ANO INDEPENDENTU VOICE FOR THE TLESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES March 7, 2014 | Volume XI, Issue 21 Transgender Rights Bill Clears Senate BY STEVE CHARING As in the past, the biggest hurdle for vote on February 20. The long struggle to achieve the bill’s success had been the Senate’s “Today marks a historic milestone in protections in employment, Judicial Proceedings Committee (JPR). the continued fight to advance equal rights housing, credit, and accom- Last year, for example, the measure failed for all Marylanders,” said Madaleno in a modations based on gen- to advance to the Senate body for consid- statement. “The Senate’s passage of the der identity has moved one eration because Fairness for All Marylanders Act step forward. On March 4, it was killed in sends a reaffirming message the Maryland State Senate the committee by throughout our state that re- overwhelmingly passed the a 6-5 vote. gardless of whom you are, prej- Fairness for All Maryland- However, this udice and discrimination will no ers Act (SB 212) by a vote year was differ- longer be tolerated or exempted of 32-15. The bill, introduced ent. Senate President Thomas V. “Mike from law. With these new anti-discrimina- by openly gay Senator Rich Miller” (Calvert and Prince George’s) ex- tion protections for transgender persons Madaleno (Montgomery), pressed his support for the bill and reiter- one step closer to full passage, Maryland had 25 co-sponsors, which ated that he would vote for it during its first is poised to become the 18th state in the almost assured its passage. reading. A hearing had been held by the nation – plus Washington, D.C. – to ensure Sen. Rich Madaleno Twenty-four affirmative committee on February 4, and the JPR fa- equal civil rights protections for transgen- votes were needed. vorably reported it to the Senate by an 8-3 —continued on page 3 Crisean Crisean: Using Music to Inspire credit: Steve Charing BY STEVE CHARING Community College. He has been inspired proud. “I was just able to Baltimore artist Crisean is looking to make by such contemporary artists as Beyonce, vent so effortlessly and it big in a crowded field. This challenge is Britney Spears, and Usher. “That’s when get some things off of something he acknowledges, but Crisean I fell in love with soul music and legend- my chest.” Crisean touts is not letting that deter him. “Being from ary icons such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin “The Festival” as his sec- Baltimore, it’s not easy getting music out Gaye, and Elvis Presley,” he explains. ond favorite. “It allowed there and finding a place to start,” he ad- Crisean has taken an important large me to release feelings mits. Crisean (pronounced Cris-SHAWN) step in his career with the release by CMS and emotions that I need- has been attempting to increase his ex- Records of his album Sound Approved ed to release.” Sound Ap- posure by performing at various open mic – EP. Having written and produced every proved – EP can be found events across the city. track, the songs convey the journey through on iTunes, Amazon, An independent artist with an infusion Crisean’s life, touching upon the topics of Google Play, and Spotify. of pop, dance, and soul /R&B, Crisean, love, self-empowerment, and acceptance. In addition to achiev- 26, had been singing Disney songs around Crisean related his personal experiences ing success in the in- the house and putting on shows for family from past romantic break-ups and over- dustry, Crisean is hoping members since the age of eight. He also coming adversity to formulate this album. that his accomplishments dabbled in writing lyrics and creating topics “Everyone goes through break-ups, try- would move other young for songs. ing to love ourselves more, finding love, people. “At 26 my goals In 2006, Crisean (whose off-stage and wanting to find love,” he points out. are to inspire young LGBT name is Christopher Snowden), started “This body of work embodies all of that: kids and people who have been oppressed source of comfort and inspiration when they penning songs for a potential debut studio from me to my fans and future fans.” and ostracized and let them see that they see me as I had with shows, such as Noah’s album. Having no previous formal training, “Crowns & Chains” is the song on can reach their goals and not get in their Arc, Queer as Folk, and The L Word.” Crisean studied music at Baltimore City Sound Approved – EP of which he is most own way,” he explains. “I want them to see a —continued on page 3 —continued on page 10 NEWS State Taxes and Married Same-Sex Couples B LY CARO V. CALHOUN spousal coverage for income) for purposes of cal- The Internal Revenue Service has now an- same-sex partners under culating state income taxes. nounced that same-sex couples married in a employee benefit plans Legally married same-sex jurisdiction that permits such marriages will be will need to know the couples will now file federal treated as married for federal tax purposes, characterization of such returns (and calculate federal even if they live in a jurisdiction that does not coverage for purposes of adjusted gross income and recognize such marriages. But what about state taxes. For example, federal taxable income) us- an employer that provides ing either joint filing status or The IRS will treat spousal health coverage married filing separately sta- to a same-sex employee tus. Thus, the question arises same-sex married may be required to in- whether married same-sex clude the cost of such couples may (or are required couples as married for coverage in the employ- to) use such status at the federal tax purposes, ee’s state Form W-2 or state level, even in states that equivalent, even though do not otherwise recognize even if they live in a it would be excluded from their marriages. state not recognizing the employee’s income In the following states, the for federal tax purposes. issue of treating same-sex such marriages Many would no doubt couples as married for state assume that whether a Atty. Carol V. Calhoun income tax purposes does not state will treat couples as arise, either because the state such couples’ recognition as married for pur- married for tax purposes depends on whether has no income tax or because the state taxes poses of state income taxes? The question is it would recognize their marriages generally. only interest and dividends and does not pro- of concern not only to individuals, but to their However, that may not necessarily be the vide a separate rate structure for single and employers which must determine proper state case. The issue arises because most states married taxpayers: income tax withholding. In addition, employ- use a federal definition of income (either fed- Alaska • Florida • Nevada • New Hamp- ers which are in many instances expanding eral adjusted gross income or federal taxable shire • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Wyoming. In each of the following states, same-sex married couples will now file state income tax- es as married, because the state allows same- sex marriage: California • Connecticut • Delaware • District of Columbia • Hawaii • Illinois • Iowa • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Minne- sota • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • Oregon • Rhode Island • Vermont. In Oregon, same-sex married couples will now file state income taxes as married, be- cause although same-sex marriages cannot be performed in Oregon, Oregon recognizes same-sex marriages from other states. In the following states, same-sex marriage is not recognized and there is no conformity between federal and state taxes, so same-sex married couples will have to file state taxes as if they were single: Alabama • Arkansas • Michigan • Missis- sippi • Pennsylvania. The following states do not recognize same-sex marriage, but conform to federal tax law: Arizona • Colorado • Georgia • Idaho • Indi- ana • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • South Carolina • Utah • Virginia • West Virginia • Wisconsin. The law in each of them is discussed in more detail on the extended version of this ar- ticle, available at Baltimoreoutloud.com. t The author is president of the Calhoun Law Group. 2 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 7, 2014 • BaltIMOREOUTLOUD.COM NEWS // LOCAL CRI SEAN IS USING MUSIC TRANSGENDER RIGHTS BILL B’more QFest Revs Up with Special Film Showings TO INSPIRE OTHERS CLEARS SENATE – continued from page 1 – continued from page 1 B’more QFest held the second in a series for their little girl. The film is a comedy with of queer film events last Sunday at the some very poignant moments as both men Crisean admits he is currently not very der persons.” Holiday Inn Inner Harbor. The organiza- confront unresolved issues between them active in Baltimore’s LGBT community but Added Carrie Evans, executive direc- tion presented the acclaimed film Birthday and their mothers. The dramatic highpoint would like to be. Nonetheless, he consid- tor of Equality Maryland, “Today is a huge Cake by Chad Darnell. The film series is occurs in an intense cathartic confrontation ers himself an advocate. day for transgender rights in Maryland. intended to build enthusiasm and excite- between Darnell and his Pentecostal moth- “I have written speeches and essays With their vote, 32 senators stood up to ment for the Baltimore Queer Film Festi- er, played by Helen Shaver. for class on the subjects of equality and say no one should be denied the opportu- val slated for three days in June at various B’More QFest organizers hosted Dar- same-sex marriage when I attended nity to work for a living, secure housing or venues nell at a cocktail reception before the film- school,” he says.