December 2, 2011 | Volume IX Issue 15 November 21
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Howard County Council Weighs Gender-ID Bill By Steve Charing Twenty advocates of a bill to ban discrimination based on gender identity in Howard County testified before the County Council on OUT December 2, 2011 | Volume IX Issue 15 November 21. The bill, CB-54, was introduced on October 27 and was City Aims for 25% Reduction in New HIV Infection sponsored by four of the five council members – all Democrats: Chairman By Dana LaroCCa all resources available. the national AIDS strategy. She asked at- Calvin Ball, Mary Kay Sigaty, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake received “This is a comprehensive roadmap for tendees to be not just a part of the spirit, Jennifer Terrasa and Courtney the prevention plan from the Baltimore City HIV/AIDS coordination, treatment, and re- but also a part of the hard work that lies Watson. The fifth member, Greg Fox, Commission on HIV/AIDS and announced duction in Baltimore,” said Mayor Raw- ahead. a Republican did not sign on. it at a press conference on Tuesday No- lings-Blake. “It is a call to action that In reference to the The B’more The bill was crafted and placed vember 29. It is an aggressive plan to can change lives and change our Aware of HIV: The Living Red Rib- before the council as a result of the dramatically reduce new HIV infections, city with a coordinated set of strate- bon event to be held on World Aids work of Gender Rights Maryland expand treatment, and coordinate services gies, which can help those who are Day, she asked Baltimoreans to and the Howard County chapter of in order to make a significant improvement not infected stay HIV-free, improve “show the world what we know, PFLAG. It would prohibit discrimi- in fighting the HIV/AIDS crisis in Baltimore the lives of those who are HIV-pos- and that is that Baltimore is aware, nation based on gender identity and by 2015. itive, and improve that provision of that Baltimore cares, and that Balti- expression in the areas of housing, The ambitious goals of the plan are to health care to the most at-risk popu- more is committed to stopping the law enforcement, public accom- reduce new HIV infections by 25 percent in lations.” spread of HIV.” modations, financing, employment, Baltimore City by 2015, to provide earlier She explained that in Balti- The mayor introduced Fran and health and social services. intervention, to provide more continuous more, “countless people from Phillips (Deputy Secretary The bill states the following: “An and comprehensive care, and to reduce all walks of life have died from for Public Health Services, act amending the Health and Social health disparities by focusing on more at HIV and AIDS, more than DHMH), who spoke next. Services Title of the Howard Coun- risk populations. The Baltimore City Com- 13,000 people, 2 percent of Secretary Phillips said that ty Code to include gender identity mission of HIV/AIDS believes these goals the city’s population, are living we look forward to a future for and expression as a classification are realistically achievable by 2015. The with HIV,” the Mayor said. She Maryland in which there are no protected against certain types of strategy is aligned with the U.S. national added that Baltimore should be new HIV infections and pointed unlawful, discriminatory practices; goals for HIV/AIDS established in 2010 in leading the way, that this strategy is our to the governor’s commitment to that goal. and generally relating to the Human an effort to improve the City of Baltimore’s path forward, and that she is especially The latest comprehensive data available Rights law of Howard County.” Gen- ability to access and effectively implement pleased that Baltimore’s vision aligns with —continued on page 7 der identity or expression means a gender-related identity or appear- ance of an individual regardless of SCREEN SAVOR: 2011 HOLIDAY GRAB BAG the individual’s assigned sex at birth. If passed gender identity would become the 16th protected class Happy Anniversaries in Howard County, a jurisdiction known for its progressive record on By gregg Shapiro mond Edition and Bambi II: Special Edition diversity, and it would join two other Disney delights – Beloved animat- (both Disney, $39.99) both include newly Maryland jurisdictions, Baltimore ed flying circus elephant Dumbo enhanced digitally restored blu-rays and City and Montgomery County with (Disney, $39.99) turns 70 and is DVDs, as well as an array of bonus fea- —continued on page 3 celebrated with a double disc, tures. newly enhanced digital restoration The 30th anniversary edition of The anniversary edition that includes Fox and the Hound (Disney, $39.99) fea- the cartoon classic on blu-ray and turing the voices of Sandy Duncan, Kurt DVD. One of Disney’s earliest and Russell and the late Pearl Bailey, among most inspirational commemora- others, comes in a triple disc combo pack. tions of being different, the movie The blu-ray disc includes The Fox and the also contains the glorious lullaby Hound and its 2006 sequel The Fox and “Baby Mine.” Both the blu-ray and the Hound II, plus bonus material. The two the DVD contain an abundance of DVDs contain each of the films individually. bonus material. Following close behind, War stories r ichard espey of gLSen – Bambi which turns 70 in 2012, Dances with Wolves (MGM, $29.99), ‘transgender and gender- and Bambi II which turns five, the winner of 7 Academy Awards, includ- nonconforming students are have also been given the reis- ing Best Picture of 1990, commemorates particularly vulnerable in schools’ sue treatment. The Bambi: Dia- —continued on page 18 photo: Steve Charing news // LOCAL homeless in Baltimore Town Hall Recently, Baltimore City introduced a ten- year plan to end homelessness, entitled “The Co-Publishers Journey Home.” This plan intends to combat Jim Becker • Jim Williams Meeting at homelessness through ensuring affordable [email protected] housing, comprehensive healthcare, suffi- Executive Editor cient incomes, and comprehensive preven- Jim Becker the TDOR tive and emergency services. In a city with [email protected] thousands of abandoned homes, there are Managing Editor By Corey reiDy Dana LaRocca also thousands living homeless. As of the last [email protected] For 13 years, the Transgender Day of Remem- census, over 4000 individuals stated that they Production Director brance (TDOR) has been commemorated both experience homelessness. Bill Andriette to honor those who have died at the hands of On November 19, 2011, over 300 advo- Sales Director anti-trans hatred and to bring visibility to lives cates to fight homelessness had their second Mary Taylor that are so often forgotten. On November 20, annual sleep-out action: “A Bench is Not a Bed.” [email protected] Baltimore gathered in memorial for TDOR. This action was meant to stimulate conversa- Leather Columnist Rodney Burger On November 19, Baltimore also had its tion on how communities can collaboratively first Transgender Day of Celebration (TDOC). Contributing Writers combat homelessness. The organizing group Shawn Bradley • Cathy Brennan • Terrence Brower • This celebration brought positive visibility to the activist owen Smith remembering the dead Steve Charing • Jeffrey Clagett • Jeffrey Clouser • Chuck Duncan was granted a permit from 6 pm to 9 pm. su- photo: Clayton Conn trans-community. TDOC was a space for the prisingly, this permit was not extended through • Gerry Fisher • Eva Hersh MD • Sam Kunz • Jessica Lemmo • Jay Loane • Meredith Moise • Vann Mills • Colin Riley • community, and allies, to collaboratively envi- the night. Shortly after 9 pm, the police force- there isn’t an overflow plan for women. Yet, Gregg Shapiro • sion future realities, educate one another, and fully removed the demonstrators. there is an overflow plan for men. When all to support each other in becoming activists. On the city’s “Journey Home” website, they 175 male beds are filled, they transport an ad- Graphics These exercises in empowerment happened ask the community to “do their part.” In a Balti- ditional 100 men to a nearby shelter. When Joe Velasquez • Bob Wellington in various ways from watching a trans-positive more Sun article, organizer Lisa Klingenmaier, the female beds are filled, women are turned Cartoonist Bruce Garrett (www.brucegarrett.com) PSA, participating in an anti-oppression train- writes, “the way city officials (through the police away. ing, and various workshops. TDOC ended with force) responded to our presence sends the Photographers On November 1, HRC added an addi- Bruce Garrett • Jay W Photos • Justin Nixon the Town Hall Meeting: “Homelessness and message that the city does not welcome the tional 20 female beds. There is still no female Transgender Communities, part 2” (referenc- Web Editor help of students, advocates and people affected overflow plan. Anja Saine ing July’s Town Hall as part 1). by homelessness... our voices were silenced.” There is no visible discussion on how to [email protected] Managed Web Services This past summer, the city opened its first ensure more beds for transgender individuals. The Fusio Group year-round 24/7 shelter: Housing and Re- 866-322-7498, www.thefusiogroup.com source Center (HRC). The shelter is meant to the town hall National Advertising Rep Dawning of replace Code Blue. Code Blue had become Town Hall Meeting “Homelessness and Rivendell Media notorious for its shockingly deplorable condi- Transgender Communities, part 1” took place 908-232-2021 Occupy Baltimore tions and alleged abusive staff. HRC houses on June 14, 2011. Despite some anticipated Founders Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • the Bank of america building watches a hundred fewer occupants than Code Blue, at flaws, it was hailed as an important step forward Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams from above as the 99 percent awakens 250 per night.