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queerVOICE
Day of Empowerment - A New Queer Civil Rights Movement
James Duggan copyright 2008
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 Last Saturday was the start of a new generation of queer rights activism in America; a day of empowerment where we found our voice and stood firm together . . . young and old, hetero and queer alike!
On Saturday over one million people demonstrated in cities and towns across America and around the world, coming together with one voice to demand not just the repeal of Proposition 8; the voter approved California Constitutional Amendment, which limits "marriage" to one man and one woman, but the civil rights to which we have been continually denied.
Here in Philadelphia we grew to over 5000 strong and marched around City Hall to the chant, "What do we want? EQUAL RIGHTS! When do we want it? NOW!" I had the joy of witnessing a watershed moment in our civil rights history with my lesbian niece (did I say "single," ladies?). Yes, young and old, hetero and queer alike, we stood together in one embrace to demand our equal rights. There is no going back now.
Among the many I noticed a very young girl, a girl clearly present of her own volition and independent thought, who displayed an enthusiasm, a courage, and a conviction of heart that belied her tender years. She held her sign high and proud . . . she was Joan of Arc, holding high her standard as she rode into battle. Whether her appearance was for herself or for others is unimportant. This anonymous presence was as a beacon and symbolic of a new wave of hope, a new generation to battle for our cause. Blessed were all the faces of youth, and those of age who came to demand equality for all.
Passions and pride grew as spontaneous chants rang out. Rising above a peaceful protest or a demonstration where we simply demanded our rights was a celebration of our ability to say no more. No more will we accept the second class status that's been forced upon us. A sleeping giant has been awoken.
This day also saw a confrontation between those gathered to support our cause and the anti-queer "preacher" Michael Marcavage of Repent America, who proclaims that queers should be killed by the state if we do not repent from our sinful ways. The Philadelphia Police Department allowed him, and his followers, to set up in a prominent location within the permitted area and to use a bullhorn to denounce us.
[NOTE: I have the utmost respect for the men and women who daily stand as the thin blue line between civility and chaos; those who have dedicated their lives to serve and protect the citizenry. I join with them as they morn the loss of yet another hero who has died in the line of duty. My issue is not with the ranks of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) but rather with the policy their commanders and lawyers have instituted.]
Once again the PPD allowed this anti-queer preacher to disrupt our peaceful (permitted) gathering. This action, in light of a court ruling giving them the authority to prevent this from happening, is unacceptable on any level. This person's first amendment right would have been preserved even if he was moved just 50 feet away to a less central location about the permitted event.
Our group gathered, forming a large semi-circle around the Repent America group and their police escort. A path was opened which split the crowd in two making a clear path for the police to escort Marcavage and his followers away. But they didn't move.
I knew it wouldn't be that easy. Marcavage had no interest in moving and would do so only if forced by the police. It was only after we raised our voices against the police inaction that Marcavage was lead away to "preach" in another location nearby.
It was good that we ran into such hate that gets masked as Christian love. It reminds us that the reason we gathered is not just because we were denied the right to marriage in California, but because right here where we live we can find discrimination and double standards held against us every day.
In a city where police policy allows our peaceful permitted gatherings to be disrupted, we need more of these protests. In a state where an individual can be fired from his or her job based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity, we need more of these protests. In a state where we are denied the protection afforded other minorities under hate crime legislation, we need more of these protests. And in a state where we are denied as couples the same rights and privileges of our hetero counter-parts, we need more of these protests.
But will they happen? YES! The forces in our favor are growing exponentially. A day of empowerment like this feeds the waking giant that starves for equality but still hungers for the meal that will truly satisfy. I will continue the fight until that which is rightfully ours is given. I know that I will be there when dessert comes . . . will you?
PS . . . A special Thank You! needs to go out to Brandi Fitzgerald, et. al., for their time and effort to organize this event.
Comments: james@QUEERtimes.net
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12th Street Gym |
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Thom's World - Philadelphia is Number 3!
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2008 |
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 The results are finally in from Community Marketing Inc.'s (CMI) 13th Annual LGBT Tourism Study! We're--literally--on the map as far as LGBT travel consumers go!
Philadelphia took the third spot in the nationwide survey with 7% of those questioned about destinations that are on the top of the minds for lesbians and gay men in directly outreaching to the LGBT consumers in the hospitality and travel industries.
The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection ranked third only after Las Vegas that captured the first place with 11% of those surveyed and San Francisco that took the second spot with 10% of the write-ins. Philadelphia was also ahead of three destinations, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs and Provincetown that all scored higher than 5% of write-ins.
"We asked our panel of LGBT consumers living in the United States to tell us which travel companies are doing the best job at outreaching to the LGBT community. With over 4,000 qualified responses, CMI's research polls more respondents than any other LGBT tourism survey, and offers valuable insights about consumers who may be reached through the LGBT media and community events," explained CMI spokesperson David Paisley. Paisley said that all six destinations have very active LGBT outreach programs, having received over 44% of the vote, with the remaining responses distributed among dozens of other destinations.
 (In the case of Philadelphia, the kudos must go directly to the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus (PGTC), the all-volunteer community-based group that, under the auspices, of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), has branded the city to the LGBT consumer with their award-winning campaign, "Get Your History Straight and Your Night Life Gay." PGTC will soon become its own nonprofit status and continue the mission originally assigned to them by GPTMC.)
In other categories, W Hotels ranked number one for its LGBT promotional efforts, with 16% writing the brand name. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and Hyatt Hotels were tied at second with 13%. Hilton closely follows at 12%. Marriott and Paris Las Vegas were the other brands to score above 5%.
Those questioned gave special recognition for Paris Las Vegas, an individual property, not a hotel chain/brand like the others in this category. "This hotel has widely advertised in the LGBT community and supported community activities," said Paisley, "Seven percent of those surveyed wrote in the name of this hotel, an impressive accomplishment." These six properties earned 70% of the vote, with the remaining responses disbursed among dozens of other hotel brands.
American Airlines won an amazing 57% writing in the company's name, a clear front-runner in its category, pointed out Paisley.
"With the foresight to actively embrace the LGBT market early, and expand their community outreach year after year, American Airlines has clearly achieved top-of-mind brand recognition among lesbians and gay men," Paisley said.
Surprisingly, Southwest (14%) and Delta (8%) were the only other airlines to score above 5% in their category.
For more information, call 415.437.3800; or visit communitymarketing.com
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Seven Reasons to Advertise on the Qt |
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Thom's Table
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2008 |
Happy 35th Anniversary to Friday Saturday Sunday!
 Friday Saturday Sunday, 261 South 21st Street, just off Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, is more than proud to be the oldest restaurant in Center City by marking its 35th anniversary on December 3 between 5:30-10:30 p.m., with a special retro menu of some of the restaurant's original "favorite" dishes, chosen by owner Weaver Lilley, and offered at their original 1970's prices.
Lilley, looking towards another 35 years of Friday Saturday Sunday history for his landmark restaurant, said that the restaurant will also be serving chef Reese Skulteti's new autumn menu alongside the small plates of the retro 1970's best of recipes.
Highlights of the 35th Anniversary Menu/Small Plates from the 70s will include: Chile Elizabeth Taylor 6, chili served with a corn bread crust and hot Chile pepper poking out, with black beans on the side; Inacodadavita 8, filet of cod stuffed with tomato, artichoke hearts and Jarlsberg cheese with white wine butter sauce; South Philly Salad 6, a chilled crisp salad with a spicy vinaigrette, topped with a link of Italian sausage hot off the grille; and Avocado Suzi 5, thinly sliced avocado, sour cream and mayonnaise topped with caviar.
Skulteti will also be serving the restaurant's daily a la carte menu in addition to every bottle of wine on the list priced at only $10 over cost.
For more information, call 215.546.4332; or visit frisatsun.com
Tria makes "Hot 10" by Bon Appetit
 Tria, 123 S. 18th Street, in Rittenhouse Square, and 1137 Spruce Street, in Midtown Village, made it on the "Hot 10" wine bars in the nation, according to the editors of Bon Appetit (October 2008). It was the only venue in Philadelphia or environs so named. Kudos to owner Jonathan Myerow!
Imbibe magazine also named Tria one of the "100 Best Places to Drink Beer in America" in their October issue. Praised for it spectacularly diverse beer list, editors noted that "Tria makes geekdom accessible for beer lovers of any stripe . . . [they are] completely committed to enlightening the beer-curious."
Beyond the casual dining and dishes for under $10, Tria was also cited for their one-of-a-kind
Fermentation School (1601 Walnut Street, 215.972.7076), that offers its own unique educational forum of the rotating selection of talented "guest lecturers" on wine, beer and cheese.
For more information, call 215.972.7075; or visit triacafe.com
"Savoure the Reds!" at The Dream Cuisine Cafe
 Executive chef Vincent Fanari (originally from Nice, France) will host "Savoure the Reds!" at The Dream Cuisine Cafe, 1990 Old Marlton Pike (Route 70), in Tuscany Walk, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, creating a special menu pairing each course with recently released Beaujolais Nouveau, on November 21, 22, and 23.
Honoring the long tradition regulated by French law, the uncorking of Beaujolais Nouveau, Fanari is celebrating this special event pre-holiday season, even taking off this year for Thanksgiving when he'll close the restaurant for one day.
Fanari's menu selections include imported cheeses, wild fish, and free-range meats, fresh daily breads, vegetables and herbs. Some of his specialty dishes include: jumbo shrimp nicoise, grilled sea scallops in a Provencal sauce, grilled free range lamb chops, roasted free range rack of lamb, tagliatelles ratatouille with spinach topped with dolce gorgonzola, and, for dessert, a house-made apple tartin.
The Dream Cuisine Cafe's ambiance is that of a European café, with welcoming-to-diners lush colors, open kitchen, and intimate seating for 38, even outdoor seating during the fall, spring and summer months.
For more information, call 856.751.2800; or visit dreamcuisinecafe.net
Mémé opens on Fitler Square
 Restaurateur David Katz finally has realized his lifetime dream of owning his own restaurant with the recent opening of Mémé Restaurant (pronounced MAY-may), 2201 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, on quiet, tree lined Fitler Square.
The cozy 42-seat Mémé will feature, according to Katz, "a seasonally inspired menu with its emphasis on New American cuisine stresses simplicity, but every dish bears the signature of the master craftsman" that diners can see from the open-kitchen.
Katz calls his food "approachable" for diners, based simply upon "his passion for blending flavors and textures "that make sense" and that have been inspired by "the kind of food his Jewish-Moroccan grandmother cooked."
The rustic bistro-like ambiance of the restaurant reflects both Katz's personality as well as the chef's approach to the menu that includes: heirloom tomatoes and seared ricotta salata into a piquant salad, served with hearty grilled bread and aged balsamic vinegar, house-cured salmon is complemented by artichokes, lemon comfit, and capers, and contrasted with herb creme fraiche, cured foie gras tart with port soaked prunes and potato gnocchi with a spicy wild boar ragu.
Mémé's walls spotlight food photography by Brett Thomas, one of Philadelphia's most interesting and best-known photographers and close personal friend of Katz.
For more information, call 215.735.4900; or visit memerestaurant.com
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Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation |
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What They Said: |
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 Queer Emmy-winning lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes decided it was no laughing matter when the voters of the State of California surprisingly passed Proposition 8 on November 4, making illegal same-sex marriages. She revealed to the national media that she was legally married to another woman on October 25. Always choosing to live her life privately, this latest prejudicial act against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people everywhere, led her to take action and to speak out publicly about her own sexual orientation and relationship when she was motivated at a weekend rally against proponents of Proposition 8, and other similar voter initiatives, held in Las Vegas, reported the Associated Press (November 16, 2008): "You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life." Sykes now joins other celebrity out and coupled lesbians such as Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell to "this still-fairly-new American civil rights campaign."
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 Nobel Laureate and economic columnist Paul Krugman talked about his prediction of the New York City economy to Jesse Oxfeld (New York, October 27, 2008) among other things, like his anti-Bush partisanship, his disinterest in being offered an administrative post on the Obama team, his admittance that he currently keeps a lot of cash stashed away instead of depositing it in a bank, and his unpreparedness in knowing what to do with his impending prize of $1.4 million dollar as a recipient of a Nobel Prize in Economics ("I haven't the faintest idea," he told Oxfeld): Question: "What's your prediction for the New York City economy?" and Answer: "It's going to get a lot worse. It's now a city where nearly everything, directly or indirectly, is fed by the financial industry. We're going to have a big downsizing of that industry. And they're paid so much that their spending ends up supporting most of the rest of the city economy."
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 Queer actor, playwright, activist Harvey Fierstein, who is returning to his starring role in "Hairspray" on Broadway shared his opinion, not simply on same-sex marriage, but the subject of marriage itself. The celebrated veteran queer artist of the award-winning "Torch Song Trilogy" and longtime critic of the entertainment industry, in general and, in particular, the Hollywood community, about their hypocrisy in all matters queer, especially the issue of "being out," has this to said recently, as reported on huffingtonpost.com: "State sanctioned marriage is a civil contract period. A contract is not a judgment of moral value. It is a legal agreement between two parties that testifies to a meeting of minds between those consenting entities. It is not a religious act or rite and so has nothing to do with Adam and Eve or Steve or even Harvey. I often say that if you want to really want to understand the contract of marriage just ask anyone who has been divorced. The marriage contract is one of property rights. Or maybe you can look in the bible to see what Adam had to say about divorce since Eve was his second wife."
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I'm Glad I Never Said That!
Clinton, PA, selectmen, James LeBlanc - who is openly gay was threatened by the a www.ClintonMass.com "hero member" shortly after being elected in May, according to an unsigned letter titled "Community Terrorized by Gun Hate Group." According to the letter, the "hero member" said: "I still don't like fags and they should not be in public office, teaching or other positions where children are. Six feet under is a good starting point for the fags and lesbians."
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Lift The Ban |
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