HARRY POTTER RULESDaniel Radcliffe's PSA for The Trevor ProjectPosted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/22/2012 at 11:07AM | No Comments
We’ll admit it. We’re no Hogwarts. But Daniel Radcliffe, the star of the wildly successful Harry Potter films, recently did a PSA for The Trevor Project. And we think it’s a good reminder that if you or someone you know needs help, pick up the phone (866-488-7386) or go online. And did you know Philly has a Trevor connection? Click here for details. Check it out: |
SANTORUM: OBSESSED WITH GAY PEOPLEBut he blames the media for making him talk about itPosted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/22/2012 at 10:52AM | No Comments
Lately, our Facebook page has been blowing up with “Did you hear Rick Santorum said this?” comments. And for good reason. This month alone he chastized women who opt for pre-natal testing, women who go to work (he says womenhood is akin to having an “emotional disorder”), women who enlist in the military and gay folks who want to be treated equally (to him, being a felon is a more promising parental cred than being in a same-sex relationship). The guy has us in a frenzy, especially if you consider that everyone’s calling him a frontrunner in the presidential campaign. But recently, he did the unthinkable. He blamed the media (like us) for making him talk about his anti-gay opinions – even though he talks about his gay hate everywhere these days. His campaign is pretty much based on it. For example: |
HRC HEAD NOW ON OBAMA’S TEAMJoe Solmonese becomes national co-chair of Obama campaignPosted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/22/2012 at 10:32AM | No Comments
 Joe Solmonese (courtesy of HRC) One thing we knew: HRC has been looking for a new executive director. One thing we didn’t expect: President Obama asked the outgoing executive director of HRC – Joe Solmonese – to become on of his national co-chairs. He’s taken on the post beside several other co-chairs announced today, including Caroline Kennedy and former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. HRC, for the record, already endorsed Obama for a second term (they did that last year). And when you hear other candidates like front runner Rick Santorum talk about ending pre-natal testing, the public school system and all the progress the gay rights movement has made, it’s really a no-brainer. “President Obama has made it clear that LGBT Americans deserve a fair shot and has taken steps across his administration to make the lives of those most in need in our community better,” said Solmonese in a statement. “As a national co-chair, I am determined to do whatever I can do to help reelect President Obama so this progress can continue for our community.” |
VILLANOVA TO GAY ARTIST: NO THANKSThe Catholic university cancels a creative workshop with Tim MillerPosted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/21/2012 at 11:06AM | No Comments
Tim Miller first gained notoriety in the 1990s when the National Endowment for the Arts took him and other gay artists to task over controversial works that a few conservative talking heads found offensive. At the time, works from gay artists like Robert Mapplethorpe were also on the chopping block thanks to senators like Jesse Helms who were outraged over statements they were making about being gay during the AIDS crisis.  Courtesy of Tim Miller Sadly, some things never change. This week, Villanova University canceled a workshop with Miller that was to address the creative process. We’re told that Heidi Rose, an assistant professor of communications and a member of the university’s Gay Straight Coalition, booked the event last year (a quick search even yields a few of Miller’s book in the school’s library). But Miller told the Inquirer that he found out just this weekend that April’s event was off after Catholic blogs began criticizing the school for hosting someone who has been described as “the patron saint of the gay performance world.” “People tell these lies and it gets people who read these blogs worked up,” Miller told the Inquirer. Miller’s attention-getting work has got him in hot water before – mostly for its gay themes. He’s also received a great deal of praise from leaders in the arts, like Tony Kushner. And he’s the author of the books Shirts & Skin, Body Blows and 1001 Beds, which won the 2007 Lambda Literary Award for best book in Drama-Theatre. His solo theater works have been published in collections O Solo Homo and Sharing the Delirium. Miller’s newest book is 1001 Beds, an anthology of his performances, essays and journals. Over the years, he’s also been arrested for protesting AIDS research funding. |
TONIGHT: IT GETS BETTERDan Savage presents three coming out stories on MTVPosted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/21/2012 at 10:06AM | No Comments
Tonight, we’ll meet Aydian, Greg and Vanessa, a trans man who wants to marry, a closeted student president and a lesbian hoping for family acceptance. The three are featured on a special premiering tonight - It Gets Better (11 p.m.). Named for the groundbreaking anti-bullying campaign that went viral, the special was created by Dan Savage and MTV to explore real-life coming out stories. “Who knew a single video would turn into a worldwide movement?” asks Savage, who posted the first “It Gets Better” video with his partner more than a year ago. It has since inspired more than 40,000 others to do the same around the world with more than 50 million views. “The best part is it’s making a difference,” says Savage, who admits that tonight’s premiere is an extension of the viral campaign. “We follow three brave young people who are making it better.” Check it out: |
PHILLY RIDERS JOIN SOULFORCEThe Equality Ride departs Philly starting with a week of events on Feb. 26Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/21/2012 at 9:36AM | No Comments
Soulforce, a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of the LGBT community, has announced this year’s Equality Riders, a team of 15 advocates who will embark on a two-month cross-county bus tour from Philly. The events gearing up to the national tour get started on Sunday, Feb. 26.  Jason Conner (all photos courtesy of Soulforce) Co-directors Jason Conner, 27, and J. Mason, 27, will lead the riders during this fifth tour starting in Philadelphia before winding its way across the country to San Francisco. Along the way, the activists will reach out to communities and confront oppression experienced by both students and faculty at colleges and universities with policies that discriminate against LGBT people. Joining Conner and Mason on the 2012 Equality Ride are Crystal Cheatham, Ovid Amorson, Ibrahim Vicks and Christian Parks – all from Philadelphia.  J Mason Cheatham, a creative writer and singer/songwriter, is the founder of the IDentity Kit Project, which helps affirm the sexual identity and spirituality of young adults. As someone who was once immersed in the fundamentalist world, she identifies with many young Christians who may fear coming out. “It was definitely one thing to have religion interfere with my personal growth,” says Cheatham. “I say that because coming out at 23 is almost like having a second puberty – not pretty, not fun. It was something different altogether to realize organizations like my church were purposefully sabotaging my freedoms. I’m on this ride, in a way, to stand up for myself and to claim back pieces of me.” Amorson, who joined the Equality Ride to address civil rights, adds, “Religious oppression does exists and does contribute a great deal to the damage of our collective human existence. People who are not practicing love are our sisters and brothers, and they can be challenged and checked. We need to begin to see the spaces to plant seeds of love and grow into ourselves.” |
THIS WEEK: PHILLY COOKSAre you ready to nosh?Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/21/2012 at 8:48AM | No Comments
Some of our favorite chefs are participating in Philly Cooks this week (Feb. 22 starting at 6:30 p.m.) at the 33rd Street Armory on Drexel’s campus in University City. For the foodies among us, it’s a great chance to taste test delicacies from some of the freshest culinary talents from restaurants throughout the region. Plus, a portion of proceeds goes to the Ronald McDonald House.  Courtesy of Evan Turney Some of the chefs participating on Wednesday include our favorites like Evan Turney from Mercato (yep, he’s brother to Marcie – and the ladies love that pinup ceiling at Varga Bar, right?); Michael Schulson from Sampan (a very popular Midtown Village/Gayborhood outpost); Reinaldo Alfanso from Alma de Cuba; Brad Spence from Amis; Robert Aikens from The Dandelion; Steven Forte from The Farmer’s Cabinet (a brilliant new addition to 12th and Walnut); Adriana King from Jones (one of our all-time favorite brunch spots); Andrew Brown from Opa; and John Strain from Valanni (it may not technically be a gay restaurant, but most nights it sure seems like it). In addition to all the good eats, the event will also showcase wines from Clos Du Bois, Estancia, Franciscan Estate and the Robert Mondavi Private Collection. Not into wine? Don’t worry. Stella Artois will be at the event to do a beer tasting, too. Even non-drinkers can have a little fun thanks to espresso courtesy of ABCD Coffee (these guys have been around since 1946 – and for good reason). |
CHRIS CHRISTIE VETOES GAY MARRIAGEAnd N.J. native Bill Maher has something to say about itPosted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/20/2012 at 10:50AM | No Comments
It was all too perfect. The same-sex marriage legislation passed with flying colors – until it landed on N.J. Governor Chris Christie’s desk late last week. Predictably, he vetoed the bill, saying he wants to leave the decision up to voters. As history has taught us, allowing voters to decide the fate of civil rights is always a bad idea. And it happened in New Jersey before when, in the early part of the 1900s, men were asked to decide the fate of women’s voting rights. Guess what? They voted against it and it was only until the issue was addressed on a federal level that women would see the right to vote many years later. We have a feeling the same thing could happen with gay marriage if Obama is re-elected, even if he’s playing the gay marriage cards close to his chest during the campaign. |
INSIDE JAMONERAThe newest restaurant opens on 13th StreetPosted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/20/2012 at 10:27AM | No Comments
 Inside Jamonera (all photos courtesy of Jamonera) Life and business partners Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran have added yet another eatery to their restaurant empire on 13th Street. In addition to the already popular Barbuzzo (which won a reader’s choice honor from Philadelphia magazine thanks to its creative take on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine) and Lolita, a modern Mexican BYOT (the “T” stands for tequila) – not to mention their shops and gourmet grocery on the block – the women also welcome Jamonera to the mix in the space formerly occupied by Bindi, their Indian fusion eatery that has since closed.  Papa Fritas The new restaurant and wine bar takes a page from tapas culture of Spain with small plates that combine popular Spanish flavors with traditional ingredients in a new way. The women traveled to the Iberian Peninsula to taste test the local flavors themselves as is common when they open any of their restaurants (Barbuzzo was inspired by the couple’s trip to Italy).  The decor is inspired, in part, by the opera "Carmen" The renovations of the former Bindi may be the most pronounced change to the 13th Street space this season. With the help of Tim Shaaban of Urban Space, the restaurant has been transformed into a Spanish-style eatery and wine bar with a 20-foot copper-topped bar, hand-carved chandeliers and artwork inspired by Georges Bizet’s opera “Carmen.” As for the menu, look for nods to Moorish culture and Spanish flavors featuring everything from olives and pig’s tail to guindilla peppers and, of course, jamon. The prices for dishes range from a few dollars for the small plates up to $20 for larger, shared plates. The drink menu has also been carefully selected, with not only a selection of Spanish wines, but also ciders, beers and specialty cocktails like the La Granada (with Sailor Jerry spiced rum, pomegranate, cardamom, citrus and mint) and the Bizet (with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, passion fruit, clementine and fresh thyme). The restaurant also offers its own take on sangria with brandy, tree fruits and orange, as well as desserts, like bunuelos (warm donuts with espresso dulce de leche, spiced chocolate and sea salt) and Crema Catalana, a citrus custard with grapefruit gelee, citrus, candied pistachios and lemon. Jamonera, 105 S. 13th Street, 215-922-6061. |
WHAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOTAn indie filmmaker takes a hard look at stereotypesPosted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 2/17/2012 at 9:15AM | No Comments
As we await the completion of Ryan James Yezak‘s promising documentary Second Class Citizens about the modern gay rights movement, we wanted to share a new video the independent filmmaker recently posted. In it, he and a cast of several others take on misconceptions, misrepresentations and stereotypes about being gay in an in-your-face video for LGBT rights. Click here to preview Second Class Citizens and find out how you can donate to the production. And check out the new video here: |
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