OUT September 21, 2012 | Volume X Issue 8 BALTIMORE BLACK PRIDE At 2012 Baltimore Pride Ten Years of History BY REV. MOTHER MEREDITH MOISE it had no real formal name,” Clemens re- The first week in October will be a mile- members. Clemens spoke about the cli- stone in the history of black LGBT Balti- mate leading to the decision to organize more. Baltimore Black Pride will enter its Black Pride, “There were issues affect- tenth year of celebrating black LGBT life ing our community as a whole, but there and culture. The event has grown from be- were some things that were specific to the ing just a party to a series of workshops, African-American community.” During this shows, galas and spiritual services high- time, gay men were being disproportion- lighting various aspects of the lives and ately impacted [by HIV/AIDS] but there just times of African-American same-gender wasn’t enough information available. We loving people. Kevin Clemens, chair of became a lot more visible when there be- Baltimore Black Pride, recounts the origin came money available to target black gay of Baltimore’s October celebration. “Black men at risk for HIV, the Men of Color AIDS Pride actually had been in existence back Prevention Project (MOCAPP),” Clem- in the late 80s, where it was a small col- ens recalls. “Then ten years ago, MOCAA lective of men who had been active in our evolved and Baltimore Black Pride was African-American LGBT community, but —continued on page 2 Spotlighters Celebrates 50th Anniversary The Spotlighters Theatre, a mainstay of atre, led by Audrey Herman and a group Baltimore’s theatre scene, is celebrating of dedicated theatre lovers, began produc- its 50th anniversary. Besides providing ing a show a month in the intimate “Terrace Baltimore audiences with quality perfor- Level” of the Madison Apartments on Saint mances over these past five decades, the Paul Street. At the time Spotlighters was venerable theatre, under the management “the only theatre in the country that with a of longtime executive director and artistic continuous program,” according to Audrey director Fuzz Roark, has been a leader Herman in 1974. in the LGBT community by tackling social Over the years, many notables crossed issues on stage. Examples of such pro- the Spotlighters stage; some as students ductions include Corpus Christi, South- at local high school and colleges seeking ern Baptist Sissies, Laramie Project, Stop “real” theatre experience, others to fulfill a Kiss, Tea and Sympathy. In addition, there dream of acting or directing. Some of Spot- have been fun LGBT shows, such as Most lighters more illustrious alums include: Fabulous Story and Vampire Lesbians of • Ed McDonough who went on to Sodom. Broadway appearing in Moon for the Mis- In October of 1962, Spotlighters The- —continued on page 18 Cast from 2004 production of Rocky Horror Picture Show credit: Amy Jones Photography NEWS // LOCAL BalTIMORE BlacK PRIDE: voicing support for the issue in the black held workshops about these issue and oth- TEN YEarS OF HISTORY and gay communities. According to Black ers, including estate planning and adop- – continued from front page Pride CEO Carlton Smith, “We, as a com- tion. Co-Publishers munity, have a president and first lady who both Clemens and Smith acknowl- Jim Becker • Jim Williams [email protected] founded by Carlton Smith, Leroy burgess, support LGBT rights and equality across edge that spirituality remain the center of Executive Editor Dana Owens and myself. We became a the board for everyone. President Obama the black LGBT experience “because the Jim Becker member of the International Federation of spoke candidly and in support of same-sex foundation of most African-Americans has [email protected] black Prides,” Clemen asserts. marriage.” been our spirituality. That’s what BBP is Managing Editor Baltimore Black Pride is currently a Spurred on by the first black presi- built on, spirituality, however you choose to [email protected] member of the IFBP, a network of Black dent’s endorsement of same sex marriage, express yourself religiously, as long as it’s Production Director Prides that are celebrated across the globe both Clemens and Smith feel the law will inclusive of all,” Clemens maintains. Smith Bob Wellington including Canada and South Africa. For have a major impact on black gay and les- believes that the spiritual focus of Black Sales Director Mary Taylor years, black and white gays and lesbians bian couples. Clemens says, “This bill will Pride begins with love and reverence for [email protected] impact on many African-American same- the ancestors of the African experience. have asked why Baltimore needs two dis- Leather Columnist tinct prides. gender couples, so we have a vested in- “Baltimore Black Pride will always have Rodney Burger Clemens asserts that black Pride is a terest. a spiritual connection because we stand Contributing Writers culturally relevant event that focuses on Members of our organization have at- on the back of the greatness of our ances- Joey Amato • Shawn Bradley • Cathy Brennan • Terrence Brower • tended meetings, rallies, distributed infor- tors who believed in a higher power great- Joshua Buchbinder • Steve Charing • Jeffrey Clagett • the needs and aspirations of black LGBT Chuck Duncan • Jon Fairbanks • Michael Farley • Gerry Fisher • people. “I believe that we as African-Amer- mation, and conducted voter registration er than themselves. All through our history, Eva Hersh MD • Tye Hogan • Sam Kunz • Jessica Lemmo • icans bring such a wealth of talent, knowl- opportunities. We were even present at the we strived as a community for fairness Jay Loane • Rev. Meredith Moise • Vann Mills • Corey Reidy • Gregg Shapiro edge and leadership but we spend so signing of the bill in Annapolis.” Although and equality for all people. The scriptures marriage equality is an important issue for say, ‘Seek the Kingdom of God first and all much of it just doing it without being recog- Graphics nized or acknowledged. Black Pride is the black gays and lesbians, it is not the only things will be added upon you.’ This quote Joe Velasquez • Bob Wellington vehicle for [that acknowledgment] to hap- significant issue facing this community. is a great prescription for higher aware- Cartoonist pen,” he says. “There is nothing wrong with “The black LGBT community faces a ness.” t Bruce Garrett (www.brucegarrett.com) being a part of a larger community that’s myriad of issues Photographers proud of all the various communities that such as unem- Bruce Garrett • Jay W Photos • Justin Nixon [comprise it],” Clemens stresses. In addi- ployment, health/ Web Editor Anja Saine tion to the October week of celebration, wellness issues, [email protected] Baltimore Black Pride seeks to increase (such as diabe- Managed Web Services the visibility of black gays and lesbians tes, high blood The Fusio Group 866-322-7498, www.thefusiogroup.com through the year. “bbP’s mission is to in- pressure, HIV/ National Advertising Rep crease its public awareness through a se- AIDS, breast and Rivendell Media ries of monthly forums, seminars. fundrais- cervical cancer), 908-232-2021 ers, vigils, meet ’n’ greets, and partnering incarceration, Founders and supporting other community initiatives youth homeless- Jim Becker • Joe Berg • Mike Chase • Lee Mooney (1959-2007) • Jim Williams and efforts both state and local,” empha- ness, illiteracy, hate crimes, and sizes the Baltimore Black Pride chair. Baltimore OUTloud The tenth year of Black Pride takes end of life care PO Box 4887 Baltimore, MD 21211 place at a crossroad in the history of LGBT for seniors, to 410-244-6780 www.baltimoreoutloud.com Maryland. As the marriage equality refer- name a few, “ Smith says. endum speeds toward the vote on Novem- Additional Information ber 6th, Baltimore Black Pride has been Traditionally, Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride involved in registering new voters and Black Pride has 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 are the property of Pride Media, Ltd. and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the editor. Just being fabulous isn’t enough You must register by October 16, 2012, in order to The opinions expressed in Baltimore OUTloud are solely those vote in the next general election of the writers unless otherwise indicated and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Media, Ltd., and the staff. Register online at www.elections.state.md.us © 2012 – All rights reserved Chair of the Board of Trustees – Jim Becker President – Jim Williams Secretary and Treasurer – Mike Chase 2 t BALTIMORE OUTLOUD SEPTEMbEr 21, 2012 • BAltIMOREOUTLOUD.COM NEWS // LOCAL Raven Ayanbadejo, Emmett Burns Tangle BY STEVE CHARING black or African. He spent his mid-teen years Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayan- living with his family, who are straight, in an badejo has been one of the few NFL players LGbT dorm at the University of California, to be outspoken in support of same-sex mar- Santa Cruz. riage. He wrote an article about it in the Huff- “So when there was a discrimination issue, ington Post in 2009 and has lent his name and I could relate and I could understand whatever face to videos promoting marriage equality in the issue was. I felt like I’ve been there, I’ve Maryland. “Same-sex marriage isn’t a ‘gay’ is- been in your shoes,” he explains. “It might be, sue, it’s an ‘equality’ issue,” he said. ‘No, I’m not gay,’ but because I’m interracial I Recently, Ayanbadejo, 36, donated a pair can identify with them. It really made me em- of Ravens tickets as part of a fundraiser for pathetic to different issues, especially when it came to equality.” Sculpture Marylanders for Marriage Equality.