The William Way LGBT Community Center | 1315 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | www.waygay.org | (215) 732-2220 | info@waygay.

org

AUG

2015

DEFIANT ARCHIVES, AN IMPORTANT

PART OF HISTORY
THIS ISSUE
1 Defiant Archives, An
Important Part of History

2 Greetings from the

Executive Director

3 August Calendar
4 August At A Glance
6 This Month in
LGBT History

6 Around the Center

7 Leonas Story

Since 2010, the Center has presented LGBTQ

to be comprehensive, it does portray a sense
history exhibitions in the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Gallery
of inclusivity and many visitors will be able to
adjacent to our Art Gallery. Weve celebrated
connect with parts of the display sharing moments
anniversaries with the AIDS Fund, the Dyke
of empowerment, self determination, and trans*
March, GALAEI, Men of All Colors Together,
brilliance! There is also room for visitors to add
Philadelphia Frontrunners, the Radical Faeries,
their own story to an interactive timeline in the
and the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference.
exhibition.
Weve worked with numerous
dedicated and talented
The panels for this exhibition were
volunteers and curators, too
created in the months leading up to
many to name here, who
the opening. A small and dedicated
trans histories of group of talented volunteers offered
have brought a vision and
depth to the exhibitions that
existence, resistance a series of workshops in tandem
is powerful and irreplicable.
and brilliance with the WWCCs archivist geared
To say that the gallery itself
towards trans and gender nonand the process through
conforming individuals. They were
which these stories become
given access to the Wilcox Archive
visible is magic is no stretch.
and were able to explore the material
There is magic at the Center
that was relevant to the exhibition.
because of our community
Trans* workshop participants
and the current exhibition is
were able to pick out trans history
Opening Event: Friday July 24 6-8pm
no exception, although it is
that spoke to them in some way
incredibly special.
and celebrate it through art, all of
Exhibit on display July- September 2015
William Way LGBTQ Center
which is represented in the final
1315 Spruce St. Philadelphia
Defiant Archives: Trans
exhibition in the gallery. This type of
Histories of Existence,
hands-on participation is integral to
Resistance and Brilliance
telling the histories of marginalized
adds an important voice to the group of exhibitions
communities because it can foster a deeper
on display this summer for the Reminder Day 50th
connection with ones own history and add a level
Anniversary celebration. It is a community curated
of ownership, authenticity and passion which
exhibition that highlights trans* ancestors such as
is sometimes audibly absent from mainstream
Nizah Morris, Jaci Adams, and Charlene Arcila Eks, galleries.
among others, and various personal and shared
moments in local trans* activism. With materials
Defiant Archives: Trans Histories of Existence,
from the John J. Wilcox, Jr. archives, the Trans
Resistance and Brilliance will be on display in
Oral History Project, and private collections, this
the Wilcox Community History Gallery June 24
exhibition is a wonderfully rich array of objects
September 20, 2015 and is free and open to the
and ephemera detailing everything from the local
public during the Centers normal operating hours:
Ball scene to the fight to remove gender markers
M-F, 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun, 12-5pm.
from SEPTA transpasses. Although its not meant

DEFIANT ARCHIVEs

POster Design: Jenna Brager, Ezra Nepon and Beth Pulcinella

Help us go paperless! To
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org and click on the Go
Paperless link, or call (215)
732-2220.

GREETINGS FROM THE EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR
Five years on the job
On July 15th, 2015, I celebrated my fifth
anniversary as Executive Director at the
Center. I have much gratitude to all the staff,
volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders
who have supported and energized the
Center during these years.
Im especially proud of the last year, during
which we hosted the nations first LGBT
jazz festival, Outbeat, and our truly historic
exhibit at the National Constitution Center,
<Speaking OUT for Equality.>
I thought that that might be enough for one
year, but we were also thrilled to co-host
our regions celebration of marriage equality
as the law of the land after our June 26th
Supreme Court victory in Obergefell v.
Hodges. That celebration on Independence
Mall really moved meboth as an expression
of that victory and as an aspiration for all the
work that is yet to be donefor transgender
equality, for racial justice and equity, and to
insure protections against discrimination for
all of us.
I want Philadelphias LGBT communities to
be visible and energizedand I want the
Center to be one of the key focuses of that
community building. The last year of was
truly one for the history booksfrom the
victory of the Obergefell case at the Supreme
Court, to increasing visibility and victories for
our transgender communities. Lets keep up
the momentum and the hard work!
GO! LBT women showing up to help
our women seniors
Many thanks this month to the women of
GO! (Giving to Others), who organized
a marvelous fundraiser for the LBT women
of the John C. Anderson Apartments. The
event, held on Saturday, May 16th, raised
close to $2,000 for LBT women seniors who
have done so much to build the foundations
for LGBT progress. Many thanks to all of
2

the women who donated cash gifts as well

as gift certificates for these women. Were
so grateful for the opportunity to provide
special support to women who are in need.
Thank you Bonnie Strahs, Rita Myers,
Shanna Halpern, Luciann Givonetti,
Stacia Fischer, and Heather Gibson, as
well as everyone from the community who
supported the Wine, Women & Song
event in May.

GO! is a giving circle that

provides philanthropicallyspirited women with the
opportunity to give back to
the community in many ways.
They identify an organization
with a specific, attainable
need and partner with them
and then create an event
around that need, which can
be a party, a service day, a
fundraiser, etc.
GO! is a giving circle that provides
philanthropically-spirited women with the
opportunity to give back to the community
in many ways. They identify an organization
with a specific, attainable need and partner
with them and then create an event around
that need, which can be a party, a service
day, a fundraiser, etc. We are so grateful that
GO! chose William Wayand specifically the
senior women of the Anderson Apartments
as the focus of their efforts.
A Day of Exciting Planning with the
William Way Board of Directors
On Saturday, July 11th, I spent the day with
the William Way Board of Directors and our
senior staff for a 40th Anniversary Planning
Session at the National Constitution Center.

We were very happy to have Terry Stone

Executive Director of Centerlink, the
national organization for LGBT Community
Centers, facilitate the day along with our
fundraising advisor Mike DelBene. We
spent the day celebrating the successes of
the year and planning out our next steps
with a key focus on our 40th Anniversary
and a huge celebration for this years Indigo
Ball. One key element of the celebration is
a Time Capsule that will collect the histories
of many LGBT stakeholdersand we hope
that we can collect your story too! Most
importantly, consider joining us at the Indigo
Ball Preview Party at the Prime Rib at
6 PM on Wednesday, July 29th. Well be
announcing some of the key elements of that
special event and we want you to be there.
RSVP to Ben Jones at 214-354-4051.
Many thanks to Pepper Hamilton
for supporting <Speaking OUT for
Equality>
Finally, many thanks to Jim Epstein and our
friends at the law firm of Pepper Hamilton
for their support of our exhibit at the National
Constitution Center. Each month Ive aimed
to mention all of the supporters who helped
to make a difference in the exhibitand
we continue to get support from so many
companies who, like Pepper, Hamilton, want
to invest in our LBGT history.
With gratitude,
Chris Bartlett
Executive Director

AUGUST CALENDAR

STA FF

Avis Albaladejo
Facilities Directorr
John Anderies
Archivist of the
John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archive
Chris Bartlett
Executive Director
Eric Bunting
Facilities Assistant=
Jim Crouch
Maintenance Technician
Ben Jones
Development Director
Will Jordan
Bookkeeper
Ed Miller
Senior Programs Coordinator
Steve Serafin
Peer Counseling Coordinator
Marshall Siegel
Front Desk Coordinator
Bob Skiba
Curator of the
John J. Wilcox, Jr Archive
R. Eric Thomas
Director of Programs
Candice Thompson
Chief Operating Officer

BOA R D OF
DIR ECTORS
OFFICERS
Jeff Sotland, Esq.
Co-Chair
Laurie Ward
Co-Chair
Steve Brando
Secretary
Anh Dang
Treasurer

BOA R D
MEMB ERS
Jocelyn Block
Chris Durr
Rudy Flesher
Anna Garrett
Amber Hikes
Mandeep Jangi
Robert Lenahan
Paul Steinke
Leona Thomas

The William Way LGBT Community Center is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization

serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities of Greater Philadelphia.
* Indicates a new program

AUGUST AT A GLANCE
ONGOING
Art Gallery: Works from Showing Face:
A Cross-Generational Project
On view in the gallery: July 10 - August
28, 2015
Showing Facewas a year-long, crossgenerational collaborative art project
that brought together four seemingly
disparate community organizations: the
City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program,
the Attic Youth Center, the John C
Anderson Apartments, and the William
Way Community Center. Recognizing a
generational disconnect in the LGBTQ
community, these partners brought together
young millennials for whom visibility
has become the norm, and an older
generation that struggled for representation,
acceptance, and legitimacy in the 1960s
and 70s. Artists Ashley Kolodner and
Brandon Dean led an arts-based curriculum
where various forms of art making became
tools for forging community and exploring
identity. Conversations illuminated the
hardships of both youth and seniors,
the often untold history of the LGBTQ
movement, and the intersectionalism
endemic to queer identities. The goal of the
project was to situate the contemporary
queer experience in its larger context of an
intensely oppressive past and give youth
the opportunity to reflect upon their moment
in history, all the while fostering a lasting
relationship between the youth and their
elders. The photographs in this exhibition
are the result of this year of programming

and were shot by Ashley Kolodner. Each

individual who participated had two portraits
taken: eyes closed symbolizing their
vulnerability and insecurity, and eyes open
representing their pride and personality.
The portraits are a combination of older
individuals from the John C. Anderson
Apartments and young people from the
Attic Youth Center. They are a part of a
larger campaign Kolodner has maintained
affectionately calledGayFace.
John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archive presents
Defiant Archives: Trans Histories of
Existence, Resistance, and Brilliance,
July 24 - September 20, 2015

Defiant Archives will share a collection

of archival and personal items with a
focus on the history of transgender
activism in Philadelphia, curated and
collected by local trans community
members. Visitors will be able to
watch a collection of oral history
videos shared by the Trans Oral
History Project, as well as the short
documentary video Transpass about
the work of Riders Against Gender
Exclusion, a local activist group who
won the fight to end SEPTAs use of
gendered stickers in 2013. The exhibit
will also invite participation, as visitors
are welcomed to share their own
histories on a timeline stretching from
1965 to 2015. The Defiant Archives
exhibit responds to a missing piece
in the Reminder 2015 celebration.
Before, during, and after the Annual

Reminder Day protests (196569) demanded gender conformity

from participants, transgender and
gender nonconforming activists have
mobilized for sexual and gender selfdetermination, social transformation,
and collective liberation. The exhibit is
dedicated to the memory of Charlene
Arcila.
Speaking OUT For Equality: The
Constitution, Gay Rights, and the
Supreme Court
Now-January, 2016 @ The National
Constitution Center
Planned to coincide with Gay Pride
Month in June and the 50th anniversary
of the first in a series gay rights marches,
which took place on the Fourth of July on
Independence Mall in Philadelphia, the
William Way LGBT Community Center
will presents Speaking Out for Equality, a
new exhibition at the National Constitution
Center. Speaking Out for Equality utilizes
pivotal court cases, artifacts and personal
stories to chronicle the decades-long debate
over gay rights, a debate that ultimately
brought issues of LGBT equality before
the Supreme Court. For more information
about this exhibition and all of the programs
associated with Reminder 2015, please
visit:www.reminder2015.org

R ECUR RING PROG R A MS

Bridge Club
Mondays, 1:30 pm
Party bridge for the experienced player.
Reservations suggested. Please call the
Center at 215-732-2220.
Chess Club (Free)
Sundays, 2 - 4 pm
This is an inclusive group seeking players
of all skill levels interested in socializing and
working on their game.Absolutely free, and
youre guaranteed to hone up on those skills
you havent used in awhile or to learn new
ones!

Mah-Jongg
Thursdays, 12 pm & 7:30 pm
For experienced and new players. Mah-jongg
is a game of skill, strategy, calculation, and
luck for four players. Reservations required
call 215-732-2220.
LGBT Age 50+ Rap Session
Thursdays, 1 - 2 pm
This is a unique forum where people can
discuss their feelings and experiences related
to being LGBT and age 50 + in a casual,
open and non-judgmental environment. This
new outlet has been created by and for older
adults. Stop in to share whats on your mind
and to just listen to what others have to say.

Library(Free)
Mon - Fri 12 - 9 pm
Sat 3 - 5 pm,
Sun 12 - 5 pm.

David Bohnett Cyber Center

Free WiFi in our lobby!
$1 per 15 minutes for WWCC computer use.

Mornings OUT Senior Social (Free)

Tuesdays, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
A social/educational group for older men with
occasional outings, speakers and events.
Light refreshments served.

AUGUST 03

AUGUST 07

HIV and Hepatitis C Testing (free and

confidential)
Monday, August 3, 17, 3-6 pm
The William Way Community Center is
partnering with BEBASHI, founded in 1985 in
response to the increasing incidence of HIV/
AIDS in the African American communities in
Philadelphia, to provide free and confidential
rapid HIV testing and Hepatitis C testing.
Trained counselors will be on-site to provide
testing and education. Drop-ins only.

Loft23 presents The Game Loft

Friday, August 7, 21, 6-8 pm
(2nd and 4th Fridays)
The game loft is a space geared towards
gamers (21-29 years old) within the
community and is an opportunity to meet
new people, play games, and socialize
outside of the bar/club scene. There will
be board games, a Wii console and PS3
provided within the group space. So come
out, join the group and have fun!!!!!! FREE.

AUGUST 05

AUGUST 14

Coffee Talk
Wednesday, August 5, 19, 7pm
(Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday)
Coffee Talk is a social gathering for people
who identify as Trans, Genderqueer, or NonBinary, and their Allies. This is a safe space
for all to discuss about daily life, adventures,
daydreams, and/or realities. Coffee
Talk is an all-inclusive, non-threatening
environment for all to engage in casual
conversation.

Loft 23 presents The Exchange Loft

Friday, August 14, 28, 6-8 pm
(1st and 3rd Fridays) (Except for July 3rd
which is a holiday for the Center)
This month, join us for casual conversation
and mingling at the Center. Loft23 is an
inclusive social/support group where LGBTQ
individuals between the ages of 21 and
29 can have engaging and constructive
experiences that lead to self-improvement
and the development of positive
connections within the community. FREE.

Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, August 5, 7:30 pm
Volunteer Orientation is a monthly
information session for new volunteers
to learn about the Center and the various
ways to get involved. Call (215) 732-2220 to
register.

Peer Counseling
Mon - Fri, 6 pm - 9 pm
One-to-one confidential counseling. We
help with issues such as coming out, sexual
identity and expression, relationships, family
issues, isolation, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS,
legal issues, health and safety concerns. This
is a free and confidential service. 215-732TALK (8255).

AUGUST 15
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Saturday, August 15, 2-5 pm
This guided discussion on all issues which
impact lesbian, bisexual and questioning
women will provide an opportunity to
address a variety of topics including but not
limited to sexuality, role playing, politics,

PhilaVentures: Wissahickon Hike

Last Sun of the Month, 2 pm
An opportunity for walking at a moderate pace
with a talkative group of LGBT folks who like
fresh air and exercise! Some ups and downs
and uneven paths are found along the way, so
wear proper footwear and be ready to hike!
This groups meets at 2:00 PM at Cosimos
Pizza, 8624 Germantown Ave. at Bethlehem
Pike.

Rainbow Buddhist Meditation

Sundays, 3-4:30 pm
This free group is for both practicing
Buddhists and those interested in Buddhism
and includes both a discussion and
meditation.

relationships, etc No subject is off limits!

Each question will be written on a 3 by 5
index card, folded in half. The cards are then
picked randomly by the facilitator, Yvette
Lassiter, MSW, and read to the group at
large. FREE. RSVP is required to info@
waygay.org or 215-732-2220 as space is
limited.

AUGUST 18
Volunteer Velada & Dinner
Tuesday, August 18, 7 pm
(Every 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Help us fold and assemble our monthly
mailing. Its a big job and we need your help!

AUGUST 22
Queer Writers Collective
Saturday, August 22, 3-5 pm
(Every 4th Saturday of the month)
Join this free group for monthly workshops
and discussions to develop your unique
queer voice via the written word at the
Center. Contact Candice for information at
(215) 732-2220 or info@waygay.org. Free.

AUGUST 23
Silver Foxes
Sunday, August 23, 3-5 pm
(Every 4th Sunday of the month, except
in December)
For LGBT 50+ folks. A monthly social
and discussion group at the Center. Light
refreshments will be served and feel
welcome to bring other food.

Tai Chi Classes (Free)

Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese system of
mind-body-spirit health, based on the wisdom
of the Tao and the I Ching. You will learn the
gentle movements and deep breathing of the
Yang Style 37 Postures Form. Tai Chi can
have many health benefits including: lowering
blood pressure; reducing leg, neck and back
pain, etc. All ages and all fitness levels are
welcome!

TransWay (Free)
Thursdays, 7-9 pm
A weekly social group for the transgender and
gender nonconforming community.

THIS MONTH IN LGBT HISTORY

CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN: RELENTLESS ROMEO
Charlotte Cushman was one of the most successful American actresses of the 19 th
century, internationally famous for her masculine vigor and commanding presence in male
roles onstage, and her tempestuous love affairs with women offstage. The strong jawed
Cushman is pictured here playing Romeo to her sister Susans Juliet.
Her connection to Philadelphia was brief, but she left a lasting impression. In 1842,
the 26 year old Cushman became the manager of the Walnut Street Theatre, no small
accomplishment for a woman. While having her portrait painted by Philadelphia painter
Thomas Sully, she fell in love with his beautiful young daughter Rosalie. Soon, the Sullys
began treating Charlotte as one of the family. In an 1844, diary entry she mentions sleeping
with Rosalie and giving her a ring. She cryptically adds R Saturday, July 6, Married.
Not long after, Cushman left for a European tour, promising to return to Rosalie after her
engagements were through. The tour was so successful that it was extended for years.
When word got back to Philadelphia that Cushman had moved on to another woman, the
heartbroken Rosalie contracted a fever and died.
Cushman reacted to Rosalies death by cancelling performances and retiring to a spa. She
would later move on to volatile affairs with writer Matilda Hays, sculptor Emma Stebbins
and 18 year old actress Emma Crow, whom she affectionately called my little lover.
In 1907, a group of Philadelphia women formed the Charlotte Cushman Club as a respectable place for actresses to stay while they were
appearing in plays in the city. When the club was dissolved the house on Camac Street and its collections of theater memorabilia were sold
to endow the Charlotte Cushman Foundation which still funds non-profit theaters and groups in the Philadelphia area.
- Bob Skiba, Curator, the John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives

AROUND THE CENTER

40 community leaders participated in a re-enactment of the

1965 Reminder Day marches for lesbian and gay civil rights
during the 4th of July celebrations at Independence Mall

WWCC Staff member Bob Skiba helped

choreograph the re-enactment
6

Leona Thomas is a member of the William Way Board of Directors and has been involved with the Center for almost 30 years. As part of
our 40th Anniversary celebration, we asked Leona to share her story of involvement with the Center and our community. The following is
an excerpt from that story. Leonas full story as well as those of other members of our community can be found at our 40th Anniversary
celebration website: waygay40.org
I first connected with William Way in the late 80s probably 86 or 87 when it was still Penguin Place and the first location I walked into
was one few probably remember the one on Quince Street over by the bike stop and was still around a few years later when it moved
over to Camac St. by what was the 2-4, now Voyeur. I was in a different place than a lot of people my age back then. I came out at 18
actually a few would say I never went in. I came out into the UPenn/West Philadelphia/Philadelphia Rugby womens communities so I had
instant access to a large lesbian community and with parents and family who, with a few exceptions, accepted me for who I am. And
besides I supported myself, so if they didnt like it, they could get over it. In many ways, I didnt technically need the community center
and yet, it profoundly changed my life and the life of many others by providing critical services to the community.

The first was a legal seminar that Penguin Place (William Way) put on with Lambda Legal on how to create legal protections for ourselves
and our partners legally recognized same sex marriage wasnt even a pipe dream then and there were many horror stories of people
being denied access to hospitals, losing their houses, etc. even after many years of being with their partners because families came in and
took over or institutions refused to recognize their relationships. But Lambda Legal gave us some options create legal contracts, put
major assets in joint names, set up legal and medical powers of attorneys, and wills with explicit instructions on where your assets would
go and who would make decisions for you after passed away. Back in the 80s there was one book that explained how to do these things
I got the name of the book at the seminar and immediately walked over and bought the book at Giovannis Room. I used the book, my
friends used the book, their friends used my book, and when I went through a joining ceremony with my now ex-wife, we had as many legal
protections in place as available to us under the laws at that time.

Unfortunately our relationship didnt last, but the knowledge did and when my next serious relationship involved raising a child before
two parent adoption existed in most states, we leveraged that knowledge to help make sure my relationship as his parent was as iron clad
as possible and believe me, you didnt want to be the hospital worker trying to stop me from seeing my son trying to tell me I wasnt
allowed in or the teacher telling me I wasnt allowed to pick my son up from school because I wasnt his mother. as I walked in armed
with legal guardianship and medical power of attorney papers and the knowledge of how to sue anyone who tried to deny me my legal
rights based on those documents.

24+ years later, my relationship with my son has outlasted my relationship with his biological mother and the damn legal system who
wouldnt officially recognize me as a parent for years. He was then, is now, and will forever be my son and we finally gained legal
recognition of our relationship over 22 years after I started raising him. Im still getting used to being a grandmother and I couldnt
be prouder of my son who grew up as one of the first kids with openly gay and lesbian parents but I couldnt have done it without the
knowledge I gained from that first Lambda Legal Seminar and the community that surrounded Penguin Place back in the late 80s.
Leonas story doesnt stop there. Read more and share your own at waygay40.org.

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