brewster (D-Al- to reach Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk for his
Lisa Deeley Omar Sabir legheny, Westmoreland); and Patrick Stefa- signature shortly.
City Commissioner City Commissioner no (R-Fayette). On a national scale, U.S. Sen. Edward
Comisionado de la Ciudad Comisionado de la Ciudad Farnese said he’s trying to get addition- Markey (D-Mass.) and U.S. Rep. Joe Ken-
al cosponsors for the bill. He said a public nedy (D-Mass.) introduced legislation in
Al Schmidt Garrett C. Dietz
hearing in the Judiciary Committee also June 2019 that would ban the LGBT-panic
City Commissioner Supervisor of Elections
Comisionado de la Ciudad Supervisor de Elecciones could help garner support for the bill. defense in federal trials for homicide and

“We are certainly urging Senator Baker to aggravated assault. The federal bills re-
www.philadelphiavotes.com have a hearing on the legislation, and I’m main pending in the U.S. Senate Judiciary
hopeful that she will,” Farnese told PGN Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary
last week. But Farnese stopped short of Committee. n
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
LOCAL
7

Connecting government, faith-based communities and LGBTQ folks

MICHELE ZIPKIN
michele@epgn.com
Out Reverend Naomi Washing-
ton-Leapheart could not be a better fit for
the new role of director of faith-based and
interfaith affairs in the Philadelphia Office
of Public Engagement (OPE). In addition
to earning a master of divinity degree from
Lancaster Theological Seminary, Washing-
ton-Leapheart has worked as faith work di-
rector of the National LGBTQ Task Force,
served as faith organizer for the multi-faith,
multi-racial network of congregations called
POWER, and she worked as co-pastor and
minister of music at Wisdom’s Table at St.
Peter’s United Church of Christ. She was
also named in the Root 100, a yearly list of
the most influential African Americans be-
tween the ages of 25 and 45.
She teaches theology and religious studies
at Villanova University as an adjunct pro-
fessor. Living in and around Philadelphia
for about 20 years, Washington-Leapheart
knows the city well. She married Kentina
Naomi-Washington in 2017.
Washington-Leapheart’s work with the
LGBTQ Task Force translates well to her
current role at the OPE — she built bridges
between faith communities and government
entities, organized faith tables and fought for
LGBTQ equity.
“On a city level, we want to bridge the gap
between faith communities and government,”
Washington-Leapheart said. “We want to
translate policy initiatives and activities for
faith communities. We want to outreach to
faith communities to get them engaged in
various forms of city government.”
One of Washington-Leapheart’s primary traditions who are interested in offering their and introduce ourselves to the community,”
goals in her position in the OPE is launch- expertise and their influence in service to Washington-Leapheart said. “And say ‘Hi,
ing the Mayor’s Commission on Interfaith building a diverse religious voice that will we’re here, you don’t have to join my con-
Affairs, the entity that will direct the mayor’s advise the city on faith issues,” Washing- gregation, but you can know that I’m here,
office on all faith-based issues. Somewhat ton-Leapheart said. and I can be of spiritual resource to you.’”
unique to the Kenney administration, the Saptarshi Dutt, Communications Coordi- She also strongly values intracity partner-
commission may act as first responders in nator for the OPE, is excited to have Wash- ships and plans to team up with the Office
sensitive situations, facilitate faith outreach, ington-Leapheart on board. of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office
report back from faith communities about “I think [her] experience and history with of LGBT Affairs. One of her priorities is
faith-related undertakings: “...be the eyes the city, knowing all the different stakehold- to establish spiritual spaces for people who
and ears and voice,” Washington-Leapheart ers when it comes to faith and interfaith af- are grieving or who feel they are in crisis.
said. fairs — [she] kind On the heels of the death of Alicia Sim-
Wa s h i n g t o n - of dove right into mons, a transgender person of color here
Leapheart is enthusi- the position,” Dutt in Philly, the Office of LGBT Affairs held
astic about Kenney’s said. “It’s been two a community grief session, for which Wash-
intention to make months, but it feels ington-Leapheart stepped in to invite queer
these entities mirror like I’ve known Nao- faith leaders. She hopes partnerships like
the diversity of Phil- mi for a long time.” that will continue.
adelphia, religiously W a s h i n g - “I’m excited to see each intersection of
and otherwise. ton-Leapheart also the different offices we have kind of work
“We’ll have richer intends to partner together and create programming that reso-
perspectives and... with local LGBTQ nates with everybody,” Dutt said. “We have
we’ll all agree that organizations, like a lot of programming coming up already,
the dignity of every the William Way so I’m really excited to see what we can do
Philadelphian should Community Center with the public.”
be valued and pri- and the Attic Youth Connecting with LGBTQ youth is also an
oritized, that every Center, to facilitate important part of these efforts.
Philadelphian should more faith-based “My experience as a pastor really com-
be able to thrive,” programming and pels me to want to show up in whatever way
she said. “There’ll be establish faith-relat- possible and get other folks to show up for
some shared under- ed resources. Even young people who are feeling in crisis and
standing and shared values and shared goals just making it known that LGBTQ faith don’t know where to turn,” she said.
and shared work, but we’ll all be able to be leaders exist in this city would be a big help, “That was me — I wasn’t in crisis, but I
fully authentic at the table.” she pointed out. She strives to act as a bridge also didn’t have anyone who looked like me,
The OPE is looking for referrals for the between LGBTQ folks and spiritual com- talking about what it means to be a grown
Mayor’s Commission on Interfaith Affairs munities, to connect people with some very person who was queer and out, and also a
and will make a formal application process welcoming local congregations, should they person of faith. And so, to the extent that we
available come the new year. engage with them. can model that, I want to try to curate the
“These are faith leaders of all different “What would it mean for us to be present space for it.” n

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8 I N T E R N AT I O N A L
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020

film have defended it as legitimate free-

dom of expression.
Wedding Services At least four people were involved in
Directory I N T E R N AT I O N A L
the attack, police said previously.

Belize appeals court up-

Pakistan issues health
IDs for trans people to
improve care
Pakistan began issuing special health
ID cards for transgender people on Tues-
day as a way to lessen health care dis-
crimination.
Trans people have often been denied
treatment in Pakistan because doctors
could not decide whether to treat them
in a male or female ward and have even
died for lack of care.
The government plans to set up sepa-
rate wards in hospitals around the coun-
try for transgender patients, according to
Dr. Zafar Mirza, a special aide to Prime
Minister Imran Khan for health services.
Pakistan, a conservative, majority
Muslim nation, officially recognized
transgender as a third gender in 2012.
Yet transgender people are still large-
ly confined to the margins of society,
often taunted in public, ostracized by
family and targeted in violent attacks.
Most transgender people in Pakistan are
forced to survive by begging, dancing or
prostitution. Gender affirmation surgery
requires a court order, family approval, a
psychiatrist’s note and a medical recom-
mendation.
The Supreme Court ordered the gov-
ernment to list transgender as a third gen-
der on ID cards, and the national agency
responsible for issuing them will also
handle the new health cards.
The health ministry will immediately
start giving health cards to all transgen-
der people who are registered, said Dr.
Mirza.
Transgender people face greater peril
in more conservative areas of Pakistan,
where Islamic extremists associate them
with homosexuality and prostitution.
But there are also signs of progress.
In 2018, Marvia Malik made history by
becoming Pakistan’s first transgender
newscaster at 21 years old.
Rio police identify sus-
pect of attack on Netflix
filmmakers
Police in Rio de Janeiro have identi-
fied one of the people responsible for a
gasoline bomb attack targeting satirists
behind a Christmas program on Netflix
that some critics described as blasphe-
mous.
Officers carried out a search warrant
the morning of Dec. 31 and found mon-
ey, a fake firearm, ammunition, a “polit-
ical-philosophical” shirt and computers,
police said in a written statement. Police
also had a warrant for the suspect’s ar-
rest, but he remains at large.
Police did not immediately release
other details, including the suspect’s
name, but planned a news conference for
Dec. 31.
The Christmas Eve attack on an empty
video production house didn’t injure any-
one but came as a shock. A video circu-
lating days later on social media showed
three men claiming responsibility for the
attack, and said they had targeted Brazil-
ian comedy group Porta dos Fundos for
its Portuguese-language program.
The comedy group’s short film, “The
First Temptation of Christ,” depicts Jesus
returning home on his 30th birthday and
insinuates he is gay. Religious groups
bristled at the depiction. Creators of the
holds decision overturning
law criminalizing gay sex
Belize’s Court of Appeals has upheld
a 2016 Supreme Court ruling that over-
turned the country’s colonial-era an-
ti-sodomy law.
Belize’s attorney general appealed
the high court’s ruling, but the Court of
Appeals upheld it, and, what’s more,
endorsed a portion of the decision rec-
ognizing protections for sexual orienta-
tion, the human rights website Erasing 76
Crimes reports.
The anti-sodomy law, which called
for a 10-year prison sentence for any-
one convicted of engaging in consensual
same-sex relations, was challenged by
Caleb Orozco, a health educator, who ar-
gued that it was unconstitutional.
Orozco claimed that the law violat-
ed Belize’s constitutional guarantees of
personal privacy and human dignity, and
infringed not only on his right to live free
from discrimination but on his freedom
of conscience and freedom of expression.
He also noted that criminalization of
consensual same-sex acts would exac-
erbate the spread of HIV by discourag-
ing people from getting tested and put
LGBTQ people at risk by intimidating
them from reporting instances of vio-
lence, sexual assault or discrimination.
Writing for the court, Kenneth Ben-
jamin, the chief justice, found that the
anti-sodomy law was indeed unconstitu-
tional and could not be applied to con-
sensual sexual acts conducted in private.
Benjamin also found that Belize’s law
prohibiting discrimination based on sex
applies to instances where someone has
been discriminated against because of
their sexual orientation. n
Reporting via Associated Press

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JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
10/11
What 2019 taught me
JEN COLLETTA
PGN Contributor
The new year offers time for reflection and, this year
in particular, I’ve found myself re-riding the ups and
downs of the rollercoaster that was 2019. This was
Jackson’s first full year of life but it also felt new to me
as well, as every single day of the first full 12 months
as a parent held an entirely novel experience, memories
I couldn’t have dreamed of and lessons I couldn’t have
anticipated.
Here are just a few of the things 2019 has shown me:
1. I never knew the meaning of multi-tasking.
I always fancied myself a great multi-tasker, jug-
gling demanding full-time jobs with freelance gigs and
more. But I never know how integral these skills would
be for parenting.
Since day one of Jackson’s arrival, Ashlee and I have
found ourselves being pulled in tons of different direc-
tions, sometimes quite literally: I recently was walking
both the dog and baby — with the dog pulling me to
sniff something to the left, Jackson’s stroller drifting
to the right and me in the middle, trying to hold a very
disruptive phone call with my mom through my head-
phones. While I always envisioned “multitasking” as
a ubiquitous resume plug, I think I underestimated the
mental and emotional effort that goes into juggling so
many attention-grabbers at once, and the toll this work
can take. That recognition has me wishing it was so-
cially acceptable to list “Parent” as an occupation on a
CV — as the focus, mental fortitude and ability to pri-
oritize tasks and quickly triage situations that it takes to
parent are all skills all employers should be competing
to have in their talent pools.
2. Being tired doesn’t end when he starts sleeping
through the night.
I used to cringe when people would brag that their
baby slept through the night as soon as they brought
them home from the hospital, knowing Ashlee and I
would be trading off every other hour that night when
Jackson arose. He finally settled into a pattern around
5 months old, and we breathed a much-needed sigh of
relief.
After months of sleep deprivation, getting a good six
or seven unbroken hours of sleep was truly life-chang-
ing. But I quickly saw that, as he was easing into a
sleep routine, he was growing in other ways. The more
mobile Jackson got, the more physical and mental fo-
cus it took to keep him safe — moving furniture out
of his way as he crawled everywhere exploring, and
racing him to slam closed baby gates when he got onto
two feet. As he’s developed mentally, we’ve had to shift
from keeping him protected to keeping him entertained.
“Playing with a toddler” may sound like a low-impact
activity, but spending a solid four hours after a full
day of work moving from toy to book to song to toy
to household-item-that-doubles-as-a-toy (his attention
shifts about every two minutes) is mentally exhausting,
and — coupled with balancing mealtimes, household
chores and other daily duties — can leave you just as
wiped out as a night of broken sleep.
3. One “stage” isn’t better than the next.
Earlier this year, I wondered which stage of Jack-
son’s babyhood would be my favorite, viewing his de-
velopment along the lines of his clothing sizes: New-
born, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc. In hindsight, the
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lines between each of these stages are extremely blurry,
and each brings with it both joys and challenges.
When Jackson was just a few months old, we were
able to snuggle with him to our hearts’ content — now,
it’s hard to get him stationary for more than a few sec-
onds before he zooms off to his next adventure. But
back then, we were projecting all our love and affection
on this little guy who couldn’t do too much more than
blink back at us. It may be nearly impossible to pin
Jackson down for cuddles now, but when we say the
word “hug,” he lights up and runs into our arms, which
is just as fulfilling as those early moments of affection
with him.
4. Milestones aren’t moments.
We have a baby book for Jackson that tracks all of
the big moments of his first year — and we found the
slots for “firsts” to be a little limiting, as many of these
highly anticipated accomplishments don’t occur in a
second, but rather are gradual developments.
He took his very first step this past summer. But it
was one foot forward on one night and then flat on his
face. We wondered, does that count? A few days later,
it was three steps … and then down! And then a few
days after that, he got up to eight, and so on. The same
has gone with other developments, like speaking. This
fall, we started noticing the “da” he proclaims at pretty
much any object or person he’s curious about seemed
to have an “sh” sound after it whenever he pointed at
our dog, Cassie. Was he saying his own version of her
name? Whenever we hear him muttering the sound
“ma,” we get excited thinking he’s finally catching on
to our names — or is he just playing with sounds?
Only time will tell. On some level, I think we ex-
pected these milestones to be these momentous “gr-
ab-the-camera” occasions, but in reality, they’re much
slower rather than sudden. Before he could walk, he
had to learn to steady himself and the motion of putting
one foot in front of the other. And before he can start
spewing words, he has to learn sounds and meanings.
So baby book, be damned!
5. Teaching is continuous.
A few months ago, I was wondering aloud to Jack-
son where his cup of water was, and he tottered over
to the cup hidden under one of his toys and held it out
to me. Hmmm … I thought it was a fluke so, a bit lat-
er, experimented again with the word “cup” and, sure
enough, he walked over and grabbed it. Almost every
day since, we’ve stumbled upon a new
word or phrase he knows (just last night, page 14
10 EDITORIAL
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020

EDITORIAL BY JESS BRYANT

VIRAL POST AWAKENS QUEER COMMUNITY
A tweet by Alexander Leon, an
Australia-based writer and activist
who works at Kaleidoscope Trust,
went viral this week on Twitter.
Leon wrote, “Queer people don’t
grow up as ourselves, we grow up
playing a version of ourselves that
sacrifices authenticity to minimise
humiliation & prejudice. The mas-
sive task of our adult lives is to un-
pick which parts of ourselves are
truly us & which parts we’ve cre-
ated to protect us.”
As of Jan. 7, the post had 41,204
retweets and 146,485 likes. Queer
folks around the world clearly iden-
tified with Leon’s words. Growing
up LGBTQ is difficult, and depend-
ing on where an individual’s com-
ing-of-age is had or within what in-
tersecting identities, it can be more
challenging. The Trevor Project
dedicates itself to saving LGBTQ
lives, offering crisis intervention
and suicide prevention services to
LGBTQ folks under the age of 25.
According to the nonprofit’s 2019
National Survey on LGBTQ Men-
tal Health, over half of nonbinary
and transgender respondents se-
riously considered suicide over a
12-month period, and 39 percent of
LGBTQ respondents reported the
same. Only 3 percent of the respon-
dents were Black, however, along
with 7 percent mixed-race, 14 per-
cent Hispanic, 1 percent American
Indian/Alaskan Native and 73 per-
cent white.
Growing up trans and nonbinary
offers its own unique set of chal-
lenges regarding Leon’s post, as
does growing up Black and queer
or Latinx and queer. Growing up
in a rural area, with limited access
to resources, role models and queer
competency, is different than expo-
sure to a thriving queer community.
At the intersections, more protec-
tive measures are often necessary
that sacrifice authenticity. One has
to unravel not only society’s per-
ception of being attracted to the
same sex, but also a gender other
than one assigned at birth and/or
implications of race, immigration
or a number of other bigoted sen-
timents. Also, folks of color rarely
see statistical data that, even within
the LGBTQ community, represents
and documents their struggles.
How do folks find authenticity in
a society that tries its best to shape
us into a cis-het norm that for cen-
turies, we have rebelled against?
What about a society that privileges
whiteness?
For some, perhaps therapy
or a welcoming chosen family.
Some of us do, some of us don’t.
Some of us enact the exclusion
we receive from society on one
another. We have to begin to un-
learn that part of ourselves, as we
unlearn the others. Transphobia
and racism are still rampant in the
LGBTQ community. Queer cap-
ital in the form of language and
queer theory is used to ostracize
those who haven’t had the oppor-
tunity or time to utilize (or weap-
onize) it.
Leon added a hopeful note to his
viral message, “It’s massive and ex-
istential and difficult. But I’m con-
vinced that being confronted with
the need for profound self-discov-
ery so explicitly (and often early in
life!) is a gift in disguise. We come
out the other end wiser & truer to
ourselves. Some cis/het people
never get there.”
It is a gift, in some ways, to be
forced into self-awareness, to grap-
ple with identity in ways others
don’t. This should, in turn, create
empathy, as we realize the costs as-
sociated with authenticity and vis-
ibility and becoming who we are.
Empathy is a power that not every-
one has, and I hope we can recog-
nize that power in 2020. n

CREEP OF THE WEEK BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI

DONALD TRUMP
By the time you read this, the U.S. may be
at war with Iran and/or World War III may
have begun because we have the dumbest,
most impulsive and selfish president in the
history of America. Happy New Year.
It’s hard to understate how we are deep
into “Trump Presidency: Worst Case
Scenario,” a movie that most of us never
wanted to see but are now trapped inside
of against our will. Trump has been im-
peached, and he’s very mad about being
held responsible for his actions because
he’s not used to that. And so he’s starting
a war with all the planning, care and ex-
pertise of a toddler throwing himself to the
floor in Target because he’s tired and wants
to go home RIGHT NOW!
Charlotte Clymer put it best on the day
Trump ordered the assassination of an
Iranian leader in between rounds of golf:
“Tonight, you will see spineless cowards
who never served a godd--n day in uniform
wave a flag and cheer on the possibility
of sending young people to die in a war
against Iran that they would never serve
in, started by another coward who watched
others sent to die in his place.”
Clymer is an Army veteran, an advocate
for LGBTQ rights and is also the press sec-
retary for the Human Rights Campaign.
And if you’re not following @cmclymer on
Twitter, you’re doing Twitter wrong.
If we had a decent and honest person as
the president, then perhaps we’d see Cly-
mer as an advisor in said president’s cab-
inet. Alas, we have a dishonest creep for
president, and Clymer is instead subjected
to invective against transgender service-
members.
Let’s turn the time machine back to Aug.
10, 2017, when Trump said of his plans to
ban transgender people from serving: “I
think I’m doing a lot of people a favor by
coming out and just saying it. As you know,
it’s been a very complicated issue for the olence against trans people Roberts said, peachment
military. It’s been a very confusing issue “What’s going on is the result of several by start-
for the military. And I think I’m doing the years of anti-trans rhetoric that has been ing a war
military a great favor.” spread by not only the Trump administra- with Iran.
If Trump wanted to do a lot of people tion but trans-exclusionary radical femi- He may
a favor, he would resign. That said, he, in nists, also the Republican Party at the na- hate trans
fact, was not doing the military a favor as tional, local and state level. That rhetoric troops, but
he apparently didn’t even run the transgen- just doesn’t go out in thin air. It is resulting he certain-
der ban by the Pentagon before tweeting in violence being directed at trans folks, ly doesn’t care about any of them. He only
about it. which in a lot of cases turns fatal.” cares about himself and is willing to start
As Clymer points out, Trump has never When the President tells the country a war to save his own draft-dodging ass. n
served in the military. He lied about hav- that he’s doing them a favor by booting
ing bone spurs to get out of it. His oldest transgender troops, especially a president D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and
sons, as much as they love guns and kill- who is worshipped as a God by the an- comedian living in Michigan with her
ing, have also not served in the military. ti-LGBTQ right, that inevitably leads to wife and son. She has been writing about
Nor have his daughters. His youngest son violence. LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow
probably won’t, either, even if Trump And now Trump is ordering the troops her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.
leads us into WWIII because rich people to do him a favor and distract from his im-
don’t fight wars, they just start them.
And people are cheering. If you turn
on Fox News (don’t), it’s a nonstop cele-
bration with everyone screaming, “Hap-
py New War!” It’s amazing how little
these people care about human life. Not
the lives of American troops, not the
lives of Iranian civilians. To them, war
is a video game.
Trump is making all of us less safe,
but he is especially jeopardizing the
lives of transgender Americans.
Monica Roberts, who describes her-
self on her blog as “A proud unapologet-
ic Black trans woman speaking truth to
power and discussing the world around
her,” was interviewed on MSNBC about
the murder of Dustin Parker, an activist
for LGBTQ rights in Oklahoma.
According to HRC, “Parker is be-
lieved to be the first violent death of a
transgender or gender non-conforming
person in 2020.” Sadly, he will not be
the last. 2019 was a particularly awful
year for transgender people.
When asked about the increase in vi-
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
OPINION
11

MARK MY WORDS WITH MARK SEGAL

A pilgrimage to where my hero lies

Over the holidays, I had the clos-
est thing to a pilgrimage that I'll
ever know. Many of you don't know
the name Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld,
but when I'm asked who my LGBT
hero is, the answer is, it's him. To
put it simply, Hirschfeld is the fa-
ther of the LGBT movement for
equality. You might think it was
those of us at Stonewall or those
at the Independence Hall marches
or those even earlier like Harry
Hay and the Mattachine Society
in 1950. But all of us don't hold a
candle to Hirschfeld, who started
his work, not in 1950, but 65 years
earlier in Berlin, Germany in 1896.
He was the first to speak up for
LGBT rights publicly, publish
books, speak at conferences and
create an LGBT organization that
made change and inspired a com-
munity — the very first of its kind
in the world, something that could
have meant prison or death at the
time. Compared to the scope and
breadth of his work, us in Gay Lib-
eration Front, those of us at Stone-
wall, those who marched in Phil-
adelphia and even Harvey Milk,
Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Ri-
vera seem small.
Everything Hirschfeld did had
not been done before. Just a few of
his achievements include the study
of sexuality, the beginnings of gen-
der studies and the beginning of
medical research for gender tran-
sition. He also fought to change
laws, created a library on sexu-
ality and gave public lectures on
the subject. He held drag balls,
created LGBT media and was un-
afraid to venture into territory that
was seen as scandalous and im-
moral. And he did it before anyone
else. Aside from his fight against
what today we'd call homopho-
bia and transphobia, he also
fought racism, ageism and an-
tisemitism. He literally changed
laws, published work and even
had a part in a movie. And he
suffered for it!
There's a very famous photo of
the Nazi's first book burning. In that
photo, you see Nazis tossing books
into a fire, and you also note a sol-
dier with a stick, and at the top of
that stick is a bust of a man. That
book burning was Hirschfeld's li-
brary, and the bust was of Hirschfeld
himself. They burned his organiza-
tion and his home. He was beaten
and left for dead. That night in 1933
was a warning: get out of Germany
before we kill you. After being re-
leased from the hospital, he left for
a speaking tour around the world,
centering his work for LGBT inclu-
sion. He went into exile in France.
Over the holidays, Jason and
I took a vacation along with our
friends Klay and Val. When we
found ourselves in Nice, France, we
set off to find Hirschfeld's grave. It
was an all-day exploration since
many sources have him buried near
the center of Nice, but in actuality,
he is in the Orthodox cemetery in
Caucade, near Nice's Airport.
This was very personal for me.
Harvey Milk, Barbara Gittings,
Frank Kameny, Harry Hay, Sylvia
and Marsha were my friends and
contemporaries; Hirschfeld is my
hero.
When we finally reached his
grave after climbing hills and rac-
ing down streets, I placed yellow
roses on his tombstone, said a few
words of gratitude and cried. It made an impression of Magnus'
was the closest I've come to a pil- name on his headstone. It will be a
grimage, and it was as close to a keepsake and remind me each day
religious experience I've ever had. of the sacrifices he made to bring us
Klay found some paper, and we where we are today. n

OP-ED BY VICTORIA A. BROWNWORTH

Golden Globes highlight impact of queer representation

The 77th Annual Golden Globes cer-
emony on Jan. 5 was notable for political
speeches and long-overdue recognition of
women and people of color. There were
also significant queer moments over the
three-hour event, highlighting the impact of
LGBTQ representation in film and TV and
serving as a reminder of the extraordinary
impact seeing LGBTQ people on-screen
has for those watching.
In a new year that has already been her-
alded by a cataclysmic climate crisis in
Australia and the U.S. on the brink of war
with Iran, it was uplifting to have an eve-
ning devoted to nothing but glitz, glamour
and gayness.
Elton John and his longtime songwrit-
ing partner Bernie Taupin won the award
for Best Original Song - Motion Picture
for “I’m Gonna Love Me (Again)” from
“Rocketman,” the biopic about John’s life.
Both men were ecstatic at their win.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever won an award
with him, ever,” Elton explained. “We never
won a Grammy. We never did anything to-
gether [awards-wise] except for this. I’m so
happy; thank you very much.”
Taupin was also emotional about the
award. “This is not just
we
wanna
know
31% queer
Follow us on Instagram to be a part of our social polls and questions: @phillygaynews
about a song we wrote for a movie,” he said.
“It’s about a song we wrote for a movie that
deals with our relationship. And it’s a rela-
tionship that doesn’t happen very often in
this town. It’s a 52-year-old marriage.”
Taran Egerton won for Best Performance
by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or
Comedy for playing John in “Rocketman.”
He thanked David Furnish, Elton John’s
husband and producer of “Rocketman,” “for
allowing me to be the man who could play
your husband.”
Renée Zellweger won for Best Perfor-
mance by an Actress in a Motion Picture -
Drama for playing gay icon Judy Garland.
Out director Chris Butler won for Best Mo-
tion Picture - Animated, for “The Missing
Link,” besting favorites “Frozen 2” and
“Toy Story 4.” Butler was a 2013 GLAAD
Media nominee.
In performance categories, several out
LGBTQ performers were nominated, in-
cluding out actors Billy Porter (“Pose”) and
Ben Platt (“The Politician”) for Best Per-
formance by an Actor in a Television Se-
ries in the Drama and Comedy categories,
respectively. Out Irish actor Andrew Scott
was nominated as Best Supporting Actor in
a Television Series - Comedy for his role as
How do you identify within the LGBTQ+ community?
31% gay 15% lesbian 15% bi
“Hot Priest” in “Fleabag.” Phoebe Waller-
Bridge won two awards for her breakout hit.
For Best Performance by an Actress in a
Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, out
actress Beanie Feldstein was nominated for
her portrayal of a high school overachiever
in the hilarious “Booksmart.” That award
was won by rapper-turned-actress Awkwaf-
ina, who made history by becoming the first
Asian-American performer to win a Golden
Globe in any lead actress film category.
The Best Foreign Language Film nomi-
nations included two queer films, the period
lesbian romance “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”
and Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory.” “Kill-
ing Eve” was also nominated for Best Tele-
vision Series - Drama, as was lead actress
Jodie Comer, in yet another Phoebe Waller-
Bridge hit. Netflix’s queer “The Politician”
was nominated as Best Comedy Series.
But the night’s biggest and queerest mo-
ments came from award-winning “Saturday
Night Live” cast member and comedian
Kate McKinnon and iconic talk show host,
actress, producer, game-show host and co-
median, Ellen DeGeneres. McKinnon pre-
sented Ellen with the second annual Carol
Burnett Excellence in Television Award for
her contributions to television.
8% pan
McKinnon’s introduction to Ellen brought
tears and cheers from the audience. The no-
toriously private McKinnon revealed the
impact Ellen had on her as a young lesbian.
McKinnon, 36, said of her teenaged self,
“In 1997, when Ellen’s sitcom was in the
height of its popularity, I was in my moth-
er’s basement lifting weights in front of the
mirror and thinking, ‘Am I gay?’ And I was,
and I still am.”
Peppering her revelatory speech with
her characteristic humor, McKinnon said.
“But that’s a very scary thing to suddenly
know about yourself. It’s sort of like doing
23andMe and discovering that you have
alien DNA. And the only thing that made it
less scary was seeing Ellen on TV.”
She added, “She risked her entire life and
her entire career in order to tell the truth,
and she suffered greatly for it. Of course,
attitudes change, but only because brave
people like Ellen jump into the fire to make
them change. And if I hadn’t seen her on
TV, I would have thought, ‘I could never be
on TV. They don’t let LGBT people on TV.’
And more than that, I would have gone on
thinking that I was an alien and that I maybe
didn’t even have a right to be here. So thank
you, Ellen, for giving me a shot. A shot at a
good life, and thank you also for the sweater
with a picture of the baby goat on it.”
In her acceptance speech, Ellen paid hom-
age to Carol Burnett and the impact that the
acting legend had on her, saying, “I feel like
we all think we know someone — there’s
a connection when we watch them on TV
for as long as we are on TV, and that’s what
it was like for me with Carol
Burnett. I felt like I knew her. I page 14
12
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SPECIALIZING IN PARTNERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT LAW
Proven track record of recovering millions of dollars for wrongfully treated employees!*
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100 S. Broad St.
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Jeff.Goldman@verizon.net
*Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
PGN
OFFICE OF LGBT AFFAIRS
from page 1
Mayor’s Executive Order No. 1-20,” Cox
said. On Monday, the Mayor’s Office in-
stituted a new Executive Order focusing
• Partnership & business disputes on diversity, equity and inclusion that will
• Non-competes “establish formal oversight of the Office
• Executive compensation of LGBT Affairs and Mayor’s Office for
• Employment discrimination People with Disabilities” and “mandate
diversity, equity and inclusion training.”
• Real Estate Litigation The Executive Order also “formalizes
the creation of the City’s Racial Equity
• Wills, Living Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney required, by the end of 2023, to conduct
Racial Equity Assessments and create Ra-
Put 18 years of experience to work for you! cial Equity Action Plans.”
“This new directive (Executive Order
No. 1-20), is an important step for City
government,” Cox added. “The mandato-
ry diversity, equity and inclusion training
will help managers and supervisors to cre-
ate work environments where all people
are treated in a fair and respectful way.”
Thornburg, an out North Philly wom-
Repairs, Renovations and Remodeling an of color, previously worked as project
manager for the City of Philadelphia’s
(215) 467-3335 Mural Arts Program, education specialist
at the Bryson Institute of the Attic Youth
Pa. HIC #026545 Center and as an independent diversity
Phila. Lic. #17895 consultant. She also volunteered for the
COLOURS Organization, MANNA and
“Our” the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania
before taking on the position of deputy
Family Plumber director of the Office of LGBT Affairs
and now director of training and program
for over 30 years development in the Office of Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion.
Whether Thornburg is being considered
for the position of director of the Office
of LGBT Affairs, Cox said, ”I can’t com-
ment on that specifically.”
While Cox relayed, “We are hopeful
that we’ll have an announcement about
the replacement for the executive director
position in the office soon,” the top posi-
tions in the office are vacant.
Leadership in the Office of Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion “made a choice to
have two fellows brought on fulltime to
help fill a gap for a little while because
they believed they were getting close to
making that offer for executive director,”
said Cox.
Former fellows, now full-time em-
ployees Sayeeda Rashid and Erik Lar-
son have been with the Office of LGBT
Affairs since August 2018 and October
2018, respectively. Rashid and Larson
are assisting with office needs and “con-
tinue to work on projects and day-to-day
activities for the office with supervision
from the First Deputy Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion Officer Steve Preston, who
normally supervises the director of LGBT
Affairs,” said Cox.
While the city didn’t provide specific
pgn
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020
details on the extended vacancy of the po-
sition of director in the LGBT Affairs of-
fice, Cox did say, “I think It’s a tough spot
to fill. We’ve had two directors in that po-
sition, and you want to make sure it’s the
right fit and that it’s somebody who can
represent the community, somebody who
can navigate the laws of government. And
I think Amber obviously had some very
big shoes to fill when she left, so I think
that made it a little trickier than some of
the other positions we’ve had to fill late-
ly. But also with some of these executive
director positions they are a little bit of a
lengthier process just because of the visi-
bility and the stature they have.”
She added, “For any hiring process in
the city, we make sure there’s a diverse
panel there,” including age, race, gen-
der, sexual orientation and gender iden-
tity. “For this position, in particular, we
were obviously very sensitive to make
sure that there was representation from
the LGBT community on that panel, in
both rounds of interviews as well as the
resume review.”
The hiring manager is Chief Diversi-
ty, Equity and Inclusion Officer Nolan
Atkinson, with final approval by Mayor
Jim Kenney, but Atkinson’s “First Deputy
Steve Preston sort of shepherded the pro-
cess,” according to Cox.
Atkinson oversees the entire office
where the Office of LGBT Affairs resides
and has had substantial experience work-
ing with LGBTQ communities, Cox said.
“He for many decades worked in the le-
gal field and handled cases related to civil
rights and was very focused on diversity
and inclusion work,” she added.
Preston served as Deputy Chief of Staff
for Mayor Kenney from 2016 to 2018 be-
fore moving to the role of in the Office of
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Novem-
ber 2018. Prior to that, he worked as tran-
sition advisor and then transition director
for the Kenney Administration. He first
entered local politics in 2014 as deputy
state director for Organizing for Action,
“which worked closely with groups like
Equality PA on LGBTQ+ issues and other
areas of advocacy,” according to Cox. She
added, “He also worked directly with the
Office of LGBT Affairs, serving as the di-
rect report for Amber while she was here.”
Preston could not be reached for comment.
“Creating a culture of inclusion with-
in City government has been a priority
for Mayor Kenney since his first day in
office,” Cox told PGN. “That is why he
signed an Executive Order appointing the
City’s first Chief Diversity and Inclusion
Officer and creating the Office of Diver-
sity and Inclusion in 2016, and why he
began his second term with a new Ex-
ecutive Order expanding the mandate of
their office.” n
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
PGN
13

SPECIAL ELECTION NOTICE AVISO DE ELECCIÓN ESPECIAL

Representative in the General Assembly – 190th District Representante en la Asamblea General – 190° Distrito
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 MARTES, 25 DE FEBRERO DE 2020


DECLARACIÓN DE INFORMACIÓN SOBRE EL ACCESO AL PROCESO DE ELECCIONES
INFORMATION STATEMENT ON ACCESS TO THE ELECTION PROCESS FOR PARA LAS PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDADES EN LA CIUDAD DE FILADELFIA
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA De acuerdo con el Título II de la Ley de Americanos con Discapacidades de 1990 y la Ley de Accesibilidad
In accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Voter Accessibility for de Votante para los Ancianos y los Discapacitados de 1984, la Ciudad de Filadelfia no discrimina a la
the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984, the City of Philadelphia does not discriminate against people gente con discapacidades al suministrar acceso para el proceso de elecciones. Según estas leyes
with disabilities in providing access to its election process. According to these federal laws, the City of federales, se requiere que la Ciudad de Filadelfia asegure que su proceso de elecciones en conjunto sea
Philadelphia is required to ensure that its election process as a whole is accessible to people with accesible a la gente con discapacidades en todas las elecciones. Esto significa que los sitios de votación
disabilities in all elections. This means that polling places shall be accessible to people with disabilities to serán accesibles a los discapacitados de tal manera que haya locaciones accesibles disponibles dentro
the extent that accessible locations are available within each election district. de cada distrito electoral.
The City Commissioners designates and lists polling place accessibility in varying degrees. Polling places Los Comisionados de la Ciudad designan y enumeran la accesibilidad de los lugares de votación en
that fully meet all federal and state criteria are designated with an “F” for fully accessible building and grados variables. Los sitios de votación que cumplen en su totalidad con los criterios federales y
an “H” for handicapped parking. If a polling place location does not fully meet these federal and state estatales son designados con una "F" que indica que es un edificio totalmente accesible, y con una "H"
criteria but provides relative accessibility with minor assistance in entry then that location will be que indica que hay estacionamiento para discapacitados. Si un logar de votación no cumple en su
designated with a “B” for substantial accessibility. If a fully accessible location, that meets all federal and totalidad con estos criterios federales y estatales, pero provee accesibilidad relativa con una pequeña
state criteria (designated as “FH”), is not available for a polling place in your election division, voting ayuda en la entrada, entonces ese logar será designado con una "B" que indica que tiene una
accessibility will be provided through the use of an Alternative Ballot in accordance with directives accesibilidad substancial. Si no hay disponible un lugar totalmente accesible, que cumpla con todos los
issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. If you are a registered voter who is disabled or age 65 or criterios federales y estatales (designados como “FH”), como sitio de votación en su División de elección,
older and who is not assigned to a polling place that has been designated as “FH”, you are qualified to la accesibilidad para votar será proporcionada mediante el uso de una Boleta Alternativa de acuerdo
vote using an Alternative Ballot. con las directrices expedidas por el Secretario del Estado. Si usted es un votante registrado, que es
discapacitado o tiene 65 años de edad o más, y no se le ha asignado un lugar de votación que haya sido
ONLY THE FOLLOWING WARDS AND DIVISIONS POLLING PLACES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS “FH” OR designado como “FH”, entonces cumple con los requisitos para votar mediante una Boleta Alternativa.
FULLY ACCESSIBLE. SÓLO LOS CENTROS DE VOTACIÓN DE LOS DISTRITOS Y LAS DIVISIONES ELECTORALES QUE SE
IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED VOTER IN ANY ELECTION DISTRICT IN PHILADELPHIA, EXCEPT FOR THOSE MENCIONAN A CONTINUACIÓN SE HAN DESIGNADO COMO “FH” O TOTALMENTE ACCESIBLES.
LISTED BELOW, AND YOU ARE DISABLED OR AGE 65 OR OLDER YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE FROM SI USTED ES UN VOTANTE REGISTRADO EN CUALQUIER DISTRITO ELECTORAL DE FILADELPHIA, SALVO
HOME USING AN ALTERNATIVE BALLOT OR AT CITY HALL ROOM 142 ON ELECTION DAY USING AN EN AQUELLOS QUE SE ENUMERAN A CONTINUACIÓN, Y ES DISCAPACITADO O MAYOR DE 65 AÑOS,
EMERGENCY ALTERNATIVE BALLOT: CUMPLE CON LOS REQUISITOS PARA VOTAR DESDE SU HOGAR MEDIANTE UNA BOLETA ALTERNATIVA
O EN LA SALA 142 DEL AYUNTAMIENTO EL DÍA DE LA ELECCIÓN MEDIANTE UNA BOLETA
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www.philadelphiavotes.com ESTE AVISO ESTA SUJETO A CAMBIOS. PARA OBTENER INFORMACION ACTUALIZADA IR A
www.philadelphiavotes.com
Ward Division Address Location
Barrio División Domicilio Posición
6 2 4400 Fairmount Ave. Angela Court Nursing Home
6 2 4400 Fairmount Ave. Angela Court Nursing Home
6 9, 11 4035 Parrish St. Sarah Allen Senior Housing
6 9, 11 4035 Parrish St. Sarah Allen Senior Housing
th
6 15 40 St. & Parkside Ave. School of the Future th
6 15 40 St. & Parkside Ave. School of the Future
6 17 4700 Parkside Ave. Discovery Charter School 6 17 4700 Parkside Ave. Discovery Charter School
44 8 4901 Chestnut St. West Philadelphia High School 44 8 4901 Chestnut St. West Philadelphia High School
44 16, 17 5201 Haverford Ave. Spectrum Community Health Center Spectrum Community Health
44 16, 17 5201 Haverford Ave.
Center
52 3 3900 City Ave. Presidential City Apts.
52 3 3900 City Ave. Presidential City Apts.
52 11, 12 2600 Belmont Ave. Inglis House Founders Hall 52 11, 12 2600 Belmont Ave. Inglis House Founders Hall
60 4, 6 5429 Chestnut St. Holmes Senior Apts. 60 4, 6 5429 Chestnut St. Holmes Senior Apts.
60 8, 12 4901 Chestnut St. West Philadelphia High School
60 8, 12 4901 Chestnut St. West Philadelphia High School
Es posible obtener una Boleta Alternativa para cualquier elección, a petición avanzado de una solicitud
de boleta alternativa. En Filadelfia se puede pedir una Boleta Alternativa en la solicitud corriente de
An Alternative Ballot may be obtained for any election, upon your advance request on an Alternative Boleta para Votar en Ausencia, señalando la casilla de “Discapacitado, 65 años de edad o mayor y a
Ballot Application. In Philadelphia, an application for an Alternative Ballot can be made on the regular quien se le ha asignado un lugar de votación inaccesible”. Las solicitudes se pueden obtener en la Junta
Absentee Ballot Application by checking the box for “Handicapped or 65 years or older and who is de Elecciones del Condado en Sala 142, del Ayuntamiento o llamando al teléfono (215) 686-3469 VOICE,
assigned to an inaccessible polling place”. The applications may be obtained at the County Board of o por TTY/TDD (Teletipo/Aparato de Telecomunicación para Sordos) a través del Hamilton Relay System.
Elections in Room 142, City Hall or by contacting (215) 686-3469 VOICE, or TTY/TDD through the Los usuarios de TDD pueden utilizar este servicio llamando al 1-800-654-5984 e informándole al
Hamilton Relay System. TDD users may utilize this service by calling 1-800-654-5984 and telling the asistente de comunicaciones que desean hablar con la Oficina de Elecciones de Pensilvania en el (717)
communications assistant they want to speak to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Elections at (717) 787- 787-5280.
5280.
Las Solicitudes de Boleta Alternativa deben enviarse por correo a la Junta de Elecciones del Condado a
Alternative Ballot Applications by mail must be submitted to the County Board of Elections not later más tardar siete días antes de la elección. Las Boletas Alternativas deben devolverse a la Junta de
than 7 days before the election. Alternative Ballots must be returned to the County Board of Elections Elecciones del Condado a más tardar al momento del cierre de las urnas, a las 8:00 p.m. del Día de
no later than the close of the polls, at 8:00 P.M. on Election Day. Additionally, registered electors with Elecciones. Además, los electores registrados con discapacidades pueden pedir una Solicitud de Boleta
disabilities may apply for an Emergency Alternative Ballot Application and cast their ballot in person at Alternativa de Emergencia y depositar la boleta personalmente en la Junta de Elecciones del Condado,
the County Board of Election, in Room 142, City Hall, up to the close of the polls on Election Day. In en sala 142, del Ayuntamiento, hasta el momento del cierre de elecciones durante el Día de Elecciones.
addition, the City shall provide registration materials in large print at each registration facility and voting Además, la Ciudad proporcionará materiales de inscripción en letras grandes en cada instalación de
instructions in large print at each polling place. inscripción, y suministrará las instrucciones en letras grandes sobre cómo votar en cada sitio de
votación.
Should you have any questions about your rights, or the City’s obligations under these laws, or if you
Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre sus derechos o sobre las obligaciones de la Ciudad según estas leyes, o si
need assistance in determining if your polling place fully meets federal and state criteria, please contact
the Accessibility Compliance Office, or the County Board of Elections. necesita ayuda para determinar si su lugar de votación cumple en su totalidad con los criterios federales
y estatales, comuníquese con la Oficina de Cumplimiento con la Accesibilidad, o la Junta de Elecciones
County Board of Elections del Condado.
City Commissioner's Office Accessibility Compliance Office
City Hall, Room 142 Oficina del Comisionado de la Junta de Elecciones del Condado
City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 1401 JFK Blvd, MSB 10th Floor Oficina de Cumplimiento con la Accesibilidad
Philadelphia, PA 19107 Ciudad City Hall, Room 142
Philadelphia, PA 19102 – 1677 1401 JFK Blvd, MSB 10th Floor
(215) 686-3469 City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Philadelphia, PA 19107
Philadelphia, PA 19102 – 1677
(215) 686-3469

14
MUMMERS CONTROVERSY
from page 1
the five Mummers presidents included a list of
additional rules and measures to prevent hate-
ful behavior, such as a willingness to establish
dialogue with the city on issues of sensitivity
and inclusion. They also stated in the release,
“We, the presidents of the five traditional
Mummers Divisions, categorically reject ex-
pressions of hate and bigotry. That negative
behavior and expression has no place in a
parade that celebrates family, working peo-
ple and the hopes for the New Year, and in a
parade that has come to represent the City of
Philadelphia.”
Morrison said one of the main issues was
the need for diversity training.
“Every person had to do not just diversity
training, but sensitivity training,” said Morri-
son, captain and founder of Miss Fancy Bri-
gade, an LGBTQ+ Mummer’s group in the
Landi Comics club. Also, guidelines were im-
plemented requiring groups to disclose what
they’re wearing ahead of time and banning
the use of makeup that makes one resemble
another ethnicity.
MAPLEWOOD DEPUTY MAYOR
from page 1
just for LGBTQ [people],” Dafis said. Since
the installment of these crosswalks, Dafis
heard from community-members that this
symbol of inclusion has led to positive chang-
es.
“I’ve had parents come to me discreetly
and say, ‘When you put that thing up, it really
meant a lot to my daughter, who is suffering
with her identity. She’s transgender, and she’s
having issues with it. At school they’re not al-
ways so nice to her. Now she goes over there,
and she feels like she belongs,’” Dafis said.
“She can actually cross over her doubt.”
Some of the significant issues that Dafis
and McGehee plan to tackle in the town of
Maplewood include housing affordability, in-
stances of police brutality, integrating schools
that have disparities in funding and demo-
graphic attendance and facilitating the ongo-
ing conversation on diversity and inclusion in
the community.
“I ran on a platform of greater equity, and
I really believe that,” Dafis said. “I do believe
that we have yet to really be who we claim we
FAMILY FORWARD
from page 9
I was bemoaning how I forgot to “close the
door,” and he went and slammed the front
door shut—how convenient!). This shift is the
development of his “receptive language”—
babies’ ability to understand the meaning
of words — that precedes “expressive lan-
guage,” or when they start actually speaking
GOLDEN GLOBES OP-ED
from page 12
felt like she showed us who she was every
week. She was larger than life.”
Ellen could have been talking about the
PGN
M I S S FA N C Y B R I G A D E P h o t o : K e l l y B u r k h a r d t
But, the history of racism in Mummers
extends longer than recent history. In 1963,
the head of Philadelphia’s NAACP chapter,
Cecil B. Moore, pressured the city to ban —
and they did — blackface during the event.
But this year, Mike Tomaszewski and
Kevin Kinkel, in blackface, marched with
the Froggy Carr’s Wench Brigade, and at
least one of them was a member of the club.
Mayor Jim Kenney disqualified the group
from the competition component of the pa-
are in that we are a town for everyone. Maple-
wood has had some issues with policing, and
we’ve had issues of Black people moving out,
and we know that there are some Black people
not moving in.”
McGehee also emphasized the importance
of diversity and inclusivity for the town of
Maplewood.
“As the town continues to grow and change,
making sure that the residents that move here
with the ideation that we are a welcoming and
inclusive community,” he said. “You have to
step out of your comfort zone. Take the time
at the train platform and talk to another person
who may not look like you or talk like you
or act like you, and get to learn and establish
relationships.”
While Maplewood is rife with people of di-
verse backgrounds and points of view, there is
still work to be done to make the town more
inclusive in terms of everything from board
memberships to zoning and development,
Dafis pointed out.
He highlighted the South Orange/Maple-
wood Community Coalition on Race, whose
mission is “to build and sustain a community
that is racially, socially and culturally integrat-
words. While it’s always fun to impress fam-
ily and friends with what we believe are his
genius abilities, it’s also reinforced that we’re
Jackson’s first teachers.
I’ve always understood that, as parents,
we’re tasked with shaping his young life —
from his values to his interests to his physical
health — but seeing him excitedly learning
the words whose meanings we started taking
for granted decades ago visibly illustrates the
way so many think about her on her daily
talk show, now in its 17th season with
more than 3,000 episodes. “We counted
on her to make us feel good, and she de-
livered every single week; she never let us
down. She was hilarious in all the sketches
rade, and both men have been banned from
Froggy Carr and future Mummers parades.
Kenney stated in a tweet, “The use of black-
face by someone affiliated with Froggy
Carr was abhorrent and unacceptable. This
selfish, hateful behavior has no place in the
Mummers or the city itself. We must be bet-
ter than this.”
Froggy Carr President Stephen Pakech
said in a press conference that the two men
put on their makeup after the parade started
ed and truly inclusive where
there is equity and equality for
all.” Dafis served as a trustee to
the organization and has stayed
engaged in their initiatives.
“Not many towns are doing
this, we’re doing that, and we
get a lot of blowback for it,”
Dafis said. “It’s emotionally
exhausting talking about de-
feat, and all the -isms and hard-
ship, and lack of mobility. But
if you don’t confront it and own
it and have conversations with
people about it, how are we go-
ing to get over it?”
The fact that Dafis is Maple-
wood’s first openly LGBTQ
elected official is a step in
the right direction in terms of L TO R: VICTOR DE LUCA, DEAN DAFIS, FRANK MCGEHEE,
fighting for and celebrating in- NANCY ADAMS AND GREGORY LEMBRICH P h o t o : F a c e b o o k
clusivity in the town, McGehee
said.
“It means that we’re not just talking, but now it’s proven in leadership. Dean is a good
we’re actually walking — that we are actu- friend of mine, and I’m just so proud of him
ally embracing and expressing the values that for being who he is, and being who he is while
we talk about,” McGehee said. “We talk about he’s serving others.” n
impact we can have, both positively and nega-
tively. That’s simultaneously inspiring and in-
timidating. We make fools of ourselves point-
ing to different objects and saying their name
50 times in a row, knowing that he’s absorbing
it. But we also have to curb our own language
— I have a penchant for a few choice curse
words and am working hard to reduce their
frequency in my everyday vocabulary. But
even the inflection with which we speak, how
that she did, and when she did the Q&A
with the audience, she was just genuine
and personal, and I always felt like she
was speaking to me,” Ellen said, adding,
“At the end of the show, every time she
pulled her ear, I knew she was saying ‘It’s
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020
and attire had been approved. Both Pakech
and Joe Renzi, club captain, said they did
not condone the behavior. Renzi said in the
interview, “It’s completely wrong. We don’t
condone it. We do try to… police ourselves,
and it got by me.”
In an interview with a KYW, the two men
in question, Mike Tomaszewski and Kevin
Kinkel, said they were dressed like Flyers
mascot Gritty, Froggy Carr’s theme this
year, and claimed that their face makeup
wasn’t racist.
Tomaszewski said, “Yeah, why not? I
know it’s a shame to be white in Philly right
now. It’s a shame.”
Morrison said, “The marshals who were
there should have stopped those guys, peo-
ple in the brigade should have stopped those
guys.”
Morrison said that the Mummers clubs
have taken measures to ensure that parades
are free of racism, homophobia and any of-
fensive action or attire and noted that diver-
sity has been steadily increasing.
“People should know the strict standards
that the brigades are held to now to prevent
this from happening,” Morrison said. n
being a welcoming, inclusive community, but
we express frustration or anger, the body lan-
guage we use, or the animated stories we tell
about the highs and lows of our days … he’s
listening to it all and learning from it.
I am eagerly — albeit nervously — await-
ing all that we have to learn in 2020. For, of all
the lessons we absorbed in 2019 about raising
our son, perhaps the most valuable, and hum-
bling, is that we still have so very much to
learn. n
OK, I’m gay too.’”
It was hard not to think that somewhere
was another kid in their mother’s base-
ment watching, seeing two generations of
out queer women, and knowing that it was
OK to be gay, too. n
 Arts & Culture
Q PUZZLE : PA G E 2 2 COMIC :
F A M I LY P O R T R A I T David Underwood: North Philly jazz artist from musical family
New anthology centers
LGBTQ health,
features local voices
GARY M. KRAMER
PGN Contributor
The new anthology “Bodies and Bar-
riers: Queer Activists on Health,” is an
eye-opening and compassionate col-
lection of essays addressing topics of
importance to the LGBTQ community.
Edited by Adrian Shanker, founder and
executive director of Allentown’s Brad-
bury-Sullivan LGBT Center, the volume
raises awareness about health care issues
— from how LGBTQ folks are mistreat-
ed and discriminated against by medical
professionals to personal safety concerns.
The contributors are a mix of practi-
tioners and activists who are concerned
with health care both in Pennsylvania
and nationally. The book is divided by
age groups into four chapters, with topics
ranging from pediatric care for transgen-
der youth (a lovely section) to caregiving
for seniors, as well as HIV stigmatiza-
tion, suicide survival and other issues.
The early chapters identify the need for
more inclusive sex education, allowing
queer youth to feel less marginalized and
less demonized. A lack of knowledge cre-
ates negative health scenarios, from ris-
ing HIV rates to depression and suicide.
According to contributor Ryan Thoreson,
LGBTQ teens have higher rates of alco-
hol, tobacco and other drug use.
The best entries in “Bodies and Bar-
riers” are told in the first person. Pres-
ton Heldibridle writes about binding for
transmasculine youth, recounting in de-
tail his experiences with body dysphoria
as well as the emotional and physical toll
of being uncomfortable in his body. He
describes the confidence he feels wearing
a commercial binder and the importance
of having and using the device properly.
Moreover, he explains how medical pro-
fessionals are not necessarily sensitive to
trans patients and can provide misinfor-
mation, prompting most trans people to
rely on each other for information and
resources. This “mentoring” is especial-
ly valuable for people in rural areas who
may have limited access to trans-friendly
doctors.
The difficulties LGBTQ folks have with
medical professionals is put in bold relief
as transgender author and activist Laura
Jacobs recounts feeling insulted and even
WINTER PREVIEW 2020: PAGES 16 & 17
PA G E 2 5 HOROSCOPES : PA G E 1 9 EVENTS : PA G E 2 0 SCENE IN PHILLY : PA G E 2 1 pgn
PAG E 2 3
fetishized — as well as pried
for irrelevant information —
when she saw a doctor about
a sinus issue.
Such insensitivity is also
the subject of Robyn Ochs’
excellent entry about bisex-
uals’ experiences with health
care professionals. Ochs ex-
plains how poorly she has
been treated in doctors’ of-
fices and that she has been
anxious about disclosing her
sexual identity because of the
reactions she has received. As
she recounts numerous nega-
tive experiences from other
bisexuals — such as assump-
tions that belittle and shame
them to open hostility —
Ochs also provides positive
encounters from individuals
who were treated with digni-
ty and respect and the value
and security that provides
them.
A key theme that is uni-
versal to all of the entries in
“Bodies and Barriers” is that
the government, the medical
establishment and even the
pharmaceutical industry must
become more caring, consid-
erate and compassionate to
achieve equity. The LGBTQ
community has a higher risk
for death by suicide and men-
tal health conditions, a higher
percentage of smokers, and more body “Bodies and Barriers” also features lesbians who may not have easy access to
dysphoria issues than their heterosexual contributions from local activists, such as healthcare and other needs. Likewise, Liz
peers. For example, according to Thore- Chris Bartlett, executive director of the Bradbury’s essay on caregiving for LGBT
son, trans youth can develop bladder in- William Way Community Center. Bart- older adults addresses the genuine con-
fections simply because they are afraid to lett’s chapter discusses the Marielitos, cern of being an “elder orphan” — some-
use school bathrooms. LGBT Cubans who came to America on one who has no family members to care
Several contributors talk about risk the Mariel Boatlift in 1980. (This was the for them. The closing chapter on bereave-
factors, suggesting that members of the subject of an exhibit he mounted). Arriv- ment ends the collection on a poignant
LGBTQ community need to be more ing in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, note about how the grieving process can
vigilant about their health. Editor Adrian many of these immigrants were infected be especially difficult for LGBTQ folks.
Shanker emphasizes that too few mem- with HIV and sought permanent housing “Bodies and Barriers” is an important
bers of the queer community get anal Pap along with citizenship. How older activists collection that shares largely unheard
tests for cancer — or even know to ask helped organize and support these refu- voices and stories from the community.
for them. Most doctors, he writes, “do not gees is inspiring. It should motivate LGBTQ folks to take
think about this test for their patients.” He The last section of the book focuses on the their health care more seriously — and
provides an essential discussion of this aging LGBTQ population and risk factors demand professionalism from the medical
health concern and what is being done to they face with social isolation. Kat Carrick community. It is a valuable addition to the
increase awareness. and Ntlotleng Mabena write about rural literature. n
16
ART
Designs for Different Futures
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhi-
bition exploring visionary and sometimes con-
troversial designs that promise to transform
how we live, eat, heal, travel and even love,
in any number of possible futures, through
March 8, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-
763-8100.
Diego Rivera: Frescoes
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhi-
bition of murals the revered Mexican artist
created in New York for display in an exhi-
bition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1931,
through spring, 26th Street and the Parkway;
215-763-8100.
COMEDY & SPOKEN
WORD
Todd Glass
The comedian seen on “The Daily Show”
performs Jan. 16-19 at Helium Comedy Club,
2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Steven Wright
The comedian performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at
Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-
572-7650.
Ross Matthews
The out TV personality tells stories live, 9
p.m. Feb. 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut
St.; 215-222-1400.
Patton Oswalt
The comedian performs, 9 p.m. Feb. 8 at the
Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1
Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-
1000.
Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour
Nene Leakes with special guests Loni Love,
Adele Givens, Sherri Shepherd, Kym Whitley
& B. Simone perform, 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at The
Met, 858 N. Broad St.; info@TheMetPhilly.com.
Tiffany Haddish
The comedian and actress performs at 8 p.m.
Feb. 28 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa
Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City,
N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Lewis Black: It Gets Better Every Day
The comedian performs, 8 p.m. March 6 at
Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-
1999.
Tom Papa
The comedian performs, 8 p.m. March 7 at
Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-
572-7650.
PGN
WINTER PREVIEW 2020
PHILLY HEATS UP IN THE NEW YEAR
Get your
brand new
calendars
and a pen
ready to
make some
plans.
R O S S M AT T H E W S
We’re just going to come out
and say it — 2020 is going to
be a weird, chaotic and border-
line terrifying year. As the warm
glow of the holidays fades into
what is sure to be a dark and
chilly winter, we contemplate
what lies ahead — a crazy elec-
tion in a country teetering on the
edge of self-inflicted insanity.
You know, business as usual.
Hopefully, spring and summer
will swoop in to brighten things
up a bit, but that’s all months
away.
So what do we have to keep us
distracted and entertained in the
meantime?
A lot of great entertainment
is coming through the area this
winter to make us laugh, cry,
party and dance the winter blues
away. So get your brand new
calendars and a pen ready to
make some plans.
By Larr y Nichols
Xanadu: The Musical
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums, Ginger Minj
and Jinkx Monsoon recreate the roller-skat-
ing musical, 8 p.m. March 21 at Merriam
Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
DANCE
Dancing With the Stars Live
Contestants from the hit TV show perform at
8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino
& Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic
City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Riverdance
Broadway Philadelphia presents the block-
buster musical, Jan. 21-26, at Merriam
Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Dance Affiliates presents the acclaimed con-
temporary dance company, Jan. 24-25, at
Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-
898-3900.
Shen Yun
The classical Chinese dance show returns
Feb. 12-March 1 at Merriam Theater, 250 S.
Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Mummenschanz
The world-renowned Swiss performance
troupe performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at
Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-
898-3900.
La Bayadère
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Angel
Corella’s restaging of the masterpiece, March
5-15, at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad
St.; 215-893-1999.
Trinity Irish Dance Company
Dance Affiliates presents the award-win-
ning Irish dance company, March 27-28, at
Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-
898-3900.
Suspended in Time
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs three bal-
lets by acclaimed choreographers, April 2-5
at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-
893-1999.
Pilobolus
Dance Affiliates presents the acrobatic dance
company, April 16-18, at Zellerbach Theatre,
3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
MUSIC
The Prince Experience
The Prince tribute band performs at 8 p.m.
Jan. 11 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020
Chris Mann: From Gershwin to Gaga
The singer seen on “The Voice” performs at 8
p.m. Jan.16 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut
St.; 215-222-1400.
The Motels, Bow Wow Wow and When in Rome
The ‘80s new wave groups perform at 7 p.m.
Jan. 17 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Cracker
The rock band performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at
World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-
1400.
Snoop Dogg
The rapper performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at The
Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-
625-3681.
Deadmau5
The electro-dance producer performs Jan.
23-24 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St.; info@
TheMetPhilly.com.
Motionless in White and Beartooth
The hard rock bands perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 23
at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.;
215-625-3681.
Almost Queen
The Queen tribute band performs at 8 p.m.
Jan. 25 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E.
Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Bob Mould
The out rock singer-songwriter performs at 8
p.m. Jan.28 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St.,
Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.
ABBA: The Concert, a tribute to ABBA
The music of the pop group is celebrated, 8
p.m. Feb. 6 at The Tower Theater, 69th and
Ludlow streets; 610-352-2887.
Who’s Bad
The Michael Jackson tribute band performs
at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N.
Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Boyz II Men
The R&B group performs at 8 p.m. Feb.
14 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St.; info@
TheMetPhilly.com.
Jill Scott
The R&B singer-songwriter celebrates the
20th anniversary of her debut album with a
performance at 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Borgata
Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata
Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Queensryche
The prog-rock band performs at 8 p.m., Feb.
19 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.;
215-572-7650.
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
WINTER PREVIEW
17

Angélique Kidjo XANADU: GINGER MINJ

Deafheaven
The Grammy Award-winning world AND JINKX MONSOON The alternative metal band performs at 8:30
music/R&B/jazz singer performs, 7:30 p.m. April 4 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring
p.m. Feb. 20 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.

Celine Dion
THEATER
The pop singer performs at 7:30 p.m. Feb.
DRUMline Live
26 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad
The Kimmel Center presents the show
St.; 215-389-9543.
based on the high energy shows of the
country’s best marching bands, Jan. 10-11
Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney
at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-
Houston starring Belinda Davids
A lot The Whitney Houston tribute act per-
forms at 8 p.m., March 6 at Keswick
893-1999.

of great Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-

A Woman of No Importance
Walnut Street Theatre presents Oscar
7650.
entertainment C H I R I S T I N A H AV R I L L A Wilde’s classic comedy of errors, Jan.
14-March 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-
Squirrel Nut Zippers
is coming The retro-swing band performs to cel-
3550.

through the ebrate their 25th anniversary at 8 p.m.

March 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
The immersive concert-style theater show
area this St.; 215-222-1400. chronicles the journey of the successful
folk-rock duo, Jan. 29-30, at Merriam
winter to Billie Eilish
The pop singer performs at 7:30 p.m.
Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

make us March 13 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S.

Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Everything is Wonderful
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents
laugh, cry, Kristin Chenoweth in Concert For The
the story of an Amish family struggling
with issues of faith and forgiveness, Feb.
party and Girls
The Kimmel Center presents the Emmy
14-March 8 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre,
480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
dance the and Tony Award-winning actress and
singer, 8 p.m. March 13 at Verizon Hall,
MS. LAURYN HILL
Hello, Dolly
winter blues 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. Broadway Philadelphia presents the classic
comedic musical, Feb. 19-March 1, at the
away. Christine Havrilla
The out singer-songwriter performs with
Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-
893-1999.
her band Gypsy Fuzz, 8:30 p.m. March
14 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; SHIP
215-222-1400. Azuka Theatre presents the story of a
woman fresh out of rehab trying to return to
Ms. Lauryn Hill glory in her hometown, Feb. 26-March 15,
The neo-soul/R&B/hip-hop singer per- at Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S.
forms, 9 p.m. March 14 at The Tower Hicks St.; 215-563-1100.
Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets; 610-
352-2887. The Best Man
Walnut Street Theatre presents the story of
Mandy Moore a political game of cat and mouse, March
The pop singer and songwriter performs 10-April 26, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
at 9 p.m. March 21 at the Borgata Hotel,
Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles
Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000. Broadway Philadelphia presents the musi-
cal chronicling the journey of the Fab Four,
Third Eye Blind March 13-15 at Merriam Theater, 250 S.
The alt-rockers perform at 8 p.m. March Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
27 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E.
Allen St.; 215-625-3681. Les Misérables
Broadway Philadelphia presents a new
Pussy Riot production of the Tony Award-winning
The activist rock band performs at 8:30 musical set in 19th Century France, March
p.m. April 3 at Union Transfer, 1026 17-29 at the Academy of Music, 240 S.
Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.

A Bowie Celebration Jesus Christ Superstar

Bowie Alumni performs ‘Diamond Dogs’ Broadway Philadelphia presents the iconic
& ‘Ziggy Stardust’ at 8 p.m. April 4 at musical for its 50th Anniversary, April
J E S U S C H R I S T S U P E R S TA R
Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 7-12, at the Academy of Music, 240 S.
215-572-7650. Broad St.; 215-893-1999. n
18
Trans actor
talks new role,
musical theater
CAMERON KELSALL
PGN Contributor
“Chess the Musical” flopped on
Broadway, closing after just two
months in 1988, but it has lived on as
a cult classic ever since. Subsequent
productions have featured some of
the biggest names in musical theater,
including Josh Groban, Idina Men-
zel, Sutton Foster, Adam Pascal and
Michael Ball. Songs like “Anthem,”
“Pity the Child” and “I Know Him
So Well” are commonly heard at
showcases and auditions. Legions
of devoted fans still flock to see the
show, which chronicles a contentious
Cold War chess match between a ce-
rebral Soviet and a brash American.
11th Hour Theatre Company will
present a new staging this month,
featuring trans actor Jack Henry
as Freddie Trumper, the hotheaded
American chess master. A Univer-
sity of the Arts graduate, Henry has
appeared with many of the region’s
top theater companies, including the
Arden, Wilma, Azuka and Theatre
Horizon. He is equally at home in
drama and as a musical theater per-
former.
PGN spoke with Henry about the
expectations of performing musical
theater, the kinds of characters he’s
interested in playing and the trans
T H E AT E R
representation he wants to see on
stage. Some responses have been ed-
ited for clarity.
Did you have a connection to
“Chess” before you were cast in
this production?
I did not. I just knew a few songs from
theater school. I think the show is wild,
and I think it’s one of those things
where you’re like, “Wow, did we all
agree on this?” You sort of have no
choice but to jump on board and do it,
because it’s really fun.
How do you approach finding the
character of Freddie? Freddie is the
little piece of cruelty that we all have in
us. To be able to get to release a little
bit of my own through him is a plea-
sure. We use anger and aggression to
cover our wounds because we’re afraid
someone is going to step on them all
over again. Freddie is the part of us
that will do anything to protect your
secrets.
What do you think is the main
difference between performing in
musical theater and drama? I don’t
think the approach is different. I think
I have extra help in musicals. You have
music. You get magic with the music.
Plays are a different thing, and you
have to rely on a different kind of mag-
ic. Music is just a really powerful way
to communicate. The approach isn’t
different, but I’m just more used to dif-
ferent kinds of magic.
The music in “Chess” is so much of
its moment. Is working on a score
like this different from performing
more contemporary musical the-
ater? There’s a moment when you’re
not sure if you’re going to jump on
board — and then you sort of say to
yourself, “Oh, why not?” It is such a
vehicle of its time, and that’s fun to do.
At this point in your career, what
are the kinds of roles you’re at-
tracted to? There are several kinds
of characters I want to play, and there
are some that I haven’t invented yet.
I feel like I’ll probably invent a few.
One brand of character that I really
like to do was actually written by my
playwright friend Val Dunn, in a play
called “Down in the Holler” that Play-
Penn did a few years ago. The charac-
ter I played was sort of like a catalyst
outsider, which is a role I’ve played
before, but it was different, and it was
special. The characters I am particular-
ly drawn to have a lot of hope in them,
and this character’s magic was that
even when things turned out different
from what she wanted, she could spin
them and make them magic. I recently
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020
JACK HENRY P h o t o : Fa c e b o o k
played Jack in Theatre Horizon’s read-
ing of “Into the Woods.” Jack believes
in magic too. These characters are full
of hope, and they don’t always know
what they’re going to do, but they real-
ly think it’s going to turn out OK.
As a trans performer, what kind of
trans stories are you excited to tell?
Honestly, I’d like to see more trans
characters who are just trans. That’s
not necessarily part of the story. The
normalization of transness would be a
really nice thing to see more and more
of — just existence in a way that feels
as much as you would see a cis person.
Do you have anything coming up
after “Chess”? I do have something,
but I haven’t signed a contract yet, so
I can’t talk about it. I’m also working
on a solo piece called “Liminal Moon,”
which is a party, a TED Talk, a perfor-
mance, a museum and a ritual where
you’re invited to be between whatever
you are between. It doesn’t currently
have a home yet, but it is in the works
and being submitted to places. n
11th Hour Theatre Company’s pro-
duction of “Chess the Musical”
runs Jan. 11-19 at Christ Church
Neighborhood House. For tickets
and information, visit 11thhourthe-
atrecompany.org.
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
BY INEZ CARVALHO
ARIES
(Mar. 21 - Apr. 20)
Recently, you went out on a limb
and tried something new and dif-
ferent, diverging from your or-
dinary routine, and it turned out
alright, despite your hesitation. It
was quite eye-opening. It would
help if you leaned into the sensa-
tion of restored confidence that this has given you. Let
others around you be a source of inspiration. You are
making big moves and engaging with the world, thanks in
part to a Saturn and Pluto interaction with your sun sign.
TA U R U S
(Apr. 21 - May 21)
After the eclipse that occurred on
Jan. 10 in your communication
sector, you have been thinking
about how you portray yourself
to others. You often vacillate be-
tween oversharing at the wrong
time or completely clamming up
and going unheard. You realize that’s not how you want
to be anymore. Writing and journaling could be of use to
you at this time. You are feeling a profound shift in your
perspective.
GEMINI
(May 22 - Jun. 21)
After the eclipse that occurred on
Jan. 10 in your communication
sector, you have been thinking
about how you portray yourself
to others. You often vacillate be-
tween oversharing at the wrong
time or completely clamming up and going unheard. You
realize that’s not how you want to be anymore. Writing
and journaling could be of use to you at this time. You are
feeling a profound shift in your perspective.
CANCER
(Jun. 22 - Jul. 22)
You have a vision! Saturn and
Pluto align in your opposite sign
of Capricorn, directing that con-
structive transitory energy in your
chart. You have been thinking
outside the box, particularly in
terms of relationships. You seek
unconventional connections that are both practical and
spiritually fulfilling. You used to be drawn to people with
nasty, unpredictable streaks who had that brooding edgy
vibe, but that act has gotten stale. Now, you are looking
to build and grow with those around you. While you feel
slightly groggy after the holidays, you may also have a
surge of inspiration.
ASTROLOGY
LEO
(Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)
You feel the need to unplug for a
while. A social media break, buy-
ing a new book or stepping out of
the spotlight for a moment may be
the ticket. You’ve been focusing
on routine and wellness and find-
ing what that means to you on an
individual level. January is undoubtedly a continuation
of that theme. Mars may be making you feel a bit im-
pulsive, so it’s best to proceed with caution, especially
in regards to the words you choose or purchases you feel
compelled to make. Self-criticism may also be height-
ened at this time, so be sure not to bully yourself. Take it
easy right now. Your nervous system will thank you later.
VIRGO
(Aug. 23 - Sep. 23)
You are seeking out new modes
of expression, which might feel as
if you are emerging from a dark
cave and into the sunlight. You
feel drawn to sensual and senso-
rial experiences at this time. Even
those around you may be seeing
you in a new light. You are revealing a new side to those
close to you, as well as to yourself. Everything until this
point has been leading you in the right direction. The
Saturn-Pluto conjunction works in your favor and in
your sun sign’s fourth house, which is where comfort,
pleasure and happiness reside. A peaceful yet curious
energy warmly washes over you.
LIBRA
(Sep. 24 - Oct. 23)
The eclipse that occurred on Jan.
10 and the Saturn and Pluto align-
ment happening are both affect-
ing your home and family sector.
Whatever is happening in that
department can feel bigger than it
may actually be. January is all about focusing on your
foundation and cultivating self-reliance. Don’t get too
embroiled with to-do lists, roommate drama or appliance
malfunctions. Chasing perfection will lead you down an
eternal maze. Find healthy ways to vent your frustration,
and don’t nitpick those around you. Remember that it is
OK if things look a little messy, as long as they get done.
It’s about the big picture.
SCORPIO
(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
January feels busy in a philosophi-
cal way for you, Scorpio. The Sat-
urn-Pluto interaction in your sun
sign’s third house of communication
has given you a moment of reflec-
tion, particularly regarding how you
speak and listen to others — especially the listening part,
which might need some work. Now is also a time to cel-
ebrate and embrace your imagination and your curiosity.
Studying, practicing and learning about things that interest
you can feel very rewarding and fulfilling right now. For the
rest of this month, Mars will be supporting you and giving
you the courage to take a few leaps of faith or the staying
power to see something through. The Cosmos is with you!
19
S A G I T TA R I U S
(Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)
With Mars making an appear-
ance in your sun sign all month,
you might feel woken up refresh-
ingly. This fiery energy can lead
to a few ah-ha moments regard-
ing your career, goals, finances
and even the power dynamics in
your long-term relationships. New resources will ap-
pear to you, so long as you don’t let pessimism block
the signs guiding you toward them. You are setting the
wheels in motion for an exciting new chapter. You may
have to admit and confront some not-so-pleasant truths
during this time, but it will be to your benefit. Rip it off
like a Band-Aid, as the old adage goes.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)
It seems that everything is com-
ing full circle for you during
this Capricorn season. The re-
cent eclipse brought you a sense
of clarity and a new way to see
yourself. You are thinking a lot
about what it means to be independent and take the ini-
tiative. You may even be re-working your sense of style
or how you interact with people or your creative work.
Think about moving more fluidly, but in a way that is
still 100 percent authentic and unmistakably you. You
are also feeling extra endeared towards your intimate
relationships during this time. Make sure to balance
play, work and rest. Now is a regenerative time.
AQUARIUS
(Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)
You are focused on clearing
the air and tossing out old bad
habits. Saturn and Pluto are two
planets that love to take out the
trash, and with their aligning
this week, you have an ideal op-
portunity to do just that. Now is
also an excellent time to work on being straightforward
with yourself and others, but in a diplomatic way that
won’t come off as blunt and insensitive, which can be
a challenge for any air sign on occasion. You have been
thinking a lot about your communication skills recent-
ly; keep what you like, and remodel what gets in your
way. The results are intriguing.
PISCES
(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20)
This may be your most transfor-
mative year yet, Pisces! Lately,
you feel as though you’ve been
in a hibernation that was neces-
sary to restore your strength. It
is vital to validate your feelings
and wishes. Guilting yourself out of them is not sus-
tainable. Mars is giving you an energetic charge this
month that has you taking yourself more seriously and
opening paths of thought that felt previously blocked.
Venus will be entering your sign on Jan. 13, so be sure
to splurge on yourself, within reason, of course. It’s
less about romance with others and more about love
for yourself.
20
T H E AT E R & A R T S
CROSSING BORDERS: PAINTING IN THE
CROWN OF ARAGON, 1400–1500
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an
exhibition exploring a vast Mediterra-
nean region encompassing much of pres-
ent-day Spain and Italy, through Feb. 23,
26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-
8100.
DESIGNS FOR DIFFERENT FUTURES
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an
exhibition exploring visionary and some-
times controversial designs that promise
to transform how we live, eat, heal, travel
and even love, in any number of possible
futures, through March 8, 26th Street and
the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
DANCING WITH THE STARS LIVE
Contestants from the hit TV show per-
form 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Borgata Hotel,
Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata
Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
DIEGO RIVERA: FRESCOES
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an
exhibition of murals the revered Mexican
artist created in New York for display in
an exhibition at the Museum of Modern
Art in 1931, through spring, 26th Street
and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
DRAG DIVA BRUNCH: QUEEN OF
THRONES
Mimi Imfurst and special guests face
winter with a “Game of Thrones” tribute,
noon Jan. 11 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E.
Laurel St.; 215-606-6555.
DRUMLINE LIVE
The Kimmel Center presents the show
based on the high energy shows of the
country’s best marching bands, Jan. 10-
11 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.;
215-893-1999.
ELF: THE MUSICAL
Media Theatre Company presents the
stage adaptation of the holiday comedy
film, through Jan. 12, 104 E. State St.,
Media; 610-891-0100.
GILBERT GOTTFRIED
The comedian with the distinctive voice
performs Jan. 10-11 at Helium Comedy
Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
KOGEI: ART CRAFT JAPAN
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an
exhibition celebrating Japanese kogei —
one-of-a-kind, handcrafted objects made
with traditional techniques and natural
materials, through summer 2020, 26th
Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
NOTICES: Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437 or e-mail: listings@epgn.com. Notices cannot be taken over the phone.
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
MADE BY HAND: CONTEMPORARY KORE-
AN CRAFT
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an
exhibition where artists find inspiration in
Korea’s acclaimed tradition of handmade
objects and add their own visual language
to the rich mix of techniques, materials and
form, through Jan. 12, 26th Street and the
Parkway; 215-763-8100.
MARISA MERZ
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an
exhibition of sculptures and drawings cele-
brating the life and legacy of the pioneering
Italian artist, through summer, 26th Street
and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
OFF THE WALL: AMERICAN ART TO WEAR
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an
exhibition of works by mixed-media art-
ists exploring non-traditional materials
and methods to create adventurous, deeply
imaginative works, through May 17, 2600
Benjamin Franklin Parkway; 215-763-
8100.
SAM JAY
The writer for Saturday Night Live per-
forms 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 10 at Good Good
Comedy Theater, 215 N. 11th St.; https://
goodgoodcomedy.com.
A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE
Walnut Street Theatre presents Oscar
Wilde’s classic comedy of errors, Jan.
14-March 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
MUSIC
LIVE AT THE FILLMORE: ALLMAN BROTH-
ERS TRIBUTE
The music of the Southern rock band is cel-
ebrated, 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at World Café Live,
3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
THE PRINCE EXPERIENCE
The Prince tribute band performs 8 p.m.
Jan. 11 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-
1011.
THE MAN IN BLACK
The Johnny Cash tribute band performs 8
p.m. Jan. 17 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Wal-
nut St.; 215-222-1400.
CHRIS MANN: FROM GERSHWIN TO GAGA
The singer seen on “The Voice” performs 8
p.m. Jan. 16 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Wal-
nut St.; 215-222-1400.
THE MOTELS, BOW WOW WOW AND
WHEN IN ROME
The ’80s new wave groups perform 7 p.m.
Jan. 17 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-
1011.
3 THE HARD
WAY:
Out Philly producer Josh
Shonewolf celebrates the third
anniversary of his monthly
boylesque and drag showcase,
Daddy & Friends, 7 p.m. Jan.
17 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.
For more information or tickets,
call 215-592-0656.
Out comedian Todd Glass returns
to his stomping grounds of Phila-
delphia with his unique and ani-
mated brand of live comedy when
he performs Jan. 16-19 at Helium
Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.
For more information or tickets,
call 215-496-9001.
SHATTERINGLY FUNNY
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020
events
CRACKER
The rock band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at
World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-
222-1400.
NIGHTLIFE
A VERY DRAG AND BURLESQUE TRIB-
UTE TO RIHANNA
Philly drag and burlesque performers
celebrate the music of the pop star, 7
p.m. Jan. 10 at L’Etage, 624 S. Sixth St.;
215-592-0656.
RUFFHOUSE PHL - LEATHER WEATHER
The leather party gears up 10 p.m. Jan.
11 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.;
215-627-1662.
CUTTHROAT QUEENS
The competitive drag show turns up,
9 p.m. Jan. 12 at Tabu, 254 S. 12th St.;
215-964-9675.
MELANGERIE
An all QPOC drag show, 8 p.m. Jan. 15
at Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor
St.; 215-735-0735.
SIN
DJ Kirks spins deep house at this leath-
er-fetish party at 10 p.m. Jan. 16 at The
Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; 215-627-
1662.
O U T TA T O W N
CASH UNCHAINED
The Johnny Cash tribute band performs 8
p.m. Jan. 10 at The Queen, 500 N. Mar-
ket St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.
DIAL M FOR MURDER
The classic Hitchcock film is screened,
Jan. 12-13 at The Colonial Theatre, 227
Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228.
THE LAUNCH (BOSTON, STYX & QUEEN
TRIBUTE)
The classic rock tribute band performs 8
p.m. Jan. 16 at The Queen, 500 N. Mar-
ket St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.
SLIPKID FT. GARY CHERONE (OF EX-
TREME): A CELEBRATION OF THE WHO
The Who tribute band performs 8 p.m.
Jan. 17 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St.,
Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.
THE STRANGER
The Billy Joel tribute band performs
8 p.m. Jan. 17 at The Queen, 500 N.
Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-
3331.
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
S C E N E I N P H I L LY
21

PHILLY DRAG AWARDS

AT VOYEUR PHOTOS BY KELLY BURKHARDT

Chi Chi Gonzalez GQ Kings

M a n ny T. L o v e t t E r i c J a f fe ( W i n n e r o f B e s t H o s t ) I v a n n a B l a c ko u t

Bev (Winner of Best Hair) Iris Spectre and Roochiku Lady E

22 Q PUZZLE
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020

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D A M I E N W A LT H E R The customized meals available from
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importantly, Moreover, spoon offers snacks such as a
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GARY M. KRAMER calories, 10 grams of protein and 1 gram of
PGN Contributor carbs. And it’s delicious. It not only satisfies
a sweet tooth, but it provides a healthy snack
Damien Walther is the out gay founder after a workout.
and CEO of spoon, (yes, “spoon,” with a Walther observed, “Mentally people can
lowercase “s”), a new meal delivery service think, ‘I treated myself,’ but it’s a healthy
that launched the first week in December. fix.”
The company provides healthy, balanced When it comes to eating and exercise, the
Q Puzzle 45 Visibly shocked
47 Nocturnal release
Roberts
11 She plays Old
35 Britney Spears’
“___ Curious” and tasty meals a la carte.
When Walther was in college — at Phil-
mindset is very important. Walther’s strat-
egy with spoon is to focus on one week at
49 Essen exclama- Deuteronomy in 39 Pop singer Cleo
AN ANAGRAM tion “Cats” 40 Where to find lots adelphia University, now Thomas Jefferson a time. He insisted, “You create a 30-day
OF CATS 50 Nine inches 12 Bite it of pricks — he took medication for Crohn’s disease plan, but I want people to think in chunks,
51 Regard 13 Make money 43 Unusual power that did not make him want to eat much. and work a week at a time. You have to be
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for short 60 Land in the sea 28 Like the nose on 51 “Cats” was based tolerate. cess. Commit to doing good this week. Your
9 Macho doll 62 Pennsylvania city your face on his poems He recalled, “I kept a food journal every body and effort are going to change. ...Your
14 Shakespeare’s 63 Glinda portrayer 29 Musical based on 52 Gay former NFL stomach starts to shrink or expand based on
day. I [wrote] about how my body responded
Hathaway in “The Wiz” “La BohËme” player Tuaolo what your goals are, you’re going to be less
64 Gertrude painter 30 Nemesis of Tin- 53 Abbey residents
to certain ingredients and certain nutrients.
15 Sherman Hemsley hungry, or more hungry.”
sitcom 65 Screwdriver, e.g. kerbell 54 Torn and others I was eating chicken, eggs, brown rice and
66 Synagogue chests 31 James Baldwin’s 55 Lickety-split sweet potatoes for three years to monitor The food from spoon is cooked fresh and
16 Linney of “Tales
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17 Balkan native Eliza Things Not ___ 58 Ending with became very passionate about nutrition and There is no startup fee or subscription
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event more” 33 Get juice from a 59 One of the Tweed Meals from spoon are prepared as either order as much or as little as they like, and
19 Like a bottom 69 Anagram of “cats,” fruit drawers lean, balanced or bulk, depending on one’s the menu is expected to change every two
20 She plays Bombal- and the theme of this 34 He plays Macavity 61 Thornton Wilder, goal. “I want to get away from the stigma weeks. Delivery is available in Philadelphia,
urina in “Cats” puzzle in “Cats” for one of a diet and offer a balanced meal,” Wal- Montgomery, Bucks and Delaware counties
23 Saturn model ther explained in a recent interview. “We as well as in Camden, Gloucester and Burl-
24 Rent contracts D ow n offer perfectly-portioned meals with pro- ington counties in New Jersey.
25 Robert of “The 1 Sexually unre- But perhaps Walther’s greatest delivery
tein, carbs and vegetables that are low on
Brady Bunch” strained so far has been to help feed the homeless in
2 Tatum of “The Bad fat. They allow you to understand what a
27 Org. that makes Philadelphia. He, along with his husband,
Stanley wear a cup? News Bears” well-balanced 300-500 calorie meal does —
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28 Diana or Grace
32 Streisand’s “Funny your meat Walther started doing personal training in their 5-year-old daughter Harper, served 300
Girl” role 4 Matt of “All the 2012 and eventually joined the team at Or- hot spaghetti and meatball meals to Project
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___ Two Lives “ 5 Bunghole’s place company in Blue Bell in 2014. He worked as House Transitional Shelter on Broad Street.
36 “I’ll pay” 6 Cockeyed a head coach and studio manager, but after “We drove around and handed out hot food,
37 Ref for Woolf 7 Cat’s cry opening spoon, he now only coaches part- and folks were so appreciative,” he effused.
38 Poor Dick’s book? 8 Person in oppo- time. It was his experience with fitness and Walther is also grateful to his husband,
41 Fair grade sition monitoring food that inspired him to create Adam, for being supportive and giving him
42 One way to have 9 It makes bread the push to start spoon from scratch. Hope-
spoon.
one’s meat spongy fully, the company will continue to grow and
10 Rugby star
“I had empathy for people who were
44 ___ were help people eat healthier. n
struggling with not knowing what to do. I
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
David Underwood: North Philly jazz artist from musical family
SUZI NASH
PGN Contributor
At the close of 2019, I received an email
from a former interviewee, Nathan Townsend,
asking if I would do a profile on someone spe-
cial, David Underwood. He wrote, “It’s time
for this talented Philadelphian to be acknowl-
edged for the gift he brings to the world as the
offspring of a talented musical family from
North Philadelphia. One of Philly’s best-kept
secrets and the world’s most beautiful voices
packaged in a vessel that is coming to its own
authenticity.”
I understand that you’re from a very mu-
sical family. Yes, my dad and my Aunt Ve-
ronica were musicians. I grew up in North
Philly, in the Strawberry Mansion area. A
lot of the family has performed, but mostly
them.
Did your father mostly sing or play an
instrument? My dad mostly plays the gui-
tar, bass and piano, and he sings; my Aunt
Veronica does vocals.
Did they perform together or on their
own? Together. They had a band called The
Underwoods.
What kind of music was it? Mostly R&B,
some rock because my dad really liked rock.
My Aunt Veronica was more into jazz; she’s
the one who introduced me to it. She was a
really big fan of Ella Fitzgerald, well, who
isn’t, but that’s what I grew up listening to.
We always had pianos in the house. People
seemed to just donate them to us, so we al-
ways had about three pianos in a little row
home on 33rd Street. I started playing around
on them when I was younger, and I eventu-
ally taught myself to play.
So did you ever perform with The Un-
derwoods? I did. My dad and Aunt Veron-
ica stopped performing together when I was
in my 20s, so my dad kind of had me step
into her role. It was a little different for me;
she’s a really strong singer in the gospel,
R&B tradition. A lot of high soprano notes
with runs and a lot of power, where my voice
is quiet and sweeter; I’m more jazzy than
gospel. I mostly sang with my dad and some-
times played piano.
Where did you study? I went to CAPA,
the Philadelphia High School for Creative
and Performing Arts. But I was a vocal major
there; studying piano wasn’t an option back
then. You weren’t allowed to do a double ma-
jor. Later I went to Temple and took some
piano classes but didn’t take private lessons
until my 30s. I still try to take lessons every
now and then just to better my chops.
When did you know that music was go-
PROFILE
ing to be it for you? I understand you
initially did HIV testing and counseling.
When I was about 19, I discovered the At-
tic Youth Center. I originally went there. I’m
still working there now, just not in the same
capacity. I quit when I was 31 and was work-
ing at another place doing the same thing, but
it wasn’t working out. I started doing a lot
more gigging; I started working at Tavern on
Camac and other places in and around Philly.
That was about 11 years ago, and I haven’t
looked back. I’ve been able to sustain myself
with music solely for 10 years now.
I recall singing a ditty or two with you at
Tavern. Yes, I was there for 10 years, so it
was bound to happen!
“AFTER GOING THROUGH ALL OF
THE MEDICAL ISSUES I HAD LAST
YEAR, I SAID, I CAN’T NOT BE MY-
SELF ANY LONGER. I NEED TO BE
WHO I REALLY AM.”
Where can we see you perform thesis
days? Mostly in New Hope. I play at a place
called The Cub Room every Friday night and
at The Clarion on Saturdays. I also play a res-
idency at the Paris Bistro in Chestnut Hill ev-
ery first Saturday.
How would you classify your music? I
love jazz, so I play mostly jazz — the Amer-
ican Songbook. Because I’ve been playing
in piano bars for so long, I often mix in pop
tunes with the standards. It keeps it interest-
ing and helps pull in a younger audience. But
I have to say, it’s also awesome to be back at
the Attic. I run a music group there, which is
also where I learn a lot of the current stuff!
Speaking of the standards, I think we
both think the mellifluous Mel Tormé is
underrated. Oh my gosh, yes. Mel is awe-
some and doesn’t get his due as a vocalist.
Most people just know that he wrote “The
Christmas Song.” He was a drummer too,
which most people don’t know.
What do you do when someone requests
a song? Can you just play things by ear?
Sometimes, if I’ve heard the song before, but
I do read music, mostly charts, but I can sight
read as well.
Did you have any queer role models in
the jazz world? Cole Porter, though he’s
FA M I LY P O R T R A I T
not technically considered jazz, Billy Stray-
horn, Bessie Smith, though I’m still exploring
her. She had a brassy sound that’s not quite
my style, but seeing the movie [“Bessie”]
sparked a lot of interest for me, and she spent
a lot of time in Philly too.
When did you first come out? I came out
as a lesbian in high school. I was 15, but I
always knew there was something different,
something else for me. I knew that trans peo-
ple existed, but I was focused on not disap-
pointing my mom, who kept saying, “You just
want to be a man!” I kept saying no, because
I didn’t want it to be true. So I didn’t come
out as David until last year. I had to come out
to my mom when I had a hysterectomy be-
cause of my fibroid tumors. My mom came
to the hospital with me, and, at that point, all
my doctors were used to calling me by male
pronouns. So after the procedure, the doctor
walked in and wrote David Underwood on
the whiteboard, and I was like, “Aw man! So
I guess I’m going to have to do this with my
mom now?” And that’s how I came out to my
mom just this past April.
Hopefully, the hospital drugs helped with
it. [Laughing] Very true. I’d been thinking
about it for some time, but in addition to wor-
rying about my family, I was also concerned
about what taking testosterone would
do to my voice. So I just decided
that I’d be a masculine les-
bian — queer person
— but then, I
don’t
23
know, I started to feel confined. After going
through all of the medical issues I had last
year, I said, I can’t not be myself any longer. I
need to be who I really am.
How are you navigating the change, es-
pecially since people have known you in
the public eye one way for so long? It’s
hard. I mean there are so many people who
still call me Dena. Just yesterday, I was walk-
ing home, and someone was calling me, and I
didn’t even realize it because they were call-
ing out, “Dena!” I kept walking without real-
izing he was talking to me. In some ways, it
was kind of cool. I used to be surprised when
people used David, and this showed how far
I’ve come that I’m not responding to Dena
anymore.
You’ve performed all over the place,
what’s one of your favorites? I’d say the
Kimmel Center. You know how they will
have mini-concerts be in the atrium before the
main show? I’ve done that a few times, and I
really enjoyed it.
What’s the craziest thing that’s hap-
pened musically? I was asked to play for
a funeral, and they had a piano there, but
it wasn’t tuned, and some of the keys were
dead. They then asked me to accompany one
of the guests, I asked, “What is she singing?”
“We don’t know.” It was crazy. I got through
it, but … uh uh.
Do you get a lot of drunk folks? Abso-
lutely, and they lose all sense of boundaries.
I had one woman just come sit next to me at
the piano, and after I finished the song, she
planted a drunken kiss me! I was happy at
least she waited until finished doing the song,
but you know, consent is sexy.
Do you get hit on a lot?
That’s interesting.
Until
page 24
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PGN
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020
FAMILY PORTRAIT
from page 23
recently, no. But now, as David, peo-
ple seem more sexually aggressive
with me. I had one woman come
up behind me and grab my chest,
something she’d never done before.
I guess she thought since I identify
now as male that it was open season.
And older gay men are a lot more
aggressive physically.
What jazz artist in Philly would
you leave the house to see? De-
nise King, even though she’s mostly
in New York now, Geri Oliver and
Jeannie Brooks. There are a lot of
vocalists at Ortlieb’s who I love to
listen to and play with. I’ve learned
so much from the different musi-
cians there; it was better than school!
What’s an unusual fact about
you? [Laughing] I can’t drive! I’m
44, lived in Philly all my life, and I
can’t drive.
That has to be a pain going out
to New Hope so often. Yeah, it’s
a matter of trains, Lyfts or getting
rides.
What’s the farthest you’ve trav-
eled? Trinidad. I did a show there
with the vocalist Jakeya. We still
work together on occasion; I just did
a show in New Hope with her yes-
terday!
Random question: what were
you like as a kid? I was into box-
ing and karate. My uncle Daryl Un-
derwood was a boxer and karate
master, and he wanted me to learn
how to take care of myself. I wanted
to be a jock, but that didn’t work out
so well. My dad was afraid I’d mess
up my hands. I was a fat kid. I was a
• 3 Meals Per Day tomboy too, but I spent a lot of time
• Maintenance-free Living at the piano figuring out music. Not
just the piano, there was a full drum
• Beautiful Gardens and set, there were guitars, all kinds of
Courtyards instruments and me and my two sis-
• Private Parking ters would play pretend band. They
both sing as well. My sister, Rhonda
Underwood, has a song available on
8301 Roosevelt Blvd,
iTunes right now, and my other sis-
Philadelphia, PA 19152 ter Veronica sings with the Heritage
Choir. They were just at the Kimmel
Center for the Soulful Christmas
concert.
rev. dr. Nadine Rosechild Sullivan, ph.d. Any superstitious rituals? I have
to show up to any gig 45 minutes to
Spiritual Counseling an hour before I go on. I don’t care if
I’ve played there every week for 10
drsullivan@rosechild.org
pgn
years, I have to show up super early
215.704.4264 and check everything out.
www.rosechild.org And last question, living or dead,
who would you want to do a duet
Spirituality • Sexuality • Relationships • Self-Esteem
with? Oh my god, Stevie Wonder,
my all-time favorite. What a sweet
soul, and it comes out in his music;
it’s so pure. n
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
COMICS
25

Guerilla Gay Bar gathers steam in Montco

LARRY NICHOLS
larry@epgn.com

Local community activist Richard Rus-

sell Buttacavol is resurrecting a tradition in
Montgomery County in the form of Guerilla
Gay Bar, which has its next event Jan. 11 at
Coyote Crossing in Conshohocken.
According to Buttacavol, the concept of
the guerilla gay bar began in the 1980s in
California. At that point, bar owners and
managers didn’t want gay men in straight
bars. A group of gay men would pick a bar,
contact one another on pagers, and “it would
almost be like flash mob. They texted every- C OYOT E C RO S S I N G
body the address, the time and the venue, and
they would converge. That’s how Guerilla
Gay Bar got started,” he said.
A bar manager, going back as far as the
1990s, Buttacavol drew on data he collected
over time and observations he made to envi-
sion a plan for a thriving LGBTQ community
in Montgomery County, that now will have
its own Guerilla Gay Bar.
“I used to manage the West Side Club
in Norristown,” he said. “Then, we had the
opportunity to have a private after-hours li-
cense. When we went private, people would
fill out a membership card, and I would take
these cards and put them in a database. Even-
tually, we had 3,000 members. I found a very
interesting pattern. I saw clusters of gay com-
munities in Reading, Allentown, Norristown,
Phoenixville, Philadelphia, New Hope, Lan-
caster and Harrisburg. There are gay bars in
all these places.”
Buttacavol said it was clear that bars acted
as community centers and allowed gay com-
munities to form. After he founded the Mont-
gomery County LGBTQ Business Council,
he knew he wanted to do more.
“I wanted to find leadership that wanted to
put on a Pride festival and get a community
center off the ground. It’s hard work,” Butta-
cavol said.
While exploring ideas about building a
community, Buttacavol stumbled upon the
concept of Guerilla Gay Bar after the LGBTQ
community in York had success with the idea.
“York had a renaissance of new restaurants
and bars. That’s how it took off in York. They
also do a coffee house edition,” he said.
Buttacavol launched his version of Gueril-
la Gay Bar last month in Montgomery Coun-
try as a way to bring this LGBTQ community
in that area together. He said his approach is
slightly different as he is trying to build a fol-
lowing for the idea.
“I approach a venue and say, I’m looking
for a place to have a gay night,” he said. “I’m
not making any money on this. I’m just trying
to build a community up here. I need a draw.
Just having a gay night at a venue might not
pull people. So I’m trying to put on our be-
loved DJs as well as a drag queen and a host.”
The Jan. 11 event will feature DJ Trish
Silvestri and host Rodney Altemose — Mr.
Woods 2020. n

For more information, visit https://www.

facebook.com/Guerrilla-Gay-Bar-Montgom-
ery-County-PA-114105170007931/.
26 PGN
Philadelphia Gay News . JANUARY 10-16, 2020

CITY COUNCIL
Daniel Gioioso Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3290
THE CONNIE BERG TEAM 2020 NOTICE OF STATED MEETINGS
www.connieberg.com
The Philadelphia City Council will have its Regular Stated Meetings on the dates listed below. All
meetings will be held at 10:00 A.M. in Room 400 City Hall, except as noted below.
v Proudly Serving Philadelphia
and the Surrounding Suburbs Monday, January 6, 2020* Thursday, June 4, 2020
Thursday, January 23, 2020 Thursday, June 11, 2020
v Devoted to assist with all your
Thursday, January 30, 2020 Thursday, June 18, 2020
real estate needs Thursday, February 6, 2020 Thursday, September 10, 2020
v Daniel Gets It Done! Thursday, February 13, 2020 Thursday, September 17, 2020
Thursday, February 20, 2020 Thursday, September 24, 2020
Thursday, February 27, 2020
267-971-7839 Cell Thursday, March 5, 2020
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Thursday, October 8, 2020
215-887-0400 Office Thursday, March 12, 2020 Thursday, October 15, 2020
Fox & Roach, REALTORS® dgioioso@gmail.com Email Thursday, March 19, 2020 Thursday, October 22, 2020
Thursday, March 26, 2020 Thursday, October 29, 2020
Thursday, April 2, 2020 Thursday, November 12, 2020
Thursday, April 16, 2020 Thursday, November 19, 2020
Thursday, April 23, 2020 Thursday, December 3, 2020
Thursday, April 30, 2020 Thursday, December 10, 2020
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Thursday, May 21, 2020
*
Held at the Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA.

DUSTIN JAMES PARKER

YAHIRA NESBY
JULIE BERMAN
NIKKI KUHNHAUSEN
DENALI BERRIES STUCKEY
TAMEKA “MICHELLE” WASHINGTON
ZOE SPEARS
BROOKLYN LINDSEY
BAILEY REEVES
BEE LOVE SLATER
JAZZALINE WARE
ASHANTI CARMON
CLAIRE LEGATO
MUHLAYSIA BOOKER
CHYNAL LINDSEY
CHANEL SCURLOCK
JORDAN COFER
PEBBLES LADIME “DIME” DOE
JAMAGIO JAMAR BERRYMAN
ITALI MARLOWE
SAY TRACY SINGLE
BUBBA WALKER

THEIR
KIKI FANTROY
PARIS CAMERON
DANA MARTIN
NAMES BRIANNA “BB” HILL

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN REPORTS 25 TRANSGENDER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN

VIOLENTLY KILLED IN 2019-20. PGN WILL CONTINUE TO SAY THEIR NAMES.
JANUARY 10-16, 2020 . epgn.com
PGN
27

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of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended. Title VIII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination
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