Chase Sansing Also Receiving an Equal “I Started Writing My Own So Much with Country Music.” Sansing Con- Amount of Attention Is Country Songs When I Was 13 Years Old

March 30, 2018 | Volume XV, Issue 24 Ending Youth Homelessness

By Bill Redmond-Palmer Now pending Act of 2018 There are more than 2,332 “unaccompanied homeless youth” in in Annapolis, homelessness when exiting the Maryland, or youth under the age child welfare or juvenile justice sys- of 25 who are unstably housed proposed tems,” said Ingrid Löfgren, of the or homeless and not with a par- law shunts Homeless Persons Representation ent or guardian. Across the US, Project. “Also, youth experiencing LGBTQ youth and youth of color resources homelessness often have various are disproportionately represent- intersecting, marginalized identities Volunteers from FreeState Justice and the Human Rights Campaign at their advocacy day in Annapolis ed among youth experiencing to homeless like sexual orientation, gender identi- homelessness. Workers in the LGBT youth ty and expression, race, age, ability, are precarious and often unsafe. Homeless- they fear discrimination, harassment, and field say that 20 to 40% percent of etc., which often prevents them from ness exposes youth to an increased risk of abuse,” said Lofgren. “This means that they youth experiencing homelessness identify as getting what they need from the people and violence, resulting in a higher incidence of typically stay homeless for longer and are at LGBTQ, compared with only about seven to systems that are meant to serve and protect mental health problems, substance abuse, heightened risk of harm while homeless. This ten percent of the general youth population. them.” unemployment, illness, and death. “Youth is absolutely unacceptable.” “There are several potential reasons for Unaccompanied homeless youth move generally, and LGBTQ youth in particular, A bill is currently being considered in An- this, such as family conflict and lack of ac- frequently between living situations, staying often don’t seek help from mainstream sys- napolis to help address some of the great ceptance or being especially vulnerable to wherever they can. These living situations tems, including homeless services, because —continued on page 3

By Frankie Kujawa pletely blown away and shocked The opening line of country singer Chase at how music, and an artist, could Out and Proud Sansing’s song, “Begins with You” starts connect to complete strangers in with, “In a world where you can be just the audience with music.” Sansing about anything, be yourself.” The Pride explained that he soaked every- Country Singer: anthem, that celebrates both the LGBTQ thing in from that moment. “I knew community as well as the freedom of in- that when I left that I would want to do that dividuality, has recently for the rest of my life and play garnered a lot of attention. Putting queer in music.” Chase Sansing Also receiving an equal “I started writing my own so much with country music.” Sansing con- amount of attention is Country songs when I was 13 years old. nected with the straight-up honesty of the Sansing, the handsome When I was 15, my parents genre: “I connected most to country music 24-year-old openly gay country singer, gave me a guitar and signed me up for les- because I liked how country music told the who has touched the hearts of many sons. By the time I was 17, I began recording truth.” with his soulful voice and insightful mu- my own songs. When I turned 20, that’s when Growing up with the secret of who he sic. Baltimore OUTloud recently chat- I packed up and moved to Nashville.” It was a was conflicted with Sansing’s country mu- ted with the humble musician about his move that the singer still is proud of today. “I sic dream and being true to the music that coming-out process, his music, and his feel like that was one of my greatest accom- he loved. “As I grew up and figured out who goals for the future. plishments. I moved and have been able to I was, and ended up dealing with being gay “When I was nine years old my par- support keeping myself here.” and the struggles that come along with it, I re- ents surprised me with concert tickets Sansing grew up in the small town of alized that the dream that I had wanted for so for Blake Shelton”, Sansing began. “At Macon, Mississippi. “Anything on the radio in long was not going to happen.” Sansing con- that time, I had never Mississippi is country. You don’t really hear tinued, “I believed that no matter what I made Chase been to a live concert much rap or pop. You may hear some rock, of my career in music and country music, my Sansing before. I was com- some old stuff, but that’s really why I connect —continued on page 22 Co-Publishers Jim Becker • Jim Williams [email protected]

Executive Editor Jim Becker [email protected] [email protected]

Associate Editor & Director of Marketing & Production Mary Taylor [email protected]

Arts and Entertainment Editor Frankie Kujawa [email protected]

Leather Editor Rodney Burger [email protected]

Contributing Writers for Baltimore OUTloud Ava Barron-Shasho • Janan Broadbent, Ph. D. Josh Buchbinder • Anthony Calo • Lee Carpenter Jeffrey Clagett • Wayne Curtis • Woody Derricks Chuck Duncan • John Redmond-Palmer • Dr. Eva Hersh Mark S. King • Brother Merrick Moses Frankie Kujawa • Sage Piper • David Placher Mark Segal • Gregg Shapiro • Bill Redmond-Palmer David Egan • Elyse Buchbinder • Dr. Loren Olson Alex “Bear” Conley • Brynn Deveraux

Contributing Writers for OUT in the VALLEY Laura Anderson • Rev. Kelly Crenshaw Rev. Dr. Robert Apgar-Taylor • Brian George Hose Elizabeth Thompson

Contributing Writers OUT in Asbury Park, NJ Rai Guerra-Nelson • Christy Girlington

Graphics Ramon Montiel

Web Editor Adam Romanic Computer Solutions for Less

Photographers Corey Brent Eric Randolph

National Advertising Rep Rivendell Media 908-232-2021

Founders Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams

Baltimore OUTloud PO Box 4887 Baltimore, MD 21211 410-802-1310 Baltimoreoutloud.com

Additional Information Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride Media, Ltd. in Baltimore, Maryland. Readers comments and unsolicited materials are welcomed and may be sent to: [email protected]. All materials appearing in this newspaper are the property of Pride Media, Ltd. and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the editor. The opinions expressed in Baltimore OUTloud are solely those of the writers unless otherwise indicated and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Media, Ltd., and the staff.

2 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com news // LOCAL Chase Brexton & Staff: First Collective Bargaining Pact of homelessness. are hopeful that the contract gives the By Bill Redmond-Palmer The labor pact contains provisions that Importantly, it also addresses overrepre- structure to help more therapists receive After nearly two years of efforts, and 15 will benefit key constituencies Chase Brex- sentation of youth of color and LGBTQ youth the necessary training and consultation to months of direct negotiations, the manage- ton serves, she contends. in the homeless population. further support this critically important ser- ment of Chase Brexton Health Care and “The contract helps support the deliv- “Performance standards for grantees in- vice,” said Jackson-Roberts. the 135 Chase Brexton employees repre- ery of trans care by creating a dedicated clude demonstrated capacity to serve LGBTQ “I also believe issues of compensa- sented by United Healthcare Workers East structure for training therapists and pro- youth, as well as showing equitable out- tion parity, which were improved through (1199SEIU) reached a viding clinical comes,” said Löfgren, “for instance, whether the contract, and minimum salary require- collective bargaining consultation, par- LGBTQ youth are getting permanent housing ments, will help retain and recruit provid- agreement February ticularly for as- at an equitable rate compared to their hetero- ers,” added Jackson-Roberts. “I believe 26th. Chase Brexton sessments for sexual and cisgender peers.” that our membership is highly dedicated to serves nearly 40,000 gender affirming The bill also prioritizes youth engagement LGBT and HIV care, and to improving their patients at seven clinics surgeries,” said and leadership by requiring inclusion of youth skills and knowledge in this area,” abetting in Baltimore, Randall- Jackson-Roberts. in grant making and program evaluation ac- Chase Brexton’s mission of serving those stown, Columbia, Glen In addition, “it tivities. “historically marginalized in health care and Burnie, and Easton. improves sched- In 2017, 546 unaccompanied homeless society.” “The board of di- uling structures youth were surveyed in Baltimore through “These improvements will help us pro- rectors and leadership and practices, Youth Reach. Of them, 4% identified as vide the care that the LGBT community de- are pleased to have which gives more transgender, 22% identified as LGB, and serves,” said Jackson-Roberts. “We hope reached the best pos- control to medi- 4% identified as other or declined to answer. the LGBT community will partner with us in sible agreement to up- cal, dental, and You can review this data and additional data making this sustainable, by being actively hold the organization’s behavioral health in the 2017 report at: Youthreachmd.com/ engaged in care, attending regular and fol- 40 years of distinctive, patient-focused providers and helps protect availability for content/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/YR- low-up appointments, and utilizing our in- care,” said Chase Brexton president Pat- follow-up and acute care appointments, im- MD-2017-Report-Final-2.pdf. The 2018 Youth tegrative in-house services and resources rick Mutch. “We believe our providers and proving access and protecting the time pro- Reach count just ended, but data is not yet such as our pharmacy, walk-in clinic, case health care professionals are critical to viders are able to dedicate to each patient’s available. management, dental, and behavioral health the sustainability of our organization and needs.” “Of course, this sample is not necessarily services.” t are hopeful that the agreement made with Another key area of the contract is the accurate,” clarified Löfgren, “but it is local and 1199SEIU is a foundation that will support improvement of staff training through the recent data. The Ending Youth Homeless- their vital work.” 1199SEIU represents, creation of a professional development bud- ness Act also makes Youth Reach a perma- among others, nurses, physicians, pharma- get for each member of the bargaining unit, nent initiative so that we can continue to work cists, and social workers in five states and together with provisions ensuring parity in Youth Homelessness toward more accurate data.” the District of Columbia. the ways the funds can be used. “Previ- “Investing in resources for youth,” added ”We believe the agreement will mean ously, many of the job classifications lacked Act of 2018 Löfgren, “will strengthen our communities and better patient care for the community, im- dedicated budgets for each employees’ pro- have a positive fiscal impact by preventing proved patient access, and improved com- fessional development,” said Jackson-Rob- —continued from page 1 chronic homelessness, costly use of emer- munications between employees and man- erts. “Of those that did, only medical staff gency systems, and avoidable reliance on agement,” said Dr. Donna Yaffe, lead staff could use it on associated costs like travel, challenges associated with this issue. The social safety net programs.” psychologist for Chase Brexton. “Our mem- accommodations, and meals. This change bill titled “The Ending Youth Homelessness “The act is an important piece of legisla- bers believe this agreement gives providers improves the ability of bargaining unit mem- Act”, was sponsored and passed in the Mary- tion that will increase housing and supportive more control over their patient schedules bers to attend trainings at conferences.” land House as HB 1224 by Delegate Mary L. services for youth experiencing homeless- and better access to care, improves train- The contract also establishes a labor Washington. The bill is pending before two ness across the state of Maryland,” said Mark ing benefits across professions, addresses and management committee and profes- committees in the Senate as SB1218 by Sen. Procopio, head of FreeState Justice. retention and recruitment with market and sional-practices committee in which bar- Will Smith. On March. 20th, FreeState Justice held equity salary increases, and creates ways gaining unit members and management “This bill will ensure that thousands of an advocacy day in Annapolis, where volun- for members and management to work col- will have a structure for working together youth in Maryland who are on their own with- teers spoke with dozens of legislative offic- laboratively on policies and best practices towards improving patient care and access, out stable housing or family support are able es. They called on their legislators to protect for care as health care changes.” while also working to ensure Chase Brex- to meet their basic needs for shelter and safe- LGBTQ youth in Maryland by supporting bills “Our goal was to create a foundation that ton’s longevity. ty,” explained Washington. “Homelessness that would prohibit the harmful practice of helps our members provide the quality and Another possible benefit to clients: the jeopardizes their health and well-being and conversion therapy and support services for individualized care our patients deserve, contract caps the number of patients in puts future generations at risk of adult home- youth experiencing homelessness. that is rooted in Chase Brexton’s 40 years case managers’ caseloads, protecting the lessness. State support for housing and sup- FreeState Justice is now calling on the of service,” said Stacey Jackson-Roberts, time needed to provide them with support portive services designed for and by youth is community to contact the members of the two lead therapist for LGBT behavioral health services. The contract also guarantees critical to ending youth homelessness and en- senate committees currently considering the and employee negotiater. Members of the medical providers two additional days of suring that youth have the stability they need bill. To contact the members of the senate bargaining unit “are encouraged and hope- continuing education leave for HIV special- to thrive.” finance committee, visit Bit.ly/2IVRm1p. To ful that this contract, coupled with changes ty training. The bill essentially creates a state grant contact the members of the rules committee, in management, are a foundation for Chase One clause, specifically addressing program at the Maryland Department of visit Bit.ly/2GbpJiV. Brexton to be the health center of choice trans care, protects the current scheduling Housing and Community Development to For more info about FreeState Justice, for patients and health care professionals structure for Dr. Elyse Pine, who provides fund community-based organizations provid- visit FreeState-Justice.org. For more info dedicated to quality care for marginalized endocrinology services for transgender ing housing and supportive services for unac- about the Homeless Persons Representation t communities.” youth via the GenderJOY program. “We companied homeless youth and youth at risk Project, visit Hprplaw.org.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 3

Select Chase Brexton Health Care patients deemed most in need may be eligible for digital breast cancer screenings through a mobile mammography van to be located at the Chase Brexton Mount Vernon Center on September 28th. The screenings are provided in partnership with Lackawan- na Mobile X-Ray and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and mammograms are capable of finding it up to three years before it can be felt. The Center for Disease Control recommends mammograms every two years for women age 50 and older who are at average risk for breast cancer. The staff of Chase Brexton encourages their patients to remember that early detection saves lives! Any patient who feels they may quality should contact their Chase Brexton provider or call 410-837- 2050 for more info. t news // local

Easter Bonnet March GLCCB Board working there from Goucher, Johns Hop- kins, and Coppin State University. Extravaganza Meeting Notes During community questions and discussion, Ava Pipitone provided an update & Parade On March 13th the GLCCB board held its on the host home project, a donor-based monthly meeting. peer-to-peer housing program to be piloted It’s time to break out your glue guns, build Due to the absence of several of the this summer. Housing for LGBTQ people yourself an Easter bonnet, and join in on community center’s board members, in- remains a challenging problem, especially the third annual Easter Bonnet Extrava- cluding the secretary, there were no min- for trans people. GLCCB staff noted that ganza and Parade on April 1st. utes read from the February meeting. there are currently at least 15 people their This year’s theme is “Iconic Baltimore.” Several committee reports were also not case managers have been unable to place Participants are encouraged to be imagi- available for this reason. A determination in housing, some for as long as six months. native in their choice of materials and in- was made that there was a quorum to al- The next board meeting is planned corporate local personalities, landmarks, low for decision making. for April 10th at 6:30 pm, at the GLCCB historical events, culinary delights, and It was reported that the center has (2530 North Charles Street, third floor, Bal- all things Baltimore into their bonnet con- made an agreement with Baltimore to re- timore). t cepts. view past debt, and to work with the mayor – Bill Redmond-Palmer The event was started by a small group to have some debt forgiven. of friends gathering for drinks on Easter State registration as a charitable orga- and has grown into a full-fledged bar crawl. nization is now current, along with mem- Gather at 3 pm at the Grand Central bership in the Maryland Association of Night Club (1001 North Charles Street, Nonprofit Organizations. ‘It’s All in the Baltimore), and invite your friends to join in Estimates for the planned financial re- as the group parades (and drinks) its way view for the short 2016 fiscal year, and an Sound’ – Famous around stops in Mount Vernon including audit for the full 2017 fiscal year, are for a the Owl Bar, the Brewer’s Art, Leon’s, City total of $15,000. The board is investigating Poems Meet Song, Cafe, Mount Vernon Stable & Saloon, and sources for funding for this effort. others. As part of the Pride 2018 update, it was April 12th For more information, visit their Face- Bottoms up and hats off announced that Youth Pride has decided t book event page at Bit.ly/2pICHgY. to the winner to move to a date apart from the Saturday “All in the Sound: Songs on the Poems of Block Party and is looking for a hotel to Whitman, Williams, and Stein” is a love- host the event. fest of musically-set poetry by some of The development committee is work- the most celebrated American poets of the ing to define its role. They are expecting 19th and 20th centuries. The concert, fea- to help with the process of recovering out- turing the compositions of Baltimore based standing Queer composer Peter Dayton, will feature funds several world premieres. owed the These world premieres include “Botti- center, to cellian Trees,” four “Tree-Songs” on texts develop by William Carlos Williams; “The Need of fundrais- Comrades,” a gay cantata on texts from ing part- Walt Whitman’s Calamus; a musical set- nerships, ting of “If They Delight,” from Gertrude to help identify Pride sponsors, and to as- Stein’s “Stanzas in Meditation”; and “All in sist with board development. the Sound,” two songs on texts by William The bylaws committee presented a Carlos Williams, written especially for the draft for consideration that included sever- evening’s star performer, Katie Procell. al recommendations from the executive di- The concert ends with an unstaged rectors for changes, all of which were wel- performance of Dayton’s chamber opera in comed by the board. The board members one act May She / She May, that illustrates were asked to review the draft, by midnight Gertrude Stein’s first lesbian love-affair on March 25th following which a final vote and love triangle in 1900, while she was would be taken. a medical student at Johns Hopkins Uni- As part of the bylaws discussion, it versity. was agreed and clarified that the proposed The concert will take place from 7 to leadership council and community advisory 9 pm, on April 12th at An Die Musik (409 board should be established independent- North Charles Street, Baltimore). The con- ly from the board of directors, and not as cert will feature Nathan Cicero and Valerie sub-committees of the board. Hsu on Piano; Sarah Thomas on violin; A limited planning group to lay out the baritone Evan Gutierrez; sopranos Katie framework for the community advisory Procell, and Rachel Sandler; and mez- board should be formed and complete its zo-soprano Hannah Wardell. meetings prior to the end of April. “I love poetry, and particularly the The center currently has three interns American modernism in which all these 4 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com news // local poets played such important roles, or influ- April 11th. Call 410-289-3384 or 800-837- On April 12th, at 7 pm, join the Rebels alienated us from the socially accepted life enced in Whitman’s case,” said Dayton. “In 3585. Quality Inn Boardwalk: deadline is With a Cause cycling team for “not your are also what bind us together. my music I hope to provide a reading or in- April 11th. Call 410-289-4401 or 800-837- grandma’s drag queen bingo” at Points This May, the Baltimore Pride 2018 terpretation of the poem, a chance to read 3584. Harrison Hall: deadline is April 11th. South Latin Kitchen (1640 Thames Street, Events and Outreach Committee wants to the words aloud with arcs and gestures Call 410-289-6222. Howard Johnson Inn: Baltimore). Points South will donate ten hear from you in an interview series called, that make the emotional underpinning of sold out. Grand Hotel and Spa: deadline is percent of all sales to the Rebels fundrais- “LGBTQIA+: The Faces of Pride.” This the lines, sentences, and phrases, as per- April 11th. Call 410-289-6191. ing efforts. project seeks to highlight the various ways ceptible as the words on the page. This is For Saturday, May 12th: Quality Inn On April 22nd, from noon to 5 pm, we differentiate from the social and cul- poetry that should be appreciated out loud. Easton: deadline is April 12th. Call 410- Team Atomic will hold a Clothing Swap at tural mainstream, while highlighting those As Williams admonishes in his recipe for 820-8333. Holiday Inn Express Easton: 1215 West 40th Street, Baltimore, where things that bind us together. poetry ‘The Poem,’ ‘It’s all in the sound.’” deadline is April 12th. Call 410-819-6500. you can “trade your unloved rags for some As sexual and gender minorities, the de- Tickets are $10 and can be reserved Hampton Inn Easton: sold out. Econo sweet new duds, and vice versa.” There mand to be a public voice for one’s unique online at Allinthesound.brownpapertickets. Lodge: no deadline, call 410-820-5555. will be a raffle, drinks, and snacks. identifiers can veer into objectification when com. Visit their Facebook event page at Talbot County Community Center (free For more info on Ride for the Feast vis- approached from a certain angle. By en- Bit.ly/2Gf3MzH. t camping style accommodations): deadline it Bit.ly/2CCbYMD. For more about Move- gaging willing voices, this interview series is April 30th. Email Carin at cprescott@ able Feast, it’s Mfeast.org. t aims to limit such unnecessary interac- mfeast.org or call 410-327-3420 x33. tions and educate all communities through Please call the hotel directly for any shared understanding about the behavior questions related to pricing or booking. Be and mannerisms that make up each of the New Baltimore aware that some hotels may have already Interview Series: diverse parts of our rainbow community. met their block capacity, but may be able To this end, the project coordinators Queer Book Club to accommodate you with a room outside Be a Face of Pride invite you to become a self-identified of the Ride for the Feast block. spokesperson for your sexual orientation, Hosts Meet & Greet Several other fundraising events are Pivotal to our life choices, our identities gender identity, race, or social creed. planned during April. – gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, pan- or Consider lending your voice to this man- The new Baltimore Queer Book Club will On April 5th, join team Wheels of Steel polysexual, cis, trans, or non-binary – all ifestation of this year’s Pride theme, “Unit- official launch on April 1st. Their first event and Moveable Feast at Monument City affect how we navigate the world. The ed We Shine,” by emailing events2018@ will be a meet and greet, planned for 3 to 5 Brewing (1 North Haven Street, Baltmore), ways in which we each have violated so- glccb.org for more information, or filling out pm at the GLCCB community center (2530 from 5 to 8 pm for a night of Monument City cieties sexual norms, those factors that the form at Tinyurl.com/y7av7174. t North Charles Street). Beer, Mexican food from Cocina Luchado- The group invites all queer folks who ras, live music, and more. Monument like to read, laugh will donate $1 per pint sold, and Cocina and eat, to join Luchadoras will donate a percentage of them for an after- their sales. noon of good food On April 5th, join Team Spokin’ for Hot and good conver- Drag Bingo at Points South Latin Kitchen sation. (1640 Thames Street, Baltimore) at 7 pm, The first book for tapas and drink specials, with a portion the group will read of the proceeds going to Moveable Feast. is B-Boy Blues, by Bingo is free to play, and you will enjoy raf- James Earl Har- fle prizes and entertainment. ● Elder Law dy. Book club or- On April 6th, join Team Atomic for April ganizers describe it as a “Crazysexycool First Friday on the Avenue in Hampden, ● Estate Planning black queer story about two New York City from 6 to 9 pm, where your favorite Team ● Family Law men who find love.” Atomic riders will be grinding it out on ● Guardianship They invite you to join them, but ask bike trainers outside your favorite Hamp- that you please RSVP through their Face- den stores to spread the good word about ● Mediation book event page atBit.ly/2G8Ulpt. t Moveable Feast and to hawk some wares. ● Medicaid Planning & Qualification You are invited to stop by and say hello. If the weather is bad, they will be safely ● Personal Injury inside somewhere. ● Probate Join Fierce Chicks Rock for another ● Veteran's Benefits Ride for the edition of their annual huge “all-killer, no filler, we-really-mean-that” Epic Yard Sale ● LGBTQIA Matters Feast Updates from 8 am to 2 pm at 329 31st Street, just one block from the 32nd Street Farmers Call ERA Law Group Today The Ride for the Feast, to benefit Moveable Market in Baltimore. They promise to have (410) 919-1790, or visit us at Feast is coming up soon. If you plan to par- great housewares, clothing, artwork, sports 1997 Annapolis Exchange Pkwy, ticipate, but have not yet booked a hotel equipment, and a few bona fide treasures. Suite 300, Annapolis, MD 21401 room, do so now, as reservation deadlines On April 11th, Team Bikage invites you to are looming, and rooms are going quickly. a Gnarly Pizza Party at Johnny Rad’s (2108 For Friday, May 11th: Seabonay Motel: Eastern Avenue, Baltimore), from 5 pm to Valerie E. Anias, Esq. all rooms have been booked by another close. Ten percent of all sales will go to sup- [email protected] group. Flagship Oceanfront: deadline is port Team Bikeage’s fundraising efforts. BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 5 What is TRUVADA for PrEP? Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex.  Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 your sexual health. and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV.  Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? body fl uids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fl uids on them. Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do What is the most important information I should know about blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. TRUVADA for PrEP? If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP:  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but  You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confi rmed to be HIV-negative. unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with  Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a become infected. If you have fl u-like symptoms, you could have recently become fast or abnormal heartbeat. infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a fl u-like illness within  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. lymph nodes in the neck or groin.  Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.  You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area may not keep you from getting HIV-1. (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if I’m courageous,  You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.  Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking  If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. TRUVADA for PrEP?  To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1:  All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or not careless.  Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis.  Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it  If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if I know who I am. And I make choices that ﬁ t my life. easier for HIV to infect you. TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking  Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should having fewer sex partners. keep taking TRUVADA. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that  Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of  If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day getting HIV-1 infection. you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk.  If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA  All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter and used together with safer sex practices. alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare  TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIVthrough sex. over time. provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects:  If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider  You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines  Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection not stop taking TRUVADA without fi rst talking to your healthcare provider, as they You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the will need to monitor your health. FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page. Learn more at truvada.com

6 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com TVDC0159_PrEP_B_9-875x9.6_BaltimoreOutloud_Cafe_p1.indd 1-2 2/15/18 3:45 PM What is TRUVADA for PrEP? Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex.  Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 your sexual health. and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV.  Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? body fl uids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fl uids on them. Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do What is the most important information I should know about blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. TRUVADA for PrEP? If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP:  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but  You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confi rmed to be HIV-negative. unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with  Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a become infected. If you have fl u-like symptoms, you could have recently become fast or abnormal heartbeat. infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a fl u-like illness within  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. lymph nodes in the neck or groin.  Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.  You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area may not keep you from getting HIV-1. (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if I’m courageous,  You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.  Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking  If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. TRUVADA for PrEP?  To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1:  All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or not careless.  Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis.  Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it  If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if I know who I am. And I make choices that ﬁ t my life. easier for HIV to infect you. TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking  Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should having fewer sex partners. keep taking TRUVADA. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that  Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of  If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day getting HIV-1 infection. you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk.  If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA  All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter and used together with safer sex practices. alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare  TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIVthrough sex. over time. provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects:  If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider  You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines  Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection not stop taking TRUVADA without fi rst talking to your healthcare provider, as they You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the will need to monitor your health. FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page. Learn more at truvada.com

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 7 TVDC0159_PrEP_B_9-875x9.6_BaltimoreOutloud_Cafe_p1.indd 1-2 2/15/18 3:45 PM IMPORTANT FACTS This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the (tru-VAH-dah) risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section. • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or infected. abnormal heartbeat. muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • Bone problems. • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, keep you from getting HIV-1. headache, and decreased weight. • You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.Get tested for HIV-1 at least These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you • Have any other medical conditions. have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV regularly for several months. can pass to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA high risk of getting HIV-1. for PrEP. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to • Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection. infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them. HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. GET MORE INFORMATION • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices. healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0159 07/17

8 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com TVDC0159_PrEP_B_9-875x9.6_BaltimoreOutloud_Cafe_p1.indd 3 2/15/18 3:45 PM beyond the beltway

compiled by Jim Becker Wilcox cites the astonishing statistic that community. In 1998, he was appointed to 73b3-44a4-9032-b97a1134c354 and more than a third of people under 30 con- the LGBTQ and Questioning Youth Task Wired.com – Louise Matsakis at Wired. siders it sexual harassment for a man to Force by the San Francisco Board of Su- com/story/adrian-lamo-has-passed-away- Report: Young comment on a woman’s attractiveness. pervisors. at-37/) You are not allowed to try to talk to a wom- Manning, who is transgender and went Americans are an if she’s wearing headphones, according by Bradley at the time of her arrest, was to Buzzfeed. Saying anything to any wom- convicted in 2013 of leaking a trove of Trump imposes not having as an in a public place is “almost always a classified documents. President Barack bad idea,” according to another Millennial. Obama commuted her sentence and Man- new trans much sex What does he recommend instead? Apps ning was released from military prison in like Tinder and OKCupid, because there at May after serving seven years of a 35-year military ban New York City – Spectator USA reports least you know the woman is interested in sentence. She is running for the US Sen- that Parson Weems, the popular author of being chatted up. Talking to strangers is ate seat occupied by Senator Ben Cardin. Washington, DC – Q Notes Online the early American republic who invented depraved; conveyor-belt sex apps are just Lamo testified that Manning contacted reports with the permission from News- the apocryphal story of George Washing- plain courteous. However this may be as him because of his notoriety in the hacking week that President Donald Trump signed ton and the cherry tree, achieved his great- ethics, it is bizarre as etiquette. community. Lamo was convicted of com- a memorandum on March 23rd that bans est commercial success as a pamphleteer No wonder those numbers are down, some transgender individuals from serving with “Hymen’s Recruiting-Sergeant; Or the if initiating a conversation with a stranger in the US military, but gives the armed forc- New Matrimonial Tattoo for Old Bachelors” is now a minefield of potential offense, on es latitude in implementing policies. The top of the usual minefield of potential hu- memorandum said transgender individuals miliation. It would make such a big differ- with a history of gender dysphoria, defined So yesterday ence to those 18- to 30-year-olds who are as “those who may require substantial dragging down America’s sexual frequen- medical treatment, including through med- cy stats if they could rely on ordinary rules ical drugs or surgery,” are disqualified from of etiquette again. For example, that it is military service “except under certain lim- not a crime to talk to strangers in public ited circumstances.” It added that the sec- places. Being single will still be agony, of retaries of defense and homeland security course – all those cycles of risk and re- Adrian Lamo – Fink “may exercise their authority to implement jection. But there is a way out. As Wilcox any appropriate policies concerning mili- notes, this particular exit from singledom puter fraud after he was arrested in 2004 tary service by transgender individuals.” leads to having sex more frequently and for hacking the New York Times, Microsoft, to higher reported levels of satisfaction AOL and other companies. In the Wired. with one’s sex life. Time for a fourteenth com article, Matsakis quoted Lamo’s 2013 edition of Hymen’s Recruiting-Sergeant. interview with the Guardian about his deci- (The Spectator USA – at Usa.spectator. sion to turn in Manning to the FBI, “[t]here co.uk/2018/03/why-are-young-americans- was no option to interdict just the docu- having-less-sex) ments and put him merely in touch with counseling. There was no way to be both kind to [Chelsea] and mindful of the poten- (1799). In this booklet, the amiable old tial for harm to people I had never known clergyman suggested that young people Hacker who and would never know which the situation ought to get married not only for financial posed. The reader might think there was security and in order to bring up young reported Chelsea some more moderate choice that I over- The White House said Defense Secre- Americans but “for pleasure.” His racy looked but I looked closely, and no such tary Jim Mattis had found that individuals pamphlet went into 13 editions, and cop- Manning to the choice existed.” (The Montreal Gazette with a history or diagnosis of gender dys- ies were still being sold 50 years later. The – Montrealgazette.com/pmn/news-pmn/ phoria presented a risk to military effec- new report from W. Bradford Wilcox and FBI is dead hacker-who-turned-in-chelsea-manning- tiveness. “This new policy will enable the Nicholas Wolfinger of the Institute for Fam- to-fbi-dead-at-age-37/wcm/24ee6e78- military to apply well-established mental ily Studies has a much less catchy title: Wichita, Kansas – As reported by As- and physical health standards ... equally to “Men and Marriage: Debunking the Ball & sociated Press in the Montreal Gazette, all individuals who want to join and fight for Chain Myth.” But the problem is the same: authorities in Kansas have confirmed the the best military force the world has ever These news notes have been compiled, Not enough young people are getting mar- death of the computer hacker who turned seen,” it said. In a memo cited by CNN, the with permission, from the online version ried. More dire than that, young Americans in Chelsea Manning to law enforcement Pentagon said that Trump’s order would of various newspapers and other web are having less sex. for giving thousands of documents to exclude those “stable for 36 consecutive sites. We thank these publications for As Wilcox pointed out in Politico maga- WikiLeaks. months in their biological sex prior to acces- allowing us to bring you their news sto- zine, sexual frequency among adult Amer- Sedgwick County spokeswoman Kate sion,” servicemembers who “do not require a ries. Usually the reports have been sig- icans is down 14% compared to the late Flavin said on March 16th that Adrian nificantly edited and you can read the change of gender” and troops who started 1990s. Among 18- to 30-year-olds, the Lamo’s body was at the morgue in Wich- full story by going to the web site men- serving under the Obama administration’s re- number reporting no sex at all in the pre- ita, but she had no other details about tioned following the item. Comments moval of restrictions on transgender recruits. ceding year has zoomed up from 12% to the 37-year-old’s death. Louise Matsakis are strictly the opinions of Jim Becker The Democratic National Committee crit- 18%. What could explain this? Might the wrote in Wired.com that in the mid 1990s, and not of Baltimore OUTloud or Pride icized the move as an insult to transgender problem be that young people no longer Lamo volunteered for PlanetOut, a public Media. service members. In a strongly-worded state- have any idea how to talk to each other? media company that catered to the LGBTQ —continued on page 14

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 9 Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Washington, D.C March For Our Lives Photos by Jim Becker

10 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com GGrraabb aa ccooffffeee,e ttaakkee aa ssuurrvvey,ey, change the world. Making a Difference is Easy.

Take the 12th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey® LGBTQsurvey.com

Proudly LGBTQ-owned and -operated A pioneer in LGBTQ research, founded in 1992 Your information is conﬁdential, used for research purposes only. You will not be contacted for marketing purposes. NGLCC-Certiﬁed LGBTQ Owned Business Enterprise

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 11 VoiceVoice ofof thethe CenterCenter Board Bio – Lorena DeLeon

Lorena has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry ranging across clinical, managerial, operational, regulatory, and consultative. She has worked for various healthcare organizations both in Maryland and California including Johns Hopkins, Kai- ser Permanente, The State of Maryland, and United HealthGroup. She holds a BS in Busi- ness Administration, an MBA in Healthcare Management, and is currently working on her dissertation for a Doctorate in Public Adminis- tration from the University of Baltimore. She is also a Six Sigma Green Belt and is Lean certified. Lorena lives in Owings Mills with her wife and kids and their “fur” baby. She enjoys running, culinary and wine festivals, and

dancing. Lorena DeLeon We asked Lorena, “what does “Commu- nity” mean” to her? struggled in life to feel accepted or just to find She responded: As I reflect my personal a place where we even fit in. I joined the GLC- meaning of “community”, one word come CB Board with the hopes that we would work to mind, belonging. I can honestly say that together as a community to ensure that ev- throughout my life, I have been part of a few ery member of our LGBTQIA community feels communities, either through work or physi- welcomed, valued, and respected. Given the cally living in one, where there was no sense times we live in, I know this may only be a of belonging and members had little regard dream but I planning on working hard to try or concern for each other. Many of us have and make it a reality.

12 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com THE LATEST UPDATES FROM THE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER OF BALTIMORE AND CENTRAL MARYLAND

Events Calendar: March/April 2018 Sundays Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays 04/03 04/04 04/05 03/30 03/31 04/01 04/02 HIV/STI Testing with Crystal Meth Anonymous Teen Art Group Alcoholics Anonymous STAR TRACK [CMA] Narcotics Anonymous Youth Against Oppression 6:30pm-8:30pm Front Office 5:30pm-7:30pm Room 2 04/12 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Room1 5:00pm-8:00pm Lobby/ 11:00am-1:00pm Room 3 (YAO) The Mankind Project Lounge Giovanni’s Room Poetry Sistahs of Pride 4:00pm-6:00pm 6:30pm-8:30pm Room 1 T.ransO.utreachN.ightI. Gentle Mindful Yoga 7:00pm-9:00pm Room 1 Workshop nitiative 3:30pm-4:45pm ($10) 6:30pm-8:30pm ($5) Conf. Sexual Compulsives 04/07 Anonymous Family Game Night 11:00pm – 2:00am. Lounge Room 3 04/09 Room 7:00p-8:00pm Conf. Room 6:30pm – 9:30pm Lounge Alcoholics Anonymous Art Rising Open Mic ($5) 04/06 5:00pm-8:00pm Lobby/ 04/08 Youth Against Oppression SILhouette FreeState Justice Legal Clinic 4:30pm – 6:30pm Room 2 7:00pm – 10:00pm Romm 3 Lounge (YAO) 7:30pm-9:30pm Room 3 Crystal Meth Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Vogue Practice with Get Smart with iChat [CMA] MOCHA Men’s Group 4:00pm-6:00pm 7:00pm – 9:00pm Conf Room 11:00am-1:00pm Room 3 04/10 STAR TRACK 6:30pm-8:30pm Room 1 6:30pm – 9:30pm Room 3 4:00pm – 7:00pm Room 3 Gentle Mindful Yoga Teen Art Group TransBaltimore Giovanni’s Room 3:30pm-4:45pm ($10) 04/14 5:30pm-7:30pm Lobby/ 7:30pm-9:30pm Room 3 Open Mic Room 3 Lounge 7:00pm-10:00pm Room Alcoholics Anonymous Board of Directors 04/11 3 ($5) 5:00pm-8:00pm Lobby/ Lounge Meeting The Mankind Project Breaking Bread Project 6:30pm-8:30pm Room 2 6:30pm-8:30pm Room 1 6:30pm – 10:00pm Room 3 Sexual Compulsives Anonymous 04/13 7:00p-8:00pm Room 2 Crystal Meth Anonymous Sisters of Perpetual Indul- gence [CMA] 6:30pm – 8:00pm Room 2 6:30pm-8:30pm Room 1 Healing BMore Activists 6:30pm – 8:30pm Room 3 TransBaltimore – A GLCCB Program

By Charles Xavier Kilborn questions & seek guidance from older group members. T.O.N.I (Trans Outreach Night Ini- TransBaltimore is a social organization tiative) is an extension of TransBaltimore that geared towards transgender, non-binary, and focuses on providing hygiene kits and contra- gender nonconforming individuals, as well as ceptives to trans sex workers in the surround- those that are affirming of non-binary identi- ing area. The center is open outside of normal ties. Housed at the GLCCB, the primary goal business hours, currently from 11 pm until 2 of TransBaltimore is to provide a safe space & am, so that the women working have an area community support for individuals who identi- that they can come into to relax, refresh, and fy outside of the binary. Oftentimes, trans folks receive referrals to any resources they are in navigate their transition feeling isolated and need of. Through our outreach efforts, we are alone. TransBaltimore exists in an effort to ad- able to engage with the working women in the dress those feelings & provide the support & community, and we hope to create a culture of the opportunity to commune with people with community support. TransBaltimore meetings shared experiences. The secondary goal of take place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of TransBaltimore is to encourage open & hon- each month, and T.O.N.I takes place on the est dialogue about the trans/non-binary expe- 4th Friday of each month, from 11 pm until 2 rience, as well as to allow trans youth to ask am.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 13 beyond the beltway

—continued from page 9 24-year-old, who police believe ruary and May 2012, discuss top- ment, US House Democratic Leader Nancy blew himself up on March 20th, ics like same-sex marriage (which Pelosi said the policy would harm the nation. is said to have authored sever- Conditt believed should be illegal), “This latest memorandum is the same coward- al blog posts in 2012. In these the death penalty (which he was ly, disgusting ban the President announced posts, he expressed animosity in support of), and abortion access last summer,” she said. “The president’s for women and the LGBT com- (which Conditt was against). In hateful ban is purpose-built to humiliate our munity in blogs for a class. his post titled “Why gay marriage brave transgender members of the military On the blog, titled “Defining should be illegal,” Conditt says: who serve with honor and dignity.” On Fri- my Stance,” Conditt describes “Homosexuality is not natural. day, the Pentagon reaffirmed that it would himself as a conservative who Just look at the male and female continue to comply with federal law. (Q Notes is “not that politically inclined.” bodies. They are obviously de- Online & Newsweek at https://goqnotes. The blog was part of a class signed to couple. The natural de- com/59117/trump-imposes-new-transgen- assignment from Austin Com- Mark Conditt – sign is apparent. It is not natural to der-military-ban) munity College, according to Deadly bomber couple male with male and female a former classmate of Conditt. targeted people of with female. It would be like try- The organizations recommend nine Twenty-three students were list- color in Austin ing to fit two screws together and changes needed to improve trade among ed as having blogs for that class. “I remem- to (sic) nuts together and then say, ‘See, it’s North American countries: stop outsourc- Austin terrorist ber him and being in class with him but not natural for them to go together.’ In addition, ing and raise wages by adding strong labor his blog specifically,” McKenna McIntosh, a political protection of a sexual practice is lu- and environmental standards with swift and bomber posted former classmate of Conditt’s, told the New dicrous. I do not believe it is proper to pass certain enforcement; eliminate NAFTA terms York Post. Conditt attended Austin Commu- laws stating that homosexuals have “rights.” that promote outsourcing of US jobs; elimi- anti-gay blogs in nity College between 2010 and 2012 but did In the post called “My view on free abortions,” nate NAFTA rules that threaten food safety not graduate. he says “If you can’t provide for a child, then and product labeling; make medicine more college The six blog posts, written between Feb- don’t have sex.” (Gay Star News – Rafaella affordable by ending NAFTA rules that in- Gunz at Gaystarnews.com/article/suspect- crease costs; add strong, enforceable rules Austin, Texas – Mark Conditt, the sus- ed-austin-serial-bomber-wrote-homopho- against currency manipulation; protect US pected Austin terrorist and serial bomber who bic-sexist-blog-posts/#gs.iclfO_w) jobs and labor and environmental standards killed two African-American men and injured by strengthening ‘rules of origin’ and stop- several other people, reportedly went on hoping transshipment of manufactured goods; mophobic and sexist rants on his blog. The require that all imported goods and all ser- LGBTQ labor vices and service providers meet US standards, and add specific safeguards for US group demands labor, heath, environmental, and other public interest standards; boost the rural econ- changes to omy by rewriting NAFTA rules that harm family farmers; and, the NAFTA renegotia- NAFTA tion process must be transparent and partic- ipatory. Spokespeople for the Citizens Trade Seattle – Pride at Work, the AFL-CIO’s Campaign, the coalition that sponsored the LGBT constituency organization, joined group letter, said that local activists would 1,044 labor, faith, and human rights groups deliver copies to federal lawmakers in as t to demand a replacement for NAFTA (the many districts as possible. (Seattle Gay North American Free Trade Agreement). News – Mike Andrew at Sgn.org) NAFTA has been controversial since it was negotiated in the 1990s. Labor organizations charge that “free trade” treaties like NAFTA allow US corporations to relocate factories Can it be that in countries where wages are low and work- place safety standards are lax. Human rights groups add that human rights and environmental regulations in those countries might also be below US standards. “Instead of leveling the playing field, NAFTA makes it easier for big corporations BaltimoreOUTLoud.com to outsource jobs to Mexico to take advan- tage of poverty wages and lax environmental standards,” the organizations say in an open letter to federal officials. “To date, more than 930,000 American jobs have been certified as lost to NAFTA under just one narrow government program. Meanwhile, Mexican wages are down 9% in real terms since NAFTA and below $2 per hour, while Ameri- can wages have remained flat.”

14 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com quality of life // Health and Wellness

moist from water that seeps through un- derground walls. many remembrances and not letting go of the Look throughout the house for plumb- Ask past: that will mean ending the current rela- Open Wide ing leaks and for areas of damage to walls tionship. For some, a new arrangement may and floors from past leaks, even if the leak Dr. J evolve: Some decide, for different reasons, to ask Dr Eva has been corrected. After the basement, continue the relationship and the affair, be- Dr Eva Hersh the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry are Janan Broadbent, Ph.D. cause of external factors such as finances, the most likely areas in the house to be or children getting ready to leave home, or moist. These rooms all need good ventila- caretaking of a parent. For others, it may be a -Related tion (for instance, installed fans). process of rebuilding, morphing into different Mold The illnesses best proven to be related Infidelity – terms, and creating an altogether different re- Illness to mold are asthma, allergies, and chron- lationship. And for others, it may mean ending ic nose and Take 2 the partnership and starting a new one. sinus irrita- In the end, it will be a matter of looking at Dear Dr. Eva, Mold & tion. Did mold If there’s an affair involved in your relation- yourself, your feelings, your expectations and We finally decided to get a couple of and moisture ship, at which point do you decide to end the boundaries, and assessing if the partner and bedrooms painted. They had wallpaper, mildew: nasty cause your involvement, whether it is you or your partner the relationship are important enough to put and when it was stripped off we saw big and unhealthy son’s asth- who has been unfaithful? To be clear, I am in the painful work to take a good long look at patches of black and red mold. Looked like ma? It’s cer- talking about relationships where there is an it, weighing how and why you and the partner it must have been growing for years, and tainly possible. Moist environments and understanding of commitment, be it in a mo- ended up in this place. This does not mean it smelled musty. The painters say they mold can worsen asthma in people who al- nogamous, or a polyamorous context. Even can use anti-mold paint, but will that be ready have it as well as causing asthma to in open marriages, there seems to be an ex- “Not all affairs mean enough? One of my kids has asthma, and I start in people who did not have it before. pectation of boundaries. So being unfaithful wonder if this could be the cause of it. The best way to test this is to have your is about going beyond those boundaries and the end of the coupling. Moldy Home child leave the house for the sum- expectations. In fact, about one- mer and stay in a home How do you even start to sort through the Dear Moldy, of friends or rela- feelings and the back and forth arguments? third of partnerships A mold investi- tives where there In the distant past, there were some common gation can be as is no basement opinions, that affairs did not happen in hap- survive an affair and deep as you are and no one py relationships, or that when it happened, it go on to be a stronger willing to go. smokes. If his was definitely the end of the existing involve- The most im- asthma im- ment. Not true anymore. We have come to connection.” portant thing proves, the see that even in happy connections, this does to know is that question is happen, and not all affairs mean the end of starting the blame game of “You made me mold will only answered. In the coupling. In fact, about one-third of part- have an affair.” It does mean accepting the grow in damp that case, the nerships survive an affair and go on to be a reality of where you are and putting effort into or humid plac- house should stronger connection. How so, you ask? understanding how you both got there. Too es. The wallpaper have professional Is an affair a deal breaker? Human inter- often, I hear: “I told her/him I was unhappy in your house must mold remediation, or actions are complicated. So, there is no black and it ended up in deaf ears.” It is crucial to have come loose from the the family should move or white answer to this question. To quote listen to each other. It is equally important to wall, creating pockets of moist Scratch to a dry house, preferably one author Esther Perel: “…infidelity can destroy make the message strong enough and at the air, perfect for growing mold. It’s possible ’n’ sniff! with no basement or crawlspace. a relationship, sustain it, force it to change, appropriate time – adding your discontent to that these were the only mold colonies in – not! or create a new one. Every affair redefines a list of complaints gets lost in insignificance. your house, but unfortunately, it’s not very Is it true that certain kinds a relationship, and every relationship will de- Last but not least, seek an objective party, likely. of mold, like black mold, are the most termine what the legacy of the affair will be.” an experienced therapist, a counselor to help Look at other potentially moist places dangerous? For some, there is too much hurt, too you through the difficult exploration. t where mold would thrive. Start by strip- There is no evidence that particular ping off any other wallpaper in the house. types of mold are more likely to cause ill- If there is paneling, remove that as well. ness. Usually, multiple kinds of mold are Hearts & Ears, Inc. All the walls should be painted with an an- present in a moldy area. Mold-related ill- is a non-profit organization for Gay, ti-mold paint. ness is not due only to the mold. When Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, In the rooms where you find signs of mold grows, it breaks down whatever it is fungus, the next step is to remove a piece growing on, which could be food, drywall, Intersex and Questioning individuals of the drywall to look for fungus inside the leather, and anything stored in a moist with mental health issues walls. If fungus is seen inside the wall, place. Breakdown products include chem- and concerns. consider consulting a professional mold ical dusts and fumes, including formalde- removal service. hyde. Current thinking is that these break- We warmly welcome all sexual and If your house has a basement or a down products may cause more irritation Wellness and gender minorities. t crawl space, that is almost certainly the than the mold itself. Recovery Center Sun. through Tues. Closed dampest part of the house. Even if you Eva Hersh, MD, is a Baltimore fami- Wed. through Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m have never seen water in your basement ly physician. Please send questions and 611 PARK AVENUE SUITE A BALTIMORE, MD 21201 • 410-523-1694 or crawl space, those areas are guaran- comments to her by email at dr.eva@balti- teed to have fungus because they stay moreoutloud.com heartsandears.org

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 15 quality of life // Health and Wellness

ones in marijuana) which are small enough to reach our brain and elevate mood. Exercise Managing Medications may also increase dopamine, a neurotrans- Fit mitter which attaches to reward centers in our By Monte Ephraim Workshop offers just the right for brain. Dopamine enhances mood, reinforces Chase Brexton Health Care Life the positive behavior, and makes us want to Prescription medications can prescription for LGBT elders trying to Joshua H. Buchbinder repeat these behaviors. help a person live his or her These chemical processes are great, but healthiest life – but they can be bring order to their pillboxes what about our need for community? Exer- intimidating, too. From getting cise in public settings, like gyms, fulfills our the correct prescriptions in the first place your medications might need to change. Depression inherent desire for interaction. We develop to keeping track of multiple pills, managing How should someone prepare for a a sense of community, belonging, and make your medications means staying organized. doctor visit? and Exercise new friends. Working with a trainer or being Easy tips to help with these challeng- So many of us walk into our doctor’s in a group exercise class has the same bene- es will be offered at an upcoming Lunch & visit with no preparation. Then, the doctor Winter can be a hard time – lack of sunlight, fits! We crave attention and purpose. Fitness Learn workshop presented by the LGBT asks a bunch of questions to determine cold weather, holidays, lack of physical activ- helps us find them. Health Resource Center on Thursday, April what might be going on with you. There ity. These coupled with mental illness can be It’s clear, exercise helps us feel better 12th from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Chase Brex- are ways to get ready for doctor vis- a nightmare. This nightmare impacts those physically and mentally. Yet, there is still one ton Health Care’s Mount Vernon Center its. There are specific items you can bring with depression and those who love them. problem… How do I even start? Who can (1111 North Charles Street, Baltimore). and ways to prepare But what can we do? There are traditional help? The answer is more complicated. For We asked Michelle that will make your medical remedies (which I fully endorse) of me, it took getting to a point of desperation. Fritsch, pharmacy clini- visit less stressful and therapy and medication. But this isn’t enough Realizing I wasn’t the person I wanted to be. cal coordinator for Chase let you get more out for many. I wasn’t living up to my potential. I wanted Brexton Health Care and of your visit. These We all know regular exercise and proper more yet felt stuck. When I’d had enough pain presenter of the Lunch & tips were created by nutrition help our bodies function better. We I found myself ready to change and start a Learn, for a few tips on doctors and pharma- often forget the mind is part of the body and new path. Let me be clear – it doesn’t have to ways for elders to keep up cists working togeth- our mood is a result of a chemical process. get that bad. Does this mean my life is all ros- with their medications. er, and many people These chemicals, when improperly balanced, es? Of course not. I still have my struggles, What question or con- have found them cause depression, anxiety, etc. The results of doubt, lack of motivation, depression, but I cern do you hear most very helpful. We’ll these imbalances can lead to isolation, risky know how much better I’m going to feel if I just often from LGBT elders Michelle Fritsch give you everything behavior, hyper-sexuality, and self-medicat- get up and move. Sometimes my workouts regarding their prescrip- – pharmacy clinical you need to know at our ing (leading to alcoholism and addiction). One are more about feeling better than reaching tions? coordinator for Chase Lunch & Learn. way we can restore balance is by creating the some weight loss or strength goal. The number one questions is, “Do Brexton Health Care What’s your number proper hormones (exercise) and taking in the If you struggle with mental health you’re I really need all of these medications?” one tip for LGBT elders right chemicals (nutrition and supplemen- not alone. I’ve been there, too. And I can I think we all wonder if each medication is to organize and track their medica- tation). The medical community doesn’t talk promise you, it gets better. We need to take really necessary. It’s a valid question. We tions? enough about the efficacy of these activities personal responsibility and ask for help. Life all want assurance that our medications We will talk about an exciting new ro- isn’t perfect, it doesn’t need to be, but it can are being helpful and not causing us any regarding to mental health, but it’s a neces- bot coming to Chase Brexton that could be as bad or as good as you want it to. The problems, unnecessary expense, or unnec- sary conversation. really help organize complicated medicine t essary burden. There are key questions to The old mindset was exercise creates choice is yours. ask your doctor and important information regimens. We will also talk about many endorphins and these endorphins heighten Joshua and Elyse Buchbinder are Fitness to share with your doctor, which we’ll dis- strategies that can help make sure med- mood. While it’s true exercise does create Professionals working in the Baltimore and cuss in the Lunch & Learn workshop. We icines are taken at the right time, in the endorphins, they merely help our muscles surrounding areas. They strive each day to will also talk about the importance of us- right way each day. Some people take feel less pain – they are too large to enter make the world a little better by helping oth- ing only one pharmacy – that is one of the medicine right before or after another reg- the brain. What makes us happy from exer- ers. If you’re ready to start your journey to the most effective ways to make sure someone ular daily event. Others need to put the cise? Our bodies have an endocannabinoid best version of yourself call or email them to- is looking at your whole medicine regimen medicine in a spot where they can’t miss system which releases cannabinoids (like the day at [email protected] or 410-967-9699. and checking that it is safe. it. There are reminders that can go on your Does anything about medications phone, or timers that can be set. Pill boxes change after age 50? work for many people – the whole week’s Law Office of David M. Lutz, P.A. I’m so glad you asked – it’s a fun head- regimen can be put in the box to simpli- to-toe discussion. The changes everyone fy medicine taking all week. Then, if you undergoes between birth and end of life don’t remember if you took the dose, it will •Auto Accidents •Workers’ Compensation help decide which medicines they need, still be sitting in the box. We will talk about what dose is best, and how often a med- these options and more on April 12th! •Personal Injury •DUI/DWI ication should be taken. Your doctors and Chase Brexton Health Care offers in- pharmacists work together to monitor your house pharmacies at most of its centers. labs, your medical conditions, and your oth- For more information, visit Chasebrexton. •Criminal Defense •Traffic Court er medicines. All of this information helps org/pharmacy. to decide what medicines are best for Anyone interested in attending or re- Se Habla Español you. Sometimes your dose needs to change ceiving more information on this upcoming 1901 Fleet Street Baltimore, MD 21231 at some point after age 50, or another med- Lunch and Learn workshop is encouraged Phone: 410-558-3700 (English) 410-299-2898(Español) icine would be a better choice. In particular, to RSVP to [email protected] or call E-mail: [email protected] www.lawlutz.com as your kidneys and liver change over time, 410-837-2050 extension 1107. t

16 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com SPIRITUAL DIRECTORY

JOIN US FOR HOLY WEEK Mar. 25, 9:45 a.m. Palm Procession Mar. 25, 11 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship Apr. 1, 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service Apr. 1, 11 a.m. Easter Worship Note: The Sunrise Service is in Federal Hill Park. Learn more about our Holy Week activities: browndowntown.org 1316 Park Ave., Balt., MD, 21217 410.523.1542 䄀䰀䰀䄀刀䔀圀䔀䰀䌀伀䴀䔀䴀愀猀猀匀挀栀攀搀甀氀攀匀愀琀甀爀搀愀礀㔀㨀㌀瀀⸀洀匀甀渀搀愀礀㤀愀⸀洀⸀Ⰰ ㄀㨀㐀㔀愀⸀洀⸀Ⰰ ㄀㈀㨀㄀㔀瀀⸀洀刀攀挀漀渀挀椀氀椀愀琀椀漀渀椀猀愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀匀愀琀甀爀搀愀礀猀愀琀㐀㨀㌀瀀⸀洀⸀ 琀漀㔀瀀⸀洀⸀

䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀匀琀⸀ 䈀攀爀渀愀搀攀琀琀攀倀愀爀椀猀栀䐀攀愀挀漀渀䘀爀攀搀倀愀猀猀愀甀攀爀㠀㄀匀琀攀瘀攀渀猀漀渀刀漀愀搀倀愀爀椀猀栀䄀搀洀椀渀椀猀琀爀愀琀漀爀匀攀瘀攀爀渀Ⰰ 䴀愀爀礀氀愀渀搀㈀㄀㄀㐀㐀ⴀ㈀㈀㤀㤀㐀㄀ ⴀ㤀㘀㤀ⴀ㈀㜀㠀㌀㐀㄀ ⴀ㤀㘀㤀ⴀ㈀㜀㠀㌀ The Incomparable CAROL WILLIAMS Playing the historic 1931 Skinner organ

Our Mission Statement General admission $20 To be an inclusive Jewish home for the diverse Baltimore community engaging in spirituality, friendship, religous Patrons $50 symbols learning, and social justice. set #1 by Studets FREE dragonart Our Vision Statement Bolton Street Synagogue, a Reform congregation, will be a place of belonging known for its dynamic celebration of For more info: spirituality, justice, learning, and engagement with the greater community. browndowntown.org Hope Ratner, Administrator 212 W. Coldspring Lane. Baltimore, MD 21210 410.235.5354 - [email protected] BROWN MEMORIAL PARK AVENUE Presbyterian Church www.boltonstreet.org

Creator : DragonArt dragonartz.wordpress.com http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/ 13161316 ParkPark Avenue,Avenue, Baltimore,Baltimore, MarylandMaryland 2121721217 || Tel:Tel: 410.523.1542410.523.1542 Advertise with us

Contact Mary at 410-802-1310 BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 17 Lively Arts // personalities

all part of the history of the thing. Madonna erything you have into every song you sing, is a major artist in the world of entertain- and completely focus your attention on that ment and music. To have her do a song of performance. When it’s over, you can go on ‘American’ An interview mine was an honor. worrying about your cat or the disease you While we’re talking about cover ver- have. be. I don’t think of sions, your song “And I Love You So” How much of the material in your the Beach Boys’ with Don was covered by Elvis Presley, Shirley concerts are the classics versus new Legend music as nostal- McLean, Bassey, and Perry Como, among oth- material? gic. To me, it’s ers. As a singer/songwriter what does it It’s about 60/40. I do whatever comes By Gregg Shapiro powerful Amer- mean to you when one of your compo- to mind. I have thousands of songs in my “American Pie,” written and recorded by ican music. It’s singer/ sitions is embraced by other singers in head. I have hundreds that I’ve written. I’ll Don McLean, is one of the most enduring timeless. One of that way? sing songs that are obscure off an album songs of the last 50 years. Described by the things about a songwriter It’s always amazing to hear John- somewhere, and then also do the five or McLean as simply being about America, it’s nostalgic song is honored by ny Mathis, or someone like that, do “And six or eight songs that people want to hear. as famous for its irresistible chorus as it is that it’s time has I Love You So,” because he has such a Especially “Vincent,” “American Pie,” “Cry- for its many references to pop music icons. come and gone, the Library of unique style. He has that echo chamber McLean also wrote several other tunes that so it brings you in his mouth and he does that song and it “The thing you have have become a part of the American song- back to that time Congress knocks you out. Elvis knocked me out with book, including “And I Love You So” and period it repre- his version of “And I Love You So.” He per- to learn as a young “Vincent.” I spoke with McLean about his sented. I can see formed it every night for the last year of his career in advance of his concert tour. why people would say that any old song is life. It was the last song he ever recorded; performer, you think Gregg Shapiro: I’d like to begin by nostalgic. My goal is not pure entertainment it’s the last track on the Elvis in Concert al- that the audience really congratulating you on the addition of with the song “American Pie.” bum. It was the last release during his life- your 1971 hit “American Pie” to the Li- What was your reaction when you time. Elvis was, of course, a huge influence cares about you, but brary of Congress’s National Recording heard there was going to be a movie on me especially. To feel that I gave him Registry in 2016. What does such an called American Pie, a name that refer- something that made him feel good and they don’t.” honor mean to enced the title happy and gave him something back is a you? of your song? thrill. ing,” “And I Love You So,” “Castles in the Don McLean: I didn’t re- My personal favorite is Jane Olivor’s Air.” “Crossroads” is a very big song in the Thank you! I nev- alize that the cover of “Vincent.” Do you have an all- show. If you go see the Rolling Stones, you er know what to movie would time favorite? expect to hear “Satisfaction.” If you don’t, do about honors. be crass or the I love Fred Astaire’s version of “Wonder- you’re going to be mad [laughs]. I never thought I’d kind of mov- ful Baby.” That’s probably my favorite cov- When you meet fans after the shows, receive that honor ies they turned er. Of course, I love Elvis’s “And I Love You are you finding new and young faces in my life, and I’ve out to be. I So.” Cliff Richard did a good job on mixed in with had a fairly good didn’t have any “Empty Chairs.” those who have amount, let’s say. choice. The Pearl Jam used Don been following I was looking to administrator to do “American McLean you since the make a living. As of my songs Pie,” too. beginning? time has gone by, is Universal After per- Yes. It de- I guess “Ameri- Songs and the forming some of pends on the can Pie” has last- people who put these songs in night. If I’m at a ed all these 40 the movie out concert for more festival, there will or so years. Now was Universal than 45 years, be lots of kids. If the government Pictures. Basi- what’s the trick I’m at a perform- is awarding me cally, they gave to keeping them ing arts center, things. I’m being me the brush fresh for you and there will be noticed as a his- off. They said, for the audience? families, older torical figure, I suppose. It makes me feel “We’re going to use the song. Here’s a few The thing you folks and some proud. It makes me feel old. It makes me bucks.” I waited a while and then hired a have to learn as young people. feel that I gave something to people that lawyer. I ended up paying a lot of money. a young perform- It depends on they could use and enjoy. That’s what I They ended up referencing my trademarks er, you think that the gig. If I play started out to do. in every movie. That helped me a lot to keep the audience really a nightclub “American Pie” came out in 1971 and people from using “American Pie,” which is cares about you, but somewhere, probably a a couple of years later, George Lucas’s trademarked, as is my name, “the day the they don’t. The audience likes what you do, lot of younger people will come. We have movie American Graffiti was released. music died,” “Bye, bye Miss American Pie,” loves what you do. But they come to see a hot, rock-and-roll band. I have five guys Would you agree that both your song and “Starry, starry night.” you to forget their troubles. So, if you go onstage with me and it kicks ass. and Lucas’s movie are examples of how What did you think of Madonna’s onstage and start to sing in a bad way and Music biopics are still quite popu- music and nostalgia are so often inextri- cover version of “American Pie” from talk about your divorce or your cat that died lar. If there was a biopic made of your cably linked? the movie The Next Best Thing? or whatever, it’s going to get really old with life, who would you want to have portray “American Pie” isn’t really about nostal- I thought that Madonna gave the song them. They paid a babysitter and parking you? gia. “American Pie” is a song about Ameri- a huge shot in the arm. It made all these and took their girl out to dinner. They don’t [Big laugh] I was going to say Steve ca. A nostalgic song is a song that is no lon- young kids come out of the woodwork. I had want to hear your troubles. In that sense, Buscemi, but I’m kidding. He could portray ger relevant but it is resurrected in order to a beautiful four- or five-year period where they don’t care about you. Your job is to go some of the kids I knew in high school. I’m make people remember how things used to the song was relevant to young people. It’s onstage and be a professional and put ev- a weird bird. t 18 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com Lively Arts // out on stage Marvel Universe Live Blasts into Royal Farms Arena By Frankie Kujawa up – someone with a lot of love who wasn’t Marvel Universe Live: Age of Heroes is a always understood. I tried to bring out this family event for children of all ages that kindness to all the other Guardians. Groot will blast into the Royal Farms arena this knows that family comes first and he pro- month. Running from April 5th to 8th, the tects his ‘family’ at all costs.” assorted cast of characters from the Mar- Libby is quite excit- vel universe will excite, ed for his first adventure delight, and enchant into Charm City. “I’ve audiences. Baltimore never been to Baltimore OUTloud recently chat- before, however there’s ted with Dylan Libby, another performer who plays the character named Anthony Briggs of Groot from Marvel’s who plays Drax the De- Guardians of the Gal- stroyer. He’s from Bal- axy. He candidly ex- timore and he’s going plained why he enjoys to show our performers Lo his role and how proud around the town.” re FRIDAY, APRIL 6 | 8 PM • SUNDAY, APRIL 8 | 3 PM he’s to work with his fel- Libby added that m low band of superheroes. he felt honored to be ips MARKUS STENZ, BEETHOVEN // Symphony No.1 Principal Guest Conductor KORNGOLD // Violin Concerto in D Major “In order to play in the presence of u ARABELLA STEINBACHER, violin RACHMANINOFF // Symphonic Dances Groot,” Libby began. “I such great people to m trained in stilts for the work with every day. do Acclaimed violinist Arabella Steinbacher joins the BSO for Korngold’s last year. I built my own “We are surrounded lor lush Violin Concerto No. 1. This program also features Beethoven’s stilts as a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ by Olympians and sit project, and that helped motocross champi- playful and spirited First Symphony and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic me get used to the height. ons. These people am Dances, the composer's commanding ﬁnal work. When you’re on stilts, you are at the pinnacle et, PRESENTING must get over any fear of of their fitness jour- co SPONSORS: heights. After that, balance neys, or close to it. n - comes next.” Libby added Groot – A A lot of other shows at Feld se UPCOMING CONCERTS that as the character of Groot, he stands stilted Entertainment are starting c - over nine feet tall. “This giant, wonderful character to give Marvel the ‘rep’ that tet SUPERPOPS: character then comes to life and you see we are the MVP’s – the guys ue VEGAS NIGHTS WITH FRANKIE MORENO him on stage. It’s an honor to play him.” that are pushing ourselves r FRI, APR 13 | 8 PM • SAT, APR 14 | 8 PM • SUN, APR 15 | 3 PM Libby grew up in West Hempstead on beyond our limits to be the ad Long Island, outside New York City. His Twice named “Las Vegas Headliner of best performers that we can be. This job ip- background in physical agility started off inspires me to be even better because the the Year,” Frankie Moreno returns to i - in martial arts, which he did for over six guys that I work with are an inspiration full join Jack Everly and the BSO with his sci years, until he found acting in school. “I of heart and talent. You’ll see all of this signature blend of rock, soul and swing. spent a lot of time putting my energy into come through when you see Marvel Uni- n g classes at Adelphi University. I took their verse Live!” t eli acting program, and he and the rest of the t , Frankie Moreno department saw my journey as a perform- se er. I finally found Marvel and, after train- d BEETHOVEN AND MAHLER ing for over two years and three auditions, di FRI, APR 20 | 8 PM • SAT, APR 21 | 8 PM I have the honor to be part of their new am Experience the massive orchestral show. This is their second Marvel show • Family Law • Estate Planning no forces of Mahler's “Titan” Symphony, and they trusted me to originate the role nu of Groot. I’m very blessed to be the one conducted by Markus Stenz, as well as • Real Estate m - bringing him to life.” Beethoven’s unique Triple Concerto, Stephanie Cañas Hunnell, Esq. my Along with building his own stilts for highlighting the artistry of BSO ni the audition, Libby worked hard to pre- Sylvia L. Breitowich, Esq. Concertmaster Jonathan Carney and b h pare for the role. “I re-watched the movies 408 7th Ave. Principal Cello Dariusz Skoraczewski. Jonathan Carney eui and read the comics. As with any acting Asbury Park, NJ 07712 role you want to research the character. I 732-749-3500 s - found that I was reflecting on myself and fax 732-749-3503 m JOSEPH MEYERHOFF SYMPHONY HALL how I identify with him. He’s a character Monmouth-Divorce.com o d TICKETS FROM $30 • 410.783.8000 • BSOMUSIC.ORG who’s not always understood but shows tin enormous love. That’s how I felt growing

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 19 Lively Arts // out on screen

this pro- orchestra lead alternately by Ross Scott Nothing to Lose But Their Chains duction. Rawlings, Greg Knauf, or Reenie Codelka. With I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the food by Chuck Duncan dy to fight the system that keeps trying to dis- such a large cast, aside from the leads, it’s as well. Toby’s always has some delicious Disney’s Newsies has come a long way miss them as just a bunch of kids who aren’t hard to give each and every performer the food for the dinner crowd (as well as the since it first debuted – and flopped – asa mature enough to know what they’re doing. kudos they deserve, so I have to just tip my brunch for the matinees), but they have out- movie musical in 1992, which eventually de- But as history has proven, we hat to everyone who sets foot on done themselves with this production. Many veloped a major cult following (thanks in part can’t discount the power that that stage, from all the news- of the Toby’s favorites are here to the casting of a young Christian Bale in comes with great passion for Newsies ies to the featured players, the lead role of Jack Kelly) and became a a cause worth fighting for. It’s such as Russell Sunday Tony Award-winning Broadway musical be- not hard to see the Parkland, brings as Pulitzer and MaryKate fore hitting the road on a national tour. The Florida, students as spiritual Brouillet as Katherine. But I Broadway and touring version of the show kin to the New York newsboys. an 1899 do have to say a few words are huge spectacles with quite an amazing And, as Miss Whitney Houston about two performers who Seize the Day set, so one has to wonder how the show will sang, “I believe the children New York do steal their scenes. To- (with Cooper Trump as Les) translate to such an intimate space as To- are our future, teach them well by’s veteran, and 2002 by’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland. and let them lead the way.” newsboys Helen Hayes Award winner If you’re not familiar with the story, it’s And leading the way in for the musical Spunk, has based on the real newsboys’ strike of 1899 Toby’s production of Newsies strike to the the small role of Medda in New York City after the “newsies” were is Matt Hirsh as Jack Kelly. Larkin, a performer who basically getting screwed by the newspa- Hirsh, who has appeared in stage lets the newsies use her per publishers, including Joseph Pulitzer several previous Toby’s productions and is theatre to hold their rally. She only and William Randolph Hearst. The boys a Helen Hayes Award winner for his perfor- gets one number, “That’s Rich,” but had been charged 50 cents per 100 papers, mance in Catch Me If You Can with the Next- she uses that time for all it’s worth, but Pulitzer decided to make more money: Stop Theatre Company. Hirsh has charisma giving off some serious Audra Mc- he would charge them 60 cents overnight, to spare as the show’s focal point. He proj- Donald vibes. She is fantastic (and without any warning, which meant the boys ects a believable sincerity as he becomes I half-joked with the show’s direc- would have to sell more papers to earn the the newsies’ leader, and he goes through a tor that she’d be perfect as Ursula same amount of money – and that didn’t sit wide range of emotions during the course of in Toby’s upcoming production of well with them. In the story, Jack Kelly be- the show, highs to lows. And he has a beau- The Little Mermaid). And I have to came a leader of the newsies and with the tiful voice. Mr. Hirsh has a long, successful give a special shout out to Cooper help of a newcomer named Davey. They career ahead of him. Trump who plays Davey’s little formed a sort of rudimentary union and Making his Toby’s debut, Harrison Smith brother Les (Cooper alternates eventually got all the newsies in all the bor- is also terrific as Davey, the newsie who be- with Tyler Smallwood). Cooper oughs of New York to join them, essentially steals the spotlight from every- halting distribution of all the city’s newspa- “It’s not hard to see one when he speaks, and his pers until a new deal was struck. The show amazing acrobatic skills had our also adds a bit of romance as Jack begins to the Parkland, Florida, audience cheering louder than fall for a reporter who writes under the name I’ve ever heard an audience Katherine Plumber, but she may not be who students as spiritual cheer at Toby’s. And this is his first show Jack thinks she is. kin to the New York ever! Hopefully he’s enjoying the experience including the salad bar, Spinach Phun- It’s an interesting bit of history which, and will be seen on the stage in more pro- que, baked fish and carving station, but the when it was first released as a movie, was newsboys.” ductions. new additions of the Bronx Beef Burgundy, just a bit of musical entertainment. The As for the show’s production, there was Plumber’s Potatoes, and Brooklyn Broccoli Broadway show was also entertaining with no way Toby’s would be able to duplicate the Blend (with tricolor cauliflower) were high- the added wow factor of some truly amazing comes Jack’s counsel in helping him with massive set in the original show, but they lights. And each show has a specialty drink. dancing, and now the scaled-down version the details of forming a union. Davey also have done a great job using all four of the This time out Toby’s offers “The Bottom Line,” at Toby’s is equally impressive, but it’s also becomes a central figure as Jack becomes upper level stages as well as using a large which is an Oreo cookie milkshake that can become relatable to events trans- disillusioned with the strike after a violent sectional piece that rolls on and off the stage, be spiced up for the adults with a bit of vanilla piring right now. incident injures many of the boys and representing the top of the show’s original vodka. It’s yummy! In this bit of sends his best friend Crutchy to a home three-storey set. Directors Toby Orenstein If you’ve seen Newsies on a big Broad- history, we have a for delinquents. Smith also gets some & Mark Minnick manage to keep all pieces way-style stage, do yourself a favor and take group of teenagers powerful numbers, and being so close flowing smoothly while choreographer Ilona in a production of the show at Toby’s. You who brought about to the performers, you can see the pure Kessell does a fantastic job replicating some may have been impressed by the spectacle change by banding emotion on his face. Taylor Witt is also of the original choreography into such a con- of the original production, but the intimacy of together and fight- terrific as Crutchy, a tough role that’s fined area with more than a dozen dancers this production is sure to impress you. And ing the system that equal parts comic relief and pathos, leaping about from all directions. They all it’s suitable for all ages, so do bring your kids dismissed them as and again Witt imparts every emotion deserve heaps of praise. All of the techni- and perhaps they’ll be inspired as well. a bunch of kids who with his face and body language. That cal aspects of the show are very impressive, Newsies runs about two hours 30, min- needed the papers holds true for the entire cast. There’s including David A. Hopkins’ scenic design, utes with one 20-minute intermission. Note more than the papers no one here just phoning it it. This is Lynn Johnson’s lighting, Janine Sunday’s that fog, haze, and strobe effects are used in needed them. Today a physically demanding show and unless costumes, the wigs by Tommy Malek, and this production. The show runs through June we have a group of teenagers who you’re giving it your all, you’ll stand out like the sound design by Mark Smedley. And we 10th. Toby’s next production is Mamma Mia have banded together in the wake of a trage- a sore thumb. There are no sore thumbs in can’t forget the always impressive six-piece opening June 15th. t 20 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com Lively Arts // out on screen

ing as to who Blue really is. Every time we, which coming out is all sunshine and rain- and Simon, think he’s found Blue – from his bows, but it’s a movie that should be seen to friend Bram to the dishy WaffleH ouse waiter help create that world of sunshine and rain- Sweet and Hopeful Lyle – the rug is pulled out from under us bows and acceptance. A person’s sexuality and we all get to guess again. It’s a great does not define who they are (as demon- by Chuck Duncan – thanks to the people currently running this plot device that really keeps us invested in strated by a fantasy sequence in which Si- Lead character Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) country. But it was still encouraging to not Simon’s story. And I’d be remiss if I failed to mon wonders how it would be if people had has a “big-ass secret.” And by now we all hear groans from the audience with the mo- mention the great soundtrack, with a collec- to come out as straight). Love, Simon can know what that secret is. But in our current ment of a same- tion of songs curated by Jack Antonoff. teach us all some valuable lessons while en- society under an administration that prom- sex kiss. That’s Love, Simon may present a world in tertaining us at the same time. t ised to be the “greatest friend” to the LGBTQ progress! The Love, Simon community, and has proven to be anything question that but, Love, Simon is a movie many need to really lingers is a coming see with some great urgency because there after the movie are lessons to be learned, but in a gentle, is: Can LGBTQ out, coming- charming, amusing way. No hammers over youth in smaller, the head here to push a “gay agenda.” less progressive of-age Simon is an average high school stu- areas relate to dent. He’s got a great set of parents, a sister this film? Would story that’s he loves (although he’d never say that to her their own coming face), and a group of great friends. But he’s out be as easy butterflies and got that secret that he represses. And then and accepted one day on a local social media gossip site, as Simon’s, or rainbows someone at Simon’s school posts a mes- would a vicious outing do them more harm sage about his own secret but uses the emotionally or physically? Simon is taunted alias Blue. Immediately identi- in school after his outing (as is the fying with Blue, Simon emails one already out gay this person hoping to be able student, who really to share his own secret as pays the bullies no well. The two do strike up a mind), but it’s mild friendship, with Simon using compared to what a his own alias (Jacques), but teen may experience he becomes obsessed with in real life. learning Blue’s identity. And perhaps that’s Interrupted by the prin- why Love, Simon is a cipal while emailing Blue movie that needs to from the library computer, be seen by everyone. Simon accidentally leaves To Simon’s friends, it’s his email account open no big deal that he’s and fellow student Martin gay. They’re angry that (Logan Miller) decides to he manipulated them to take a few screenshots to bring to Probably not your hide his secret instead Simon’s attention. All he wants is high school of just being honest with them. for Simon to help him get with Abby His parents are the parents any and he’ll never reveal the secret. gay kid would want, and his moth- This forces Simon to juggle with his friends’ er (played by Jennifer Garner) has a lovely emotions, shifting the budding romance moment telling him he’s still the same per- between Nick and Abby to Nick and Leah, son he’s always been and that she’s felt like completely oblivious to the fact that Leah is he’s been holding his breath for the past few in love with him. But when it becomes clear, years. It was a sweet moment but if you’ve and quite embarrassing, that Abby is only in- seen Call My By Your Name, it’s completely terested in being a friend to the odd, obnox- overshadowed by the brilliant, similar scene ious Martin, he takes his hurt feelings out on with Michael Stuhlbarg. In any case, it’s a Simon and posts the emails online, driving a nice moment that makes you hope that all wedge between Simon and his friends and parents would react in the same way (which, even scaring Blue away. And then he has to unfortunately, they do not). In fact, we’re left deal with his own family, mend fences with his to wonder if dad Jack (Josh Duhamel), who friends, and try to win Blue back. thinks nothing of tossing out a few gay jokes Love, Simon is nothing if not charming all in fun, isn’t going to completely shut out and sweet. All of the performances are just Simon by his initial reaction. It won’t get that spot-on with all of the teens really coming off dark though. as natural, even if the entire situation seems Besides all of the performances (and just a little too good to be true. We have Natasha Rothwell steals every scene she’s come a long way as far as LGBTQ rights and in as drama teacher Ms. Alrbight), the film acceptance of LGBTQ people, until recently does a great job in keeping us all guess- BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 21 Lively Arts // MUSIC

More Than Tuxedoed Musicians —continued from page 1 Out and Proud By Brynn Devereaux ical conductor,” says Hersh. “I try to dig to secret and being gay would someday tear it In movies, symphony conductors are por- the emotional core of the piece and tap into down. So, I promised myself in high school trayed as unsmiling, intense men in coat- that to see how that makes me feel. What’s that I would never give myself the chance to Country Singer: tails that lead a stuffy – but beautiful – mu- so great about conducting is that there is fall in love with somebody. I would never give sical performance by unsmiling, intense a feedback loop. You give energy, and the myself the experience of being with someone musicians. Nicholas Hersh musicians give it back. It gives an electric because I loved music so much. I basically may have intensity, but An vibe.” accepted that music would be my love, and Chase Sansing he’s anything but unsmil- Over the years, Hersh has worked to that’s where I would put those feelings.” “When I first started music, my focus was ing or stuffy. In his role as interview convey this musical dynamism to a young- That process would eventually begin being a singer but after coming out and expe- associate conductor of the with er (and typically harder to reach) audience. to weigh on Sansing, and he found himself riencing everything with having a secret and Baltimore Symphony Or- “Symphonies are seeing a decline in at- dealing with the fall out of not being true to the fallout that comes with it, it let me to a chestra, Hersh has worked conductor tendance,” says Hersh. “It is on us to stay himself. “Before I moved to Nashville, I went whole new direction in my music to where I hard to help breakdown relevant and accessible to as many people through a dark struggle. Thoughts of suicide, want to be a singer who sings songs that help the stereotype of sympho- Nicholas as possible. A lot of that has to do with ed- and one attempt, led me to a hospital in Mem- inspire others to be exactly who they are from nies and cultivate a unique Hersh ucation at a young age, which is why I’m phis. After that experience, I knew I had to do the inside out. I understand that the music in- musical experience for lis- passionate about the education we do at something different, and I gave up on the fact dustry is crazy and that I may forever be just teners of all ages and backgrounds. the BSO. My task – and others of my gen- that people may reject me. I gave up on think- a nobody. If I have the opportunity to write, Hersh began his musical career as a eration – is to find ways to connect millen- ing I was just going to destroy my music. So, sing and record songs that have the poten- cellist, an instrument he still plays. “I picked nials, Gen Z, what have you to those things I began to live my life being okay with who I tial to reach out to some little boy or girl who up the cello and brought it to my parents. we all love and those transitions to classical was, and slowly acting on it, however I wasn’t may be experiencing the same things I dealt My parents had classical music around all music.” making it known. I didn’t let a lot of people with when I had no one to talk to, then I feel the time – on the radio in the house, tak- Hersh has conducted pop up concerts know everything. I lived that part of my life on like I did my job.” Sansing added. “If I can tell ing us to the opera,” says Hersh. “Ever at venues like the National my own and in silence.” them that it’s okay to be gay, or even just to Aquarium, helped cultivate Sansing lived this way for about a year. be themselves. The main point of my music an indie/classical music col- Eventually, he made the move to Nashville. these days in inspiring and encouraging peo- laboration with BSO Pulse, Sansing’s parents were aware of his sexu- ple to be who they are, and I don’t just mean and continues to work with ality, even though he the LGBTQ com- young musicians in the Bal- wasn’t completely out. munity. I’ve had timore Symphony Youth Or- It wasn’t until June 26th, people message chestra. He says that this 2015 – when same-sex me saying ‘Your is part of what makes the marriage was legalized song helped me BSO so amazing. “It’s the – that Sansing decid- to deal with my combination of incredible ed to throw open the divorce’ or ‘Your talent and the motivation, doors and live his life song helped me drive, and willingness to try in the light. “I came out to deal with my experimental programs like the day after gay mar- kids.’ I pause and Off the Cuff, Pulse, and riage was legal every- I think, ‘How?’ but Orchkids,” says Hersh. “It’s where. I went back to then I go back the fact that it’s a commu- my roots and reflected and listen to the nity-focused and 21st-cen- on how I became who song and it just tury thinking orchestra. I was and why I did the makes sense.” Not in a tux – Nicholas Hersh, BSO conductor It finds the needs of the things I love with music. Throughout since I started credit: Geoffrey Robertson community and delivers it. It I was coming to terms the interview, playing in orchestras, I was gets rid of that stereotype that with myself and my par- it was evident drawn to the symphonic rep- the orchestra is a tuxedoed ents were okay with it, that the 24-year- ertoire. Every time I learned about a new group of musicians that plays music that but they were a bit iffy old’s humility, composer, I would do a deep dive into their was written 100 years ago.” about letting my whole family know. So, I be- candor, and insight conveys a deep level of music and listen to their recordings to dis- Hersh is more than a conductor or clas- gan writing a song, but the song turned into self-awareness for someone of his age. “I cover their voice. What struck me so much sical music lover. “I think it’s important to an entire book.” Sansing’s self-written and think it all comes down to music.” Sansing ex- is that there is this amazing range of power realize that classical musicians don’t only self-published book was a way to allow his plained, “Especially country music, as it goes that a symphony can produce and emotions enjoy classical music or listen to it,” says family members to see his struggle with his back to being honest. I had to be honest with it can elicit because of that. You can go Hersh. “I’m a musical omnivore. I like identity. “I wrote about my life, about coming who I was, and constantly reflect on that as a from soft chords on one end and then go to anything with a unique voice. These indie out and dealing with coming out and coun- country music singer. I’m actually an extreme- power that will blow your hair back. There’s bands have unique voices and unique mu- try music. One of the main reasons, I wrote ly shy person, and it was hard to put myself no better high than riding a big orchestral sic to make. It helps you get out of your the book was because I had dealt with so out there, but I know that for my music to be crescendo.” comfort zone to try new things and work in much going to the hospital and the suicide truthful, I had to be truthful to the world.” t That passion and energy comes through a new genre.” attempts, and I kept all of that from my grand- For more info on Chase Sansing’s music, when Hersh conducts. Attendees of various To get out of your comfort zone and try parents, my aunts, my cousins. There were music videos, and book, visit Chasesansing- BSO performances, including BSO Pulse, new things, visit BSOmusic.org to see the several points in my life that were kept secret music.com or Youtube.com/chasesansing- will notice that Hersh is always moving and upcoming schedule of performances. t from my family members, and I felt it was time music or Facebook.com/chasesansingmusic feeds off the music. “I’m a relatively phys- to let them be known.” or on Instagram: @Chasesansingmusic

22 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com Lively Arts // between the covers Avenue Q Friday, June 15 Secrets from Heaven thru Sunday, July 1 Mainstage, Theatre, Arts By Brynn Devereaux that wanted to interview me and from a film “[My story] was something that I always producer who wanted to make a movie. wanted to tell,” says Susanne Seymoure. Every time I thought I was ready to walk “But when someone asks you to keep it away, something happened.” a secret, you don’t feel like you fit in the The response to My Secrets from world.” At 12 years old, Susanne Seymoure Heaven has been overwhelmingly posi- suffered a near-fatal skiing accident. While tive. “It’s reached many people. I get a lot Laughter on the 23rd Floor her family gathered around of letters,” Seymoure says. “I had her seemingly lifeless body, A near-death no idea how important it was to Friday, June 16 thru Seymoure experienced some- say it outloud. It was one thing to Sunday, July 1 experience write about my experience, anoth- thing most people never live Theatre, Arts, Cabaret to tell. Seymoure is finally changes er to publish it, but it’s moving to able to tell her story 43 years talk about it. I feel whole. It doesn’t later in her book, My Secrets a life matter if I’m judged or not – I’m me. from Heaven – A Child’s Trip I’m able to express my story. It’s a to Heaven and Back. special part of me.” Sharing this experience has been an Seymoure encourages people to tell emotional release for local author Sey- their stories and help others in your com- moure. “I feel complete peace with my- munity. “True stories are so interesting. self. I could cry just saying how I feel,” she Make yourself vulnerable. It’s import- Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. says. “When my mom was passing away, ant because a lot of the community can it was like my promise to her was ending. help. Everyone feels Friday, July 6 thru I just felt like the world was like they’re the only Sunday, July 15 fragmented, and I needed one when struggling. Theatre, Arts, Cabaret to do my part to add more Someone can grab love into the world – to a hold of it and feel share something that could like they’re not alone. possibly help people.” Every time we add It may feel wonderful to something, it’s an- have her story told now, but other rung on the lad- it wasn’t easy to write about der to help someone her near-death experience. have a better life, “[Telling the story] was fright- have courage to be ening because it makes you themselves.” Disney’s The Little very vulnerable. At the end of “Your greatest the day, I knew I was meant pain is usually your Mermaid to do it,” she says. “After I fin- greatest art. Some- Susanne Saturday, July 20 thru ished writing the manuscript, one else will think Sunday, August 5 I started to chicken out. I Seymoure it’s extraordinary,” thought I’d leave it for my says Seymoure. “It’s Mainstage, Theatre, Arts kids and future generations. about connecting. The more we The first publisher I gave it to wound up connect, the more our humanity grows. We going out of business. But when I self-pub- can’t let ourselves get so isolated. I see so lished it, the book sold like crazy. I got a many good things happening. I can do this, phone call from so many different places anyone can do it.” t Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean Saturday, July 21 thru LivelyLively ARTSARTS isis thethe placeplace toto bebe Sunday, August, 5 GET YOUR SEASON SUBSCRIPTION NOW forfor allall youryour theatricaltheatrical needsneeds Theatre, Arts, Cabaret Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre Cockpit in Court Summer CallCall MaryMary atat 410-802-1310410-802-1310 oror

[email protected]@baltimoreoutloud.com For more information call the Box office 443-840-Arts toto getget thethe latestlatest dealsdeals or go to www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit/

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 23 People In Our Neighborhood NEW GROWTH ON TH Hometown Performer Brings WEST 40 STREET. Motown to Charm City By Frankie Kujawa even in cartoons. It was groundbreaking, Baltimore’s Brett Michael Lockley returns to and I think what people were able to realize Baltimore this month as Motown: The Musi- was it wasn’t about race or color, but being cal rocks the Hippodrome Theatre from April united in the love of sound. Even to this day, 13th to 15th. The show transports audienc- it’s amazing that the music was able to bring es back in time to the true American dream people of all different races, colors, and story of Motown founder Berry Gordy – the backgrounds together. It really showcases music mogul who launched the careers that we don’t have to look at the music for of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey separation, but we look at it to unite us.” Roland Park Place – Baltimore City’s only certified Continuing Robinson, and many more. Lockley, who’s Lockley, who was born and raised in Bal- an ensemble member in the performance, timore County, began his career at an early Care Retirement Community – will soon be transformed, recently chatted with Baltimore OUTloud age. “I started dancing at the age of eight adding eight new stories and sixty spacious new residences, about his upcoming performance and his re- and continued my dance training. I had the turn to his hometown. opportunity to perform in one of the touring to create the perfect setting for your Baltimore story. “Audiences can expect to hear some of companies of the Radio City Spectacular in the very exciting and infectious music that 2001 and 2002. And then I went on to con- they may have grown up with or that is ex- tinue in performing arts schools for middle tremely familiar,” Lockley began. “You get and high school. My focus during most of READY FOR MOVEIN 443.338.6212 to hear Berry Gordy’s journey from feather- my time and training was in FALL 2020 RolandParkPlace.org weight boxer to the music dance. I went on to the Uni- mogul he is today. You get versity of the Arts in Phila- Brett the full perspective of how Michael delphia, where I received a Pending final approval from Maryland Department of Aging Motown grew and how a lot Lockley BA in ballet. That’s some- of the amazing musical stars thing that always catches came out of Gordy’s leader- people off-guard. After ship. He created the Motown graduating, I decided I family.” wanted to pursue a career Lockley’s ensemble per- in musical theatre. So, formance plays a large part of I began training in oth- the show. “There are so many er aspects than dance, people that basically were worked in Japan for over apart of Motown. I play sever- three years, and I recent- al different roles, for example ly came back last April. I I play one of The Temptations, had been auditioning for one of The Contours, as well as a lot of shows and mu- Eddie Holland of the trio Hol- sical theatre jobs, and land-Dozier-Holland. The trio, then this amazing op- in fact, was behind the sound portunity came to me. that really gave Motown its I’m so grateful for being stamp. They were behind most o f part of this show and this cast.” the early Supremes hits like ‘Where Did Our The run of this performance, in his home- Love Go?’ and ‘Stop! In the Name of Love.’ town is quite special for Lockley. “I’m just I tell people all the time that one of the great elated. I haven’t ever performed in musical things about this production is there isn’t theatre, on a productional-level like this, in a song you don’t like. They are all ground- Baltimore. I am so fortunate and blessed to breaking songs that everyone loves and the have grown up with such a support system of ability to get to sing those songs every night friends and family around me. I’m, first, ex- is a treat.” cited that they get to see me perform some- The music of Motown has such an en- thing they’re so familiar with, and something during legacy, and Lockley believes that this they will relate and remember so much of – has a lot to do with the time-period in which Motown. The cherry on top is that I’m part of the music broke barriers. “Realizing that this this production. I’ve always had an amazing music came at a time when, culturally, we support system. With this performance it’s weren’t supposed to be united. Segrega- not so much that I’m giving back, but that all tion was happening. The beat of the music, these people who have invested in me can however, was infectious. It was danceable come and see how that has all paid off. It’s and fun music. That’s the reason why Mo- truly very, very special.” t town has stood the test of time. You hear it For more info and tickets for Motown, everywhere – Starbucks, in the movies, and visit France-merrickpac.com. 24 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com out in the valley

Parenting OUTloud Rev. Kelly Crenshaw

bye!” I’m not always bye. In fact, I was home all day every day this week. But, my ‘Mommy Bye, little girl thinks I’m always bye. No matter how many things go wrong Always Bye’ in my week, I’m a mom first and foremost. I have to remember that my kids not only It’s been such a long week. It’s been the have feelings, but their feelings are im- kind of a week where you start to wonder pacted by my own. Even at two years of what stressful thing is going to happen age, little Cassandra knows that things are next. So many extra responsibilities piled stressful. She doesn’t know quite what is up. I had a super busy week at work and wrong, but she knows that she needs the then, just when I was feeling confident that safety and security of her mommy. I had done a great job, I realized that I for- It’s important to remember that our got to get approval from the top corporate kids feed off our emotions. Even if we say executive before sending off my report. nothing in front of them, they can tell when She was not happy. And, because of this we’re worried or upset. Make sure to take particular assignment, which came up at the time to alleviate their concerns, even if 240-420-2180 the last minute, I’m behind on everything your world seems to be exploding around else. you. Little kids need to know that Mommy The good news is that or Daddy is going to one of our daughters is take care of every- planning a wedding. Wed- thing and keep them dings are expensive. safe. Older children We found out that we need to know that have a huge tax bill this even when we have year. That’s never good a bad day, we can news. One of our bath- get through the tough room showers broke. I’m times. Teens need not sure how you break the example of how a shower, but my boys to handle life when it found a way. We’re accu- gets really bad. Even mulating estimates for the our adult children repair. I have a pending need to know that life lawsuit related to a for- is not always a walk mer business partner’s through the park on a questionable actions. I don’t know sunny afternoon. You don’t even want to why you say Our roles as par- know how much that might ‘Goodbye,’ I ents may change over the years, but we cost me. I’m in the middle say ‘Hello’ are still parents. Our kids look to us for ex- of prepping paperwork for amples, advice, and strength. an adult son’s lawyer to So, take some time to get through the demonstrate the levels of stress of your week, but then take some disability that require the need for a per- time to help your kids deal with their own manent guardian. And, today, the mechan- stress. After all, dealing with stressed out ic called to say that one of our cars caught parents is a hard job for such little kids. t fire. Rev. Kelly Crenshaw is the mom of 16 I think that’s it, but maybe not. I’m just adopted kids, two biological kids, guardian a little buried. of one baby girl and foster mom of doz- However, the most hurtful moment ens. Some are lesbian, some gay, some came as I was leaving the house to head straight, and some bisexual. Kelly founded to get the paperwork done. My little girl a K-12 day school where kids could have looked at me and asked, “Mommy bye?” a safe, bully-free environment for learning. I told her that I was indeed leaving. She She is co-owner of a counselling agency flopped back on my bed and said, “Always that works with children and their families. BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 25 out in the valley

a louder voice in the national conversation By Zed Sykes about gun violence. Our community is dis- What if all your like-mind- proportionately affected by gun violence, with ed friends are going on a The Journey Brian’s LGBTQ people being the most likely minori- trip together and you’re ty to be the victim of a hate crime. Following not able to go? They’re all happy, confident, enough to start them. My doctor prescribed Brain the 2016 massacre at Pulse, an Orlando gay and openly posting about what they experi- my hormones at the first visit. After getting my Brian George Hose nightclub that left 49 dead, concerned citi- ence. You’re a little jealous, but also hopeful, hormone prescription, my doctor tested my zens formed Gays Against Guns (aka GAG). knowing that you’re almost there. Eventually blood frequently. This was for my safety so if A week later, GAG had a strong presence in you have enough money, are old enough, or this happens to you, don’t worry. I’m told it’s the New York City Pride March and has main- are in the right location to finally go on this normal. How Queer tained an education-based presence at gun trip, too. Slowly but surely, you see that you The process seems quite simple, but it shows throughout the country. The Human are having a great time. You anticipate every- can be complicated. The biggest obstacles for Culture Rights Campaign (HRC) also began lobbying thing that you saw in their experiences, and most people are either finding an endocrinolo- for common-sense gun control following the you become more confident because you gist who works with trans people or not having Influences the Pulse massacre. have started this trip. This puts in perspective the funds or insurance coverage. Look for cost Gun violence doesn’t only affect students what many trans people feel like while waiting saving tips as you go. For example, I found out March for Our or the queer community, though. Nadine to get on hormones. that as a female-to-male (FtM) trans person, Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, My journey officially started when I found the shots are way cheaper than the gel. a gay rights group, has applauded the Park- a qualified gender counselor. This person will So, if you’re curious about hormones or Lives land survivors’ efforts “to call out how racism write a recommendation letter to your endocri- having a hard time getting them, I am here to What do you do when you have little to lose and homophobia impact the response to gun nologist. When you go and talk to your coun- tell you that it did feel impossible at one point. and everything to gain? You fight for what you violence.” The Parkland survivors have made selor, don’t be nervous about saying the wrong believe in. a conscious effort to address how gun vio- thing or that they won’t believe you are trans. “If you feel like you’re This sentiment has been the backbone of lence is often under-reported when it affects They already see that you took your first steps LGBTQ protests in countless fights for equal- women and persons of color, reminding us and contacted them about this, which obvious- getting nowhere ity since the early days of the AIDS crisis. It that many tragedies don’t make the evening ly means that it is very important to you. The in your transition, has helped us achieve what many, including news or headlines in national papers. number of times that you see them depends some of our own, thought to be impossible. Emma Gonzalez, an emerging leader on your counselor’s preference. I saw mine remember that even We’ve won the battle for marriage equality, and survivor of the Parkland shootings, has about five times before I got the green light and our acceptance into the military, and many said that inclusion is very important to their the recommendation letter. Laverne Cox and civil rights we had previously been denied. movement. She believes that issues are often Going to see the endo can be very excit- Aydian Dowling started Now, students and anti-gun violence pro- assigned to a political agenda, such as Re- ing and scary at the same time. However, this testers have taken pages from the LGBTQ publican or Democrat, and that in doing so we part of the pre-transitioning phase is like see- somewhere.” playbook to address the issue of gun-related forget that we have common ground. ing the finish line at the end of a race. Expect violence in America. As the conversation about gun-related vi- to fill out a lot of paperwork. I remember being I felt so close, yet so far away. It actually took Recently hundreds of thousands of peo- olence continues, keep that thought in mind. at my endocrinologist’s office for the first time me a whole month after I was prescribed hor- ple participated in the March for Our Lives, a Remember that we all want to end school and filling out about ten pages of “yes or no” mones to actually be able to get them. If you protest led primarily by survivors of the Park- shootings and gun-related violence; we just questions that had to do with diabetes and feel like you’re getting nowhere in your tran- land school shooting, that grew into hundreds have different ideas about how to do it. Lis- things of that nature, because endocrinolo- sition, remember that even Laverne Cox and of rallies across the country and around the ten to each other’s ideas and be respectful, gists cover all kinds of medical issues. Aydian Dowling started somewhere. world. What the students have achieved so because as long as we’re fighting, nothing Then, they called me back. For a while, Something that sticks with me was said far is truly remarkable and, according to Ja- will change. And, if we continue to follow it was like every other doctor’s appointment. by Ty Turner, an FtM Youtuber, “Look to oth- clyn Corin, a nonqueer Parkland survivor, is the LGBTQ playbook, we know that one day They checked my height and weight, and then er trans people and see where they started influenced by the LGBTQ fight for marriage things will be better. t asked me some medical questions. Some and where they are now. Find inspiration from equality. Corin said that she and her peers endocrinologist offices will check your labo- these people.” That will be you. Don’t give up. learned the value of patience and persistence ratory results before prescribing hormones. One day, you will get to go on that trip with all by watching our fight for what we believe in This is to make sure that you are healthy of your like-minded friends. t and realizing that change is always possible. In fact, our community and the ways we fight for change have influenced the ways other marginalized groups advocate for the caus- es that are important to them. Evan Wolfson, longtime activist behind the Freedom to Marry campaign, explains that “Minorities have an BaltimoreOUTLoud.com experience of exclusion, oppression, having to form solidarity and work for change ... but we all have our something, and we have to draw on that something to make the world better.” And that’s exactly what the Parkland students are doing: banding together, organizing supporters, and trying to end a problem that has directly affected them and countless others. The LGBTQ community is also becoming

26 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com out in the valley // People in Our Neighborhood

and getting to know contes- title for drag entertainers to work for. Michael Dutzer, Rob Mansman, tants and promoters. Onstage, It can sometimes be difficult In your opinion, why toothsome working with someone who is & the Miss Gay Maryland do you think the pageantry your partner both at home and in and titles are so important contestants. your career. How do you balance in our culture? home life and work?It is difficult at By Frankie Kujawa America Pageant I think everyone looks Behind the times. We work in all of our business This coming month, the Miss Gay Maryland for validation. There are scenes, together and we travel together. America pageant, the preliminary to Miss Miss Gay America Pageant and the Mr. awards in so many fields Rob has two daughters who we both Gay America 2019, will take place on April Gay America Contest). We also partner of work that validate who business & spend time with. When we work, we 14th at the Horseshoe Casino. To highlight in a national balloon company, an online we are and what we do. I have discussions and sometime ar- its 33rd year, the owners of the Miss Gay directory and event company for parents, think pageants help people dental savvy guments over decisions, but that’s America pageant, Michael Dutzer and Rob and this year we partnered with our friend grow personally by helping them improve business. You have to leave it in the office, Mansman recently chatted with Baltimore David on a Hamburger Mary’s in St. Louis. as performers, and in the community by which is hard when you are working with OUTloud to discuss their relationship and So, I’d say we are pretty powerful together working with people and helping charities six companies. It’s hard not to work day the importance of the pageantry in our cul- as we both contribute different skills and raise money. It also provides direction and and night, but we enjoy what we do. We ture. ideas to our relationship and businesses. goals for some people. The pageant has make time for each other and work through Frankie Kujawa: Could you provide Other than work we enjoy traveling, art, been around since 1972 and we are trying the hard times, but that also makes us a little bit of background on yourselves and theater. to keep it relevant and keep it a desirable stronger as a couple. t for our readers? How did you both become affiliated Michael Dutzer: I grew up in Northeast with the Miss Gay America Pageant? Pennsylvania. In 1990, I had a marketing What are your different roles? job and attended school I started doing drag a few in the Philadelphia area years ago and Rob when an opportunity to was very sup- move to the Maryland portive. We met / Washington, DC-area a lot of people for work came up. I’ve in the Baltimore called Maryland home and Western since. Rob was raised Maryland areas in upstate New York through drag and and Richmond, Virgina our network of He is a pediatric dentist friends grew. We and loves helping peo- were introduced to ple. He was the chief the Miss Gay Amer- of pediatric dentistry ica pageant by our for the army at Walter friend Sue Nami, Reed Medical Center who we sponsored and stationed at Fort Me- for the pageant ade. He remained in Maryland af- that year. After that ter retiring. After he retired from Dynamic we became state promoters for the Army, he had the opportunity duo the Maryland US of A pageant and to buy the dental office he was loved working with the entertainers working at part-time. He also has and contestants. We were inter- two beautiful daughters from a previous ested in obtaining the Maryland America relationship. pageant but that did not work out, but they Could you tell our readers how you offered us the national pageant. At the both met, and a bit about your relation- time, we were just opening our orthodontic ship? How long have you been togeth- office and needed to focus on that. We had er? heard that the pageant had sold and we Rob and I met online back in 2009, and were at our home in Florida waiting on the we then met for coffee at a Panera Bread announcement to see who would be taking in Hanover, Maryland. We both hit it off the America system, when our friend Ben and had a great time getting to know each told us that the sale fell through and that other. We then started dating pretty much we should consider buying it. We called immediately. In 2011, we got married in our friend Aron up and talked to him about Washington, DC. As for our relationship, it since he was close to the current own- we are both very active and driven people. ers. Everyone was on board and four days After we got married, we purchased a den- later we owned Miss Gay America. tal office in Frederick, Maryland, and have I work daily now producing the pageant been expanding and investing in business- and organizing contracts and events. We es since. We have a pediatric dental office, both are involved in the day-to-day deci- an orthodontic office, Mad Angel Entertain- sions and handling issues. We are very ment (which is the parent company of the hands-on and enjoy going to preliminaries

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 27 dining out

a pink drink), we soaked in the ambiance of and all were delicious with a dab of butter. I it was prepared. Honestly, I don’t know how the room. Lined throughout the dining room was careful not to fill up on too much bread I finished a 14-ounce steak in one seating, are beautiful portraits of famous people from before the appetizers were served. The soup but slowly and steadily, I managed to be the local history, among them, Clara Barton and was served warm, and took me only person at our Johnny Unitas. Nearby our table were two oil back 12 years table without a take- Finger’s paintings of horses. I decided they were Man- to when I was home bag. Food O-War and Secretariat, but they are likely not. spending lots As one would Richard Finger As the dining room was quite crowded, the of time in En- imagine, the Capital noise level did come close to overwhelming. gland. It was not Grille offers a won- Sipping on the Cosmo and people-watching only delicious derful fine-dining kept me distracted from all of the loud talking but also brought experience from Capital Grille around me. back enjoyable the moment of en- 500 East Pratt Street, Baltimore Our server for the evening, Jackie, was memories. try to the very end. 443-703-4064 absolutely amazing. She was very attentive, Along with Along with the ex- Thecapitalgrille.com friendly, and had a wonderful sense of hu- our main cours- perience comes a mor. Jackie shared with us the specials for es, we selected great selection of I was very excited to finally be going to the the evening, but I was determined to stick to four items from menu options no Capital Grille, as I’d heard about it from so the sides menu: matter what you many people. On this night, it was the spe- “A wonderful fine- Lobster Mac-n- might be wishing cial occasion of my mother-in-law’s birthday. Cheese ($18), for at the time. Once our small party had gathered, we were dining experience from Parmesan Truffle Treats to eat Of course there are various cuts at the Capital quickly seated towards the back of the main the moment of entry to Fries ($11), French Beans with Heirloom Grille of steak, but there are options of dining area. Our first encounter with the wait Tomatoes ($11), and the Sautéed Spin- lamb, seafood, and chicken as well. staff was truly remarkable, as they presented the very end.” ach with Garlic Confit ($11). I had sam- We all had a very memorable ex- my mother-in-law with a birthday card, some pled three of the four, as I’m not a fan perience, and most importantly, we birthday confetti scattered on the table, and one of the staples from their menu, the Dry of lobster. All were served in ample portions were able to celebrate a milestone birthday a very sincere wish of happiness. This would Aged New York Strip Steak (14 ounces for for the five of us. My favorite by far was the with my mother-in-law. I believe by the time set the tone for the remainder of our time $47). As an appetizer, I selected a cup of the Sautéed Spinach – the combination of the we left, she felt truly special. I look forward to there. White Cheddar Potato & Leek Soup ($9). Be- fresh spinach and whole garlic was delight- going back there for future occasions, trying As most of us sipped on our cocktails (of fore our appetizers were served, we did enjoy ful. I had requested the New York Strip to be a different combination of cocktail and steak course I had a Cosmopolitan, as I do enjoy the basket of various breads, all served fresh, served medium-rare, and that’s exactly how next time. t Starting Salary: $54,880* NOW HIRING *Effective January 1. 2018 To be considered for employment, applicants must meet the following standards: •Be 21 years old by the swearing-in ceremony (post-academy) •Have 60 college credits at the time of hire, OR, two years of active duty in the military, OR, a minimum of two years police service (out-of-state) •Be a United State citizen •Possess a driver’s license •Have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions Excellent benefits and opportunities: •Health, dental and life insurance •Vacation, disability and personal leave •Uniform/equipment supplied with free dry cleaning service •Competitive retirement plan (20 years at 50%, 25 years at 75%, 30 years at 80%) •Three hours minimum overtime for off-duty court appearances •Multi-lingual differential pay •Twelve-hours permanent patrol shifts with 6% night shifts differential pay HOWARD COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT Day shift cycle: 2 on, 3 off; 2 on, three off; 3 on, 2 off HOWARD COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT Night shift cycle: 3 on, 3 off •Four hours overtime per pay •Personally assigned take-home patrol vehicle for in-county residents •Specialty pay to officers assigned to Criminal Investigations Bureau, Traffic Enforcement Section, Special Operations Bureau (K9, Tactical Unit, Command Post), Hostage Negotiation and Honor Guard

28 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com DINING OUT

Fabulous Brunch Every Saturday & Sunday 11:30 am - 3:00 pm nickeltaphouse.com/brunch-menu

Featuring $15 Bottomless Mimosas, Bloody Mary's and • Serving Brunch on Sundays! EVO Craft Brewing Drafts. • Now open for lunch at 12 p.m. on Saturdays • Wednesday Beer Dinners! $38 for Three Courses paired with 10oz BA Beers.

Late Night Happy Hour on Tuesday, Wednesday, SERVES BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, and Thursday Evenings! COFFEE AND DRINKS! Hours Get house draft beer for $3.75 Tues. -Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. –to 9 p.m. from 11 p.m. to close Sun. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. THE NICKEL TAPHOUSE 10 Art Museum Drive 1106 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 1604 Kelly Avenue. Baltimore, MD 21209 Baltimore, MD 21201 410-889-3399 443-869-6240 - nickeltaphouse.com 410-547-6925 • thebrewersart.com gertrudesbaltimore.com ENCANTADA AT THE AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS Wednesday - Friday 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. encantadabaltimore.com/happy-hour

Best in Federal Hill , located on the Third Floor of the American Visionary Art Museum, with the Vollis & Gene Simpson Whirligig Terrace overlooking Federal Hill.

BRUNCH SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11:30 a.m. - 3p.m. Featuring $15 Bottomless Mimosas, Bloody Mary's and EVO Craft Beer drafts

CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY

HOURS OF OPERATION Wednesday & Thursday 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Birroteca Baltimore 800 KEY HIGHWAY 1520 Clipper Road. Baltimore, MD 21211 BALTIMORE, MD 21230 443-708-1935 • www.bmorebirroteca.com 410-752-1000 www.bmorebirroteca.com/baltimore-events www.encantadabaltimore.com

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 29 quality of life

to be influenced by being fed in what is gen- Getting the erally perceived to be a demeaning manner. Feed them well and you’re much more likely Wedding to get their best work and, if the need arises, You Want have them go the extra mile for you. David Egan Caterers refer to what they call “vendor 205 West Read Street “Corner of Read and Park” meals.” Some charge half-price for the same meal that guests are served, and some pre- 410-225-3100 • ATM Available pare special meals, which may or may not be The Care what you want to serve your wedding professionals. No matter the case, you are in and Feeding complete control of what you feed your professionals. Again, take good care of them and of Wedding they will take good care of you. Some wedding professionals include spe- Professionals cific requirements in their contract about being fed. You need to abide by that, of course. I Your wedding professionals want to give you encourage you to go above and beyond. It’s a their best possible work. Couples who are small cost to you that brings valuable results. HHAPPYAPPY HOURHOUR well-organized and get things done months What’s the best time to feed your wed- before their wedding are much more likely to ding professionals? get everything they want. Avoid the last-min- People forking food into their mouths are ute crunch. Give your wedding profes- not at all attractive sub- 44 p.m.p.m. toto 88 p.m.p.m. sionals lots of time to make the jects for photography, magic happen! so your photographer Change and the unfore- should be fed ahead of seen happen all the time with or with the first wave of 2-in-12-in-1 RAILRAIL && weddings. Work with your pro- guests. There are of- fessionals to create plans and ten toasts or important back-up plans for all the differ- dances immediately ent aspects of your wedding. following the meal, so You’ll love the peace of mind that you want to have the DomesticDomestic BeerBeer brings. photographer fed and The best wedding profession- ready to go before the als are always prepared for all meal is done, ideally kinds of things to happen, from before you and your crazy weather to power outages sweetheart are fin- to broken zippers! You should be, Hungering ished eating. BACK BAR OPEN too. It doesn’t mean that you need to carry for respect Early on in the meal time BACK BAR OPEN a big toolkit down the aisle, but it does mean is also the time to feed the that, for instance, you have a good rain plan DJ or band, wedding planner, and the rest of in place if you’re planning an outdoor cere- your professionals, most of whom will be en- FRIDAYFRIDAY && SATURDAYSATURDAY mony. gaged as soon as the meal is finished. Trust the Force, and your wedding pro- Wedding professionals often eat in a dif- fessionals. The more they know about your ferent room from the guests, whether that’s UntilUntil 1:301:30 a.m.a.m. needs and desires for your wedding, the bet- your now-empty cocktail area, or a garden ter able they will be to serve you. Don’t hold or patio, or perhaps a separate bar area. back! Spill your guts and tap into their creativ- There’s no reason to seat them at guest ta- with Karaoke ity and experienced professional guidance. bles, which tends to be awkward for all in- with Karaoke Now, about that feeding part. volved and leaves you with empty seats for The professionals working at your wed- most of the reception. ding who are present over a meal time need All of the wedding professionals I know – to be fed, and fed well. and I know a lot of them – want to give you Why? You want them to give you their their best work and help you have a fantastic TheThe best work. Feeding them in a timely manner, wedding. Paying attention to their needs and and with what everyone else around them is treating them well will go a long way toward eating, is always the right thing to do. making that happen! You cannot imagine the grousing that Next time: Loving your guests. t comes from a photographer or DJ who is pre- David L. Egan is the proprietor and stew- DrinkerDrinkeryy sented with a sandwich, a bag of chips, and ard of Chase Court, a wedding and event ven- an apple, when all of the guests are eating ue in downtown Baltimore. Visit Chasecourt. The Little Corner Bar with a Great Big Heart! filet mignon! While no wedding professional com, and follow ChaseCourtWeddingVenue intentionally does shoddy work, it’s hard not on Instagram and Facebook. 30 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com Quality of life // your money Real estate

The More you that outline regulatory items, and expected Know About behaviors. These are things like time and attendance, discrimination and harassment, fire Business safety, infection control, etc. On top of policies Richard Finger & Lauren Lynch and procedures it would be beneficial if the new hire was introduced and guided through the culture of the department and the culture of the organization. Helping a new team mem- Have a Career, Where Do ber through the nuances of interoffice relationships, interactions, and communication habits Not a Job! I Start? between management and staff will help the Join the Weichert new hire feel more confident. Realtors-Urban When you started a new job, how were you These first few weeks of employment introduced to your new role? What do you tend to set the tone for the employment re- Lifestyles Team think should be included in that introduc- lationship moving forward. When new em- and become part tion? How long do you think that introduction ployees feel that their manager and cowork- should last? When an individual starts a new ers were invested in their success from the of the family. job the first few weeks feel like a trial run on very first day, the new hire will likely feel fully both sides. The company is seeing if this hire engaged and feel glad he or she joined the Check out our is still a good fit for the position and the em- organization. When the appropriate steps are career night. ployee is checking to be sure they want to not followed, likely the opposite reaction will continue with the role. This is where the con- be true. To help understand how a new hire Call us for further cept of onboarding is crucial. is feeling about his or her experience, we rec- information Onboarding is the process in which new ommend a pulse check be taken roughly 30- 45 days after hire. This pulse check can be 410-752-1050 “To onboard a new hire taken in the form of an informal survey, or an Proud sponsor of in-person conversation. The idea is to get into successfully into an the heart and mind of the new hire to gauge his or her fulfillment. One of my favorite ques- organization, it takes a tions to ask a new hire is whether or not he village.” or she goes home at the end of the day with a good feeling? If the answer to that question employees gain knowledge, skills, and be- is no, this indicates a red flag, and will require haviors that are important to becoming an more digging on the part of the manager to effective member of the team. It is a process understand the root cause of this. in which new people are introduced and guid- Many times organizations look at the first ed through the processes and culture of a few weeks as the “onboarding period.” Best new organization. This process is vital to a practices have shown that onboarding can successful introductory period and, by actually take up to one full extension, long-term year for an employee to employment. feel fully integrated into a When onboarding new organization. Along a new employee one with the pulse check 30- wants to be sure to cov- to-45 days post hire, it er all information that a is essential for the new new employee would hire to have established find imperative as well goals and understand as information that the how his or her role fits into the orga- employer finds important. From the new nization. We recommend managers establish hire’s perspective the most crucial questions a checklist to be sure the onboarding process asked are about benefits, pay, time off, dress, is followed consistently, and embed within and who will guide them through specific job it regular check-in intervals throughout the training. They will want to know what their year. The checklist will also ensure the man- benefit packet entails and how to sign up. ager hasn’t forgotten to share important infor- They will want to know what their shift is, what mation with the new hire. their hourly rate will be, when they can expect In conclusion, to onboard a new hire to be paid, and what their vacation plan will successfully into an organization, it takes a look like. Lastly, new hires will want to know village; leaders, managers, and colleagues what they can/cannot wear and who will be should all be included in the process. Failure the person to guide them through hands-on to invest the time and resources into the new job training. The employer will want to be hire could result in a new hire not working up sure to convey core policies and procedures to his or her full potential. t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 31 leather

watching on tele- Adam told Cosmopol- I was sitting there in the opera house wait- Adam vision? Would Rippon itan.com, “I can’t tone ing for the performance, my friend Barry you dare to hit it down. I’m being me came down the aisle. He was in full leath- the red carpet in and being myself.” er. I can’t remember which opera I saw leather? Olym- Twitter went crazy that evening, but I remember what I saw in Leather pic skater Adam with comments. Even the audience. A leather man who was not Line Rippon did just model Tyra Banks afraid to be who he was. Rodney Burger that recently tweeted: “Hoe, but Years later I was with Sir Steve at at the 90th an- make it fashion!” Oth- the Bike Stop in Philadelphia when I was nual Academy er comments included: greeted by name by a very handsome man Awards. The “He’s a moron. People dressed like he just stepped out of an Ab- 28-year-old should keep their bed- ercrombie & Fitch catalogue. As he walked Could You openly gay room activities in the away Sir Steve asked, “Who was that?” I athlete arrived bedroom” or “Is that a replied that he knew who it was. It was a Harness the in a BDSM-in- wardrobe malfunction current major leather titleholder. He was spired black or did he get dressed in dressed for an evening of dancing with his tuxedo de- the dark?” or my favor- boyfriend at another bar nearby. He had signed by ite: “Where’s Joan Rivers just stopped in the Bike Stop for a second. Nerve? Jeremy Scott when you need her?” When do we wear our leather? Once of Moschino I thought he looked a dear friend set me up on a blind date. I’ve considered myself a member of the complete with great, but he also made My hookup was taking me to DC for dinner leather community for many years and I a leather har- me think. If we are proud and drinks. When I arrived at his house in have been a proud member of a leather ness across members of the leath- Laurel he answered the door in a leather club for over 20 years. I have hundreds of his crisp er community just how shirt, tight jeans, leather armbands, and friends who also consider leather a big part white shirt, a proud are we if we remain boots. My first thought was: “This match of who that are. Some even argue that it is leather bow invisible in public. I was could really work!” We had dinner at An- a lifestyle. But would you wear leather to tie, and a tux jacket with leather reminded of an evening nie’s and went to the DC Eagle. It was a your high school reunion? Would you wear trim that featured cutouts at the shoulders many years ago when I first moved to Bal- very enjoyable evening. When we got back leather to a friend’s wedding? What if you to accent the harness. Many in the LGBT timore. A person I was dating invited me to his place he started to get a little more were going to a big event with thousands community applauded this bold fashion to the opera. I dressed to fit in and put on comfortable. As he took off his leather arm- of people in attendance and millions more choice. Others thought he went too far. my business suit and best shirt and tie. As bands he remarked, “I hope you are not into any of this shit because I’m certainly not.” He had dressed for the DC Eagle. It was just like me dressing for the opera. And that is my definition of leather drag. It saw him one other time, but that was it. Problem was: I am into that – big time. Now don’t get me wrong. Just wearing a leather harness does not make one part of the leather community. Once at the leather mart during International Mr. Leath- er in Chicago I was watching a young man trying on a leather harness in front of a full- length mirror. As he admired his reflection he remarked to his friends, “I really like Boosting empowerment and breaking the bonds the way I look in this- but I don’t know. It’s $125, and I would only get to wear it once of homophobia, racism, and stigma in same a year!” gender-loving (SGL) men in Baltimore City I don’t wear my leather once a year • ArchitecturAlly-stunning and I don’t only wear it to leather events. • NETWORKING wedding venue • I never travel without my leather club vest. Every 1st Wednesday I almost always have boots on. I always • indOOR & OuTdOOR wedding • HIV EDUCATION look at the “leather people” who are at CeReMOnieS, ReCePTiOnS, pride events in khaki shorts, sneakers Every Last Wednesday And eLOPeMenTS • and t-shirts because it is too hot. I once • SOCIAL EVENTS • OveR 30 SAMe-Sex weddingS even saw a current leather titleholder at Monthly SinCe 2013 • Baltimore Pride dressed that way. When I asked him about it he said that he was • ART CREATION PROJECT Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at incognito. The leather community cannot ChaseCourtWeddingVenue [email protected] • 410-837-5573 afford to be incognito. Wear you leather as 410-727-1112 • chasecourt.com often as you can. Go to that yuppie LGBT FB: New Horizons Baltimore • aidsactionbaltimore.org 1112 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD bar in your leather. You may raise a few HIV Prevention Advocacy for SGL Men's Health supported by Owned and Operated by David Egan, eyebrows, but you may also peak some in- wedding columnist for BaltimoreOUTloud. terest. Be visible – if you can harness the ViiV Healthcare's ACCELERATE! Program nerve. t 32 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com 410-539-4850 227227 W.W. ChaseChase StSt

THURSDAYS.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 33 ATTORNEY FINANCIAL

Woody Derricks, CFP® [email protected]

2809 Boston Street Suite 509 Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 732-2633 partnershipwm.com facebook.com/partnershipwm COUNSELING SALOON Proudly Serving the LGBTQ Dr. Janan Broadbent Phil Pecoraro Community Since 1972 Specializing in Relationships LCSW-C, DCSW FOR RENT Counseling for Therapy and LGBTQ Concerns AFFORDABLE BOOTH Phychotherapy Individuals, Couples, “The greatest stock market you located in TO A BARBER, Teens, Families, can invest is yourself. Finding this Mt. Vernon BRAIDER, and Groups. truth is better than finding a gold 1 E. Chase (The Belvedere) OR NAIL TECH mine.” – 5209 York Road Byron Katie 410-532-2476 Office: 410-327-6892 Pam's Comfort Zone To Schedule an appointment By Appointment Only Cell: 410-370-6724 2800 Greenmount Ave. Visit drjanan.org Waverly Area philippecoraro.com womensgrowthcenter.com Or call 410-825-5577 For more info: 410-814-8649

Bar 704 ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY 704 N 3rd Street Georgies Bar Harrisburg, PA 812 5th Avenue 717-234-4228 Asbury Park NJ 07712 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 732-988-1220 Station North Arts Cafe Gallery The Brownstone Lounge Club 1722 1816 North Charles Street 412 Forester Street Paradise 1722 North Charles Street 410-625-6440 • stationnortharts.com Harrisburg, PA 17102 10 Asbury Avenue 410-727-7431 • club1722.com SteamPunk Alley 717-234-7009 Asbury Park, NJ 07712 732-988-6663 Club Bunns 227 W. Chase Street • 410-539-4806 REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE 608 W. Lexington Street • 410-234-2866 The Rowan Tree Blue Moon The Asbury Drinkery 1633 South Charles Street 35 Baltimore Avenue 210 5th Avenue 203-207 W, Read Street • 410-225-3100 410-468-0550 • therowantree.net Rehoboth Beach, DE Asbury Park, NJ 07712 302-227-6515 • bluemoonrehoboth.com Hotel Tides The Eagle MARYLAND 408 7th Avenue 2022 North Charles Street The Lodge Lounge & Dance Club The Purple Parrot Asbury Park, NJ 07712 410-200-9858 • thebaltimoreeagle.com 21614 National Pike 247 Rehoboth Avenue Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 • 302-226-1139 732-897-7744 The Gallery Boonsboro, MD 21713 1735 Maryland Avenue • 410-539-6965 301-591-4434 Rigby’s Bar & Grill 404 Rehoboth Avenue Grand Central HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Rehoboth Beach, DE 1001-1003 North Charles Street Stallions 302-227-6080 • rigbysbarandgrill.com 410-752-7133 • centralstationpub.com 706 N 3rd Street Iguana Grill Leon’s Harrisburg, PA 717-232-3060 • stallionsclub.com 52 Baltimore Avenue 870 Park Avenue • 410-539-4993 Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 Mixer’s 302-227-0948 • iguanagrill.com 6037 Belair Road • 410-599-1952

34 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 35 In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. What Is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite). Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include: • Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or Tired of planning your life around diarrhea? call 1-800-FDA-1088. Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant? • Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant Enough is Enough • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi. A Nursing Mother? • It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk Mytesi (crofelemer): • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to What is Mytesi? find out if Mytesi is right for you Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART). With Other Medicines? If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal Important Safety Information supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi. Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi? or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist. and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256. more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%). Rx Only For Copay Savings Card and Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com. in South America.

NP-390-15 RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

36 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MArch 30, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com