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1 week ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
In 2008, I received the prestigious Leeway Transformation Award — and it truly was transformational. The grant made it possible for me to travel to Spain for a screening of a short film I produced, a career highlight that included doing press, hanging out with the delightful Alan Cumming, and staying at the Axel — billed as the world’s first LGBTQIA hotel (its signage read “straight friendly”).
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2 weeks ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
It seems like the world is going crazy. Black history is under siege as the National Park Association removed Harriet Tubman from its website about the Underground Railroad, and queer history is taking hits like references to transgender and queer people being removed from the Stonewall National Monument site. All of this makes Philly Black Pride, happening this month even more important.
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2 weeks ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
It seems like the world is going crazy. Black history is under siege as the National Park Association removed Harriet Tubman from its website about the Underground Railroad, and queer history is taking hits like references to transgender and queer people being removed from the Stonewall National Monument site. All of this makes Philly Black Pride, happening this month even more important.
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3 weeks ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
Women’s History Month just passed but in my book, women’s history is a year-round thang. I believe that this week’s Portrait, Molly Gonzales, would agree with me. Gonzales is the Advocacy Manager at the Alice Paul Institute in Mt. Laurel, NJ. First question: You work in N.J. Where are you originally from?
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4 weeks ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
When Fred Rogers — known to most of us as the beloved Mister Rogers — would ask his mother what to do in times of trouble, she would tell him to “look for the helpers.” This week’s Portrait, Sheila Lorrett Emerson, would certainly fit the bill as one of those helpers. A former president of the board of PFLAG Philadelphia, Emerson currently serves as a commissioner with the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs.
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1 month ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” – Muhammad AliIf that’s the case then Rue Landau, who worked as a housing activist for a decade as well as serving as director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and Fair Housing Commission, has a room and a whole house at this point. With years of service to the community, Landau is now Philadelphia’s first openly queer member of City Council.
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1 month ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
The Philadelphia Fringe Festival is one of my favorite arts events in the fall. Still, I have to remind myself that the FringeArts organization and the building complete with a bar, restaurant and theater is hopping year-round. The Fringe bar is a great place to grab a drink under the stars with the beautiful Ben Franklin Bridge lit up in the background.
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1 month ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
Many of us have heard about food deserts and food and housing insecurity, but are you familiar with clothing insecurity? For people experiencing barriers to employment and independence, clothing insecurity is real. It can mean not having anything to wear or not having the right thing to wear. Both are barriers to advancement. Fortunately, we have an amazing organization here in Philadelphia helping to combat that problem and many others.
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1 month ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
“When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden.” – Minnie AumonierThe world can make us a little weary these days, but fortunately, here in Philadelphia, we can find much to be joyous about. Our beloved Eagles united the city in celebration and the cold weather seems to be abating, but if you still need a little mood boost, the Philadelphia Flower Show is the perfect pick-me-up.
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2 months ago | 
epgn.com | Suzi Nash
Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. ~ Franklin P. JonesIf you’re looking to take the ride, you’d do well to have this week’s Portrait, Jaclyn Rodriguez, as your conductor. Rodriguez, known as The Officiant Jawn, recently conducted her 238th wedding on Valentine’s Day. Since starting in 2023, she’s done weddings in a prison, in pajamas and at all hours of the day or night.
