I couldn’t get tickets for Barbra Streisand. Granted, I was only trying for the cheap seats, which must have been snatched up in, like, two minutes.
I was hoping to take my mom to see her, the Queen of the Farewell Tour—seriously, Cher can’t even hold a candle to this bitch. Mom played the “Guilty” album so many times when I was growing up that I think my sisters eventually hid it from her behind their Aerosmith and Queen albums.
If you were lucky enough to get tickets, do me a favor: Before you catch the performance of one gay icon, take time to remember the invaluable contributions of another.
While Barbra Streisand was struggling to make a name for herself in the ’50s, another Barbara was struggling to find her identity in a society that only saw gays and lesbians as sick, demented perverts who could never be happy.
Who was this second Barbara, you ask? It was Barbara Gittings, a woman on the front lines of the gay-liberation movement before a lot of us were even born this way.
Barbara Gittings Way Dedication
If you open up any book on gay history, you’ll likely see a picture of Barbara Gittings marching with a group in front of Independence Hall — in 1966, three years before Stonewall.
To honor Gittings’ contributions, a stretch of Locust Street between 12th and 13th will be dedicated as “Barbara Gittings Way” in a ceremony to be held from 12:30-1 p.m. Oct. 1 at 13th and Locust streets.
Gittings was a true pioneer, and anyone who was lucky enough to know her remembers her not only for her intelligence, commitment and dedication as an activist, but also for her vivacious personality, quick wit and infectious laugh. Much of what we have as a community today is a direct result of a lifetime of hard work by Gittings and her contemporaries.
This dedication is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary woman, a longtime Philadelphia area resident, without whom none of our lives would look remotely like what they do today.
So don’t color me Barbra — color me Barbara, damn it!
Philly Trans March
Did you enjoy the all-you-can-eat pancake buffet at the Morning Glory Diner last week? I know I did! Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of that fundraising at the Philly Trans March, 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at Love Park.
Join for a rally at the park, followed by a march through the city, which finishes back at Love Park with another rally. There will be entertainment and guest speakers both before and after the march.
Gear Up, Get Out
Get yourself warmed up for OutFest with Philadelphians MC from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 6 at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.
Strap on your favorite gear — leather, military, uniform, rubber, latex, sport or motocross — and get up to the third floor, where DJ Dave Huge will spin house, techno, disco and rock.
It’s all for charity, so you can feel good about yourself while grinding up against your fellow man. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Mazzoni Center’s annual toy drive for kids affected by HIV/AIDS.
IndiGoGo Dance Party
If the gear party ain’t your thang, check out IndiGoGo, 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Oct. 6 at Voyeur, 1221 Saint James St. There will be hot go-go dancers from Stimulus and NSFW all night long, plus well drinks and domestic beer specials from 10 p.m.-midnight.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, and all proceeds benefit William Way LGBT Community Center. Three floors of music will be pumping all night long, courtesy of DJs DeeJay, Nasty Sinatra, Robert Drake, Jovi Baby and Kash.
OutFest
It’s time for the 22nd annual National Coming-Out Day Block Party, noon-6 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Gayborhood.
Organizers are promising more of everything this year — more vendors, more games, more dance parties, more hot guys, more hot girls and, of course, more fun.
There will be a dance party in front of Tabu, a women’s party in front of Sisters and a leather/uniform/gear party in front of The Bike Stop.
The main stage at 13th and Locust will be hopping all day, with entertainers like Jade Starling, Michael Byrne, Dale Varga, Miss and Mr. Philly Gay Pride, Brittany Lynn’s Drag Mafia, Bob & Barbara’s Show Girls and Chad Lewine. Master of Ceremonies Henri David will try his damnedest to keep them all in line.
It’s Philly’s biggest and best gay block party of the year, so whatever you’re doing that weekend, make sure you get to OutFest!
Questions? Comments? Got two cheap tickets for Barbra you want to sell? My mom really would love to go … Contact Jim at [email protected] or follow him on Facebook for links to back articles and bitchin’ old pop music videos!
