AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES OUT October 31, 2014 | Volume XII, Issue 13 Popping Up in the ’Burbs Guerilla Gay Bar event at Field House in 2010 credit: Steve Charing BY STEVE CHARING American Sports Bar, 1205 Crain Highway Just a few years removed from the popular North, Glen Burnie, Maryland. As had been social phenomenon known as Guerilla Gay the case with GGBB’s coordinators PUGB’s Bar Baltimore (GGBB), a revival has been organizer David Jones contacted the man- launched. Whereas GGBB organizers fo - agement of the establishment and discussed cused their “invasions” of straight bars the plan to have a sizable contin- and clubs predominantly in Balti - OUTloud gent of LGBT folks visit the more City, the new edition called ELECTION premises of a straight bar Pop Up Gay Bar (PUGB) will ini - Endorsements to share in the enjoyment. tially involve LGBT folks taking page 3 “I had seen gay bar over straight establishments on a takeovers done success - given night in the suburbs of Baltimore. fully in the city but really think GGBB lasted over three years in Baltimore the suburbs are thirsty for this type of and at its peak over 500 would attend a par - event,” Jones, a Glen Burnie resident, told ticular outing making new friends and at the Baltimore OUTloud . “With marriage equality same time lling the coffers of the bar. sweeping the nation and a general movement Jermaine Jackson charged in the The rst of the PUGB events will occur on towards being more open-minded and accept- killing of Andre Nicholas credit: Baltimore City Police November 1 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the All —continued on page 3 —continued on p. 3 1984 and 1985 and that there is a sense of The Charles Brings Pride to Baltimore accomplishment among many of the char- BY STEVE CHARING acters in the lm despite challenges. But it Recall the lm and musical Billy Elliot , the de - seems a bit simplistic and non-descriptive lightful heart-warming story of a young ballet since the word “pride” is so generic. Perhaps, dancer trying to fulll his dreams with Great Pride and Prejudice would have been a more Britain’s arduous miners’ strike as the back - suitable title, but unfortunately, it was already drop. That strike, 30 years later, is thrust to taken. the forefront in another sweet movie that also That is my only quibble about shines a spotlight on courage, human - this excellent lm. Based ity, warmth, friendship, and triumph. Dr. Eva on a true story with a Pride , a BBC-produced lm directed Confronts few ctional characters by Matthew Warchus and written by EBOLA thrown into the mix, Stephen Beresford, was screened page 13 Pride follows the tra- as part of the Directors’ Fortnight vails of a group of lesbian section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and gay activists who felt the at which it received a standing ovation. The need to support the striking British miners in venerable Charles Theatre, situated in Balti - 1984 by raising money for the strikers’ fami- more’s Station North arts and entertainment lies. district, is presenting this treasure of a lm, While initially the group questioned why whereby audiences – gay or straight – should they should support a bunch of macho guys eat it up like an English crumpet. who have historically been unfriendly to gays, I understand the reason for the movie’s their young, outspoken, charismatic and title, Pride, given that the plot of the lm is handsome leader Mark Ashton (Ben Sch - Pride – when gay pride and the labor movement intersected in the early 1980s bookended by London gay pride parades in —continued on page 21 NEW S // LOCAL ‘We Must Have a New Approach’ BY STEVE CHARING my rst order of business is to meet as many nity in an effort to promote transparency. Also, Joel Tinsley-Hall was appointed executive di - people as possible and begin building relation - the transparency shown during my interview rector of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans - ships. We just announced that a community process was unprecedented. I received feed - gender Community Center of Baltimore and member committed up to $3,000 in matching back from many people who had never heard Central Maryland (GLCCB) effective October 3. funds for all donations received from now until of the press having access to an interview. He succeeded interim director Thanksgiving. This commitment My ofce door is always open and I am only Kelly Neel who had served for An Interview with came about because I simply a phone call away for any community member ve months until her resignation reached out to this individual who wishes to ask questions, express con - (Bit.ly/1pSx1c0). Just days after GLCCB’s Joel and a relationship was devel- cerns, or to give us a little praise. I plan to use his appointment, Tinsley-Hall Tinsley-Hall oped over lunch. I am condent our website, Facebook page, and other forms penned an open letter to Bal - that as I meet more people and of communication to make sure anyone who timore’s LGBT communities (Bit.ly/1yG0OKr) share my vision for the GLCCB there will be wants to know, will know, what they want to whereby he introduced himself and expressed more donations. know about the Center. In short, please know his desire to make not only the Center nancial - SC: To attract donations to the Cen- that I am a huge advocate of transparency. ly viable but also stronger for the community. ter, there must be a rationale for commu- The diversity portion of this question is sep - After being on the job for a few weeks, it nity members and allies to donate. Many in arate and distinct from the transparency ques - seemed tting to probe a little deeper into Tins - the community dont understand what the tion. We are a community that consists of every ley-Hall’s vision for the GLCCB and how it can Centers purpose is. How can the race, age, and gender. We must see di - repair its image. GLCCBs mission and programs versity in our board, in our staff, and in Steve Charing: Congratulations on your be enunciated in a way that folks our supporters and allies. I myself bring appointment. I realize that youre in the ear- would say, “ Yeah, I should write a a diverse background to the organiza - ly stages of the job, but so far, has anything check”? tion, a black man who was raised in the surprised you? JTH : I have penned a short state- Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore Joel Tinsley- Hall : The community has ment that illustrates my vision for the City, who served in the U.S. Army dur - been so supportive the past two weeks. The GLCCB. This has not been approved ing the “don’t ask don’t tell” era and vast majority are relieved to nally have a full- by the board but is simply my vision now has a Caucasian husband and time, permanent executive director at the helm. after two weeks on the job. I am sure GLCCBʼs biracial daughter living in Glen Burnie, While Kelly was very much liked in the com - this will be rened as I work with the executive Maryland, with both a dog and a cat. I munity, there is always a bit of uncertainty when board and community in developing a director Joel can tell you that diversity is important to the position is lled on an interim basis. ve-year strategic plan for the Center. Tinsley- Hall me and that will be evident in my tenure credit: Steve Charing SC: As you are aware, the GLCCB faces The G LCC B will… as executive director. a number of difcult challenges, not the • Enrich the lives of the LGBTQ SC: Pride has been the major least of which is the state of its nances. community by providing a safe and accepting source of income for the Center, but it has Please share how the Center can be put place for people of all ages and backgrounds. also been one of its biggest headaches. on a sound scal footing, and would you • Educate our community, advocate for How do you plan to tackle the complex is- be willing to try different approaches from equality & justice and celebrate who we are. sues involved in producing Pride by trying those used in the past? • Work collaboratively and collectively with to balance the logistical requirements, the JTH : It was past decisions that have the other LGBTQ and ally groups to address com- need to make a prot, and ensuring the Center in the position it is in. We must have a munity needs and issues. communities are satised to the extent that new approach and innovative ideas on how to It is our ultimate goal that every LGBTQ in- is possible? move the Center to a place where we are con - dividual feels safe, secure, and afrmed where JTH : We must have a Pride Committee in dent it will be around another 40 years serving they live, worship, work, and play. place by the end of January 2015. The mem - the LGBTQ community. There is only one way I have thought about specic programs bership should consist of representatives from this will happen and that is building the commu - and services that will fall under the high level the community, GLCCB board and staff, busi - nity’s trust and support for the organization and categories above, but without rst getting input ness owners, and city government.