OUT November 4, 2011 | Volume IX Issue 13 La Cage! photo: Paul Kolnik A CONVERSATION WITH... Howard County Introduces Christopher Sieber Gender ID by CHuCk DunCan multi-talened, Tony-nominated Broadway The latest version of La Cage aux star! I recently had the great pleasure of Protections Folles has hit the road for a na- speaking with Christopher, from his home- Columbia, MD – Howard County tionwide tour that is current- town of Minneapolis, Council members Courtney Watson ly in Baltimore through No- to talk about the new (District 1), Calvin Ball (District 2), Jen vember 6 at the Hippodrome show, his outrageous Terrasa (District 3), and Mary Kay Si- Theatre. If you haven’t got- role in Shrek the Musi- gaty (District 4) introduced county leg- ten your tickets yet, there cal and what the future islation on October 27 that would pro- are several reasons to see holds. hibit discrimination based on gender the new production (which CD: How is the identity and expression in the areas is a more intimate version tour going? This is of housing, law enforcement, public of the original Broadway your first tour, right? accommodations, financing, employ- extravaganza), and two of CS: This is not ment, and health and social services. them are the show’s stars necessarily my first This bill was immediately applauded – the legendary George tour. It’s my second, by the local chapter of Parents, Fami- Hamilton has taken over but the first tour I did lies & Friends of Lesbians & Gays the role of Georges (played was 20-some odd (PFLAG) and Gender Rights Maryland by Christopher Sieber on Christopher Sieber years ago so... yeah, (GRMD), an organization dedicated to Broadway). The role of Zaza I was 22 then and you enacting similar statewide protections. is being played by none other could stay up late and not worry about “As parents of transgender chil- than… Christopher Sieber, the singing the next day. Remember 20 years dren we want the same thing for our —continued on page 15 children as all parents want: we want them to be happy, to get a produc- tive job, and to move out and support and legally recognized marriages, and the themselves. This bill will make that Lawsuit Filed for LGBT Service Members military should not be forced to turn its back dream more possible for transgender On October 27, the Servicemembers Legal The case, filed in the District of Mas- on them because the federal government re- children in Howard County, who are Defense Network (SLDN) announced the sachusetts, challenges the constitutionality fuses to recognize their families.” at much higher risk for suicide, unem- filing of landmark federal litigation, suing of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act Together, the plaintiffs represent 159 ployment and homelessness,” said US Attorney General Eric Holder, Secre- (DOMA), as well as provisions in Title 10, years of military service; serve in the Army, Catherine Hyde, the coordinator of tary of Defense Leon Panetta, and Secre- Title 32, and Title 38 of US Code, which Air Force, Navy and National Guard; and as PFLAG Howard County’s Transgen- tary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, on preclude the mili- couples, have been together for a der Parent Network. behalf of current and former service mem- tary from providing total of 79 years. “All hardworking people in our bers seeking equal recognition, benefits same-sex married “Despite putting their lives on state, including transgender people, and family support for equal sacrifice and couples with the the line to ensure our nation’s should have a chance to earn a living service in the US Armed Forces. same benefits and security, lesbian and gay service and provide for themselves and their The plaintiffs, each legally married, family support as members do not receive equal families. Nobody should have to live in want the armed services to recognize their their straight, mar- benefits for equal work,” said fear that they can be legally fired for families and seek the same family support ried peers. Human Rights Campaign (HRC) reasons that have nothing to do with and benefits for their same-sex spouses “This case is President Joe Solmonese in a their job performance. I have seen the that the services and Department of Veter- about one thing, statement released on the day result of this kind of discrimination and ans Affairs provide to opposite-sex spous- plain and simple. It’s about justice for gay and of the filing. “Today’s legal action shines it should not be allowed in Howard es. Such benefits include medical and lesbian service members and their families in a light on the difficulties that the so-called County,” said Sharon Brackett, board dental benefits, basic housing allowances, our armed forces rendering the same military Defense of Marriage Act creates for les- chair for Gender Rights Maryland. travel and transportation allowances, fam- service, making the same sacrifices, and tak- bian and gay military families. HRC ap- GRMD claims that recent polls ily separation benefits, military ID cards, ing the same risks to keep our nation secure plauds the bravery of these service mem- show that 63% of Marylanders sup- visitation rights in military hospitals, sur- at home and abroad,” said Army veteran and bers and thanks SDLN and Chadbourne & port adding comprehensive protec- vivor benefits, and the right to be buried SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis. Parke for making sure they will get their together in military cemeteries. “These couples are in long term, committed, day in court.” t —continued on page 4 nEwS // INTERNATIONAL European Union Sets New Asylum Rules He is a member of the Socialist Party. Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP, vice-president The European Parliament’s Intergroup on asylum in EU states. “Governments have of the LGBT Intergroup, said that she is Co-Publishers LGBT Rights announced in a press release already agreed to the changes, which are proud that her colleagues from the center- Jim Becker • Jim Williams [email protected] that on October 27 the EU Parliament vot- final,” according to the statement of the right supported this change, regardless of ed in favor of a new set of asylum rules Executive Editor Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights. their view on asylum in general. “The Eu- Jim Becker for the European Union. The binding rules It applies to all EU member states ex- ropean Union is only starting to recognize [email protected] now include gender identity as a ground of cept the United Kingdom, which opted gender identity as a ground of persecution, Managing Editor persecution. Governments have already out of EU asylum policies. Jean Lambert but I hope today’s vote will help protect Dana LaRocca agreed to the changes, which are final. drafted the resolution in July, Ms. Lambert more lives,” she said. [email protected] The di- is a British member of the Ms. Pietikäinen also sits Production Director Bill Andriette rective, intro- European Parliament and a as a substitute member duced in July Sales Director member of the Green Party on the Committee on Mary Taylor noted that, of England and Wales, and Women’s Rights and [email protected] “For the pur- she has been an MEP since Gender Equality. Leather Columnist poses of defin- 1999. The binding rules Rodney Burger ing a particular Dennis de Jong MEP, will apply after they are Contributing Writers social group, vice-president of the LGBT adopted in EU Member Shawn Bradley • Cathy Brennan • Terrence Brower • Steve Charing • Jeffrey Clagett • Jeffrey Clouser • Chuck Duncan issues arising Intergroup and respon- States’ national law. • Gerry Fisher • Eva Hersh MD • Sam Kunz • Jessica Lemmo • from an ap- sible for asylum policies The Intergroup has Jay Loane • Meredith Moise • Vann Mills • Colin Riley • Gregg Shapiro • plicant’s gen- in the GUE/NGL group, 118 members, who der, including commented: “Around the are all members of the Graphics gender iden- world, transgender people European Parliament. Joe Velasquez • Bob Wellington tity and sexual can be persecuted for who They work towards se- Jean Lambert Cartoonist o r i e n t a t i o n , they are. This reviewed Di- curing LGBT rights un- Bruce Garrett (www.brucegarrett.com) which may be rective will recognize the der five priorities. Photographers Dennis de Jong related to cer- danger they face, and it will commit EU • Freedom of movement for LGBT Bruce Garrett • Jay W Photos • Justin Nixon tain legal tradi- Member States to taking gender identity people Web Editor tions and customs... should be given due Anja Saine into account in asylum claims. I hope in a • Monitoring the European Commis- [email protected] consideration insofar as they are related to future revision it will also become manda- sion Managed Web Services the applicant’s well-founded fear of perse- tory to consider the sexual orientation of • Combating discrimination in the Eu- The Fusio Group 866-322-7498, www.thefusiogroup.com cution.” applicants.” ropean Union Gender identity now qualifies a so- National Advertising Rep Mr. de Jong, from the Netherlands, is • Securing transgender rights Rivendell Media cial group that can result in persecution; a member of the Confederal Group of the • Monitoring human rights in the work 908-232-2021 such persons may now be considered for t European United Left / Nordic Green Left. of the European Union. Founders Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams Axel Axgil, of First Gay Marriage, Dies at 96 Baltimore OUTloud P.O. Box 3640, Baltimore, Maryland 21214 410-244-6780 Axel Axgil (April 3, 1915 ers no direct harm.” Hva Vi www.baltimoreoutloud.com – October 29, 2011) Vil launched the Norwegian married Eigel in Co- gay rights movement.