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queerVOICE
Pink Political Dollar
James Duggan
copyright 2010
|  By 2011, the buying power of queers in the United States
is expected to exceed $835 Billion. That's $835,000,000,000! As a
minority group we are only second to the African-American dollar. What would happen if just a fraction of that total
amount, say .05 of a percent, or $41,750,000, was being directed to electing
out candidates and our allies? We would be one of the most powerful political
groups in the nation. However, the pink political dollar has yet to live
up to its potential and full expectations. For whatever reason as local,
state and national communities, we have yet to flex our vast political muscle
when it comes to the influence of our spending power over political races. Oh, I wish that this were not true since so many
good, viable, and credible out candidates need our financial support to
successfully get elected to office. As
I wrote last
week: familiarity with out elected officials makes a major difference in our
legislative bodies. Getting out candidates elected matters! Two groups have set somewhat of a standard for
political action through us of the pink dollar, Gill Action Fund
and Victory Fund. Gill Action, founded by Tim Gill, focuses it vast
network of queer political donors on state level races where they work to
replace legislators who oppose equality with an "out or allied candidate" who
will work to advance our equality. Gill Action has both an impressive and
successful record of changing the political landscape on behalf of advancing
equality. Tim Gill, who has been called "coolly calculating
and strategic" help transform his home state of Colorado from Republican to Democrat in just
4 years. Gill targets anti-queer state legislators and has successfully
used the influence of the pink political dollar to advance equality in many
other states. Another organization is the Victory Fund, who
assists viable out candidates on the local, state and federal levels.
Victory Fund, which has a list of benchmarks to qualify as a viable candidate,
provides both financial and advisory support for out candidates only. Victory Fund sets the "bar high" for the candidates
they support, including requiring them to go the certified candidate's school
and to raise as much as $30,000 or more depending on the race before they will
consider providing support to a candidate with the pink political dollars that
they control. Victory Fund claims that in 2009 that of the 79 out
candidates they supported 54 of them were elected to office. This is a
68% win rate. Out of the 79 candidates, 44 were first-time candidates. Gill Action and Victory Fund need to be applauded
and supported in their efforts to advance equality through the political
process. But more needs to be done . . . much more. Locally, the queer community has two very
creditable and viable out candidates; Fern
Kaufman, running for PA State Rep. for the 26th
District; Gregg
Kravitz, for PA Sate Rep for the 182nd. These two out candidates are not currently
receiving help from either Gill Action or Victory Fund. They need our help in raising funds so that
they may become to first out state legislators in Pennsylvania. Our ability to influence the outcome of political
races by focusing our pink political dollars is huge. We can no longer
rely on any one political party to manage our donations. We must take
control of our own political future and make every effort to donate our money
directly to those few out candidates who step forward to help advance our
equality. Because familiarity with out candidates makes a
major difference, we must do everything in our power to help get them
elected. Please consider
giving your pink dollars to advancing the election of our creditable and viable
out candidates today.
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What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2010 |
 Last week's International
Equality Dinner, presented by Equality
Forum (EF), held at the National
Constitution Center, on May 1, was truly a who's who of politics and LGBTQ
community leaders and names-in-the news (Dan Choi,
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell," for one) if not quite celebrities.
The always sold-out attendance for this important
gathering of the local, regional and national LGBT community really raises the benchmark
for the City of Philadelphia each
spring. Sometimes, it's easy to forget about that fact or ignore its
significance, thinking, perhaps, more modestly, that we as Philadelphians
should maintain our manners and not be too boastful or self-congratulatory.
But, I, for one, will immediately dispense with
that sense of decorum, loosen my tie, and shout from the tallest building in
the city, The Comcast Tower
(incidentally, Comcast was a lead sponsor of this year's Equality Forum, no
mean feat, that!) that such events are still worthwhile and worth the money as
we continue as EF executive director Malcolm Lazin likes
to talk about "our place at the table."
Malcolm Lazin  | Lazin who founded EF, now with the subtitle, the
Global GLBT Summit, has been for decades working on this event and other
projects to have out community arrive, at an even "better seat at the table" than we might once have been
all-too-eagerly willing to accept.
It has become apparent to me (and definitely
personally empowering) that others outside our proud community realize this
fact and of our collective visibility and our march (indeed, demand) for equal
rights.
Who might you ask were among the VIP attendees at
the dinner this year? It's an impressive
and informative list to share even if you, like me, were actually there sharing
dinner with all of them. Even as I network and meet and greet as many guests at
the pre-dinner cocktail reception, I still couldn't spot or identify everyone.
The room's too overcrowded; the energy too overwhelming (these are all good
things, it seems to me)
Okay, for the real list in alphabetical order (are
you paying attention?): Jeremy Bernard, Director of White House and Congressional
Affairs, National Endowment for the Humanities; The Honorable Ann Butchart, Court of
Common Pleas, Philadelphia; David Boies, Esq.; Eliza Byard,
Executive Director, GLSEN; Robert P.
Casey, U. S. Senator; Lt. Dan Choi,
West Point graduate and national leader to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't
Tell"; Sophie Dagenais, Chief of Staff, Baltimore Mayor
Rawlings-Blake; Patrick Guerriero, Executive Director, Gill Action Fund;
Joe
Hoeffel,
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate; Patrick Murphy, U.S. Congressman; Dan Onorato,
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate; Joe Sestak, U. S. Congressman; Arlen Specter, U. S. Senator, and scheduled
to appear but had to cancel, Governor Ed Rendell (though there were two tables
representing him and the State of Pennsylvania populated with mostly openly gay
appointees).
Same-Sex Commitment Ceremony @ SundayOUT!  | And other
VIPs included: Sharon
Lettman, ED, National Black Justice Coalition; Mara Keisling, ED, National Center for
Transgender Equality; Brad Sears,
ED, Williams Institute; Toni Broaddus,
ED, Equality Federation; Kevin Cathcart,
ED, Lambda Legal; James Esseks,
Director, LGBT and AIDS Project, ACLU; Francis
DeBernardo, ED, New Ways Ministry; Mark
Bromley, Board Chair, Council of Global Equality; Cary Alan Johnson, ED, IGLHRC; Jarrett
Barrios, President, GLAAD; Brian
Bonds, Deputy Director, White House Office
of Public Engagement; Kevin Naff,
Editor, Washington Blade; Matt Skallerud,
President, Pink Banana Media; and Anthony
Rapp, Broadway entertainer, original cast member of "Rent."
And least I forget our own community in Philadelphia and region,
the column would then become three times as long as regular editorial space
will allow. But you were there in strength of numbers and pride!
But it's not just about naming names-to
impress!
It's about assemblage, networking, conferring,
meeting, talking, even, bearing witness (without getting religious!) on the
fact that we as a community are truly at a time and place that we've never been
before and we're NOT turning back, turning down, turning around.
We're on a roll, people,
and, congratulations to all, because Equality Forum has helped put us right
there!
 Tuesday, 4/11, 6:30 PM, click for details  |
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 | Thom's Calendar on the Qt!
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2010
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Okay, this needs to go on your calendar! It's already been on mine for a few
weeks! And we ALL need to attend and
support the beneficiary, Mazzoni Center, to celebrate the
nonprofit's 30th anniversary.
 Besides, it's an evening with a diva, a legend, an
icon, a queen (a real one), a bigger-than-life, performer of all time, Diana Ross, not in a huge stadium, but
in a smaller, intimate venue, almost like a truly "private" concert, at Caesars in Atlantic City,
on May 21 and 22.
I'm not kidding about the "private" and "intimate"
aspects of Ms. Ross' appearance. When the 9 p.m. performance is over,
organizers have promised that "Ms. Ross will return to the stage to address Mazzoni ticket holders and offer an exclusive champagne toast for the gala
occasion."
When the clanking of the champagne glasses has ended,
guests will adjourn to the nearby Diamond
Lounge at Caesars for an after-party with two hours of open bar and hors
d'oeuvres, DJ entertainment, and dazzling oceanfront views.
Now the gala celebration and partying continues for
those guests who wish to stay overnight at Caesars (with special discounted
room rates for Mazzoni Center supporters) who will then wake up to attend a
Saturday morning brunch, 10 a.m. to noon, May 22, with live entertainment
by legendary Philadelphia drag performer Sandy
Beach.
 "Mazzoni
Center is proud to be
marking this milestone in our organization's history and we wanted to share the
excitement with our supporters who have made our work possible over the years,"
Executive Director Nurit Shein said.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Caesars
Atlantic City through its parent company Harrah's Entertainment and the HET
Foundation, and to have the support and participation of Diana Ross in our 30th
anniversary celebration," said Michael
J. Wolf, MD, Chair of Mazzoni's Board of Directors. "Itreflects not only the successful
evolution of Mazzoni
Center but the
achievements of the LGBT community as a whole over the last thirty years."
"Caesars Atlantic City is excited to host the
30th anniversary of Mazzoni Center, a renowned medical facility with dedicated
and caring professionals," said Erin
Chamberlin, Vice President of Marketing, Caesars Atlantic City and Bally's
Atlantic City, "Our partnership will continue to provide needed
funds."
Ms. Ross' appearance is "More Today Than Yesterday" 2010 national tour.
Tickets are $225 per person and includes concert,
champagne toast, after party on May 21 and Saturday brunch on May 22; $175 per
person and includes concert, champagne toast, and after party on May 21; and
$100 after party and reception only.
For guests attending the event Mazzoni Center
will be providing free round-trip bus
transportation to/and/from Center City Philadelphia/Atlantic City on May 21.
Guests who are staying overnight in Atlantic
City will need to make their own transportation
arrangements for the return on May 22.
What a package deal, with the incredible Diana
Ross, partying and a large amount of the proceeds
going to a worthy cause, Mazzoni
Center. Hey, give yourself an early or
belated birthday gift, whatever it takes to be part of this gala scene in Atlantic City at Caesars!
The special event is being sponsored by Mind:
MediaIndependence, Caesars Atlantic City, Media Copy, Stout's Bus Company,
Philadelphia Gay News and Comcast.
Mazzoni Center
is the only health care provider in
the Philadelphia
region specifically targeting the unique
health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
It is also the oldest AIDS service organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
and the fourth-oldest in the nation.
For more information, visit mazzonicenter.org
comments@QUEERtimes.net
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 | Thom's Table Talks to Chefs!
A QUEERtimes Exclusive
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2010
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In celebration of the return of "Thom's
Table" events, the first in a series, to be hosted at Q
Lounge & Kitchen, on May 11, (see event details below), I recently sat down
for an exclusive Qt interview with executive chef Wayne Whiteside who, not surprisingly, spends most of his time in
the kitchen.
The Upper Darby, Delaware County native (also home
to Jim Croce and Tina Fey) discussed his culinary career as a self-taught chef, his humble beginnings
in the restaurant industry to his rise as executive chef, his professional
influences and mentors, his philosophy of food and cooking, the creation and
development of menu items for the restaurant, the overseeing a kitchen staff,
and a few facts about his personal life.
QUEERtimes: What situation led you to become a chef?
Wayne
Whiteside: When I was 16 years old, I was an apprentice
going to school for printing. But I was unsure if the printing business was
really for me. In my spare time, I ended up working as a dish washer in a
neighborhood restaurant. I reached my 10 years of working in the restaurant
industry and decided that it was time to move up the ladder. I graduated to serving
as a line chef. Because I had a gentle way of handling food, I was quickly
promoted to sous chef . That lasted for seven years. I am a product of
"learning by doing" which meant "on the job training" that has really become
invaluable to my career.
Qt: You've already garnered an impressive career. What
are some of the restaurants where you previously worked?
 WW:
Well, I began learning how to make Italian food. Then I expanded my
experience with other cuisine, especially French and Asian. When I worked at Fork, I found out more about organics,
herbs and locally grown ingredients. I served as sous chef at Savona,
Tuscana and Sola, a BYOB in Bryn Mawr, I learned all about making all kinds of
things from scratch-from cheeses to pastas. In 2006, after leaving Sola on the Main Line, I was hired by the Weiss brothers to serve as
executive chef at Bump, the current
owners have retained me for Q Lounge
& Kitchen.
Qt: What's it like being an executive chef?
WW: I have to wear many hats, give a lot of you
to the job, get used to being scrutinized by everyone on a daily basis, putting
a lot of work into planning meals and the menu items. It's not just cooking and
handling paperwork. I now oversee five to seven staffers in the kitchen. I have
to be a teacher, mentor-with qualities like being calm, patient, understanding
and having them learn about my culinary vision. I have to develop the staff as
a "team effort." At the same time, I have to delegate responsibilities and
remain "hands on." I have to be involved in everything from value to quality to
time management. I even work on the line as a way to evaluate the staff's
progress and development. It's challenging but I even have to teach
techniques-from breaking down a chicken to making something from scratch.
Qt: What might we be surprised to find in your
kitchen?
WW: An ice-cream maker! We make everything from scratch, we're
creative with our own flavors, from cookies and cream to seasonal flavors like
pumpkin. We make the sorbets like lemon cello, berries, other fruits and change
things up a bit, so that we don't become stagnant with our desserts, too. My
thinking is why buy it if I can make it better. I learned all my skills in
dessert making at Sola, now I mentor my own staff to learn on-site and by
doing-all homemade desserts. Everyone is a sponge. You know that desserts are
the last chance to impress and delight diners in an evening!
Qt: What three cookbooks are indispensable
for you?
WW: [Without hesitation.] "The Professional Chef"
by Beau Bridges, "The Herb Bible" and "Fish and
Shell Fish."
Qt: What's your attitude about cooking?
WW: Culinary Philosophy? Fusion?
Never used it myself-it's definitely now an overused term. For me,
"fusion is confusion." I subscribe to a more minimalist approach, pairing
ingredients from different regions. I like to have food products stand on their
own-"less is better"-roasted chicken, simply prepared, stuffed with feta
cheese, roasted peppers, break chicken down, French the bone, season with salt
and pepper, thyme, parsley, roast and deglaze with white wine and butter. It's
a simply prepared but delightful dish. That's the way I cook!
Qt: Where do you eat on your day off?
WW: [Laughs] Well, I don't
cook! I'm not allowed to enter my wife's kitchen. She's an excellent home chef
and serves me wonderful meals at home. When I do go out, one of my favorite
places to go is Buddakan. I have my own professional kitchen at the restaurant.
And she has hers at home.
Qt: If you weren't a chef, what else would you
be?
WW: Probably a house painter.
My father's second job was being a house painter. It's a descent job, work with
my hands. I get a sense of gratification from appreciating the architecture of
each house, each building, each structure that we painted.
 The
first of Thom's Tables in the ongoing series
for spring, summer and fall dining out nights will be presented at Q Lounge & Kitchen, 1234 Locust Street, in the
heart of Philadelphia's "Gayborhood," where we'll be serving a special menu created by Executive Chef Wayne Whiteside offering global cuisine
incorporating locally grown products at 6:30 p.m.,
May 11, prix fixe, three course dinner, for $35
per person, not including beverages, tax and gratuity.
Serving smartwater, compliments of our sponsor.
For advance reservations which are REQUIRED, call 215.732.1800.
comments@QUEERtimes.net
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What They Said and Did!
Thom Cardwell
copyrighted 2010
| Child of Hollywood iconic actor, Henry Fonda, and a
Hollywood legendary actress in her own right, Jane Fonda
has many sides to her unique and dazzling personality. Known for a wide variety
of accomplishments and successes both on and off screen, Jane Fonda, 72, has
been criticized  from some of her opinions as well as actions in the peace
movement and political world (one of her several husbands was
activist/politician Tom Hayden) and has equally been embraced for other
passions such as health and fitness. One thing is certain that Fonda is a woman
of independent spirit and drive and isn't ever leaving this earth without a
strong fight for a worthy cause. Nowadays, the mostly Atlanta resident (where her daughter,
grandchildren and her nonprofits reside), talked to journalist Deborah Solomon
(The Sunday New York Times, April 23, 2010), about her place as "the queen of
fitness" movement: "'Queen' is
good. It's great, because it began the industry . . . Jack LaLanne [95]-whom I
worship-he looks fabulous! World Fitness Day is going to open with a
five-minute documentary about the history of fitness in the United States, and
it's going to start with him. . .I try to walk an hour a day. When I don't go
outside, I do the exercise bicycle, which is very good for the knee. Twenty to
30 minutes a day . . . I think a lot. I work out my brain. Cognitive workouts .
. . If you want to age successfully, you have to look back over the earlier
part of your life and understand what it was about. If you can do a life review
with a forgiving heart, your last 30 years will be quite transformed." (The New York Times
Magazine, April 23, 2010), _________________________________ Dashing British-born queer actor Rupert Everett
has had as many missteps in his career as he's had successes. He's been out
forever and played leading "straight" men and out "gay" men with respect, vigor
and passion against such major stars as Julia Roberts ""My Best Friend's  Wedding")
to Madonna ("The Next Best Thing") to Bob Dylan ("Hearts of Fire") and offered,
as part of his legacy, memorable roles in queer cinema, like that in roles in
"Another Country." Now 51, Everett admits to his
mistakes and shortcomings without regrets, even about being "open" about his
sexual orientation as a detriment to his acting career despite warnings that it
limit him or disallow him to be considered for romantic male lead roles in
major movies. "I was out
before. I was never really in. I don't think. Everybody sabotages their careers
to a certain extent, not consciously, but I don't think I have more than
anybody else. People get distorted ideas of themselves; being in this business,
you can't fail to. Suddenly you think you should be playing the Marlon Brando
role in 'On the Waterfront,' when you really should be playing a Noel Coward
role . . . I think that success in show business is a very heady when you're a
kid, particularly if it happens small, because you're always trying to make it
grow. There's no happy moment in it, because you're just grasping and elbowing,
elbowing your way to the next stop. And you make lots of wrong decisions
because of it."
(The New York Times Magazine, February 22, 2009). _________________________________ Diva Toni Braxton released her latest CD, "Pulse,"
this week after an absence of several years from performing, recording and
being in the public spotlight due to a severe health challenge (she was
diagnosed with micro vascular angina, a small vessel disease). The soon-to-be
star of  "Braxton's Family Values," a new reality television show, about herself
and her family, on Bravo, talked to reporter Bill Biss: "I didn't
think I'd ever I'd ever be able to record again. When I was in cardiorehab,
this one older lady . . . she said she was like 50 maybe, I don't remember. But
she, of course, was much older. She was like, 'Oh darling, this is my fourth
heart attack and I just got back from Cabo with my 40-year old boyfriend. You
can't be afraid.' So, that one little heartbeat, that one little pulse made me
go, 'Okay, I have to stop being afraid.' Then, because I'm going through a
separation [with musician Keri Lewis], sometimes you think love is over but
sometimes that one heartbeat can spark it back together. It's talking about my
life about my life is a very personal album for me." (Orange & L. A.
Counties Rage, May 2010).
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