June 19, 2009 | Volume VII, Issue 11 | LGBT Life in Maryland LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND

TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009 MCC Leader ------Stepping Down By Steve Charing

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED After 15 years of service, the Rever- end R. David Smith is resigning from his post as spiritual leader for the STATES OF AMERICA Metropolitan Community Church Bal- timore. “As a leader I’ve done all the things I can do,” Pastor David, as he is A PROCLAMATION frequently called, told OUTloud. “And now it’s time for new leadership.” His Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New resignation is effective June 30. York City resisted police harassment that had become all too com- “The MCC is a Christian Church mon for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender proclaiming God’s love to the Lesbian, (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights move- Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered ment in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commem- communities and anyone who is willing orate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice to walk with us in our journey of faith,” under law for LGBT Americans. according to its website. The church is located at 401 West Monument Street. LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and last- In a letter to his parishioners and ing contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American friends, Rev. Smith wrote, “I honestly society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all profes- believe that you have the best oppor- sional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT tunity for thriving in the future with new Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic leadership and that you currently have HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this a strong Board of Directors to facilitate country’s response to the HIV pandemic. this transition.” An interim pastor will bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These be selected shortly. Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil Under Rev. Smith’s leadership LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimina- the MCC bought and moved into its openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President tion in the more workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the current building, developed several to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions existing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in a way that strengthens our ministries, and saw the congregation in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody Armed Forces and our national security. grow from 32 to over 100 members. the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Ad- We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epi- He believes that with the refinancing ministration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies demic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing of the building’s mortgage, the MCC is -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the better positioned to move forward in a professionalism. United States. These issues affect not only the LGBT community, transition. but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all As he steps down, Rev. Smith is The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. particularly proud of the diversity of is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn with- MCC Baltimore and prays that it will be out the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our part of his legacy from his 15 years as be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect. Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT leader. Rev. Smith pointed out in the Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and letter: “As far as I can tell even from My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to ad- the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, the earliest years MCC Baltimore has vance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. been a diverse people embracing joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality -- contined on page 29 around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to -- contined on page 34 Others celebs, such as Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Ether- idge, T.R. Knight, Clay Aiken, Lance outspoken Publisher Bass and Lindsay Mike Chase Lohan came out [email protected] with varying effects Executive Editor on their careers. But Jim Becker in every case, it was [email protected] a positive development Sales Safe or Out? for the lgbt community. Mary Taylor, Director Most recently, Adam [email protected] The hesitancy on the Lambert, the runner-up in Managing Editor American Idol’s 8th season, Steve Charing [email protected] part of gay people to came out officially and publicly in Rolling Stone magazine. Leather Editor Rodney Burger fully come out proves No shocker there. But why did he wait? Writers we still have a long way Jeffrey Clagett Josh Aterovis Obviously, it was a calculation Chuck Duncan Rickie Green to go. that while the AI contest was still in Eva Hersh MD Marty Hoegg play, he didn’t want to risk losing the Doug Ireland Jay Loane potent “tween” vote if he had been P.S. Lorio Jim Lucio By Steve Charing more up-front about his sexuality. the “Night Meredith Moise Sandy Rawls Ben Ryland MIA - Alexander St. John It turned out he lost that vote as Out for Equality” event, we Nate Sweeney Larry Walker It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion well as others amidst the swirling learned through an intermediary that the Graphics that the more lgbt folks who come out, the rumors fueled by his guy-liner, wild costumes Cynthia Nixon camp did not want to release Hannah-Love Shibley, Director more likely our march towards equality will and enlightening photos. the text to the press because they were wor- [email protected] strengthen. When straight neighbors, co- Would it have changed the results had ried that the words would be taken out of Carol Baker workers, family members and friends know he come out during the show’s run? Not context. Bryan Sullivan you as a person and then learn that you likely. While some would have given Lam- That’s as mystifying as it gets. If the Photographers are lgbt, they are prone to be on the side bert props for his courage, those voters who spoken word is not considered vulnerable Michelle Alpert equality and justice because of YOU. With were inclined to vote for Kris Allen would to misinterpretation, why would the writ- Skip Koritzer Harry Lowinger straight allies, we will make progress. It’s a have continued to do so. ten word be taken out of context? This safe guarantee. They just need to find that com- Lambert’s coming out is welcome to be and cautious approach mitigates the gutsy National Advertising Rivendell Media fort zone. sure, but his comment to Rolling Stone, “I’m pronouncements from other celebrities who 908-232-2021 TV shows like Will & Grace presented trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader,” come out unambiguously. Web Services images of our community through the antics tempered the enthusiasm some. It’s bad enough that gay and lesbian Drew Saine of the likable characters. Clever and witty as Other “out’ celebrities have been even elected officials tend to remain in the closet. [email protected] the show was, it did tend to reinforce stereo- more reluctant. They are known Distribution/Circulation types that gay men are screaming queens or to be gay but don’t want to push Jay Loane they are loveless. But all in all, we benefited the envelope. One prominent lo- “This safe and cautious [email protected] since the show provided a needed comfort cal celebrity who had come out approach mitigates the gutsy zone for an audience that in many cases in the Baltimore Sun declined Baltimore OUTloud never knew any out gay people. an interview with OUTloud lest P.O. Box 3640, Baltimore, MD 21214 pronouncements from other 410-244-6780 When celebrities or other public figures she be defined by her sexual www.baltimoreoutloud.com come out—voluntarily—it gives our cause orientation. Despite the fact she celebrities who come out an added boost. Ellen DeGeneres’ coming would have been embraced as unambiguously.” Additional Information out was the talk of the whole world. Although a role model, this iconic figure is Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride it wasn’t a complete surprise that she is a ostensibly “playing it safe.” Media, Ltd. in Baltimore, Maryland. Readers’ comments lesbian, the public still saw this as a bold and Also puzzling was the rationale given by Gay professional athletes fear coming out. and unsolicited materials are welcomed and may be sent largely welcome step. Her career has since the staff of Sex in the City’s Cynthia Nixon Other gay and lesbian celebrities stay clos- to: [email protected]. | Pride Media offices are located at 1120 N. Charles Street, 4R, Baltimore, 21201. skyrocketed. to an OUTloud request to publish the text eted as well. And that’s a sad thought espe- | All materials appearing in this newspaper are the property Years earlier Elton John admitted he of a recent speech at Equality Maryland’s cially since we are in the midst of celebrating of Pride Media, Ltd. and may not be reproduced without wasn’t “bisexual” after all, but declaring he “Night Out For Equality,” where she had Pride. the written permission of the editor. is gay didn’t hurt his career either. In fact, he been the guest of honor. Her speech gar- But if you are out, then REALLY come emerged into superstar status and was even nered a standing ovation from the 400 or so out. All this caution does is demonstrate that knighted! in attendance. there is still fear, still trepidation, still hesita- Neil Patrick Harris has a successful TV On May 17 the actress had publicly tion for declaring unequivocally who you are gig going even after his coming out and de- announced her engagement to Christine as a person. That shouldn’t be. servedly so. He is not only a polished per- Marinoni at a gay-rights rally in New York. Apparently, we still have a long way former but he is right out there on the front Her address to the cheering crowd is on You to go. ©2009 - All Rights Reserved Chairman of the Board Jim Becker lines fighting for equality. If there ever was a Tube. It made all the papers. She’s out! President Jim Williams true lgbt role model, he is definitely on the But when asked to allow our readers Steve Charing’s OUTspoken blog is at www. Vice President Lee Mooney list. to see her exceptional speech in print from SteveCharing.blogspot.com.

q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com news Equality Maryland Issues 2009 Legislative Session Scorecard

ANNAPOLIS - On June 16 Equality Mary- Democrats scored dismally low scores. land released its 2009 legislative scorecard, Geographically, Montgomery County’s which assigns a numerical score on issues legislators have the highest scores, followed related to lgbt equality to the 141 Delegates by Baltimore City. Prince George’s County is and 47 Senators serving in the Maryland home to both some of the friendliest Demo- General Assembly. Issues scored include crats, as well as the least friendly. More de- equal marriage rights for same-gender cou- tails and analysis are below. ples, gender identity anti-discrimination leg- “As states from New Hampshire and islation, and a repeal of the inheritance tax Vermont to Nevada and Iowa surpass Mary- for domestic partners. The scorecard can be land in their legal treatment of LGBT peo- downloaded at www.equalitymaryland.org/ ple,” said Davenport, “this scorecard is an legislation/scorecard2009.pdf . important signpost for the upcoming 2010 “Our legislative scorecard is an impor- election in Maryland and the need to sweep tant tool for individuals who care about the out archaic, old-school thinking in favor of a votes their legislators are casting - or not new generation of leaders who put justice County. County Democrats - Sens. Ulysses Cur- casting - when it comes to making lives bet- before prejudice and politics.” • This included legislators from Allegheny, rie, C. Anthony Muse and Doug Peters ter for lgbt people,” said Board President Garrett, Frederick and Washington Coun- - and one St. Mary’s County Democrat, Scott Davenport in a statement. ABOUT THE SCORES ties in Western Maryland; the Eastern Sen. Roy Dyson. The 2009 scorecard confirms that mem- Shore; Carroll County, Baltimore County, 1 of 14 Republicans scored higher than 0. bers of the House of Delegates are friend- Maryland Senate Harford County, Cecil County, and Anne • Senator Allan Kittleman of Howard and lier to lgbt issues than the more conserva- 14 of 47 Senators scored 0. Arundel County. Carroll Counties scored 50. tive Senate. Only a handful of Republicans • This included one Democrat - Sen. An addition 3 of 47 Senators scored 10. 8 of 47 Senators scored a perfect 100. racked up supportive votes, and several James E. DeGrange, Sr. of Anne Arundel • This included three Prince George’s -- continued on page 34

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q news // LOCAL Arrest Made in Double Slaying

Baltimore police made an arrest on June 16 in the double murder of a lesbian couple found in their row house in the Waltherson neighborhood in Northeast Baltimore. Mark K. Floyd, 21, of the 4200 block of Seidel Avenue, was arrested and charged for murder in connection with the death of 23 year-old Allisha Royster and 31 year-old Lydia Steed. On June 10 officers responded to the 4000 block of Biddison Lane in Mark Kenneth Floyd reference to a call for two deceased women at the location. When they ar- Second Person Arrested rived at the scene, officers found that Ms. Royster and Ms. Steed had been in Mt. Vernon Murder stabbed multiple times in the backs of their heads. A second person was arrested in con- The bodies had been found in a nection with the March 7 homicide that bedroom in an advanced state of de- took place outside Coconuts Cafe. composition and had been dead for a Kimberly Moody, 22, of Gwynn Oak, few days. The medical examiner’s of- was arrested earlier this month for fice estimated the death took place on conspiracy in the crime that left Sctar- June 6 or 7. io Tia Edwards dead and two others The couple was reported to have wounded as a result of gunfire. been married in Boston “recently” and The first suspect arrested, Sha- was planning to move from Baltimore. ron Latrice Newton, 34, had been in- Floyd had been questioned by dicted on April 17 on charges of first- police following the pawning of a degree murder and several counts of laptop computer that had been alleg- attempted first-degree murder. Police edly stolen from the residence. That believe the homicide arose from an connected him to the crime. Police altercation that began as a bumping spokesman Officer Troy Harris told incident and argument on the dance OUTloud that Floyd had broken into floor of the nightclub that continued the house. outside on the street. The women were characterized Police spokesman Officer Troy as “quiet” by neighbors. A candlelight Harris could not elaborate on the spe- vigil was held near their home on June cific role Moody had with respect to 11. the crime.

OUTloud: Delivering the paper to you throughout Central Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, DC and the Delaware shores.

q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com Dallas Voice. news // national Dallas Pride weekend offers several events that showcase the city’s diverse and eclectic lgbt community. The highlight of Win a Free Trip to Big D Pride the weekend is the annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. Now in its 26th year, the This September, the Dallas lesbian, gay, parade features more than 2,200 marching bisexual and transgender (lgbt) community participants and thousands of spectators. will celebrate 26 years of pride. To com- In addition to the numerous Pride week- memorate, the Dallas Convention & Visitors end activities, Dallas visitors discover a city Bureau (Dallas CVB) is inviting lgbt travelers with exclusive shopping destinations, a lead- from across the U.S. to visit www.glbtdallas. ing arts district, a thriving culinary scene and com to enter for a chance to win a trip for two vibrant nightlife. to Dallas during Pride weekend, September entries for the sweepstakes will be ac- 18-21, 2009. cepted through July 31, 2009, and a winner “Dallas is an affordable destination get- will be announced shortly thereafter. The away that offers much to see and do for lgbt sweepstakes is open to legal residents of travelers, and what better time to visit our city the U.S. at least 21 years of age or older at than during Dallas Pride,” said Phillip Jones, the time of entry. For official rules and to en- president and CEO of the Dallas CVB. “From ter, please visit www.glbtdallas.com. incredible dining, exceptional arts, unrivaled Dallas is a destination that inspires big entertainment and the best shopping in the ideas. As the No. 1 visitor destination in Tex- Southwest, Dallas is truly a destination that as, the Dallas area offers the best shopping delivers.” in the Southwest, a cutting-edge culinary Roundtrip airfare is provided by Ameri- scene led by nationally acclaimed celeb- can Airlines, corporate sponsor of the Dallas rity chefs, 70,000 hotel rooms, ranging from CVB. Accommodations will be provided by luxury to boutique, and more than 200 golf The Joule, Dallas and include breakfast at courses. The city boasts the largest contigu- the luxurious Charlie Palmer restaurant. The ous urban arts district in the U.S. with five winner also receives passes to Gay Day at cultural venues designed by Pritzker Prize- Pride Weekend in Dallas Six Flags Over Texas, compliments of the winning architects. Our Doors Are Open®. Our goal has never been to be the biggest rental car company. Only to be the best. But by embracing a diversity of people, talents and ideas, we are now both. Likewise, our doors will always be open, for all who share our drive to be the best.

PROUD PARTNER OF PRIDE MEDIA & BALTIMORE OUT LOUD.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q news // local news // national U.S. Conference of Mayors Panel Takes a Look at Passes Resolution Supporting Immigration Bill

WASHINGTON –The first-ever Congressio- the Freedom to Marry nal hearing on the Uniting American Fami- lies Act (UAFA) took place on June 3. The On June 15 the U.S. Conference of Mayors hearing, held by the Senate Judiciary Com- passed a resolution in support of ending the mittee, was titled, “The Uniting American exclusion of gay couples from marriage. The Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Fed- resolution, titled “Equality and Civil Rights eral Immigration Law.” It featured a number for Gay and Lesbian Americans,” included of witnesses testifying in support of the bill, support for the freedom to marry along which would allow U.S. citizens and legal with endorsement of federal bills such as permanent residents in same-sex relation- Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the ships to sponsor their partners for immigra- Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the tion purposes. Uniting American Families Act, and the Mat- “For far too long, our elected officials thew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate have ignored the devastating real-life con- Crimes Prevention Act. The conference took sequences that current immigration policies place in Providence, RI June 12-16. have had on thousands of same-sex couples “By passing this resolution, America’s in loving, committed relationships,” said Hu- mayors spoke for the families they know and man Rights Campaign (HRC) President Joe serve in communities across the country, Solmonese. “We thank Senator Leahy for his and said that excluding those families from leadership in holding the first-ever congres- the freedom to marry must stop,” said Evan sional hearing on this critical legislation.” Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to HRC has been working with the Of- Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: fice of Senate Judiciary Committee Chair- America, Equality and Gay People’s Right to man Patrick Leahy (D-VT) to prepare for Under U.S. immigration law, U.S. citi- Marry. “The mayors have their fingers on the the hearing and submitted questions for zens and legal permanent residents may pulse of the country, and their voices today Conference President Mayor Greg Nickles of Seattle Senators. HRC also submitted testimony sponsor their spouses for immigration pur- said loud and clear that ending discrimina- to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which poses. But gay and lesbian Americans are tion in marriage is the way to go.” can be accessed on the HRC blog, www. not afforded this basic right. Consequently, In reference to the freedom to marry, the resolution stated, “BE IT FURTHER RE- hrcbackstory.org/2009/06/senate-commit- many bi-national gay and lesbian couples SOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex tee-takes-up-uniting-american-families-act/ are kept or torn apart. couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including The witnesses testifying in support of The Uniting American Families Act family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the legislation included Julian Bond, Chair- would allow U.S. citizens and permanent the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions.” man of the National Association for the Ad- residents to sponsor their same-sex part- “The nation’s mayors are proud to take the lead in recognizing the importance of vancement of Colored People; Christopher ners for family-based immigration by meet- protecting all our citizens equally. It is now time for state legislatures and our federal gov- Nugent, Co-Chair of the Committee on the ing the same standard as different-sex cou- ernment to enact the same protections for all our nation’s citizens,” said U.S. Conference Rights of Immigrants, Section of Individual ples. The bill would impose harsh penalties of Mayors President Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle. Rights and Responsibilities, for the Ameri- for fraud, including up to five years in prison Wolfson told OUTloud that the resolution passed by a floor vote; therefore, the votes can Bar Association; and Shirley Tan of Pa- and as much as $250,000 in fines. cannot be quantified. He could not provide information as to how many mayors actually cifica, California and Gordon Stewart of Lon- According to the most recent U.S. Cen- attended the conference and voted on the resolution. don, England, two individuals in bi-national sus, nearly 36,000 gay and lesbian Ameri- Mayor Sheila Dixon attended the conference but had to return to Baltimore prior to partnerships whose lives have been deeply cans are in bi-national couples. Their medi- the resolution’s vote. “The mayor is a proud supporter of the gay community,” Mayor impacted by the inequities in our nation’s ex- an age is 38, and 47% of bi-national couples Dixon’s spokesman, Scott Peterson, told OUTloud. “She has promoted same-sex civil isting immigration laws. are raising children. unions and worked hard to support passage of legislation in terms of city benefits to gay couples.” Obama Extends Same-Sex Benefits to Federal Workers OUTloud: Delivering WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama announced on June 17 in the Oval Office that he is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. Many pundits see this the paper to you through- move as a chance to quell, to some extent, mounting criticism by lgbt activists who see a out Central Pennsylvania, lack of progress on key issues on the part of the President and his administration. Critics also assailed the President on the contents of the legal brief filed by the Justice Department Maryland, Washington, DC that defended the Defense of Marriage Act. and the Delaware shores. Details of the President’s plan to offer gay and lesbian Federal workers benefits were not available at press time.

q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com news // national news // local New Hampshire Recognizes Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

WASHINGTON –On June 3, the New Hamp- shire state legislature, with the leadership of Gov. John Lynch, passed legislation to recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples under state law. In doing so, New Hampshire becomes the 6th state to allow same-sex marriage. The Senate voted 14-10 earlier in the day in favor of the bill. The House followed later in the afternoon, voting 198-176. The law will take effect January 1, 2010. “With Gov. Lynch signing legislation passed by the state Senate and House, New Hampshire has become the latest state to recognize that loving, committed couples, and their families, should receive equal dignity and respect under the law,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Joe Sol- Del. Elizabeth Bobo presents scholarship to Jake Williams with his two moms, Jo Deutsch and Teresa Williams, on hand. monese. “No religious institution will have to Gov. John Lynch signed the bill into law recognize any marriage under this law, as the language proposed by Gov. Lynch and HRC answered. We could not have done this Straight Ally Awarded PFLAG agreed to by the legislature made abundant- without them,” said Mo Baxley, Executive ly clear.” Director of the New Hampshire Freedom to HRC salutes the work of key state Marry Coalition. Scholarship groups and leaders, including: Gov. John In addition to New Hampshire, five Lynch, Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Sen- states have recognized marriage for same- Columbia, MD - The Howard County-Co- speeches at Equality Maryland rallies ate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan, Senate sex couples under state law: Massachu- lumbia chapter of PFLAG-Parents, Fami- and at Human Rights Campaign events in Judiciary Committee Chair Deb Reynolds, setts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (effective lies and Friends of Lesbians and Gays- Washington, D.C., Dallas and Los Angeles. House Speaker Terie Norelli and Represen- September 1, 2009), and Maine (effec- awarded their 3rd annual scholarship to He participated in numerous interviews in- tatives Jim Splaine, Ed Butler, Paul McEach- tive September 2009, pending a possible Jake Williams of Cheverly, MD on June 9. cluding television and print media, such as ern, Barbara Richardson, New Hampshire referendum). Delegate Elizabeth Bobo presented the Newsweek, Washington Post, New York Freedom to Marry Coalition, MassEquality, California recognized marriage by $1,000 check at the Owen Brown Interfaith Times and USA Today. GLAD, and the many activists, including same-sex couples between June and No- Center in Columbia. This was the first year “This year we received applications HRC members, who have been working to vember of 2008, before voters approved that the chapter expanded its eligibility from so many excellent candidates,” said build support for this legislation, and the ma- Proposition 8, which amended the state con- statewide. Dan McCarthy, a member of the chapter’s jority of New Hampshire voters who support stitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Jake is a straight ally and the son of Scholarship Committee as he introduced marriage equality. Proposition 8 vote was challenged, but the two lesbian moms, Jo Deutsch and Teresa Del. Bobo. “But Jake truly stood out.” “When the National Organization for state supreme court upheld the amendment Williams. He has frequently spoken out for Jake will be attending New York Uni- Marriage [a group opposed to marriage last month. The 18,000 marriages of same- marriage equality in the context of his own versity in the Fall. equality] started making $50,000 ad buys in sex couples performed before the passage family. Jake had interned for an Oregon PFLAG is the nation’s foremost fam- New Hampshire, I put out a call for help and of Proposition 8 remain valid. Congressman, performed Model UN work ily-based organization committed to the and has been an actor/filmmaker. He pro- civil rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and duced a short documentary, “The Lobby- transgender persons. Founded in 1973 by ist,” which focused on the Jack Abramoff mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 scandal. Jake’s family was present at the members and supporters in more than 500 Robbie Alexander and Mi- ceremony. chapters throughout the United States. To chelle King were crowned In addition, Jake has delivered learn more, please visit www.pflagmd.org the titles of 2009 Mr. Row- an Tree and 2009 Miss Rowan Tree, respectively, on June 13. Photo: Skip Koritzer

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q news // local Moveable Feast Marks 20th Anniversary Leon’s Sold, Moveable Feast is celebrating its 20th year of service Building Changes to the community, providing nutritious meals to people Planned living with AIDS or breast cancer. The organization is By Steve Charing planning several events to Leon’s, that little old bar on the corner of Park recognize its anniversary, Avenue and Tyson Street, has a new owner, and the upcoming event is and with that, a new beginning is on the ho- called NightLife 09, and it rizon. Having been a fixture in Mt. Vernon since the 1930’s and a gay bar for over 50 takes place on the evening years, Leon’s (as well as its companion res- of July 11th. taurant Tyson’s Place) was bought on June 9 by Ronald Singer from the estate of Robert Davies, who passed away a year ago.

Singer, who is married, is quite familiar Photo: Michelle Alpert with the venerable tavern, as he has worked L-R: Manager Vernon Brewer, Ron Singer and bartender Dave Wallace. in a nearby office for the past seven years. “I like the atmosphere. I like the clientele,” renovations are expected to be completed For a special Pride celebration, there Singer told OUTloud. “But I also want to at- by the end of August. will be live music in this lounge along with tract a younger crowd.” But even sooner than that, Singer is a free buffet for both Saturday and Sunday To that end, Singer is planning several adding a lounge area between the main of Pride. There will also a half-yard of beer, physical renovations to the building. He is bar and what was previously called Tyson’s specials and other surprises. expanding the 2nd floor to include two pool Place whose main entrance is on Chase Ron Singer promises to be a hands-on tables, some chess and checkers tables and Street. “We are going to replace the bath- owner, and you will see him going around a dartboard. “I want this area to be more of room and have this added space to connect introducing himself, being friendly. It’s that a lounge so people can have conversation,” customers from the bar and the restaurant. friendly, unpretentious atmosphere that he explains. “When we have huge crowds I want them to mingle, Singer points out.” we’ve come to expect at Leon’s for over five like at our Happy Hours, we will have addi- Tyson’s Place will be called Nadd’s, spelled decades. Several bars in Baltimore are partici- tional space for the customers to go.” These with two musical clefs for “d’s.” pating by agreeing to donate at least 20 percent of their sales from that evening to Moveable Feast. And the Hippo, which is the anchor bar for the event, has committed to donating 50 percent of their sales OUTloud News Poll from that evening. Other bars that are participating are The Drinkery, George’s, Pride has different meanings Leon’s, Idle Hour in Federal Hill and Club to different people. What does 1722. Pride most mean to you? Moveable Feast volunteers will be at each participating bar to distribute infor- • An occasion to proudly declare mation about its services. Additionally, who I am as an individual they will be selling a limited number of • A celebration, and I want to 50/50 raffle tickets. A total of 300 tickets party at $20 a ticket will be sold for a jackpot of • A chance to meet up with old $3,000 for the lucky winner and $3,000 friends and make new ones for Moveable Feast. • A time to reflect on what we People are encouraged to stop out have achieved as a community that evening for a drink at one of the par- • A time to honor those who have ticipating bars and show their support for fought for our rights Moveable Feast. For more information, please visit To vote: The OUTloud staff’s been up to stuff in B-More www.mfeast.org visit www.baltimoreoutloud.com OUTloud contributor and drag performance artist, JeffRey Clagett, AKA HERMAPHRO- Sign up online now for free DITEE, came in 2nd place and was crowned Princess in a tight vote in the City Paper’s 5th Annual Ottobar Prom King and Queen contest on June 6. Also pictured is his partner, home delivery of OUTloud. Jim Becker.” www.baltimoreoutloud.com

q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com do so since taking office in January. Mean- Military needs more beyond the beltway while, the White House has said it will not stop Gays and Lesbians from being dis- than repeal of Don’t Compiled by Jim Becker missed from the military - a direct contradic- tion to Obama’s campaign promise. To date, Ask. Don’t tell it is estimated that more than 12,500 service men and women have been discharged Boston, MA - The military’s “Don’t Ask, under the policy, including more than 200 Don’t Tell” policy has been making head- since Obama took office.(Seattle Gay News lines lately, with lgbt activists calling on - Shaun Knittel at sgn.org) President Obama and Congress to end the anti-gay law, but a new documentary by gay New York Public Library film maker Johnny Symons, Ask Not sug- gests that the military’s culture may need to exhibit celebrates change before lgbt soldiers will truly feel at home in the armed services. Stonewall In one particularly powerful segment of Ask Not Symons follows a group of openly New York, NY - In celebration of the 40th gay recent veterans as they embark on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the New Call to Duty Tour, a 2006 cross-country trek York Public Library will host an exhibition that advocated abolishing “Don’t Ask, Don’t titled “1969: The Year of Gay Liberation.” Tell.” The afternoon before a speaking en- The exhibition, highlighting the rise of vari- gagement at the Military College of Georgia ous gay rights groups, runs throughout the the filmmaker captures a group of cadets entire month of June in the Stokes Gallery marching past while chanting “Oh, there are (third floor) at The New York Public Library’s no Airborne Rangers at the Point/ ’’cause Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, located they’’re all fucking fags wearing old Army at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhat- rags / Oh, there are no Airborne Rangers at tan. In addition to documents and picture the Point.” Alex Nicholson, the founder of the chronicling the rise of many gay rights orga- Call to Duty Tour and a former Army linguist nizations, like the Gay Liberation Front, the who was discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Radicalesbians, Gay Activists Alliance, and Tell,” becomes visibly angry as the cadets Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries, pass by. One of the few positive features of there is also a small prologue of gay and les- the policy is that it prohibits anti-gay rhetoric bian activism in New York City in the early in cadences. 1960s. Symons told Bay Windows that when “The reception’s been really wonder- he accompanied the Call to Duty Tour mem- ful,” said exhibition curator Jason Baumann. bers to the campus he did not expect to cap- “There’s a difference from hearing about ture such a blatantly homophobic incident Supreme Court rejects discharged under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ The (the gay movement) and reading about it in on film.”[The cadets] had no idea the rest of district court dismissed the suit for a failure a book and seeing the actual documents.” the guys were gay men. . . .Here we have “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to state a claim and the plaintiffs appealed Exhibited documents include pamphlets a blatant example of disregarding one of to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Cir- created by gay rights groups, police reports the few good things about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t case cuit. Last year, the appeals court affirmed and even a letter sent on June 7, 1970, to Tell.’” The documentary, also includes film of the district court’s ruling. Army Capt. James New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller a soldier who went back into the closet to Washington, DC -The U.S. Supreme Court Pietrangelo, one of the 12 named in the orig- by Jim Owles, President of the Gay Activ- join and serve in Iraq. The soldier, who made turned down a challenge to the Defense inal lawsuit, on his own subsequently ap- ists Alliance, asking to meet to discuss gay up stories about a divorce and a pregnant Department policy forbidding gays and les- pealed his case to the U.S. Supreme Court rights. girlfriend, sent video diaries from Iraq. Sy- bians from serving openly in the military on by filing a petition for a writ of certiorari. This Baumann noted that the exhibition has mons said despite all the recent momentum June 8, granting a request by the Obama ad- week, the Supreme Court refused to hear attracted as much attention heterosexual nationally in favor of overturning the policy ministration. In court papers, the administra- his case. viewers as from gays and lesbians. He said he believes there is still a ways to go before tion said the appeals court ruled correctly in The Servicemembers Legal Defense that many of the heterosexual visitors are lgbt people will be able to serve openly.(Bay this case when it found that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Network, an organization that provides legal surprised by the laws in place at the time Windows - Ethan Jacobs at baywindows. Tell’ is ‘rationally related to the government’s council and funding to service members be- regarding sodomy and cohabitation. Many com) legitimate interest in military discipline and ing investigated under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t of the photographs in the exhibit were taken unit cohesion.’ ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ re- Tell’ policy, vowed to press ahead with ef- by activist Diana Davies, who chronicled the These news notes have been compiled, quires the Defense Department to discharge forts to reverse the policy. ‘What happened marches of protests of the various groups. with permission, from the on line version of from the armed services members who en- today puts the ball back into the court of The exhibition will also have an online ver- various newspapers and other web sites. We gage in or attempt to engage in homosexual Congress and the White House to repeal the sion launching sometime this month. For thank these publications for allowing us to acts; state they are homosexual or bisexual; law, and that’s where we think it should be more information regarding exhibition times, bring you their news stories. Usually the re- or marry or attempt to marry a person of the right now,’ said Kevin Nix, spokesman for the call 917-ASK-NYPL or, for more information ports have been significantly edited and you same biological sex. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. about the Library’s lgbt collections and re- can read the full story by going to the web site The case in question, Pietrangelo v. During last year’s campaign, President sources, visit LGBT@NYPL (365Gay.com mentioned following the item. Comments are Gates, originally Cook v. Gates, was brought Barack Obama pledged to overturn the - Cory Stottlemyer) strictly the opinions of Jim Becker and not of by 12 former members of the U.S. Military policy, but he has made no specific move to Baltimore Outloud or Pride Media.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 10 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com retrospective CRUNCH THE NUMBERS Remembering Baltimore’s AND JOIN TODAY! Gay Liberation Front CFMBJSSPBE ONLY By Dennis Watson * CBMUJNPSF NE $ My then lover Steve and I were founding 99 members of the Baltimore Gay Liberation XFOPXIBWF Front—a group modeled on GLF collectives FOR THREE in New York and other cities. We and several MONTHS OF BOBUN other gay men formed the group in 1970. Steve and I lived at the GLF house on Park MEMBERSHIP Avenue above North Ave. until we moved to

*certain restrictions apply .POEBZ San Francisco in 1972, joining an exodus of LBSBPLFQNQN people looking for the more gay-friendly climate found there and Los Angeles. I stayed in the Bay area until 2004 when I returned to UVFTEBZ the East Coast. Steve and I have remained friends. He now lives in Portland, Oregon IBQQZIPVS with his life partner of 32 years. BMMOJHIUMPOH Baltimore GLF was founded as an out- GET FIT THIS YEAR AT 3600 Clipper Mill Road reach organization to promote equality and www.meadowmill.com fairness for gay-identified people. As an or- 410.235.7000 XFEOFTEBZ ganization we spoke to groups. For example, CPNCTBXBZ I remember attending a meeting with a Jew- ish organization to discuss this topic and the BMMCPNCT idea was to ‘raise the consciousness about sexism’ in the USA. GLF was concerned UIVSTEBZ about job discrimination and hate crimes in- flicted upon gays simply because of being CFFSQPOH different fro the mainstream. EPNFTUJD GLF also set up forums and places for questioning people to meet. The idea was QJUDIFST for closeted people to visit and discuss their situations--what it meant to be ‘in the closet’- GSJEBZT -and to learn coping skills depending upon CPUUPNMFTTDVQ their specific situations. The GLF house was located in a predominantly black neighbor- QNNJEOJUF hood. We met several young gay black men that struggled with their gay identity and the pressure seemed to come from ‘family and TBUVSEBZT church.’ Several of these adolescents were ZPVQJDLJU associated with the Catholic Church, and it ESBXZPVS was a real challenge to overcome the ‘guilt’ of the church dogma on this issue. TQFDJBMGSPN GLF was certainly ahead of its time PVSCVDLFU by about 20 years in promoting the idea of equality of lgbt people. The ‘gay equal rights movement’ has come a very long and re- TVOEBZ markable way in raising the consciousness IBQZIPVSXJUI of Americans and others around the world to acknowledge that ‘all human beings’ have TPVOETPGMJWF similar rights under the constitution to be QNBN treated equally. Being a part of GLF allowed me to meet many wonderful men and women who were able to ‘articulate’ the issues of sexual dis- XFPQFOBUBN crimination and paint a broader canvas of the injustices that existed in the 60’s. We CMVFQBSSPUCBSDPN also realized the importance of the Black - continued on page 34

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 11 Same sex dancing was out of the ques- retrospective tion in most places except on Sundays at the Golden Key Club in North Beach, Maryland. Men were regularly entrapped in Mt. Vernon, Stonewall, Gay Wyman Park, Patterson Park and other gay cruising areas. Local newspapers published the names of those arrested in large sting Liberation operations—leading to loss of jobs, family isolation, and the occasional suicide. Despite this climate, late 60s Baltimore and 1960s Gay had a vibrant and colorful gay scene—one that was hidden but enticing. Many of us thrived on the adventure, the thrill to be in the Baltimore know, to be part of a secret outlaw society. If we were lucky, we found acceptance and a By Jim Becker safe harbor from a hateful world. If we were discovered and condemned by the broader This month marks the 40th an- community, we drew comfort and strength niversary of the Stonewall Re- from our friends, from the other citizens of bellion that many consider the the night. In the late 1960s, the gay bars were beginning of the modern gay packed, especially on weekends, and many liberation movement. On Satur- nights ended in the wee hours after word day night, June 28, 1969, just Baltimore’s Pepper Hill bar c. 1968 spread of an after-hours party at someone’s home. My very first “out” night at a gay bar hours after the New York City fu- “Late 60s Baltimore had a vibrant and colorful led to an after-hours party in a house on Park neral of gay icon Judy Garland, Avenue above North, with beautiful young the mostly young gay men, drag gay scene—one that was hidden but enticing.” men dancing and snapping their fingers to the Supremes on top of a grand piano—per- queens, and hustler patrons of The gay militancy of 1969 can be traced dence Hall in Philadelphia each July 4th. In sonal liberation in deed! Eager to join in, my the Stonewall Inn at 53 Chris- back to the years following World War II. In a film of the 1969 march, Before Stonewall: roommates and I often invited the entire bar topher Street in Greenwich Vil- Los Angeles during November 1950, former The Making of a Gay & Lesbian Community, to our apartment and the party would contin- communist Harry Hay and four other men, released in 1985, a Baltimore man, Bradley ue until dawn. An Army Major investigating a lage, rioted during a routine raid Rudi Gernreich, Dale Jennings, Bob Hull Grant, is in the picket line sporting a cast on claim that a soldier was gay, described our by New York City police. Queer and Chuck Rowland, held the first meeting his arm, the result of being shot by a neigh- apartment as a male whore house. We were life would never be the same! of what would be named five months later bor in a homophobic attack. outraged—although the sex was plentiful, it the Mattachine Society. Hay chose Mat- The 1960s had been a decade of seri- was always free! The growth of the civil rights and anti- tachine after medieval societies of masked ous social upheaval, precipitated by years Halloween, our holiday, was perhaps Vietnam war movements served as a cata- men. of racial oppression at home and, U.S. mili- more important than it is today; a great cel- lyst for queers to fight back and organize. In 1952, founding member Dale Jen- tary adventurism abroad. In the Baltimore of ebration and one of the only times during the Stonewall was a watershed moment in the nings was arrested by the police in a Los 1969, Jim Crow was finally in retreat. The year—New Year’s Eve and the Hairdressers; struggle to end centuries of oppression, Angeles park and decided to do the then segregation of department stores, restau- Ball being the others--when men and wom- and its impact on our lives has been noth- unthinkable, fight the charges! He claimed rants, bars, and movie theaters, a fact of life en could dress in drag without some risk of ing short of revolutionary. Everywhere, gay police entrapment and his trial became an in 1960 Baltimore, was ending. But for lesbi- arrest. After the bars closed, traffic on Cal- people were inspired to take action, but organizing tool for Mattachine. The group ans and gay men, little had changed since vert Street between Baltimore and Fayette Stonewall was not an isolated event. When soon had 2000 members. The jury failed to the end of World War II. And for African Streets would be diverted, as the queens the patrons of the bar rioted, they were not convict and Mattachine declared victory. American lesbians and gay men, segrega- congregated in their Halloween regalia in the first gay people to do so. There was a Throughout the 50s and early 60s the tion was still alive—the Pepper Hill, the most front of Bickford’s Restaurant, a favorite af- full-scale riot in 1966 at the Compton’s Caf- Mattachine Society expanded with chapters visible gay bar in the city remained segre- ter hours stop. eteria in San Francisco. And from 1963 or in San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, gated when it closed in 1968, and racial quo- Perhaps unimaginable now, but in 1969, 1964 to 1969, lesbian, gay, and trans-people and Washington. In 1952 some members of tas continued at some community spaces Baltimore’s gay life was far livelier than that demonstrated more than a dozen times in Mattachine split off to form One, Inc. and be- for years to come. of our neighbors in Washington--primarily New York, Philadelphia, Washington, San gan publishing a gay magazine called One. In October 1955, the Baltimore police due to the arcane liquor laws in the Nation’s Francisco and Los Angeles. A lesbian organization, the Daughters of Bili- raided the Pepper Hill and arrested every Capital. Although the drinking age in D.C. Stonewall marked the birth of a new tis, founded in 1955, was also growing and customer—164 in all! Although the raid led was 18 (and many from Baltimore flocked radicalism. At long last, the time was ripe the groups often collaborated. to a court decision that police could not ar- there for this reason), D.C. bars were re- and the events that night and the following During the mid 1960s, members of the rest people solely for being customers in a quired to close at midnight on Saturday. Most week provided a spark to a movement that Mattachine Society and the Daughters of gay bar, for the next 15 years bar owners bizarrely, Washington bar patrons had to be had been building for nearly two decades. Bilitis began picketing government buildings and patrons were rightly concerned about seated at all times, and only wait staff could Within a month, the New York Gay Libera- including the White House and State Depart- police surveillance and entrapment. Cus- move drinks should a customer move from tion Front was distributing flyers throughout ment. From 1965 through 1969, the New York tomers at the Pepper Hill were told to keep one table to another. Imagine the crimp in the city declaring, “You Think Homosexuals and Washington D.C. chapters of the Matta- a safe distance from one another, and the cruising! One D.C. bar installed telephones Are Revolting? You Bet Your Sweet Ass We chine Society and other homophile groups bartenders at Leon’s would blow a whistle if on every table so that patrons could cruise Are.” held annual reminder Marches at Indepen- the men were becoming too affectionate. -- continued on page 34

12 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com religious directory

Grace United Methodist Church Gay?Gay? Lesbian?Lesbian? Catholic?Catholic? A Welcoming Congregation with All Are Welcome St. Bernadette Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors Roman Catholic We invite you to join in Church Our Weekend Mass Schedule: our mission outreach to Baltimore, the United States SATURDAY and the world, through the Appalachia Service 5:30 p.m. - Church Project, serving a meal monthly to a homeless shelter, SUNDAY 9:00 a.m.,10:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m. - Church supporting a soup kitchen and supporting HIV-AIDS Contact Ann McDonald, Pastoral Life Director ministry around the world. 410-969-2785 801 Stevenson Road - Severn, MD 21144-2299 Grace Church 5407 N. Charles St.~ Baltimore, MD 21210 at Northern Pkwy 410-969-2783 410-433-6650 ~ www.graceunitedmethodict.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 June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 13 14 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 15 687US09AB10209_Apr09UptStickiesAdmale:. 6/15/09 6:51 PM Page 3

FDA-Approved Patient Labeling REYATAZ® (atazanavir sulfate) REYATAZ® (atazanavir sulfate) REYATAZ® (atazanavir sulfate) Patient Information How should I take REYATAZ? • a change in the way your heart beats (heart rhythm change). Call your • Tricyclic antidepressants such as ELAVIL® (amitriptyline), NORPRAMIN® REYATAZ® (RAY-ah-taz) ® ® ® • T ake REYATAZ once every day exactly as instructed by your healthcare healthcare provider right away if you get dizzy or lightheaded. These could be (desipramine), SINEQUAN (doxepin), SURMONTIL (trimipramine), TOFRANIL (generic name = atazanavir sulfate) ® provider. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the amount of REYATAZ that symptoms of a heart problem. (imipramine), or VIVACTIL (protriptyline). Capsules is right for you. • d iabetes and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) sometimes happen in • Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection: SANDIMMUNE® or NEORAL® ALERT: Find out about medicines that should NOT be taken with REYATAZ. Read • For adults who have never taken anti-HIV medicines before, the dose patients taking protease inhibitor medicines like REYATAZ. Some patients had (cyclosporin), RAPAMUNE® (sirolimus), or PROGRAF® (tacrolimus). the section “What important information should I know about taking REYATAZ with is 300 mg once daily with 100 mg of NORVIR® (ritonavir) once daily diabetes before taking protease inhibitors while others did not. Some patients • The antidepressant trazodone (DESYREL® and others). other medicines?” taken with food. For adults who are unable to tolerate ritonavir, 400 mg may need changes in their diabetes medicine. ® ® ® ® • Fluticasone propionate (ADVAIR , FLONASE , FLOVENT ), given by nose or Read the Patient Information that comes with REYATAZ before you start using it and (two 200-mg capsules) once daily (without NORVIR ) taken with food • i f you have liver disease including hepatitis B or C, your liver disease may get inhaled to treat allergic symptoms or asthma. Your doctor may choose not to each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet provides a is recommended. worse when you take anti-HIV medicines like REYATAZ. ® summary about REYATAZ and does not include everything there is to know about your keep you on fluticasone, especially if you are also taking NORVIR . • For adults who have taken anti-HIV medicines in the past, the usual dose is • k idney stones have been reported in patients taking REYATAZ. If you develop medicine. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare 300 mg plus 100 mg of NORVIR® (ritonavir) once daily taken with food. The following medicines may require a change in the dose or dose schedule of provider about your medical condition or treatment. signs or symptoms of kidney stones (pain in your side, blood in your urine, pain either REYATAZ or the other medicine: • Your dose will depend on your liver function and on the other anti-HIV medicines when you urinate) tell your healthcare provider promptly. What is REYATAZ? • INVIRASE® (saquinavir). that you are taking. REYATAZ is always used with other anti-HIV medicines. If • s ome patients with hemophilia have increased bleeding problems with ® ® • NORVIR® (ritonavir). REYATAZ is a prescription medicine used with other anti-HIV medicines to treat people you are taking REYATAZ with SUSTIVA (efavirenz) or with VIREAD (tenofovir protease inhibitors like REYATAZ. who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the virus that disoproxil fumarate), you should also be taking NORVIR® (ritonavir). • SUSTIVA® (efavirenz). • c hanges in body fat. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). REYATAZ is a type of anti-HIV • A lways take REYATAZ with food (a meal or snack) to help it work better. medicine called a protease inhibitor. HIV infection destroys CD4+ (T) cells, which are the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the trunk. Loss • Antacids or buffered medicines. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not open the capsules. Take REYATAZ at the ® important to the immune system. The immune system helps fight infection. After a same time each day. of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term • VIDEX (didanosine). health effects of these conditions are not known at this time. ® large number of (T) cells are destroyed, AIDS develops. REYATAZ helps to block HIV ® ® • VIREAD (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). protease, an enzyme that is needed for the HIV virus to multiply. REYATAZ may lower • I f you are taking antacids or didanosine (VIDEX or VIDEX EC), take REYATAZ 2 hours before or 1 hour after these medicines. Other common side effects of REYATAZ taken with other anti-HIV medicines include • MYCOBUTIN® (rifabutin). the amount of HIV in your blood, help your body keep its supply of CD4+ (T) cells, and nausea; headache; stomach pain; vomiting; diarrhea; depression; fever; dizziness; reduce the risk of death and illness associated with HIV. • I f you are taking medicines for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such • Calcium channel blockers such as CARDIZEM® or TIAZAC® (diltiazem), ® ® ® trouble sleeping; numbness, tingling, or burning of hands or feet; and muscle pain. ® ® Does REYATAZ cure HIV or AIDS? as AXID (nizatidine), PEPCID AC (famotidine), TAGAMET (cimetidine), COVERA-HS or ISOPTIN SR (verapamil) and others. ® ® ® Gallbladder disorders (which may include gallstones and gallbladder inflammation) ZANTAC (ranitidine), AcipHex (rabeprazole), NEXIUM (esomeprazole), • BIAXIN® (clarithromycin). REYATAZ does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. At present there is no cure for PREVACID® (lansoprazole), PRILOSEC® (omeprazole), or PROTONIX® have been reported in patients taking REYATAZ. ® HIV infection. People taking REYATAZ may still get opportunistic infections or other (pantoprazole), talk to your healthcare provider. What important information should I know about taking REYATAZ with other • Medicines for indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers such as AXID (nizatidine), conditions that happen with HIV infection. Opportunistic infections are infections PEPCID AC® (famotidine), TAGAMET® (cimetidine), or ZANTAC® (ranitidine). • D o not change your dose or stop taking REYATAZ without first talking with medicines? that develop because the immune system is weak. Some of these conditions are Talk to your healthcare provider about choosing an effective method of pneumonia, herpes virus infections, and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) your healthcare provider. It is important to stay under a healthcare provider’s Do not take REYATAZ if you take the following medicines (not all brands may care while taking REYATAZ. be listed; tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take). contraception. REYATAZ may affect the safety and effectiveness of hormonal infections. It is very important that you see your healthcare provider regularly contraceptives such as birth control pills or the contraceptive patch. Hormonal • W hen your supply of REYATAZ starts to run low, get more from your REYATAZ may cause serious, life-threatening side effects or death when used while taking REYATAZ. contraceptives do not prevent the spread of HIV to others. REYATAZ does not lower your chance of passing HIV to other people through healthcare provider or pharmacy. It is important not to run out of REYATAZ. The with these medicines. sexual contact, sharing needles, or being exposed to your blood. For your health amount of HIV in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a • Ergot medicines: dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, and Remember: and the health of others, it is important to always practice safer sex by using a latex short time. methylergonovine such as CAFERGOT®, MIGRANAL®, D.H.E. 45®, ergotrate 1. Know all the medicines you take. or polyurethane condom or other barrier to lower the chance of sexual contact with • If you miss a dose of REYATAZ, take it as soon as possible and then take maleate, METHERGINE®, and others (used for migraine headaches). 2. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. Never use or share dirty needles. your next scheduled dose at its regular time. If, however, it is within 6 hours • ORAP® (pimozide, used for Tourette’s disorder). 3. Do not start a new medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. Who should not take REYATAZ? of your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double the next dose. It is important that you do not • PROPULSID® (cisapride, used for certain stomach problems). How should I store REYATAZ? Do not take REYATAZ if you: miss any doses of REYATAZ or your other anti-HIV medicines. • Triazolam, also known as HALCION® (used for insomnia). • Store REYATAZ Capsules at room temperature, 59° to 86° F (15° to 30° C). • a re taking certain medicines. (See “What important information should I know • If you take more than the prescribed dose of REYATAZ, call your healthcare • Midazolam, also known as VERSED® (used for sedation), when taken by mouth. Do not store this medicine in a damp place such as a bathroom medicine about taking REYATAZ with other medicines?”) Serious life-threatening side provider or poison control center right away. cabinet or near the kitchen sink. effects or death may happen. Before you take REYATAZ, tell your healthcare Do not take the following medicines with REYATAZ because of possible serious provider about all medicines you are taking or planning to take. These Can children take REYATAZ? side effects: • Keep your medicine in a tightly closed container. include other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal Dosing recommendations are available for children 6 years of age and older for • CAMPTOSAR® (irinotecan, used for cancer). • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets at all times. Do not supplements. REYATAZ Capsules. Dosing recommendations are not available for children from ® keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. Dispose of unused 3 months to less than 6 years of age. REYATAZ should not be used in babies under • CRIXIVAN (indinavir, used for HIV infection). Both REYATAZ and CRIXIVAN medicines through community take-back disposal programs when available or • a re allergic to REYATAZ or to any of its ingredients. The active ingredient is sometimes cause increased levels of bilirubin in the blood. atazanavir sulfate. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients the age of 3 months. place REYATAZ in an unrecognizable, closed container in the household trash. ® ® in REYATAZ. Tell your healthcare provider if you think you have had an allergic What are the possible side effects of REYATAZ? • Cholesterol-lowering medicines MEVACOR (lovastatin) or ZOCOR General information about REYATAZ (simvastatin). reaction to any of these ingredients. The following list of side effects is not complete. Report any new or continuing This medicine was prescribed for your particular condition. Do not use REYATAZ for What should I tell my healthcare provider before I take REYATAZ? symptoms to your healthcare provider. If you have questions about side effects, ask Do not take the following medicines with REYATAZ because they may lower the another condition. Do not give REYATAZ to other people, even if they have the same Tell your healthcare provider: your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may be able to help you manage amount of REYATAZ in your blood. This may lead to an increased HIV viral load. symptoms you have. It may harm them. Keep REYATAZ and all medicines out of these side effects. Resistance to REYATAZ or cross-resistance to other HIV medicines may develop: the reach of children and pets. • I f you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if ® ® ® ® REYATAZ can harm your unborn baby. Pregnant women have experienced The following side effects have been reported with REYATAZ: • Rifampin (also known as RIMACTANE , RIFADIN , RIFATER , or RIFAMATE , This summary does not include everything there is to know about REYATAZ. Medicines serious side effects when taking REYATAZ with other HIV medicines called • m ild rash (redness and itching) without other symptoms sometimes occurs in used for tuberculosis). are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information nucleoside analogues. You and your healthcare provider will need to decide if patients taking REYATAZ, most often in the first few weeks after the medicine • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), an herbal product sold as a dietary leaflets. Remember no written summary can replace careful discussion with your REYATAZ is right for you. If you use REYATAZ while you are pregnant, talk to is started. Rashes usually go away within 2 weeks with no change in treatment. supplement, or products containing St. John’s wort. healthcare provider. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare your healthcare provider about the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry. Tell your healthcare provider if rash occurs. • VIRAMUNE® (nevirapine, used for HIV infection). provider or you can call 1-800-321-1335. • I f you are breast-feeding. You should not breast-feed if you are HIV-positive • s evere rash: In a small number of patients, a rash can develop that is associated Do not take the following medicine if you are taking REYATAZ and NORVIR® What are the ingredients in REYATAZ? because of the chance of passing HIV to your baby. Also, it is not known if with other symptoms which could be serious and potentially cause death. together: Active Ingredient: atazanavir sulfate REYATAZ can pass into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby. If you are If you develop a rash with any of the following symptoms stop using • VFEND® (voriconazole). Inactive Ingredients: Crospovidone, lactose monohydrate (milk sugar), magnesium a woman who has or will have a baby, talk with your healthcare provider about REYATAZ and call your healthcare provider right away: the best way to feed your baby. stearate, gelatin, FD&C Blue #2, and titanium dioxide. • shortness of breath The following medicines may require your healthcare provider to monitor your • If you have liver problems or are infected with the hepatitis B or C virus. therapy more closely: VIDEX® and REYATAZ® are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. • general ill feeling or “flu-like” symptoms ® ® See “What are the possible side effects of REYATAZ?” • CIALIS® (tadalafil), LEVITRA® (vardenafil), or VIAGRA® (sildenafil). REYATAZ COUMADIN and SUSTIVA are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb • fever Pharma Company. DESYREL® is a registered trademark of Mead Johnson and • If you have end stage kidney disease managed with hemodialysis. • muscle or joint aches may increase the chances of serious side effects that can happen with CIALIS, LEVITRA, or VIAGRA. Do not use CIALIS, LEVITRA, or VIAGRA while you are taking Company. Other brands listed are the trademarks of their respective owners and are • If you have diabetes. See “What are the possible side effects of REYATAZ?” • conjunctivitis (red or inflamed eyes, like “pink eye”) not trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. • blisters REYATAZ unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. • If you have hemophilia. See “What are the possible side effects of US Patent Nos: 5,849,911 and 6,087,383 REYATAZ?” • mouth sores • LIPITOR® (atorvastatin) or CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin). There is an increased chance of serious side effects if you take REYATAZ with this cholesterol- • A bout all the medicines you take including prescription and nonprescription • swelling of your face medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Keep a list of your medicines • y ellowing of the skin or eyes. These effects may be due to increases in lowering medicine. with you to show your healthcare provider. For more information, see “What bilirubin levels in the blood (bilirubin is made by the liver). Call your healthcare • Medicines for abnormal heart rhythm: CORDARONE® (amiodarone), lidocaine, important information should I know about taking REYATAZ with other provider if your skin or the white part of your eyes turn yellow. Although these quinidine (also known as CARDIOQUIN®, QUINIDEX®, and others). Princeton, NJ 08543 USA medicines?” and “Who should not take REYATAZ?” Some medicines can cause effects may not be damaging to your liver, skin, or eyes, it is important to tell • VASCOR® (bepridil, used for chest pain). serious side effects if taken with REYATAZ. your healthcare provider promptly if they occur. • COUMADIN® (warfarin). 1246226A3 F1-B0001B-04-09 Rev April 2009

16 q 68BALTIMORE7US09A OUTLOUDB1020 1Jun Te r19,im 2009Siz | baltimore: 9.87eoutloud5”x9.6.2com5” Publication: 687US09AB10209_Apr09UptStickiesAdmale:. 6/15/09 6:51 PM Page 3

687US09AB10201 TrimSize: 9.875”x9.625” BALTIMOREPublic OUTLOUDation: June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 17 editorial thinking outloud Walking the Talk

We voted for change. We voted for hope. We voted for Barack Obama to be the 44th president of the United States because he embodies change and hope. And we voted for him because we truly believe he is on OUR side. The president has unambiguously indicated his support for lgbt equality. Although he favors civil unions instead of same-sex marriage, he had gone much further than any previ- ous major presidential candidate in making his public pronouncements on the correct side of our issues. Following the election our community was giddy with the prospects of finally ridding ourselves of small-minded, bigoted leaders and instead, we saw the promise of actually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. “I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of lgbt people in this country,” Barack Obama wrote in an open letter to gay Americans during the campaign. “Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.” We had pegged our hopes on President Obama to push through Congress, using the bully pulpit, a series of initiatives that has been languishing for so long: a hate crimes bill to include sexual orientation and gender identity; an all-inclusive non-discrimination law that protects lgbt people in the workplace; increased action towards combating the HIV/ AIDS epidemic; repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act; and the repeal of the reprehensible “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that is weakening our Armed Forces. On the plus side, President “Following the election Obama has appointed more openly gay and lesbian individu- our community was giddy als to high-profile posts in his Frank Kameny, Our Hero administration than any other with the prospects of finally president. And he recently signed ridding ourselves of small- By Kevin Walling tion because he was outed as a gay man a memo extending same-sex ben- and begun a lifelong fight to build lgbt politi- efits to Federal workers. But none minded, bigoted leaders One of the great perks of working for Equal- cal power and reverse discriminatory laws of these key legislative initiatives ity Maryland is to participate in the annual and policies. have advanced. This has frustrat- and instead, we saw the pride activities in D.C. and Baltimore. At Throughout the event, I couldn’t help ed many gay-rights activists. D.C. Pride, I joined our great team of staff but smile at the sweet irony of the night. Representatives from his promise of actually seeing and supporters in representing our orga- Here we were surrounded by glaring pick- administration have assured us, the light at the end of the nization at our booth at the huge outdoor et signs, memorabilia from the early lgbt however, that the president means festival. equality movement, and alongside Frank what he says. He has talked the tunnel.” In the excitement of seeing old and stood John Berry, the first openly gay Di- talk. Will he take that ever-impor- new friends and talking about our advanc- rector of the U.S. Office of Personal Man- tant walk? es for lgbt Marylanders, I spotted an older agement – the same office which had fired Clearly, some advancement is needed to demonstrate President Obama’s sincerity by man, dressed in white khakis and a blue Frank more than 40 years before. pushing Congress to enact some of these bills. It would also be welcome if he took to the oxford. As he quietly made his way through Both Frank and Director Berry gave airwaves and denounced discrimination against lgbt people in the same manner in which he the thick crowds, you couldn’t help but no- inspirational remarks highlight just how far took on racism and other contentious issues. tice his wide smile and warm eyes. we as a community had come over the few But this president has been dealt a hand with which no other in history has ever had to The unassuming man is Frank Kame- decades since Stonewall, Harvey Milk and contend. He inherited a collapsing economy fueled by the housing, automotive and financial ny, an unsung hero of many of ours and ar- Frank’s dismissal from the civil service. But boondoggles. He must manage two wars as well as other hot spots all over the globe. The guably one of the most important figures in the evening also served as an important President is also embarking on sweeping health care reform that is certain to be rancorous the history of the lgbt equality movement. A reminder of just how far we need to move as the debate plays out. In short, President Obama has much to do and is feeling the pres- couple of weeks ago I attended a reception forward in order to secure real and lasting sure from everyone to produce. for the Velvet Foundation, a newly formed equality for ourselves and our families. We clearly understand his intentions are good and we hope to see the beginnings of the non-profit dedicated to creating a national progress that was assured. lgbt history museum in Washington, D.C. At Kevin serves as the Director of Develop- OUTloud applauds the proclamation from the President that declared June to be lgbt the reception, historic signs from the 50’s, ment for Equality Maryland and can be Pride month, and we chose to place it on our front page as a continuing reminder that there 60’s and 70’s lined the walls with slogans reached at [email protected] is indeed hope. that read, “Denial of Equality of Opportunity As Baltimore Pride 2009 begins, it marks five months to the day that Barack Obama is Immoral” and “Stop FBI Homophobes.” took the oath. For some that is a short time; for others it is too long to go without making any Frank had served in U.S. Army during Sign up online now for free headway towards lgbt equality. We should show patience, but patience cannot last forever. World War II and after his service worked in Let’s have faith that very soon, President Barack Obama takes the promised walk along the Army Map Service office in Washington home delivery of OUTloud. our rainbow path. DC. In 1957, Frank was fired from his posi- www.baltimoreoutloud.com

18 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com thinking outloud letter to the editor Chaz Bono: True to Charm City His Feelings Confusion

By JeffRey Clagett Dear Editor, We’d like to call your attention to an error in the June Chastity Bono, once the darling of his parents’ seventies 5th edition of OUTloud. On page 46 of the paper, and television shows, is in the early stages of changing his gen- on the website. a photo essay appears under the label der. Chaz, an author, musician, journalist, and civil rights of the “Charm City Kitty Club 7th Anniversary Show.” advocate, started to begin the process of transitioning from The event depicted is actually the Charm City Boys’ female to male on his milestone 40th birthday this past Anniversary Show. March. He is the only child of superstar entertainers Sonny Both the Charm City Boys and the Charm City and Cher, and made the bold move of coming out as a les- Kitty Club appreciate all the coverage you’ve given us bian when he was twenty. At the time, he felt the tabloids over the years, and we want to assure the distinction were exploiting his relationship with another woman to the between our organizations is clear. Our groups met to point her girlfriend’s family disowned her. co-author this letter to highlight the differences between Surprisingly Sonny Bono was totally supportive but it the groups, with hopes that we may be able to forego was Cher who could not accept her daughter’s sexuality. His continued confusion. mother eventually came to terms with her daughter’s lesbi- THE CHARM CITY BOYS (www.bmorequeer.com) anism and went on to publicly support is a gender performance collective, which performs Chaz and his involvement in the gay “It is Chaz’s hope that his choice to every other month at Grand Central Station, and which rights movement. Cher later admit- has toured the United States and Canada. The next ted her initial reaction was the most transition will open the hearts and minds of Charm City Boys show is July 16 at Grand Central. The unlike-Cher thing she’d ever done. Charm City Boys are also appearing at International Sadly, his father, a staunch Repub- the public regarding this issue, just as his Drag King Extravaganza this October in Tucson. lican Congressman was against gay Our primary goal is to provide a creative space interests including gay marriage. This ‘coming out’ did nearly twenty years ago.” to anyone who would like to use the stage to have a rift in their relationship led to a parting voice in the Baltimore LGBTQQIA community, as well of ways. A year later tragedy struck when Sonny was killed ones. as the international gender performance stage. In a in a skiing accident. Chaz was understandably devastated. It is Chaz’s hope that his choice to transition will open LGBTQQIA community where gender expression is Chaz has written two books. The first,Family Outing: A the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just often not represented, we work to break down the Guide to Coming-Out Process for Gays, Lesbians, & Their as his ‘coming out’ did nearly twenty years ago. Bragman social barriers to educate and promote all genders and Families. The book not only described his experiences with added, “We ask that the media respect Chaz’s privacy dur- expressions as a positive and powerful tool that can his own family but the families of other gay people who took ing this long process as he will not be doing any interviews create social change and open doors and minds. the brave step of coming out. He shares with the reader how at this time.” THE CHARM CITY KITTY CLUB (www. he realized he was different -especially different from who Sonny Bono’s widow, Congresswoman Mary Bono is charmcitykittyclub.com) is a volunteer-run collective that his mother thought him to be. behind Chaz all the way. Bono, who followed in her late hus- organizes and produces three cabaret shows each year His second book, The End of Innocence: A Memoir, fo- band’s Republican footsteps, says she “loves and supports at the Creative Alliance. We curate each cabaret with cused on his life after he came out. It discussed losing a Chaz.” performances with a mixture of both professional and partner to cancer, drug abuse, dealing with an abusive part- Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alli- amateur performers, featuring a mixture of national and ner with whom he formed a rock band, Ceremony, as well as ance Against Defamation (GLAAD) commended Chaz over local talent. his relations between his parents. his decision. “Chaz Bono’s decision to live his life authenti- The Charm City Kitty Club opens its eight season In 1995, Chaz posed for the cover of the The Advocate cally represents an important step forward, both for him per- with performances on October 2 and 3. and began working for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against sonally and for all who are committed to advancing discus- Our primary goal is to create a unique social and Defamation (GLAAD). He participated in the VH1’s reality sions about fairness and equality for transgender people,” cultural niche for lesbian, dyke, bisexual, transgender television show, Celebrity Fit Club 3 in 2006 in an effort to Giuliano said. “Coming out as transgender is an extremely and transsexual women and all our allies. We also help him try to lose weight. personal decision and one that is never made lightly. We provide an opportunity for our collective members to On June 12, Chaz’s spokesman, Howard Bragman an- look forward to hearing Chaz’s story in his own words in the learn how to produce artistic events, teaching skills from nounced, “Yes, it’s true - Chaz, after many years of consid- future.” talent recruitment and publicity to writing, acting and eration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true According to various media organizations, calls and e- stage-managing. identity.” He is proud of his decision and grateful for the sup- mails to Cher’s representatives for comment have not been Thank you, and we look forward to your next issue. port and respect that has already been shown by his loved returned. —The Charm City Boys & The Charm City Kitty Club

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 19 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT // DEFEKTIVE ARTS

There are “underground celebrities” and then there are those whose talents are so obscure that they are more like “center of the earth celebrities.” Wilma Martinez is one of them.

Wilma has had no shortage of exposure to the arts as a model, actress and singer yet still she remains a relative unknown to most people, even in her native New York City. “I used to watch Shirley Temple mov- ies on Sunday mornings when I was a kid and always thought I could do better--and I’m still trying to prove it,” says Wilma, whom I met up with at her temporary lower Manhattan apartment.

Wilma’s early creative expressions may have been inspired by Shirley Temple, but there is nothing Shirley Temple about her. “I recorded Fever (her ﬁ rst full-length LP) when I was 11-years old. And when I was a teenager I saw The New York Dolls and my life changed.”

Wilma’s ﬁ rsthand experience with the early days of New York punk inspired her to start her own band, The Suppositories, who were noted for their outrageous fashion and live performances which some called “cartoon punk.” Wilma has since modiﬁ ed her late-70s punk look to

20 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com what she now says is “kind of Planet of the dinner theater. I started performing songs has captured the imagination of artists go back to her punk roots. “I never stopped Apes, but more fashionable.” The music itself by Peggy Lee, Julie London and Wanda working in various disciplines. enjoying punk, new wave music or what- has not strayed too much from its original Jackson and even ended my set with Lili ever you want to call it. I have an enormous sound. Wilma’s operatic wail has retained Marlene,” she says with a laugh. “I realized “It’s been incredible working with so many amount of respect for artists like Siouxsie much of its power and the addition of quirky that that song perfectly represented what I talented artists whose work I admire...it’s and Nina Hagen who have been perform- keyboard sounds keep the “cartoon punk” had left behind in New York...and the audi- opened me up to so much amazing art. It’s ing since the early days and continue to label intact. ences loved the outdated American pop really humbled me and I couldn’t be more make amazing music. In a year or two I may music I was performing.” appreciative. I love the street art I’ve seen decide that I’ve had enough again and come “Back in the late-70s we started playing of me and though I haven’t seen it yet, I back to it once more when I’m 80 years-old.” around town and things were looking really In recent years, Wilma has become the heard there is a tattoo artist in Maryland great for us. But then around 1978 or so, muse to several artists ranging from fi lm- working on tattoo fl ash art of me.” But until then much of her time and energy The Plasmatics kind of hit the scene and makers, illustrators, painters and street art- is going into her music and how she wants it was like our audience wanted us to start ists. James Kuhn, who from his Three Oaks, I asked illustrator Matt Cipov what inspired to present it. “In my mind I think I am a per- smashing televisions on stage too. At that Michigan studio, has created extraordinary him to work with Wilma. “You can certainly fectionist, but I love experimenting and doing point, I just wanted to do something different face paintings featuring cartoon characters say that Wilma has a distinct look.” He tells things in unexpected ways and things don’t so a friend convinced me to go with her and icons of popular culture, is but just one me by e-mail from Milwaukee. “Not a day always go the way you plan or imagine they to Berlin and within a week I got a gig in a strange example of how the Wilma visage goes by when I don’t close my eyes and will when you work that way. So I guess I am see her gazing at me. And the only way I not a perfectionist,” she laughs. can shut her out for a little while is to commit drawings of her to paper. As I m sure Some critics may say she should be more you can imagine, it is equal parts lovely, of a perfectionist and nurture just one of her tragic, and haunting.” many projects enough to bring it to a larger audience. “If some people say that I am With nearly twenty-fi ve years of unknown or obscure or whatever, that’s fi ne, constant travel, relocating and they can say whatever they want...I prob- performing at private par- ably don’t know who they are either. But the ties, clubs and street thing is, I am creating my own brand of art events that appeal to and music for myself fi rst. I can afford to be her ever chang- a little bit selfi sh because I am not expecting ing ideals, anyone to create happiness in my own life...I Wilma is am going to create it for myself. And in the ready process if I do something that someone likes to or it makes them happy, then that’s just icing on the cake.”

When pressed about larger projects, she does acknowledge that some things can’t be done alone. “Don’t get me wrong. I love collaborating with other people. I never want to be so focussed on myself that it doesn’t include anyone else. That would never happen. But working with a band and more people in general can create more ﬁ nancial limitations, and I would really like to tour Japan and have more of a presence there.”

“I’ve never actually performed in Japan,” she says “I traveled continuously all over Europe and have my favorite audiences in Eastern Europe. I also worked a good deal in Austra- lia, but for whatever reason, I have not gone PHOTOS: JIM LUCIO to Japan...probably because I won’t ever want to leave.”

Thankfully, America has Wilma Martinez now and we can expect an East Coast tour with The Suppositories and all the surprises that she is cooking up for us. But she does warn, “You might want to wear clothes that you don’t want anymore.”

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 21 Chesapeake Arts Center School Musical 410.636.6597 NOW- July 12 arts & entertainment // on the tube www.chesapeakearts.org Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre (703) 550-7384 Father of the Bride www.lazysusan.com Now - June 28 Laurel Mill Playhouse CATS The TONY Awards: Superstars 301-617-9906 June 19 - Aug 29 19 - August 29 www.laurelmillplayhouse.org Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre (301) 662-6600. and Super Shows DC THEATRE www.wayoffbroadway.com FEVER/DREAM The Pajama Game By Ben Ryland Now – June 28 Now- July 5 Woolly Mammoth Theatre Riverside Dinner Theatre Company (540) 370-4300 The 63rd TONY Awards are history. There Baltimore 202-393-3939 www.rsdinnertheater.com www.woollymammoth.net were many highlights but several of the There Goes The The 2009-10 Season World elaborate musical performances were sabo- June 12 Rock’ N’ Roll Bride Just Announced! Now - June 14 Colonial Players NOW - Aug. 1 taged by sound problems. Here we are in Centerstage The Studio Theatre 410.268.7373 Rainbow Dinner Theatre possibly the largest indoor theatre of its kind 410.332.0033 202-332-3300 717.687.4300 www.centerstage.org www.cplayers.com and the techs from CBS (the tiffany network www.studiotheatre.org www.rainbowdinnertheatre.com Looped as it used to be called) along with the union Bloodlines SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN June 18 - July 5 at the Lincoln Theatre techs in the hall couldn’t keep the sound on. Now - June 28 DINNER Now - July 25 Fells Point Corner Theatre The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre It’s a damn shame since this edition 410.276.7634 Legacy of Lights 717-898-1900. www.fpct.org in Crystal City THEATRE www.dutchapple.com contained the most musical performances Now - June 14 ever. Sound dropouts and poor lip-syncing The Mechanical Arena Player’s Barefoot in the The Blair Mansion ParaffinMechanical 410-728-6500 Park abounded Sunday night in a show saluting June 4 -14 www.arenastage.org Inn June 20 - Aug.30 Mansion Mysteries an industry that accomplishes eight perfect, Meredith’s Ring The Drunkard, or Lorenzo’s Timonium Dinner 301.588.1688 live performances per week at dozens of June 17 Theatre. www.blairmansion.com Theatre Project The Fallen Saved 410-560-1113 Broadway theatres. It is just further evidence 410-752-8558 Now - June 28 www.timoniumdinnertheatre. www.theatreproject.org Vagabond Players com that CBS should be sent packing and the 410-563-9135 CHILDREN Tony’s move over to a cable network where The Soul www.vagabondplayers.org Phantom of the Collector THEATRE it should be shown. The Wizard of Oz Opera Now - June 21 NOW - June 28 June 12 - 20 Dolly and Elton plus the wonderful host, Everyman Theatre Half-price Tickets Available! Snow White Neil Patrick Harris brought excitement to 410.752.2208 Charley’s Aunt Oregon Ridge Dinner Theatre NOW - Aug. 9 www.everymantheatre.org June 19 - 28 410-771-8427 Way Off Broadway Dinner the three hour plus evening with the capper Cockpit in Court Summer www.baltimoreactorstheatre.org Theatre being NPH performing a hysterical musical SPRING AWAKENING Theatre (301) 662-6600. June 9 - 21 CCBC Campus www.wayoffbroadway.com number written by the composers of HAIR- Beauty and the Hippodrome Theatre 443-840-1369 Beast 410-837-7400 www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit You’re a Good Man, SPRAY just before it ended at 11:05pm. Of TONY’s host Neil Patrick Harris (r.) with partner David Burtka. Now – June 14 www.france-merrickpac.com course my VCR had stopped just before it be- Charlie Brown SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ Damn Yankees June 26 - Aug 8 June 24 - Aug 30 gan, so if you have a copy let me know…… tance speech was another terrific moment in BEAUTY IN THE EYE Now - June 21 Adventure Theatre Annapolis Summer Garden Toby’s Baltimore The big winners of the night weren’t the show. OF THE BEHOLDER 301- 634-2270 June 19 - 21 Theatre Oklahoma www.adventuretheatre.org surprises in fact I didn’t detect a real upset Angela Lansbury won her fifth Tony for The Lyric 410.268-9212 June 11 - Aug. 30 www.summergarden.com in any category. The wonderful Billy Elliot Blithe Spirit and Roger Robinson won for 410-547-SEAT Toby’s Columbia The Wizard of OZ www.lyricoperahouse.com 410-649-1660 Now - Aug. 29 won 10 including Best Actor in a musical Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. Both were in The Man of La www.tobysdinnertheatre.com Lorenzo’s Timonium Dinner shared by the three Billy’s- David Alvarez, featured roles. The Bay Theatre Mancha Theatre. Company’s 7th Now - June 27 Medieval Times 410-560-1113 Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish, which was a The much publicized production of Hair 2nd Star Productions www.timoniumdinnertheatre.com Annual Gala Dinner and first time in history a multiple cast role was won for Best Revival of a Musical and the 8- 410-757-5700 June 13 www.2ndstarproductions.com Tournament Lyle The Crocodile recognized. hour British import- The Norman Conquests The Bay Theatre Company 1-888-WE-JOUST June 24 -Aug 9 410-268-1333 OZ - A Magical (1-888-935-6878) In The Lerner Family Theatre But Sir Elton was beat out for music by took the prize for Best Play revival. The www.baytheatre.org www.medievaltimes.com Journey Imagination Stage the composer of Next to Normal. Alice Rip- much-hyped Shrek only won for costumes 301.280.1660 Wonder of the Hammonds Lane Theatre Disney’s High ley deservedly won as Best Actress for that and Dolly’s fun show, 9 to 5 was totally shut June 27 www.imaginationstage.org astonishing musical which played at Arena out. Stage in DC just before heading to NYC. Performances included a 10+ minute The ever humble Gregory Jbara won Sup- opening number of the seasons big musi- porting for portraying the heartfelt role of cals centered around Elton John, Dolly Par- Billy Elliot’s father and a tearful Karen Olivo ton and Poison (?) who gave a bump to Rock received the featured actress nod as Anita of Ages before Brett Michael was knocked in the new West Side Story ‘revisal.’ Olivo down by a lowering piece of scenery. In ad- is the first actress to win for that often nomi- dition to songs from the nominated shows nated role. national tours were acknowledged by Le- Best Play of the year was God of Car- gally Blonde, Mama Mia and the leads from nage by Yasmina Reza, a dark comedy all the companies of Jersey Boys currently which also won for Marsha Gay Harden as playing across the country. leading Actress in a Play. Carnage is also For a complete list of all the winners the hottest ticket in town. Geoffrey Rush won (and lyrics from the funny NPH song) check as Best Actor for Exit the King, and the audi- out my theatre website- www.stagesbalti- ence in the Hall agreed totally. His accep- more.wordpress.com

22 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com call. The adults must refuse to believe arts & entertainment // on the stage If you see one show this summer, this is where babies come evidenced by the inef- the one well worth the trip. fectual way that they explain conception to their children (by not really explaining any- A Hit and a Miss in Local LOOPED – thing). When a leading character becomes Arena Stage’s Lincoln Theatre pregnant after many sessions with her boy- U Street, NW, Washington, D.C. friend she has no understanding of why. Of Theatre Now playing until June 28th course, there is a tormented outcast in the Tickets/information/directions: group of teens, Moritz, no scholar and con- Ben Ryland www.arenastage.org fused, just doesn’t get life at all. Wow, what a revelation- a confused teenager who also Arena Stage has a major hit on its Spring Awakening at the constantly has sex dreams! hand due to two actresses on the You should know that the show is im- Lincoln Theatre stage on U Street Hippodrome Theatre portant and profound since the set is full of in Washington. Tallulah Bankhead colored fluorescent neon along with harsh and the brilliant performer portray- I wanted to like Spring Awakening, the dark stage lighting and the band is on stage being her—Valerie Harper in LOOPED. musical that won a Tony Award for Best hind the action. Plus there are audience Harper, who lost herself in the role Musical and the successor to RENT in its seats on the stage, too. All very edgy. of Golda Meir at the Hippodrome a fandom devotion. But like Rent I didn’t have Melchior is the horny boy who knocks few seasons back, has once again such a good time watching the show. Lind- up the young girl Wendla, and this time you taken on the role of a larger than life say Anderson’s film IF… starring newcomer see the actual act up-close and personal. female in this pre-Broadway engage- Malcolm McDowell in the 70’s took care Boobs, bare butts and all. Too bad they left ment with stunning results. of the teen angst oeuvre for me in popular out the feelings of these kids. The show is so Bankhead was a personality culture. poorly written that most of the big dramatic that thrived on shock: a hard drink- Based on a forgotten German play moments are off-stage, but hey, you do get ing, substance abusing, bisexual which was banned for years because of sub- to see these attractive teenagers screw until and embittered performer. But her ject matter; I don’t see a reason to revive it climax. And not just once but twice in case over-the-top performances never now and set it to music. Teen angst is not a you missed it I suppose. I should mention held a candle to her personal life- favorite subject of mine, to be frank it comes that the acting in the sex scenes was very style. She was truly an original and off as just whining to me. Throw in a huge realistic. paid a heavy price for it. chunk of sexual frustration and you have The young cast is very talented vocally In LOOPED she is summoned most of the story line of Spring Awakening. -- continued on page 34 to the studio to re-record a line flub during the filming of her final film- Spring Awakening Die, Die My Darling. Primarily a stage actress, her most famous role was in wears him down it just pours out. Defensive- Hitchcock’s Lifeboat. What should have tak- ly stating that she is a has-been and a fraud en a few minutes to accomplish in the sound she admits that she is dying, with about 6 studio turns out to be a full day of indulgence months to live. Her mother died after her and regrets. birth and her father blamed her. She turned A young gay studio man is given the to smoking, drinking and sex to survive and task of dealing with her as she destroys him, now regrets everything. brings out secrets, and ultimately wins him Those regrets abound, especially an over as a friend. She displays her soul to him important one—she said ‘no thank you’ to and expects no less from him. Tennessee Williams when he offered her the The brilliant Harper, through Matthew lead in Streetcar. When she finally played Lombardo’s well written and hysterically fun- the part her reputation was so tainted that ny script, bursts on to the stage with Bank- she was laughed off the stage by the audi- head’s exclamation, “It’s too hot, 8 ence as they perceived her performance to 0fuck Los Angeles,” with the jokes and been overly emotional and histrionic. “They one-liners proceeding from there. With her came to see failure,” and it was her ultimate captive audience to amuse and abuse she fate. refuses to loop the line with dozens of ex- Jay Goede is an able foil as the studio cuses just to keep the verbal exchanges manager and is perfect in the role. His un- continuing. derstanding of what made Bankhead tick Stating that she loves London, because and the realizing the comparisons to himself they love her in London, makes perfect surprised a person who normally plays it sense to her. But the telling of an imaginary safe. friend as a child that didn’t care for her is Valerie Harper will surprise you. It’s not much more revealing. When requesting a Rhoda on that stage. Instead, she imbibes drink Tallulah explains she has to drink; Tallulah Bankhead in body language, voice she’s an alcoholic. and vocal delivery. It is a brilliant recreation; During this time she is interrogating her a woman who takes over the stage and prey to find his weaknesses; by the time she doesn’t give it up even after the final curtain

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 23 make the environment and the creatures as arts & entertainment // on the screen realistic as possible and that will surely appeal to a modern audience, but if you grew up with a show that looks like it was all made Land of the Lost (PG-13) out of papier-mâché the glossiness takes away from how you remember the original. By Chuck Duncan Sleestak (voiced by Leonard Nimoy!) seems My biggest issue with the film, however, to want to help them get home. Little do they is the total lack of respect for the original Cast: Will Ferrell; Anna Friel; Danny Mc- know his real intentions. and the audience who remembers it. This is Bride; Jorma Taccone Ferrell is playing the typical Ferrell char- not a movie for small children, in the least. acter, the doofus man-child who bumbles his There is way too much sexual innuendo and Director: Brad Silberling way through life. At least he’s not quite as raunchiness (including some drug use!) for childish as he has been, so maybe he’s fi- a movie based on a kids show. I was a bit On his latest expedition, Dr. Rick Marshall nally growing up a little. Friel, who I loved appalled and embarrassed for the folks who (Ferrell) is sucked into a space-time vor- on the late, lamented Pushing Daisies, gets did bring their young children to the screen- tex alongside his research assistant (Friel) to use her real British accent as the much ing. This is a PG-13 film and they have cer- and a redneck survivalist (McBride). In this stronger and intelligent of the two scientists. tainly earned that rating. I was shocked that alternate universe, the trio makes friends Unfortunately, she is also treated as a sex the Krofft brothers actually signed off on that with a primate named Cha-Ka (Taccone), object for most of the film as well. part of the script. their only ally in a world full of dinosaurs and For some reason, I find Danny McBride So, if you’re a fan of the original TV other fantastic creatures. Can they all make strangely appealing and I thought his char- show, you may want to opt out of seeing this it back to our world alive, and if so: Will Dr. acter and line delivery made up for whatever and just getting the new DVD set of the show Marshall can go from zero to hero with his disappointments I had with the rest of the instead. If you can put aside your memories discoveries? film. What the movie loses because of its of the show or have no idea what the show is I am a child of the 60s and 70s. I grew huge budget and top-notch special effects about and just like dinosaurs (or Will Farrell), up watching sitcoms and Saturday morning is any goofy charm the original has with its then this might be just what you’re looking TV and those shows were a big part of my plastic jungles and stop motion animated for. formative years. I’ve seen my old favorites dinosaurs. reworked for the big screen in recent years Tons of money was obviously spent to Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content. and the results have been good (The Brady Bunch Movie) but mostly bad (Bewitched, The Beverly Hillbillies). Live action versions of cartoons haven’t fared any better (Scooby-Doo, The Flint- stones), so with the arrival of kitschy Sat- urday kids show Land of the Lost, from the trippy minds of Sid and Marty Krofft (H.R. Pufnstuf), I went in with the lowest of low ex- pectations because Will Ferrell has already been a part of the disastrous Bewitched. Moreover, it looked from the previews that this new version was going to erase any bit of cheesiness the original TV show had in favor of big stars and even bigger special effects. The result was not the Land of the Lost that I remember, but it’s not as terrible as it could have been. The movie opts to do away with Mar- shall, Will and Holly as a family unit. Now they are just strangers on an adventure through time. An earthquake is not really the cause of the group’s time travel although it is referred to in that way. Cha-Ka is not the innocent little missing link he was in the series. Now he’s as grown up as Holly, horny and a prince among his people. About the only thing left intact are the mysterious Sleestaks (and credit to the film- makers for not making them all CGI creatures, but keeping them as people in rubber suits). The plot is basically a series of co- medic sketches that occur as Marshall tries to fix his gizmo that got them into this alternate universe in the first place while a rogue

24 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com risk of death, and there may be a lower blood cholesterol, so they may contribute dr. eva risk of death, when patients start taking to heart attacks. One class of HIV HIV meds at CD4 counts above 500. medicine, the protease inhibitors (PI’s) There are a few specific groups can increase the risk of diabetes. What’s the Best Time to Start of people who definitely benefit from However, there is also evidence that starting HIV treatment earlier. These inflammation caused by active untreated groups are: people over age 50, people HIV infection can increase heart disease HIV Meds? topic. with HIV related kidney disease, people too. Here are answers to four important with active hepatitis B or C, people So what about that original question Part 2 of a 2-part article questions to think about when deciding whose partner is HIV negative, people - what would I do? whether to start HIV medications at higher whose HIV viral load is very high, and You never really know what you’ll Dear Dr. Eva, CD4 counts: those whose CD4 count is dropping very do in a situation until it happens. Here’s The more that I read, • Will it help me to start HIV medicine fast. what I THINK I’d do. I think I’d start HIV the more that it seems before I feel sick? • If I start HIV medicine sooner, will I medications when my CD4 was between that untreated HIV Yes, it will. There’s good evidence now be more likely to get viral resistance, 400 and 500. That is when immune system infection is no good. that people who start HIV medicines at and fail treatment (medicines become damage is just starting to occur. Right now, If you were infected, CD4 counts between 350 and 500 do ineffective)? I don’t think there’s enough proof of benefit would you wait until better long-term than people who start at That depends completely on you and to convince me to take medicine I might not your CD4 dropped, or CD4 counts below 350. how carefully you are able to take your need yet for several extra years. start treatment now, • Will it help me to start HIV medicine medicine. Viral resistance comes from What if a patient wants to start regardless of CD4? I am not asking about when my CD4 count is still normal (over missing doses of HIV medicine, not from medicine at a high CD4 count? After talking the government’s guidelines, but your own 500)? being on medicine for a long time. If you through the risks and benefits, I prescribe feeling. This is not clear yet. A recent study take your medicine every day, you will not it. Thank You, reported that when patients with CD4’s have any more resistance after 10 years —Dr. Eva —A Reader over 500 took HIV medicines, fewer than you do after 2 years. died than those who did not take them. • If I start HIV medicine early, will the side Dr. Eva Hersh is Chief Medical Officer at Dear Reader, However, the deaths were not from HIV effects of the medicine cause more harm Chase Brexton Health Services. Send your This is a question that many HIV experts related conditions, and the researchers than the benefit I could get from starting comments and questions to her by email have been asked in recent months. In the have not been able to provide a list of the early? at publisher@ baltimoreoutloud.com, or last column, I gave background information patients’ causes of death. So this result There is no definite answer to this. It by surface mail to Eva Hersh MD, Chase on the meaning of CD4 counts and could be just coincidence. This study depends partly on which HIV medicines Brexton Health Services, 1001 Cathedral discussed some recent research on this does show that there was no increased you take. Many HIV medicines increase St., Baltimore, MD 21201

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 25 26 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 27 have some sort of chemistry, some bond beyond mere shared interests. The same is single true of dating partners. There’s a connection where you just hit it off with someone. As black in the earlier example, conversation flows, sheep you’re flirting with each other, and there’s a level of comfort and ease. Then there’s physical chemistry, where the sparks are really flying. Some might call this physical attraction, and that’s certainly Rules of Gay a part of it, but haven’t you ever been attracted to someone who “wasn’t your type.” You don’t even know why you’re so attract- Dating #5: ed to him. You’re just drawn to him. That’s chemistry. Finally, there’s sexual chemistry. Some- Chemistry 101 times, you can have one — or even both — of the other types of chemistry, but once you By Josh Aterovis end up in bed, it all disappears. It’s a dis- appointment, for sure, but what happened? Hello boy and girls! It’s time to break out Maybe you’re both just bottoms — or as your chemistry sets! Today, we’re going to my drag queen friends say, you’re bumping be doing a few experiments. No, not the kind pocketbooks — or maybe you don’t have where you put Mentos in diet soda and watch sexual chemistry. it spurt like a porn star. These will be a little Now that we know all about chemistry, more cerebral, but before we get started, it’s time for the experiments I promised ear- let’s look at a couple of case scenarios. lier. Don’t forget to wear your safety goggles. Case Scenario #1: You meet someone You don’t want to get anything in your eye. for the first time and everything just clicks. experiment #1: You meet someone who The conversation flows effortlessly and seems like he should be perfect for you...in the connection is magnetic. It’s almost like theory. You talk online and seem to hit it off, you’ve known each other for years. You can you have a lot in common, and you think practically feel the electricity arcing between he’s hot. Then you meet in person, and the the two of you. evening fizzles out faster than a faulty bot- Case Scenario #2: You’ve been honest, tle rocket. Should you continue seeing this you know what you want, you know what you guy? After all, he’s hot and you have a lot in expect, and you made sure you had plenty in common. common. Everything looked good on paper, experiment #2: You meet someone and but it’s just not working out so well in person. have crazy chemistry. There are fireworks Conversation is an uphill battle and there’s exploding like it’s your own personal 4th of no connection at all. You might as well be on July, but you have absolutely nothing in com- a date with your grandmother. mon and your personalities are really not So what’s the difference between these compatible. Should you continue seeing this two situations? What’s missing? It that magi- guy? After all, you can’t deny the attraction. cal spark, the difference between a nice date experiment #3: You meet someone and a hot date. In other words: Chemistry. and you feel instant chemistry with him, but No, I’m not talking about the same sort he doesn’t seem to return it. On your side, of chemistry you learned about (or slept there’s a great connection, you have a lot in through) in high school. I’m talking about common, and he’s everything you’ve been that indefinable something that sometimes looking for. On his side, nothing. Should you occurs between two people. continue seeing this guy? After all, surely I can’t stress how important chemistry he’ll come around eventually. is in a relationship. Unfortunately, you either The answer for all three is probably have it with someone or you don’t. There’s not. No one can say for sure except the two no manufacturing it. You can’t force it. You of you, but chances are, it won’t work out. can’t make it happen. I’m sorry to report that There’s never an absolute guarantee for any there’s no scientific formula you can follow: relationship, but if you both feel chemistry, Just add two dabs of this cologne, wear this and all the other things we’ve been talking outfit, say these words, and kapow! It’s im- about fall into place, at least you have more possible to even know why some people going for you. have chemistry and others don’t. It’s almost Did you answer correctly? If so, give like some sort of psychic connection. yourself an A+. You’re now an expert on There are actually several different chemistry. Now get out there and start con- types of chemistry. Good friends usually -- continued on page 34

28 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com on while trying to relax. MCC LEADER STEPPING DOWN 5. Do find a spot on the beach that is not di- -- continued from cover rectly on top of some other beach-goer. Recently we had two families set up camp right next to us races, classes, genders, and education levels as well as worship styles. campus scene on a beach which was pretty empty. I don’t want to We are the only congregation in UFMCC [Universal Fellowship of Metro- hear your music and I don’t want to learn all your politan Community Churches] I am aware of that has had three African family’s dirty secrets. Go away! American female pastoral leaders and an almost equal number of women 6. Don’t engage in sexual activities in front of and men as pastors and leaders.” other beach occupants. I’m okay with the occa- As Baltimore readies for its annual Pride celebrations, it is notewor- sional PDA (holding hands, a random kiss) but if I’m thy that one of the first changes Rev. Smith insisted on was to transform Don’t Be a Menace worried that what you’re doing is going to end up on the MCC booth from “a money making enterprise to an opportunity to a Beach Scandals sex tape, don’t do it. Plus no one give away cookies and juice, something that most other churches have By Marty Hoegg | OUTloud Intern wants to watch you and your man exchange sloppy followed…and are doing today.” kisses or grope each others’ fat. Before he became pastor at MCC Baltimore, Rev. Smith was a While summer hasn’t officially started; the sun is out, 7. Do respect the surfers and body boarders. member and Coordinator of Ministry Support at MCC Washington, D.C., the days are longer and it’s hotter then Hades. So They are usually just trying to enjoy the surf, not me- where he completed his student clergy training. Rev. Smith completed what does this mean? If you’re me it means you’re ander their way through floating seniors or screech- his theological training at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, grabbing your board shorts, I-pod, surfboard and tow- ing children. If you see an area of water lined with D.C. (United Methodist) and his undergraduate studies in psychology and el and you’re headed to the beach! boarders don’t decide to practice your back stroke journalism/public relations at the University of Georgia. He is a native of My family and I are what I like to call Beach Fanat- in the middle of their play area. You’ll look stupid Atlanta, Georgia, and comes from a “liberal” Southern Baptist home. ics. Any chance we have to head to the shore is fully and probably end up hurt. Prior to accepting his call to ministry, Rev. Smith worked at The Amer- taken advantage of and we’ve been known to ican University for 5 years and The Nature Conservancy for 12 years. He spend more then 8 hours straight just enjoy- met his partner Michael Barnard at an MCC Conference in May of 1986. ing the seaside. “I have served and traveled many miles with and for Pastor David When I’m lying in the sand, music blaring throughout his fifteen- year tenure,” Debora Ruffin, Vice Moderator of the and sunscreen haphazardly applied, it really MCC Board of Directors told OUTloud. “I can speak earnestly on behalf can’t get much better. If I’m not catching rays of the officers, members, and friends of MCC when I say Pastor David will I’m out in the ocean catching waves, I love the be sorely missed.” beach. She added, “Change has indeed become the word of hope for the So by now you’re probably wondering season, and we at MCC fondly wish Rev. David Smith the best of everywhere the title of this article came from, right? thing as he leaves to follow God’s new direction and purposes. MCC of Being an experienced beach freak and under- Baltimore has been taught to trust God and the future he has in store for standing the meaning of “common courtesy” us, through new leadership, purposeful work, and missions.” I wanted to share with you ways in which you should not behave while at the ocean shore. Most of these will probably sound like common sense but unfortunately there’s a vast majority of the population lacking it. Below I’ve provided a simple list of Do’s and “I don’t want to hear you can’t Don’ts which will allow you to look more like a find a signal or that you’re aunt seasoned beach pro and less like a beached whale. is going back to the loony bin.” 1. Don’t play sports that require a large amount of playing space (i.e. football) near a crowded 8. Don’t dig random holes and then leave them area. People come to the beach to enjoy many differ- open. Nobody wants a sprained ankle because ent things and I can guarantee that the woman sun- some kid abandoned his sand castle. bathing won’t enjoy having a wild football smacking 9. Do employ some kind of restraint when us- her in the head. ing your cell phone. If you’re making more calls than 2. Do sport a bathing suit which flatters your fig- you are enjoying the ocean, get off of my beach. ure and not the mannequin you bought it off of. I am all I don’t want to hear you can’t find a signal or that about self-love and appreciation but honestly if your you’re aunt is going back to the loony bin. suit is skimpy enough to reveal parts of you I shouldn’t 10. Don’t shake off your sandy towel in the see until after the third date you probably shouldn’t direction of the wind. I can’t name anyone in this be wearing it. You’re at the beach, not working some world who finds being whipped in the face with sand random corner of Baltimore Street. grains enjoyable. The best way to deal with a sandy 3. Don’t leave trash or allow it to get blown away towel is to fold it while it’s lying on the ground and by the sea breeze. Not only is it offensive to have then shake it off later when you’ve made it to your someone’s empty paper plate land on your stomach vehicle or gotten off the beach. as you’re laying out it’s also not good for the environ- The list could go on and on but I fear I would ment and endangers sea creatures. sound like a Beach tyrant. I’m sure many of my 4. Do NOT feed the sea gulls. I hate it when you readers already understand and practice good get that random idiot who thinks it’s cute to throw the beach etiquette, but if you have a friend or family rest of their sandwich to the birds and then starts a member whose behavior is questionable or down feeding frenzy. I do not want to worry about being shit right annoying, please direct them to this list.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 29 30 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com RON ZIMMERMAN REALTORS ® & ASSOCIATES

Your Independent Realtor Selected by Fox 45 As Your Premier Realtor For Federal Hill and Canton Making Ron Zimmerman & Associates Your Realtor Servicing Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Communities for 30 Years Your #1 One Marketing Expert R R YOUR INDEPENDENTZ REALTOR THE FAMILY OWNED INDEPENDENT REALTOR FOR TWO GENERATIONS 1234 LIGHT STREET ~ BALTIMORE, MD 21230 410-752-1050 ~ www.rzonline.com Visit your Community at FederalHillOnline.net, your free Community Interactive Website

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 31 faith Part of the crowd who attended ‘A Jihad of Love’ screening

filmmaker Parvez Sharma, A Jihad for Love Screening of Gay was filmed in 12 countries and 9 languages and comes from the heart of Islam. Muslim Film Looking beyond a hostile and war-torn Realtors present, it reclaims the Islamic concept of a 1 VILAGE SQUARE, STE.131 greater Jihad, whose true meaning is akin BALTIMORE, MD 21210 Launches Pride to ‘an inner struggle’ or ‘to strive in the path of God’ - allowing its remarkable subjects to OFFICE: 410.323.6000 ext 114 move beyond the narrow concept of Jihad as CELL: 410.960.8005 Week holy war. Islam today is the world’s second FAX: 410.323.0016 largest and fastest growing religion. More than 60 people attended the screening The film premiered at the Toronto Inter- Leitner Winstead of the film, A Jihad for Love on June 13, to national Film Festival in September 2007, kick off Pride week in Baltimore. and has been screened to great acclaim at The screening, which took place at the several film festivals around the world. Metropolitan Community Church of Balti- Parvez Sharma, who was in attendance Jeff Tessmer more and was the area’s only such screen- and answered questions, travels the many ing of the film, was presented by Pride in worlds of this dynamic faith, discovering the Faith, an initiative of the Equality Maryland stories of its most unlikely storytellers: les- & Jim Mikula Foundation. The organization confronts reli- bian and gay Muslims. Professionally Serving Your gious-based bigotry by building a network of The event was co-sponsored by the In- congregations and leaders of faith through- terfaith Fairness Coalition of Maryland (IFC- Real Estate Needs in Baltimore out Maryland who advocate for equality MD), Gay and Lesbian Community Center of City and Surrounding Counties and justice for lgbt Marylanders and their Baltimore (GLCCB), Maryland Black Family families. Alliance (MBFA), Marylanders of Color Col- A Jihad for Love is the world’s first docu- lective (MOCC), Metropolitan Community mentary film on the coexistence of Islam and Church of Baltimore, and Bowie State Uni- homosexuality. Produced by Sandi DuBows- versity’s Eyes Wide Shut Gay/Straight Alli- 701 S. Broadway - Fells Point ki (Trembling Before G-d) and Muslim gay ance. 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.

32 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 33 OBAMA PROCLAMATION 100. gay men, especially those that “came out” those early years for beginning the journey. -- continued from cover • These 40 legislators are all Democrats. in the 50s and early 60s, were aware of the • Half are from Montgomery County. Mattachine Society, and the Daughters of THEATRE NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, • Nine are from Prince George’s County Bilitis, and subscribed to One and The Lad- -- continued from page 23 President of the United States of America, (with three of these nine also representing der magazines, there were no homophile by virtue of the authority vested in me by the portions of Anne Arundel County). groups in the city. but we are not here for the cast. Some of Constitution and laws of the United States, • Eight are from Baltimore City. The closest organized presence was the the music is good and does its expository do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbi- • Three are from Baltimore and Howard Mattachine Society in Washington, founded job. But be aware—titles include: ‘The Bitch an, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Counties. by Frank Kameny and Jack Nichols in 1961. of Living’ and ‘Totally Fucked.’ If you haven’t Month. I call upon the people of the United The average score of Maryland’s Democrat- Even before Stonewall, Dr. Kameny brought figured it out yet, leave the kids at home. I States to turn back discrimination and preju- ic House Caucus is 72. a militancy to the gay rights struggle. He was was embarrassed for all the mothers who dice everywhere it exists. equality Maryland (www.equalitymary- a moving force in the public demonstrations brought their middle-school aged daughters land.org) is Maryland’s largest lgbt civil at government buildings and the annual July on opening night. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto rights organization. 4th picket at Independence Hall in Philadel- There are also semi-explicit scenes of set my hand this first day of June, in the year phia. In 1975 he advised the Baltimore lesbi- masturbation to keep the other boys in the of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the In- GAY LIBERATION FRONT ans and gay men that founded the Baltimore cast busy and depiction of physical abuse. dependence of the United States of America -- continued from page 11 Gay Alliance, the city’s first successful gay Not your typical all-singing, all-dancing the two hundred and thirty-third. civil rights organization. Broadway musical. movement and the Women’s movement in Following the example of New York and Two adults portray all of the grownup BARACK OBAMA setting the stage and opening the door for other cities, in 1970 several young Baltimore roles including teachers and parents, which gay people to express our frustrations with gay men founded the Baltimore Gay Libera- contribute to some of the plot’s being con- SCORECARD our oppression and the discrimination we tion Front in a house on Park Avenue. Den- fusing. They are included in scenes to cre- -- continued from page 3 experienced as gay people. nis Watson and his then lover, Steve were ate conflict and to distribute misinformation I also came to the realization that being founders of Baltimore GLF (see sidebar). in the kids. “Discipline is love.” • These 8 legislators are all Democrats. ‘gay’ is only one attribute or property of being GLF closed when its members moved Most in the audience seemed to enjoy • Four are from Montgomery County - Sens. a human being. And personally, one should on. Several years after GLF closed, there the show and loved the staging. Some of Rich Madaleno, Jamie Raskin, Mike Len- not permit him or herself to be ‘limited’ by his was a failed attempt by a man with a his- the music was not bad but I still don’t un- nett, and Jennie Forehand. or her gay identity but simply acknowledge tory of membership in a white supremacist derstand why the play and/or show were • One is from Prince George’s County - it as only a component of our broader char- group at organizing a Gay Activist Alliance necessary and what the authors wanted to Sen. Paul Pinsky acter and personality, our humanity. Once Then, in 1975, the Baltimore Gay Alliance accomplish. • Three are from Baltimore City - Sens. Na- perception is gained on this matter, a person was founded; followed in 1977 by the Gay thaniel McFadden, Catherine Pugh, and can go forward to develop the rest of his or Community Center—now the Gay, Lesbian, Spring Awakening – Lisa Gladden. her human potential. That is the road I trav- Bisexual, and Transgender Community Cen- The Hippodrome Theatre The average score of Maryland’s Democrat- eled in my life’s journey. ter of Baltimore and Central Maryland. 12 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore ic Senate Caucus is 60. During the early 1970s with the growth Now until Sunday June 21st. Dennis Watson grew up in Baltimore and of feminism, Baltimore women founded Maryland House of Delegates was a founder of the Baltimore Gay Libera- several groups—the Lesbian Community SINGLE BLACK SHEEP tion Front. He lives in Pennsylvania and can Center, the Women’s Growth Center, both -- continued from page 28 29 of 141 Delegates scored 0. be reached at dennisonthesquare@yahoo. located at the People’s free Medical Clinic • These legislators are all Republicans. com. on Greenmount Avenue, and the Women’s ducting your own experiments! But remem- • This included legislators from Allegheny, Union--and published Women: A Journal ber, safety first. Always wear protective gear. Garrett, Frederick and Washington Coun- STONEWALL, GAY LIBERATION of Liberation, a periodical with a national Until next time...Happy Dating! ties in Western Maryland; the Eastern -- continued from page 12 and international readership. As was true Shore; Carroll County, Baltimore County, throughout the country, the Baltimore wom- * * * Harford County, Cecil County, and Anne without walking around. The early Saturday en’s community of the 1970s intensely de- Arundel County. closing did serve to enliven Baltimore week- bated the role of lesbianism within the femi- Have a bad dating story? Share yours with An additional 10 of 141 Delegates scored 5 ends by precipitating an exodus north on the nist movement. There were divisions among me. After my “Ten Rules of Gay Dating,” I’ll or 10. Baltimore-Washington Parkway as Wash- lesbians who “came out” because of sexual be doing a short series of bad dating experi- • Four are Republicans. ington queens dashed to make last call in desire, “political lesbians” who viewed les- ences, and how they could have turned out • Six are Democrats: Prince George’s Coun- Baltimore. bianism as a natural outgrowth of feminism, differently. If you have a story to share, email ty Delegates Aisha Braveboy, Dereck Pre-Stonewall Baltimore was devoid of and straight feminists who strongly objected me at [email protected]. Davis, and Carolyn Howard; Charles & organized gay political activity. Although the to the ideology of “political lesbians.” If I use your story in a column, you’ll go into a St. Mary’s County Delegate John Wood; late 60s were political times, lesbians and Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender drawing for a copy of my new book, All Lost and Washington County Democrat John gay men involved with the civil rights and Baltimoreans can be proud of our history. We Things, due out this summer. Donoghue. (Prince George’s & Calvert anti-war movements, were almost univer- have many successes on the City and State Counties Delegate James Proctor’s low sally in the closet with their straight activist level, and through the work of men, women Sign up online now for free score may be reflected by his absence friends. We were engaged in other struggles and youth too numerous to remember, fewer during portions of session.) but few thought of our own oppression as people feel the isolation that those coming of home delivery of OUTloud. 3 of 36 Republicans scored higher than 40. something that could be challenged. Per- age before Stonewall courageously fought www.baltimoreoutloud.com • Delegates Wade Kach (Baltimore Coun- haps some dreamed of sodomy repeal to overcome. We have far greater visibility ty), Donald Elliott (Carroll & Frederick and job protection, but most just hoped to and social acceptance. For better or worse, Sign up online now for free Counties), and Robert Costa (Anne Arun- be left alone. Gay marriage was beyond our secret outlaw society is less secret and del County) scored 45 or 50. comprehension. we are less outlaws. We should toast the home delivery of OUTloud. 40 of 141 Delegates scored 95 or a perfect Although some Baltimore lesbians and drag queens, trans-folk, queers and dykes of www.baltimoreoutloud.com

34 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com Leather groups we scattered throughout the parade, but none looked better then the Defenders LLC of Washington as leather they proudly marched with their ban- line ner and leather pride flags. Of course there were so many leather titlehold- ers on the D.C. Eagle float that I will not even try to name them all, but the just sashed Ms. Capitol Pride Leather By Rodney Burger 2009 Jackie of the Highwaymen TNT led them on her motorcycle. When I think of Gay Pride, I flash back to It was also great to see that Mr. June of 2001. It was the summer before the Capital Pride 2008 Jim Rinefierd may towers fell. The D. C. Pride Parade was held have stepped down, but was still hard on Sunday morning then and went down at work collecting money for BHT, one Pennsylvania Avenue ending at the en- of the event’s sponsors. There was trance to the festival. It was a flawless sunny even a Baltimore Police car in the pa- morning. The White House and Washington rade. I guess the Baltimore Sun was Monument gleamed in the morning sun as I right. They really do take those cars wore my Maryland Mr. Drummer 2001 sash out of the city! and stood proudly on the back of a black As the parade was coming to a truck with Gary Vandeventer who had just close I stopped into one of my favorite been sashed D.C. Mr. Drummer 2001 the restaurants, Annie’s. I had heard that night before at a packed D.C. Eagle. Annie had gone upscale with a new At my side were my incredible Maryland high-end decor (and prices to match). Drummerboy 2001 Mark Greene and Virgin- I still love Annie’s, but now you have to In the car: Valerie Harper ia Drummerboy 2001 Brian Harrison. Much bring Daddy Warbucks! has changed since that beautiful morning. In I always have a wonderful time in One year at Baltimore Pride I ran into munity cannot afford to be incognito! Put on early October of 2001, just a few weeks after Washington. Of course, the official “Leather a current major leather titleholder in khaki that vest or that harness and celebrate your the tragedy, I got on a plane for Florida. My Season” starts there in January with “Mid- shorts and a t-shirt. “My you are dressed leather pride. I will always remember Pride co-workers asked if I was suicidal! Nothing Atlantic Leather Weekend.” down,” I said. He smiled and said that he 2001- what will you remember about Pride was going to stop me. I had to be there and I At a recent ShipMate Bar Night at the was “incognito.” It is 2009. The Leather Com- 2009? stood proudly again under a large white cir- D.C. Eagle I learned that a change is coming cus tent at the SunCoast Resort Hotel in St to MAL in 2011. Although the Washington Petersburg, Florida as Gary and Mark went Plaza will be the host hotel for MAL 2010, on to become International Mr. Drummer in 2011 this second largest leather event is 2001 and International Drummerboy 2001. moving across town to the Hyatt Regency Little did we know, that they would Hotel near Capitol Hill. This hotel will have be the last International Drummers. Time enough room to host the contest, a larger passed quickly. The SunCoast Resort is no vendor area, and has a much larger lobby more, Drummer is no more, and the street in with more restaurants. front of the White House has been closed for Speaking of Mid-Atlantic Leather titles, some time now- but the spirit of that Sunday the recently-sashed Mid-Atlantic Leather- morning in 2001 lives on inside of me. As woman 2009 Cowboi Jen is getting very ex- we celebrate Pride 2009 Brian Harrison is cited about going to New Orleans in July as now the proud President of C.O.M.M.A.N.D, she represents our area and runs for Ameri- M.C. and I could not be more proud to be can Leatherwoman 2009 at American Broth- the President of the ShipMates! On the eve- erhood Weekend (ABW). It is not too late to ning of Saturday, June 13, 2009 leather folks join her on July 10-12th. Visit AMERICAN- once more took to the streets of D.C. to cel- BROTHERHOOD.COM for all the details. ebrate Capitol Pride! If you are still in Baltimore on July 12th, It was a flawless Saturday night. I joined but still want to see some folks in leather I the gang in front of JR’s for the 2009 Capi- can help you with that too. The ShipMates tal Pride Parade. I was happy to see that I of Baltimore will be kicking off their annual was not the only one in leather! JR’s had the Daddy Christmas Benefit with a cookout on popular beer garden again. This year’s pro- the Baltimore Eagle patio on Sunday, July ceeds benefited the CAPS Softball League 12th from 3 p.m.-8 p.m. A $5 suggested do- and Historic Dupont Circle Mainstreets. The nation will get you lots of food and will bene- staff at JR’s always does an outstanding job fit this year’s Daddy Christmas Charity- The managing this event. Johns Hopkins Pediatric AIDS Unit. There This year’s celebrity Grand Marshall for will also be flea market items and you can the parade was none other then Valerie Harp- be one of the first to purchase a raffle ticket er of “Rhoda” fame. She looked great and for their annual Daddy Christmas Raffle of a really looked like she was having a fun time. “Tub of Cheer” and cash prizes.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 35 36 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 37 Professional Services

counseling

counseling massage

health dental cleaning

Call 410-244-6780 to list your business in the Health Services directory.

38 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com Professional Services tax services travel attorney

financial ELECTRICIAN

Call 410-244-6780 to advertise. pet supplies contractor computer

Call 410-244-6780 to list your business in the Professional Services directory.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com q 39 40 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD June 19, 2009 | baltimoreoutloud.com