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queerVOICE
"Not in This Climate!"
James Duggan
copyright 2009
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On Wednesday I joined the officers of the newly formed queer political
action committee, The Gittings Trust, in the rotunda of the State Capital in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to support State Senator Daylin Leach (D-17) who was holding a press conference to discuss SB 935, legislation that would allow same-sex couples full marriage equality
in the Keystone State.
Leach, along with State Senator Larry Farnese (D-1) introduced this bill on June 5, 2009, and is
cosponsored by State Senator Jim Ferlo (D-38).
Joining Leach and Farnese at the press conference were Stephen Glassman; (out)
Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Liz Bradbury; PA
Diversity Network, Rabbi Carl Choper; chair of the Interfaith Alliance of
Pennsylvania, and several PA couples who's out-of-state marriages are not
recognized in the Keystone State.
In addition, Keystone Equality-Marriage Equality for Pennsylvania presented Leach with 5000
signatures in support of his bill.
In spite of the efforts and advice of queer advocates who seem to have become
more the establishment than they have activists, who believe it is better to
hold off on marriage-equality until an inclusive anti-discrimination bill (HB 300) is passed, Leach, Farnese, and Ferlo have pressed forward with a true
conviction of heart and mind that seems based in justice and true
equality.
These three men are not only going against the establishment queer line of
let's take baby steps (for political expediency, I presume) but they are also
swimming upstream against their own political party that appears more concerned
about the political climate than in doing what is right and just.
A clear example of this is when Paul Scoles, John Di Pietro, and Chris Smith of The Gittings Trust asked PA State
Representative Babette Josephs (D-182), self-proclaimed "leader" of
queer-rights in Harrisburg,
if she will introduce a companion bill to SB 935 in the House. Her
response: "Not in this climate!"
The moment I heard the question I knew what her response would be yet my blood
boiled when I heard it. We had just listened to two courageous senators,
new leaders in the queer civil rights movement, stand against the desire of the
queer establishment and the will of the political climate and do what is right
for us in the advancement of equality. They believed that our cause, our
lack of civil rights, is far too important to wait until the climate is more
agreeable or their path made smoother.
There is very little likelihood that SB 935 will ever make it out of the
Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary committee where it now sits; however, it's introduction is all the more
important because it makes the point that there are still people in PA who have
yet to receive their full civil rights.
Leach reminded us that "the course of history is to remove social barriers,"
with HB 935 he, Farnese, and Ferlo showed they have the courage to do what is
right. Do we?
A Call to Action:
Contact your PA State Senator and ask them to support HB 935 for full marriage equality
and spousal privileges and rights.
Contact your PA State Representative and ask them to immediately pass HB 300.
(Editor's Note: James Duggan is a Founding Board Member of The Gittings Trust.)
Comments: james@QUEERtimes.net
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What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2009 |
 Is your head spinning? Mine is--with all this
discussion about pop cultural icons, their deaths, their connections to us
all--on a personal as well as national (even International) level, their
contribution to the arts and the entertainment world, and, ultimately, their
larger meaning to the "collective consciousness."
The deaths of icons--like Michael
Jackson--is serious business.
It's not just Hollywood
who has been speaking. It's Hollyweird, too, on none other than the two-hour
special that Larry King Live hosted the other night--with Jackson's
intimates--other superstars, even icons, in their own right, like Lisa Minelli, Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Quincy Jones, Usher, Barry Gordy, and Niko Brandon, Marlon Brando's son whose
been so close for so long that his 12-year-old daughter's godfather is, you
guessed, Michael Jackson! (Even Marlon
Brando himself became a very close personal friend of Jackson's and vice versa, during the last
years of their now respective lives.)
Even former wife and friend, Lisa Marie
Presley sent a written statement to the media but no on-camera interviews,
much like Dame Elizabeth Taylor, too.
In her statement, Presley said that her marriage and love of Michael Jackson
isn't anything that the public would ever understand. She's right; we don't and
won't. No matter, no one can take away the fact that the talented Michael
Jackson did attract a wide and varied and strange assortment of superstars as
friends and intimates.
What they all share in common is their genuine (at least public) opinion of the
King of Pop as a warm, sweet,
innocent, childlike, creative genius of a man or maybe a man-boy, someone who
never could grow up because he hadn't yet experienced a childhood and was,
forever, living in Neverland. He was
his own Peter Pan in his mind, body and spirit.
 Perhaps that was the source of his artistic talents and his downfall as a
person.
I don't know why this comes to mind, as my parting shot to Michael Jackson, but those of you old enough to
remember (and that's like people my age in their 60's) the wonderful but long
ago Blackglama advertising campaign,
"What becomes a legend most?"
Only time will tell and what history remembers about him will we ultimately
know the answer to that question about Michael Jackson--the singer, the dancer,
the composer, the entertainer, the myth, the legend, the icon, the king, the
person, the genius, the fool, the humanitarian, the man, the father, the son,
the brother, the husband, the friend, the lover, the boy.
We discovered from Brooke Shields,
longtime intimate friend, that Jackson's favorite song, was Charlie Chaplin's, from his classic
film, "Modern Times, " and sang
tenderly by his brother, Jermaine
Jackson of the original Jackson 5,
and with the line: "Smile. . .
you'll find that life is so worthwhile if you just smile."
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Colin's Queer Life on the Qt!
Man in the Mirror
Colin McCullough
copyright 2009
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It may be my idealistic to some and trite to
others, but I would like to see less violence, less disputes and more harmony
in our world. It frustrates me to see
Israelis and Palestinians unable to inhabit the same territory without great
conflict. It is incredibly disheartening
to me that nuclear nonproliferation talks has ceased among nations. And it bothers me to the point of clinching
my fist that in the United
States, citizens are denied rights because
of gender or sexual identity. It may
seem as if I am asking the clichéd question, why can't we all just get
along? Surely, there are similarities
between us that out weigh our differences.
 I am, in fact, not asking any questions. I understand human conflict, as we all do,
and can see why we all just can't get along.
Issues other than love and compassion get the better of us. Greed, pride, and anger (just to name a few)
become so powerful that we cannot see past our own interest. I know this is a part of the human condition,
because I and everyone I know are guilty of them. So how can I expect any world leaders to rid
themselves of anger if I am not willing to release my animosity? The change I want to see in the world has to
begin with me.
"If you want to make the world a better place, take
a look at yourself and then make the change.
You got to get it right while you got the time. Cause when you close your heart then you
close your mind." With these words,
Michael Jackson inspired me to be the change I want to see in this world. I heard Man in the Mirror as a kid and
fortunately these words stay with me into early adulthood. If I would like to see adequate health care
for all Americans, then I must start and take care of my own health. If I believe this country should be an
educated one, then I must start first with my own education. And if I would like to see less hate, then I
must ease my mistrust of those who hold different opinions than me.
Change needs to start with the man in the mirror. This is the lesson I learned from the King of
Pop. Michael Jackson dedicated his
career to the idea that we can all love each other if we forget about
prejudice. Whether it is calling for
racial harmony in Black or White or prompting world harmony with Heal the
World, Michael Jackson used his musical talents to spread love. I believe hate and prejudice are the
enemy. Love and empathy are our
allies. But before I love my enemy or my
friend, I need to love myself.
The world may have
buried a great entertainer and humanitarian this week, but his message will
live on for, at the very least, the man in my mirror. May God bless you Michael Jackson, rest in
peace.
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Thom's Table on the Qt!
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2009
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 There's already been a
buzz ever since Oyster
House 1516
Sansom Street, Philadelphia,
recently reopened as the city's premier seafood restaurant in Center City
in the location of the classically celebrated dining destination.
Now the new management is serving lunch,
Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and on Saturday until 3
p.m., featuring a tempting menu that offers a selection from the raw bar in
addition to their delicious soups, small and large plates and an assortment of
hearty sandwiches. Lunch items range in price from $6.50 to $26, with most
items under $15.
"With the introduction of our lunch menu, we hope to satisfy the original
Sansom Street Oyster House crowd and attract new fans and friends," said
third-generation restaurateur Sam Mink.
"With an affordable selection of the
city's freshest seafood, always expertly prepared, the Oyster House is an
ideal lunch destination for busy Center
City professionals as
well as those looking to enjoy a more leisurely afternoon meal."
Menu highlights include: eight
different raw bar options such as Ram Island oysters and cherrystone clams;
Oyster House's famed New England clam chowder, a creamy concoction made with
double-smoked bacon; smoked trout salad with endive, frisee, apple and
lemon-poppy creme fraiche; fried soft shell crab po' boy with creole remoulade
on toasted baguette; seared scallops with peas, mint and house-made pancetta;
and Oyster House burger, a prime, dry-aged burger topped with a fried oyster, blue
cheese and grilled onions.
For more information, call 215.567.7683; or visit oysterhousephilly.com
 The Blockley Pourhouse, 3801 Chestnut Street,
in University City,
is making its mark as Philadelphia's
newest live music venue with an all-star lineup of July performers, featuring a
variety of genres, including local and national touring acts.
"Our first month is critical, because we want to introduce people to our venue
and appeal to as many music fans as possible," said owner Ned Taddei. "With acts that vary from DJs to rock bands, we've
created a wide spectrum of great entertainment for our guests."
This month's entertainment will include:
Sammy Slice / APT One on July 10, 17, 24 and 31; Heads High, presented by
Strawberry Mansion on July 11, 18 and 25; Dear Future, The Rocketboys on
July 12; Mother, I&I, TBA on July 15; Ian St. Laurant on 16, 23 and
30; Life Size Ghost, Herd on July 19; Anders Manly, Anasazi on July 20;
Train Wreck Riders on July 25; Average Girl, Flamingo on Jul 26; Kill U in the
Face, Daikaiju on July 27 and Lorraine Maher on July 28.
The Blockley's holds 800 guests in the performance space with a
state-of-the-art sound and lighting system and even clear sight lines to the
stage making it one of the area's premiere music venues, with all
performances costing just $8 per person, and begin at 9 p.m. with opening acts
being added to some playbills.
In addition to the music, The
Blockley's pub cuisine menu during musical performances will include: jerked
chicken 'nuggets' with charred pineapple chutney; Chesapeake Bay fries with
creamy Vermont cheddar, jumbo lump crab meat and green onions; lobster
pierogies with Yukon gold potato, melted leeks and creamy lobster nage;
chickpea and fresh fava bean falafel with hummus, tzatziki and a fava bean and
cucumber salad; and grilled bangers and mash, wild boar sausages with
bacon-studded choucroute, beer mustard reduction and scallion fork-mashed
potatoes, ranging in price from $4 to $14.
For more information, call 215.222.1234; visit theblockley.com
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What They Said:
copyrighted 2009 |
 England's richest teenager Daniel Radcliffe
(he reportedly received $25 million for his role in the most recent Harry
Potter film and is believed to be now worth twice that sum) doesn't mince
words. He evidently won't deny gossip columnists who have noticed that he's
clearly attracted to older women ("Girls my age are not really an option") and
it's true, he admitted to editors at Parade (June 28, 2009) that he declined a
magazine shoot to pose in the all-together holding only a magic wand and
wearing the trademark Potter spectacles ("I just think I'm a bit too old for
that now") but he objects to stories that his acceptance of the role in "Equus"
and the nudity that the character requires were, in any way, his "declaration
of independence" or a sign of his deliberate rebellion. Sure, he dropped more
than just trousers on stage, night after night, performance after performance,
on both sides of the Atlantic, but he wanted to progress in his career and,
thankfully, for the young actor and audience alike, he succeeded in breaking
type. "I didn't set out to shock people.
I set out to do something different from Potter. If I had wanted to shock
people, I would have played, you know, a gay drug dealer. But, equally, you
have to tread a thin line, I say, my next film was another fantasy film,
everyone would just go, 'Well, he's not stretching himself.' then, if I played
some drug dealer, everyone would turn around and go, 'Oh, this smacks of
desperation to stop being typecast.'"
____________________________
 Despite the fact that National Gay Pride Month has ended and the 40th
anniversary of Stonewall was celebrated on the streets of New York City (and
elsewhere) in June, the occasion and, more importantly, the significance of the
historic event's impact of the past, present and future of the queer rights
movement in the United States can still continue to be discussed and analyzed.
What better person to serve as spokesperson with a meaningful historic
perspective and deeply passionate understanding than the queer Renaissance Man,
the activist, the writer, the historian, the professor (at Dartmouth College), Michael Bronski
(Guide, June 2009) in his essay, "Stonewall was a Riot." He concludes: "The importance of Stonewall resides not in
a sentimental vision of it as some sort of community coming-out story but in
its unique place in the panoply of movements, events, riots, demonstrations,
political actions, social revolts, bad behaviors, and bursts of anger that
defined the second half of the 1960s. By all means, let's celebrate the 40th
anniversary of Stonewall this month but let's also remember that it is not just
about gay equality; it is about the broadest vision of social change and social
justice the US
has experienced in our lifetimes."
____________________________
 Sexy bad boy of Toronto's musical scene, DJ Neill Macleod will take no
prisons, at least in the dance club world, where he has been embraced by the
leather community of Toronto and has won the affectionate title of "The
Leatherman's DJ," something that he appreciates from a supportive and loyal
following but is a little uncomfortable with (that's his charming bashful side
now showing) though he has been known for wearing black leather accessories and
signature black leather bracers (suspenders) over his buffed, hairy chest
(Macleod tends to go shirtless most of the time). He told journalist
Rolyn Chambers (Fab: the Gay Scene Magazine, June 10-23, 2009): "I don't just play for the leather crowd.
In Toronto, it
seems to be the only bookings I get. I don't play at Fly. I don't get
consistently booked for Pride. But when I play other cities it isn't always to
a leather crowd. But it's not a bad thing because the leather crowd is one of
my favorite scenes to play for. They don't necessarily care about every track
played. Those guys are out to have a good time and really just want to have
fun."
 
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Events on the Qt! |
July 9 - July 20 (Thursday - Monday)July 18 (Saturday)
 Book Reading at Giovanni's
Room
Smash the Church,
Smash the State!
The Early Years of Gay Liberation
A Reading
with James Roberts, Hal Tarr, Thom Nickels, and Victoria Brownsworth
July 18 @ 5:30 p.m. 345 South 12th Street, Philadelphia 215.923.2960 giovannisroom.com
An
anthology by former members of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) captures the
history and spirit of the revolutionary time just after Stonewall, when
thousands came out of the closet to claim their sexuality, and when queer
resistance coalesced into a turbulent, joyous liberation movement--one whose
lasting influence would ultimately inform and profoundly shape the queer
community of today.
Philadelphia Contributors to Smash the Church, Smash the State!: Victoria A.
Brownworth, Cei Bell, Mark Segal, Thom Nickels, James Roberts, Hal
Tarr
Click here for more information June 5 - July 31 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday only)
 Art Show on
AIDS and Spirituality
"Through the
Window: Insight into the Spirituality
of AIDS"
June 5th
to July 31st (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only)
3:00 p.m. to
6:00 p.m.
Penns
Park United Methodist Church, 2394 2nd Street Pike, Penns
Park, PA
For special view times call 215.598.7601
Special artist's reception will
be held on Saturday, June 20th from
6:00 to 8:00 pm. Refreshments will be served.
Penns
Park United Methodist Church is hosting an art show located in the
Church Fellowship Hall during the months of June and July 2009.
The exhibition titled "Through the Window: Insight into the Spirituality of AIDS" is a
collection of works by artist, educator and minister, Lois Wilson. The exhibition features a series of 12 works, each a collage
framed in a salvaged window frame. Every collage was inspired by the stories
and words Lois heard from people living with AIDS.
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Economy got you down?
Freelance Job Busters!
Looking for extra income?
Commission for Sales!
BUCKmonkey is seeking people-oriented, sales-driven, freelancers to sell advertising and sponsorships for online, print and special events (some annual, well-established, corporate and nonprofit, and some one-time only, niche marketing for LGBT and mainstream) on a lucrative commission-only tiered basis. Individuals must be personable, professional and be motivated to make money through sales. Experience good but not required if willing to learn, positive attitude and highly motivated. Start immediately. Must be willing to work some evenings and some weekends. Home office encouraged. Send one-page resume, with references to Thom.Cardwell@BUCKmonkey.net
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Raise the Colors
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