Congress Now Boasts 4 Openly Gay Members

With Democrat David Cicilline (pictured above) taking over Patrick Kennedy's seat in Congress, one of the nation's most influential political institutions will include 4 openly gay or lesbian members beginning in January.  Cicilline, the former mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, will join Barney Frank (Massachusetts), Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin), and Jared Polis (Colorado) in the U.S. House of Representatives.  In addition to these federally elected officials, several openly gay politicians gained prominent positions in state governments throughout the country, including Laurie Jinkins of Washington, Marcus Brandon of North Carolina, and Patricia Todd of Alabama.  These gains for LGBT elected officials provide somewhat of a silver lining for what was otherwise a very disappointing mid-term election that saw conservative Republicans make significant gains.

Weekend Preview: EGO with DJ Chad Jack

EGO with DJ Chad Jack

Beginning in the 90s, big-name DJs became a very big deal in the gay community. All-star spinsters, like Junior Vasquez and Victor Calderone, commanded huge performance fees to play giant parties all around the world. Their music helped fuel an entire genre of multi-day events, called circuit parties. Most major U.S. city played host to one of these annual weekend soirees, including Philadelphia’s own Blue Ball. Over the last several years, circuit parties in many cities folded. Only a few major DJ-driven circuit events, including Blue Ball, remain. But the change has forced gay DJs to diversify – playing smaller venues and producing more remixes for mainstream and alternative artists. One DJ who is flourishing during this transitional time is New York City’s Chad Jack. He plays and produces an innovative combination of contemporary pop hits and classics with energetic mixes and sound effects that soar over the crowd. This Friday, he’ll be making an exclusive appearance at the Gayborhood’s Q Lounge and Kitchen for EGO, their Friday night party. Q is probably the most intimate space where you’ll have the opportunity to hear a DJ of Chad Jack’s caliber in the “City of Brotherly Love.” This event is guaranteed to bring out the cream of Philly’s gay crop, so get there early to reserve your spot on the dance floor!

Fri., Nov 5, 10 pm

Q Lounge and Kitchen

1234 Locust St.

215.732.1800

www.qphilly.com

Weekend Preview: Norma Doesmen

Norma Doesmen

Are you ready for your close up? Norma Doesmen certainly is!!! This theatrical masterpiece pays homage to Broadway and silent films with a campy and satirical edge. Set in a less-than-starlit bungalow on Sunset Boulevard, Norma tells the story of “Joe Dillis”, a down-on-his-luck writer who finds himself drawn to a notoriously sex-crazed and mildly psychotic silent movie star, “Norma Doesmen.” With a little help from her schizophrenic man-servant, “Max,” “Norma” seduces and manipulates “Joe” in an attempt to make her big comeback to the silver screen. The production is filled with big laughs, witty one-liners, and outrageous plot twists that will have you jeering and cheering for “Norma” to make it back into the spotlight. You’ve got three chances this weekend to catch Norma Doesmen before the show flies away to another city, so get your tickets today!

Fri. – Sat., Nov. 5 – 6, 8 pm

Sun., Nov. 7, 7 pm

Red Room

Society Hill Playhouse,

507 South 8^th St.,

215-923-0210

www.societyhillplayhouse.org

Daphne is back!

Sarah's story of support for her son's Halloween costume is truly a lesson for parents everywhere.

From NAB:
Or he’s not. I don’t care. He is still my son. And he is 5. And I am his mother. And if you have a problem with anything mentioned above, I don’t want to know you.

I have gone back and forth on whether I wanted to post something more in-depth about my sweet boy and his choice of Halloween costume. Or more specifically, the reactions to it. I figure if I’m still irked by it a few days later, I may as well go ahead and post my thoughts.

Here are the facts that lead up to my rant:

1.My son is 5 and goes to a church preschool.
2.He has loved Scooby Doo since developing the ability and attention span to sit still long enough to watch it.
3.Halloween is a holiday and its main focus is wearing a costume.
4.My son’s school had the kids dress up, do a little parade, and then change out of costumes for the rest of the party.
5.Boo’s best friend is a little girl
6.Boo has an older sister
7.Boo spends most of his time with me.
8.I am a woman.
9.I am Boo’s mother, not you.
So a few weeks before Halloween, Boo decides he wants to be Daphne from Scooby Doo, along with his best friend E. He had dressed as Scooby a couple of years ago. I was hesitant to make the purchase, not because it was a cross gendered situation, but because 5 year olds have a tendency to change their minds. After requesting a couple of more times, I said sure and placed the order. He flipped out when it arrived. It was perfect.

Then as we got closer to the actual day, he stared to hem and haw about it. After some discussion it comes out that he is afraid people will laugh at him. I pointed out that some people will because it is a cute and clever costume. He insists their laughter would be of the ‘making fun’ kind. I blow it off. Seriously, who would make fun of a child in costume?

And then the big day arrives. We get dressed up. We drop Squirt at his preschool and head over to his. Boo doesn’t want to get out of the car. He’s afraid of what people will say and do to him. I convince him to go inside. He halts at the door. He’s visibly nervous. I chalk it up to him being a bit of a worrier in general. Seriously, WHO WOULD MAKE FUN OF A CHILD IN A COSTUME ON HALLOWEEN? So he walks in. And there were several friends of mine that knew what he was wearing that smiled and waved and gave him high-fives. We walk down the hall to where his classroom is.

And that’s where things went wrong. Two mothers went wide-eyed and made faces as if they smelled decomp. And I realize that my son is seeing the same thing I am. So I say, “Doesn’t he look great?” And Mom A says in disgust, “Did he ask to be that?!” I say that he sure did as Halloween is the time of year that you can be whatever it is that you want to be. They continue with their nosy, probing questions as to how that was an option and didn’t I try to talk him out of it. Mom B mostly just stood there in shock and dismay.

And then Mom C approaches. She had been in the main room, saw us walk in, and followed us down the hall to let me know her thoughts. And they were that I should never have ‘allowed’ this and thank God it wasn’t next year when he was in Kindergarten since I would have had to put my foot down and ‘forbidden’ it. To which I calmly replied that I would do no such thing and couldn’t imagine what she was talking about. She continued on and on about how mean children could be and how he would be ridiculed.

My response to that: The only people that seem to have a problem with it is their mothers.

Another mom pointed out that high schools often have Spirit Days where girls dress like boys and vice versa. I mentioned Powderpuff Games where football players dress like cheerleaders and vice versa. Or every frat boy ever in college (Mom A said that her husband was a frat boy and NEVER dressed like a woman.)

But here’s the point, it is none of your damn business.

If you think that me allowing my son to be a female character for Halloween is somehow going to ‘make’ him gay then you are an idiot. Firstly, what a ridiculous concept. Secondly, if my son is gay, OK. I will love him no less. Thirdly, I am not worried that your son will grow up to be an actual ninja so back off.

If my daughter had dressed as Batman, no one would have thought twice about it. No one.

But it also was heartbreaking to me that my sweet, kind-hearted five year old was right to be worried. He knew that there were people like A, B, and C. And he, at 5, was concerned about how they would perceive him and what would happen to him.

Just as it was heartbreaking to those parents that have lost their children recently due to bullying. IT IS NOT OK TO BULLY. Even if you wrap it up in a bow and call it ‘concern.’ Those women were trying to bully me. And my son. MY son.

It is obvious that I neither abuse nor neglect my children. They are not perfect, but they are learning how to navigate this big, and sometimes cruel, world. I hate that my son had to learn this lesson while standing in front of allegedly Christian women. I hate that those women thought those thoughts, and worse felt comfortable saying them out loud. I hate that ‘pink’ is still called a girl color and that my baby has to be so brave if he wants to be Daphne for Halloween.

And all I hope for my kids, and yours, and those of Moms ABC, are that they are happy. If a set of purple sparkly tights and a velvety dress is what makes my baby happy one night, then so be it. If he wants to carry a purse, or marry a man, or paint fingernails with his best girlfriend, then ok. My job as his mother is not to stifle that man that he will be, but to help him along his way. Mine is not to dictate what is ‘normal’ and what is not, but to help him become a good person.

I hope I am doing that.

And my little man worked that costume like no other. He rocked that wig, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

More gays voted Republican in 2010

Gay votes for the Republican party went up by 4% in 2010 over 2008. According to the Washington Post:

Gay men, lesbians and bisexuals who self-identified to exit pollsters made up 3 percent of those casting ballots in House races on Tuesday, and 31 percent of them voted Republican. By itself, that number is amazing, especially when you consider that way too many people think being gay and voting Democratic are one in the same. But that percentage is ominous news for a White House viewed with suspicion by many gay men and lesbians, because that's four percentage points higher than the change election of 2008.

Self-identified gays have been slowly sidling up to the GOP for a while now. In the 2008 presidential race, they made up four percent of the vote and gave 27 percent of their votes to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) against then-Sen. Barack Obama. In the 2006 midterm elections, when the House and Senate flipped to Democratic control, gays made up three percent of the electorate with the Republicans snagging 24 percent of their ballots. And in the 2004 presidential elections, President George W. Bush got 23 percent of the gay vote. They comprised four percent of those polled.

Ice Cream Truck Philly Style

In case you haven't seen this - some Philly boys got together to parody Cazwell's "Ice Cream Truck" video. Check it out.

Cazwell's orginal version:

Could Political Shift in Iowa Threaten Gay Marriage?

There are many implications from Tuesday's midterm election that won't play out for quite some time. One of those could be the legality of gay marriage in Iowa - one of the few states to permit legal unions between same-sex couples. Three of the Iowa Supreme Court Justices, whose 2009 decision legalized gay marriage in the state, lost their seats on Tuesday. Opponents of gay marriage hope the judges' ouster and Republican gains made in the Iowa Statehouse may provide enough momentum to place a constitutional amendment barring gay marriage on the ballot sometime in the future. This prospect would take considerable time as any constitutional amendment in Iowa must pass two consecutive General Assembly votes prior to qualifying for ballot placement. The LGBT community needs to begin preparing in earnest for this, and other fallout from Tuesday's election.

Meet the nation's first transgender judge

Victoria Kolakowski is the first transgender judge in the nation's history! Kolakowski won the race to fill an empty seat on California's Alameda County Superior Court bench. With 100 percent of precincts reporting results, Kolakowski held 50.2% of the vote against Deputy District Attorney John Creighton, who had 48.7%.

The A-List's Ryan and TJ to judge U.S. Mr. Gay competition

This is exciting news! Ryan Nickalus and TJ Kelly, from Logo’s hit show, The A-List: New York , will travel to Philadelphia to judge this year's U.S. Mr. Gay event on November 13th.

Nickalus is the owner of the Ryan Darius Salon in the West Village section of New York City. He began his career in Boston before traveling to New York to realize his dreams of making it in the Big Apple. He is a staple in Manhattan’s gay social and philanthropic scenes, donating his time, energy, and charity to numerous LGBT service organizations, including the Ali Forney Center. In addition to working alongside Nickalus at the salon, TJ Kelly is his best friend and partner in crime. He also works as a celebrity manicurist with multiple television and Fashion Week events to his credit. Kelly has a supporting role on The A-List, but his honest and outrageous one-liners make him one prolific scene-stealer and an audience favorite.

Also serving on the U.S. Mr. Gay judges’ panel are, gossip columnist Michael Musto, celebrity stylist and reality TV star David Evangelista, four-time Emmy-winning television producer Terence Noonan, and Paper magazine’s editor Mickey Boardman. In addition to amazing judges, Sirius OUT Q radio star, Frank DeCaro, and uproarious drag personality, Brittany Lynn, are co-hosting the event. Drag diva Navaya Shay and the Philadelphia Freedom Band will headline performances between rounds of competition, along with vocalists Alexandra Rush, Jeff Vitelli, Thom Sirkot and Cherry Pop.

The U.S. Mr. Gay competition kicks off at Q Lounge (13th & Locust Sts.) next Friday, November 12th at 8:00 p.m. This event is open to everyone and will include a "Meet and Greet" of all the contestants - plus the first question and answer round of competition.

On Saturday, November 13th the competition gets in full swing at 8:00 p.m. at Voyeur Nightclub located at 1221 St. James Street. Contestants will compete in the "evening wear" and "swim wear" portions of the event with the Top 5 going on to another round of Q & A.

Click for tickets.

Amazing Article on Local LGBT Youth

The cover of this week's Philadelphia Weekly is dedicated to our region's gay youth. In a wonderful feature story, writer Aaron Kase explores the opinions, thoughts, and feelings of LGBT youth, who are increasingly targeted by anti-gay bullies and all too often, turn to suicide as the only way to deal with their inner turmoil.

While most media outlets have covered this issue from the perspective of adults (parents, advocates, educators), Kase takes us inside the heads of gay youngsters who are dealing with this issue, not just pontificating about it. Kase does an incredible job in painting a portrait of Philly's LGBT youth, who are simultaneously strong and sensitive. They've clearly been affected by the rise in gay teen suicides, but they're not content to just "hold on" until they become adults. These kids want "it to get better now," and they are working together to increase tolerance.

Kase also takes us inside the Attic Youth Center - a local non-profit designed to provide support and education for gay youth. Without this organization, it's painfully apparent that many of the kids featured in Kase's article would be without any support network whatsoever. My congratulations and appreciation go out to the Weekly's editorial staff and Aaron Kase for telling this story in such a compelling and impactful way. Click here to read it!

Ricky talks to Oprah

Ricky Martin talked with Oprah yesterday about his sexuality and coming out process. She asked why he came out on March 29th and he replied: "I couldn't take it anymore Oprah...I couldn't take it anymore. It was too painful. But I guess the most important thing was my children....." Check it out.

Pink's New Video

Back in the beginning of October Brian posted about Pink's new video featuring scenes of a gay wedding.....well, here it is.

PA Dems Lose Key Seats to GOP: Is Low Turnout to Blame?

Well, the votes are in, and Democrats in Pennsylvania lost several high profile contests, including the race for Governor, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House. While Dems maintain control of the U.S. Senate, they lost control of the House - diminishing the likelihood that President Obama will be able to make the kind of progress in the next two years he will need to avoid being a one-term President. Overall, big changes were expected and big changes occurred. Though I don't have official numbers yet, pollsters are reporting very low turnout in Pennsylvania's metropolitan areas, including Philadelphia - which is overwhelmingly Democratic. If it turns out that turnout was as low as initial reports suggest (16% to 20%), then we've got no one to blame but ourselves for what happens in the next several years.

"The Month of Gay" in the Philadelphia Weekly

Check out the new gay event preview in this week's Philadelphia Weekly, which includes Nightlifegay.com's upcoming U.S. Mr. Gay Competition (November 12 & 13) and the PINK Pub Crawl (November 24). Click HERE for the full article!

Meet the U.S. Mr. Gay Contestants & Online Vote

U.S. Mr. Gay - November 12-13, 2010 in Philadelphia

TICKETS

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE


Name: Andrew
Representing: New Brunswick, NJ
Date of Birth: 04/28/1989
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 150
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown






Name: Michael
Representing: New Hope, PA
Date of Birth: 11/05/1989
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 145
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel






Name: Pedro
Representing:Long Beach, CA
Height: 5’6"
Weight: 140
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Brown







Name: Matthew
Representing: San Diego, CA
Date of Birth: 10/25/1986
Height: 5’7"
Weight: 145
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown






Name: Clint
Representing: Nashville, TN
Date of Birth: 11/16/1986
Height: 6’2"
Weight: 165
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Blue







Name: Charles
Representing: Rehoboth Beach, DE
Date of Birth: 12/19/1986
Height: 5’ 9”
Weight: 182
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue







Name: Eddie
Representing: Columbia, SC
Date of Birth: 5/17/1985
Height: 5’8"
Weight: 145
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Brown







Name: Derek
Representing: San Francisco, CA
Date of Birth: 02/05/1984
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 158
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown







Name: Aaron
Representing: Washington, D.C.
Date of Birth: 5/271984
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 135
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown







Name: Noah
Representing: Virginia Beach, VA
Date of Birth: 8/16/1984
Height: 6’0"
Weight: 180
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue







Name: Ryan
Representing: Philadelphia, PA
Date of Birth: 1/19/1982
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 155
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Brown







Name: Mario
Representing: New York, NY
Date of Birth: 5/30/1982
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 200
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black







Name: TyRon
Representing: Orange County, CA
Date of Birth: 12/17/1981
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 145
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown







Name: Diego
Representing: Fire Island, NY
Date of Birth: 2/16/1981
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 31
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown







Name: Omar
Representing: Miami, FL
Date of Birth: 3/21/1980
Height: 6’0
Weight: 175
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Light Brown







Name: Anthony
Representing: Chicago, IL
Date of Birth: 6/29/1979
Height: 5’11"
Weight: 140
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Hazel







Name: Antonio Naranjo
Representing: Modesto, CA
Date of Birth: 1/13/1978
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 185
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown







Name: James
Representing: Annapolis, MD
Date of Birth: 9/8/1978
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 175
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel







Name: Victor
Representing: Asbury Park, NJ
Date of Birth: 10/07/1977
Height: 5’10"
Weight: 190
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Dark Brown







Name: Sebastian
Representing: Pittsburgh, PA
Date of Birth: 6/24/1967
Height: 5’11’’
Weight: 145
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Brown







Name: Ellis
Representing: Allentown, PA
Date of Birth.: 9/26/1965
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 162
Hair Color: Light Brown
Eye Color: Blue

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE

Purchase Tickets

Music Stars Prove Their Acting Chops

Check out this excellent story from www.popeater.com, which chronicles the buzz-worthy film performances turned in by music stars, Janet Jackson (For Colored Girls), Justin Timberlake (The Social Network), and Christina Aguilera (Burlesque).  All have garnered rave reviews for their roles, with Oscar buzz surrounding Jackson's heart-wrenching and emotional performance in Tyler Perry's upcoming film.  

Ron Howard Refuses to Cut Gay Joke from New Movie

In a move that has some cheering and others jeering, Hollywood power player Ron Howard has decided not to cut a gay joke from his new movie, The Dilemma.   Despite criticism from the likes of GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and Anderson Cooper, Howard is sticking to his First Amendment guns and keeping the following joke from Vince Vaughn's character Ronnie Valentine: "Ladies and gentlemen, electric cars are gay. I mean, not 'homosexual' gay, but 'My-parents-are-chaperoning-the-dance' gay."

I don't have a problem with the joke, but I can understand in the current climate why some people are upset.  However, it's entertainment and Howard did cut the joke from the film's trailer.  Everyone can make their own decision as to whether they will support this film.  What are your thoughts about the controversy?

Bravo's Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection to Debut on November 9th

Starting on Tuesday, November 9th, Bravo will debut the second season of its response to Project Runway. When PR left Bravo for Lifetime, the Bravo execs developed The Fashion Show to fill the network's couture reality competition void. Despite a lackluster first season, they've resurrected the series with some new features, including teams and IMAN! That's right, the supermodel will be co-hosting this series with fashionista Isaac Mizrahi. She's not quite as nutty as Grace Jones or Naomi Campbell, but Iman has plenty of crazy to make this show worth watching. Will u be watching when the show premiers next week?

Disney Teen Queen Seeks Professional Help

Demi Lovato is one of the most talented Disney entertainers in history. She sings, dances, and acts - doing all 3 incredibly well. She's also likable, charitable, and very aware that her actions influence countless youngsters around the world. Unfortunately, Lovato appears to be struggling with some personal demons, and she is leaving her international tour with the Jonas Brothers to get professional medical help. Rumors of Lovato's struggles with depression, self-cutting, and eating disorders have swirled in Hollywood for several months. Though the specific cause of her rehab stint has yet to be clarified by Lovato or any member of her team, we do know that it's for emotional / mental support - not substance abuse.

In the wake of a rash of anti-gay bullying incidents, Lovato spoke out in support of the victims and shared her story of being bullied in her early teenage years. The mistreatment directed to her was so bad that she dropped out and went the home schooling route. If you've heard her talk about these experiences, it's very clear that she is still trying to recover from whatever was done to her.

Lovato is one of the few excellent role models for young women in entertainment, and I hope she gets the support she needs. Hopefully, she'll be back on stage and screen very soon. Best wishes!

Megachurch pastor comes "OUT" to stop bullying

Jim Swilley, pastor of a Georgia megachurch, is speaking out about his recent decision to publicly declare he is gay.

"I know a lot of straight people think orientation is a choice. I want to tell you that it is not," Jim Swilley said in a video shot in the nondenominational megachuch Swilley founded 25 years ago. Watch this report by ABC News.

He's back!

Onorato and Sestak are clear choices in PA

Today's election has huge implications for our families, our communities, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PA's leading progressive organizations to produce a Progressive Voter Guide based on their endorsements -- one-stop shopping for highly informed recommendations about the races on your ballot. Below are their picks for Governor and Senator of the state.


Governor: Dan Onorato

Dan Onorato began his political career in 1991 when he won a seat on Pittsburgh City Council, where he served two terms. Once in office, he worked to put more police officers on the streets, build private-public partnerships to save assets like the City Zoo and pass a tax cut to help small businesses create new jobs. In 1999, he successfully ran for Allegheny County Controller and spent four years as the city's watchdog against wasteful spending and fraud.

The PA AFL-CIO calls Onorato the clear choice for working families.

Dan Onorato understands the key issues facing Pennsylvania's environment. He supports a fair tax on drillers who take our natural resources and reasonable regulations on an industry that threatens to poison the drinking water of millions of PA citizens. He will help make the Commonwealth a leader in clean, renewable energy and will ensure that the PA Department of Environmental Protection has the resources it needs to protect our health and safety.

He received the endorsement of Equality Pennsylvania because of his support in words and deeds the most basic American premise that all people are created equal, and that the rights and lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pennsylvanians are valuable and non-negotiable.

Endorsements and Supporters include: Education Voters of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State Education Association PACE, Conservation Voters, Equality PA, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, SEIU PA State Council, United Steelworkers, Teamsters, Capital Region Stonewall Democrats, Steel City Stonewall Democrats


U.S. Senate: Joe Sestak

Joe Sestak was elected to Congress in 2006 to represent the 7th Congressional District where he was born and raised. During a distinguished 31-year career in the United States Navy, he attained the rank of three-star Admiral and served in the White House, Pentagon, and in operational commands at sea. He is the senior military veteran, and the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and later earned a PhD. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. After retiring from the Navy, Joe returned home to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Alex, and represents PA's 7th Congressional District.

Sestak is the son of a first-generation American, a decorated World War II veteran who rose to be a U.S. Navy Captain. Following in his father's footsteps, he went to U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated second in his class, before embarking on a career of military service. He served as President Bill Clinton's Director for Defense Policy in the White House, oversaw the Navy's $70 billion warfare budget as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, and led a series of commands at sea, culminating in command of the George Washington Aircraft Carrier Battle Group (30 ships, 100 aircraft, and 15,000 Sailors, Marines & SEALs) during combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Since taking office in 2006, Sestak has been named the most productive member in his legislative class. He is one of the few representatives to serve on three committees, serving as Vice Chair of the Small Business Committee, and a member of the Committee on Education and Labor and the Armed Services Committee. In the current Congress he has had more of his bills pass than either of the state's two Senators, and is among the top five members of Congress in the number of bills and resolutions he has co-sponsored.

Joe Sestak is supported by a wide array of progressive organizations because of his strong support of labor, protecting the environment, advocating for working families, standing up for reproductive choice and supporting civil rights for all people.

He received the endorsement of Equality Pennsylvania because of his support in words and deeds the most basic American premise that all people are created equal, and that the rights and lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pennsylvanians are valuable and non-negotiable.

Endorsements and Supporters include: Clean Water Action, Sierra Club, Equality PA, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, SEIU PA State Council, Planned Parenthood of PA Advocates and Planned Parenthood of PA PAC, Human Rights Campaign, UFCW 1776, UFCW 23, NOW PAC, Capital Region Stonewall Democrats, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, Philadelphia Americans for Democratic Action, Democracy for America, United Steelworkers

American Library Association Creates Gay Literature Award

The American Library Association has just announced that it added an award for gay and lesbian literature to its annual prizes for children's books. On January 10th, the first Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award will be given to an English-language book "of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience." The adult equivalent of this prize has been awarded since 1971. According to Robert Stevens, the President of the American Library Association, gay and lesbian children's stories are "critical tools in teaching tolerance, acceptance, and the importance of diversity." Click here to learn more about the American Library Association.

GPFF's "It Gets Better" Video

Players from the Greater Philadelphia Glag Football League (GPFF) share their stories for their "It gets better" video. Check it out.

AM/FM tonight at Q

Q Lounge - 13th & Locust Streets - Philadelphia

Halloween photos from the Gayborhood

Karen Cornell took these Halloween photos out in Philadelphia's Gayborhood last night.












See more Halloween photos on our Facebook.com/nightlifegay page.