Pushing Boundaries in 2009
Welcome to PW’s Queer Issue, our yearly (we hope) exploration of all things LGBT (and Q and I and ... ). This year’s theme is pushing boundaries—and what could be more challenging to hetero mores than our cover model Thomas Beatie, the man who gave birth last year. Beatie emobodies the spirit of queer—upending assumptions about gender, marriage and parenthood. Along those lines, Philly’s Desiree Hines, an African-American classical musician, knows all about transgressing gender perceptions, and she shares her painful but triumphant journey. Judge Dan Anders is the city’s first openly gay judge, but after years on the bench, he happily suspects his sexuality is no longer an issue. Steven Wells—neither gay nor straight—talks about bisexuality; the word “arse” is used. North Philly’s Kevin Simmons is on track to be the black Perez Hilton—out and proud, the host of The Skorpion Show gets a visit. Daniel Denvir writes about Pennsylvania priorities: same-sex marriage or antidiscrimination legislation? You pick! Finally, don’t forget to check out our super duper Equality Forum supplement, with news and events and fun. It’s a good week to be queer.
Judge Dan Anders is gay. Big deal.
Tara Murtha
A local trans musician went through hell to get here
By Catherine Caperello
There are two sides to every story
By Steven Wells
North Philly's gossipy, snap-happy Skorpion and Makael are a YouTube sensation.
Judge Daniel Anders may be the most well-known personality in the least-known political campaign in Philadelphia. On top of his regular judicial schedule, Anders is flying in full campaign mode, running ragged from one event to another throughout the city while seeking a 10-year seat on Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas. He’s also running as the city’s first openly gay judge.
State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery) today announced his intention to introduce a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in PA. In the wake of California's depressing but expected Supreme Court decision upholding "one-man-one-woman" Proposition 8, there is a lot of grassroots energy around the issue. Just this past November, thousands of Philadelphians took to the streets to protest Prop 8 in solidarity with California queers. There's only one problem.
Article:
As Feds Debate Marriage Act, Couple Live Under the Threat of Deportation
Article:
Gay Philly Cop Shares His Story
Article:
Gay Married Men Find Support in Secret
Article:
LGBT Activist Tackles Stereotypes About Gay Culture
Article:
RAGE Documentary Chronicles Fight to End SEPTA's Gender Stickers
Article:
State of the Gay Union
Article:
PW's Guide to Gay-Owned Restaurants
Article:
Robert Morris Tackles Gender Issues With His Videos
1. Jeff Keith said... on May 10, 2009 at 03:32PM
“I LOVED your Queer Issue! Putting the pregnant man from Oregon on the cover was a brilliant way to remind us of the diversity of our LGBTQ community/communities. It tells us that we are now in the 21st century, and many things are possible that we might not have imagined possible in the 1960s and 70s.
My boyfriend and I are both in subgroups that too often get marginalized, me because I'm "old" (64 years young, 38 years in the gay community) and he because he's deaf. I imagine that we probably make a rather "queer" sight ourselves when we walk down the street together.
Thanks again for the Queer Issue.
Jeff Keith, South Philadelphia
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