The New Who’s Who of Philly’s Gay Community

They're more than just here and queer. They're the people who feed you, entertain you, provoke you, amuse you and surprise you. Come meet them

 

THE JOCKS

JOANNA LOHMAN, MEEGAN COLL and WAYNE KNAUB
 

Lohman’s been playing soccer since she was six years old. Today, she’s a starter with the Philadelphia Independence, a professional women’s soccer team that surprised everyone by placing second last year in the national championship. “Philly is one of the strongest organizations in the league,” says Lohman, 29, whose fiancée is also on the team. “We don’t make very much money,” she says. “Really, we’re doing it because we’re passionate about it. I love coming home and feeling fulfilled. I especially love the personal connection I can have with the fans.”

Wayne Knaub, commissioner of the Greater Philadelphia Flag Football League (GPFFL), says, “We, as LGBT citizens, should receive equal treatment from our federal government. Knaub, who’s featured in Dan Savage’s It Gets Better book and involved with many local groups like Delaware Valley Legacy Fund can brag about plenty of homeruns, touchdowns and hat tricks in his career. “I want to continue to grow our league and support organizations in the LGBT community,? he says. In less than three years, GPFFL went from being a pick-up league of 11 guys to 60 men and women.” And he’s got even bigger plans for the future. “One day,” says the 35-year-old, “I want to adopt a child.”

It’s early morning on the Schuylkill and Meegan Coll is getting ready for the first paddle of the day. As a member of the Flying Phoenix Dragon Boat team, Coll admits, “I competed in the 2002 Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival as a favor to my aunt. I’ve been hooked ever since.” The Philly native—who played lacrosse in high school and can brag that Janis Joplin danced with her when she was three years old—also studied painting at Tyler School of Art and is glass coordinator at the National Liberty Museum. She competed all over the North America, from Montreal to Florida, winning the gold last year. It’s how she met her girlfriend Emilia Rastrick. “Being on the water in the middle of the city and seeing the skyline is amazing,” she says.

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