Finding Her Calling Two Months

October 12, 2018 | Volume XVI, Issue 11 By mark S. king It is every bit as absurd as it sounds. The In- ternational AIDS Society (IAS) plans to hold their global AIDS 2020 conference in San Furor Over Int’l AIDS Confab Set for US Francisco – an insanely expensive and coming directly from people living with HIV unwilling to take a privileged city located in a country that has and our allies. There is plenty of time and stand against the become dangerously inhospitable to the historical precedence to do it. Let’s break Trump administra- very populations the IAS claims to serve. down the many reasons why. tion and its descent Thank goodness for a grow- Trump USA is an obscene into fascism, who the ing army of activists and orga- and dangerous place for hell will? nizations (under the banner ‘Trump USA is AIDS 2020 The White House of #AIDS2020forAll) who are an obscene and International political Office of Nation- demanding that the IAS remove leaders may be forced to al AIDS Policy has the conference from the US. dangerous place stand with Donald J. Trump closed its doors and Maybe this all looks like inside at photo ops, trying hard to the Presidential HIV/ baseball to you, a ruckus be- for AIDS 2020’ keep a straight face while ap- AIDS Advisory Coun- tween factions, but I am here to pearing beside a man who is cil has been disband- tell you that this has everything to do with systematically stripping basic human rights ed. LGBT issues have our value as people living with HIV (and the away from immigrants, asylum- seekers, been wiped from gov- dismissal of our voice by elitists who be- LGBT people, and people with HIV. But that ernmental web pages. ened. credit: Sean lieve they know what is best for us). doesn’t mean we have to play along. Transgender people have had their military The “war on drugs” – and people Black The bottom line is this: AIDS 2020 must We are HIV activists. We stand up to service questioned, their access to health- with addiction – has cranked up be moved out of the US and this demand is the powerful. We tell the truth. If we are care imperiled, and their very lives threat- —continued on page 11

By AAron cahall Karen Bellesky It took a little while before Karen Belles- – at work in 2000 ky’s new job became her calling – all of Finding Her Calling two months. Hired in April 1992 as Chase into laughter, which cause I was using two copiers,” she said. Brexton Health Care’s first regis- A profile of Karen is what it was meant “But I had 14 grants at 250 pages apiece, tered dietician, Karen wasn’t fa- to be, and that was with seven copies [each] – or, eight copies, miliar with the clinic and believed Bellesky – Chase it. I knew I was because I had to have one. That was kind she was taking just another job. Brexton’s longest- okay.” of crazy. But again, you did what you had Instead, she was deeply moved by Karen remained to do – because that was a huge chunk of the dedication of her colleagues serving employee with Chase Brex- our budget at that time.” and the great struggles her pa- ton until April 2015, Amid those 28,000 pages of grant ap- tients faced, and quickly became a 23-year run that plications, her deep dedication was far a passionate advocate for Chase Brex- makes her, at the time of this writing, the from unique among her colleagues. ton’s work. longest-serving employee in Chase Brex- “It was grassroots, and there wasn’t The turning point came about two ton history. In addition to her duties as a one employee that wasn’t totally com- months into her tenure, when Karen dietician, she served as the organization’s mitted,” she said. “We didn’t think about met with a person dying of AIDS and grants coordinator, overseeing the acquisi- hours, no one worked nine to five and we the patient’s partner. The couple play- tion of critical funding. were okay with it. And we pitched in wher- fully asked how she liked working with Getting those grant applications to- ever we were needed.” LGBT patients. gether sometimes involved extreme mea- She paid a personal price for her in- “I said, ‘I’m so grateful you’re gay sures, such as one night in 2001, long be- volvement with Chase Brexton, even because if you were straight, I wouldn’t fore digital submissions were accepted. among her own family. The strong stigma be able to concentrate, because I’d be “That was the year that I literally spent against HIV patients at the time extended drooling,’” she recalls. “And they burst the night getting the grants printed, be- —continued on page 12 Co-Publishers Jim Becker • Jim Williams [email protected]

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2 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com news // local

the trust of this community in a role like this campaign, to ensure our business- is invaluable. Over the years I have proven es and public spaces are open Update From City Hall my commitment to the people, my will- to all individuals. I’ve started of- ingness to listen, my allegiance to ficial Facebook, Twitter, and Long-time community leader Jabari Lyles ty and take pride in who we are. When we my community, and my insistence Instagram profiles to share discusses his new role as the LGBTQ Affairs didn’t have a way to disseminate news and on quality, change-making work. events and information for Liaison in the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office. information relevant to our community, we You trusted me when I took over the LGBTQ community. I’ve Jabari Lyles created one. We watched our loved ones the GLCCB years ago, during met with several leaders of Earlier this year, I moved on from my role as die, or become victims of hate crimes, dis- a time when it was easy not to. local organizations to brain- board president of Baltimore’s LGBTQ com- crimination, and violence. Our organizations I appreciate your trust in me storm ways government can munity center, GLCCB. After three eventful struggle to find dollars to support all of the now. help with achieving their years of serving as president, acting execu- complex issues we face. Although the epi- So, what am I up to? missions. I’ve met with com- tive director, and Baltimore demic was and is a terrible Aside from having necessary munity associations to support Pride chair, I was ready scourge on our community, introductory meetings with LGBTQ citizens living in Bal- to take everything I had and yes, also showed how community leaders, city agen- timore’s neighborhoods. I’ve learned, ponder what I strong we truly are, we are cy leaders and community members, I’ve had substantive conversations hadn’t learned, enjoy some more than HIV/AIDS. We started to involve myself in aa few key ini- with LGBTQ community members in restau- time to heal, and re-emerge are business leaders, ac- tiatives important to our community. I have rants, bars, events, or right in the middle of into the next phase of life. I ademics, artists, consum- been actively participating in meetings and Park Avenue. Most relevant to this writing, I am confident GLCCB is in a ers, and voters. We play a conversations regarding the Baltimore Po- have arranged a monthly column here in Bal- better place today than how tremendous part in making lice Department Consent Decree, and have timore OUTLoud, where I hope to update the I found it on the third floor of this city run. Our youth are been closely following the efforts of the BPD community each month on what I’m up to! the Waxter Center in 2015. strong and our elders are Monitoring Unit. I have joined the Maryland My number one goal is to stay connect- I was well into my second wise. Our history is rich, LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, working to ed and accessible to the community. Feel year as executive director and our time is now. It is strengthen relationships and improve pro- free to shoot me an e-mail at jabari.lyles@ of GLSEN Maryland, advo- Jabari Lyles – about time our community grams for LGBTQ-owned businesses here baltimorecity.gov. Let’s sit down and discuss cating for safer schools for LGBTQ Baltimore’s City takes its rightful place as a salient in Baltimore. Recently, you may have seen what your plans are for our community, and youth, when I learned about the new Hall LGBTQ part of Baltimore’s identity. the mayor declare recognition of National together we’ll find a way to make it happen. position at the mayor’s office. liaison I see my role in the mayor’s of- Coming Out Day and Baltimore’s participa- Thank you again for your support and your After working for GLSEN in vari- fice as the first step towards ensur- tion in the Open to All public engagement trust. t ous roles for over 13 years, spending ing the promise of living, working, some time at FreeState Justice, GL- and playing happily in Baltimore is CCB, and being an elementary and fully extended and available to the LtGBTQ middle school teacher, I left the world of non- community. I am grateful for the commitment profits, grassroots organizations and schools, of Madame Mayor Pugh and her administra- and found my way to City Hall to work in local tion to see this vision through. During this government. I am just over one month into my first month in the mayor’s office, I have been new role as LGBTQ Affairs Liaison, working in warmly welcomed, well respected and dili- the office of Mayor Catherine E. Pugh. Words gently consulted as a leader and a resource to help this city serve all of its people. I have “I’m still learning the layout started to navigate and introduce myself to of City Hall. Things are the many departments and offices withinC ity Hall to offer my perspective and service. I am looking up, though – last still learning the layout of the building, and have at many times, admittedly, gotten lost. week, I found my way to the Things are looking up, though! Last week, I Boosting empowerment and breaking the bonds Mayor’s Office of African- found my way to the Mayor’s Office of Afri- of homophobia, racism, and stigma in same can-American Male Engagement all by my- American Male Engagement self. Everyone I’ve met so far in this office is gender-loving (SGL) men in Baltimore City all by myself!” professional, competent, caring people who • NETWORKING want to make a difference in this city. I am Every 1st Wednesday honored to be on this team, and honored to cannot express how grateful and excited I am • to employ all of the strategies, relationships, work with the mayor on her top issues that HIV EDUCATION and lessons I’ve learned working in nonprofits more broadly affect everyone in Baltimore, Every Last Wednesday and teaching, and apply them towards making such as violence reduction, neighborhood in- • SOCIAL EVENTS far-reaching, systemic change for our commu- vestment, youth empowerment, job creation, nity and for our city. and extension of essential resources. Monthly Our community has existed in Baltimore The support and encouragement I’ve re- • ART CREATION PROJECT City for years without a strongly defined received from the LGBTQ community of Balti- lationship with city government. Our lead- more has been overwhelming. I know I’m in [email protected] • 410-837-5573 ers, service providers, activists and families the right place because many of you have FB: New Horizons Baltimore • aidsactionbaltimore.org have worked hard to meet the needs of our said so. When my new role was announced, community. Every year, for over the past for- the consistent message I heard was, “you HIV Prevention Advocacy for SGL Men's Health supported by ty, we have gathered to celebrate our identi- were the right person for the job.” To have ViiV Healthcare's ACCELERATE! Program

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 3

Select Chase Brexton Health Care patients deemed most in need may be eligible for digital breast cancer screenings through a mobile mammography van to be located at the Chase Brexton Mount Vernon Center on September 28th. The screenings are provided in partnership with Lackawan- na Mobile X-Ray and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and mammograms are capable of finding it up to three years before it can be felt. The Center for Disease Control recommends mammograms every two years for women age 50 and older who are at average risk for breast cancer. The staff of Chase Brexton encour- ages their patients to remember that early detection saves lives! Any patient who feels they may quality should contact their Chase Brexton provider or call 410-837- 2050 for more info. t news // local

Undetectable = ney medleys. It’s great music, but it’s you sing one on one. My philosophy of mu- nesses to thrive throughout Maryland and Untransmittable: written for preteens, not a chorus of 30 sic is centered in music for all. If you want its surrounding region,” said Justin Nelson, Untransmittable:Community women who are 18 to 80. to make music, you are welcome to join the NGLCC president. “The dedicated leader- Discussion How then, will this project be dif- chorale. ship, board of directors, and volunteers of Community ferent? So, what’s the next step readers the MDLGBTCC have fostered consistent The chorale is going to be for wom- should know about? growth in membership, programming, and Discussion en and by women. Anyone over 18 who I encourage you to join us on all our corporate partnerships in a remarkably identifies as female is wel- social media platforms (Face- short amount of time. We are proud to book, Twitter, and Instagram at have them as our local partner and stand Does U=U? That is, “Undetectable HIV = come to join the chorale re- @bmorewomen), where we’ll shoulder-to-shoulder with the Maryland untransmittable HIV”? That’s the topic on gardless of gender identity, post information about upcom- LGBT Chamber in the important work of tap for a discussion sponsored by AIDS sexuality, race, religion, so- ing meet-and-greets and up- certifying our businesses, connecting our Action Baltimore on Wednesday, October cioeconomic status, educa- dates about our first season communities, and working toward the full 24th from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Waxter Cen- tion level, or citizenship. Ev- next fall. Again, I would love to inclusion of LGBT businesses in Maryland ter (1000 Cathedral Street, Baltimore). ery female singer in Baltimore hear from you. I am only one state and local contracting opportunities.” The agenda will include the latest in- will be welcome with every perspective of many and am Maryland LGBT Chamber president, formation on safe sex for people living with musical skill level. Whether open to your vision of what the Joan Cox, and co-founder Betsy Cerulo HIV. Representatives of the Baltimore City you sing professionally for a Baltimore Women’s Chorale accepted the award together at the con- Health Department will present informa- living or you sing in the shower, you are can be. If you might be interested in partic- ference. “We owe this recognition to our tion on their U=U campaign, which aims invited to sing with us. The chorale will ipating, message us on any social media hard-working all-volunteer board and com- to eliminate the stigma of living with HIV platform or reach out at baltimorewomen- mittee chairs who put together an amazing through community education, empow- sing music of all styles and genres by an [email protected] to let us know you’re calendar of programming that garnered us erment and engagement. There will also equal number of male and female comin. We’ll officially sing our first notes in over 100 members in our first year, and be a community panel discussion on U=U posers. Our music will be as diverse as September 2019! t our dedicated members and allies who strategies. our singers, with an overarching mes- consistently come together to forward The event is free, and dinner will be sage of empowering females in music in Maryland’s commitment to LGBT business provided, however please RSVP in ad- Baltimore and beyond. excellence.” vance to [email protected] so they can When will the chorale begin per- Maryland LGBT “The Maryland LGBT Chamber of Com- plan food purchases accordingly. forming? merce is an incredible resource for LGBT For more info, contact AIDS Action Bal- Chamber Receives The first season of the Baltimore business enterprises and their support- timore at 410-837-2437. t Women’s Chorale will begin in Septem- National Award ers in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond,” said ber 2019. Yes, it is a long time to wait, Chance Mitchell, NGLCC’s CEO. but we are holding a number of info The Chamber will be hosting an award Last August 16th, at their annual Interna- sessions and meet-and-greets over the celebration and happy hour on October tional Business and Leadership Confer- Baltimore Women’s next few months. As we establish times 18th, from 5:30 to 7 pm, at the LB Sky- ence in Philadelphia, the National LGBT and locations, we will email the details bar at the Lord Baltimore Hotel (20 West Baltimore Women’s Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) named Chorale Project to of these events and post them to all our Baltimore Street, Baltimore). Admission for Chorale Project to the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Com- members is free. For non-Chamber mem- Launch social media accounts. If you know of merce their 2018 Rising Star Chamber. Launch bers, tickets are $15 and can be purchased a good place for a meet-and-greet or The Rising Star Award honors a cham- in advance at Bit.ly/2pJYuWf. t By Bill Redmond-Palmer you are willing to host one, please let ber that has exhibited strong growth, new For more information visit Mdlgbt.org Caite Debevec, director of the Baltimore us know! vitality, and relevance in their local LGBT and Nglcc.org. Men’s Chorus, has had an idea bouncing Why have you chosen this pro- business community, says the NGLCC, around in her head for over a year, and has cess to bring the chorale together? and while sup- finally taken the initial steps to make that Why do I want to hold meet-and- porting the na- idea a reality, by launching a new musical greets? I want to take the opportunity to tional movement. endeavor, the Baltimore Women’s Cho- hear from you. I know what I would want Each year, the rale. I asked her to share her vision, and from a women’s ensemble, but I would Rising Star is how the process would unfold. love to hear your thoughts and ideas. seen as a role Bill Redmond-Palmer: Why is this What kind of music would you like to model for other project so important? sing? What concert venues should we new chambers Cate Debevec: Music is an interesting explore? I strongly believe in community and raises the field to work in. It’s simultaneously freeing, bar for impacting music and would love this ensemble to but still holds many limitations for certain the LGBT busi- reflect that by becoming a group effort. communities. When I have sung with wom- ness community en’s choruses in the past, the majority of What will the audition process for where they live the music is focused on a woman’s need the chorale be like? and work. for a man. “I miss him. I’ll wait for him. I The Baltimore Women’s Chorale will “The Mary- love him. I’ll make a home for him. I’ll be be a non-audition chorus. This means land LGBT virtuous for him.” The rest of the music you do not need to have any musical ex- Chamber is cre- was cheesy or kitschy (if I have to sing a perience. You do not need to know how ating new, excit- song about a recipe for chili again, I will to read music. If you are unsure if you ing opportunities scream). I have heard countless perfor- should sing the high parts or low parts, I for its members The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce honors local Maryland mances by women’s choruses singing Dis- can do a mini voice placement and hear and for local busi- LGBT chamber

4 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com DEAR HIV, WE DIDN’T GIVE UP.

XOXO, SCIENCE

There is no cure, but science is still in the Learn about an HIV-1 battle against HIV. Today’s HIV treatments treatment option at may help you get to undetectable. That means the amount of virus is so low it can’t TM be measured in lab tests. Ask your healthcare XOXOSCIENCE.COM provider about HIV and treatment options.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 5 beyond the beltway

compiled by Jim Becker vinced that the enthroning of sex in gay life laws are not doing what they set out to do.” in the 1970s had created the conditions Key findings: Individuals were arrest- Documenting for the epidemic, which it had, in a strict ed under HIV-related statutes in 47 out sense – but did that really mean gay men of the 67 counties in Florida. The highest the history of had been ‘playing on the freeway’? prevalence of HIV in the state is found in “AIDS became entangled with gay sex, Miami-Dade (24%) and Broward Counties AIDS and its but is not inherent to it: it cannot be al- (18%), but those counties represent only lowed to determine its meaning, not even 4% and 3%, respectively, of the HIV-re- impact on gay retrospectively. And yet one of its effects lated arrests. On the other hand, Duval has been to make gay sex invisible, as a County is home to only 6% of the people sex condition of its respectability, its permissi- living with HIV in Florida but 23% of all Does HIV threaten the heart? bility. Television and cinema still withdraw HIV-related arrests in the state. Over half London – Tom Crewe writes in the at the final moment [before the sex act] .... (56%) of all individuals arrested under an abetes and glucose, which is a heart dis- London Book Review that “AIDS starts For many of us it is still a life defined on a HIV-related offense were women. More ease factor.” Other HIV medications cause with the deaths. With the dying. At first fundamental level through sex, by the fact than four in ten people arrested under lipodystrophy, an abnormal accumulation there was only confusion, incomprehen- of having sex with someone of your sex .... an HIV-related offense were black (43%) of weight, usually in the belly, as well as sion. Bodies that quickly became unintel- The notion that sex can be about naked and white women were more likely to be a loss of subcutaneous fat, which Fitch ligible to themselves. Night sweats, shin- need, naked want, that sex can be without arrested for an HIV-criminal offense than called “good fat.” Both can cause produc- gles, thrush, diarrhea, sores that crowded consequences, existing on the surface of other groups. Black men were more likely tion of plaque that clogs arteries causing into mouths and made it impossible to eat. things, has always been a cause for anxi- to be convicted of an HIV-related offense heart disease. A fantastically rare form of pneumonia. De- ety and restraint. It still needs a vanguard.” than white men and white women. Convic- In people who are HIV-negative, statin (The London Review of Books – om Crewe tions for HIV arrests were twice as likely medications reduce cholesterol and pre- at https://www.lrb.co.uk/v40/n18/tom- when there was a concurrent sex work ar- vent heart disease. Previous smaller stud- crewe/here-was-a-plague) rest than when the HIV offense occurred ies indicate the drug also works in people outside of the context of sex work. Read with HIV. But statins are usually prescribed the report [at Williamsinstitute.law.ucla. after there’s an indication of high choles- edu/wp-content/uploads/HIV-Criminaliza- terol. In this study, Fitch said, the medica- Study shows tion-Florida-Oct-2018.pdf]. (Seattle Gay tion is given as a preventive. The study is News & the Williams Institute at Sgn.org/ looking for 7,500 participants total at 116 impact of HIV sgnnews46_40/page3.cfm) sites around the world. About 7,000 are already participating. Potential participants criminalization must be between 40 and 75 years old and stable on their anti-retroviral regimen for laws HIV-positive at least six months. They must have no history of heart disease and not be cur- Early AIDS march Los Angeles – Florida laws that crimi- people at risk rently taking a statin. The study, which nalize people living with HIV directly affect- began in 2015, will continue through 2022. mentia in men of 20: brains that shrank ed 614 people from 1986 to 2017, accord- for heart disease (Dallas Voice – David Taffet at Dallasvoice. and withered.... Men dying in the time it ing to a new report by the Williams Institute com/prism-health-teams-with-harvard-for- takes to catch and throw off a cold. Later, at the UCLA School of Law. Researchers Dallas – People living with HIV are de- study) there were tests. A virus detectable in the found that women were disproportionate- veloping heart disease at twice the rate of blood. You were ill, but you might not feel ly affected by HIV criminalization. White the general population, and Prism Health, it yet. Might not know it yet, except you did. women were disproportionately arrest- a health organization that specializes in How should we write the story of AIDS? ed for HIV offenses in Florida, and black HIV care, and Harvard Medical School Why does Where should we start? David France and women were most likely to be convicted want to know why. Prism Health is partici- Richard McKay’s 2017 books, How to Sur- for HIV offenses related to sex work. HIV pating in a large study on the subject orga- loneliness in vive a Plague: The Story of How Activists criminalization is a term used to describe nized by Harvard Medical School. and Scientists Tamed AIDS by France and laws that either criminalize otherwise le- The study to find prevention strategies gay men persist Patient Zero and the Making of the AIDS gal conduct or increase the penalties for for strokes and heart attacks is called Epidemic by McKay are both in dialogue illegal conduct based upon a person’s REPRIEVE – Randomized Trial to Pre- after coming with Randy Shilts’s bestselling And the HIV-positive status. More than two-thirds vent Vascular Events in HIV. Katie Fitch, Band Played On, published in 1987, when of US states and territories have enacted a nurse practitioner at Massachusetts out? an end to the story was impossible to HIV criminal laws. General Hospital, is the program manag- imagine. France is closer to Shilts in his “Our study shows that certain commu- er. Fitch said the elevated risk might be a Seattle – Michael Hobbs writes in ambition to provide something resembling nities, whether defined by gender, race/ combination of traditional risk factors – like the March 2nd, 2017 Huffingtonpost.com a total history of the crisis ... they are both ethnicity, or sex-worker status, are bear- diet, exercise, smoking, ageing – and non- that “For years I’ve noticed the divergence written from inside the gay movement by ing more of the weight of these laws,” said traditional factors – like immune system between my straight friends and my gay gay men, and tell the story year by year as lead author Amira Hasenbush. “What’s activation. Some older HIV medications, friends. While one half of my social circle an unfolding drama, ... [but France] writing more, these HIV criminal laws, which were she said, raise triglycerides and indirectly has disappeared into relationships, kids from the end of the crisis, is able to tell originally intended to control the spread of cause heart disease. “We’re giving people and suburbs, the other has struggled a more optimistic (‘happier’ would be the HIV by prosecuting individuals who expose a statin when they’re considered to be at through isolation and anxiety, hard drugs wrong word) story, focusing on the signif- others, don’t require proof of transmission low risk,” she said, adding that some HIV and risky sex. None of this fits the narra- icance of AIDS activism. Shilts was con- or even exposure in most cases. So the medications “might have an effect on di- tive I have been told, the one I have told

6 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com beyond the beltway myself. Like me, [my friend] Jeremy did not status were an improvement for some gay In an interview with RT, Hesslow said that grow up bullied by his peers or rejected by men,’ says Christopher Stults, a research- some students, “for ideological reasons,” his family. He can’t remember ever being er at New York University who studies the don’t like to hear certain scientific facts called a faggot. He was raised in a West differences in mental health between gay about biological differences between men Coast suburb by a lesbian mom. and straight men. ‘But for a lot of other and women. He said that the comments “Jeremy and I are 34. In our lifetime, people, it was a letdown. Like, we have which prompted the complaint were not the gay community has made more prog- this legal status, and yet there’s still some- even necessarily part of his course materi- ress on legal and social acceptance than thing unfulfilled.’ al, but that they were answers to students’ any other demographic group in history. “I keep thinking of something Paul, [a] questions during the course of the lecture. As recently as my own adolescence, gay software developer, told me: ‘For gay peo- “If you answer such a question you are un- marriage was a distant aspiration. Public ple, we’ve always told ourselves that when Religious authorities vs. LGBTers der severe time pressure, you have to be support for gay marriage has climbed from the AIDS epidemic was over we’d be fine. 27% in 1996 to 61% in 2016. Still, even as Then it was, when we can get married we’ll were shutting down the conference. The we celebrate the scale and speed of this be fine. Now it’s, when the bullying stops security forces also took down the names, change, the rates of depression, loneliness we’ll be fine. We keep waiting for the mo- details, and passport copies of all attend- and substance abuse in the gay communi- ment when we feel like we’re not different ees. The AFE managed to find a new hotel ty remain stuck in the same place they’ve from other people. But the fact is, we are to hold the rest of the conference, though been for decades. Gay people are now, different. It’s about time we accept that attendees were shaken by the incident. depending on the study, between two and and work with it.’” (The Huffington Post – Many attendees came from even more re- ten times more likely than straight people Michael Hobbs at Highline.huffingtonpost. pressive environments for LGBTQ people to take their own lives. We’re twice as like- com/articles/en/gay-loneliness) and feared arrest or persecution upon their ly to have a major depressive episode. In return home. Mr. Azzi commented on the a survey of gay men who recently arrived incident, saying, “These kinds of attacks Prof. Hesslow: Targeted by in New York City, three-quarters suffered are expected. There is no activism without PC thought police from anxiety or depression, abused drugs Police threaten risks, but we need to be more prepared, or alcohol or were having risky sex – or stay united, and help each other to stand extremely brief – and I used wording which some combination of the three. Despite all LGBTQ confab up and continue the fight.” Jessica Stern’s I think was completely innocuous, and that the talk of our ‘chosen families,’ gay men full account of her experience at the event apparently the student didn’t,” Hesslow have fewer close friends than straight peo- in Lebanon can be read at Outrightinternational.org/ said. content/successful-organizing-face-at- The university asked Hesslow to “dis- Beirut, Lebanon – On September 29th, tack-personal-account-nedwa-conference. tance” himself from two specific com- Lebanese security forces from the General (Seattle Gay News & OutRight at Sgn.org/ ments; that gay women have a “male Security Directorate shut down a regional sgnnews46_40/page11.cfm) sexual orientation” and that whether transgender rights conference in Beirut, Leba- sexuality is a sexual orientation is “a mat- non. The conference, known as NEDWA, ter of definition”. The professor refused to is organized annually by the Arab Founda- back away from the comments, saying that tion for Freedoms and Equality (AFE) and Professor he had “done enough” already to “explain brings together over 100 activists from the and defend” his choice of words. Hesslow Alone together? Arabic-speaking Middle East and North investigated for also rejected the notion that he had a “po- Africa region. General Security officers re- litical agenda” and said his only agenda ple or gay women. [But] John Pachankis, sponded to a complaint filed by the Hay’at saying men and was to let scientific fact, not new conven- a stress researcher at Yale, just ran the Al-Oulamaa el Mouslimin (Association of tional wisdom, steer university proceed- country’s first randomized controlled trial Muslim Scholars). The group had issued women different ings. “Ideology, politics and prejudice form of ‘gay-affirming’ cognitive behavior ther- a statement accusing the conference of the conventional outlook, not science,” he apy. After years of emotional avoidance, promoting perversion and drug use, and Stockholm – RT.com or (“Russia To- said. t (RT or Russia Today at Rt.com/ many gay men “literally don’t know what called for the conference to be cancelled day”) reports that a Swedish university is news/438638-swedish-professor-biologi- they’re feeling,” he says. Simply pointing on grounds of “incitement to immorality.” investigating a professor for “anti-femi- cally-different). out these patterns yielded huge results: Jessica Stern, executive director of nism” and “transphobia” after he said there Pachankis’s patients showed reduced OutRight Action International, who was at are biological differences between men rates of anxiety, depression, drug use and the conference, said, “In spite of ten years and women. He is being urged to retract condom-less sex in just three months. of positive court decisions, there have his comments. The professor, Germund These news notes have been compiled, “I’m not going to pretend to be objective been several attacks on the basic rights of Hesslow, who works in neurophysiology at with permission, from the online version about any of this. I’m a perpetually single the LGBTQ community’s freedom of asso- Lund University, was accused by a student of various newspapers and other web gay guy who was raised in a bright blue ciation over the past year. The crackdown of making “transphobic” and “anti-feminist” sites. We thank these publications for city by PFLAG parents. I’ve never known on LGBTQ organizations is serious and statements in a lecture – but he has re- allowing us to bring you their news sto- anyone who died of AIDS, I’ve never ex- the international community has to speak fused to back down. ries. Usually the reports have been sig- perienced direct discrimination and I came out.” The complainant suggested that Hes- nificantly edited and you can read the out of the closet into a world where mar- General Security forces initially tried to slow’s comments were at odds with the full story by going to the web site men- riage, a picket fence and a golden retriever pressure Georges Azzi, head of the AFE, Swedish “value base” – a concept which tioned following the item. Comments were not just feasible, but expected. I’ve to sign a document that he would cancel requires all schools in Sweden to adhere are strictly the opinions of Jim Becker also been in and out of therapy more times all activities related to the event. When to a common ethical policy, which includes and not of Baltimore OUTloud or Pride than I’ve downloaded and deleted Grindr. he refused, General Security forces in- upholding values like egalitarianism, indi- Media. ‘Marriage equality and the changes in legal formed the hotel management that they vidual freedom and equality of the sexes.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 7 VoiceVoice ofof thethe CenterCenter Our latest and greatest addition to the GLCCB is What are your pronouns? employed at the GLCCB and make an He/Him/His honest effort to make changes in the Aaron Powell, a recruit from StarTrack, who joined community. the GLCCB as a peer navigator this summer. We What made you apply to being a peer navigator? What do you find the most reward- took some time to sit him down for a few questions. I became aware of the position when ing about working for the GLCCB? I was at the Colors Party hosted by I find being able to refer family mem- STAR TRACK. I was talking to Misty bers to different organizations and be- Norman, a navigator at STAR TRACK, ing able to successfully close their cas- about my job search now that I secured es most rewarding. I have been here for a bachelor’s degree, and she informed three months now, so I am beginning to me about the open position here at the hear the words “I found a job now” or “I GLCCB. She immediately called Jenni- have somewhere to stay.” My favorite fer Eden and told me to send her my re- words to hear are “You’re doing a re- sume. A week later, I had an interview, ally good job, thanks for all your help.” and not soon afterwards, I was offered Those are my favorite words because the position. I enjoyed the outreach it is not always easy to connect some- work during my internship w/ STAR one to a job, mental health therapist, TRACK and I wanted to land a job that or housing, but when the effort and the does similar work with the community, work is acknowledged, it affirms me Aaron Powell and I was fortunate enough to become as a peer navigator and pushes me to

8 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com THE LATEST UPDATES FROM THE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER OF BALTIMORE AND CENTRAL MARYLAND

Events Calendar: October 2018 Sundays Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays 10/16 10/17 10/18 10/12 10/13 10/14 10/15 --5:00pm --6:30pm --12:00pm --6:30pm --4:00pm --11:00am --4:00pm Yoga & Heels HIV/STI Testing Pelvic Health Lunch and Breaking Bread Project MOCHA Men’s Group Narcotics Anonymous Oh So Divine Modeling --5:30pm --6:45pm Learn --6:30pm 6:00pm --3:30pm and Dance Troupe Teen Art Group The Mankind Project --5:00pm Crystal Meth Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous Gentle Mindful Yoga --6:30pm --7:00pm GLSEN Maryland --7:00pm Giovanni’s Room Trans Baltimore Movie Night Marijuana Anonymous 10/20 10/21 10/22 Poetry Workshop --7:00pm --6:30pm --11:00am --11:00am --4:00pm --7:30pm SCA Baltimore Trans- 10/19 Queer Families Potluck Narcotics Anonymous Oh So Divine Modeling SILhouette Masculine Alliance --6:30pm --6:00pm --3:30pm and Dance Troupe 10/24 Crystal Meth Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous Gentle Mindful Yoga 10/23 --4:30pm 10/25 --7:00pm --5:00pm FreeState Justice --3:00pm Marijuana Anonymous Yoga & Heels Legal Clinic Helping Hands Clothing 10/27 --5:30pm --6:45pm Closet 10/26 --6:00pm Teen Art Group The Mankind Project -5:00pm --6:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous --6:30pm --6:30pm Diversity In Transition Breaking Bread Project Meet 4 A Cause Dance Vogue Practice with --7:00pm --6:30pm & Fitness STAR TRACK Sistahs of Pride Crystal Meth Anonymous --6:30pm --7:00pm --7:30pm --7:00pm New Volunteer Orientation SCA LGBTQ Speed Dating Marijuana Anonymous keep going and continue helping my space at all times. community. What do you hope your clients think Where do you hope to make a last- about you? ing impact in the community? I want my clients to see me as relat- .I hope to make a lasting impact on able, approachable and easy to talk the teens and adolescents within our to. If my clients are able to see me this community. I want to be able to build way, it will make my work more effec- a relationship with the young people tive as the community will hear that of our community to the point where there is someone at the center who is someone mentions in casual conver- easy to talk to which can bring in more sation that they are in need of housing family members who needs resources. or jobs, and they are told, “Hey, you should go see Aaron at the GLCCB. When can people find you in the He’ll help you out and get you on the Center? right track.” I want to be known as the I can either be found in my office, the guy who is approachable and easy to lobby, or room 3 dancing with Divine on talk to, as well as the guy who will get Mondays. things done and assist any and all people with the resources they may need. Where do you spend time outside of the office? Who is your favorite community I enjoy going to bars for drinks, eat- partner? ing out, as well as spending time at my My favorite community partner has to grandmother’s house with my cousins. be STAR TRACK. Everyone there is very willing to help and the environ- Our peer navigators are on call from ment is friendly. They have such great 2pm to 10pm Tuesdays through Fri- rapport with the community and have days so many weekly events that brings the community out and it is such a safe

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 9 thinking outloud

Those amendments Sneering the aisle, have of treated for the symptoms of generations speak to a sense of to save his no problem with of scripted poverty and lack of opportunity decency and fairness career passing the … and the list goes on. that I and other blacks power for the When the pressure hit and the mask cherish.” big controver- came off of Brett Kavanaugh, the ugly pu- Pointing This need for “cor- sial decisions trid truth was revealed under the television it Out rective amendments,” to the Supreme lights. Kavanaugh is someone who does By Sage Piper this necessity for some Court, thus not view it as progress if certain groups, laws and systems to avoiding having previously denied rights and pathways of change with the needs to face the con- opportunity, are lifted up to be in the posi- of a changing society sequence back tion to acquire those rights in real-time. In- The Supreme – this is fundamental home come stead, they are “the mob,” out to take what to the Supreme Court election time for he has, what is his birthright. This is the Court’s Job in which I am invest- taking a stand, lens through which they view everything. ed. Why? Because the on anything. Thus, the calcifying Republicans of the Ju- laws and institutions And often, diciary Committee did not see Dr. Ford as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall of this country were the Supreme a victim of traumatic sexual assault which once stated that “Equal means getting crafted by and still Court has come has colored her entire life, they saw her as the same thing, at the same time and in serve for the benefit through. If I pro- someone who was out to take away their the same place.” During the of straight, white, Christian men pose to my girlfriend tomorrow and she power. One in the hordes who are trying to years of the Marshall Court ... is to of means. This is the discrimina- says yes, we can go anywhere in our home do that to them, each and every day. and those that followed, when tory water in which we all swim state and get married, just like other peo- “Trumpism, at its core, is a rebellion the huge social issues of the protect us, – the racist and sexist and ho- ple have been able to do for centuries with- against changes in American society that day made their way to the Su- mophobic water – today and all out thinking anything of it. We don’t have undermine traditional hierarchies. It’s preme Court, people like you and all other of our yesterdays. It may be true to get married ourselves in secret and with based on the belief that these changes, and me and all the other mem- that for their time our founding no legal recognition, we don’t have to go rather than promoting fairness for histori- bers of the LGBT community minorities class of landed gentry men were to certain states where it is legal while cally oppressed groups, actually promote held out hope that achieving more advanced than the rest of others are not – we now have equality at ‘political correctness’: the oppression of that definition of equality could happen the world, but that is not cutting it – and it the same time and in the same white, native-born someday for us. Maybe it would not be hasn’t cut it from the beginning. place. Marshall Christian men,” today and maybe not tomorrow – but the The Supreme Court is the instrument, is surely smil- wrote Peter Bein- hope and the faith that one day we would the last word, the reckoning place for laws ing from the art. The Trumpist be granted our inalienable rights of equal- and institutions which deny this fundamen- great beyond. faithful not only ity and human decency kept many going tal equality (to have the same thing at the But as the refuse to face through the eons of hiding, discrimination, same time in the same place), to act on drama of the the reality of our violence, and inhumanity. the behalf of those long denied, to be a broken Su- all-pervasive in- Thurgood Marshall himself, who be- counter-majoritive voice in the American preme Court stitutionalized lieved that we should do what we think is landscape. Part of the reason for this is nominations racism and dis- right and let the law catch up, knew this that Congress does not dare take on these process unfold- crimination, they process was not a speedy one but that it issues – the lasting legacy of Newt Ging- ed over the last are determined was inevitable, in its march to fix the flaws rich and his gang of bullying, scorch-earth few weeks and to declare them- in our nation’s systems and institutions Republicans who rode into town on Ron- Brett Kavana- selves the victim and advance as a better country. He ac- ald Reagan’s horsetails, set up camp, and ugh spewed over and fight to the knowledged his own debt to this slow but laid waste to the foundation of the politics his contempt for death against any perceived attack on steady march: “Today’s Constitution is of compromise which, at least, allowed for the political left, it was terrifying and por- their reeking, diseased status quo. a realistic document of freedom only be- real policies to be enacted. Those in pow- tentous for us and all the other minority Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan cause of several corrective amendments. er in Washington today, on both sides of and politically powerless groups in this recently made a speech in which she ex- country – African-Americans who suffer pressed concern over imperative of pre- so disproportionately on social justice is- serving the Court’s institutional legitimacy sues, women who do not have access to of the nation’s highest court and keeping Law Office of David M. Lutz, P.A. nearby abortion clinics, prenatal care, and the public trust. “The strength of the Su- cancer screening provided by Planned preme Court as an institution of American •Auto Accidents •Workers’ Compensation Parenthood-type clinics, women who are governance depends on it having a certain discriminated against in the workplace and kind of legitimacy, it depends on people assaulted by those in powerful position, believing that it is not simply an extension •Personal Injury •DUI/DWI those without cars, driver’s licenses and of politics,” the Justice stated. She went the ability to drive long distances when on to ponder the consequences if people •Criminal Defense •Traffic Court neighborhood polling places are shut- have no reason to accept the Court’s deci- tered, the physically and mentally handi- sions because it is believed to be no differ- Se Habla Español capped, people on low incomes who don’t ent from the political branches. 1901 Fleet Street Baltimore, MD 21231 have access to healthcare, workers who With the triumph of Brett Kavanaugh, Phone: 410-558-3700 (English) 410-299-2898(Español) need on site safety protections of all kinds, this time is now. Who will now act for the t E-mail: [email protected] www.lawlutz.com immigrants striving to become citizens, historically oppressed? those who have been incarcerated instead

10 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com thinking outloud

ference planning, as if attendees can just Furor Over Int’l AIDS Confab Set for US take a few steps and shazam! they’re in Oakland. —continued from page 1 ing the conference in hostile territory (the ed communities of various sorts, and some What a cynical ploy to exploit the strug- South African president at the time was an bold service organizations that still remem- gling communities of Oakland. With a few AIDS denialist, questioning whether HIV ber what it means to stick your neck out. notable exceptions, most organizations in again. Immigrants face deportation, incar- caused AIDS). But the comparison be- I’ll resist the urge to name some of them San Francisco and Oakland have been ceration, and separation from the own chil- tween Durban in 2000 and San Francisco now. I’m glad some big marquee names silent or have offered muted support for dren and families. White nationalists are in 2020 end with having a wacko president have joined. I am even more inspired by all the conference, and insiders suggest that marching (and murdering people) in the in common. the grassroots groups that represent wom- these agencies simply don’t have the luxu- streets. You know the whole nauseating Grassroots community advocates in en and people of color and transgender ry of bucking global forces – or of crossing story. Africa wanted the AIDS2000 conference people and sex workers. HIV activism has the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the The US of A does not deserve to host to come to them. The Treatment Access always been driven by those with the most big kid on the block nobody wants to piss an international gathering of people who Campaign, a community coalition in South to lose. I do wish the IAS would learn that off. consider themselves compassionate to- Africa, was heavily involved with the con- lesson, at long last. Let’s move AIDS 2020 and get on with ward the disenfranchised. And if attendees ference planning and used it to advocate There’s an organization I don’t mind the real work of HIV advocacy. are not white and straight and cisgender for real change. naming, though, and that is the San Fran- The IAS will argue many things, such (and don’t keep their mouth shut about In sharp contrast, every single coa- cisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF), which en- as the complexity of moving the conference their progressive views) we cannot guaran- lition of people living with HIV in the US thusiastically supports AIDS 2020 coming (they moved it from Boston in less than a tee their safety in our country. has signed a letter demanding that AIDS to their city. SFAF does a lot of amazing year), how The IAC and its new 2020 be moved work. They also ap- head, Kevin Osborne – out of this coun- pear to have made the first IAS director who try. We simply the calculation that is openly living with HIV, do not want it showcasing their in a sadly ironic twist – here. Dozens many successes consider themselves sen- My Fabulous of international on a world stage sitive to all of this. Let’s organizations is worth turning examine that. Disease signed on, too. their backs on pop- AIDS 2020 only wel- By Mark S. King Oh, and you’ll ulations around the comes the right people. never guess world that are not The IAS was alarmed who has joined unlike those they and offended by the ban against HIV pos- that list: The Treatment Access Campaign serve. Yes, most or- itive travelers that once existed in the US. from South Africa. ganizations born out They actually moved their AIDS1992 con- This becomes, then, a gauge of wheth- of community activ- ference out of Boston and to Amsterdam er or not the IAS actually listens to and ism like SFAF traded in protest (re-organized “in just one year,” values the positions of people living with their legacies years the IAS web site humble brags). When the and most affected by HIV. Thus far, not so ago for pharmacy ban was lifted the conference returned to much. services and Medic- no suitable, more economically de- the US, in Washington, DC, in 2012. Who is for, against, or staying silent aid dollars, but still. It’s disheartening. The pressed cities vied to host it (help them), Except this is not the whole story. Trav- about AIDS 2020 in San Francisco speaks SFAF press release heralding AIDS 2020 or how they don’t know where else it could el bans into the US are still in place for sex volumes. coming to town (and their starring role in it) possibly go (Mexico, Morocco, South Afri- workers and people with drug addiction Has whatever organization you support is so clueless about objections to the con- ca, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Pana- and crime histories – key populations that taken a stand on this issue, and what is ference location that the entire statement is ma, Ecuador). participate vigorously in the conference. it? The answer may well depend on all the as worthless as it is maddening. We have work to do as advocates, The previous travel ban against people usual things: money, status, and who is Meanwhile, several national HIV ad- most especially in the months leading up with HIV had real consequences for many vocacy organizations to the 2020 elections. The politics of HIV scientists and researchers, have yet to weigh in. demand the full attention of every advocate and for those among the You know who you are. in this country during that critical time. The global elite. The IAS fought We all look forward to IAS clearly isn’t as scared shitless as those for them. When it comes to you finding your voice of us actually living in the US. the remaining travel bans for on this issue. The Instead, the posture of the IAS thus far these other key populations, deadline to join the has been to treat the concerns of people however, the IAS has sud- sign-on list is October with HIV and our allies as a problem to be denly become circumspect, 3rd, after which I think managed. Not for a moment have they pub- arguing that not that many it is fair to start naming licly paused to consider moving the confer- people are affected. names. ence in light of our unanimous opposition. So, now we know where Do not get me Instead, they muscle past us as they con- the IAS draws the line. As valued. started about the inclusion of Oakland in tinue plans to mount a conference that is long as the right people can get to AIDS Take a look at the list of organizations AIDS 2020. alienating and polarizing and exclusionary 2020, they’re good. that have signed on to the “No AIDS 2020 In a transparent attempt to avoid ob- and privileged and tragically expensive. Interestingly, the IAS points to the in Trump’s America” list organized by HIV jections to AIDS 2020 being held in the The cost of which may be far more than AIDS2000 conference in Durban, South Af- Power Shift. It is a stunning collection of most expensive city in the country, the city they care to imagine. t rica, as an example of the benefits of hold- networks of people living with HIV, affect- of Oakland has been included in the con-

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 11 baltimore outloud

judge just entered the decision in that case gration courts. Jeff Sessions has repeated- plications have seen the definition of what and went back to Falls Church. The com- ly demonstrated his personal bias against is the basis for a valid claim reduced to a plaint stated that this action by Sessions both immigrants and judges. With the help vanishing point in cases involving domes- was a gross violation of the IJ’s right to con- of his EOIR director, James McHenry, Ses- tic violence and claims of violence by gang The Law trol his own docket and handle cases with sions has taken a series of steps designed members. Sessions is not concerned with justice in mind. The EOIR has 60 days from to strip the judges that he controls of all of the reports by the US Department of State & You August 8th to respond to the complaint. the independence and powers that distin- and nongovernment organizations (NGO) Linda A. Dominguez This past October 1st, a group of 20 re- guish them as judges, and thus turn them that many countries are so corrupted by tired IJs and members of the Board of Im- criminal gangs that the leaders of such migration Appeals (BIA) issued a statement gangs have actual control of local govern- Is There Justice about their concerns with the current admin- ment officials. Indeed, some local officials istration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s are also gang members. The result is that This past August 8th, the National Associ- demand that the judges and members of the persons with valid claims that they will be ation of Immigration Judges filed a griev- BIA submit to quotas as a basis for evaluat- harmed or even killed by gang members, ance/complaint with the Executive Office ing the performance of judges presiding over and that there is no ability to report abuse to of Immigration Review (EOIR) based on removal proceedings held before the EOIR. the government officials, face death when the actions of US Attorney Gen- The statement from the returned to the country of which they are cit- eral Sessions, who ordered ... in the IJs and retired members izens. Asylum is an international law which an assistant chief judge from of the BIA holds back was incorporated into the laws of the US in Falls Church, Virginia, to trav- Immigration nothing in the warning to 1952. However, this administration is doing el to Philadelphia for the sole everyone that, if Sessions its best to strip it out of US courtrooms. The purpose of entering an order of Court system? has his way, there will no So yesterday proof is in the fact that the US, in Septem- removal against a person who longer be any justice at all ber 2018, withdrew from the Human Rights had not appeared for a hearing. The immi- involving immigration cases: into assembly-line workers. And because Commission, which monitors the global im- gration judge (IJ) who had handled the case “Experience has demonstrated that it is of Sessions’s disdain for immigrants, in his pact of human abuse in each country. Also, had closed the removal case because the futile to protest to the present attorney gen- mind, those assembly lines should be issu- look at the recent policy of separating chil- Office of Chief Counsel (“OCC”) in Phila- eral and his appointed EOIR director, who ing deportation orders, at faster speeds and dren from their parents at the border even delphia had not been able to prove that the have repeatedly demonstrated a callous in larger numbers.” in the face of pleas for asylum. Although person had actually received the paperwork disregard for due process, fundamental fair- Sessions has made it clear to those IJs that policy was stopped after public protests concerning his case. The assistant chief ness, or judicial independence in the immi- and members of the BIA who have retired were mounted, the fact that this policy could from their service with EOIR that he does even be a thought, much less be put into not believe in justice for those persons who practice, is horrifying. As citizens of the US appear before the Immigration Court to ask and members of a global society, we must for a benefit. Sessions is interested only in raise our voices to vote against the efforts throwing people out of the US. The IJs cur- to close off the country’s borders and en- MIXERS-REMIXEDMIXERS-REMIXED rently hearing cases involving asylum ap- gage in possible human rights abuses. t Finding Her Calling —continued from page 1 to those who cared for them as well. she said. “And to continue to grow and mon- “My sister refused to let my nephews itor the growth spurts …don’t grow too big come to my house, because [she believed] too fast, and make sure you’re able to do I had gay germs and HIV germs. So they quality care. And have more dieticians.” t never came to my house to eat, they never came to my house for anything until 2000,” she said. “Dating was really difficult, I never told anyone where I worked or exactly what I did.” Despite the cost to her and her colleagues, Karen said Chase Brexton’s work provided hope and solace to a community in desper- ate need of both. Looking forward, UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP/MANAGEMENT she shared her wishes for the or- Visit our Facebook page for upcoming events, ganization’s future. specials, and much more: @mixersbar “To continue to be able to provide quality health care to all in need, without any type of stigma,” Karen Bellesky in 2018 12 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com quality of life // Health and Wellness

should not be stopped suddenly are dis- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, is because our own bodies make steroids, cussed below. This does not mean they lightheadedness, dizziness, sweating, called cortisol, in the adrenal glands. When cannot be stopped at all, just that the dose tremors, and sleep disturbances such as a person takes oral steroids, their own ad- should be decreased gradually. In many vivid dreams and insomnia. renal gland production of cortisol decreas- situations, a different medicine for the Benzodiazepines – Prescribed for es. When oral steroids are stopped, the Open Wide same condition can be started and tapered anxiety and insomnia, this whole class of adrenal glands take some time to recover ask Dr Eva up while the original medicine is tapered medications, which includes alprazolam and produce normal amounts of cortisol. Dr Eva Hersh down. The is is done to try to maintain con- (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan) diazepam (Va- This is why a slow taper of steroids is very tinuous control of the condition during the lium), temazepam (Restoril), and others important. Low levels of cortisol cause medication change. should not be stopped abruptly if the per- weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, son has been taking the drug for more than and abdominal pain. Stopping Blood pressure medications a few weeks. Dangerous withdrawal symp- Clonidine tablets and skin patches are toms, including seizures, can result from Opioid (narcotic) pain medications Medicines used to treat high blood pressure. Stop- stopping benzodiazepines abruptly, or even Opioids are prescription pain med- ping clonidine suddenly can cause very from a sudden, large decrease in dose. The icines such as oxycodone (Percocet, Safely high rebound blood pressure, so clonidine risk of seizures is greatest 24 to 72 hours Oxycontin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), co- should be tapered down slowly. (one to three days) after the last dose. Ben- deine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), mor- Beta-blockers – such as zodiazepines should be discontin- phine and fentanyl (Duragesic patch). Dear Dr. Eva, propranolol, atenolol, and ued using a slow taper. After taking any of these medicines regu- Is it really dangerous to stop medica- metoprolol – are used larly for a month or more, abrupt discon- tions without tapering off? People (me in- to treat high blood Anti-seizure tinuation can cause diarrhea, generalized cluded) often seem to do it with no prob- pressure, tremors, medications pain, restlessness, and anxiety. lems. irregular heartbeat, Topiramate (To- It is always safer to taper off a medicine Skeptical and sometimes pamax) – Taken for than stop it suddenly. If you are thinking are prescribed for epilepsy, migraine of stopping any of your long-term medica- Dear Skeptical, anxiety. Abrupt- headache preven- tions, please talk with the prescriber about It is true that many prescription medi- ly stopping any tion, and alcohol the safest way to do it. t cations can be stopped suddenly without beta-blocker, abuse, topira- Eva Hersh is a family physician. Send problems. However, there are some kinds but especially mate should not your comments and questions to her by of medications that are dangerous to stop propranolol, can be abruptly dis- email at publisher@ baltimoreoutloud.com. suddenly. Whether it is safe to stop a med- be dangerous. continued. Rapidly ication suddenly depends on two things: Beta-blocker with- stopping topirimate how the medicine is metabolized (broken drawal can result in will increase the fre- down and eliminated from the body) and a sudden, rapid rise in quency of seizures. what condition is being treated. blood pressure. In pa- Topirimate should be When a medicine is prescribed to treat tients with heart disease, tapered over one to two a chronic problem like diabetes, high blood this can cause chest pain, months. pressure, or depression, if the medication heart attack, and sudden death. No ‘cold Gabapentin (Neuront- is stopped the condition will become as turkey’ for in) – Gabapentin is used for severe as it was before treatment or even Mental health medications some drugs nerve-related pain and for worse. For example, if high blood pressure Venlafaxine ER (Effexor XR) – seizures. Withdrawal symp- medications are stopped suddenly, a per- prescribed for depression, anxiety, and toms begin between 12 hours to seven son’s blood pressure can rapidly rise high- menopause symptoms. Effexor XR is days after stopping, but most start between er than it was before treatment, which can sometimes called “Side-Effexor.” Due to 24 and 48 hours (one to two days) after cause a heart attack or stroke. The higher its rapid breakdown in the body, suddenly stopping. Agitation is the most common the dose and the longer you’ve been taking stopping rather than slowly tapering venla- withdrawal symptom – it’s reported by half a medicine, the more likely it is that you faxine over several weeks can lead to se- of those experiencing gabapentin withdraw- can have dangerous complications if the vere withdrawal symptoms including agita- al. Confusion and disorientation have also medicine is stopped suddenly. tion, sweating, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, been reported, as well as sweating, stom- • ArchitecturAlly-stunning Medicines which are rapidly broken restlessness, and tremor. ach complaints and insomnia. wedding venue • down and eliminated from the body are the Paroxetine (Paxil) – Prescribed for • indOOR & OuTdOOR wedding most likely to cause withdrawal symptoms. anxiety and depression, paroxetine is the Steroids This is because, due to the rapid break- most likely of the antidepressants to cause Note: this section refers to steroid pills CeReMOnieS, ReCePTiOnS, down and elimination of the medicine from withdrawal symptoms. Paroxetine should taken by mouth. It does not refer to inhaled And eLOPeMenTS • the body (this is called a “short half-life”), be tapered down over several weeks be- steroids used for asthma or to steroid • OveR 30 SAMe-Sex weddingS the blood level of these drugs drops rapidly fore stopping. If paroxetine is stopped sud- creams for the skin. SinCe 2013 • from therapeutic (high) to ineffective (low) denly, withdrawal symptoms can include Prednisolone (Prednisone), dexa- if doses are missed. On the other hand, methasone, and others – Steroids are Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at some medicines such as the antidepres- prescribed as a strong anti-inflammatory ChaseCourtWeddingVenue sant fluoxetine (Prozac) are broken down for many conditions, including asthma, al- 410-727-1112 • chasecourt.com very slowly, causing a slow drop in the lev- lergies, hives, some types of arthritis, and 1112 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD el of the medications over several weeks, gout. It is dangerous for a person who has Owned and Operated by David Egan, so there is no need for a taper. been taking oral steroids for more than wedding columnist for BaltimoreOUTloud. Some common medications which two weeks to stop without tapering. This

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 13 quality of life // Health and Wellness

proclaim Baltimore “home.” From its gritty, The In’s deceptively small-town feel to its unapologet- They are all possibilities that one conjures and ically vibrant artist and activist communities, Ask up. As soon as you start to insert some ratio- Baltimore surprised me at every turn. With- nality into those thoughts, you can decrease in Charm City’s nurturing arms, I kissed my Dr. J the worrying. For example, I ask people if Out’s first girl, took my first queer theory course, Janan Broadbent, Ph.D. they can remember asking another person Andre Shakti got drunk at my first gay bar, danced at my a question which he/she couldn’t answer. first strip club, and learned how to be an ally Then I ask if they thought that person was to those impacted by systemic injustice. I stupid. Invariably, the response is a no. So I’m Home, worked at my first sex toy store (hey, Sugar!), Living with why would you be seen differently? The explored my first non-monogamous relation- problem is that anxiety generates emotions, Baltimore ship, discovered my passion for public health, Anxiety thereby controlling the mind. and, most importantly, fell in love with myself. Let’s delve into the relationship sphere. If I have any one place to thank for my rich For all of this, I am forever indebted. You know that feeling of butterflies in the Do you check your partner’s cellphone? His/ queer identity, it’s Baltimore. A six-year stint in California guaranteed stomach, being out of sorts, shaky, not able her computer? Wallet? I’ve come to know I grew up in a small farming town in me enviable weather, radicalized my poli- to focus on what you have to do but your more partnerships break up because one southern New Jersey. Flush in resources like tics, and provided me with valuable profes- mind worrying, worrying about all kinds of person felt anxious about the loved one’s produce stands and ignorance, it left much sional development. But when it came time things? Sometimes it can immobilize you, loyalty and started to look for some “evi- to be desired when it came to embracing its to choose where my family and I would put because of fear about what might happen. dence” to present. Of course, it’s possible LGBTQ youth. “Survival” looked a whole lot down our roots, I was reminded of just how At times, it could be that you are ruminating that there is distrust and cheating and the like maintaining good friends and a resilient much I owe to this city. Now a local home- and thinking of what the partner may be up suspicion is warranted. Then too, it may not spirit, as well as having access to the world- owner, “The In & Out” is one of the many to ... Is he or she thinking of leaving the re- be. However, when you start to poke into wide web. The Internet provided a haven for ways in which I seek to give back to the Balti- lationship? Or falling in love with someone devices and personal items, you create an our raging hormones and conflicted thoughts, more community. else? atmosphere of distrust that is one that taught us about queerness, desire, As an educator, I travel all over the coun- What anxiety signifies hard to reverse. pleasure, anatomy, reproductive rights, and try teaching people about consent, pleasure, is the mind sensing How does one deal cultural diversity. We learned shame and and how to have healthier and more satisfy- a threat, an arrow with such anxiety repression from our churches, schools, and ing relationships. As a journalist, I write about aimed at you, your then? First, think of families. Far from our guardians’ judgmental the intersections of race, class, culture, gen- sense of self, your present and eyes, however, the Internet showed us that der, sex, politics, and the sex industry. As a your feeling of your past. Have we weren’t alone. It freed us. sex and relationship coach, I help individuals security, and you always been Many LGBTQ folks weren’t afforded my navigate their true desires and unlearn toxic your survival. consumed by privileges. Whether born before the Internet societal scripts to set them up for maximum I’m not talking anxiety? Over age and/or too impoverished to have Internet success. Knowing that I’m providing exact- about physical all kinds of pos- access, they suffered for it. When they longed ly the kind of resources my friends survival here, as sibilities? If so, for like-minded others, there were no chat and I would have killed most of us do not seek some help to rooms or social media platforms connecting for in our cautious, im- encounter wild ani- manage it. Physical wayward hearts. When they developed their pressionable youth is mals or even physical disas- exercise, practical tips, first crush, there was no blogging com- the fuel that lights my ters. When we read about and medication give one munity or online forum to pour their fire. Look Ma, I made it! earthquakes, or a tsunami, or a huge options not to live a miserable yearnings out to. When they had With “The In & Out,” fire, we are really talking about fear which is life. On the other hand, if this is happening sex for the first time, there were my goal is to provide warranted. Anxiety has more to do with what now and you haven’t had such episodes be- no search engines to press for an inclusive, reliable, fore, then it may indeed have something to critical health and safety in- compassionate outlet “Do you check your do with the present circumstances, whether formation. When they were for life’s most sen- pointing to the relationship, a job challenge, bullied for simply being who sitive quandaries, partner’s cellphone? His/her or some other event. Write your thoughts they are, no videos assur- and I’m hoping you’ll down when you feel anxious. See if you ing them that “It gets better” hold me account- computer? Wallet? I’ve come can discern a pattern. Some people worry popped up on their Youtube able to my mission. to know more partnerships on Sunday nights – apprehensive about the feeds. Got roommate drama? work week starting. Or before a date. These At best, depriving marginalized commu- Let’s talk about communication compatibility. break up because one person are to be expected. So, go for a walk or a run. nities of information leads to isolation, de- Curious about opening up your romantic rela- Sort through your thoughts, discuss with a pression, and internalized stigma. At worst, tionship? Let’s discuss strategies for getting felt anxious and started to friend, or seek counseling. Do remember, you it kills us. To me, this willful obstruction of a grip on jealousy. Anxious about navigating look for some ‘evidence.’” don’t have to be at the mercy of your brain. knowledge and camaraderie was – and still family dynamics with the holiday season fast There are ways of making life better. t is – absolutely unacceptable. approaching? Let’s brainstorm effective ways we imagine “might” happen. If you have to Some kids grow up wanting to be profes- to assert and sustain boundaries. By working give a talk to an audience, the anxiety you sional athletes. I wanted to be a professional together to debunk harmful myths and ste- may feel has to do with worries about wheth- resource. reotypes, bridge gaps between communities, er you may falter in presenting, or be asked In 2006 I decided to pursue a bache- and increase our capacities for love and lev- a question you can’t answer, or an expecta- lor’s degree in psychology, deaf studies, ity, we’ll breathe fresh, queer-as-fuck life into tion that you might come across as stupid. and LGBT studies at Towson University. It this beloved city. None of those thoughts are based on reality. took less than a year for me to confidently Let’s get our hands dirty. t

14 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com SPIRITUAL DIRECTORY Baltimore Ethical Society Govans Presbyterian Church 306 W Franklin Street, #102 5828 York Road. Worship Baltimore, MD 21201 Baltimore MD 21212 Sunday, 11a.m. 410-581-2322. baltimoreethicalsociety.org 410-435-9188. govanspres.org Christian Bolton Street Synagogue Interfaith Fairness Education Classes 212 West Coldspring Lane Coalition of MD Sunday, 9:45 a.m. Baltimore, MD 21210 P.O. Box 13132 410-235-5354. boltonstreet.org Baltimore MD 21203 browndowntown.org 410-233-5555. ifcmd.org 1316 Park Ave., Balt., MD, 21217 Brown Memorial Park Avenue 410.523.1542 Presbyterian Church MCC of Baltimore 1316 Park Avenue 405 West Monument Street. Baltimore MD 21217 Baltimore MD 21201 410-523-1542. browndowntown.org 410-669-6222 mccbaltimore.org Congregation Beit Tikvah 5802 Roland Avenue Memorial Episcopal Church Baltimore MD 21210 1407 Bolton Street 410-464-9402. beittikvah.org Baltimore MD 21217 410-669-0220 Emmanuel Episcopal Church memorialepiscopal.org 811 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201 New Light MCC 410-685-1130. emmanueldowntown.org 40 W. Church Street Hagerstown MD 21740 First and Franklin Street. 301-797-5698 Presbyterian Church newlightmcc.com 210 W. Madison Street Baltimore MD 21201-4693 The Church of the Advent 410-728-5545. firstfranklin.org 1301 South Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21230 First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 410-539-7804 1 West Hamilton Street. advent-baltimore.org 䄀䰀䰀䄀刀䔀圀䔀䰀䌀伀䴀䔀 Baltimore MD 21201 410-685-2330. firstunitarian.net Veritas United Church 䴀愀猀猀匀挀栀攀搀甀氀攀 of Christ 匀愀琀甀爀搀愀礀㔀㨀㌀瀀⸀洀 Grace United Methodist Church 22 N Mulberry Street., Suite 113 匀甀渀搀愀礀㤀愀⸀洀⸀Ⰰ ㄀㨀㐀㔀愀⸀洀⸀Ⰰ ㄀㈀㨀㄀㔀瀀⸀洀 5407 North Charles Street Hagerstown, MD 21740 刀攀挀漀渀挀椀氀椀愀琀椀漀渀椀猀愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀匀愀琀甀爀搀愀礀猀愀琀㐀㨀㌀瀀⸀洀⸀ 琀漀㔀瀀⸀洀⸀ Baltimore, MD 21210 240- 310-6891 410-433-6650 veritashagerstown.com graceunitedmethodist.org 䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀匀琀⸀ 䈀攀爀渀愀搀攀琀琀攀倀愀爀椀猀栀䐀攀愀挀漀渀䘀爀攀搀倀愀猀猀愀甀攀爀㠀㄀匀琀攀瘀攀渀猀漀渀刀漀愀搀倀愀爀椀猀栀䄀搀洀椀渀椀猀琀爀愀琀漀爀匀攀瘀攀爀渀Ⰰ 䴀愀爀礀氀愀渀搀㈀㄀㄀㐀㐀ⴀ㈀㈀㤀㤀㐀㄀ ⴀ㤀㘀㤀ⴀ㈀㜀㠀㌀㐀㄀ ⴀ㤀㘀㤀ⴀ㈀㜀㠀㌀

Chevrei Tzedk Congregation 3101 Fallstaﬀ Road, Baltimore, MD 21209 [email protected] www.chevreitzedek.org (443) 992-7485 The Source for the lgbtq community RABBI RORY KATZ To advertise in our Spiritual directory JTS Gladstein Fellow please call 410-802-1310 An informal, Welcoming, Participatory, Conservative Jewish Community BaltimoreOutloud.com

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 15 Lively Arts // out on STAGE

Clara’s future,” Cuatto continued. “In Feb- athletic and requires the dancers to fully video enhancements that will help craft Ballet Theatre ruary, we have the world premiere of Snow commit to the movement and the art, which the audience’s experience of the story. In White at the Gordon Center in Baltimore I believe our audiences can feel no matter May we are going to be collaborating with of Maryland: County and at Maryland Hall for the Cre- what the venue. I like to expand the ballet several other organizations, including the ative Arts in Annapolis. Choreographing from within the parameters of the classi- Maryland State Boychoir, Peabody Youth Musicality this ballet fulfills a dream of my own be- cal-style by meshing it with other forms to Orchestra, and Muse360 dance compa- cause I have wanted to create this ballet convey the best possible message or sto- ny in our community opera by Jonathan Through since I was 16. Complete with a wicked ry. Those forms include everything from Dove entitled “The Monster in the Maze” queen, a poisoned apple, dwarves, fairies, jazz to flamenco to modern to ballroom to – all the collaborations are a really thrilling Movement goblins, and a host of other magical crea- tap and more. And yet the work is still very prospect for me. We will present a lesser tures, the audience will experience a Snow much grounded in classical dance. We are known Mendelssohn piece, of course will By Frankie Kujawa White that has more depth and color than also known for our musicality, ‘dangerous give our annual sing-along Handel “Mes- Russian poet Alexander Pushkin once the Disney version with some unexpected patterns’, as well as ‘unusual and difficult siah,” and our first subscription con- said, “Ballet is a dance executed by the twists and turns in the story that I hope will partnering’ and emotional sensitivity. All of cert will be a performance of human soul.” The 2018-19 Season of the keep you intrigued all the way to the end.” this is thrilling for an audience to experi- Brahms’s Ballet Theatre of Maryland (BTM) boasts “In April, we turn to more contempo- ence through the medium of dance.” t a selection of exquisite performances as rary fare at Maryland Hall with Innovations For more information on the upcoming the company celebrates its 40th year en- 2019, which has everything from contem- season, visit Balletmaryland.org. tertaining Maryland porary to jazz to neo-classical on it. The program features two works by Stravinsky – The Firebird, and a jazz version of the Rite of Spring. A new work Baltimore by New York composer Kevin Baltimore Keller is also featured. I love Choral Arts: Kevin’s work because it has so much emotional depth. I Making Fall can create movement to it that allows the dancers to ‘Classical’ OUTloud express that depth to the audience through intense sensi- Relevant tivity-they can really convey Theatre emotions to the audience By Frankie Kujawa 2018 through the powerful lan- Baltimore Choral Arts Society ex- guage of dance and music.” perienced an artistic renaissance ! Cuatto explained what in 2018. Now in his second year as makes the Ballet Theatre of musical director, Anthony Blake Clark A famous Special recently chatted with Baltimore OUTloud ballet Maryland unique for audiences. “To be- audiences. Baltimore chestnut... gin with, we have a very healthy body to discuss the upcoming 2019 season and OUTloud recently chat- Can you aesthetic compared to other professional how classical music is once again relevant ted with Artistic Director guess? companies. We have all heights and body for audiences. Dianna Cuatto to dis- sizes which means that we have a wider Frankie Kujawa: What can audiences expect? cuss what audiences range of differing emotions and artistry to Blake Clark Blake Clark: This season is called “A can plan to see this up- – Baltimore coming season, as well as what makes the Season of Story and Song” – audiences Choral Arts tran- Ballet Theatre of Maryland such a unique “We have a very healthy can expect to see Choral Arts embark on director scendent “A German Re- experience. body aesthetic compared to more adventurous programming quiem.” “For the 2018-2019 Season, audienc- that approaches music in a What goes into es can expect a passionate, whimsical, other companies. We have all more interdisciplinary, planning a season as dynamic season of excellent theater and collaborative way, ambitious as this dance expressed through the talents of heights & body sizes, which while still provid- one? BTM’s talented professional dancers,” means that we have a wider ing the more con- We think Cuatto began. “It’s our 40th anniversary, ventional pieces in multi-year so we designed the season to have some- range of differing emotions in the repertoire plans. Typically, thing for everyone. For those of you who as well. This the repertoire love the ‘classics,’ our season in Annapolis and artistry to draw from.” year we are selection starts opens with Shakespeare’s only comedic, presenting a with my “dream- romantic fantasy, A Midsummer Night’s draw from which makes our ballets more special concert list” and where Dream.” meaningful. In our company, the technique in partnership the chorus and “If you have family values in mind, our serves the art and the storytelling, not the with MICA that will our organization’s Nutcracker is one of the best in the region other way around. So both choreography present the story of goals are at that point and is infused with a tremendous amount and dancers work together to communi- Hans Christian Anders- in time. I try to match my of exciting dance content tied together cate emotion to emotion and soul to soul en’s “Little Match Girl” with artistic vision with the vision with a romantic, dream-like vision of young with our audiences. My work is often very experiential art installations and of all of us as a unit and that yields 16 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com Lively Arts // out on STAGE

great results. Then we get members of our ration, and discipline. It tells stories, both board to speak into the process, we make positive and negative, and demands that son of becoming.” Baltimore OUTloud and pass our budget, we hire musicians, we respond and form opinions about our- caught up with Artistic Director Sean Elias then we start rehearsing! The rehearsal selves and our world. Vocal music is even to discuss the upcoming season and what process is pivotal – it is where all the mag- better because we have a powerful com- makes Iron Crow such a unique experi- ic occurs. I think all conductors are fans munication tool: text! One might struggle to ence for audiences. of process. If not, it tends to show in per- find the meaning behind Brahms’s second Frankie Kujawa: What can audienc- formance. I enjoy rehearsals just as much symphony, but one does not need a ton of es expect from this upcoming season? as concerts because it is where I get to musical education to really understand an Sean Elias: Our 2018-19 “Season of collaborate and play in the same musical oratorio by Mendelssohn or David Lang’s becoming” is filled with classics from the space as everyone in the room. I am often “Little Match Girl Passion” that we’re per- queer theatrical canon as well as some more nervous forming. It is really astounding to have the newly produced work. Thematically, this music, the heart’s language, and words season follows characters from a variety of set to that heart language – it makes backgrounds as they struggle to defy the for a very meaningful experience. Au- “shoulds” of society and begin to express diences should also expect variety. and celebrate their true authentic selves. We perform pieces from the 16th We began our season with Moisés century all the way up to pieces Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Proj- by living composers. Fast, slow, ect’s brilliant docudrama The Laramie happy, sad, and everything in Project, featuring eight actors (including between can be found in cho- our first Equity artist in over five years) ral music. We aim to advo- 8th) will be here for summer 2019. We also playing over 60 roles! By weaving together cate for choral music by have shows geared more towards an adult interviews, journal entries, and published Baltimore putting on the most dy- audience like The Bodyguard (September news reports chronicling the local and na- namic concerts you’ll 13th to November 3rd, 2019), based on the ever witness! t film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Fall For more info, vis- Costner. Add A Christmas Story (November it Baltimorechoralarts. 8th, 2019 to January 5th, 2020) to the mix OUTloud org. and this is a must-see season at Toby’s. We will also celebrate the premiere of a show still playing on Broadway, Kinky Boots (Jan- Theatre uary 10th, 2020 to March 22nd, 2020).” 2018 Minnick added, “We have an amazing Toby’s talent pool here in the area and we know ! that no matter what production we do, our Dinner actors will create an amazing experience Special each show. We always try to provide a lit- Theatre’s tle something for everyone’s tastes, from classics to today’s top titles. We would Star-Studded love to do many shows currently playing on Broadway or touring the country but as 2019 Season many people may or may not know, the for rehearsals rights are not always available. We first than concerts because I investigate what is available to produce, know that there is hard work, By Frankie Kujawa then make sure we provide options we and important work, that needs to Toby’s Dinner Theatre continues to thrive feel our large subscriber base would enjoy be done there. in Columbia, Maryland, as it’s bombshell but may also attract new audiences to our 2018 season charges full-steam ahead theatre. Last season’s 13-week, sold out “The rehearsal process is into the new year! Associate Producer run of Mamma Mia is a great example. It tional response to the murder of Matthew Mark Minnick recently chatted with Balti- was so popular that we are bringing it back Shepard, The Laramie Project began our pivotal – it’s where all the more OUTloud. again this coming 2019.” t exploration by examining who we are as a “Our 2019 season is incredibly diverse, For more info, it’s Tobysdinnertheatre.com. community and as a nation – the depths to magic occurs. All conductors offering something for everyone to our loyal which humanity can sink and the heights of are fans of process. If Toby’s audience members and great titles compassion of which we are capable. We that people who’ve never attended a show were honored to welcome the creators of not, it tends to show in at our theatre can come to see what we The Iron Crow the Laramie Project themselves, the Tec- have to offer. We have great family shows The Iron Crow tonic Theater Project, to Baltimore, and we performance.” like Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Novem- Theatre Season performed a staged reading of The Lara- ber 9th, 2018 to January 13th, 2019), Theatre Season mie Project: 10 Years Later, raising over What makes Baltimore Choral Arts Gypsy (January 17th to March 17th), and $500.00 for the Matthew Shepard Foun- such a special and unique experience Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame By Frankie Kujawa dation. We also launched a new free ed- for audiences? (March 21st to May 19th). The smash hit The Iron Crow Theatre, Baltimore’s ucational program for the artist community Classical music has never been more musicals Grease (May 22nd to July 28th) award-winning queer theatre, recently titled “CrowLabs: Masterclass.” Our debut relevant. It gives peace, stimulation, inspi- and Mamma Mia (August 1st to September launched its upcoming 2018-2019 “Sea- —continued on page 18

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 17 Lively Arts // QMusic

$4,000 since 2016. After Rocky, straight Even More Solos and Sides from Lincoln Center Theatre in NYC and from the critically-acclaimed playwright By Gregg Shapiro of blue-eyed soul that Weller has been per- derground band the Three O’Clock) only re- Bathsheba Doran, comes The Mystery of If you had the misfortune of suffering through fecting for years. “Gravity” might be the most leased a pair of full-length albums in the early Love and Sex. This new play heralded by Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, you might gorgeous song in Weller’s canon. The polit- 1990s, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t the New York Times as, “Perfectly wonder- not think it would be possible for anything ical “Books” makes a strong statement, deserving of a retrospective ful! Among the season’s finest plays.” An good to come from such a debacle. But complete with such as Hallucinations (Omni- unexpected love story about where souls you’d be wrong. Cher, who played Sophie’s sitar, and Weller vore). It’s easy to hear how they meet and the consequences of growing up, grandmother Ruby, and performed the song pays powerful might have been overlooked the this compelling and spirited narrative of in- “Fernando” as a duet with Andy Garcia, may tribute to a leg- first time around as they bear tricate relationships is an entertaining and be the only one who survived the wreck as a end on “Bowie.” no resemblance to the grun- explosive look at race, sexual identity, and winner. For her new album Dancing Queen The medita- ge fest that was taking place family dynamics. And finally, we complete (Warner Brothers), her first studio recording tive “May Love when they first arrived on the our season with A New Brain, from the Tony in five years, Cher reinterprets ten ABBA Travel with You” scene. Fortunately, with this Award-winning authors of Falsettos, Wil- songs with mostly delightful results. Not a could only be 16-track set that pulls from its liam Finn and James Lapine, with vocal ar- particularly original concept (Erasure beat written and sung eponymous debut, as well as rangements by Tony Award-winning Jason sure Cher to it by 26 years with its ABBA-es- by someone who the follow-up Against Nature, Robert Brown. An energetic, sardonic, and que EP), Dancing Queen still has plenty to has lived and ex- we have another opportunity often hilarious musical about unforeseen recommend. Cher’s versions of the title track, perienced life to to get acquainted with PGL life events, A New Brain reminds us of the “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” “SOS,” and “Fer- the fullest. The via standout numbers such as necessity of constantly taking stock in who nando” are reverential and faithful to the orig- oversized deluxe “We Could Just Die,” “(You & we are, what we’re made of, and who we inals. Some of the renditions, including “The edition package I are the) Summertime,” hope to be. Winner Takes it All” and “Waterloo,” have includes five bo- Past blast – Cher “Wintertime’s A-Comin’, What goes into planning for a season enough variation that it can be said that Cher nus tracks – two instrumental version reimagines ABBA Martha Raye,” “The Truth that’s so ambitious? succeeds in making the songs her own. and three remixes. this Time,” and the acous- It’s always been important to me that When John Lennon first sang the words Produced by Nick Lowe, Howlin’ tic “Marianne Gave Up our work at Iron Crow Theatre explores the “Imagine there’s no countries / It isn’t hard to Wind, the first album by Graham Park- Her Hand.” human condition through the lens of queer do / Nothing to kill or die for / And no religion, er and the Rumour, preceded Paul Weller Finally, Ian Svenonius is a man of many experiences. As I think about planning a too,” he probably couldn’t have foreseen the and The Jam’s first album by almost a year. projects, from Nation of Ulysses and the season, I want to take our audiences on state of the world almost 50 years later. Len- A few years later Parker would embark on a Make-Up to Chain and the Gang. His solo a year-long journey that really examines a non’s words, so meaningful when people first solo career that yielded a masterpiece such project, Escape-ism, which owes a consid- question, a hypothesis, a notion, or a point heard them have gained significance over the as Squeezing Out Sparks, as well as The Up erable debt to minimalist synth icons Suicide in our communal and ongoing evolution, years, from the time of his senseless murder Escalator, Another Gray Area and The Real (Alan Vega and Martin Rev) has yielded a and to do this from multiple angles and per- in 1980 to the present day. Available in a va- Macaw, among others. Beginning in the early second full-length album The Lost Record spectives. So, we begin with a question, riety of formats, including the ultimate edition 21st century, Parker fully embraced the coun- (Merge). If you’re looking for something that and a season theme emerges from there. of Imagine (Geffen / UMe), consisting of two try aspect of his trademark pub-rock sound, takes a few spins to fully reveal itself, this is For example, the upcoming “Season of be- blu-rays and four compact discs, listeners recording a few albums for insurgent coun- the one for you. t coming” came from having just explored our are reminded anew of the timelessness and try label Bloodshot. On his new, 24th studio Cher performs April 20th at Wells Fargo previous season, the “Season of identity.” seriousness of Lennon’s sixth post-Beatles album Cloud Symbols (100%), Parker bal- Center in Philadelphia. Once we begin to figure out who we are, album. In other words, there’s more Imag- ances his various influences, as you can hear how can we become who we were meant ine here than you ever imagined. There are on “What Happens When Beauty Fades?,” to be? What is that process of evolving, ultimate and raw studio mixes of the album, “Love Comes,” “Girl In Need,” “Is the Sun Out changing and becoming? outtakes, extended album versions, ultimate Anywhere,” and “Ancient Past.” What makes Iron Crow Theatre such mixes, quadrophonic mixes, and “elements Ostensibly the soundtrack to soundtrack The Iron Crow a special and unique experience for au- mixes from master multitracks.” The album to the Joan Jett doc of the same name, diences? itself features some of Lennon’s most unfor- Bad Reputation (Legacy / Blackheart) also Theatre Season We really strive to provide a platform gettable and timeless songs, including the ti- serves as an updated and expanded compi- —continued from page 17 for queer artists and their stories, all while tle cut, “Gimme Some Truth,” “Jealous Guy,” lation of the various phases of Jett’s lengthy producing affecting work that is greater and “Oh My Love” and the musical McCartney and legendary career. The album includes masterclass featured the Tectonic The- larger than ourselves. We offer high quality, massacre “How Do You Sleep?” songs by The Runaways (“Cherry Bomb” and ater Project’s co-founder, Tony and Emmy award-winning productions at a rate audi- At this point in time, Paul Weller has “Wasted”) and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts award-nominated Mr. Jeffrey LaHoste. ences continually call “a steal,” and we fea- been a solo artist (25-plus years) longer than (“Do You Wanna Touch Me,” “I Hate Myself Next up for us is our annual produc- ture plays that are often underperformed (or he was with his bands The Jam (seven or so For Loving You” and covers of “Crimson and tion of Richard O’Brien’s outrageous sci-fi not yet performed at all) on the main stages years) or The Style Council (five years, give Clover,” “Rebel Rebel,” and “I Wanna Be Your rock-and-roll cult classic, The Rocky Hor- of larger theatres. Our casts are consistent- or take). Over the course of his solo career Dog”). Additionally, there are songs by Bikini ror Show. But this year, we’re going holi- ly some of the most diverse and talented on Weller has released some true masterworks, Kill and Feminazi, and the previously unre- day! Rocky 2018 will be a winter holiday the Baltimore stage. It’s an active goal for including his first two in the early `90s and a leased track, a cover of The Replacements’ mashup like you’ve never seen before, hit- us to become Baltimore’s next Equity the- more recent effort such as 2015’s Saturn’s “Androgynous” performed by Jett, Laura ting the stage this December at Baltimore atre. As a queer theatre, we’re committed to Pattern. Weller’s newest, True Meanings Jane Grace, and Miley Cyrus. Theatre Project. As always, our production celebrating the renegade and the unortho- (Parlophone) definitely ranks among his best. Permanent Green Light (led by queer of The Rocky Horror Show is an annual dox in all of us – and doing the hard work of Aptly-named opener “The Soul Searchers” singer / songwriter / bassist Michael Quer- fundraiser benefiting Baltimore’s Move- exploring that – whatever it may be for the and “Mayfly” are good examples of the brand cio, following the break-up of Paisley Un- able Feast, for which we have raised over times we are in. t 18 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com Lively Arts // screen savor BSO: ‘I Love a Piano’: A Night with Tony DeSare 2018 19 SEASON By Brynn Devereaux thrill to be able to share the stage with a For award-winning composer, Tony De- world class orchestra like the BSO,” says Sare, partnering with the Baltimore Sym- DeSare. “When you think about the com- phony Orchestra (BSO) for his upcoming bined hours of practice and experience concert “I Love a Piano” is a walk down everyone on that stage has put memory lane. “The show is made up into mastering their re- of the songs, artists, and styles spective instruments, that I loved when I was ten it is a privilege to be years old and just begin- able to make music ning to learn the piano,” with them. The says DeSare. “It was art- night will fea- ists like Billy Joel, Elton ture a variety John, and Ray Charles of styles and that kept me motivated textures, from to keep practicing and a little classi- playing until I could cal music right play the song like they through to rock did.” and roll, with Fans of DeSare and some pieces the BSO will enjoy an heavily featuring evening of music honoring the orchestra and pop music’s greatest pianists. a few with just me at FEATURING From Gershwin to John Lennon the piano. The common BSO PULSE and Billy Joel to DeSare’s original denominator is a music, piano lovers everywhere will find Tony DeSare at his focus and love of something to make them sing. “In assem- favorite perch the piano, which credit: Vincent Soyez bling, arranging, and preparing the music is beloved by so for ‘I Love a Piano,’ I felt like a kid again many people and working on and practicing all of this music. the foundation on which so much classical It really does feel like a full circle moment and pop music was built.” for me to perform this show,” says DeSare. DeSare was named a “Rising star male & MEMBERS OF THE “I love to make sure the audience has as vocalist” in Downbeat magazine and has BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA much fun as I do, and this show is for ev- three Billboard Top Ten jazz albums. He has been featured on the “Today Show,” THU, OCT 25, 8:30 PM “It was artists like NPR, “A Prairie Home Companion,” and CBS’s “Early Show,” and has written Billy Joel, Elton John, soundtracks for Hallmark Channel’s “Love BSO Pulse is back for the fourth season — bringing together the worlds of Always” and Lifetime’s “Nanny Nightmare.” classical music and indie artists onto one stage! and Ray Charles that In addition to catching him on tour, fans kept me motivated to of DeSare can keep up with him online. “I D.C. native Kelela embodies contemporary R&B, blending jazz influences continue to perform a lot on the road and and progressive electronic music to create an entirely new sound. With keep practicing and make new music videos for my Youtube collaborations that include Solange and The Gorillaz under her belt and playing until I could channel when I have time,” says DeSare. praise from The New York Times and Pitchfork (Best New Music), Kelela “I’ve done a few collaborations with the is an artist you will not want to miss. play the song like they Youtube superstar group, Postmodern Jukebox, and am working on a piano ori- did.” ented video with them what will hopefully Join us in the lobby at 6 pm for live music by DDM, happy hour drink be released soon.” specials and food from our favorite Baltimore spots. ery generation that ever was fascinated or “Tony DeSare: I Love a Piano” will per- charmed by the sound of the piano. I en- form at the Music Center at Strathmore on courage parents to bring their kids to this Thursday, October 11th at 8 pm; at the Jo- show too as it may just kick off or intensify seph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on Friday, MADE POSSIBLE BY THE WALLACE FOUNDATION • MEDIA PARTNERS: WTMD, BALTIMORE MAGAZINE their own journey into this magical instru- October 12th at 8 pm; Saturday, October BEVERAGE SPONSORS: THE BREWER’S ART, NATIONAL BOHEMIAN BEER, BOORDY VINEYARDS ment.” 13th at 8 pm; and Sunday, October 14th at Under the direction of Jack Everly, 3 pm. Ticket information can be found at JOSEPH MEYERHOFF SYMPHONY HALL principal pops conductor, DeSare will be BSOmusic.org or by calling the box office TICKETS FROM $25 AT BSOMUSIC.ORG/PULSE • 410.783.8000 joining the BSO for a fourth time on Oc- at 410-783-8000. t tober 11th to 14th. “It’s a special kind of BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 19 Lively Arts // out on SCREEN

A Love Story Worth Telling Again don’t see Lady Gaga, you see Ally. Wheth- er Gaga’s performance came naturally or if by Chuck Duncan sounding yes. here for the uninitiated. it was coaxed along by Cooper’s acting and They say there are only a handful of original If you’re unfamiliar with the basics of the I’ve never seen the original film, but I directing, I don’t know but it doesn’t matter stories in Hollywood, which may explain the story, Bradley Cooper plays Jackson Maine have seen the two previous remakes and because she’s superb. It seems almost un- trend for remakes, reboots, and revivals. And (Norman in the first two movies, and John the Garland version stands the test of time. fathomable to think of Beyoncé in that role, now we have the third remake of the classic Norman Howard in the third), a popular coun- The new version, however, may rival that which almost happened (with Leo DiCaprio, love story A Star is Born, first made in 1937 try-rockabilly singer struggling not only with one as it is quickly becoming a modern Christian Bale, and Tom Cruise all in line for as a non-musical with some acute hearing loss, but drugs and al- classic. Plain and simple. A Star is Born the role that eventually went to Cooper). Janet Gaynor and cohol as well. One night after a concert, he is a tale as old as Hollywood itself, but in And speaking of coaxing great perfor- Frederic March. That A Star is stumbles into a bar (a forward-thinking drag Bradley Cooper’s directorial hands (and he mances out of people, there are some folks in film was remade in Born gets a bar in this case) and witnesses a perfor- co-wrote the screenplay) it becomes a new the cast you may not think of as either actors Hollywood’s musical mance of “La Vie en Rose” by Ally (Gaga), a and vibrant story. What makes or dramatic actors. At the bar, two of the fea- heyday in 1954 with remake and real girl with an amazing voice. Immediately this version so essential is that tured drag queens are Judy Garland and smitten with her, Jackson insists she attend it feels like you’re watching “RuPaul’s James Mason and is is better than his next concert after hearing a bit of one of real people. As my screening Drag a beloved classic. An- her own songs. She refuses because she companion with limited sight Race” stars other musical version ever has a job, but one harsh word from her boss said after the movie, it sound- Shangela came around in 1976 sends her back out the door and onto a pri- ed like real people having and Willam, with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, vate plane, arriving just as the concert was real conversations, not ac- and they became the third highest-grossing film of the starting. And she does get pulled on stage, tors reciting lines of dialog. both give re- year, and introduced the world to the eventu- and she fries everyone’s brains with her tal- And she was right. Cooper ally nice per- al Oscar winning tune “Evergreen.” The mov- ent. She and Jackson marry, quickly, but and Gaga are so good to- formances. ie is fine, but it’s curiously more dated (as are she begins to eclipse him and all of his old gether, that you can’t help Willam is the most movies from the 1970s) than the 1950s demons and insecurities come out of hiding, falling in love with them as campier of the version. So with three versions of the story putting a strain on their lives. But can they, quickly as the characters two, but they under Hollywood’s belt, is there any reason or really he, overcome Ally’s growing fame? fall in love on screen. From are both terrific for another one? If you’ve seen any of the other versions, you the minute he sees her sing in the bar, Latest greatest? and Shange- In this case, the answer would be a re- know the answer but we won’t spoil anything you are rooting for them to be togeth- The best Star is la really served up some er. Born of all? real reactions to what was Cooper is terrific as Jackson, totally going on around her without inhabiting the role, deepening his voice a bit any dialog. Comedian Eddie Griffin pops up A MUST SEE SEASON! and belting out songs like nobody’s business. in a very small role, but two people you may Jackson is not a character that’s easy to love not expect to be good at drama, Andrew Dice as he jumps on and falls off the wagon time Clay and Dave Chappelle, also give some re- and again, but when he’s sober you really markable performances. To be surprised by hope it sticks. When Ally’s star begins to rise, them is a testament both to their talents and Cooper’s reaction is very subtle but you can Cooper’s skill as a director. Some actors are Let Me Entertain You! still sense Jackson’s envy because he knows noticeably better with a good director and this with his hearing issues, his clock is winding proves Cooper has what it takes to continue ® down. on this path. And we can’t forget Sam Elliott Lady Gaga is simply ... wow. She was as Jackson’s road manager, futilely attempt- terrific on American Horror Story: Hotel once ing to get his boss to tend to his health is- she had a couple of episodes under her belt, sues. He is pretty much that gruff Sam Elliott and there she was able to play up her Lady we all know but he softens a bit as more of his Gaga image, but she sets the screen on character’s story is revealed. fire with her feature film debut because she The music in A Star is Born is excel- doesn’t have that persona we all know to fall lent, even Ally’s somewhat cheesy pop hit is back on. Here she is raw, vulnerable, inse- catchy (something about “That ass in those cure, and if you’ve ever seen old videos of jeans”). Gaga insisted they both sing live and her early days singing in bars, Ally is more you can definitely tell you’re hearing the real Stephanie Germanotta than Lady Gaga. But thing and not something over-produced af- she’s pure and innocent as well, but not naive ter the fact that they’re lip syncing to. And if enough to think this encounter with Jackson you have the option to see A Star is Born in wasn’t more than a one-night thing. Until he a Dolby Theater, take that option just for the relentlessly pursues her and she finally gives concert scenes alone that make you feel like in, but cautiously. And when she sings, her you’re right in the middle of the action. Order On-Line at voice will make your heart swell. In the 1954 With a heartfelt script, great music, sol- TobysDinnerTheatre.com version, Judy Garland gives a masterful per- id direction, and two amazing performances formance but you see Judy Garland. Strei- surrounded by a cast of real pros, this new 410-730-8311 sand is Streisand in the 1976 version, and addition to the catalog of A Star is Born re- it’s hard to accept her as the insecure woman makes will go down as one for the ages. t 5900 Symphony Woods Road • Columbia, MD 21044 • Due to the nature of theatrical bookings, all shows and dates are subject to change. her character is supposed to be. Here you

20 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com out in the valley

Parenting OUTloud Rev. Kelly Crenshaw

Whatta we never touched the sand. One of my adult daughters called bein work, spouse, and general getting through Week cause she is having a hard time with her the day issues, and it can be exhausting. boyfriend being in jail, again. She and I had I’ll be fine in a day or two. And, if you’re I’m having one of those weeks where I can’t to have a long conversation about how she going through the same type of thing, you will seem to get anything done because a mil- needs to learn to provide for herself and not be fine, too. Try to find something that can lion emergencies get in the way. Of course, depend on someone who goes to jail for take you away from your life emergencies for they’re not real emergencies to most people. months at a time. just a little bit. Believe me. It helps. t and some bisexual. Kelly founded a K-12 They’re emergencies in the eyes of one or Another wanted to know if I’d yelled at Rev. Kelly Crenshaw is the mom of 16 day school where kids could have a safe, two people only. And, it’s wearing me out. I’m her adult stepdaughter who has been pick- adopted kids, two biological kids, guardian bully-free environment for learning. She is exhausted – both mentally and physically. ing family fights on Facebook. Unfortunately, of one baby girl and foster mom of dozens. co-owner of a counselling agency that works For example, my dad owns a condo in my daughter has been guilty of exactly the Some are lesbian, some gay, some straight, with children and their families. Ocean City. This weekend was the fall con- same thing. do meeting. He isn’t comfort- Today, one of my sons able going on his own and called to yell at me. He has I’m on the board of directors severe mental illness and for the condo association. has been in a psychiat- So, my dad, my son Alex, ric hospital for over a year. and I went to the beach. When his life isn’t going the Sounds like a great time, way he wants, he takes it out right? It should have been on me. It’s a standard tactic an enjoyable long weekend for folks with his diagnoses. at the beach. But, my dad is It’s not surprising, but it takes dealing with the early stag- time and energy to deal with es of dementia, so it can be him. That was followed by a challenging taking trips with 45 minute conversation with him. In addition, he is hard his treatment team and, al- of hearing, has cheap hear- though they are super sup- ing aids, and always forgets portive, it still takes time and his batteries. Putting ‘Whatta energy and effort. The entire trip to the week’ in proper And, earlier today, I had perspective shore was awkward. He couldn’t hear to wrestle a screaming pre- us and then he’d make weird com- schooler from my arms as I ments. He asked several times about the dropped her at her school. She loves her date for Halloween. He couldn’t hear my re- school and has a great time when she’s sponse and kept asking if it was the 21st. I there. But, like many preschoolers, she has finally showed three fingers, quickly followed a hard time separating from us. My adult by one finger and I said, “31st.”T hen, he got kids refuse to take her to school now beit, it’s the 23rd. He was happy with that an- cause of the emotions. So, I have to take swer. My son just grinned. her and then rush off to work. At least it’s My workload dramatically increased in only twice a week. less than 24 hours, so as I drove to the beach, And right now, as I’m writing this article, I knew that I would have work to do while I’m getting texts from home. I forgot to leave there. Three new projects required schedul- the key to our jeep. The adult kids use that ing and planning. Two of the deadlines are car to pick up the preschooler. And, I have looming next week. Dad doesn’t understand it. They have to use a different car. So, I’m when I have to take work calls, so he thinks hearing grief about that. I’m trying to talk to him. Then, because he’s And today, I’m tired. I don’t feel particu- 240-420-2180 bored, he wants to go back home as soon larly well and I want to take a nap. But, I’m a as we arrive. So, rather than staying for the mom of 19 kids, many with mental health is- long weekend, we came home shortly after sues, and the daughter of an old man who is the meeting. The weather was amazing, but struggling to accept a new reality in life. Add

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 21 out in the valley

One of the main problems facing the Hagerstown Hopes: Join original production was that the score lacked a consistent tone. The songs for By Brian George Hose Brian’s the high school kids are pure 80s pop, Get out your calendars because Hager- Us in October! whereas the songs for Carrie and Marga- stown Hopes is serving events all month Brain ret are more akin to a Gothic thriller. (After long in October! accessible from Wayside Avenue. Use 117 Brian George Hose all, Margaret has an unhealthy preoccupa- Do you have concerns about the Wayside Avenue for a reference point to tion with blood, fire, and sin). Composer LGBTQ community in Maryland? If so, join the parking lot entrance on Google maps. Michael Gore and lyricist Dean Pitchford, us Tuesday, October 16th for our FreeS- We will also be supporting New Light who collaborated on the movie Fame, re- tate Justice LGBTQ Issues and Advocacy Metropolitan Community Church, which The Cult of worked their original score and presented Meeting. FreeState Justice, a Maryland will be having their annual “Trunk or Treat” a more cohesive Carrie off-Broadway in LGBTQ legal advocacy organization, will event on Wednesday, October 31st from Carrie: The 2012. Recently departed Broadway star be joining us to discuss issues that are im- 6 to 8 pm. We’ll be set up in the Church Marin Mazzie gave us a nuanced and chill- portant to us and our community. As a le- Street City Parking Lot right beside the Musical ing portrayal of Margaret. Her renditions gal advocacy organization, FreeState Jus- church (across from the Farmers Market of “And Eve was Weak” and “I Remember tice is dedicated to making sure that the parking lot). Carrie White can never catch a break. How those Boys Could Dance” are espe- LGBTQ community in Maryland receives If you like drag and Bingo, join us No- Ever since she first appeared in Stephen cially noteworthy. fair treatmen in society and the law. Your vember 4th from noon to 5 pm at Breakaway King’s 1974 novel Carrie, the awkward, Despite (or because of) its infamous input will inform FreeState’s agenda in the II Sports Lounge Warehouse Venue (13726 lonely, abused teenage heroine has been failure, Carrie: The Musical has devel- coming years, and we want to hear how Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown). For misunderstood. There have been two film oped a cult following because its themes we can support you in our own community! Otis Sake Rescue Groups and Hagerstown adaptations of King’s novel, each offering are timeless and universal. Adolescence is The FreeState Justice LGBTQ Issues Hopes bring you a Drag Bingo you do not a different perspective on the characters difficult and all teenagers clash with their and Advocacy Meeting will be held from want to miss – The Golden Girls! Bring and events culminating in the most iconic parents from time to time. In general, Car- 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Hagerstown Hopes your friends, bring your cash, and bring and memorable prom scene in cinema his- rie is all of us, fighting against the odds to Hub (22 North Mul- your laughter for tory. But what many film fans don’t know is become her own person. But more specif- berry Street, suite an afternoon of fun that Carrie has also been adapted into a ically, Carrie is every young woman trying 016, on the bottom and shenanigans. musical with a legacy of its own. to love herself in a culture steeped in toxic floor). A link to reg- Featuring: Steph- Like Carrie herself, Carrie: masculinity. ister for the meeting anie Michaels, The Musical was per- Stephen King has is available on our ChiChi Ray Colby, haps doomed from the said “Carrie is largely Facebook page. Araya Sparxx, Ch- start. The 1988 produc- about how women find If you’ve been asity Vain, Nicole tion is one of the big- their own channels of looking for a reason James, and Ashley gest and most expen- power, and what men to go out, look no Bannks! sive flops in Broadway fear about women and further. The Lodge Tickets are $35 history, closing after women’s sexuality.” will be hosting us per person in ad- only five performances This is where the big- for a Night Out to vance, $45 day of and countless rewrites gest misunderstand- Dance on Saturday, the event. Each during its previews. Bar- ing comes in. Many October 20th. The ticket provides the bara Cook, the original people consider Lodge is a 21-and- guest with a seat Margaret White (Carrie’s Carrie to be a story over nightclub, so to the most enter- abusive and domineering about revenge be- be sure to bring your taining bingo event religious fanatic mother) cause she uses her ID. We will have a of the year, bingo put in her resignation af- new-found powers of resource table set games, and lunch! ter nearly being decapitat- telekinesis against up, so come see You must be 21 ed by an elaborate moving set those who have tortured her for years, but what we’re up to and or older to attend piece during the show’s first performance. that’s just the patriarchy talking. say hello! and a cash bar is Problems with the script and staging, In reality, Carrie is defending herself. Join Hagerstown available. There will along with some bizarre directorial deci- She refuses to be a victim in an unjust Hopes as we sup- also be tip jars, raf- sions, sealed the show’s fate. Betty Buck- world. King himself compared Carrie to port Veritas UCC in their fifth annual “Trunk fles, and a 50/50 as well as special bingo ley replaced Cook as Margaret for the brief Samson, saying that she metaphorical- or Treat Fall Fest,” a free community event games! Broadway run and stole the show with her ly brings down the temple on a corrupt, on October 26th from 6 to 8:30 pm. “Trunk- Doors open at 11 am and all proceeds performance, specifically the thrilling “And misogynistic society. It isn’t until she dis- ers” (the people giving candy out from their benefit Hagerstown Hopes and For Otis Eve was Weak” in which Margaret beats covers her power that Carrie realizes that trunks) are local community organization Sake Rescue Groups. For Otis Sake is a and condemns Carrie, believing Car- things can (and must) be different. representatives ready to share information local foster-only organization that rescues, rie’s first period to be evidence that she In light of Kavanaugh and the gar- about their organization should you have rehabs, and rehomes at-risk dogs. Learn has strayed from God. The song ends bage fire he represents, let’s remember any questions. There will be music, best more about them and the great work they with Margaret belting a prayer for God to Carrie. Let’s remember how a single mo- trunker contest for you to vote on, free hot do at Forotissake.org “cleanse and purify her with the Fire, and ment can irreparably change lives forever. chocolate, and more. Stay up to date with our work by liking the Power, and the Glory,” because she Let’s remember to question authority. And The event is located in the parking lot and following us on Facebook or check out believes a woman’s body is inherently sin- most importantly, let’s remember that we of Associated Builders and Contractors our website (Hagerstownhopesmd.org) for ful and must be punished in order for her all have power we can use to change the – Barr Construction Institute (530 North our full calendar of events. We hope to see soul to be saved. Yikes. world for the better. t Locust Street, Hagerstown). Parking lot is you in October! t

22 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com quality of life TheThe one cringes at the thought of showing up in Getting the tights? Rule #1: If you’re not both fully committed Wedding to having a theme wedding, don’t do it. DrinkerDrinkeryy Here’s my ultimate go / no-go litmus test: You Want Imagine looking back through your wedding TheThe LittleLittle CoCorrnerner BarBar withwith aa GreatGreat BigBig HeHeartart!! David Egan album 25 or 30 years from now. Close your eyes and see those photographs in your 205205 WestWest ReadRead StreetStreet “Corner“Corner ofof ReadRead andand Park”Park” mind. Do they make you smile, or even (in a To or Not good way) laugh out loud? Or do you say to Theme each other, “what were we thinking?” 410-225-3100410-225-3100 •• ATMATM AvailableAvailable If you’ve made it this far and are ready to Theme? to go for house colors and Butterbeer, then more power to you! Make it happen! Renaissance, anime, costume, Halloween, Do you want to create a total environ- goth, Gatsby, period, geek, and a full-on Har- mental experience, or would “theme-light” ry Potter wedding, with Dumbledore acting as be enough? Maybe using subtle references the officiant! All have happened – or in the rather than in-their-face displays would suit case of the Harry Potter wedding, are about you best. Decor touches can do a lot without to happen – at Chase Court, the wedding being overwhelming. The colors of your table venue I own and run. linens or the look of your centerpieces can Theme weddings are always memorable, gently convey meaning, especially to those and always lots of fun! In fact, the common guests who share your thematic interests. thread running through every theme wedding A caveat: full-on theme wedding decor that I’ve experienced is “fun.” So, one way to and accoutrements can be surprisingly ex- have fun is to have a theme wedding. But is pensive. Take a good look at costs before it right for you? you commit. Couples are attracted to each other by How would you like your guests – and sometimes despite – the to participate? Would things that we like you like them in cos- and love. We develop tume or a certain shared likes and loves style of dress? How when we spend time to- will you make that gether. Our relationships happen? Be explic- are built upon those it about what you shared experiences. want in the wording These are the things that of your invitations. 1111 a.m.a.m. toto 99 p.m.p.m. people talk about in wed- Pro tip: It’s hard to ding planning when they get guests to com- want to “express who we mit to dressing up if BESTBEST PRICESPRICES ININ TOWNTOWN are as a couple.” you say, “costume Sometimes those optional.” People things are a little quirky. don’t want to be When we chose to mar- embarrassed or ry, we have the opportunity stand out. If they to create a wedding cere- know everyone else mony and reception where w e is coming in costume, they are more likely can share our most authentic selves with the to do it, too. people we love and who love us. Who you Your wedding is your wedding. How it are as a couple, what you believe about mar- looks, feels, sounds, and tastes is entirely riage, how you will honor the family members up to you. What matters is that you create a and friends whom you will invite to share this wedding with meaning for you, one that hon- BACK BAR OPEN experience, and how you will all celebrate it ors and supports your new marriage. Wheth- BACK BAR OPEN together are things to think about when you er that involves wands and robes or special contemplate the look and feel of your wed- colors or fancy lighting or swords and cor- ding. sets, I say “huzzah!” to you, and “mischief FRIDAYFRIDAY && SATURDAYSATURDAY Sometimes, to the delight or dismay of managed!” our family and friends, we go a little crazy! Next time: Cheap decorating tips. t But before you do, consider these ques- David L. Egan is the proprietor and stew- UntilUntil 1:301:30 a.m.a.m. tions: ard of Chase Court, a wedding and event Are you both in agreement? Is this a venue in downtown Baltimore. Visit Cha- shared dream, or does one of you want a full- secourt.com, and follow ChaseCourtWed- with Karaoke on Princess Bride wedding while the other dingVenue on Instagram and Facebook. with Karaoke

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 23 dining out NEW GROWTH ON TH in Baltimore, but Prost German Restaurant satisfies the experience no matter what WEST 40 STREET. time of year. Start with a sample of apps Munch such as the Fliegende Schweinchen (huge, On This tender pork wings), Frittierter Camembert with Lingon- Michael Ritmiller berry Sauce (a classier and slightly tangy Prost German Restaurant fried mozzarel- 1195 Jacob Tome Memorial Highway la) and Brezen Port Deposit, Maryland Baum (pretzel 443-731-1889 tree). Wash all Prostinn.com of it down with Roland Park Place – Baltimore City’s only certiﬁ ed Continuing one of a few dozen beers from the Father- Care Retirement Community – will soon be transformed, As the cooler weather ushers in a change land in a cold mug the size of a football. adding 8 new stories and 58 spacious new residences, of colors on the trees, the sadness of sum- If you still have room in your lederho- mer’s end is tempered with savory flavors sen, splurge on the Schnitzel (fried pork to create the perfect setting for your Baltimore story. and cold Octoberfest brew. The German chop), Schweinshaxen (pork shank), and scene may have gone kaput Sauerbraten (sour beef) over home- made dumplings in a sweet gravy. If feeling more traditional, try the READY FOR MOVEIN 443.338.6212 assortment of plump, juicy wieners. We tried the Ein Paar Wiener, two FALL 2020 RolandParkPlace.org foot long pork and beef wieners on a bed of cidery sauerkraut and probably the best potato salad you’ll ever Pending final approval from Maryland Department of Aging have (bacon grease is the secret). Having finished two liters of beer at this point, we were amused that the platter resembled Angela Merkel’s snootch. And what a deliciously beautiful snootch it was! No matter what you choose, Certified Public Accountants you and your gang are sure to have some amazing, savory food typically only found in a Bavarian Bier Haus. The pork and beef dishes are perfectly prepared in, or accompa- nied by, a variety of sauces that will make you want to or-

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24 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com DINING OUT

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BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 25 Quality of life // your money

period of time that exceeds your personal counts are accounts where you can take Employee Benefit Options leave. The plan often starts to pay some pre-tax dollars from your pay and your percentage (likely 60% or so) of your sal- employer puts them into a holding bucket. By Woody Derricks insurance company provides coverage at ary for 90 to 180 days. Because your em- When you encounter a medical expense It’s getting to be that time of year. If you a blanket cost based on age, not health. ployer is paying for this coverage, it will be that is not covered by your insurance com- haven’t already, you should soon receive Due to this, the insurance may come at a taxed to you as ordinary income. pany, you can submit a claim to your em- your 2019 employee benefit options from cost that is higher for healthy individuals Your employer may ployer and they will issue you a your employer. These options typically in- and cheaper for smokers or people check. clude selecting a health insurance plan, with health issues. You may also The FSA should reimburse dental, and vision coverage. Your employ- find that your premium goes up in you for dental expenses, vision er may also provide for things such as life bands (meaning that it increases as expenses, insurance deductibles insurance, disability insurance, and/or a you reach ages such as 35, 40, 45, and co-pays, as well as purchas- flexible spending account (FSA). Because 50, etc.). es for over-the-counter medica- you have to wait a full year before you can Having some sort of life insur- tions. You are only limited in re- change your mind, it’s important to take ance is important for most people. imbursements up to the amount care with your elections. After you determine the correct that you contribute to the FSA Life insurance – Employers often pro- amount of coverage to purchase, for the year. vide some sort of basic insurance cover- you may want to weigh the costs of Just as is the case with age. This could be $50,000 or some multi- purchasing insurance on your own your other benefits, you cannot ple of your salary. They may also provide versus having coverage through change your FSA deduction optional coverage that comes at your ex- your employer. Again, this is be- after you elect it. If you decide pense. cause the coverage may increase in to have $1,200 deducted from Optional group life insurance is usually cost every five years and that it may your pay for the year, your em- some sort of term insurance that provides end after you leave your company’s ployer will take $100 per month a death benefit to your elected beneficiary 401k employment. contribution, from you pay and place that into while you’re employed. This coverage will Disability insurance – Your employer also offer the option of purchasing dental the FSA. Later in the year, if you likely come in amounts that are multiples may also offer disability insurance. If they long-term disability insurance. This coverage, decide that the $100 a month is of your salary. The coverage typically ends do, you may find that they provide a short- would provide coverage after the short- private jet... not enough or is too much, you when you leave your employer or retire. term plan for you. That plan may cover you term period ends though age 65 at a cannot change your mind. Because this is group insurance, the should you become sick or disabled for a rate of somewhere around 60% of your The other drawback to the current pay. You may be provided with the FSA is that if you do not spend your full option to pay for your premium pretax or deduction for the year, you lose it. That after tax. If you elect to pay pretax, you will means if you deducted $1,200 from your get a tax break on the premium payments pay, but only used $500, the other $700 but pay income taxes on any benefits you is lost. Again, make sure that you make receive. If you elect to pay your premiums the proper election because you cannot with after-tax dollars and you are paying change the amount later and could lose a the full amount (not employer subsidized), portion of your savings. you will likely receive benefits free of in- The good news is that the full amount you elect to deduct is available to you “Because you have to starting in January. For example, if you opt to deduct $1,200 for the year and you wait a full year before have a $1,200 or greater medical expense you can change your in February, you should be able to be reim- bursed for the full amount right away. mind, it’s important Contact us to help assess your insurance needs and to help review your op- to take care with your tions. You want to make sure you have the benefit elections.” coverage you need; but you also want to make sure you don’t have too much coverage, that you’re not paying too much come taxes. If you have the choice, con- for it, and that you have the right type of sider if you’d rather get a tax break on the coverage for your situation. We’re happy small premium or the much larger insur- to discuss your options with you and your ance benefit should you become disabled. benefits department. t Disability coverage is important to This column is for informational pur- have-especially if you are single or the pri- poses only, and is not meant as specific ad- mary bread winner in your family. Disability vice to any individual. Partnership Wealth insurance offered through your employer Management offers financial planning and is also often inexpensive. Because of this, wealth management services, with a long I generally recommend that my clients opt history of working with the LGBT commu- for the maximum disability benefit that they nity. Reach them at Partnershipwm.com or can receive through their employer. call 410-732-2633. Flexible Spending Account – FSA ac-

26 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com Quality of life // your money

its partners, processes, employees, etc., The More you and prevents this information from becom- Making Your Real Estate Fantasies Come True... Know About ing public knowledge. This can be shown in what measures are taken to proactively protect a company’s information (strength Business of their IT security strategies) and the con- Richard Finger & Lauren Lynch duction of the daily activities (will a manager discuss a personal employee issue within earshot of inappropriate parties?). The Ethical Protection of Rights relates to a company’s employees. Employee protection has three dimensions. Workplace Renee Batson, REALTOR® • The first is creating a safe working What makes a workplace an ethical work- environment. This means the employer is Mobile: (443)739-8818 place? “Ethics” invokes thoughts of some- proactively taking steps to prevent any ill- Office: (410)647-2222 one knowing and acting on what is right or ness or injury within the work environment @HousedbyRenee #HousedbyRenee fair. This is true even when thinking about as well as the prevention of workplace vi- an organization. The concept of ethics sits olence. Right now, this comes in the form on a basis of common understandings of of wellness programs and zero-tolerance Operated by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC four areas: Transparency, Honesty, Con- workplace violence policies. fidentiality, and Protection of Rights. • The second way is ensuring a fair Transparency deals with the level of work environment. Some examples of this trust in the stakeholder / organization rela- include impartial recruitment practices and tionship. Being transparent means a com- compensation structures that follow local pany is committed to releasing detailed regulations. information about their processes and • The final method is the protection transactions to stakeholders: those indi- of employee privacy. Protecting employ- viduals who have an interest in the com- ee’s personal situations, information, and pany’s performance. A natural progression actions from being viewed by inappropri- of transparent actions and communica- ate parties. It is important to understand tions is that when actions are not able to where the boundaries lie between private be measured there is an inherent trust that and public material. A common example of the company is doing the right thing. this is that it would be unwise to monitor Honesty is something with which ev- private text messages sent / received on eryone is familiar. In business it focuses personal devices but, if the need presents on an obligation to truthfulness and fair- itself, it is reasonable to investigate emails ness. Two items come to mind with think- sent via a company email on a company ing about business honesty. The first is of computer. an organization that is free from conflicts To close, leaders of an ethical compa- of interest. These conflicts stem from those ny need to ensure that their employees’ persons or organizations involved in a de- communication and work meet the set cision or situation that have different inter- ethical standards. Establishing codes of ests in the outcome and/or stand to gain conduct and training plat- more than the other. A common forms are two examples of example of this is when a leader how this is done. Codes gives a business deal to a vendor of conduct are the written who just so happens to be owned commitment to ethical be- or run for someone personally havior and definition of be- close to the leader – say, a friend havioral expectations for or relative. The second thought is all employees. Training of an organization free from brib- platforms serve as guid- ery. We all know what this means; ance tools employees we see this in movies and on TV. Not saintly, can use to learn the com- Someone exchanges something of value just ethical pany’s standards (usually for preferential treatment or greater influ- at orientation) as well as a ence in their favor. A common cinematic reference to judge future example is when organized crime bribes actions. Everything put to- police officers with cash in exchange for gether, this outlines the understanding of the police turning a blind eye. a company’s ethics, the acknowledgment Confidentiality focuses on how an of the defined ethical standards, and the organization treats personal, private, and training for common understanding and protected information. It means an organi- action reference. t zation strives to protect the information of

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 27 leather

no additional contestants and States trick towel, title year really pushed her boundaries and no contestants for the title of Atlantic States ink added that “just because my year is end- Atlantic States LeatherSIR pen, and assorted ing doesn’t mean that my work is done.” 2019. I guess that explains other goodies. Pro- Atlantic States Leatherboy 2018 boy justin why our city is sometimes ducers Mr. eXile charles took the stage absent any leath- Leather called “Bottom-more” or why Leather2011 Sir er and in tennis shoes. He explained that: Line Sir Steve has a sign in our Robert Chandler “Leather is in your heart. It is not what you Rodney Burger front yard that reads: “Last and Mr. Maryland wear.” On a much more serious note he top before tunnel.” Even with Leather 2011 Alex spoke about suicide awareness and noted the shortage of contestants for Lemaire had to do that a situation a week after he returned Atlantic States a regional title that stretches some last-minute from the International Leatherboy Contest from Connecticut to Northern scrambling this in Dallas almost resulted in him not being Virginia and includes the most year when their here. He finished with: “I’m a boy of the heavily populated section of the host venue, the community and not the community’s boy.” Shines US, it was still a very entertain- Baltimore Ea- Atlantic States LeatherSIR 2018 “Frat ing and enjoyable weekend. Al- gle, closed with- Daddy” George Hicks recapped the many though only in its third year, At- out notice. A big highlights of his title year and confessed lantic States Leather Weekend thanks to Grand that after years of feeling unworthy and un- Again has always been a first-class Central owner desirable not only was he able to speak out operation. I’ve always loved Winners at Don Davis for allowing the about his platform of abusive relationships the little details that make something Atlantic States weekend to take over his club. but during his year he also found love. Kristopher Davis – from Washington, DC, special. For example, when you buy a Leather In a break from tradition, Friday evening concluded with a meet- and a member of the DC boys of Leather beer at Oriole Park at Camden Yards the contest was spread over and-greet party upstairs at The Loft at club – was named Atlantic States Leath- the plastic cup reads “Oriole Park at Cam- two days and started on Friday evening Grand Central. erboy 2019, and Ryder Tidwell from Silver den Yards” and has the iconic ballpark’s prior to the meet-and-greet gathering. Af- On Saturday evening everyone re- Spring, Maryland, who has only been boot- logo. I’ve been to other stadiums that don’t ter a very energetic opening number from turned to Grand Central for the second blacking for a year, was named Atlantic bother with those little things. Those with Brie Devine that included three costume half of the contest. There were more fun States Leather Community Bootblack 2019 full tickets to this event were presented changes and multiple songs (including Ri- performances from Brie Devine (who also during Atlantic States Leather Weekend with “run bags” complete with the Atlan- hanna’s “S&M”) and opening remarks from helped emcee) and Miss Free State 2011 held September 28th and 29th at Grand tic States logo. These bags included a the event’s executive producer, Sir Robert Alora Frost. Brie had the audience roaring Central nightclub in Baltimore. There were t-shirt, run pin, program, bracelet, Atlantic Chandler, the nine judges were introduced during one particularly raunchy number. by emcee Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2006 Not only was Brie a riot but watching sign- Bob Johnson. This judging panel was tru- er Susan Weinstein sign some of the lyrics ly supreme and included: Atlantic States was worth the price of admission. Another LeatherSIR 2017 Sir Tom Matt, Atlantic highlight of the evening was the on-stage States Leatherboy 2017 boy trell waters, fantasy part of the contest which had boy International Community Bootblack 2017 kris performing a very hot scene in an office boy john urso, International Community setting with Mr. DC Eagle 2018 Dan Fergu- Bootblack 2015 Briar Wood, Mr. Mid-Atlan- son. I loved it. I know I can sometimes be tic Leather 2018 Ger’ard naive but do peo- Turner, Mid-Atlantic “By way of introduction ple usually keep Leather Woman 2013 Crisco in their Nina Love, Mr. Michigan boy kris started his desk? The au- Leather 2010 Jim Cole- dience was also man, Ms. Philadelphia speech by confessing: given the oppor- Leather 2017 Raquel ‘I’m a cumdump fist tunity to get to Phillips, and Mr. Mary- know bootblack land Leather 2010 Justin pig and I’m living my Ryder better with B. Terry-Smith. a brief onstage Friday’s portion of truth! Are you?’” chat with Bob the contest brought the Johnson. formal leather speeches. By way of in- Mr. Connecticut Leather 2012 Matt troduction boy kris started his speech by Kenney was backstage as the den daddy confessing: “I’m a cumdump fist pig and with help from den boy michael mayer. Tal- I’m living my truth! Are you?” Bootblack ly master was COMMAND, MC member contestant Ryder informed the audience Dennis Ober. The judge’s boy was ONYX that he was a “highly functioning autistic member Derrick Otter Star, and working who wants to serve his community.” Usu- the door both nights were ShipMate mem- ally done at the end of a contest while the ber Karen Taylor and her partner Linda. scores are being tallied, Friday evening After the contest the party continued in also brought the step-down speeches of The Loft. It was great to see members of the 2018 Atlantic States Leather family. our area’s leather clubs and regional title- Atlantic States Leather Community Boot- holders all support Atlantic States Leather. black 2018 Callie Girl spoke about how her When we all work together we shine. t

28 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD October 12, 2018 • baltimoreoutloud.com September 29, 2018 PhotosAtlantic by Eric Randolph States Leather at Grand Central

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CLIENT COMCAST FILE NAME: CMCIN18016M20_9.875x9.6_BaltimoreOUTLoud_v02.indd APPROVAL JOB NUMBER CMCIN18016M20 DESCRIPTION: DIV031-Q4-NED-A10-V1 BILL TO NUMBER CMCIN18016 COLORS: CMYK PROOFREADER GRAPHIC ARTIST Johnny Villalobos NOTES: NONE STUDIO DIRECTOR DATE 9-26-2018 11:55 AM FONTS: XFINITY Standard TT (Italic, Bold Italic, Light, Bold, Regular) TRAFFIC REVISION 2 IMAGES: 41668_GettyImages-852949206_Clutch.jpg (CMYK; 493 ppi; 60.76%), PAGE 1 CMCIN18016_Tablet_v01.psd (CMYK; 975 ppi; 7.38%), Comcast_S_4C_GRAY.eps PRODUCTION PUB Baltimore OUTLoud (9.38%), Pride_2018_CMYK.ai (29.79%) ART DIRECTOR BLEED None COPYWRITER TRIM 9.875” x 9.6” LIVE 9.375” x 9.1” ASSOC CREATIVE DIR SCALE 100% CREATIVE DIRECTOR PRINTOUT 100%

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