The William Way LGBT Community Center | 1315 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | www.waygay.org | (215) 732-2220 | info@waygay.

org

JAN

2015

THIS ISSUE
1 Annual Meeting and
Cornerstone Brunch

2 Greetings from the

Executive Director

3 January Calendar
4 January At A Glance
6 Around the Center
6 This Month in
LGBT History

7 Body, Works from the

Permanent Art Collection

7 John J. Wilcox, Jr.

Archive presents Private
Lives in Public Spaces

7 Supporting Senior
Programs

Help us go paperless! To
receive our newsletter by
e-mail, visit www.waygay.
org and click on the Go
Paperless link, or call (215)
732-2220.

ANNUAL MEETING AND

CORNERSTONE BRUNCH
On Saturday, January 10, the William Way LGBT
Community Center is excited to host our Annual
Meeting and Cornerstone Brunch. All William Way
members are invited and encouraged to attend the
Annual Meeting, which includes a comprehensive
overview of the Centers 2014 activities, programs,
events, and initiatives. Brunch is available for all
Cornerstone Members and other invited guests
at 10:30 AM, and the Annual Meeting, open to all,
starts promptly at noon.
The Annual Meeting is your chance to hear about
the Centers accomplishments over the past year,
and its plans for the next, including details about
our 40 th Anniversary Celebration and exciting
news about Reminder 2015, a year-long, city-wide
commemoration of the 50 th anniversary of the
modern day gay and lesbian civil rights movement.
Its also an opportunity for you to ask questions of
the staff and share your own vision for your Center.
The Centers Executive Director, Chris Bartlett,
will give a State of the Center address which
will include information about the organizations
new strategic plan, as well as other topics, such
as governance, finance, and the Centers role in
building and supporting our community. Bartlett
is especially eager to discuss the success of
OutBeat and all the work being done to enhance
and expand the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives
thanks to a generous grant from the William Penn
Foundation.
Board Treasurer, Anh Dang, will present the
Centers financials for 2013-14, and the approved
budget for 2014-15.

Candice Thompson, Director of Center Services,

will update the audience about innovative
programs, including one of the Centers newest
offerings, Loft23, a social and educational support
group for young adults who have aged out of the
Attic Youth Center. Thompson will also discuss our
ongoing partnership with the John C. Anderson
Apartments, a year-in-review of the art gallery and
archive exhibitions, and volunteer recruitment
and management. Thompson will also review
the important work of Out and Faithful to support
LGBT-affirming congregations throughout the
region.
Michael Pomante, the Centers Director of
Development, will present an overview of the
Centers events and fundraising activities,
including Homecoming, Indigo Ball, membership,
various annual fund appeals, and the strides
weve made in connecting with new corporations
and foundations. Pomante will also discuss the
revamp of IndiGoGo, the Centers annual dance
extravaganza, as well as ongoing collaborations
with partner organizations throughout the city.
Finally, the William Way LGBT Community Centers
Board Nominations committee will present the
slate of new board members for the 2015-16 term.
The Cornerstone Brunch and Annual Meeting are
one of the highlights of the Centers calendar. We
encourage you to save the date so that you can
have direct input into the direction of the Center in
the upcoming year. We look forward to seeing you
on January 10, 2015.

GREETINGS FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Happy Holidays and New Year, dear
friends,
As we enter into 2015, I wanted to thank
you, as I often do, for the support and
energy you provide to our Community
Center. Without the interest and
commitment you show, wed be unable
to keep the doors open 365 days a year.
By keeping our doors open, were able
to create some real magic. Whether
that is providing a warm and safe space
for LGBT people on Thanksgiving, or
creating programs for our LGBT young
adults, or providing employment training
for our seniors, or providing gallery
space for an innovative artistthere is so
much going on here every day because
of your support. Please do consider a
gift at end of yearit helps us to enter
the new year with wind in our sails!
In November, the Center hosted its
annual Board/Staff retreat at the beautiful
Albatross mansion, home of wonderful
Center supporters Kim Brown and
Laurie Flint. I was inspired by the
energy and creativity of the assembled
group. Under the leadership of board
member Leona Thomas, a group of
board members and staff have worked
over the past three years to grow a
consensus about the focus of the Center
in the upcoming years. These focuses
include: 1) innovative programming
that grows participation in the Center;
2) increased fundraising to support the
operations of the Center; 3) energetic
marketing strategies that promote the
Center far and wide; and 4) a facilities
development plan that will allow us to
renovate and further develop our historic
structure at 1315 Spruce Street.
2

The retreat also identified one very

important piece of work to do in 2015:
thats to celebrate the 40th Anniversary
of the Center. A committee has been
organized to build plans for our
40th year, culminating in our largest
Indigo Ball everto take place on
Saturday, October 10th, 2015 at the
National Constitution Center on
Independence Mall. Mark that date on
your calendar now for whats bound to

A committee has been organized

to build plans for our 40th year,
culminating in our largest Indigo
Ball everto take place on
Saturday, October 10th, 2015
at the National Constitution
Center on Independence Mall.
be one of the great events of the year
celebrating the history and future of
one of our communitys most cherished
institutions.
Out of the November retreat, we have
developed marching orders for each of
our volunteer committees, and plenty
of work to keep us busy for 2015. Im
very excited to say that well be unveiling
more of the details of our plans at
our upcoming Annual Meeting and
Cornerstone Brunch on Saturday,
January 10, 2015, and we look forward
to discussing these ideas with you, the
major supporters and stakeholders of
the Center.
Well also be celebrating the many
members of the Center who have
remembered the Center in their
legaciesso if you have remembered
the Center in a planned gift through a

will or trust, please send me an email

to bartlett.cd@gmail.com so that I can
be sure to acknowledge you during the
brunch.
Earlier in the month I met with David
Devan, General Director and President
of Opera Philadelphia. Devan is a
brilliant visionary for arts and culture
in the region, and it was a delight to
brainstorm ways that William Way and
Opera Philadelphia can cooperate.
Later today, Im meeting with Opera
Philadelphia staff to discuss an important
collaboration for February 2015: the East
Coast premiere of Oscar. This is a new
opera featuring the life of Oscar Wilde,
and its a perfect partnership between
Opera Philadelphia and the William Way.
We plan to host an evening at the opera
(stay tuned for details about tickets) as
well as a discussion about this important
new opera. If youre interested in finding
out more, please drop me a line at
wwccedir@waygay.org.
Finally, I want to welcome new staff
member John Anderies, the newly
appointed Archivist of the John J.
Wilcox, Jr. Archives at the William
Way. Through a three-year grant from the
William Penn Foundation, we were able
to hire John to work alongside curator
Bob Skiba to transform the archives in its
soon-to-be-expanded space. Anderies
hails from the Archives at the University
of Pennsylvania and Haverford College.
We are thrilled to bring his expertise to
the expansion and further promotion of
our archives.
Sincerely
Chris Bartlett
Executive Director

JANUARY CALENDAR

STA FF

Avis Albaladejo
Facilities Coordinator
John Anderies
Archivist of the
John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archive
Chris Bartlett
Executive Director
Eric Bunting
Facilities Assistant
Jim Crouch
Maintenance Technician
Will Jordan
Bookkeeper
Ed Miller
Senior Programs Coordinator
Ezra Nepon
Interim Development
Coordinator
Michael Pomante
Development Director
Steve Serafin
Peer Counseling Coordinator
Marshall Siegel
Front Desk Coordinator
Bob Skiba
Curator of the
John J. Wilcox, Jr Archive
Candice Thompson
Director of Center Services

BOA R D OF
DIR ECTORS
OFFICERS
Jeff Sotland, Esq.
Co-Chair
Laurie Ward
Co-Chair
Steve Brando
Secretary
Kim Keegan
Treasurer

BOA R D
MEMB ERS
Jocelyn Block
Anh Dang
Tricia Dressel
Chris Durr
Rudy Flesher
Amber Hikes
Adam Hymans
Mandeep Jangi
Robert Lenahan
Paul Steinke
Leona Thomas

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

JANUARY AT A GLANCE
ONGOING
Art Gallery: Body: Works from the
Centers permanent art collection
On view in the gallery: January 9 February 27, 2015
Opening Reception: Friday, January 9,
6-8pm
The Art Committee is pleased to present
a special selection of works from the
Centers growing permanent art collection in
celebration of the Centers 40th anniversary
in 2015. The exhibition will explore the
theme Body as both a play on words to
represent the collection of work and as a
vehicle through which to celebrate queer
bodies, to explore ideas around sexuality
and gender identity, and to think critically
about the ways in which we use our bodies
to affirm our identities.
John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archive presents
Private Lives in Public Spaces: Bringing
Philadelphias LGBT History Out in the
Open
December 1, 2014 February 28, 2015
The Wilcox exhibition gallery at the Center
is pleased to welcome home an exhibition
created in partnership with the Philadelphia
History Museum through their community
voices program. For those who were not
able to see it while it was installed at the
museum, this is another chance to view
the history panels and original materials
included in the show including items from
the Caulfield and Suarez special collection
detailing two mens journey across the
world together, a community photo wall with
snapshots of community activists from the
60s, 70s, and 80s, and many other items
rarely seen by the public from the Centers
archival stacks! The Wilcox gallery is free
and open to the public during the Centers
operating hours.

02 JANUARY
Loft 23 presents The Exchange Loft
Friday, January 2, 16, 6-8 pm
(1st and 3rd Fridays)
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.

05 JANUARY
HIV and Hepatitis C Testing (free and
confidential)
Monday, January 5, 19, 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 confidential
rapid HIV testing and Hepatitis C testing.
Trained counselors will be on-site to provide
testing and education. Drop-ins only.

07 JANUARY
Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, January 7, 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.

09 JANUARY
Loft23 presents The Game Loft
Friday, January 9, 23, 6-8 pm
(2nd and 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.

10 JANUARY
Annual Meeting
Saturday, January 10, 12pm
All William Way members are invited and
encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting,
which includes a comprehensive overview
of the Centers 2014 activities, programs,
events, and initiatives. The Annual Meeting
is your chance to hear about the Centers
accomplishments over the past year, and
its plans for the next, including details
about our 40th Anniversary Celebration
and exciting news about Reminder 2015,
a year-long, city-wide commemoration of
the 50th anniversary of the modern day gay
and lesbian civil rights movement. Its also
an opportunity for you to ask questions of
the staff and share your own vision for your
Center.

13 JANUARY
SAGEWorks Introduction
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6:30 pm (separate
individual session)
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. Take the first step and Register

R ECUR RING PROG R A MS

Bridge Club
Mondays, 2 pm
Party bridge for the experienced player.
Reservations required. Please call the Center
at 215-732-2220.
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!

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.
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.

David Bohnett Cyber Center

Free WiFi in our lobby!
$1 per 15 minutes for WWCC computer use.

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.

at http://sage.business-access.com/
sage. Once you register online please call
the Center to attend one of our introduction
sessions. For more information or to RSVP
please contact Ed Miller at 215-732-2220 or
emiller@waygay.org

17 JANUARY
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Saturday, January 17, 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.

20 JANUARY
Volunteer Velada & Dinner
Tuesday, January 20, 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!

21 JANUARY
Womens Wednesdays
Wednesday, January 21, 5:30 pm
Womens Wednesdays is a social and
cultural program for women 50 and over the
third Wednesday of every month from 5:30 7:30pm.

Peer Counseling
Mon - Fri, 6 pm - 9 pm
One-to-one confidential 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 confidential service. 215-732TALK (8255).

22 JANUARY

COMING IN JANUARY

SAGEWorks Introduction
Thursday, Jan., 22 pm (separate
individual session)
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. Take the first step and Register
at http://sage.business-access.com/
sage. Once you register online please call
the Center to attend one of our introduction
sessions. For more information or to RSVP
please contact Ed Miller at 215-732-2220 or
emiller@waygay.org

Out and Faithful: Living Into

Community, The Religious Response to
the AIDS Crisis
Coming in January, check the web site
for date and time at www.waygay.org
Join us for an evening of storytelling,
reflection, and connection. The Center
has invited storytellers from various faith
perspectives and experiences to share
their memories and insights around helping
individuals and their loved ones find
religious support during the height of the
AIDS Crisis of the 1980s and 90s. Well
bring to light the oftentimes invisible face of
caring in faith communities and stories of
living in times of uncertainty while moving
towards resilience. From certain death
to long lives, the evening will also explore
what religious and spiritual ministries for
people with the virus look like today and
how theyve been informed by some of
the spiritual trauma experienced by so
many in the LGBTQ, ally, and HIV-positive
communities.

24 JANUARY
Queer Writers Collective
Saturday, January 24, 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.

25 JANUARY
Silver Foxes
Thursday, January 25, 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. This month
the Silver Foxes are specially invited to the
Centers holiday dinner on December 26th in
leu of their regular monthly meeting.

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 benefits including: lowering
blood pressure; reducing leg, neck and back
pain, etc. All ages and all fitness levels are
welcome!

TransWay (Free)
Thursdays, 7-9 pm
A weekly social group for the transgender and
gender nonconforming community.

AROUND THE CENTER

THIS MONTH IN LGBT HISTORY

Left: Holiday Decorations by

volunteers Frank Mueller and
Herb Tapper.

MAE POLAKOFF AND JOEY HARDMAN

MorningsOut field trip to UPENN Museum

In 1960, Philadelphia activists formed a local chapter of the national

Mattachine Society. Mattachine had been formed ten years earlier in
California as a support, educational, and activist group with a primarily
gay male membership. In Philadelphia, however, not only was the chapter
open to both women and men but Philadelphias first Mattachine chair
was a lesbianMae Polakoff, who went by the pseudonym Mae Josias.
(Concerned with job security, harassment and relationships with family and
friends, many early activists used pseudonyms to protect their identities.)
Mae was outgoing and energetic. Friends described her as looking like a
blonde Jewish lady from the suburbs. She had struck up a relationship
with her butch lover, Joey Hardman, after the two met at Rustys lesbian
bar. Under Plakoffs leadership, the organization sponsored discussion
groups, outings, lectures and plays. Meetings of the 30 or so member group
were often held either at Maes house in West Philadelphia, or at Joeys in
South Philadelphia. Since Mae worked as a stenographer and ran her own
business, Mattachine newsletters were run off on her office mimeograph
machine.

Wells Fargo staff delivering a donation for Senior Programs

Late in 1961, the national organization decided to disband and to revoke all
local charters. Mattachine Philadelphia renamed itself the Janus Society of
Delaware Valley and continued with Mae Polakoff as president. In December
of 1962, Mae publicized the Janus Society and the local homophile
movement by appearing on Ed Harveys The Talk of Philadelphia radio
programa big step in visibility.
In the fall of 1963, Mae Polakoff stepped down as president of the Janus
Society, handing over the reins to Clark Polak, who took the organization in
a very different, male oriented, direction. Both Mae and Joey quietly faded
from the Philadelphia homophile movement.
To learn more about Mae Polakoff, Joey Hardman, the Janus Society and
Clark Polak, see Marc Steins City of Sisterly & Brotherly Loves, University
of Chicago Press, 2000.

- Bob Skiba, John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives of Philadelphia

#GivingTuesday was a great success!
6

Photo credit: Joey Hardman and Mae Polakoff, photo courtesy of the John J. Wilcox Jr.
LGBT Archives of Philadelphia

SUPPORTING SENIOR
PROGRAMS

An untitled work from 1988 that will be on display by Philadelphia

artist Clyde Sams (b. 1950, d. 1998) The artist was an outspoken gay
activist, long-term member of Dignity, and an Action AIDS volunteer.

BODY, WORKS FROM THE PERMANENT ART

COLLECTION

The gallery will feature works from the permanent collection in January and February. Please
join us for an opening reception with wine and cheese and members of the Art Gallery
Committee on Friday, January 9 from 6-8pm.

All of us at the Center would like to thank the

individuals, corporations, and foundations
that have supported the creation and
implementation of senior programs both
at the Center and at the John C. Anderson
Apartments. For more than a decade, senior
services has been one of the strongest as
well as the fasting growing programs at
the Center, and its thanks to your ongoing
support that weve been able to meet the
emergent needs of our seniorsthose
who started the gay and lesbian civil rights
movement, fought the AIDS crisis, and
paved the way for the myriad of rights and
privileges we, as a community, enjoy today.
In particular, we want to thank the Board of
Directors of the dmhFund, as well as Micah
Mahjoubian and Mark Segal, for connecting
the William Way Community Center to
numerous resources that have supported
our senior programsincluding a grant
from the Philadelphia Corporation For Aging
(PCA), funding from Pennrose Properties,

The art gallery at the William Way LGBT Community Center will help to celebrate a year-long
homage to the organizations 40th anniversary in 2015 with Body, a show featuring works and
artists from the Centers rich and ever-growing permanent art collection. More than a dozen
rarely seen pieces will be showcased in the exhibition and each will touch upon the myriad
ways LGBTQ people expose, modify, use, interpret and display their bodies through art, which
is a recurring theme running throughout the collection.
This is an exciting time for the Centers permanent art collection. The Center is a wonderful
collector and steward of queer art, and over the next three to five years well be working to
better document, preserve, and produce public programming around the collection, so stay
tuned, -Candice Thompson, Director of Center Services.
The Art Gallery at the William Way Community Center highlights local and emerging LGBTQ
artists and is open and free to the public during our normal business hours which are
Monday through Friday, 11am-10pm and on weekends from 12 - 5pm. If you have a group
and would like to schedule a private tour of the gallery, please contact Candice Thompson at
cthompson@waygay.org or 215-732-2220.

JOHN J. WILCOX, JR. ARCHIVE PRESENTS

PRIVATE LIVES IN PUBLIC SPACES:
Bringing Philadelphias LGBT History Out in the Open
December 1, 2014 February 28, 2015

The Wilcox exhibition gallery at the Center

is pleased to welcome home an exhibition
created in partnership with the Philadelphia
History Museum through their community
voices program. For those who were not able
to see it while it was installed at the museum,
this is another chance to view the history
panels and original materials included in
the show including items from the Caulfield
and Suarez special collection detailing two
mens journey across the world together,
a community photo wall with snapshots of
community activists from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and many other items rarely seen by
the public from the Centers archival stacks! The Wilcox gallery is free and open to
the public during the Centers operating hours.

Celebrating community with the seniors

at the John C. Anderson Apartments at
Homecoming 2014.
and numerous dmhFund grants. When
longtime friend, advocate, and supporter of
the Center, Mark Segal, and the dmhFund
began work on the John C. Anderson
Apartments many years ago, they promised
the William Way Center that they would
support us in pursuing our programs both
at 1315 Spruce Street and the new senior
living facility, and they continue to deliver on
that promise.
The Center staff continues to work tirelessly
to raise funds to support current and new
programs that will serve our seniors, keep
them connected to the community, and
advocate for their voices to be heard.
We look forward to our continued
partnership with the John C. Anderson
Residences and its residents as well as
ongoing collaboration with the dmhFund,
PCA, and Pennrose Properties. If youd like
more information about ways to support
senior programs at the Center, please
contact Michael Pomante at 215-732-2220
or mpomante@waygay.org.

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