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queerVOICE
Instant Read is More Accurate copyright 2008
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So Thanksgiving has come and gone . . . how was your turkey? Mine was great, but I learned not to wait until the little pop-out thermometer pops out. Actually it's a lesson I learned a long time ago trusting that little red button to work.
It turns out that the pop-outs are programmed to indicate when the internal temperature of the bird reaches 180 degrees . . . that's if they are working correctly, but the turkey is really ready when it reaches 165 degrees. Often waiting until the pop-out pops out means it's overcooked so it's probably best to use an instant read thermometer for accuracy. Or call your mother.
Just as an accurate reading is important for cooking, it is also true when attempting gauge the pulse of the people, their levels of conviction or the veracity of their opinions. Often elections and politicians remind me of these pop-out thermometers . . . not very accurate and often late in indicating when something is ready to be done.
As we continue to press for equality we continue to see our rights either taken away or prevented by people or politicians who don't really have an accurate reading on the will of the people. This was made clear by the passage of propositions or amendments in the states of California, Arizona, Arkansas and Florida where our rights were either prevented or stripped away. Clear also are the states in which elected officials continue to deny us basic protections from discrimination, including, but not limited to, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. But an accurate reading of the American populace indicates that our time has arrived.
A recent poll conducted by the Harris Group called Pulse of Equality, commissioned by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), found encouraging news for supporters of equality. Among its findings:
- Three-quarters of U.S. adults (75%) favor either marriage or domestic partnerships/civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. Only about 1 in 5, (22%), say gay and lesbian couples should have no legal recognition. (Gay and lesbian couples are able to marry in two states, and comprehensive civil union or domestic partnership laws exist in only five others and the District of Columbia.)
- U.S. adults are now about evenly divided on whether they support allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally marry (47% favor to 49% oppose).
- Almost two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults favor allowing openly gay military personnel to serve in the armed forces. (The current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law bans military service by openly gay personnel.)
- About 6 in 10 (63%) U.S. adults favor expanding hate crime laws to cover gay and transgender people. (Hate crimes laws cover gay and transgender people in 11 states and the District of Columbia, and an additional 20 states' laws cover sexual orientation but not gender identity.)
- A slight majority of U.S. adults (51%) favor protecting gay and transgender people under existing laws that prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. (Existing non-discrimination laws cover gay and transgender people in only 12 states and the District of Columbia, and eight other states' laws cover sexual orientation but not gender identity.)
- Nearly 7 out of 10 U.S. adults (69%) oppose laws that would ban qualified gay and lesbian couples from adopting children. (In several states, gay and lesbian couples are banned from adopting.)
According to Laura Light, Vice President of Public Relations Research for Harris Interactive, "the results of this survey suggest that public sentiment in the U.S. is trending toward greater acceptance of gay and transgender-related policy issues." This is wonderful news for those who continue to suffer as a result of what can legally be denied, effectively placing us in the status of second class citizenship.
Clearly the voters in California, Arizona, Arkansas and Florida aren't on the same page as most of America when it comes to equality for all the people. This is true for the majority of the elected officials in states where we are outrightly denied simple protections from discrimination and inclusion in Hate Crime legislation. I guess they're still waiting for the pop-up thermometer to tell them when their bird's overcooked.
Comments: james@QUEERtimes.net
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12th Street Gym |
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What It Looks Like From Here
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2008 |
Well, New York City might be the city that loves you back but as far as the queers go, that isn't happening in the State of New York. Up in Albany, the Democrats who now have all the power are becoming squeamish about same-sex marriages.
Reports in New York magazine (November 24, 2008) indicate that the change of heart, even in the world of Governor Will Paterson, who has previously supported same-sex marriage in the public forum, is now also shifting his attention, too, like the others in the capital city.
"We have our economy to deal with, and that should be first and foremost on everybody's mind," confessed one New York Democrat to the magazine editors. "I don't think that it's a priority in Paterson's eyes. If he keeps talking about how to put money into people's pockets, he's going to get reelected. If he loses focus and starts talking about controversial issues, he's not."
It's all about the economy, stupid.
Away from the Governor's office, Malcolm Smith, the Senate's Democratic leader, has his own issues to deal with. Evidently, he could lose three key votes in his bid to retain his leadership role from three senators, in part, reports say, over his pro-same sex marriage position.
In earlier reports, New York magazine (November 10, 2008) predicted that "New York would be the fourth gay-nuptials state but the first to approve it legislatively." But it acknowledged that the state has same-sex adversaries within the legislature such Bronx senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., a Pentecostal pastor and Democrat who declared war on the bill. "My position is not negotiable," emphatically stated Diaz.
So much for change in Albany! Isn't this beginning to sound like politics as usual?
"The economy is going to be a problem with us for quite a while. It can't be an excuse forever," said Evan Wolfson, head of Freedom to Marry.
The seasoned queer activist has, if nothing else, staying power and patience, as he has been at the forefront of the same-sex marriage movement long before it was fashionable enough to be included in the wedding announcement pages of the venerable The New York Times.
Not to worry, as the Australians like to say, we'll be hearing a lot from Wolfson in the days ahead as many of these "back-of-the-bus" initiatives, propositions and laws are challenged in the courts and "freedom and equality for all" is ultimately realized in the United States of America.
Speaking of announcements of same-sex marriages, I was delighted to see that Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler were recently married in San Francisco, prior to the election and the passing of Proposition 8, within the pages of wedding news in The New York Times.
I'll confess that I'm an avid reader of these notifications every Sunday. It's part of my ritual. Even though I'm conflicted personally about the legal contract that marriage ultimately is (there's the matter of divorce, you know) that doesn't mean that others shouldn't have the opportunity, the choice, the right.
Anyway, queer Doonan serves as the creative director Barneys New York, a columnist for The New York Observer and author of four books, including his latest, "Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fabulous You" (Simon & Schuster, 2008). The master of display merchandising is also smart, witty and humorous so it's no surprise that the BBC will broadcast in 2009 a comedy series based upon his memoir. (I'm a big fan of Doonan, recommend you reading his books, and will forward to the BBC series which will hopefully make its way to PBS.)
Queer Adler, the potter, interior designer, founder/owner of his signature home furnishings and designing stores, now serves as head judge on Bravo's "Top Design," a reality television series. Of their compatibility, Doonan said, "We have a ridiculous amount in common. We both hate smug people. We both rant at the same things. We both drink a lot of tea."
May the two of them live happily ever after!
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Seven Reasons to Advertise on the Qt |
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Thom's Table
Thom Cardwell
copyright 2008 |
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I've always been a huge fan of bars and restaurants in hotels, even in cities where I've lived and never been an out-of-town visitor. I like soaking up some of the buzz that usually fills the air and fuels the energy in the lobbies, bars, cafes and restaurants. I even like to eavesdrop and find out what people are in town, why they're here and what they think of Philadelphia. Sometimes I'm really impressed with who I've met or what I've heard as we seek to become an International first-class city. You'd actually be both surprised and impressed.
 Anyway, I do digress. So I'm happy to point out that Thirteen, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, has quietly but significantly grown into one of the city's flagship hotels, The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, in the heart of Center City.
Why Thirteen? Well, it's simply named in honor and historic celebration to the birth of the nation with its 13 original colonies, I was told by management. But otherwise, it was also quickly pointed out that Thirteen is "thoroughly modern in its decor as well as its concept of featuring a menu of creative American cuisine."
The culinary duo of executive chef Armando Monterrossa and sous chef Judson Branch have "crafted a comfortable, American-inspired menu of modern classics, including genuine comfort food" for Thirteen.
Monterrosa's resume spans from previous gigs in restaurants in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Costa Rica, before he settled in the hotel's recently renovated space in Philadelphia.
Thirteen's menu is distinguished by what Monterrosa calls "shareables," for obvious reasons, an appealing way literally to share dishes and social interaction between diners at Thirteen.
Menu highlights include: pulled pork sliders, steamed mussels and potato perogies as "shareables"; saladas such as the classic cobb steak salad, lobster BLT salad and torn butter lettuce; sandwiches such as the Thirteen burger, with Canadian bacon, Gruyere and fried egg and the fried shrimp hoagie; and dinner entrees such as Lancaster chicken pot pie, pan seared salmon, and stuffed sweet peppers, steaks and chops offering 14 ounce double cut pork shop, a 10 ounces skirt steak and an eight ounce fresh fish of the day.
Thirteen is open daily, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sunday brunch is also now being served weekly.
For more information, call 215.625.6795; or visit philadelphiamarriott.com
Now the good news--this year you can simply make reservations for Chanukah!
 Zahav, meaning "gold" in Hebrew, (237 St. James Place), Philadelphia's modern Israeli restaurant, has created a special menu of Sephardic dishes for Chanukah, created and prepared by chef/owner Michael Solomonov (with business partner Steven Cook ).
Solomonov will offer the Ocho Kandelikas "Eight Candles" menu during the eight days of Chanukah, December 22 to December 29, except for December 25 when the restaurant will be closed for Christmas Day. The six-course menu will be $36 per person, excluding tax, beverages and gratuity.
"Israeli cuisine draws inspiration from the many cultures that have left their marks on Jerusalem over the centuries. Sephardic dishes, which focus on the ingredients from Spain, Portugal and Morocco, tend to be very aromatic and incorporate many fruits, vegetables, spices and grains - perfect to serve for the holidays," said Solomonov.
The Ocho Kandelikas menu will include: salatim, eight assorted Israeli salads; Hummus served with house-baked laffa bread; burmuelos with leek and mint; potato latkes with labaneh and urfa pepper-cured salmon; veal tagine with dates, almonds and Moroccan couscous; and Sufganiyot, caramel donuts and raisin ice cream.
For more information, call 215.625.8800; or visit zahavrestaurant.com
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Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation |
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Cookbooks
For The Holidays |
Food town that it is, Philadelphia cookbook authors, of all stripes, chefs, restaurateurs, food historians and food writers, claim considerable space on booksellers' shelves everywhere. For gift-giving, there's always the choice of either buying the latest and greatest cookbooks or selecting one of the all-time classics. Whatever decision you make the recipient of your gift will sure to be pleased at this special time of year.  If it's all in the ingredients, Aliza Green ought to know! In her latest Bible-size tome, "Starting with Ingredients: Baking" (Running Press), the veteran writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News (who is also a James Beard award-winning author) has compiled an incredible resource book. The 923 pages (Green's books are also distinguished as being so big, they're textbook size) bring together what she calls "quintessential recipes for the way we really bake" with insightful and helpful hints for baking in the simplest and most forward way. Here's an example of Green's style from the section on "Alcohols": "The chef's secret in many a sauce or braise and the baker's secret in many a cake, cream or tart is often a generous splash of wine, beer, spirits, or liqueur. In baking, kirschwasser, distilled from cherries; framboise, distilled raspberries; brandy, distilled from grapes; bourbon, distilled from corn; and dark rum, distilled from sugar cane, are most common." There's also a wonderful selection of recipes, including chocolate sponge cake, cornmeal pizza dough, cuccidati (Sicilian fig cookies), Turkish seeded hazelnut bread, buttermilk tart pastry, Florida Tangerine Kiss-Me cookies, peanut butter and jelly cake, pineapple-coconut flan with dark rum, sesame honey cones with ricotta filling and California walnut-rosemary bread. Green's revolutionary approach to food and ingredients (it's her mantra), and, in this particular case, baking will make us rethink our very way of eating, even living.  Veteran restaurateur Ellen Yin has been a leader in the renaissance of Old City as a dining destination with her classic Fork restaurant and, the gourmet shop, Fork, etc., all as part of what she has been able to establish as her own unique signature culinary culture. Yin recounts her own philosophy of life, business, 100 favorite recipes and much more in her personal memoir, " Forklore: Tales and Recipes from an American Bistro" (Temple University Press) that was published on the occasion of her 10th anniversary in 2007. It's an instant classic for lovers of food (even those who don't cook) and cookbooks (for those who do cook).  " Susanna Foo Fresh Inspiration" (Houghton Mifflin Company) is the second cookbook by the James Beard and Robert Mondavi award-winning chef/owner Susanna Foo of Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine. The innovator of extraordinary talent and skill, she reinterprets the most basic and simplest Chinese dishes as she forces us to reevaluate what Chinese cooking and eating is really all about.  Georges Perrier, the pioneer chef who brought the art of fine dining to Philadelphia long before the city ever was considered a major restaurant town, shares his best " Le Bec-Fin Recipes" (Running Press). The legendary master chef offers for home chefs everywhere the challenge of trying to gather as many stars as this award-winning, nationally acclaimed Frenchman, with three restaurants to his name, including the world-famous Le Bec-Fin, Wayne and Table 31 in the new Comcast Tower, in creating the classics of French cuisine.  How about some comfort food to warm the heart and stomach? Douglas Rodriguez, father of Nuevo Latino cuisine and original executive chef at Stephen Starr's Alma de Cuba, serves up plenty of wonderful soups and stews in " Latin Ladles" (Ten Speed Press), as the master chef of his own special ingredients from Central and South America by introducing them to the American table. Lucky for us!
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Toy 2008 |
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EVENTS |
· Friday (December 5)
 Toy 2008 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Marketplace Design Center, 2400 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Second Annual Delaware Valley Legacy Fund Fundraiser and Toy Drive for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Unit of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The event will feature DJ Carl Michaels and is hosted by the Marc Phillips Showroom of the Marketplace Design Center
Click here to reserve your tickets, purchase a toy or purchase an ornament. (Note: If you purchase tickets online, your name will appear on a registration list at the event. You will not need a paper ticket).
· Friday-Saturday (December 5 & 6)
 Connect with Army and Navy guys before or after the game at the Bike Stop, on the second floor. Wear something that says Army or Navy to celebrate this great American tradition
Friday 10:30 PM till?
Saturday after the game till? Watch the game at the Bike Stop.
The Bike Stop is located at 205 South Quince Street, Philadelphia.
· Friday, Saturday, Sunday (December 5, 6 & 7)
 The Philly AIDS Thrift, 514 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia, will celebrate its Third Anniversary at the store on December 5, 6 and 7 during regular store hours, Noon to 9pm, Friday and Saturday, and Noon to 6pm, Sunday.
Opened in the fall of 2005, Philly AIDS Thrift has donated $109,500.00 in cash contributions to Philly area AIDS organizations in its first three years of operations. In addition to its cash donations from donations of goods, the store has partnered with local HIV service providers to supply free store vouchers to clients in need of clothing assistance and household necessities. The store management welcomes the public to join in the celebration this weekend. To become a volunteer or make donations of goods for resale, call 215.387.7339; or visit phillyaidsthrift.blogspot.com
· Friday (December 19)
 Melt the Ice Benefit a Fund Raising Cabaret @ Pure Nightclub, 1221 St James Street, Philadelphia, PA - $10 cover - Proceeds benefits ActionAIDS and Equity Fights Aids. Doors open at 9:00 p.m. and the party continues until 3:30 a.m. Show starts at 11:00pm
The cast of the national touring company for 'A Chorus Line' will be stopping in Philadelphia, PA for a one night only special show with proceeds to benefit ActionAIDS of Philadelphia and Equity Fights AIDS of New York City. With an amazing and tantalizing show of song, dance and a few strip teases, this show is sure to entertain.
Melt the Ice also offers Pure Nightclub's $2 "pink drinks" until 11:00 p.m. and flavored shots throughout the night.
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Lift The Ban |
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What They Said: |
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 Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia was given the "Last Word" reflecting (already) on his first year in office (Philadelphia Style, December 2008). He wrote his own column, recounting his accomplishments during his first 365 days: "When decisive leadership was required, our administration has not shirked its duty. We took a principled stand against casinos on the waterfront and may succeed in moving at least one to a different location. We have returned the planning department to primacy in the city's development process. And our crime-fighting plan is paying dividends in reduced crime, including a lower homicide rate."
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 Two-time Oscar winner actress Jessica Lange (a graduate of fine arts from the University of Minnesota) has just published her latest book, 50 Photographs (PowerHouse, 2008), results from her 15 years shooting black and white images during her extensive world travels while shooting films or pursuing her volunteer work for various charities in Russia and Africa. In New York magazine (November 24, 2008), she talked to Amy Larocca about the differences from acting, filmmaking and photography as an artistic endeavor: "It's [photography] a great counterpoint to filmmaking because it's such a private, solitary experience. It's like writing or painting; it's something you can do on your own. Acting is a codependent art form, and the actor is not in control. And filmmaking definitely informs the decision to photograph something. I'm drawn to situations with a dramatic feel to them as far as lighting or backdrop or people's presence, the way someone stands."
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 Queer porn actor, director, producer, fashion icon, Michael Lucas has never been shy about speaking his mind. In Gaydar magazine (Summer, 2008), the owner of Lucas Entertainment Production's "The Intern," "Auditions," "Budapest," "Gigolo," and "Dangerous Liaisons," among a long and ever-growing list of gay male adult films, talked to Stephen Libby who asked him what were the perks of being Michael Lucas: "I enjoy very much the success I have, and I think it's good to be me, and I like to be me. You see, everything I have came from porn. Porn gave me the platform to talk about any issue I want to talk about, be it politics or the community. I write for different magazines. I speak at universities. I am invited to great parties and fashion shows. And, of course, as our society is fascinated with celebrity of any kind, it has lots of benefits from upgrades in hotels and airplanes to service in restaurants."
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I'm Glad I Never Said That:
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, speaking at an HIV/AIDS conference in Moscow, said "we have banned, and will ban, the propaganda of sexual minorities' opinions because they can be one of the factors in the spread of HIV infection."
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