July 31, 2009 | Volume VII, Issue 15 | LGBT Life in Maryland The Power of Kristine W By Josh Aterovis Equality Maryland Kristine W is a true gay icon. She holds the Moves Back to record for the most consecutive #1 hits on the Billboard Dance Charts, beating even Baltimore Janet Jackson and Madonna. Earlier this year, Kristine edged out Whitney Houston to Relocation is seen as part of a take fifth place for the most total #1 dance long-term strategic plan hits. She’s performed more live shows at the Las Vegas Hilton than anyone...even Elvis. Equality Maryland (equalitymaryland. As if that weren’t enough to secure her place org), the state’s largest lgbt civil rights in the hearts of gay men everywhere, she’s organization, has moved its offices also long been a vocal supporter of gay from Silver Spring to Baltimore City. rights. The organization, previously known as Kristine recently released her fourth full- Free State Justice, was housed for a length dance album, The Power of Music. few years at the Gay and Lesbian Com- It’s already spawned four #1 dance songs, munity Center of Baltimore (GLCCB), and her latest single, “Be Alright,” is charting before moving to larger space in Silver new territory. Could Kristine be conquering a Spring in 2004. new genre? “Equality Maryland’s staff and boards are incredibly excited to move Josh Aterovis: Congratulations on an- our headquarters back to the main ar- other great album. I really enjoyed The tery of our state, and a place where Power of Music, as did our reviewer. lgbt people have built strong and last- Kristine W: I’m glad that you like it. Right ing community institutions,” said In- on. It was a long time coming, and a lot of terim Managing Director David Toth work, and a lot of love went into that album. I in a statement. “This move will serve hope people enjoy it. us economically, increase community- building, and help us achieve our stra- JA: Why did you call it The Power of Mu- tegic advocacy and education goals.” sic? EQMD’s new location will be at KW: I called it The Power of Music because 1201 S. Sharp Street, just off I-95 and I’ve seen how powerful music is in people easily accessible to downtown Bal- lives and how much it helps them emotional- timore. The building is home of The ly survive situations, and how much it helped Maryland Association of Non-Profits, me when I was sick and in the hospital and AFSCME, and a number of other non- trying to get better. During those couple of profit organizations, unions, and com- years when I was having a tough time with munity entities. Newly renovated, the my health, music helped a lot. Also, the offices will easily accommodate staff, songs that I’d written in the past took on new volunteers, and interns, plus a confer- meanings. Before, I was trying to survive in ence room for meetings - an upgrade the music industry, but suddenly, “alive, alive over current cramped quarters. in the land of the living” takes on a whole “One of the great benefits of this new meaning when you’re fighting for your location is that we’re very close to the life. It really brought home how everybody --continued on page 27 --continued on page 09 OUTSPOKEN Back Home Again Publisher Mike Chase 175,000 lgbt adults in Mary- [email protected] land. A few hundred gathered Executive Editor in the cold in Lawyer’s Mall will Jim Becker not impress lawmakers. A few [email protected] Equality Maryland’s thousand would. And a strong Sales Baltimore contingent, which had Mary Taylor, Director [email protected] move to Baltimore is been lacking each year, would fill the place up. Managing Editor Steve Charing welcome, but more “If we had half the numbers [email protected] at Pride show up to Lobby Day, is needed than just a Leather Editor we would be patting ourselves Rodney Burger on the back,” wrote a lesbian change of address. Writers from Baltimore on a blog. “There Jeffrey Clagett Josh Aterovis are a lot of folks who don’t even Chuck Duncan Rickie Green By Steve Charing know what EQMD is or stands Eva Hersh MD Jonathan Hernandez Marty Hoegg Doug Ireland for. How can we hope to mo- Equality Maryland’s presence in Baltimore should help boost Lobby Day Jay Loane P.S. Lorio After five years of being headquartered in Sil- bilize folks if they don’t even crowds. Jim Lucio Meredith Moise ver Spring, Md., Equality Maryland (EQMD) know about the group who is Sandy Rawls Ben Ryland has moved back to Baltimore, and that’s a supposed to be fighting for their MIA - Alexander St. John Nate Sweeney “Building support from the black Larry Walker Kevin Walling good thing. Having the organization in our rights? In order to move B-more, community will go a long way backyard is a win-win for everyone. we have to be in your face. We Graphics towards persuading African-American Hannah-Love Shibley, Director Nonetheless, during the time that the have to be in the bars. We have [email protected] organization was based in Montgomery to be in the ‘gayborhood’ 24/7.” Democrats in the legislature who are Carol Baker County, it had grown from essentially a one- It is true that thousands of more aligned with conservative black Bruce Garrett man-band to employing at least six full-time people flock to the streets and Bryan Sullivan staffers plus interns and lobbyists with an park during Baltimore’s Pride ministers than lgbt folks.” Photographers annual budget exceeding $1.1 million. festivities, and a good per- Michelle Alpert Skip Koritzer While that growth is welcome news for centage of them are African-American and faced roadblocks, and part of the problem Harry Lowinger EQMD’s Board of Directors and supporters, women. You won’t see most of these folks at clearly lies with these legislators. What National Advertising the perception that it has been an organiza- EQMD galas, but they are very much a part makes this so frustrating is that some of Rivendell Media tion associated with the tony Washington of our community and cannot be set aside. these delegates represent heavily lgbt popu- 908-232-2021 suburbs may have impeded its effectiveness EQMD’s relocation to Baltimore is a lated districts. Web Services throughout the state. good beginning. But a special outreach, Seizing upon its new presence in Bal- Drew Saine To be sure, a large portion of EQMD’s especially to African-American members of timore, EQMD continues to seek ways to [email protected] donor base resides in affluent Montgomery the lgbt community, is not only the right thing make inroads with the African-American and Distribution/Circulation County as well as parts of Prince George’s, to do but it also would be advantageous Catholic communities. The Equality Mary- Jay Loane [email protected] Anne Arundel and Howard counties. Most politically. land Foundation received a grant from the of these folks are white, male, professional, EQMD should join forces with such or- Arcus Foundation to conduct focus groups Baltimore OUTloud upper middle class or higher and are largely ganizations as the GLCCB, The Portal and in an effort to develop a strategy to increase P.O. Box 3640, Baltimore, MD 21214 coupled. Black Pride to address critical issues facing support for marriage equality among these 410-244-6780 They attend the fundraisers more regu- the lgbt African-American population of Bal- groups. www.baltimoreoutloud.com larly than the urban dwellers of Baltimore and timore. HIV/AIDS, lgbt homelessness and I am pleased that EQMD is moving in rural residents from elsewhere in Maryland. other crises facing black lgbt youth head the that direction, and I urge the organization to Additional Information Baltimore OUTloud is published every other Friday by Pride This demographic helps to boost EQMD’s list. help establish grass roots political advocacy Media, Ltd. in Baltimore, Maryland. Readers’ comments coffers but the organization suffers from the It would mean that EQMD, as well as groups in each of Baltimore’s districts, such and unsolicited materials are welcomed and may be sent D.C. area identity when it comes to the rest these other organizations, should go to the as the successful one in District 45 in North- to: [email protected]. | Pride Media offices of the state. bars, sponsor the weekly black gay events in east Baltimore. are located at 1120 N. Charles Street, 4R, Baltimore, 21201. | All materials appearing in this newspaper are the property Lobby Day is a prime example. It is an Baltimore, linking with black gay party pro- Baltimore is the lgbt population center of Pride Media, Ltd. and may not be reproduced without annual event that consists of a rally in An- moters and creating political/strategic part- of the state; therefore, so it makes eminently the written permission of the editor. napolis as well as scheduled meetings with nerships. They would disseminate informa- good sense for EQMD to have a strong pres- legislators to help advance the lgbt legisla- tion and listen to concerns. In other words, ence here. Neighborhoods with sizable lgbt tive agenda primarily formulated by EQMD. they should fully engage, have a strong pres- populations abound within the city. Crowds at these rallies have been de- ence and demonstrate their commitment. Now that they have moved to Baltimore, clining over the years where a few hundred Building support from this community it’s time for EQMD to shed its D.C.