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qV: Round 2: For Justice ◊ LL: Sex is BACK! ◊ Said: Janet Jackson, Valentino, and Rue McClanahan ◊ TW: Minneapolis, Columbus, San Diego, and Chicago
HughE: Bernadette Peters, Jennifer Aniston, bodyguards and more
AC: Official True Colors Tour After-Party - June13, 2008
And queerNEWS from Around the WORLD!
QUEERtimes: The Region's Fastest Growing LGBTQ Newsletter | |
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QUEERtimes weekly
Philadelphia and Beyond
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In this week's QUEERtimes
Simply click the links below to navigate QUEERtimes Weekly |
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__________________
More
queerNEWS in Review below in the lower right column
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Fusion Boot Camp
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SUPPORT
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Publishers
Thom Cardwell
James Duggan
Editor
James Duggan
Editor-at-Large
Thom Cardwell
Photographer
HughE Dillon
Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved
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QUEERtimes is published weekly as a service for discerning queers and heterosexuals alike in Philadelphia and beyond.
Expressed opinions are that of the author(s) and do not represent the thoughts, feelings and /or opinions of any person, organization, company, staff member, or any of our advertisers.
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Queer Links
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Do you...
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Help Fight
Discrimination in PA |
Did you know that in 75% of the State of Pennsylvania you could be fired just because you're queer?
Help ADD Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender people to the state's anti-discrimination law
Call your PA Legislator and tell them to pass
HB 1400
and
SB 761.
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queerVOICE
Round 2: For Justice
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For more then a decade, beginning in my twenties, I journeyed on a spiritual awakening that personally led me to embrace my Christian faith and compelled me to travel an unusual path.
It all began in a local gay bar on Long Island called Freckle Bellies and the "minister" of all people was one of the bartenders. Yes, he, too, was queer.
On a fateful Thursday night, there was a point in our conversation that caused me to experience something new within myself, something other than what I had ever known before . . . I later came to understand this feeling as hope.
The following Sunday night I attended my first Charismatic Catholic prayer group and from that point on I've desired to know and understand more about what I had experienced.
This desire for spiritual and intellectual knowledge took me from being an employee of Leona Helmsley in New York City to studies at a private Charismatic Catholic university in Ohio, to poustinia (an Eastern Christian Spirituality) on a farm in Canada, to a mountain top in Yugoslavia, to the crypt of St. Peter at the Vatican, all the time continuing my studies in Theology and Divinity.
During this entire period, there was never a conflict between the realities of my sexuality and the truths of my faith.
No, my conflict was found in the question: how can so many people, especially Christians, have such misunderstanding of God's love and desire for queers?
How could I feel so accepted and loved by God yet continue to hear that queers would be condemned to hell? I was extremely perplexed.
I knew there were others out there feeling and saying the same as I but I wanted to see some theological study supporting my belief.
After years of reading theological arguments for and against homosexuality, I came across two authors whose challenge to the prevailing arguments against homosexuality were profound.
The first was a book titled Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, written by Robert Goss. The title alone challenged me. What exactly did it mean--Jesus acted up?
Goss, a gay activist with Act-up and a former Jesuit Priest, puts forth queer liberation theology that ultimately calls queer Christians to stop begging for acceptance and start demanding justice. Demanding justice? I pondered that and wondered.
The second was a letter titled, A Letter to Louise, by Baptist Pastor Bruce W. Lowe.
Lowe provides us with an honest study of a man who once repudiated homosexuals to later embracing them as God's children. He explains in his lengthy letter the historical errors of scriptural interpretation and presents the truth that God made us queer. (He even backs it up with heavy documentation, including two appendices.)
Both Gross and Lowe directly challenge the Christian churches and their members to see, in their faith, that queers are children of God, made in his own image and likeness.
This brings me to the present day.
On Sunday, June 8, the region's queers will again be subject to the attacks of hate groups as we attempt to gather in peace to celebrate our pride and diversity in the queer-friendly City of Philadelphia.
Armed with the truth that we queers are equal in all matters to our heterosexual counterparts, including God and spirituality, I will again stand in protest against these hate groups.
My conscience will allow no less.
The challenge is ours to stand in the truth against the unjust attacks from those who would rather see us dead for being queer, a gift from God.
No longer should we beg for acceptance. Now we must fight for justice. Remember, even Jesus acted up! Are you willing to do the same?
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12th Street Gym - Philadelphia |
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What It Looks Like From Here
A Qt Exclusive
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Come on , admit it, you, like me, are hooked on "Sex in the City" and looking forward to the opening of the film today. (Hopefully, I'll have seen the movie by the time you read this.) The anticipation has been mounting (excuse the curious "pun"?) ever since the movie's "world premiere" opened in London. What was up with that? And, even more importantly, what was that "hat" atop Carrie Bradshaw aka Sarah Jessica Parker's head? Hopefully, it was the result of Carrie celebrating with too much Dom at the very private VIP reception prior to the casts' arrival on the red carpet?
Did someone really suggest that she wear the floral centerpiece from the table as a fashion statement in the hometown of designers from Alexander McQueen to Vivien Westwood? The British fashion police were clearly needed to advise Carrie/Sarah! Where were Joan and Melissa? Oh, I guess that they were back in New York City!
Speaking of New York City where the fictional lives of the quartet live and love (did this show inspire in any way BRAVO's reality show, Wives of New York City, I wonder?), the town is genuinely a buzz. This week they're being served a red-carpet premiere in the Big Apple a la Hollywood.
A gleeful New York Magazine (May 12, 2008) sported Parker on the cover and exclaimed in large letters scrolled across the bottom of the page, "SEX is back." As the entire original cast of lead actors finally reunited for this project on the BIG screen after seasons of success on HBO, jaded New Yorkers seem truly excited about the film. Emily Nussbaum wrote a lively and entertaining piece talking exclusively with Parker and fellow cast member, Kim Cattrall (she plays bad girl Samantha), about the impact of the TV sitcom (it's still attracting new audiences in continued reruns on cable networks) and what the movie itself might do.
Quietly, a handful of days later, interviewer Deborah Solomon (The New York Times Magazine, May 18, 2008) talked with actress Cynthia Nixon (she plays working-mother-lawyer Miranda) less about her on-screen character and more about her real life in a brief but frank series of questions about being a lesbian, her relationship with her girlfriend, her breast cancer and her acting career.
Let me share a few highlights of the Nixon-Solomon exchange, worthy of the pages of The Advocate or OUT Magazine, but gracing the pages of the esteemed queer-friendly "newspaper of record."
Solomon: A few years ago, you moved in with a woman, after leaving the father of your children. Do you find it easier living with a woman than a man because you have more in common?
Nixon: I think that you do have more in common.
Solomon: Can you share clothes?
Nixon: No. Christine doesn't wear women's clothes; she only wears men's clothes. She won't even wear any kind of women's shoes. I bought her a pair of cowboy boots that were from the women's department, and she was like, "Don't do this again."
Solomon: Do you think of her as the male figure in the relationship?
Nixon: No, I don't at all. Look at what's happening now. She's at home with the kids, and I'm the one out pounding the pavement. . .She's for Hillary and I'm for Obama.
Solomon: I hear that you were treated for breast cancer in 2006.
Nixon: I had a lumpectomy. It wasn't that bad. Six and a half weeks of radiation.
Solomon: Did you stop working then?
Nixon: I was in a play, "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," when I was getting radiation. In fact, they had my surgery on a Sunday so that I would not miss a performance. I'm able to shelve whatever emotional reaction I might be having in order to get the job done."
Solomon: That's a good definition of a professional.
Nixon: You may be afraid of flying, but you get on the plane.
I don't know if real-life lesbians particularly identify with Nixon's character. Do you? In a twisted art mirrors life/life mirrors art, you might recall that she is mistakenly identified as a lesbian in an episode soon after she's been promoted at the law firm. She's on the firm's softball team and the senior partner invites Miranda and the out lesbian lawyer "as a couple" to their home for dinner. Nixon played the part convincingly and then revealed before the evening's end to both the lesbian colleague and her boss and his wife that she's "not gay."
But my pointing out this episode is really all one big aside.
More importantly, it's comforting to know that Nixon is comfortable in her own skin and that's what the interview reveals. Refreshingly, it's like Nixon is saying, "Yes, I'm a lesbian but it's no big deal."
And tonight? I guess it will literally be "Girls Night Out" across America as sold-out theaters premiere the movie, "Sex in the City." Go ahead, indulge a guilty pleasure!
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Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation |
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I Wish I Had Said That: |
"You know who I think is flawless? Alicia Keyes. I think that she's absolutely beautiful, such a sweetheart, down to earth."
celebrity icon Janet Jackson when asked "Who would be your celebrity girl-crush?" (Gaydar, Summer 2008)
"Try to avoid being a fashion victim. Every time I've bought something that is 'of the moment'--something that I saw on the Internet--I've never worn it. I hate to see people try to dress like runway models when they don't have the face or the attitude."
legendary Italian designer Valentino in "10 Rules of Style" (Details, March 2007)
"Golden Girls was kind of like Philadelphia of 1776 where all these wonderful elements came together to create a miracle."
actress Rue McClanahan who played Blanche in "Golden Girls" and will appearing in Sordid Lives: The Series on Logo in July (Instinct, June 2008) I'm Glad I Never Said That:
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Thom's World
Another Qt Exclusive
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What better way to observe June Pride Month than to attend "Out for Business," the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's (NGLCC)2008 National Business and Leadership Conference, June 5 - 7, in the queer-friendly city of Minneapolis.
Organizers said that this year's major focus "will be the sharing of tools for attendees to secure their business in the face of a challenging economy."
The three-day event conference will offer business symposia, panel discussions, development seminars, and development events designed to strength businesses and the way of connecting with customers among one another and in Corporate America.
"Out for Business has three distinct tracks of programming to meet the needs of owners, affiliate chambers and corporate participants that are looking to work with business community," said Rick Fowler, Director of Meetings and Special Events for NGLCC.
Some of the special programming will return to the conference, according to Fowler, such as the popular Women's Business Roundtable and Networker and the Women's Business Initiative Special Event. Fowler said that both of these events bring together leading Lesbian Bisexual Transgender women business owners and professionals for yet another year of sharing the best practices and the importance of good networking.
Fowler said that for the past four years, Intel, a NGLCC Founding Corporate Partner, has assisted small businesses and entrepreneurs attend the annual conference by making it more affordable and accessible through programs such as the NGLCC/Intel Business Development Scholarship.
Sponsors of next month's conference will include Wells Fargo, UPS, IBM, Wyndham Hotel, Intel, AT&T, American Airlines/rainbow, McDonald's, Omnistudio, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Citi, Pepisco, Kimpton Hotels, FunMaps, BIZ, Olivia, Coors Light and glee, among others.
Based in Washington, D.C., NGLCC is the nation's only Queer Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, visit nglcc.org
And Pride Events continue to grow and expand in cities like Columbus, Ohio, where the queer community looks forward to celebrating Oasis Pride 2008, June 27 and 28, with plenty of time for carousing and partying.
Organizers have put together an incredible lineup of live entertainment featuring Kimberly Locke, Frenchie David and Pepper Mashay. I've always claimed that Ohio produces more queer boys than any other of the fifty states so it's not surprising that it's quite a scene during the last weekend of June.
I know, I know, Columbus isn't exactly considered a queer mecca and probably didn't end up on either your short or long wish list of destinations to visit. But, hey, maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised and experienced, well, close to the time of your queer life!
Sponsors of Oasis Pride 2008 are counting on the hardcore partiers populating the scene as they include Q Bar & Nightclub, Promo Productions, Instinct, Bacardi, Absolut Vodka, Dekuyper and Drink Smart.
For more information, visit oasispride.com
It's a long way from Columbus to San Diego, not just in mileage, but in mindscape, especially when it comes to queer life. But the queer San Diego community has become clearly visible and more politicized in their overall participation in the growth and development of a definite "city on the move."
This year's San Diego Queer Pride reflects their more carefree but well-established place at the proverbial civic table with theme of "Live . . . Love . . . Be . . .." The celebration of Human Rights, Parade, Festival and Community takes place, July 19 and 20, so you've got plenty of time to plan your glorious trip to an ever-growing popular queer destination of San Diego.
For more information, visit sandiegopride.org
Looking further into the summer but it's never too early to dream. You'll want to head out to Chicago for Northalsted Market Days, August 9 and 10, with hundreds of thousands queer people gathering for the legendary street fair featuring more than 350 arts and crafts, vendors, local cuisine, and performances by Expose, Jennifer Holliday, Powder and a complete schedule of events with special guests and celebrities.
The Windy City seemed to have reached genuine "critical mass" (and muscle) with an ever-growing queer population. It's become a "hot party" town with a friendly, as well as, sexual vibe that's both attractive and seductive.
This annual event, sponsored by Northalsted Merchant Association and Bud Light, is definitely worth a trip to mix and mingle with everyone from the queer locals to visitors from across the country and even some from around the world.
For more information, visit chicagoevents.com
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Michael Broderick's Book Signing at AxD Gallery |
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Philadelphia's Paparazzo on the Qt
HughE Dillon |
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^ Bernadette Peters came to Philadelphia to promote her first book "Broadway Cares" which tells the story of how she adopted her dog from the SPCA. Peters is also promoting her annual charity event which she co-hosts with Mary Tyler Moore every July in NYC.
^ William Klein of WHERE Magazine and political writer and film producer Mary Patel at the opening of 10 Arts the new restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton by celebrity chief hottie Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin fame in NYC.
^ Chef Eric Ripert, Laura Burkhardt, Publisher of WHERE Magazine and friend at the same opening.
^ HughE encounters his 15 minutes of fame when Jennifer Aniston bodyguards, body checked and spit on him when he asked Aniston for a photograph as she left El Vez.
HughE Interviewed By KYW3!
KYW3 interviewed our own HughE Dillon, the "celebrity celebrity parazzi" which originally aired the past Wednesday night during sweeps. To see the clip check out PhillyChitChat.com |
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Offical True Colors Tour After Party - Atlantic City |
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queerNEWS in Review (continued) |
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QUEERtimes is published by BUCKmonkey, LLC, for the Greater Philadelphia Region's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning people and our loyal Hetero supporters. Expressed opinions are that of the author(s) and do not represent the thoughts, feelings and /or opinions of any person, organization, company, staff member, or any of our advertisers.
QUEERtimes, queerVIEW, queerARTS, queerVOICE, queerMUSIC, queerNEWS, BackTalk, Thom's Table, Thom's Table's Tips, Thom's World, Thom's Closet, What It Looks From From Here, Mister Philadelphia, Citizen Q, fueled by BUCKmonkey, "It's On the QT" and the qt amd Bm Logo are Trademarks of BUCKmonkey, LLC.
Copyright BUCKmonkey - QUEERtimes 2008 All Rights Reserved |
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Copyright 2008 - BUCKmonkey, LLC
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