Baltimore Gay Life August 2013

August 2013

BaltimoreGayLife.com

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

Love it.

Rising Music Artists Reach Out to LGBT Audiences Jillette Johnson

The Youth Issue LGBT Youth Resources STD Testing Health Care

Loco Ninja

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AUGUST 2013

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

AUGUST 2013

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AUGUST 2013

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

IN THIS GAY LIFE

AUGUST

EDITOR’S LIFE

So Long, Farewell...

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Rising Music Artists Reach Out to LGBT Audiences Introducing singer/songwriter Jillette Johnson and rapper/hip-hop artist Loco Ninja.

By Frankie Kujawa

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LGBT Youth Resources; STD Testing and You

I’m writing to Gay Life readers for the last time as I hand over the proverbial reins, and my editor’s cap, to Dan McEvily. Many readers will recognize Dan’s name as he has been a longtime writer for Gay Life. Dan has been integrally involved on many levels—writer, proofer, magazine committee member, occasional photographer, planner, interviewer, and overall advocate. He’s been an absolute pleasure to work with, and I wouldn’t feel as confident with anyone else taking over the publication that has been such a big part of my own life these last few years. And because I can leave

GL in his capable hands, I’m able to step into my new role, just on the other side of the gayborhood, in the Marketing Department at Center Stage. I hope to continue running into many of you, either at the GLCCB, where I’ll still by popping by, or at the theater.

Thank you all for being such loyal readers!

MAGGIE BEETZ

Editor

FACEBOOK.COM/GLCCB • TWITTER.COM/GLCCB • YOUTUBE.COM/THEGLCCB

REAL LIFE

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News

By Rachel Roth

LOCAL LIFE

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Otakon Fan Convention

By Paige Hunter

HIGH LIFE

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Nick's Fish House

By John Cullen with Marty Shayt

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Maggie Beetz, Editor editor@baltimoregaylife.com

OUR LIFE

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By Rev. Irene Monroe

BETTER LIFE

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M. Cory Burgess, Art Director cory@metroscapemedia.com

Speaking Out

Youth Health Care

By Alicia Gabriel and Tracey Gersh, PhD

SOCIAL LIFE

15 Datebook 19 BSCENE

Sabre Chase, Advertising sales@baltimoregaylife.com

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

Love it.

241 W. Chase Street Baltimore, MD 21201 410.777.8145 Phone 410.777.8135 Fax sales@baltimoregaylife.com www.baltimoregaylife.com

National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 Marty Shayt, Senior Volunteer Contributors Querin Brown, John Cullen, Alicia Gabriel, Tracey Gersh, Paige Hunter, Frankie Kujawa, Dan McEvily, Rev. Irene Monroe, Rachel Roth, Marty Shayt, Orrin D. Ware

Photographers Eric Randolph Magazine Committee John Cullen, Daniel McEvily, Doug Rose, Emily Salinas, Marty Shayt, Gary Wolnitzek

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 2013. 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.

AUGUST 2013

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS

REAL LIFE

BY RACHEL ROTH

GREAT BRITAIN SOUTH CAROLINA CALIFORNIA

CAMEROON

Down with DOMA, Prop 8

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional and effectively opened the door for same-sex marriages to resume in California by turning away the defenders of the state’s Proposition 8.

While the nation’s highest court declared that legally married gay and lesbian couples deserve the same federal benefits as all other married couples, the rulings leave 37 states and 70 percent of Americans without marriage equality.

The federal director of Freedom to Marry said that the organization, along with others, are preparing to lobby Congress to repeal the entire law as well as fight for marriage equality in the states that do not allow it.

In California, same-sex marriages resumed almost immediately. Prop 8 supporters filed a lawsuit July 12 asking the state’s high court to order county clerks to enforce the gay-marriage ban, claiming the measure was still valid because the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month didn’t find it was unconstitutional. They sought an immediate injunction reinstating the law while the lawsuit proceeds.

The request was denied but the court will hear arguments about whether the U.S. Supreme Court decision invalidating Proposition 8 applies only to the couples named in the federal lawsuit.

South Carolina ends “irrational” practice

The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced that it is abolishing its policy of segregating HIV-positive prisoners, after a 26-year legal battle. It is the final state in the U.S. to do so.

According to the American Civil Liberties PAGE 6

AUGUST 2013

Union (ACLU), the establishment “HIV ghettos” in South Carolina prisons prevented positive prisoners from accessing critical services like mental health, substance abuse, educational, trade skills and vocational programs. Additionally, the practice permanently brands them by publicly “outing” their HIV status, and has led to longer incarceration terms.

When most prison systems began to experiment with HIV segregation, transmission risks were not fully understood and there was no effective treatment for the disease. Today, however, the Center for Disease Control opposes HIV segregation as “irrational and counterproductive.”

Calif. town says “no” to Pride Month

The city council of Porterville—a small town in the Central Valley area of California—voted to rescind a proclamation made last month by the mayor declaring June 2013 LGBT Pride Month.

The Porterville Recorder reported that—in a “very heated debate”—three council members argued that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community should not get “special consideration,” and voted to replace the gay pride proclamation with a resolution declaring June 2013 “a month of community charity and goodwill to all in Porterville.”

Watershed rulings for transgender workers

Last year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled that discrimination against transgender workers is forbidden under federal law. That decision resulted in the Justice Department’s recent ruling that a woman was denied a federal job due to her

trans status, BuzzFeed reported.

The EEOC ruling is not as binding as a Supreme Court decision would be, but courts can defer to it, which opens up a legal avenue for transgender Americans who have experienced workplace discrimination.

In related news, legislation that would ban employment discrimination based on LGBT status nationwide passed a key Senate committee easily last month, with the support of all 12 of the committee’s Democrats and three Republicans. Seven Republicans voted no.

The hearing marked the first time in history that a transgender-inclusive Employment NonDiscrimination Act cleared a congressional vote. The White House and Democratic leaders urged the Senate and House to also take up the measure. While it is likely to clear the Senate, House Republican leaders have no plans to bring it up, according to The New York Times.

Cameroon activist tortured

A prominent gay-rights activist and journalist was found dead at his home on July 15 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The Human Rights Watch reported that man, Eric Ohena Lembembe, was discovered by friends and had been brutally tortured.

Lembembe was well known for his work with LGBTI community in Cameroon. He collaborated closely with Human Rights Watch and two other Cameroonian organizations on behalf of CAMFAIDS, was integral in researching and launching a 2013 report on prosecutions for consensual same-sex conduct and participated in drafting a submission for Cameroon’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May 2013 at the

United Nations Human Rights Council.

Lembembe was also a contributor to the blog “Erasing 76 Crimes” and authored several chapters in a book on LGBTI rights around the world. His organization documented arrests, violence, and blackmail against LGBTI people in Cameroon.

According to the Human Rights Watch, Lembembe’s brutal murder is the latest in a string of attacks on human rights activists. On June 26, unidentified assailants burned down the Douala headquarters of Alternatives-Cameroun, which provides HIV services to LGBTI people.

Marriage equality becomes law in Britain

Queen Elizabeth II officially signed Britain’s gay marriage bill into law on July 17, marking what the Telegraph called “one of the most radical pieces of social legislation of her reign.”

The signing was just a formality as the cleared its last major hurdle, passing through both the House of Lords and House of Commons.

As Gay Life has previously reported, the bill will enable gay couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies in England and Wales by summer 2014. The Church of England, which is divided on the issue, is barred from offering same-sex ceremonies.

Elsewhere in the U.K., the first legal gay marriages in Scotland are expected to take place in 2015 under new legislation being pushed by the government, reports the BBC. The plan comes despite strong opposition from the Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of close to 80,000 respondents expressed displeasure for the idea when political leaders sought public opinion.

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

LOCAL LIFE

Otakon Fan Convention Returns to Baltimore

BY PAIGE HUNTER Actors from American shows and animation; musicians from Japanese shores. Directors and producers; costume artists and old-fashioned hat makers. A carnival atmosphere, where you can try different looks, different concepts— and have the freedom to be yourself.

You will find all of this and more at the Otakon annual convention. Every year the convention tries to have events for everyone—from ages 5 to 105—and with this year marking the 20th anniversary of the show, the pressure is on to make it the most fabulous and fun ever.

For those interested in going this year, Otakon is the weekend of August 9–11, with a special festival on August 8. Here’s a quick rundown on the various events of the convention. For a full event listings and schedule, please go to www.otakon.com.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Guests at Otakon 2013 range from voice actors to producers to comic artists and musical guests. A selection of the guests are as follows: Todd Haberkorn, voice actor of video games, animation, audiobooks.

Roland Kelts, author and scholar who is famed for penning Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture has Invaded the US, as well as articles in The New Yorker and Vogue.

Takamasa Sakurai, content media producer and author who uses Japanese street fashion as a cultural diplomacy tool.

Popular Japanaese group Home Made Kazoku will be performing their unique soulful rap style on Saturday, August 10. If you’re a fan of soul, rap, or hip hop and want to see different take, be sure to check them out!

Japanese singer T.M. Revolution, who first appeared at Otakon 2003, will give what promises to be a high-energy concert of his catchy tunes, also on Saturday, August 10. Even if you do not understand the lyrics, his performances will certainly grab your attention and refuse to let go!

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Roland Kelts

For those who remember the Toonami and Adult Swim television programming blocks, composer Yoko Kanno will perform a special piano concert on Sunday, August 11. Kanno is a master of various styles and genres, having done music for beloved series like Cowboy Bebop and Vision of Escaflowne. She is experienced in different styles including blues, electronica and traditional folk, and is returning to Baltimore for the first time since 1999.

DEALERS AND ARTISTS

Many people come to Otakon for the goodies. In the Dealer’s Room and Artists’ Alley areas, you can find everything imaginable— steampunk top hats, nerdy T-shirts, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, corsetry, posters, jewelry, handmade bows, necklaces, and much more.

WORKSHOPS/PANELS

Want to learn about something? In the past, there have been panels that have covered sexism in Japanese animation, costume and consent issues, workshops on origami, martial arts demonstrations, and taiko drumming.

Also of note: Otakon opens up panel submissions each year to the public to fill their activity roster for future events. If your area of interest isn’t represented, be sure to submit a proposal to include your own presentation.

Also remember that some panels are for 18+ audiences only.

OTAKON 2013

Friday, August 9—Sunday, August 11 Baltimore Convention Center T www.Otakon.com

CONVENTION SURVIVAL TIPS ¡¡ Wearing costumes and

dressing up is not automatic consent for photos—ask first; ¡¡ Locate and remember locations of vital areas such as the information desk, elevators and access points and EMTs points. ¡¡ If you get harassed, report it to convention staffer immediately.

If a staffer harasses you, make sure you get their name, physical description, or department and report it to the information desk. ¡¡ Crimes are also still crimes.

AUGUST 2013

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HIGH LIFE

DINING OUT

Nick's Fish House

BY JOHN CULLEN WITH MARTY SHAYT People just never, ever stumble across Nick’s Fish House casually. Hidden out of sight by a small marina at the base of the Hanover Street Bridge—just south of Route 95 and sandwiched between industrial neighbors— it’s hard to believe that you’re a two minute drive from the hubbub of Federal Hill.

Nick’s has an amazingly large covered outdoor deck, which provides the classic Baltimore environment for downing crabs and beers. There’s also an attractive indoor large bar and a couple of airy dining rooms with tall ceilings and lots of windows (and a second “hidden” deck perched above the dining rooms). From just about anywhere in Nick’s, we found west-facing views (particular awesome during late summer sunsets) of the cascading “Beaux Arts” arches of the 1916 bridge as well as the parks and Harbor Hospital across the water. Even on a Wednesday evening, the joint is jumping with a diverse mix of 20 to 60-year-olds. We opted to eat in the air-conditioned dining room where all the tables could enjoy the water views.

The one-page menu was supplemented by a one page list of specials. On the main menu, we found a dozen appetizers ($7-16), a half dozen salads ($7-15), soups (Maryland crab or gumbo, $7), a half dozen sandwiches ($8-17 with homemade Old Bay chips), and a dozen entrees ($14-28). Specials included half a dozen seafood steamer pots ($20-32).

Together with our friend Tom, we decided to share a pound of steamed shrimp for $11 (special price only available on Wednesdays, otherwise $21). The shrimp were jumbo sized and cooked just right with a touch of Old Bay and earned our “Thumbs Up!” easily. A couple of ladies next to us had the crab pretzel ($16) which was a foot long and piled high with crab and melted cheese.

We asked if it was as good as it looked and got a quick, resounding “YES!” We concluded that it would make a great appetizer to share with four people.

For our main course, Marty ordered a soft shell crab platter ($19), John opted for a seafood Cobb salad ($15) and Tom went with fish and chips ($14). Marty’s soft shell was impressively “whale” sized with a mound of fries plus mixed julienned veggies. Marty felt that it was sautéed right avoiding the pitfalls

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of too much batter and/or swimming in fat.

He was glad that he ordered only one and gave it an unqualified “Thumbs Up!” Taking into account 60-plus years of eating soft shells, that’s saying something! Marty gave high marks to his fries; it was clear to him that these were made from scratch and didn’t come out of a freezer. The fish and chips platter was equally impressive with three big, thick chunks of fish and a mound of fries and coleslaw. The fish was neither overly breaded nor dripping in oil and got a “Thumbs Up!” from Tom. The big Cobb salad included a mound of crabmeat and a few shrimp; it was topped with real bacon crumbles and slices of avocado with an avocado ranch dressing, and it left John feeling right satisfied.

We decided to share a special dessert, Banana Xango ($7) which had caught our eye. The deep fried banana wrapped in a tortilla with caramel and blobs of whipped cream proved a delicious ending to our meal, earning yet another round of “Thumbs Up.” Between the delicious food, the water views, and our friendly and attentive waitress, we were glad to have taken the time to find our way off the beaten paths to Nick’s.

NICK’S FISH HOUSE AND GRILL

2600 Insulator Dr. W410.347.4123 T NicksFishHouse.com

Open 7 days a week 11am-10pm Full bar • Limited vegetarian options Abundant free parking Email DiningOut@BaltimoreGayLife.com and find all prior reviews at BaltimoreGayLife-DiningOut.info.

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

Rising Music Artists Reach Out to LGBT Audiences

By Frankie Kujawa

Recently LGBT musicians and LGBTthemed songs have made quite the splash in the music scene. From the mainstream release of the LGBT-friendly song “Same Love” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert, which is receiving major airtime on pop radio stations, to Adam Lambert being the first ‘out’ gay man to earn a number one album, the face of music is becoming more diverse with new young artists. Gay Life spoke with with rising musicians Jillette Johnson and Loco Ninja to discuss their careers, creative inspirations and powerful messages in their music.

Singer and songwriter Jillette Johnson has been captivating fans with her songs far before the recent release of her June 2013 debut album Water In A Whale. Johnson’s sultry voice is only equal to the powerful piano melodies which drive her songs. Water In A Whale boasts many musical gems which define the singer’s recent life experiences, however the crown-jewel of the album is the song ‘Cameron’, which explores the struggle of being transgender and staying true to your authentic self.

Johnson, a New York native, credits her environment as one of the many places she draws her creativity. “I get inspiration from random places. I don’t always know when I’m going to be inspired. I love to listen to

Loco Ninja

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

conversation. I love how people can express themselves. I always feel that listening to people talking; I find that I can make it into a lyric.”

She credits being on the road as an inspiration, as well. Johnson recently wrapped up tours with fellow singer and songwriter American Idol-winner Kris Allen, as well as the band Delta Rae. “Water In The Whale is a reflection of where I was a year and a half ago. They were some of the best songs from what I had written at the time.” From that album, “Cameron” was immediately one of the singer’s early hits. The singer was confirmed for a VEVO channel takeover, and VEVO premiered the music video for ‘Cameron’ in July.

The inspiration for Cameron evolved out of Johnson’s own personal life. “I have a dear friend of mine, who I’ve known for a lot of years, whose kid is transgender. I watched the transition,” Johnson explained.

“It was a very long and painful process. This kid is so fiercely himself. That had a lot to do with the story of Cameron. His parents have been incredible. It takes being so brave because this is a young kid. But I also wrote it about a feeling close to me. I’m not transgender, but I sometimes feel like I have a hard time associating myself with the image that I see in the mirror. I have some body issues, and that’s a very human thing, too.”

Many of Johnson’s songs such as the anthem “Torpedo” and brilliantly haunting “Pauvre Coeur” (“Poor Heart”) are songs which capture many of the feelings and emotions of a youthful generation. “It’s hard to know where I’m going as a writer. I am someone who writes a ton of music. I try to maintain a sense of naiveté.

I try to do that in my life. I always

Jillette Johnson

want to feel a sense of awe in everything I experience. I think there is a child-like naiveté that is in music.”

Like Johnson, musical artist Loco Ninja also draws his creativity from his life and environment. The openly gay rapper and hip-hop artist was born Richard Ruperto.

In 2008, while part of a discussion panel on The Tyra Banks Show, Ruperto discussed the anguish of being gay while growing up in Spanish Harlem. It was during that experience where he met Vogue-style dancer, and father of the House of Ninja, Benny Ninja.

“I was introduced to Benny Ninja through Tyra Banks on the day we filmed our segment. He had called me up to his dressing room to meet, and we spoke about where he saw me in the near future and all that I was capable of.”

It was during this meeting that the seeds of Loco Ninja’s musical career began to blossom. “I was already marketing the name Loco because I’ve stuck with it since I was a kid.

So once I did join the House of Ninja, I took on the last name because Loco Ninja had such a ring to it, and I felt it tied in very well with what I represented as a recording artist.”

Ninja used his determination and streetsmarts to build a career in the music industry as one of the first out artists to embrace the genre. Through exposure on MTV, PBS’s Out in America and The Tyra Banks Show, Ninja has been able to collaborate with such musicians and producers as Lisa D’Amato, Murs, and Lumidee.

“I would most definitely describe my music as Rap/Hip-Hop, but also [the term] worldwide. I’m a chameleon and I love to express my work on all styles of sound. Not only have I worked with artists of Pop, Rock

and R&B, but also with artists coming from Germany, Spain, the UK and Australia. I think my influences may have come from old-school Hip-Hop sound and what we have formed today. It’s certainly something I call ‘The New School’.

Upon his popularity as a rising musical rapper, Ninja also founded Operation Protect & Survive, which is a non-profit organization started for the LGBTQ community for those struggling within inner city areas. “My advice to the youth of this generation and coming generation is to always trust yourself and know in your heart that you are here for a reason. Once you understand this, you will know your purpose.”

Ninja’s a true believer of this advice as he is working as an out artist in an industry that is slowly-evolving into becoming more accepting of the LGBTQ community. “I think that my music can showcase how different I am when it comes to being an out artist because of how outspoken and real I am. I never felt I had to hide it, ever. I felt people would appreciate my honesty, especially though my music. I talk about everything any other mainstream rapper would talk about except for the fact I am telling it from another viewpoint. And I throw some sass on it!”

Ninja admits that his style has met with some difficulty in the beginning of his career. “I’ve faced plenty of adversity [in the beginning] because people who are so closed minded would turn me away from their studios or turn me down from collaborating because they feared how their brands or companies would be looked at. I honestly was a little bothered at first, but I’ve learned to not take it so personal because this is just the beginning and I’m sure I’ll have plenty more to face - and I’m ready.”

Both Ninja and Johnson are hard working on the next phase of their careers. Ninja explains, “My goal is to continue my journey making music and grabbing the attention of a major record label deal. I’d love to be able to collaborate with other artists and build the ‘Loco Ninja’ brand.”

Johnson, who will be touring with the Los Angeles band Satellite, will continue touring around the country in August. “I’m almost finished writing my next record. I have buckets and buckets of material. Song writing is my safe place, my home and my best friend.”

WEBSITE www.jillettejohnson.com VIDEOS www.youtube.com/user/ JilletteJohnsonVEVO WEBSITE www.thelocoworld.com VIDEOS www.youtube.com/user/ LOCOMusicTV AUGUST 2013

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LGBT Youth Resources

STD Testing and You

What Every Young Person Should Know

By Orrin D. Ware

By Querin Brown

There are several groups and organizations that are being born out of a push for diversification and inclusion. They are aimed at support and education about issues that affect the LGBT community, especially youth.

YES

In a city where, according to the Mayor’s Office of Human Service, 4,088 individuals are homeless, a disproportionate amount of those are children. While LGBT youth comprise only 10 percent of the overall population, they encompass 20 percent of the homeless population, according to National Coalition for the Homeless statistics. To combat this, the Youth Empowerment Society (YES) opened last October with a focus on providing a safe space for youth, 14-25 years old, who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. YES helps facilitate getting their needs met and making connections to important resources.

“YES has a goal to create their staff from their clients,” Program Director Lara Law said.

YES was founded by a group of individuals who were previously homeless in their youth and later went on to become leaders at the Baltimore Homeless Youth Initiative (BHYI). “We will empower the youth to be our next leaders.”

When asked how the community could best support the new organization, a host of great ideas shared, to include sponsoring donation drives, fulfilling the Food Wish List on Amazon (www.amzn.to/13X3uZq), and community partnerships.

GLSEN

Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has had a national presence for over 20 years and founded its Baltimore chapter in 1998.

“GLSEN Baltimore is working within the community to improve the cultural climate in Baltimore schools, deliver professional development to young people, and training to create safe student spaces for educators,” said Jabari Lyles, co-chair of GLSEN Baltimore. “We also partner with teachers, administrators, and student leaders to aid in creating gaystraight alliance groups where needed.”

The key to success, Jabari noted, is to build a cohesive, dynamic community for young people that allow them to stay connected, share ideas and ask questions.

Furthermore, GLSEN has partnered with local schools, including Friendship Academy, Mt. Royal Middle/Elementary, Hampstead Hill, and National Academy Foundation High School.

From Congress to the Department of Education, GLSEN is working inside and out of the system to affect change for our youth. In a space where bullying and discrimination robs children of feeling respected and valued, GLSEN’s programs and partnerships are helping to fill that void. Its annual youth summits and diversity clubs help educate students on how to create empowering relationships with each other, as well as ways to get along and remove judgment.

In August, GLSEN will host a free Students of Color Organizing (SOCO) Conference that will focus on the topic of being an LGBT-identified person of color.

GLSEN Baltimore

1902 Greenhaven Drive Baltimore, MD 21209 (410) 542-0472 glsenbaltimore@gmail.com

YES Drop-In Center

2315 N. Charles St., 1st Floor Baltimore, MD 21218 Lara@yesdropincenter.org on.fb.me/12GpC4c

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SOCO Crossroads Conference

Saturday, August 17 • 12-8pm The Union Mill 1500 Union Avenue Baltimore, MD 21211

People have asked me every question imaginable concerning HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

I hope this article will help to answer some of the more commonly asked questions and can also provide some insight into how HIV and other STDs affect Baltimore’s youth. I will focus on three STDs that are prevalent throughout Baltimore: HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system—the very thing that allows our bodies to defend against infections, diseases, and illnesses. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the later stage of HIV infection, and occurs once someone’s immune system weakens to a specific point. One common myth about HIV and AIDS is that it can be spread through spit or saliva.

However, the only four bodily fluids that transmit HIV are blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial STD that can cause painful or swollen testicles, abnormal discharge, pain/burning when urinating, and infertility in women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gonorrhea is especially common among sexually active youth, African-Americans, and young adults.

Chlamydia is the most reported bacterial STD in the United States according to the CDC. While the majority of people with chlamydia will not have any symptoms, some symptoms include pain or burning when urinating, painful or swollen testicles, and infertility in women.

Sexually active people can reduce their risk of contracting STDs by using condoms, getting regularly tested for STDs, and knowing their partners’ STD status.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, by the end of 2010 there were 13,064 total reported living HIV cases in the city of Baltimore. Of that total, people under the age of 20 accounted for 1.3 percent, while people between the ages of 20 and 29 accounted for 7.4 percent. In 2011 there were 702 reported cases of gonorrhea among people under the age of 20 and 1,307 cases among 20 to 29 year olds in Baltimore. There were 3,519 reported

cases of chlamydia in 2011 among people under the age of 20, while there were 3,603 reported cases among 20 to 29 year olds in Baltimore. Unfortunately, the youth population found within our great city has an alarmingly high risk of contracting STDs. In order to address this issue, a new initiative named “Project Re__” was created.

“Project Re___” is a project that focuses on men’s health and the health of transwomen of all ages. This project does HIV testing at events, late night testing, and couples-based testing.

Couples-based testing allows partners to receive sexual health counseling together, HIV testing together, and the opportunity to receive their results together. Couples hearing the same message often clears confusion and helps them plan for the future.

Walk-in hours for couples-testing occur every Tuesday from 12:00 to 4:30 pm at 120 Penn Street in Baltimore.

Other days and times can be scheduled by appointment. Late night testing is held every Monday from 6 to 10 pm at 1023 Cathedral Street in Baltimore.

To receive more information, or to schedule an appointment please call or e-mail 410-706-2000 or oware@peds. umaryland.edu.

Couples Testing and Counseling

Tuesdays 12-4:30pm Univ. of Md. School of Medicine 120 Penn St. Baltimore, MD 21201 Walk-ins welcome or call 410.706.2000

Late Night Testing and Counseling

Mondays 6-10pm 1023 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT

SOCIAL LIFE

DATEBOOK

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 Hippo Karaoke Star

Monthly karaoke competition. $2 • 10pm-2am Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com

Chocolate Happy Hour

Weekly chocolate-fest.

6:30pm • Ma Petite Shoe • 832 W. 36th St. mapetiteshoe.com

Wine Tasting

FREE • 5-8pm • Fridays Spirits of Mt Vernon Wine Shop 900 N. Charles St. SpiritsOfMtVernon.com

Cinema al Fresco

Featuring Casino Royale.

FREE • 7pm • Little Italy LittleItalyMD.com

Toni Braxton Concert at Pier Six Pavilion Maryland native Toni Braxton returns to the Free State this month for a stop on her national summer tour. Known for her sultry vocal blend of R&B, pop, jazz and gospel, Braxton has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide and earned six Grammy Awards since her debut album in 1992.

Born a preacher's child and raised in a strict religious household, Braxton's first professional experience was singing in the church choir. Her talent was recognized by Antonio L.A. Reid and Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and soon her solo recording career was launched, spawning worldwide hits including "Another Sad Love Song," "You're Makin' Me High," and her signature song "Unbreak My Heart," which ranks as the second top-selling single of all time by a female artist.

The singer has also been enjoying recent success with her Braxton Family Values reality show on the WE network, which chronicles the lives of Braxton and her four sisters.

Wednesday, August 21 $45-95 • 6:30pm Pier Six Pavilion 731 Eastern Ave. T PierSixPavilion.com

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Summer Spirit Festival

Featuring D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes & more. $46-150 • 5pm • Merriweather Post Pavilion 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. • Columbia MerriweatherMusic.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 5 Spot Light Mondays

Drink specials & drag shows!

9pm-2am • Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com

Karaoke with Nikki Cox

Sing your heart out every Monday and Tuesday night.

Grand Central Nightclub 1001/1003 N. Charles St. GrandCentralPub.com

Men’s Naked Yoga

Every Monday. $18 • 6:30-7:30pm Vitruvian Gallery, LLC 734 7th St., SE, 2nd fl. • Wash., D.C. VitruvianGallery.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 Concerts at the Pagoda

Featuring Son Tres y Más.

FREE • 6:30pm Patterson Park Pagoda PattersonPark.com

Showtune Video Madness

Sing out Louise!

FREE • Tuesdays 7:45pm Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com

Fiddler on the Roof

L’Chaim! $10 • 8pm • Thru August 11 Spotlighters Theater • 817 Saint Paul St. Spotlighters.org

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 The Charles Revival Series

Featuring Jazz on a Summer Day. 11:30am • The Charles Theater 1711 N. Charles St. TheCharles.com

The Puppet Tells the Story

Create a puppet show. $25 • 10am-Noon • Mansion at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Lane • North Bethesda Strathmore.org

Life Drawing

TONI BRAXTON

BY RACHEL ROTH

Weekly • $5-12 • 10am-1pm Creative Alliance • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

Jazz in the Sculpture Garden

Featuring the Marcus Johnson Project. $25-225 • 7pm • Baltimore Museum of Art 10 Art Museum Dr. ArtBMA.org

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 Gay BINGO!

Cash prizes and progressive jackpot.

Drink specials, appetizers, and raffles.

Benefits House of Ruth.

Every Wednesday 8:30pm Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. 410.547.0018 • ClubHippo.com

Jessie Ware

With Sam Smith. $20 • 7pm Rams Head Live • 20 Market Place RamsHeadLive.com

Films on the Pier

Featuring 21 Jump Street.

FREE • 8:30pm Fells Point • Broadway Pier PointMainStreet.org

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 Keith Urban

With Little Big Town. $45-75. 5:30pm • Merriweather Post Pavilion 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy • Columbia MerriweatherMusic.com

Frampton’s Guitar Circus

Feat. Peter Frampton and B.B. King. $43.64-89.09 • 5:30pm Pier Six Pavilion • 731 Eastern Ave. PierSixPavilion.com

Effervescent Diaspora

Lily Kind curates an evening dance. $10-15 • 7:30pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

AVAM Flicks on the Hill

Featuring John Waters’ Cry Baby.

FREE • 9pm American Visionary Arts Museum AVAM.org

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 One Republic

With Mayer Hawthorne and Churchil. $39.50 • 6pm Pier Six Pavilion • 731 Eastern Ave. PierSixPavilion.com

Summer SHORTS

A dance concert. $10-15 • 8pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

Cinema al Fresco

Featuring Eat Pray Love.

FREE • 7pm • Little Italy LittleItalyMD.com

20th Annual Otakon

Celebrate Asian pop-culture. $70-80 • Thru August 11 Baltimore Convention Ctr. 1 W. Pratt St. Otakon.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 Neighborhood Voices: Our Stories About Race Where We Live

Professional storyteller Jo Tyler facilitates.

FREE • 8:30am-3pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

World Dance Showcase

Featuring companies from around the globe. $10-15 • 8pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

SHE Productions Presents REHAB

2nd Saturday of Every Month. $5 • 9pm • 21+ Grand Central Disco and Sapphos 1001 N. Charles St. Facebook.com/SheProductions

The Killers

Touring album, Battle Born. $40-75 • 6:30pm Merriweather Post Pavilion 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy • Columbia MerriweatherMusic.com

AUGUST 2013

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 13 Showdown Trivia Competition

Hosted by John Woods.

9:30pm • Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 Films on the Pier

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22 Baltimore Summer Antiques Show

Dealers from around the world. $15 • Noon-8pm • Thru August 25 Baltimore Convention Center Inner Harbor BaltimoreSummerShow.com

The Family Reunion Tour Featuring Gladys Knight & the O’Jays

Featuring Skyfall.

FREE • 8:30pm Fells Point • Broadway Pier PointMainStreet.org

The eight-time Grammy winner performs. $32-82 • 6pm Pier Six Pavilion • 731 Eastern Ave. PierSixPavilion.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

Aerial adaptation. $17-23 • 8pm • Thru August 31 Theatre Project • 45 W. Preston St. TheatreProject.org

AVAM Flicks on the Hill

Featuring Finding Forrester.

FREE • 9pm American Visionary Arts Museum AVAM.org

FRIDAY, AUG. 16 Cinema al Fresco

Featuring La Dolce Vita.

FREE • 7pm • Little Italy LittleItalyMD.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 Jazz in the Sculpture Garden

Featuring Jackie Ryan. $25-225 • 7pm • Baltimore Museum of Art 10 Art Museum Dr. ArtBMA.org

We Dance to the Beat

Female indie/pop artists.

9pm • The Ottobar • 2549 N. Howard St. TheOttobar.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 Antique Car Show

The Tempest Opens

AVAM Flicks on the Hill

Featuring The NeverEnding Story.

FREE • 9pm American Visionary Arts Museum AVAM.org

FRIDAY, AUG. 23 Cinema al Fresco

Featuring The Godfather II. FREE • 7pm • Little Italy LittleItalyMD.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 Saved by the 90s: A Party with the Bayside Tigers

A rad cover band. $15 • 8pm • Rams Head Live • 20 Market Place RamsHeadLive.com

MD Renaissance Festival opens

$7-120 • 10am-7pm • Thru 10/20 1821 Crownsville Road • Annapolis MarylandRenaissanceFestival.com

Jazz in the Sculpture Garden

See cars from before 1977. $7-12 • 11am-3pm Baltimore Museum of Industry 1415 Key Hwy. TheBMI.org

Feat. Lao Tizer. $25-225 • 7pm • Baltimore Museum of Art 10 Art Museum Dr. ArtBMA.org

Concerts at the Pagoda

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28

Blues Traveler

Featuring The Avengers.

FREE • 8:30pm • Fells Point • Broadway Pier PointMainStreet.org

Feat. the All Mighty Senators.

FREE • 6:30pm • Patterson Park Pagoda PattersonPark.com

Get the “Run Around.” $75 • 8pm • 21+ • Rams Head On Stage 33 West St. • Annapolis RamsHeadOnStage.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 Toni Braxton

“Breathe Again.” $45-95 • 6:30pm Pier Six Pavilion • 731 Eastern Ave. PierSixPavilion.com

Films on the Pier

Featuring Pitch Perfect.

FREE • 8:30pm • Fells Point • Broadway Pier PointMainStreet.org

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AUGUST 2013

Films on the Pier

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 Baltimore Bike Party

The biggest party on two wheels!

FREE • 7pm Washington Monument • Mount Vernon BaltimoreBikeParty.com

Cinema al Fresco

Featuring Cinema Paradiso.

FREE • 7pm • Little Italy LittleItalyMD.com

Baltimore Grand Prix

Three-day “Celebration of Acceleration.” $5-750 • Thru 9/1 • Downtown Baltimore GrandPrixofBaltimore.com

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

OUR LIFE

SPEAKING OUT

Matthew Shepard and Trayvon Martin: Bigotry Knows No Boundaries

BY REV. IRENE MONROE The nation is once again divided along the fault line of race. In today’s perceived ‘post-racial’ society, William Faulkner’s prophetic quote from the last century, “the past is never dead. It’s not even past” may have very well come back to haunt us in this century.

Faulkner’s quote haunts us because of the recent verdict of the George Zimmerman trial.

The story of George Zimmerman, a Florida volunteer neighborhood watchmen, was acquitted of all charges—murder and manslaughter—related to the death of Trayvon Martin has been dominating the media. Zimmerman’s actions resulted in the fatal shooting of Martin, a 17-year old unarmed black teenager. Zimmerman perceived Martin to be a suspect of criminal activity because Martin was wearing a piece of clothing that some associate with violent young black males—a hoodie. And he was not only wearing it but also “walking while black” in a gated community.

With no one of African descent—male or female—serving on the jury the nation sadly, once again, has shown to be neither colorblind with an all-white jury nor post-racial with one. And the notion that an all-white female jury would render a fairer outcome than an all-white male jury assumes racial bias is gender-specific.

Just as racial bias isn’t gender-specific, it is also not race-specific. Zimmerman is of a mixed-ethnic descent­—his mother is Peruvian and his father is Jewish—and identifies as Hispanic.

The question, however, many are still asking even after the verdict has been rendered is whether Zimmerman was motivated by racism because he, too, is a person of color; therefore, was Zimmerman racially profiling Trayvon?

Racial, gender, gender-expression, and other biases float freely through society— landing on all. Just because you’re a person of color or a member of an oppressed BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

group doesn’t mean you don’t buy into stereotypes or racial and cultural attitudes.

These themes inform our judgments and actions toward others as well as your own group. (Case in point: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.)

As a matter-of-fact, the bombardment of stereotypes has proven to have both subtle and unintended consequences toward people of different races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, class and religions, to name just a few. It’s not just regular people who succumb. Geraldo Rivera, a renowned Latino, stated that Trayvon wearing a hoodie was “as much responsible” for his death as Zimmerman’s pistol. Of course, Rivera later recanted his statement.

A young man has become the symbol of the horrific result of such stereotyping, and is fast becoming the symbol for a movement. Just as Matthew Shepard’s death galvanized a nation, Trayvon Martin’s death is doing the same.

In 1998 both James Byrd Jr., and Matthew Shepard were victims of bias-motivated crimes. Byrd, an African American was murdered by three white supremacists who chained him to the back of their pick-up truck at his ankles and was dragged along a three mile asphalt road until he was dismembered. Shepard was tortured, tethered to a fence and left to die because he was gay.

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act was passed.

The measure expanded the federal hatecrimes law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived race, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation, to just name a few.

With Florida’s Stand Your Ground permitting Zimmerman to walk without charges, the Shepard-Byrd statute not only reminds us of how bias-motivated crimes link gays and blacks together but that it’s the best hope for Trayvon Martin's family seeking justice.

AUGUST 2013

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BETTER LIFE

YOUTH

LGBTQ Youth Health Care is More than a Doctor's Visit

BY ALICIA GABRIEL AND TRACEY GERSH, PhD (CHASE BREXTON HEALTH SERVICES) Remember that childhood adage: “sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me?” Here’s the truth that adage tries to gloss over: words can hurt like a fist.

We all have those memories. Those memories where you were suddenly, and mortifyingly, the center of negative social attention. Even the most popular among us has dealt with teasing, bullying, or worse. But for many lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and questioning kids—or those who are perceived as LGBTQ because of social stigmas—the harassment from other students, teachers, parents, and even strangers can be far greater.

When we think about our health, many of us think of diabetes, blood pressure, chicken pox. And LGBTQ adolescents and teens have all the same health issues as their non-LGBTQ counterparts. But, in addition, the stresses LGBTQ youth experience put them at greater risk for mental health problems, substance use, and physical health problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) list ‘violence’ as the top health concern for LGBTQ youth (people under the age of 24). Violence in this case is broadly defined as bullying, harassment, teasing,

GLSEN.org PAGE 18

AUGUST 2013

physical assault, and suicidal behaviors.

Various studies show that LGBTQ youth are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide. A study of 7,000 LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 21 showed: ¡¡ Eight of ten students had been verbally harassed at school; ¡¡ Four of ten had been physically harassed at school; ¡¡ Six of ten felt unsafe at school; and ¡¡ One of five had been the victim of a physical assault at school.

Worse, bring the lack of safety into a young person’s home and youth health risks are even higher. A study in the journal Pediatrics showed that compared with LGBTQ young adults who experienced very little or no parental rejection, LGBTQ young adults who experienced high levels of rejection were: ¡¡ Nearly 6 times as likely to have high levels of depression; ¡¡ More than 8 times as likely to have attempted suicide; ¡¡ More than 3 times as likely to use illegal drugs; and ¡¡ More than 3 times as likely to engage in unprotected sexual behaviors that

ItGetsBetter.org

put them at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

For an astounding number, the issue of home safety has driven them to the streets—either by choice or by force.

More than 20 percent of homeless youth are LGBTQ. The solutions? The resources available to begin healing society and building a world in which all individuals are accepted and affirmed are many—and growing. There are just a few listed at the end of this article.

For parents and guardians of youth who may be LGBT or questioning, finding a health provider with whom they can talk, can be open, and can feel safe is crucial.

Especially important is finding a provider who will offer, or making available in schools, sex education that actually includes LGBTQ resources and information.

LGBTQ YOUTH HEALTH RESOURCES

T CDC.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm T HealthyPeople.gov T GLSEN.org T ItGetsBetter.org T NationalHomeless.org T SIECUS.org TTheTrevorProject.org

TheTrevorProject.org GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

SOCIAL LIFE

BSCENE

King and Queen of Pride

PHOTOS BY ERIC RANDOLPH

2014 King and Queen of Baltimore Pride Crowned Preparations for next year’s Baltimore Pride began in earnest on July 13 at Club Port with the crowning of 2014’s King and Queen of Pride.

Inferno Kenneth Sephora and Ganiva Caché Sephora were crowned King and Queen, respectively. Both will represent the Baltimore Pride brand over the next 12 months and will reign over next June’s Pride festivities. The annual King and Queen of Baltimore pageant is produced by the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB).

“Ganiva and Inferno’s professionalism, passion, and dedication to Baltimore’s LGBT community were on clear display at this year’s pageant,” said GLCCB Executive Director Matt Thorn.

“I know they will be wonderful representatives of Baltimore Pride, and I look forward to working with them throughout the next year.”

This year’s winners were crowned by the 2012/2013 titleholders, Marshall Roberts and Sue Nami, who were crowned in May 2012 and presided over the last two Baltimore Pride events. Shawnna Alexander, Baltimore’s ‘queen of comedy’ and a former Queen of Pride, hosted the event.

“This year’s contest wouldn’t have been possible without the blood, sweat, and tears of Shawnna, Marshall and Sue Nami,” Thorn said. “They have all been wonderful representatives for Pride and we hope they will continue to work with us in putting on a fantastic show next year.”

Contestants competed in ‘outrageous Pride wear’, talent, and on-stage question and answer.

For the talent competition, Ganiva Caché BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Sephora, proved to be a crowd favorite with a spirited lip sync performance of “Dance of the Robes” from the musical Aida, while King winner Inferno Sephora performed a lip synch “Oh Happy Day” from Sister Act 2.

Monty Godsey, 30, and Melody Lyrishal, 23, were appointed first alternates to the King and Queen. Godsey performed a lip sync of “Man Up” from the musical Book of Mormon while Lyrishal, who began performing only six months ago, unveiled a lip synch medley of dance-pop songs for her talent.

The King and Queen of Pride contest has traditionally been held in the weeks leading up to Baltimore Pride. This year the contest was held immediately following, allowing the titleholders to use their reigns to promote and host Pride-related events over the next year.

Judges included Ted Burke, former Miss Grand Central; Diamond, Miss Gay Maryland promoter; Mara Diamond, Queen of Pride 2009; Ambitious Love, King of Pride 2009; Mirage C. Matthews, King of Pride 2005 and Mr. North Carolina Unlimited 2013; Araya Spraxx, the current Miss Gay Maryland; and Mary Taylor, director of marketing and promotion of Baltimore OutLoud.

Sponsors of the event included the GLCCB, Hooker & Boys, Club Port, Club Hippo, Grand Central Nightclub, the Lodge Lounge & Dance Club, Mixers, PW’s Sports Bar & Grill and the Rowan Tree. Personal sponsors included Dartanyan Johnson, former King of Pride; Anastacia Amor, Miss Gay Maryland America first alternate; and Matthew Smith.

AUGUST 2013

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