OAN INDEPENDENTU VOICE FOR THET LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES May 3, 2013 | Volume X, Issue 24 Breaking the Rainbow Barrier If I had my way, someone else would have already NBA’s Jason Collins becomes now see this development as a gateway to done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m further disclosures in pro sports. raising my hand.” first male pro athlete to come out An All-American while at Stanford Uni- It took a gay pride parade in Boston last versity, Collins, since 2001, has played year to help Collins see the light. “I realized I BY STEVE CHARING professional basketball for the Nets, while needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my Jason Collins, a basketball player who last they were still in New Jersey, the Memphis old roommate at Stanford and now a Massa- played for the Washington Wizards, became Grizzlies, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the chusetts congressman, told me he had just the first professional male athlete in the Atlanta Hawks, the Boston Celtics, and the marched in Boston’s 2012 Gay Pride Pa- four major North American sports leagues Washington Wizards. He is currently a free rade. I’m seldom jealous of others, but hear- – Major League Baseball, National Football agent, and he had chosen to wear the jersey ing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I League, National Hockey League and the number 98 to honor Matthew Shepard, the was proud of him for participating but angry National Basketball Association – to come victim of a gay hate crime in 1998. that as a closeted gay man I couldn’t even out as gay while still an active player. Col- “I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay cheer my straight friend on as a spectator.” lins declared in the May 6 issue of Sports Il- athlete playing in a major American team Collins had played for the Boston Celtics lustrated, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m sport,” he explained in the Sports Illustrated prior to being traded to the Wizards. black. And I’m gay.” essay he co-authored with Franz Lidz, “But He acknowledged the improved climate The news of this groundbreaking dis- since I am, I’m happy to start the conversa- for gay athletes that helped him make this Jason Collins comes out in a closure on April 29 spread around the world tion. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom decision. “I’m glad I’m coming out in 2013 Sports Illustrated story with the speed of a fast break, and many raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ —continued on page 3 SIR ARI GOLD DD: The “Naked on the In- Sir Ari Gold ternet” theme has been ex- credit: : John plored ad nauseum. I think next Skalicky Naked Before You time add some wild dogs or a giraffe or something. BY DEBORAH J. DRAISIN mean, I know it’s New York, I live here. Ari: Running naked through Singer/songwriter and ex-model Sir Ari Ari: Actually, the video’s not yet pre- the streets with a sign reading Gold does not shy away from adversity. miered, that was just the teaser. There are “Play my fucking record” hasn’t One of the first openly gay artists from plenty of other crazy, madcap adventures. been done yet though. the start of his 15-year career, Sir Ari has DD: “The Madcap Adventures of Sir DD: That’s true, I do like that stopped buses, defied decency laws and Ari Gold.” Why were you running; were you added that. To segue: you refused to join the world of the future. With the cops chasing you? said that when you first started, his sixth album about to drop, Play My Ari: Luckily, I was not arrested. A lot of you found yourself bucking the Fuckn Remix, Sir Ari has proven that he people were out taking pictures with their homophobic system which is has staying power which far exceeds the camera phones, but the police were not pop music (which you wouldn’t more conventional model which he was there and we got some great footage. The expect.) This is an industry encouraged to follow. He was nice enough song is a send-up of what it takes to get which 20 years ago launched to sit down with Baltimore OUTloud and your stuff played these days – as an inde- the careers of Elton John and wax poetic about trying to avoid arrest and pendent artist, as a gay artist. That’s why I Boy George and Wham – and which musical installations are least likely did this – I thought it was funny. Judas Priest, for that matter – to hit on you. DD: It is funny, and there really are so how do you account for this Deborah Draisin: You just put out a no mediums anymore. anomaly? What makes you say video for Play My Fuckn Remix, which Ari: Just the internet, I guess – so if you that it’s still homophobic? how the hell do you get away with walk- want to be seen on the internet, you have Ari: If you think about it, 20 ing naked through New York City? I to go running naked through the streets. —continued on page 18 Wyatt O’Brian Evans Joins Baltimore OUTloud Multi-faceted author debuts ‘Mood Swings’ column featured in television commercials. Wy- att won the lead role in Traces of Guilt, BY STEVE CHARING ton Blade, Qbliss, the Prince George’s an episode in the long-running New Arguably, Wyatt O’Brian Evans is the County, Maryland, Journal, American Detectives series on the Discovery Co-Publishers Jim Becker • Jim Williams quintessential Renaissance man. He Politics, Imperious Entertainment. He Channel. He portrayed David Middle- [email protected] has written in-depth, popular series on ton, the real-life former police officer is a journalist, author, instructor, moti- Executive Editor vational speaker, voice-over instructor/ both LGBT intimate partner Jim Becker talent, entertainer, and entrepreneur. violence/abuse (IPV/A) and [email protected] Beginning with this issue, Wyatt racism, which have been Managing Editor will call on his spectrum of experienc- syndicated in various me- [email protected] es and writing talents to pen a regular dia outlets. Sales Director Mary Taylor column called “Mood Swings” in Balti- Wyatt is the author of [email protected] the well-received novel en- more OUTloud. In that space Wyatt will Leather Columnist offer his insights on key topics that af- titled, Nothing Can Tear Us Rodney Burger fect our community in an enlightening, Apart – Uncensored, pub- Contributing Writers thought-provoking manner. lished by Nair’Bo Universal Joey Amato • Sharon Brackett • Rodney Burger • Joshua Buchbinder • Steve Charing • Jeffrey Claggett • “I’m proud and honored to be join- – the publishing and pro- Jeffrey Clouser • Wayne Curtis • Woody Derricks • Denise R. ing Baltimore OUTloud – an engaging, duction house he created. Duarte • Chuck Duncan • Michael Farley • Jon Fairbanks • Gerry substantive, and cutting-edge print As an instructor, Wyatt Fisher • Bruce Garrett • Jeff Hammerberg • Dr. Eva Hersh • Shirli Hughes • Sam Kunz • Michelle Lanchester, Esq. • and on line media outlet,” Wyatt said. has taught editing and writ- Dana LaRocca • Jessica Lemmo • Jay Loane • Rev. Meredith “With my column ‘Mood Swings,’ I will ing for government and the Moise • Bill Palmer • Gregg Shapiro continue to further Baltimore OUT- private sector. He is also a Wyatt O’Brien Evans Graphics loud’s rich tradition of exploring, dis- voice-over group instruc- Amy Ray • Joe Velasquez secting, and shining a bright light on tor and personal coach. For several turned serial killer who terrorized Reno, Cartoonist Bruce Garrett (Brucegarrett.com) issues that strongly resonate with the years, Wyatt held those positions for Nevada. Traces of Guilt became one LBGTQ community and its straight al- the renowned Creative Voice Develop- of the most-watched episodes of New Photographers Bruce Garrett • Jay W Photos lies. Therefore, I’m very excited about ment Group, a voiceover training and Detectives and was repeated several Web Editor being part of the Baltimore OUTloud development company in upstate New times. Anja Saine family!” York. And as a voiceover artist, Wyatt Wyatt is a graduate of the American [email protected] has performed narrations for govern- Comedy Institute in Manhattan. As a Managed Web Services From a very early age, Wyatt al- The Fusio Group ways has had a passion for ment and the private sec- comedian, he has performed in clubs 866-322-7498, Thefusiogroup.com communication in its many tor, and radio spots for the across the country (Caroline’s, Com- National Advertising Rep forms. When he was just D.C. Lottery, Hair Cuttery, edy Cellar, Headliners) and in the Ca- Rivendell Media months old, he began to Adaptec, and others. He ribbean. 908-232-2021 speak in complete sentences. considers performing radio This is not the first time Baltimore Founders Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • As an adolescent, he wrote spots for former Secretary of OUTloud has featured an accomplished Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams poems, and created a series State Colin Powell’s Amer- author. Josh Aterovis, who had written of comic books. In college ica’s Promise organization a series of gay-related, young adult Baltimore OUTloud Wyatt double-majored, earn- his most rewarding achieve- mystery novels, shared his thoughts in PO Box 4887 Baltimore, MD 21211 410-244-6780 ing bachelor degrees in jour- ment. his “Single Black Sheep” column. We Baltimoreoutloud.com nalism and political science As a motivational speak- wish Wyatt O’Brian Evans well on this from the George Washington er Wyatt has given talks and new adventure for him and sure he will Additional Information University in Washington, D.C.