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queerVOICE
It Depends on the Meaning of Disruption
James Duggan copyright 2008
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Last Sunday was the first test for the City of Philadelphia Police Department after the Third Circuit Court Ruling on protestors at OutFest, and in my opinion both the City of Philadelphia and its police department received a failing grade. In fact, from my personal experience I would be forced to regard the actions of the city's police department as anti-queer.
First, let me state that I fully embrace and support the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; the Right to Free Speech. As an ex-street preacher I appreciated the access our Constitution provides individuals to express and share their views with others. However, I am completely opposed to such activity when it disrupts the intention or focus of the permitted event. The Third Circuit Court has made this quite clear.
The problem we queers face in this city seems to be the interpretation of the word "disruption," and how it applies to protestors and the Philadelphia Police Department.
Using the common understanding of the word "disruption" to mean to interrupt the normal course or impede the progress, movement, or procedure of (in our case) an event, we can imply that not only are the actions of the anti-queer protestors disruptions to our event but so are the actions of the Philadelphia Police Department.
During this year's OutFest the Philadelphia Police Department once again set up multiple protest zones to allow an anti-queer right wing organization to protest and denounce our very existence as queers. The only difference from last year was that the use of amplification devices was not allowed. Both sidewalks and parts of the street were blocked by a phalanx of police which in itself caused disruption to the event and its attendees while limiting the ability and the right of the vendors from fulfilling their purpose.
This disruption of the event by the anti-queer protestors, and the police who facilitated the protest zones, continued most of the afternoon until around 4:30 when the group decided to call it quits for the day . . . but not before one last dig to the queer community; the protesters wanted to parade through the festival grounds with their signs raised high on top of tall poles.
After much discussion between the leader of the protest group, the leadership of the police department's Civil Affairs Unit, and police department lawyers, the police decided to allow the protestors to march through the event.
The police moved into formation so as to most effectively push through the crowd, which would create an even greater disruption to the attendees and vendors. As the police reached the intersection of 12th and Locust escorting the protestors I was forced by my conscience to do what I could to peaceably try to stop what I believe was an assault on our civil right to be free from disruption as affirmed by the Third Circuit Court.
With arms out stretched and with my feet firmly planted I stood my ground in advance of both the police and protestors. Refusing to move I was officially warned that I was blocking a public highway and that I was at risk of being arrested. A young woman seeking to join my protest grabbed my left hand and was forcefully separated from me. On my right a young man tried to join me but was pushed away.
As the situation grew tenser the police pulled the protestors back, and after what appeared to be lively conversation the effort to march the protestors through the event was abandoned. The protestors decided to go home . . . but not before one last smack at the queer community.
Upon exiting the event grounds the police, either by consent or because they lost control of the situation, allowed the protestors to exit within approximately 10 feet from the main stage. It should be noted that the protestors had to go out of their way to exit at this location.
If the police allowed this exit to be used by the protestors then they appear to have either facilitated them in taking one last shot at we queers or they were placating them. Either way it appears as an anti-queer action. If they lost control of the situation then we need to question why.
With over 6 months to our next event we need to make clear our communities' disapproval of the way the Philadelphia Police Department currently deals with this issue and to demand that changes are made so that future disruptions are avoided.
If one person, exercising a peaceful act of civil disobedience, can stop the advance of the police and protestors from trampling our civil rights then what can we as a community do. Let's stand together, with resolve of heart and feet firmly planted, to bring about a permanent change in how we are treated in the future. Only then can we grow to heights unimaginable.
Comments: james@QUEERtimes.net
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12th Street Gym |
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OCTOBER: 31 Days. 31 Icons. |
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What it Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell copyright 2008 |
 Fashionistas unite for an evening of fashion, fun, film--all for a good cause! Sapphire Fund and Macy's, for the first time ever in Philadelphia, will celebrate the magic of Macy's Passport: Fashion Cinema, on the silver screen, 7 p.m., October 23, 2008 at the River View Theater, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., with a pre-show Champagne Reception, followed at 8 p.m. by the amazing high definition cinematic showing of the Passport fashion forward and entertaining film.
Organizers said that Macy's Passport: Fashion Cinema expands Macy's commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS, in various cities across the country, with all ticket sale proceeds benefiting a local HIV/AIDS organization such the Sapphire Fund, Philadelphia's beneficiary.
Macy's Passport: Fashion Cinema will transform the theater into a high definition cinematic event, featuring special celebrity and musical entertainment and showcasing all the excitement of the live Passport events.
General admission includes one hour Pre-Show Champagne Reception, admission to the Passport screening, a Macy's shopping discount and $10 voucher for movie theater refreshments for just $15 per person. VIP admission includes all of the same benefits of the general admission plus a very special VIP Gift Bag, and reserved seating at the Passport screening for only $25 per person.
The Sapphire Fund is a not-for-profit organization that champions the multifaceted needs of Philadelphia's queer community, supporting local organizations that provide HIV/ AIDS research, education, prevention and treatment as well as promoting the overall health and well-being of the community through education, events, and advocacy.
For more information & a video trailer clips, visit sapphirefund.org or macys/com/passport or to purchase tickets, visit sapphirefund.org
 Something that never goes out of fashion is Richard O'Brien's "The Rocky Horror Show" that will be produced in the original stage class of the cult midnight movie phenomenon in a cooperative partnership between Distortion Arts Project and The Barnstormers Theater, 402 Tome St., Ridley Park, PA, 8 p.m., October 17-18, 24-25 and November 1, with a special midnight show on Halloween, October 31.
"We are thoroughly excited to bring 'Rocky Horror Show' to The Barnstormers Theater as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary and we hope to make it a yearly Halloween tradition," said co-director Sharon Daws.
"The Barnstormers Theater's intimate environment the interaction between the actors and audience will present an evening of fun and excitement. Between the traditional callbacks as well as other audience participation, including the Time Warp, we hope that the audience will feel as if they are a part of the tale of 'The Denton Affair'," said co-director Will DeTurck.
DeTurck said that he and Daws took the best of the greatest versions of Rocky Horror and have created an unique and special audience participation experience which we hope will not be "your mother's Rocky". He explained that they have preserved some of the more infamous moments of the "greatest cult movie of all time" but have created our own world, including such wonderful and recognized songs as "Time Warp", "Sweet Transvestite", "Hot Patootie", "Eddie's Teddy" and "I'm Going Home".
"The Rocky Horror Show" will feature Sean Glass as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Glass, Jennifer Ambler as Janet, Amanda Kaye Aymin as Magenta, Tom Curtis as Riff Raff, Amanda Decker as Usherette, Andrew John Mitchell as Brad, Randy Marheski as the Narrator, Ashley O'Conner as Columbia and Jennifer Blakeley as Eddie/Dr. Scott.
The Barnstormers Theater is the oldest continuously operating community theatre in Pennsylvania and the third oldest continuously operating community theatre in the United States.
The partnership between The Barnstormers Theater and The Distortion Arts Project was created to increase the awareness, exhibition, mentoring and networking by, with and for emerging artists of all media in the Philadelphia tri-state region and beyond.
For tickets, call 610.461.9969 or visit barnstormerstheater.com
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Help Support Queer Candidate |
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Lift The Ban |
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Thom's Table Tips
Thom Cardwell copyright 2008 |
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Let's Get Ready to Rumble
 Secretly, I've always wanted to rumble in the kitchen with some chefs and professional athletes. Now I've been given the opportunity! And you can share in the fray!
"Rumble in the Kitchen," an Iron Chef-like, 'skillet to skillet' competition that pits teams of local chefs paired with culinary students with the challenge to creating a culinary masterpiece using a surprise market basket of fresh products, 5-8 p.m. on October 22 at Loews' Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street, with proceeds to benefit the Modest Needs Foundation.
Local chef Thomas Harkins of SoleFood, chef Terry White of Union Trust Steakhouse, chef Ari Weiswasser of Pearl and chef Evan Turney of Valanni will lead culinary teams for top toque honors at "Rumble in the Kitchen."
Celebrity hosts for the evening will be HGTV's Michele Carano and James Lunday of " Rip and Renew" and Lauren Lake of "Spice Up My Kitchen." CN8's Greg Coy serves as the evening's emcee of the entertaining culinary event. Celebrity judges will include John Runyan of Philadelphia Eagles, Keith Taylor, CEO of the Modest Needs Foundation and yours truly!
Money raised from the event will benefit Modest Needs, whose motto is "Small change. A world of difference." The $1000 student culinary scholarship, donated by Comcast, will also be awarded that evening to the winning "Rumble in the Kitchen" team.
The beneficiary of the event's proceeds, Modest Needs, was founded in 2002 by Dr. Keith P. Taylor, as a "living tribute to human kindness," and is a nonprofit organization whose programs are funded entirely through the "small change" of individual donors.
Ticket price is $40 in advance; $50 at the door and includes admission to the event, open bar until 7 p.m. and food items. A group of 10 tickets is $350. VIP tickets which include access to the "green room" and private bar are $75 each.
For more information, call 215.231.7230
SJ Hot Chefs hosts Restaurant Week
 Until recently, I didn't know that the renaissance of food, restaurants and chefs that now has secured Philadelphia as a dining destination city on the map of the world, has constantly been expanding and thriving into the South Jersey area.
First, there was the SJ Hot Chefs.com handsome recipe book, produced by Menu Marketing, in cooperation with the South Jersey Independent Restaurant Association (SJIRA/SJ Hot Chefs) that is distributed free to patrons of all of the participating restaurants or by visiting
Now there's the ever-successful biannual South Jersey Restaurant Week, October 19 - 24, also produced SJIRA/SJ Hot Chefs, featuring over sixty of South Jersey's finest independently owned and operated restaurants (many by the chefs themselves), offering area foodies a prix-fixe four course dinner for just $35 per person.
"This is an opportunity for locals, out-of-towners and Philadelphians to experience what South Jersey has to offer while enjoying an indulgent meal at an affordable price," said Robert Minniti, president of the SJIRA and executive chef/owner of Bàcio Italian Cuisine in Cinnaminson.
Minniti said that the selection of cuisines offered to dinners will range from traditional Italian and Mexican, to Asian influences of Thai, Chinese and Japanese flavors as well as classic steakhouses, and seafood. "The event is a chance for your local community independent restaurants to provide a special night out for an incredible price for all our guests," he said.
This really is the perfect opportunity for foodies from the tri-state area to experience the wonders and glories of what the restaurant scene in South Jersey has to offer all of us.
For more information & a list of the participating restaurants, visit sjhotchefs.com/restweek
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Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation |
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I Wish I Had Said That: |
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 Queer African-American "hottie" actor Darryl Stephens talked about the impact of his role in the gay series, "Noah's Arc" on the eve of the release of the theatrical release, nationwide, of queer Afircan-American director Patrick-Ian Polk's "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom," and the support of the viewers towards the television series and his anticipation of the public's response to bringing it to the big silver screen, talking to writer Jim Ver Steeg for this month's cover story (Instinct, October 2008): "I started getting messages from people who were responding to the show and were excited about it. People who liked the show were really touched by it. They were so moved and responded with such raw emotion. It made me realize we really were doing something right, and it showed me that the show was bigger than me. Bigger than me as a gay man. Bigger than me as a black man."
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 Genius filmmaker Woody Allen, in rare interview, recounts the "Manhattan" of the past, of the present, and of the future--and the film industry, too. He ought to know having romanced the Big Apple in his classic film, "Manhattan," and courted the city in a career of film, capturing and celebrating the wonders and joys of the city that never sleeps, and the place that imprints a style, personality, point of view, life, on all those who migrate to the island of Manhattan, in a "must-keep" edition of the 40th anniversary issue (New York, October 6, 2008): "Because the screens were big and the world was not as small, and Hollywood was a distant place. They acted out myths. Now it would be hard to find better actors than Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, but the public sees them as guys in the neighborhood. The world's gotten much more casual; it's not as dressy as it was. But the movies themselves, when you think back to the so-called Golden Age, were junk for the most part. When we started to get into the late sixties or seventies, though there was a little rush when cinema moved away from centering on the star and started to center more on the director. And suddenly, we started to have good movies."
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 "Out in Hollywood," that's still evidently much easier said than done, journalist Mireya Navarro (The New York Times, September 28, 2008) tackled the subject and found that the issue of being an out queer actor might be eroding, as queer actor Chad Allen suggests, but it's still a long way from having a queer actor cast in a lead role to carry a film and gets enough asses in seats, nationwide, even internationally. So, while the forthcoming feature, "Milk," on the "Life and Times of Harvey Milk," will be released later this year, despite the fact that the film's director, screenwriter, two producers and a number of the actors, including Tony Award-winning Denis O'Hare and Stephen Spinella, are out queer industry professionals, Milk's producer, Dan Jinks, admitted his motivation for casting a straight actor, Sean Penn, in the title role: "When one is casting a film for a lead role we always have to ask that awful question: 'Who puts bodies in seats? Who has carried movies previously? Sadly, there don't seem to be openly gay actors that could carry a movie, but I think that will change."
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I'm Glad I Never Said That!
"While terrorism has killed more than 3,000 people in the continental United States in the last 15 years, homosexual behavior has killed more than 100,000. It's a danger to life. It is a danger to health." Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern (R)
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Raising The Colors |
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