OAN INDEPENDENTU VOICE FOR THET LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES May 17, 2013 | Volume XI, Issue 1 BY Jim BECKER of the print media, here we are, ten years and This issue of Baltimore OUTloud is a mile- counting! Our success against the odds and stone for us as we celebrate 10 years of conventional wisdom, rest squarely with our activist journalism in service to Baltimore’s superb staff, loyal columnist and writers – vol- sexual-minority communities. In our first is- unteers all, committed advertisers, and most sue on May 16, 2003, founding publisher importantly you, Baltimore’s lesbian, gay, bi- Mike Chase described the launch of the pa- sexual and transgender communities. Celebrating Ten per as time-consuming, nerve-wracking, and exciting – the beginning of an adventure. It Some history has indeed been all of these with ups, downs, The adventure Mike spoke about, this triumphs and tragedies, successes to cel- journey that is Baltimore OUTloud, started ebrate and obstacles to overcome. Yet, de- with a simple idea: Baltimore’s Queer com- Years Together spite the economic crisis of the last five years munities would benefit from an independent cal LGBT scene. He had also developed a Mike, Mary and the newspaper, seeking a re- and the demise of much voice, a newspaper loyal cadre of writers and columnist who en- straining order against Mike plus other relief; free from ownership thusiastically joined him in the launch of the and Viacom UK and a publication in Florida ties to community or- paper. Three of this group, Steve Charing, claimed copyright infringement in the use ganizations, focused Chuck Duncan and Greg Shapiro, remain the of “OUTloud.” These bumps necessitated a on local, national and journalistic backbone of the paper to this day. temporary diversion of time, resources and international news, With Mike at the helm, Joe Berg as editor, focus but without lasting effect. Similarly, a insightful opinions, writers like Steve, Chuck, Greg, Alexander lawsuit we instituted against the GLCCB in and political advoca- St. John, Dawn Culberston, Ben Ryland, Bob 2009 was settled and of little consequence. cy. The owners – Joe Steele, Paul Varnell, We now have cordial relationships with both Berg, Lee Mooney, and Katherine the Community Center and Gay Life. Jim Williams, Ostrowski, Joe was editor for a little less than a year. and myself – and a When he left to accept another position, Mike employed strong added editor to his responsibilities as pub- Mike to support lisher. lead the team In 2004, Dawn Culbertson died suddenly effort. 10th that in- on Thanksgiving while attending a Baltimore We also Anniversary cluded Folk Music Society dance at age 53.In addi- hired ex- Mary, tion to the work she did for Baltimore OUT- perienced Issue! Carol loud as Arts and Entertainment Coordinator, newspaper Baker, and she was a musician, composer and late night production staff Ramon Mon- host of a classical music show on a local radio including Mary tiel, Baltimore OUT- show. Her death was a big loss to the news- Taylor as Advertis- loud premiered in grand style! The lead story paper and the Baltimore arts community. ing Sales Coordi- previewed a local production of the Laramie On January 20, 2007, we suddenly lost nator. Project, Moiss Kaufman’s gripping account newspaper co-founder and co-owner Lee Mike had of the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Mooney. Lee was Mike Chase’s partner for years of experi- Shepard. (The newspaper has emphasized 29 years. He was a gentle spirit who provided ence publish- coverage of the arts from the beginning.) critical support to the paper. He was always ing community Steve Charing opined about the Iraq deba- supportive of Mike and the entire Baltimore newspapers (he cle and economic chaos in Annapolis, and OUTloud family. He provided a steady hand served twice as Chuck Duncan reviewed Matrix Reloaded. and calm voice. His death was a turning point editor of the Balti- The newspaper looked great, and the writing for the newspaper because it was such a loss more Gay Paper) was excellent. for Mike and ultimately led to Mike’s retire- and as a native But, despite this successful debut, there ment and relocation out-of-state. of Charm City were some serious immediate challenges. When Mike retired in 2009, longtime col- Issue number one – was very con- In short order the GLCCB, publisher of Gay umnist and writer Steve Charing assumed May 16, 2003 nected to the lo- Life, filed an unsuccessful lawsuit against —continued on page 4 NEWS // LOCAL Maryland to End Benefits for Employees’ Domestic Partners BY CaRol V. CalHouN opportunity to obtain benefits as domestic part- to Virginia. It is clear that Maryland would have The Baltimore Sun is reporting that with same- recognized the couple as validly married before ners. After all, if same-sex couples can get ben- Co-Publishers sex marriage now available, Maryland state efits without marriage, why should opposite-sex the move. Should the move be treated as the Jim Becker • Jim Williams employees in same-sex relationships have couples be denied the same right? equivalent of a divorce for benefits purposes? [email protected] been notified that they won’t be able to include Fairness issues – Even in states that Executive Editor Arguments against eliminating recognize same-sex marriage, the panoply Jim Becker domestic partners in their health insurance as [email protected] of January 1, 2014. With 11 states, the District domestic-partner policies of rights and obligations available to married Managing Editor of Columbia, and three Native American tribes Domestic-partner policies fulfilling oth- same-sex couples is very different from those [email protected] available to married opposite-sex couples. To having legalized same-sex marriage, employ- er goals – In some instances, domestic-partner Sales Director ers that have domestic-partner benefits are policies already cover opposite-sex as well as begin with, same-sex marriage involves a much Mary Taylor increasingly reexamining their policies in that same-sex couples. For example, some employ- higher level of commitment. An opposite-sex [email protected] area. ers have wanted to protect couple knows that divorce will be available. Leather Columnist In many instances, domestic- senior citizens reluctant to However, divorce is governed by the couple’s Rodney Burger partner policies were originally marry due to the effect on state of domicile at the time of the divorce. Contributing Writers Joey Amato • Sharon Brackett • Rodney Burger • adopted based on a perception Social Security benefits. Thus, for example, suppose that a couple gets Joshua Buchbinder • Steve Charing • Jeffrey Claggett • that employees with same-sex These reasons may contin- married while living in Maryland, but then retires Jeffrey Clouser • Wayne Curtis • Woody Derricks • Denise R. to Florida. At that point, they could never get a Duarte • Chuck Duncan • Michael Farley • Jon Fairbanks • Gerry partners were disadvantaged ue to exist even after pas- Fisher • Bruce Garrett • Jeff Hammerberg • Dr. Eva Hersh • relative to those with opposite- sage of marriage equality. divorce unless at least one of them moved to a Shirli Hughes • Sam Kunz • Michelle Lanchester, Esq. • sex partners, due to the fact state that recognized same-sex marriage. Dana LaRocca • Jessica Lemmo • Jay Loane • Rev. Meredith Inconsistent state Moise • Bill Palmer • Gregg Shapiro that same-sex marriage was laws – An employer in In addition, Section 3 of DOMA precludes federal recognition of same-sex marriage. Graphics not recognized under applicable Maryland, for example, Amy Ray • Joe Velasquez state law. In most instances, the may have employees who Thus, marriage involves a greater commitment Cartoonist policies apply only to same-sex are domiciled in Virginia. for same-sex couples, while securing them few- Bruce Garrett (Brucegarrett.com) er rights. To the extent that the impetus for aboli- partners, although in some they While Maryland recognizes Photographers are also available to unmarried same-sex marriage, Virgin- tion of domestic partner benefits is fairness vis a Bruce Garrett • Jay W Photos opposite-sex partners. The ques- Carol V. Calhoun ia does not. If the employer vis opposite-sex couples, consideration needs Web Editor tion therefore becomes whether eliminates recognition of to be given to the extent that requiring marriage Anja Saine [email protected] to eliminate these policies as domestic partnerships, em- as a c-ondition for benefits in fact constitutes an Managed Web Services same-sex marriage becomes available. Some ployees domiciled in Virginia may lose benefits. equal requirement for same-sex and opposite- The Fusio Group factors to consider are set forth below. Moreover, the determination of whether an sex couples. 866-322-7498, Thefusiogroup.com opposite-sex couple is married is typically de- Timing Issues – For an employer that de- National Advertising Rep Rivendell Media Arguments for eliminating termined under the law of their state of domi- cides to abolish domestic partner benefits, an- 908-232-2021 domestic-partner policies other issue is timing. Should the change apply cile at the time they get married. And in the vast Founders Administrative complexity – A marriage majority of instances, a state will recognize a only to new employees, or to those who have Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • is typically easy to document. Governmental marriage of an opposite-sex couple performed not yet established domestic partnerships? Or Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams agencies maintain copies of marriage certifi- in another state, even if the marriage would be should it apply even to those who already have domestic partner benefits? Baltimore OUTloud cates. A marriage can be ended only on divorce impermissible under the laws of the state of do- PO Box 4887 Baltimore, MD 21211 or death, either of which is also documented by micile.