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

org

2014

MAY

THIS ISSUE
1 William Way Welcomes
You Home

WILLIAM WAY WELCOMES YOU HOME

On Saturday, June 7, the William Way LGBT Community Center will kickoff Pride Weekend with its 4th annual Homecoming Celebration. If you were one of the 250 guests who attended Homecoming last year, you know its a not-to-miss event. The evening will start out with a buffet dinner and open bar in the lobby and a silent auction consisting of a dozen tempting packages, including a free annual gym membership with personal training sessions and tness equipment, New Hope and Lancaster County weekend getaways, two VIP tickets to OutBeat: Americas First Queer Jazz Festival (plus overnight hotel stay), and the Philadelphia Brunch basket featuring close to $1,000 worth of gift certicates to Phillys best brunch eateries. After about an hour or so of mixing and mingling, guests will ascend the grand staircase to the Mark Segal Ballroom, where they will feel as though theyve been transported back to the Roaring Twenties with a jazz-inspired speakeasy lounge to enjoy the evenings acts. The two hour variety show will feature performances by local and not-solocal drag superstars, burlesque routines, comedy acts, and the crowning of the 2014 Homecoming Court, a cadre of community champions that helps to make Philadelphia the best city on earth. The Homecoming Planning Committee invites youour friends and patrons to be Homecoming hosts of this years celebration. Host levels start at $750 for individuals and $1,500 for couples and businesses, and benets include free tickets to the event and recognition from the stage and on all signage and promotional materials. Contact Michael at mpomante@waygay.org for more information about being a host. Join us at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 7, when the Center invites the community HOME for an evening of celebration and jubilation. Tickets will go on sale May 1. Act fast when they dothis is a sell-out event!

2 Greetings from the

Executive Director

3 May Calendar 4 May At A Glance 6 This Month in

LGBT History

6 Around The Center 7 Philly Dyke March Q&A 7 May 15th is #GiveOUTDay

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.

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

STA FF

GREETINGS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends, I cant be the only one who has been waiting around for the arrival of Spring eagerly hoping for a warm breeze, the slightest bud in the garden, or the nal disappearance of the snow. Today, I think we have nally reached that day, and I am breathing a sigh of relief. And it is a very exciting day at the Center we are hosting a Job Fair that has attracted hundreds to our lobby to meet with local companies. Upstairs, we are setting up for the Leather Leadership Conference, including a ballroom full of history and memorabilia. In the Community Room, representatives from the PECO/Excelon LGBT Employee Resource Group are stufng our spring fundraising appeal (you should see it in your mailbox soon), and representatives from Comcast met with me and our Development Department to talk about how Philadelphias media company could support the work of the Center. Thats a busy day for us, but I especially love when a number of activities, organizations, and practices intersect at the Center so that everyone can experience the diversity of our community and see the power and creativity that emerges from that. It is an exciting thing to behold. Weve also been doing a lot of work on the building. We completed over $7,000 of repairs to the back of the building to make up for the depredations of winters ice and wind. We are currently seeking bids for a renovation to the main entrance, so that almost a century of wear and tear on our entranceway can be repaired. And we are working hard to complete roof repairs. Of course all of this requires major capital expenditure so please be as generous as you can

when you receive our Spring Appeal! Last weekend I was honored to join long-time supporter and donor to the Center Mel Heifetz for a ride to Washington, DC for the Victory Fund brunch. I was joined by State Representative Brian Sims, who shared wonderful stories about the life of a legislator in Harrisburg. Brians vision and energy have made such a difference in his rst term, and its always exciting to hear about what he is doing on the local, state and national level. Long-time William Way supporter John Cunningham was also on the trip, and John and I shared our plans for the 2015 Reminder Day events to take place at the National Constitution Center in Summer, 2015. Theres nothing like a ride from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. to give you the time to conduct a lot of business!

non-prots. The training itself was fantastic, and it was also terric to meet inspiring colleagues. Emerging from the training, I learned a lot and one key thing I learned is that the Center has excellent non-prot practices in place though there are a few areas (of course) where we can use some improvement. I returned from the training with a set of next steps to strengthen the organization even further. Ill return to Duke in October for the second portion of the program. Finally, in my list of thank yous this month, I want to give a special shout out to two new volunteers Anna Garrett and Marchee Briant, who have been regularly visiting the Center to help with marketing and fundraising, respectively. We love having volunteers who visit us repeatedly it allows for a deepening relationship between the Center and its volunteers, and also a deepening in skills for the volunteer. Thanks Anna and Marchee for your commitment.

BOA RD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS Jeff Sotland, Esq., Co-Chair Laurie Ward, Co-Chair Steve Brando, Secretary Kim Keegan, Treasurer

BOA RD MEMB ERS

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

But it was also exciting to hear about the incredible achievements of the Victory Fund, which invests in promising And to all of you, I wish a candidates in elections around the country. Through their efforts, wonderful (and warm) Spring. we have seen a signicant increase in the number of openly Sincerely, LGBT ofce holders, both elected and appointed. The brunch Chris Bartlett included talks from a lesbian Executive Director state representative from Texas, a gay gubernatorial candidate from Maine, and a gay candidate for Mayor in the District of Columbia. The exciting news is that in 2014, these candidates have the experience and skills to take them to victory. Thanks Mel for bringing a number of community leaders along for this inspiring event! Speaking of Victory Fund, Im also grateful to them for selecting me for a Movement Leaders Fellowship at Duke University in early March. I joined three other Executive Directors from LGBT organizations around the country for an in-depth eight-day training on the latest management best-practices for

MAY CALENDAR

RECURRING 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.

MAY AT A GLANCE
ONGOING
Art Gallery: 9th Annual Juried Art Exhibit On view in the gallery: May 9 June 27 Opening Reception: Friday, May 9, 6-8 pm The juried art competition brings together LGBTQ artists to exhibit works in the William Way Art Gallery. Out of dozens of submissions, the show was narrowed down to works that will be exhibited in a show celebrating the creative vision and passions of the LGBTQ community. Please join us for the opening reception with the artists. FREE. John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives: 15th Anniversary of Philly Dyke March On view: May 8 August 29, 2014 Opening Reception: Thursday, 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 dykepositive 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. Check out our history, and then join us as we take to the streets on June 7, 2014.

02 MAY
Loft 23 presents The Exchange Loft Friday, May 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.

Drop-ins only.

07 MAY
Volunteer Orientation Wednesday, May 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 MAY
Loft23 presents The Game Loft Friday, May 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.

03 MAY
NEW: Lego Lunch-n-Build Saturday, May 3, 12-2 pm Join Philadelphia Family Pride and the WWCC at the brand new monthly Lego Lunch-n-Build! Pack a bag lunch and bring the kids (5-105) to the William Way Community Center on Saturday, March 1st from 12-2pm. Socialize with other families and have a chance to build with friends new and old. PFP provides the Legos, William Way provides the space, and YOU provide the creativity! This event will recur on the rst Saturday of every month.

11 MAY
Out and Faithful Presents Congregation Crawl: Whosoever Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia (WMCCP) Sunday, May 11, 11 am - 1 pm (3637 Chestnut Street, Rear Entrance, Philadelphia, PA 19104) 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. All are welcome, no matter what your spiritual journey or interests look like! You will nd it to be a truly enriching experience. This month we visit the Whosoever MCCP. Being empowered through discipleship, WMCCP

05 MAY
HIV and Hepatitis C Testing (free and condential) Monday, May 5, 19, 3-6 pm The William Way Community Center is partnering with BEBASHI, which was founded in 1985 in response to the increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS in the African American 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.

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. 215-732TALK (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.

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!

Rainbow Buddhist Meditation Sundays, 3-4:30 pm This free group is for both practicing Buddhists and those interested in Buddhism and includes both a discussion and meditation.

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

exists to become alive in Christ and to receive the full manifestation of the Holy Spirit while actively impacting and uplifting the LGBTQ Community in a revolutionary, Christ-like fashion. They proclaim the life changing Good News of Gods love to the LGBTQ Community and beyond; and WMCCP provides a safe, accepting spiritual refuge to the LGBTQ Community. If you intend to join us, please RSVP to Candice at cthompson@waygay.org and arrive outside of the entrance 10 minutes prior to the start so we can all meet and sit as a group.

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 215-7322220 as space is limited.

and over.

24 MAY
Queer Writers Collective Saturday, May 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.

20 MAY
Volunteer Velada & Dinner Tuesday, May 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!

25 MAY
Silver Foxes Sunday, May 25, 2-4 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.

13 MAY
SAGEWorks Introduction Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 pm Thursday, May 22, 12 pm (separate 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 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

21 MAY
Book Club: Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides Wednesday, May 21, 7-8 pm Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7pm for a stimulating discussion on a variety of diverse, LGBTQIA topics. For more information, contact 215-7322220. This months selection is Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides. It depicts the journey of Calliope Stephanides and her GreekAmerican family. In this thrilling work of ction, discover the genetic history and family secret that might unveil why Callie isnt like other girls. Middlesex explores the middle ground of biology, geography, ethnicity, history, and more. Womens Wednesdays: Game Night Wednesday, May 21, 5:30 pm This event promises to bring out the competitor in all of us and the laughs too. Well be hosting a game night with wii bowling, tennis, and baseball. Well also play a few favorites including: Tabu and the crowd favorite, charades. Bring a friend and let the fun begin! Womens Wednesdays is a social and cultural program for women 50

28 MAY
Town Hall: A Community Forum on Antiviolence Wednesday, May 28, 6:30-8 pm There has been an increase in high-prole attacks and robberies in the gayborhood over the past several months and many of the perpetrators are still at-large. Join the WWCC for a town hall that will feature updates about these local incidents and provide access to local anti-violence initiatives. We will also discuss our efforts to build an LGBTQ specic anti-violence network in the coming year. RSVP is requested to Candice at cthompson@ waygay.org.

17 MAY
A Penny for Your Thoughts Saturday, May 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

THIS MONTH IN LGBT HISTORY

PRIDE AND PROGRESS 50 FEET HIGH
When the "Pride and Progress" mural on the west wall of the William Way LGBT Community Center was dedicated on Saturday, May 17, 2003, it may very well have been the rst public mural in the country dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. At 7,500 square feet, running the whole block from Spruce Street to Irving Street, the project was also one of the Mural Arts Program's largest. The celebratory mural was designed by Philadelphia artist Ann Northrup. She worked over eight months with a crew of twenty paid staff and volunteers to complete the painting. After the rowhouse at 1319 Spruce was torn down in the 1930s, ugly steel girders had been erected to support the 150 foot expanse of exposed wall. The girders broke the wall into ten awkward, uneven sections. Northrup dealt with the problem by creating a festival-like scene lled with gures that seemed to move through the panels behind the girders. She described it as "almost like watching a moving picture," Working with the William Way Center's board, she created a design that began with sepia 326 Kater Coffee House toned scenes from the 1960s Reminder Day Demonstrations, transitioned to a rainbow colored gay street festival, and ended with a long ight of steps leading to a stylized representation of the Center itself. Northrup peopled this panorama with a colorful array of genders, races, ethnicities and ages. Ann and the William Way Center were happy with the results. "You want to have someone up there for everyone to identify with," she said in an Inquirer interview. "You can't please everybody, but I've felt so supported by the whole community. I'm very pleased." - Bob Skiba, The John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives

AROUND THE CENTER

On March 25th, MorningsOut went on a private tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, led by Dan Kelly Evans.

Pet Appreciation and Adoption Day was April 6th. Thanks to all the volunteers from Finding Shelter! Photo credit: Scott A. Drake

Volunteers prep for April 6ths Big Queer Booksale. Photo credit Scott A. Drake

In celebration of Philly Dyke March's 15 Anniversary, here is a special Q&A with some of the organizers about its rich history and upcoming exhibition at the WWCC which opens Thursday, May 8th.
What was the original vision behind the Philadelphia Dyke March (PDM)? When Philly Dyke March was started in 1998, the organizers wanted to create space and visibility for dykes in Philadelphia. The Dyke March was started a few years after NYCs dyke march, a few years after riot girls, and during a time when companies were just starting to view LGBT people as a market. We were concerned about our community being commercialized and we wanted to increase the visibility of queer women. Unlike NYCs dyke march, Philadelphia felt that the DM should be open to trans* people and we articulated this by coming up with the laundry list of identities that is still in use (and updated). Who were some of the original organizers for the PDM and how did they come together? The following is a list of organizers of the rst years march: Carrie Askin, Gloria Casarez, Mary Cochran, Kelli Dunham, Kathy Gomez, Ben Jerner, Maura Kelly, Jackie Kiang, Daniel Laurison, Alison Mott, Kimani Eboni Olatunde, Morgan Rich, Magdaliz Roura, Ann K. Snyder, and Jascie Williams. The group ranged in age from 15-55 and about half of the organizers were people of color. There was no one single leader and the group was conscious of reecting the range of experiences, ages, and lives of Phillys dykes. Unlike the Pride Parade and Festival, Philly Dyke March was founded as a protest part take back the night, part protest, but never a parade. The rst Philly DM stepped off from Fitler Square (22nd and Pine) and marched down Pine Street and ended at 5th and Market . We were joined by spoken word artist Alix Olsen, singer-songwriter Alix Dobkin, and GenderPAC founder Ricki Anne Wilchins. What can people expect to see at the 15 year anniversary exhibition at WWCC? People will see samples of dyke march t-shirts from over the years. We will have video footage from the rst dyke march and more recent dyke marches. There will be a lot of signage from early years in the dyke march (some are the result of a partnership with spiral Q) that are still used today. Well have collections of other identication markers including, pins, stickers, and tattoos and other artifacts like yers and newspaper clippings. How can people support the PDM? The Philly Dyke March has been an opportunity for self-identied dykes to gather, march and rally. Too often, the LGBT community focuses on male-dominated voices. The Philly Dyke March is our protest in support of the dyke voice and experience, and focuses on the wants, needs, and demands of our community. We march to show that we exist, that we matter, and that we have a voice. We demand and create an afrming, dyke-positive space to celebrate the creativity and determination of who we are, who we love, and the diversity within our community. We welcome Dykes of all races, sizes, ages, abilities, socio-economic statuses, gender presentations, and sexualities. We also welcome our allies to join us for the march and rally! Folks can get involved with PDM by coming to one of our meetings and getting involved, coming to one of our ve fundraising events, volunteering the day of the march, and participating in the march of course! Find out more about Philly Dyke March and our upcoming events by following us on Twitter, @phillydykemarch, and friending us on facebook at Philly DykeMarch. Join PDM on Saturday, June 7th at 3pm at Kahn Park (11th and Pine streets) Be visible. Be Heard. Be there.

MAY 15TH IS #GIVEOUTDAY

Thursday May 15 is the 2nd annual Give OUT Day! Give OUT Day is a national initiative that engages hundreds of organizations and mobilizes thousands of people on a single day across the country to give in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Last year, the William Way LGBT Community Center raised $3,125 in just one day thanks to an outpouring of online donations from new and old friends of the Center. And, the Give OUT Day campaign raised $602,920 nationwide from 5,474 donors! Of that total number, at least 740 individuals said they were making their very rst gift to an LGBTQ organization. Give OUT Day is not only a great way to support your favorite LGBTQ nonprot, but it's also a great opportunity to raise awareness about the issues affecting our community and the great organizations working tirelessly to address these issues and make our community even stronger. We want to match or exceed last year's success! Mark your calendars to help out on May 15th by donating, sharing on facebook, tweeting, and spreading the word!

t/a

The Gay Community Center of Philadelphia 1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHILADELPHIA, PA PERMIT NO. 5411

CONNECT WITH US:

@waygay williamwaycc williamway info@waygay.org

To be placed on the Centers discreet mailing list or for more information about this option, please contact us at (215)732-2220 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year

TAB

TAB

TAB