November 8, 2019 | Volume XVII, Issue 12
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November 8, 2019 | Volume XVII, Issue 12 lic anger. Officially Marsha’s mysterious November’s Other Memorial Day death was ruled suicide, but those who Transgender Day of knew her were convinced otherwise. It all BY LAURA ANDERSON peated raids on gay bars. A line had fi- seemed far too convenient for the police Remembrance Events 2019 The riot began in the early morning nally been crossed and the Stonewall Ri- to brush off her death with no real inves- Baltimore – Wednesday, hours of June 28th, 1969. Some say it ots sparked the beginning of the modern tigation. November 20th, First Unitarian started with a thrown brick. Others say LGBTQ movement. A recently released film, The Death Church of Baltimore (12 West it was a tossed shot glass dubbed “The There has been much discussion and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix, Franklin Street) – 6:30 pm shot glass heard ‘round the world”. It about the role transwomen played at 2017), tells the story of Marsha’s role Hagerstown – Tuesday, happened at the Stonewall Inn in Green- Stonewall. Termed transves- at Stonewall and in November 19th, City Hall, council wich Village, New York City, after years tites or drag queens or trans- Trans people face the movement that chambers (1 East Franklin Street) of police harassment and re- sexuals at the time, two iconic followed. The film – 4 to 4:30 pm figures emerged to spur on the high levels of chronicles recent ef- Washington, DC – Wednes- movement. Marsha P. John- violence. Around forts by Victoria Cruz day, November 20th, Metropolitan son and Sylvia Rivera were of the New York An- Community Church (474 Ridge both at Stonewall and went on November 20th, we ti-Violence Project Sreet NW) – 6 to 8:30 pm t to fight for gay rights. Later, in and her quest to un- the struggle for trans rights, honor the fallen. cover the truth about their efforts often ran counter Marsha’s death. But Each year on November 20th we ob- to the more staid gay rights movement. this story goes far beyond the death of serve the Transgender Day of Remem- Marsha and Sylvia were passionate Marsha P. Johnson. It links past violence brance as we take time to reflect on the and boisterous and persistent in their toward the transgender community to the deaths of transgender people. The first fight. current epidemic of transgender deaths observance was in 1999, when Gwendo- Marsha P. Johnson was a beloved by violence each year and highlights the lyn Ann Smith memorialized the murder transwoman in the community and her need to work toward ways to prevent of transgender woman Rita Hester in suspicious death in 1992 roused pub- such deaths. —continued on page 25 Totally Garden Keeping it Real State – Dolores WITH REAL HOUSEWIFE OF NEW JERSEY’S Catania DOLORES credit: Tommy Garcia BY FRANKIE KUJAWA ly to Baltimore CATANIA Mother Teresa once said, OUTloud, Cata- “It’s not about how much nia recently chatted about the upcoming you do, but how much love season, her spectacular new look, her you put into what you do philanthropy, and finally finding hap- that counts. Life isn’t worth piness. Through it all, Catania always living, unless it’s lived for keeps it real! other people.” Frankie Kujawa: Dolores, Amidst the dra- you look fantastic! How do matic twists and ‘Let’s just you feel? What’s your se- turns facing the say, New cret? cast members Dolores Catania: I’m going in the upcoming Jersey never to start from the inside, Frank- tenth season of disappoints!’ ie, because you and I keep it “The Real House- real. My secret is I am very wives of New happy. I have finally found my Jersey,” there is a beacon footing. People don’t realize it was hard of light that shines bright. for me when my kids left for college. I That gleaming, glittering was heavy and my heart was broken. light is the heart of gold Everything is kind of settling in with my that resides inside of life right now. I’m very light, happy and housewife Dolores Cata- successful. So, I was able to go on a diet nia. Speaking exclusive- —continued on page 12 2 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD november 8, 2019 • BAltIMOREOUTLOUD.COM NEWS // local Howard County The workgroup will include: • Two representatives from PFLAG Co- Creates LGBT lumbia / Howard County • one representative from HopeWorks Workgroup • one representative from the Howard County Human Rights Commission (HRC) Howard County Executive Calvin Ball • At least two student representatives signed an executive order November 1st • At least five representatives from the to create a LGBTQ workgroup “to promote Howard County community (employee the shared community values of diversi- and/or resident) ty and civility.” ball’s office says that the In addition, office of Human rights workgroup will work with county agencies, Administrator Yolanda Sonnier will provide nonprofits, and other community groups leadership, oversight, staffing, and logis- to promote “an environment of inclusion, tical support. Staffer Janssen Evelyn will be County Executive Ball’s liaison for the workgroup. t Freedom: An Evening of LGBTQ Storytelling What does it means to be free? That’s the topic of a forum sponsored by FreeS- tate Justice set for on Saturday, No- vember 16th, from 7 to 10 pm, at Bal- timore Center Stage (700 North Calvert Street, Baltimore). “Eight powerhouse communication, understanding, and re- LGBTQ storytellers will offer their takes spect throughout Howard County.” on the theme ‘Freedom,’” organizers “Our vision is to ensure that every say. “Some will make you laugh. Some person in Howard County, regardless of will touch your heart. All will make you their gender identity or sexual orientation, see the world in a different way. Fans of can live with dignity, be unapologetically ‘Stoop Storytelling’ and ‘The Moth’ won’t proud, and feel totally safe in our commu- want to miss this one-of-a-kind event.” nity,” said Ball. “We were so proud to hold “When it comes to creating change, Howard County’s first Pride Festival this year, and we want to continue to protect and embrace the beautiful spectrum of di- versity that Howard County has to offer. To every single member of our LGBTQ+ com- munity, know that we see you, we support you, and we stand in solidarity with you.” “our office is proud to partner on this there’s nothing more powerful that a true new workgroup and to continue advanc- story based on one’s own life experi- ing our mission of safety, equality, and the ences. FreeState Justice sees that in its best quality of life for every single person work every day. Come meet new friends in Howard County,” said Howard Coun- and hear new experiences. ty’s office of Human rights Administrator The program will be preceded by a Yolanda Sonnier. cocktail hour with live music. Tickets are “Howard County is always working to $10 and are available at Bit.ly/2qmQa2d. identify best practices that will make our For more info, visit Bit.ly/2Ng4xhK. t government responsive to the needs of every community,” said Assistant Chief Ad- ministrative officer, Janssen evelyn. “our new workgroup will help us foster a more B’more Health inclusive local government that can sup- port LGBTQ residents in the workplace, Commissioner: community, and across the County.” The workgroup have quarterly meet- ings, open to the public and will involve the office of Human rights. To encourage a more inclusive com- munity, the workgroup may sponsor activ- ities focus groups, summits, and the like. As well, the workgroup will advise the county executive and county employees. Meeting minutes will be publicly available on the office of Human rights website. —continued on page 4 BALTIMORE OUTLOUD november 8, 2019 • BAltIMOREOUTLOUD.COM t 3 NEWS // local LGBT Community Baltimore City Conversation, LGBTQ Community Nov. 13th Strategic Plan Baltimore’s new health commissioner, Dr. Letitia Dzirasa, in partnership with Last year, LGBTQ liaisons representing the Baltimore City office of LGBTQ Af- the Office of the Mayor, City Council, fairs, invite you to join them on Wednes- State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Balti- day, November 13th from 6 to 8 pm at more City LGBTQ Commission hosted the Jacques Journey Center (880 Park an LGBTQ Town Hall at City Hall. At that Avenue, suite 300, Baltimore) to meet meeting, they promised to bring the com- the new commissioner, and hear about munity back together in a year’s time to her goals and vision for LGBTQ health. provide an update on the progress that The event will provide a safe space for has been made on addressing the issues of concern raised at that event. After reviewing the comments from the town hall and researching and ques- Call me Jordi Equitable tioning on their own, they are excited to present to the community a first draft of a strategic plan for Baltimore’s LGBTQ structing social norms by curating color- community. This plan will serve as their ful fashion art. Born in Mexico and raised official recommendation to the mayor in Chile and Bolivia, he brings an interna- and city government to ensure that Bal- tional perspective to his work. This past timore’s LGBTQ community is safe, uni- summer he premiered a curated show fied, stable, healthy, and included. They titled “Redefining Masculinity: Gender- listened to the community to craft the queer Fashion Art Show” that featured plan. Now they are checking in to ensure 11 models wearing looks styled by Jordi. that the plan they have crafted is some- Entitled! The show can be viewed on Instagram at thing that all the community can stand Bit.ly/2CfuqIg.