APRIL 2015 BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.
Love it.
her Lily
Just call 5
GLCCB HOLDS GRAND REOPENING
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FORMER O-TOWNER JOINS WICKED TOUR
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POET ANDREA GIBSON RELEASES PANSY BOOK
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IN THIS GAY LIFE ASHLEY PARKER ANGEL Interview by FRANKIE KUJAWA
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Photo by Sonny Tong.
Departments LOCAL LIFE
5
From the GLCCB Executive Director
OUR LIFE
14
All Tea, No Shade
by Joel Tinsley-Hall
with Carlton Smith and Michael Vigorito
5
Board Profile: Daniel Moore
14
Justin's HIV Journal
by Kristi Metzger
by Justin B. Terry-Smith
Music From the Sole
15 Been to Paradise by Courtney Bedell Eckler 15 Spiritual In-To-Me-I-See by Coach Maq ElĂŠ 16 out-skirts by Danielle Ariano 17 Crossing T's by Angela Wren 18 The W.O.E. Report
by Timoth David Copney
HIGH LIFE
8 9 10
Lily Tomlin at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation's Dalsheimer Theatre by Frankie Kujawa
Book Review: Pansy by Anthony Moll
REAL LIFE
12
National & International News
by Rachel Roth
13
Baltimore Local News
by Steve Charing
BETTER LIFE
19
Kids & Money by Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm
SOCIAL LIFE
20 Datebook by Rachel Roth 23 BScene: Queer Queens of Qomedy at Magooby's
BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
by Wyatt O'Brian Evans
by Richelle Taylor
GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
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EDITOR’S LIFE
GLBT Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland Serving the LGBT Community of Maryland for 35 years
Spring Awakening
1000 Cathedral St. • Baltimore, MD 21201 • 410.777.8145 • GLCCB.org
Trans Programs
Women’s Programs
BALTIMORE TRANSMASCULINE ALLIANCE
SILHOUETTE
A support group for trans* men (FTM). 3rd Thursdays - 6:30pm BTMA@glccb.org
TRAN*QUILITY
A support group for trans* women (MTF), but anyone who varies from traditional gender expression is welcome. 2nd & 4th Saturdays - 8pm Tranquility@glccb.org
Recovery ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS LGBTQ-centered AA recovery groups, welcoming to all. Mondays - 7:15pm Thursdays - 8:30pm Saturdays - 6:30pm
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Men’s Rap group for men in recovery. Sundays - 11:30am
Health & Wellness BEGINNERS’ YOGA
SILhouette (Spiritually In-tuned Lesbians) is a spiritual community of women who love women desiring to discover, embrace and live as their spiritual-authentic self. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays - 7pm
WOMEN OF COLOR
A safe, confidential, and supportive space for LBTQ women of all colors. 2nd, 4th, & 5th Thursdays - 7:30pm WOC@glccb.org Meetup.com/Baltimore-LesbiansOf-Color
Men’s Programs THE MANKIND PROJECT (MKP)
Peer-support group that is open to men of diverse race, background, sexual, and gender expression who consciously and compassionately challenge, mentor, and model the type of growth that honors and celebrates the full-spectrum of the mature male. 1st, 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays 6:45-8:45pm Bmoi1000@gmail.com
Gentle beginners’ yoga with instructor Tim Hurley, RYT. $9 Sundays - 3:30pm
Community Programs
HIV & SYPHILIS TESTING
BOOK CLUB
FREE and confidential testing from the Baltimore City Health Dept. Wednesdays - 5-8pm
Youth & Young Adult Programs MIXED COMPANY
(QUEER YOUNG ADULT GROUP) A discussion, support, and social group for young adult LGBT identified or questioning individuals and their allies. Tuesdays at 5:30pm
After a season of bitter cold and random snowstorms, I’m sure that everyone is more than ready for spring to arrive. To help you get ready for the lush rebirth that springtime brings, we’ve compiled an action packed issue of Gay Life this month, including a few wonderful write-ups of some fantastic events around Baltimore this month. Be sure to check out TImoth David Copney’s interview with Brazilian ta-dancing phenom, Leonardo Sandoval (p. 9), who will be bringing his Music from the Sole performance to the Creative Alliance on April 11. Additionally, one of our favorite arts writers, Frankie Kujawa, returns to our pages with exclusive interviews with the legendary Lily Tomlin (p. 8.), who will be coming to the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation’s Dalsheimer Theater for Night of the Stars: A Fabulous Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin on May 7; and former boy-band heartthrob Ashley Parker Angel (p. 6), who will be appearing in Wicked at the Hippodrome this month. Also this month, the GLCCB will be having an open house on April 14. Volunteers have been furiously sprucing up the community center over the last few weeks, and will open its (new and improved) doors to the community. Be sure to come out – have some wine, have a nosh and come say hello! For more information on the GLCCB open house, check out GLCCB Executive Director Joel Tinsley-Hall’s monthly column on page 5!
A welcoming book club for LGBTQ individuals to discuss a selected reading. Coming Soon Facebook.com/ groups/139583666184199
ADULT SURVIVORS OF CHILD ABUSE (ASCA)
Dan McEvily, Editor
Community based self-help support group designed specifically for adult survivors of neglect, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse.
GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.
Thursdays – 6–8pm ASCA-Baltimore@hotmail.com ASCA-baltimore.tumblr.com
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GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
Love it.
2013
GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.
Dan McEvily Editor
FACEBOOK.COM/GLCCB • TWITTER.COM/GLCCB • YOUTUBE.COM/THEGLCCB
Support
The GLCCB is the publisher of Gay Life and the producer of Baltimore Pride
As much as I am looking forward to spring, much of my time over the next few month’s will be focused on helping promote July’s Baltimore Pride. Be sure to mark your calendars for the weekend of July 25-26, and be on the lookout in upcoming issues of Gay Life for exciting announcements about this year’s festivities! For further information on all things related to Baltimore Pride ‘15, please email GLCCB Development Coordinator (and Baltimore Pride Yoda) Paul Liller at pliller@glccb.org, and he will point you in the right direction. Until next month!
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Contributors
Danielle Ariano, Steve Charing, Timoth David Copney, Courtney Bedell Eckler, Coach Mac Elè, Wyatt O’Brian Evans, Frankie Kujawa, Kristi Metzger, Anthony Moll, Rachel Roth, Carlton Smith, Justin B. Terry Smith, Joel-Tinsley Hall, Michael Vigorito, Angela Wren, Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm
Photographers
John Kardys, Samatra Johnson, Asia Kenney, Kelly Neel, Eric Randolph, Richelle Taylor, Jay W.
Gay Life is a publication of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB). Gay Life is published monthly in Baltimore, Md., with distribution throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved. Gay Life is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Gay Life or its publisher.
BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
LOCAL LIFE
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Board Treasurer
DANIEL MOORE
FROM THE GLCCB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESK
Join Us For a Grand Reopening
by
Photo by Steve Charing.
G
reetings, Community! Last month I shared with you my excitement at all the activities going on at the GLCCB. A few weeks ago, a group of our volunteers and staff came together on a Saturday morning to work on spiffing up the Center in preparation for our upcoming Open House & Grand Reopening. I was amazed to see so many people who cared enough to give of their precious time—especially weekend time—to help out. Throughout the day, I watched as several of our program groups came and went through the space. That same day, we also hosted a PrEP modeling event which attracted almost two dozen people. It was great to see the community center so alive with activity. I believe with all my heart that we are seeing a renaissance occurring not only at the Center but throughout our community. I invite each and every one of you to come out and see the upgraded GLCCB on April 14 from 6pm to 8pm. We will be serving wine
and cheese and have some fabulous door prizes and giveaways. This is your chance to experience the renaissance and perhaps you will discover an activity or two that you wish to get involved in. I look forward to seeing you! Joel Tinsley-Hall Executive Director Joel Tinsley-Hall can reached at (410) 777-8145 or at jtinsleyhall@glccb.org.
KRISTI METZGER
“I
’m a complex person. I don’t live any stereotypes. I’m just me.” Daniel, who lives in Annapolis, is originally from Michigan and has over 20 years of experience in the financial field. He was recruited to the GLCCB board in a joint effort by former Board President Mike McCarthy and former Executive Director Kelly Neel. He is working towards his CPA and is very passionate about ensuring that the GLCCB’s financials are being properly monitored so that the Center is in the best position to help and build the community. What got you interested in volunteering? I had relocated for work four times during a 20 year career with my previous employer. It was when I moved to Atlanta that I really got inspired. I’ve always enjoyed volunteering and trying to help people. I had friends that were homeless because of their sexual orientation or identity and it really hit home. I volunteered with Youth Pride. There were a lot of financial woes. Kids came from all walks of life, and as a kid from mid-Michigan who had no one to talk to about these things and having felt really isolated myself, it really made me want to do something. I believe everyone can make a difference. I so looked forward to spending time with the youth. I expanded my role to help out and look over financials with the organization until I left in 2006 to move to Maryland. Have you always sought out LGBT causes to volunteer with? I haven’t done a whole lot with the LGBT community, but throughout my career I focused on diversity leadership and participated with diversity organizations. I tried to bring sensitivity and awareness to others by example. Like locally one organization I worked for used to get catering from Chik-Fil-A. I had to explain that they tried to do damaging things to the LGBT community. I’ve been in places where
BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
Daniel Moore they always did something for Black History Month and Women’s History Month, so I brought up LGBT History and Pride months. I’m really passionate about awareness. I wanted to be a mentor for LGBT people so they know that they can have an opportunity to make it in life. People think that if your company has a good HRC score that everything is perfect. It means that the company has policies. It doesn’t mean that employees understand and follow them. It’s a start, but it doesn’t mean that it’s being followed. We still need more awareness. So when you’re not being a financial superhero, what do you do for fun? I have two Golden Retriever/Australian Shepherd rescues, Jack and Teddy. We take them everywhere. They have probably been to more states than most people. From Maine to Illinois and as far west as Texas and everything in between. We travel everywhere as a family. My husband and I have been together for 22 years. Steve is the love of my life. He puts up with me. We did a civil union in 2003 and then got married in Vermont in 2008. We fell in love with Maryland when we moved here and consider this our home now. We love the area. We’re water people and were both brought up on the Great Lakes in Michigan. What’s something about you that not many people know? I really have a love of different cultures. When I was in school I joined the Latin American Studies Association and have a big love for Hispanic cultures. I actually volunteered in Mexico and Haiti. Visit GLCCB.org/about-us/ board-of-directors
GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
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HIGH LIFE
Wicked Returns to Baltimore Starring a Former Teen Heartthrob by
FRANKIE KUJAWA
C
harm City will shimmer green this April as Wicked flies back into Baltimore in all its splendor. Joining the cast in defying gravity is singer, songwriter, actor and straight LGBTQ ally Ashley Parker Angel. Having risen to fame as a member of the boyband O-Town Parker Angel went on to star as Baltimore teen heartthrob Link Larkin in Broadway’s Hairspray. Recently, he has garnered attention for his sizzling selfies on Instagram. Gay Life recently chatted with the performer to discuss his workout regimen, his upcoming performance, and how behind that muscular chest beats a heart of gold.
The first thing that we need to talk about are your selfies on Instagram. They are absolutely hot! What was your motivation to get in better shape? [Laughs] Thank you so much! Fitness has always been something that’s been really inspiring for me. Even from a really young
[Wicked is] about what do we really perceive about what’s right and wrong, and if what we perceive is always the truth or is there another story behind it.
6
go on that night. You know, if you keep a Broadway schedule, you can’t see a Broadway show. It was my one chance to see Wicked. I went with a friend and I had one of those experiences that was just so moving. It hit me so hard, at the end of the curtain, that I was just cemented to my seat. I couldn’t get up. I was just like, “Oh God that was incredible.” When I played Link Larkin, people said, “You’d make a good Fiyero. Have you seen Wicked?” So, immediately, when I saw it I was like, “How do I get a part?” I was lucky that when I was in LA it was just one of those things that came down the pipeline and my agent called, and said they want to see you for Fiyero. It was a long process with over a month of auditions. At the end of the day, I think I went through five rounds of auditions in which I finally got the word that I got Fiyero. They call [Wicked] the ‘Blockbuster of Broadway.’ Time magazine refers to it as a cultural phenomenon. Now that I’m in the show, it’s so amazing to see all different ages just in awe of the show. For me, every night the standing ovations from the audience really fuels you.
age when I saw my dad bench pressing out in the garage. I really think there is no end goal with physical fitness. It really is a discipline. I was 18 in O-Town and from then through going solo, I’ve always lifted light. However, it was always inconsistent. In last couple of years, I had a chance to really devote time to it. It was right when I came back from Hairspray, and I relocated back from New York to LA. I’m not a personal trainer, but I feel like I learned enough that I have the knowledge of a trainer. This time around I’ve been able to structure a routine to incorporate this part of my lifestyle— being on the road.
In 2007, you played Link Larkin in the Broadway production of Hairspray, which is set in Baltimore. Have you ever been to Baltimore before? Yes, I have! I’ve been through Baltimore several times actually. I absolutely remember being there in O-Town. So for me, it’s returning back to the places I’ve performed before and now I’m coming back in this whole new production and a different thing. A couple of the cities have been like that. It’s nice to meet people who say we saw you perform at O-Town and it’s so nice to see you again. I also get a lot of people who discover that I’m in Wicked while in the seats, and people message me and say I can’t believe you’re in Wicked. I’m actually excited about being in Baltimore for the next three weeks.
How does it feel to be part of the cast of Wicked? It has been a phenomenal experience. The first time I saw Wicked was when I had lost my voice in Hairspray, and I couldn’t
Do you enjoy travelling around the country? I do actually. The thing that is really unique about this, as opposed to my experience as music artist, is when you’re a music artist
GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
Former O-Town member Ashley Parker Angel now tours the country as Fiyero in Wicked Photo by Adam Bouska.
you play usually one show and you drive to the next city that night. I always tell people that it felt like such a blur going to the next city. You never really felt like you were actually where you are. Coming out here for Wicked, we actually sit down in each city for like 3-4 weeks. You’re in a place for almost a month and you get to really emerge yourself in the environment. You get a chance to do touristy things during your schedule. I can say “I did get to experience and spend time in Baltimore” and it allows you to settle down and really enjoy it for more than a second. Those two worlds are completely different.
WICKED
April 1–26 Hippodrome Theatre 12 N. Eutaw St. FranceMerrickPAC.com
How does your interpretation of Fiyero differ from other actors before you? One of the things I tried to avoid doing was Continued on Page 22
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HIGH LIFE
One ringy-dingy. Two ringy-dingy.
LILY BRINGS HER CLASSIC CHARACTERS TO THE DALSHEIMER THEATER by
FRANKIE KUJAWA
C
harm City will play host to classic Laugh-In characters Edith Ann and Ernestine at The Dalsheimer Theater at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation this May. Legendary actress and comedienne Lily Tomlin returns to Baltimore in Night of the Stars: A Fabulous Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin. Tomlin, 75, continues to captivate audiences with her unrelenting talent and wit. She recently spoke with Gay Life about her upcoming performance, her brand new Netflix series with former Nine to Five costar Jane Fonda, and her plans for the future. Let’s talk about your upcoming Baltimore performance Night of the Stars – A Fabulous Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin. What can audiences expect? Well it’s sort of billed as “classic Lily Tomlin.” It’s very character driven. It has about ten or twelve characters, and I use video and multimedia to basically ridicule myself. I also make fun of some of the characters and bring up some of their important history. I talk about Baltimore and the human condition. My performance is like a rollercoaster ride so audiences never know what to expect. The technique I use is called broken-field stride. They use that term for football. People move left. They turn right. They turn left, again. They fool their opponent to where they are going. Your classic characters, such as Edith Ann, are stitched into the fabric of American culture. Can you describe the process that went into creating them? For Edith Ann, I knew I wanted to characterize a kid and I drew upon my childhood. She was drawn from a kid who lived in my building when I was growing up
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GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
Jane Wagner and Lily Tomlin met in 1971 and legally wed more than 40 years later in 2013 in Detroit. She was a younger kid and I was about 10 at the time. She had this deep voice, and I tried to pull in some of that. Then I began to work out and improv Edith Ann here in LA. The audiences would find me under a table. [Laughs] I’d tell audiences to just ask questions and I responded as Edith Ann. After that, I put her on Laugh-In and she was a big hit. The people at Laugh-In didn’t want her at first. They thought she was too bratty with chocolate on her face and they didn’t get it. But the first week out, she was such a big hit. They wanted to do Susie Sorority, who used to have the catchphrase ‘Susie Sorority of the Silent Majority.’ I said I would do her if I could do Edith Ann. So they built me the
rocking chair. The first time I did it in a big cardboard box and I just stuck my head out. Like a fort that kids make. You’re also well-known as the voice of Ms. Frizzle in The Magic School Bus. Once, I was in Arizona and there was a teacher who was retiring. She always used to show the Magic School Bus tapes to her class and I went over to her school to surprise her and the students were all confused. The kids were like, ‘Who was this woman that looks like Bette Midler?’ I told the students that I also do a kid character and I started doing Edith Ann. I felt very self-conscious, and I
NIGHT OF THE STARS: A FABULOUS EVENING OF CLASSIC LILY TOMLIN
May 7 The Dalsheimer Theater 7401 Park Heights Ave. BHCong.org
Continued on Page 22
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Insertion date: APRIL 1, 2015 Size: 4.75” x 11.25" 4C NP
Music from the Sole by
TIMOTH DAVID COPNEY
L
eonardo Sandoval looks like the cute, fun guy that everybody liked in 11th grade chemistry class. Urkel-style glasses perched precariously on his nose, wild afro going every which way, lanky and broad shouldered, he’s friendly and adorable. But don’t let the look fool you. He’s no skateboarding slacker. He’s a “Brazilian tapdancing phenom” by all accounts. Creative Alliance is hosting the world premiere of his original production, Music from the Sole, written in collaboration with American bassist Gregory Richardson. Leo has a charmingly fractured command of English, but has no trouble telling you about his life. He’s been dancing since he was six years old. Growing up in the small town of Piracicaba (São Paulo State) in Brazil, he started in ballet, but a year later discovered tap. It didn’t take long for the world to discover him. By the time he was in his teens, he was a seasoned performer, appearing in productions and on television all over South America. At 18, he was invited to Los Angeles to attend the Debbie Allen Dance Academy on a full scholarship, as well as the
BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
MUSIC FROM THE SOLE
April 11 Creative Alliance at The Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org • 410-276-1651
L.A. Tap Festival. He went on to cofound a dance company in Brazil, Cia Carioca de Sapateado, with an eye towards bridging the worlds of Brazilian music and rhythms and tap. When he turned 21, he made the decision to move to New York. In short time he found a place in the tap world on this continent. Through a chance meeting with Michele Dorrance, famed tap icon, he ended up joining her company and performing in venues as vaunted as Jacob’s Pillow, the celebrated dance festival. At 25, he was the youngest faculty member of Chicago Human Rhythm Project, America’s largest tap and percussion festival. In between, he spends time with yet another company, Apt 33. Music from the Sole is his first full-length Continued on Page 22
Spring is Fabulous Now on view Don’t miss the special exhibition, Splendor and Surprise: Elegant Containers, Antique to Modern Spring Garden Tours now on
Now open every Sunday Hours: Tues – Sun 10am – 5pm HillwoodMuseum.org 4155 Linnean Ave. NW, Washington DC Free parking
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ANTHONY MOLL
here is a fight going on inside of poetry. On one side is the performance poetry that has come to be called spoken word, which lately finds itself the representative verse of YouTube, undergraduate students, coffee houses and bars. On the other side of the ring, one finds the broad set of poetry that can be classified as lyrical poetry, those poems that cater instead to graduate students, university English and creative writing faculty, and a thimbleful of mostly older, well-read aficionados of former Poets Laureate. (I promise that this isn’t another obituary for poetry; poetry may be divided, but it is far from dead.) A lot of folks in the latter group tend to dismiss the poetry of the former, designating spoken-word poetry as overdone, overtly political and sentimental. Despite these attempts to brand the sub-genre as sophomoric, spoken word artists thrive, particularly in online communities, and the social justice message that underpins so much of those poems resonates through laptop speakers across the country. Andrea Gibson, the queer poet behind PANSY, a new collection from Write Bloody Publishing, is among this wave of spoken-word artists who have rolled café readings and socialmedia presence into near-celebrity status. In PANSY, Gibson (they/them/their pronouns) spins poetry in a style that followers will find familiar, presenting confessional verses that mark queerness as a realm bordering both pain and pride. Though it is easy to dismiss these poems as navel gazing, to do so is to miss the heartbreaking sincerity and dagger-sharp wordplay that make Gibson’s work so appealing. The poet is nothing if not honest and bright. Yet PANSY presents something that feels new from Gibson too, a maturity that goes beyond painful self-awareness and into a broader community consciousness. Shining alongside the poems that aim to distill and serve up postButlerian notions of gender, the 39-year-old
poet presents reflections on the deaths of James Byrd Jr., Mike Brown and Eric Garner, as well as a meditation on Gibson’s own privilege. In doing so, Gibson does not shrink from the question of whether or not a white poet should write on such subjects, offering instead a response to such notions that insists on a mortal urgency: “My god, who am I not to?” However, Gibson isn’t merely soapboxing here. As always, their poems come heartfelt, clever and intelligent, and fend off any aims to condemn them as saccharine by combating the very notion that people (and indeed, poems) should not express feelings in public. Like the best confessional poets, Gibson weeps, flirts and clenches a fist with the curtains open. On topics from mental health and sexual assault, to falling in love and street harassment, Gibson’s poems insist that they are seen. These verses also include recognition of Gibson’s status as a poet whose primary audience is found behind a computer screen. In this portrait of the artist as an Internet celebrity, one finds hashtags and mentions of Tumblr commonplace. In a move both self-conscious and voyeuristic, Gibson sings to a lover who cannot help but to discover that the Internet holds a long history of love poems written for other women. At its core, the whole collection does something similar to this, it offers readers a rooftop view of performance poetry: the intended audience, the unintended audience, the poet, the web, the poems. It is all in there, in the lines and in-between them: “And it’s not even that I got around. It’s that I’m old/ and I’ve written every fucking detail down/ Damnit, Tumblr, you tattling piece of shit.”
PANSY
by Andrea Gibson Write Bloody Press AndreaGibson.org/store
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REAL LIFE MISSOURI RUSSIA
UTAH MASSACHUSETTS
JAPAN TAIWAN
TEXAS TURKEY
ALABAMA
National & International News Legislature passes “Utah Compromise” UTAH
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, signed legislation to amend the state’s anti-discrimination and fair housing acts to include sexual orientation and gender identity. SB296 does provide safeguards for religious liberty, but Equality Utah Executive Director Troy Williams said its passage is “proof that protections for gay and transgender people in housing and the workplace can gracefully coexist with the rights of people of faith. Members of the state’s Republican-dominated Legislature, which passed the bill by a wide margin, celebrated its enactment with some of the Mormon Church leaders who lobbied for its passage.
Texas lawmaker files trans bathroom bill TEXAS
Texas state Rep. Gilbert Pena, a Republican, filed legislation Tuesday that seeks to ban transgender students from using school restrooms that reflect their gender identity. The bill would establish legal liability for schools
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GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
that allow trans students access to facilities in accordance with their gender identity. Also, students who take legal action to report trans students in bathrooms or locker rooms would be eligible for up to $2,000 in damages.
Mo. Legislature considers bill to ban same-sex marriage licenses MISSOURI
Missouri state Sen. Ed Emery, a Republican, introduced legislation that would make it a crime for any public employee to issue a marriage license to same-sex couples. According to The Missouri Times, the bill, which has not yet been assigned to a committee, states that any employee who honors same-sex marriages or issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples will be subject to termination. Last summer, the City of St. Louis deliberately issued four marriage licenses to same-sex couples in violation of state law in an effort to trigger a lawsuit. Emery told The Missouri Times that he filed the bill because he views the initiative that Department of Revenue and local government employees are taking to issue and honor marriage licenses as an assault on traditional marriage and the Missouri Constitution.
by
RACHEL ROTH
Wellesley to accept trans women MASSACHUSETTS
Wellesley College announced that it would begin accepting any applicant who “lives as a woman and consistently identifies as a woman.” The new policy is expected to take effect for the next admission cycle, for the class of 2020. A letter sent to the school community by Wellesley’s Board of Trustees, said the liberal arts college will also consider individuals assigned female at birth who identify as neither male nor female are also eligible for admission.
Same-sex couples in Taipei to participate in mass weddings TAIWAN
A Taipei government official has promised to do his utmost to include gay couples in the city’s mass weddings that are scheduled for May and October. Taipei has held mass weddings for many years but previously were only open to “men and women complying with the requirements of civil law marriage.” According to Gay Star News, Xu Li-min, secretary of Taipei city’s bureau of social affairs and gender equality office, made the promise at a public
gender forum at National Taiwan University, but said he would need to discuss with other departments whether gay couples would marry alongside straight couples or separately, but either way he hoped to bring about ‘symbolic’ ceremonies for gay couples this year.
Turkish man wins monumental case against sterilization TURKEY
Europe’s top human rights court has ruled against the government of Turkey in a case brought by a trans man who was denied the right to gender reassignment surgery unless he agreed to be sterilized. Twenty countries of the 47 states that have signed the human rights charter that created the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) impose sterilization as a requirement for people seeking to change their legal gender, according to the organization Transgender Europe. The ruling, which is technically binding on the courts of member states, comes as several European countries are overhauling their gender identity laws to give more control to individuals rather than to doctors or judges.
Continued on Page 23
BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
Baltimore Local News
2015 Pride Coordinator and GLCCB Development Coordinator Paul Liller
by
STEVE CHARING
Michelle McLeod and Jeremy Johnson will receive the Mark F. Scurti Award on April 3 at the 9th Annual COBALT awards.
Photographer Adam Bouska brings his NOH8 campaign to Baltimore
July 24 at Gertrude’s at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The popular long-time event, known as Twilight on the Terrace, is a key fundraising source for the GLCCB to defray operating costs associated with Pride. Liller, along with committees consisting of enthusiastic volunteers, sets up Pride events, attracts corporate sponsors, coordinates vendors, arranges the talent and performs many tasks that are not apparent by all. This behind-thescenes work is tedious but Liller says “there has been a huge influx of interest from nearly 300 volunteers and more are needed. Indeed, Liller and the GLCCB have set out an ambitious agenda that by itself would be daunting even without Pride. Monthly networking mixers and Pride meetings help to add visibility to the Center. However, there is a plethora of other events that Liller and volunteers are planning to engage the community. For example, on March 25 a Youth Program Open House was held to showcase new youth programs. This is being led by Key’ayshia Tucker, who is the Center’s office manager. From April 13-17 the Center will host an Open House Week so that community members can see where the GLCCB resides. On April 17 there will be a kickoff party for youth programs and a PrEP media rollout to explain the Center’s new responsibility in communicating about PrEP. There will be a Casino Night at Grand Central on April 18 to benefit Pride. On May 2, the popular Voice of Pride will take place at Steampunk Alley. The sizzling Hunks in Trunks fundraiser will take place on May 13. And for LGBT history buffs, the LGBT Archives Exhibit Opening Reception will occur on May 15. Following Pride, the GLCCB will celebrate
OutLaw is a law student organization that works to foster acceptance, promote education and awareness and advocate on the University of Baltimore Campus and in the community at large on legal issues facing members of the LGBT community, LGBT families and their allies.
Photo by Steve Charing
The Center’s Busy Year Ahead Paul Liller, the 2015 Pride Coordinator, and now the new Development Coordinator for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB), is a busy man. His window office on the third floor of the Waxter Center where the GLCCB is headquartered, though well organized, is packed with binders, papers, charts and brochures. Liller’s desktop calendar has virtually every block filled in reflecting his additional responsibilities that include all aspects of Pride, GLCCB fundraising, donor interactions, all events, grants implementation, outreach and much more. Enthusiastic, confident and driven to make Pride as well as the Center’s other programs a success, Liller, 32, draws on his previous experience as Pride and Development Coordinator and a pretty good hand on the pulse of Baltimore’s LGBT communities as well as LGBTfriendly businesses. “We have an ambitious schedule for 2015, and it’s my job to help make it successful,” he explains. Liller states with great satisfaction that after all the wrangling, twists and turns, Pride, which is scheduled for July 25-26, will return home where it had been a popular two-day celebration and a vital source of revenue for the GLCCB throughout its history. Last year, the GLCCB had shifted the Saturday block party from the customary Eager and Charles Streets venue to the Artscape footprint several blocks north. In addition, the traditional Sunday in the (Druid Hill) Park event was eliminated in favor of a second day at the Artscape locale. The Pride celebration will kick off on Friday,
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LGBT History Month with Oktoberfest the first week, Black Pride, Hearts and Ears, and Chase Brexton will be joining the GLCCB for events the remainder of the month. And on Halloween, the Center will hold its “Outrageous” gala.
OutLaw to Present COBALT Awards OutLaw, an LGBT advocacy group at the University of Baltimore School of Law, will be presenting its 9th annual COBALT awards on April 3. COBALT stands for Celebrating Our Baltimore Area Leaders and Trailblazers. Those individuals designated to receive the Mark F. Scurti Award are Michelle McLeod and Jeremy Johnson. McLeod will be honored for her work with LGBTQ youth and her advocacy for LGBTQ military issues. Johnson is also being honored for his work on LGBTQ issues in the military. The organization to be recognized is GLSEN. In 2007, Scurti received a Distinguished Alumni Award for his work for OutLaw. The award has been renamed the “Mark F. Scurti Award for Outstanding Contributions to the LGBT Community.” Scurti, a well-known gay attorney in Baltimore’s LGBT community, is currently an associate judge on the District Court for Baltimore City. The April 3 ceremony takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm. on the 12th floor of the University of Baltimore School of Law, 1401 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Tickets are free to students and $10 for nonstudents, alumni or guests. To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-cobaltawards-tickets-15964969654.
NOH8 Photo Shoot in B'more The NOH8 Campaign will be set up at Monaco Baltimore, a Kimpton Hotel, on April 10 for an open photo shoot. Interested individuals are asked to stop by between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to pose for an official NOH8 photo by photographer Adam Bouska. No reservations needed. The hotel is located at 2 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21201. “Photos are first-come, first-served - and we move fast,” said the organizers on the event’s Facebook page. “Please arrive camera-ready with a plain white shirt to match the signature style of the NOH8 photos.” Single/Solo Photos will cost $40. Couple/ Group Photos are $25 per person. NOH8 accepts cash and credit cards only. Fees paid to participate cover services and costs for one edited digital print only, made available via noh8campaign.com, and do not include physical prints. Funds raised by the NOH8 Campaign will be used to continue promoting and raising awareness for marriage and human equality as well as anti-discrimination and anti-bullying through NOH8’s interactive social media campaign. This includes bringing the campaign to other cities and countries around the world, creating and compiling images for our ongoing large-scale media campaign and covering operational costs at their Burbank headquarters.
GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
13
OUR LIFE
The Cross Sections of Sexual and Behavioral Health
JUSTIN’S HIV JOURNAL
Daddy Issues by JUSTIN B. TERRY-SMITH
B
eing a father has taught me a lot about being patient and open. When my son, Lundyn, first came to us at age 15, I was surprised to find that he didn’t bombard me with questions about sex. I wondered if he had any questions at all. Being someone who has always thought education is key in teaching and helping our young people excel, I set out to ask him questions to gauge how much about sex he actually knew. To my surprise he knew a lot more than I thought. When we were going to pick up his glasses, he looked over at me and said, “Dad, can I tell you something?” I replied, “Son, you can tell me anything you would like”. He said, “Dad, I really don’t like Trojan condoms, I think LifeStyles are better.” I said, “Okay cool.” He then said, “Dad I don’t like KY Jelly, I like Wet lubricant.” I then retorted, “I’m very glad you know what you like.” Now all of you who are reading my columns, blogs, and other writings should know that in my house there is no excuse why anyone would not have an available condom. So as a good father I would of course give my son condoms. I do not preach abstinence to my son—that’s crazy. Teenagers are a different and dynamic element. They lead by emotions and love, and sometimes forget to
Justin B. Terry-Smith MPH is a noted HIV and gay civil rights activist and the creator of ‘Justin’s HIV Journal,” a popular blog in which he shares his trials and tribulations of living with HIV. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Justin resides in Laurel, Md. with his husband, Dr. Philip Terry-Smith and their son Lundyn. Presently Justin is working towards earning his Doctorate in Public Health. Visit his main Web site at www. justinbsmith.com. He welcomes your questions at jsmithco98@hotmail.com. Photo by Don Harris, Don Harris Photographics, LLC © 2011. All Rights Reserved.
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GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
ALL TEA, NO SHADE: DISHIN’ WITH THE DUCHESS
think with their heads on their necks rather than the head between their legs. My son is a smart young man and I am so blessed that he was able to come into my life. He is now in a relationship with a guy named Zack. My husband Phil and I both really like Zack. When Lundyn first started dating, I was the one with the shot gun at the door. I would interrogate, and divide and conquer. As a good father, I would warn my son about sexual decisions that he might make and he is smart enough to know his options. As a parent of a teen I give these words of advice. Teenagers are like seeds. You have to water them, give them sunlight, and check on them. With this seed, you do now know what you are going to get even after you’ve tried your best. They can grow to be weeds, flowers or mighty trees. They are the ones who make their own paths because they are the captains of their own destiny.
by
CARLTON SMITH and MICHAEL VIGORITO
Hello family! What’s going on in the gayborhood? Honey, get ready to rid yourself of those heavy winter coats and let’s get down to spring attire. Spring is here, and with some of us are looking for a spring fling of a different kind. This month our conversation is about Sexual Health in Recovery. Our communities here in Baltimore face significant HIV and substance abuse epidemics among multiple overlapping demographics. Trends have shown an increasing number of HIV transmission is due—in part— to drugs and alcohol use. With this being said, the intersection of sex and drugs challenge the goals of both HIV prevention and substance abuse treatment. Let me introduce my colleague Michael Vigorito. He can address the sex/drug intersection among clients and speak about training staff on agency policies to create a culturally competent within a nonjudgmental environment. Take it away Michael!
T
hanks for giving me the opportunity to discuss the training initiative I manage. I designed and implemented the Sexual Health Learning Community (SHLC) for Behavioral Health System Baltimore. It is a training program to build the sexual health capacity of publicly funded mental health providers in the Baltimore-Towson metro area. It may seem surprising, but it is not routine practice for many mental health providers to screen clients for sexual health problems. Many providers don’t feel comfortable asking their clients about their sexual behaviors or how they maintain their sexual health. My task is to help increase provider comfort, knowledge and ability with facilitating these sexual health conversations and conducting sexual risk-reduction counseling when problems surface. The SHLC is one part of the larger No Wrong Door Project (410.706.5312; 120 Penn St.) funded by the Maryland DHMH, Prevention and Health Promotion Administration. As the name suggests, the No Wrong
Michael Vigorito and Carlton Smith Door Project aims to integrate mental health, substance abuse and infectious disease systems of care so, no matter what treatment people are accessing, they will be connected to the appropriate service. The SHLC supports that goal by integrating a sexual health domain into the routine practice of mental health providers. It’s an important initiative since sexual health and behavioral health are interrelated. Generally speaking, people with mental health and substance abuse disorders are vulnerable to sexual health consequences like STI/HIV infection or unintended pregnancies. Sexual events like childhood sexual abuse and HIV infection or discrimination based on one’s sexual or gender identity are associated with mental health and substance abuse disorders. As a result of these associations, it’s vital that anyone accessing mental health services is screened for sexual problems or high-risk sexual behavior. It’s a valuable opportunity to prevent a sexual health consequence or to identify people who would benefit from sexual health services like STI/HIV testing and treatment or reproductive health care. Over the course of two SHLC cycles, I was delighted to train a diverse group of local providers who predominantly serve AfricanAmerican clients of all ages. For people interested in youth-friendly
Continued on Page 22 BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
TRANSMISSIONS
SPIRITUAL IN-TO-ME-I-SEE (SPIRITUAL INTIMACY)
Been to Paradise
Just ASK...
by COURTNEY BEDELL ECKLER
by COACH MAQ ELÈ
S
A
ocrates once said “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Well, harsh as it sounds, maybe a life without love is also not worth living. I’m no spring chick, and I’ve been around long enough to warrant a bit of self-examination. What I realized is that I have never really experienced the kind of deep love that makes your heart ache when you’re apart and can give your life meaning. Apart from my gender dysphoria, I’ve lived a pretty good life so far. I’ve traveled the world; lounged on Maltese beaches under the bluest Mediterranean skies; explored every inch of Ireland by car; watched as the lights came up on Inca gold in a PreColombian museum; made a living playing drums in a rock band; rode horses during high school years; hiked the Appalachian Trail; spelunked deep into caves in which I would now literally die of claustrophobia. I’ve done lots of cool stuff, but none of it can make up for living without the most essential of human needs, LOVE! Being a transgender teen girl forced by circumstance to live as a boy (without a viable plan for MTF transition) and keeping this a secret produced a disconnect between my mind and body. For me this made navigating an authentic love-life impossible. I was a girl, so it didn’t feel right to be with a woman as a guy. And because I was a girl, I didn’t want to be with a man as a guy. The only thing that felt right for me was either to be with a woman as a woman or with a guy as a woman – but this was only possible once I transitioned a bit later in my life. So, when I dated a guy I liked I was unable to make love with him the way I wanted to as a girl. If you find this at all confusing, imagine how I felt. Body/mind disconnect was my natural response. I have only felt real love once. She was the sweet and beautiful girl I fell in love with in high school. Simply watching television together spooning on the couch was joyous! So easy, but it was wonderful because we loved each other. I had not yet transitioned and she probably thought she loved a boy - albeit with long hair and a feminine face but I believe she was actually responding to her sense of my femaleness. After she made up my face several times with her make-up I got scared and confused about
BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
what to do because this clearly addressed my gender issue and sadly it was years before I was ready to come out. When I was a teen, trans-kids were pretty much on our own as far as transition options. So, unable to deal, I broke it off with her; the only real love I’ve ever known. Even though I felt my “real life” would not begin until I could live in my appropriate gender I still had to work and lead some sort of social life. So, I led a dual existence like so many pre-transition trans women and men. My relationships remained superficial and loveless even when I liked the girl (or guy) I was with. I was affectionate and loved kissing but wasn’t interested in going much further as I had put up a wall that I would not cross. When I finally transitioned and surgery gave me the body that matched my gender I was still so conditioned to putting my love-life on hold and not pursuing sex, I continued to go without. That is how I lived for the past fifteen years. And that brings us up to the present. This “examined” life has revealed to me that I have not known a true and deep love since that girlfriend in high school. I still dream Continued on Page 22
re you aware that the Universe is set-up to give? And that includes providing the way for your desires to manifest. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at nature. How many flakes of snow would you guess fell in Baltimore during this winter? What about how many fell in your back yard? Imagine that each of those snowflakes represent a “yes” to your requests—be it a prayer, a thought or an idea. The truth is, the Universe is like a large ear, it is always listening, always receiving the information being broadcasted into the ethers. The Universe is designed to receive all requests, and then provide. This is the Law. It always responds to your request, whether you like what you receive or not. The Universe is neutral, it responds to the dominant frequency present within your consciousness. In other words, if your dominant thought is “I never get what I want; in order to get what I want I must work for it…” then the Universe will make sure that, that experience is always true for you! The same is true for those thoughts that are in the affirmative. All that is required of you is to ASK! ASK for what you want! ASK for clarity and guidance for your next steps! How do you ask?
will present itself as a small whisper, a reoccurring or random thought; it may even show up via a friend or a television commercial. This intuitive nudge comes from a deeper place; it’s an internal knowing from your heart not your head.
STEP 4: Be open to your request being manifested in a way you never imagined! STEP 5: Say THANK YOU once you have received your request! BE-LOVED! ~Coach Maq
STEP 1: Release attachment to how it is “supposed to happen.” When you tell the Universe “how” to be abundant you are liming the bountifulness of what is possible. This is like asking the Universe to only snow in the back left corner of your back yard, when snow covering the entire city is possible. STEP 2: ASK—by literally speaking out of your mouth what it is that you want or need to know. I know this may sound crazy, but I am serious! Remember the Universe is a large ear; it is waiting on you to speak/voice what you want. STEP 3: Take Action on what you are intuitively nudged to do. This
Coach Maq Elè is a certified Spiritual Life and the facilitator for the GLCCB group SILhouette (Spiritually In-Tuned Lesbians). For more information about Coach Maq and SILhouette please visit Maqele.com. To contact Coach Maq with your coaching questions email CoachMaq@baltimoregaylife.com.
GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
15
OUR LIFE OUT-SKIRTS
An End, A Beginning by DANIELLE ARIANO
O
n March 5th I got a text from my best friend telling me that her mother had died. It was expected, yet still shocking. Her mom had gotten sick and died in a matter of months. Cancer. Diagnosed in late November, dead by March. I wept for my friend and her family. Then, I spent a good while staring out the window, wondering how she would get through this and how she would learn to live the rest of her life without a mother. How did anyone do this? There was snow swirling outside. Another storm. By the end of the day, eight inches would cover the earth around my neighborhood.
There’s no other choice, I thought, that’s how people learn. They have no other choice. * A few weeks prior, I’d been updating another friend about our friend’s mother. “Isn’t it strange,” she remarked, “that we’re at the age where our parents are going to start to die?” I jerked my head. We are not, I wanted to say sharply, but I knew she was right. When we hear about the death of people who are in their sixties or seventies it’s not surprising unless it’s happening to someone we know, someone we love. Then, it’s always too soon and they’re always too young. Life and death are unpredictable affairs, but there are certain expectations that we
carry, certain numbers that float around in our head, numbers that we label as young and old. I’m only ___, I’m still young. When I get to be ___ I will be old, we tell ourselves, but when we get there, we never feel quite like we thought we would. The image of age never matches the feeling. When I was in my early twenties, I had so many expectations about turning thirty. To be thirty meant to be grown up, to be settled, to know who I was, but when I got there, it wasn’t like that at all. When I got there, I was surprised to find that I was still full of questions and uncertainty. I was still myself, only older. And now, seven years into my thirties,
the only thing I know for sure is that the older I get, the more questions I have. For the most part, I feel much the same as I did in my twenties. I’ve changed some, of course, but the essence of who I am—a writer, a reader, a person who loves to be in the ocean, who loves to be around friends, who loves to dance and laugh—all of these things are the same. I am not not the version of myself that I thought I’d be, I’m just me. Hello 37-year-old self, strange to meet you. * My co-worker who is in his sixties is Continued on Page 22
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GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
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Yes, first I shall officially decide on a new name. Second, I shall officially ask people to call me that. Third I shall officially do a bunch of other legal stuff some other time.
So Clarence, have you figured out all the necessary steps in officially changing your name?
CROSSING
T's
BY ANGELA WREN
Protect What Matters
Your Partner • Your Family • Your Wealth
Lee Carpenter
A Maryland attorney to the LGBT community • • • • •
Wills Trusts Powers of Attorney Advance Medical Directives Estate Administration
25 South Charles Street, Ste 1400, Baltimore, MD 21201 410.576.4729 • lcarpenter@semmes.com BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
17
OUR LIFE
GET PREPPED ON PREP: A TOWN HALL MEETING ON PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS
Join us to learn more about PrEP and about the newest, exciting data on PrEP for men who have sex with men. DATE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 TIME 6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM
LOCATION CHASE BREXTON HEALTH CARE 1111 NORTH CHARLES STREET | BALTIMORE, MD 21201 FOOD & REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED
HOSTED BY AIDS Action Baltimore & Chase Brexton Health Care SPONSORED BY: Center for Black Equity - Baltimore, FreeState Legal Project, GLCCB, Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research, OUTloud, & STAR TRACK, University of Maryland School of Medicine
THE W.O.E. REPORT
Nourishing Your Soul by
WYATT O’BRIAN EVANS
M
ore than a year ago, a certain experience caused a profound shift in my thinking process. You see, I had the good fortune of stumbling across Wishes Fulfilled, the PBS television special based on the wildly popular book of the same title. Dr. Wayne Dyer, motivational speaker and international best-selling author, penned Wishes Fulfilled. The tome’s overarching message is: “a change in feeling—and thinking— results in a change in destiny.” So in this column, I’m going to encapsulate Wishes Fulfilled so that perhaps you—like I did—can a form and maintain a mindset that will enable you to be even more successful in the various areas of your life. Ready? Well then, let’s “rock and roll!” There are three basic tenets to Wishes Fulfilled. Dr. Dyer states that the first is: “If you want to accomplish something, you must expect it of yourself.” That’s quite straightforward. According to the author/motivational speaker, the second tenet is: “I AM.” Every time you say things to yourself like, “I am weak…I am incapable…I am not successful,” you defile the name of God. Therefore, you must retrain your subconscious mind to attract what you really want. The third tenet is composed of five parts, which Dr. Dyer names “The Foundations.” Actually, after analysis, they’re pretty commonsensical. They are as follows: Imagination. According to Dr. Dyer, “You must place in your imagination what you want to be reality, and then fervently believe it.” Living from the end. The popular author/ motivational speaker says, “You must staunchly believe that you already possess what you want to achieve—which is the end result.” Assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled. According to Dr. Dyer, “You must actually feel what it is that you want—as if you already have it.” Attention. Dr. Dyer asks, “What kind of
attention do you place on your desires? How much effort are you actually expending to achieve your goals?” He explains, “Don’t complain, don’t explain what you place into your imagination. Don’t allow anyone to tell you what is possible or impossible for you.” Now I lay me down to sleep. Dr. Dyer states that it is when we sleep that the subconscious mind is busy at work, when negative instructions are being sealed into your subconscious. He elaborates, “During the last five minutes, you’ll marinate in your subconscious mind for the next eight hours. Most people use the last five minutes before sleep on the negative; it’s our ‘worry time’.” He emphasizes, therefore, that you must reverse the process. “So, in those last five moments before drifting off to sleep, you should say to yourself: ‘I am successful! I am capable! I am a winner’!” Dr. Dyer advises to let go of your senses, others’ opinions of you, your fears, etc. The bottom line? You have to SEE your Wishes Fulfilled –that which has not yet come to pass as if it is NOW with you. And always remember: “a change in feeling— and thinking—results in a change in destiny.”
Wyatt O’Brian Evans is a journalist, radio personality (“The Wyatt O’Brian Evans Show,” PapiChuloRADIO.com), instructor, motivational speaker, and author of the new novel, Nothing Can Tear Us Apart—RAGE! (Gay/ethnic). You may visit Wyatt at his on line home, WyattEvans.com. Follow him at The Wyatt O’Brian Evans Official Fan Club on Facebook, and on Twitter at @MisterWOE.
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GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM
BETTER LIFE
Kids and Money:
Small Lessons Early On May Have a Big Payoff by
AMANDA WOODDELL WILHELM
W
e teach our children to respect people, the environment, education, and other aspects of our values so they can ultimately become admirable and responsible adults. But what if, after all that terrific parenting, they became overwhelmed with debt because they did not understand the consequences of signing up for an unsolicited credit card offer? Raising kids with a respect and understanding of money is fundamental to their success as adults. Starting this education at an early age in small, yet meaningful ways will only help them when it is time for them to make their own way in the world.
Make It Fun Engage younger children in entertaining activities, such as using a credit card statement as a scavenger hunt. Ask if they can find specific purchases and whether they think it was worth the cost. Play board games like Monopoly and Life to introduce them to the concepts of investing, profits, and losses. There are also plenty of free, interactive games for young children and teens at websites such as Kids.usa.gov and Jumpstart.org.
Allowance as a Learning Tool Consider providing your children with an allowance so that they may put saving and good spending habits into practice. If your child is asking for a new phone or concert ticket, require that they earn and save for it. Assign a few household chores or stipulate that they save a portion of gift or birthday money for items that they wish to purchase. After all, extra chores, like doing dishes or cleaning their room, are skills they can use throughout their lives. By giving in and buying these items immediately, you may be passing up the opportunity to teach your child a valuable life lesson—we must work and earn the funds needed to purchase the things we want. Financial instant gratification is usually not the best policy and will typically land the purchaser in debt.
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Teens and College Students Encourage your kids to have a part-time job. For college students, it defrays tuition costs and living expenses, and instills an understanding of money management. For high school students, it is a lesson in responsibility and demonstrates to college admission officers that they can manage their time between work and school.
1 IN 43 HAVE HIV/AIDS IN BALTIMORE
LET’S
MAKE
HIV/AIDS
HISTORY
Doing Well By Doing Good Involve your children in charitable giving at an early age. This will help them to recognize that there are people less fortunate in the world. Share your charitable giving habits with them and encourage them to give a little to an organization in need. If it is a charity that is important to you, this exercise can create a connection to your children and your overall charitable goals.
Taxes Use tax time as teachable moment for older children. This is the ideal time to explain the basic tax rules and requirements—what tax forms they will receive (W-2 form from their employer), what tax forms must be filed by them, and why meeting tax-filing deadlines are so important. For example, if a young adult is employed and is required to file a form 1040, make sure he or she reads it and has a general understanding of what is being signed and why. Helping your children understand the value of budgeting and saving to meet their basic financial needs is fundamental to their success as adults. It is a foundation that they can build upon to help them prosper later in life. Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm is a Manager at SC&H Financial Advisors, the Personal Financial Planning practice at SC&H Group, which is an audit, tax, and consulting firm based in Sparks, Md. To learn more about SC&H Group, visit www.scandh.com. Note: Securities offered through Triad Advisors, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through SC&H Financial Advisors, Inc. SC&H Financial Advisors, Inc. and Triad Advisors, Inc. are unaffiliated entities.
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SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015 THE MARYLAND ZOO IN BALTIMORE Data: Baltimore City HIV/AIDS Epidemiological Profile – Fourth Quarter 2012 GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
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SOCIAL LIFE
Datebook
by
RECURRING & ONGOING EVENTS
Sundays Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar Every Sunday 7am-Noon Jones Falls Expressway Holliday & Saratoga Sts. PromotionAndArts.com Dog Hikes with the Doctor First Sunday of the month 11am-Noon • $2 Baltimore Humane Society 1601 Nicodemus Rd. • Reisterstown BMoreHumane.org Metropolitan Community Church Services Every Sunday 9am and 11am MCC Baltimore • 401 W. Monument St MCCBaltimore.org League of Women Bowlers Every Sunday 4:30pm AMF Marlow Heights Lanes 4717 St. Barnabas Rd. • Temple Hill LeagueOfWomenBowlers2@verizon.net Rise Up, Honoring Women’s Spirituality Fourth Sundays 12:45-2:15pm First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net Westminster PFLAG Monthly Mtg. Third Sundays 7pm St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 17 Bond St. • Westminster PFLAGWCC.org Heterosexual Friendly Gay Brunch First Sunday Frederick’s on Fleet • 2112 Fleet St. FredericksOnFleet.com ASGRA Monthly Trail Ride First Sundays 10:30am • $25-30 Piscataway Stables 10775 Piscataway Road • Clinton ASGRA.org Charm City Volleyball: Competitive Play Every Sunday 10am-1pm • $7 Volleyball House 5635 Furnace Ave. • Elkridge VolleyBaltimore.org Service of Worship First Sundays 10:30am First & Franklin • 210 West Madison St. FirstFranklin.org Service of Worship Every Sunday 10am Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church • 1316 Park Ave. BrownDowntown.org
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Mondays Interfaith Fairness Coalition Mtg. Fourth Mondays 7:30pm Contact info@ifcmd.org to confirm meeting location IFCMD.info PFLAG Howard County Parent Forum Third Mondays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia PFLAGMD.org Senior Pride: Discussion Group for Women 55+ Monday evenings Chase Brexton Health Services Call 410-837-2050, ext. 2428 for details www.bit.ly/SeniorPride
Tuesdays Howard County PFLAG Monthly Mtg. Second Tuesdays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia PFLAGMD.org Karate-Dō (LGBT-friendly classes) Every Tuesday 5:30-7:30pm Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus Bob Remington — MDShoto@aol.com Csskshotokan.com Meditation Group Every Tuesday 6:15-7:45pm First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net PFLAG Baltimore Co. General Mtg. Fourth Tuesdays 7pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. PFLAGBaltimore.org
Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore City 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesdays 7-9pm The GLCCB • 1000 Cathedral St. RYABaltimore@gmail.com Facebook.com/groups/RYABaltimore Teen Program at JCC Second Tuesdays 6pm Owings Mills JCC 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. JoinTeens.org Trans Parents Forum, Baltimore Co. Third Tuesdays 7-9:30pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. PFLAGBaltimore.org
Wednesdays Charm City Volleyball: Social Play Every Wednesday 6:30-9:30pm • $3-30 Mt Royal Recreational Center 137 McMechen St. Living Well with HIV Support Group Every Wednesday 10:30am Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. Jacques.umaryland.edu/support.html Spiritual Development with Rev. Sam Offer Every Wednesday 7pm Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore 4007 Old York Rd. UFCB.org GEM: Gender Empowerment MD Every other Wednesday 7pm Equality Maryland • 1201 S. Sharp St. Owen@EqualityMaryland.org Senior Pride: Discussion Group for Men 55+ Wednesday evenings. Chase Brexton Health Services Call 410-837-2050, ext. 2428 for details www.bit.ly/SeniorPride Support Group for Transgender Adults Third Wednesday 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia hoctytransgroup@gmail.com
Parents of Transgender Kids Fourth Tuesdays 7:30-9pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia cvhyde@gmail.com PFLAGBaltimore.org
Thursdays
Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore County 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7-9pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. RYABaltimoreCounty@gmail.com
HIV Support: Substance Abuse & HIV Every Thursdays 2-3pm Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. IHV.org
Rainbow Youth Alliance of Howard County 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia 410.280.9047 rya_leaders@hotmail.com
Karate-Dō (LGBT-friendly classes) Every Thursday 5:30-7:30pm Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus Bob Remington — MDShoto@aol.com Csskshotokan.com
Fridays HIV Support: Just Between US Every Friday 11am-Noon Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. IHV.org
Saturdays Baltimore Frontrunners Every Saturday 8:45am • Brunch 10am Panera Bread, 3600 Boston St. BaltimoreFrontrunners.org HOPE DC Monthly Brunch First Saturdays 11am Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro DC 1801 18th St. NW • Washington, D.C. HopeDCSocials-owner@yahoogroups.com In the Company of Women First Saturdays 10am-Noon First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net
DATEBOOK
Wednesday, April 1 Wicked opens The *true* story of the Wicked Witch of the West • 8pm • Thru April 26 Hippodrome • 12 N. Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com AIABaltimore Spring Lecture Series: Outliers Feat. award-winning architect John Szot. FREE • 6pm MICA Brown Center/ Falvey Hall 1300 W Mt Royal Ave. AIABaltimore.org Open Men’s Meeting Peer-support group that honors the mature male. Every Wednesday 6:30-8:45pm • FREE GLCCB • 1000 Cathedral St., 3rd Floor Contact: Bmoi1000@gmail.com Gay BINGO! Every Wednesday 8:30pm Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com Neighbors Night at Marquee Lounge Every Wednesday 5pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org
Thursday, April 2 Hip Hop Night at Club Hippo Get your dance on every Thursday. Reduced cover before 11pm. Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com
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Friday, April 3 Good Friday
Brooklyn Heights Presents.... Iyana Deschanel Benefit Show Feat. special performances by Brooke Lynn Heights and Farra N. Hyte. 10pm Club Hippo • 1 West Eager St. ClubHippo.com First Fridays First Friday of every month 6:30pm • FREE Eastern & East Ave. CreativeAlliance.org
Saturday, April 4
Passover Begins
Backspin w/ DJ Carl Jr. The best of 80’s and 90’s dance hits. No cover before 11. 9pm. Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com Easter Eggstravaganza Egg hunt (FREE) and pet family photos with the Easter Bunny ($10) • Noon-3pm Baltimore Humane Society 1601 Nicodemus Road, Reisterstown BMoreHumane.org elektroschock First Saturday of every month 9pm $6 cover • 21+ Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com
Sunday, April 5
Easter
Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar Opens Maryland’s largest producers-only market returns for the year • 7am-Noon Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga Sts. PromotionAndArts.org Drag Wars RuPaul’s Drag Race meets The Voice. Every Sunday 9pm • $7-10 Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com
Monday, April 6 Spot Light Mondays — RuPaul’s Drag Race Drink specials & drag shows! 9pm Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com
Tuesday, April 7
Saturday, April 18
NightOUT: 4,000 Miles A night at the theater and pre-show happy hour for LGBTQIA patrons • $10-39 • 7pm CENTERSTAGE • 700 N. Calvert St. CenterStage.org
2015 Marquee Ball: To The MAX Who knew the apocalypse would be so fun? $30-40 • 5:30pm Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org
Showtune Video Madness Sing out Louise! FREE. Tuesdays. 7:45pm Club Hippo • 1 West Eager St. ClubHippo.com
Wednesday, April 8 4,000 Miles opens A grandmother and grandson find common identity • $10-59 • 8pm • Thru May 24 CENTERSTAGE • 700 N. Calvert St. CenterStage.org
Thursday, April 9 Daydreams + Nightmares Aerial Theatre’s The Sorrow Message opens An intriguing, dark and fantastical aerialtheatre production • $18-24 8pm • Thru April 19 Theater Project • 45 W. Preston St. TheaterProject.org
Friday, April 10 REVIVAL A monthly hoedown • $6 • 21+ • 7pm Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com
Saturday, 4/11 SHE Productions Presents REHAB 2nd Saturday of Every Month 9pm • $5 • 21+ Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com
Sunday, April 12 OK Go with White Arrows $20-22 • 7pm Rams Head Live! • 20 Market Place RamsHeadLive.com
Wednesday, April 15
Men’s Naked Yoga Every Monday 6:30-7:30pm • $18 Vitruvian Gallery, LLC 734 7th St., SE, 2nd fl. • Wash., D.C. VitruvianGallery.com
AIABaltimore Spring Lecture Series: Outliers Feat. landscape architect, scholar, and associate professor, Bradley Cantrell. FREE • 6pm MICA Brown Center/ Falvey Hall 1300 W Mt Royal Ave. AIABaltimore.org
Karaoke Sing your heart out every Monday and Tuesday night. Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com
POZ DC Happy Hour Mixer For HIV+ men. 7pm Green Lantern 1335 Green Court NW • Wash., D.C. HopeDC.org
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Monday, April 20 Giant Monster Monday Movies & drink specials • 8pm-Midnight The Wind Up Space • 12 W North Ave. TheWindUpSpace.com
Friday, April 24 Reefer Madlesque Gilded Lily & Jim Dandy team up to present a burlesque tribute to everyone’s favorite illicit pastime • $15 • 9pm The Wind Up Space • 12 W North Ave. TheWindUpSpace.com
Saturday, April 25 Meshelle in Funny, Fierce, Fabulous: The Cabaret Commandeered by the award-winning “Indie Mom of Comedy." • $17-23 • 8pm Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org
Sunday, April 26 Widespread Panic Proving life is still grand • $52 • 6:30pm Pier Six Pavilion • 731 Eastern Ave. PierSixPavilion.com
Wednesday, April 29 AIABaltimore Spring Lecture Series: Outliers Feat. Ricardo Dominguez, co-founder of The Electronic Disturbance Theater. FREE • 6pm MICA Brown Center/ Falvey Hall 1300 W Mt Royal Ave. AIABaltimore.org
Thursday, April 30 RAW Baltimore: Exposure A showcase of local artists • $15-20 • 18+ Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org
“All Dressed Up” at Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower welcomes the “All Dressed Up: A Legacy of Cross-Dressing Men in Entertainment” exhibition this month. The showcase from Baltimore-based artist Ron Anthony features portraits of the city’s own Divine, Dame Edna, RuPaul and other entertainers. Anthony’s whimsical oilbased marker drawings and paintings depict an array of international male entertainers in hilarious and colorful states of cross-dress, appearing in distinguished yearbook-style portraits. In “All Dressed Up,” Anthony seeks to question how minstrel shows of the past have influenced the style and dress of modern day entertainers. Through his work, he also explores the ways men of different regions, nationalities and backgrounds managed to escape the suit, earn their rights of passage and achieve a greater sense of freedom, pride and success through cross-dress.
“All Dressed Up”
Exhibit runs Saturdays 11am-4pm thru April 25 Free Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower 21 S. Eutaw St. BromoSeltzerTower.com
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GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
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Ashley Parker Angel
Lily Tomlin
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watching and really studying what the other actors have brought to the character. There are a lot of videos out there, and I tried to avoid watching others because I wanted to connect to the heart of the role in my own way. The essence of Fiyero really resonates with the essence of me. Fiyero’s song is ‘Dancing through Life.’ You know when you meet Fiyero that he is this playboy, fun type who doesn’t want to take life seriously. Responsibility is like a bad word in his book. ‘Dancing through Life’ couldn’t better sum up the essence of Fiyero. That’s something I really resonate with because I try not to take things in life too seriously. Fiyero really goes through this arc and he changes from where he was in the beginning. You go on such a journey with these characters that you meet, and that’s what so much fun with this show. It’s about the power of transformation. It’s about what do we really perceive about what’s right and wrong, and if what we perceive is always the truth or is there another story behind it. I think that’s a great message for where we are today as a society.
said I usually do this for grown up. [Laughs] A kid raised his hand and said “You should just pretend you’re a grown up.”
All Tea, No Shade
Have you ever been to Baltimore before? I have! I actually was on Homicide: Life on the Streets. I just loved Homicide. I’m so glad I had the chance to be on it. You, along with former Nine to Five co-star Jane Fonda, have a brand new comedy series coming to Netflix called Grace and Frankie on May 8. The premise of the show follows long time rivals Grace and Frankie who have been brought together after their husbands announce they are in love with each other and plan to get married. Can you give our readers a little sneak peek of what they can expect? The character Frankie is more bohemian, a painter, and less structured. Grace is much more of a conservative. Sam Waterson plays my husband and Martin Sheen plays Grace’s
Transmissions
Leonardo Sandoval
Continued from Page 9 husband. We have a really great cast. We find out right away in the first episode that our husbands have been having an affair for the last 20 years. Now that they can get married we find out they are leaving us. It’s all about the experience that we’re dealing with and how we invent ourselves and how we adapt to it. You have starred in countless movies and television shows, as well as Broadway productions. What’s next for Lily? I have a movie that is going to be released in August from Sony Classics. It’s called Grandma, and I play Grandma. We just had it show at Sundance and it got a lot of good notice. Do you see retirement in your future? Well, I was just reading about Olivia de Havilland who is 98. She outlived [her sister] Joan. She’s 98 and lives in Paris and looks great. I thought, maybe I should move to Paris and retire, but I don’t think I will. (Laughs) I can’t leave anyone yet!
Out-Skirts
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and adult outpatient mental health services who were trained in sexual health, please contact Advanced Therapeutic Connections (TSIConnect.com), Hope Health (HopeHealthSystems.com), Therapeutic Living for Families (TherapeuticLivingforFamilies. org), Insight Life Therapeutics (InsightTherapeutics.org), Urban Behavioral Associates (UrbanBehavioralHealth.org) and Totally Whole Pastoral Counseling (TotallyWholePCServices.com). For those in need of crisis mental health care or drug and alcohol detox, please contact Baltimore Crisis Response. As the grant winds down, I’m excited to see the outcomes of their investment in promoting sexual health as an ally for mental health and wellness. They have created safe, informed and respectful spaces for people to talk openly about their sexual problems and work toward their visions of sexual health. Due to the Sexual Health Learning Community and other training initiative funded by the No Wrong Door project, Baltimore residents and members of the LGBTQ community have greater access to providers who are comfortable, willing and ready to help them maintain their sexual health, you will be able to meet with the No Wrong Door Linkage to Care Specialist who will help you with referral to HIV services and primary medical care.
about her and so wish I could go back in time and make love to her as the woman I am today. But that’s not going to happen. So, with full awareness of what I have been missing I am determined now to find what I need in this life to be happy and fulfilled. Years ago I took care of my gender needs, now it’s time to take a leap of faith, break down the wall, and provide for my emotional needs. I will stop denying myself this essential element of happiness. My next big adventure will not take the form of travel, or playing live music, or riding horses. It will be in the pursuit of what we humans need most of all; LOVE!
lucky enough to still have his mother. She’s in her nineties—a woman with a maddening stubborn streak, the kind of woman who calls to complain about pain in her knee, but refuses to take Ibuprofen. Sometimes, I hear my co-worker on the phone with her, his voice tinged with anger and frustration. Once, I heard him yelling in harsh, accusatory tones. It made my stomach lurch. Part of me understood his exasperation, but another part thought, shame on you. She won’t be around forever. How can you not see this? But I have no place judging him. Family relationships are complicated. They are full of history that is unknowable to outsiders, and besides, I too am guilty of having spoken to my loved ones in tones that I’d not dream of taking with a stranger. I’m no better. * But all of this happened in March. By the time you read this column, it’ll be April. Spring. My friend’s mom will have already been gone for a few weeks. She will have been laid to rest, and perhaps the daffodils
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Courtney Bedell Eckler is the author of a Gay Life advice/insight column that covers all aspects of transgender life ranging from the practical aspects of transitioning, to employment, family, and social concerns. She hopes that, through the column, her insight, knowledge, and experience as a transgender woman will help others in their quest for wholeness. Have a question? Trying to solve a problem? Want some feedback? Let Courtney know about it by emailing advice@baltimoregaylife.com.
show as a choreographer and—surprisingly—a composer, having co-written a good deal of the music. The piece blends Leo’s life-long appreciation of Brazilian rhythms with his true love, tap dancing. He hopes that it will be the first in a career of creating his own productions. Leo doesn’t deal in time lines or plotted plans of where he’ll be when. He’s confident that if he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’ll be satisfied with where his work takes him. He’d like to raise acceptance of tap as a peer dance form with ballet, jazz and modern. Music from the Sole is his first major effort to promote that goal. When he takes the stage at Creative Alliance this month it will be with his mad skills on display, tapping his heart out to music he helped create. Luckily, his scientist boyfriend lives here, so Leo splits his time between New York and Baltimore. Regrettably, there is only one chance to see this gifted artist locally. This time. But if you miss it, he has plenty more to share. He’ll be around. And we’ll be watching.
will have begun to poke through the soil, as they do each year. Green stalks that blossom into bright yellow. Green stalks coming forth from the same earth where her mother now rests. That is what each spring brings to us— new beginnings and rebirths—the whole earth full of budding life, tiny miracles. So that thing you’ve been meaning to do? Do it. That person you’ve been meaning to apologize to? Find the words. That sibling you’ve grown so far from? Call her. Start over. Begin again.
Danielle Ariano is a writer and cabinetmaker. Her work has been published by Huffington Post, Baltimore Fishbowl and North Dakota Quarterly. Ariano lives in Lutherville, Md. with her wife and their two dogs. When she is not writing or building, you can usually find her at the beach surfing. Follow her on Twitter @dariano19.
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SOCIAL LIFE BSCENE
Editor’s Letter Spring Awakening After a season of bitter cold and random snowstorms, I’m sure that everyone is more by
RICHELLE TAYLOR
International News
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Japan requires schools to help gay students JAPAN
The Japanese education ministry has issued a document to schools and the education board that requires all educational institutions provide support to LGBTI students. The document urged teachers to listen attentively to the worries and anxieties of students with “homosexual disorder,” because these students often have a low self-esteem and are the targets of bullying and violence. Gay Star News reported that specific support measures will be included in the annual plan for human rights education like introducing the subject at school training and staff meetings, not carrying out one-sided investigations or passing negative judgment, and giving reminders in cases where parents do not know or are not accepting of their child’s sexuality.
Russia calls on U.N. to reverse benefits policy for LGBT employees RUSSIA
Russian diplomat Sergey Khalizov demanded that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reverse his ruling that offered marital benefits to
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all of the United Nations’ lesbian and gay employees, as well as to other U.N. workers who had entered legally recognized domestic partnerships. Khalizov said that the U.N. chief ’s action violated a U.N. General Assembly resolution that left it to U.N. employees’ governments to determine whether are eligible for spousal benefits. Russian diplomats also distributed a memo, known as an aide-mémoire, to all U.N. members arguing that Ban’s action “violates the sovereign rights of members states to determine the legal framework of [the] life of their citizens,” Foreign Policy reported.
Do you have a heart?
We have a very sweet and loving 5 year old, 16 pound, terrier mix that desperately needs a good home. No one has adopted him only because he has a rare skin condition. Please save this dogs life! Please keep him from living in a cage! Please, please adopt this dog today! 410-526-5224 GAY LIFE / APRIL 2015
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