August 17, 2018 | Volume XVI, Issue 8 “First and foremost, the foundation of my life is my vocation. I’m very clear that credits his Buddhist tools of compassion I was born to be the priest that I am – it Living His Most Authentic Life and authenticity with helping him to sit with centers me, and I often have to go back to people who have undergone traumatic ex- that. As a priest/activist: how do I culti- covered, then you have access to their tal- Buddhist practitioner. When the LGBTQ periences. vate my humanity and help others do the ent …” community came together in the wake of While advancing professionally, Mer- same? That anchors me.” – REV. MErrICK It is vintage Merrick to be determined a number of murders of transwomen and rick had always struggled to nav- MOSES to bring his community up with him, to be formed an Advisory Council to reach igate his identity, eventually BY SAGE PIPER an example for others. This had been his out to city officials he was there, identifying himself as Last week, the Baltimore City way ever since he returned and he was the natural pick for gender-nonconforming Board of Estimates made A profile of to Baltimore from New York State’s Attorney Marilyn Mos- Of many in his 30s. To steady history when they lifted the in 2001. At that point he was by to hire as Victim’s Advo- hats – himself he used Merrick health-insurance exclusion Merrick Moses, following a romance. The cate early in her first term. Moses meditation and his which had denied coverage for relationship didn’t work out, Merrick spends his days contemplative re- gender confirmation surgery part 2 but Baltimore did – providing helping victims of crime ligious practice to for city employees. And it was the ever-expanding space navigate the court system, cultivate a relation- Rev. Merrick Moses leading the way with “for me to be myself.” He went through providing emotional triage ship with God, and his claim– he’s a victim’s advocate for the a progression of jobs strengthening his and testimony preparation, the divinity within. In State’s Attorney Office. As celebrations portfolio as an environmental and commu- and also acting as the LGBTQ 2011, a friend studying were under way Merrick was focused, as nity advocate, and he was also ordained liaison to help other attorneys to be a social worker always, on the bigger picture, knowing that as a Reverend in 2004 in a Catholic or- navigate when one of our commu- asked him to take part in the case extends way beyond himself: “It is der, although he is also self-trained as a nity is a victim of violence. In the job, he —continued on page 11 huge,” he says, “It opens up a whole talent pool, because if people know that they’re BY STEVE CHARING It took nearly a decade for Josh Aterovis’s fifth novel in the Killian Kendall mystery DEAD but not POWERLESS series to be published but it was worth the has a fast pace and commands your atten- words as “odiferous” and “prickle.” Do 18 wait. Three publishers in a row went out of tion with a host of dramatic sequences and year olds actually say such things? business, leading to the delay in the next a bit of humor thrown into the mix. Nonetheless, Killian is presented as a installment in the young-adult mystery/ Gorgeously written, role model for gay youth and is a paranormal genres that feature the gay there are passages in which Baltimore gay hero in all his adventures. teenage private investigator Killian Kend- the prose is near poetic. As described in the previous all. Eighteen year-old Killian writer’s latest novels in the series, Killian had Aterovis’s third book, All Lost Things, Kendall describes the ac- mystery hits on to overcome his challenges grow- was a 2010 Lambda Award finalist for tion in the first person and ing up gay on Maryland’s Eastern Best Mystery. MLR Press, an independent elicits likeability so there themes Native Shore. His father rejected him LGBT publisher, expressed interest in the is no choice but to root for and was ultimately taken in by acclaimed series, which is back in print him, as was the case in the American and a gay couple named Adam and with updated editions, setting the stage for previous novels. universal Steve, no less. He witnessed a the fifth book’s arrival. It is difficult to fathom, friend being murdered, and Killian With A Change in Worlds: A Killian however, that the central character is in- had also been nearly murdered himself on Kendall Mystery (MLR Press $8.99) deed a teenager. His knowledge of an- several occasions as well as actually hav- Josh Aterovis’s A Aterovis continues tiques, décor, criminal analysis, investiga- ing killed someone (in self-defense). He Change of Worlds, his mastery of sto- tive techniques, and other areas is such possesses Gifts in which he can be visited in which gay teenage rytelling, scene-set- that one would expect from someone twice by the dead under certain circumstances – private investigator ting, character his age or older. His wisdom is well beyond not something he welcomed and has had Killian Kendall is development and his years. And even his vocabulary is more difficulty in controlling. visited by the dead detail. The book akin to an older person when using such —continued on page 20 Co-Publishers Jim Becker • Jim Williams [email protected] Executive Editor Jim Becker [email protected] [email protected] Associate Editor & Director of Marketing & Production Mary Taylor [email protected] Arts and Entertainment Editor Frankie Kujawa [email protected] Leather Editor Rodney Burger [email protected] Contributing Writers for Baltimore OUTloud Ava Barron-Shasho • Janan Broadbent, Ph. D. Josh Buchbinder • Anthony Calo • Lee Carpenter Jeffrey Clagett • Wayne Curtis • Woody Derricks Chuck Duncan • John Redmond-Palmer • Dr. Eva Hersh Mark S. King • Brother Merrick Moses Frankie Kujawa • Sage Piper • David Placher Mark Segal • Gregg Shapiro • Bill Redmond-Palmer David Egan • Elyse Buchbinder • Dr. Loren Olson Alex “Bear” Conley • Brynn Deveraux Contributing Writers for OUT in the VALLEY Laura Anderson • Rev. Kelly Crenshaw Rev. Dr. Robert Apgar-Taylor • Brian George Hose Elizabeth Thompson Contributing Writers OUT in Asbury Park, NJ Rai Guerra-Nelson • Christy Girlington Graphics Ramon Montiel Web Editor Adam Romanic Computer Solutions for Less Photographers Corey Brent Eric Randolph National Advertising Rep Rivendell Media 908-232-2021 Founders Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams Baltimore OUTloud PO Box 4887 Baltimore, MD 21211 410-802-1310 Baltimoreoutloud.com Additional Information Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride Media, Ltd. in Baltimore, Maryland. Readers comments and unsolicited materials are welcomed and may be sent to: [email protected]. All materials appearing in this newspaper are the property of Pride Media, Ltd. and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the editor. The opinions expressed in Baltimore OUTloud are solely those of the writers unless otherwise indicated and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Media, Ltd., and the staff. © 2018 – All rights reserved Chair of the Board of Trustees – Jim Becker President – Jim Williams Secretary and Treasurer – Mike Chase 2 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD AUGUST 17, 2018 • BaltiMOREOUTLOUD.COM NEWS // local 2019 King & Queen surgery in the city’s self-insured health plans. Up until today, the city’s health insur- of Pride Contest ance excluded such surgery from cover- age, discrimination targeted by Title VII of On September 1st, Baltimore’s King and- the Civil Rights Act as well as the Fairness Queen of Pride 2019 contest will be held for All Marylanders Act. The federal Equal at the Motor House (120 West North Ave- Employment Opportunity Commission re- nue, Baltimore) from 2 to 6 pm Doors open cently found that there was reasonable at 1 pm The event will honor 2018’s King cause to believe that the State of Alaska and Queen Chris Jay and Sapphire Bleu had violated Title VII by excluding gen- and will feature a cast of former Kings and der-reassignment surgery from its employ- Queens of Pride. ee health plan. The King and Queen of Pride titles are FreeState Justice brought this matter open to everyone without regard for their to the city’s attention when its client Rev. gender identity. Everyone is free to choose Merrick Moses, LGBTQ liaison for Balti- whichever title they want to compete for. more’s state’s attorney’s office, was de- nied transition-related healthcare under the city’s health insurance plan. Members of the transgender commu- nity – and transgender rights activists, including Merrick and FreeState Justice staffers, were in attendance for the city’s historic vote. Applications are now being accepted. You FreeState Managing Attorney Jennifer must be at least 21 to compete. Contest Kent said, “I’m pleased that the city did the categories are “pride wear,” “on-stage right thing here. We will continue to fight question,” “on stage interview,” and “talent.” alongside employees who are transgender Contest winners will receive a sash, to ensure that all Marylanders are treated plaque, guest performance duet at the equally in their health insurance cover- 20th annual “12 Days of Christmas” event, age.” a photo shoot, ride in the GLCCB car in the Said Merrick, “This issue is about fair- 2019 Baltimore Pride parade, main-stage ness. Baltimore’s transgender employees performances at the 2019 Pride Block Par- should be treated fairly and with digni- ty, as well as hosting, emcee, and perfor- ty, including in health insurance matters.