OUT January 11, 2013 | Volume X, Issue 16 Maryland, and we are excited to open City Hall to host some of the first wedding ceremonies in our great state. Newly mar- ried couples will stand before their friends and family to pro- ‘I Do!’ fess their love and commitment BY STEVE CHARING to each other. This is what we worked for, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings- and I am looking forward to take part in this Blake, who was a high-profile advocate for historic and jubilant day.” marriage equality – especially during the Jim Scales, a 40-year employee of Bal- referendum battle – decided to open the timore City and has been an office manag- doors of City Hall to allow same-sex cou- er serving all mayors since William Donald ples to marry as soon as it was legal. Be- Schaefer, and his partner Bill Tasker were ginning at 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, the first to get married in City Hall at 12:30 seven couples participated in ceremonies a.m. on January 1. The couple who reside with the first one officiated by the Mayor in Essex have been together for 35 years. herself. “We didn’t want to rush into this,” Scales “New Years Day will have a new mean- said with his tongue firmly planted in his ing for the hundreds – if not thousands – of cheek. They waited and waited until mar- couples who will finally have the right to riage for same-sex couples became legal marry the person they love,” said Mayor in their home state. Rawlings-Blake in a statement prior to the Tasker also showed off his sense of hu- Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake officiating the nuptials of Jim Scales and Bill Tasker event. “It is a remarkable achievement for —continued on page 13 credit: Steve Charing Sheila Shaw, mother of Community Stands up to Violence attack victim Kenni Shaw (r), speaks at vigil BY STEVE CHARING bruises to his face and body from the beat- in consultation with the state’s attorney’s credit: Steve Charing Over 40 people braved the ing that ultimately lasted over ten minutes office, will determine if the assault is to be blustery cold weather to attend and included five, perhaps six men. Shaw considered a hate crime. Det. Davis indi- a candlelight vigil against the wound up lying face down on the pave- cated there are possible leads in the case. violence that is all too common- ment as the attack continued. Shaw, a cosmetologist, told Baltimore ly inflicted upon members of the He struggled to get home, which is lo- OUTloud that he definitely believes this LGBT community in Baltimore. cated not far from the attack, and called his was a hate crime and wanted to speak out The gathering took place at the mother Sheila Shaw. Apparently neighbors to help others in the community and that he foot of the Washington Monu- contacted police who showed up immedi- needed to take a stand against hate. Noth- ment on the evening of Decem- ately and helped transport him to Johns ing was said during the attack, and he was ber 30 in reaction to the attack Hopkins Hospital for treatment. Shaw’s not robbed of any valuables such as a cell and beating of Kenni Shaw, a mother met him there. phone or identification. He heard one of the 30-year-old gay man, in East Although he remained conscious, attackers say afterwards, “You’re lucky you Baltimore on Christmas night. Shaw’s position on the ground and the don’t have money because we would have Shaw was punched from swelling in his eyes prevented him from robbed you,” suggesting to Shaw that any behind around 9 p.m. on Christ- providing a good description. Baltimore robbery would have been an afterthought – mas night as he left a liquor City Police spokesman Det. Vernon Davis not the motive of the attack. store at East Hoffman and North explained to Baltimore OUTloud that Shaw Shaw also mentioned that about seven Rose Streets in East Baltimore. was “assaulted badly” but a motive had not months ago, he heard a man in the neigh- He was bloodied and sustained been identified. If arrests are made, police, —continued on page 2 NEWS // LOCAL CommuNITY STANds son was beaten because he is a pariah, the department will establish an advisory UP TO VIolENCE and I love him. I am a pariah too,” she said board to meet regularly with LGBT people. – continued from front page Co-Publishers to cheers and applause. She demanded Also on hand to speak against violence were Jim Becker • Jim Williams that hate crimes must cease immediately. councilmen Carl Stokes and Nick Mosby, [email protected] borhood referring to Shaw, who has dyed Delegate Mary Washington (D-43), the Kevin Cleary who is an aide to the mayor, Executive Editor blond hair, “I don’t want no faggots living only elected official present, introduced Equality Maryland executive director Carrie Jim Becker [email protected] on this block.” He believes the attackers herself to the crowd by saying, “I am your Evans, NAACP-Baltimore Branch president Managing Editor “roll with the same crew.” delegate. When you knock us down we Tessa Hill-Aston, Fred Mason III of the Black [email protected] Local activist Rev. Mother Meredith multiply.” Family Alliance and Michael Brewer of the Production Director Moise and the Guardian Angels organized Guardian Angels representatives National Black Justice Coalition. Bob Wellington “We wanted to go into the neighborhood the vigil titled “Promote the Peace: A vigil Krush Kent and Marcus Strider Dent spoke Sales Director for Kenni Shaw and all the victims of vio- of their commitment and struggle to end vi- and look at the faces in the crowd and say no Mary Taylor lence against LGBT people,” which con- olence of all kinds in Baltimore and lauded matter if we’re gay or not, we can live here, [email protected] sisted of prayers for peace and speeches the courage of Kenni and his mother. we can walk here, and we will not be intimi- Leather Columnist that echoed the theme that the violence Carlton Smith, president of Baltimore dated,” Kinji Scott, one of the organizers of Rodney Burger must stop now. Both Kenni and his mother, Black Pride, commented to Baltimore the march told Baltimore OUTloud. “And Contributing Writers Joey Amato • Sharon Brackett • Cathy Brennan • Rodney Burger • Sheila Shaw, were present and briefly ad- OUTloud: “Today I want to reflect how im- when you beat us down, we will stand up.” Joshua Buchbinder • Steve Charing • Jeffrey Claggett • dressed the crowd. portant it is for us to come out and sup- So far, Marcus Evans, 26, was arrested Jeffrey Clouser • Wayne Curtis • Woody Derricks • Denise R. Duarte • Chuck Duncan • Michael Farley • Jon Fairbanks • Gerry “This vigil is taking place on the fifth port our community,” he said. “This is not a in connection with the beating of Shaw and Fisher • Bruce Garrett • Jeff Hammerberg • Dr. Eva Hersh • day of Kwanzaa – Purpose. We are here black and white thing; this is a hate crime. has been charged with 1st and 2nd degree Shirli Hughes • Sam Kunz • Michelle Lanchester, Esq. • Dana assault. t LaRocca • Jessica Lemmo • Jay Loane • Rev. Meredith Moise • in a purpose,” said Moise as she opened This is what we need to let our Mayor know Bill Palmer • Gregg Shapiro up the program. “We can turn tragedy into that we will not tolerate this and that we triumph. The time of purpose is now. May want some action. We are angry but anger Graphics the energy of peace from this incident en- can lead to action to change policy.” Joe Velasquez • Bob Wellington velop this city.” The program was concluded by re- Westminster- Cartoonist Dr. Jamie Washington and Rev. Samu- marks from Rev. C.D. Witherspoon, presi- Bruce Garrett (www.brucegarrett.com) el Offer of the Unity Fellowship Church of dent of the Southern Christian Leadership Carroll County Photographers Baltimore delivered a prayer for peace and Conference. He told of a planned protest Chapter Bruce Garrett • Jay W Photos led the crowd in song. march on January 5 to the exact site of the Web Editor Anja Saine Kenni Shaw, still bruised and blood- attack. [email protected] shot from the beating, then offered brief That march, which began on North Gay Managed Web Services Parents, Families, and Friends The Fusio Group remarks thanking the community for their Street, included a diverse group of about 866-322-7498, www.thefusiogroup.com outpouring of support and how he feels for- 50 activists and officials. A rally was held in of Lesbians and Gays National Advertising Rep tunate to be standing here given what had front of the liquor store at North Milton Av- www.pflagwcc.org Rivendell Media transpired. enue and East Hoffman Street, near where 908-232-2021 He was followed by his mother. “I the beating occurred. MOVING EQUALITY FORWARD Founders thought I’d lose him,” Mrs. Shaw said of Baltimore City Police Commissioner An- Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • Call us at 410-861-0488 Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams first seeing her son in such condition. “My thony Batts addressed the crowd indicating Baltimore OUTloud PO Box 4887 Baltimore, MD 21211 410-244-6780 www.baltimoreoutloud.com Additional Information Congratulations Maryland! Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride Media, Ltd. in Baltimore, Maryland. Readers comments and unsolicited materials are welcomed and may be sent to: editor@ baltimoreoutloud.com. All materials appearing in this newspaper Same Sex Marriage is Law! are the property of Pride Media, Ltd.