July 03, 2009 | Volume VII, Issue 14 | LGBT Life in Maryland

Veterans, Supporters March on the White House

WASHINGTON—Several hundred en- thusiastic military veterans and sup- porters, marched on the White House on Saturday, June 27 to protest the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy. President Obama and Congress were targeted in the dem- onstration for not acting to repeal the policy that has led to 13,000 individu- als discharged from the Armed Forces since 1993 when the policy went into effect. Many Arabic linguists and other high-skill service members—critical to the war on terrorism and national se- curity—were discharged as a result of the policy. The Servicemembers Legal Net- By Steve Charing work (SLDN) and allies organized the event to help commemorate the 40th On Saturday, June 20, the clouds were still hanging pretty low anniversary of Stonewall. A total of overhead just a couple of hours before the Baltimore Pride Pa- 265 veterans led the march to corre- rade up Charles Street. Earlier in the morning a deluge swept spond to the number of service mem-

through the area that concerned potential pride-goers and orga- Photo: Bruce Garrett bers discharged under DADT since nizers alike. It conjured up the lyrics to the iconic Funny Girl song, the President took the oath of office on “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” January 20. Signs and buttons with the Paul Liller (AKA “Dimitria” when doing drag), making his de- number 265 were widely displayed in but as the 2009 Pride Coordinator for the weekend’s festivities, the demonstration. also had an eye on the weather. “I’m glad it’s not raining,” he told “‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ under- OUTloud prior to the parade. “Hopefully it will continue that way. scores that discrimination against It’s turning out to be fabulous. There are tons of people gathering gays and lesbians continues 40 years and it’s still early. So, with a little bit of luck it will be a fabulous after the Stonewall riots, and reminds event. I’m really excited.” Liller had coordinated the entertainment us that many challenges remain in for last year’s Pride and had volunteered to be on the Pride Com- the fight for full equality,” said Aubrey mittee before that. -- continued on page 09 Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director in a statement. “Like those who stood

OUTloud will be taking a short vacation. Look for our next issue in August. -- continued on page 27 Temperature Control outspoken Publisher Mike Chase Keeping the heat on President Obama is [email protected] Executive Editor right, but let’s be realistic. Jim Becker [email protected] By Steve Charing And while I doubt he personally approved nate in Congress. It is that body that needs Sales the language in the DOJ brief, he is still re- to act on an all-inclusive ENDA, to repeal of Mary Taylor, Director Towards the end of the Pride festival a young sponsible for it, and it counters his pledge to DADT and to pass the Matthew Sheppard [email protected] lady asked me, “When will Obama give repeal it through legislation. Are these out- Act while we still have this large majority. Managing Editor us our rights?” as if he can wave a magic bursts, however, the right strategy? Alas, the repeal of DOMA appears to be Steve Charing [email protected] wand. years away from passage. It’s not politically The next day in an uncharacteristically The political realities realistic that sitting Representatives will Leather Editor Rodney Burger testy e-mail blast, Equality Maryland called Of course, we want our agenda pushed want to enter their next electoral campaign on its supporters to “Give President Obama through. We have a Democratic president with their opponents harping on the fact that Writers Jeffrey Clagett Josh Aterovis a Piece of Your Mind.” with a huge Democratic majority in Con- the incumbent is opposed to preserving the Chuck Duncan Rickie Green Recently a well-publicized partial boy- gress—a window of opportunity that will not institution of marriage. Eva Hersh MD Marty Hoegg cott by lgbt donors of a Democratic National remain open forever Doug Ireland Jay Loane Committee fundraiser was in response to the despite the GOP’s foi- P.S. Lorio Jim Lucio Meredith Moise Sandy Rawls Department of Justice’s over-the-top legal bles. But let’s get real. Ben Ryland MIA - Alexander St. John brief in defending the Defense of Marriage President Obama Nate Sweeney Larry Walker Act as well as inaction on securing other as- has been in office just Graphics pects of the lgbt agenda. over 5 months out of 48 Hannah-Love Shibley, Director And the Servicemembers Legal De- months in his first term. [email protected] fense Network staged a demonstration in He potentially could Carol Baker Bruce Garrett front of the White House to bemoan the lack reach 96 months if re- Bryan Sullivan of progress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” elected. In the short Photographers Other protest marches in D.C. are planned time since inauguration Michelle Alpert for the fall. he has dealt with prob- Skip Koritzer What is going on here is a series of lems that would make Harry Lowinger sporadic outbursts of frustration by many any other person find National Advertising lgbt activists who resent the DOJ brief’s lan- an escape clause in the Rivendell Media guage and the slow pace in which campaign contract. His issues are 908-232-2021 promises are being addressed. too numerous to delin- Web Services eate here, but I’m sure Drew Saine [email protected] Beleaguered President there is no question as LGBT activists are not the only ones turning to the challenges fac- Distribution/Circulation Jay Loane the heat up on President Obama. He is also ing our country. Imag- “[Obama] is feeling pressure from the [email protected] being criticized by Hispanics over the lack ine McCain and Palin left, the right, the center, the media—just of comprehensive immigration reform. En- grappling with these Baltimore OUTloud vironmentalists are on his case for not act- crises. about everyone. He’s too timid on Iran. He’s P.O. Box 3640, Baltimore, MD 21214 ing swiftly on global warming. Mr. Obama is Mr. Obama didn’t driving the deficit up. His healthcare plan 410-244-6780 hearing it from Republicans who oppose ev- win the election based www.baltimoreoutloud.com erything he is trying to do to lift the economy on a gay agenda. He will doom the nation. He’s too pro-Israel. out of oblivion after they largely put it there. won on “change” and to Additional Information He’s too pro-Palestine. And North Korea has Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride He’s feeling pressure from the left, the put Democratic policies its sights set on Waikiki Beach. It seems like Media, Ltd. in Baltimore, Maryland. Readers’ comments right, the center, the media—just about ev- in place and eradicate and unsolicited materials are welcomed and may be sent eryone. He’s too timid on Iran. He’s driving the previous adminis- it’s time for him to get another dog.” to: [email protected]. | Pride Media offices the deficit up. His healthcare plan will doom tration’s mistakes. He are located at 1120 N. Charles Street, 4R, Baltimore, 21201. | All materials appearing in this newspaper are the property the nation. He’s too pro-Israel. He’s too pro- won on ending the war in Iraq and imple- But we need to start educating them and of Pride Media, Ltd. and may not be reproduced without Palestine. And North Korea has its sights set menting some form of universal healthcare. it would be easier to succeed on this front if the written permission of the editor. on Waikiki Beach. It seems like it’s time for And he won by being the anti-Bush. we can achieve victories in the other impor- him to get another dog. He amassed 365 electoral votes. Even tant issues first. Once we achieve equality in This barrage of criticism and demands if Mr. Obama did not receive a single lgbt one area, it is harder justify discrimination in resembles a national dunking machine vote (and 30% of lgbt folks did not vote for other areas. where Obama sits on the platform and the him anyway), he still would have won. That’s As much as the bully pulpit is useful for whole country is hurling balls at the metal right, as a bloc, and I use that term loosely, a popular president to help frame the agenda circular plate. we didn’t win the election for him. and kick-start the process, Mr. Obama will ©2009 - All Rights Reserved Chairman of the Board Jim Becker From our perspective, President Obama But that doesn’t mean he will renege on not sacrifice any political capital on these President Jim Williams clearly could have imposed a moratorium on his campaign promises to us. The key com- matters—yet—until HIS priorities are real- Vice President Lee Mooney DADT discharges while Congress sorts it out. ponents of our legislative agenda must origi- -- continued on page 27

 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com news // national Our concentration focuses on issues ENDA Introduced in U.S. House affecting your life and your rights: Healthcare Proxy Measure would prohibit workplace discrimination Power of Attorney based on sexual orientation and gender identity Joint Purchase and Savings Agreement Estate and Tax Planning WASHINGTON – An inclusive Employment Adoption and Second Parent Adoption Non-Discrimination Act was re-introduced Child Custody in the House of Representatives on June Guardianship 24 that would create federal protections Advance Health Care Directive Proudly supporting and serving against workplace discrimination based on Wills the LGBT community since 1988. sexual orientation and gender identity. The Divorces and Break Ups lead sponsors of the bipartisan measure Domestic Partnership Agreements are Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA), Corporate Law IIeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jared Polis (D-CO), Michael Castle For more information please contact: (R-DE), George Miller (D-CA), Mark Kirk Mark F. Scurti, Esq. (R-IL), John Conyers (D-MI), Todd Platts 410.938.8718 | 410.938.8800 (R-PA), Rob Andrews (D-NJ), and Leonard [email protected] Lance (R-NJ). hpklegal.com “Just like our friends, neighbors and co-workers, LGBT Americans work hard, provide for our families and contribute to our nation’s economy,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese in a statement. “We all share the challenges of T o w s o n C o l u m b i a B e l A i r C a m b r i d g e today’s economic downturn, but our com- munity also faces arbitrary discrimination in the workplace, simply because of who we are and who we love. Congress must pass Congressman Barney Frank introduced the lesgislation. the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and ensure that all Americans, regardless of said Donna Griffin, senior vice president and sexual orientation and gender identity, get a chief diversity officer, The Chubb Corpora- fair chance to succeed at work.” tion. “The principles it fosters are consistent The Employment Non-Discrimination with our corporate principles of treating all Act would address discrimination in the employees with fairness and respect. ENDA workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse will have a positive impact on our country’s to hire or refuse to promote an employee ability to compete on the world stage, by based on the person’s sexual orientation or extending legal protection in the majority of gender identity. This bill would reflect the states where employees can still be turned values, shared by the vast majority of Ameri- down for a job, or fired, simply because they cans, that employment decisions should be are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.” based on a person’s qualifications and work Other lgbt organizations have hailed ethic. this development. “The introduction of An estimated 85% of Fortune 500 com- ENDA shows that Congress is dedicated to panies include sexual orientation in their making sure that all workers are safe from equal employment policies, and more than discrimination,” said D’Arcy Kemnitz, Execu- one-third also include gender identity. More tive Director of the National LGBT Bar As- than 60 companies have joined the Business sociation.” The vast majority of Americans Coalition for Workplace Fairness, a group of support workplace protections for lgbt work- leading U.S. employers that support the Em- ers, and it is long past time for federal law to ployment Non-Discrimination Act. reflect that reality.” “Although more and more businesses “Americans understand that employ- in the United States have started address- ment protection is not just ethical, it is also ing workplace fairness for lgbt employees, practical,” said Kemnitz. “Our members han- we still need a federal standard that treats all dle countless cases of workplace discrimina- employees the same way,” said Orson Por- tion, and they will tell you that workers who ter, U.S. Director of Government Affairs. are secure in their jobs are more productive. “Chubb is unwavering in its support of That is critical in today’s economy.” the Employment Non-Discrimination Act,” -- continued on page 27

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q  news // local Central PA Pride: A Celebration by the River The banks of the scenic Susquehanna River will provide the backdrop for the 18th installment of the Pride Festival of Central PA. The main events take place on Saturday, July 25 from 10:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. at South Riv- erfront Park, in Harrisburg, PA.

Saturday’s line-up of events is as follows:

10:00 a.m. Stonewall Veterans - PrideFest Unity Parade 12:00 p.m. South Star Spangled Banner & Opening Remarks 12:00 p.m. North DJs John & Ryan from WNNK 104 12:15 p.m. North DC Different Drummers 12:30 p.m. North Drag Show 12:30 p.m. South Sister Beat 1:15 p.m. North Charles Lee 1:30 p.m. South Female Illusionist Performances - I I 2:15 p.m. North Drag Show + Pride’s Got Talent 2:30 p.m. South Bobbi Carmitchell 3:30 p.m. South Female Illusionist Performances - II 3:30 p.m. North Parade Awards 3:45 p.m. North The Shueys 4:30 p.m. South Natalie Darkes 4:45 p.m. North DJs John & Ryan from WNNK 104 5:00 p.m. North Janice Robinson 5:30 p.m. South Female Illusionist Performances - III 6:00 p.m. South Tiffany - Headliner! 7:00 p.m. South Closing Remarks

On Friday night, Voices United will entertain, and on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. there will be a Pride Forum that will focus on Stonewall. In addition, Sprits United will appear at 7:00 p.m. Central PA Pride is produced by a board and committee staffed entirely of unpaid volunteers. Each year, over 5,000 visitors attend. The very first event that evolved into Central PA Pride was called “Open Air” and was held on the Police Athletic Grounds (PAL) along Harrisburg’s Lin- glestown Road. The event was held in the late 80s for two consecutive years. Organization of the event was led by the volleyball team that used the PAL Building on N. 3rd St. At the time, organizers discussed how people might be afraid or unwilling to attend a “Gay Pride” event in this region. After much collaboration, the or- ganizers chose the name “Open Air,” to represent the fact that the community could come together in the light of day. Pink helium balloons served as the “signal” at the otherwise unremarkable entrance the festival. The event next moved to Ski Round Top and was hosted at a private condominium community on a huge rolling stretch of grass. Eventually, the event moved to Harrisburg Area Community College and then to Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park. According to Dan Miller, the first openly gay Har- risburg City Council member, the first actual Pride festival was held on Sunday, July 26, 1992.

 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com people we like Gary Pinchot and Rob Pursell news // local

By Jay Loane On an overcast humid day in June, I ventured out of my norm and headed north to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where I met up with Gary Pinchot and his partner Rob Pursell. We gathered at the Brownstone Lounge where both of these gentlemen are bartenders.

“I grew up in worked in several Schuylkill County bars in Baltimore where there are more and working for a bars than churches,” newspaper, I visit remarked Gary. many others. “That is how I be- We discussed came a bartender.” what makes It was through the Brownstone a mutual friend in Lounge special. PA hosts Mr. Northern Florida that the two “Definitely the first met. “We have people we work Star USA Unlimited so much in common with and the cus- with each other that tomers who visit The first competition of Mr. Northern Star after we met, we sat us here,” stated USA Unlimited took place at Liquid 891 in around and talked Gary. “It is a fun Harrisburg, PA on June 28th. Pictured from all night long,” Gary place to work es- l. to r. are: Eric Rainbow; second alternate, said. pecially on bear Xavier James; Show Promoter Joanna Blue; Rob worked night. It can get Winner Troy Schrantz; Show Promoter Mi- in the kitchen of a really crazy in chelle Leigh Sterling ;and second place win-

Mom & Pop bar in oane here and they are ner Dominick Foxx. L Pennsylvania. It just all a great group so happened to be of guys.”

where Gary worked Photo: Jay “We are as a bartender. Rob (l.) and Gary all one big hap- “Gary has going to py family here,” be out for a while to have an operation so I learned how to be a added Rob. bartender so I could fill in while he was out. I enjoyed the custom- When it came to my standard ‘get to know you better’ ques- ers so much that I decided that was my career choice.” tionnaire, you would think that these two were joined at the hip. The couple has been together for three years now. They will Several responses were either right on the money or real close. be celebrating their anniversary on July 14th. Many times with cou- They both are tea drinkers. Granted Rob’s contains alcohol; a ples there is a “glow” about them. Something I have noticed only a Long Island Iced Tea and Gary’s is a Schuylkill County thing – Gu- few times, and with these two it is present. The couple is planning ers Iced Tea. next spring or fall to be married. Since many states do not recog- They both enjoy reading. Rob is a fan of John Grisham while nize or will even allow gay marriages to take place, Gary and Rob Gary prefers Stephen King. are going to Connecticut where a friend lives to tie the knot. The Both responded the same when I asked them where their fa- reception will take place back in Harrisburg. vorite vacation spot was. Rehoboth Beach came in first with Day- “We have a friend who was on the cable show where they tona Beach second. Coconuts Café Sold design weddings and he is going to do our flowers and a few other When it came to food, Gary prefers Sushi and Rob is an Ital- things to make our special day complete,” stated Gary. ian fan. Coconuts Café, a Mount Vernon bar on W. With Central Pennsylvania Pride approaching, we talked I then asked them if there was any place in the world they Madison St. that catered primarily to a lesbi- about the differences between Baltimore Pride and Harrisburg could live, Gary quickly pointed out that he is “happy here in Har- an clientele, was sold late June. It will close Pride. “Harrisburg Pride is the only one I have been to,” remarked risburg. I have my family, great friends and an incredible boss and down for several months while the bar and Rob. job.” Rob agreed to add that “as long as I am with my partner, building undergo renovations. “It is not as cutthroat as many other prides are up here. I mean anywhere will be fine.” He did concede that “Italy would be nice.” The bar, which was known for its inex- to say that we all work together. All of the bars are not in a war to Both Gary and Rob are very friendly, family oriented and pas- pensive drinks and specials, tasty bar cui- see who is going to outdo who and step on many toes in the pro- sionate about each other. I concluded the interview by asking them sine, pool tables, live DJ and karaoke, had cess,” Gary said. what their reaction was when I asked them to be featured in this been voted by the City Paper best lesbian “And,” he quickly added, “Our pride is more family orientated. column, Gary said that he was flattered and Rob was excited. bar in Baltimore on several occasions. It had It is not like the gay issues are shoved down your throat. You can So if you are looking for a day filled with excitement and fun, opened in the mid-1990s. bring the kids with you and everyone can have a fun time. And then venture up to Harrisburg for Central Pennsylvania Pride and stop Cindy and Mark, the previous owners, there is the political side of Pride but it is not the focal point here.” in by the Brownstone Lounge and see Gary and Rob. Actually, you expressed their sincere appreciation to all When it does become political in Harrisburg, they both are can usually find them there anytime. Either way, it is well worth the patrons who loyally supported Coconuts right there in the forefront supporting the lgbt issues. the trip. through the years. Specific future plans for We then talked about the bar business. Being one that has the bar are unavailable at this time.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q  rainbow was assigned a specific beyond the beltway meaning by Baker. Pink stood for sexuality, red for life, orange for Compiled by Jim Becke set to begin. The giant triangle is put on Twin healing, yellow for sunlight, green Peaks every June in conjunction with Gay for nature, turquoise for magic/ Gay Pride month marred Pride Month. art, indigo for serenity/harmony, Posters celebrating Gay Pride Month and violet for spirit. “Well, a flag by anti-gay acts hanging in 35 Department of Labor elevators has to have a meaning, and [the were defaced or removed, prompting Labor symbolism of each color] gave it New York City - In addition to the festive Secretary Hilda Solis to issue a warning let- more depth,” said Baker. He put events that have occurred throughout pride ter. The New York Times reports that Solis, to rest rumors that he created month across the country were several acts who helped found the House of Represen- a rainbow flag in honor of Judy of anti-gay violence and vandalism. The New tative’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Garland’s “Somewhere over the York Daily News reported n June 29 that a Caucus when she was in Congress, was out- Rainbow.” Baker said that he man was attacked around 4 a.m. June 27 by raged and wrote an email to the department. came from the Streisand gen- at least three men who called him anti-gay “I do not believe these actions represent the eration. She was all about not epithets. Boston resident Joseph Holladay, majority of our employees, so I refuse to let conforming and not being a vic- 36, was smoking outside a friend’s apart- this situation define us.” She said that the tim. His generation was all about ment on the Upper East Side when he was posters will stay up through the end of June fighting the system and not be- pistol whipped and robbed by three men. He and will continue to replaced immediately if ing persecuted, like Streisand. is currently recovering in a hospital. Resi- damaged or removed (365Gay.com) “It was all about ‘‘She’’s a Rain- dents of the apartment heard and saw the bow’’ by the Stones, not ‘Over the incident occur, reporting to authorities that Rainbow flag creator Rainbow,’” added in Baker with a they saw five or six white men wearing wife- laugh. The flag has undergone beaters smoking pot outside the building be- still proud of it after 31 changes over the years, from fore the attack occurred. eight colors to six to accommo- San Francisco’s large Pink Triangle on years date the availability of resources the city’s Twin Peaks was burned after what and colors but Baker is still proud investigators say may be an act of vandal- New York City - Dressed up in a blue se- of its message. (365Gay.com - ism. CBS Five reports that a fire on the sym- quined gown and matching crown, holding a Gilbert Baker Cory Stottlemyer) bol was extinguished early June 28, hours tablet with “Stonewall XL” written on it in one before the city’s annual Pride Parade was hand and a sparkly blue torch in the other, Gilbert Baker was hard not to notice at the Plaque at Stonewall Drag March on Friday, June 26. The creator of the original rainbow flag and one of the honors trans activists founders of the Drag March, Baker dressed as Lady Liberty one of many talents. A vexil- as heroes lographer (“that’s a flag maker darling,” he explained). He is as out-spoken and quick- Boston, MA - Historians have long credited witted as he is passionate and dedicated to poor and working class drag queens, bull the gay rights movement. dykes and other transgender and gender- A long-time activist and supporter of non-conforming people as key participants many causes, Baker created the rainbow in the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, but within flag in 1978 for the 1978 San Francisco Gay the wider lgbt community that defining mo- and Lesbian Freedom Day parade. Using his ment is all-too-often remembered as a gay, experience from making banners for anti- rather than lgbt, milestone. The International war demonstrations and other protests, he Court System and the National Gay and knew the moment he created the flag that it Lesbian Task Force hope to change that. would change his life forever. “Flags equal On June 25, to commemorate the 40th an- power; they are an exchange of ideas, an niversary of the riots that marked the birth action,” Gilbert said when asked why he of the modern lgbt rights movement, the two chose to make a flag. “When you put a flag organizations held a dedication ceremony up, you’re showing power. Flags are greater at the fabled New York City bar to unveil a than a symbol. plaque featuring the names of 40 transgen- Wanting to avoid using the pink trian- der heroes past and present. The plaque is gle, a symbol he explained was thrust on on permanent display at the bar, “so people homosexuals as a label by the Nazis, Baker going into the Stonewall Inn will be able to created the rainbow flag to spread a world- see this plaque and see the names of these, wide message. “You can’t design a flag. It’s to me, true heroes of our community,” said torn from the soul of the people,” said Baker. Nicole Murray-Ramirez, a longtime San Di- “[The flag] was an instant thing. I just knew ego-based activist who presides over the In- it was right.” Gilbert chose to use a rainbow ternational Court System as Empress Nicole because its symbolism “is forever,” repre- the Great. senting the spectrum of sexuality and ties to The International Court System was nature. Each color of the original eight-color founded in 1965, four years before Stone-

 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com careers who, after they transition, suddenly and against the Bill during two rounds of beyond the beltway find themselves unable to find meaningful hour-and-a-half debates. Chief House spon- work, and young transgender people who sor Rep. Rick Glazier said that in all the ar- wall. Member courts in the United States, tor of external relations for the Task Force, are unable to get their first job. The Employ- guments he’d heard against the bill, not one Canada and Mexico hold events in which said his organization agreed to co-spon- ment Nondiscrimination Act will be an impor- person had ever claimed it wouldn’t protect members don campy and outrageous cos- sor the list and the dedication ceremony to tant step in helping these folks get to work.” children. He said opponents’ chief argu- tumes and adopt royal titles, all while rais- spread awareness in the larger LGBT com- ENDA was originally introduced in ments were against the inclusion of protec- ing money for lgbt and HIV/AIDS organiza- munity of the centrality of transgender peo- 1994. Frank introduced ENDA again in 2007, tions for lgbt students. Rep. Tricia Cotham tions. Murray-Ramirez said he was inspired ple to the Stonewall Rebellion. “That was marking the first time the bill included the said legislators had a “moral obligation” to to create the list of 40 heroes to ensure that the entire reason for doing the list in the first transgender community. The bill had about protect students. “Opponents of this bill be- people remember the history of transgender place. It was to acknowledge the transgen- 65 cosponsors but eventually garnered 184. lieve there are some children not worth pro- and gender-non-conforming people. For all der and gender non-conforming community Several months later, however, Frank intro- tecting,” she said. “It is time for North Caro- the publicity around Harvey Milk’s legacy, for their role in serving as a catalyst to ignite duced a new version of ENDA that lacked lina to stand up for all of our children so that Murray-Ramirez said there has been little the modern day movement,” said Roybal. To protections based on gender identity, noting each child can develop his or her God-given attention paid to another trailblazer, Jose see the list of 40 Stonewall Trans Heroes the inclusive bill did not have the votes to talents.” Six Democrats joined 51 Republi- Julio Sarria, who in 1961 was the first openly visit http://www.impcourt.org/Trans40. (Bay pass. That bill did pass the House in Novem- cans in opposing the bill during Tuesday’s Windows - Ethan Ja- ber of that year, but was not taken up by the final vote. (Q-Notes Online - Matt Comer at cobs at baywindows. Senate. The latest version of the bill would q-notes.com) com) ban discrimination in hiring and firing prac- tices at both public and private companies, These news notes have been compiled, Inclusive with exemptions for religious organizations with permission, from the on line version of and the military. About 12 states and 100 various newspapers and other web sites. We federal job municipalities in the nation also extend such thank these publi- protections. (Philadelphia Gay News - Jen cations for allow- protection Colletta at epgn.com) ing us to bring you their news stories. bill Usually the re- introduced ports have been significantly ed- Washington, D.C. - ited and you can Openly gay U.S. Rep. read the full story by going to the web site Barney Frank (D- mentioned following the item. Comments Mass.) introduced are strictly the opinions of Jim Becker and a bill this week that not of Baltimore Outloud or Pride Media. would prohibit dis- crimination against lgbt employees across the country. Gov. Beverly Perdue OUTloud News Poll Frank is spearhead- ing the Employment NC governor to sign President Barack Obama has Non-Discrimination been the target of many in Act, HR 2981, again inclusive anti-bullying the lgbt community for not this year, after hav- acting fast enough in following ing drawn the ire of bill through on his promise some members of to secure equality for lgbt the lgbt community Raleigh, NC - The press office of North citizens. How do you feel about last legislative ses- Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue has confirmed the President’s performance sion for agreeing she will sign the anti-bullying bill passed by so far? to remove gender the legislature on Tuesday, June 23. The identity from the leg- Fayetteville Observer reports that an aide • He is moving too slow Jose Julio Sarria islation. This version has said she expects the governor to sign • He is moving at the right pace of the bill, however, the bill. The School Violence Prevention Act given other problems the gay candidate for public office, running un- extends protections based on sexual orien- (SVPA) passed the House 58-57. It had pre- country is facing successfully for the San Francisco Board of tation and gender identity. viously been approved by the Senate. • Congress is the reason for Supervisors. Sarria, one of the 40 heroes on Mara Kiesling, executive director of the The SVPA mandates that all local delay in taking action the list, was a drag queen and founded the National Center for Transgender Equality, school districts in the state adopt strong International Court System in 1964 as the said the inclusion of gender identity in the anti-bullying policies by the end of this year. To vote: Empress I Jose, the Widow Norton. “Jose bill is a necessity to alleviate some of the The policies are to include a list of enumer- visit www.baltimoreoutloud.com is our Rosa Parks, because she used to widespread employment bias that transgen- ated categories outlining those students be in the back of the bus when it comes to der people face. “Day after day, we hear from who are most at-risk and vulnerable to bul- equality, and her candidacy made a petition transgender people who have lost their jobs lying; the list includes sexual orientation and that was heard all around the world,” said for no other reason than plain and simple gender-identity. Murray-Ramirez. discrimination,” Kiesling said. “This includes The House held a contentions debate OUTloud’s queer TV guide: Russell Roybal, deputy executive direc- people who have had long and distinguished with Representatives speaking at length for www.baltimoreoutloud.com

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q  beyond the beltway Stonewall and our lost gay radicalism

London, England - The Stonewall riots of 40 years ago led to demands for liberation. Now we meekly hope for equality. During the Stonewall riots in New York, for the first time in history, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- gender (lgbt) people fought back against decades of police harassment. Previously, [with some exceptions] lgbt people world- wide had largely complied with arrest and criminalization. In the aftermath of this his- tory-making queer resistance, the Gay Lib- eration Front (GLF) was formed in New York and similar groups sprang up across the US and the world. The modern lgbt rights move- ment was born. The global GLF movement was radi- cally different than previous movements. It was a watershed in queer consciousness - the moment lgbt people discarded victim- hood and stopped apologizing. Instead of pleas for tolerance, the demand was un- conditional acceptance. Thousands came out. This had never happened before. Our slogan: Gay is Good. These three simple words were revolutionary. Until then, nearly everyone - including many lgbts - believed that gay was bad, mad and sad. Our vi- sion was a new sexual democracy, without homophobia and misogyny. Erotic shame and guilt would be banished, together with socially enforced monogamy and male and female gender roles. There would be sexu- al freedom and human rights for everyone - queer and straight. Our message was “in- novate, don’t assimilate”. GLF never called for equality. The demand was liberation. We wanted to change society, not conform to it. Equal rights within a flawed, unjust system struck us as idiotic. In the 40 years since Stonewall and GLF, there has been a massive retreat from that radical vision. Most lgbt people no lon- ger question the values, laws and institu- tions of society. They are content to settle for equal rights within the status quo. On the age of consent, the lgbt movement accepted equality at 16, ignoring the criminalization of younger gay and straight people. Don’t the under-16s have sexual human rights too? Equality has not helped them. All they got was equal injustice. Whereas GLF saw mar- riage and the family as a patriarchal prison for women, gay people and children, today the lgbt movement uncritically champions same-sex marriage and families. How ironic. (Seattle Gay News & The Guardian - Peter Tatchell)

 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com news // local

continued from cover

Call it beginner’s luck. Call it a bless- ing by the rainbow gods. But the promised 
CFMBJS
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 typical June day, and the high heel race that  kicked off the parade took place without any extra slipping or sliding. XF
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QNQN One of his buds, Coddy, is from D.C. now and has been to Baltimore’s Pride celebra- tions before. “Baltimore rocks,” he shouted. UVFTEBZ Corey, 18, accompanied his lesbian Mom, Diane to the parade. It was his first. IBQQZ
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 dozens of groups, businesses and organiza- tions represented. Creative costumes, floats, UIVSTEBZ chants, lots of beads and other colorful para-

phernalia highlighted the short march from Photo: Bruce Garrett CFFS
QPOH just south of the Washington Monument. 
EPNFTUJD Well-known Baltimore performer Shawna Al- theme for this year’s Pride. age activism. exander and others announced the arrival of With the music pulsating from the stage A day-care area was set-up for children QJUDIFST each parade entry who competed for prizes as the backdrop, the block party served as to play and enjoy the hoopla. Stage perfor- in various categories. Sue Nami, the Charm a place to eat, drink and maybe stumble into mances took place throughout the day as GSJEBZT City Kitty Club and The Drinkery came away friends, old or new. The party lasted into the individuals, couples and families, laid out 
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NJEOJUF seemed less than in previous years, but that Sunday’s weather was magnificent and tarist and singer-songwriter Tom Goss was can be attributed to the threatening weather. by all accounts, it appeared that the crowd enjoyable. Also, such familiar acts as the One observer noted that the recession might who attended the festival in Druid Hill Park Charm City Kitty Club, Baltimore Men’s Cho- TBUVSEBZT have held back some would-be travelers. was a record-setter. More families—lgbt and rus, New Wave Singers, the Wicked Jezza- ZPV
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MJWF The performances were steady and en- the block party and the park festival. magnitude he was apprehensive going in. QNBN joyable and were emceed by Steve Smith “There were slightly fewer booths at “You never know what you’re getting into un- and Tatiyanna. Entertainers from Voice of the festival this year,” said Pride Coordina- til you get there,” he said. “I want to thank Pride Ryan Boffen to The Degenerrettes tor Paul Liller. “This was not an election year all the people who came out to Pride, all of kept the beat up. Headliner Amber, a popu- so you didn’t have the candidates participat- the vendors, all the sponsors, and all the XF
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BN lar dance music artist, was well received by ing.” Nonetheless, political advocacy groups volunteers.” the crowd. She closed out the program with like Equality Maryland and the Human And it sounds like he was grateful to the CMVFQBSSPUCBSDPN her 2000 single “Love One Another”—the Rights Campaign were on hand to encour- weather gods, too.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q  Dear Newbie, in blood levels of potassium and sodium. seed, sold as Metamucil and other brands. Thanks for asking an important question. In severe cases, these imbalances cause Prunes, prune juice, and other dried fruits First, the idea of “clean anal sex” is seizures. Over time, people who use are also effective. Avoid using laxatives, a bit of a contradiction. The colon (lower enemas can become so constipated that since they decrease the muscle tone of the dr. eva intestine or bowel) is a tube filled with feces they cannot move their bowels at all without bowel, leading to worse constipation. (poop). Whenever a person has a bowel an enema. Before sex, wipe your anal area with movement, feces move down the tube. The If you haven’t already, please discuss a moist cloth to remove any residue. It’s rectum is the last part of the tube. It always this issue with your boyfriend. You may be better to clean with a cloth rather than toilet contains at least a little bit of feces. Unless more concerned about cleanliness than tissue, which tends to shred and leave bits a person is constipated, there is only a he is. He may not be bothered by a small attached to the skin. Clean Anal Sex? small amount of feces in the rectum until amount of feces. Using a towel will protect Always use a condom for anal sex. just before a bowel movement. the sheets, and a condom (which you are To avoid damaging the anal opening, use unfortunately, both enemas and using every time, right?) will keep his penis water-soluble lubricant every time-these Enemas and douching can be dangerous to your health. clean and protect you from infections. days you can get it at any pharmacy Enemas of any kind irritate the lining of the To make anal sex as clean as possible, or large grocery. Avoid condoms with bowel. The bowel contains bacteria, which it’s important to avoid constipation. If nonoxynol-9, because this chemical irritates Douching help digest food. The bowel lining keeps you can, move your bowels before sex. the colon lining. bacteria out of the bloodstream. After an Generally, people move their bowels more Douching and enemas cannot actually Dear Dr Eva, enema or douche, these bacteria, which are easily after eating. This is because eating clean you out, and they will increase your I’m a 19 year old guy who used to think of not harmful when they stay inside the colon, causes the intestines to contract, moving health risks. Enemas are one habit you myself as a top, but I’m starting to enjoy can be released into your bloodstream and feces towards the rectum. So (assuming should give up. If you still have questions or being on the bottom, and I’m not so sure if can cause serious illness. The irritation you are not constipated), if you have moved concerns, please write to me again. I’m doing the right thing to be prepared for and damage to the colon lining caused your bowels that day and avoid eating for a —Dr. Eva clean anal sex. My boyfriend and I are very by enemas and douching increase a few hours before sex, there should not be sexually active. We like to have sex twice a bottom’s risk of becoming infected with much feces in your rectum. Dr. Eva Hersh is Chief Medical Officer at day, and I usually use a Fleet enema before HIV, hepatitis, herpes, Chlamydia and other If you are prone to constipation, you Chase Brexton Health Services. Send your we have sex. Is it okay to use enemas this infections. can correct this by drinking more water and comments and questions to her by e-mail often? If it is dangerous, is there any other Enemas have other risks as well. increasing your fiber intake. Dietary fiber is to the editor at charing@baltimoreoutloud. way to be ready for clean anal sex? Using enemas more than once a week found in fruits and vegetables, beans, and com, or by surface mail to Eva Hersh MD, Thanks, can interfere with the chemical balance of bran cereals and breads. Alternatively, you Chase Brexton Health Services, 1001 —A New Bottom the body, and cause dangerous changes can use fiber supplements like psyllium Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201

10 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com religious directory

The United Methodist Churches in Baltimore City Gay?Gay? Lesbian?Lesbian? Catholic?Catholic? Welcome You All Are Welcome Reconciling and welcoming congregations where St. Bernadette you will be warmly welcomed are: Roman Catholic Bethesda Church ~ 6300 Harford Road www.bethmethumc.com Church Faith Community Church ~ 5315 Harford Road Our Weekend Mass Schedule: www.faithcommunityumc.org SATURDAY Grace Church ~ 5407 N Charles St (at Northern Parkway) 5:30 p.m. - Church www.graceunitedmethodist.org SUNDAY Mt Vernon Place Church (at the Monument) [email protected] 9:00 a.m.,10:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m. - Church St John’s Church ~ Baltimore City 2640 St Paul Street Contact Ann McDonald, Pastoral Life Director 410-969-2785 www.stjohnsbaltimore.org 801 Stevenson Road - Severn, MD 21144-2299 West Baltimore Church ~ 5130 Greenwich Avenue 410-969-2783 www.westbaltimoreumc.org www.stbernadette.org

The Baltimore Ethical Society Diversity Humanism Community Equality Sunday Meetings - 10:30 a.m.

COMMITMENT CEREMONIES & WEDDINGS 306 W. Franklin St. Ste.102 410-581-2322 www.BaltimoreEthicalSociety.org

We don’t debate, or simply tolerate; We celebrate your sexuality and spirituality! Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore Sundays 9 AM Traditional Celebration 10 AM Hospitality Time - Community 11 AM Praise Celebration & Family Service 401 West Monument St. - Baltimore 410-NOW-MCCb www.mccbaltimore.org mccbaltimore.aol.com

We Welcome GLBT Families and Friends to the Life and Ministry of the Church

Beth El Congregation Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis We are a Welcoming Congregation, An open, progressive USCJ synagogue. We welcome and celebrate the lives of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people. 8101 Park Heights Avenue Worship service: 9 and 11am Baltimore, MD 21208 Rev. Dr. Fredric Muir, Pastor  ‡www.bethelbalto.com Francoise Ateto, Director of Religion Education “This is your synagogue.” 333 Dubois Road - Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 266-8044

Call 410-244-6780 to list your house of worship in the religious directory.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 11 news // local passings

recordation or transfer fees and taxes. This was welcome legisla- Former GLCCB board Inheritance Tax tion, but for technical reasons, it can create a two-edged sword for same-sex couples. member Jack Epstein Take the example of John and David: If John owns his house Exemption for Domestic outright and then adds David to the title, a legal fiction is created has died that John and David each own 50 percent of the residence. If David then dies first, John will have to pay an inheritance tax on David’s Jack Epstein, a former volunteer and mem- Partners in Effect half of the house—even though John owned 100 percent of the ber of the Board of Trustees of the Gay and house before he added David to the title. Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore Effective July 1, new domestic partner laws and regulations This new inheritance tax law now eliminates the inheritance tax and Central Maryland, died on June 18 after take effect in Maryland that will afford greater peace of mind John will have to pay. breaking a hip a week earlier. He was 93. to families headed by same-sex couples. Please make sure Jack was born in Hampton, Virginia that you are educated about these new laws! For instance, What is a domestic partner? and moved to Baltimore at an early age. He have you and your partner prepared an affidavit declaring As defined in Maryland statute, a domestic partnership means a graduated from City College High School that you are domestic partners? relationship between two people (straight or gay) who are at least and earned a teacher’s certificate from Tow- This year, Equality Maryland championed legislation in 18 years old, are not related to one another, are not married or in son State Teachers’ College, now Towson Annapolis to eliminate the inheritance tax paid by a surviv- a civil union or domestic partnership with someone else and agree University. Later, he received bachelor and ing domestic partner on jointly owned primary residences. to be in a relationship of mutual interdependence (meaning you master’s degrees from the Johns Hopkins Simply put, same-sex couples deserve the same right to pro- contribute to the maintenance and support of each other and the University and a teacher’s certificate from tect their assets and their families as anyone else! With Gov. relationship). Baltimore Hebrew College. He had a long O’Malley’s signature, this legislation is now the law. While no and distinguished career as a professor of one wants to think about the passing of a loved one, it is vi- How do we prove we are domestic partners? education. tally important that you be prepared. It is the intention of the law to have health care facilities and other Jack served in the Naval Reserve for In order to make sure you are exempt from the inheri- entities subject to this law to allow a person to say they are the many years. He retired as a high ranking tance tax, you may be asked to show an affidavit of domestic other’s domestic partner and that is that. However, these facilities officer. While in the Navy, he developed a partnership on file at the time of the passing of a partner. For- may require a couple to prove they are domestic partners. lifelong love of boating and spent his sum- tunately, this need not be an onerous or expensive process. If you are asked to provide proof of a domestic partnership the mers at a cottage on the Magathey River. most a facility can require from you is an affidavit AND proof of two He bought the cottage in 1950, and for de- What does this new law do? documents from the list below. cades, up until several years ago, regularly This law adds “domestic partner” to the list of family members who • Joint lease, mortgage or loan invited friends for cookouts and boating. He are exempted from paying state inheritance tax on certain property • Designation of one of the individuals as the primary beneficiary regaled in speeding along the river into the that passes to them from their deceased domestic partner. on the other’s life insurance or retirement plan Chesapeake Bay with friends clinging tightly Currently, certain family members do not have to pay a tax • Designation of one of the individuals as the primary beneficiary to their life-preservers. when they inherit property. This includes grandparents, parents, of the will of the other Jack was devoted to community service spouses, children or spouse of a child, and siblings. Now, the law • Health care or financial power of attorney granted by one of the and served on the boards of many commu- includes same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partners as well. individuals to the other nity organizations. He was always willing to This exemption would apply to the primary residence the couple • Joint ownership or lease of a motor vehicle devote time and contribute money to organi- held in joint tenancy at the time of one partner’s death. • Joint checking account, investment or credit card zations he believed in, especially those that Couples should download and print out an affidavit of domes- • Joint renter’s or homeowner’s insurance fought for social justice. It was this commit- tic partnership to state you are domestic partners to download it at • Coverage on a health insurance policy ment to community service that brought him http://www.equalitymaryland.org/legislation/dp_affidavit.pdf. You • Joint responsibility for child care, such as a guardianship or to the GLCCB. For several years in the early will need to sign this affidavit in front of a notary public and keep it school documents 1980s, Jack served on the Center’s Board in a safe place. • Relationship or cohabitation agreement as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Com- mittee. He brought to the Board a profes- Who and what does the inheritance tax apply to? Where do we get an affidavit? sionalism and business acumen that was The inheritance tax is only one of three “death taxes” that may ap- Equality Maryland has an affidavit that you can download and print sorely needed as the organization’s finances ply to transfers at death. There is also the Maryland estate tax and out. You will need to sign this affidavit in front of a notary public and were very much haphazard. He held regular the federal estate tax. The important distinction among them is keep it in a safe place. meetings of the Finance Committee and de- that the Maryland estate tax applies only to estates valued at more veloped the Center’s first working budget. than $1 million, and the federal estate tax applies only to estates What happens if my partner passes away and I have a prob- Jack is survived by a niece and two worth more than $3.5 million. The inheritance tax, on the other lem getting an exemption to the tax? nephews. His brother predeceased him. He hand, applies to any bequest of more than $1,000 to anyone who Please contact Equality Maryland at 301 587-7500 or info@equali- is also survived by his good friend Ed Holl, is not a close relative, as long as the value of the overall estate is tymaryland.org and we will try and help. who was a great assistance to him. at least $30,000. Jack was a longtime member of Tem- Does this bill exempt domestic partners’ other assets from ple Oheb Shalom Congregation, and was Didn’t this already pass? Weren’t we already exempted if we the inheritance tax? very active in the synagogue. A memorial are on the title together? Unfortunately, no. There should be complete repeal of the Mary- services will be held at the synagogue on No. Last year this Legislature passed a new domestic-partnership land inheritance tax for property passing to a decedent’s domestic Wednesday, July 22 at noon. Temple Oheb law, Senate Bill 597, dealing with the real estate transfer and re- partner, as is the case for spouses. However, this bill is a step in Shalom Congregation is located at 7310 cordation tax. This legislation allows someone in a same-sex rela- the right direction. It does at least provide protection for a couple’s Park Heights Avenue. tionship to add his partner to the title of his house without incurring -- continued on page 27

12 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com office, introduced herself and her qualifica- RON ZIMMERMAN REALTORS ® stone- tions and proceeded to diagnose, without the aid of instruments, that the senator was & ASSOCIATES walling in suffering from a corneal abrasion. Upon the free Dana’s recommendation, Senator Jacobs traveled to the nearby hospital with instruc- state tions on how to request urgent care from a qualified ophthalmologist on-call and re- ceived the same diagnosis and was treated Your Independent Realtor accordingly. Selected by Fox 45 As Your Hippocrates After the incident, Senator Jacobs was Premier Realtor For tremendously grateful to Dana and they greet Federal Hill and Canton Making each other warmly in Annapolis. The most Would be Proud amazing part about this story is that Senator Ron Zimmerman & Associates Jacobs works against everything that Dana Your Realtor Servicing By Kevin Walling stands for in terms of civil marriage legisla- Baltimore’s Inner Harbor tion and a bill that would simply extend basic Communities for 30 Years Dana Beyer is one of the most engaging, human rights to members of the transgender Your #1 One warm and intelligent people you will ever community. Marketing Expert meet in life. I first met Dana a couple of years ago at an Equality Maryland reception. She was attending the event in her capacity as R R member of the board and a leader in the lgbt YOUR INDEPENDENTZ REALTOR equality movement and I was there because THE FAMILY OWNED INDEPENDENT my boyfriend had dragged me! (Your author REALTOR FOR TWO GENERATIONS confesses that this was the first moment when I learned about Equality Maryland and 1234 LIGHT STREET ~ BALTIMORE, MD 21230 I’ve been hooked ever since). 410-752-1050 ~ www.rzonline.com Since that first encounter, I’ve been able to work side by side with Dana and wit- Visit your Community at FederalHillOnline.net, nessed her strength and enthusiasm over your free Community Interactive Website years. I bring Dana up in this week’s column, not just because of her many contributions to the lgbt equality movement, but because of an incredible story of compassion that State Senator Jamie Raskin (D-20) recounted to Dana Beyer me recently. A couple of years “The most amazing part about this story ago, Dana was par- is that Senator Jacobs works against ticipating in the annual hearing in Annapolis on everything that Dana stands for in terms the Religious Freedom of civil marriage legislation and a bill and Civil Marriage Pro- tection Act, legislation that would simply extend basic human that would extend the rights to members of the transgender freedom to marry for same-sex couples. State community.” Senator Nancy Jacobs (R-34) is a conservative member of the Sen- The fact that Dana didn’t hesitate to ate Judicial Proceedings Committee where help a person in need, despite her lack of the civil marriage bill is first heard. support for the lgbt community, is amazing From the outset of the hearing it was to me. Only when anti-lgbt equality leaders clear that Senator Jacobs was struggling recognize our common humanity and the with one of her eyes. She had been rubbing, fact that we only seek the same protections and from the public seating area, Dana could and benefits for ourselves and our families, tell that something was wrong. It’s important will the real change occur. to mention at this point in the story that Dana I can only surmise that Hippocrates is also a very distinguished physician spe- would be very proud of Dr. Dana Beyer, MD, cializing in eye care and surgery. and the oath she took to serve all people in Senator Jacob’s condition got progres- need. sively worse as the hearing proceeded and at one point got up from her chair and left Kevin Walling is the Director of Development the committee room. Without any hesitation, for Equality Maryland and can be reached at Dana followed Senator Jacobs to a quiet [email protected].

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 13 An Embarrassment drive vehicles could accommodate better letters to the editor sexual activity because of capacity. We To the Editor, should respect those that protect us. Fun Receiving OUTloud Soon to be fifty-four years old, I have was made of one officer because he did supported many of Baltimore Gay Pride not show enough “box.” They were asked if I live in Harford County and don’t get to Festivals. Over the years, I have formed they had tattoos and to show them as well. Baltimore very much. This weekend I was relationships with people that I respect and Some groups just walked without any at the gay pride festival and received a copy cared for, and I attend the Pride Festival in signs and the judges had to ask whom of your newspaper. I really like it and was hopes that it will be a celebration of who we they were representing. Whoever put this hoping to get a subscription for it. Do you are as people and what we have to offer to event together did not give any guidelines mail the newspaper? Please let me know. our community. in that regard. If you can’t do a respectful Thanks. It was an embarrassment to be at the (approved) float, then stay out of the parade this year. The emcee was crude parade. We will never achieve respect —Terry Hutchins and his choice of words was offensive. and common rights when we act less than COMMAND does a lot of good work, common. Ed. Note: We distribute Baltimore OUTloud and to be announced as “Come On, My Many people in the crowd felt the same at the Health Department in downtown Bel A__ Needs a New D___” was less than way and I urge these people to voice their Air (Pennsylvania and Main St.). We don’t respectful. When MR. MAN, on their opinions to make the changes necessary to mail the papers but if you visit our website so-called float, spread his cheeks for the make us equal. The parade made me feel at baltimoreoutloud.com you can find our cameras, I knew that it set us back several less than equal. stories and photos as well as reading the years, as far as gaining respect from I should not suffer embarrassment actual print edition. In the near future we others. from those who represent me. will have a mechanism in place on our The emcee also made fun of the 4- website whereby you can subscribe and wheel drive vehicle, (that our so needed —Sophlin Calderone receive bi-weekly news capsules. police use), by saying that other 4-wheel Owings Mills, MD

14 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com 2009 we still do not have federal-level pro- thinking out loud tection when it is clear that discrimination arts & entertainment and termination based on homophobia and transphobia still happen. I have a theory. My theory is that in re- Towson University Presents ENDA: More sponse to the AIDS crisis, many more gay men than before sought to emulate the lives of their heterosexual (and therefore mostly Summer 2009 Artscape Exhibition Important unaffected by AIDS) peers through monoga- my, so as to bind themselves to at least one The Departments of Art + Design, Art other person after having lost so many oth- History, and Art Education at Towson than Marriage ers. Thus, in the mid-90s the activist focus of University present the two Summer 2009 the gay community shifted from demanding Artscape Exhibitions, Local Color and AIDS research and awareness to demand- Genesis of Form. It will take place in the Equality ing marriage equality. In this drastic shift, Center for the Arts, located at the cor- we skipped over some of the more important ner of Osler and Cross Campus Drives, civil rights we ought to procure, in my opin- Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, August By Sam Zients ion, before achieving marriage equality. 9. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Now we find ourselves in a post-Propo- Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. An open- With all the press surrounding sition 8 world where we cannot put the fight ing reception will be held Thursday, July 9 Proposition 8 and same-sex for marriage equality on hold because it has from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Center for the Arts. marriage, I feel that the lgbt too much momentum to stop. But we still are The exhibitions and opening reception not protected on so many other levels that it are free and open to the public. community has lost sight of seems ludicrous to be fighting for something The Center for the Arts Gallery hosts what should be its biggest pri- only a fraction of the community will ben- the exhibition Local Color featuring pho- ority right now: passing the Em- efit from instead of something every single tography, paintings and drawings from artists from the greater Baltimore area including member of the community will benefit from. Alyssa Dennis, Megan Hildebrandt, Christine Sajecki and Gary Thompson. ployment Non-Discrimination I cannot say either way whether I will The exhibition is curated by Margaret Winslow an independent curator and art his- Act (ENDA). ever be affected by employment discrimina- torian. She has curated for the Neuberger Museum of Art, assisted with exhibits for the tion. I plan to go into the art world after col- Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and the Delaware Art Museum. Winslow holds an For those of you who do not know, lege, which is traditionally gay-friendly, so at M.A. in Art History from SUNY Purchase College and a B.A. from Mary Washington Col- ENDA is a proposed federal law that would least that is optimistic, but you truly never lege. She serves on the Delaware Humanities Forum through Public Allies Delaware. make it illegal to discriminate against em- know when something is going to surprise The Holtzman Art Gallery hosts the exhibition Genesis of Form featuring work by ployees based on sexual orientation, similar you. I may end up leaving New York for what sculptors from Towson University, Maryland Institute College of Art and the University to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. There is an- seems like a perfect job in Miami or Houston of Maryland College Park. Artists include Amy Beard, Ellen Durkan, Joseph Cypressi, other version of the bill that includes gender or Kansas City. Then I find out two weeks Jonathan Monaghan, Sarah Laing, Joseph Hoffman, Zachary Jackson, Judy Stone, Ben identity and expression. I am in favor of the after my relocation that the president of the Kelley, Tiffany Plante, Christina Martinelli, Calder Brannock and Jong Sun Lee. The exhi- latter. Having marriage equality is nice, but company is homophobic and fires me, and I bition is curated by Rob Guevara a MFA candidate in sculpture at Towson University. it will not make a lick of difference if neither cannot do anything about it because in the The exhibition and lecture are free and open to the public. For additional information, partner is able to keep a job and support his state of Florida or Texas or Missouri he is please call 410-704-2787 or her family. allowed to fire me for being gay without any A handful of states have laws similar to repercussions. the ENDA with varying degrees of protec- I don’t want that to happen to me. I don’t tion, but there are still 19 states with no laws want that to happen to anyone I know. protecting lgbt people at all. Does that sound So, I won’t say the fight for marriage ridiculous to you? It should. You may think, equality is not important. It is important. One “well, it’s 2009, people aren’t that bigoted,” day I want to get married and have a family, but think again my naïve little friend because and I want to be protected in that regard. I apparently they are. will say, though, that there are many other In January David Hill was fired from his inequities that gay people are subject to that job at the Artee Hotel in Brentwood, Tennes- require more immediate attention. Employ- see for being gay. And that is not specula- ment discrimination is one of them. I’m sure tion; his former employer told him to his face the ENDA activists are out there, but the mar- that the reason for his termination was that riage equality activists are drowning them he was gay and he “will not have any of the out. And if I can’t hear them, the government gays in leadership roles in [his] hotel.” Then surely cannot hear them, because I actually he dared him to sue, knowing that there was listen, and the government has a history of no legal employment protection for gay peo- ignoring us even when we’re screaming. ple in Tennessee. Regardless of anyone’s personal views Sam Zients was born in Baltimore, and about the morality of homosexuality, I can- raised in Columbia, MD. He is now pursuing not think of an argument for denying us em- a BA in Art History at New York University. ployment protection. There is no argument He has been writing about lgbt issues on his for it, actually, so it is shocking to me that in personal blog, lolsam.com, since 2007

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 15 16 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 17 arts & entertainment // on the stage

Baltimore CEDRIC THE 410-649-1660 www.tobysdinnertheatre.com ENTERTAINER July 31 Medieval Times The Lyric 410-547-SEAT Dinner and www.lyricoperahouse.com Tournament 1-888-WE-JOUST (1-888- Concert Series 935-6878) with Ryan www.medievaltimes.com Shookman Disney’s High Now - Aug 12 The Bay Theatre Company School Musical 410-268-1333 NOW- July 12 www.baytheatre.org Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre (703) 550-7384 Beauty and the www.lazysusan.com Beast Jr. CATS July 10-19 Now - Aug 29 Crazy for you Way Off Broadway Dinner July 17 - Aug. 1 Theatre (301) 662-6600. Damn Yankees at Toby’s Baltimore Cockpit in Court www.wayoffbroadway.com Summer Theatre CCBC Campus The Pajama Game By Ben Ryland treachery and deceit, which ultimately fails the team players are the standouts. 443-840-1369 Now- July 5 www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit Riverside Dinner Theatre too. Lauren Spencer-Harris as the noisy (540) 370-4300 Was there ever a better show for dinner Love and loyalty win out in the end (as it out-of-place female sports writer (it is the Quilters www.rsdinnertheater.com July 2- 26 theatre than Damn Yankees? In what is a often does in musicals) with the team pulled 50’s after all) is supported by the team in the Annapolis Summer Garden There Goes The perfectly timed summer production; Toby’s together by the superstar player; loving him rousing number- ‘Shoeless Joe from Hanni- Theatre Bride 410.268-9212 NOW - Aug. 1 Baltimore location is sizzling hot with ‘the’ as much as the hapless and long- suffering bal Mo’. www.summergarden.com Rainbow Dinner Theatre baseball musical. Washington Senators fans. Ilona Kessell’s choreography especially 717.687.4300 www.rainbowdinnertheatre.com Director Larry Munsey and the cast Lynne Sigler and Dan McDonald play here is very athletic stretching across the DC THEATRE have put together a terrific show perfect for the older couple whose love is stronger than wide stage to great effect. The team includ- SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Now - July 25 a June, July or August indoor entertainment. hell’s pulling force. At my performance Char- ing Jamie Foreman, Gabe Veniziano, David King Lear Now - July 19 The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre George Abbott’s 1955 Broadway hit was a lie Abel as the coach along with the team- Jennings and the others accomplish the In the Sidney Harman Hall 717-898-1900. www.dutchapple.com vehicle for superstar Gwen Verdon based mates prove that you, “gotta have heart,” to intricate choreography without breaking a Shakespeare Theatre Company on the novel, The Year the Yankees Lost play the game of baseball… and life! sweat. 202.547.1122 The Blair Mansion the Pennant. Bob Fosse staged the musi- With formidable but comfortable look- With all these notable performances www.shakespearetheatre.org Inn Mansion Mysteries cal numbers and the show is full of popular ing scenic designs by David Hopkins, I only the stand out is a newcomer to Toby’s in the The Seagull on 301.588.1688 songs- wish his focus spots worked as well as the Verdon role. Kirstin Riegler is marvelous as 16th Street www.blairmansion.com Now - July 19 “Heart,” “Two Lost Souls,” “Whatever sets. Huge scenes are lit wonderfully but it’s Lola the seductress. Her good looks, danc- THEATER J Lola Wants,” and “Those Were the Good Old during those intimate ballads that several ing abilities and singing are pitch perfect for (202) 518-9400. CHILDREN Days.” Composers Richard Adler and Jerry times left the performer(s) in the dark. this character. She is an actress to watch in www.washingtondcjcc.org Ross wrote a few other shows (including The David Bosley-Reynolds as Mr. Apple- the future. THEATRE Pajama Game) but nothing had the impact gate is sinister and very funny as he at- The film version released in 1958 was DINNER Snow White and staying power of Damn Yankees. tempts to bring another soul south of the directed by Mr. Abbott and Stanley Donen NOW - Aug. 9 THEATRE Way Off Broadway Dinner Middle-aged Joe offers his soul to the border. You feel his pain and outrage as he starring Verdon and fellow Broadway cast Theatre Off Broadway devil if the Washington Senators could beat demonstrates how to drop in a funny line and member Ray Walston as Applegate along Barefoot in the (301) 662-6600. www.wayoffbroadway.com the New York team. Up pops Mr. Applegate, make it even funnier. Plus what he does with with newcomer Tab Hunter as Joe. The mov- Park Now - Aug.30 the devil, offering the chance for Joe to his eyebrows, wow! He is a master of comic ie is extremely faithful to the Abbott/Fosse Lorenzo’s Timonium Dinner You’re a Good Man, become 25 years old again and becoming timing. staging and is a gem but there is nothing like Theatre. Charlie Brown 410-560-1113 Now- Aug 8 a power player to lead the Senators to vic- Matthew Schleigh as the young Joe seeing this tuneful and heart-tugging show on www.timoniumdinnertheatre. Adventure Theatre tory in the pennant race. He grabs the of- plays the wide-eyed innocent like a pro. His stage, especially in this lively production. com 301- 634-2270 www.adventuretheatre.org fer but demands an escape clause for his strong singing makes him the perfect lead- DAMN YANKEES – Toby’s Dinner The- Damn Yankees soul. Applegate reluctantly agrees and then ing man. The ensemble of singing actors and atre Baltimore, at the Best Western Hotel June 24 - Aug 30 The Wizard of OZ Toby’s Baltimore Now - Aug. 29 uses all his power to seduce Joe into failing actresses, mostly Toby’s regulars, are work- Travel Plaza, 5625 O’Donnell Street (easy Lorenzo’s Timonium Dinner Oklahoma Theatre. June 11 - Aug. 30 to use the escape. First with the seductress ing hard to entertain and it pays off. Their joy access north of the tunnel on I-95) | Now until 410-560-1113 Toby’s Columbia Lola and when that doesn’t work he turns to in performing multiple roles is infectious but August 30th | Reservations: 410-649-1660 www.timoniumdinnertheatre.com

18 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com arts & entertainment // on the stage Kathy Griffin - The Reluctant Diva

By JeffRey Clagett Kathy fessed up to having a censor- The one and only two-time Emmy winner ship disorder and Kathy Griffin. You either love her or hate if ever there was a Lyle The Crocodile June 24 -Aug 9 her. I love her. She blew into town on June description for her In The Lerner Family Theatre 25th at Merriweather Post Pavilion and pro- that was it! A large Imagination Stage 301.280.1660 ceeded to blow the crowd away. Her take on part of her act cen- www.imaginationstage.org celebrity behavior is hilarious to a tabloid ad- tered on the reality dict like myself. show Housewives Pennsylvania Theatre On a sad note it was Kathy who in- of New Jersey and formed me that Michael Jackson died. The how crazy those la- Route 66 Revisited June 19 - Aug. 8 rest of the night was surreal but I took notes dies are. She hinted American Music Theatre for this review. She also mentioned Farrah these women are all (717) 397.7700 www.americanmusictheatre.com and made a point of letting the audience Mafioso wives and she would not being making jokes about they scared the hell Les Misérables June 11- July 12 them. But she quickly confessed to killing Ed out of her. Fulton Opera House McMahon. She made a 717-397-7425 www.thefulton.org Typical Kathy. joke or two about She just has to throw out a zinger to a how lesbians are SPECIAL COMEDY EVENT — THE SECOND CITY City of Nutterly Love: Funny as very large crowd of gay men and even a few amazing because of Bell! straight peeps. I say she has hit diva status their multi-tasking July 8 - 26, 2009 when gay men don’t want to miss a beat of skills. She then went Philadelphia Theatre Company 215.985.0420 her act. into the Proposition www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org The night started with film clips of her 8 issue and how out- The Rock Tenor notorious moments a well as her parents. rageous it was. So July 8 - Aug 2 Her mother has become a celebrity thanks outrageous her 89 The Wilma Theater 215.546.7824 to Kathy’s Bravo reality show My Life on the year-old Mom went http://www.wilmatheater.org/ D-List. And she made plenty of mother jokes with her to protest The Music Man with the constant reminder that she drinks rallies. Cool mom, July 17,18,19 wine out of a box. huh? Devon Theatre for the Performing Arts 215.338.6300. She cracked me up when she referred Well, poor Mag- http://www.devontheater.org to Merriweather as a tent she was perform- gie’s drinking habits The Producers ing under. And she mentioned this several always make it into Now – July 19 times making it even funnier. As a running the act and it is just Mainstage joke in her routine she took a survey about so funny because it’s Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits Now – June 28 where are her gays, straight woman, and expected, and moth- Independence Studio on 3 Walnut Street Theatre after the straight men question she called er seems to take it 215-574-3550 http://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/ them all liars. They can’t fool her. She also in stride. Kathy also Crosby, Stills and Nash hit a political point very early by asking the added that her mom July 29 audience to support the troops and touched is on nerve pills hint- Hershey Theatre on the Tehran issue. This was met with thun- ing it was because it was due to Kathy’s in- Regis, Sarah Palin, Bristol Palin, Ann Curry, (717) 534-3405 www.hersheytheatre.com derous applause. sane personality. She also mentioned she Paris Hilton, Justin Timberlake, Paula Abdul Then strangely the far right audience hired a nurse for her Mom three days a week and Billy Joel to name a few. started chanting, “We cant hear you!”...so but the nurse was always drunk because She likes David Letterman and Cher so as it was fixed and pretty quick I might add she was drinking boxed wine with Maggie. her short stories were really funny but kind... Kathy asked where was a interpreter when And another staple in her show is how her at least for her standards. Finally celebrities Submit your events online to you need one for Christ sake! Sound fixed mother always insists on tipping the box to that escaped her wrath! The laughter never [email protected] and back to her show. She was on a roll after get every drop of wine. TIP IT ! stopped. all night after that. She zeroed in on one of her favorite tar- If Kathy comes around again I recom- Now comes Kathy’s specialty: dirty gets Lindsey Lohan. She rips that girl apart mend you see her show. Her reality show OUTloud’s queer TV guide: jokes. She mentioned how much she loves and does it so well. Kathy also went into de- is on the Bravo channel and they also rerun www.baltimoreoutloud.com her vagina and went right into priest’s mo- tail going to the Gracie Awards for women her censored stand up shows. She also has lestations and how screwed up the Catholic and her date was with Suzie Orman and all a DVD Allegedly and a CD For Your Consid- Sign up online now for free Church is. She then took a cheap shot at our the madness that ensued. The night includ- eration available! She also plugged her next governor basically because he is a politician ed her targeting Valerie Bertinelli, Oprah and CD which will come out in the late fall and home delivery of OUTloud. and they all irk her something fierce. Who her unusually close friend Gayle, Wynona it will be called Suck It For The Holidays. I www.baltimoreoutloud.com can blame her? Judd, Kirstie Ally, Ryan Seacrest, Kathy and can’t wait for that one!

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 19 arts & entertainment Chaz Bono: Family Matters

By JeffRey Clagett

Following up on our report in the last issue of OUTloud concerning Chaz Bono’s decision to make the transition from female to male, several members of his family have come forth and given statements of support. Given the circumstances surrounding Chaz’s carefully thought out decision I felt it was anyone’s guess as to how his im- mediate family members would respond publicly. Fortunately, he has immense support of many of those family members who have loved him all his life as Chastity. Among the legion of Cher fans the wait for her public reaction seemed to take forever. Many began to wonder if there would actually be a forthcom- ing statement. With a sigh of relief Cher gave an exclusive statement been a loving and important part of our family who has supported us to People magazine in the June 29th issue. all through thick and thin. Cher, in her usual honestly frank manner had this to say: “Chaz This is a very difficult decision that Chaz has fully vetted, and is embarking on a difficult journey, but one that I will support. I re- over the past decade he has discussed the matter thoroughly and spect the courage it takes to go through this transition in the glare of consulted therapists and medical experts. As he moves forward, I public scrutiny, and although I may not understand, I will strive to be will be there to support him and love him every step of the way.” understanding. The one thing that will never change is my abiding It may take Cher’s mother, Georgia Holt a bit of adjust- love for my child.” ment to refer to Chaz as a “he” but she told Palm Spring’s Desert Sonny Bono’s widow, Congresswoman Mary Bono, is also giv- Sun, “Whatever way she goes is fine with me. I love her and am ing Chaz her full support, telling People magazine, “Chaz has always behind her.”

20 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com arts & entertainment // defektive arts Ladies and Gents, Step Right Up, It’s Andrew D. Gore!

By Defekto Andrew D. Gore is a legend. He is a well- known figure at tattoo and horror conven- tions and among collectors of pop cultural oddities. He is also a master screen print- er who has been keeping a legion of fans happy with some of the most outrageous T- shirts and novelty toys ever conceived.

Now, after twenty years, he has left his punk rock-true crime-freak show memorabilia filled 3,000 sq. ft. D.C. loft and brought it all to Baltimore. “Baltimore has flavor, and I love it! It also is home to two huge influences on my life and work, one being John Waters and the other being Johnny Eck--and if you don’t know who Johnny Eck is you haven’t done your Baltimore History homework,” says Gore. On the surface, Andy is Satan’s pitchman, the guy put here to create and design stuff like Jeffrey Dahmer dolls and Manson Girls T-shirts to offend little old ladies and annoy parents. With his trademark Fu Manchu moustache, multiple piercings, tattoos and simple Ramones-style fashion sense, he is not only the creator of an empire he calls Satan’s Sideshow, but he also embodies the carny mystique and is therefore the perfect spokesperson for this tongue-in-cheek expressions of creativity. Let’s meet the man.

Defekto: You’re an artist, showman, and maybe some might even say a “weirdo”...how would you define your- ucio L self? Andy Gore: I am really a freak amongst the freaks. I hated

team sports. I loved and lived for horror movies and collect- Photo: Jim ing weird things. As I grew older and puberty set in, my un- Andrew D. Gore. Alive and In Person. diagnosed extreme case of OCD became an internal living humor- there’s no hate in anything I do. I like to get a reac- hell for me. To this day my OCD eats me alive, but I’m too tion out of people. Nothing pleases me more than the look of interests and influences vary from one extreme to the other tough to die and have taken what life’s given me and use it to utter disbelief on people’s faces when they are first exposed and a little bit of everything in between. my advantage. I have carved out my own 100% unique niche to the creations I produce! I have four different websites in development and they of what I call “Schlock Art” that has gotten me international My Jeffrey Dahmer Playset has gotten me international will show the other sides of me. I’m doing some original art attention and a hardcore group of “fans” that support me and press, UK Mirror tabloid listed it as the 7th sickest thing ever pieces, and will soon be screen printing a series of limited my one-man Master Plan vision for the past 20 years! sold on eBay® and that makes me gleam with pride. Some- edition numbered and signed posters...and believe it or times I’ll just think of the rudest phrase or image to screen not, they will be works that can hang in your grandmother’s D: Your screen printing work is sometimes associated on shirts just to see if anyone will actually buy it. It’s one way house! Nope, Andrew D. Gore moved to Baltimore to open with lowest common denominator forms of “entertain- I get my jollies!!! Haha! up different parts of my brain, whether it be film, print, spo- ment” like Charles Manson, crudity and blood and guts ken word-whatever will express my ideas best...and to share type cinema. How much of this is the Andy Gore per- D: You market your products to a specific niche...do it with those who want too experience it along with me! sona and the real Andy Gore? you have any ideas or plans for a project that would ap- you can keep up with the twisted works of art that come AG: There is a little bit of me in everything I do, or else I peal to people who wouldn’t at first blush be interested out of Andy’s secret Hampden studio by visiting his website. wouldn’t waste my time doing it. When you look at my entire in whatever you have to offer? You may just find the answer to the eternal question, “What arsenal of work and you’re a little bit “with it” and have a AG: Ohhh, you ain’t seen nothing yet! I have so many side do I get the person who has everything?” Perhaps a G.G. tablespoon of intelligence you can see what I am doing is projects that aren’t being made for the Shock and Awe ef- Allin snowglobe, a Village People clock or just a plain old a parody of itself. I am making fun of everything and ev- fect. I’m known for the dark side of my interests--its what Charlie Manson T-shirt. eryone-myself included! I am an equal opportunity offender. gets the most press and the kids eat it up. I have a blast Everyone and everything is fair game. It’s all just really dark doing it- but my OCD mind works in mysterious ways and my Visit www.satanssideshow.com.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 21 Realtors 1 VILAGE SQUARE, STE.131 BALTIMORE, MD 21210 OFFICE: 410.323.6000 ext 114 CELL: 410.960.8005 FAX: 410.323.0016 Leitner Winstead

Jeff Tessmer & Jim Mikula Professionally Serving Your Real Estate Needs in Baltimore City and Surrounding Counties

701 S. Broadway - Fells Point Direct 410.522.6330 Office 410.675.5500 Hampden - $257,500 Wow hon, if size matters then view this 20 ft. wide porch-front townhome w/ great modern updates! Cool and comfortable w/large living room w/wood burning fireplace, separate dining room, eat-in kitchen w/ Stainless steel appliances & french doors to deck. New windows, interior & exterior doors, lighting, rubber roof and refinished hardwood floors. Lots of room in the finished lower level that opens to a second deck. A very nice home.

22 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 23 24 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do in the area. If you didn’t eat before meeting, there are many great restaurants single in the city. If you started with dinner, sug- black sheep gest somewhere else for dessert and/or cof- fee. Stop somewhere for a drink or a glass of wine. Jay’s on Read Street is a great, cozy spot for an after-dinner glass of wine. Go for a walk around the Harbor or a park... just don’t get mugged. That’s a surefire date Rules of Gay ender. Another good reason to have backup plans is your first line of attack may not work Dating #6: It out. What if you get to your restaurant of choice only to find out it’s closed for renova- tions? Or you get to the bar only to find out Pays to Plan — horror of horrors — it’s karaoke night? I know, not everyone abhors karaoke like I do, By Josh Aterovis but you get the point. If you want to be polite, you can still ask There’s an old proverb that says, your date if they have something in mind that “He who fails to plan, plans to they would like to do. If so, be prepared to be fail.” Or maybe that was just one flexible (no, that wasn’t a dirty joke) and go with their idea. Don’t get so locked into your of those cheesy motivational own plans that you steamroll your date. posters in my old office, prob- Finally, there is one more option. You ably with a cat hanging off of can always plan out your evening with your date before you ever go out. Instead of just something. Either way, it has a setting a meeting place, have an open dis- point. cussion about what you’d both like to do. That way, you know ahead of time exactly what Ever been on a date where you didn’t you both want to do and everyone knows really have anything planned? While occa- what to expect. You can dress accordingly, sionally a spontaneous date can result in know how late you’ll be out, etc. Still have magical serendipity, more often than not, it’ll your backup plans in place, though, because go down in flames faster than the Hinden- you never know when something might not burg. Oh, the humanity! work out. CRUNCH THE NUMBERS The best way to avoid this dating disas- Either way, it’s always a good idea to AND JOIN TODAY! ter is to have a plan before you head out the ask your date what they like before you start door. And by plan, I don’t mean meet at City making plans. You don’t want to plan an Café and see what happens from there. I can evening at a barbeque joint only to find out ONLY tell you what will happen from there. You’ll your date is vegan. Or you don’t want to take * finish your coffee, chat for a few minutes, them to your favorite mini-golf course only to $ then ask, “What would you like to do now?” discover they hate the game with an undying 99 Your date will stare at you for a moment, passion. then politely respond, “I don’t know. What As Thomas Edison once said, “Good FOR THREE do you want to do?” It’s a vicious downhill fortune is what happens when opportunity MONTHS OF spiral from there. Trust me. It will only end in meets with planning.” Now, slap that on a tears. motivational poster and go make some good MEMBERSHIP

Instead, have some options in mind fortune. Until next time...Happy Dating! *certain restrictions apply before you meet. Then, once your mocha is * * * finished, you can say, “Why don’t we go see Have a bad dating story? Share yours with what’s playing at Charles Theater?” Or “Why me. After my Ten Rules of Gay Dating, I’ll don’t we go get a drink at Grand Central?” be doing a short series of bad dating experi- Or “Why don’t we go back to my place and ences, and how they could have turned out scrump like rabbits?” (Wasn’t that a motiva- differently. If you have a story to share, email tional poster, too?) me at [email protected]. Okay, so maybe not that last one, but If I use your story GET FIT THIS YEAR AT 3600 Clipper Mill Road it’s a good idea to have several options in in a column, you’ll www.meadowmill.com 410.235.7000 store. If you suggest the bar and your date go into a drawing doesn’t drink — or can’t because, say, they for a copy of my have a cold and they’re on cold meds — then new book, All Lost you need a backup plan. What if they’re not Things, due out in the mood for a movie? this summer.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 25 Mr. Club XS Leather 2009 after the original person who was selected stepped down, has really hit the ground running. As a member of leather C.O.M.M.A.N.D., M.C. and Mr. ASGRA (At- line lantic States Gay Rodeo Association 1996) you can count him to follow in the footsteps of C. J. Smith who did such a wonderful job last year as the first Mr. Club XS Leather. Da- vid will host a Benefit Pool Party for the Mr. By Rodney Burger Club XS Leather Travel Fund on Sunday, July 19th from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. at the home of fellow The morning of Saturday, June 20th brought C.O.M.M.A.N.D. members Mike and Marty lots of rain. By late afternoon, as if on cue, located at 1201 Saint Andrews Way, Balti- the sun came out and the sky above Mt. Ver- more, Md. 21239. (You have to love leather non was filled with rainbows-or at least rain- folks who live on Saint Andrews Way). bow flags! For a $15 donation you will enjoy a day Baltimore’s 34th Annual Pride Parade at the pool, drinks, and great food. There will once again marched up Charles Street to also be a 50/50 raffle and other surprises cheering crowds. It was especially thrilling I’m sure. For more information contact David to this writer as I, along with my fellow Ship- at [email protected] There was also a Mates got to lead the parade! Fellow Ship- Tea Dance in honor of our new Mr. Club XS Mate T.C. and I waived large Leather Pride Leather on Sunday, June 28th at Club XS in flags on either side of Mr. Maryland Leather York, Pa. David is a great guy and I am really 2007 Sir Steve who carried the American excited for him. flag and local artist Yoshi (who currently has In between beers at the block party and a show at Baltimore Clayworks 5707 Smith my favorite watering holes (Leon’s had a Ave. in Baltimore through August 1st.) with live band and free food! Great job Leon’s!), the Maryland State flag. I also made a point to stop in Chained De- Behind the ShipMates the men of sires at 136 W. Read Street to see my good C.O.M.M.A.N.D., M.C. gathered some of their friends Karen and a former manager of the friends who had motorcycles and formed an Baltimore Eagle Leather Store, Christopher. exciting motorcycle brigade and Mr. Maryland If you haven’t been to Chained Desires lately Leather 2009 Rik Newton-Treadway waived you need to stop in soon. They now have proudly from a float containing a large Ace much more men’s leather, lots of fun new and Jack, a tribute to C.O.M.M.A.N.D.’s 21st toys, and they do custom work! Anniversary in November, which will have Seeing friends is always a big part of the theme “Blackjack.” Pride. It was also great to see Mr. Maryland It should be noted that the ShipMates Leather 2008 Kris DeBlase as he performed were not scheduled to lead the parade but with Baltimore Men’s Chorus at the Pride were to follow the King and Queen of Pride. Festival. I was also pleasantly surprised to It seems the royal couple had transportation run into American Leatherman 2005 Black- problems when their vehicle failed to appear. kat who brought a group of hot men down I suggested a cab-after all it is only a few from Brooklyn, New York and was busy pro- blocks. What could it cost? They ended up moting his film production company: Forbid- at the end of the parade on the tailgate of den FUNK Media. It fact his booth was right a truck. Oh well, stop by the next ShipMate across from the ShipMates’ booth which event (like our Daddy Christmas Cookout at prompted one friend to ask, “How did you the Baltimore Eagle on July 12th and I will rate the booth across from the porn stars?” be happy to buy the King & Queen of Pride a Just lucky I guess! Check out WWW.FOR- beer. You gave me a memorable evening! BIDDENFUNK.COM for all the details. It really was a big night for the Leather Baltimore Pride really was lots of fun this Community. There was a float with a scantily year, but I don’t have to wait a whole year to clad Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2009 Kip Hol- march in the next parade! Plan to be in Har- lar. Also looking great in leather on a warm risburg, PA. at on Saturday, July 25th for the evening were Mid-Atlantic LeatherSIR 2009 Pride Festival of Central PA Unity Parade. Ky Eaton (who came from Pittsburgh to en- The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. followed joy Baltimore Pride), the folks on the always by the PrideFest at noon. Entertainment in- festive Baltimore Eagle float, the wonderful cludes Tiffany and Janice Robinson. Go to women of F.I.S.T., and Mr. Club XS Leather www.harrisburgpride.org for more informa- 2009, David Shover (who not only looked tion. It will be another big day for ShipMates, great Saturday night, but was in full leather Mr. Club XS Leather 2009 David Shover, and all day Sunday at the festival as he worked many other members of our local Leather the C.O.M.M.A.N.D. booth!) Community. I’m hoping for clear skies and David, who was only recently named lots of rainbows!

26 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD July 03, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com MARCH ON THE WHITE HOUSE “fierce advocate for equality.” holidays like Christmas and Easter? Judg- -- continued from cover If we become extreme, any reactive ing from my experience I would have to say up for freedom at the Stonewall Inn in New moves on his part would be seen as appeas- that it has. York City, we will stand up for the freedom to ing a segment of his base. And keep in mind unboxed Think about it, the first Gay Pride serve. We need to tell President Obama that there is a significant number within his base w/ ajar events were centered on changing the op- 265 is enough.” who opposes transgender rights and mar- pressive policies that were prominent in SLDN has been urging the President to riage equality. the late 60s. Born out of the tensions of the speak up and send a bill (the Military Readi- At the partially-boycotted DNC fund- Civil Rights movement, the participants in ness Enhancement Act) to the Speaker of raiser Vice-President Joe Biden told the lgbt the Stonewall riots had much for which to the House and the Senate Majority Leader crowd, “I want to thank you for being a criti- rejoice. These people got to witness how that overturns DADT and replaces it with a cal – critical – voice for keeping the nation Got Pride? their visibility, collectivity, and rebellious policy of nondiscrimination. focused on the unfinished business of true natures had changed their country. The marchers were led by five of the equality for all of our people; and I know, By Larry L. Walker I saw a lot of things that Saturday. I plaintiffs in Cook v. Gates, a Supreme Court and this administration knows, that we have saw larger than life Drag Queens, nearly case that was filed by the plaintiffs and SLDN so much more to do. I promise you, I prom- The first Gay Pride marches took place on naked men, and rainbow everything. Yet in December 2004 on behalf of 12 lesbian ise you, with your help we’ll get there in this June 28, 1970 in New York and Los Ange- the one thing missing was a clearly delin- and gay veterans discharged under DADT. administration.” les to commemorate the Stonewall riots eated cohesive gay community. “Every civil rights battle in the past 60 The window is 48 or even 96 months, that happened exactly a year earlier. For First of all, it’s 2009 and Baltimore’s years has been fueled by strong presiden- not 5. Remember that. those who are not familiar, the Stonewall ri- Pride, as well as its gay community, is seg- tial leadership,” said former U.S. Air Force ots happened in Greenwich Village in New regated. I found it really disconcerting to Staff Sergeant David Hall, one of the Cook v. Steve Charing’s OUTspoken blog is at www. York City, and are known as the first time see that the majority of the other black gay Gates plaintiffs seeking reinstatement. “And SteveCharing.blogspot.com. that gay Americans actually fought back people were on the periphery of Saturday’s that same leadership is also needed now against the discrimination and violence block party. Yet there was a completely to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly. ENDA INTRODUCED they faced at the hands of the local City separate block party on Sunday outside It’s time the President begins fulfilling his -- continued from page 3 Police. Club Bunns where there was maybe a campaign promise by publicly endorsing HR ENDA is supported by a broad range of I can only imagine how empowered handful of whites in attendance. One would 1283 and working with Congress to find the civil rights, religious, civic and professional these individuals felt as they marched as a expect a bit more diversity out of a city with votes.” organizations, including the Leadership cohesive community a year later, down the as much culture as Baltimore. For without Press reports indicated the President Conference on Civil Rights, NAACP, AFL- same streets where they proclaimed and an event that includes all gay people how was in the White House at the time and prob- CIO, Service Employees International Union, stood up for their basic human rights. It is can we mimic the energy or impact of the ably heard the noise outside. Currently 24 AFSCME, National Education Association, only natural that they celebrated their pride Stonewall riots, or is that not the point? countries allow gays and lesbians to serve National Employment Lawyers Association, because for most of them liberty was not Secondly, the few events scheduled openly in the military. Anti-Defamation League, Religious Action only denied them, but also came with legal had little to nothing to do with the theme An estimated 65,000 patriotic gay and Center, Unitarian Universalist Association, ramifications. of the event, you know, community pride? lesbian service members are serving our United Church of Christ, American Civil Lib- Over the past 40 years, Gay Pride has Now, I’m very community minded, so it’s country in silence. For more information, erties Union, and many others. grown from merely marches to become pretty easy to inspire me when it comes to visit sldn.org. Currently, federal law provides legal celebrations, some lasting three to seven advancing the agenda of my fellow people. protection against employment discrimi- days. Yet, it seems the larger the events The only things that I felt people were in- OUTSPOKEN nation on the basis of race, sex, religion, grow the more the true meaning and pur- spired by were drink, wear little clothing, -- continued from page 2 national origin, age and disability, but not pose behind the occasion is lost. and have sex. ized. Congress, however, must act now. sexual orientation or gender identity. In 30 So as you know Baltimore’s Gay Pride So how is this different from any other states across America, it is still legal to fire festival just passed and I promised myself night in gay club culture? Gay Pride is sup- What needs to be done someone based on his or her sexual orien- that I would put forth the effort to fully ex- posed to promote the views and values of Barney Frank, one of only three openly gay tation, and in 38 states, it is still legal to fire perience it. Though the crowds were awe- the gay community. Where were the peti- Representatives, believes that too much someone for being transgender. inspiring, the energy and events didn‘t in- tions to Congress for equal rights or the blame is being placed on President Obama In 2007, the House passed a version of spire me at all. The truth is that much of It gay marriage rallies? All I saw were bare and not enough significance is being at- ENDA that protected on the basis of sexual felt like business as usual just with more torsos and butt cheeks, which would be ap- tached to lobbying members of Congress. orientation, but not gender identity, on a vote people in attendance. propriate if it were the 40th anniversary of “It’s not that Obama doesn’t want to do it, but of 235 to 184. It definitely did not feel like an ac- the nudist riots. you need the votes,” Frank said. “You can’t This is likely to remain a sticking point knowledgement of a pivotal moment in gay I would have understood if the occa- complain about the president until you’ve as the bill progresses. “We believe that is history. So I began to wonder if the people sion were the annual drink until everyone called your senator.” absolutely essential that the bill include pro- in attendance even knew the purpose of looks good enough to screw-fest. But it It doesn’t matter if President Obama tections for transgender employees,” said Gay Pride and how it had come to be. So wasn’t a frivolous occasion, we just treated is on our side if Congress won’t play ball. D’Arcy Kemnitz. “We look forward to work- I began asking people of what advance- as if it were. A grassroots effort is needed to persuade ing with legislators to preserve the bill’s ments if any that they felt had taken place members of Congress—district by district. strengths and fend off any efforts to derail since Stonewall and, just as I thought, Maintain the pressure on the president this crucial piece of legislation.” out of maybe twenty people asked, only a OUTloud’s queer TV guide: to make sure he understands we’re not going few actually knew what Stonewall actually away. Let’s try to persuade him to deliver a INHERITANCE TAX EXEMPTION was. www.baltimoreoutloud.com speech along the lines of his race speech in -- continued from page 12 Their lack of knowledge prompted Philadelphia and the recent speech in Cairo primary residence - if the property is owned another question. If we aren’t celebrating Sign up online now for free whereby he reached out to Muslims. Here as joint tenants - and protect the surviving the anniversary of Stonewall then what are he could denounce discrimination against domestic partner from what can be a crip- we celebrating? Has this once meaningful home delivery of OUTloud. lgbt people and to reiterate his desire to be a pling inheritance tax bill. display of community suffered the fate of www.baltimoreoutloud.com

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