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February 13, 2009 | Volume VII, Issue 4 Redefining Diva A boat full of men is not a bad thing » Page 15. By Mark Towlande O’Malley Wants Remember Pepper Mashay and her classic 2000 club anthem, “Dive in the Pool”? to Extend Health Or how about Jeanie Tracy who’s hard thumping “Cha Cha Heels” kicked up the Benefits to lgbt State dance floors of 2004? Today’s dance floor divas hardly Employees resemble the ladies of years past. They don’t Annapolis -Governor Martin O’Malley is sport the big hair, wear the sequin gowns, being praised by lgbt activists for proposing or belt the mighty praises to the heavenly health and prescription drug coverage the father like the old songstresses used to do. domestic partners of state employees’ They don’t throw diva demands – or even domestic partners in his Fiscal Year 2010 answer to the word “diva”, for that matter budget. If approved by lawmakers, Maryland – and most notably for club goers, they do will join fifteen other states and the District not rely on the hard percussion beats that of Columbia in offering health benefits to made their predecessors famous. state employees, as well as the majority In her latest single, Diva, Beyonce of Fortune 1,000 companies, 8,600 for- Knowles boldly defines today’s diva as “the profit employers, and 300 higher education female version of a hustler.” institutions. The State will make the same Is that really the essence of today’s contribution as they do toward spouses. diva? We spoke with two divas of today’s “This opportunity to expand health care gay dance floor, Sylvia Tosun and Debbie will only require a minimal state investment, Holiday – both have singles on the top of the since Maryland can expect a less than Billboard charts right now - to get their point 1% increase in enrollment, based upon of view. other states’ experiences,” said Equality Sylvia Tosun Maryland (EM) Director Kate Runyon. -- continued on page 24 “While Maryland’s investment will be small, it will have a huge impact on the health It was bound to happen one day; Baltimore’s to its famous happy hour, the bar was also of many state employees who have been oldest gay bar has been sold pending the known for outrageous drag shows, friendly -- continued on page 30 Baltimore’s Oldest transfer of the liquor license. Ronald and bartenders and tiny bathrooms. It is also Elyse Singer have applied to the liquor the home of the annual “High Heel Race,” IN THIS ISSUE Gay Bar Is Entering board and a hearing is set for February 26 where contestants dressed in drag had to at 1 p.m. run around the block in high heels. Sports .............................................P 04 a New Era Rumors of a sale have been Leon’s is famous as one of the city’s circulating for several months after the best cruise bars. Old timers recall the days Beyond the Beltway ................P 08, 09 Leon’s, a city landmark with death of former owner Bob Davies. Davies when it seemed the entire gay community an international reputation purchased the popular watering hole and was milling outside the bar after it closed Theatre Listings .......................P 12, 13 attached restaurant (Tyson’s Place) in at 2 a.m. For many men it was the best may be getting new owners 1974. Located at the corner of Park Ave place and last chance to pick-up a guy Film .................................................P 14 and Tyson Street, Leon’s has always before heading home. By Mike Chase Real Estate Today ..........................P 26 welcomed the lgbt community. In addition -- continued on page 30 Photos ...................................... P 17, 28 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD February 13, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com OUTspoken Publisher Mike Chase [email protected] Executive Editor Jim Becker Where’s the Passion? [email protected] Sales Small Lobby Day turnout signals possible declining interest Mary Taylor, Director [email protected] By Steve Charing Senior Political Correspondent Senior Political Anaylst Steve Charing Leather Editor On a balmy February crowd is the prevailing lack of interest into the Join the Impact network? Rodney Burger 2, a crowd estimated in these issues and politics in general Equality Maryland is not solely to Writers by the Washington on the part of large segments of the lgbt blame for the lack of turnout at Lobby Jeffrey Clagett Blade to be 250 community. There are approximately Day. The director is new but capable. The Chuck Duncan assembled at Lawyers 15,000 same-sex couples throughout the organization dutifully publicized the event Rickie Green Eva Hersh MD Mall in Annapolis for a state. Add to that the tens of thousands in area lgbt papers, but it’s not their fault if Doug Ireland rally during Equality of unattached folks, family members people aren’t reading them. P.S. Lorio Maryland’s annual and other straight allies. All told, this There seems to be a persistent lack of Jim Lucio Meredith Moise Lobby Day event. This is a significant number of people to be involvement and leadership from certain Ben Ryland compares unfavorably to the previous reckoned with. And with the media present, Baltimore-based lgbt organizations to Nate Sweeney years when, according to Equality it would have made a great picture of the get the people out. Imagine if even a MIA - Alexander St. John Maryland’s figures, approximately 500 mall jammed full of lgbt activists. small percentage of Pride-goers turned Graphics attended in 2008 and nearly 1,000 did so But they didn’t show up. As is the case up at Annapolis. Imagine the impression Hannah-Love Shibley, Director [email protected] in 2007. in previous Lobby Day rallies, Baltimore that would make on legislators that this Carol Baker What’s going on? City, which comprises the largest number community is vast and they care. The Bryan Sullivan There are a number of factors that may of lgbt people in Maryland, was woefully lawmakers may pay more attention. Photographers have contributed to the paltry attendance. underrepresented. The areas of Charles Clearly, Equality Maryland will have to Skip Koritzer For one thing, Equality Maryland’s Village, Bolton Hill and Mount Vernon— recognize that there are varying degrees Harry Lowinger legislative agenda is not as ambitious as strong gay population centers—never of interest within the community and that National Advertising in previous sessions. Realizing that same- seem to turn out in large numbers. In fact, stronger efforts are needed to spark Rivendell Media sex marriage cannot pass during this the majority of Lobby Day attendees hail more enthusiasm. Attempts to obtain a 908-232-2021 session, there will not be a full-throated from Montgomery, Prince George’s and comment from Equality Maryland’s Kate Web Services push for the legislation. Howard Counties. Runyon were unsuccessful. Drew Saine [email protected] Instead, the goal is to work with One would think that the devastating Those who did attend enjoyed the Distribution/Circulation legislators to increase sponsorship of the passage of Proposition 8 in California speech made by Bishop Gene Robinson. Jay Loane Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage would spur on more people to rally and But there was criticism levied at the [email protected] Protection Act this year, according to meet with their respective delegates and speakers’ not being visible because there statements made by new Equality Maryland senators. Apparently that did not happen was no riser or stage. And the sound Baltimore OUTloud Executive Director Kate Runyon. In in Annapolis this year—at least not with system was not up to par. P.O. Box 3640 addition, the organization will be pursuing the numbers that would impress those Logistical issues have plagued Lobby Baltimore, MD 21214 410-244-6780 once again passage of the Gender Identity persuadable legislators. Day rallies in the past and may have www.baltimoreoutloud.com and Expression Anti-Discrimination Act as Weather cannot be used as an excuse tamped down attendance. These are well as other initiatives. this time around; the temperature was in technical glitches that can easily be fixed Additional Information Another factor could be a general the 50’s—fully 30 degrees warmer than at in the future. Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride decline of interest. Following the Maryland last year’s bone-chilling Lobby Day. Following the rally, the attendees split Media, Ltd. in Baltimore, Maryland. Readers’ comments and unsolicited materials are welcomed and may be sent to: Court of Appeals ruling, which upheld the Immediately following the Prop 8 up to visit and meet with their respective [email protected]. | Pride Media offices are state’s law that restricted marriage to be debacle, nearly a thousand people, legislators. Some of these delegates and located at 1120 N. Charles Street, 4R, Baltimore, 21201. | All between one man and one woman, there mostly from the Baltimore area, managed senators were welcoming, supportive and materials appearing in this newspaper are the property of Pride was plenty of anger to go around and fire to gather outside City Hall on five days courteous. Others were plainly rude or Media, Ltd. and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the editor. up the lgbt community as well as allies. notice in November to express their ignorant, or they simply declined to meet But lack of leadership from displeasure at Prop 8 as part of a national with their constituents. Governor Martin O’Malley on this issue Join the Impact movement. There was a When people tell their personal stories and opposition by the powerful Senate lot of passion at that event.