Jackie "Ink Bitch" Jennings chats about her experience on the Spike TV reality show and what it means for her future as a tattooist Philly.
When season 3 of Spike TV’s Ink Master premieres next month, local tattoo artist Jackie ‘Ink Bitch’ Jennings will stand among the 16 national contestants vying for a $100K prize and the honor of being named one of America’s most badass tattooists. If you’re a reality-show fan, you probably know the drill, but for those not keeping score, the show, hosted by Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, places contestants in weekly tattoo challenges, slowly whittling them down until they have a winner.
Jennings is going into the competition with a solid 10 year’s experience, spending much of that time honing her skills at Tru Blu Tatu in Bristol, Pa. She currently lives with her girlfriend — a bartender at Stir Lounge in Rittenhouse — in South Philly. I’ll admit, my fingers trembled a little when I dialed her number this week for a phone interview. I mean, chances were pretty high that a conversation with someone named “Ink Bitch” could go south in a gay heartbeat. I couldn’t have been more wrong — though I wouldn’t want to cross her. Keep reading to learn more about the tough-cookie tattoo artist, including the precious thing she says she’d do with the prize money, if she plans on opening her own shop in Philly and what on Earth made her lose her shit in this preview clip. READ MORE
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The local actor/singer is one of the stars in this weekend's "Full House: A Series of Cabarets."
This week, local gay-run theater company Quince Productions kicks off its fifth go-round of “Full House: A Series of Cabarets.” The five-day festival comprises eight different shows performed by 20 established and up-and-coming singers from the Philadelphia area. One of those from the former category is the dazzling Sean Thompson.
Thompson, a full-time equity actor, has appeared in 40 shows, commercials and other productions since graduating from Temple in 2008 with a Music and Theater degree. For “Full House” he will be performing “I Need a Sunburn: A Solivagant’s Cabaret,” which he describes as a “very chill” evening where he’ll be singing songs that “I’ve just been living with for a while.” Guests can be ready to treat their ears to tunes like “Raining in Boston,” “Santa Fe” and “California Stars” — all of which, he says, “seem to form a pretty solid theme of losing and finding yourself and of traveling.” If that doesn’t sound dreamy enough, Thompson is donating ALL of his proceeds to Equality PA.
Head over heels yet? Keep on reading for the Q&A I did with him this week, where we chat about his love affair with American lit, his loooong list of diva inspirations and a drunken run in he had with a certain member of the Danny Tanner household. READ MORE
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"I’m into guys that are a good match to wrestle with but aren’t afraid to buy you flowers."
Gunnar Montana is a 24-year-old dancer/choreographer living in South Philly. His fair skin and red hair can make the beach a dicey prospect, but that doesn’t keep him from enjoying the waves. Or making them. He’s slated to be one of the “Boys of Summer” at Philly Gay Calendar’s annual splash at Voyeur. READ MORE
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The tireless advocate talks about his efforts to expand civil rights in Africa, and how Philadelphia's LGBT Equality Bill may support his cause.
 The 12th annual Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference kicks off today with a solid three-day lineup of panels, workshops, keynotes and even parties that are meant to promote transgender health and wellness. Several go-getters from Philly’s trans community will be hosting activities throughout the week, but the conference is also playing host to activists and educators from around the world. One of those speakers from afar is trans LGBTI activist Julius Kaggwa, the program director for Support Initiative for People with atypical sex Development (SIPD), an intersex support group that is fighting to stop Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which you may also know as the “Kill the Gays” bill. READ MORE
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Everything you need to know about the new king of Philly gays.
 Photo by Alexander John Photography This weekend, at Bruce Yelk’s much-hyped Triumphant Pride event, Thomas Westerfer was crowned 2013 Mr. Gay Philadelphia. Here, I cozy up to the 27-year-old event planner from Troy, Pa., in the attempt to get to know our new king a little better. Takeaways? He loves a good exclamation point, he gets a kick out of dancing around in his underwear in front of his straight roomies and, heads up, fellas, he’s single as a one-dollar bill. READ MORE
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"If I did porn, the plot would most likely be student sleeps with his teacher."
 I am …
The definition of mixed. My dad was black and white, and my mom is black and American Indian.
The surprising thing that people don’t know about me is …
I’m a six-time state and world champion in five different styles of martial arts. I’ve been training since I was 11 years old.
Batman, Superman or Spider-Man?
Duh: Superman!
You wouldn’t believe I eat …
Everything! Except fried chicken. I absolutely hate fried chicken. Unless it’s made by the Goddess Isis Brooks D’Shey.
When it comes to sex …
I am very passionate. But there are times when I prefer some roughhousing. (Best described as a scene from Mr. & Mrs. Smith.) READ MORE
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The funny gal dishes on Philly, "lesbo bars" and the awkward experience she had sitting on the Chelsea Lately roundtable.
Comedian Erin Foley is hot, with a hysterical take on life and spot-on humor and wit to boot. Her résumé touts appearances on Conan, Chelsea Lately, Comedy Central Presents, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and even a supporting role in the Cameron Crowe film Almost Famous. This Saturday night, Erin will bring her brand of standup to Philadelphia when she performs two shows at Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, where, full disclosure, I am an employee. I had the chance to kiki with her over the phone, dishing about everything from her take on Philly and Chelsea Handler to lesbo bars. READ MORE
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Billy Weiss talks Rosewood, keeping up with club trends, and renovations to one of Philly's premier LGBT clubs.
 The dimly-lit, atmospheric interior of Woody's new Rosewood cocktail lounge, which opened in April.
When it comes to interacting with media outlets, the Weiss brothers — co-owners of Woody’s, Voyeur, and now Rosewood — are, shall we say, shy. So much so that they’re rarely photographed in public (note that we have no profile shot to share — sad face), and their media motto goes something along the lines of, “No press, is good press.” Still, Billy Weiss was gracious enough to divert his attention away from the bar for a few lines of gay chatter about that new side-pocket Woody’s addition you’ve probably heard of (but never been to), as well as what it’s like being a club owner in the Gayborhood.
Oh, and did I mention Voyeur‘s getting renovations?
READ MORE
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The dashing 29-year-old realtor says Debbie Downers need not apply.
 Calvin keeps it classy with a dirty martini at Knock. What kind of guy are you looking for?
Someone who’s really healthy, who’s geared toward healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.
That sounds like code for “hot.”
True that.
Complete this phrase: Sex on the first date is …
Never. Well, maybe. I’m looking for someone to connect with. My roommate calls me a prude. Now, if I am looking for sex, that’s a different story.
So sometimes you’re just looking for sex.
That’s off the record. [laughs]
Tell me your turn-ons.
The guy has to have an edge. He has to make me laugh—that’s a big turn-on. And I think he has to speak freely. He needs to say what he really thinks, as opposed to what other people think.
Turn-offs?
Negative people, Debbie Downers, people who just blame people for whatever reason, and who are always going on about how awful the world is. I like hanging out with positive, outgoing people. READ MORE
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The world-class skater talks divas, beauty secrets, Tchaikovsky and ... sex.
Johnny Weir likes us! He really likes us! In February, the U.S. figure skating champion twirled into Philly to help us celebrate our first-annual WinterPride, where he dazzled with a quick ice show and picked up an award from Philly Pride Presents. And this weekend, he’s coming back to romp with us again. On Sunday, he and a handful of local LGBTQ and ally movers and shakers will be honored at the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund‘s (DVLF) annual HEROES event. Weir will receive the DVLF’s National HERO award during the main event, then he’ll move on to Fire & Ice (how appropriate!) to shake his toosh at the after-party and T-dance.
I’m not kidding about the shaking-his-butt part. If you read below, you’ll find out that’s one of his favorite moves to do on the ice, plus a slew of other things you probably never knew about the sassy little ice diva from Quarryville, Pa. READ MORE
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