Phanatic leads the Philadelphia Orchestra

In case you missed it. The Phillie Phanatic conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra at their July 3rd concert at Penn's Landing. Check it out.

Governor of Hawaii vetos civil unions

Hawaii's governor has vetoed a bill that would have permitted same-sex civil unions.
Tuesday's veto came on the final day that Republican Gov. Linda Lingle had to either sign or veto the contentious bill. The Hawaii Legislature had approved it in late April.

Had Lingle not vetoed it, the measure would have granted gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits that the state provides to married couples.

45 Years Later - Kameney and Wicker Invited to July 4th Celebration

Back in 1965-1969 Frank Kameny and Randy Wicker demonstrated for gay rights in front of Independence Hall. Of course we now know these are the first documented such protests in the gay rights movement. This past Sunday on July 4th the two were invited back to Philadelphia to participate in the July 4th parade. It was very symbolic that the parade, which begins on 5th Street, marched directly past Independence Hall.

Also invited to the July 4th parade: the Philadelphia Freedom Band and the D.C. Cowboys. Here are some photos of the three groups in the parade.

A true love story!

After 60+ years, Bob Davis, 89, and Henry Schalizki, 89, got married at the end of June. Check out this story by the Washington Blade.

Over 1 Million in Toronto and London

Both Toronto and London held their gay pride parades over the weekend and both drew over a million spectators!
Toronto:

London:

queerArt? opens July 9th

queerArt? is a group exhibition that examines the current state of queer sensibility in art today. Ranging from satiric to sublime, whimsical to erotic, queerArt? presents a stimulating mix of visual art by these self-identified LGBTQ artists:

Michael Biello,
Michael Broderick,
Susan DiPronio,
JD Dragan,
Laureen Griffin,
Randy Husava,
Paul Davis Jones,
Doron Langberg,
David Lunt,
Ashley Payne,
Larry Wood

Official opening reception Friday, July 9th, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at AxD Gallery - 265 S. 10th Street - Philadelphia

Ladies 2000's Summer Events

For more information on Ladies 2000 click here.

Google to pay gay employees for unfair tax structure

According to the New York Times, Google plans to start paying gay employees more, as a way to compensate for an unfair tax structure that benefits straight people.

Currently, health insurance benefits Google provides to civil partners of gay employees are considered taxable income. The same benefits provided to spouses of straight employees are not taxed.

That means, effectively, that gay employees in civil unions lose approximately $1,069 per year, according to the New York Times.

So Google is planning to pay gay workers more to make up for the gap. The benefits will be paid retroactively to the beginning of the year.

BRAVO!!

Plenty to do in Philadelphia this July 4th

Philadelphia, the city where America’s independence was born, has plenty to do this July 4th weekend. The nine-day Wawa Welcome America! festival is well underway but has these big upcoming events.

Screenings Under the Stars: Avatar
Date: July 1
Details: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing |Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

POPS on Independence
Date: July 2
Details: Independence Hall | 5th and Chestnut Streets

Concert and Fireworks at Penn’s Landing
Date: July 3
Details: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing | Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street
Join The Philadelphia Orchestra for an evening of patriotic and classical favorites to enchant music lovers of all ages. After the free concert enjoy the spectacular fireworks display.

Independence Day Parade
Date: July 4
Details: Market Street
What’s red, white and blue all over? The old-time Fourth of July parade that winds through Historic Philadelphia. Don’t miss Miss America, Salute to the Military, the DC Cowboys Dance Troupe from America’s Got Talent, marching bands, Asian drummers and an attempt by Marine Colonel John Folsam to break the Guinness World Record by high-fiving more than 6,000 hands along the parade route. Free.


Life, Liberty and You Concert and Fireworks
Date: July 4
Details: Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 18th & 23rd Streets
Cap off Independence Day weekend at the nation’s largest free outdoor Fourth of July concert — performed by the Goo Goo Dolls and The Roots — and, of course, an eye-popping, jaw-dropping, light-up-the-sky fireworks display that is A Salute to the Armed Forces. Free.