Join us for PRIDE DAY at the Philadelphia Zoo on Sunday, November 11, packed with activities for the

LGBTQ community. Reduced price tickets when purchased in advance: go to www.waygay.org or 215-732-2220

NOV
2012

waygay
the william way lgbt community center newsletter

Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year

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Untitled 2012

This Issue
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHILADELPHIA, PA PERMIT NO. 5411
P.2 Greetings from the Executive Director TAB Lighting up Open Air on National Coming Out Day P.3 November Calendar P.4 November at a Glance P.6 Around the Center This Month in LGBT History P.7 Queer Fear Cabaret and Costume Closet

TUESDAY SMILLIE FREE OUR SIBLINGS FREE OURSELVES

This November and December the William Way LGBT Community Centers Art Gallery will celebrate transgender and gender non-conforming community through two special exhibitions curated by Emmett Ramstad featuring the works of artist Tuesday Smillie in a solo exhibition entitled Free Our Siblings Free Ourselves and a community created postcard show featuring works from around the country called Trans | Post. An opening reception will be held on Friday, November 9 from 6-8pm at the William Way LGBT Community Center. Solo exhibitor, Tuesday Smillie, is a Brooklyn-based multimedia artist who has an impressive and provocative collection of work dealing with such themes as: the gendered nature of our relationship to emotion, the mythical distortion of distance and time, dangerous femininity, and confronting binaries, to name a few. Smillies work incorporates intricate and layered collage, sewing and watercolor with a distinct queer voice, drawing the viewer into a magical and political world. Free Our Siblings Free Ourselves will include a large hand stitched banner from the Dyke March, as well as mixed media artworks depicting protesters set against cityscapes. Trans | Post is an exhibition of handmade postcards by artists, activists, youth, and community members who identify as transgender, intersex, innersex, genderqueer, nonconforming or gender gifted from around the country. My hope is that the Trans | Post exhibition will show a wide range of artistic styles, outlooks on the world, and really be an exhibition that draws viewers into the special small message that each postcard shares, Emmett Ramstad, curator. The William Way Art Gallery, located in the lobby of the William Way Community Center, is open Monday Friday 9 am 10:00 pm, Saturday - Sunday 11:00 am 7:00 pm.

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INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

On Tuesday, November 20th at 7pm, please join us for a moving tribute and remembrance of the people we have lost due to transphobia and violence. International Transgender Day of Remembrance will feature local speakers, a reading of the names of people who have passed, and an opportunity to come together in community. The Philadelphia transgender and gender non-conforming community is a treasure. It is frequently at the forefront of radical movements and ideas that lead to authentic positive change for the entire LGBTQ Community (Deweys Sit In, the Stonewall Riots, the Comptons Cafeteria Riot, etc)but still we have been reminded that it takes great courage to be trans-visible in a violent society. The Philadelphia Trans* March was held in October and hundreds of people turned out to march with signs that read Justice for Kyra and shouted chants that went hey ho, hey ho, transphobias got to go! In its second year, it continues to thrive and inspire. Similarly, the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference saw around 3,000 visitors from around the world come together for hundreds of workshops, coordinated mostly by dedicated volunteers. In a matter of days, 200 people were organized for a memorial and vigil for Kyra Cordova, a local woman of trans experience who was murdered in September. Following the vigil, a group called Justice for Kyra has been working to bring visibility and support to help solve this crime. Lest we forget when tragedy happens, there is so much to celebrate and honor about the community. Although we come together just once a year to honor those who have passed, its throughout that we must work together to advocate, agitate, and create change. 2

GREETINGS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Its the week after Indigo Ball 2012 and were all still enjoying the great energy generated by 300 guests who celebrated the beauty and diversity of our community in the Franklin Institutes Franklin Hall, under the amused gaze of the huge seated statue of Ben Franklin himself. Thank you to all who supported the event community leaders, volunteers, corporate partners, and the many others who stepped up to make the event (in the opinion of many) the best Indigo Ball ever. We were so pleased and humbled by the rooms generous response to the fundraising request we made that evening. We surpassed our goal by $15,000, raising over $45,000 from generous individuals who contributed that night, on top of the already generous gifts from of our Cornerstone Members and other Center supporters. In the end, we expect to net $60,000 for the more than 70 monthly programs that the center provides to the community 365 days a year. A special thanks to Jeff Gordon, Kim Keegan, Charles Thomas, Romy Diaz and our many friends at PECO for supporting the event in so many ways. At the Indigo Ball, we were also grateful to have the support of our good friends from the Philadelphia Zoo. The Zoo has been a wonderful partner to the Centerrecently co-sponsoring with us and Philadelphia Family Pride a Zoo on Wheels day an event for children of all ages in the Centers Ballroom. Our next event with the Zoo will be Pride Day at the Philadelphia Zoo on November 11th from 10am to 2PM. The $12 reduced ticket price includes live music, an LGBT resource fair and programming for kids and kids at heart. We look forward to seeing you on November 11th! Call the front desk at 215-7322220 for more information. Kudos to Malcolm Lazin and our friends at Equality Forum for organizing an event on Monday, October 1st to honor the opening of the newly dedicated Barbara Gittings Waythe 1200 block of Locust Street in the heart of Center City. Along with my fellow executive directors from our peer LGBT organizations, I read a great quote from Barbarait shows both her spirit and her ability to change the world with her words. Heres the quote I read which still resonates decades later: It was a wonderful feeling to be here and to be out facing the public for the rst time. We were the rst to do this in an organized fashion, to stand up for ourselves. We believedwell, let me put it this waywe were considered weird and sick and perverted and just plain wrong. Even most of the good, straight citizens of this country had been brainwashed into thinking that we were that way. And we felt, No, we are not perverted. We are not sick. We are not weird. And we are not wrong. We are right, and the world is wrong. Thanks again Barbara Gittings, Kay Lahusen, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, and the many other great LGBT Philadelphians who had the courage to change the worldin the revolutionary spirit of a revolutionary city. Several friends of the Center recently mimicked Gittings action, facing the public and demanding to be recognized as right, and not wrong. The Center had been invited by OPEN AIR PHILLY, an interactive work commissioned by the Association for Public Art, to be a featured group during its month-long installation. The installation consisted of 24 huge spotlights creating fantastic light displays over Ben Franklin Parkway, each computer-programmed to react to voice recordings made by individuals of the general public. Center staff opened the opportunity up to the greater LGBTQ community, and together, nine participants spoke out on the evening of October 11th, National Coming Out Day, and invited all of Philadelphia to become a safe space for all. Listen to their messages at http:// tinyurl.com/WWCCOpenAir. There, you can also click on individual participants names to see Google Earth simulations and webcam stills of the corresponding light displays. Finally, mark your calendar now for this years Thanksgiving Potluck at the Center. On Thursday, November 22nd from 1-3PM come by for turkey with all the trimmings. Join your William Way family to give thanks for a terric 2012 and 2013.

BEST INDIGO BALL EVER!

On Saturday, October 6, the Board, staff, patrons, volunteers and friends of the William Way LGBT Community Center celebrated Indigo Ball 2012 at the world-renowned Franklin Institute. The sold-out event raised over $60,000 to support the more than 70 ongoing programs that the Center provides 365 days a year to members of Greater Philadelphias LGBT community. The Center was honored to present Deb Francesco with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Al Besse with the Humanitarian of the Year Award, and name Optimal Sport Health Club as its 2012 Community Partner. Special thanks go out to SharRon Cooks for her commitment to the local LGBT community and her willingness to share her heartfelt story about how the Center has impacted her life with everyone who attended that evening. All of us at the Center were delighted to hear from several guests who have been attending Indigo Ball for over a decade that this was the best one ever! Immediately following the Ball, IndiGoGo 2012 got underway at Voyeur Nightclub in Center City. Over 200 guests of the Ball made their way to IndiGoGo and were joined by hundreds of other partygoers. The clubs three oors were lled with revelrie as the guests danced the night away, thanks to the jockeying skills of DJ Kash, DJ Jovi Baby, DJ Robert Drake, DJ TRPRKPR, and Nasty Sinatra.

SAGEWORKS FORGES ON
The Center has recently received a generous grant through SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) to continue to offer and develop the SAGEWorks program launched back in April. SAGE Philadelphia, the name by which our sister afliates have come to know us, is the rst of ve to implement this impactful program. SAGEWorks is also offered in New York, Chicago, Palm Springs, and Denver. William Ways Senior Programs Coordinator, Ed Miller, was thrilled to receive the call from Tom Weber, Director of Community Services at SAGE. Thats because this is not your typical work readiness program. Yes, it offers training, access to online job search tools, employment assessments and thats just during the Introduction sessions, says Miller, but when we see people come into the David Bohnett Cyber Center, they feel safe and comfortable and begin to network and make connections right away. Another part of the program is developing relationships with community partners to assist with resume building, interview skills, and potentially to offer employment to the participates. Soon we plan to engage younger members of the community to shadow and assist during the computer class which has been shown to forge intergenerational connections and build community.

Guests enjoyed three of the Franklin Institutes spectacular exhibits, as well as music performed by Philadelphia Freedom Band, during the Indigo Ball Cocktail Hour. Credit: Liz Reasey

Former WWCC board member Eric Ashton and current volunteer SharRon Cooks address the audience. Credit: Liz Reasey

Chris Bartlett Executive Director

Three hundred supporters of William Way lled the Franklin Memorial for dinner and the evenings program. Credit: Liz Reasey

IndiGoGo Partygoers take over Voyeurs main oor. Credit: Patrick Hagerty

Although the program has really taken off, it is important that we get the word out to as many folks as possible who can benet from this offering. To register call the Center or register at sageworks@ waygay.org.

Credit: Patrick Hagerty

William Way volunteers welcome guests to IndiGoGo 2012 and show off the brand new William Way t-shirts, produced by Attic Grafx at the Attic Youth Center. Credit: Patrick Hagerty 7

THIS MONTH IN LGBT HISTORY

QUEERING PHILADELPHIAS PRESS
In November, 1979, the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirers Today magazine section featured a story by Lewis Beale about the citys LGBT community called The Gay Society. Seventeen years before, in 1962, Greater Philadelphia Magazine had been the rst mainstream publication to publish an article about the emerging LGBT sub-culture in America. That story was somehwat luridly called The Furtive Fraternity. Between 1962 and 1979, both Philadelphia Magazine and the Inquirer continued to publish other pieces about the citys gay community. Some were condescendingly sympathetic, some offered sensationalistic and controversial peeks at Philadelphias gay twilight world. Even before The Gay Society was published, Beale claimed he received a barrage of calls accusing him of wanting to present another biased, sensationalistic story. What he did write, however, was a straightforward and fairly balanced view of the changes that had taken place in Philadelphia since the 60s, which he got by interviewing a wide cross section of community members. Beale spoke with PGN publisher Mark Segal about how LGBT political clout had contributed to Ed Rendells election as District Attorney. He interviewed Giovannis Room owners Ed Hermance and Arleen Olshan about economics and gay business ownership. Henri David talked about the cultural avant-garde and MCC pastor Rev. Don Borbe discussed religion and social issues within the community. Unlike previous articles, most people who were interviewed used their real names. Beale never touched on bars or sex or spoke of gays as outcasts or sad mists. In fact, he remarked that the gay presence in the city was now accepted as the new normal. In seventeen years, as the press saw it, Philadelphias LGBT residents had gone from being a Furtive Fraternity to an inuential and highly visible Gay Society. - Bob Skiba Visit the John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives at the William Way Center to read Beales entire Gay Society and to browse through the extensive archival collection of articles by Philadelphias press about the LGBT community.

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

This picture of Mark Segal ran as the lead photo to the Inquirers 1979 Today article.

AROUND THE CENTER

A Philadelphia Zoo staff and animals (including this boa), made for a special treat with Zoo on Wheels at Family Play Day on September 22.

On Sunday, September 16th, over 100 community members honored longtime community philanthropist Jim Bryson at the Colonial Dames on Latimer Street. The event was co-sponsored by the Attic Youth Center and WWCC. Credit: Liz Reasey

On National Coming Out Day, October 11, the Center was the Featured Group of Open Air Philly, which created enormous light displays over the Ben Franklin Parkway based on the voice recordings of 9 friends of the Center. To hear and see the outcome go to http://tinyurl.com/WWCCOpenAir. Photos of The Association for Public Arts Open Air Philly by Albert Yee - http://albertyee.com 6 3

NOVEMBER AT A GLANCE
Art Gallery: Tuesday Smillie: Free Our Siblings Free Ourselves Accompanied by a special exhibition: Trans | Post On view in the gallery: November 9 December 28, 2012 This November and December the William Way LGBT Community Centers Art Gallery will celebrate transgender and gender nonconforming community through two special exhibitions curated by Emmet Ramstead featuring the works of artist Tuesday Smillie in a solo exhibition entitled Free Our Siblings Free Ourselves and a community created postcard show featuring works from around the country called Trans | Post. An opening reception will be held on Friday, November 9 from 6-8pm at the William Way LGBT Community Center. FREE. BiUnity Friday, November 9, 7 pm (Second Fridays of every other month) Philadelphias only social and support network for bisexual people, their families, and friends. Free. Book Club: How I Paid For College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship, & Musical Theater by Marc Acito Wednesday, November 21, 7-8 pm A deliciously funny romp of a novel about one overly theatrical and sexually confused New Jersey teenagers larcenous quest for his acting school tuition. How I Paid for College is a farcical coming-of-age story that combines the rst-person tone of David Sedaris with the byzantine plot twists of Armistead Maupin. It is a novel for anyone who has ever had a dream or a scheme. Guys Night Out @ First Person Arts Festival: RISK! with Janeane Garofalo Friday, November 16, 7:15-9:30pm (Purchase required by 11/8, 12pm), $20 RISK! comes to the First Person Arts Festival with headliners Janeane Garofalo (Ratatouille, Wet Hot American Summer, Reality Bites) and Kevin Allison (creator of RISK!, MTVs The State). Joined by dynamic storytellers from the Philadelphia performing arts scene, they tell true stories they never thought theyd dare to share in public, all related to the theme of Thanks. With stories ranging from the hilarious to horric, RISK! is an anything-goes, laugh-outloud smorgasboard of daring and

ridiculous revelations. More info at risk. rstpersonarts.org. We will leave promptly at 7:15pm from WWCC and walk to Underground Arts at The Wolf Building (1200 Callowhill Street; 1 mile). Tickets are $20 (20% off regular price) and must be purchased in advance, by Thursday, November 8th (or while 10 supporters of the William Way joined thousands of other runners in the Rock n Roll Philadelphia Half supplies last). Purchase Marathon on Sunday, September 16. William Way Team runner David Torres raised over $500 for the Center. at www.waygay.org or with cash or check at our death penalty, and to speak out lock,money for coffee, and tires emiller@waygay.org also know that sexuality is an Front Desk (1315 Spruce against the oppression of minority full of air.Riders are responsible ever-evolving part of the human St), by Thursday, November 8th, groups in society, particularly for the care of their own bicycles Silver Foxes experience. This can be hard to 12pm. Bridge Club (Free) persons of color, lesbians, and during the ride. Parkingfor up to 12 believe when living in a culture that Sunday, November 25, 3-5 pm Mondays, 2-5pm gay men. The meeting provides hours costs $7 at the Parkway lot often portrays only youth as sexual, (Every 4th Sunday of the month) Holiday Potluck Party Bridge for the sustenance through worship and on the 3000 block of JFK Boulevard. but we know better! Staying in touch For LGBT 50+ folks. A monthly Thursday, November 22, 3 pm experienced player. other means, to members as they For further information or to RSVP, with your sexy side is an important social and discussion group at the Join us for the 8th annual Reservations required. Call carry their individual witness and contact Hal at tarrhal@yahoo.com part of your happiness and health Center. Light refreshments will be Thanksgiving Day Potluck Dinner. (215) 732-2220 to RSVP. ministry into the world.RSVP is before 4:45 PM on Nov. 9 or at 215at any age. Join us for a pleasureserved and feel welcome to bring Get to know some new people and requested by November 21 to 772-0455. Event will be canceled in based educational workshop where other food. Free. enjoy some great food. The cost of Chess Club (Free) Candice atcthompson@waygay. case of steady rain. well discuss physical and mental admission is simply bringing part Sundays, 4-6pm orgor215-732-2220. For directions paths to pleasure, consider ways Tai Chi Classes of the meal to share with everyone. This is a new inclusive group and info on parking, please Pride Day at the Philadelphia Zoo to stay sensual while experiencing Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm (Nov. 6, 13, Something-for-everyone is the seeking players of all skill visithttp://www.cpmm.org/ bodily and life changes, and November 11, 10 am - 2 pm 20, 27) avor choice, be it a turkey, dessert, levels interested in socializing share ideas about ways to live Join the William Way LGBT Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese vegan, or vegetarian dish. Please and working on their game. A Penny for Your Thoughts as a sexually satised person Community Center and the system of mind-body-spirit health, RSVP to 215-732-2220 and indicate throughout your life! Min. registrants Saturday, November 17, 4-7 pm Philadelphia Zoo as they team up based on the wisdom of the Tao and what item you plan to bring to the LGBT Age 50+ Rap Session 3, Max. registrants 40, Registration This guided discussion on all issues to give you the 4th Annual Pride the I Ching. You will learn the gentle potluck. Thursdays, 1-2pm Deadline: Monday, October 30. which impact lesbian, bisexual and Day. This fun-lled day includes movements and deep breathing This is a unique forum where Register at www.waygay.org. questioning women will provide an reduced admission to the park, of the Yang Style 37 Postures International Transgender Day of people can discuss their opportunity to address a variety live music, free face painting, an Form. Tai Chi can have many Remembrance feelings and experiences WeXist of topics including but not limited LGBT recourse pavillion with over health benets including: lowering Tuesday, November 20, 7 pm related to being LGBT to sexuality, role playing, politics, 25 vendors, and additional LGBTSundays, October 11 & 25, 2-4 pm blood pressure; reducing leg, neck Please join us for the International and age 50 + in a casual, relationships, etc No subject is off themed programs. This is a perfect (Every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the and back pain, etc. For this pilot Transgender Day of Remembrance. open and non-judgmental limits! Each question will be written for event for families, kids, and kids month) workshop, all ages and all tness We honor this day with a multi-faith, environment. This new outlet on a 3 by 5 index card and folded at heart. $12 reduced price tickets Support group for transmen, those levels are welcome! Instructor, Zak multi cultural, ethnic and spiritual has been created by and for in half and cards will be picked available for advance purchase at born female with gender identity Zaklad, PhD has been a practitioner memorial experience for those we older adults. Stop in to share randomly by the co-facilitators, Trina www.waygay.org. questions, and female-to-male of Tai Chi for 17 years and is have lost due to Transphobia and whats on your mind and to Dorman and Yvette Lassiter, MSW, (FTM) transsexuals. Free. afliated with the Patience Tai Chi violence. just listen to what others have and read to the group at large. Queer Writers Collective Association of New York City. FREE. to say. FREE. RSVP is required to info@ *******No Meeting This Month Womens Wednesdays: Plan your Out and Faithful Presents: waygay.org or 215-732-2220 as (Every 4th Saturday of the month) 2013 gatherings! Volunteer Orientation Congregation Crawl: Central Library space is limited. Join this free group for monthly Wednesday, November 28, 5:30Wednesday, November 7, 7:30 pm Philadelphia Friends Meeting See Calendar on pg 3 for workshops and discussions to Volunteer Orientation is a monthly 7:30 pm Sunday, November 25, 11 am hours PhilaVentures: Design Bike Tour develop your unique queer voice information session for new Join us as our facilitator leads a (Friends Center at 1501 Cherry St, Over 10,000 LGBT themed Saturday, November 10, 12 pm via the written word at the Center. volunteers to learn about the dynamic discussion about the Phila. Pa) books and DVDs available for This easy paced, approximately Contact Candice for information at Center and the various ways to get groups 2012 Events, Speakers, Are you looking for a faith check out. (Free) 10-mile ride, was originally offered (215) 732-2220 or info@waygay.org. involved. Call (215) 732-2220 to and Outings. Well spend some community? So are we! Come by Trophy Bikes co-owner Mike Free. register. time highlighting what to keep in church shop with your friends by Mornings OUT Senior McGettigan as part of Design our lineup and then ask everyone joining Crystal and Candice this fall Social (Free) Philadelphias 2011 program. On SageWorks Introduction Volunteer Velada & Dinner to just shout out new ideas and for our Congregation Crawl. This Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm this ride through parts of West Tuesday, November 27, 6 pm suggestions for 2013. Let your Tuesday, November 20, 7 pm month, we will visit the kind folks A social/educational group Philly, Fairmount, Northern Liberties, SageWorks is an employment imagination go wild. Whether you (Every 3rd Tuesday of the month) at Central Phila. Friends Meeting. for older men with occasional Old City, and Center City, well roll assistance program for LGBT adults attend regularly or not now is the Help us fold and assemble our At their service: You will nd that outings, speakers and events. past some highlights and lowlights (40+) that provides access to online time to stop in and add your voice. monthly mailing. Its a big job and the early part of Meeting is often Light refreshments served. of Philadelphia design (architecture, worksearch sites, job coaching, Womens Wednesdays is a senior we need your help! silent, as we put aside our daily parks, etc.). Well stop along resume building, career workshops social group for women 50+. Light concerns and center on being open Mah-jongg (Free) the way in the Piazza, a large, and free computer trainer courses. refreshments served. Free. Way Gay U: Sexy After Sixty: The to the Spirit. Our worship frequently Thursdays, 12pm & 7:30pm landscaped open-air plaza,for This introduction will provide you Mind Boy Mambo includes spoken messages, and For experienced and new coffee and conversation. The ride with information about the program ministry may also include song or Monday, November 5, 7-9pm, players. Mah-jongg is a game in 2011 lasted four hours without and how you can become involved. movement. The meetings strong $30 members/ $35 non-members of skill, strategy, calculation, coffee. Well meet on the west Registration required. For more concerns about social justice have Masters and Johnsons said that and luck for four players. side of 30th Street Station on 30th information or to RSVP please led them to take clear positions we stay the same sexual person Reservations required call Street near Market.Bring helmet, contact Ed Miller at 215-732-2220 or against sexual harassment and the throughout our life. However, we

Recurring Programs
Peer Counseling Monday - Friday, 6:00-9:00 pm One-to-one condential counseling. We help with issues such as coming out, sexual identity and expression, relationships, family issues, isolation, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, legal issues, health and safety concerns. This is a free and condential service. 215-732TALK (8255). PhilaVentures Wissahickon Hike Last Sun of Each Month, 2pm An opportunity for walking at a moderate pace with a talkative group of LGBT people who like fresh air and exercise. Some ups/downs and uneven paths. Meet at former Borders Books in Chestnut Hill. TransWay (Free) Thursdays, 7-9pm A weekly social group for the transgender and genderqueer community. Rainbow Buddhist Meditation (Free) Sundays, 5pm For Buddhists and those interested in Buddhism. Meditation and discussion. Rapid HIV Testing (Free) Mondays, 4-7pm Walk-in condential HIV testing using the OraQuick Advance oral swab test (no blood draw). Testing process takes 30- 45 minutes. Results provided during the appointment.

(215) 732-2220.