City Politics: Community Organizer And Activist Is Leading The Way For LGBT Affairs
Amber Hikes started her career in Philadelphia in social work, and became a well-known community organizer and an advocate for LGBT youth through her work at The Attic Youth Center, William Way Community Center and other youth-focused organizations. Following a move to California, she returned to serve as executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs […]
LGBTQ: The Value of Drag
Philadelphia has a thriving drag community, with drag shows all over the city and an ever-growing population of performers. On any given night, a drag show is likely going on somewhere in town. Throughout history, drag has employed very rigid rules for its queens, often in relation to physique and size. However, with the growth […]
LGBTQ: Community Impacted by Issues of Body Image
Body image, or the way that one views his or her own body, is something that impacts people of all shapes, sizes, colors and sexualities. However, there are unique ways that individuals in the LGBTQ community experience and confront issues of body image. “The LGBTQ community does have special situations that other people don’t have,” […]
Gayborhood: Bearlesque Performance Group Promotes Body Positivity
Bearlesque is a body-positive, gender-inclusive burlesque performance group featuring people of all sexualities. The organization was created in 2014 by Josh Schonewolf and Connor Michalchuk as a one-off show for ‘bears,’ a slang term in the LGBTQ community for larger, hairier, more masculine gay men. The more Michalchuk and Schonewolf discussed their ideas, the more […]
LGBTQ: Softball League Unites the Community
City of Brotherly Love Softball League (CBLSL) is one of Philadelphia’s largest and oldest LGBTQ sports organizations. The league was created in 1981 by J.J. Hendley as an outlet for LGBTQ individuals who wanted both athletic experience and social networking. Each year CBLSL gives out a J.J. Hendley award, the highest honor a player in […]
LGBTQ: Toasted Walnut Brings the ‘L’ Back to LGBTQ
When Sisters Nightclub closed in 2013 after serving the lesbian community for 17 years, Philadelphia lacked a gathering space catered to LGBT women. However, with the opening of Toasted Walnut Bar & Kitchen, that need has been filled. Denise Cohen, who was a general manager at Sisters for its entire run, opened Toasted Walnut right before […]
South Philadelphia: Inclusive Rugby Team Strives to Defy Stereotypes while Staying Competitive
In the summer of 2003, Joe Cruz showed up to rugby practice for the newly-formed Philadelphia Gryphons. The University of Pennsylvania grad was one of seven people at practice. The Gryphons started as an idea, a new team that was attempting to be assembled by members of New York City’s Gotham Knights and the Washington […]
Center City: qFLIX Philadelphia Revives LGBTQ Film Scene with Festival
Philadelphia’s lone LGBTQ film festival evolved from necessity. “We put qFLIX Philadelphia together for one main reason — the previous festival was abandoned,” director and co-producer James Duggan (above) said. Founded in 2014 by Duggan and fellow director and co-producer Thom Cardwell (below), the festival provides a platform for the LGBTQ community to share their stories in […]
LGBTQ: Mauckingbird Theatre Company Presents Classic Plays With a Twist
A recent production by Mauckingbird Theatre Company was set in the 17th century, complete with all the attire, mannerisms and dialogue of the day — and a cell phone. It’s that type of modern twist on classic plays that reflects the origin and mission of the group. “Mauckingbird Theatre Company produces innovative, affordable gay-themed theatre,” said Peter Reynolds, the artistic director of […]
LGBTQ: Five Welcoming Places for the Community
Intersecting at 13th and Locust streets, the rainbow crosswalk represents more than lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and queers. It embodies the boundaries and obstacles crossed and overcome by the LGBTQ community in Philadelphia. In neighborhoods across the city, there are LGBTQ facilities that provide affordable medical treatments and education, encourage the exploration of self-expression, and promote a confident life. […]