On Saturday, June 7, the evening before Philly

PRIDE, the William Way LGBT Community Center

hosted its 4th annual Homecoming celebration.
This year, the staff switched things up a bit by
moving the event from the Mark Segal Ballroom
to the beautiful courtyard at the John C. Anderson
Residences. Guests couldnt have been happier!
The weather was perfect, the food was delicious
(thank you, Giorgio on Pine), and the vibe was
nothing less than magical.
The garden partydecorated with Chinese
lanterns, strings of lights overhead, and owers
on every tablewelcomed over 200 guests to
celebrate the Center and the vibrant and diverse
community it serves. Executive Director, Chris
Bartlett, and host for the evening, the hilarious
and incomparable R. Eric Thomas, welcomed
attendees, raised much-needed funds, and
crowned the 2014 Homecoming Court, which
this year included: Eric Ashton, Lascivious Jane
AKA Heather Coutts, Jasper Liem, Meg Rider,
Jeff Shablin, and JCA resident, Elizabeth Coffey
Williams.
When not engrossed with the antics and activities
on stage, guests dined, mingled, sipped on
specialty gin & tonics prepared by local celebrity
bartender Freddy Shelley, and bid on more than 40
fabulous silent auction items, including Fleetwood
Mac concert tickets, Phillies club box tickets,
one-of-a-kind artwork by Natalie Hope McDonald,
movie posters signed by Divine and John Waters,
bed and breakfast packages, and celebrity meet
and greets, just to name a few. Special thanks to
the Centers Resource Development Committee
Kim Brown, Chris Durr, Mandeep Jangi, Amber
Hikes, Bob Lenahan, Mike Peabody, Meg Rider,
and Paul Steinke for acquiring such amazing silent
auction items.
The Center also extends extra special thanks to
the 2014 Homecoming Host committee, a cadre of
generous individuals that contributed $500 or more
in order to keep admission prices low and sponsor
comp tickets, so that everyone who wanted to
participate in the evenings festivities could afford
to do so. Cheers and thank you to David and Marc
Berman, Brian Fagan and Eric Ashton, Amber
Hikes, Li Foor Hing, Mandeep Jangi, Christina
Kallas, Kim Keegan, Jasper Liem, Michael Pomante
and Dr. Michael J. Anthony, Jeff Shablin and Yul
Giraldo, Jeff Sotland, Laurie Ward, and Michael
Weiss, who contributed all of the beer, wine, and
liquor.
The night was not complete without performances
by local jazz great Dena Underwood; New
York City-based queer country band, Karen &
the Sorrows; and two of Phillys favorite drag
superstars, Icon Ebony Fierce and Ladie Geisha.
All performers generously donated their time and
talent to the event. The Center is so incredibly
lucky to receive such great support from local arts
and nightlife personalities.
Last, but certainly not least, the Center is
very proud to announce that the event met its
fundraising goal of $20,000! We couldnt have
done it without the love and support of the
community. Thank you to everyone who attended
and supported Homecoming 2014!
HOMECOMING: A CROWNING SUCCESS!
The William Way LGBT Community Center | 1315 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | www.waygay.org | (215) 732-2220 | info@waygay.org
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1 Homecoming: A
Crowning Success!
2 Greetings from the
Executive Director
3 July Calendar
4 July At A Glance
6 This Month in
LGBT History
7 Summer Art Exhibition:
Showcasing LGBTQ
Youth Artmakers
7 Save ALL the Dates!
THIS ISSUE
JUL
2014
Photo credit: Samantha Munsch
2
Spring has arrived at William Way,
and we are barrelling full speed ahead
towards Summer. Weve just completed
a wonderful and very successful LGBT
Pride weekendwith Homecoming
2014 bringing in record income and
participation! We lled the lovely garden
courtyard at the John C. Anderson
Apartments with over 200 guestsand
it was a magical experiencewith lovely
music, delicious food, and the special
ambiance of an outdoor garden in the
heart of the City.

At Homecoming, Jazz singer Dena
Underwood performed standards in
the spirit of Billy Holiday, and she was
followed by country band Karen and
The Sorrowswhose delightful and
soulful tunes set the perfect tone for
the last part of the evening. We were
also thrilled to honor our Homecoming
Court who represented a broad range
of leaders from our communities. Im
especially grateful to our emcee for the
evening R. Eric Thomas for eloquently
sharing with the crowd why Willliam
Way had made such a difference in his
lifeand why we should all contribute to
the Centers success. Thank you all for
your contributions!
Speaking of contributions, many
thanks to long-time LGBT pioneer Kay
Lahusen for making two huge gifts to
the Center this past month. Kay sent
a very generous donation to support
William Ways 2015 Reminder Day
exhibit at the National Constitution
Center (opening in June, 2015). That
gift itself would have been cause for
great thanks. But Kay went one step
further: she donated to the Centers
John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives a
true and priceless treasure: the
eye-opening exhibit that Kays
partner Barbara Gittings created
for the 1973 American Psychiatric
Association meeting. At this APA
meeting, Gittings, Frank Kameny and
other activists successfully fought for
the APA to declassify homosexuality as
a mental disorder. The Gittings/Lahusen
1973 exhibit will be one of the core parts
of our 2015 Reminder Day efforts, and
we are very grateful to Kay for entrusting
the Center with this national treasure.
As the planning committee continues its
hard work to prepare for 2015s exhibits
on Independence Mall, we hope youll
mark your calendarsJune and July
2015 are going to bring LGBT history
front and center at the place where
American History started.
In other efforts regarding LGBT history,
weve already begun energetic work on
our efforts to rebuild the Wilcox archives
using funds from the recent three
year $333,000 grant from the William
Penn Foundation. Just this morning,
we met with representatives from the
Conservation Center for Art and
Historic Artifacts (CCAHA). CCAHA
will be consulting with us to insure that
the renovation to the Wilcox Archives
includes the latest technology to protect
our communities historical treasures. In
the upcoming months well be consulting
with structural engineers and architects
to redesign and expand the 3
rd
oor
archives space. The entire archives will
be sent off site during the renovation
and we expect to reopen the space with
great hoopla in early 2015.
Its not too early to mark your calendar
for Indigo Ball 2014, which will be
taking place on Saturday, October 25
th

at 6PM at the Pennsylvania Academy
of the Fine Arts Hamilton Building. A
reminder to all Cornerstone Members
that you should let us know as soon as
possible if you want to reserve your free
ticket to the event. You can call the front
desk at 215-732-2220 to reserve your
Cornerstone ticket.
Finally, Im excited to report that Ill be
joining Mel Heifetz and other friends
of the Center to go to the DNC LGBT
Leadership Council 2014 Gala on
Tuesday, June 17
th
with special guest
President Barack Obama. Im grateful
to Mel for bringing me along for this
special occasion so that I can take an
evening to celebrate a President who
has made such a difference for LGBT
civil rights. Ill report back in the next
newsletter about the evening.
Sincerely,
Chris Bartlett
Executive Director
GREETINGS FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Gittings/Lahusen 1973
exhibit will be one of the core
parts of our 2015 Reminder
Day efforts, and we are very
grateful to Kay for entrusting
the Center with this national
treasure.
3
STAFF
Avis Albaladejo,
Facilities Coordinator
Chris Bartlett,
Executive Director
Eric Bunting,
Facilities Assistant
Jim Crouch,
Maintenance Technician
Chris Hart,
Silver Foxes Coordinator
Ed Miller,
Senior Programs Coordinator
Ezra Nepon,
Interim Development
Coordinator
Michael Pomante,
Development Director
Steve Seran,
Peer Counseling Coordinator
Freddy Shelley,
Bookkeeper
Marshall Siegel,
Front Desk Administrative
Assistant
Candice Thompson,
Director of Center Services
BOARD OF
DI RECTORS
OFFICERS
Jeff Sotland, Esq.,
Co-Chair
Laurie Ward,
Co-Chair
Steve Brando,
Secretary
Kim Keegan,
Treasurer
BOARD
MEMBERS
Jocelyn Block
Anh Dang
Tricia Dressel
Chris Durr
Rudy Flesher
Amber Hikes
Adam Hymans
Mandeep Jangi
Robert Lenahan
Paul Steinke
Leona Thomas
JULY CALENDAR
The William Way LGBT Community Center is a not-for-progit, 501(c)3 organization
serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communites of Greater Philadelphia.
* Indicates a new program
4
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Book Club: Summer Break!
On hiatus for the summer!
The Book Club at the Center will not meet in
July and August but please check back for
our September selection. The Book Club
at the WWCC meets on the 3rd Wednesday
of every month at 7pm for a discussion on a
variety of diverse, LGBTQIA topics. For more
information, contact 215-732-2220.
Out and Faithful Presents Congregation
Crawl:
On hiatus for the summer!
But dont worry, our popular church
shopping event will return in the Fall
with a robust selection of welcoming
congregations to choose from. Whether
you are looking for a spiritual home or are
interested in experiencing spiritual traditions
and rituals other than your own, this is a
great way to tap into the local LGBTQ OUT
and faithful community!

ONGOING
Art Gallery: Proud Exposures: Youth
Identities and Icons
On view in the gallery: July 11 - Aug 29
Opening Reception: Fri, July 11, 6-8 pm
Mural Arts invited printmaker and activist
Leah Girardo to work with students at the
Attic Youth Center, where she has created
a space for young people to creatively
explore their identity. After developing their
own lexicon of identity symbols, students
resisted binaries and have adhered to a
language of gender expression that is
their own. After thorough discussion about
how they see themselves as LGBTQ youth
in the world, the young artists created
introspective self-portraits. By learning the
techniques of printmaking and photography
with Girardo, students screen printed their
invented vocabulary of identity symbols and
formed them into a frame. Inside each frame,
students used the photographs they took
of each other to create cyanotype portraits.
Come and see the full exhibition of youth
work from the Attic and join us for a free
opening reception on Friday, July 11th from
6-8pm. FREE.
John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives: 15th
Anniversary of Philly Dyke March
On view: May 8 August 29, 2014
Opening Reception: Thur, May 8, 6-8pm
Rich in history throughout the country but
especially in Philadelphia, dyke marches
are our protest in response to the corporate,
traditionally male-dominated Pride events.
Year after year, the Philadelphia dyke
march (PDM) brings together hundreds of
self-identied dykes and allies, nurturing a
beautifully diverse, empowering, and dyke-
positive space. As we celebrate our 15th
anniversary, we cannot help but reect with
deepest gratitude to our community, respect
for those who organized and marched
before us, and pride for how far weve come.
Our radical, grassroots history on display
this summer will include photographs from
past marches, newspaper articles, video
footage, signs, banners, memorabilia, and
more.
07 JULY
HIV and Hepatitis C Testing (free and
condential)
Monday, July 7, 21, 3-6 pm
The William Way Community Center is
partnering with BEBASHI, founded in 1985 in
response to the increasing incidence of HIV/
AIDS in the African American communities in
Philadelphia, to provide free and condential
rapid HIV testing and Hepatitis C testing.
Trained counselors will be on-site to provide
testing and education. Drop-ins only.
08 JULY
SAGEWorks Introduction
Tuesday, July 8, 6:30 pm
SageWorks is an employment assistance
program for LGBT adults (40+) that
provides access to online worksearch sites,
job coaching, resume building, career
workshops and free computer training
courses. This introduction will provide you
with information about the program and
how you can become involved. Registration
required. For more information or to RSVP
please contact Ed Miller at 215-732-2220 or
emiller@waygay.org
09 JULY
Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, July 9, 7:30 pm
Volunteer Orientation is a monthly
information session for new volunteers
to learn about the Center and the various
ways to get involved. Call (215) 732-2220 to
register.
11 JULY
Loft23 presents The Game Loft
Friday, July 11, 6-8 pm
(2nd & 4th Fridays)
The game loft is a space geared towards
gamers (21-29 years old) within the
community and is an opportunity to meet
new people, play games, and socialize
outside of the bar/club scene. There will
be board games, a Wii console and PS3
provided within the group space. So come
RECURRI NG PROGRAMS
JULY AT A GLANCE
Bridge Club
Mondays, 2 pm
Party bridge for the experienced player.
Reservations required. Please call the Center
at 215-732-2220.
Mornings OUT Senior Social (Free)
Tuesdays, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
A social/educational group for older men with
occasional outings, speakers and events.
Light refreshments served.
Chess Club (Free)
Sundays, 2 - 4 pm
This is an inclusive group seeking players
of all skill levels interested in socializing and
working on their game. Absolutely free, and
youre guaranteed to hone up on those skills
you havent used in awhile or to learn new
ones!
David Bohnett Cyber Center
Free WiFi in our lobby!
$1 per 15 minutes for WWCC computer use. LGBT Age 50+ Rap Session
Thursdays, 1 - 2 pm
This is a unique forum where people can
discuss their feelings and experiences related
to being LGBT and age 50 + in a casual,
open and non-judgmental environment. This
new outlet has been created by and for older
adults. Stop in to share whats on your mind
and to just listen to what others have to say.
Library (Free)
Mon - Fri 12 - 9 pm
Sat 3 - 5 pm,
Sun 12 - 5 pm.
Mah-Jongg
Thursdays, 12 pm & 7:30 pm
For experienced and new players. Mah-jongg
is a game of skill, strategy, calculation, and
luck for four players. Reservations required
call 215-732-2220.
5
out, join the group and have fun!!!!!! FREE.
15 JULY
Volunteer Velada & Dinner
Tuesday, July 15, 7 pm
(Every 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Help us fold and assemble our monthly
mailing. Its a big job and we need your help!
16 JULY
Womens Wednesdays
Wednesday, July 16, 5:30 pm
Womens Wednesdays is a social and
cultural program for women 50 and over.
18 JULY
Loft 23 presents The Exchange Loft
Friday, July 18, 6-8 pm
(1st & 3rd Fridays)
(No meeting on July 4th)
This month, join us for casual conversation
and mingling at the Center. Loft23 is an
inclusive social/support group where LGBTQ
individuals between the ages of 21 and
29 can have engaging and constructive
experiences that lead to self-improvement
and the development of positive
connections within the community. FREE.
19 JULY
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Saturday, July 19, 2-5 pm
This guided discussion on all issues which
impact lesbian, bisexual and questioning
women will provide an opportunity to
address a variety of topics including but not
limited to sexuality, role playing, politics,
relationships, etc No subject is off limits!
Each question will be written on a 3 by 5
index card, folded in half. The cards are then
picked randomly by the facilitator, Yvette
Lassiter, MSW, and read to the group at
large. FREE. RSVP is required to info@
waygay.org or 215-732-2220 as space is
limited.
24 JULY
SAGEWorks Introduction
Thursday, June 24, 12 pm
SageWorks is an employment assistance
program for LGBT adults (40+) that
provides access to online worksearch sites,
job coaching, resume building, career
workshops and free computer training
courses. This introduction will provide you
with information about the program and
how you can become involved. Registration
required. For more information or to RSVP
please contact Ed Miller at 215-732-2220 or
emiller@waygay.org
25 JULY
Loft23 presents The Game Loft
Friday, 25, 6-8 pm
(2nd & 4th Fridays)
The game loft is a space geared towards
gamers (21-29 years old) within the
community and is an opportunity to meet
new people, play games, and socialize
outside of the bar/club scene. There will
be board games, a Wii console and PS3
provided within the group space. So come
out, join the group and have fun!!!!!! FREE.
26 JULY
IndiGoGo: The Party to End All Parties!
Saturday, July 26, 10 pm - 3am
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street,
Philadelphia)
Philadelphias favorite promoters unite for
one night only! Indigogo is this summers
hottest dance party, with all proceeds
beneting the William Way LGBT Community
Center. From Hip Hop and Top-40 to New
Wave and House, we have you covered.
4+ rooms, 10+ deejays, live performances,
drink specials, go-go dancers, rafe prizes
& much, much more. $10 pre-sale tickets
available now through July 1 at http://
indigogo2014.bpt.me. For more info,
including sponsorship opportunities, contact
Michael at mpomante@waygay.org.

Queer Writers Collective
Saturday, July 26, 3-5 pm
(Every 4th Saturday of the month)
Join this free group for monthly workshops
and discussions to develop your unique
queer voice via the written word at the
Center. Contact Candice for information at
(215) 732-2220 or info@waygay.org. Free.
27 JULY
Silver Foxes
Sunday, July 27, 3-5 pm
(Every 4th Sunday of the month)
For LGBT 50+ folks. A monthly social
and discussion group at the Center. Light
refreshments will be served and feel
welcome to bring other food.
Peer Counseling
Mon - Fri, 6 pm - 9 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. 215-732-
TALK (8255).
PhilaVentures: Wissahickon Hike
Last Sun of the Month, 2 pm
An opportunity for walking at a moderate pace
with a talkative group of LGBT folks who like
fresh air and exercise! Some ups and downs
and uneven paths are found along the way, so
wear proper footwear and be ready to hike!
This groups meets at 2:00 PM at Cosimos
Pizza, 8624 Germantown Ave. at Bethlehem
Pike.
Rainbow Buddhist Meditation
Sundays, 4-5 pm
This free group is for both practicing
Buddhists and those interested in Buddhism
and includes both a discussion and
meditation.
Tai Chi Classes (Free)
Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese system of
mind-body-spirit health, based on the wisdom
of the Tao and the I Ching. You will learn the
gentle movements and deep breathing of the
Yang Style 37 Postures Form. Tai Chi can
have many health benets including: lowering
blood pressure; reducing leg, neck and back
pain, etc. All ages and all tness levels are
welcome!
TransWay (Free)
Thursdays, 7-9 pm
A weekly social group for the transgender and
gender nonconforming community.
6
THE REMINDER DAY DEMONSTRATIONS
On July 4th, 1965, the rst of what was to become ve annual
demonstrations for gay rights occurred in front of Independence
Hall here in Philadelphia. They were called Reminder Day
Demonstrations, to remind the American public that homosexuals
did not enjoy many of the rights that were protected in our
Constitution.
Each year, lesbians and gay men from Washington D.C., New York
and Philadelphia, led by Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings (pictured)
and Craig Rodwell among others, courageously picketed for
equality, in an era when they risked their jobs, their families and
their lives by doing so. The demonstrators chose Independence
Hall for their demonstrations because of its long history as a place
where grievances were aired and where political discourse was
welcome. The pamphlets they handed out were couched in the
same rhetoric about the struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness that Americas founders had used. The last picket took
place in 1969 only days after the Stonewall riots. It was decided to
move the demonstrations to New York the next year, for what would
become Americas rst gay pride parade.
2015 will mark the 50th anniversary of these early gay rights
demonstrations. Organizations around the city will sponsor events,
programs and exhibits dealing with LGBT themes throughout the
commemorative year. From June through October, the John J.
Wilcox Jr. Archives at the William Way Center will present an exhibit
about these historic demonstrations at the National Constitution
Center at Independence Park, within sight of the spot where those
gay pioneers marched.
Contact or visit the William Way Centers LGBT Archives for more
information about the Reminder Day Demonstrations, or the 2015
anniversary year.
Bob Skiba
THIS MONTH IN LGBT HISTORY
Photo Credit: Samantha Munsch
Photo Credit: Samantha Munsch
7
SUMMER ART EXHIBITION:
SHOWCASING LGBTQ
YOUTH ARTMAKERS
Now in its 4th year, the annual collaboration between the William Way Community Center and the Attic
Youth Center continues with a youth exhibition in the Centers art gallery in July and August called
Proud Exposures: Youth Identities and Icons. Community members and supporters are invited to a
special opening night reception with the youth on Friday, July 11 from 6 8pm. Works will be for sale
and one special piece will be up for auction that night only to benet the Attic Youth Center.
The exhibition will include works created through the art programming at the Attic. From Pride Parade
banners to Attic Grafx t-shirts, diverse artistic expressions and media will be on display. This years
exhibition will also feature a new collaboration between the Attic Youth Center and the Mural Arts
Program. As a method of engaging artists working outside mural-making, Mural Arts created the LEAPs
initiative, which stands for Local Emerging Artist Projects. According to Mural Arts, this initiative offers
local artists opportunities to create small, unconventional projects in partnership with student artists.
The youth visit artists studios and workspaces, working side-by-side with them to create collaborative,
temporary works of art.
In partnership with the Attic Youth Center, Mural Arts invited printmaker and activist Leah Girardo to
work with students to teach them the techniques of photography and printmaking which would help
them create self-portraits that will be on display in the gallery. Each portrait will include an image of the
youth surrounded by a frame that is made up of that youths invented identity symbols.
After developing their own lexicon of identity symbols, students resisted binaries and have adhered
to a language of gender expression that is their own. After thorough discussion about how they see
themselves as LGBTQ youth in the world, the young artists created introspective self-portraits...The nal
pieces are beautiful individual representations of each student, unied by the collaboratively created
frames that demonstrate the students collectivity and supportive classroom environment. Leah
Girardo
Proud Exposures: Youth Identities and Icons will be on display in the gallery from July 11 through
August 29, 2014 and visiting hours are M-F 11am-10pm, Sat/Sun 12-5pm.
SAVE ALL THE
DATES!
Im pretty sure 2014 will go down
in history as being one of the
busiest years ever at the Center.
Its only July, and weve already
hosted Homecoming; our Spring
Fling Animal Adoption event;
PrideFit, a community health and
wellness festival; over a dozen
collaborative events; and several
art and archive exhibit opening
receptions. Phew! It sounds like
a lot, but really were only getting
started.
Make sure to add ALL of our
upcoming events to your calendar:
Philadelphias favorite promoters
unite for one night only!
IndiGoGo is this summers
hottest dance party, and all
proceeds benet the Center.
From Hip Hop and Top-40 to New
Wave and House, we have you
covered. 4+ rooms, 10+ deejays,
live performances, drink specials,
go-go dancers, rafe prizes and
more. Saturday July, 26 from
10PM-3AM at Underground
Arts (1200 Callowhill). $10 pre-
sale tickets available through July
1 at http://indigogo2014.bpt.me.
OutBeat: Americas First Queer
Jazz Festival (Sept. 18-21) will
serve as the nale for the Centers
annual music series and highlight
the intersections between sexual
orientation, gender identity,
and jazz history and culture.
OutBeat will feature a vibrant
and eclectic mix of world-
renowned jazz musicians
brought together for once-in-
a-lifetime performances, panel
discussions, and master classes.
Indigo Ball, the premier gala
celebrating LGBT community and
culture in Greater Philadelphia will
take place at the Pennsylvania
Academy of the Fine Arts on
October 25, 2014, from 6-11PM.
Join us and over 350 guests for
this special evening and sell-
out event, which will include a
magnicent 4-course dinner
preceded by butlered hors
doeuvres, a 5-hour open bar in
the museums sculpture galleries,
and hours of mingling and
dancing.
Stay tuned for these and
other exciting Way Gay events
throughout the year. And for
more info on any of the events
above, please contact Michael at
mpomante@waygay.org.
Artwork by Kyah Flythe
Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year
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