Philadelphia to celebrate the Gayborhood's growth and 40 years!

While other cities seem to see a shrinking Gayborhood, Philadelphia's is growing and is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city. In fact, the Gayborhood has had two new gay bars (Tabu and JR's) open in the last year and another (Knock) in the last 3 years. In addition to these gay specific business, numerous restaurants including, Bindi, Sampan, Vintage and Zavino, have open which appeal to a very diverse and gay-friendly crowd.

A renewed spirit has also risen in the existing business with several makeing big changes and upgrades. In the last year, Pure has become Voyeur, Bump to Q Lounge + Kitchen, Tavern on Camac opened terra, and the Westbury was renovated into a hot sports bar.

To celebrate this growth and the 40th Anniversary of the Gayborhood moving from the Rittenhouse Square area to East of Broad Street, a Grand Reopening of the Gayborhood is being planned for July. The event will coincide with QFest, the gay and lesbian film festival, and will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony, film, events, parties and other fanfare. Even look for a Rainbow Ticket, to be distributed at key events before the kick-off, good for special discounts at area business during the two week run.

Stay tune for more information to come on this event.

Charlie Potje Featured in New Philadelphia Ad

Charlie Potje, owner of Charlie Salon on 12th Street, is the newest addition to Philadelphia's "Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay" ad campaign. Charlie is part of "We your people.." consisting of regular Philadelphians visitors can meet about town while visiting our city. You can read more about Charlie on the official visitors website of Philadelphia - visitphilly.com.

"Dancing with the Stars" get emotional over marriage

Things heated up last night on Dancing with the Stars as Niecy Nash and Louis van Amstel were very emotional over the issue of marriage. The two danced and told the story of an interracial couple who could not get married.

Nash said: "she gets emotional thinking about imagining the discrimination and not being able to marry the person she loves." Van Amstel responded by saying, "I hear you. I'm still in that boat. So, we've come a long way, but you've got to help me fight my battle too." Van Amstel said: "Everybody should be able to get married."

Then after the dance when Nash was taling about getting married, Van Amstel said, "Well at least you can get married. Check it out.

Nicolette Sues Desperate Housewives' Creator for Assault

When Nicolette Sheridan's character, Edie Britt, was killed off of Desperate Housewives, rumors swirled that there was more drama taking place off set than on Wisteria Lane. In a story recently reported by msnbc.com, it may have been much worse than anyone initially believed. Sheridan has filed a $20 million lawsuit against the show's openly gay creator, Marc Cherry, alleging that she was a victim of "assault and battery, gender violence, wrongful termination," and "infliction of emotional distress." She further claims that Cherry was responsible for creating a "hostile work environment," and on September 24, 2008, he "forcefully hit her across her face and head." The suit paints a picture of Cherry that's violent, demeaning, and much different than the public's perception of him. Cherry has ranked in the top 50 most powerful LGBT list by Out Magazine. For the complete story from MSNBC, click here.

Gay wrestler found dead

Police say a man who identified himself as one of the first openly gay professional wrestlers was found dead of an apparent suicide in his New York City apartment.

Police say Chris Klucsaritis (KLOO'-suh-REYE'-tihs) was found by his brother in the living room of his apartment Friday. A suicide note has been recovered.

The 40-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner's office is investigating to determine the exact cause of death.

Klucsaritis wrestled under the name Chris Kanyon.

He started his career in the late 1990s and was part of the championship tag team "Men at Work." He later joined World Wrestling Entertainment.

He retired in 2004. But Klucsaritis still wrestled on occasion, billing himself as an openly gay wrestler. (source)

The cast of Glee performs Don't Stop Believin' at the White House

Does the Phelps Family and Westboro Baptist Church Actually Like Gays?

In the weird and crazy world of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, Philadelphia's own, out and proud, David "Scoops" Dyer seems to have broken new ground with the group. Scoops, who works for 96.5 The Buzz in Kansas, was recently invited to tour the Phelps' house al a "Cribs" style.

After the tour, Scoops asked the Phelps family why they have never protested him as he is out on The Buzz's morning show. It seems, they took that as an invitation to hold a protest - to which Scoop's held a counter protest.

Now here is where it gets weird - the Phelps family invited Scoops to Easter dinner! Weird right?? This video, taken yesterday, shows Scoops at their house jumping on a trampoline while talking to Megan Phelps.

Is the Westboro Baptist Church's mantra "God Hates Fags" all just a big publicity stunt to get the church attention? Is it possible the Phelps may actually like some of us?...weird!

Q Lounge to Host Philadelphia's LGBT Candidates

Have you decided who you will vote for in Philadelphia's upcoming election? If not, you can meet openly gay candidates Daryl LaFountain and Gregg Kravitz at Q Lounge + Kitchen on Tuesday night. LaFountain is running for PA Sate Representative in the 175th district while Kravitz is running for the 182nd district. The event will be held from 5-7pm.

Q Lounge + Kitchen is located at 13th & Locust Streets.

E'Stefano-Ray DiSanto to perform at Mr. Gay Philadelphia

E'Stefano-Ray DiSanto is slated to perform two numbers at the Mr. Gay Philadelphia on April 17th at Voyeur Nightclub. While traveling in Providence, RI, my friend John and I visit a local gay bar were we completely mesmerized by his vocal performances. In fact, we made him sing over and over again just to make sure he was as good as we thought he was....and he is!

E'Stefano has a performance background in Film and Television. His first professional work came on the NBC Hit Sitcom "Working" Starring Fred Savage before he went on to NBC's day-time soap opera Days of Our Lives. Estefano is also a trained vocalist having attended the American Musical Academy in New York City. Having completed schooling, E'Stefano immediately signed on to the San Gennaro Italian Festivals as a Headliner and Master of Ceremonies performing all over the United States. In addition, he performed in his solo show "Opera of the Seas" with Carnival Cruise Line.

Update: Philadelphia Mr. Gay Tickets

The Philadelphia Mr. Gay is just a little over two weeks away on April 17th. Advanced tickets are now available at Metro Mens Clothing - located at 1615 East Passayunk Avenue in Philadelphia.

Evennt Info:
Hosted by: Frank DeCaro & Brittany Lynn

Judges Include:
Jonny McGovern, Paolo Andino, Michael Musto, Sandy Beach, Michael Ellis, Perry Monastero, & Mr. Gay Philadelphia 2008 John Caputo

Nightlifegay.com is thrilled to invite all community members and supporters to a spectacular evening of entertainment and competition. In order to give back to the community the Mr. Gay Philadelphia will once again feature a silent auction. This year a portion of the silent auction will benefit the LGBT Youth Scholarship Program of Delaware Valley Legacy Fund. The Philadelphia contest will also serve as a local preliminary for the 2010 North American Mr. Gay.

Advanced Tickets
$25 - General Standing
$50 - VIP Seating - Celebrity "meet-n-greet" with a vodka open bar from 8-9pm.

Purchase Now

Philadelphia to host ComedySportz 2010 Nationals

Philadelphia is set to host the 2010 ComedySportz World Tournament, an annual event that is for the first time coming to our city. Philadelphia will play host to nearly 150 comedic improvisers from over 20 cities in the U.S., and even as far as Manchester, UK, and Berlin, Germany.

Each night, teams will compete for laughs and a good time, culminating in a championship match (for the “meaningless cup”) on Saturday night, July 17th. The matches—which are appropriate for all ages—will take place at the beautiful World Cafe Live, in the Downstairs Live theater. Each show will feature a showcase of teams from four cities (except the championships match) and food and drinks will be available throughout the show.

Also, proceeds from the shows will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Delaware Valley Chapter.

ComedySportz Philadelphia 2010 World Championship Promo from Don Montrey on Vimeo.

Visit: ComedySportz Philadelphia

Tulsa police investigating gay mans death

A man who garnered national attention after he sued to get a personalized Oklahoma license plate that read "IM GAY" was found dead inside a Norman apartment Wednesday morning.

The cause of death for 28-year-old Keith Kimmel is not yet known.

Kimmel was apparently in Tulsa last weekend and was reportedly thrown out of a gay club in the 5300 block of East Admiral Place. He filed a police brutality complaint, claiming that Tulsa officers punched him and dragged him across the parking lot, leaving significant abrasions on his stomach.

A Tulsa Police spokesman said they are investigating the brutality complaint and said the death is a separate matter for the Norman jurisdiction to handle.

Here is a portion of Kimmel's complaint:
Upon being removed from the bar, an officer began to interrogate me. I was asked to sign a receipt and leave the property, which I refused to do because I did not recognize it and was not given the opportunity to examine it. When I attempted to examine it, an white male officer told me not to come closer and to stand back. I also stated that my drivers license was in the possession of someone other than me in the bar and told them I would not leave without my license. Several officers snickered and said they didn't know what I was talking about. At one point one of the officers stated words to the effect that he was “getting tired of my mouth.”

Shortly after this I was placed under arrest, handcuffed and slammed onto the hood of a nearby car. I was not read any rights nor told what I was being charged with. The officers then dragged me around the parking lot on my stomach, first by trying to shove me into a patrol car. They hit my head on the door frame several times and when I was too tall to fit into the car, they attempted to stuff me in regardless which resulted in my neck being bent at odd angles. I have experienced severe pain and stiffness in my neck since the incident.

When it was determined that I would not fit in the first vehicle, the officers then dragged me across the parking lot to a second vehicle. At one point, when trying to stuff me into the second vehicle on my side, I felt several punches to my testicles but I could not see who delivered them. There were many officers present by this point and lots of flashing lights. My memory gets hazy at this point, but I remember the officers trying to stuff me into this vehicle on my side. The vehicle was long and narrow, like a van. I could not breathe and began to choke, when they left me in there for a long time. Eventually, they pulled me out and onto a stretcher and put me into an ambulance. I remember struggling herein and I remember someone threatening to start “dislocating joints” if I did not be still. I cant describe him, but I did see his face. If I saw his face again I would recognize it.

Maybe someone other than the Tulsa police should do an investigation....

Anna Paquin - I'm Bisexual

Anna Paquin has come out of the closet. The True Blood star says "I'm bisexual, and I give a damn," in a new online public service announcement for the Give a Damn Campaign, aimed at promoting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

Miami to Open LGBT Visitors Center

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) will celebrate its new headquarters and the opening of one of the nation’s only gay Chamber-sponsored LGBT Visitor Centers at a community-wide event on April 15, 2010, co-hosted by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. The focal point of the celebration will be the official dedication of the Michael Aller LGBT Community Conference Room within the new space. The public is invited to attend the free grand opening and dedication ceremony, which takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 1130 Washington Avenue , Miami Beach . Among those expected to take part in the celebration are Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower, city commissioners, former mayors, and business and community leaders.

Named for the City of Miami Beach ’s Tourism and Convention Director and Chief of Protocol, the Michael Aller LGBT Community Conference Room will be a place of community and gathering, said Steve Adkins , president of the MDGLCC. Aller is affectionately referred to as “Mr. Miami Beach” for his many years of service, unwavering cheerleading and tireless championing of LGBT issues over the past two decades.

“No single person has contributed as much to this community as Michael Aller,” Adkins said. “He was ‘out’ when ‘out’ wasn’t ‘in,’ yet he managed to leave an indelible footprint for the rest of us to follow. It is our honor and privilege to name the community conference room after him.”

Aller has seen many changes within the community through the years. In 1992, he supported the adoption of a Miami Beach ordinance barring discrimination based on sexual orientation. He was active with the City when the Human Rights Ordinance passed in 1998. He championed domestic partner benefits for City of Miami Beach employees, which passed in 2001. In 2004, Aller advocated when transgender protection passed and the domestic partner registry opened for Miami Beach residents. Two years later, in 2006, he backed the Equal Benefits Ordinance and, just recently, he encouraged the City to strengthen its Human Rights Ordinance.

“I’ve been telling people for years our community is one of the most welcoming and diverse in the world,” Aller said. “And we’ve worked long and hard to get here. I am honored and deeply humbled by this wonderful gesture.”