Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976 | VOL. 43 NO. 35 | AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 5, 2019| | HONESTY | INTEGRITY | PROFESSIONALISM |
Family Portrait: William Way exhibit PAGE 2 Priest spends $100K of Pennsylvania PAGE16
Dana Suleymanova explores PA church funds on men and companies among
nondiscrimination Grindr dates best in nation for
PAGE 31 ordinances PAGE 4 LGBTQ employees
Community centers
THREE OF THE PANELS THAT ARE PART OF THE TRAVELING EXHIBIT.
• The Attic Youth Center; 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouth- Photo: Courtesy Barry Loveland
center.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies.
• LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania; 3907 Spruce schools. While the display was initially
St.; 215-898-5044, center@dolphin.upenn.edu. BY LAURA SMYTHE slated to run through December, due to an
laura@epgn.com excess of requests, it will run to at least the
• Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth end of the 2019-20 school year, Loveland
Center A traveling exhibit exploring the his- told PGN.
Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 tories of Pennsylvania municipalities that The presentation consists of six dou-
ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org. have fought for LGBTQIA-plus nondiscrim- ble-sided panels displaying text and images,
ination ordinances will be on display at the while accompanying videos play oral history
• William Way LGBT Community Center William Way LGBT Community Center’s interviews with people discussing the effects
1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org. Archives Gallery from Sept. 2-20. of having or not having a nondiscrimination
“The Long Road to LGBTQ+ Equality ordinance in their hometown.
in Pennsylvania” was created by the “Pennsylvania has had to do this sort of
Health and HIV testing Pennsylvania LGBT History Network, a coa- [work] by piecemeal,” said John Anderies,
lition of individuals and organizations dedi- director of William Way’s John J. Wilcox, Jr.
• Action Wellness: Spring Garden St.; 215- • Mazzoni Center: cated to preserving queer stories, in partner- Archives. “The fact is that while there’s been
1216 Arch St.; 215- 769-3561; bebashi.org 1348 Bainbridge St.; ship with the History Project, an archiving a lot of them that have passed … that’s still
981-0088, actionwell- • COLOURS: colour- 215-563-0652, mazzon- initiative operated by the LGBT Center such a minority of the state.”
ness.org sorganization.org, 215- icenter.org of Central PA. Launched in Harrisburg The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act
• AIDS Healthcare 832-0100 • Philadelphia in March, the exhibit has snaked its way of 1955 allows the state’s municipalities to
Foundation: 1211 • Congreso de Lati- through towns including Lancaster, Carlisle, pass individualized local nondiscrimination
FIGHT: 1233 Locust
Chestnut St. #405 215- Erie and Allentown to inform people of more ordinances that outweigh state law. In 1982,
nos Unidos; 216 W. St.; 215-985-4448,
971-2804; HIVcare.org than 50 years of attempts to achieve LGBTQ Philadelphia became the first Pennsylvanian
Somerset St.; 215-763- fight.org
equality in the Keystone State. municipality to pass such a city ordinance
• AIDS Library: 8870 • Washington West The groups wanted to honor the efforts of protecting gay and lesbian people. Similar
1233 Locust St.; aidsli- • GALAEI: 149 W. Project of Mazzoni LGBTQ activists in the state in commemo- protections were extended to trans folks two
brary.org/ Susquehanna Ave.; Center: ration of Stonewall 50, said Barry Loveland, decades later in 2002.
• AIDS Treatment 267-457-3912, galaei. 1201 Locust St.; 215- History Project chair. To do so, the exhibit Harrisburg was the first to follow the City
Fact line: 800-662- org. Spanish/English 985-9206 focuses on something municipalities across of Brotherly Love’s lead in 1983, when
6080 • Health Center No. 2: • Transgender Pennsylvania have in common. a nondiscrimination ordinance was unani-
• Bebashi-Transi- 1720 S. Broad St.; Health Action Coali- “It’s been a long road because we have not mously passed in the state capital, Loveland
tion to Hope: 1235 215-685-1821 tion: 215-732-1207 been successful so far in achieving [nondis- said.
crimination] statewide legislation,” Loveland But the traveling exhibit stresses the trials
said. “It’s been really a case of working at and tribulations that accompanied passage of
the local level in passing nondiscrimination the state’s local ordinances.
Other ordinances and other protections from city to In Harrisburg, a woman who testified to
• Independence Branch Library Barbara Gittings Gay and city and township by township.” City Council in support of the guideline
Lesbian Collection: 215-685-1633 As of April, at least 55 of Pennsylvania’s had her front door set on fire, using reli-
2,562 municipalities have passed local gious material as kindling, Loveland said.
• Independence Business Alliance; 215-557-0190, Independence- LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances — In Lancaster, where an equality ordinance
BusinessAlliance.com the most of any state in the U.S., accord- passed in 2001, the decision was met by pro-
ing to research by the Pennsylvania Youth tests by the Ku Klux Klan, while a lesbian
• LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK
Congress. About one-third of Pennsylvanians bookstore owner was forced to shutter her
• PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and live in these locations. business after two firebombings scared away
Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 Three identical copies of the exhibit have clientele.
circulated through about 45 destinations Meanwhile, York’s 1998 legislation was
• Philly Pride Presents: 215-875-9288 across Pennsylvania, stopping at universi- pushed forward by a Republic mayor, which,
ties, LGBT community centers and high Loveland said, “was PAGE 23
PGN Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 3
SCRANTON from page 1 semester at the university, which was more in damages, along with implementation of a Justin F. Robinette, an attorney for Doe,
ment and was told, “Pennsylvania doesn’t expensive, according to the lawsuit. university policy that anti-LGBT harassment said his client hopes the lawsuit will help
recognize this as a hate crime.” The dean Doe “continues to experience pain and suf- will be addressed appropriately by university others in a similar situation. “It’s completely
failed to take remedial action against the fering, mental anguish, humiliation, embar- officials and that a harasser will be required unacceptable in 2019 that LGBT people
alleged harasser, according to the lawsuit. rassment and emotional distress on account to move to different housing. have to endure this kind of bigotry and abuse
School administrators didn’t order the of the abuse he suffered and for which Doe A university spokesperson declined to at college,” Robinette told PGN. “My client
alleged harasser to leave the house and live has incurred additional expenses in attend- comment, but referred a reporter to the uni- feels nobody else who is LGBT should be
somewhere else. Instead, they suggested that ing professional counseling,” according to versity’s non-discrimination policy posted forced to go through what he went through
Doe leave the house. For safety reasons Doe the lawsuit. on its website, which forbids anti-LGBT just to get an education. My client is looking
moved into on-campus housing for his final The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount bias. forward to his day in court.” n
Published by Masco Communications Inc. Copyright © 1976 - 2019 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate companies (Philadelphia Gay News,
© 1976-2019 Masco Communications Inc. PGN, and its WWW sites.) All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public performance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of
ISSN-0742-5155 Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com
PGN Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 5
story at a time.”
in the future.
Adrian M. Lowe, a staff attorney at the
AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, said he
was pleased that Penn withdrew the request.
“The AIDS Law Project uses pseudonyms
in the majority of our litigation in feder-al and
state court,” Lowe said, in an Aug. 23 email.
“The ability to proceed under pseudonym is
important for ensuring that plaintiffs who face I wasn’t sure what to expect when
high levels of stigma for who they are — such
as transgender people and people with HIV — I shared my story about living with Let’s stop HIV stigma together.
aren’t dis-suaded from accessing justice.” HIV on social media. The outpouring
A spokesperson for HUP said, “Ensuring
Learn how at cdc.gov/together
respect for all our patients is a corner-stone of of support has been amazing.
care across Penn Medicine, and we value and
support diversity among both our patients and
our workforce. At this time, we are withdraw-
ing our opposition to the plaintiff’s motion to
proceed with this case in anonymity, as we /ActAgainstAIDS /ActAgainstAIDS @TalkHIV
wish to maintain the fo-cus on the legal issues
in the case.” n
6 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 REGIONAL
PGN
Life Reflected.
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screen, and that’s why Xfinity created a first-of-its-kind community endorsed
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ZERO FOR ZEROS from page 1 dollars and, in fact, some of the ‘best’ allies defensively to the campaign, and wants them by it,” he told PGN. “They may not know
the state representative cites major players in to the LGBTQ community contribute to the to understand the politicians they are mone- that Microsoft or AT&T or Google give them
the Equinox/SoulCycle brand hosting a multi- worst of the worst anti-LGBTQ members of tarily supporting are the ones at fault. money, but what they don’t see is anyone
million-dollar fundraiser for President Trump Congress,” Sims wrote in the Advocate. The danger lies in having “young, impres- standing up to them. If we can make a state-
and past anti-LGBT sentiments from Hobby Sims could not be reached for comment. sionable people” who are struggling with their ment by getting those companies to say we’re
Lobby and Domino’s Pizza in making him Hudson said he hopes Zero for Zeros sexuality or gender identity seeing major poli- not going to give to those candidates who say
more attentive of his own spending habits. changes the way corporate America treats ticians using anti-LGBT rhetoric in the public those awful things, then they will know that
“I’ve been learning a great deal more lately politicians condemning queer people. He eye, Hudson said. somebody’s got their back and they could
about how our corporate allies spend our added he doesn’t want corporations to respond “They take it personally and they feel hurt make a difference in that young kid’s life.” n
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Political Roundup
My Labor Day weekend column is always united no matter who the candidate is. All will then need to have the discussion. This
one that muses on topics that just don’t of the candidates running in the Democratic situation was created from the lack of sup-
make it in during the rest of the year. Little field — repeat all — are better than the port from those claiming to be progressive we wanna know:
tidbits and thoughts that might give you an racist, homophobic Trump, and you owe not supporting either of the two out LGBT if you could
idea of what I’m thinking and an
opportunity to debate the issues.
it to yourself, your community
and country to vote in November
candidates for Council in the May primary.
Everyone wants a second bite of the apple;
create an LGBTQ+ app,
On “out”-ing: I’ve always 2020, for whoever the candidate it’s up to the courts now to decide who gets
what would it do?
believed that everyone has is. that.
a right to their own life and On Trump: Of course he is a Because we are one of the three Rust
nobody has a right to dabble in racist. It is the only philosophy Belt states — Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
someone else’s personal life. that we know he actually holds. and Michigan — that narrowly voted for
There is one exception, though, All his other philosophies are Trump, an interest operation is happening “Provide a list of
when that closeted person tries influenced by the last person he here. Both Republicans and Democrats all LGBT services
to dabble in LGBT lives — like talked to. are trying to register, en masse, a particu- (Held, legal, etc.)
a closeted person preaching or My hometown’s political lar demographic: the Amish. Republicans and a map of their
voting against our rights. That’s scene: Sherri Cohen is battling believe they’re a prime source of votes for locations.”
hypocrisy and should be chal-
lenged. Mark My to be on the November ballot as
an out lesbian for City Council
them, while Democrats believe that they
have a chance at their votes since farmers
On the Presidential race: Let
me be clear, and I hope you Words at-large. She comes to the bat-
tle with a lot of baggage, and
and the National Farmers Association have
now turned south on Trump and his tariffs
feel the same way, I will vote Mark Segal she has progressives, along with due to a loss of profitability. Don’t you just
for whoever the Democrat can- Republicans, attempting to kick love politics? “Help organize
didate for President eventually her off the ballot. Round one Finally, which Democratic candidate has queer events, es-
is. And I will make it a point to vote even was won by the progressives who have the best chance to beat Trump: If you agree pecially in areas
if I do not like that person for their political candidates of their own. If she eventually with me that all Democrats need to vote where it’s harder
position entirely. Anyone who states oth- wins, and it’s a 50-50 chance she will, she no matter who the Democratic nominee is, to get to events in
erwise is a disappointment in my eyes and will be the community’s best shot at having then the answer is any Democrat can win. the city.”
is part of the problem. We all need to be an out person on Council. The community Let’s go get ’em. n
Exist, we must
It’s so damned hard to be transgender women and forcing them to be transgender,
right now and just existing is a radical act. It and that every transgender woman is simply a
shouldn’t have to be. rapist in disguise.
The Trump Administration recently This, of course, is nonsense.
stepped into an upcoming Supreme Court Even many who might otherwise be allies
case over a transgender woman, Aimee are retreating, deciding it safer to still their
Stephens, who worked for a funeral home in tongue in a time when we need them the
Michigan, arguing against her rights. Their most, when their stance could literally be a
goal? Use this case to abolish all transgender matter of life and death for so many of us.
rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act We are vilified, ridiculed and treated like
of 1964 by disallowing “sex” too be inclusive filth. Many would like us to just shut up and
of transgender identities. go away.
“Title VII does not prohibit discrimina- It really shouldn’t be like this, and existing
tion against transgender persons based on shouldn’t have to be a radical act.
their transgender status,” said the Justice Yet, it is.
Department in the filing, “It simply does Every day we wake and rise to face the
not speak to discrimination because of an sunlight is a day when we oppose those who
individual’s gender identity or a disconnect stand opposed to us; another day when we
between an individual’s gender identity and declare our existence in a hostile world.
the individual’s sex.” We must do more than exist, however. We
The case itself could have far-reaching need to thrive. We need to show that, try as
ramifications, crumbling away any and all they might, they cannot and will not beat us
protections of transgender people at the fed- down. We need to live our lives undaunted,
eral level. At worst, the case could take us with honesty, and show that we deserve our
all the way back to dress codes that require own space and our own time.
all women to wear dresses and skirts to work We need to be visible, willing to be seen,
like it was the 1950s. willing to stand up and stand out. Our oppo-
Also, I hasten to add, with the current nents are more than willing to speak against
makeup of the court, the cards are stacked us. It is time we wrested the microphone
against transgender rights. from their hands and make some noise.
Transgender people — primarily Black We can no longer afford to wait for some-
transgender women — are being killed at one else to come in and champion our needs.
higher levels than ever before. Every one of It is time for us to be our own saviors and
the women murdered this year has been mis- fight back against the injustices from the
gendered by police and the media, having Trump administration and others.
their identity stripped away just as quickly as This, of course, isn’t easy. It never has
their murderers took their last breath. been, and it certainly isn’t now. Even as I
Death isn’t just at the hands of others, nor advocate such boldness, I know that this is
are we the only target of transphobia. a dangerous time. It becomes all the more
Maurice Willoughby, a non-transgender important that we make sure to have each
man was in a relationship with a transgen- others’ backs and make sure we’re all doing
der woman, Faith. In a video posted online, okay.
Willoughby was harassed by a number of We need to come together as a community
other men for loving his partner. In the con- and find the places we can work together. I
frontation, he is pelted with transphobic and don’t just mean that amongst those of us that
homophobic abuse. According to a friend of are varying shades of trans or gender non-
his, this was far from the first or last time. conforming, but we need to find our common
It will not happen again, however, because ground in the larger LGBTQ community
Maurice Willoughby died by suicide after this and in the struggle for racial injustice and in
harassment became more than he could bear. fights against misogyny and in sex worker
Again, it shouldn’t have to be like this. Just rights, disability rights and abortion rights
existing is a radical act. and anywhere else.
Those who oppose us want to strip away Those who stand against us have little
our rights, make us powerless and, ultimately, problem doing so. They’ll welcome any sort
erase us enitrely. It’s not just the government, of evil within their ranks if it furthers their
either. goals.
Religious leaders want to warn their I’m not saying we need to take on that
parishioners against the evil we supposedly same level of bile and putrescence, but we
represent. The Pope has likened the fight for do need to work to find the places we can be
transgender rights to nuclear weapons, and stronger as a whole and move forward as a
every wannabe evangelical preacher has set group, even as we work on issues specific to
their sights on transgender people. us.
A small but vocal offshoot of supposedly It’s so damned hard to be transgender right
radical feminism — just like the religious now, and just existing is a radical act.
right — wants to claim that transgender peo- Yet, exist we must. n
ple are some sort of threat, not only to them,
but to society in general. They claim that evil Gwen Smith lacks putrescence. You can find her at
machinations are stealing away masculine www.gwensmith.com.
PGN Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 13
© 2019. The Nemours Foundation. ® Nemours is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation.
Because life is us who don’t qualify just have to cozy up Suz Atlas, at the John C. Anderson LGBT Friendly
to someone who does, because each card Apartments in Center City.
more than just gay OP-ED from page 11 legislative proposal. The evidence is clear:
news.
leading preventable cause of death for the Pennsylvania’s legislators should raise
LGBT community and the leading cause the legal sales age of tobacco to age 21.
of the 12 most common types of cancer. The LGBT community should fiercely
When we raise the legal sales age to 21, advocate for this. We can prevent the next
Pennsylvania will join many other states in generation of LGBT youth from getting
taking this public health issue seriously. hooked on tobacco. And we can do this
To be sure, no single policy solution now. n
will block every youth from accessing
ARTS & CULTURE tobacco, but raising the legal sales age is
a solution proven to work in other states.
We should recognize the power of this
Adrian Shanker,
Executive Director, Bradbury-Sullivan
LGBT Community Center
PGN Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 15
16 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 LOCAL
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Obituary
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ABOUT
recorded space crime after she allegedly
Printer who nixed gay pride accessed the bank account of her estranged
spouse, Summer Worden, from the
shirt goes to Ky. Supreme International Space Station (ISS).
Court The two women have been involved
in “a bitter separation and parenting dis-
pute for much of the past year.” After
PrEP, BABY.
The Washington Post reported Kentucky
print shop owner who refused to make a gay discovering that McClain had accessed
pride T-shirt argued before the Kentucky Worden’s account from a NASA com-
Supreme Court that he shouldn’t be com- puter terminal, Worden filed a complaint
pelled to promote messages that go against with the Federal Trade Commission and
his religious beliefs. NASA’s Office of Inspector General. She
Blaine Adamson is owner of Hands-On has accused McClain of identity theft and
Originals in Lexington and declined to improper access to Worden’s private finan-
One pill. Once a day. Prevents HIV. print a shirt promoting an LGBT pride
festival in 2012. The city’s Human Rights
cial records.
But while McClain has admitted to
Commission said that refusal violated its accessing Worden’s account from the ISS,
gay-rights fairness ordinance. she denied any wrongdoing. Her lawyer
On Aug. 23, the high court heard an said she was merely reviewing her former
partner’s funds to ensure that Worden had
PrEPdelco.com attorney for the T-shirt maker argue that the
First Amendment protects him from having enough to pay bills and for their child’s
to print that message. An attorney for the care, and that she didn’t move, transfer or
Chester: 610.872.9101 Human Rights Commission says the T-shirt
maker cannot pick and choose who it wants
withdraw any funds. McClain added that
she simply used a password that she had
used previously and that Worden never told
Sharon Hill: 610.583.1177 to serve in the Lexington community.
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments her not to access the account.
from attorneys and will issue a ruling at a
later date. Appeals Court reinstates
Court: Idaho must provide lawsuit over same-sex wed-
trans inmate gender affir- ding video
mation surgery The Star Tribune reported a federal
appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit filed
PROVEN. WINNER.
Boise State Public Radio reported a fed- by two Minnesota filmmakers who want the
eral appeals court said Idaho must provide right to refuse to film same-sex weddings.
gender affirmation surgery to a transgender Carl and Angel Larsen, who run Telescope
inmate who has been living as a woman Media Group in St. Cloud, sued the state in
for years but who has continuously been 2016, saying Minnesota’s public accommo-
dation law would result in steep fines and
Exciting job opportunities are available housed in a men’s prison.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals jail time if they offered services promoting
only their vision of marriage.
at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the on Friday agreed with a federal judge in
Idaho that the state’s denying the surgery A federal judge dismissed the case. But
for Adree Edmo amounted to cruel and a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit
East Coast’s premier destination. unusual punishment, a violation of the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Aug. 23 that the
Constitution. First Amendment gives the Larsens the
U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn right to choose when to speak and what to
Explore current job openings at Winmill in December ruled that Edmo say.
showed she had a serious medical need and The panel sent the case back to the lower
borgatajobs.com. that failure to treat her medical condition court with instructions to consider a pre-
liminary injunction that would allow the
could result in significant further injury or
the unnecessary and wanton infliction of Larsens to operate their business without
pain. fear of violating Minnesota law.
Idaho Department of Correction spokes- Messages left with the state weren’t
man Jeff Ray said the department was immediately returned. n
reviewing the ruling and couldn’t comment.
Reporting via Associated Press
WILLIAM WAY from page 2 in Pennsylvania has that more and protections.
pretty amazing then and pretty amazing been “a tremendous more towns “It would protect people in tiny little
now, even.” struggle,” largely come aboard municipalities in the middle of the state
When Tom Wilson Weinberg was 24 years due to Republican I think indi- where seemingly there may be no one to
old, he testified in front of Philadelphia lawmakers block- cates that support a young trans person or anyone
City Council in 1974 in support of LGBTQ ing legislative eventually, it’s that’s LGBT. … We are living in times
nondiscrimination ordinance Bill 1275 after attempts. going to hap- where, if not that, there’s a growing number
he and his comrades struggled to find a “It had to be done pen.” of people who are against us...at least we’re
landlord that would allow them to open the municipality by The exhib- living in a time where it’s more sanctioned
historic gay bookstore Giovanni’s Room. An municipality,” he it’s creators for people to spew venom about our com-
active member of the Gay Activists Alliance, told PGN. “That’s similarly hope munity,” Anderies said.
Wilson Weinberg decided to speak up. a good thing, but it strikes a According to Loveland, “A lot of people
While giving his testimony, he felt ner- it’d be a lot better if chord with take for granted that these ordinances have
vous and noted some of the City Council the Democrats had viewers about been around for many years, and they don’t
members “were rather disrespectful.” When the majority in the the impor- think about what it took in terms of sacri-
Bill 1358, the later iteration of Philadelphia’s State House and the tance of con- fices and hard work to get those protections
nondiscrimination ordinance, passed eight State Senate. We tinuing the put in place. I hope they will have an appre-
years later “it felt like a great victory.” wouldn’t have to TOM WILSON WEINBERG TESTIFYING IN FAVOR fight for state- ciation for what’s been accomplished but
Wilson Weinberg, now 74, said he hopes be doing it town by OF LGBTQ NONDISCRIMINATION IN PHILLY IN wide nondis- also an understanding of what’s not been
people realize the fight for LGBTQ equality town, but the fact 1974. Photo: Courtesy John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives crimination accomplished yet.” n
PALLIATIVE CARE from page 9 good of a job his boyfriend is doing with that said she sees the potential for improvement: safe spaces and safe environments to care for
at home as long as he can. So he’s not hav- now, but I think that’ll be a comfort to know going the extra mile with staff education. them; making sure that the imagery is correct,
ing any palliative care or hospice care. But I that somebody’s there to manage that kind of “I know there are hospices and pallia- that we are using the correct pronouns. That’s
know when the time comes, he’s really going stuff for him.” tive-care agencies around the world that have something that I think we can do a really great
to need somebody there, to be able to man- While palliative care offers a more compre- committed to providing more education about job at and continue to strive for.” n
age the pain,” said Miller. “I don’t know how hensive treatment plan for many, Dr. Ansari LGBTQ patients and making sure we have
POSITIVE THOUGHTS from page 16 alcohol and eating a healthy diet can reduce saliva, so avoiding the use of saliva as a sex- als now under way are looking at this issue.
clearly associated with immunodeficiency, the risk of certain cancers. ual lubricant may lower the risk of getting There are other advances occurring in oncol-
such as anal cancer or Hodgkin lymphoma. Folks should also get recommended KSHV and developing KS. ogy that can benefit those with HIV who
These are non-AIDS-defining HIV- screenings for cervical and anal cancer. have or are at risk for cancer.
associated cancers. People living with HIV They should make sure they are vaccinated What’s ahead for cancer and HIV? I encourage HIV-positive people with can-
can also develop incidental cancers unre- against hepatitis B, and treat hepatitis B and/ A lot of basic research and observations cer to consider participating in clinical trials,
lated to HIV. The good news is that those or C if present. are being translated into better therapies. such as those run by AMC or by NCI at the
who have the virus are living much longer, HIV-positive individuals should discuss For example, research in immune therapy Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. By
but cancer is still a major concern. with their physicians whether they may ben- for cancer has recently exploded. Novel doing so, people can gain access to promising
efit from the HPV vaccine and, if they are or immune therapies, such as checkpoint experimental therapies and to physicians with
What can we do to prevent cancer? have been smokers, whether to get screened inhibitors, are now yielding remarkable expertise and interest in HIV malignancies.
The most important step is to take effec- for lung cancer. They should also discuss results in tumors that were previously felt At the same time, they can help others. n
tive treatment for HIV. Also, individuals getting age-appropriate screenings for colon to be untreatable by enabling the person’s
who smoke should quit or reduce their and breast cancer. immune system to fight the cancer. Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr. is the editor-in-chief of POZ
Finally, they should be aware that KSHV, People questioned if these therapies magazine. Find him on Twitter @oriolgutierrez. This
smoking. Maintaining a good weight, exer- column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ,
cising, avoiding sun exposure and excess the virus that causes KS, is excreted in would work in those with HIV. Clinical tri-
The Body and Q Syndicate, the LGBT wire service.
24 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 PGN
FEATURE
PGN Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 25
Q PUZZLE: PAGE 26 FAMILY PORTRAIT: PAGE 31 FILM: PAGE 28 COMICS: PAGE 27 ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS: PAGE 30
Out classical singer talks upcoming Met performance and Philly opera
BY CAMERON KELSALL
PGN Contributor
PGN: You’re going to be returning to Opera PGN: Speaking of debuts: I know you
Philadelphia this year as well. Can you tell have a big one coming up right after
me a little bit about the project and your “The Love for Three Oranges.” What is
role? it like to prepare to sing at the Met for
ZJ: “The Love for Three Oranges” is a the first time?
totally crazy piece. I’ve been calling it ZJ: I’ve been involved with this pro-
“Alice in Wonderland” — it’s a fantastical, duction of “Akhnaten” since 2016. We
farcical tale with lots of twists and turns and premiered it at English National Opera,
many magical elements. I play a cook, and and it won an Olivier Award for Best
the cook is both a giant and a woman. It’s New Opera Production, which was
my first drag role! I’m very excited about really stunning. We also did it at Los
that. As a bass, I don’t often get to play the Angeles Opera, and we brought it back
ladies. I’m usually a father, a villain or a to ENO earlier this year — it’s been so
murderer. wildly successful there. The Met picked
up the production, and we were all just
PGN: How do you think audiences are going over the moon to bring it to New York.
to react to this opera?
ZJ: I think people are going to absolutely PGN: How did you become involved
love it. It’s such a surprise, and very few with the piece?
people will know what to expect going ZJ: Strangely enough, it was through
in. The music is extraordinary, and it’s a doing “The Addams Family” on
musical vocabulary we’re all familiar with Broadway that I was pulled back to
— whether you know the piece or know opera. The director of that production,
Prokofiev by name. The Overture is very Phelim McDermott, works with Philip
famous, and it was featured on a popular Glass all the time. He said they were
radio show from the 1940s. [Ed. Note: The doing this weird new opera about Walt
March from “The Love for Three Oranges” Disney, and he asked me to audition
was used as the theme song for the CBS for Abraham Lincoln — the robot
radio drama “The FBI in Peace and War,” version at Disney World. I said of
which ran from 1944-58.] It’s an enormous course, and I got the call to go to Philip
piece to put on, so it says a lot about Opera Glass’s house. They hired me for that
Philadelphia that they’re willing to do it piece where I played a malfunctioning
— they know what kind of base they have, Abraham Lincoln robot. It was a really
28 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 PGN
FILM
PHOTO: XABIANI PONCE DE LEÓN (LEFT) AND JOSÉ ANTONIO TOLEDANO (RIGHT) IN “THIS IS NOT BERLIN”
Carlos (Xabiani Ponce de León) and Gera casts search for the structure that we did not wanted this intimacy between two men. It’s actors meet artists to understand how using
(José Antonio Toledano) in “This Is Not find at home, or at school, or in the neigh- one of the most beautiful things — the tru- one’s body in contemporary art and in phys-
Berlin” are two teenagers exploring their borhood I lived in. I had a need for approval est love you can have. We lose that after our ically painful positions was used to express
sexuality in 1986 Mexico City. When the and love. I was trying to portray that. teenage years. But when you are younger, something. Mauro, who played Nico, came
boys visit the underground club, Aztec, the you can have a deep level of intimacy. up with the idea of them being naked in the
androgynous Carlos becomes involved with PGN: How would you describe your teen- streets with “Fag,” “Gay” and “Dyke” writ-
Nico (Mauro Sanchez Navarro), a queer age life? PGN: What observations do you have about ten on their bodies.
artist. Meanwhile Gera finds trouble with HS: I came from a family similar to the one the depictions of masculinity in the film?
Ajo (David Montalvo) who is into drugs and in the film. My father was not as absent, but HS: I grew up in this suburban place that PGN: What decisions did you make about
sex. This poignant film, which opens August there was a sense of no connection. I found was super violent. Big gangs. It was how depicting nudity and sexuality?
30 at the Landmark Ritz at the Bourse, will these people and this artistic outburst and masculinity was “performed.” Finally, HS: I never intended to make a queer film.
resonate with viewers who have struggled to milieu. I wanted to belong there and com- I was able to get out of there and find a It just happened. That’s my life. What I
find their place in the world. pletely let myself go. But I’m not gay. That different way to understand masculinity. wanted to do was be truthful and raw and
Hari Sama, who directed and co-wrote the was very confusing. I was full of questions. Carlos comes from an atmosphere where see the risk they were taking in the ‘80s —
film — and plays Carlos’ uncle, Esteban, It was intense and joyful but very painful masculinity is [performed] like that. You’re being naked in the Mexico City streets in
drew on his own memories and experiences. at the same time. I didn’t know where to not allowed to be feminine in any way; the midst of a terrible dictatorship. You had
In a recent phone interview, he chatted with belong. It took me years to realize I don’t that’s seen as a weakness. He’s not gay, but to be punk at heart to do that. That’s what
Philadelphia Gay News about making “This fit into any category. I had to find my own he’s not masculine. I wanted the audience mattered to me the most.
Is Not Berlin.” personal voice. And that’s OK. to have this mesmerizing effect I had when
I met these people — seeing eyeliner and PGN: Was it painful to recreate aspects of
PGN: Your film makes a point about finding PGN: Can you talk about creating the inti- painted nails and this androgyny. I was your life on screen?
one’s own family, and not caring what other macy between the men the film? fascinated by that. The ‘80s were so cool HS: This is not the first time I’d done it.
people think. Can you talk about this theme, HS: Nico’s approach to Carlos was very in that sense. Dressing for a party was a But it is interesting for me, and I want to
which is very common in gay culture? sensitive. Nico is punk and powerful but statement and meaningful. I wanted to share continue doing that. I want to make myself
HS: I tried to make this film as honest as when it comes to relating to this kid, he’s that. vulnerable in my projects. It makes my
possible. It is about what I saw and how I very delicate and allows himself to be films more powerful and more meaningful
came to be and meet these people. Being an vulnerable. I didn’t have that when I was PGN: Can you discuss your inspiration for for me. In a way, this film is a gift for the
outcast — I probably still am one — I tend [Carlos’] age, I had it later. My important the impressive sequences that showcase art teenage me. I wanted to go back to these
to search for people who resonate with who male figures — I was really in love with projects and videos? issues, look at them, analyze them and
I am and create a family with them. We out- them, not sexually, but in every other way. I HS: A lot of different influences. I had my share them. n
PGN
FILM Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 29
“BRITTANY RUNS A
MARATHON”
“Brittany Runs a Marathon” is out He observed, “The tacky line is the Colaizzo generates much of the humor ined who I was. He recalled, “I came
gay writer and director Paul Down whole thing is my marathon, and I’m from what he calls, “character moments. out when my parents divorced, and I
Colaizzo’s appealing comedy-drama. almost done. I hope we cross the finish There’s nothing broad or slapstick-y.” unpacked everything I was taught was a
The film, opening August 30 at the line well.” He explained, that the characters, “Use given. I recreated myself with my own
Landmark Ritz Five, concerns the title The filmmaker based his idea for humor to deflect vulnerability. It’s values and rules. In having to re-exam-
character (Jillian Bell), a Philadelphia “Brittany Runs a Marathon” on his best humiliation and pain and embarrassment ine myself and create the life I wanted,
native, who is broke and almost 30. friend. His intention was to put a char- [humor] and the relatable experiences of I had to change my behavior. Every day
Living in New York, she decides to take acter who is often a sidekick or seen as wanting and longing. That’s the art of I’m still doing that. That’s what we all
charge of her life by joining her neighbor comic relief in films at the center of the clowning. We are taking these clowns — need to do in society. We live in a time
Catherine’s (Michaela Watkins) running story. and I mean clowns in the theatrical sense without a lot of hope, and we’re afraid
group. It is there she meets Seth (Micah “The goal of this was to take a ‘hard — who are funny, supporting players, for the future, but we got here through
Stock), a gay man, and the trio convince partying’ character and allow her to be and deepening all of them. We wanted change, and we can get out of it through
themselves to run the New York City seen with dimensions and layers and to show the humor and joy, pathos and change, too.”
Marathon. desires. I wanted to ask audiences for pain, and humanity. The three-dimen- Colaizzo spent part of his childhood
As she trains for the race, Brittany empathy and sympathy. Make her the sional experience of all the characters by in the Philadelphia area, and the film
gains a sense of self-confidence. She everyman and give her the hero’s jour- making something funny and bright and features a few shots and scenes set in the
also embarks on a relationship with Jern ney.” inspirational.” city. When asked about this, Colaizzo
(Utkarsh Ambudkar). Colaizzo’s intention is to make As for finding inspiration to make a acknowledged, “I was born in Pittsburgh.
In a recent phone interview, Colaizzo viewers think about perceptions of change, Colaizzo admits he is as likely Philly was the enemy — the other big
spoke with PGN about his warmhearted themselves, but also how they are to go hard as he is to go back to bed. Pennsylvania city. I lived in Voorhees,
film, admitting that he is no runner him- seen in the eyes of others. As the film “Every day is a fight,” he declared, NJ when I was four to eight years old.
self, “I could never run. I have bad ankles, shows, Brittany’s initial impressions of “What the film explores is that change We’d go downtown all the time, and my
and standing on the set of the film, my Catherine and Jern are critical, but she comes in small steps. How we change is first memory was of the Liberty Bell.
ankle pain was so bad, that after the film I comes to appreciate and embrace them as important as what we change. Every History is preserved in the life blood of
had surgery on my ankles. Now, I’m a half as she comes to know them. Likewise, day is a step in the right direction, but if the people — a feeling of comfort and
inch taller!” But Colaizzo did compete in Brittany’s friendship with her roommate you go in the wrong direction, it is still camaraderie which is why I used Philly
a marathon of sorts, writing and directing Gretchen (Alice Lee) becomes strained against bad behavior.” as a location. And it’s only two hours
his first feature, getting it into Sundance, once she starts training and cuts back on The filmmaker grew up in Georgia, from New York. We stole the shots of the
securing a major distributor (Amazon), excessive partying. in a Catholic, Southern life. When skyline. I paid a guy to let me break in
and getting a theatrical release. While the film is comedic in its tone, he moved to New York, he re-exam- and take them from his roof.” n
30 Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 PGN LISTINGS
Q PUZZLE
ENTERTAINMENT
Quince St.
m ing, and he’ll debut “Gay Mis” — his origi- though she’d parodied “Les Mis” in her
13th St.
12th St.
11th St.
<—
m nal musical parody — as part of the annual own cabaret show. She said she arrived
r Manning St.
Fringe Festival. at the audition with some of her original
r m Obviously a riff on “Les Misérables,”
the piece is actually Jaffe’s second parody
material in hand and was cast within 24
hours.
Spruce St. musical. His first, “Thweeney,” a take on “I am having the time of my life,” said
Sweeney Todd, made its successful debut Robinson. “The cast is just so funny and
Pa. bars close at 2 a.m. unless they have a last January. so talented. And Eric has provided us with
Cypress St. private-club license. Please drink responsibly. The genesis of “Gay Mis” was a bit con- such a safe space to be ourselves. There’s a
m voluted, Jaffe said. little bit of everybody in this show.”
“I didn’t like ‘Les Mis’ at first, because I Jaffe said the unexpected success of
Writer’s Block Rehab William Way U Bar Knock didn’t understand it at first — not at all,” he “Thweeney” and optimistic prospects for
1342 Cypress St. LGBT Community 1220 Locust St. 225 S. 12th St.
267.603.6960 Center 215.546.6660 215.925.1166 confessed. “I was in the eighth grade when “Gay Mis” have him planning the creation
A cozy, comfortable bar 1315 Spruce St. Relaxing corner knockphilly.com I first saw it. I saw it again a few years later of his own gay-theater company.
and lounge perfect for 215.732.2220 bar, easy-going Fine-dining restaurant with a professional touring company, and “One of my goals in building a real the-
escaping the norm waygay.org crowd, popular for and bar, outdoor seat- I picked up on a few things but not a lot. ater company is to provide a space for older
A resource for all happy hour and ing, piano in back room Then I started listening to it repeatedly, gay theater artists,” he noted. “You don’t
Frankie Bradley’s things LGBT window watching because I loved the music, and I started to often see older queer theater artists in the
1320 Chancellor St. absorb some things. But it wasn’t until I theatrical nightlife, and there are so many
215-735-0735 saw the movie that I figured it out.” amazing people that have so much to offer
Resaturant, dance Tavern on Camac Tabu Jaffe admitted he still finds parts of the that I want to bring into the fold.”
club, live performers 255 S. Camac St. 254 S. 12th St. famed musical ridiculous, adding his show “Gay Mis” will be performed at Franky
and entertainment 215.545.8731 215.964.9675 will highlight what he adores and finds Bradley’s, a venue Jaffe praises: “They’ve
Piano lounge with tabuphilly.com absurd about it. got a great stage, great lights and they
Three floors with a
upstairs dance floor; “Also, as with all the shows I do, I make us feel very welcome.”
<— <— Tavern restaurant dance floor,, drag
wanted to make spaces for all kinds of And while “Gay Mis” also will take the
below is open late. shows, lounge and
rootop deck. queerness,” he said. stage for one night at Fishtown’s Punch
West of Broad Street Jaffe’s focus on queerness extended past Line Philly, the auteur said the Gayborhood
Bar X the show: He cast a wide net to secure queer location of Franky Bradley’s is significant
Stir Lounge The Attic Youth performers. As a result, “Gay Mis” features for the longer run of the show.
1705 Chancellor St. Center 255 S. Camac St.
collaborators with whom he previously “I want to be as accessible to queer
215.732.2700 255 S. 16th St.
worked, along with newcomers. people as possible,” Jaffe said, “so why
stirphilly.com 215.545.4331 Bar and dancefloor
atticyouthcenter.org Brennan Malone, a self-described “Jaffe not perform where most of them live and
Fun two-bar
lounge, DJ in the Safe space and programs alumnus,” snagged the role of “Parmesan,” play?” n
back, regular for LGBTs age 16-23 the Jean Valjean equivalent. He said it
poker games and weekday afternoons and caught him by surprise when Jaffe offered “Gay Mis” runs Sept. 7-15 at Franky Bradley’s,
specials evenings him the role. 1320 Chancellor St., and Sept. 22 at Punch
“I had never played the lead in a show Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St. For ticket informa-
before,” Malone said. “I never thought I tion, visit theericjaffee.com
SCENE
PGN
IN PHILLY Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2019 33
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