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queerVOICE
Yin and Yang of Queer Civil Rights
James Duggan
copyright 2010
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While working at a Catholic parish in Boston in 1986, I spent
time with a humble priest who would go around asking people "how do you
feel?" I heard the question over and over again, actually, on a
daily basis. I watched it transform many individuals or groups during that one
university summer many years ago.
This priest didn't just want us to know how we felt, his point was that it was
okay to feel, and that by doing so, we lead ourselves to self discovery and
love for self and others.
Since that summer, this had been my own personal
mantra--how do I feel? This question ultimately leads to "what is it
that makes me feel this way?"
Recently, I got into a discussion with a close friend about heterosexuals in
the workplace. His opinion was that we should not make the heterosexuals
"feel" uncomfortable with the term "queer." His
argument was that we just got heterosexuals used to the term gay. Do we now
really need, he asked, to upset the apple cart with the word "queer"?
My first reaction is no. Individuals and groups are free to use whatever term
that makes them feel comfortable. However, I would ask those heterosexuals, and
queers, what is it that is making you uncomfortable? What is it that makes me
feel the way you do?
This is the ongoing struggle between two polarities in the historical
development of queer people--queer "enspiritment"* versus queer
"assimilation"**. Or shout it loud versus play it down. Some have argued gay
self-respect versus acting respectably.
This is the yin and yang of the queer civil rights movement. The delicate
balance between the two is necessary for our continued push for equal rights.
Those who assimilate do so with the benefit of the actions of those who embrace
queer enspiritment and visa versa. While we can chart either/or of these
positions throughout queer history, they can never be separated. Our
struggle for individual civil rights as homosexual, bisexual and transgender
people is empowered by our making people feel uncomfortable and then to make
them feel comfortable, with the hope that it will lead to a dialog for change.
One thing for sure is that whatever the feelings,
we need to be sure that we do not allow them to interfere with the progression
and achievement of queer civil rights. If our nature makes a person(s) feel
uncomfortable, there is nothing we can do about it except to challenge them in
those feelings.
Yes, this is the yin and yang of the queer civil
rights movement.
Editor's Note:
*Enspiritment is about stepping into our own
perceptions and reality and defining our own concept of who we are.
**Assimilation is the perspective that we are just like straight people except
for what we do in bed. It is about attempting to blend and become what the
expectations are of the broader society.
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What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2010 |
 The death of queer fashion
designer "Lee" Alexander
McQueen, 40, is truly a tragic loss, due to suicide.
The news shocked and disheartened
the industry worldwide and definitely shrouded the events at the Fashion Weeks
in both New York and London.
Tributes to the late McQueen
began as quickly as the news of his death was formally announced by the
authorities even before the actual details were known by London's Westminster
Coroner's Court, determined to be death caused by "asphyxia and hanging."
Fashion editors at leading media
outlets like Women's Wear Daily
(WWD) had to scurry about organizing their extensive coverage on McQueen's
too-brief life and career instead of covering his newest lines to be introduced
on the runway.
 WWD Friday, February 12, edition devoted
the cover story to McQueen, entitled "A
True Master," with a full page photograph of the incredibly talented and
unique designer and dedicated pages 6 to 17, more than half, of their 32 page
edition to him.
Their full coverage is further
testament to the significance, contribution and impact that the native Londoner
made from his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise to fame in 1994 when his
graduate show at Central Saint Martins was totally sold out, purchased by his
patron and mentor Isabella Blow, who
also succumbed to death by suicide in 2007.
There are many lovely, genuine
and quotable quotes from the who's who in the fashion industry that staffers at
WWD gathered together that capture the genius and talent and creativity and
fearlessness of McQueen.
Here are a few of them:
"McQueen was daring, original,
exciting. He shook up the establishment with his creativity and understood what
it takes to be a great British ambassador of fashion. I admired him very much."
-John Galliano
"Lee was a fashion genius. I
don't say that lightly, and it is a total shock that I am referring to him in
the past tense."-Stella McCartney
"This news has come as a shock
and greatly saddened me. The world has lost a very talented young man whom I
have always respected for his outstanding genius."-Giorgio Armani
 "I think every designer's dream
is to have that talent, that vision and that integrity. It's shocking to think
that something like this could happen to somebody of that ability, who has that
creativity and expression and love inside of him. There are very few people you
look at as icons of creativity."-Donna
Karan
"He [McQueen] had a way of
approaching fashion-both as a tailor and an inventor-that was all his own."-Frida Giannini
"His [McQueen's] imagination had
no limits and his strong personality, together with his strong creativity, made
him unique."-Donatella Versace
"He [McQueen] is such a great guy
and such an amazing talent that it is so devastating to know that he is gone. I
will miss him, and I will certainly miss the beauty that he created, and his
vision and his world" -Marc Jacobs
"Yet while indentifying him as an
artist, it is essential as well to celebrate McQueen as an extraordinary
designer of fashion, one who not only could, but did, make beautiful clothes
for women." -Bridget Foley
 James Fallon in his piece, "A London Man" in WWD, February 12,
offered readers a bittersweet portrayal of the controversial queer "bad boy" of
the fashion world who turned the London
scene back to center stage after being backwater for several decades.
Of McQueen, Fallon wrote: "There was always an edge, a seething anger
that caused him to be viewed as aggressive, a bully, a foul-mouthed son of a
taxicab driver who was antiestablishment and said whatever he wanted. He was
certainly that, and there was always a dark side to the designer. . . ."
"But there was the flip side. He
was shy, had an impish sense of humor and a guffaw of a laugh that always left
him slightly red in the face. He was also a boy inside with a soft heart."
McQueen was never one to hesitate
about mincing words. He told Charlie
Rose in an interview in 1997: "Fashion is about kissing ass and I don't do
that."
Finally, from Philip Treacy, in remembrance of the
queer designer: "In a world where every man and his dog is a designer,
Alexander McQueen was the real deal. His talent was supersonic."
comments@QUEERtimes.net
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speakOUT
Nutter, Murphy Address IBA
John Di Pietro, Esquire
copyright 2010
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 Last
week Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter addressed the Independence Business
Alliance (IBA) at a breakfast meeting on February 18, at the Loews Philadelphia
Hotel. IBA is the regional LGBT chamber of commerce, an affiliate of the
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Nutter was introduced by
IBA President, Bill Gehrman, who expressed his appreciation to the Mayor and
the Office of LGBT Affairs for their close partnership in helping the IBA grow
as a vital economic force within the City.
Nutter
told a crowd of more than 120 members and guests that many of his initiatives
are taking hold and his agenda for city government is progressing. However,
many of his plans have unfortunately been sidetracked somewhat by the national
recession which has caused serious budgetary restrictions. The Mayor discussed
the recent receipt of millions of dollars in funds from President Obama's
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the funds have already been targeted
toward the city's infrastructure projects.
When
asked about his proudest accomplishments to date, Nutter indicated a
"streamlining" of city services. For example, he said the complicated City
Licenses and Inspection Permit process for development has been simplified;
previously there had been about 130 various permit forms and applications, the
number has now been significantly reduced to about 30. Nutter also discussed
the creation of his "Task Force on Tax Policy and Economic Competitiveness"
with the goal of reforming the City's entire tax structure, particularly in
wages and gross receipts tax aspects.
One
of his other priorities is to make city government technologically current.
Greater coordination of information technology is already underway among
departments. He wants to make information about City services and programs
easily accessible to the public. This effort is estimated to cost approximately
100 Million Dollars over the next few years with incremental allotments phased
in the annual capital budgets.
Nutter
highlighted the importance of the 2010 federal census effort and how urged all
residents to participate.
"Washington gets our tax
money; then they re-distribute it to the states and cities; receipt of these
funds is based upon population formulas and ratios, so we need to get what is
rightfully ours by making sure we are all counted," Nutter said.
The
Mayor emphasized all responses are strictly confidential and protected under
penalty of federal law. This year information about same-sex households will
also be collected.
Gloria Casarez, the City's Director of
LGBT Affairs, was lauded by Nutter for her dedication in keeping him apprised
of special issues related to the LGBT community. In addition, the Mayor's
Economic Advisory Committee, which includes members from IBA was praised for
its efforts in encouraging small businesses to expand and relocate to the City
and for promoting manufacturing opportunities like the wind turbine energy
alternative project and other green programs.
Nutter
also spoke of efforts to implement assistance to minority owned businesses via
the city inclusion programs. The Mayor encouraged all to surf the city's
internet website at "phila.gov" and to provide suggestions for improving
government.
 Prior
to Nutter's arrival, U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy (D-Buck's County) spoke
to those assembled about his efforts to repeal the nation's 17 year-old "Don't
Ask, Don't Tell" military policy.
Although
there are approximately 187 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, the
legislation's outcome in the U.S. Senate is far less from certain. Murphy urged
the group to continue to be vigilant and active in lobbying efforts, not only
on that issue, but also on a variety of issues facing the country such as
health care and lobbying reform.
"Remember,"
said Murphy, "Change has many enemies, and those who advocate change have many
enemies as well, so please continue to make your voices heard."
Editor's
Note: John Adam Di Pietro, Esquire, is a
founding board member of The Gittings Trust, a member of IBA and a supporter of
the Greater Philadelphia Professional Network (GPPN), among other LGBTQ
community efforts and organizations.
comments@QUEERtimes.net
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Thom's Table on the Qt!
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2010
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 Foodies-here's some exciting news! Bar 210 at Lacroix at the
Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 West
Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, is now featuring exceptional handcrafted
cocktails made from house-infused liquors and eclectic ingredients, an
extensive wine list and a new modern new menu.
"We keep our menus exciting by constantly making
changes to reflect the season and our consistently evolving style of cooking,"
said chef Jason Cichonski.
"Food should be fun; I want to coax familiar flavors out of a unique pairing of
ingredients, and get people excited about eating. Fine dinning doesn't
have to be uncomfortable or uptight, that's what I love about Lacroix, we
are able to provide great service with exciting food, and now with the addition
of Bar 210, really appeal to a younger more progressive crowd."
Highlights of
Cichonski's new menu include:
Tots Smoked Ketchup, Apples Olive Almonds, Pork Cracklings with Apple
Sauce Porcini, Crispy Curry Snack Mix, Oysters East & West Coast with Tobasco gelle& lemon, Pork Belly on Steamed Bun
with Asian Pear, Crab Croquettes
with Malted Mayo & Pickled Fennel, Beef Jerky, House-Cured Charcuterie with Pickles &
Mustard, BBQ Pork
Dumplings with Creamy Ponzu, Poppy Fried Hamachi Collar with Honey-yuzu and Edemame,
Boneless Chicken Wings with Passion
Fruit Hot Sauce and Goat Cheese, Double
Smoked Bacon Burger with Aged Gouda, Granny Smith Apple and
Rosemary. Prices for the new menu range from $4.00-$16.00.
While drinking or dining, diners also have the
opportunity to enjoy the lovely views of Rittenhouse Square!
For more information, call 215.790.2533; or
visit lacroixrestaurant.com/bar_210
 Del Frisco's
Double Eagle Steakhouse, 111 South 15th Street, Philadelphia,
has recently expanded their famous power
brokers' Happy Hour on Thursday to add Wednesday, 5 to 11 p.m. and Sunday,
5 to 10 p.m., for diners where the "wow" factor can easily envelope you with
the who's who crowd, the restaurant's ambiance and the attentive and
first-class service from the staff.
(I must confess that Del Frisco's Happy Hour has
definitely become one of my favorite haunts-so you'll see me there!)
You can impress
and be impressed with friends and colleagues at these lively times while
enjoying the recession-proof prices, including their popular $5 bar menu; $4 Budweiser, Bud
Light, Miller Lite, Stella Artois;
$6 Wine by the Glass and $7 VIP cocktails.
For more information, call 215.246.0533;
visit delfriscos.com
Brunch is one of my
favorite meal times.
 Area foodies will be
happy to learn that chef/owner Jose Garces will begin serving brunch on March 6
and 7 at Distrito, 3945 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia, will debut a Weekend Brunch.
The menu
will include a host of fun Mexican
flavors, served in Garces' signature small plate's style, every Saturday
and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
"One of the
meals I enjoy the most in Mexico City
is breakfast because of all the flavorful options," says Garces. "This
menu will bring our interpretation of those dishes to University City and offer new place for
brunch in the neighborhood."
Highlights of the brunch menu items include: Chilaquiles,
fried egg with Mexican crema, queso fresco, grilled red onions, green chile
sauce and micro cilantro; Torta
de Huevos, eggs, queso Oaxaca, Benton's bacon, avocado, tomato and
crema; Steak and Eggs,
Kobe beef with two eggs any style, refried or black beans and chimichurri
sauce; Huevos Rancheros,
eggs with roasted tomato and green asparagus; and Torrejas, French toast with cajeta, berries and Chantilly
cream. Prices range from $8 to
$15.
Playfully
nicknamed brunch cocktails will be offered, such as: "Vuelvo de la Vida," or
"Return to Life," Distrito Bloody
Maria, chipotle infused vodka, fresh tomato, horseradish, lime and
cilantro; Sparkling Margarita,
Hornitos Plata tequila, orange liquor, lime juice and sparkling wine;
and Ojo Rojo or "Red Eye,"
Mexican hot chocolate, coffee, Patron XO, whipped cream, and caramel.
For
more information, or to make a brunch reservation, please call 215.222.1657; or
visit distritorestaurant.com
It's a
perfect time to go to the shore--and dine!
 Atlantic City Restaurant Week will take place from February 28 through
March 6, with more than 70 restaurants offering special fixed price lunches for
$15.10 per person and fixed price dinners for $33.10 per person.
"It seems only natural
to make Restaurant Week an annual event after the success last year which
encouraged a number of participating restaurants to extend their special menus,"
said Jeff Vasser, president of the
Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA).
"Most recently, we
added Borgata' Fornelletto Cucina and
Wine Bar by celebrated chef Stephen Kalt to our roster of outstanding
restaurants which will help guarantee another successful year for Restaurant
Week," he said.
Some of this year's participating restaurants
include: Buddakan, Knife & Fork,
and The Palm.
For more information, visit acrestaurantweek.com
comments@QUEERtimes.net
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Thom's Arts Calender
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2010 |
Dance,
Dance, Dance!
 "Hot, sensual and explicit ... the subject is specifically male but its
story has universality that cuts across gender lines. A work that speaks to us
with a power and courage that is very moving." (Sally Fowler, Dance Dialogue)
Isn't that how you want your male-to-male dance expressions to be like?
Viola! Philadelphia Dance Projects 2010 presents "Regeneration,
Contemporary Dance, Past and Future,"pairing the next wave of contemporary dance artists with
influential choreographers from the 1970s and 80s Philadelphia dance scene this weekend.
The schedule of performances will be: 7:30 p. m., February 26, 2 p. m.
and 7:30 p. m., February 27, in addition to the Local Dance History Forum, noon
to 6 p. m., February 28, to be held at The
Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St. (just north of Spring Garden) in Philadelphia.
The dance pieces will be performed by Gregory Holt, John Luna, Scott
McPheeters, and William Robinson, with live piano and vocals by Dan Martin, cello
by Anthony Pirollo and written and directed by Michael Biello, Ishmael
Houston-Jones, and Dan Martin.
For more information, visit philadelphiadance.org
 For a completely different type of dance, the 5th Annual Philadelphia Liberty Dance Challenge is Philadelphia's only same sex
ballroom dance competition featuring dancers from across the United States and
Canada, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101Arch Street, Philadelphia,
starting at noon to 11 p. m., with events all day, March 27.
This year, dancers will be competing for the North American Championship on their
way to compete in the World Gay Games
in Cologne, Germany.
This North
American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association sanctioned event features all dance levels
and styles (including: International Standard; International Latin; American
Smooth; American Rhythm; Country Western; and Single Dance Events.)
The evening's Championship Event/Grand Ball includes:
Standard, Latin, American Smooth, and American Rhythm.
The grand finale of the evening will include a silent
auction and dance competition (featuring Sapphire Fund's board members & community
supporters - - - think Dancing with the Stars - Philly style!)
Portion of the proceeds from the silent auction and dance
competition will benefit the Sapphire Fund.
Tickets for the Grand Ball Finale are $40 for a seat per
person (or only $15 for standing room and for students with ID.)
It really sounds like an entertaining event and also for
a worthy cause.
For more information, visit PhiladelphiaLibertyDanceChallenge.com
Calling all singers in the tristate area and beyond!
 Proprietor Jolly Weldon is launching Keyboard Karaoke, Philadelphia's
version of American Idol meets the Fabulous Baker Boys, beginning at 8 p. m.,
March 2, and every Tuesday through May 4, at Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar, 2006
Chestnut Street, in Center City Philadelphia.
"I know there are some
great singers out there and I am excited to let them show their stuff here at
Jolly's," said Weldon. "This is your chance, Philadelphia, to leave your day job behind
and become a nightclub singer, even if for just one night."
Weldon announced that there will be weekly winners who will
receive gift cards, while the grand prize winner will receive $500, plus
the title of Jolly's First Keyboard Karaoke Winner will be announced
at the grand finale of the competition on May 4!
The basic logistics are
simple. Each Tuesday at 8 p. m., anyone can take the stage to sing a tune
from our 500+ karaoke song book, which is posted on the bar's web site. You can
learn the lyrics at home, or use their printed songbook as a crutch. Each
person gets one song and the audience will vote (via their applause) for the
winner or winners that week (if it's close, we will have a sing off or Jolly,
Tony T and Joe will decide).
The weekly winner and
runner-up will be asked to return for the finals on May 4 to compete for
$500, a trophy, and the title of Jolly's
First Keyboard Karaoke Winner.
Weldon explained that
the finals will be critiqued and judged American-Idol style by a team of
media/music professionals. Second and third place winners will receive gift
cards and other prizes.
For more
information, call 267.687.1161; or visit jollyspianobar.com
comments@QUEERtimes.net |
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What They Said and Did!
Thom Cardwell
copyrighted 2010
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On the ongoing battle to add "gay-inclusive" to the
new impending immigration bill, Reuniting Families Act, being sponsored by Rep.
Mike Honda (D-California): "The
immediate future remains hopeful. There are many more steps on our journey
together-and in the Congressional process-and we remain confident that, in the
end, our champions will stand with us, and immigration reform will include our
families, too." -- Rachel B. Tiven, Executive Director of
Immigration Equality (Guide, February 2010)
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On explaining what his first-time political race to
unseat incumbent Rep. Laura Richardson (D) for California's
37th Congressional District (includes Long
Beach) is all about, using queer rights as his
centerpiece, but never a single-issue candidate: "My campaign is about equal justice. We need to move on that right
away, make sure that LGBT people [who] are in the military have every right
[when] they're fighting for this country." - Primary Democratic
gay-friendly challenger Peter Matthews
(Blade, February 2010)
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On clarifying the title of his latest CD, "All Days
are Nights: Songs for Lulu" about the mythic character versus a real person to
his fans from the sometimes gender-bending queer singer/songwriter: "[Lulu] . . .is more of a concept, really,
She's an incarnation of a destructive female energy that's in everyone; she's a
ferocious warrior. I don't want it to sound sexist-maybe I think of it as
female because it's life-giving, and so fierce." - Rufus Wainwright (METRO Philadelphia, February
12-14, 2010)
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