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queerVOICE
Hate Speech and Bullying: An Affront to Our Dignity
James Duggan
copyright 2009
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God
Hates Fags! Thank God For AIDS! Death Penalty For Fags! Fags Are Worthy
Of Death! AIDS Cure Fags
These beliefs are what got Fred Phelps and his Westboro
Church banned from the United Kingdom.
Here in the United States
we provide them with police protection to protest in front of our public
schools and in the midst of our community gatherings.
Their message while shocking is not isolated to just their group. For the
last five or six years, Philadelphia's
queer community has been subjected to the same anti-queer philosophy from
another hate group, Repent America. While the signs they hold may read
differently, their message is the same. They, too, believe that queers should
be put to death.
Phelps has made a reputation for himself and his church by protesting at
military funerals carrying signs that read, "Thank God For IEDs," "Thank God
For Dead Soldiers," and "Your Sons Are In Hell."
This is such an affront to both the dignity of the moment and, more
importantly, the dignity of the fallen soldier's humanity that the Federal
Government, along with many states including Pennsylvania, has regulated such protest by
legislative action.
I completely agree with such legislative actions . . . demonstrations that are
filled with such hate speech is indeed an offense to the dignity an event, and
that of the individual(s) the hate speech is being directed at.
I have always been sensitive to any negative speech that degrades and belittles
the dignity of any individual or group. I
have always considered such speech as bullying and we all know the negative
effects that bullying can exact on persons.
Just recently, two 11 year old boys committed suicide because of the
anti-queer bullying that was directed at them.
Who, when considering the suicide of two 11 year old boys, would not be opposed
to bullying in any form? There is nothing good that can come from bullying,
nothing good at all.
The United Kingdom
understood this when they banned Fred Phelps for entering their country because
of his hate speech activity.
While we in this country cannot ban such hate activity, we must be willing to
place more regulations over it. This is true regardless of the individual or
group the hate speech is directed at. The rights and activity of
hate and opposition groups must be weighed against the rights and dignity of
those they attack.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit agreed with this
position when they ruled in July of 2008 that the Philadelphia Police
Department has the right to restrict the activity of demonstrators by keeping
them at the perimeter of an event so as to prevent that group from creating any
disturbance. Unfortunately, the City of Philadelphia
and its police department (PPD) refuse to exercise this authority when it comes
to Philadelphia's
queer community.
At every one of our festivals for the past five years, the Civil Affairs
Unit of the PPD, under the direction of Captain William Fisher, actively
facilitates prime locations for anti-queer demonstrators, usually to the detriment
of vendors, to attack us with their hate.
The PPD also has a history marches the demonstrators through festival grounds
while physically pushing attendees out of the way. In their facilitation of
these hate groups the PPD have themselves become bullies.
Why do I care so much about this issue?
Because hate speech and bullying need to be opposed and rejected with as much
strength and will power as we can muster. What
message are we giving to our children when we turn a blind eye to such anti-queer
attackers and those who would facilitate them? What damage to individuals
will we allow because we chose to remain silent?
Our dignity, the dignity of our children and the dignity of their children
demands better!
We have just one month to put pressure on the City and the PPD to respect our
dignity and keep the anti-queer demonstrators at a greater distance then they
have at past festivals. On Sunday, June
14 we gather for our annual Pride Festival . . . Now is the time to act! Now is
the time to take a stand and fight back against the assault on our dignity.
Notice: If there are any attorneys who want to assist and advise on this
matter, please contact me at james@QUEERtimes.net
Comments: james@QUEERtimes.net
QUEERtimes Primary Endorsements Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
 District Attorney: Dan McCaffery, Button # 56
City Controller: Brett Mandel, Button # 59 Judge - Court of Common Pleas: Dan Anders, Button # 34 Judge - Municipal Court: Dawn Segal, Button # 40
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What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2009 |
This weekend it's all about Bucks County! And if you're queer, it's definitely all
about the charming hamlet of New Hope.
 While the gay/not gay debate might continue onwards
in some quarters both there and in Philadelphia,
others are eternally busy producing events and celebrating their gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer community.
New Hope
Celebrates,
a community-focused gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and allied (GLBTA) tourism
marketing organization, is hosting the 6th annual New Hope Pride, May 15-17.
The pride celebration in this riverside artistic
and tolerant town in Bucks
County will feature dance
parties with top-named DJs; cabaret
and comedy performances; a Pride Parade
full of surprises; plus softball
tournaments, bike rides, historic walking tours and family activities.
 Headlining acts include: the dance troupe DC Cowboys of "America's Got Talent," DJ Mark Picchiotti from "RuPaul's Drag Race," Actress Kelly McGillis and Comedian ANT.
"Each year the pride festival grows in breadth, depth and length," said Daniel Brooks, NHC's president, "Over
5,000 guests attended last year and experienced our 'something for
everybody'-concept events. This year we've added more activities for parents
and children, and are pleased to welcome Sesame Place
and Gay Parent Magazine to our
sponsorship mix."
The NHC Pride Parade, themed 'Riding the Wave of Diversity,' will take place, noon, May 16 in downtown
New Hope.
 Participants in this year's parade will include:
the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corp
Marching Band, NJ Eagles Motorcycle Club,
Liberty Gay Rodeo Association, the
20-member all male DC Cowboys dance company
(runners-up on NBC's "America's Got Talent"), DJ Mark Picchiotti from Logo's "RuPaul's Drag Race," Philadelphia's All Star Mummers Band
and Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick
Murphy in addition to local neighborhoods, bars and restaurants are
participating with floats, adding their own colorful and festive "New Hope"
flair.
The pride organizers will host at 2:30pm, May 16,
GLBT parents, their kids, friends and supporters to "Family Fun and Fitness," a free outdoor fitness and craft activity
on the grounds of the New Hope-Solebury Upper Elementary School at 180 West
Bridge St., featuring a raffle to win free family packs of tickets for nearby
Sesame Place children's theme park.
Another surefire entertainment for families will be
"Proud to Families and Friends Afternoon
Tea Dance" will feature upbeat music from DJ Sounds by Shelly, as well as The Limbo, Freeze Dance and the
ever-popular Chicken Dance, on Sunday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m. at Kehilat HaNahar (The Little Shul by the
River) at 85 West Mechanic Street.
 Hosted by actress Kelly McGillis of Top Gun fame, Sing Out Loud and Proud May
17 at the New Hope-Solebury High School's Stephen Buck Theatre benefits the Rainbow Room of Planned Parenthood of Bucks County, the region's
only GLBTA youth resource center. The event features the irreverent comedy of
ANT, the host of VH1's reality series "Celebrity Fit Club" and Logo's "U.S. of
ANT." Doors open at 2:00 p.m. for a silent auction, followed by ANT's
performance at 3:00 pm.
Other prominent events include "Girl's Night Out" featuring the Christine Martucci Band at Triumph Brewing Company at 10pm, May 15;
a softball tournament, history tours, art exhibits and  vendor fair offer something
for everyone after the parade on May 16; a comedic performance by Madame (a
puppet diva with a dirty mouth!) on May 16 at 8:30 pm at The Nevermore Hotel is
followed by the annual After Glow Party
at 11 pm.
The ever-popular
T-Dance on May 17 at 4 pm, spotlights DJ
Mark Picchiotti, producer of remixes for international pop stars including
Madonna, Mariah Carey, Enrique Iglesias,
George Michael and more.
On the political front, Brooks pointed out that "The New Hope Borough Council is
recognized as one of the first municipalities in Pennsylvania to pass an antidiscrimination
law, as well as a resolution in favor of same-sex marriages."
Happy Queer Pride in New Hope!
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Thom's Table on the Qt!
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2009
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 Medals!
The legendary chef/owner Georges Perrier (Le Bec-Fin, Table 31, Georges and formerly
Brasserie Perrier) can do no wrong in some quarters. Last month that was never
truer as he was given the Légion d'Honneur,
the highest French distinction
awarded to all persons which distinguished themselves through civilian or
military valor.
Perrier received the honor at the famous Chiberta
restaurant in Paris, France, by his fellow countryman and
close friend, Monsieur Guy Savoy,
Grand Officer of the Legion and master of haute cuisine and recipient of three Michelin stars.
"For 39 years, I have made it my life's pursuit to bring the wonderful
flavors and style of France
to the beautiful City of Philadelphia,
and to those that travel to it. I am humbled
and truly honored to receive this official recognition of that pursuit, and
I wish to thank my staff, my friends, my family, and my fellow Chefs for their years
of undying support," said a heartfelt Perrier.
Congratulations, Georges Perrier,
the City of Philadelphia
is proud to claim you as one of their own after 39 years of service in the
vibrant restaurant scene to which you were a definite pioneer!
 These days Perrier has updated Le Bec-Fin
with a modern, innovative and recession-proof-menu under the original crystal
chandeliers that now light micro suede walls, where diners can choose from an a
la carte menu, a three course prix fixe at $35 or the 6 course prix fixe with
choices for $150 (what Le Bec-Fin was originally all about).
Downstairs, in Le Bar Lyonnais, the
ambiance is more casual Parisian bistro. Lately, it's all a buzz about the be-and-be-seen of the weekday happy
hours with $5 selected drinks, complimentary hors d'oeuvre, and $5 bar menu
bites.
Diners can also choose lunch or diner at either restaurant where a new Spring
menu is being featured with the "Express
Lunch" for only $15.23, a la carte choices, the prix fixe lunch for $35.00 which gives you a choice of starter,
entrée, and dessert from the regular a la carte menu, with prices ranging
$10-$25, or the 5 course Degustation
menu for $55.
For more
information, call 215.567.1000; or visit lebecfin.com
Wars!
 And they will at Drexel University
where the Italian Students Organization
will host the Boss of
the Sauce Competition at the Korman Quad, 32nd and 33rd Streets
south of Market Street
at 3 pm on Monday, May 18.
Chefs from restaurants including Ralph's,
Dante & Luigi's, Cucina Forte, and LaScala's will compete for the best gravy (we're talking tomato
sauce for pasta) and hoping to gather enough votes from the students and other
guests to win for the "best marinara gravy"
in Philadelphia!
The whole event has been instigated by Lorraine
Ranalli, author of "Gravy Wars:
South Philly Foods, Feuds & Attytudes" (Folger Ross Publications, 2007)
who knows more than a thing or two about gravy, Italian food and the culture of
South Philadelphia, a lifestyle that many of us love to mock as we eat their
food and celebrate their cultural and ethnic heritage.
Ranalli embodies the South Philly traditions with all her heart, mind, soul,
writing capabilities and dedication to the culinary arts that she inherited
from her family and friends.
A unique cookbook that intentionally weaves
recipes with a personal narrative, Ranalli entertains, informs, amuses,
even, at times, provokes the reader.
"As I toiled at the stove, a light bulb went on in my head. I realized that I
could collect all the recipes in which my family takes such pride and accent
them with many associated stories. The stories and recipes aren't unique to my
family but to our very special 'South
Philly Italian' culture--a culture many Americans have embraced over the
years thanks to movies like 'Rocky'
and 'Invincible,'" observed Ranalli. For more information,
or visit gravywars.com or cucinachatter.com
Libations!
 This weekend it's all about the summer cocktails at
one of the gayborhood's favorite watering holes at Valanni, 1229 Spruce Street,
Philadelphia, where the management is featuring their latest new specialty
drink, the oh, so gay a la Sex in the City: Blueberry Cotton Candy Cosmo, among others.
I'll admit that I enjoy my libations, especially
the specialty concoctions that mixologists enjoy working up! And they've
obviously been incredibly busy as there are seven new drinks that promised to be standouts this season at
Valanni.
Bar manager Ed
Kaye has created: French Ginger
Lemonade, Valanni Palmer, The Bloodless Mary, French Pop, Perfect 10 Mojito and Ginger
Margarita.
If not summer cocktails, Valanni is all about their
signature sangrias: red, white, and
watermelon, with lots of berries and fruits of all kinds in refreshing
combinations.
Owner George
Anni is particularly boastful about the return of two favorite drinks at Valanni:
the X-Boyfriend,
with SKYY Passion Fruit Vodka and blood orange puree and the Sangarita, Cuervo Gold Tequila topped
with red wine and rimmed with citrus sugar. X-Boyfriends?
You'll want to drink them away!
For happy
hour on
weekdays, stop by Valanni for $6 premium
"you call its" and half-price
tapas at the bar.
For more information, call 215-790-9494; or visit
valanni.com
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What They Said:
copyrighted 2009 |
 Queer Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar has had
a very never-was, on-again, off-again, relationship with Cannes Film Festival.
He started in 1982 to attend "almost as a tourist" he candidly told the editors
(The New York Times Magazine, Sunday, May 3, 2009), he experienced rejection by
Cannes in 1988 with "Women on the Verge a Nervous Breakdown," even though it
won an Academy Award nomination, he served as a juror at Cannes in 1992, he won
for best director for "All about My Mother" in 1999, he exactly opened Cannes
with "Bad Education" in 2004, and won best screenplay for "Volver" in
2006. Nowadays he's recognized and acclaimed as an International director
around the world, Almadovar is premiering his latest film, "Broken Embraces" at
Cannes. But he
recalls both the high hopes as well as the challenges of judging films for
award categories. "I was ignored throughout
the '80s. My movies were a lot more underground then, and many intellectual
critics didn't take me seriously." As a juror, he admits that "It was
an enormous moral responsibility because the future of fragile films was in my
hands. After that, I felt I could never judge a competition again."
____________________________
 Rufus Wainwright did not have a good life living in New
York City (New York,
April 20, 2009). The queer French-Canadian singer/songwriter recounted his
brief and early days in the city where you're supposed to make it--both an as
artist and a person. His experience was anything but about success or even
connecting. "My New York life didn't really
begin until 1999, but I first moved here in 1994, after I'd fallen in love with
a heroin addict in Montreal.
I was still smarting from that failed relationship and had to get out of the
vicinity of my dark love. So I came to New York
and worked three jobs: at film Forum, at Lion's Head, on Sheridan Square; and as a houseboy for a
Broadway producing family who lived on Park Avenue.
I would also perform here and there, mostly at an old jazz club called
Deanna's, in the East
Village, but I couldn't
make enough money or any friends. Nobody was interested in my point of view."
____________________________
 Tom Ripley has now reached 50 years old. The character by the Texas-born,
lesbian writer Patricia Highsmith, made even more famous, by Matt Damon, in the
film version of "The Talented Mr. Ripley." Never looking more suave and
debonair, the "gay" psychopathic killer, Damon was at his very best in the film
playing Highsmith's favorite fictional character. She actually couldn't stop
her fascination, indeed obsession with him, having written five books about
Ripley over 37 years. There's also "Ripley Under Ground," "Ripley's Game," "The
Boy Who Followed Ripley," and "Ripley Under Water." (Other screen versions of
her popular crime novels have ranged from an early adaptation of "Ripley's
Game" with French actor Alan Delon and, again in 1977, called "The American
Friend" starring Dennis Hopper with director Wim Wender.) In an interview on
BBC, she once said, "It felt like Ripley was writing it." Maybe he did in a
way. Almost like challenging, Highsmith was, according to Andrew Wilson, her
biographer of "Beautiful Shadow: The Life of Patricia Highsmith," she
occasionally signed letters to friends from Ripley, for example, "For Charles
with love . . . from Tom (Pat)." James Campbell, on the celebration of the 50th
anniversary of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" wrote in "Happy Birthday, Mr. Ripley,"
(The New York Times Review, May 3, 2009), of Highsmith: "She is the
author of 17 other novels, in many of which it is the good man (seldom a woman)
who suffers, snaring himself in a trap of his own unconscious devising."   |
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Events on the Qt! |
| May 28 to June 1, 2009 (Thurs - Mon)
Philadelphia GLBT Arts Festival
 Featuring over 20 performances presented by a wide range of artists - singers,
actors, musicians, dancers, filmmakers and performance artists.
Performances will at the following Philadelphia
locations:
First Unitarian
Church, 2125 Chestnut Street
Arch Street
United Methodist
Church, 55 North Broad Street
119
Arts Center, 119 South
Street
Tickets
for each performance are available at traversetheater.org
or by calling the box office at 800.595.4849.
Ticket Price:
$15 per person, $10 for students and seniors.
Opening
Night Tickets: $30per person, and $25 for
students and seniors.
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