AN O INDEPENDENTU VOICE FOR THE TLESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES March 6, 2015 | Volume XII, Issue 22 Mikulski Draws Praise after Retirement By Steve Charing “Senator Mikulski is more than just a sense and will leave behind a proud legacy Senator Barbara Mikulski, 78, the longest legendary senator for the people of Mary- for those who will follow in her footsteps.” serving female in the U.S. Congress an- land; she’s an institution in the United Her strong efforts on behalf of LGBT nounced at a press conference at the Inn States Senate,” said President Obama in a rights have been evident over the years. at Henderson’s Wharf in Fells Point on statement in which he also said she serves “Sen. Mikulski’s work has March 2 that she will not be seeking a sixth as an “inspiration to millions improved virtually ev- term in the Senate. Her term is due to ex- of women and girls across the Her strong efforts ery facet of life for LGBT pire in 2016. globe to stand up and lead.” on behalf of LGBT Americans, whether it’s With Maryland’s other senator at her Vice President Biden who her work on Hate Crimes side, Ben Cardin, Mikulski said, “I had to along with Barack Obama rights have been legislation, her work to ask myself this question: who am I cam- worked in the upper chamber repeal DOMA and fight paigning for? Am I campaigning for me, or alongside Mikulski comment- evident over the for marriage equality, am I campaigning for my constituents? I ed, “There’s a lot of talk about years or her work on ENDA to had to decide how I would spend my time: what the women of America help combat discrimina- fighting for my job, or fighting for their job? owe Barbara Mikulski, but the tion against LGBT Americans in the work- Do I spend my time raising money, or do I truth of the matter is the men of America place,” JoDee Winterhof, Human Rights spend my time raising hell?” owe her even more. Because she freed Campaign’s Vice President of Policy and The feisty legislator, whose stature in men of the stereotypical notions that they Political Affairs, said in a statement. Maryland is far greater than her height, were raised to believe.” “Between her attention to detail in received an abundance of praise from Governor Larry Hogan said, “As the committee and her willingness to push for Sen. Barbara around the country and the state for her longest serving woman in the history of major legislation, Sen. Mikulski has been Mikulski service and leadership. Congress, she is a trailblazer in the truest —continued on page 3 Queer Queens of Qomedy: On Their Way By Steve Charing on March 22 at Magooby’s Joke House, Rivers, and Oprah, as well as popular tune Feimster, Karen Williams, Dana Gold- The Queer Queens of Qomedy, an all- 9603 Deerco Road, Timonium, Maryland. cruises and other shows and clubs. She berg, Bridget McManus, Sandra Valls, Erin lesbian all-star show in its ninth year, is Musical comedian Poppy Champlin has opened for such comics as Ray Ro- Foley, Dana Eagle, Roxanna Ward, Marga heading for the Baltimore area. They will stars and produces the show. She has mano, Denis Leary, Bill Maher, Bill Hicks, Gomez, Lisa Koch, Barb Neligan, and Gina appear in a matinee performance at 5 p.m. been seen on Logo, HBO, Showtime, Joan and Rosie O’Donnell. Yashere. With her upbeat personality and quick The comedy court that will play at Ma- wit Champlin is able to seamlessly transi- gooby’s includes the “Cuban stallion of tion from comically discussing every day comedy” Mimi Gonzalez. A veteran com- issues to improvising with anyone in the ic, Mimi has appeared on Logo on Olivia audience. She is also known for belting out cruises and is a regular in Provincetown, silly and fun song parodies. Massachusetts. Champlin selects the best lesbian com- Also dubbed a queen is the quirky Ju- ics to be her Queer Queens from across lee Antonellis. Julee is a multifaceted per- the country to perform with her at each former whose unstoppable energy capti- venue. In the past, such comics included: vates her audiences while delighting them Vickie Shaw, Carol Leifer, Julie Goldman, with a menagerie of full-bodied characters Michele Balan, Jessica Kirson, Karen Rip- and experiences from everyday life. Poppy Champlin, Mimi Gonzalez, and Julee Antonellis ley, Mimi Gonzalez, Jennie McNulty, For- —continued on page 18 news // LOCAL Russian Lesbian Finds Refuge in Baltimore

By Michael K. Lavers “liked girls” since she was a young child. lowed her as she walked toward a taxi she had Washington Blade She said she tried to tell her mom, but it called. Nadya said the men knocked her to the Nadya, a 31-year-old lesbian from Russia, and wasn’t “something like ‘Mom, I’m a lesbian.’” ground and began kicking her in the face and her girlfriend of nearly six years were talking at Nadya told the Blade that her mother threat- shoulders. a coffeeshop in Northwest Baltimore early in ened to find a doctor who would “cure her” of She said her left eye was nearly swollen the evening of February 20. her sexual orientation if she were a lesbian af- shut and her face was like “jelly” after the at- tack. “I was trying to hide my head with my Protesting Russia’s anti-gay law credit: Huffington Post arms,” said Nadya. “The taxi left because no- body wants to get in trouble.” Nadya told the Blade she suffered a bro- ken nose during Moscow Pride in May 2012. Russian police detained more than three- dozen people – Nikolai Alekseev and other LGBT rights advocates and a handful of Ortho- dox Christians who confronted them during the event that descended into violence. A Moscow court a few weeks later upheld local authori- ties’ decision to ban the gathering from taking place for 100 years. “When you go to such prides, you still have hope,” Nadya told the Blade, discussing the attack and the police who arrested those who took part in the event. “The government not only sees it actually, but they pretend that ev- erything’s fine and that nobody is harmed and nobody is assaulted and things are just fine as they are and we are not human beings. We are people who are just second-class (citizens.)”

‘Honor to kill LGBT people’ Russia’s LGBT rights record came un- The temperature outside was a bitterly ter she found letters that a friend had written der increased scrutiny in 2013 when Presi- cold 12 degrees as the two women sat along to her. dent Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill that the window that overlooked the parking lot of “I convinced her that I wasn’t,” she said in banned the promotion of so-called gay propa- the Shops at Quarry Lake. Nadya and her girl- English. ganda to minors. friend continued talking about their homeland, Putin sought to downplay criticisms over their relationship and the life they hope to build Face like ‘jelly’ after attack the propaganda law ahead of the 2014 Win- in the United States. Nadya told the Blade she was violently at- ter Olympics that took place last February in “We dream about having a house, chil- tacked three times because of her sexual ori- the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. The arrest dren, and dogs,” Nadya told the Washington entation. of more than a dozen LGBT rights advocates Blade. The first incident took place in October who staged protests in Moscow and St. Pe- Nadya and her girlfriend moved to Balti- 2001 when she was a member of her college’s tersburg on the same day the games opened more from Moscow in late October. They are volleyball team. sparked further outrage. among the growing number of LGBT Russians She told the Blade that she had come A Russian judge last month convicted the who have fled to the U.S. to escape what they out to one of her teammates with whom she founder of a website for LGBT youth of violat- describe as increased anti-LGBT discrimina- had become friends. Nadya said the woman ing the country’s propaganda law. Police a tion and persecution in their homeland. proceeded to tell her boyfriend that she was few months earlier detained eight people who Nadya declined to be photographed and a lesbian. staged a National Coming Out Day protest asked the Blade only to publish her first name. He attacked her with a baseball bat while outside Moscow’s Sokolniki Park. Her girlfriend declined to take part in the she was sitting on a bench. Russia decriminalized homosexuality in interview, but she agreed to translate Nadya’s “It was terrible because I was bleeding 1993. answers to the Blade’s questions from Rus- and I had injuries on my head,” said Nadya, Nadya told the Blade she feels anti-LGBT sian into English. speaking Russian as her girlfriend interpreted. attitudes persist, in part, because people re- “I’m a little bit afraid actually,” said Nadya. “She had told him everything about me and he main afraid of the prison sentences that gay Nadya grew up outside of Rossoch, a city decided just to teach me and show me I’m a men received during the Soviet era. She said near the Ukrainian border. She and her girl- freak.” Russian politicians and religious officials “pro- friend met 16 years ago when they were in Nadya said a group of six men attacked voke people just to be anti-gay.” high school. her in 2005 as she left an LGBT party in the “Everybody should be against gay peo- Nadya told the Blade she realized she was city of Voronezh. ple,” she said in Russian as she spoke about a lesbian when she was 13, even though she She told the Blade that her assailants fol- —continued on page 3

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Russ ian Lesbian Finds Mikulski Refuge in Baltimore Retirement – continued from page 2 – continued from page 1

Putin’s LGBT rights record. “It’s some kind of a strong partner and advocate for LGBT honor to kill LGBT people.” equality. Given her strong record of lead- The Obama administration in March 2014 ership, we look forward to working with froze the American assets of Yelena Mizulina, Sen. Mikulski in the next two years on is- a state Duma deputy who sponsored the pro- sues like funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, paganda bill, and six other Russian officials but the LGBT community will miss working over the annexation of Crimea during the on- with her as chair and ranking member of going war between Ukraine and pro-Russian appropriations as well as her role as Dean separatists in the eastern part of the country. of the Senate Women when she eventually Some, including gay journalist Jamie Kir- retires.” chick and Spectrum Human Rights, a group Sen. Mikulski received a 100 percent that advocates on behalf of LGBT Russians, rating on the HRC Scorecard for the 113th have urged the Obama administration to use Congress. The scorecard rates members a 2012 law – the Magnitsky Act – that freezes of Congress on their positions on LGBT- the assets of Russian citizens and officials di- related legislation. rectly responsible for human-rights violations Not everyone is a Mikulski fan. Kevin and bans them from entering the U.S. to pun- Naff, editor of the Washington Blade in an ish those behind the country’s anti-gay crack- op-ed (Washingtonblade.com/2015/03/02/ down. not-fast-mikulski-fans/), decried all the Nadya told the Blade the U.S. has not praise from LGBT groups and others. He done enough to challenge Russia over its condemned Mikulski for supporting the LGBT crackdown. She nevertheless said she Defense of Marriage Act while being a feels additional sanctions and travel bans “closeted lesbian,” refusing to publicly ac- against those who are responsible for LGBT knowledge her sexual orientation. rights violations will not work. Born July 20, 1936, in Highlandtown, “It’s going to be the same situation,” said she began her career as an elected official Nadya. “Russia will take it for granted and use on the Baltimore City Council, where she it for their own advantage.” spent five years. Nadya and her girlfriend have begun the Mikulski served in the House of Repre- process to apply for asylum. sentatives from 1977 to 1987 before being She told the Blade that living in Baltimore elected to the Senate. is “like living in space.” There she became the first Marylander Nadya and her girlfriend earlier this month to hold the position of chair of the Sen- attended a fundraiser for Center Global, a D.C. ate Appropriations Committee where she Center program that offers assistance to LGBT is now the ranking member following the asylum seekers, that took place at the Duplex 2014 elections. Mikulski has been a life- Diner in Adams Morgan. The two women have long activist for a variety of causes. made several other trips to D.C. since they ar- Political observers around the state rived in the U.S. to visit friends. expect a “free-for-all” among Democrats in “Finally you realize that you’re a human,” a primary who will covet Mikulski’s seat. Nadya said as she discussed her life here. “I’m Several Maryland Congressmen and May- just happy because finally you have a future. or Stephanie Rawlings-Blake are being You have peace. You can have a good job.” t mentioned as good possibilities. t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 3 Thomas Bonderenko credit: Steve Charing

news // local

in 1977. However the current definition of Child Abuse Center. Howard County to sexual orientation reflects outdated mis- “When youth enter spaces in which conceptions that being lesbian, gay, or bi- they are to be supervised as well as pro- Change Definition of sexual is a choice and a lifestyle. Updating tected by adults, they expect that profes- this definition to include identification is sionals will be knowledgeable about indi- Sexual Orientation more accurate and respectful of who les- vidual youth rights and needs, as well as bian, gay and bisexual people are. sensitive, respectful, and effective in their Howard County has been a vanguard in “Equality Maryland also supports add- interactions with all youth,” Philip, then securing the rights for its LGBT citizens. ing ‘actual or perceived’ to the definition policy director for FreeState Legal Project, It became one of the first counties in the because discrimination caused by nega- told Baltimore OUTloud upon release of nation to add nondiscrimination protec- tive attitudes or beliefs about lesbian, gay, the report. “LGBTQ youth in Maryland are tions on the basis of sexual orientation to and bisexual people can occur because of no different.” the perception of another person’s sexual Philip urges Maryland LGBTQ commu- orientation, regardless of if they identify as nities to take notice of their youth. “The co- lesbian, gay, or bisexual. For instance, a alition is looking for individuals and groups Positive Voices: Bill Redmond-Palmer, colleague could see a picture of a man on to join YEA and participate in workgroups Kevin Clemons, and Greg Satorie-Robinson a male co-worker’s desk and assume that formed to implement the recommendations credit: Steve Charing he is gay when he is not. Discriminatory outlined in the report. We are asking adults actions based on that perception should be and youth to read the report and select the prohibited even if the co-worker is not gay. recommendations that they feel they can Including ‘actual or perceived’ ensures that best contribute knowledge, contacts, and the law will address discrimination in such resources to influence administrators, pol- Positive Voices to instances,” Thirion said. icy makers, and legislators in their home Kittleman said that the amendment “is Serenade PFLAG more consistent with the community’s cur- rent philosophies.” The measure is expect- Westminster its Human Rights Law when it passed the ed to pass. t county council and signed into law in 1977. – Steve Charing On March 15, the Westminster chapter of In 2011 the county added similar protec- PFLAG will host the group Positive Voices tions based on gender identity and expres- as part of the chapter’s discussion of HIV/ sion to that law – two-and-a-half years be- AIDS. Positive Voices consist of three men fore the statewide law, the Fairness for All ‘Living in the who are living with HIV and/or AIDS. They Marylanders Act, was passed. educate and share their stories through Recently, County Executive Allan H. Margins’ Discussion song and personal stories. Kittleman proposed a bill aimed at restruc- For almost two decades, Bill Red- turing the county’s Human Rights Com- at PFLAG mond-Palmer, Kevin Clemons, and Greg mission that through amendments would Satorie-Robinson have been “Positive update the definition of sexual orientation. At the PFLAG-Columbia / Howard County Voices.” With others along the way, they Equality Maryland was asked to provide general meeting on March 10, Diana Philip have shared stories and songs about life, the best language for the change in defini- will present Living in the Margins, a re- love, and remembrance, speaking openly tion. port on LGBTQ youth in Maryland, which and honestly about the realities of living The current definition states that, briefly outlines the current challenges fac- with HIV and AIDS. “Sexual orientation means the preference ing LGBTQ youth as they navigate three Positive Voices’ messages are a pow- or practice of an individual as to male or systems – education, foster care and the erful wake up call for personal responsi- female homosexuality, heterosexuality, or juvenile justice systems – and proposes counties.” bility and action in care and prevention, bisexuality.” The proposed bill would up- specific and realistic recommendations for Diana Philip has been working in the avoiding high-risk behaviors and promot- date it to replace “preference or practice” addressing these challenges. nonprofit sector with an emphasis in pub- ing positive self-esteem. They present sci- with “identification” and insert “actual or The report, released in August 2014, lic policy and law for more than 25 years, entific facts and personal stories together perceived.” was produced by the Youth Equality Alli- in issues involving gender-based violence, with music that creates a strong connec- Testifying on behalf of a proposed ance (YEA), a statewide coalition of vari- reproductive justice, and civil liberties. tion with their listener’s hearts and minds. Amendments to Council Bill No. 4-2015, ous service providers, nonprofit organiza- The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. They convey messages of hope and inspi- Keith Thirion, director of advocacy and tions, government agencies, and individual at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 ration to those living with HIV disease, and programs for Equality Maryland, made the advocates who seek to identify policy and Cradlerock Way, Columbia, Maryland. All to those whose lives have been personally case to change the definition. regulatory solutions to problems faced by meetings are free, confidential and open affected by this global tragedy. “On behalf of Equality Maryland and LGBTQ youth in Maryland. The full re- to the public. For more information, visit Each member of Positive Voices has our thousands of members and support- port can be found at Freestatelegal.org/ Pflagmd.org. t many personal achievements and has ers in Howard County, I urge you to pass wp-content/uploads/2013/11/YEA-Re- – Steve Charing worked countless hours as community ac- amendments to Council Bill 4-2015 updat- port-2014.pdf. tivists and advocates. ing the definition of sexual orientation,” Formed in May 2013, YEA includes Positive Voices has presented pro- stated Thirion during his testimony on Feb- such groups as ACLU of Maryland, the grams in schools, houses of worship, and ruary 17. Public Justice Center, Equality Maryland, many other venues throughout central “Howard County is to be commended PFLAG, Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Maryland and beyond, including Africa, for its early leadership by including sex- Homeless Persons Representation Proj- reaching thousands of people, many of ual orientation in the Human Rights Law ect, GLSEN, Star Track, and the Baltimore them through their relationship with the

4 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com news // local news // PANHANDLE

Steven Kaufman AIDS Outreach Project. Together and as individuals, Positive Voic- Anti-LGBT Bill Advances es strives to serve as a bold and powerful tribute to the memory and legacy of Steven in West Virginia Kaufman, and all those lost to HIV/AIDS. The event takes place at 5 p.m. at St. On the heels of a successful attack on fair- policy that creates a protected classifica- Paul’s United Church of Christ, 17 Bond ness and equality in Arkansas, anti-equality tion or prohibits discrimination on a basis Street (corner of Bond and Green), West- forces are trying to quickly push through a not contained in state law. minster, Maryland. Admission is free and similar bill abolishing local liberty in West (b) Any local law, ordinance, resolution, light refreshments will be served. Virginia. Fairness West Virginia, the state- rule or policy adopted before the operative For more information, visit Pflagwcc. wide civil rights advocacy organization date of this act that violates subsection (a) t org. – Steve Charing dedicated to fair treatment and civil rights of this section shall be null and void.” for LGBT West Virginians, and the Human From the smallest town of Thurmond to Summit attendees at UMBC in 2012 Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s larg- the biggest city of Charleston, many com- credit: Steve Charing est LGBT civil rights organization, strongly munities across West Virginia have de- condemned a vote by the West Virginia cided to stop waiting for state legislators B’More Proud The summit traditionally consists of guest House Government Organization Com- to do what is right, but rather have taken speakers, a series of breakout sessions cov- mittee on February 25 to advance H.B. it upon themselves to protect their LGBT LGBTIA Leadership ering a wide array of subjects that involve 2881, the so-called West Virginia Intra- citizens by adopting city and town nondis- queer leadership and relating to the theme state Commerce Improvement Act. This crimination ordinances and for the current year’s summit; a resource area anti-equality bill would strip away the resolutions. Summit on Tap where LGBT and LGBT-friendly organizations rights of local municipalities to H.B. 2881 and companies can disseminate information; pass non-discrimination ordi- not only For the second time, UMBC will be hosting and social activities that includes a dance. nances protecting LGBT prohibits the the annual B’More Proud LGBTIA Leader- Meals are served thanks to sponsors from the West Virginians. rights of com- ship Summit – a conference consisting of private sector. In 2014, around 200 attended “Since towns and munities to govern LGBTIA students from area colleges and the summit at Johns Hopkins University. cities began adopt- themselves but it also universities and allies. This year’s theme is This year’s summit takes place from 10 ing LGBT nondis- interferes with democracy in “Growing out: Developing self, campus, com- a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Commons at UMBC, crimination ordi- its purest form: city and town munity.” These summits began in 2010. 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore. The planners nances throughout councils. When a nondiscrimination The 2015 summit, set for March 28, are seeking volunteers and breakout session West Virginia, LGBT ordinance or resolution is considered seeks to achieve the leadership, network- presenters, as well as registrants from the West Virginians have or passed, each community has the op- ing, and educational goals of the B’More area colleges. been encouraged to portunity to speak out against it, vote Proud Collegiate Queer Coalition with a “The B’More Proud LGBTQIA Leadership come out of the shadows the city or town leadership out of office, special focus on the development of stron- Summit engages students from across the to lead happy, open lives or repeal the ordinance. There’s no need ger student leaders, organizations, cam- Baltimore region, providing opportunities for in their communities,” said Fairness West for interference by the state legislature. puses, and ultimately, the queer community networking and meaningful leadership and Virginia executive director Andrew Schnei- Now that marriage equality is the law of of Metropolitan Baltimore. professional development,” Zach Kosinski, der. “H.B. 2881 would turn the clock back the land in the Mountain State, LGBT West This conference aims to engage par- graduate coordinator for LGBTQ programs on this progress and tarnish West Virginia’s Virginians can be legally “married on Sun- ticipants in skill-building, experiential ex- at UMBC and advisor to the B’More Proud reputation as a welcoming place to live and day and fired on Monday” simply because posure, and knowledge-sharing networking planning committee, told Baltimore OUTloud. work.” of who they are. City and town ordinances opportunities to strengthen them as individ- “In today’s world where increasingly complex “This bill is nothing more than a thinly are the only means local communities have uals. In doing so, the individuals who par- issues face our community, cultivating leader- veiled attempt by anti-equality forces to to protect their citizens from discrimination. ticipate may use these new skills, experi- ship among the young people who will lead strip away local control and deny municipal Fairness West Virginia and HRC are ences, and connections to positively impact us in years to come must be a priority.” governments the ability to pass civil rights committed to stopping this assault on LGBT their respective institutions and the greater For more information and to register, visit protections for LGBT people,” said HRC West Virginians and kill the bill before it be- t Baltimore community. Bmoreproud.org. – Steve Charing national field director Marty Rouse. “We call comes law. t on all fair-minded West Virginians to stand up and help us defeat this hateful bill.” Similar to a bill backed by anti-equali- Like Us On ty forces in Arkansas, H.B. 2881 seeks to usurp the power of city and town councils across West Virginia, nullify all standing Facebook! nondiscrimination ordinances and resolu- tions, and make any future efforts of local government for non-discrimination illegal. The bill now moves forward to a hearing for public comment at 8:00 A.M. on Friday, February 27th. Seriously undermining the democratic process, the bill states: “(a) No county, municipality or other political subdivision may adopt or enforce a local law, ordinance, resolution, rule or BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 5 bye ond the beltway

compiled by Jim Becker vada or a placebo, and told them to take in August 2013 of leaking over 700,000 two pills from two to 24 hours before sex, documents to the website while stationed These news notes have been compiled, a third pill 24 hours later, and a fourth pill in Iraq. While the military does not allow with permission, from the online version 48 hours after the first dose. Subjects who openly transgender people to serve, Man- of various newspapers and other web took the Truvada were 86% less likely to ning cannot be discharged until after her sites. We thank these publications for become infected with HIV than the con- 35-year sentence is completed. (Gay Peo- allowing us to bring you their news sto- trol group. The Centers for Disease Con- ple’s Chronicle at Gaypeopleschronicle. ries. Usually the reports have been sig- trol and Prevention in the United States com) nificantly edited and you can read the expressed reservations about the French full story by going to the web site men- study noting that men in this study were tioned following the item. Comments taking PrEP an average of three to four are strictly the opinions of Jim Becker days per week, and researchers do not yet Benefits and not of Baltimore OUTloud or Pride know if this regimen will work among MSM Media. who have sex less frequently and would extended to therefore be taking PrEP less often. The PrEP is ‘game CDC said, “[i]t is not known whether the federal workers no one should have to choose between the regimen will work if taken only a few hours job and income they need, and caring for changer’ two or days before sex, without any buildup in same-sex a loved one,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor of the drug from prior use. Studies sug- Thomas E. Perez in announcing the rule European gest that it may take days, depending on marriages change. “With our action today, we extend the type of sexual exposure, for the active that promise so that no matter who you studies agree drug in PrEP to build up to an optimal level Washington, D .C. – Workers in legal, love, you will receive the same rights and for preventing HIV infection.” The CDC same-sex marriages, regardless of where protections as everyone else. All eligible London, England – Two new stud- continues to recommend only daily use of they live, will now have the same rights as employees in legal same-sex marriages, ies, one British, one French, agree that PrEP, as approved by the FDA. (Seattle those in opposite-sex marriages to federal regardless of where they live, can now PrEP is a potential “game changer” in the Gay News – Mike Andrew at Sgn.org) job-protected leave under the Family and deal with a serious medical and family situ- fight against HIV/AIDS. The British study, Medical Leave Act ation like all families – without the threat released February 24 shows that Tru- to care for a spouse of job loss.” Enacted in 1993, the FMLA vada can be 86% effective in preventing with a serious health entitles eligible employees of covered em- new HIV infections when taken daily. The Military will condition. The U.S. ployers to take unpaid, job-protected leave PROUD study, carried out at University Labor Department for specified family and medical reasons. College London (UCL) and Public Health pay for Chelsea announced a rule Employees are, for example, entitled to England, was launched in 2012. It followed change to the FMLA take FMLA leave to care for a spouse who 545 men who have sex with men at 13 dif- Manning’s today in keeping has a serious health condition. ferent sexual health clinics in the UK. A with the U.S. Su- The rule change updates the FMLA total of 276 participants received PrEP im- hormone preme Court ruling regulatory definition of “spouse” so that an mediately, while 269 began taking the drug in United States v. eligible employee in a legal same-sex mar- after a period of 12 months, which allowed treatment U.S. Secretary of Windsor. That rul- riage will be able to take FMLA leave for the researchers to compare the groups. Labor Thomas E. ing struck down the his or her spouse regardless of the state During the study period there were 19 HIV Washington, D.C. – The Defense De- Perez federal Defense of in which the employee resides. Previously, infections in the group not taking PrEP. partment has said that Chelsea Manning, Marriage Act provi- the regulatory definition of “spouse” did not Some HIV activists – the AIDS Health- the former analyst convicted of giving clas- sion that interpreted include same-sex spouses if an employee care Foundation in the U.S., for example sified documents to Wikileaks, has been “marriage” and “spouse” to be limited to resided in a state that did not recognize – have worried that promotion of PrEP approved for hormone therapy for her gen- opposite-sex marriage for the purposes of the employee’s same-sex marriage. t would lead gay men to abandon condoms, der reassignment. Manning pointed to the federal law. (Department of Labor at Dol.gov/whd/fmla/ but preliminary data from the study shows confusion and depression involved in her “The basic promise of the FMLA is that spouse/index.htm.) that condom usage among participants re- gender dysphoria as mitigating factors in mained about the same both before and her situation. during the trial. “The study shows two im- Manning sued the federal govern- portant things,” Deborah Gold, chief exec- ment, alleging that they were not providing No trade utive of Britain’s National AIDS Trust, told enough treatment for her gender dyspho- Gay Star News, “[o]ne, that PrEP is highly ria, leaving her at treaties with effective in preventing HIV and two, that risk for self-castra- gay men won’t just throw away the con- tion and suicide. doms as soon as they start taking PrEP.” Her Army-provided A French study, released at the same psychotherapist time as the UCL research, shows that was not qualified PrEP is equally effective when taken “on to handle transgen- demand” – in other words, just before and der issues, the suit just after having unprotected sex. In this said. study too, Truvada was shown to be 86% While serving as effective in preventing HIV infections. Re- Bradley Manning, searchers gave their subjects either Tru- Manning she was convicted

6 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com Grand Central Employee Show

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 7 Thinking OUTloud

next for the grand slam? less bigoted, so and worked. I can’t prove that this created This is no small feat given in the long run, change in the industry, but I don’t see how the audience numbers that the prognosis is it couldn’t. The Pride parade was on local each of these major shows good. cable TV. The gay national religious holiday OUT attract bring tons of advertis- Unquestion- – Halloween – was celebrated on Santa Spoken ing dollars to the networks. ably, there has Monica Boulevard with mixed crowds, again Therefore, it behooves the been a huge on TV. This causes greater acceptance.” Steve Charing shows’ producers to put on amount of prog- Frank also credits the producers who in- stage someone whom the ress regard- serted gay characters on such TV shows in TV audiences will accept and ing attitudes the 1990’s as MTV’s Real World as agents enjoy. And they seem to have towards LGBT for change and in particular, the saga of an Hollywood’s no problem with the multi-tal- folks in Holly- AIDS-stricken cast member in San Francis- ented and popular gay man, wood (film and co. “Pedro Zamora, a man living with AIDS, Journey Down Harris. TV) with an in- and AIDS activist, became a national sym- But do these accom- creasing num- bol. An entire generation, through the prox- plishments signal the end of ber of LGBT ies of the assortment of people in that show, the Rainbow homophobia in Hollywood? characters on not only saw someone gay, but someone Over the years there had TV shows, in who lived and loved in the face of the dis- Path been a homophobic mindset particular, and ease which people still feared.” in some of the producers and more being He also recalls talking with Norman Lear When openly gay Neil Patrick Harris strut- decision-makers in the film Neil Patrick Harris out at the Oscars employed. This later in the decade regarding the increase ted out on the stage of the Dolby Theatre and TV industries causing is following a in gay writers. “The change was notice- in Los Angeles to host the 87th Academy numerous LGBT performers national trend able,” Frank said. “Ellen’s personal life met Awards, one would think that the battle for to remain in the closet lest their careers be towards LGBT acceptance. But we’re not up with her character. Dramatic series had gay rights received its own statue. After in peril. there yet. gay characters. The world was changing.” all, NPH became the first ever openly gay Homophobia like racism or misogyny is “People are what they are, believe Shows like Survivor, in its first sea- man to host the iconic TV special. Not only a state of mind, an attitude, that just doesn’t what they believe, and I think most open- son with gay Richard Hatch as a star, was that, but he has now hit the trifecta of award simply turn on and off like a switch. To fully minded heteros have evolved over the last huge. As was Will & Grace and now Glee, show hosting that also includes the Tony eradicate these attitudes, succeeding pro- 40 years,” a straight, long-time Hollywood- which Frank characterized as the “gayest Awards and Emmys. Can the Grammys be gressive generations will likely be less and based comedy writer, told me through an show ever” and ironic that it is on FOX. email interview, whom I will name “Frank” Now shows like Modern Family and Empire for this piece. make good use of gay characters. “There have always been gays and les- He explains that Neil Patrick Harris bians in Hollywood,” he says. “Face it, any came out in the middle of the run of How business that regularly employs choreog- I Met Your Mother. “The amazing thing raphers, dress designers, set decorators, about that is that his character could best hairdressers, and makeup people, will have be described as a ‘rampant heterosexual’ gays in it. So unlike many businesses, the – a man whose life revolved around sex movie industry has had gays, working side with women. Nobody commented about the by side with straight folk.” fact that a gay actor was playing that role; Frank points out that in the 70s, they people were able to separate the character were mostly closeted. “They were there, we on TV from the actor who played it. This is a knew who they were, for the most part, but massive advance in the world.” they weren’t talking about it. When it came Frank states, “If TV is the great enlight- to writers and directors, I will say that gays ened arena of entertainment, movies are its were few and far between – again, people more timid cousin. Look, it’s not because of were in the closet, so I am assuming there homophobia; the only phobia movie studios were gay writers (other than Bruce Villanch) have is losing money. Unfortunately, there out there. But I didn’t know any myself. Was are many countries around the world which this homophobia, or was it a different cul- practice institutionalized homophobia. Not tural phenomenon?” little ones – Russia, China, India, the conti- The emergence of West Hollywood as a nent of Africa. We may have to wait a while city in 1984 helped push acceptance. “Sud- before studios will risk a gay version of Syl- denly, everyone paid attention to a place, vester Stallone starring in a major action which was mostly known for its bar scene,” picture.” explains Frank. Progress, to be sure, but the rainbow “Gays in WeHo were out of the closet, path still has its bumps. A recent Williams not just gay businesses and bars, but gay Institute survey of SAG-AFTRA members politicians, city councilmen and mayors. indicates there are still issues regarding There was a city where the rights of the homophobia and transphobia within the gay community mattered. A city adjacent entertainment industry. Read the results to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and West L.A. at Sagaftra.org/files/sag/documents/sagaf- – places where people in the industry lived tra_williams_lgbtstudy.pdf. t

8 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com thinking outloud

life from my heart is more important than having all of the star Baltimore Raven’s with V-Day. The message was: People with no player’s salaries put together. mothers have Mother’s Day; those with no fa- I have an adventuresome spirit, at least thers, have Father’s Day. So stop feeling sorry as compared to others in my family. For Ask for yourself on Valentine’s Day if you are not Lesbian example, when I was only 20 (in 1981) I in a relationship! We do live in a culture where Love took off across country in the car my first Dr. J coupledom has advantages. Hotel rooms cost Barb Elgin partner and I bought together. We had a Janan Broadbent, Ph.D. the same whether you are one or two. Cruises great trip, saw much of the southern and most often quote an additional supplement if southwestern U.S., and we even lived in you are single. Do you let these kinds of is- Southern California for awhile with some sues affect you? Feel lonely in a crowd? How Midlife of her family. Lemons or do you cope with these issues? I ended up back in Maryland to Often, what gets in our way are distorted Lesbians of finish college and, eventually, grad Lemonade? thoughts from the past, beliefs that were col- school. I learned many lessons dur- ored by the wounds of childhood or by the Charm City ing that adventure. One of them is that You’ve all heard the saying: When life gives hurts of past relationships. So we think the “home, sweet home” is real and it’s nice to you lemons, make lemonade. With holidays same old thoughts over and over and can’t Charm City Lesbians of, shall we say, an be able to have the support of familiar sur- over, the new year proceeding forth, Ground- get to a more con- “older and wiser” persuasion, my article to- roundings and the people who truly know hog Day promising six more weeks of cold, structive perspective. day is directed specifically at you. you. and even V-Day gone by, how are you dealing What needs to hap- This midlife lesbian would love to know I was also the first in my family to go that with problems in your relationship if you have pen is for us to take how you – a fellow midlife woman-who- far educationally, at least up until the mid one? Or not having a partner? What do you time to do some self- loves-women - is doing. How’s your social 1990s. I, as the oldest of four daughters – do when you go to a gathering, and you are examination, with the life? How’s your family life? How’s your and, the gay one – became the one who the only one who is single? Conversely, how help of information health? And, the best ques- had to put herself through do you feel when you are the only one at a resources such as tion of all perhaps: How’s Who are you? school. My sisters, perhaps party that is with a partner and everyone else books, friends, and your love life? because they weren’t gay, is single? therapists. You don’t After all, you have arrived Where are you? were perceived as “smarter” We are not islands unto ourselves, unaf- have to accept or in- at that hallowed time of life and “nicer” than me – they fected by the people and the environment ternalize every bit of when all bets are off, right? When mortal- stayed home until they married their hus- around us. At the same time, we are the only knowledge, just run ity – for the first time – pops up in your bands. I paid a price for my authentic- ones who can deal with our issues and make it through your head, awareness and stares you in the face. ity, a big lesson that has always followed the changes to make life better, happier, or at see what makes What is your story? Who are you? me around, it seems. But one others say the very minimum, contented. I just received sense for that human need of the mind that What has life been teaching you and what makes me special. an email with the photo of a sign that had to do seeks patterns or meaning. Do remember that do you want to accomplish before you go? How about you? How has growing up good friends, with the best of intentions, may What experiences have you had over the into midlife gay made your life unique? not be objective, but hear what they have to past two to three decades that you can What adversities have made you stronger say as well. share with younger women coming up and if so, how? than one lesbian in this area that’s I want to suggest that we have the power now? To help them avoid some of the mis- How has reaching midlife affected you? been here much to make our lives as happy or as sad as we takes you’ve wished someone older than What challenges are you currently strug- longer than me asking the same ques- choose to. Our thoughts, the self-talk we en- you would’ve pointed out? gling with? tion. gage in, make a difference in whether we go to And, since I’m being so nosey about As a midlife lesbian, I’m wiser, more But it all starts with what we want and bed with a smile or with tears. If you are single, you, would it help if I shared more about outspoken and more relaxed than I’ve ever need as a community. And the individuals enjoy the luxury of being on your own, savor myself? There is a point to all of this ask- been. And, yes, there are pros and cons to in that community stepping up and speak- it when you can come and go as you please, ing and telling, by the way, which I’ll get that state of being. I recognize that I have ing out as to what they want that commu- keep your place messy or spic-and-span if you to later. opportunities my mom, aunts and grand- nity to look like. I’ll be glad to share exam- want! On the other hand, if you have a partner, I’m 53, at least for a few more months. mothers couldn’t conceive of or have. ples of some of these other communities if feel joy in sharing your thoughts, building in- Wahoo. And, I just moved back to Balti- And, I plan to continue to exploit these op- you like in future articles. timacy, and having someone to snuggle with. more after spending ten years living be- portunities. How about you? So ladies, if there is a vibrant commu- Recently, two well-respected and much- tween a quite conservative southern town Next time I want to talk more about this nity scene for midlife lesbians here, please loved journalists left this world unexpectedly. – Ocala, Florida – which is much smaller excellent time in your life. And I want to direct me to it. And, if not, watch out, be- None of us is immortal, so life demands that than Baltimore, and The Villages, one of delve more into the social scene for midlife cause it’s time we too had a vibrant midlife we focus on feeding our emotional life with the fastest growing towns in America. Yes, lesbians in the Charm City / Baltimore lesbian network in the Charm City area! friendships and relationships, take care of our I know, give me some condolences, it is 82 area. Or lack thereof. Exciting, no? I don’t know about you bodies and our physical selves with proper rest degrees there today and it’s only about 30 In my travels I’ve witnessed the birth but I can’t wait. and healthy food, work on self-identity by in- degrees here! and growth of many Thanks for reading and, get ready for corporating a working or vocational life, and in Now the story of why I left Maryland amazing lesbian organizations and that fresh breath of spring, which is right short, give ourselves and those we care about and went to Florida is indicative of the type communities across the U.S. around the corner! t the love they and we need because we are of person I am and the life I’ve lived. Let I have yet to experience that sense of The name Barb Elgin is synonymous worthy. me say that in staying true to my core val- community here. with lesbian health, happiness, and love. For In the end, we all have that choice of keep- ues - that is, the values I truly believe in I can’t imagine what midlife lesbians 15 years now, Barb has traveled all over the ing the lemons as they are and feel the sour the most – it’s not been easy. You see, are doing here U.S., Mexico, and all over the world virtually, taste, or put in the effort and enjoy the sweet, the world we live in today often crushes to find the love of their life, for example meeting and connecting lesbians. Her web cool lemonade on a warm day and feel re- heart-centered values. But to me, living my and I know more site is Lastinglesbianlove.com. freshed. t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 9 Quality of Life

group instructor before I was a personal train- vantages of being an unmarried couple er and know it’s great. Second, everyone who is Maryland’s 10 percent inheritance tax. goes has a great time, burns a ton of calories, This levy applies to any bequest left to an Fit and makes new friends. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, unmarried partner and can result in a steep it’s loud. Yes, there are people. Get over it – The Law tax bill. for it’s good for you! & You An Affidavit of Domestic Partnership Life 4) Find a club with a great kids’ cen- Lee Carpenter will exempt your house from the inheri- Joshua H. Buchbinder ter. Parents know if your kid is miserable tance tax if the property is titled as joint somewhere, so are you. Find a gym with a tenants. You can even add your partner to fun, engaging kids’ club with staff that love the title of your house – or remove an ex- kids. Let’s face it, as parents our life revolves 5 Legal partner – without paying recordation and 7 Tips to Keep around our children so if they’re happy, safe, transfer taxes. and occupied long enough to let us work out, Protections for The affidavit provides medical benefits You Motivated the whole family benefits. as well. You can visit your partner in the 5) Find a workout partner. This may Unmarried hospital, make medical decisions for each As winter weather sets in letting your fitness take some time, however, it’s really important other, share a room in a nursing home, and slide is easy. Every January gyms get flooded to have someone keep you accountable and Couples make funeral arrangements when a part- with new members filled with good intentions. to stay off Facebook. Find a friend, someone ner dies. The trick isn’t joining the gym, it’s staying who likes working out the same way and has “Marriage has many pains,” said Samuel 2) Have an attorney prepare wills for there! Here are seven steps to staying mo- some similar interests. It’ll get real boring if Johnson, “but celibacy has no pleasures.” both of you. Having a current will ensures tivated year-round and getting in the best you have nothing to talk about besides count- The eccentric English author may have that your partner can inherit your assets shape of your life. ing reps. been on to something. Writing in the 18th and administer your estate. Without a will 1) Join a real gym! What’s a “real gym”? 6) Leave your phone in your locker! century, however, he knew little about to- that says otherwise, your partner would be A real gym has a wide variety of equipment, This is crucial, the gym is time to workout day’s most popular compromise – simply considered a legal stranger with no right body types, and programs. If you’re new to – no internet, no texts, no emails. You need living together. to inherit from you or act as your personal working out don’t join a specialty facility like to focus, and when you’re lifting something Marriage rates are at an all-time low in representative (“executor”). a yoga or crossfit studio – these places usu- heavy you don’t want to get distracted or hurt. the U.S., but in the LGBT community we 3) Update your beneficiaries. Upon ally only do one thing and the people who go Additionally, as Americans we are so stimu- are seeing a reverse trend. Couples in 37 your death, assets like life insurance and to them are very committed to that discipline, lated by emails, texts, tweets, posts, and pins states and the District are now flocking to retirement accounts will transfer to the sometimes to a fault. It’s good to join a facil- it’s good to unplug. Being present reduces the altar, the chuppah, and the courthouse beneficiary named on the policy or account ity with options, try them all, and figure out stress and focuses us on the task at hand. to take advantage of new laws allowing – regardless of what your will might say. If what you enjoy. Also, specialty studios tend 7) Get a trainer! Think this is self-serving? same-sex marriage. it has been a while since you made these to be way more expensive than regular gyms I wouldn’t build my own house, defend myself The trend will likely continue. Although designations, check to make sure your and you can’t use them on your schedule or in court, or perform my own surgery – would the outcome is still uncertain, the Supreme partner is your primary beneficiary. do other stuff (i.e., lift weights or use the el- you? Too often I hear, “I’ve tried it before and Court appears 4) Prepare durable powers liptical)! Once you figure out what you like it’s it didn’t work,” followed by “but I know what poised to legalize ‘Marriage of attorney. If either one of you okay to join a studio to really focus, but don’t I’m doing!” Why? How? I have a master’s in same-sex marriage has many is ever unable to manage your drop your regular gym. Remember a good exercise science, a bunch of certifications, nationwide later this pains’ finances, the other partner will fitness program is well rounded and has va- and I don’t know everything! But you with no year. If this hap- have no legal authority to man- riety. degree, certification, or professional experi- pens, the benefits age bank accounts, sell your 2) Get connected! Every gym has pro- ence know more? Let’s rethink that state- of marriage will be house if necessary, or even fessionals working in it who want to help: ment. Yes, it costs money, but so does insulin available to more access a safe-deposit box. A personal trainers, group-exercise instructors, when you become a diabetic after not chang- Americans than ever power of attorney gives you this yogis, or whatever. Find these people and ing your lifestyle. This is an investment in your before. authority. get to know each other. Gym-goers who are life with unlimited returns. Shop around, find Still, many gay 5) Prepare advance direc- connected to the gym community go more someone you relate to and has the educa- and lesbian couples tives. This document allows frequently, stay longer, and see more results. tion and experience level you are comfortable plan to remain hap- you to appoint your partner to 3) Take classes! Yup, this trainer is tell- with. A trainer’s job is to create and implement pily partnered but make medical decisions for you ing you to take group exercise. First, I was a a custom program based around your wants legally unmarried. Some couples consider if you become unable to speak for yourself. and your body’s needs, not to count reps or their relationships too new to be sealed Unlike an Affidavit of Domestic Partner- talk about TV shows. Sometimes our job is with a lifelong commitment. Others are of ship, however, it is likely to be recognized of marriage or simply the pleasures of life- to give you a cold, hard dose of reality when an earlier generation, or have such disap- outside of Maryland. It also enables you to long companionship, there are laws that no one else will. And yes, I’ve worked with proving families, that they think marriage designate a backup health-care agent in will protect your relationship. Talk to an es- trainers. People work with trainers see results simply isn’t for them. case your partner isn’t available, and you tates and trusts attorney to ensure that you faster, keep those results longer and become Whatever their reasons for remaining can include your wishes for certain end-of- are making the most of them. t who they always wanted to be. t unwed, these couples should take advan- life situations. Lee Carpenter is an associate attor- Joshua H. Buchbinder, M.S., is fitness tage of every protection the law provides. A Unmarried couples who have wed- ney at the law firm of Semmes, Bowen manager at 24 Hour Fitness in Fairfax, Vir- stack of legal documents won’t replicate all ding bells in their future should still protect & Semmes and can be reached at (410) ginia. He has worked in fitness for 19 years of the benefits of marriage, but it can make themselves by having these documents 576-4729 or [email protected]. and is a Master Instructor for Kettlebell Con- a huge difference in a crisis. Here are five prepared. Then, after the marriage takes Learn more about LGBT estate planning at cepts. His real passion is in improving fitness steps to consider: place, your attorney can simply update mdlgbtestateplanning.com. This provides education for professionals and enthusiasts. 1) Prepare an Affidavit of Domestic them to reflect your new marital status. general legal information and should not Contact him at [email protected] or Partnership. One of the greatest disad- Whether you are enjoying the benefits be construed as legal advice. 703-828-3422.

10 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com Quality of Life

If a person’s sex partner is HIV positive, receptive anal sex is equally risky whether Open Wide that person is a gay man, a straight wom- an, or anyone else. A gay man who does ask Dr Eva not have unprotected anal sex, and even Dr Eva Hersh more so, a gay man who does not have anal sex at all, does not have a signifi- cantly increased risk of becoming infected Blood with HIV compared to the general popula- tion. Therefore it’s clear that blood donor Donation questionnaires should ask about sexual practices, not sexual orientation. and Sexual Although a great deal has changed in our knowledge about risk factors for HIV Orientation and the course of HIV disease, homopho- bia and HIV-phobia have kept these rules Dear Dr. Eva, in place. Even the chronically precarious I’ve heard that MSM (men who have state of the available blood supply has not sex with men) are now allowed to donate led to a change. Under the gay-friendly blood. Can you confirm if this is true? Also, Obama administration, the FDA is finally can you explain the rationale the blood coming under pressure to change banks have, or had, in the first place for these outdated rules. refusing blood donations from HIV-neg- In December 2014, the FDA ative MSM? I once tried to donate dur- announced that the policy of life- ing a blood drive at work but wasn’t time ban from blood donation allowed to after I reported being gay. for all MSM would soon be lift- It was very awkward, especially later ed. When the ban is lifted, the when co-workers that I was not out FDA plans to put a new policy to asked me why I couldn’t donate. in place which will allow MSM Ready to Donate to donate blood if it has been more than a year since their last Dear Ready, sexual contact and if they test HIV The rules that keep MSM from donat- negative at the time of donation. Although ing blood in the United States were written no definite date has been set, this policy in 1983, at the beginning of change is expected to take the AIDS epidemic. Little was place in 2015. Many other known about the HIV virus Is there any countries have already and how it is transmitted. The connection? made this change, starting virus had not yet been identi- with Australia in 2000. fied. There was no HIV test. The FDA also has an- In the atmosphere of fear that prevailed at other, less well known policy which bans that time, rules were made that make no transgender people, both men and wom- sense in light of what we know today. en, and their sexual partners, from do- In 1983, the Federal Drug Administra- nating blood. All transgender people are tion (FDA) made a rule that any man who assumed to have sex with men and con- reported having sex with another man af- sidered to be MSM. ter 1977 could not give blood, ever, for the I can’t make any sense of this, so I rest of his life. This rule was applied to all can’t try to explain it. MSM, regardless of whether the potential The Gay and Lesbian Medical Asso- blood donor had protected sex, how long ciation (GLMA), as well as other medical ago he last had sex, and (once the test organizations, point out that the proposed became available) regardless of whether new policy 1) is not based in science and and when he tested HIV-negative. In the 2) will still be stigmatizing to gay men and 33 years that have passed since 1982, re- transgender people. GLMA recommends search has shown that it is not being gay that decisions about blood donation be that puts a man at risk for HIV, but prac- based on sexual activity and known high- ticing specific risky sexual behaviors. The risk behaviors rather than on sexual orien- most risky sexual practice is unprotected tation or gender identity. t receptive (bottom) anal intercourse. (In- Eva Hersh is a Baltimore family physi- sertive or “top” anal intercourse is also a cian. Send your comments and questions risk factor for becoming infected with HIV, to her by email at editor@baltimoreout- but receptive sex carries the greatest risk.) loud.com. BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 11 faith

upbringing, culture, and denomination or ever seen their face. What we have seen or strangers, your charity is in vain. The belief system play a major role in how we is a reflection of our face from the mirror, Bible suggests to us that we should never enter into the Lenten season. but not actually our face. Yet, you can see let our left hand know what our right hand A To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know all the other parts of your body, e.g., your is doing. In essence, what you do for an- what Lent meant until 1997 when I joined a arms, hands, mid-body, legs, and feet, but other is between that person and God. In Spiritual church whose denomination was Disciples you cannot see from your neck up. Have fact, we should never give to be seen, but View of Christ Christian Church. After 30-plus you ever wondered why? It’s simply that be seen giving by God. Rev. Victoria Burson years of being Missionary Baptist, I was Jesus is the head and we are the body Another spiritual breakthrough is pray- skeptical about the of Christ. In fact, we ing. I know there are some folks who strug- imposition of ashes are the called agents gle with praying as they feel they do not on my forehead and to care for the mat- know how to pray. Can I tell you that pray- Secrets of opted-out. ters of God here on ing is simply having a conversation with Needless to say I earth, which includes God? It is not some fancy list of words or a Lenten became very curious generosity and acts special phraseology. Jesus warns against about Lent and its true of kindness to all this as well for it is also a way folks try meaning. Through- people. and draw attention to themselves and their Breakthrough out the years, I’ve Lent is also about motives for praying are impure full of pol- learned what Lent re- seeds of contem- lution. Guess what? They have received As we approach yet another week of our ally means. Moreover, plation; it is a time their reward ‚Äì paid in full by men/women Lenten season I became curious as to I have discovered the where we discover and not by God, for hypocrites desire their what Lent meant to various believers. As secrets of Lent and who and whose we praise from men and not from God. you may have guessed, I got an array of the spiritual power are and where our And lastly, fasting is an important dis- answers. For some, Lent was a time of that is connected to it. journey is taking and giving up, sacrificing, or time spent alone. Lent is a time for leading us. It is a time “Have your ever seen Some new converts or believers didn’t reflection, contempla- to make important know much about this sacred time; they tion, and preparation. decisions. Should your face? No! No one believed that only Catholics celebrated To reflect means to reveal our lives or the I go back to school and get my degree? has ever seen their face. Lent. And yet others did not believe in it ways in which we have live, where we have Should I really try for my Ph.D? Should I at all. been and where we are going. It is a time get married this year? Do I buy this car What we have seen is It was so refreshing to hear the myriad when God will reveal you to you. Have or should I purchase my home? Better of responses. Of course we know one’s your ever seen your face? No! No one has yet, should I start my own business? So a reflection of our face many decisions! However, the question from the mirror, but one should be asking is how can I better We’re Creepy & We're Kooky... Now - April 19! serve my community? The operative word not actually our face. here is “serve.” Jesus challenges us not to be like the pretenders, everything we do Yet, you can see all Toby's is the proud recipient of 18 2015 Helen Hayes Awards Nominations! must come from the heart not looking for the other parts of your 18 payment in doing any form of charitable giving. body, e.g., your arms, Lent is also a time of preparation for your “what’s next.” This is a crucial time hands, mid-body, legs, when God will direct you to your next des- and feet, but you cannot tination, elevation, and/or formation. I have discovered there are three major see from your neck up. secrets of a spiritual breakthrough: Giving, praying, and fasting! I am reminded of the Have you ever wondered Matthew 6:1-18, one of Jesus’s inaugural why?” speeches, Sermon of the Mount, where he teaches a remnant of believers the power of giving alms, praying, and fasting. cipline in the Lenten season. It is a time The first thing Jesus warns us as be- of penitence, a time of repentance, when lievers to do during this Lenten season we turn from those things that causes us is “to be careful” (cautious) not to prac- to sin against God. When we fast, we do tice our righteousness (our holiness, faith so unto God. walk, and justice) before men and women It is not for us to brag about our fast; like the hypocrites do to be seen. If you do, fasting is a lifestyle not a practice. I chal- you have received your reward “paid if full” lenge each of you to give, pray, and fast Photography by Jeri Tidwell (your blessing right then). In essence, ev- consistently in and out of season and Based on availability. Due to the nature of theatre bookings, all shows, dates and times are subject to change. erything we do in the Lenten season ought watch God move and act on your behalf. to be in secret before God, not in a boast- I am not saying you will get an instant fix, TOBY’S DINNER THEATRE OF COLUMBIA ful or solemn stance. but with perseverance, trust, and faith God 5900 Symphony Woods Road • CALL 410-730-8311 In this season of Lent, our giving ought is able to do immeasurably more than you TobysDinnerTheatre.com to be authentic and done in a clandestine can ask or imagine, for if you believe you D inner & Sho w RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY! way. If you have to boast to everyone all can receive and achieve all you set your you have done for the needy albeit family heart to. t 12 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 13 What is STRIBILD? • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. What should I tell my healthcare STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used as If you also have HBV and stop taking provider before taking STRIBILD? a complete single-tablet regimen to treat HIV-1 in STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used STRIBILD, your hepatitis may suddenly get adults who have never taken HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never worse. Do not stop taking STRIBILD without • All your health problems. Be sure to tell taken HIV-1 medicines before. It combines fi rst talking to your healthcare provider, as they your healthcare provider if you have or had before. STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. 4 medicines into 1 pill to be taken once a day will need to monitor your health. STRIBILD is any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including with food. STRIBILD is a complete single- not approved for the treatment of HBV. hepatitis virus infection. tablet regimen and should not be used with Who should not take STRIBILD? • All the medicines you take, including other HIV-1 medicines. prescription and nonprescription medicines, STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 infection Do not take STRIBILD if you: vitamins, and herbal supplements. STRIBILD or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and may affect the way other medicines work, and decrease HIV-related illnesses you must • Take a medicine that contains: other medicines may affect how STRIBILD I started my keep taking STRIBILD. Ask your healthcare alfuzosin, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, works. Keep a list of all your medicines and provider if you have questions about how to methylergonovine, cisapride, lovastatin, show it to your healthcare provider and personal revolution reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. simvastatin, pimozide, sildenafi l when used pharmacist. Do not start any new medicines ® Always practice safer sex and use condoms for lung problems (Revatio ), triazolam, oral while taking STRIBILD without fi rst talking to lower the chance of sexual contact with midazolam, rifampin or the herb St. John’s wort. with your healthcare provider. body fl uids. Never reuse or share needles or • For a list of brand names for these • If you take hormone-based birth control Talk to your healthcare provider other items that have body fl uids on them. medicines, please see the Brief Summary (pills, patches, rings, shots, etc). on the following pages. about starting treatment. • If you take antacids. Take antacids at least IMPORTANT SAFETY • Take any other medicines to treat HIV-1 2 hours before or after you take STRIBILD. infection, or the medicine adefovir (Hepsera®). INFORMATION • If you are pregnant or plan to become STRIBILD is a complete HIV-1 What is the most important information What are the other possible side pregnant. It is not known if STRIBILD can treatment in once a day. I should know about STRIBILD? effects of STRIBILD? harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare 1 pill, provider if you become pregnant while STRIBILD can cause serious side effects: Serious side effects of STRIBILD may taking STRIBILD. • Build-up of an acid in your blood also include: • If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or Ask if it’s right for you. (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical • New or worse kidney problems, including plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis kidney failure. Your healthcare provider HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in include feeling very weak or tired, unusual should do regular blood and urine tests to breast milk. Also, some medicines (not normal) muscle pain, trouble breathing, check your kidneys before and during in STRIBILD can pass into breast stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, treatment with STRIBILD. If you develop milk, and it is not known if this can feeling cold especially in your arms and legs, kidney problems, your healthcare provider harm the baby. feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or may tell you to stop taking STRIBILD. irregular heartbeat. You are encouraged to report • Bone problems, including bone pain or negative side effects of • Serious liver problems. The liver may bones getting soft or thin, which may lead prescription drugs to the FDA. become large (hepatomegaly) and fatty to fractures. Your healthcare provider may Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, (steatosis). Symptoms of liver problems do tests to check your bones. include your skin or the white part of your eyes or call 1-800-FDA-1088. turns yellow (jaundice), dark “tea-colored” • Changes in body fat can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines. urine, light-colored bowel movements (stools), Please see Brief Summary of full loss of appetite for several days or longer, • Changes in your immune system. Your Prescribing Information with important nausea, and/or stomach pain. immune system may get stronger and begin warnings on the following pages. • You may be more likely to get lactic to fi ght infections. Tell your healthcare provider acidosis or serious liver problems if you are if you have any new symptoms after you start female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking STRIBILD. taking STRIBILD for a long time. In some The most common side effects of STRIBILD cases, these serious conditions have led to include nausea and diarrhea. Tell your healthcare death. Call your healthcare provider right away provider if you have any side effects that bother if you have any symptoms of these conditions. you or don’t go away.

14 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com PALIO Date: 10.21.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_E_Winston_BaltOUTloud_ .indd Winston PALIO Date: 10.21.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_E_Winston_BaltOUTloud_ .indd Winston Ad Page 1 Ad Page 2 Trim: 9.875” x 9.6” Baltimore OUT Loud Trim: 9.875” x 9.6” Baltimore OUT Loud What is STRIBILD? • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. What should I tell my healthcare STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used as If you also have HBV and stop taking provider before taking STRIBILD? a complete single-tablet regimen to treat HIV-1 in STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used STRIBILD, your hepatitis may suddenly get adults who have never taken HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never worse. Do not stop taking STRIBILD without • All your health problems. Be sure to tell taken HIV-1 medicines before. It combines fi rst talking to your healthcare provider, as they your healthcare provider if you have or had before. STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. 4 medicines into 1 pill to be taken once a day will need to monitor your health. STRIBILD is any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including with food. STRIBILD is a complete single- not approved for the treatment of HBV. hepatitis virus infection. tablet regimen and should not be used with Who should not take STRIBILD? • All the medicines you take, including other HIV-1 medicines. prescription and nonprescription medicines, STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 infection Do not take STRIBILD if you: vitamins, and herbal supplements. STRIBILD or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and may affect the way other medicines work, and decrease HIV-related illnesses you must • Take a medicine that contains: other medicines may affect how STRIBILD I started my keep taking STRIBILD. Ask your healthcare alfuzosin, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, works. Keep a list of all your medicines and provider if you have questions about how to methylergonovine, cisapride, lovastatin, show it to your healthcare provider and personal revolution reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. simvastatin, pimozide, sildenafi l when used pharmacist. Do not start any new medicines ® Always practice safer sex and use condoms for lung problems (Revatio ), triazolam, oral while taking STRIBILD without fi rst talking to lower the chance of sexual contact with midazolam, rifampin or the herb St. John’s wort. with your healthcare provider. body fl uids. Never reuse or share needles or • For a list of brand names for these • If you take hormone-based birth control Talk to your healthcare provider other items that have body fl uids on them. medicines, please see the Brief Summary (pills, patches, rings, shots, etc). on the following pages. about starting treatment. • If you take antacids. Take antacids at least IMPORTANT SAFETY • Take any other medicines to treat HIV-1 2 hours before or after you take STRIBILD. infection, or the medicine adefovir (Hepsera®). INFORMATION • If you are pregnant or plan to become STRIBILD is a complete HIV-1 What is the most important information What are the other possible side pregnant. It is not known if STRIBILD can treatment in once a day. I should know about STRIBILD? effects of STRIBILD? harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare 1 pill, provider if you become pregnant while STRIBILD can cause serious side effects: Serious side effects of STRIBILD may taking STRIBILD. • Build-up of an acid in your blood also include: • If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or Ask if it’s right for you. (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical • New or worse kidney problems, including plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis kidney failure. Your healthcare provider HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in include feeling very weak or tired, unusual should do regular blood and urine tests to breast milk. Also, some medicines (not normal) muscle pain, trouble breathing, check your kidneys before and during in STRIBILD can pass into breast stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, treatment with STRIBILD. If you develop milk, and it is not known if this can feeling cold especially in your arms and legs, kidney problems, your healthcare provider harm the baby. feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or may tell you to stop taking STRIBILD. irregular heartbeat. You are encouraged to report • Bone problems, including bone pain or negative side effects of • Serious liver problems. The liver may bones getting soft or thin, which may lead prescription drugs to the FDA. become large (hepatomegaly) and fatty to fractures. Your healthcare provider may Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, (steatosis). Symptoms of liver problems do tests to check your bones. include your skin or the white part of your eyes or call 1-800-FDA-1088. turns yellow (jaundice), dark “tea-colored” • Changes in body fat can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines. urine, light-colored bowel movements (stools), Please see Brief Summary of full loss of appetite for several days or longer, • Changes in your immune system. Your Prescribing Information with important nausea, and/or stomach pain. immune system may get stronger and begin warnings on the following pages. • You may be more likely to get lactic to fi ght infections. Tell your healthcare provider acidosis or serious liver problems if you are if you have any new symptoms after you start female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking STRIBILD. taking STRIBILD for a long time. In some The most common side effects of STRIBILD cases, these serious conditions have led to include nausea and diarrhea. Tell your healthcare death. Call your healthcare provider right away provider if you have any side effects that bother if you have any symptoms of these conditions. you or don’t go away.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 15 PALIO Date: 10.21.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_E_Winston_BaltOUTloud_ .indd Winston PALIO Date: 10.21.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_E_Winston_BaltOUTloud_ .indd Winston Ad Page 1 Ad Page 2 Trim: 9.875” x 9.6” Baltimore OUT Loud Trim: 9.875” x 9.6” Baltimore OUT Loud Patient Information • Do not run out of STRIBILD. Re ll your prescription or talk to your The most common side effects of STRIBILD include: - estazolam healthcare provider before your STRIBILD is all gone ® STRIBILD® (STRY-bild) • Nausea - ethosuximide (Zarontin ) (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir • Do not stop taking STRIBILD without  rst talking to your healthcare provider • Diarrhea - ecainide (Tambocor®) disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) tablets • If you stop taking STRIBILD, your healthcare provider will need to check Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers - urazepam Brief summary of full Prescribing Information. For more information, please your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check you or that does not go away. - uticasone (Flovent®, Flonase®, Flovent® Diskus®, your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual see the full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information. • These are not all the possible side effects of STRIBILD. For more Flovent® HFA, Veramyst®) symptoms you may have after you stop taking STRIBILD information, ask your healthcare provider. - itraconazole (Sporanox®) What is STRIBILD? Who should not take STRIBILD? • Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You - ketoconazole (Nizoral®) may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. ® • STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults - lidocaine (Xylocaine ) Do not take STRIBILD if you also take a medicine that contains: who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. STRIBILD is a complete What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking STRIBILD? - mexiletine ® regimen and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines. • adefovir (Hepsera ) - oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®) ® Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including: • STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. You must stay on continuous • alfuzosin hydrochloride (Uroxatral ) - perphenazine ® ® • If you have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis B HIV-1 therapy to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses. • cisapride (Propulsid , Propulsid Quicksolv ) - phenobarbital (Luminal®) infection • Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to • ergot-containing medicines, including: dihydroergotamine mesylate - phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) others. Do not share or reuse needles, injection equipment, or personal (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®, Migergot®, • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STRIBILD can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become - propafenone (Rythmol®) items that can have blood or body uids on them. Do not have sex without Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), and pregnant while taking STRIBILD. ® protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane methylergonovine maleate (Ergotrate®, Methergine®) - quinidine (Neudexta ) - There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiviral medicines ® condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal • lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®) - rifabutin (Mycobutin ) secretions, or blood. during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information ® • oral midazolam about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider - rifapentine (Priftin ) about how you can take part in this registry. - risperidone (Risperdal®, Risperdal Consta®) What is the most important information I should know about STRIBILD? • pimozide (Orap®) ® ® ® ® ® • If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed - salmeterol (Serevent ) or salmeterol when taken in combination with • rifampin (Rifadin , Rifamate , Rifater , Rimactane ) if you take STRIBILD. uticasone (Advair Diskus®, Advair HFA®) STRIBILD can cause serious side effects, including: ® • sildena l (Revatio ), when used for treating lung problems ® ® ® ® 1. Build-up of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis - You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of - sildena l (Viagra ), tadala l (Cialis ) or vardena l (Levitra , Staxyn ), can happen in some people who take STRIBILD or similar (nucleoside • simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®) passing HIV-1 to your baby. for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). If you get dizzy or faint (low blood pressure), have vision changes or have an erection that last analogs) medicines. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that ® - Two of the medicines in STRIBILD can pass to your baby in your breast • triazolam (Halcion ) longer than 4 hours, call your healthcare provider or get medical help can lead to death. Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because milk. It is not known if the other medicines in STRIBILD can pass into • the herb St. John’s wort right away. the symptoms could seem like symptoms of other health problems. your breast milk. - tadala l (Adcirca®), for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the Do not take STRIBILD if you also take any other HIV-1 medicines, - Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby. including: - telithromycin (Ketek®) following symptoms which could be signs of lactic acidosis: Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including ® ® ® • feel very weak or tired • Other medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla , Complera , Viread , prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal - thioridazine ® Truvada ) supplements: ® • have unusual (not normal) muscle pain - voriconazole (Vfend ) • Other medicines that contain emtricitabine, lamivudine, or ritonavir • STRIBILD may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines - warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) • have trouble breathing (Atripla®, Combivir®, Complera®, Emtriva®, Epivir® or Epivir-HBV®, may affect how STRIBILD works. ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® - zolpidem (Ambien , Edlular , Intermezzo , Zolpimist ) • have stomach pain with nausea or vomiting Epzicom , Kaletra , Norvir , Trizivir , Truvada ) • Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following STRIBILD is not for use in people who are less than 18 years old. medicines: Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of all your medicines and show • feel cold, especially in your arms and legs it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. • feel dizzy or lightheaded - Hormone-based birth control (pills, patches, rings, shots, etc) Do not start any new medicines while you are taking STRIBILD without  rst What are the possible side effects of STRIBILD? talking with your healthcare provider. • have a fast or irregular heartbeat - Antacid medicines that contain aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium carbonate. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you Keep STRIBILD and all medicines out of reach of children. 2. Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems can happen in people who STRIBILD may cause the following serious side effects: take STRIBILD take STRIBILD. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Your • See “What is the most important information I should know about - Medicines to treat depression, organ transplant rejection, or high This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your STRIBILD?” blood pressure STRIBILD. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare provider right away if you get provider. You can also ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare - amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®) information about STRIBILD that is written for health professionals, or any of the following symptoms of liver problems: provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before you - atorvastatin (Lipitor®, Caduet®) call 1-800-445-3235 or go to www.STRIBILD.com. • your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) start and while you are taking STRIBILD. Your healthcare provider may tell - bepridil hydrochloride (Vascor®, Bepadin®) Issued: October 2013 • dark “tea-colored” urine you to stop taking STRIBILD if you develop new or worse kidney problems. - bosentan (Tracleer®) • light-colored bowel movements (stools) • Bone problems can happen in some people who take STRIBILD. Bone problems include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to - buspirone • loss of appetite for several days or longer fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bones. - carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®) • nausea • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicine. - clarithromycin (Biaxin®, Prevpac®) • stomach pain These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and - clonazepam (Klonopin®) neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The exact cause - clorazepate (Gen-xene®, Tranxene®) if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known. - colchicine (Colcrys®) STRIBILD for a long time. • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can - medicines that contain dexamethasone COMPLERA, EMTRIVA, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, HEPSERA, STRIBILD, the STRIBILD Logo, 3. Worsening of Hepatitis B infection. If you have hepatitis B virus (HBV) TRUVADA, and VIREAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. ATRIPLA happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may - diazepam (Valium®) is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. All other marks referenced herein infection and take STRIBILD, your HBV may get worse ( are-up) if you stop get stronger and begin to  ght infections that have been hidden in your are the property of their respective owners. ® taking STRIBILD. A “ are-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start - digoxin (Lanoxin ) in a worse way than before. having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine. - disopyramide (Norpace®) © 2014 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. STBC0122 10/14

16 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com PALIO Date: 10.21.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_E_Winston_BaltOUTloud_ .indd Winston PALIO Date: 10.21.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_E_Winston_BaltOUTloud_ .indd Winston BS Page 1 BS Page 2 Trim: 9.875” x 9.6” Baltimore OUT Loud Trim: 9.875” x 9.6” Baltimore OUT Loud Patient Information • Do not run out of STRIBILD. Re ll your prescription or talk to your The most common side effects of STRIBILD include: - estazolam healthcare provider before your STRIBILD is all gone ® STRIBILD® (STRY-bild) • Nausea - ethosuximide (Zarontin ) (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir • Do not stop taking STRIBILD without  rst talking to your healthcare provider • Diarrhea - ecainide (Tambocor®) disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) tablets • If you stop taking STRIBILD, your healthcare provider will need to check Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers - urazepam Brief summary of full Prescribing Information. For more information, please your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check you or that does not go away. - uticasone (Flovent®, Flonase®, Flovent® Diskus®, your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual see the full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information. • These are not all the possible side effects of STRIBILD. For more Flovent® HFA, Veramyst®) symptoms you may have after you stop taking STRIBILD information, ask your healthcare provider. - itraconazole (Sporanox®) What is STRIBILD? Who should not take STRIBILD? • Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You - ketoconazole (Nizoral®) may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. ® • STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults - lidocaine (Xylocaine ) Do not take STRIBILD if you also take a medicine that contains: who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. STRIBILD is a complete What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking STRIBILD? - mexiletine ® regimen and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines. • adefovir (Hepsera ) - oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®) ® Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including: • STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. You must stay on continuous • alfuzosin hydrochloride (Uroxatral ) - perphenazine ® ® • If you have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis B HIV-1 therapy to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses. • cisapride (Propulsid , Propulsid Quicksolv ) - phenobarbital (Luminal®) infection • Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to • ergot-containing medicines, including: dihydroergotamine mesylate - phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) others. Do not share or reuse needles, injection equipment, or personal (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®, Migergot®, • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STRIBILD can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become - propafenone (Rythmol®) items that can have blood or body uids on them. Do not have sex without Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), and pregnant while taking STRIBILD. ® protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane methylergonovine maleate (Ergotrate®, Methergine®) - quinidine (Neudexta ) - There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiviral medicines ® condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal • lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®) - rifabutin (Mycobutin ) secretions, or blood. during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information ® • oral midazolam about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider - rifapentine (Priftin ) about how you can take part in this registry. - risperidone (Risperdal®, Risperdal Consta®) What is the most important information I should know about STRIBILD? • pimozide (Orap®) ® ® ® ® ® • If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed - salmeterol (Serevent ) or salmeterol when taken in combination with • rifampin (Rifadin , Rifamate , Rifater , Rimactane ) if you take STRIBILD. uticasone (Advair Diskus®, Advair HFA®) STRIBILD can cause serious side effects, including: ® • sildena l (Revatio ), when used for treating lung problems ® ® ® ® 1. Build-up of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis - You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of - sildena l (Viagra ), tadala l (Cialis ) or vardena l (Levitra , Staxyn ), can happen in some people who take STRIBILD or similar (nucleoside • simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®) passing HIV-1 to your baby. for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). If you get dizzy or faint (low blood pressure), have vision changes or have an erection that last analogs) medicines. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that ® - Two of the medicines in STRIBILD can pass to your baby in your breast • triazolam (Halcion ) longer than 4 hours, call your healthcare provider or get medical help can lead to death. Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because milk. It is not known if the other medicines in STRIBILD can pass into • the herb St. John’s wort right away. the symptoms could seem like symptoms of other health problems. your breast milk. - tadala l (Adcirca®), for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the Do not take STRIBILD if you also take any other HIV-1 medicines, - Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby. including: - telithromycin (Ketek®) following symptoms which could be signs of lactic acidosis: Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including ® ® ® • feel very weak or tired • Other medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla , Complera , Viread , prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal - thioridazine ® Truvada ) supplements: ® • have unusual (not normal) muscle pain - voriconazole (Vfend ) • Other medicines that contain emtricitabine, lamivudine, or ritonavir • STRIBILD may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines - warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) • have trouble breathing (Atripla®, Combivir®, Complera®, Emtriva®, Epivir® or Epivir-HBV®, may affect how STRIBILD works. ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® - zolpidem (Ambien , Edlular , Intermezzo , Zolpimist ) • have stomach pain with nausea or vomiting Epzicom , Kaletra , Norvir , Trizivir , Truvada ) • Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following STRIBILD is not for use in people who are less than 18 years old. medicines: Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of all your medicines and show • feel cold, especially in your arms and legs it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. • feel dizzy or lightheaded - Hormone-based birth control (pills, patches, rings, shots, etc) Do not start any new medicines while you are taking STRIBILD without  rst What are the possible side effects of STRIBILD? talking with your healthcare provider. • have a fast or irregular heartbeat - Antacid medicines that contain aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium carbonate. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you Keep STRIBILD and all medicines out of reach of children. 2. Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems can happen in people who STRIBILD may cause the following serious side effects: take STRIBILD take STRIBILD. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Your • See “What is the most important information I should know about - Medicines to treat depression, organ transplant rejection, or high This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your STRIBILD?” blood pressure STRIBILD. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare provider right away if you get provider. You can also ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare - amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®) information about STRIBILD that is written for health professionals, or any of the following symptoms of liver problems: provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before you - atorvastatin (Lipitor®, Caduet®) call 1-800-445-3235 or go to www.STRIBILD.com. • your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) start and while you are taking STRIBILD. Your healthcare provider may tell - bepridil hydrochloride (Vascor®, Bepadin®) Issued: October 2013 • dark “tea-colored” urine you to stop taking STRIBILD if you develop new or worse kidney problems. - bosentan (Tracleer®) • light-colored bowel movements (stools) • Bone problems can happen in some people who take STRIBILD. Bone problems include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to - buspirone • loss of appetite for several days or longer fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bones. - carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®) • nausea • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicine. - clarithromycin (Biaxin®, Prevpac®) • stomach pain These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and - clonazepam (Klonopin®) neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The exact cause - clorazepate (Gen-xene®, Tranxene®) if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known. - colchicine (Colcrys®) STRIBILD for a long time. • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can - medicines that contain dexamethasone COMPLERA, EMTRIVA, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, HEPSERA, STRIBILD, the STRIBILD Logo, 3. Worsening of Hepatitis B infection. If you have hepatitis B virus (HBV) TRUVADA, and VIREAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. ATRIPLA happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may - diazepam (Valium®) is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. All other marks referenced herein infection and take STRIBILD, your HBV may get worse ( are-up) if you stop get stronger and begin to  ght infections that have been hidden in your are the property of their respective owners. ® taking STRIBILD. A “ are-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start - digoxin (Lanoxin ) in a worse way than before. having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine. - disopyramide (Norpace®) © 2014 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. STBC0122 10/14

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 17 PALIO Date: 10.21.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_E_Winston_BaltOUTloud_ .indd Winston PALIO Date: 10.21.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_E_Winston_BaltOUTloud_ .indd Winston BS Page 1 BS Page 2 Trim: 9.875” x 9.6” Baltimore OUT Loud Trim: 9.875” x 9.6” Baltimore OUT Loud Lively Arts // out on stage

Queer Queens of Qomedy – continued from page 1 Snobbery and Wit on Display in Earnest By Steve Charing the Victorian public and he was eventually No such voice projection glitch existed “If you want to laugh your Baltimore What’s in a name? Apparently, a lot as sentenced to imprisonment. for Joe Brack, an accomplished actor who ass off – (and mine is as flat as a pan- evidenced by Oscar Wilde’s classic work The plot involves two upper-crust eli- played Algernon with gusto and flair. His cake), you need to come see this show,” The Importance of Being Earnest, cur- gible bachelors, Algernon Moncrieff (Joe muscular, rich voice and comedic timing Champlin told Baltimore OUTloud in her rently playing in the spanking new venue Brack) and John “Jack” Worthing (Travis is a huge asset to the production. In Mr. own unique style. “The Queer Queens of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Hudson), who both create dual identities Brack’s sparring with Mr. Hudson’s Jack, of Qomedy is like a high-octane comedy (CSC) on Calvert and Redwood Streets. (one each for the city and one each for the he elicited guffaws from the audience with show that runs non-stop for two hours! The theatre, which is now housed in the country) to avoid social obligations and to this: “Well, I can’t eat muffins in an agi- Seriously your face hurts – you pee your old Mercantile Bank building, is a horse- pursue their intended love interests. tated manner. The butter would probably pants – and you get a really good ab work- shoe shaped, three-tier structure that pro- As their plan begins to collide, the get on my cuffs. One should always eat out. This will be a Comedy Monster Jam.” vides a modern-day setting to the presen- wealthy, strong-willed and overtly snobby muffins quite calmly. It is the only way to Tickets are: $20 for general admission tation of old-time plays. Lady Bracknell eat them.” and $40 for VIP admission. If you buy the The Importance of Being Earnest, (Lesley Malin) The two Travis VIP ticket you can meet the comics be- which opened in London in 1895, is a implants fear male leads Hudson as fore the show at 4:15 p.m. with a wine and farcical comedy that pokes fun at British played off each in the duo as Jack (L.) cheese mixer and preferred seating. To pur- high society in the late Victorian era and the real story of and Joe other with strik- chase tickets, visit Magoobys.com/event. treats such serious institutions as mar- Earnest Worth- Brack as ingly good cfm?id=372656 or call 410-252-2727. riage as trivial. Though successful at the ing is discov- Algernon chemistry as For more information on Poppy Cham- outset, this play led to Wilde’s decline as ered, along with credit: did their respec- t Teresa plin, visit Poppychamplin.com. his homosexual double life was exposed to an explanation Castracane tive love inter- of his heritage. ests Ms. Kelly’s …Earnest Gwendolyn is one of the character and The Revelation of Bobby Pritchard most revered Lizzi Albert as Opening this Month Pritchard is reminiscent of Flannery O’Connor works by Oscar Cecily. Playing and Tennessee Williams and that great tradi- Wilde. An end- the uppity Lady Baltimore’s queer theatre company, Iron tion of Southern Gothic storytelling, “with the less parade of Blacknell, Leslie Crow Theatre, presents the world premier eccentricities dialed back by Rich’s amaz- witticisms and Malin turned in of The Revelation of Bobby Pritchard in the ing good taste and restraint as a writer. It is biting rejoin- a delicious per- second of its three-show 2014-2015 season. a sweeping story that spans 40 years, deal- ders through- formance. This poignant and lyrical new play from Mary- ing with the progress, or lack thereof, made out spawned Rounding land playwright Rich Espey, three-time win- between communities of faith and their gay, as long a list out the cast are ner of the award for best play at the Baltimore lesbian, and genderqueer members, and the of memorable Lisa Hodsoll as Playwrights Festival, is a contemporary ex- ongoing controversy around reparative thera- quotes as you Miss Prism, Cic- ploration of the clash between religious con- py, in which folks try to ‘pray away the gay.’ It will find in lit- ely’s governess; viction and modern LGBTQ issues contained is the story of the reunification of a family after erature. A good Lyle Blake Smy- within the tumultuous dynamics of a typical being torn apart by these tensions.” example is thers, playing American family. Dreams about the late Bob- The play is in keeping with the theme of Lady Brack- dual roles as a by Pritchard compel Marta to return to her Iron Crow’s season in that it features strong nell’s comment servant and but- home town, a rural and religious community female characters and terrific roles for female to Jack while ler; and Gregory she fled decades ago to disclose the truth actors, including a character that identifies as interviewing Burgess as a about Bobby’s death and to marry her part- both male and female simultaneously. In- him as a suitor priest were ad- ner Cynthia in the church in which she grew deed, 4.48 Psychosis that ran this past fall for Gwendolyn mirable and up. Now, with her wife at her side, Marta en- and The Well of Horniness, on tap for June, (Katherine Elizabeth Kelley): “To lose one added laughs to the production. counters Hank, a brother she barely knows, feature potent female characters. parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as Costume designer Krisitna Lamdin did who must deal with the painful revelation “The actors are fierce,” says Satta. “We a misfortune; to lose both looks like care- a fine job in fitting the performers in period about Bobby’s death; and Oren, a nephew were lucky enough to get Julie Herber back lessness.” There are many more. attire especially Lady Blacknell’s exqui- struggling with his sexuality. Hank makes the with us after Act a Lady, along with company Erin Bone Steele directed the talented sitely lush white gown in the second act. choice to support his family rather than his members Heather Lynn Peacock and Sarah CSC ensemble with deftness. The ac- Lighting designer Katie McCreary bright- community’s traditions, and shots ring out. Lynn Taylor. There are lots of faces that will tors moved about with vigor creating the ened up the simple set. The play is directed by Iron Crow’s artis- be new to Iron Crow audiences as well, and visual action that accompanied the witty The Importance of Being Earnest will tic Director, Steven J. Satta, who points out some fantastic new designers.” dialogue. keep you laughing throughout, and you to Baltimore OUTloud that Iron Crow since The Revelation of Bobby Pritchard opens However, there was no sound designer are likely to enjoy a talented ensemble listed in the program, and that could ex- performing the witty brilliance of Oscar its inception in 2010 has been doing Es- on March 13 and will run through March 28 t pey’s work. “In fact, one of the first things we at the Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 West plain why the volume from some of the ac- Wilde. ever produced was a ten-minute play of his Preston Street, Baltimore. Tickets are $22 for tors’ voices was uneven as they bandied The Importance of Being Earnest (145 called The Choreography of Cyn and Marta, general admission; $17 for seniors / educa- about the stage. One could point to the minutes with intermission) plays Thurs- which was the seed that grew into ...Bobby tors / military; and $10 for students. less than perfect acoustics stemming from days through Sundays through March 22 Pritchard, so you could say the company has For more information and ticket reser- the theatre’s near in-the-round configura- at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 7 grown along with the play and vice versa.” vations visit Ironcrowtheatre.org or call 443- tion and high ceiling; if the actors were South Calvert Street, Baltimore. For tick- Satta says that The Revelation of Bobby 637-CROW (2769). t –Steve Charing mic’d, it would have been easier to hear ets, call the box office at 410-244-8570 or each and every witticism. visit Chesapeakeshakespeare.com.

18 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com Lively Arts // out on screen 2015 AUDITIONS Will Smith Keeps a Heist Plot in Focus Mainstage and Cabaret shows: Saturday, March 14th – 10am – 2pm By Chuck Duncan excitement during the pickpocketing, and Heist movies are sometimes difficult things she is incredibly vulnerable when Nicky Sunday, March 15th – 12noon – 4pm to pull off. Some are successful (like forces her to potentially gamble away all Children’s show: Ocean’s Eleven) and some are not (like of the money they just took in. Robbie truly Ocean’s Twelve). Some are very dramat- sells that Jess feels completely betrayed Monday, March 16th – 6pm – 9pm ic, some have humorous undertones. The with such honesty you just want to jump new heist movie Focus falls in the latter into the movie and give her a big hug. Tuesday,T March 17th – 6pm – 9pm category, and adds a bit of romance into The film is filled out with some great the mix. character actors in key roles including Adri- Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned an Martinez as Nicky’s closest friend Far- Mainstage Musicals con man who runs a team of master pick- had, Brennan Brown as Horst (who really pockets who target large events like con- runs Nicky’s game but disappears midway ventions and sporting events. One night in through the movie), and Gerald McRaney a restaurant, Nicky is approached by the as Owens, the chief of security for Nicky’s beautiful Jess (Margot Robbie) to help get mark in Brazil (played by Rodrigo Santoro). her out of a situation and asked to pretend The movie, however, belongs to Smith and SHOW DATES to be her date. Turns out Jess is also a Robbie who have a great scene with B.D. July 17-Aug 2 pickpocket, a rather amateur one at that, Wong at the aforementioned Super Bowl- who is called out by Nicky for her tech- ish game that is the highlight of the movie. nique. Realizing he’s a master, she begs While the movie is great fun overall, it SHOW DATES him to mentor her in the fine art of theft. does suffer from a bit of disjointedness and June 12-28 He does, reluctantly at first, but her has just a few plot holes. First and fore- skills win him over, the team pulls off a mil- most, the first “meet cute” between Nicky lion-dollar day at a vaguely Super Bowl-ish and Jess. Was it a coincidence that two event, and he sends Jess on her way with pickpockets just happened to cross paths no explanation, breaking her heart in the in that restaurant, or was Nicky actually Upstairs Cabaret process. Three years later, Nicky is work- watching Jess from afar? Who knows. And ing a new job in Brazil in the second An Evening of Murder and it just so happens half of the Jess is there too, now movie, did the girlfriend of his new Jess know & mark. But is she re- Nicky was go- ally, or is she working ing to be in a game too? And just Brazil three SHOW DATES who is playing whom? years later, SHOW DATES Focus, thankfully, is and was she June 13-28 July 18-Aug 2 a fun heist movie with really there beautiful leads pulling just to steal Royal Jesters off impossible crimes, N imble fingers a $200,000 and no one really gets watch or to Young People’s Theatre hurt (well, not until the play Nicky? last third of the movie). Smith is back in Never explained. Too many of these coin- fine form, turning on the charm and looking cidences can sink a movie, but the stars SHOW DATES great at 45 (trivia: Smith is now older than are just so engaging that you accept it all July 10-19 Uncle Phil was at the start of The Fresh and go along for the ride. Prince of Bel Air). After a series of much Besides the star power, the film looks too serious films which culminated in the gorgeous, particularly in the first part of the bomb that was After Earth, Smith is actu- film with some of the most beautiful lighting ally having fun again as the romantic lead I’ve seen on film in a while. The look of the who can talk a good game. film also changes from that dark, but lush Margot Robbie, who made a big splash winter in New York lighting to harsh, bright in The Wolf of Wall Street (and who will Brazilian sunlight in the last part of the film play DC Comics villain Harley Quinn in but it all serves a purpose. The film also Suicide Squad alongside Jared Leto as has one of the best soundtracks of recent The Joker), should become a huge star memory, using the music to set the mood. after this movie. First of all, she’s simply Focus may not be the best heist movie gorgeous (I have a little gay crush on her ever made, especially with the major plot Theatre Cockpit in Court Summer now). But besides her beauty, the girl can holes, but the twists and turns, the con- act! There is a pretty funny scene with stant guessing of who is playing whom, the Nicky trying to teach Jess how to be allur- music and the great performances of Smith ing, but she can never get the look on her and Robbie make it a worthwhile getaway face right. She shows her confidence and from our wintery weather. t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 19 Lively Arts // QMUSIC

name a couple of similar artists. If Zola Je- to Church” – on his hands has some cool friends. sus could be credited with making a com- from his self-titled debut on Some of them have Name Game mercial record, it would be Taiga (Mute), Columbia/Rubyworks. If joined him on his new al- an album full of listener-friendly synth-pop you didn’t know better, you bum Otherness (Female numbers such as “It’s Not Over,” the loping might think you were lis- Energy / Mom+Pop). “Dangerous Days,” and “Hunger,” as well as tening to a long-lost Elton That’s Robyn taking the by Gregg Shapiro subtler tracks such as “Dust” and “Lawless.” John tune when you hear lead on “Who Do You Born Steven Demetre Georgiou, Cat Stevens Whispers (Nettwerk / Black Crow) by the song, even including Love?,” a track by Kind- was one of the most popular recording artists Passenger, a.k.a. Mike Rosenberg, is mod- some trademark piano. ness and the Swedish of the 1970s. His string of hit singles included ern folk music for the masses. A little bit Ed Hozier takes us to church pop goddess. Devonté “Wild World,” “Moonshadow,” “Morning Has Sheeran, a little bit Mumford & Sons, a little bit on the gospel-influenced Hynes of Blood Orange Broken,” and “Peace Train,” to mention a Ray LaMontagne, Passenger’s songs strad- “Angel of Small Death & Cat fame can be heard on few. Anyone familiar with Cat Stevens of that dle the line between today and timelessness, The Codeine Scene,” sets Stevens “Why Don’t You Love era knows that he was an artist who was al- wail, and whisper. This is especially true of R&B rocking on “Jackie & Me,” along with Tawiah. ways searching, so it wasn’t all that surprising “27,” “Bullets,” “Golden Leaves,” “Thunder,” Wilson,” thrills our ears on “Sedated,” and Also noteworthy are “World Restart” and when he underwent a religious conversion to “Rolling Stone,” and “Scare Away The Dark.” soothes our weary souls on “Like Real Peo- “This is Not About Us.” Islam, changed his name (yet again) to Yu- With her low-key, stripped down electron- ple Do” and “Foreigner’s God.” Total Strife Forever (Stolen), the debut suf, and went into retirement. Yusuf returned ics and powerful vocals, Banks (a shorten- My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden disc by East India Youth a.k.a. William Doyle, to the land of major labels with his 2006 al- ing of Jillian Banks), falls into the Zola Jesus continues on the path of accessibility on is the kind of album that is aware of its in- bum Another Cup, and followed it with 2009’s / Lorde musical camp on her debut album her new album This is My Hand (Asthmatic fluences and isn’t afraid to make the most Roadslinger. On the bluesy effort, Tell ‘Em Goddess (Harvest). Among the best of the Kitty). Like fellow hipster/modern Christian of them. Instrumentals such as “Total Strife I’m Gone (Legacy), credited to Yusuf / Cat 18 tracks (including four bonus cuts) are the act Sufjan Stevens, My Brightest Diamond Forever” with its retro sensibilities and the Stevens, the singer/songwriter darkens the show-offy ballad “You Should Know Where effectively overlaps the secular and spiri- modern blistering beats of “Hinterland,” are sky with his cloudy cover of “You Are My Sun- I’m Coming From,” the delicate funk of “Stick,” tual musical realms with grace. Still, in spite a couple of good examples. There is a nice shine,” and sings the blues on “Editing Floor “F*** Em Only We Know,” and “Warm Water,” of immediately likeable cuts such as “Lover of blend instrumentals (including those previ- Blues,” “Big Boss Man,” “Gold Digger,” and the sinister “Beggin for Thread,” the acoustic Killer,” “Pressure,” “I Am Not the Bad Guy,” ously mentioned) and songs with lyrics, such the title tune. There are glimpses of beauty to “Someone New,” the seductive “Under The and “Resonance,” This Is My Hand is a bit of as “Dripping Down,” “Heaven, How Long,” be found on “Dying to Live” and “Doors.” Table,” and the pulsing “Fall Over.” a challenge, but rewarding for those willing to and “Looking For Someone,” making this re- Zola Jesus, born Nika Roza Danilova, Of all the artists included here, it’s young make the commitment. cord a strife-free listening experience. t makes music that is sure to appeal to fans Irish singer/songwriter Hozier (Andrew Hozi- Adam Bainbridge, who makes the mel- Kindness performs on March 19 in Wash- and followers of Glasser and Grimes, to er-Byrne) who has the certified hit – “Take Me lowest of modern soul music as Kindness, ington, D.C. at U Street Music Hall. Specials 24 oz. Coors Lite $3.00 Happy Hour Two 18 oz. Bud Ice $4 after 4 2 for 1 4:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

Karaoke Friday and Saturday 8:00p.m.-2:00a.m.

205 W. Read St. Corner of Read & Park Ave. 410-225-3100 Package Goods 11:00a.m.-2:00a.m. ATM Available

20 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 21 dining out

pizza, but there were other items on the vast menu that looked more appealing at the time. Nick ordered the Samak Saya- dia ($14), salmon in tomato sauce cooked Finger’s with potatoes, onions, and cumin served Food with white rice, while I ordered the Chicken Schwarma ($10), a thinly sliced chicken breast marinated in herbs, served with homemade pita bread, Egyptian house Egyptian Pizza salad, and tangy tahini sauce. Nick’s only 542 East Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore criticism of his meal was that the salmon 410-323-7060 was a little dry, which is a curious com- Egyptianpizza.com ment considering it was smothered in to- mato sauce. As for my chicken dish, I was by Richard Finger quite pleased. The chicken was prepared I’ve never made an association between with just the right amount of onions. I com- Egypt and pizza until walking into the res- bined the chicken, salad, and touch of the taurant. Before walking in, I had been con- tahini sauce in a pita… very tasty. juring up images of what the inside would Egyptian Pizza offers a wide variety of be like? Would soups, salads, there be faux rel- Middle Eastern ics of pyramids, the platters, cal- Sphinx, or other zones, burgers, ancient ruins? sandwiches, Sure enough, I was pastas, and of quite close in fact. course, pizzas. Couple this with the A full menu dim lighting, and page is dedicat- the sound of piped- ed to the pizzas in Arabic music, alone, featur- and I think you can ing options from begin to picture the cheese, veg- restaurant yourself. etarian, meat, I couldn’t deter- and seafood. mine whether the All pizzas decor was meant to are available in be parody or a real 10 or 14-inch attempt at authen- sizes, and range ticity? in price from We were po- $7 (small pizza litely greeted upon margherita) to entry, and seated $19 (multiple at a table towards large meat and the rear of the din- seafood pizzas) ing room. While not For sure, some- a large eatery, I E gyptian Pizza’s big menu means tasty options thing for every had the impression from throughout the food pyramid palate. there was plenty of The intention seating for a small crowd, perhaps this is of Egyptian Pizza is to “provide customers the result of the mirrors along one of the with unique and natural foods, while at the walls. We were feeling a bit adventurous, same time, cater to their increased aware- maybe getting caught up in the surround- ness and concerns regarding health and ings, and tried Karkadeh tea ($3), made nutrition.” from hibiscus leaves. They believe in “serving tasty, healthy, The tea is served cold, over ice, and and natural meals to all customers in a ca- was deep shade of red. I was surprised of sual and affordable environment.” the sweet and strong taste. Well, maybe I didn’t love the Karkadeh Certainly not the worst beverage I had tea, but I would otherwise agree that for ever tried, but not the best either. On the our visit, Egyptian Pizza lived up to its mis- other hand, Nick quite liked it. sion statement. Looking around the dining room, we With a complete menu appropriate for noticed that the main courses looked lunch or dinner, next time in the Belvedere quite large, and decided not to order any Square area, stop in and experience for Mezzas (appetizers). Nothing against the yourself a little bit of Cairo. t

22 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 23 your money

some yelling, and was clearly unexpected. How could he know this behavior would be mean to the consumer? This means that if your considered so offensive to this woman? He Internet service provider – take, for example, The More you could not have known, this was the hidden Tech Verizon – were paid the fee by YouTube but Know About part of the woman, the part under water. Talk not Netflix then you most likely would be able to A lost point in this real scenario is the David Sugar view videos on YouTube faster than you would Business man’s positive intent. I am sure he did not be on Netflix. These fees also would most likely Richard Finger mean to offend this woman; in fact, I am be passed down to the consumer in one way sure his intent was quite the opposite. Un- or another. In fact this has already happened fortunately for both, this interaction turned Net where Netflix has signed a deal with Verizon into a huge debacle, both parties walked and Comcast to increase the speed and quality Positive Intent away scorned. In the workplace, these types Neutrality of their streaming videos. of misunderstandings are happening on a Up until last week Internet service providers Earlier in the week, I facilitated a discus- daily basis, and the fallout can leave work had been classified as “information services,” sion about inclusion and diversity with a relationships forever ruined. The trust be- 101 meaning that they were not obligated to pro- small group of employees. Included in the tween colleagues will erode the more time Recently I was talking to some friends and men- vide the same service to everyone. Fortunately material are some thought provoking im- that elapses from such misunderstandings tioned I would like to write a technology column to ensure access to the Internet as we know ages and concepts. Picture, for example, without talking it through. Again, positive in- for Baltimore OUTloud. Unfortunately my writ- it, the FCC took a vote last week on reclassi- an iceberg. The tip of the iceberg, the part tent has to be the driving force to piece the ing skills lack unless you consider what I fying Internet service providers above water, is the part that you relationship(s) back to- have written in Java, PHP, C++, HTML, How does it as “common carriers.” Common see. Naturally, the larger part of ... And when it’s not gether. CSS, or many of the other computer carriers are classified by the the iceberg, under water, is the Had this woman languages out there. As a result rather affect us? government as a company that part that’s hidden. Now relate the enough assumed positive in- than sit here and choose my own top- is mandated by the government iceberg to a person. We all make tent, she would have ics for this column I would like you, the reader, to provide the same service to everyone without conclusions about a person based on what reacted differently. She would have thanked to choose the topic. You will do this by sending any type of discrimination. Examples of these we see, based on our own experiences the gentleman for opening the door, and fol- in your tech questions for me to answer each companies include gas, electric, and telephone and interactions with him or her. Some- lowed it up with a sentence or two to tell him week. Think about this like a Car Talk-esque companies. times these conclusions are correct, often- why this behavior was bothersome for her. column but focused on technology and instead So where does this vote leave us? Well times, not so much. Our own behavior with It could have been a teaching moment, the of on the radio in writing. Actually you are lucky to start we should expect to see some legal relationship enhanced as a result of the dis- that you don’t have to hear me discuss technol- battles brought on by Internet service provid- “With individuals cussion, but such was not the case. ogy on the radio, you may never get me to stop ers. While most consumers would like to see a I find it intriguing how our own behav- talking depending on the topic. fair and level playing field for accessing data on assuming positive ior and reactions to a given situation can Anyway since I have no questions just yet the Internet that isn’t true of the Internet service intent, workplace contribute to workplace conflicts. It is much I will start with a brief discussion on net neu- providers. Internet service providers will argue easier to assign blame to the other party trality, a hot topic in the news these days. So that with net neutrality they won’t be able to help relationships will rather than take accountability. After facilitat- what is net neutrality? Net neutrality is based recoup some of the costs that will allow them ing this inclusion and diversity discussion, I on the idea that Internet service providers such to upgrade their broadband infrastructure. So become richer.” have had several participants tell me they as Comcast and Verizon should treat all of what do you think? Should we have net neutral- are finding themselves examining some re- your Internet traffic in the same way and they ity of should Internet service providers be able a person, or sometimes a group of people, lationships in their personal and professional shouldn’t be able to charge you extra to access to shape the way we access the Internet poten- is often times based on these conclusions. lives, asking themselves, “How am I being certain sites or services on the Internet. Unfor- tially blocking material and throttling the speed A recipient of behavior, whether it be with that person? What assumptions am I tunately Comcast, Verizon, and other Internet of websites based on payment. verbal or of body-language, can be per- making about them? What is the reaction I service providers instead would like to force Send me your technology questions, com- ceived as affirming or judgmental. It is dif- am having to that person? Am I assuming high bandwidth sites such as Netflix, Facebook, ments and any other technology topics you ficult to know. A real example I can provide is positive intent from that person?” In other and YouTube to pay them a fee to be able to would like to see discussed to outloudtech@ when a gentleman opens a door for a wom- words, they are taking the time to dig a little be in an “Internet fast lane.” So what does this gmail.com. t an, and says “ladies first.” From this man’s deeper and reveal some parts of themselves experience, he is being polite, and only do- that are hidden from view, and to discover ing what has been ingrained as socially ac- more about other people, and what may be ceptable. Also from this man’s experience, underneath what they can see, challenging having watched other men open doors for their assumptions. What makes me hope- women and from his own behavior of open- ful is that with individuals assuming positive ing doors for women in his past, he has con- intent, workplace relationships will become cluded that this behavior is okay. This is his richer, and as a result, productivity is im- view of the tip of the iceberg; in this case, the proved. iceberg being the woman. To complete this In a professional workplace, adults scenario, in this particular instance, when should be very capable of this level of ma- he opened the door, and stated “ladies first,” ture thinking. When lost in the moment, posi- this behavior was interpreted as demean- tive intent is forgotten, and adults begin to ing and highly offensive to this particular act like children. My objective is to keep that woman, who would have been very happy from happening, and continuously remind- to open the door for herself. He was met ing employees about the guiding principle of with a very strong reaction, which included positive intent. t

24 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com real estate

never know when you might need to sell The Dark Side of Going Solar your house. The legal requirements of your agreement with the solar installer could sig- By Wayne Curtis expects that to grow rapidly over the next have the system removed. nificantly change the transaction to sell your Everyone loves the idea of going solar! decade. The main barrier to this growth is Solar installations are great; they are property when that time comes, and require Nothing says green, hi-tech, earth-loving, how to pay for this technological advance- motivated by only the best intentions. But you to bring money to the table instead of or just downright cool like having those ment. think through the future consequences be- leaving with a check in your pocket. t sleek panels perched on your rooftop ab- A complete solar system costs about fore you jump, and discuss them with the Wayne Curtis has been a licensed real sorbing the sun’s free energy that pours $12 per watt, installed. That means the representative of the company you are in- estate agent since 1998. In November, 2012, down on our heads every day, and con- average system for a residential dwelling terviewing to do the installation and mainte- he was named a Realtor Hero by the Nation- verting it into the electricity we use in ev- will cost anywhere between $20,000 and nance. Compare the cost savings over time al Association of Realtors for his work pro- er-increasing amounts. The prices of the $50,000. There are federal, state and lo- to the cost of the agreement in both the moting homeownership in Baltimore. Write photovoltaic cells – which actually do the cal exemptions and credits that can be short term and the long term, because you him at [email protected]. hard work of converting the sunshine into used to offset this expense, including a power – are getting lower and lower each 30% credit against your federal income year. There are now dozens of solar ener- tax, Maryland’s Clean Energy Production gy companies in Maryland doing their best Tax Credit, Maryland’s Renewable Portfo- to tempt you to take the plunge. So, what lio Standard, and funding from the state of do you need to know? up to $10,000 for residential systems up to First, not every home is suitable for 20 kilowatts. Visit Mdcleanenergy.org/solar the installation of solar panels. Accord- for more detailed descriptions of these in- ing to the Maryland Clean Energy Center centives. Otterbein. Modern TH Loch Raven. End of (Mdcleanenergy.org), your home needs to Obviously, you need to own your home with flexible 2-3 bedrm group TH with large meet several criteria: a roof with its main to be able to do this. Even with tax cred- floorplan, roof terrace, fenced yard, recent its and other reimbursements, balcony, granite/SS kit. renovation. 3bd, 2ba, it’s a very expensive proposi- Steps from the harbor! and priced to move! tion. So, many of these instal- Buy it for $324,500! Offered for $134,900! lation companies offer leases, lease to own, or extended www.charmcityrealestate.com 410-467-8950 (direct) payment plans to help people afford this installation. And here’s where the problems can arise: If you don’t plan on staying in your home for at least a decade after installing a solar system, you could be setting yourself up for a major financial disaster when you exposure to the east, west, or south; a sell. large area without dormers or other archi- Here’s an example: In a recent trans- tectural impediments to the installation of action in Central Maryland, a house listed a set of panels; and at least four to eight for sale had a two-year-old solar system hours of direct sunlight year round. Plus, that was leased to the homeowner. The your personal electrical usage needs to new buyer qualified easily for the mortgage justify the size of installation you’re con- to buy the home, but the energy company sidering. who held the lease rejected the buyer’s ap- There are three types of solar panel plication to take over the remainder of the systems: 18-year lease on the solar panels. If the • On-grid battery systems – These owner wanted to sell the house to this buy- are connected to the main electricity grid er, he could pay over $22,000 to buy out and also store excess energy in batteries the lease and have the panels removed, to use at night or on cloudy days; or pay $18,000 to buy out the lease and • On-grid systems without batteries leave the panels intact. He chose the latter – These are the most simple to set up and option. are easier to install, but if the power goes Let me emphasize, this $18,000 pay- out in the neighborhood, the system will ment did not buy the panels. The panels shut down; and still remained the property of the solar • Off-grid systems – These are not company that installed them. The $18,000 tied to the electricity grid and generate all only bought out in advance the remaining their power independently. 18 years of the lease. Whoever owns the At the current moment, solar power house in 18 years will still have to negoti- accounts for three-tenths of one percent ate with the solar company, either to renew of the total energy consumed in the U.S the lease, buy the system outright (and as- (Instituteforenergyresearch.org). Everyone sume the cost of maintaining it), or pay to

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 25 column for San Francisco’s Bay Area Re- gains at this auction and at the porter for 38 years until his death on Oc- same time helped a good cause. tober 8, 2009. I would take great pride in On Saturday, March 21 at 10:30 telling Mr. Marcus that I wanted to be him p.m. the Mr. D.C. Eagle 2015 Leather when I grew up. He would always smile Contest will be held. This is al- Line with a twinkle in his eye when I told him ways a concise and exciting con- Rodney Burger that. But enough of looking back. There test. It will be even extra special are lots of leather events coming up. I pre- this year when Mr. D.C. Eagle fer to look forward. 2014 Ramien Pierre steps down Always The next event I’m looking forward to is after having also taken the Inter- coming up over the weekend of March 20 national Mr. Leather 2014 title. and March 21. I am sure you have heard Plus, everyone loves Ramien! Looking by now that the new D.C. Eagle at 3701 Also on my schedule for Benning Road NE is now at last open. March is the fifth annual Bears, Ahead The D.C. Eagle has traditionally celebrat- Bikers, & Mayhem on the week- ed its anniversary and held the Mr. D.C. end of March 26 to 29 in nearby It is hard to believe that this is my 250th Eagle Contest in the month of November. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. For Leather Line. It has been an honor to bring When Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend rolled one low cost you will have a fun- my beloved leather community to you each around in early January and the bar was filled getaway that includes food, and every other week for over ten years. At still not open, the beautiful D.C. Eagle 43rd cocktail parties, the Mr. Mayhem January’s Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend a anniversary pin was placed on a “coming Leather 2015 Contest, and much gentleman came up to me during Leather soon” postcard and added to the MAL run more! I made my reservations Cocktails and said, “I’ve never been to MAL pack. Now at last the event is going to hap- long ago. Go to Bearsbikersand- before. I’m here because you always write pen. On Friday, March 20 the popular Ea- mayhem.com and sign up now! about how much fun you have at MAL. I’m gle Wings auction will take place at the bar For something fun and dif- having a great time. Thank you.” I’ve met starting at 10 p.m. This is a live auction of ferent right here in Baltimore, so many people over the years while writ- leather and gear with proceeds benefiting COMMAND, MC, has plans for ing this column. I cannot describe how it SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth you on Friday, March 6. Do you felt to be seated next to one of my idols Advocates and Leaders) and SAGE D.C. like big balls? Join COMMAND Marcus Hernandez at countless leather (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders). for an evening of bowling start- R amien Pierre (IML 2014 / Mr. D.C. Eagle 2014) contest. Mister Marcus wrote the leather In the past I have gotten some real bar- ing at 8 p.m. at Mustang Alley’s credit: Rodney Burger Bar, Bowling & Bistro located at 1300 Bank Street, 2nd floor. Don’t like to friend requests. I even learned about some bowl – come on out anyway and watch the events that I wasn’t even thinking about – fun. Your mind won’t be the only thing in like the 25th anniversary of the Tarheel the gutter! It is a lot further to travel, but if Leather Club: “A Silver Balls Celebration” you want to attend one of the best formal on July 10 to 12 in Greensboro, North Car- leather dinners I have ever seen you should olina (Tarheelleatherclub.org). sign up to attend the Long Island Raven’s I also met members of a brand new 23rd anniversary weekend on March 20 to leather club: Leather Buccaneers of North- 22. The host hotel is the Clarion Conven- east Florida. Founded July 10, 2013 with tion Center Hotel in Ronkonkoma, New the purpose “To stand as brothers and York. This year’s theme is “To Kill a Raven! sisters in leather fellowship in supporting A Murder Most Fowl Weekend.” Time goes equality and harmony among all gay, les- so quickly. I took Sir Steve to the Long Is- bian, bisexual, transgender, and hetero- land Ravens’ dinner in 2007 and he is still sexual cultures through education, sup- talking about it. The murder mystery dinner port, and charitable contributions.” Plus $$$ and dance will be Saturday, March 21 at this fun band of pirates knows how to have the beautiful West Lake Inn in Patchogue, a good time! Check them out at Leather- New York, and will include a five-hour open buccaneers.org. bar and a four-course dinner. You can do Speaking of education, the Leather just the dinner for $99 – but why not do Leadership Conference on March 27 to 29 the whole weekend for just $149? The full will be at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Airport. weekend includes all meals, transporta- This event which started in New York City tion, cocktail parties, demo classes, and in 1997 with 40 participants gets bigger more. Details can be found at Liravensmc. every year. Last year’s Leather Leader- org. ship Conference in Philadelphia saw over The Long Island Ravens are a fun 300 leather folks in attendance. There is a bunch of guys. You can make lots of new whole weekend of training sessions sched- friends at the weekend events put on by uled to aid “current and potential leaders of the various leather clubs – and you don’t the SM / leather / fetish community.” have to be a member of any club to attend. Each month brings lots of wonderful I met so many new leather folks during events in our leather community. What’s the recent SECC event in Orlando that I on your schedule? It is always fun to plan came home to a whole stack of Facebook ahead. t 26 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com t 27 Open Sunday March 15th at 1:00p.m. for St Patricks Day Parade Tues March 17th Drink Specials with Irish Marc See what’s in his Pot “O” Gold

Monday night Rupaul Drag Race on the big screen with Tyler Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Martini Bar 7:00p.m. till CLOSE! Saturdays Live D.J. 9pm to midnight Always Enjoy Our Seven Days a Week Buy One Get One Happy Hour 4:00p.m.-10:00p.m. WelcomeW our Bartenders Marc, Joe, and our newest stars Tyler & Tina and welcome back Damian

28 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD MARCH 6, 2015 • baltimoreoutloud.com