September 23, 2011 | Volume IX Issue 10 CHA-CHA HEELS, LIQUID EYELINER, AND
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OUT September 23, 2011 | Volume IX Issue 10 CHA-CHA HEELS, LIQUID EYELINER, AND... The Most Beautiful Woman in the World B y chucK Duncan If you’re a native of Baltimore (and even if you’re not), you certainly know John Waters and Divine. From John’s ear- ly short films from the late 60s to his 1972 calling card, Emmett C. Burns, Pink Flamingos, through 1988’s Hairspray, Waters and his Jr., Announces PAC muse Divine showed the rest of the world what the “reel” to Oppose Marriage Baltimore was like (and there was more than a little of the “real” in those films too). Equality Unfortunately, shortly after the release of Hairspray, Divine passed away suddenly at the true By Dana LaRocca height of his career (he was in Hollywood On September 9, Delegate Emmett C. Susan Lowe, preparing to tape an episode of Married Burns, Jr. (D-Baltimore County) met Mink Stole and Jeffrey … with Children at the time of his death), with eight other clergy at a church in Schwarz depriving the world of his talent and what west Baltimore to announce the for- during their might have come from his true “overnight” mation of “Progressive Clergy in interview stardom. Action” a political action committee. sessions in Today, Divine is a cult figure to many, The group is working with the help of Baltimore his legion of fans from around the world the Maryland Family Alliance, an af- photo: courtesy of Jeffrey Schwarz —continued on page 16 filiate of the Family Research Council (FRC). Delegate Burns has long been and Developed by a Combined Arms Center- an opponent of marriage equality. In ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is History Training team, men and women in the field 2010, he opposed Attorney General can access DADT and other field training, Douglas Gansler’s opinion regarding By Dana LaRocca ignated a class under the Military Equal privately, and even without an internet con- recognition of same sex marriages “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ended on September Opportunity program; all service members nection. In an environment where lack of pri- performed in other states. In January 20, 2011. On September 15, Major General will be treated equally, regardless of sexual —continued on page 2 of that year, he sponsored legisla- James M. Milano, the commanding general preferences. tion that would prohibit Maryland from at Fort Jackson in South Carolina informed • This is not about chang- recognizing gay marriages performed his troops about what to expect with the re- ing attitudes. This is about the in jurisdictions where marriage equal- peal of DADT. Writing on the official homep- standard of conduct and treat- ity exists. That bill, HB90, did not sur- age of the United States Army, he referred ing one another with dignity vive a vote in the House Judiciary to it as “One of the most sweeping changes and respect. Committee. in U.S. law that directly affects the military.” In the modern military our During the legislative session ear- He reminded his troops of “fundamen- men and women in uniform are lier this year Burns said, “[G]ay peo- tal points” that we need to keep in mind”, able to access DADT training ple had not endured the struggles of including: materials online or with their blacks, had not had crosses burned • Harassment or abuse for any reason iPad, iPhone or Android mo- on their lawns or been thrown in a has always been unacceptable and will be bile device. When the Clinton police wagon.” He has repeated this dealt with accordingly. era DADT policy was enacted, sentiment for at least a decade, in • All service members, regardless of the internet was still in its in- 2001 he said, “I resent anyone com- sexual orientation, are entitled to an envi- fancy. However, today’s Army ing in claiming to be a minority as I ronment free from barriers to prevent them is hardened with tools that en- a rmy chief of Staff Gen. George casey Jr., left, shakes am.” At that time he was campaigning from rising to the highest level of responsi- hance victory in all aspects of hands with a 1st Infantry Division soldier during a sens- against SB205, Maryland’s anti-dis- bility possible. a soldier’s life. ing session March 24, at Fort Riley, Kansas, about ‘Don’t —continued on page 5 • Sexual orientation will not be des- Called the “ATN2GO app,” ask Don’t Tell’ repeal training Myles Cullen, U.S. Army photo nEwS Don’T Ask, Don’T Tell wrote, “On that day, I’ll be thinking of the Spaulding, webmistress at Pam’s House – continued from front page young woman I met in Afghanistan. And blend wrote, “So pop open the champagne, Co-Publishers I’ll be thinking of the countless others like and also hold a moment of silence for mem- Jim Becker • Jim Williams vacy could result in discharge, the app has her, straight and gay alike, who love this na- bers of the transgender community who still [email protected] been especially useful. tion and the ideals for which it was found- face discrimination and discharge.” Executive Editor In March, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George ed, and who have signed up to serve so that Autumn Sandeen, United States Navy Jim Becker [email protected] W. Casey Jr. visited Fort Riley, in Kansas to we might all live in freedom and uphold this (1980-2000), wrote in the Service Members Managing Editor meet with soldiers who had received some simple creed: we are all created equal.” Legal Defense Network (SLDN) blog “The Dana LaRocca of the earliest DADT training. He came away When he signed the Certification in July demise of this terrible law, however, does not [email protected] with a positive assessment, with the caveat the President said that “like earlier genera- mean full equality in the military has been Production Director that until Soldiers tions that have achieved for all members of the LGBT com- Bill Andriette are confronted with Sales Director adapted to oth- munity. After September 20, transgender Mary Taylor openly gay and les- er changes, service members will still be banned from [email protected] bian Soldiers in the [our military] will serving openly, and it will remain unsafe for Leather Columnist ranks, the issue is only grow stron- them to come out without the threat of being Rodney Burger still “an intellectual ger and remain discharged.” Contributing Writers Shawn Bradley • Cathy Brennan • Terrence Brower • discussion.” the best fight- On April 16 of 2010 Petty Officer Autumn Steve Charing • Jeffrey Clagett • Jeffrey Clouser • Chuck Duncan Later he ing force in the Sandeen, Lieutenant Dan Choi, Corporal • Gerry Fisher • Eva Hersh MD • Sam Kunz • Jessica Lemmo • Jay Loane • Meredith Moise • Vann Mills • Colin Riley • testified be- world and a re- Evelyn Thomas, Captain Jim Pietrangelo II, Gregg Shapiro • fore the Senate flection of the Cadet Mara Boyd and Petty Officer Larry Armed Services values of justice Whitt, had chained themselves to the fence Graphics Committee and and equality that surrounding the White House fence in pro- Joe Velasquez • Bob Wellington Cartoonist said, “The thing the define us as test of DADT. Bruce Garrett (www.brucegarrett.com) I took away: the Americans.” “Countdown to Repeal” celebrations took Photographers training is simple, it’s effective, and it’s That certification was a mere three para- place on the evening of September 19 until Bruce Garrett • Jay W Photos • Justin Nixon starting to break down misconceptions that graphs long. Historically, though, it is one midnight. “Cheers!” to our service men and Web Editor (Soldiers) had in their mind.” The military’s of the most significant documents in LGBT women here and at war abroad, for accept- Anja Saine [email protected] commitment to diversity now broadens with history. ing what Major General James M. Milano re- Managed Web Services the repeal of the ill-conceived law. Brian Bond, the Deputy Director of the fers to as points “already rooted in our Army The Fusio Group 866-322-7498, www.thefusiogroup.com On July 22, when President Obama White House Office of Public Engagement, values, which we can always rely on to guide National Advertising Rep signed the certification for the sixty-day im- wrote in December of last year about the us in our actions and conduct, in all situa- Rivendell Media plementation of the repeal, he said, “I want genesis of that history, in December of 2009. tions. And, with DADT repeal, the emphasis 908-232-2021 to thank all our men and women in uniform, He wrote, on the White House blog, “He is clearly on respect and integrity.” t Founders Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • including those who are gay or lesbian, for walked over to me and without missing a Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams their professionalism and patriotism during beat, put his hand on my shoulder, and I will this transition.” He commended both mili- never forget what he said to me – unsolicited Baltimore OUTloud tary leadership for the “careful and deliber- – ‘We are going to end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. P.O. Box 3640, Baltimore, Maryland 21214 410-244-6780 ate” manner in which they moved forward. We have a little bit of work to do still, but we www.baltimoreoutloud.com That same day the President sent an email are going to get it done.’” to people and organizations who worked A year later, the Senate voted 65 to 31 to Additional Information baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride to make repeal possible.