November 28, 2014 | Volume XII, Issue 15
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AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES November 28, 2014 | Volume XII, Issue 15 T he AIDS Quilt on display in World AIDS Day 2014 Washington, D.C. BY BILL REDMOND-PALMER and remember those who have passed The 2014 U.S. theme for World AIDS on, and to celebrate achievements, Day on December 1 is “Focus, Partner, such as increased access to treatment Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.” The and prevention services. World AIDS Campaign’s Global Steering Every 9.5 minutes, someone in the Committee’s theme is “Getting to Zero,” for U.S. is diagnosed with HIV. Maryland the annual observances from 2011 to 2015. and the Baltimore-Towson area have The theme is about reducing new HIV in- some of the highest rates of HIV fections, discrimi- infections in the country, currently nation, and AIDS- Remembering, ranking fifth in the nation for HIV related deaths to infections. Infection rates contin- zero through in- Recommiting ue to increase, and it is estimated creased advanc- that at least 1,200 more people are es and equal access to HIV prevention, infected each year. Currently, more than testing, treatment, and care. 12,000 Baltimore City residents live with World AIDS Day provides powerful op- HIV. In spite of the fact that some people portunities to raise awareness, to honor —continued on page 3 New Wave Singers Usher in the Holidays online, at the door, or in advance from any New Wave member. BY STEVE CHARING Anyone 17 or under will be admitted for New Wave Singers of Baltimore will open free, and New Wave Singers is extending its 2014-2015 season with performances a special invitation to LGBT youth and their of its holiday concert, “’Twas the Night.” In families, friends and allies to join us for this addition to Clement Clark Moore’s choral musical celebration of our community. version of the classic poem, “’Twas the Other concerts in New Wave’s sea- Night Before Christmas,” the concert will son include its annual Cabaret, “Saturday include selections by composers Morten Night Sizzle” on March 14 and the spring Lauridsen, John Rutter, Enya, and others. concert “Our American Songbook” on June An added highlight will be selections pre- 6 and 7. Details and updates on all perfor- sented by small ensembles of New Wave mances can be found on the website New- Singers’ members, offering a variety of wavesingers.org. popular Christmas favorites for all ages. Founded in 1985, the New Wave Sing- The performance on Saturday, Decem- ers of Baltimore is Maryland’s only LGBT ber 6 at 7 p.m. will take place at St. Mark’s and straight chorus. Led by director Adam Evangelical Lutheran Church, (1900 St. Koch, this auditioned ensemble of 35 to 40 Paul Street) in Baltimore. An encore “Ugly members has as its mission to make mu- Sweater Edition,” encouraging audience sic that matters by performing songs of members to wear their favorite Christmas hope, diversity, inclusion, and humor. “We sweaters, will be presented at 7 p.m. on celebrate humanity in its infinite variations Tuesday, December 9 at Govans Presby- and challenge our communities to embrace terian Church, (5828 York Road) in Balti- equality, harmony, and understanding,” said N ew Wave Singers perform more. Tickets are $20 and are available —continued on page 3 ‘We Must Have a New Approach’ NEWS // LOCAL The Battle Against LGBT Homelessness parenting youth, ages 18 to 24, that pro- vides supportive case management, educa- BY BONNIE LANE friends behind.” tional and job coaching to support job skills Meet Francis Soane who is now 27. Fran- Francis overcame all his obstacles. He and income growth for homeless or unsta- cis had a rough childhood. His grandma is housed in his own place. A Coppin State bly housed youth and their children. Resi- passed away when he was five years old. graduate, he currently teaches modern dential services are available for 12 young He grew up in the beginning with his mom dance and hip-hop for the Baltimore De- parents and their children for a period of up – a bartender – who bounced him around partment of Recreation and Parks. “Don’t to 24 months. Eligibility: Homeless individu- all over from place to place. Francis dealt give up before something great happens,” als 18 to 24, low income women and their with watching his mom and her men drink- he suggests to other homeless youth. family members. Capacity: 12 units. ing and fighting a lot. In the bar she worked Meet F.T. Burden, president of AIRS • Restoration Gardens is a 43-unit apart- in he found a love for music. Music was his (AIDS Interfaith Residential Services). Ac- ment complex in Southern Park Heights for refuge to escape everyday problems. Mom cording to Mr. Burden, there are at least young adults. The facility includes a fully died when he was 12. 1,000 homeless youth here in Baltimore computer-networked building with enhanced At that point, Francis on any given night and at least 30% are support and community services, with strong found himself in the fos- LGBTQ. Burden himself was never home- ties to employment and educational opportu- ter-care system. He was less. He did, along with his partner, take in nities. Eligibility: Homeless youth age 18 to staying with family yet a gay homeless boy before he came to work 24, low-income individuals with or without a still separated from a lot in this field. The boy he took in graduated disability. Capacity: 43 units. of other immediate fam- from Northwestern University with • Youth Space provides rent- ily members. Feelings of an MBA. al assistance and scattered site loss and separation from “Housing is the most critical housing throughout Baltimore much of his world were component of getting youth on City for homeless youth ages 18 overwhelming him. Francis Soane the right track,” says Burden who to 24 with supportive case man- About two years credit: Bonnie Lane oversees five different programs agement with the goal of strength- later, he got his first job that help homeless youth. Cur- ening self-sufficiency. During the at Charlestown Retirement Community rently, about 110 homeless youth first 18 months, youth receive in Arbutus. “My aunt wanted me to work are housed in these programs. transitional program services and wanted me to pay her for gas. I used One common misconception about which provide life skills, educa- to walk a long ways and catch the shuttle these programs is that they are F. T. Burden tion, and workforce development instead.” He was adopted by his aunt and only for LGBTQ people or AIDS pa- credit: Bonnie Lane services. If successful, they move uncle. Francis graduated from high school tients. The fact is that both straight into permanent housing. Eligibili- in Catonsville. During the transition from and gay youth utilize these programs. ty: Homeless youth ages 18-24, low-income there to college, he stayed between his sis- AIRS has developed a range of pro- individuals with a disability and their family ter’s and godmother’s while attending Cop- grams under the City Steps banner that ad- members. pin State. dress the needs of homeless and unstably • Next Steps is a partnership with the In July 2007 at age 19, Francis was di- housed youth. City Steps works towards Maryland Department of Human Resources agnosed with HIV. When asked his initial re- decreasing the number of homeless youth “Ready by 21 program” to implement an action, he replied, “I was frozen. I was like, on the street. It’s a consortium of residential independent living program that serves 30 okay now what do I have to do? People’s and unstably housed youth ages 18-24 that youth ages 18 to 21 from Baltimore City and reaction to me was very sorrow-filled. I includes case management, emergency County on the cusp of aging-out of foster didn’t want that.” services, life skills, and targeted workforce care. Services include housing, education, He added, “It’s life. It’s hard to learn the development assistance. It is the largest workforce support, healthcare, financial lit- hard way. Sometimes, I went to my appoint- provider of supportive transitional housing eracy, and mentoring. Eligibility: 18 months ments and sometimes I forgot.” of its kind in Maryland with a goal of ending from 21st birthday, GED/or high school di- His lifestyle also wasn’t acceptable to youth homeless by 2020. ploma, referred by DSS Youth Transition- everyone because he is gay. “Being gay The programs under City Steps are: ing Out Division. This project will expand to and homeless is probably the hardest bar- • Carriage House Transitional Living serve 60 youth in early 2015. rier in this city to face. It’s a cold world, but Program for Youth – which provides sup- Even with these five incredible pro- your heart still beats. There’s still time and portive case management, independent grams, we have a long way to go at end- hope to get into a better place.” living skills training, educational and job ing youth homeless in Baltimore.. There still In the midst of his struggle, at age 24, coaching to support job skills and income are at least 1,000 sleeping on the street, in Francis found City Steps. Later he became growth for homeless youth, and is the only abandoned buildings, park benches, under a resident at Restoration Gardens, a $6 mil- such program in the state of Maryland. bridges, in doorways, wherever they can lion, 43-unit housing project for homeless Residential services are available for seven find.