Cosmopolitan recognizes The Attic Youth Center for its contributions
Cosmopolitan magazine recently published an article entitled, “30 Best LGBTQ+ Charities Where You Can Donate Time, $$$, and Love,” shouting out various national LGBTQ+ focused organizations that community members and allies can consider supporting with donations during these troubling times. Although most of the recognized orgs — including SAGE and the ACLU — have a national scope, The Attic Youth Center of Philadelphia was also named as a Top 10 organization.
“Team Attic Youth Center was recognized by Cosmo as a top LGBTQ org to support!” said Jasper Liem, executive director of The Attic, in a LinkedIn post. “I couldn’t be more grateful for such a dedicated team.”
Since the early ’90s, The Attic Youth Center has been the only organization in the city dedicated solely to LGBTQ+ youth — currently offering a variety of programs, services and activities for young people ages 14 through 23.
Dyke+ ArtHaus displays work of incarcerated artist
Kal-El Carey, a trans man who is currently incarcerated at a Pennsylvania prison, is an emerging and self-taught artist who uses paint and mixed mediums. Some of his work, which he describes as “Urban Abstract Surrealism” is on display and available for purchase at Dyke+ ArtHaus (709 N 40th St.) through May 11.
Carey, who wrote that it’s been difficult to pursue a career in art from prison, brands his artistic style as “Z-coded.”
“Z-coded, is a medical and/or mental health prison code that describes an inmate which the state deems too dangerous or mentally unstable to be housed with any other state prisoner for their, or another’s safety,” he explained on his website.
“To those incarcerated, it’s just another oppressive mechanism used by the DOC to silence those within the system believed to be different from what their version of society labels as ‘normal,’” Carey continued. “Basically, Z-coding is taking something normalized and making it different. My purpose in my art is to show that different is also beautiful.”
Mazzoni Center declared a Philly Favorite
Mazzoni Center was recently recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer, which named the health center as the gold medal winner for specialty medicine providers in their second annual Philly Favorites awards. Mazzoni also won the gold medal title in 2024, the initiative’s inaugural year.
“It means the world to us,” reads a Mazzoni newsletter about the win. “And, even though we don’t consider ourselves a ‘Specialty Medical Center’ but instead a comprehensive primary care medical center, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve a special and beautiful population and so appreciative of the support, confidence, and trust that you give to us.”
In the newsletter, Mazzoni highlighted recent affirmations shared by some of their patients, who underlined that their Mazzoni doctors help them feel seen, safe, and part of a team.
“Even without an award, your words make us feel like winners,” the newsletter adds.
“Thank you for helping us receive our Gold Medal again this year…without our having to ask,” it notes, pointing out that Mazzoni did not campaign for the recognition — a point of personal pride.
Readers selected winners across 295 categories in various industries — including health and wellness, food and retail, hospitality, education, leisure activities and more. The 2025 nominations process began at the end of October, drawing 15,000 nominations from the public. In January, 336,696 votes were cast — resulting in 730 winners.
Those who were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals are listed in a directory on the Philadelphia Inquirer’s website.
City Hall seeks LGBTQ+ art for Pride exhibit
A submissions portal was recently opened for Portraits of Pride and Resilience, a special exhibit that will be featured at City Hall. The initiative, a collaborative effort of Councilmember Rue Landau and Creative Philadelphia, seeks LGBTQ+ artists who hope to display their work during Pride month 2025.
The theme focuses specifically on portraiture as an act of radical visibility. A press release about the initiative notes that this is a direct juxtaposition to historical erasure and serves as a celebration of storytelling through self-representation.
That theme can be interpreted creatively as artists are encouraged to explore ideas related to “identity, resilience and presence in a world that has often sought to silence and erase LGBTQ+ lives.” All mediums are accepted, and the deadline for submissions is May 25. To apply, visit https://bit.ly/3Ylr54T.
Although many of the works will be displayed in City Hall’s Creative Philadelphia art gallery in room 116. Works will also be displayed in Landau’s 5th floor office in room 592.
“Art has always been a queer-led space, and as the LGBTQ+ councilmember, I want to make sure I’m giving a voice to those artists,” Landau previously told PGN after launching a previous art initiative.
Landau, whose passion for the arts is well-established, was raised by a working artist and now uses her position of leadership to not only amplify the reach of other artists’ work but also to create opportunities that increase their access to sustainable resources.