March 1, 2019 | Volume XVI, Issue 20

On the Gearing Up for AIDS Walk & Music Fest 2019 march! – AIDS Walk By Aaron Cahall lunch at Power Plant Live featuring excit- HIV services to 2018 credit: Eileen Chase Brexton Health Care ing local performers. join the event Martin, Johns Chase Brexton Health Care aims to raise “Maryland and Baltimore’s HIV and and keep half of Hopkins $150,000 to further expand HIV testing, AIDS diagnosis rates far exceed the rest the funds they awareness, and care pro- of the country,” said Alexa Mi- raise; learn more grams during the Baltimore Aiming to Raise lanytch, Chase Brexton’s de- at Chasebrexton. AIDS Walk & Music Festival $150,000 to velopment director. “The gen- org/Communi- 2019, presented by Quest erous support of our walkers, tyPartners. Diagnostics, at Power Plant support testing, donors, and sponsors will help The event will Live on Sunday, June 9th. strengthen and expand pro- also help spread Proceeds from the AIDS treatment, grams to change the course awareness of the Walk & Run Baltimore will prevention of HIV infections in Baltimore “U=U” campaign support the HIV and AIDS and across Maryland and bring in Maryland, a programs offered by Chase Brexton and them to zero!” growing scien- its community partners, including assis- Participants can register to walk or start tific consensus tance with medications, case management a team and raise funds with their friends, at that persons living with HIV who take their campaign is overseen by a coalition of lo- services, and medical care. The two-mile BaltimoreAIDSWalk.org. New this year is medications and maintain an undetect- cal HIV-focused individuals and organiza- course around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor the community partner program, a chance able viral load cannot transmit HIV to their tions in partnership with the Baltimore City will be followed by a music festival and for other non-profit organizations offering sexual partners. The community-driven Health Department. For more information, —continued on page 4

By Jabari M. Lyles ing, but also to protect us against anyone Hello, readers! After a short break, your who may appear to be inconsistent with City HALL exclusive update from City Hall returns! I our values and direction. To our benefit,Update from have just completed my first six months as this commission convenes a diverse group from all over the globe to Baltimore City your LGBTQ liaison in the office of Mayor of opinions, identities, talents, and back- importance and impact for the Hall, where we discussed LGBTQ health Catherine E. Pugh and I could grounds. It becomes import- LGBTQ community, particularly disparities and lessons learned from Bal- not be more thrilled about the News from ant for us to ensure all mem- our youth. The education com- timore that can be applied to approaches work I have the pleasure of do- bers at the table are moving mittee recently testified at a to health inequity around the world. If you ing, the work our mayor is doing, the Baltimore in the same direction for the Baltimore City Public Schools are interested in becoming involved with and the work our community is mayor’s LGBT benefit of all our community. Policy committee meeting to the Baltimore City LGBTQ Commission, doing to move Baltimore for- Our commission unequiv- show support for district poli- please do not hesitate to contact me for ward. liaison ocally stands with and for cies that would enact import- information about joining. The Baltimore City LGBTQ the transgender community, ant protections for transgen- Key leadership positions are Commission is shaping up to be women and lesbians, and der students. Members of changing in our city, including an impactful group of advocates who are against any ideas which seek to exclude the health and human a new police commissioner. ready to get to work. Our commission last any member of our community. services committee The mayor’s office worked met in January, where we began to brain- Although the commission is in its be- participated on a pan- diligently to ensure citizens storm and design our strategic direction, ginning stages, members have already el discussion for the of Baltimore have acces- starting with our mission, vision and val- involved themselves in some exciting Atlantic Fellows for sible facetime with the in- ues. Words such as “connect,” “capacity,” and important projects. Members of the Global Health, a pro- coming commissioner. Act- and “advise” came up commonly in our Economic Development and Employment gram out of George ing Police Commissioner brainstorming. We feel it’s important to be committee drafted and submitted testimo- Washington Universi- Michael Harrison just fin- able to clearly communicate who we are ny for Senate Bill 280, an effort to raise ty. The event welcomed ished a tour of community and what we do as a new working group, Maryland’s minimum wage to $15 by 2023. a group of 30 fellows meetings in all nine police not only for the community’s understand- The committee’s testimony stressed the —continued on page 3 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 Andre Shakti • Bill Redmond-Palmer Brynn Devereau • Charles Dudley, MPT Chuck Duncan • David Egan David Placher • Dr. Eva Hersh MD Elyse Buchbinder • Frankie Kujawa Gregg Shapiro • Jabari Lyles Janan Broadbent, Ph. D. • Jeffrey Clagett Josh Buchbinder • Lauren Lynch • Lee Carpenter Linda A. Dominguez, Esq. • Mark S. King Mark Segal • Michael Ritmiller Rabbi Jan Dodi • Richard Finger • Rodney Burger Sage Piper • Steve Charing • Woody Derrick

Contributing Writers for OUT in the VALLEY Asher Kennedy • Brian George Hose Rev. Kelly Crenshaw • Rev. Robert Apgar-Taylor Zed Sykes

Graphics Ramon Montiel

Web Editor Adam Romanik 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.

© 2019 – All rights reserved Chair of the Board of Trustees – Jim Becker President – Jim Williams Secretary and Treasurer – Mike Chase

2 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com news // local

the Baltimore City LGBTQ Affairs Face- City HALL book page to stay updated in real-time. As Update from part of my job, helping our community nav- always, I can be contacted at ​jabari.lyles@ igate city services, city agencies, housing —continued from page 1 Commissioner Harrison. Our community is baltimorecity.gov​. It is an honor to be our on its way to reclaiming our traction and and employment concerns, or experiences community’s connection to local govern- districts, which I’ve heard has gone well. visibility in Baltimore, and many of us have of discrimination and harassment. Thank ment. Please contact me at any time for t Of course, I am very interested in meet- strained relationships with police officers. you to those who have referred folks to me, questions or more information. ing with Acting Commissioner Harrison to It is important we are on his radar and our and please continue. I have also enjoyed The author is Baltimore City LGBTQ discuss issues of safety and engagement well-being be included in his vision of suc- being a needed resource inside of our gov- Affairs liaison. with the LGBTQ community. It may sur- cess for our city. ernment. I am currently preparing to pro- prise you to learn that there is an LGBTQ Often, I am contacted by community vide LGBTQ cultural competency training Police Commissioner Advisory Group, a members who feel like they have nowhere for the Mayor’s Office of Human Services, group I worked with years ago. I plan to else to turn. They have learned about my Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, and re-engage with this group, and enjoy a role and are desperately looking for an ad- the Mayor’s Office of African-American chance to meet and get to know Acting vocate. I see this as an incredibly important Male Engagement. One of my goals is to see every office and city agency receiving ongoing training, and employees and con- sumers feel empowered to speak up when something goes wrong. Monster Jam Roars Into Charm City Just because something isn’t labeled as LGBTQ specific, doesn’t mean our By Frankie Kujawa do its thing in real life then community cannot take advantage of the Monster Jam roars into Bal- Mega trucks you haven’t seen what it re- opportunity. Exciting things are coming to timore running from Friday, ally can do,” explained driv- our city, like opportunity zone funding and March 1st to Sunday, March bring out the er Krysten Anderson. “The community catalyst grants. I encourage our 3rd at the Baltimore Royal videos and pictures don’t community to see themselves fully within Farms Arena. The adrena- inner eight-year- do it justice. These trucks the fabric of our city and consider these line-charged family entertain- are massive, and we can programs. Although you will be updated ment extravaganza features old do some amazing and spec- here monthly, make sure you are following some of the most recogniz- tacular things. If you want able trucks in the world including Grave to see a truck in all its glory you have to Digger, Max-DTM, and many more. Au- come, see it live.” diences will watch as world-class drivers Anderson, a North Carolina native, push these perfectly engineered Monster grew up surrounded by Monster Jam Jam trucks to their limits in freestyle, two- trucks. “My dad, Dennis Anderson, created wheel skills, and racing competitions that Grave Digger in 1982 and was the original promise to put families on the edge of their driver of Grave Digger. He retired in 2017. seats. I have two older brothers, Adam and Ryan, “If you’ve never seen a monster truck who also drive for the Grave Digger team. So, we are a whole family that drive. I started driving right before my dad’s retire- Driver ment. I’m the newest. I have a little broth- Krysten er who is up-and-coming, and he’d like to Anderson – drive too.” Boosting empowerment and breaking the bonds chip off old For Anderson, being a female driver in of homophobia, racism, and stigma in same block a male-dominated field makes her espe- cially proud to carry on her father’s lega- gender-loving (SGL) men in Baltimore City cy. “It makes me very proud. Sometimes it • NETWORKING can be a lot of pressure because my dad put his blood, sweat and tears into Mon- Every 1st Wednesday ster Jam. When he started, he didn’t know • HIV EDUCATION Grave Digger would be known by millions Every Last Wednesday of people around the world. People love to see that truck. I also feel some pressure • SOCIAL EVENTS as one of the few female drivers. I have a Monthly lot of young girls and females looking up • ART CREATION PROJECT to me on the track. I work well under pres- sure. Like they say, you can’t make a dia- t [email protected] • 410-837-5573 mond without a lot of pressure.” FB: New Horizons Baltimore • aidsactionbaltimore.org HIV Prevention Advocacy for SGL Men's Health supported by ViiV Healthcare's ACCELERATE! Program

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • 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 can- cer 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 encour- ages their patients to remember that ear- ly 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

Inaugural toured the world; and Evan Roberts who says the chorus. Tickets are $20 each and Gearing Up for has been skating for over 20 years and is are available at Bit.ly/2EaY81v. More info FreeState Justice a decorated ice dancer who has competed at Bit.ly/2H3u9eQ. t internationally representing the US and UK AIDS Walk & Ice Ball and toured professionally. This is a great chance to enjoy a great Music Fest 2019 FreeState Justice invites you to join its first show, some fun on the ice, and support 2019 LGBT ever “Ice Ball” benefit, planned for Sunday, the work of FreeState Justice. Tickets are March 10th from 11:30 am to 2 pm at the $28.16 including Eventbrite fee, and in- Business Expo —continued from page 1 Patterson Park Skating Arena (200 South clude admission to the show, the dance Linwood Avenue, Baltimore). Street park- party on foot or bring your own skates, The Maryland LGBT Chamber of Com- visit Uequalsumaryland.org. ing is available on Linwood Avenue. Folks food, and a donation to FreeState Justice. merce will host their second annual LGBT Maryland has the fifth highest rate of For just a few dollars more, include skate Business Expo on Monday, March 11th HIV infection in the US, according to the rental in the package for $31.33, including from 4 to 8 pm at the Maritime Conference state Department of Health, and more Eventbrite fee. To purchase tickets or for Center (692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthi- than 32,000 Marylanders are currently liv- more information visit the Facebook event cum Heights). ing with the disease. In 2017, there were page at Bit.ly/2Vmh3gD. t This year’s 231 new HIV diagnoses in Baltimore, and event will fea- 1,040 statewide. An estimated 12 percent ture more than of people living with HIV in Maryland have 35 Maryland not been diagnosed. The costs of manag- The Road to LGBT member ing HIV are high – according to the CDC, organizations a single year of HIV treatment costs, on ‘Goddess at Large’ and community average, $26,752 and lifetime costs can partners, show- exceed $440,000. Baltimore’s own Queen of Comedy, ing off services For more than three decades, Chase Shawnna Alexander and her cast of talent and products. Brexton has maintained a leading role invite you to join them as they raise funds Food and drink from local businesses will in battling HIV/AIDS. Now a multi-facet- Mauro to support Ganivah Cache Diamond as she be available. Admission is free. For more ed health center offering a continuum of Bruni prepares to travel to Daytona Beach, Flor- info, visit their Facebook event page at Bit. care to a diverse community, Chase Brex- ida, to compete for All American Goddess ly/2Vg0jYo. t ton continues to provide comprehensive of all ages and ice-bound abilities are At Large, a sought-after title in the world HIV-targeted case management services. encouraged to attend this family-friendly of plus sized pageant divas. The event is These services include physical exams; event. planned for Sunday, March 10th at 8:30 pm ongoing follow-up visits with patients; di- The event will kick off with an ice show, at The Rowan Tree (1633 South Charles ANDRE SHAKTI agnostic tests; treatment for patients co-in- featuring performances by up-and-coming Street, Baltimore). There’s no cover and a fected with Hepatitis B or C; nutritional talent as well as professional show skat- light buffet will be served. Parking passes assessments and consultations; and inten- ers, who will dazzle you with their most will be available at the bar. For more info, the t sive patient health education and support fabulous performances. The show will be Facebook event page is Bit.ly/2Te3cfg. for HIV medications. followed by a “Frozen Dance Party,” and In previous years, the Baltimore AIDS open family skate with music by DJ The- Walk has raised more than $300,000 to odore Rexx. The ice will be dry cut to al- support Chase Brexton Health Care’s ‘He Loves Me... Not’ low for both shoes and skates. This will be Sex, HIV/AIDS prevention, outreach, and test- your chance to show your best dance and ing services. Last year’s event saw more skate moves on the ice. Cabaret, March 15th Intimacy and than 600 attendees come to the Maryland The Ball will be presided over by local Relationship Coaching Zoo in Baltimore to walk, run, and volun- drag stars Washington Heights and Anas- and 16th teer. Proceeds from previous AIDS Walks tasia Mae Belladonna. Hot cocoa and light for Every Body went toward the purchase and operation fare will be served following the show. The Baltimore Men’s Chorus has a love of Chase Brexton’s mobile clinic, which The ice show’s featured skaters in- letter to share, through an evening full of drives HIV testing and information into the clude Bruni Mauro, a professional skating songs about falling in, and out, of love, t communities which need it the most. coach and choreographer who has com- from the stage, screen, and top of the • Culturally Competent For more on Chase Brexton’s HIV and peted nationally and internationally rep- charts. Join the chorus for their “He Loves • Accessible AIDS services, visit Chasebrexton.org/ resenting the US and who has performed Me, He Loves Me Not Cabaret” on March HIVcare. in shows around the world; Allison Leigh 15th and 16th at 8 pm at the Spotlighters • Emotionally Intuitive Kymmell, who has 14 years of competitive Theatre (817 Saint Paul Street, in Mount skating experience and has been skating Vernon in Baltimore). professionally since 2015 with multiple “This evening of music will make you companies around the world; Syreeta Thi- laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again,” Cell: 856-906-0526 bodeaux who has trained with internation- (text or call) ally-ranked coaches and currently teaches power skating and figure skating; Emma IAmPoly.net/Coaching Phibbs who has been skating for 22 years for More Information and has competed nationally and repre- sented the US internationally and who has 4 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com beyond the beltway compiled by Jim Becker Park and said she got onboard as soon as Texas drag Lestrange put out a call for entertainers to Longshot participate. All tips collected during the per- Court orders queens hold formances were donated to help LGBT asy- gay prez lum seekers and detainees. (Dallas Voice Trump to stop benefit to – David Taffet at Dallasvoice.com/rgv-drag- candidate visits queens-to-stage-protest-drag-show/ and discharging protest the the Brownsville Herald – Nadia Tamez-Ro- Philadelphia bledo at Brownsvilleherald.com/news/local/ HIV military border wall drag-queens-to-hold-border-wall-protest- Philadelphia – Not many mayors at-hope-park/article_42e222bc-36b7-11e9- make national headlines, and those who personnel Brownsville, Texas – Drag queens 9fff-afecd0f63542.html) do often do for the wrong reasons. Pete from Brownsville, McAllen, and Harlingen Buttigieg has so far not been one whose Alexandria, Virginia – On February staged a No Border Wall protest drag show national headlines have been unfortunate. 15th a federal judge ordered the US De- on Saturday, February 23rd and raised Buttigieg, 37, spoke on February 19th partment of Defense and Acting Secretary money for LGBT asylum seekers being Colorado at the Free Library in Philadelphia, os- of Defense Patrick Shanahan to halt dis- held in custody. The outdoor event took tensibly to promote his new book, Short- charge proceedings against HIV-positive place in Brownsville at Alice Wilson Hope about to ban est Way Home. However, the crowd that members of the US Air Force. The order Park, and was hosted by Beatrix Lestrange, packed the Free Library’s almost-400 seat came in the case of Roe and Voe v. Sha- a Brownsville drag queen and activist, who abstinence-only auditorium didn’t come to see the young said she selected Hope Park as the loca- Democratic mayor of modest South Bend, tion because of its proximity to the border sex education Indiana. They came to see the country’s fence. first openly gay Democratic candidate for Some of the Rio Grande Valley’s best Denver – Currently, Colorado does US president. He is not the first openly gay drag talent protested the fake border crisis not require that schools teach sexual ed- presidential candidate for a major political Trump created and call attention to the mis- ucation. But a new bill introduced by the party – In 2012, Fred S. Karger ran unsuc- treatment of LGBT asylum seekers being state’s House of Representatives would cessfully for the Republican nomination. held in custody. “Ultimately our goal was put parameters on how sex ed is taught. When he was questioned onstage by to use the beauty of drag, art, and perfor- The bill, which is expected to pass, re- a reporter, the focus was not on his book, mance against the hateful, racist, and xe- quires schools that do teach sex ed to the presumed reason for his visit. Instead, nophobic rhetoric that is being projected do so in an inclusive and comprehensive questions centered primarily on presiden- nahan, filed by Lambda Legal and Out- unto our communities,” organizers wrote way. This bill bans abstinence-only educa- tial issues, as well as Buttigieg’s life as an Serve-SLDN, with partner law firm Winston on Facebook. Lestrange noted the case tion, requires that both public and charter openly gay man in politics. When asked & Strawn, in the US District Court for the of Camila Díaz Córdova, a transgender schools teach students about consent, and why he wanted to run for president, Butt- Eastern District of Virginia. The two airmen woman from El Salvador who traveled to says that any sex ed class must include serving as plaintiffs, who filed pseudony- the US seeking asylum. She was deported the experiences of LGBT people. mously, were given discharge orders at the last year and died February 3rd of injuries More often than not, abstinence-only end of last year after being found “unfit for following an attack, the Washington Blade sex education perpetuates gender stereo- continued military service” despite compli- reported. types, excludes LGBT people, and greatly ance with medical treatment and physical Brownsville drag queen Aeon Mavis misinforms impressionable young people. fitness requirements. York was among the performers at Hope Studies have shown that abstinence-only Despite support from their medical pro- sex ed is both ineffective and harmful. In viders and commanding officers, the first fact, it is linked to increasing rates of teen of these airmen was to be separated from pregnancy and STIs among teens. Ac- service in just ten days. In granting the cording to the Center for Disease Control Pete Buttigieg for president? preliminary injunction, the judge ruled the (CDC), students in abstinence-only class- plaintiffs were likely to succeed in prevent- es face more health risks than their peers. igieg answered with typical Midwestern ing their discharge through the lawsuit and Still, abstinence-only sex education is forthrightness and humor. “Well, don’t run rejected the Trump administration’s motion still the norm across the US. According to for office just because you want it. And a lot to dismiss. US District Court Judge Leonie the Guttmacher Institute, 37 states require of people do that – just look at the current Brinkema issued the ruling from the bench students to learn about abstinence in pub- occupant of the White House. You have to after hearing oral argument. lic schools. Of those states, 27 require that have a clear idea of what it is you want The lawsuit challenges the Pentagon’s abstinence be stressed over other types to accomplish, what has to be done.” He discriminatory deployment policies, which of safe sex practices. Additionally, only 13 explained why he decided to run at such prevent service members living with HIV states require that sex education classes an early point in his career. “We all have to from deploying outside the US without a be medically accurate. Only eight states decide when your moment in life is, when waiver. In February 2018 the Trump ad- require sex education to be culturally unbi- it’s time to make the big decisions. Some ministration directed the Pentagon to dis- ased. “I’d rather they just don’t teach any- people wait too long, some don’t wait long charge all military personnel who could not thing if they can’t be honest,” State Rep- enough. I just looked at where things were be deployed to military posts outside of the resentative Susan Lontine, who introduced going, and I thought now seems like it US for more than 12 consecutive months, the bill, told the New York Times. (Gay Star could be my moment.” which would include all HIV-positive per- News – Rafaella Gunz at Gaystarnews. Buttigieg (who likes to be called “May- sonnel. (Seattle Gay News & Lambda Le- com/article/colorado-may-soon-ban-absti- or Pete”) came out late in his first term as gal at Sgn.org/sgnnews47_08/page2.cfm) nence-only-sex-education/#gs.cOjve2nG) —continued on page 8 BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 5 VoiceVoice ofof thethe CenterCenter LGBTQ Communities Help Guide The GLCCB Board the Future of Health Adopts a New Name Did you know that most national and will have access to data that will lead state surveys do not ask questions to treatment programs based on an When the Center was first established the Center continued to brand itself as about sexual orientation and gender individual’s specific health needs. The in 1977 it was named the Gay Com- the GLCCB. No matter what good work identity? This means that our LGBTQ program is inviting one million or more munity Center of Baltimore Limited. the Center did the brand of the Center communities, which encompass all people living in the United States to When speaking to elders who rallied showed our community that not every- kinds of people of different races, eth- participate at JoinAllofUs.org/together. and came out in the 70’s and earlier one mattered. nicities, religions, gender identities, Precision medicine is health care one would hear sentiments of how the In 2012 the Center adopted the and sexualities, are often not counted. that is based on the individual and con- word “Gay” represented everybody term Sexual and Gender minorities The same goes for health care, as the siders factors like where you live, what back then. But as the years progressed because LGBTQIA did not represent LGBTQ+ community has been histor- you do, and your family health history. and our identities as a community con- everyone and adding same gender lov- ically underrepresented in biomedical In order to get to a point where preci- tinued to grow stronger the word “gay” ing still did little to capture the nuanc- research. LGBTQ+ people have unique sion medicine is more effective, All of was not enough to represent the entire es and the diversity of our community. health care needs beyond traditional Us is actively reaching out and inviting community. In 1985 the word Lesbian While recognizing and celebrating the care, which is why the Gay and Lesbi- all communities to participate, reflect- was added to the Center’s name and diversity of our community within our an Community Center of Baltimore is ing America’s true diversity. the Gay Lesbian Community Center of mission statement was great, leaving helping the All of Us Research Program All of Us is building relationships Baltimore was formed. the branding of the center the same did inform our communities about how they to improve trust by involving the com- As the years progressed so did the no one justice. can get involved. The LGBTQ+ popula- munities with which they are engaging movement and so did our community. We are very happy to announce tion not only spans across every racial and allowing the participant to access Visibility for everyone in our commu- that the GLCCB Board voted on a new group, environmental and geographic gathered information. Information is nity became a focus for the Center’s name during the Board Meeting held area and socioeconomic status, but power. By participating in the All of Us leadership and so the name expanded February 7th. From this day forward, our community also experiences sta- Research Program, you are not only in an effort to be inclusive. In October the Center will be officially called The tistically higher levels of addiction and empowering the medical community of 2000 the Center’s name officially Pride Center of Maryland. Check out mental illness diagnoses, among many and future researchers, you are em- changed to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexu- our new branding this February with other health disparities. powering yourself to have a compre- al, Transgender Community Center of the launch of a new website, logo and The National Institutes of Health hensive view of your health. With your Baltimore and Central Maryland. Even much more. (NIH) created the All of Us Research help, the All of Us Research Program though the legal name had changed Program, a nationwide research effort, can unlock a happier, healthier and to speed up health research and med- more prosperous future for genera- ical breakthroughs for everyone. The tions to come. goal is to produce one of the world’s If you are interested in taking part largest and most diverse repository in the All of Us Research Program, or of health data for researchers to ana- learning more about precision medi- lyze and advance precision medicine. cine, check out their website: JoinAllo- Once complete, medical professionals fUs.org/together

6 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com THE LATEST UPDATES FROM THE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER OF BALTIMORE AND CENTRAL MARYLAND

GLCCB Calendar of Events Wednesday, March 6 Dudley Physical Therapy Information Session 5:00pm Baltimore Pride Committee Meeting 6:00pm Teen Art Group 5:30pm Thursday, February 28 HIV/STI Testing with STAR TRACK 6:30pm Basic ASL Class ($100 registration fee) 6:00pm Free & Confidential Testing at the GLCCB 2:00pm The Mankind Project 6:45pm Wednesday, March 13 Helping Hands Clothing Closet 3:00pm Trans Baltimore 7:00pm Family Matters (Group for Parents) 6:00pm Community Advisory Council Meeting 6:00pm SCA 7:00pm Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence 6:30pm Colorism: Shades of Prejudice 7:00pm Thursday, March 7 The Mankind Project 6:45pm Friday, March 1 Free & Confidential Testing at the GLCCB 2:00pm SCA 7:00pm Crystal Meth Anonymous 6:30pm Youth Against Oppression 4:30pm Thursday, March 14 Giovanni’s Room Open Mic 7:00pm Board Of Directors Meeting 6:30pm Free & Confidential Testing at the GLCCB 2:00pm Marijuana Anonymous 7:00pm Friday, March 8 Women’s Town Hall 6:00pm Saturday, March 2 Breaking Bread Project 6:30pm Family Game Night 6:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous 6:00pm Crystal Meth Anonymous 6:30pm Baltimore Gay Alliance 7:00pm Marijuana Anonymous 7:00pm Sunday, March 3 Friday, March 15 Narcotics Anonymous 11:00 am Saturday, March 9 Young & the Restless YA Group 6:00pm Gentle Mindful Yoga 3:30pm MOCHA Men’s Group 4:00pm Crystal Meth Anonymous 6:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous 6:00pm HER Story (Off-site) 7:00pm Tuesday, March 5 Marijuana Anonymous 7:00pm Free & Confidential Testing at the GLCCB 2:00pm Sunday, March 10 Yoga & Heels 5:00pm Narcotics Anonymous 11:00am Saturday, March 16 Teen Art Group 5:30pm Gentle Mindful Yoga 3:30pm Queer Families Potluck 11:00am Basic ASL Class ($100 registration fee) 6:00pm Tuesday, March 12 Alcoholics Anonymous 6:00pm Poetry Workshop 6:30pm Free Legal Clinic with MLVS 1:00pm SILhouette 7:30pm Free & Confidential Testing at the GLCCB 2:00pm

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 7 beyond the beltway

lines, “HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.” lutely manageable service for any college —continued from page 5 Developed by the ACHA PrEP in College health provider.” mayor. It was a politically risky step in Health Task Force. These guidelines serve The guidelines on HIV PrEP are avail- relatively conservative South Bend, espe- as a roadmap for college health services able online. ACHA also provides other cially since virulently anti-gay Mike Pence seeking to provide HIV pre-exposure pro- college health guidelines and recommen- was governor of Indiana at the time. “I phylaxis (PrEP) as a means of preventing dations. info: acha.org. (Q Notes Online came out because I had to,” he said. He new HIV infections and as a resource to – Lainey Millen at Goqnotes.com/62410/ added, jokingly, “Straight people don’t assist with front line implementation. While guidelines-released-on-providing-prep- have to come out, and I think it’s a little HIV rates have recently decreased among through-college-health-programs) unfair that gay people have to. But we do.” the general population, HIV remains a se- He got re-elected with 80% of the Queer youth use more drugs? Natural rious issue for young adults. According to vote.” He did not indulge in much an- party people? Peer pressure? the US Centers for Disease Control and ti-Trump rhetoric, focusing his thoughtful Prevention (CDC), young adults ages 13 Iowa jury responses on the future. “We need to talk there’s the elephant in the room when it to 24 accounted for 21% of new HIV infec- about a world that leaves behind peo- comes to drinking and sex. Shakespeare tions in the US in 2016 – four out of five agrees that ple like Trump.” (Philadelphia Gay News may have said it best when he wrote that were aged between 20 and 24 years old. – Gary L. Day at Epgn.com/news/break- drink “provokes desire, but unprovokes Approved by the Food and Drug Adminis- trans man was ing-news/14287-gay-presidential-candi- performance.” The way that alcohol con- tration in 2012, PrEP can reduce the risk date-visits-philadelphia) stricts blood vessels can negatively impact of HIV infection by over 90% if taken daily discriminated one’s ability to hold an erection, leading to as prescribed. the dreaded and all-too-real “whiskey dick.” against Many people swear by marijuana as a natu- Study: LGBTQ ral sex enhancer. For some, smoking weed Polk County, Iowa – Iowa trans man Jes- can make sex last longer, extending the sex se Vroegh has won $120,000 in damages in young people session to really tap into learning a partner’s his discrimination lawsuit against his employer, body. Although some report this can make it the Iowa Department of Corrections, accord- use drugs more difficult to reach orgasm, that typically only ing to a press release from the ACLU, whose happens if you smoke too much. Given its lawyers represented Vroegh. A Polk County than peers association with the hippie movement and jury decided the lawsuit. Vroegh filed the dis- “free love,” one might think that LSD and crimination suit after the Iowa DOC denied him PrEPpy is in on college campuses Corvallis, Oregon – Rock ‘n’ roll may be other hallucinogens like saliva and DMT use of the men’s restrooms and locker room at out of style, but we still have sex and drugs. might be great additions to your sex life. It work and denied him insurance coverage for According to a study by Oregon State Uni- is, however, hard to recommend substances “ACHA believes the ongoing HIV epi- medically-necessary surgery. He said that “the versity, LGBTQ individuals, especially youth, that have even more subjective effects than demic is an urgent health priority and that whole process has been difficult and emotion- consume tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol weed or alcohol, and the occasional “bad college health centers can make a signif- ally very trying” and that his life “has been put at higher rates relative to their heterosexu- trip” or disassociative episode might make icant impact in the health of young adults under a microscope because of this case.” But, al peers of the same age. It’s important to sex actively dangerous or unpleasant. If by offering PrEP as a standard health he added, “I thought it was an important thing remember the risk factors associated with conventional drugs and altered states are care service,” said Devin Jopp, ACHA’s to do for the transgender Iowans who come mixing substances and sex. not your thing, then perhaps you might want chief executive officer. “College health ser- after me. I hope this decision means that we North Carolina Public Health reports to try “flavor tripping.” Synsepalum dulcifici- vices are uniquely positioned to implement will be treated fairly in the future.” 64% of all new diagnoses for HIV were be- um, more commonly known as “miracle fruit,” comprehensive, evidenced-based preven- ACLU representatives note that this is tween men who reported having sex with is a legal, non-controlled substance that tion strategies that can help end the HIV the second jury award in recent months to an other men, as opposed to less than 30% of drastically alters the sensitivity of your taste epidemic among young adults.” “Sexual ACLU client who experienced discrimination new diagnoses of heterosexuals. Although buds, which makes a variety of foods taste health issues are a large component of for being transgender. In October, a Wiscon- HIV is on the decline in the Carolinas, rates sweeter. Since it causes bitter flavors to be- young adult medical care,” says Dr. Mar- sin jury awarded $780,000 to two women who of gonorrhea and syphilis have steadily in- come much more sweet, it may enhance the garet Higham, chair of the ACHA PrEP were also state employees. creased over the past few years. Of course, taste of your partner and make oral sex and in College Health Task Force. “Our hope John Knight, an attorney with the ACLU being diagnosed doesn’t mean you can’t general biting and licking much more pleas- in creating the guidelines was to make it LGBT & HIV Project, said, “Transgender Io- ever be intimate, but taking substances that ing to the palate. (Q Notes Online – Lowell clear that offering HIV PrEP is an abso- wans deserve the same dignity, respect, and can impair your decision-making skills may Fleming at Goqnotes.com/62305/the-world- access to health care and gender-appropriate not be the best idea if you and your partner of-drug-fueled-sex) restroom and locker room facilities as any oth- are at risk for transmission. But if you “wrap er person. “For many years, the law in Iowa These news notes have been compiled, has said that employers cannot discriminate up” before you light up, drink up or other- with permission, from the online version on the basis of sex, and it has also barred gen- wise indulge in your substance of choice, Guidelines of various newspapers and other web then you and your partner can enjoy a nice sites. We thank these publications for der identity discrimination since 2007,” Knight consensual evening of expanded sensation released on allowing us to bring you their news sto- added. “The state should have been a model and intimacy. If you can be safe and can ries. Usually the reports have been sig- for other employers in its treatment of trans- communicate your boundaries and desires PrEP for college nificantly edited and you can read the gender workers. Instead, it blatantly discrimi- with a trusted partner, then any number of full story by going to the web site men- nated against Jesse Vroegh. The jury in this common drugs can be a safe and sexy way health programs tioned following the item. Comments case obviously saw that what the state did was t to enjoy your day. are strictly the opinions of Jim Becker wrong and should never happen again.” Who hasn’t gone all the way on a cou- Silver Spring, Maryland – The Amer- and not of Baltimore OUTloud or Pride (Dallas Voice – Tammye Nash at Dallasvoice. ple of drinks? Alcohol is probably the most ican College Health Association (ACHA) Media. com/iowa-jury-awards-trans-man-120k-in-dis- common drug that’s mixed with sex, but announced the release of its new guide- crimination-suit) 8 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com thinking outloud COMING IN JUNE

name of reducing drug pricing – removes the protected class status for HIV medica- tion and would expose hundreds of thou- My Fabulous sands of people living with HIV to “step therapy” and “prior authorization.” Disease Step therapy allows insurers to require By Mark S. King Part D enrollees living with HIV to prove that less effective medications don’t work before agreeing to cover more effective, but more expensive treatments, as deter- A Medicare mined by our doctor. Prior authorization forces doctors to pre-clear prescriptions Three Sizes, Great Rates! Change... for certain HIV medication with insurers before the insurer agrees to cover the When I was diagnosed with HIV in 1985, costs, a time consuming and complicated there were no medications to treat it. Not process that delays treatment. Reserve your one. I never imagined that the medical As someone who has failed multiple community would achieve the drug categories over the years, advancements in HIV treatment ... could keep I know these changes are dan- and prevention we see today. gerous because they would Space NOW! In fact, President Trump actual- us from life- force me to fail on one medi- ly proposed a plan in his State cation before trying another. I of the Union address to end the saving HIV need highly customized, effec- For more details... HIV epidemic in America by 2030. medications tive therapies to keep my viral Mary Taylor This lofty goal would be thwarted, load in check. When a viral load however, by proposed changes to is rendered undetectable, I can- [email protected] Medicare Part D that jeopardize not transmit HIV to someone the advancements we’ve made in the fight else. Successful treatment, then, also pre- 410-802-1310 against HIV. vents new HIV infections. I have lived with HIV for almost 35 Interfering with access to effective years. I’ve dealt with more doctors, stub- treatment formularies for Medicare Part D born insurers, and drug formulations than I enrollees under the guise of pricing reduc- care to count. But I do it to stay alive. What tions will cause more harm than good. In other choice do I have? Becoming an “empowered” patient with consistent and unimpeded access to my medications through Medicare Part D has kept me alive. Had I not been relentless in my pursuit of the latest research, drug trials, and newly approved treatment regi- mens – while also educating my own pro- viders – I likely would have been counted among the nearly half million Americans who perished from AIDS between 1981 and 2000. For many years after my diagnosis, insurance companies rejected my pre- Mark S. King finds choice adjectives for Trump scriptions or tried to force me to rely upon medications that had been proven ineffec- fact, a recent study published in the Amer- tive. When I became disabled due to HIV, ican Journal of Managed Care estimates my newfound access to Medicare Part D that there would be 16,200 more cumula- changed all of that. tive deaths by 2025 if more restricted treat- MIXERS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR REDECORATING Medicare Part D and its protections ment options are allowed to take effect. Due to unforeseen circumstances, our planned against insurer interference finally brought The priorities for people living with HIV some certainty to my treatment plan. With are stark. First you pay your insurance reopening will be delayed. We're shooting to be open reliable access to effective medication, I premiums, then you pay your prescription by the second weekend in March. Ladies Night has was suddenly free to divert my time and costs, and then you pay for food and hous- energy away from day to day survival and ing. That is how important our medications been rescheduled for March 9th. Thank You Rosie! focus it towards my friends, my family, and are to our survival. For us, failure is not Please check our Facebook page for further updates. a better quality of life. an option. We must fight this new proposal We can't wait to share the new and improved Unfortunately, the Trump administra- that would end guaranteed access to the tion is proposing a change to Medicare treatments we need to stay alive. t Mixers with all of our wonderful customers. Part D in a way that would remove many This op-ed appeared in the Washington facebook.com/mixersbar/ of these certainties. The change – in the BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 9 Thinking OUTloud // mark my words

ect became a White House Challenge Pie-in-the-Sky Dreams: project as well as being named national- ly as best affordable living building by AIA Worth Having reotyped, and survived, the jobs you had (American Institute of Architects). But what along the way most likely didn’t give you is more miraculous are the residents. They By Mark Segal much for your “golden years.” have become the soul of the thriving LGBT I want to share a success story with you, For those who grew older living in the community and an inspiration to all. They which started in the pages of Philadelphia Gayborhood, they saw rents climbing and not only live in the building, but they allow Gay News. Once upon a time, I wrote a many had to leave the community they the building to be a center of the communi- column with the headline, “The Pie-in-the- helped build. Then, there are the choic- ty. When someone in the community needs Sky Project.” It was about a project on the es of affordable housing offered by other help, they are there. They volunteer and drawing board. It would create affordable communities, many not inviting for our se- contribute to our growing community, and housing for members of our LGBT senior niors. I won’t list horror stories here. if you are having a bad day, just stroll over community, to be located in their own com- So, once you realize there’s a need, the to Anderson and I promise you, you’ll leave munity. Most people thought it was prepos- next step is how to plan buying property, with a smile after watching the hectic pace terous – an impossibility. Some people government regulations, funding, zoning, of life rushing about you. even laughed. Still, others didn’t under- contractors, legal issues, getting neighbor- Don’t be afraid to dream big. The board stand the need. hood and senior organizations onboard in- of the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund did, and As with any column, I listed the basics, cluding the LGBT community itself, and the the force of its positive work of unifying starting with what should be obvious, that list goes on. But as I recall, the issue that the community brought about real change. LGBT seniors are our first real out gener- column made many people laugh at was Five years on, and those residents repre- ation – especially those seniors who were that we needed to raise the $19.8 million sent us and inspire us. t out when they were young, which would to finance it. hiladelphia Mark Segal is publisher of P Senior LGBT have been in the 1950s to the 70s. They It was all done within three years – a Gay News. living – John were on the front lines of discrimination, national record. C. Anderson and if you were out at that time, chances So, the week of January 20th marks Apartments. are you wouldn’t get a decent job with any the fifth anniversary of the first LGBT se- celebrate their retirement plan. And many have lost touch nior moving into the John C. Anderson fifth anniversary with family, which for many seniors is a ma- Apartments. in Philadelphia jor resource. And, if you were trans or ste- Along the way, this pie in the sky proj- facebook.com/BaltimoreOUTloud

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10 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com quality of life // Health and Wellness Who Will Watch Out ing up these directives is a free resource. New workshop offers info on Many have told us, “wow, the conversation for You? advance planning and directives shifted my understanding and lens.” If someone cannot make the ses- By Aaron Cahall need to be made, not giving your voice and sion, or wants more information after Chase Brexton Health Care power away, and considering those deci- attending, where should they go? Who would take care of you if you couldn’t sions ahead of time. It’s also about letting In addition to our Lunch & Learn ses- take care of yourself? Who would be al- others know about your preferences – both sion on March 14th, we’ll be offering an lowed to make decisions about your med- your family/families of choice and your advance directives workshop before the ical care and other affairs? Are your wishes healthcare providers – and making sure Trans vs. Bureaucracy clinic on March set down in writing and legally binding? they understand what you want and what 26th, beginning at 5 pm at Chase Brex- If you don’t have answers to these you don’t want. ton’s Mount Vernon Center (2nd floor • ArchitecturAlly-stunning questions, Why are they so important for conference room). The LGBT Health Re- wedding venue • members of the LGBT community, source Center can offer assistance by call- • indOOR & OuTdOOR wedding especially elders? ing 410-837-2050 x1049. In addition, you CeReMOnieS, ReCePTiOnS, can make an advance medical directive by Advance planning and directives And eLOPeMenTS • are important for all individuals, not visiting Mydirectives.com, or by visiting the just elders. As a tool in the LGBTQ Maryland Attorney General’s website at • OveR 30 SAMe-Sex weddingS community, advance planning is in- Tinyurl.com/MarylandAGadvance. FreeS- SinCe 2013 • valuable. We are a community that tate Justice is also available to help at Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Free-statejustice.org. t too often struggles to be heard and ChaseCourtWeddingVenue sustain our voices in the communi- To register for the upcoming Lunch & ty. This resource strengthens that Learn Session, RSVP to lgbt@chasebrex- 410-727-1112 • chasecourt.com voice and specifically defines what ton.org or call 410-837-2050 x1049. For 1112 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD we want with dignity and respect, more on the LGBT Health Resource Cen- Owned and Operated by David Egan, whether in a natural journey or in ter’s older adult programming, visit Chase- wedding columnist for BaltimoreOUTloud. the event of an unplanned situation Brexton.org/LGBTelders. where we cannot speak for our- selves. Advance directives identify who we want involved and how we want them involved in advocating for our well-being. We’ve been educating the lo- cal community about the need for advance directives for a while now. How do you feel that mes- sage has been received? Are people making plans who might not have before? Monte Yes! While we’re currently Ephraim spreading this message in part- an upcoming Lunch & Learn workshop nership with the Maryland Depart- hosted by The LGBT Health Resource Center can help. “Don’t Give Your Pow- ment of Health, the LGBT Health er Away,” a seminar on advance medical Resource Center has advocated care planning in association with FreeState for advanced planning and directives for Justice, is scheduled for Thursday, March several years, and we’ll continue to do so. 14th, from noon to 1:30 pm in the commu- As we travel the state providing this edu- nity room at Chase Brexton’s Mount Vernon cation, we continue to see how significant Center (1111 North Charles Street, Balti- an issue this is in the LGBT community, more). Anyone interested in attending or re- and the disparities that individuals face in ceiving more information on this upcoming advocating for their medical care. Lunch and Learn workshop may RSVP to What kind of experiences have you [email protected] or call 410-837- heard about from people who did not 2050 x1049. have advance directives in place? We asked Monte Ephraim, the work- We have heard – and dispelled – many shop’s presenter, for more on what individu- common myths from a cultural perspec- als need to know about advance directives. tive. Some people believe that an advance What are advance planning and di- directive means that medical providers will rectives? not deliver their best care. Others haven’t Advance care planning involves learn- considered what could happen in an emer- ing about the types of decisions that might gency situation, or didn’t know that draw-

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 11 quality of life // Health and Wellness

that lengthening telo- 1% of the material risk factors best predicted death within five meres is a good idea. Lon- in chromosomes years. In addition to telomere length, some ger telomeres are associat- is made up of of the risk factors looked at were smoking, ed with longer life, but they genes. The oth- blood pressure, diabetes, body weight, and Open Wide are also associated with an er 99% includes exercise habits. In this study, longer telo- increased rate of several histones (pro- meres were not associated with longer life. ask Dr Eva kinds of cancer. Long life teins) and strings Factors that were associated with premature Dr Eva Hersh does not necessarily mean of DNA which do death: smoking, higher alcohol consumption, long, healthy life. not code for pro- high blood pressure, high-fat diet, obesity, teins (non-cod- inactivity, and chronic physical stress such Telomeres So, what are telomeres? ing DNA). In the as chronic infections. In blood testing, high Telomeres are caps of past, histones and LDL cholesterol, high blood sugar, and de- and Longer Life genetic material that cover non-coding DNA creased kidney function all predicted earlier the end of each chromo- were thought of as death, but short telomere length did not. some (see illustration). protective material After diving extensively into this topic, it Dear Dr. Eva, They were discovered whose only func- seems to me that the science of epigenetics Can you explain epigenetics and telo- in 1939. To discuss telo- tion was to prevent and telomeres is fascinating but not yet clin- meres? There are a lot of supplements out meres, we first need to get on the What plastic tips are damage to the genes. The ically useful. Don’t waste your money on now that are supposed to lengthen people’s same page about some basics of ge- to shoelaces old name for non-coding DNA products that claim to lengthen telomeres. life by making their telomeres netics. Genes are located on ... telomeres are to was “nonsense DNA.” Boring as it is, the conclusions of research strands of your DNA longer. Any truth to that? No simple the DNA double helix. Genes In recent decades, re- into longevity show what we already sus- Juan P. de Leon carry all the instructions to search has shown that his- pected: whatever lifespan you are geneti- equation make and maintain our bod- tones and non-coding DNA cally likely to have, you can live longer by Dear Juan, ies. Every inherited characteristic control the activity of genes, turning genes avoiding tobacco and alcohol, limiting fat in I notice that you are using the name of is passed on through genes. Chromosomes on and off so that proteins are made in the your diet, and keeping physically active. t Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer who are structures in the nucleus of each cell that right amounts and at the right times. His- Eva Hersh, MD, is a family physician and came to Florida in 1513 looking for the Foun- contain the DNA. Every gene functions by tones, non-coding DNA, and a process fellow of the American Academy of Family tain of Youth. He did not find it. The search producing a specific protein, then these pro- called DNA methylation all influence genes Physicians. Send your comments and ques- for longer life is as old as humans’ recogni- teins cause effects in the body. to produce more protein, less, or none of it. tions to her at [email protected]. tion of death. People have always looked for Are you with me so far? Look up and Epigenetics is the study of how these ways to lengthen our lives. The science of take a deep breath, and let’s continue. Fac- factors outside the genes affect gene telomeres is complex and rapidly evolving, tors that were associated with premature activity. but two key points are clear: death: smoking, higher alcohol consump- 1) At this time there is no known way tion, high blood pressure, high-fat diet, obe- Telomeres and longevity to lengthen telomeres. So far, no scientific sity, inactivity, and chronic physical stress Every time a cell divides, the two studies have shown that any drug, supple- such as chronic infections. In blood testing, new cells have shorter telomeres ment, diet, exercise or lifestyle change can high LDL cholesterol, high blood sugar, and than the parent cell did. Part of the lengthen telomeres. Factors that were asso- decreased kidney function all predicted ear- telomere is used up in the process ciated with premature death: smoking, high- lier death, but short telomere length did not. of cell division. The more times a er alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, Each chromosome is made of DNA, cell divides (copies itself), the short- high-fat diet, obesity, inactivity, and chronic which is tightly coiled around proteins called er its telomeres become. When the physical stress such as chronic infections. histones. There are 23 pairs of chromo- telomere becomes too short, the cell In blood testing, high LDL cholesterol, high somes in every cell, except for egg and can’t divide. Inability of cells to divide blood sugar, and decreased kidney function sperm cells, which have just one set of 23 leads to aging because the body los- all predicted earlier death, but short telomere chromosomes each. It has long been known es the ability to repair damage. While length did not. that chromosomes include a lot of other ma- this suggests that longer telomeres 2) Even more important, it’s not clear terial in addition to the genes. Only about should mean longer life, research re- sults in this area are uncertain, con- fused, and contradictory. Telomeres seem to be be longer in longer-lived Law Office of people, but it’s unclear whether lon- David M. Lutz, P.A. ger telomeres themselves cause long life, or if they are a result of other pro- cesses that lead to longevity. Longer •Auto Accidents •Workers’ Compensation telomere length does not necessari- ly lead to longer life. Small mammal •Personal Injury •DUI/DWI species like mice have much longer •Criminal Defense •Traffic Court telomeres than humans, but much Se Habla Español shorter lifespans. On the other hand, women’s telomeres tend to be longer 1901 Fleet Street Baltimore, MD 21231 than men’s, and women on average Phone: 410-558-3700 (English) • 410-299-2898 (Español) live five years longer than men. A 2016 study followed 4,500 mid- E-mail: [email protected] • lawlutz.com dle-aged people to see which of 20 12 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com quality of life // Health and Wellness

Fascia is an elastic fabric just below the skin, covering and going through all of our are not listening and only relating the event Mending muscles, wrapping around our arteries to yourself. Ergo, it is all about me! the and veins and even our nerves. It is literal- Ask When we are in a stressful situation, the ly everywhere and connects from head to response by the physical and the emotional Gap toe in a diagonal pattern. Our right arm is Dr. J systems involves anxiety as well as depres- Charles Dudley connected to the left leg and the left arm Janan Broadbent, Ph.D. sive thoughts. Setbacks bring on feelings is connected to the right leg via the fas- about this being a fault in behavior, in char- cia network. This allows us to glide from acter or in decision-making. None of those Scars: More one motion into the next by winding up and responses comfort, so then comes coping stretching the elastic fibers of the fascia, Why Isn’t it All mechanisms that might have helped us and using that kinetic energy to move into in the past. First: You started it, you did it! Than Skin-Deep the next motion. This is why we walk in op- About Me? This is our inner child rebelling. That is the position. cognitive error I refer to. You are no longer “The best people all have some kind of What happens when we put a kink in Have you ever been told: You know, it is not a child, and life is not a smooth path. So how scar.” ― Kiera Cass, The One this fabric? Doesn’t really matter how we all about you! Or maybe you uttered those do you deal with a stressful situation and not I found this quote the other day and it got the kink/scar tissue, but it has an effect. words of dissatisfaction yourself as to how take it personally or ascribe the fault to your could not be any truer. We all have scars Last month I wrote about changes in sen- a conflict is being discussed. Taking things partner? How do you take the appropriate of some sort or another whether they are sation after a mastectomy, trans or other- personally is a cognitive error we all make amount of responsibility and get away from emotional or physical scars. Some scars wise. Scar tissue shrinks as it matures and at different times, because everyone has a are physical but internal and still settles in. Now the net- pool of insecurity, some more than others. not visible. Scars are work of fascia has not If I tell you I just fell and broke my arm, and a sign that a transfor- just an anchor but also you proceed to elaborate on that time when mation has occurred a pull where it should your leg was shattered in three places, you on the way to being not. This can manifest who we are today, a in knee pain, ankle transformation coming pain, hip pain. I am re- at some personal cost. minded of a few cas- this time we are re-aligning the scar tissue The bigger the scar the es recently in which so the fibers line up with each other, lay bigger cost and often I saw two trans men flat, and look better, move better. It’s like the bigger the lessons with foot problems, taking a box of toothpicks and dumping 100% blame to yourself or to the other? learned. and when I looked at them onto the counter in an unorganized In a relationship, it is crucial to realize Why do we scar? their mastectomies, heap. The fibers are going in all sorts of that we are not the total purveyor of the part- Why can’t things go we discovered some directions and it is lumpy. Roll your hand ner’s happiness, not are they the same for back to the way they issues with the over the toothpicks back and forth. Eventu- ours. In loving a person, we do contribute to were before? How are scars – they were ally the toothpicks all are laying flat, in the their well-being or lack thereof. If I lie and we effected by scars? not moving as well same layer, and line up in the same direc- cheat, of course it will affect the loved one’s The fundamental pur- as they should. Not tion. Scar tissue is the same way. Massage state of mind and actions. But how they deal pose of scar tissue is to only can this cre- it perpendicular to the incision, back and with the disappointment is what they deter- seal the hole as quickly ate a restriction in forth, rolling the tissue under your finger mine. That can range from total unaccept- as possible. When injury which things don’t thus encouraging the fibers to line up with able violence to a rational discussion. Like- occurs, physical or emo- glide the way they each other, in the same direction and the wise, at my end, there are many options as tional, there is usually should but it can to how I would take responsibility or at the damaged tissue, a hole also trap nerves “When scar tissue extreme end, claim they caused me to lie from the cut or torn tis- Face your in the scar and and cheat (Yes, I have heard this, that the sue. Our body immediately jumps into scars, regain become painful. Ironically forms and tacks one partner made the person have an affair!). repair mode, starting with inflammation to flexibility, enough I was also work- layer to another, the So how do we figuratively step outside send out the news that there’s an injury, and, please, ing with a cis-woman who of ourselves and discuss a difficult matter and certain chemicals are dumped into the put down had double mastectomies, layers no longer glide without making it all about ourselves? The area to start the healing process, including that Uzi! breast implants, then radia- first step is not to respond impulsively. Take the formation of scar tissue. The scar tis- tion to one side. Again, we over each other: they a deep breath. Give each other a bit of time sue’s job is to seal the hole as quickly as it go back to the scars and will be stuck together to recover from the shock. Own your behav- can with long, spindly fibers that crisscross connect the dots for why the woman was ior, hard as it might be. And most importantly, in all sorts of directions and will tack one having chronic knee pain on the side op- and move as one.” know that you are responsible for your own layer of tissue to another. The trouble is posite the radiation. Radiation scars be- mood and behavior. Getting yourself to a bet- that the layers of the body (skin, fascia, fat, have differently than traumatic injury scars ter frame of mind will help in sorting through fascia, muscle, etc.) are suppose to glide by developing problems many years later. same layer. The same thing holds true for the stressful conflict. In claiming ownership over each other. When scar tissue forms Traditional scars will become problematic emotional scars too, even the old ones we of your state of mind, and giving your partner fairly quickly, well within the first year. have hidden for many years. We can con- theirs, you take a huge step in following a and tacks one layer to another, the layers t no longer will glide over each other: they What can be done? Lots! The main front the scar and the injury from a place healthy and strengthening connection. will be stuck together and move as one. thing is to massage the scar. Unlike the of forgiveness which allows us to process In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Maybe this would be a good place to neuro re-education I mentioned last month, what has happened and get our life moving – Albert Einstein t describe fascia and what it does for us. where we were updating the brain’s GPS, again, often in a new direction. BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 13 quality of life // Health and Wellness

as the more privileged party? it means to walk through the The In My worst nightmare is being world as a second-class citi- and “that white guy” and ruining this. zen. That default lack of context Mick L. (and therefore, true empathy) for the people of color experience Out Dear Mick, makes us less than optimal part- Andre Shakti I have bad news for you: ners, and it is our responsibility You will always be “that white to gracefully accept that. Not guy” simply by virtue of being every interracial relationship is Interracial white and male. doomed to fail – and there are No matter how progres- challenges inherent to them that sive or well-intentioned we are can make those bonds difficult Agonistes credit: Harlin as white people, we’ve been Malstone to navigate, particularly for the groomed to look down upon partner of color. Dear Andre, communities of color since You’re not the best partner for your boy- So, how can white partners I’m a white gay man in his early 20s birth. You can’t snap your fingers and erase friend. of people of color step up? and I’ve been dating my boyfriend for a that kind of insidious socialization, no mat- Which doesn’t necessarily mean that First, don’t shy away from dialogues little over six months. My boyfriend is Afri- ter how many partners of color you boast. you guys won’t work out! But. The more about race if your partner engages you in can-American, and he’s the first person of Racist ideologies don’t just permeate how marginalized you are, the more trauma you them. Conversations about racial inequali- color I’ve gotten serious with. I never really we see others; they’re wrapped up in our will endure over your lifetime at the hands ty are going to be uncomfortable for white gave that much thought until very recent- understanding of who we are. They bolster of those in power. The more traumatized people, and your impulse will be to avoid ly. My boyfriend has been full of hurt and our egos and shape our personal narra- you are, the less likely you’ll be to desire sitting in that discomfort. Resist that im- rage over what’s happening in our country, tives. Even if we devote our entire life to members of the group that oppressed, dis- pulse. and it’s been impacting our interactions racial justice, we have a responsibility to empowered, and abused you. It’s simple. Conversely, accept the fact that you’re with each other. I don’t blame him one bit, continually interrogate our own oppressive People of color have every right to decline not going to always be your partner’s first but I’m concerned for the future of our re- thought patterns, unlearn toxic scripts, and dating white folks, and they often do. No choice when they want to talk about race. lationship. Is it my place to console him? hold ourselves accountable when we fuck matter how much we educate ourselves That privilege is reserved for members of How can I best support him? What are my up. Which we will do, constantly. or devote time to listening to communities their community who just “get it” without responsibilities in an interracial relationship I have even more bad news for you: of color, we’ll never truly understand what your partner having to educate the listen- er, choose their words carefully, or edit their emotional responses for their listener’s benefit. Second, remove yourself as the center of every narrative. Your partner’s anger and Youfit Health Clubs is AboutYoufit knows that eachOne gym member is a one-of- frustration and grief are less about you per- a-kind. That’s why our certified YouCoaches craft cus- sonally and more about the entire complex tomized one-on-one personal training sessions to help web of a systemically oppressive system. Thing:THE EARLY MORNINGS, You.the quick lunch breaks, the members get on the right track to reach individual Don’t take it personally. If you find yourself late nights – there is always time in the day to carve out goals. for the gym. One common thread that unites all gym-go- Once you walk through the doors, you can see doing so, don’t rely on your partner to help ers, whether they are early risers or night owls, is the that green is our color. We’re dedicated to being the dissuade your concerns. Lean on other freedom they feel in their environment to let everything most energy efficient and environmentally friendly white folks with your thoughts and feelings go and just workout. People want a warm and welcoming health club in the nation. The gym floors at all 110- and make sure you have a solid self-care place where there is no concern of their fitness level, but plus Youfit locations are made from Nike Grind and simply a gym devoted to its members’ journey to a health- other recycled rubber materials, and each Youfit lo- practice going. ier lifestyle. That place is Youfit Health Clubs. cation practices additional eco-friendly initiatives. Third, make sure you’re combatting Youfit Health Clubs, founded in 2008, is a chain of bud- Aside from the gym itself, Youfit Health Clubs racist microaggressions in your everyday get-friendly fitness centers with 110 locations across the US, is all about connecting with the community and life. Whether it’s your well-meaning family predominantly in the South and Western regions. Youfit was empowering people to develop healthier lifestyles. That’s or your supposed-to-be-socially-conscious founded by Rick Berks with the aim of creating gyms with a where this article comes in to play. We want you to be the best “what- welcoming environment where everyone fits. With affordable gym member- ever is special about you,” according to you. friends, sometimes people are going to say ships and state of the art facilities, Youfit is dedicated to helping members Over the next several months we will be connecting with you or do things that are fucked up. And it’s get the most out of life. The goal has always been to create a space where no right here, giving you work out tips, updating you on upcoming gym your job – both as the partner and a fellow matter if it is the first time you walk-into a gym or the 500th time, we offer events and offering that extra boost of motivation for you on your white person – to say something. Pro tip: you the resources to succeed and feel confident about the time spent at your fitness journey. If you are already a member or if you’re consider- new neighborhood getaway. ing joining the Youfit Make sure you talk to your partner about In October 2018, Youfit opened its second Baltimore location in Loch family, we hope that this how they’d prefer you respond to a micro- Raven. Youfit Baltimore-Loch Raven is conveniently located inside the Ra- column inspires you to aggression when they’re present. ven Shopping Center behind the Exxon gas station at the Northeast corner try a new class, sign up Finally, as I alluded to earlier in this col- of Loch Raven Boulevard and Northern Parkway. At this location you can for a personal training find a wide array of amenities ranging from energetic group fitness classes session or even use a new umn, don’t let your pride get in the way of to personal training. In order to add more dimension to your workout or machine that you have owning up to your mistakes. Understand work day, Youfit Baltimore – Loch Raven will also feature a cardio theatre, always been curious that sometimes you’re going to say or do YouEscape arcade, sauna, and more! about because every visit racist things – and be ready to take respon- If getting fit in a group setting is more your speed, Youfit offers a is a victory. Whatever the sibility, apologize sincerely, and have a plan wide-variety of group exercise classes like zumba, Silver Sneakers, cycle case may be, Youfit is a t classes, and more! Join the fun and refresh your gym routine, get a good gym that really is about for how to do better going forward. sweat and connect with fellow members in a feel-good setting. one thing only: you.

14 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com SPIRITUAL DIRECTORY Chevrei Tzedek Congregation Baltimore Ethical Society Govans Presbyterian Church 3101 Fallstaff Road, 306 W Franklin Street, #102 5828 York Road. Baltimore, MD 21209 Baltimore, MD 21201 Baltimore MD 21212 410-581-2322. baltimoreethicalsociety.org 410-435-9188. govanspres.org [email protected] www.chevreitzedek.org Bolton Street Synagogue Interfaith Fairness 212 West Coldspring Lane Coalition of MD (443) 992-7485 Baltimore, MD 21210 P.O. Box 13132 410-235-5354. boltonstreet.org Baltimore MD 21203 RABBI RORY KATZ 410-233-5555. ifcmd.org JTS Gladstein Fellow Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church MCC of Baltimore An informal, Welcoming, Participatory, Conservative Jewish Community 1316 Park Avenue 405 West Monument Street. Baltimore MD 21217 Baltimore MD 21201 410-523-1542. browndowntown.org 410-669-6222 mccbaltimore.org Chevrei Tzedek Congregation 3101 Fallstaff Road Memorial Episcopal Church 䄀䰀䰀 䄀刀䔀 圀䔀䰀䌀伀䴀䔀 Baltimore MD 21209 1407 Bolton Street 䴀愀猀猀 匀挀栀攀搀甀氀攀 443-992-7485. chevreitzedek.org Baltimore MD 21217 匀愀琀甀爀搀愀礀 㔀㨀㌀ 瀀⸀洀 410-669-0220 匀甀渀搀愀礀 㤀 愀⸀洀⸀Ⰰ ㄀ 㨀㐀㔀 愀⸀洀⸀Ⰰ ㄀㈀㨀㄀㔀 瀀⸀洀 Congregation Beit Tikvah memorialepiscopal.org 5802 Roland Avenue 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⸀ Baltimore MD 21210 New Light MCC 410-464-9402. beittikvah.org 40 W. Church Street 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 Hagerstown MD 21740 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 Emmanuel Episcopal Church 301-797-5698 811 Cathedral Street newlightmcc.com 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 Baltimore, MD 21201 㐀㄀ ⴀ㤀㘀㤀ⴀ㈀㜀㠀㌀ 㐀㄀ ⴀ㤀㘀㤀ⴀ㈀㜀㠀㌀ 410-685-1130. emmanueldowntown.org The Church of the Advent 1301 South Charles Street First and Franklin Street. Baltimore, MD 21230 Presbyterian Church 410-539-7804 210 W. Madison Street advent-baltimore.org Baltimore MD 21201-4693 410-728-5545. firstfranklin.org Veritas United Church of Christ First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 22 N Mulberry Street., Suite 113 1 West Hamilton Street. Hagerstown, MD 21740 Baltimore MD 21201 240- 310-6891 410-685-2330. firstunitarian.net veritashagerstown.com

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Worship Sunday, 11a.m. Christian Education Classes The Source for the lgbtq community Sunday, 9:45 a.m. To advertise in our Spiritual directory browndowntown.org please call 410-802-1310 1316 Park Ave., Balt., MD, 21217 BaltimoreOutloud.com 410.523.1542

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 15 Lively Arts // personalities

just depends from place to place and family to Health & Happiness family how these things will affect you; espe- cially coming out. by Gregg Shapiro you working with an out- Yes, I guess there “Impossible” and “Blasé,” which has We may only be a few months into the new side producer (Craig Pot- is, in a way, although an emotional quality similar to “Impossi- year, but it’s safe to say that Health (FatCat) ter) and musicians, includ- An interview with out that wasn’t a con- ble,” are presented in unexpectedly upbeat by gay singer/songwriter C Duncan will find a ing a youth choir (Hallé scious thing. I am arrangements. Was that done intentionally place on my 2019 best-of list at the end of the Youth Choir). What was it singer/songwriter very inspired by David to lighten the delivery of the messages? year. At turns gorgeous (the title track, “Care” about these songs that ne- Hockney, as you could I think so. Certainly in “Blasé,” it was much and “He Came from the Sun”), undeniably cessitated such a move? C Duncan see from the artwork. I more tongue in cheek. “Impossible” is about danceable (“Pulses & Rain,” “Impossible”), With these songs, I want- think it’s just my song- my current relationship. My partner, who I’ve irresistibly retro (“Stuck Here with You” and ed to make something bigger writing, because I love been with for a couple of years, used to work “Somebody Else’s Home”) and sometimes sounding than my previous albums. I’ve al- listening to Dionne Warwick and the old Burt on the other side of Scotland, working night- all three at once (“Talk Talk Talk” and “Holiday ways toyed with the idea of having strings and Bacharach songs, and the Mills Brothers and time hours, and I was working during the day. Home”), Health is music that is good for you. a choir, but because of the way I used to re- Ink Spots and the old barber shop quartets, so “Blasé” is basically a sort of “fuck you” track I spoke with Duncan about the album shortly cord, which was pretty much in my bedroom or I guess that just filtered in, but it wasn’t delib- done in a slightly jaunty way [laughs]. I had fun before its March 2019 release. living room, I couldn’t seem to get a choir into erate to make it sound 1960s. It just came out writing it. It’s like, “I’m over it now, but I’m still Gregg Shapiro: Chris, for those who my house. As I was writing the songs, I thought that way. going to write a snippy song about it.” might not be familiar with your work, would I better start writing arrangements for other in- I detect the influence of gay singer/ I also love the dance vibes of “Holi- you mind saying a few words about releas- struments and other singers with the hopes of songwriter John Grant in “He Came from day Home” and “Pulses & Rain.” Are you ing your three full-length albums as C Dun- going into the studio. Then I went on tour with the Sun,” as well as Prefab Sprout “Wrong someone who likes to go out dancing? can, as opposed to Chris Duncan. (the band) Elbow and got to know Craig (Pot- Side of the Door,” and The High Llamas on I do like dancing, yes. I listen to quite a C Duncan: My name is actually Christo- ter) well. I thought it would be a perfect match the title cut. Am I on the right track in terms lot of upbeat electronic dance music. I tend to pher Duncan, but I’ve shortened it to C Duncan to go into the studio with him to make the al- of some of these other musical influences? dance around my house a lot, not so for my pop style of music. I also write classical bum I wanted to make. Absolutely. Definitely. Especially John much out music, which I do under the name Christopher There’s a bit of a 1960s vibe to Health, Grant. He’s been a big influence from the David Hockney-esque cover im- on me. There’s this ballad writ- See Duncan. I thought for the pop world, I’d make it C Duncan sing pop age to many of the musical arrangements ing that he does, certainly on the a bit cooler and snappier. – But see C-dot It worked! Your new album Health finds on the album. Queen of Denmark album. Actu- Duncan classically ally, I love his most recent album compose (Love is Magic) musically, and JANUARY 17 - MARCH 17 also his willingness to be so open about everything that he writes about. I find that such a great start- ing point for his music. He says things as they are. It’s easy to get into his head-space. There’s no mystery surrounding his music, it’s there for all to see. Speaking of “He Came from the Sun,” it sounds to me like one in clubs anymore. Let Me Entertain You! of the most profound coming out Are there dance remixes of those two songs I’ve heard in a long time. tracks in the works? I wrote that around the same time as the I don’t know (about the others) at the whole Chechnyan anti-gay purge was started. moment, but there is for “Talk Talk Talk.” As That had a big effect on me. It got me think- things go on, we tend to get quite a few remix- ing about my own coming out, finding out who es made. I’ll do a remix for another artist and TobysDinnerTheatre.com I was, and how easy a time I’ve had. Even they’ll do one for me. As the campaign goes 410-730-8311 though I had my struggles, for most people along, I’m guessing we’ll end up with some re- Due to the nature of theatrical bookings, all shows and dates are subject to change. • Toby’s Dinner Theatre, Columbia, MD to come out there is that struggle of having mixes of those two tracks certainly. to come out as anything. It’s mind-boggling What are the chances that your fans to think that such things (as the anti-gay vi- stateside will get to experience you live in olence in Chechnya) still go on in the world. concert? That, combined with the relationship I had with I would absolutely love to come back out my ex-partner, whose father was still very ho- to the States. At the moment, we’re basical- mophobic. He couldn’t get his head around ly waiting to see how the album goes down the fact that his son was gay and he wouldn’t and then hopefully get some funding and then discuss it. We went out for just over a year. I’ll come straight back to the States again. I I never met his father because it just wasn’t was there at the end of 2017 with Elbow and worth it. It would have caused too much up- I just loved it. I loved the audiences. I really roar in the family, even though I got to know hope that I get to come across again. That’s OPENING MARCH 21 his mom well. It got me thinking about my own my plan. t situation. How fortunate I am, but also how it 16 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com Lively Arts // out on stage // music Crooning the American Woman of a Thousand preserve and propagate this musical form? I Christina Songbook started thinking in terms of a physical place Voices one in New York has heard for artifacts, of ways to educate young peo- Bianco to visit of, and vice versa. So, it’s up ple, to keep the music going, to keep it fresh By Brynn Devereaux to me to make the applicable By Billy Treger and alive. It was a conflagration of ideas that “I truly believe that imitation is changes, insuring that each When Michael Feinstein moved to Califor- Baltimore came together ten years the sincerest form of flattery, audience understands all of nia at the age of 20, he went to ago.” so everything I do, is done my references, both musical a psychic to receive some life’s February 28th to From recordings that with love,” says Christina Bian- and spoken. For a symphonic direction. A waiter at a piano bar Michael have earned him five Gram- co, the woman of “a thousand program, I try to balance more where he was playing had made March 3rd my Award nominations to voices.” This actress, singer, legit, traditional music with the suggestion. Feinstein his Emmy nominated PBS and impressionist will join the some popular hits that appeal “I’d never been to a psychic,” headlines at TV specials, his acclaimed Baltimore Symphony Orches- to a wide age range. Once you he says, “And I figured $25 – NPR series, and concerts at tra (BSO) from now until March 3rd to show- have the set list, you practice, practice, prac- what the heck?” J Live at the iconic venues including the case the world’s most famous divas. “My goal tice! I practice to my dog, in the mirror, on air- The psychic told him that, in White House, Buckingham is to honor these women, not to lampoon or planes and subways. It’s cliche, but it works!” the future, he’d be singing music Gordon April Palace, Hollywood Bowl, poke fun at them. I think it’s very clear to an Bianco’s career impersonating divas de- and be known as much for the and Carnegie Hall, Fein- audience when an impressionist is truly a ‘fan’ fines her own relationship to performance. way he “set up” songs as for how 8th stein’s work as an educator of their subject.” “Studying these icons is a masterclass and he sang them. And that’s exactly and archivist has defined Bianco gained international attention with only makes me a better performer in my own what Feinstein is doing today. him as one of the most important musical her YouTube videos featuring impressions of right. It’s a very unique feeling to give yourself Feinstein’s breakthrough performance forces of our time. Celine Dion, Julie Andrews, Bernadette Pe- over to the voice, phrasing, and mannerisms came in spring 1985 when, by default, he was Today, Feinstein feels most happy about ters, and others. She has sung to audiences of someone else,” says Bianco. “However, I’m offered a gig at San Francisco’s Plush Room, finding a certain level of peace in life, of not all over the world, performed on TV on “Ellen lucky that I also get to be myself during the a venue for jazz and cabaret artists. feeling the “dogs nip- DeGeneres” and the “Today Show,” and has show. It’s a wonderful balance. I never take “Someone fell ping at my heels like I been nominated for two Drama Desk Awards. for granted that I get to do what I love, singing out and they need- haven’t done enough.” Bianco’s blend of iconic singers, songs, and in so many styles and voices in one concert. ed someone to do Of the many ac- humor make her must-see performer. The fact that I get to do it with the incredible a show,” Feinstein colades and awards To create the best show possible, Bi- talents of the Baltimore Symphony, under the recalls. This was he has garnered over anco customizes her shows as she travels. baton of the illustrious Jack Everly, is icing on the first time he per- the years, he says, “Choosing the right music is a very tricky the cake!” formed at a venue “Awards are wonder- process,” she relates. “This is particularly im- This will be Bianco’s fourth time per- where audiences ful in the moment, but portant when you’re adding any comedic ele- forming with the BSO, and this show will be focused on listening, it is the quality of life ments,” says Bianco. “For the past few years, different from anything Baltimore has seen a contrast from per- that’s most import- I’ve traveled the world performing across the before. “This concert celebrates the world’s forming at piano bars, Michael ant.” UK, Australia, and South Africa, and there most iconic vocalists and pop-culture person- where crowds enjoy Feinstein “I think that the are famous celebrities in London that no alities from yesterday and today – and I will drinking and talking. experience of relax- endeavor to embody all of them! You’ll hear At the Plush ing more in life has improved my art. To be countless celebrity impressions, heartfelt Room that night, Fein- stein started able to breathe and let things unfold without the world.” standards, Broadway classics, and yes, even talking about the songs he performed as he trying to push things. My ability to interpret “For me, my inner path, finding a spiritual a little pop! Whether I’m singing in my own sang them. “Everything clicked,” he recalls. music has grown by not trying so hard and center, has given me desire to, through my voice or impersonating the great divas we all The show received rave reviews in the San allowing inspiration to come through in a nat- art, to help people to find that in whatever that know and love, the aim is to show my appre- Francisco Chronicle. “Things really started to ural way.” means to them.” ciation for this timeless music and the artists shift. It was an amazing feeling because it He continues, “I want to continue to find Join the J Monday, April 8th for J Live at who’ve inspired me,” says Bianco. “I should was completely unexpected.” ways to help people to have a better life. Mu- the Gordon with Michael Feinstein. add that the show is also a little silly. My favor- Ira Gershwin, who Feinstein worked for sic is a means of connecting with people, Feinstein is looking forward to it, the ite segment depicts ‘unlikely’ combinations of as an assistant for six years, had died two connecting with the soul to hopefully bring “live-in-the-moment connection with the audi- a singer and song you wouldn’t expect. Ever years earlier in August 1983. “I was just play- people together. The inherent power of mu- ence,” he relishes, the “combined energy that wonder what Liza Minnelli would sound like ing piano and trying to figure out what to do sic is inestimable in what it can bring to our creates something fresh and mysterious.” singing a Four Seasons hit? Well, you’re gon- next, and suddenly I had a bona fide career society.” “It’s an evolution, and I feel like I am still na find out!” as an entertainer. I loved to be able to play Because there is so much turmoil and evolving musically. The live experience is Christina Bianco will perform at the Music music for a living – I felt lucky.” conflict, Feinstein says he would like to con- how that happens for me – the evolution of a Center at Strathmore on Thursday, February In addition to performing, Feinstein is the tinue to find ways to help people be happy “in shared experience.” 28th at 8 pm; and at the Joseph Meyerhoff founder of the Great American Songbook a time when everything seems like it’s falling Feinstein performs Monday, April 8th at Symphony Hall on Friday, March 1st at 8 pm; Foundation, dedicated to celebrating the art apart.” the Gordon Center for the Performing Arts Saturday, March 2nd at 8pm; and Sunday, form and preserving it through education- “I listen to a lot of vintage recordings and at the Rosenbloom Owing Mills JCC (3506 March 3rd at 3 pm. After visiting Baltimore, al programs, master classes, and the High radio material. If you listen to a lot of record- Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills). For tick- Bianco will fly toA ustralia, London, and New School Songbook Academy. ings from the 1950s, there is the same sort ets and more info, call 410-559-3500 or visit York City. After a series of US performances The idea for the Great American Song- of feeling of desperation and worry about the Jcc.org/jlive. At 7:30 pm there’s a pre-show this spring, she will embark on her second UK book Foundation came to Feinstein one day Cold War and nuclear threats. There has al- dessert reception, open bar, and live auction, tour this fall. For ticket info, visit BSOMusic. when he was sitting in the basement of his ways been this unrest in our society and in with the performance starting at 8:30 pm. t org. t home thinking, “What am I going to do to

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 17 Cockpit In Court Lively Arts // screen savor Summer Theatre Every Day is Halloween By Gregg Shapiro donfield on Halloween 40 2019 AUDITIONS Forty years after John Carpen- years after the babysitter ter redefined the slasher film in Trump murders. The lone sur- with the original “Halloween,” vivor of the crash is Dr. AUDITION DATES that movie’s lead character Lau- World Sartain, who insisted on rie (Jamie Lee Curtis) returns to accompanying his prize MAINSTAGE & CABARET take care of some unfinished business in patient. Myers’ first victims include a boy the 2018 version of Halloween (Universal named Lumpy and his father, gas station SATURDAY, MARCH 2 AT 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. / Blumhouse), the 11th in the series, now attendants, podcasters Dana and Aaron, SUNDAY, MARCH 3 AT 12 P.M. - 4 P.M. available on Blu-ray / DVD / Digital. and a couple of random women. Under the care of Dr. Sartain (Haluk Officer Hawkins (Will Patton), who has Court Jesters Young People's Theatre Production Bilginer), in a locked ward at Smith’s Grove his own history with Myers gets the call and Audition Dates to be Announced rehab facility, “pure evil” notorious masked about the crash and begins his pursuit of killer Michael Myers, who hasn’t uttered a Myers. When Laurie hears about the pris- CCBC Essex | 7201 Rossville Blvd | Rosedale, MD 21237 word in 40 years, is about to be transferred on bus crash on the news she goes into to a different facility. Taking full advantage full survivalist mode. She even breaks into 2019 SEASON PRODUCTIONS: of the interest of investigative podcasters Karen and Ray’s house to prove how un- Aaron (Jefferson Hall) and Dana (Rhian safe it is; but they want nothing to do with Rees), who rev him up by showing him his her. Disaster! famous mask, Michael silently plans his The night of the Halloween party, Vicky Greg brings home a dog he found in the escape. is babysitting for Julian (scene-stealer Ji- park, or that has found him, bearing the Meanwhile, Laurie (Curtis) lives in iso- brail Nantambu) and awaiting the arrival of name "Sylvia" on her name tag. A lation in the Illinois countryside in a heavily Dave. Allyson is at the school party with street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, barricaded house wired with CCTV cam- Cameron, but things go south when she Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention eras, bright lights and other security fea- catches him kissing another girl. During between husband and wife. tures. Aaron and Dana offer to pay Laurie their disagreement, Cameron throws Ally- $3,000 if she’ll allow them to enter her in- son’s phone into the punchbowl and she ner sanctum. Once inside, Laurie tells them storms away. there are “no new insights or discoveries” The scene is set for chaos. Vicky is Nice Work If You to learn about Meyers. A self-described babysitting, and we all know how Myers “basket case,” Laurie is taken aback when feels about babysitters. Allyson is with- Can Get It Aaron references her two failed marriages out a phone and essentially cut off from A hilarious new screwball comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It and the rocky relationship, she has with what is taking place. Laurie has convinced pokes fun at the Prohibition era in a clash of elegant socialites daughter Karen (Judy Greer). Adding insult Karen and Ray they aren’t safe and has and boorish bootleggers, all set to the glorious songs of to injury, Laurie is particularly high strung them in her house when she battens down George and Ira Gershwin. as Myers is being transferred to a new fa- the hatches. And the body count is rapid- cility where he is to be locked away until ly rising, setting the stage for the ultimate the end of his days shortly before Hallow- showdown, when we realize that Laurie’s een, no less. house, which was once considered a cage That morning, across town, Karen and by Karen, was really a trap set for Myers Sylvia Ray (Toby Huss) are looking forward to at- all along. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park, or that tending daughter Allyson’s (Andi Matichak) If Trump’s first two full years in office has found him, bearing the name "Sylvia" on her National Honor Society induction later in haven’t scared you enough, then this latest name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, the evening. Allyson is disappointed that iteration of “Halloween” should do the trick. Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between Laurie won’t be joining them. She’s busy Blu-ray / DVD / Digital bonus features in- husband and wife. with target practice, cleaning her guns and clude seven deleted extended scenes and securing her house. five featurettes. At school that day, we see Allyson in- Rating: B. t teracting with friends Vicky (Virginia Gard- ner), Dave (Miles Robbins), Oscar (Drew The Unexpected Guest Scheid) and her boyfriend Cameron (Dylan Lost in the fog, a stranger seeks refuge in a nearby house only to Arnold), as they discuss their plans for the find a man shot dead and his wife standing over him with a Halloween party. Laurie also surprises Al- smoking gun. A tangled web of lies reveals family secrets and lyson at school, giving her the $3,000 from facebook.com/BaltimoreOUTloud chilling motives, where the real murdered turns out to be the the journalists. It turns out that she and greatest mystery of all. Laurie have a secret relationship, unbe- knownst to Allyson’s parents. It wouldn’t be Halloween without Mi- To register and for more info visit our Facebook page chael Myers on the loose. After the bus Facebook.com/ccbccockpitincourt transporting him and other inmates crash- es, he is a free maniac on the prowl in Had- baltimoreoutloud.com

18 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com Lively ArtS // qmusic // between the covers Jewel and Thereafter The Early Bird Gets the By Gregg Shapiro In many ways, Jewel’s earnest modern folk cross-dressing) comedy troupe, the re- Are you sitting down? Jewel’s Atlantic Re- tunes could be seen as a reaction to Carey’s (Book)worm vised and updated edition of Monty Py- cords debut album Pieces of You was re- overblown bubblegum pop and sex kitten im- thon Speaks (Dey Street, 2019, 2005, leased almost 20 years ago. That’s 18 years age, while Ora sounds like a direct musical By Gregg Shapiro 1999) by David Morgan and featuring a before 2019 Grammy queen Kacey Mus- descendant. The 21st century has not been With the new year upon us, it’s never too foreword by John Oliver and lots of photos, graves’ trio of major-label triumphs, and a kind to Carey (and vice versa), beginning with early to begin assembling a reading list is the complete oral history of the group, good ten years before Musgraves’ fellow 2001’s dismal soundtrack to Glitter, her first for 2019. Visit your favorite independent which featured one openly 2019 Grammy-recipient (and Jewel’s fellow (and last) lead role in a movie (although she bookseller or the love-it-or- gay member, the late Gra- yodeler) Brandi Carlile’s debut album. So, managed to redeem herself in 2009’s Pre- hate-it Amazon.com to re- Forthcoming ham Chapman. how does the 12-times platinum Pieces of cious). She’s also label-bounced from Virgin serve and order copies of You think Brooklyn is You (Craft Recordings), newly (and officially) to Island/Def Jam and now to Epic with her these forthcoming LGBTQ LGBT queer now? When Brook- released as a 180-gram double LP (officially, latest Caution (Epic). A vocal acrobat in the books for readers of all (rain- lyn Was Queer (St. Martin’s because Atlantic released a similar vinyl set mold of Whitney Houston, Carey exhibits a bow) stripes. non-fiction Press, 2019) by Hugh Ryan in the 1990s) with five non-CD bonus tracks, kind of newfound restraint here. That doesn’t Owen Keehnen’s Du- traces the borough’s “vibrant hold up? Better than you might expect. Re- mean that the album doesn’t immediately gan’s Bistro and The Leg- and forgotten queer history,” leased in 1995, when the music world was fit into her considerable cat- end of the Bearded Lady (Out Tales, beginning in the mid-1850s and continuing having one of its every-so-often alog of songs about finding 2018) came out at the end of 2018, but it to the present day, essentially replacing women-dominated strength in tough times still deserves to be read in 2019 and be- the “systematic erasure” of its longtime music periods (see with song songs such as yond. To Keehnen’s credit, he achieves LGBTQ community and restoring its right- 1971 and Joni Mitch- “GTFO,” “A No No,” “With something notable by creating a fond feel- ful place in the saga of Brooklyn. ell, Carole King, and You,” “8th Grade,” and the ing of nostalgia for those who remember Pagan Light: Dreams of Freedom Carly Simon, too), lush album-closer “Por- original club-kid the Bearded Lady and and Beauty in Capri (FSG, 2019) by Ja- it took more than a trait.” Chicago’s celebrated gay disco the Bistro, mie James includes queer people, such year for Pieces of You Heard It in a Past as well as night spots Coconuts and Para- as Truman Capote and Oscar Wilde, to catch on, but when Life (Capitol), the much- dise, at the same time stirring up a sense among those who have found that the tiny, it did, it did so in a big hyped debut album of envy in those who were never able to “isolated and arrestingly beautiful” island way. “You Were Meant by Maggie Rogers is take part in the experience. of Capri functioned as “a wildly permissive for Me” and “Foolish a fine introduction to Back with a vengeance, the new Fab haven” for people with “nowhere else to Games,” two of the three a singer/songwriter Five (Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Jona- go.” significant hits from the with impressive pipes than Van Ness, Bobby Berk, The upcoming 30th album (including “Who and strong composi- and Karamo Brown) of Net- anniversary of the pass- Will Save Your Soul”), tion skills. Sounding like a flix’s Queer Eye transfer ing of queer Nigeri- reached the very top of long-lost Haim sister, Rogers makes breezy their expertise from the an photography Rotimi the singles charts. Never- theless, and irresistible pop, collaborating with a va- screen to the page in the Fani-Kayode is a fitting Jewel’s youth (she wrote many of the songs riety of producers (mainly Greg Kurstin) and coffee table book Queer time for Bloodflowers: as a teen) and naivete were on display in the co-songwriters (ditto Kurstin). Some of the Eye: Love Yourself, Love Rotimi Fani-Kayode, title track, with references to a “faggot” and songs, including “Give A Little,” “The Knife,” Your Life (Clarkson Pot- Photography, and the a “Jew,” which might not have sat well with “On and Off,” “Fallingwater” (co-written by ter, 2018). It’s out now. 1980s (Duke, 2019) by W. some listeners. In terms of the bonus materi- queer singer/songwriter Rostam Batman- Edited by the Gay & Ian Bourland, in which al, “Emily” (from the Sean Penn-directed Jack glij), “Retrograde,” and “Burning,” sound like Lesbian Review World- the author examines the Nicholson movie The Crossing Guard), “Ev- Rogers is trying to please the hipster Pitch- wide’s founder and ed- life and photography of erything Breaks” and “Angel Needs A Ride” fork pack. On the other hand, songs such as itor-in-chief Richard Fani-Kayode who died at are the standouts. “Light On,” “Back in My Body,” and “Over- Schneider, Jr., the the age of 34 in 1989. Six years after releasing her debut album, night” seemed geared to the kind of people lengthy-titled In Search The debut book by Rita Ora returns with the aptly titled Phoenix who snapped up copies of The Greatest of Stonewall: The Riots award-winning designer (WB). A soaring experience, when it comes Showman soundtrack. at 50, The Gay & Lesbi- and artist Chris Rush, The to separating Ora from the pack, the artist Last, but not least, like Carey, Dua Lipa an Review at 25 – Best Light Years (FSG, 2019) is (and her production team and co-songwrit- is a recipient of a Best New Artist Grammy Essays, 1994-2018 a memoir following the writer ers) have found a way to showcase her vo- Award for her eponymous debut album. Ow- (G&LR Books, 2019), on his “journey of discovery cal skills without overpowering them. Opener ing more to P!nk and Lady Gaga than she features new essays by Martin and reconciliation,” taking “Anywhere” is probably the best example of does to Mariah, Dua Lipa runs the risk of get- Duberman, Lillian Faderman and Andrew him from New Jersey to the West, all the this, as it flirts with both the dance-floor and ting lost in the shuffle with Camila Cabello, Holleran, as well as selected essays by while seeking knowledge, the divine and sing-along crowds. “Lonely Together,” a col- Ariana Grande, Bebe Rexha, and Demi Lo- Edmund White, Harry Hay, Michael Den- home, during the 1960s and 1970s. (Out laboration with the late Avicii, is in the same vato. Nevertheless, if you haven’t checked neny, Larry Kramer, Karla Jay, Felice Pica- in April 2019.) camp. Queer listeners will also find some- out her eponymous Warner Brothers debut no, D. Gilson, John D’Emilio, Bob Smith, Separated into three sections, Every- thing appealing in “Girls,” a group-effort fea- album, featuring standout cuts including Jewelle Gomez, Michael Bronski, Amy thing in its Place: First Loves and Last turing Cardi B, Bebe Rexha, and Charli XCX, “Lost in Your Light,” “Be the One,” “IDGAF” Hoffman, Frank Browning, John Rechy, Tales (Knopf, 2019) is the final volume of with the refrain, “sometimes I just want to kiss (co-written with gay artist MNEK), “No Good- Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon, Dennis Altman essays, 34 in all, by the late gay writer Ol- girls.” byes,” and “Homesick” (co-written with Cold- and others. iver Sacks, described as being “imbued Chances are good that we wouldn’t have play’s Chris Martin), now is as good a time Commemorating the 1969 BBC de- with his trademark curiosity, erudition, and a Rita Ora or a Jewel without Mariah Carey. as any. t but of the beloved (and occasionally sense of wonder.” (Out in May 2019.) t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 19 20 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com out in the valley Hagerstown Hopes Local LGBTQ Community Comes Together to munity about the issues affecting the trans, Support V-Day non-binary, and gender-expansive commu- nity. munity come together to support and cele- It’s been a busy month at Hagerstown Lewin said yes, and we set to work. brate V-Day. Joe Merceruio, newly-elect- Hopes! Our center (the Hub) is now offering Boardmember Brian George Hose, a social ed president of Eastern Panhandle Pride, free HIV testing courtesy of the Washington worker, took the lead and reached out to helped gather resources; Lily Amara Pastor County Health Department, we had our first local LGBTQ organizations and communi- of Trans Healthcare MD gave feedback on open meeting at the Hub, a Night Out, and ty members, asking what they thought was materials; the cast shared valuable insights during all that, we were working behind the important for the wider community to know. and opinions; Paisley Grahl and Asher Ken- and Dickinson & Wait Craft Company, both scenes to rally the local LGBTQ community Everyone contacted contributed and sup- nedy of Hagerstown Hopes helped with out- of Shepherdstown, for donating $50 gift cer- in support of V-Day. ported what became “Let’s Talk About Sex reach and guidance; and Brian Hose facilitat- tificates for our free raffle. V-Day is a global movement to end vio- (and Gender),” a facilitated discussion with ed the discussion. Ethel Hornbeck, Director “Let’s Talk About Sex (and Gender)” lence against women and girls and is held a screening of Eve Ensler’s TED talk “Em- of Spiritual Formation and Campus Ministry was presented by Hagerstown Hopes, East- annually in the month of February. V-Day is brace Your Inner Girl.” at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, and ern Panhandle Pride, Shepherd University, popular on college campuses and centers Members of the cast joined us at Shep- longtime dedicated LGBTQ ally on the nation- Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, the around a student and community production herdstown Presbyterian Church on Sunday, al board of More Light Presbyterians, made Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The Va- February 17th to discuss a wide variety of arrangements to host the event and is work- (the beneficiary of this year’s V-Day cele- gina Monologues. This year Shepherd Uni- topics. Chris Thatcher talked about her ing to establish Eastern Panhandle Youth Alli- bration), and members of the local LGBTQ versity presented an inclusive production, performance and how, though it wasn’t her ance, a secular group for LGBTQ youth. community. Please contact us to be involved meaning that trans, non-binary, and gen- story she was telling, she felt connected to We’d also like to thank Maria’s Taqueria in future events. t der-expansive women were part of the cast. those whose experience was reflected in the Chris Thatcher (she /her / hers) gave a mov- monologue. Madi Welder (he / him / his) also ing and heartfelt performance of “They Beat discussed his experiences as a trans man, BEBE PARTPART OFOF OUROUR ANNIVERSARY/TRAVELANNIVERSARY/TRAVEL ISSUE!ISSUE! the Girl Out of My Boy,” a monologue written later saying that events like this are crucial from interviews Ensler conducted with trans to the transgender community in order to women. raise awareness, understanding, and to gain If you’ve been following us on Face- support from the cisgender community who book, you may have seen our posts about play a vital role in advocating and fighting for THREE ISSUES THAT WILL RUN our involvement with V-Day. When we were trans rights and fair policies. thth thth asked to spread the word about Shepherd’s As part of our outreach, everyone who MAY 10 ,, MAYMAY 2424 and inclusive production, directed by Anne Lewin attended The Vagina Monologues was given thth and Gabrielle Tokach, it was right after the an info packet containing information about JUNE 7 (OUR(OUR PRIDEPRIDE ISSUE)ISSUE) Supreme Court’s decision to enact the trans- the transgender community, along with help- gender military ban. This was a difficult time ful resources. Dozens of packets were dis- and we were looking for ways to support the tributed and there is interest in continuing trans community, so we asked Lewin (the our outreach with a series of trans-specific university’s Title IX coordinator) if we could discussions and educational events. create a V-Day event to educate the com- It was wonderful to see the LGBTQ com-

At V-Day FOR MORE DETAILS... MARYMARY TAYLORTAYLOR [email protected]@baltimoreoutloud.com 410-802-1310410-802-1310

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 21 out in the valley

to be ashamed, and shame is a difficult for money makes it worse. I am a genuine beast to tame. Maybe now we’re secure contender for fairest-skinned person at the with ourselves and don’t need someone’s cookout. I have a privilege that many do acceptance (but it sure would be nice to not, both in terms of melanin, economic Brian’s have it), so we hold back. Maybe we know advantage, and which half of the trans- that sharing parts of ourselves makes us Asher’s gender coin was bestowed to me. These Brain vulnerable and feeling vulnerable can be World are facts that hit me in the gut when I look Brian George Hose scary. So, we hedge our bets. We play it Asher Kennedy at pictures of each sister lost to trans vi- safe, we wait for the right moment (if any). olence. One would think the privilege of And, while we bide our time and continue portraying a character on a successful TV The Things We not talking, we make it impossible for us We Deserve show and choosing to leave a record deal to be fully loved, appreciated, and under- with Columbia means you would know not Don’t Talk stood. Is that a fair trade? I don’t think it is. Better to exploit being black and gay. That’s why I mentioned knitting and my Every single fiber of my being wishes sinfully large stash of yarn in my bio. The Last week I wrote testimony about Mary- for this to be obsolete five days from now About truth is, my hesitance to talk about knitting land HB 421, which would bring Maryland when you read this. Please let it be that is rooted in my neurotic fear that others will into the wonderful group of states that re- someone with the kind of privileged leg-up If you’ve read my articles online, you may think I’m frumpy or otherwise not cool or moves the tap dance and mountain climb with which Smollett has been gifted would have noticed in my bio that I knit. I’m really, desirable. But, since I started telling peo- that is changing the gender marker on not spit in the face of everything he claimed really good at knitting, but it’s not some- ple about my knitting, I’ve gotten nothing one’s ID. It would also give a recognition to represent. Please tell me no proud black thing I talk about in mixed company. It’s for non-binary Marylanders in the form of man would willingly put a noose not something I open with when meeting Look an X instead of either gender around his neck and claim to be new people; instead, it’s something I share what I did! marker. The Senate companion attacked, knowing what feelings when the time is right, and I feel comfort- bill passed and has been sent that evoked in every black Amer- able. I’m secure with myself and I’m proud over for vote to the house. Trans ican. Please tell me no gay man of my ability to be able to draft a pattern and non-binary Marylanders are would claim to be kicked and for a sweater in five minutes or less, but I rejoicing. This is an amazing, ex- called what he was. also know that when a gay man mentions citing and the exhilarating type of While Smollett has yet to a “feminine” hobby like knitting, even the anxious, and I am so mad at Jussie be convicted in the courtroom, most progressive of eyebrows tend to rise: Smollett that I want to punch a hole the public turned resolutely a stereotype has been spotted and con- in my wall. against him following his ar- firmed. It’s a good thing I have never rest. The slippery slope from I’ve been thinking about all this and seen an episode of “Empire” be- believing victims to “We should take them why I don’t talk about what I consider to be cause I would have stopped that as abrupt- seriously” to questioning their motives one of the better parts of myself because but positive feedback from the people that ly as I did when I wrote this – Rolereboot. and truthfulness to, ultimately, just ignor- of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The matter to me. People want me to knit them org/culture-and-politics/details/2018- ing them is already in sight. If it turns out Vagina Monologues. I recently saw Shep- hats and scarves. Some even want me to 05-deleting-yeezy-why-i-erased-kanye- Smollett did orchestrate this, there’s not herd University’s production twice and, like teach them. And, along the way, I stopped wests-discography-from-my-library – and a consequence he could face that would being so nervous about telling people that you can come check my listening history. equal the pain he’s caused just because “It turns out that I figured out how to make the perfect bean- That Smollett has seemingly slapped his Jussie Smollett felt he needed a bigger ie. Slowly and gradually, I started to love own communities in the face à la Yeezy paycheck. t sometimes the things the thing that had once made me so un- comfortable. Then, suddenly and without we’re most insecure warning, I discovered I loved myself and about are the very was proud of my many wooly accomplish- ments. What other people think stopped things that make us mattering so much. It turns out that sometimes the things special.” we’re most insecure about are the very things that make us special, and that’s why every time I see the play, I left the theater we need to talk about them. There will only feeling empowered, like I had been given ever be one “you” in all of time and space, permission to love each and every aspect and that means everything about you is of myself, just like the women performing special and unique. Sure, there will always the monologues. To paraphrase the open- be haters, but there will also always be ing of the play, we need to talk about the people who love you and all your quirks. things we don’t talk about. For me, that’s The only way to separate the lovers from knitting. the haters is to start talking about what we We all have parts of ourselves that we don’t talk about and give others a chance love that we may be hesitant to talk about. to love us and connect with us. 240-420-2180 Many of us grew up with the message that We all have things we don’t talk about. we should hide parts of ourselves, like Fortunately, there’s a simple solution if you our mannerisms, preferences, and ways want to change that about yourself: start we express ourselves. We were taught talking. t

22 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com KeystoneKeystone StateState BEBE PARTPART OFOF OUROUR ANNIVERSARY/TRAVELANNIVERSARY/TRAVEL ISSUE!ISSUE!

RodeoAssociationRodeoAssociation THREE ISSUES THAT WILL RUN Royalty Pageant MAY 10thth,, MAYMAY 2424thth and Royalty Pageant JUNE 7thth (OUR(OUR PRIDEPRIDE ISSUE)ISSUE)

FOR MORE DETAILS... MARYMARY TAYLORTAYLOR [email protected]@baltimoreoutloud.com 410-802-1310410-802-1310

Keystone State Rodeo Association will COMING IN JUNE be holding its Royalty Pageant on March 23rd, 7:30 p.m. at 704 Lounge in Harrisburg

Do you have what it takes to wear our crown? KSGRA Royalty affords you the Three Sizes, Great Rates! opportunity to give back to the LGBTQ community through service and fundraising while promoting the Reserve your Country Western Lifestyle. Space NOW! If you are interested in becoming part of our Royal Court go to ksgra.org For more details... Mary Taylor [email protected] 410-802-1310

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 23 out & ABOUT // David’s Thoughts South Korea where Asia’s largest underground mall is By david placher located. Unfortunately, however, Seoul is South Korea, on the Korean Peninsula, is located in one of the most dangerous plac- one of Asia’s most technically advanced es in the world, just 35 miles south of North countries, yet it’s moving at a snail’s pace Korea’s border, a country technically still at on LGBT issues. Many younger South war with South Korea. Koreans describe the Korean Peninsu- Although South Korea is a great place la as “tiger-shaped” because to visit, its discrimination the symbol represents its ag- Leaning toward the LGBT commu- gressive modern economy. nity cannot be ignored. Older generations of Kore- forwards and There are no anti-discrimi- ans think of the peninsula as nation laws in employment “rabbit-shaped,” a nod to its backwards or anti-discrimination laws traditional, yet diminishing ag- in providing goods or ser- ricultural economy. South Korea is known vices. Marriage or any form of unions is for its hilly areas, dense forests, cherry not available for trees, centuries-old Buddhist temples, same-sex cou- have curtailed “Warehouse” is a gay bar that is known coastal fishing villages, and subtropical ples. Although an The past the group’s abil- for its music diversity and friendly envi- islands. Seoul, South Korea’s capital, is a increased public lives on ity to receive ronment. “Always Home” is a very popular high-tech city where nearly 10 million peo- awareness cam- tax-deductible gay bar for foreigners and locals, but the ple live. Although South Korea is a popu- paign covering donations and drink prices can be expensive. “Lollipop” lar tourist destination, its social evolution LGBT issues operate within is a new gay bar that offers toward LGBT equality lags behind other has pushed the the law. (For great drag shows and technically advanced nations. LGBT equality de- more in- other fun entertain- Each year, nearly 12 million people bate, the speed formation ment. “Almaz” is a visit South Korea. Its network of buses, at which public about Be- stylish gay lounge trains, ferries, and domestic air carriers opinion will shift yond the with a really cool allow tourists to visit any part of South to support the Rainbow bright red interior. Korea within a day’s round-trip travel from LGBT community contact the “Oz” is a very small any major South Korean city. Seoul is the is discouraging group at rain- gay bar with a neigh- most popular city to visit because of its because South bowfoundation. borhood bar feel. “Bar- many museums, historical landmarks, and Korea is built on co.kr@gmail. code” is a gay bar that has a art galleries. Seoul is also considered the cultural traditions. com) lot of English-speaking staff. It is popular most wired city because it has the world’s This year, the The LGBT with foreigners, especially people from the fastest average internet connection time. LGBT community community does US. It has a younger crowd, mostly 20 or It also has several streetside markets won a small, but have places to 30 somethings. filled with vendors selling everything from very important gather. Itaewon, So if you visit South Korea, there are clothes to knickknacks. Within these mar- battle. In August, also known as places for the LGBT community, just no kets are also culinary grills, selling every- the South Korea’s “Homo Hill,” is protections from discrimination. t thing from hotdogs to odeng (fish cakes) to Supreme Court the epicenter of sundae (blood sausage). Galbi, a popular ordered the government to allow “Beyond Seoul’s gay nightlife. “Why Not?” is a small Prosperity food among foreigners because of its spe- the Rainbow,” an LGBT rights foundation, gay bar that offers a friendly environment. takes precedence to cial marinated barbecue, is also found with to register as a charity, ending a long three- It is a favorite place for progress? many of the food vendors. Soeul is also year rejection from multiple government people to meet before agencies. “Beyond the they go dancing. “Queen” Rainbow” raises funds to is a great gay bar to just support the LGBT com- crowd watch or mingle munity in South Korea. It with the locals. “Q-Bar” also documents discrimi- is a new gay bar that has nation against LGBT peo- three areas, including a ple, advocates for their lounge and a VIP area. It rights, and promotes laws offers a professional en- that make life safer for vironment, so people can the LGBT community and network and have small their families. If the South talk. “Prost Pub & Grill” is Korean government was a restaurant and bar that successful is stopping caters to the LGBT com- “Beyond the Rainbow” Times Square – munity. It offers a relax- eputedly the very from registering as a ing atmosphere and is a intergalactic belly Temple abuts charity, great place to eat Italian button! commerce it would food and meet for drinks. 24 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com DINING OUT

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BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 25 your money // reAL ESTATE

Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne even the State of Maryland is holding off on Mold: Major Problem or concentrations of mold, or mold spores, further action. Maryland passed the “Mold have not been set. Currently, there are no Remediation Services Act of 2008,” which EPA regulations or standards for airborne requires certification and licensing of mold mold contaminants.” (Bit.ly/2BTJQSM) remediation firms and technicians, but the Minor Nuisance? The EPA and the American Council for Accredited Certification have certification “There is no agreed By Wayne Curtis amount, but over the last few years of major programs for mold remediation profession- Just about everyone has heard something rainfall totals and flooding events – and 2018 als, but they have not set any health stan- upon standard as to about the growing issue of mold in residen- will most likely be the wettest year in this re- dards for the levels of mold that are consid- tial structures over the last ten years. There’s gion on record – no structure is immune from ered dangerous. when mold remediation a lot of information – and misinformation – dampness or some level of mold growth. Again, from the EPA website: “In most is necessary, and the going viral on the internet. Here’s a dose of Ready for more? cases, if visible mold growth is present, truth: if your house has wood components There is no agreed upon standard as to sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or danger levels differ by (studs, flooring, joists, rafters) or drywall, when mold remediation is necessary, and the other federal limits have been set for mold then you already have some level of mold danger levels differ by species. It’s not only or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to species. It’s not only in your house. It doesn’t matter how old the important how much mold you find, but what check a building’s compliance with federal important how much house is, or how well you’ve maintained it. type. According to the Environmental Protec- mold standards. Surface sampling may be It’s there. Most likely it’s a very insignificant tion Agency (EPA)’s website, “Standards or useful to determine if an area has been ade- mold you find, but what quately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals type.” who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling meth- implementation of the act was delayed in- ods, and interpreting results. definitely.H owever, a mold remediation con- “Who should do the cleanup depends tractor who performs any type of structural on a number of factors. One consideration renovations (for example: tearing out and is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy rebuilding walls, repairing drywall, replacing area is less than about ten square feet (less floors, etc.) is required to hold an MHIC con- than a roughly a three-foot by three-foot tractor license. patch), in most cases, you can handle the This has a huge implication job yourself. Follow the ‘Mold cleanup tips and techniques.’ “However, if there has been a lot of water damage, and/ or mold growth covers more than ten square feet, consult EPA guide ‘Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.’ Although focused on schools and commercial build- ings, this document is applicable to other building types.” Normally a reputable mold testing company will sample the air both inside and outside A canvas by de on how real estate transactions of the structure being tested; Kooning worth handle the suspicion of a positive the outside sample forms the millions? – or a nasty test result for mold. Many buyers baseline from which the inside home repair headache want a certainty that the current sample will be judged. When that could cost state of testing and evaluation thousands? an air test is done, there are simply cannot provide, leaving only two species of mold that sellers with unpleasant choices are considered dangerous at a level below of either losing a contract or an exorbitant 200 spores per cubic meter of air. According expense that provides no concrete certifica- to United Water Restoration Group’s 2014 tion of safety. blog post on this subject, a measurement In the end, if you think there could be ar- of 1,500 spores per cubic meter of air is eas of moisture, dampness, or outright water the level at which “an issue may be appar- penetration, it’s best to take care of the situ- ent, unless a corresponding number in the ation before your house goes on the market. outdoor example exists.” Even up to 3,000 Use the links above to get the current EPA spores per cubic meter may be attributed to documentation on how to clean an area your- a dusty air duct system if no water intrusion self, or when to hire a certified remediation or mold source has been found. specialist. Waiting for the buyer to request it Because of the complete lack of Fed- as part of the home inspection process can eral guidance and testing on this subject, be an expensive, frustrating mistake! t

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BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 27 TheThe Quality of life comes easier when the unknowns become knowns. Most local wedding professionals Getting the should be able to give you a ballpark idea of your overall costs, based on your an- DrinkerDrinkeryy Wedding swers to a few questions and their knowl- edge of the business. You Want 2) Sort out your guest list to within, TheThe LittleLittle CoCorrnerner BarBar withwith aa GreatGreat BigBig HeHeartart!! David Egan say, ten people. The sooner you’re able to do this, the better. The size of your guest 205205 WestWest ReadRead StreetStreet “Corner“Corner ofof ReadRead andand Park”Park” list has a significant bearing on cost, and it The Money guides the venue-selection process. Also, 410-225-3100410-225-3100 •• ATMATM AvailableAvailable avoid the common thinking that 20% of Discussion your guest list will decline your invitation. Even if that happens, you won’t know un- til a month or less before your wedding. Are you expecting – or hoping – that your Expect everyone you invite to attend, and parents will help pay for your wedding? If budget accordingly. you are, you need to know when to talk 3) Know the timeline. About half of with your parents about money, and how your money is spent in the first few months do you prepare for that conversation. of planning, in the form of first payments. Most parents want to do everything Moreover, the two expenses that are com- they possibly can for their children. This monly the largest – venue and catering – often includes paying for their wedding. are the first to come up. You need to know It’s wonderful if your parents can write a right up front not only how much money check for ten or 15 or 20 or 30 thousand you have available overall but when it dollars (or, yes, sometimes even more) is available to you. A good chunk of the without some mental preparation. Most money needs to be accessible as soon as can’t. That’s a lot of money for most fam- you’re ready to sign contracts. ilies. They need to work up to it. It takes 4) Start the whole discussion early. some planning. At the very least, they may Parents, and especially fathers, who hav- need to move some money around. So, en’t been involved in wedding planning in the morning of the day in which you’d like a while may need some education about them to start writing checks is not the best why you need to know a time to introduce the year or more in advance topic. of your wedding exactly Many families have how much support they difficulty discussing plan to offer. So start money – my parents educating your parents certainly did – and all early on – which is to the more so when there say, well before the are lots of emotions day upon which you’d involved. Take those like them to write the things, add the element first check – about of significant quantity the costs of putting (the cost of a new car, on a wedding and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. more or less) and urgen- reception nowadays. cy, and the possibility ex- Most parents of cou- ists for world-class stress. ples getting married Which is, truly, avoidable. today were married BEST PRICES IN TOWN Here are some ways to on the order of 30 years ago. Things cost avoid angst in the family: less back in the 20th century. That may be 1) Get the numbers. Have a good idea doubly true if their wedding took place in a of what your wedding is likely to cost, at small town in, well, anywhere. least within a range. I have this kind of dis- The wedding planning process is cussion all the time with engaged couples. meant to be fun and exciting. Educating I’ve developed a cost estimate worksheet everyone involved, including yourself, ear- that we work through together, detailing ly on can reduce your stress and make a LookLook aheadahead forfor thethe the fixed and variable costs so they have huge difference in your happiness. t a good idea of the overall cost of their David L. Egan is the proprietor and stew- wedding. This is something worth doing ard of Chase Court, a wedding and event BackBack BarBar toto reopenreopen with a local expert in the wedding indus- venue in downtown Baltimore. Visit Cha- try. Seeing the numbers on paper helps secourt.com, and follow ChaseCourtWed- you understand the costs. It also helps the dingVenue on Instagram and Facebook. stress melt away. Making decisions be-

28 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com leather

It is always interesting to sit down with to fix him and talk him out it. Thankfully his his family about Geoff for two years. He leather titleholders and hear the story of high school had a gay / straight alliance laughed and added: “How many times do I the life experiences that brought them to which provided a safe space. He came out have to come out to my parents?” the point of being selected to represent to his family as transgender. Jacks says it I asked him what inspired him to run for Leather their community. I have been fortunate was like coming out again. the Leatherman of Color title. As a mem- to have that opportunity many times. No With hormone shots priced at $200 ber of ONYX Mid-Atlantic, he knew that Line leather journey I’ve heard is more compli- apiece, he was grateful when he found a he wanted to step up and run for some- Rodney Burger cated then that of Jack Thompson (Exile trans health clinic in San Francisco that thing. This title just felt right. He is look- ONYX) who in December at the DC Eagle was a non-profit and had a pay what you ing forward to taking the title to Chicago was sashed Leatherman of Color 2019. can policy. (It his case he couldn’t afford to in May and competing in the International Meet Recently Jack was kind enough to pay anything and that was okay.) He began Mr. Leather Contest, but currently has a meet me at my office, or as some people to become his true self. problem. Although the IML contest allows call it Leon’s, to share with me the story In San Francisco he also found himself contestants to be transgender, identifying of his life. It was an evening that I will not working at the icon Mr. S. leather store. documents must list the contestant’s sex Leatherman as male. Jack is working on resolving that soon forget. Jack quickly explained that he did not just Born in Berkeley, California, Jack was work as a salesclerk, but he worked in pro- problem and stated that should he win IML, always kinky. At age five he was already duction. All the leather goods at Mr. S. are that would be the first thing he would fight of Color into puppy or wolf play and made his fami- produced in house. He worked there for to change. He is planning an IML send-off ly call him “Fang” and treat him like a wolf. two years and the staff really taught him fundraiser on May 3rd at the DC Eagle and H e enjoyed it when friends would everything. Filled with my fantasies fueled hopes to also have a fundraiser at the soon lead him around with a leash. by pictures in the Mr. S. catalog and by to reopen Baltimore Eagle where he will He did not have access to the a porn video I once saw of a salesclerk also be working. As an eleven-year mem- internet, so he was unaware helping a young man try on a straitjacket, ber of the Rebel Kings of Oakland troupe, that puppy play was even a I asked Jack if he had any erotic stores to he is currently involved with the Rebel thing. tell. He said, “It is less sexy when you work Kings of Baltimore who have a show ev- Although now a proud there.” He enjoyed working at Mr. S. and ery second Wednesday of the month at the transman, he came out as commented that If he ever moved back to Clifton Pleasure Club (2803 Grindon Ave- a lesbian in middle school. San Francisco, he would be happy to re- nue, Baltimore). The next show is March Although his mother was not turn to work there. 13th. 100% sold on the idea, his In July of 2018 Jack and his husband Leatherman of Color is a national ti- parents were supportive of Geoff Millard, California State Bootblack tle that started in Chicago. Jack hopes to the fact that their girl liked 2018 / Mr. San Francisco Leather 2017, help recruit many more contestants for the girls. For Jack there was moved to Baltimore where they live in 2020 contest and hopes to encourage all still something not quite a beautiful house in the Hamilton part of the chapters of ONYX to send a represen- right. He was still not hap- town. On a visit to Baltimore, they discov- tative. “In the LGBT community represen- py. In high school he met ered how affordable the city is compared tation matters!” It has been a complicated someone who was trans. to the high cost of living in San Francisco. journey for Jack Thompson, but it is clear He was curious but unfor- Jack added that, “Baltimore has a slower to see the great pride that he has in hav- tunately the first time he pace and I don’t have to bust my ass to ing been selected as Leatherman of Color looked up “transgender,” be able to afford things.” He also likes that 2019. I’m excited to see where his journey the web directed him to Baltimore is conveniently located between will take him and cannot be happier that if the Rocky Horror Picture Washington and Philadelphia. Jack met only for one evening, I was given the op- Show. In his sophomore Geoff at an ex-girlfriend’s birthday party. portunity to join him for the ride. t year of high school, he At that time, he did not date men, but he was interviewed for a and Geoff soon became close friends and newspaper article about after a year started to “experiment.” Jack’s the murder of a transgen- sexuality defies labels and he didn’t tell der person in the commu- nity. The writer identified him as being trans. This Hearts and Ears Inc. resulted in him being called into the principal’s LGBTQIA+ Wellness & Recovery Center office. Since he was not 18, there was not much he could do about his sit- Hearts & Ears, Inc. is a non-profit organization for Gay, uation. When he sought Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and help for being transgen- der, all he found were Questioning, and Gender Non-Conforming individuals counselors who wanted with behavioral health issues and concerns.

Jack Thompson – (Exile ONYX) was 611 Park Avenue Suite A, Baltimore, Maryland 21201 • 410-523-1694 sashed Leatherman of Color 2019 in December [email protected] • heartsandears.org at the DC Eagle BALTIMORE OUTLOUD March 1, 2019 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 29 410-539-4850 227227 W.W. ChaseChase StSt THURSDAYS.

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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

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CLIENT COMCAST FILE NAME: CMCIN18016M20_9.875x9.6_BaltimoreOUTLoud_v02.indd APPROVAL JOB NUMBER CMCIN18016M20 DESCRIPTION: DIV031-Q4-NED-A10-V1 BILL TO NUMBER CMCIN18016 COLORS: CMYK PROOFREADER GRAPHIC ARTIST Johnny Villalobos NOTES: NONE STUDIO DIRECTOR DATE 9-26-2018 11:55 AM FONTS: XFINITY Standard TT (Italic, Bold Italic, Light, Bold, Regular) TRAFFIC REVISION 2 IMAGES: 41668_GettyImages-852949206_Clutch.jpg (CMYK; 493 ppi; 60.76%), PAGE 1 CMCIN18016_Tablet_v01.psd (CMYK; 975 ppi; 7.38%), Comcast_S_4C_GRAY.eps PRODUCTION PUB Baltimore OUTLoud (9.38%), Pride_2018_CMYK.ai (29.79%) ART DIRECTOR BLEED None COPYWRITER TRIM 9.875” x 9.6” LIVE 9.375” x 9.1” ASSOC CREATIVE DIR SCALE 100% CREATIVE DIRECTOR PRINTOUT 100%

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