(2011 East Coast Tour) MK Takes Philly by Storm!

MK @ Liberty Bell

by MK Scott

On Thursday, August 25th I boarded a Bus in New York for Philadelphia on Bolt Bus (a great and inexpensive way of traveling the east coast). After 2 hours, I arrive in a stormy and Rainy Philly and got ready to attend the LGBT Media Summit and NLGJA Convention at Loews Philadelphia.

Hauslaib, Segal, Reese, Kuhr

As I arrived it was Lunch time and the Panel was Moderated by Press Q's Fred Kuhr and featured Mark Segal (Philadelphia Gay News), Phil Reese (Wash Blade) and David Hauslaib (Queerty Founder) for a discussion on LGBT Media's  Digital Revolution. Exciting? Yes it was and it set the tone to what most of the weekend would be like. I didn't stay for the rest due my busy schedule. Don't Ask. Later, I attended the Convention's opening reception on the 33rd floor of the Loews with an awesome view of Philly. (Too Bad it was cloudy and Rainy). 

The Reception itself was exciting with a photo op with Old Ben (Franklin) and Betsy (Ross) giving a Gay welcome. 

The event was so important even the Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, made an appearance.

Kimpton Boys (Shawn and Trevor)

The Rain Stopped. We walked over to the Kimpton Hotel Palomar and were welcomed by Shawn and Trevor (The Kimpton Boys) and entertained by the divas of Philly Drag. 

The rest of the night (CENSORED)!

MK and Baer

On Friday, August 26th I woke to attend the Plenary with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Gay and gorgeous, Daniel Baer to speak about LGBT Rights and Foreign Policy. When asked, Baer denied that Hilary is running in 2012. Darn! I met with Baer and he was quite charming.

Next was a very heated discussion on Transforming the Dialogue on Transgender issues with Panelists Sarah Blazucki (Philadelphia Gay News), Eden Lane and moderated by the outspoken Trans activist, Ashley Love. Love believes that Transgender is a Birth defect and the proper way is to ask the subject, do you prefer to be identified as a Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Trans or a what your current Gender is? Most, including myself were confused of the information and voices were raised. (Check out my Full coverage and What Our Trans Contributor, Lincoln Rose has to say soon).

Lunch consisted of Philly Cheese steak, (Of Course).

Morgado and Curry

Later, Former Today show Producer, Javier Morgado welcomed current Today show Co-Anchor, Ann Curry to the stage. 

Some of her lines were funny and others poignant, but in the end Curry, who coincidentally was named last week to Forbes' list of the 100 most powerful women in the world, had the crowd on its feet.

"I'm the queen of stories nobody really wants to know about," she said, referring to her passion for stories about the suffering of women and children in Congo.

MK and Curry

She was Hilarious imitating her mother, ala Margaret Cho style. I was also amazed of how a true Pro she really was. I went up to her and mentioned I was from the NW and she was very warm and friendly. (Curry studied at U of O and worked for KTVL TV in Medford and KGW TV in Portland in the 80's). 

MK and Musto

Next was a visit with Queen(s) of Gossip; Literally! I met up with Joy Behar Show/AOL Popeater's Rob Shuter (Quite a Flirt) and was joined by other Panelists, Michael Musto (Village Voice) and Jamie Buffalina (People) with Moderator Gary Kramer (Independent Queer Media). The Big question was who was going to come out next? Anderson Cooper? Ellen Page? Stay Tuned! 

Was thrilled to be asked to join a group for Dinner at Philly's famed 

Positano Coast Restaurant by Visit Philly's Bruce Yelk and  Jeff Guaracino. Yum! 

Afterwards I went back to the Hotel. Alone, but in good spirits for the Stormier next day. 

Inouye and Bajko

On Saturday, August 27th, one of the Highlights of the morning Breakout sessions was "Inside the White House Media room" with special director of the Dept of White House communications, Shin Inouye and grilled by Mathew Bajko (Bay Area Reporter). Everyone wanted to know with Joe Solmonese leaving HRC,  is he being groomed for a White House Post, i.e. LGBT Liason? Shin denied any potential post. Speaking of the current LGBT Liason, Raul Avillar,  I had spoken to Inouye just a week earlier trying to track down Avillar for the upcoming DC trip. Stay Tuned for details. I did spot GOP and Gay Presidential Hopeful, Fred Karger in the room.

Next was the Highlight as the Lunch Plenary featured CNN's Don Lemon in the Hot seat by the Inquirer of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gail Shister. 

 

Lemon and Shister

Lemon, who was a reporter and weekend anchor at Philly's NBC10 from 1999 to 2002, revealed his homosexuality four months ago with the publication of his book, Transparent. And in September, while reporting on allegations against Georgia pastor Eddie Long, Lemon revealed that someone in his neighborhood abused him when he was a child.

Lemon joins Rachel Maddow and Thomas Roberts, both of MSNBC, as the best-known openly gay television news anchors. Lemon is the only African American.

"It's quite different for an African American male," he said. "It's about the worst thing you can be in black culture."

When Shister grilled Lemon about Anderson Cooper, he played it safe and kept mum. Lemon did tell a few tales about Cooper, but my lips are sealed. 

Lemon revealed to the audience that he just became a Lifetime member of NLGJA and that he he would be putting himself up for the auction at the evening's event. 

Taylor

I did want to mention of my meeting with college wrestling coach and Straight Ally, Hudson Taylor, Who is Hotter in Person.

The weather changed to a heavy rain shower as Hurricane Irene was making her way up the East Coast. As I made my way from my hotel to the evening's festivities I was soaked instantly and my shirt became see-through! Yikes! Luckily I was 30 min early and had time to dry off. 

I was greeted by four other Michael(s). Michael Luongo (Famed Travel Writer), Michael Caprio (Caprio PR and Design), Michael Tune (NLGJA) and Michelangelo Signorile (Sirius/XM OutQ). We all took a group photo. I was quited Honored to be in this group of Michael(s).  

Queerty's Hauslaib

Later after the Silent Auction and the Awards (See coverage coming soon), Don Lemon comes on stage and auctions off a date with him! The Lucky Bidder? Queerty founder, David Hauslaib with a Top Bid of $1,050! When will this take place? Lemon (and Partner) and Hauslaib (and Partner) will meet up in WeHo next month. To date with the Lifetime membership and auction bid. Lemon helped raise $2,250 for NLGJA.

Most retired early as Irene was coming. 

With the convention over most were stranded in Philly for another night and a group of journalists all got together Sunday night for dinner at Sampan.

Spotted were CNN's Don Lemon, LZ Granderson, Jake Perez, PGN's Sarah Blazucki, Queerty Founder David Hauslaib,  Ashley Love, and more. 

On Monday, I packed up and headed out to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall one last time and met a friend at Fab Diner called, Jones. A decent meal before boarding a Mega Bus to Washington, DC. STAY TUNED for more about the next stop.