This article is going to print on April 25, 2014 — exactly 31 years to the day that I first came out as a gay man. Well, a gay teenager would be more accurate.
It was the spring of 1983. All you heard on the radio was Michael Jackson, The Police and the “Flashdance” soundtrack, which was fine by me because I was in love with all of them and knew the lyrics to every song. Still do, to the chagrin of my husband.
I was 15 years old and no one really knew what to do with gay teenagers back then, but I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. Though at the time, like any 15-years-old, I was a big mess and had no idea how to get there.
One of the things that helped me was the PGN. A dear friend and mentor named Doug, who owned a greeting-card shop in Delaware, gave me my first copy. Later I would pick them up at the old Hen’s Teeth bookstore in downtown Wilmington.
I’m not saying anything dorky like this paper saved my life, or that it showed me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I found that inspiration in many other places and in many other people.
What I did want to take a moment to say is that this paper helped seal my love for the community we have here in Philadelphia. There are so many people and so many great things to do here, I can’t think of anyplace else I’d rather be. And now spring is here! Get your ass out there, people, and have a ball!
Philadelphia Black Gay Pride
There’s a weekend full of events starting at 6-8 p.m. April 25 at the Stadium Holiday Inn, 900 Packer Ave. Kick off Philly Black Gay Pride and Penn Relays weekend with a touch of class. They’ll have food, drink specials, a 50/50 raffle, vendors and the presentation of a bunch of community awards. Admission is free!
Next you can enjoy sexy and sophisticated speed dating from 4-6 p.m. April 26 at Ladder Fifteen, 1528 Sansom St. There will be $5 drink specials, sexy raffles and loads of great-looking folks to meet and greet — and best of all, no cover charge!
Enjoy an amazing brunch with Broadway legend Sheryl Lee Ralph and the cast of “Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical” from noon-3 p.m. April 27 at Smokin’ Betty’s, 116 S. 11th St.
Wrap it all up from 1-6 p.m. April 27 at the courtyard lounge at Raw, 1225 Sansom St., at the Finale Party. There will be incredible DJs and happy-hour drink specials, and bottle service will be available. Fashionable attire is required and cover charge is only $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Scavenger Hunt!
It will be a mad, mad, mad, mad world from 2:30-5:30 p.m. April 26 at U Bar, 1220 Locust St. Grab a partner and get ready for a fight to be the first to finish all your crazy scavenger-hunt tasks! All you’ll need is a pen, a backpack, your phone — and a lot of creativity and perseverance! The hunt starts at U Bar and finishes at Woody’s, but who knows where you’ll find yourself in between. The world is your oyster and the Gayborhood is your playground for this hilarious challenge. Every bar is in on the fun, and there will be drink specials everywhere you go. Don’t forget to tip your bartenders!
Miss Heart of Delaware 2014
There she is! Catch all the pageantry from 8-11 p.m. April 26 at The Ramada, 260 Chapman Road, Newark, Del., as a bevy of queens compete to be crowned the new Miss Heart of Delaware. There will be a $10 cover for this 18-and-over event. If you live within 100 miles of Delaware and are interested in competing, email [email protected] for more information.
IBA ConnX
The Independence Business Alliance, the Philadelphia region’s gay and lesbian chamber of commerce, is hosting a networking event in the shadow of a half-million-gallon shark tank! The event runs from 5:30-7:30 April 29 at Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive in Camden. Carpool across the Ben, hop on the ferry or ride PATCO over to Camden City Hall — do whatever it takes to make this event! There will be complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks and hors d’ouevres. Admission is free for IBA members, $10 for nonmembers and guests.
Stimulus Party for Equality
Those hot ladies of Stimulus are headed back to ICandy at 10 p.m. May 2, 254 S. 12th St., and all are welcome as they celebrate the arrival of spring and Equality Forum. Explore all three newly renovated floors of the club or chill on the roof deck as you enjoy the drink specials, sexy go-go dancers and breathtaking shot girls. Cover charge is only $10 and proceeds benefit Equality PA’s Educational Fund.
Equality Forum
Canada is the featured nation this year at the annual global summit to advance LGBT civil rights. Participate in a variety of panels and programs on everything from aging issues, adoption, immigration reform, religion and workplace issues to politics. Check out the schedule at www.equalityforum.com for all the details.
Then spend your Sunday out at SundayOUT, noon-6 p.m. May 4 at The Piazza, North Second Street and Germantown Avenue. There will be internationally known DJs, singers, dancers and great entertainment, sponsored by Wired 96.5. Admission is only $10 for this all-ages event.
Big Gay Boat Party
DJ DeeJay is back with the biggest and gayest boat party on the Delaware River from 5-11 p.m. May 4 at Moshulu, 401 S. Columbus Blvd. It’s the first boat party of the season, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy the amazing sunset and the incredible skyline views with hundreds of Philly’s hottest partiers. Cover charge is only $10!
Questions, comments, suggestions or requests? Contact Jim at [email protected].