July 03, 2009 | Volume VII, Issue 14 | LGBT Life in Maryland Veterans, Supporters March on the White House WASHINGTON—Several hundred en- thusiastic military veterans and sup- porters, marched on the White House on Saturday, June 27 to protest the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy. President Obama and Congress were targeted in the dem- onstration for not acting to repeal the policy that has led to 13,000 individu- als discharged from the Armed Forces since 1993 when the policy went into effect. Many Arabic linguists and other high-skill service members—critical to the war on terrorism and national se- curity—were discharged as a result of the policy. The Servicemembers Legal Net- By Steve Charing work (SLDN) and allies organized the event to help commemorate the 40th On Saturday, June 20, the clouds were still hanging pretty low anniversary of Stonewall. A total of overhead just a couple of hours before the Baltimore Pride Pa- 265 veterans led the march to corre- rade up Charles Street. Earlier in the morning a deluge swept spond to the number of service mem- through the area that concerned potential pride-goers and orga- Photo: Bruce Garrett bers discharged under DADT since nizers alike. It conjured up the lyrics to the iconic Funny Girl song, the President took the oath of office on “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” January 20. Signs and buttons with the Paul Liller (AKA “Dimitria” when doing drag), making his de- number 265 were widely displayed in but as the 2009 Pride Coordinator for the weekend’s festivities, the demonstration. also had an eye on the weather. “I’m glad it’s not raining,” he told “‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ under- OUTloud prior to the parade. “Hopefully it will continue that way. scores that discrimination against It’s turning out to be fabulous. There are tons of people gathering gays and lesbians continues 40 years and it’s still early. So, with a little bit of luck it will be a fabulous after the Stonewall riots, and reminds event. I’m really excited.” Liller had coordinated the entertainment us that many challenges remain in for last year’s Pride and had volunteered to be on the Pride Com- the fight for full equality,” said Aubrey mittee before that. -- continued on page 09 Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director in a statement. “Like those who stood OUTloud will be taking a short vacation. Look for our next issue in August. -- continued on page 27 Temperature Control OUTSPOKEN Publisher Mike Chase Keeping the heat on President Obama is [email protected] Executive Editor right, but let’s be realistic. Jim Becker [email protected] By Steve Charing And while I doubt he personally approved nate in Congress. It is that body that needs Sales the language in the DOJ brief, he is still re- to act on an all-inclusive ENDA, to repeal of Mary Taylor, Director Towards the end of the Pride festival a young sponsible for it, and it counters his pledge to DADT and to pass the Matthew Sheppard [email protected] lady asked me, “When will Obama give repeal it through legislation. Are these out- Act while we still have this large majority. Managing Editor Steve Charing us our rights?” as if he can wave a magic bursts, however, the right strategy? Alas, the repeal of DOMA appears to be [email protected] wand. years away from passage. It’s not politically The next day in an uncharacteristically The political realities realistic that sitting Representatives will Leather Editor Rodney Burger testy e-mail blast, Equality Maryland called Of course, we want our agenda pushed want to enter their next electoral campaign on its supporters to “Give President Obama through. We have a Democratic president with their opponents harping on the fact that Writers Jeffrey Clagett Josh Aterovis a Piece of Your Mind.” with a huge Democratic majority in Con- the incumbent is opposed to preserving the Chuck Duncan Rickie Green Recently a well-publicized partial boy- gress—a window of opportunity that will not institution of marriage. Eva Hersh MD Marty Hoegg cott by lgbt donors of a Democratic National remain open forever Doug Ireland Jay Loane Committee fundraiser was in response to the despite the GOP’s foi- P.S. Lorio Jim Lucio Meredith Moise Sandy Rawls Department of Justice’s over-the-top legal bles. But let’s get real. Ben Ryland MIA - Alexander St. John brief in defending the Defense of Marriage President Obama Nate Sweeney Larry Walker Act as well as inaction on securing other as- has been in office just Graphics pects of the lgbt agenda. over 5 months out of 48 Hannah-Love Shibley, Director And the Servicemembers Legal De- months in his first term. [email protected] fense Network staged a demonstration in He potentially could Carol Baker Bruce Garrett front of the White House to bemoan the lack reach 96 months if re- Bryan Sullivan of progress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” elected. In the short Photographers Other protest marches in D.C. are planned time since inauguration Michelle Alpert for the fall. he has dealt with prob- Skip Koritzer What is going on here is a series of lems that would make Harry Lowinger sporadic outbursts of frustration by many any other person find National Advertising lgbt activists who resent the DOJ brief’s lan- an escape clause in the Rivendell Media guage and the slow pace in which campaign contract. His issues are 908-232-2021 promises are being addressed. too numerous to delin- Web Services eate here, but I’m sure Drew Saine [email protected] Beleaguered President there is no question as LGBT activists are not the only ones turning to the challenges fac- Distribution/Circulation Jay Loane the heat up on President Obama. He is also ing our country. Imag- “[Obama] is feeling pressure from the [email protected] being criticized by Hispanics over the lack ine McCain and Palin left, the right, the center, the media—just of comprehensive immigration reform. En- grappling with these Baltimore OUTloud vironmentalists are on his case for not act- crises. about everyone. He’s too timid on Iran. He’s P.O. Box 3640, Baltimore, MD 21214 ing swiftly on global warming. Mr. Obama is Mr. Obama didn’t driving the deficit up. His healthcare plan 410-244-6780 hearing it from Republicans who oppose ev- win the election based www.baltimoreoutloud.com erything he is trying to do to lift the economy on a gay agenda. He will doom the nation. He’s too pro-Israel. out of oblivion after they largely put it there. won on “change” and to Additional Information He’s too pro-Palestine. And North Korea has Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride He’s feeling pressure from the left, the put Democratic policies its sights set on Waikiki Beach. It seems like Media, Ltd. in Baltimore, Maryland. Readers’ comments right, the center, the media—just about ev- in place and eradicate and unsolicited materials are welcomed and may be sent eryone. He’s too timid on Iran. He’s driving the previous adminis- it’s time for him to get another dog.” to: [email protected]. | Pride Media offices the deficit up. His healthcare plan will doom tration’s mistakes. He are located at 1120 N. Charles Street, 4R, Baltimore, 21201. | All materials appearing in this newspaper are the property the nation. He’s too pro-Israel. He’s too pro- won on ending the war in Iraq and imple- But we need to start educating them and of Pride Media, Ltd. and may not be reproduced without Palestine. And North Korea has its sights set menting some form of universal healthcare. it would be easier to succeed on this front if the written permission of the editor. on Waikiki Beach. It seems like it’s time for And he won by being the anti-Bush. we can achieve victories in the other impor- him to get another dog. He amassed 365 electoral votes. Even tant issues first. Once we achieve equality in This barrage of criticism and demands if Mr. Obama did not receive a single lgbt one area, it is harder justify discrimination in resembles a national dunking machine vote (and 30% of lgbt folks did not vote for other areas. where Obama sits on the platform and the him anyway), he still would have won. That’s As much as the bully pulpit is useful for whole country is hurling balls at the metal right, as a bloc, and I use that term loosely, a popular president to help frame the agenda circular plate. we didn’t win the election for him. and kick-start the process, Mr. Obama will ©2009 - All Rights Reserved Chairman of the Board Jim Becker From our perspective, President Obama But that doesn’t mean he will renege on not sacrifice any political capital on these President Jim Williams clearly could have imposed a moratorium on his campaign promises to us. The key com- matters—yet—until HIS priorities are real- Vice President Lee Mooney DADT discharges while Congress sorts it out. ponents of our legislative agenda must origi- -- continued on page 27 2 q BALTIMORE OUTLOUD JULY 03, 2009 | baltimoreoUTLOUD.COM NEws // NATIONAL Our concentration focuses on issues ENDA Introduced in U.S. House affecting your life and your rights: Healthcare Proxy Measure would prohibit workplace discrimination Power of Attorney based on sexual orientation and gender identity Joint Purchase and Savings Agreement Estate and Tax Planning WASHINGTON – An inclusive Employment Adoption and Second Parent Adoption Non-Discrimination Act was re-introduced Child Custody in the House of Representatives on June Guardianship 24 that would create federal protections Advance Health Care Directive Proudly supporting and serving against workplace discrimination based on Wills the LGBT community since 1988.