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LGBTQ
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| Scott A. Drake |
| Cardwell is beautiful in blue. |
It was a great show!! Great actors and a great director in Mark Dahl!!
So, as those of you who, like me, tend to keep up only with the soapiest elements of the political scene are surely aware, much ado has lately been a-done about the professed sexual orientation of Gregg Kravitz, a democratic candidate for State Representative in the 182nd District of Pennsylvania (that's in Philly, y'all). A self-identified bisexual, Kravitz recently found himself under fire from his rival for the seat, incumbent Babette Josephs, who claimed that Kravitz's queer identity is a fabrication intended to capture the vote of the significant LGBTQ vote in the district. Predictably, the claim has been pored over across the blogosphere (nailed it!), with typing heads wondering if they're valid (who knows?), if the discussion is even in-bounds in a political arena (of course, everyone has a right to work the identity politics of their own identity), and whether or not his sexuality should be a factor to the voters in the LGBTQ community. Ultimately, his potential performance as a representative doesn't seem to rest much on whether or not he is bisexual. Allies of the LGBTQ community can do as much to support and further the interests of the community as card-carrying (there are cards now, right?) members if they're truly dedicated to the issues. What the stories to date have missed thus far is the truly subversive, even subliminal, pandering that Kravitz has been doing toward the community of which he may or may not be part. Behold:
Seems harmless enough, no? But say it out loud...
By missing this obvious hidden message in Kravitz's campaign materials, the media has not only missed a crucial piece of his play for the vote of the LGBTQ (well, mostly the GBQ parts) community, but they've overlooked a valuable piece of evidence as to the validity of Rep. Joseph's claims. Namely, that New Directions is the name of the glee club in Glee. If that reference is intentional it indicates a familiarity with the Fox program which is in turn a convincing piece of evidence that Mr. Kravitz is at least half gay, maybe more.
Class dismissed.
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Is it too early to dub this "Erectiongate"?
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| phillyncrowd.com |
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| kmsoehnlein.com |
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| mshowtv.com |
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| danse4nia.com |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
Big ups to the Pentagon officials who announced today that they will be relaxing the haggard Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy until Congress can take further action. It's about time that bitch took a nap. Let's hope this slumber is the long one.
The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (GALAEI) is celebrating their 20th year providing HIV/AIDS awareness to Philadelphia's Latino LGBTQ community. To kick-off a month of celebrations they're hosting a free fiesta at QBA Lounge (1176 N. 3rd St., 215- 922-1722) tonight at 6 p.m. The purpose of this gathering is to draw attention to their grander, pricier hoopla in April and to hold a silent auction to raise funds for their LGBTQ youth empowerment program, R.A.V.E. GALAEI Executive Director Elicia Gonzales says bidders can go toe to toe on a list of goodies, including hand painted martini glasses, a three-hour DJ session and a muy bonita pair of Mexican Milagro earrings from The Eyes Gallery (402 South St., 215-925-0193).
— Another community involvement group celebrating a milestone year is BEBASHI. For a quarter of a century this case management agency has worked to provide education and assistance to low-income, HIV positive individuals in the African-American community. On Sun., March 28 at 5 p.m. Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble is giving them a well-deserved birthday gift by making them benefactor of a fundraising concert at Painted Bride (230 Vine St., 215-925-9914). Proceeds from the $25 ticket price will go to BEBASHI and pay for a dazzling performance by Danse4Nia, Smoke, Lilies and Jade Art Initiative and Pittsburgh's modern dance company, Dance Alloy.
— Fired up members of the Riders Against Gender Exclusion (R.A.G.E.) are holding a protest at 6:45 p.m. on Tue., March 30 at the Clothespin sculpture (15th & Market sts.) across from City Hall. They're rallying against SEPTA's decision to include gender-specific stickers on transpasses and trailpasses, which they say is highly discriminatory against the transgender community. Lending their voices to the cause will be an impassioned line-up of speakers and drag queens. Those queens should totally transform that corner of Market into one huge drag extravaganza. If you're down with the cause take some time to sign their online petition form.
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| babble.com |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
The gay community was handed more good news this week with the passage of gay marriage in Mexico City. Even though it's in a completely different country, it's still a huge stride for us LGBTers. Philadelphia, aren't you ashamed Mexico City did it first? Way to go amigos.
— Bullies everywhere need to conjure more clever insults than "You fight like a girl," to heave at the poor little gay boys on the playground because the William Way Community Center's (1315 Spruce St., 215-732-2220) self defense class for women at 2 p.m. on Sat. Mar. 13 will prove that girls can kick some major bully ass. Philadelphia Judo Club instructors Ray Huxon and Alma Qualli will teach students how to maneuver a variety of standing and ground attacks. Then, students suit up in protective gear to demonstrate what they've learned. I'm sure this instruction will be much more in depth than the defense mechanisms I learned, even though, "Go for the balls," has worked pretty well for so far. Heeeeya!
— Whether you do it for fun or you're trying to make a legit transformation, artist Klawdya Rothschild is teaching two gender transformation classes at Sexploratorim (620 S. 5th St., 215-829-4986) on Sat., Mar. 13 that will boost your drag or passability experience tenfold. The first session begins at 2 p.m. with a lesson about hiding or enhancing gender-identifying attributes like high cheekbones or a 5 o'clock shadow and how to complete the process with hair and wigs. The second class, which begins at 6 p.m., takes the teaching downtown with pointers on how to tuck your hoo-hoo and flatten or push out those ta-tas. The $20-$30 admission price includes a discount coupon to Passional Boutique (704 S. 5th St., 215-829-4986) and the next Angela's Lap Top Lounge event at Shangrila (120 Swedesford Rd., 610-687-8838) on Sat., Mar. 20.
— If you don't feel like tucking the jewels or punching fight instructors on Saturday, maybe you'd prefer a leisurely afternoon of shopping and mingling on E. Passyunk Avenue. 2nd Saturdays on the Avenue kicks off at 6 p.m. with participation from dozens of neighborhood hot spots. You can browse art by Pam Haner and Justin Myer Staller at Sweet Jane Vintage and B2 Café, chow on discounted grub at FUEL and relax with the music of Alia Ady at Black N Brew. There's a lot going on in this area of South Philly, I definitely suggest hopping on this trolley before you get left behind.
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| Go gays! |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
Before I start spillin' this week's haps I want to give kudos to lawmakers in Washington D.C., who recently denied requests from "traditional" marriage supporters to overturn December's Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act. The law went into effect yesterday and now there are dozens of gay couples filing for marriage certificates in our nation's capital. Good going, D.C. You rock my gay socks off.
— If the promise of health and peace of mind isn't enough, the folks from the Washington West Project are offering yet another incentive to get an HIV test: Porn. Those interested can stroll anonymously into the Mazzoni Center (1201 Locust St., 215-985-9206) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today for a rapid test and then mosey on out with an X-rated goody in tote courtesy of Spruce Street Video (252 S. 12th St., 215-546-6843). Hey, there's no surer way to protect yourself than watching a dirty movie at home alone.
— If drag is what you're looking for this weekend, then drag is what you'll find for $10 at Albert's 2nd Story (3180 Grant Ave., 267-339-1579) on Sat., Mar. 6 at 8:30 p.m. Miss Lisa Lisa hosts the House of Blaze's First Anniversary Extravaganza, featuring a sashay shante from a rowdy crew of man-momma's like Victoria "Pork Chop" Parker, Ms. Donna and Rebecca Glasscock from the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Throughout the evening a legion of barely-clothed studley dudleys will be serving hors d'oeuvres, which I'm guessing will go pretty quick with a lady named "Pork Chop" in the house.
— Over a decade ago Denise Witkowsky (aka Vitamin D) organized Womynsfest because she felt female led bands weren't getting the local attention they deserved. The spotlight continues at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234) on Sun., Mar. 7 at 7:30 p.m. when Womynsfest 11 kicks off with a free line-up of eight female-fronted bands, including LGBTQ performers like Tara Lynn Mallon from Brooklyn rock group Dolly Trolly and Chrissy Tashian, who will perform a vocal set sans her punk group, Dangerous Ponies. Witkowsky says the closing band is also comprised of LGBT members, but for certain stipulations she isn't able to release the group's name. You can read more about the event from my girl Julia West in this week's Agenda section.
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| hiphopgalaxy.com |
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
— You may take your two hour primp sessions for granted before you hit the clubs, or even the grocery for that matter, but others don't have the same luxury. To help spruce up the streets, the LGBT Alliance of Students Organized for Health (LASOH) is throwing a hygiene kit donation drive for homeless and housing-insecure LGBTQ youth at Q Lounge (1234 Locust St., 215-732-1800) tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. They're asking folks to donate travel-sized toiletry products like soap, shampoo/conditioner and deodorant. Those who donate two or more items at the door will receive a wristband for all night drink specials. You might as well stay and drink, it took you long enough to get ready for it.
— Grindr is the biggest thing to sweep the gay community since Cher straddled that spotted stallion in the video for "Half Breed." On Fri., Feb. 26th at 10 p.m. Q Lounge (1234 Locust St., 215-732-1800) is getting in on the action with their first official Grindr party. General Manager John Caputo says the free meet and greet will feature yellow Grindr themed drinks, shot boys to gawk at and jams by DJ Chris Udoh. But come on, are you really going to notice everything that's going on with your eyes glued to the phone all night long? My guess is that the hookups will start instantly, so get there early to start grinding on your favorite hottie — he's only zero feet away.
— I'm a little annoyed at Voyeur (1221 St. James Pl., 215-735-5772) because they won't announce their line-up, but they're touting a DJ set by "members of the Black Eyed Peas" for their Official After Show Party following the Peas show on Wed., Mar. 3rd. It sounds suspicious, but I think the $20 entrance fee is worth the surprise. If it's not Fergie or Will.I.Am, there will still be great music to bump to and a buttload of drinks to drown your sorrows away if you pay all that money just to see one of those other two people. Don't get me wrong, they're just as talented, but you know the 'mos are dying to see Fergalicious and all her lovely lady lumps.
Every Thursday, we give you this week's LGBTQ to-do list.
This week I put together a few Valentine's weekend events that should suit everyone, no matter what your thoughts on the mushy, Hallmark-adoring love fest.
—If you're in no mood for any of the romantic crap, you'll have a blast at Marathon Grill (40th & Walnut sts., 215-222-0100) on Fri., Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. or Sat., Feb. 13 at 10 p.m. Nine poets, including openly gay ones like Saida Agostini, Ms. Wise and Leslie McIntosh, will serve Valentine's Day the what for during the Cupid Ain't @#$%!: An Anti-Valentine's Day Poetry Movement. Organizer J. Mase III says the poetry will be perfectly suited to those ready to laugh away their bitterness about the holiday. So says Mase: "My hope is that when people come this year they will be able to laugh at themselves and find community among others that may not usually seek that kind of space."
—The men of Brothers Network have organized a pro-Valentines discussion all about black-on-black love taking place at the Arts Condo Community Room (1324 Locust St., 215-546-1925) on Sat., Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. The free chit chat will feature a panel of six black couples who will talk about the evolution of their personal relationships and more political topics like the lack of the black men loving black men image in the mainstream media. I second that emotion.
—SisterSpace, of the Delaware Valley is throwing their annual Valentine's shindig on Sat., Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. at Stir Lounge (1705 Chancellor St., 215-732-2700). The ladies-only affair will hop with music, drink specials and a presentation by the gender-bending lads of the Liberty City Drag Kings and Burlesque Review. The measly $5 cover will benefit SisterSpace, an organization that arranges events to spotlight and empower the lesbian community. Shine, girls, shine!
—It's not a Valentine's event, but the love continues to flow on Thu., 18 at 8 a.m. when Mayor Michael Nutter joins the Independence Business Alliance for a breakfast and discussion at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel (1200 Market St., 215-627-1200). For $25 you can hear Nutter gab about current issues facing the LGBTQ community in Philadelphia and respond to his guest's questions or concerns about his push for progressive gay legislation in the city and state.
Check out more V-Day events, for both Phag acolytes and breeders, over in Agenda.
Itching for more gay events? Check out our LGBTQ listings.
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