Burn in hell, Philadelphia

[CountDeMoney]

Gay rights march draws hundreds to Phila.

Associated Press
May 4, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - Hundreds of gay rights demonstrators marched through the streets of the city's historic center on Sunday carrying rainbow-colored flags and signs calling for equal rights in marriage, in the workplace and in health care.

The National Equality Rally was billed as the first national demonstration since 2000 for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights and the first held outside Washington. The marchers displayed signs from dozens of organizations and photos of people they said had been killed because of their sexualities.

The march ended with a rally in front of Independence Hall, where rainbow-colored umbrellas came in handy in a steady drizzle. The crowd listened to music from a band and a chorale singing the national anthem, and a cheer rose at the sound of the bell from the spire of the building where the Constitution was drafted.

Speakers called for support for gay marriage, more money for AIDS research and an end to workplace discrimination and the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which prohibits gays in the military from being open about their sexual orientation.

One participant wearing a fatigue jacket and pink slacks held a sign saying "Do ask, do tell."

"We don't wilt, and we don't melt. We are here for equality now," Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality Forum local gay rights group, which sponsored the event, told the crowd.

Bryan Berchok, of Upper Bucks County, Pa., listened to the speeches as he held his 4-year-old adoptive son, Shawn, whose face was painted to resemble the black mask of Spider-Man's evil alter ego. He and his partner of 15 years, John Ferraro, said it was difficult and expensive to try to get the same rights afforded to married couples.

"We worry how things would work out if one of us was not able to care for Shawn," Berchok said. "It's just a little scary."

Allison Woolbert, who chairs the Interweave gay rights group of southern New Jersey, said she wanted more attention given to health care for transgender people, who she said often are refused care by medical personnel and whose medications are not covered in health plans.

[garbon]

Bryan Berchok, of Upper Bucks County, Pa., listened to the speeches as he held his 4-year-old adoptive son, Shawn, whose face was painted to resemble the black mask of Spider-Man's evil alter ego.

Important detail!

[DontSayBanana]

No big surprise. You gotta realize that New Hope was essentially bought up by gays in the early 90s, so they attach a lot of pomp and circumstance to this stuff in the Philly metro.

[garbon]

No big surprise. You gotta realize that New Hope was essentially bought up by gays in the early 90s, so they attach a lot of pomp and circumstance to this stuff in the Philly metro.

I'd say that there is nothing newsworthy about this article.  Just about every "important" American city has been having large gatherings or marches.

[DontSayBanana]

I'd say that there is nothing newsworthy about this article.  Just about every "important" American city has been having large gatherings or marches.

The only thing noteworthy about the situation is that Philadelphia is actually self-contained in "Philadelphia County."  With the demographics, you would expect this to be a bigger deal in Bucks County, but the saturated Doylestown and New Hope gays have already gotten to the point of being rather cliquish and tend to downplay this kind of thing.

The last major gay event I can recall was Mother's funeral (Mother being the owner/operator of a gay club of the same name that worked hard to bring some legitimacy to gay activities in New Hope). Mother also happened to be ex-Navy and was buried at sea, so it was really something right out of The Birdcage- uniformed Navy personnel on one side, drag queens on the other.

[Caliga]

No big surprise. You gotta realize that New Hope was essentially bought up by gays in the early 90s, so they attach a lot of pomp and circumstance to this stuff in the Philly metro.

New Hope may have changed a bit since I left the area in 1998 or so, but at that time it was a mix of gays, hippies, and wealthy old people.  Gays do by far get the most attention, of course.

[garbon]

The only thing noteworthy about the situation is that Philadelphia is actually self-contained in "Philadelphia County."  With the demographics, you would expect this to be a bigger deal in Bucks County, but the saturated Doylestown and New Hope gays have already gotten to the point of being rather cliquish and tend to downplay this kind of thing.

The last major gay event I can recall was Mother's funeral (Mother being the owner/operator of a gay club of the same name that worked hard to bring some legitimacy to gay activities in New Hope). Mother also happened to be ex-Navy and was buried at sea, so it was really something right out of The Birdcage- uniformed Navy personnel on one side, drag queens on the other.

Sorry but you've lost me with this "explanation." Like what's this self-contained bit? And I don't know anything about the Philadelphia area (or its gays) so your second sentence has me puzzled.

[Caliga]

On the surface, it sounds like he's saying that Philly's influence/culture ends at the county line, which of course isn't true.  But Carrot lives in the area and knows it extremely well, so I can't believe that's what he actually meant.

[Syt]

[Lucidor]

Jackbooted stormtrooper?

[DontSayBanana]

On the surface, it sounds like he's saying that Philly's influence/culture ends at the county line, which of course isn't true.  But Carrot lives in the area and knows it extremely well, so I can't believe that's what he actually meant.

Actually, it was more me wondering out loud why New Hope stays so insular and lets Philly whore all the attention when it would be a far more effective success story. At a guess, I'm thinking it's because they're more a subset of the Yuppies and tend to be a little bit more conservative about such things.

If there really was a point to that post, it's more me warning that Philadelphia isn't necessarily an accurate barometer of the area, although its influence is undeniable.

[garbon]

Actually, it was more me wondering out loud why New Hope stays so insular and lets Philly whore all the attention when it would be a far more effective success story. At a guess, I'm thinking it's because they're more a subset of the Yuppies and tend to be a little bit more conservative about such things.

Because people know of Philadelphia but don't know of New Hope?

If there really was a point to that post, it's more me warning that Philadelphia isn't necessarily an accurate barometer of the area, although its influence is undeniable.

Isn't that true of a lot of cities though?