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Half way between New York and Washington, Philadelphia (Greek for "City of Brotherly Love")
is the fifth largest city in the US - second largest on the East Coast. Adrian Gillan
has been checking it out for OutUK.
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Where better to start your visit than at Independence Visitor Centre, Liberty Bell Centre and
Independence Hall - a cluster of buildings that form the city's - nay the very nation's -
historic heart? Then jump on a trolley tour
from the nearby Bourse building to take in the quaint Old Town; lots of sites relating to local genius Benjamin
Franklin; buzzing China Town; the vast City Hall - "topped" by city founder William Penn;
and the business district, with its skyline of modern blocks mixed with classic old 20s
scrapers.
Hop off the trolley temporarily at Reading Terminal Market for a local cheese steak
(cheese-covered steak, in a bun) or hoagies (giant filled rolls), before heading on to
Philadelphia Museum of Art, the 3rd largest in the US, where you might just catch the
Dali exhibition if you're quick (see below); or pop over the Schuylkill to the Institute
of Contemporary Art.
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A gay couple in 2005, in front of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia,
where the modern gay rights movement started 40 years ago. Now, a plaque will honour the
1965 event at Independence Hall, also the site of the signing of the American Declaration of
Independence and US Constitution.
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If you've time, scan the many graffiti-art murals
that brighten up buildings in the city centre; venture south a little to the huge Italian Market;
or catch a classical concert by the world-famous Philadelphia Orchestra at the modern Kimmel
Centre for Performing Arts on the Avenue of Arts.
And when you really love your men - or women: The 'Gaybourhood'.
Most of Philly's compact but sizeable gay scene is within the 'Gaybourhood', between Broad
and 12th Streets and Walnut and Pine Streets. It's all in a strict grid, so hard to get too lost!
Adrian travelled with US Airways who offer more flights to Philadelphia from the UK than
any other carrier, with daily non-stop flights from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow (summer only).
Fares start from £353.50 including taxes. For further information, call US Airways on
0845 600 3300 or visit www.usairways.com.
Philadelphia Freedom
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Bars & Clubs
12th Street Air Command (254 South 12th Street; T: +1 215 545 8088; www.12thair.com) - Large venue with three dance floors and lots of pinball machines.
Bike Stop (206 South Quince Street; T: +1 215 627 1662; www.thebikestop.com) - Bears and leathers, Philly's only leather bar, on four floors.
Bump (13th & Locust Streets; T: +1 215 732 1800) - Philadelphia's newest bar is a swanky "luxe-lounge" with after hours restaurant and juice bar on Friday and Saturday nights, not to mention a "beef and drag" brunch on Sundays featuring drag queens and body builders!
Tavern on Camac a.k.a T.O.C. (243 S. Camac Street; T: +1 215 545 0900; www.tavernoncamac.com) - Comfy show-tune piano bar down a narrow street.
Shampoo (417 North 8th Street; T: +1 215 922 7500) - Don't miss their weekly gay night, 'Shaft Friday'.
Woody's (202 S. 13th Street; T: +1 215 545 1893; www.woodysbar.com) - Philly's most famous gay club - 7 days a week - shameless and tireless!
Key West (207 S. Juniper Street; T: +1 215 545 1578) - 5-bar complex to go and get lost in!
Pure (1221 St. James Place; T: +1 215 735 5772) - Philly's biggest after-hours club (after 2am, when bars shut) - good dance music in swish surroundings - cheap guest membership available! Just round the corner from Woody's!
Shops
Giovanni's Room (345 S 12th Street; T: +1 215 923 2960; www.queerbooks.com) - Long-established LGBT bookstore.
Saunas
Club Body Centre II (1220 Chancellor Street; T: +1 215 735 7671; www.clubbodycentre.com) - Men's "health club" - open 24/7.
Restaurants & Café's
Mixto (1141-43 Pine Street; T: +1 215 592 0363) - Fab Cuban-Columbian food with cute waiters who tease.
Cruising
Schuylkill Park
Hotel
Alexander Inn (12th Street & Spruce Street; T: +1 215 923 3535; Alexander Inn) - Euro charm, US comfort! Roaring fire in the foyer, cosy rooms, generous breakfasts. Perfectly positioned for scene and sites!
PHILLY'S SPRING & SUMMER 2005
25th April - 1st May 2005: Equality Forum 2005 (1420 Locust Street, Suite 300; T: +1 215 732 3378) - The Equality Forum organises the nation's largest LGBT symposium, conference and festival, every spring. This year celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the modern LGBT Civil Rights Movement: 25th April - 1st May 2005
Until 15th May 2005: Salvador Dali at the Philadelphia Museum of Art - This blockbuster exhibition covers all aspects of the great masturbating Spanish artist's long and controversial career, including more than 200 of his Surrealist and Cubist works - many of which are on view in the US for the first time: www.philamuseum.org
12th June 2005: Philadelphia Pride Parade & Festival - Philadelphia celebrates LGBT Pride with the annual parade through the 'Gaybourhood' ending at Broad & Washington Streets, the site of the Pride Festival itself: www.phillypride.org
4th July 2005: 40th Anniversary of LGBT Civil Rights Movement - Commemorating the world's first gay demo asking for universal gay human rights, on 4th July 1965, outside Independence Hall.
4th July 2005: Philadelphia Freedom Concert & Ball - Sir Elton John will be coming to Philadelphia to headline this concert, to raise two million dollars for HIV/AIDS awareness. For more information, to purchase tickets or make donations: www.phillyfreedom.net
7th - 18th July 2005: 11th Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - This festival fortnight showcases all genres of film that celebrate, or were created by, members of the LGBT communities. More via +1 215 733 0608 or on the
website
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