JAN

2013

waygay
the william way lgbt community center newsletter

THIS ISSUE
1 Intimately Preserved on View January 11 through March 29, 2013 2 Greetings from the Executive Director 3 January Calendar 4 January at a Glance 6 This month in LGBT history 6 Around the center 7 Thank you and farewell to our outgoing Board Members 7 The 2012-2013 Live Music Series continues!

I keep asking myself what it means to be alive, to do little mundane things, to display things that we touch daily like receipts and records. Here I am sorting through five boxes that belonged to two Philadelphians and I am inspired by their notes and blank papers- things that an organizer (and myself) would have told them to recycle. But, because they are at the archive, and I am a volunteer, I am keeping them, sorting them. They hold a different value because they are in an archive. Preserved for posterity. Emmett Ramstad.

INTIMATELY PRESERVED ON VIEW JANUARY 11 THROUGH MARCH 29, 2013

the community and even the William Way staff to look at the archival collection with new eyes, says Candice Thompson, Director of Center Services. Listing of Public Programming Thursday January 24th, 6pm: Photos and tee shirts, buttons and matchbooks, pulp novels, early homophile journals and much, much more! Come explore the hidden treasures of the John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives at the William Way Center with archivist and local historian Bob Skiba. Sunday February 24th, 12-3pm: Come print your own posters on a printing press in the gallery! Letterpress printing event with artist Eli VandenBerg inspired by historical LGBT posters and ephemera. Make your own poster to take home or to donate for posterity. Wednesday Feb 27th, 6-7pm: Lecture Ungilding the Gold Star Gay, by writer and academic Aren Aizura and artist Emmett Ramstad. Feb 21st, Feb 28th, March 4th and March 11th, 5-6:30pm: Art in the Archive, free art classes with artist Emmett Ramstad. Participants will explore the LGBT archives for inspiration for mixed media artworks including printmaking and collage that will then be displayed as a part of the exhibition. Participants must commit to all four sessions. Space is limited and priority is given to youth and elders, email: emmett@emmettramstad.com to enroll. For more information on the exhibition and free events visit: www.intimatelypreserved.tumblr.com.

Intimately Preserved is a solo exhibition of artwork by Emmett Ramstad inspired by historical research at LGBT archives in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Bloomington, Indiana. Visually investigating the kept, the intimate and the ordinary through sculpture and print, this exhibition reveals how saving particular objects, arranging them just so, and disposing of other items marks us as both similar to and unique from each other. This is the first of the 2013 quarterly exhibitions in the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives Gallery and will kickoff with an opening wine and cheese reception on Friday, January 11th from 6 to 8 pm in the Centers grand lobby. Intimately Preserved goes beyond history telling and interprets and imagines LGBTQ history in a way the gallery has yet to explore. We are extremely excited to get behind community curators and artists who are exploring the intersections of art making and historical interpretation. Its an innovative approach that allows

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

Staff

Avis Albaladejo, Facilities Coordinator Chris Bartlett, Executive Director Paul Blore, Executive Assistant Eric Bunting, Facilities Assistant Andrea Childs, Front Desk Coordinator Phil Cochetti, Bookkeeper Jim Crouch, Maintenance Technician Chris Hart, Facilities Assistant Ed Miller, Senior Programs Coordinator Michael Pomante, Development Director Steve Serafin, Peer Counseling Coordinator Marshall Siegel, Receptionist Candice Thompson, Director of Center Services

GREETINGS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I recently was riding my bike on Broad Street when I ran into world-renowned composer Jennifer Higdon, who is our neighbor on Spruce Street and whose music we will feature at our January 12th, 2013 concert in our ballroom. We had a chat about the upcoming concert and our efforts to promote it. Higdon holds the Milton L. Rock Chair in compositional studies at the Curtis Institute and is one of the most-played living American composers. If you havent heard her music, youre in for a treat on January 12th youll have a rare chance to hear a composers music and engage with her in a Q&A after the performance. Were thrilled that pianist ChingYun Hu, who has performed concerts for us for three years now, will return that evening to perform Higdons Secret & Glass Gardens. She will also join Philadelphia Orchestra violist Judy Geist for the Higdon Viola Sonata. The concert will be rounded out with additional pieces from Ching-Yuns repertoire. I should also mention that Higdon and Geist are both out lesbians, and have had longstanding connections with the Center. We are thrilled that they have agreed to support the Center by joining us on January 12th both for a preconcert VIP reception, as well as a Q&A with the audience following the concert. Ive been telling friends that I believe that this concert will be one of the artistic highlights of the classical season in Philadelphia. I predict that if you come, you wont ever forget what youll hear. So please buy a ticket now, before we sell out!! Call the front desk at 215732-2220 to reserve your seat. In other exciting news, the William Way LGBT Community Center was nominated by Philebrity (a well-known social media blog) as Non-Profit of the Year. Well be attending the award ceremony on Wednesday, December 19th to see whether we winand were currently 250 votes ahead of the competition. Well report back next month on how we did. The Philebrity nomination is a result of our efforts to make the community center more visible in the growing entrepreneurial and high-tech worlds inhabited by Philebrity readers. William Way was the first LGBT organization to receive this nomination, and we are excited that the Centers work is being acknowledged both inside and outside the LGBT community. January 19th, 2013 at 11AM. If you are a Cornerstone Member, you will receive your invitation in the mail. All Center members are invited to join us at 12:30 PM for a presentation of the State of the Center, followed by election of new board members. Please RSVP at 215-732-2220.

Board of Directors

Officers Stephanie Gross, Co-Chair Jeff Sotland, Esq., Co-Chair Ann Butchart, Treasurer Steve Brando, Secretary

Board Members

Jocelyn Block Tricia Dressel Rudy Flesher Ted Greenberg, Esq. Moira Mulroney Hatch Amber Hikes Adam Hymans Leon A. King, II, Esq. Kathy McLean Brad Richards Jeff Sotland Laurie Ward

Finally, I wanted to extend my deepest thanks to the four members of our Board of Directors who are completing their terms as of January, 2013. Ann In another effort to increase our Butchart, Ted Greenberg, Steph visibility, were competing in Gross and Moira Mulroney have the Philly DoGooder Non-Profit each served the board with great Video Awards. From now through distinction. Steph is a current January 31st, you can vote for co-chair of the Board, Ted is a our video, featuring front desk past co-chair, and Ann served for volunteer and peer counselor many years as Treasurer. Moira SharRon Cooks, by going to www. took the lead on our deliberations phillydogooder.com. Thanks to on LGBT senior housing. Each both SharRon and videographer brought tremendous commitment Peter Lien for their contributions to and integrity to their hard work on our efforts. the Board, and we are excited that each in their own way will remain Many of you have stopped me involved in the important work of on the street to ask about the the Center. process for getting on the waiting list for the new John C. Anderson Best wishes for a very happy Apartmentsthe LGBT-friendly and successful 2013 for you and community for seniors being yours, built around the corner from us. Please stay tuned, but a leasing Chris Bartlett office for the new housing will be Executive Director opening at the William Way in the Spring. Well make sure that you have all the latest news so that you can spread the word when leasing begins. At our public meeting in November, we announced that our fundraising has been down in the areas of grants and individual donations. We are redoubling our efforts now at end-of-year to insure that we can continue to keep our doors open 365 days a year to meet the needs of our diverse community. If you are able to make a gift to support us today, please do so either by using our handy on-line portal (www.donate.waygay.org) or by sending a gift by mail. Thank you very much for your support. Please mark your calendars for the annual Cornerstone Brunch and Annual Meeting on Saturday,

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.

JANUARY CALENDAR

JANUARY AT A GLANCE
Annual Membership Meeting Saturday, January 19, 12:30pm All are invited to the Annual Meeting held at the Center on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at 1 pm. During this important meeting, the public will learn about the Centers future and direction and Center members will have the opportunity to vote on candidates running for the Board of Directors. All are invited and encouraged to attend! Art Gallery: Works from the Centers Permanent Art Collection On view in the gallery: January 11 February 22 Opening Reception: Friday, January 11, 6-8 pm The William Way Community Center has over 100 pieces in its permanent collection of art by LGBTQ artists. This substantial collection is rarely seen by the public, so please join us for an opportunity to explore these treasures from local visionaries. BiUnity Friday, January 11, 7 pm (Second Fridays of every other month) Philadelphias only social and support network for bisexual people, their families, and friends. Free. Book Club: Affinity by Sarah Waters Wed, January 16, 7-8 pm (Third Wed of the month) Set in and around the womens prison at Milbank in the 1870s, Affinity is an eerie and utterly compelling ghost story, a complex and intriguing literary mystery and a poignant love story with an unexpected twist in the tale. Surrounded by prisoners, murderers and common thieves, Margaret feels herself drawn to one of the prisons more unlikely inmates the imprisoned spiritualist Selina Dawes. Sympathetic to the plight of this innocentseeming girl, Margaret sees herself dispensing guidance and perhaps friendship on her 4 visits, little expecting to find herself dabbling in a twilight world of seances, shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions. Classical Music Concert featuring works by Jennifer Higdon, performed by ChingYun Hu and Judy Geist Saturday, January 12, VIP Meet-the-Artist Reception with Higdon, Hu and Geist, 6pm: $75 Concert, 7pm: Members $25; Non-Members $30 This concert will feature several pieces by Jennifer Higdon, a Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award winning composer based out of Philadelphia. World-class pianist Ching-Yun Hu plays her third concert for the Center, performing Higdons Secret and Glass Gardens, as well as her Sonata for Viola and Piano. For the latter, Hu is joined by Philadelphia Orchestra violist Judy Geist, who played with her own chamber music ensemble, EnSemBle M, at the Center last May. Hu will play additional pieces of her choosing. Higdon will be in attendance for the concert as well as a VIP, Meet-the-Artist Reception that will include food and wine, plus beverages generously provided by YARDS Brewing Co. and El Dorado Rum. Supported by Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Music Project. Guys Night Out @ The Print Center Thursday, January 17, 5:15pm This month, we will attend the opening reception of the latest exhibit at The Print Center, a gallery devoted to the art of printmaking and photography. This exhibit features the work of artists Jennifer Greenburg, Talia Greene, and Anne Massoni. We will leave William Way promptly at 5:15pm, and walk to The Print Center (1614 Latimer Street, 0.3 mi), to enjoy the works, refreshments, and gallery talks with the artists and curator. For more details, visit www. printcenter.org/pc_exhibition. html. RSVP to pblore@ waygay.org or 215-732-2220. This diverse group of GBT men meets monthly for social and cultural opportunities of interest. FREE. John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives: Intimately Preserved by Emmett Ramstad On view: January 11 March 29, 2013 Opening Reception: Friday, January 11, 6-8 pm Intimately Preserved is a solo exhibition of artwork by Emmett Ramstad inspired by historical research at LGBT archives in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Bloomington, Indiana. Visually investigating the kept, the intimate and the ordinary through sculpture and print, this exhibition reveals how saving particular objects, arranging them just so, and disposing of other items marks us as both similar to and unique from each other. John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives: Free Tour Thursday, January 24, 6 pm Photos and tee shirts, buttons and matchbooks, pulp novels, early homophile journals and much, much more! Come explore the hidden treasures of the John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives at the William Way Center with archivist and local historian Bob Skiba. Out and Faithful Presents: Congregation Crawl: Mishkan Shalom Synagogue, Manayunk Saturday, January 12, 10 am (4101 Freeland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128) Are you looking for a faith community? So are we! Come church shop with your friends by joining Crystal and Candice for our monthly Congregation Crawl. This month, we will visit the kind folks at the Mishkan Shalom Synagogue. The service will be led by Rabbi Yael Levy and will be a Way in Service Meditation. Mishkan Shalom was founded in 1988 with a Statement of Principles that expresses the synagogues commitment to integrating three areas of Jewish life: Torah - study, Avodah prayer and Gmilut Hasadim/Tikkun Olam acts of caring and repair of the world. For more info on this congregation, please visit mishkan.org. Please RSVP to Candice at cthompson@ waygay.org by Thursday, January 10. CARPOOLING from the Center is available, please inquire. A Penny for Your Thoughts Saturday, January 19, 4-7 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 and folded in half and cards will be picked randomly by the co-facilitators, Trina Dorman and 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. Queer Writers Collective Saturday, January 26, 4-6 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. SageWorks Introduction Tuesday, January 8, 6 pm & Thursday, January 24, 12 pm (separate, individual sessions) 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 trainer courses. This introduction will provide you with information about the

Each Thanksgiving, the Center hosts a potluck dinner open to the public. Were always delighted by the sight of community in action, as volunteers come out to pitch in and create a welcoming home for the holiday.

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 Silver Foxes Sunday, January 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. Tai Chi Classes Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm (January 8, 15, 22, 29) 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. For this pilot workshop, all ages and all fitness levels are welcome! Instructor, Zak Zaklad, PhD has been a practitioner of Tai Chi for 17 years and is affiliated with the Patience Tai Chi Association of New York City. FREE. Volunteer Orientation Wednesday, January 2, 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. Volunteer Velada & Dinner Tuesday, January 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!

Womens Wednesdays: Movie Night: Chely Wright: Wish Me Away Wed, January 16, 5:30-7:30 pm Chely Wright: Wish Me Away is the story of Chely Wright, the first Nashville music star to come out as gay. Over three years, the filmmakers were given extraordinary access to Chelys struggle and her unfolding plan to come out publicly. Using interviews with Chely, her family, her pastor, and key players in the music world, alongside Chelys intimate private video diaries, the film goes deep into her back story as an established star and then forward as she steps into the national spotlight to reveal her secret. Womens Wednesdays is a senior social group for Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender women 50 +. Light refreshments served.

RECURRING PROGRAMS
Bridge Club (Free) Mondays, 2-5pm Party Bridge for the experienced player. Reservations required. Call (215) 732-2220 to RSVP. Chess Club (Free) Sundays, 4-6pm This is a new inclusive group seeking players of all skill levels interested in socializing and working on their game. LGBT Age 50+ Rap Session Thursdays, 1-2pm 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 See Calendar on pg 3 for hours Over 10,000 LGBT themed books and DVDs available for check out. (Free) Mornings OUT Senior Social (Free) Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm A social/educational group for older men with occasional outings, speakers and events. Light refreshments served. Mah-jongg (Free) Thursdays, 12pm & 7:30pm 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. Peer Counseling Mon - Fri, 6:00-9:00 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. 215-732-TALK (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 the Cosimos Pizza (8624 Germantown Ave. at Bethlehem Pike). 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 confidential HIV testing using the OraQuick Advance oral swab test (no blood draw). Testing process takes 30- 45 minutes. Results provided during the appointment. 5

THIS MONTH IN LGBT HISTORY

OH, DEM GOLDEN SLIPPERS!
They were called female impersonators, character types, lovely creatures, drag queens, pansies, divas; they were straight, bi, gay and queer. For over a century, hundreds of men used the all-male bastion of the Philadelphia Mummers New Years Day Parade to create a space in which they could publicly defy expectations about gender. Since the city began offering a cash award for its Best Female Impersonator in 1901, competitors like Frank Carter, pictured here in 1915, won awards and glory for their clubs year after year. In some years, over a hundred drag queens participated, making it possible for members of the whole spectrum of the gender variant community to be more visible, both in the parade and in the audiences that lined Broad Street. The Mummers finally began including women in the late 1970s, just about the same time the Trilby String Band mounted a production called Las Vegas on Broadway featuring several local diva impersonators. A few years later, in 1984, they presented La Cage aux Folles, a tribute to the gaythemed Broadway show of the same name. The Philadelphia Gay News carried a story about the openly gay Philadelphians who took part in the show, calling them Our Boys in the Band. The number of female impersonators in the Parade has waned since the early 1990s and the prize has not been awarded in a long time. This year, however, its been announced that Brittany Lynn and her Drag Brigade will join the New Years Day Celebration, each performer dressed to match a fancy brigade. These ten experienced, Philadelphia area performers will continue the glorious tradition of all those daring, outrageously costumed impersonators who for a hundred years managed to outshine even the glitziest, most befeathered, bespangled Mummer. For more information and photos visit archivist Bob Skibas Deceptive Creatures: 100 Years of Philadelphia Mummers Drag, Trans and Gender Variance flickr site at http://tinyurl.com/b9psxe6

AROUND THE CENTER

The gentlemen of MorningsOut on their visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art on December 4.

Several guests of Whisker Wonderland won tremendous raffle baskets with items donated from local businesses, BONeJOUR Pet Supply, DoggieStyle, PupTales, Rittenhouse Pet Supply, and Spots Spot & Spa. (Credit: Liz Reasey)

At Whisker Wonderland on December 8, pet owners had the chance to take a picture with Santa! (Credit: Liz Reasey)

THANK YOU AND FAREWELL TO OUR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS

The Staff and Board of Directors of the William Way LGBT Community Center express our deep gratitude to four board members who will complete their terms in January, 2013. Each contributed generously of their time, talent and treasure, and the Center benefitted greatly from their generosity and stewardship. Executive Director Chris Bartlett said, We are so sad to lose Ann, Ted, Stephanie and Moira from the Board at the end of their terms, but we are very happy that they will each continue to contribute to the Center in new ways. Ann Butchart, a judge on the Court of Common Pleas, served as board member for six years, and was an esteemed and trusted Treasurer for much of that time. Her deep integrity and commitment to the Center insured that the Centers finances were always under the strongest stewardship. As one of our most generous donor couples, Ann and her partner Marian Luongo contributed to numerous projects to support the long-term health of the Center. Board Secretary Steve Brando said, We could never have a board member with more integrity and commitment than Judge Butchart. Well miss her warmth and fine sense of humor on the Board, but we are thrilled that she will continue to serve on our Finance Committee. Ted Greenberg, a Director of the law firm Fineberg McCarthy, served as a co-chair of the board for two terms, and also is Chair of the Centers Planned Giving Committee. Throughout his service to the Center, he has had a keen eye on the best interests of the Center and the LGBT communities we serve. Deb Francesco, a past board member, said, I had the pleasure of serving with Ted Greenberg for my six year term as well as co-chairing with him. He was an excellent and conscientious steward for the Center. He will be missed. Stephanie Gross, a periodontist in practice in Wallingford, PA, also completed six years service on the board. For the past two years, she has served as co-Chair. She also worked in the development of the Centers Cornerstone Society. Current Board Co-chair Jeffrey Sotland said, Over the last two years, I have had the pleasure and honor to sit beside Dr. Stephanie Gross as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors. These two years have been challenging but very rewarding as we navigated our way through many issues together. As the Board move forward, after Stephs departure, I will miss her insight into the challenges we face. Moira Mulroney, Director of Development and Communications at Support Center for Child Advocates, served on the board for four years, and was a committed and energetic heterosexual ally who believes strongly in the work of the Center. She took the lead in plotting out our plans for LGBT senior housing, and brought on board Regional Housing Legal Services, who were wonderful advisors as we figured out the best path for the Center. Though in the end we decided not to build housing on our site, Moiras advice and leadership helped us to figure out the best path. Former board member Deb Francesco said, We couldnt have picked a better straight ally for the William Way Community Center. Both Moira and her husband Chris are always at the forefront with us when it comes to LGBT rights.
Credit: Liz Reasey

THE 20122013 LIVE MUSIC SERIES CONTINUES!

A trio of stellar musicians bring their talent to William Way on Saturday, January 12th, at 7 p.m. You wont want to miss this program or the chance to meet these gifted artists. The concert includes composer Jennifer Higdon, pianist Ching-Yun Hu and violist Judy Geist. Two of Higdons pieces will be performed: Secret and Glass Gardens with ChingYun Hu, and Sonata for Viola and Piano with Ching-Yun Hu and Judy Geist. The program will also include solo pieces performed by Ching-Yun. Higdon is a Brooklynborn, Phila.-based, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of contemporary classic music. Taiwanese-born concert pianist Ching-Yun Hu has garnered numerous awards including Best Classical Album in 2012, winning the Golden Melody Award while performing with some of the worlds top orchestras. Judy Geist has been with the Phila. Orchestra since 1983 when Ricardo Muti held the baton. She has also performed as a soloist with numerous ensembles. Ms. Hu and Ms. Geist both performed at the William Way in 2012, but this is their first concert together. Join us for a VIP reception at 6 p.m. and meet all three artists for $75, while enjoying hors doeuvres, wine and beverages generously provided by YARDS Brewing Company and El Dorado Rum. Plan to stay after the concert for a chance to engage with the artists through a discussion of their work. The 2012-2013 Live Music Series is supported by Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Music Project. Purchase your tickets by going to www.waygay.org or by calling (215) 732-2220. 7

Credit: Liz Reasey

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