Baltimore Gay Life December 2014

DECEMBER 2014 BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

Love it.

a c n a i B

DEL RIO

5 WORLD AIDS DAY

A WONDERFUL LIFE: 7 IT'S LIVE RADIO PLAY

HOLIDAY 8 GIFT GUIDE

THE ALL-NEW

2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC® LEASE FOR

$419* PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS.

THE ALL-NEW

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC® LEASE FOR

www.mercedesofannapolis.com

$369* PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS.

**Lease based on total MSRP of ($44,025 2015 C300 4MATIC®) ($37,325 2015 GLA250 4MATIC®), 36 monthly payments and 10,000 miles per year. First month’s payment ($419 2015 C300 4MATIC®) ($369 2015 GLA250 4MATIC®), down payment ($3,499 2015 C300 4MATIC®) ($2,725 2015 GLA250 4MATIC®), $795 Acquisition fee, tax, tags, title and $299 dealer processing charge due at lease signing. On approved credit. No Security Deposit Required. Available only to qualified customers by Mercedes-Benz Financial (where applicable to advertised lease) through 11/30/2014. Advertised lease rate based on a gross capitalized cost of ($44,025 2015 C300 4MATIC®) ($37,325 2015 GLA250 4MATIC®). Includes destination charge and optional Premium Package1, Becker MAP PILOT®-pre wiring, and Becker MAP PILOT®. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep. and additional options. Total monthly payments equal ($15,084 2015 C300 4MATIC®) ($13,284 2015 GLA250 4MATIC®). Cash due at signing includes ($4,713 2015 C300 4MATIC®) ($3,889 2015 GLA250 4MATIC®) capitalized cost reduction, $795 acquisition fee, and first month’s lease payment of ($419 2015 C300 4MATIC®) ($369 2015 GLA250 4MATIC®). Total payments equal ($21,332 2015 C300 4MATIC®) ($17,968 2015 GLA250 4MATIC®). Subject to credit approval. Expires 11/30/2014.

Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis 324 Sixth Street Annapolis, MD 21403 1.866.583.9862

Lease the All-New

2015 smart electric drive coupe with Battery Assurance Plus**

$139/month for 36 months*

MSRP $20,740

smart center Annapolis 324 Sixth Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 1.866.583.9862 | smartcarMaryland.com

*Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services at participating dealers through 11/30/2014. Not everyone will qualify. Advertised 36 months lease payment based on MSRP of 20,740.00 less the suggested dealer contribution resulting in a total gross capitalized cost of $20,740. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect your actual lease payment. Includes Destination Charge, Air Conditioning and smart Entryline Radio. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options. Total monthly payments equal $5,004. Cash due at signing includes $434.00 capitalized cost reduction, $295 acquisition fee, first month’s vehicle lease payment of $139, and the one-month battery assurance plus lease payment of $80 plus tax.

No security deposit required. Total payments equal $5,299. At lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus $0.25/mile over 0,000 miles and a $395 vehicle turn-in fee. Purchase option at lease end for $12,892.00plus taxes (and any other fees and charges due under the applicable lease agreement) in example shown. Specific vehicles are subject to availability and may have to be ordered. Subject to credit approval. See participating dealer for details. Please always wear your seat belt. Drive safely and obey speed limits. **With Battery Assurance Plus, the smart electric drive battery is rented separately on a month-to-month basis for $80 plus tax per month. Initial battery lease term is one month.

The maximum number of month-to-month renewal is for a total of 119 months. Subject to credit approval. See dealer for complete details.

For more information on Battery Assurance Plus, call 1-866 700-9853.

2

GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

IN THIS GAY LIFE

Feature

Holiday Gift Guide Compiled by

NICK SALACKI

Departments LOCAL LIFE

5 5

From the GLCCB Exec. Director by Joel Tinsley-Hall World AIDS Day by Bill Redmond-Palmer

HIGH LIFE

6 Bianca Del Rio: Mean Queen by Daniel Robers 7 Preview: It's a Wonderful Life at Center Stage

by Timoth David Copney

REAL LIFE

14 15

National & International News by Rachel Roth Baltimore Local News by Steve Charing

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

OUR LIFE

16 out-skirts by Danielle Ariano 16 Spilling the Tea with Carlton Smith & Michael Franklin 18 Justin's HIV Journal by Justin B. Terry-Smith 18 The W.O.E. Report by Wyatt O'Brian Evans 19 Holiday Gifts by Courtney Bedell 19 Spiritual In-To-Me-I-See by Coach Maq ElĂŠ

BETTER LIFE

20

Charitable Giving by Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm

SOCIAL LIFE

21 BScene: EQMD Brunch Photos by Jay W. 22 Datebook by Rachel Roth

GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

3

EDITOR’S LIFE

GLBT Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland Serving the LGBT Community of Maryland for 35 years

1000 Cathedral St. • Baltimore, MD 21201 • 410.777.8145 • GLCCB.org

All programming is now located on the 3rd floor of the All programming is now on the 3rd floorFor of the Waxter Center building at located 1000 Cathedral Street. more information please at visit www.glccb.org.

Waxter Center building 1000 Cathedral Street.

For more information please visit www.glccb.org.

Trans Programs

Women’s Programs

AKANNI

SILHOUETTE Women’s

Trans Programs A safe, respectful, confidential

environment where all transmen AKANNI can share their story and their A safe, respectful, confidential journey. environment where all transmen can 2nd Wednesdays - 6pm share their story and their journey. vmillhouse@blacktransmen.org 2nd Tuesdays - 6pm BlackTransmen.org vmillhouse@blacktransmen.org BlackTransmen.org BALTIMORE TRANS-

MASCULINE ALLIANCE BALTIMORE A support groupTRANSfor trans* men MASCULINE ALLIANCE (FTM).

A support group for trans* men 3rd Thursdays - 6:30pm (FTM).

BTMA@glccb.org 3rd Thursdays - 6:30pm BTMA@glccb.org TRAN*QUILITY A support group for trans* women TRAN*QUILITY (MTF), but anyone who varies from A support group trans* women traditional genderfor expression is (MTF), but anyone who varies from welcome. traditional gender expression 2nd & 4th Saturdays - 8pm is welcome.

Tranquility@glccb.org 2nd & 4th Saturdays - 8pm Tranquility@glccb.org

Recovery Recovery ACCESS TO RECOVERY

Care-coordinators will offer recovery ACCESS TO RECOVERY support services for LGBT individuals.

Care-coordinators will offer 2-7pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday recovery support services Please contact Latif Karim for at LGBT individuals. outreach.latifkarim@gmail.com Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 7pm outreach.latifkarim@gmail.com ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS LGBTQ centered AA recovery ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS groups, welcoming to all.

LGBTQ-centered Mondays - 7:15pmAA recovery groups, welcoming Thursdays - 8:30pmto all.

Mondays Saturdays- -7:15pm 6:30pm Thursdays - 8:30pm Saturdays - 6:30pm NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Men’s Rap group for men in NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS recovery.

Men’s Rap group for men in Sundays - 11:30am recovery.

Sundays - 11:30am

Health & Wellness Health & Wellness BEGINNERS’ YOGA Gentle beginners’ yoga with BEGINNERS’ YOGA instructor Gentle beginners’ yoga with Tim Hurley, RYT. $9 instructor Hurley, RYT. $9 Sundays - Tim 3:30pm Sundays - 3:30pm

HIV & SYPHILIS TESTING HIV &and SYPHILIS TESTING FREE confidential testing from FREE and confidential testing the Baltimore City Health Dept.from the Baltimore-City Health Dept.

Wednesdays 5-8pm Wednesdays - 5-8pm

Happy Holidays

Programs SILhouette (Spiritually In-tuned

Lesbians) is a spiritual community SILHOUETTE of women who love women SILhouette (Spiritually In-tuned desiring to discover, embrace and Lesbians) is spiritual-authentic a spiritual community live as their self. of women who love women 1st and 3rd Tuesdays - 7pm desiring to discover, embrace and live as theirOF spiritual-authentic self.

WOMEN COLOR 1st and confidential, 3rd Tuesdaysand - 7pm A safe, supportive

H

ello once again, loyal Gay Life readers.

December is upon us, and brings with it the usual holiday merriment, quiet reflection of the year gone by, and boundless hope for what lays ahead in the new year. We’ve got a little something for everyone in this month’s edition—including our annual gift guide (p. 8), which features a treasure trove of unique goodies from some of our favorite local businesses.

Keeping in tune with the holiday spirit, check out Timoth David Copney’s preview of Center Stage’s It’s A Wonderful Life: A Radio Play (p. 7). I’m also pleased to announce the addition of Bill Redmond-Palmer to our writing crew. Bill, a longtime activist in and around Baltimore, served in several board and volunteer roles at the GLCCB in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, and has recently been appointed a member of the latest iteration of the GLCCB Board of Directors. Be sure to check out Bill’s write up of local World AIDS Day events on Dec. 1 (p. 5).

space for LBTQ women of all WOMEN OF COLOR colors.

A safe, confidential, and supportive 2nd, 4th, & 5th Thursdays - 7:30pm space for LBTQ women of all WOC@glccb.org colors.

Meetup.com/Baltimore-Lesbians2nd, 4th, & 5th Thursdays - 7:30pm Of-Color WOC@glccb.org Meetup.com/Baltimore-LesbiansOf-Color

Youth & Young Adult Programs Youth &YOUTH Young RAINBOW Adult Programs ALLIANCE BALTIMORE

A support, social, and discussion RAINBOW YOUTH group for LGBTQ teens and allies ALLIANCE BALTIMORE ages 13-19, in partnership with A support, social, PFLAG Baltimore. and discussion group for LGBTQ teens and allies Tuesdays - 7-9pm ages 13-19, in partnership with RYABaltimore@gmail.com PFLAG Baltimore.

Facebook.com/groups/ 1st, 3rd, & 5th Tuesdays - 7-9pm RYABaltimore RYABaltimore@gmail.com Facebook.com/groups/ MIXED COMPANY RYABaltimore (QUEER YOUNG ADULT GROUP) A discussion, support, and MIXED COMPANY social group for young adult

(QUEER YOUNGor ADULT GROUP) LGBT identified questioning A discussion, support, and social individuals and their allies. group for -young adult LGBT Tuesdays 5:30-6:30pm identified or questioning individuals Facebook.com/groups/GLCCB. and their allies. mixed.co Tuesdays at 5:30pm

On the Cover

POZitive PEOPLE POZitive PEOPLE A free, weekly, peer-led support

A free,for weekly, peer-ledindividuals support in group HIV-positive group for community.

HIV-positive individuals in the LGBT the LGBT community.

Wednesdays - 7-8pm Wednesdays - 7-8pm POZpeople@glccb.org POZpeople@glccb.org

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

BOOK CLUB BOOK CLUB A welcoming book club for LGBTQ

Dan McEvily, Editor

A welcoming club for individuals to book discuss selected LGBTQ individuals to discuss a readings.

Due to snow cancellation selected reading. last month, the selection will again 3rd Mondays 7pm be Local Souls- by Allan Gurganus Facebook.com/ 3rd Mondays - 7pm groups/139583666184199 Facebook.com/

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

groups/139583666184199

4

GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

GAYLIFE

Baltimore Pride Read it. Live it.

Love it.

2013

continued in next column u

Dan McEvily Editor

RuPaul's Drag Race reigning champion Bianca Del Rio, appearing soon in Washington, D.C. Photo by Marcus Hastings.

Community Community Programs Programs

The GLCCB is the The GLCCB is the publisher of Gay Life publisher of Gay Life and the producer of Baltimore Pride and the producer of

With the new year right around the corner, we’re putting the finishing touches on our 2015 editorial plan, and I’d love to hear from you. We’re always looking for new ideas and ways to improve Gay Life. If you have a pitch, would like to write for the paper, or volunteer in our offices, email me at editor@baltimoregaylife.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Enjoy the December issue, and have a safe and happy holiday season!

Love it.

1000 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201 410.777.8145 Phone 410.777.8135 Fax sales@baltimoregaylife.com www.baltimoregaylife.com

editor@baltimoregaylife.com

Cory Burgess, Art Director National Advertising Rep.

cory@coryburgess.com Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863

Contributors

Danielle Ariano, Courtney Bedell, Steve Charing, Timoth David Copney, Coach Mac Elè, Wyatt O’Brian Evans, Michael Franklin, Bill Redmond-Palmer, Daniel Robers, Rachel Roth, Nick Salacki, Carlton Smith, Justin B. Terry Smith, Joel Tinsley-Hall, 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 2014. 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

A Day to Remember and Recommit Photo by Steve Charing.

by

From the GLCCB Executive Director's Desk COMMUNITY

A

s I embark on this new journey as the Executive Director of the GLCCB, I have found myself talking a lot about our “community.” But as I talk to more and more individuals that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex, queer, questioning, two spirited, asexual, or an ally, I wonder if the concept of community has gotten lost. Since this is such an important part of what the GLCCB is and why we exist I wanted to devote my letter this month to talking about community.

A quick look up of the meaning on Merriam-Webster.com sheds a little light on what exactly community is—or at least what it should be—“a unified body of individuals.”

Throughout history, it has been strong communities of people that have shaped social and political policy and ultimately changed the world. As I mentioned in my opening, I have seen a splintering in our collective community that is unsettling.

There appears to be various groups advo-

cating for what should be our priority. Some are doing this by tearing down others within our community. We as a collective community must stay united. It was our united effort as a community that resulted in marriage equality for all Marylanders just a short time ago. It then was our united community’s effort that resulted in Governor O’Malley signing the bill extending anti-discrimination laws to our transgender brothers and sisters.

While there are many issues we are facing, we must remain united as a community. There is much work to do as we continue the fight for equality and justice for all but we can only change the world if we remain united.

I am so proud to be part of this community and look forward to our continued work.

Joel Tinsley-Hall Executive Director Joel Tinsley-Hall can reached at (410) 7778145 or at jtinsleyhall@glccb.org.

GLCCB To Begin Hosting Monthly Pride 2015 Meetings In November, the GLCCB announced it would begin hosting regular, monthly Pride 2015 planning meetings. The first meeting will take place at 6pm on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the GLCCB offices (Waxter Building, 1000 Cathedral St., 3rd floor). During the December meeting, Paul Liller, GLCCB Volunteer Pride Committee Chair, will discuss roles and responsibilities of various Pride 2015 needs, including the entertainment, parade, and sponsorship sub-committees.

Community members interested in volunteering for a Pride 2015 sub-committee are highly encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Liller at pliller@baltimorepride.org, or GLCCB Executive Director Joel Tinsley-Hall at jtinsleyhall@glccb.org.

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

BILL REDMOND-PALMER

T

he 2014 theme for World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 in the United States is “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.” The World AIDS Campaign’s Global Steering Committee’s theme is “Getting to Zero,” for annual observances from 2011 to 2015.

World AIDS Day provides powerful opportunities to raise awareness, to honor and remember those who have passed on, and to celebrate achievements such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Every 9.5 minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with HIV. Maryland and the BaltimoreTowson area have some of the highest rates of HIV infections in the country, ranking fifth in the nation for HIV infections; infection rates continue to increase; and it is estimated that at least 1,200 more people are infected each year.

Currently over 12,000 Baltimore City residents live with HIV, making World AIDS Day as relevant today as ever.

The following events are planned for Dec. 1 in Baltimore City and are free and open to the public.

Join B’more Aware of HIV to help attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Living Red Ribbon at Morgan State University from 10 am to 1 pm. You MUST arrive by 11 am to be part of the Living Red Ribbon.

Search for “B’More Aware of HIV” on Facebook or call (410) 3273420, ext. 11 for more information on the event’s schedule, speakers and parking.

From 4 to 6 pm, Celebration of Community will host a reading of the “Book of Life,” a compilation of names of people lost to HIV/AIDS collected over more than eighteen years, at the Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 10 E. Mt. Vernon Place, across from the Washington Monument. For more information contact (443) 4219090, celebrationofcommunity@ gmail.com, or search for “Celebration of Community” on Facebook.

At 6 pm, there will be a Celebration of Community World AIDS Day Service and Vigil to honor both those living and those who have died with HIV/AIDS, at the Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 10 E. Mt. Vernon Place across from the Washington Monument. A reception will follow. For more information contact (443) 421-9090, celebrationofcommunity@gmail.com or search for “Celebration of Community” on Facebook.

Registration for the 2015 Ride for the Feast to be held on May 2-3, 2015, goes live on December 1. The bike ride from Ocean City to Baltimore benefits Moveable Feast.

Register at www.rideforthefeast. org. A Ride for the Feast kick-off party that night will be held at The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St., Baltimore, from 6 to 11 pm.

For information about other events planned in Baltimore City and Baltimore County on Saturday, Nov. 29, Sunday, Nov. 30 and Monday, Dec. 1; events planned for Dec. 1 in Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties; and for free HIV testing in Baltimore City as well as Baltimore, Harford and Howard Counties, please read the extended online version of this story at www.BaltimoreGayLife.com.

Bill Redmond-Palmer is a long time community organizer and advocate for HIV/AIDS and sexual and gender minority related issues.

GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

5

HIGH LIFE

MEAN QUEEN

BIANCA DEL RIO SPINS HER DELICIOUS BRAND OF HATE ianca Del Rio, the winner of the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, is a devilish queen with a heart of gold.

In a recent interview, Baltimore’s own John Waters discussed his experience at a Bianca show. “There was this great drag queen down in New Orleans and she was the master of ceremonies,” he explained. “I said to her: ‘You were really funny’ and she responded, ‘I should be, I am on crack’. It was really funny.

I will probably use that line now.”

Even the late Joan Rivers counted herself a fan, calling Bianca “a sharp, witty and seasoned comic who will have a successful career in and out of drag.” She welcomed Bianca on the second to last episode of her “In Bed with Joan” web series, recorded two weeks before her passing.

The Louisiana-born, half-Cuban, halfHonduran entertainer has been performing stand up, improve, and theatre for over eighteen years. Bianca’s quick-witted comedy, effortless fashions and unique ability to make audiences cry from laughter while she tatters their self-image to shreds, keeps fans beckoning for more.

Self-proclaimed as a “clown in a dress,” Roy Haylock first emerged on the gay entertainment circuit in 1998, combining his talents in costume design and performance to create the beloved drag persona, Bianca Del Rio. Since then, Bianca has appeared on major television networks including MTV, A&E and the Travel Channel. She has performed numerous nightlife events around the world, and has become synonymous with gay Mardi Gras events. She has been awarded some of the highest honors in the drag world, including taking home the coveted title of “World’s Next Top Drag Superstar” on the sixth season of Logo’s RuPaul’s Drag Race.

She is the first Hispanic to win the title.

Since her win, Bianca Del Rio has expanded the brand with a full collection of trademarked products including Bianca Del Rio t-shirts and iPhone cases. She successfully raised $100,000 on Kickstarter to finance her first film, Hurricane Bianca.

She spent most of November overseas performing her “Rolodex of Hate” comedy tour. Sadly, it meant she had to miss the ceremony where she was named among Out Magazine’s Out 100.

6

GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

This month, however, she returns to the United States to launch the American leg of the tour. Meanwhile, local fans will have two chances to experience Bianca live. First, at Town Danceboutique in Washington DC on Wednesday, Dec. 17. We caught up with Bianca in Amsterdam as she was preparing to embark on a European cruise.

Who do you hate the most these days? Tori Spelling.

Bill Cosby? I grew up loving him and I’m very upset he never raped me. Hashtag: rude.

DANIEL ROBERS

Who is one person you can never hate? Judge Judy because she is God.

Bianca Del Rio

TheBiancaDelRio.com Wednesday, Dec. 17 Town Danceboutique 2009 8th St., NW • Wash, D.C.

What has Donna Martin done to get under your skin? She is a douche.

Bianca, where does all this anger stem from? I don’t consider it anger. It’s more like honesty. And with honesty comes humor.

Do you find it therapeutic to get all your hate out? (Laughing) I try to get it out as much as I possibly can and I always start with myself first!

What are your thoughts on Perez Hilton? Well, that one is tricky.

Photo by James Ortiz.

B

by

Jennifer Lawrence is upset with Perez for releasing her nude photos. She argues that just because she is a public person doesn’t mean he can splash her naked body all over the internet.

Whose side are you on? They both make lots of money with what they do, and in this business, any publicity is good publicity. Look at that rich skank Kim Kardashian. She is the one I really hate.

How about Mama June from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo? I love her and I think she means well. I just think she has made some bad choices. It must be from eating all that ketchup with pasta.

Photo by Marcus Hastings

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

THEATRE PREVIEW

Center Stage's It's a Wonderful Life by

TIMOTH DAVID COPNEY

I

t’s A Wonderful Life is so much a part of the holiday landscape that it’s hard to imagine the season without it. And Center Stage has made sure we don’t have to. Their take on the classic movie tells the story as a radio play, rather than a traditionally staged play. It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, is set in Baltimore radio station WBAL circa 1946 and allows the audience to see the behind-the-scenes work of a live radio broadcast.

Once underway, the actors become denizens of the town of Bedford Falls. George and Mary Baily, Mr. Potter, Harry Baily, and the angel Clarence are all there. With a script by Joe Landry that stays true to the original, the action on stage is told mostly through the familiar dialogue with the necessary sound effects supplied by a character in the radio station, rather than from an

offstage source. Foley work, as the art of sound effects is known in films, is a crucial element of the production. This is no mere script reading of a play for a radio audience.

It is written as a fully realized depiction of an actual radio production during a time before television.

Director Nelson T. Eusebio, III knew he wanted artists who could deliver more than just parodies of the movie roles. Some would be playing multiple roles so it was vitally important to get the casting just right. In the first rehearsal, Eusebio reminded the cast and crew that this is a “story that celebrates our humanity—individually and collectively.”

He wanted the cast to display an access to that humanity with an approach that was unvarnished and not overly sentimental.

It isn’t possible to separate the Frank Capra movie from other incarnations. In a

previous interview, Nelson said, “The movie lives in three places—in the film itself, it lives in our audience’s memory of the film and it also lives in the live event we’re creating here. The key is not to imitate the film, but to take the heart of it, so it triggers the audience’s memory, it invokes it, and finally it allows us to inspire from that.”

Eusebio has a history with the play that goes back several years. He directed a regional theatre production of it in North Carolina.

With an undergraduate degree in Theater from UC-Irvine and a Masters in Drama from Yale, he has the skills to bring his take on Landry’s script to life. And he has a personal connection to Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah. Kwame served as his mentor in a bid for a grant (they didn’t get it) but a bond was formed.

Kwei-Armah is delighted to have It’s a

Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play on the bill this season. “The show fits nicely into our iconic season this year – from Mozart to Marley.” One of the premier regional theatres in the country, Center Stage has a well-deserved reputation for delivering exceptional theatre. Under Kwei-Armah’s direction, they consistently present thoughtful and appealing entertainment. This year is certainly shaping up to keep proving the point. Happy Holidays!

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Thru Dec. 21 • $19-59 Center Stage 700 N. Calvert St. 410.332.0033 CenterStage.org

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GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

7

The Gift Cellar The National Aquarium

Trohv Home & Gift

y a d i Hol Guide

GAY LIFE 2014

Gift

COMPILED BY NICK SALACKI

The Gift Cellar

Locally made artwork Everything in the Gift Cellar, a small boutique in northeast Baltimore, is local, handmade, and one of a kind. Proudly selling only hand-made items created in Maryland, the Gift Cellar represents about 30 different artists and crafters. You will find one of a kind pottery, home décor, scarves, handbags, accessories, jewelry, wall art and much more.

Maxine Taylor paints her vision of Baltimore’s rowhouses and florals. You can find them framed in large and small sizes, cards and t-shirts.

Specializing in Maryland themed work, water colorist Joanna Barnum specializes in Maryland-themed work, including original framed works, prints, cards, and jewelry. Barnum is also available to do custom portraits from your photographs.

4337 Harford Rd. • Baltimore, MD 21214 (410) 254-0386 • TheGiftCellarMaryland.com

The National Aquarium

A different holiday experience Sometimes, the best gifts are those you can share with others. This holiday season, experience special December celebrations at the National Aquarium with loved ones, including their annual holiday celebration from 5 to 9 pm on Dec. 5, presented by Macy’s, which will feature festive music and dance performances from around the world.

December also marks the return of a favorite tradition at the Aquarium, the Polar Express 4D Experience! The Knott Harbor View Room will transform into a holiday village, with live music, crafts and appearances from two very special visitors—Santa and the Polar Express Train Conductor!

Enjoy special Kwanzaa and Hanukkah displays while you munch on seasonal treats and sip on hot chocolate, regular or spiked (for the 21+ crowd).

501 E. Pratt St. • Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 576-3800 • www.Aqua.org

8

GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

The Vapory

Looking for the perfect gift to give your friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season? We’ve taken to the streets of Baltimore to find a selection of goodies from a few of our favorite LGBT-friendly businesses just in time for the holidays. From those last minute emergency gifts to uniquely baubles and knick-knacks that scream Baltimore, we’ve got you covered.

Ma Petite Shoe

Chocolate and Shoe Lovers Ma Petite Shoe is an independently owned boutique, specializing in shoes and chocolate in the heart of Hampden. This season, Ma Petite Shoe has Mouth Party Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels (10 oz., $15.99). If you thought sea salt caramels were heavenly, wait until you’ve tasted these—the gods are sighted as the perfect union of chocolate, sea salt, and caramel melts in your mouth.

830 W. 36th St. • Baltimore, MD 21211 (410) 235-3442 • MaPetiteShoe.com

The Vapory

This holiday season, the Vapory in Mt. Vernon has the new advanced start electronic cigarette, the iTaste CLK! ($49.99). The iTaste CLK! is a variable voltage pass-through mod, which means you can vape as you charge the 800mAh battery and you’ll never have to wait, and available in three designs: QuickSilver, Onyx and Pixie.

The iTaste CLK! is truly the most advanced electronic cigarette mod available for the money and is perfect for those new to vaping or highly experienced.

Bring in this copy and receive a free bottle of Avail Premium E-Liquid, while supplies last.

19 W. Preston St. • Baltimore, MD 21201 (443) 759-8519 • TheVapory.net

Pla-Za Artist Materials and Picture Framing

For those who are looking for the perfect gift to give that budding artist on your gift list PlaZa Art in Mt. Vernon probably has just what you’re looking for.

The Travel Series Sketchbooks (Starting at $12.99) are always a winner and a beautiful product. Specifically for artists, each sketchbook is bound with finely woven European book cloth, with a versatile heavyweight paper and available in six artist friendly formats.

Rembrandt’s soft pastel sets ($63.99) are the world’s most popular soft pastel with colors

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Pla-Za Artist Materials

Ma Petite Shoe

Atwater's Bakery of unsurpassed glow, purity and intensity and made from the best quality, finely ground pure pigments. The result is a velvety smooth softness in every color.

1009 Cathedral St. • Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 625-9000 • PlazaArt.com

Trohv Home and Gift

Quintessential Baltimore Gifts Throv is an inventive, independently-owned shop featuring home goods and gifts. They offer a large selection of fabulous baubles for the hard-to-shop for folks on your gift list, including a reprint of the 1972 cult classic tomb The Manly Art of Knitting ($13.95) or a set of gay apparel cards from Bob’s Your Uncle ($18).

Trovh will offer 10% off to those who bring this issue in.

921 W. 36th St. • Baltimore, MD 21211 (410) 366-3456 • TrohvShop.com

Treat Your Pet to the Best Vet This Holiday!

Pet Photos with santa!

December 14th, from 5-7 p.m.

For a $5 cash donation to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS), receive a photo of your pet with Santa, emailed to you for sharing with family and friends!

Give the pet lover in your life a unique gift this holiday season with an Eastern Animal Hospital Gift Certificate.

Atwater’s Bakery

Atwater’s offers a unique selection of homemade jams with an ever-growing list of seasonal fruits, including their handmade jam gift box ($55). Each of jam is made in the French preserve style at their Big Kitchen location.

Each batch is different, a result of the handmade charm characteristic of all Atwater’s products. Be it Pear & Star Anise or Italian Plum & Vanilla, both winners of the 2013 Good Food Awards, or Orange Marmalade & Mountain Honey, each jam will be an incredible addition to any breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snack.

The jams are stored in a reusable Weck jar so please bring back the empty container to get back your deposit!

529 E. Belvedere Ave. • Baltimore, MD 21212 (410) 323-2396 • Atwaters.biz

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

410-633-8808 BaltimoresBestVets.com 6404 Eastern Ave. Minutes from Bayview, Essex, Harbor East, Canton, Highlandtown, Fells Point and Federal Hill GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

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What is STRIBILD? STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. It combines 4 medicines into 1 pill to be taken once a day with food. STRIBILD is a complete single-tablet regimen and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines.

STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses you must keep taking STRIBILD. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids.

Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about STRIBILD? STRIBILD can cause serious side effects: • Build-up of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include feeling very weak or tired, unusual (not normal) muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold especially in your arms and legs, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Serious liver problems. The liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and fatty (steatosis). Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice), dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored bowel movements (stools), loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach pain.

• You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking STRIBILD for a long time. In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions.

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• Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and stop taking STRIBILD, your hepatitis may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking STRIBILD without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health. STRIBILD is not approved for the treatment of HBV.

Who should not take STRIBILD? Do not take STRIBILD if you: • Take a medicine that contains: alfuzosin, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, cisapride, lovastatin, simvastatin, pimozide, sildenafil when used for lung problems (Revatio®), triazolam, oral midazolam, rifampin or the herb St. John’s wort.

• For a list of brand names for these medicines, please see the Brief Summary on the following pages.

• Take any other medicines to treat HIV-1 infection, or the medicine adefovir (Hepsera®).

What are the other possible side effects of STRIBILD? Serious side effects of STRIBILD may also include: • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do regular blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with STRIBILD. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking STRIBILD. • Bone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

• Changes in body fat can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines.

• Changes in your immune system.

Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking STRIBILD. The most common side effects of STRIBILD include nausea and diarrhea.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.

PALIO Date: 9.17.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_F_Del_GayLife_fi.indd

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking STRIBILD? • All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection.

• All the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. STRIBILD may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how STRIBILD works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Do not start any new medicines while taking STRIBILD without first talking with your healthcare provider.

• If you take hormone-based birth control (pills, patches, rings, shots, etc).

• If you take antacids. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you take STRIBILD. • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STRIBILD can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking STRIBILD. • If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Also, some medicines in STRIBILD can pass into breast milk, and it is not known if this can harm the baby.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Brief Summary of full Prescribing Information with important warnings on the following pages.

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STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used as a complete single-tablet regimen to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

I started my personal revolution Talk to your healthcare provider about starting treatment.

STRIBILD is a complete HIV-1 treatment in 1 pill, once a day.

Ask if it’s right for you.

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PALIO Date: 9.17.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_F_Del_GayLife_fi.indd

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Patient Information STRIBILD® (STRY-bild) (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) tablets Brief summary of full Prescribing Information. For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.

What is STRIBILD? • STRIBILD is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. STRIBILD is a complete regimen and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines.

• STRIBILD does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. You must stay on continuous HIV-1 therapy to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses.

• Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others. Do not share or reuse needles, injection equipment, or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them. Do not have sex without protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.

What is the most important information I should know about STRIBILD? STRIBILD can cause serious side effects, including: 1. Build-up of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis can happen in some people who take STRIBILD or similar (nucleoside analogs) medicines. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because the symptoms could seem like symptoms of other health problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms which could be signs of lactic acidosis: • feel very weak or tired • have unusual (not normal) muscle pain • have trouble breathing • have stomach pain with nausea or vomiting • feel cold, especially in your arms and legs • feel dizzy or lightheaded • have a fast or irregular heartbeat 2. Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems can happen in people who take STRIBILD. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of liver problems: • your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) • dark “tea-colored” urine • light-colored bowel movements (stools) • loss of appetite for several days or longer • nausea • stomach pain You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking STRIBILD for a long time.

3. Worsening of Hepatitis B infection. If you have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and take STRIBILD, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking STRIBILD. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before.

• Do not run out of STRIBILD. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your STRIBILD is all gone

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• Do not stop taking STRIBILD without first talking to your healthcare provider • If you stop taking STRIBILD, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual symptoms you may have after you stop taking STRIBILD Who should not take STRIBILD? Do not take STRIBILD if you also take a medicine that contains: • adefovir (Hepsera®) • alfuzosin hydrochloride (Uroxatral®) • cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid Quicksolv®) • ergot-containing medicines, including: dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®, Migergot®, Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), and methylergonovine maleate (Ergotrate®, Methergine®) • lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®) • oral midazolam • pimozide (Orap®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®) • sildenafil (Revatio®), when used for treating lung problems • simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®) • triazolam (Halcion®) • the herb St. John’s wort Do not take STRIBILD if you also take any other HIV-1 medicines, including: • Other medicines that contain tenofovir (Atripla®, Complera®, Viread®, Truvada®) • Other medicines that contain emtricitabine, lamivudine, or ritonavir (Atripla®, Combivir®, Complera®, Emtriva®, Epivir® or Epivir-HBV®, Epzicom®, Kaletra®, Norvir®, Trizivir®, Truvada®) STRIBILD is not for use in people who are less than 18 years old.

What are the possible side effects of STRIBILD? STRIBILD may cause the following serious side effects: • See “What is the most important information I should know about STRIBILD?” • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking STRIBILD. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking STRIBILD if you develop new or worse kidney problems.

• Bone problems can happen in some people who take STRIBILD. Bone problems include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bones.

• Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicine.

These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The exact cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known.

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.

PALIO Date: 9.17.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_F_Del_GayLife_fi.indd Trim: 9.75” x 11.25” (Non-Bleed Newspaper Ad)

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The most common side effects of STRIBILD include: • Nausea • Diarrhea Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

• These are not all the possible side effects of STRIBILD. For more information, ask your healthcare provider.

• Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking STRIBILD? Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including: • If you have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis B infection • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STRIBILD can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking STRIBILD. - There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiviral medicines during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.

• If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take STRIBILD. - You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

- Two of the medicines in STRIBILD can pass to your baby in your breast milk. It is not known if the other medicines in STRIBILD can pass into your breast milk.

- Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements: • STRIBILD may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how STRIBILD works.

• Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following medicines: - Hormone-based birth control (pills, patches, rings, shots, etc) - Antacid medicines that contain aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium carbonate. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you take STRIBILD - Medicines to treat depression, organ transplant rejection, or high blood pressure - amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®) - atorvastatin (Lipitor®, Caduet®) - bepridil hydrochloride (Vascor®, Bepadin®) - bosentan (Tracleer®) - buspirone - carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®) - clarithromycin (Biaxin®, Prevpac®) - clonazepam (Klonopin®) - clorazepate (Gen-xene®, Tranxene®) - colchicine (Colcrys®) - medicines that contain dexamethasone - diazepam (Valium®)

- digoxin (Lanoxin®) - disopyramide (Norpace®) - estazolam - ethosuximide (Zarontin®) - flecainide (Tambocor®) - flurazepam - fluticasone (Flovent®, Flonase®, Flovent® Diskus®, Flovent® HFA, Veramyst®) - itraconazole (Sporanox®) - ketoconazole (Nizoral®) - lidocaine (Xylocaine®) - mexiletine - oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®) - perphenazine - phenobarbital (Luminal®) - phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) - propafenone (Rythmol®) - quinidine (Neudexta®) - rifabutin (Mycobutin®) - rifapentine (Priftin®) - risperidone (Risperdal®, Risperdal Consta®) - salmeterol (Serevent®) or salmeterol when taken in combination with fluticasone (Advair Diskus®, Advair HFA®) - sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®) or vardenafil (Levitra®, Staxyn®), for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). If you get dizzy or faint (low blood pressure), have vision changes or have an erection that last longer than 4 hours, call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away.

- tadalafil (Adcirca®), for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension - telithromycin (Ketek®) - thioridazine - voriconazole (Vfend®) - warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) - zolpidem (Ambien®, Edlular®, Intermezzo®, Zolpimist®) Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Do not start any new medicines while you are taking STRIBILD without first talking with your healthcare provider.

Keep STRIBILD and all medicines out of reach of children.

This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about STRIBILD. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can also ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about STRIBILD that is written for health professionals, or call 1-800-445-3235 or go to www.STRIBILD.com.

Issued: October 2013

COMPLERA, EMTRIVA, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, HEPSERA, STRIBILD, the STRIBILD Logo, TRUVADA, and VIREAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. ATRIPLA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2014 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. STBC0112 10/14

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PALIO Date: 9.17.14 • Client: Gilead • Product: Stribild • File Name: 23164_pgiqdp_F_Del_GayLife_fi.indd Trim: 9.75” x 11.25” (Non-Bleed Newspaper Ad)

Del Gay Life

REAL LIFE RUSSIA

SLOVAKIA

MISSOURI

RHODE ISLAND NORTH CAROLINA KANSAS

NEW ZEALAND TEXAS ALABAMA

ARMENIA

MALAYSIA

National & International News Marriage equality is on hold in Kansas after Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor granted a request from Kansas officials to issue a stay of the marriage equality ruling issued by a U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree. Had Sotomayor not issued the order, same-sex marriages would have begun Nov. 11.

last week that his office will appeal a ruling by a federal judge that struck down the state’s marriage ban. U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith, a Clinton appointee, determined Missouri’s prohibition on marriage for same-sex couples violates their rights to due process and equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

A state judge has also ruled against the ban.

At least one county in the state has begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

N.C. judges object to marriage equality

Houston officials resist ruling on same-sex benefits

NORTH CAROLINA

TEXAS

Six magistrates have left their posts since two judges ruled that the voter-passed Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Rather than upholding the law and performing marriages, the magistrates have left their posts. The ban was struck down on Oct. 10.

A Texas judge on Wednesday ordered the city of Houston to stop offering benefits to same-sex spouses of city officials. According to city officials, the order will not take effect since a federal judge already has ruled that the benefits should be extended, ABCaffiliate KTRK-TV reported.

In Dallas, however, voters approved a referendum to amend the city charter to include protections for LGBT city employees. More than three-quarters of voters supported the referendum. Dallas already prohibits LGBT discrimination against city

Sotomayor delays marriage equality in Kansas KANSAS

Missouri to appeal marriage equality ruling MISSOURI

The Missouri attorney general announced

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GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

by

RACHEL ROTH

workers in its equal employment opportunity policy.

Marriage equality headed to the Supreme Court VARIOUS

Couples from the Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee marriage cases are seeking Supreme Court review of the decision of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the states’ bans on same-marriages. The 2-1 ruling reversed lower-court decisions in all four of the states.

Trans Army employee faced discrimination, report says ALABAMA

A report released last month by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel found that the Department of the Army engaged in discrimination against Tamara Lusardi, a transgender civilian employee and veteran.

Lusardi was barred from using the restroom for her gender and was repeatedly referred to with male pronouns, the report noted.

The Army has agreed to implement sensitivity training.

R.I. simplifies process for changing birth certificates RHODE ISLAND

It is now easier for transgender men and women to change their birth certificates in Rhode Island. The Providence Journal reported that new vital regulations went into effect on Nov. 11 that allow a gender marker change based on a medical provider’s certification that the individual has undergone surgical and/or hormone treatment “or other treatment appropriate for the individual.”

Previously, the Rhode Island Department of Health essentially required gender reassignment surgery in order to change the gender designation on a birth certificate.

Malaysia court rules in favor of transgender rights MALAYSIA

A three-judge panel unanimously ruled in Malaysia that a ban on cross-dressing is discriminatory, overturning a Sharia rule that was in place in the Negeri Sembilan state.

The court called the law “degrading” and “inhumane.” Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called for a review of the

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

ruling, as did the Minister of Islamic affairs Jamil Khir Baharom.

LGBT couple circumvents Russian marriage laws RUSSIA

A lesbian couple got married in Russia and it’s believed to be the country’s first same-sex marriage. The women were able to wed in a country known for its Draconian anti-LGBT legislation because one was born male but lives as a woman and is undergoing hormone therapy, Agence France-Presse reported.

In related news, a memorial to the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, which resembled a giant iPhone, was taken down in St. Petersburg, in part due to Apple CEO’s Tim Cook’s announcement that he is gay.

New Zealand could expunge homosexuality convictions NEW ZEALAND

Officials in New Zealand are considering wiping the criminal records of men convicted under an anti-homosexuality law that became obsolete in 1986. Justice Minister Amy Adams, who recently assumed the post, signaled a willingness to discuss the convictions telling the Dominion Post that expunging the records was “a good thing to do, because the law as it used to be was grossly wrong.”

Armenian activists’ suit dismissed ARMENIA

A court in the Armenian capital of Yerevan dismissed a suit on Friday against the editor of a newspaper who published an article in May naming more than 50 “homosexual lobbyists” as part of a “blacklist of [the] country’s and nation’s enemies.” The suit was brought by 16 of those named, including Mamikon Hovsepyan, head of the LGBT organization PINK Armenia. The article, which was titled; “They serve the interests of international homosexual lobbying: the blacklist of country’s and nation’s enemies,” called for the people named to be ostracized and fired from their jobs.

Slovak court advances anti-LGBT referendum SLOVAKIA

Slovakia’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday allowed a referendum on the rights of LGBT citizens to proceed to a popular vote. The referendum identifies marriage as between a man and a woman and addresses same-sex couples’ right to adopt, and proposes an optout option for sexuality education.

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Baltimore Local News by

STEVE CHARING

Baltimore Receives Perfect Score in HRC Study

Salisbury U. to Offer Safe Spaces Training Statewide

The Human Rights Campaign recently released the findings of a study that showed that Baltimore was among 39 cities that received the highest marks when it comes to equality for its LGBT population. Titled the Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the survey, rates 353 municipalities drawn from every state in the nation on the basis of how inclusive their laws and policies are concerning LGBT people. Last year Baltimore received a perfect score as did 24 other municipalities.

Cities are rated on a scale of 0-100, based on the city’s laws, policies, benefits, services and relationships between the city’s leaders and the LGBT community. There are 100 standard points and 20 bonus points (bonus points are awarded for items which apply to some but not all cities).

Baltimore received a maximum score of 100 that was comprised of an initial score of 89 plus 16 bonus points. These bonus points came from having openly elected or appointed LGBT leaders; city supports LGBT youth, elderly and homeless populations as well as people living with HIV/AIDS; and as an employer, Baltimore maintains an LGBT inclusive workforce.

The basic categories scored were: non-discrimination laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity; relationship recognition; municipality as employer regarding non-discrimination and employee benefits; municipal services; law enforcement, which includes having an LGBT police liaison and the reporting of hate crimes statistics to the FBI; and the city’s elected officials’ relationship with the LGBT community.

“It’s wonderful seeing Baltimore leading the pack in HRC’s latest Municipality Equality Index. We’ve certainly made progress in both the local and state legislative halls, but there is still a lot of work to be done in changing hearts, minds and attitudes,” said GLCCB Executive Director Joel Tinsley Hall. “True equality is a right for everyone, and we are excited to aid in continuing the fight for fairness and dignity for all in our LGBTQ rainbow.”

The full report can be found at www.bit. ly/hrcmei14.

Salisbury University’s (SU) Safe Spaces Workshop is now being offered statewide through a partnership with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR).

It’s a free program that aims to make all environments welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals “LGBTQI people frequently find themselves excluded and uncomfortable in a variety of settings,” said Dr. Diane Illig, Safe Spaces training coordinator and chair of SU’s Sociology Department who has taught courses on gender, sexuality and family at SU for 14 years.

Through the workshop, participants develop an understanding of the experiences of LGBTQI people; identify sources of unwelcoming behaviors; learn LGBTQI-inclusive terminology; learn to dispel negative stereotypes; develop strategies to create more welcoming environments; and formulate effective responses to many of the issues and scenarios that LGBTQI people experience in their workplace, school or community.

To request the Safe Spaces Workshop through MCCR, contact Tara Taylor, Education and Outreach director at 410-7676459 or tara.taylor@maryland.gov.

WANT MORE LGBT NEWS?

Visit BaltimoreGayLife.com

Report: Maryland LGBT High School Students Unsafe GLSEN issued a school climate “state snapshot” for Maryland on November 13 as part of a nationwide survey that found that many LGBT students in secondary schools experience harassment and bullying. As a result of these activities, LGBT students often miss school out of their fear for safety, which hurts them academically “Findings from the ‘GLSEN 2013 National School Climate Survey’ demonstrate that Maryland schools were not safe for most LGBT secondary school students,” said the report. “In addition, many LGBT

Photo by Steve Charing

students in Maryland did not have access to important school resources, such as having a curriculum that is inclusive of LGBT people, history, and events, and were not protected by comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment school policies.”

The findings indicate that the vast majority of LGBT students in Maryland regularly heard anti-LGBT remarks. Most LGBT students in Maryland had been victimized at school with the majority having experienced verbal harassment (e.g., called names or threatened) with nearly 7 in 10 based on their sexual orientation and nearly half based on the way they expressed their gender. Thirty-five percent experienced cyberbullying. The majority of these incidents were not reported to adult authorities.

Many LGBT students in Maryland did not have access to in-school resources and supports. For example, only 14 percent attended a school with a comprehensive antibullying/harassment policy that included specific protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

Recommendations stemming from the report include: implementing comprehensive school anti-bullying/harassment policies; supporting Gay-Straight Alliances; providing professional development for school staff on LGBT student issues; and increasing student access to LGBT-inclusive curricular resources.

“These actions can move us toward a future in which all students in Maryland will have the opportunity to learn and succeed in school, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression,” the report said.

For more information, visit GLSEN.org.

GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

15

OUR LIFE

ALL TEA, NO SHADE: DISHIN’ WITH THE DUCHESS

Getting Over the Holiday Blues

by CARLTON SMITH and MICHAEL FRANKLIN

OUT-SKIRTS

Wait For It

by DANIELLE ARIANO

E

ver since I got a smartphone, I’ve become phenomenally patient, at least when it comes to waiting in line. This is a significant development since by many estimates (i.e. my wife), I’m the least patient person on the planet. It’s also noteworthy because, according to some estimates, humans spend two years of their lives in line. Two years.

Since I didn’t get a smartphone until I was 34 (and I’m planning to live until I’m 100), my very scientific calculations tell me that I’ve probably already squandered at least nine months of this two years. Nevertheless, 1.25 years is enough time for my newfound patience to be a seriously, life altering event.

In fact, from now on, refer to me, not as Danielle, but as Dainin, a Buddhist name meaning “Great Patience.”

I am a changed woman, and it’s a good thing or else I might’ve spent 1.25 years of my life huffing and puffing exasperated sighs, studying my cuticles, or shaking my head in annoyance at the person ahead of me at CVS who was applying for a rain check because the store ran out of Maalox and the circular said it was buy one, get one free this week.

That time in line is now devoted to whatever I choose. I can lose myself in a great essay or breeze through the latest celebrity gossip. I can scroll through my Facebook feed, acquiring information crucial to keeping me in the social loop, like what my friends ate for dinner. And breakfast. And lunch.

In the olden days, when I was in line at the pharmacy and some cab driver ahead of me monopolized the cashier as he made phone call after phone call to verify that he was indeed picking up prescriptions for a nursing home patient, I would’ve crossed my arms and glared at him. I would’ve let out a long breath through my nose. I would’ve thought,

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GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

what an asshole, but those days are gone.

That was the old Danielle. The new, smartphone-owning Dainin throws a sympathetic glance the cab driver’s way, then clicks a link watch a video where a hero cat saves a boy being mauled by a dog. Or perhaps she uses the time to watch a tutorial on how to slice a plate of tomatoes in half in five seconds. You see, even as precious moments of her life are ticking away, she is learning about how to save time in the future. It’s as though chunks of her life are being handed back.

This time in line has become invaluable and, so too, my time on the toilet, which in case you were wondering totals three years over the span of a lifetime. Formerly this time would’ve been dedicated solely to meeting the needs of my body, but these days, I multi-task. I stay connected with friends and comment on statuses while I sitting upon my throne waiting for nature to take its course. Constipation no longer causes consternation.

My phone allows me to feel as if I’m getting away with something. Killing two birds with one stone, as the saying goes, which by the way has always been something of a mystery to me. Why are we killing birds?

With stones? I’ll Google that next time I’m in line.

Danielle Ariano is a writer and cabinetmaker.

Her work has been featured on 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.

Hello Family, What’s the real tea in the gayborhood? Are you full from that Thanksgiving hashtag stuffmyturkey? Are you geared up for those holiday season of gifts and lively parties—and those relatives who are louder than life singing all their holiday cheer? I usually feel like a deer in headlights from all that hashtag HolidaySelfie. Have you ever felt down and out during the holiday season? Well, let introduce my colleague Michael Franklin to discuss some possibilities for getting over the holiday blues: Winter is coming. So are the polar vortexes. So are the clouds.

This season—while often perceived as a beautiful time of snow, layers, hot cocoa, and covers—can be a really difficult time for folks. It’s a time where the world goes into hibernation. It gets dark much earlier and we spend more time indoors—an all too perfect brew for introspection, reflection, and sadness.

For LGBTQ people, and especially youth, this time of the year can be a really difficult time for a host of reasons. The holidays may remind us of family, which may bring painful memories of rejection or abuse.

Given that 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ, the pressures rise in the colder months to find housing and shelter by any means necessary. 68% of those youth have identified family rejection as part of the reason they are homeless, and that rejection is a strong indicator in our community for increased levels of depression, substance use, unprotected sex, and attempted suicide. And our incredible resiliency as many communities may become a little tougher to manifest.

Seasonal Affect Disorder affects 5% of people in the U.S., and things like extended sleep and drinking alcohol for warmth or to cope become more commonplace. Luckily, there are a number of tips and tricks, as well as really solid resources, to help us get through, and still feel respected in the process. ¡¡ Find the sun! Bask in it when it appears, open curtains and blinds.

Michael Franklin

¡¡ Create your own sunlight. During stretches of cold, gray days, turn on a few extra lights to simulate sunlight. ¡¡ Exercise. Releases endorphins that keep you happier. ¡¡ Be kinder to one another. ¡¡ Utilize LGBTQ affirming drop in spaces. Where? yy Hearts and Ears (611 Park Ave., open from 10am–6pm Wednesdays–Sundays. 410-523-1694), a peer support and advocacy program for LGBTQ people with mental health needs. They also have a warmline you can call. yy YES Drop-In Center (2315 N. Charles St., open from 3–8pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. 410-235-7744), an organization providing direct services to homeless youth. ¡¡ Join a peer support group. Where? yy TEA Time (10 East Eager St., open from 2–4pm on Wednesdays. 410-837-5573), a peer support group for transwomen. yy MGroup (STAR TRACK, 737 West Lombard Street, 2nd floor, on first Tuesdays and third Thursdays from 6-9pm. 410-706-5312), a peer support for young gay and bi men. ¡¡ Call a support hotline. yy Trevor Project, a support line for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24. Call or text 1-866-488-7386.

• If in crisis, seek support. yy Contact Baltimore Crisis Response. There are some staff there that are super LGBTQ affirming. 410-433-5175 And above all else, get connected to mental health resources when you need them. Because you matter.

Michael Franklin is an LGBTQ rights and racial justice advocate with years of local community organizing and activism experience. He currently works as the Coordinator of the No Wrong Door Program at the STAR TRACK Adolescent Health Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

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GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

17

OUR LIFE JUSTIN’S HIV JOURNAL

The Gift of Purity and Slut Shaming

by JUSTIN B. TERRY-SMITH

M

any people this holiday season will get what they want and what they don’t want. My gift to you this year, dear reader, is the gift of purity. Many of us think of the word purity and automatically think of virginity. I am by no means a virgin, and neither are the majority of you reading this column. With that idea in mind, I ask - why on earth do we engage in slut shaming? At the recent Mr. Maryland Leather contest one of the contestants gave a speech about slut shaming in the gay community and I was truly touched. He talked about how two of his friends had committed suicide because of the constant slut shaming (which is another form of bullying) they endured from their so-called friends. As I do every year, I took the stage with all the former Mr. Maryland Leathers, and as my name was being called I heard the words, “Whore” being yelled at me. I stopped and realized that this was not right because to look on my husband’s face was the look of embarrassment and shame.

When the contest was over, I marched up to those three people and told them to stop slut shaming me. The whole time I thought to myself this doesn’t just affect me but it affects my husband. If they don’t have any respect for me at least respect my husband and in turn respect my marriage. I really didn’t deserve it, neither did my husband or my son.

For HIV negative people, slut shaming can lead to a lowered self-esteem, which could make them at greater risk of contracting HIV. Having people shame you because of your sexual appetites only leads you to keep them secret and pushes them back into the closet. This also can be said for people who use preventative measure like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). People think because you are on PrEP means that you do not use a condom and you have promiscuous sex, which is not the case at all because this is a form of HIV prevention. People will do with their own bodies as they would like and it is not up to us to tell them what to do. It takes two (sometimes more) to tango and if it’s consensual then who the hell are you to tell them what they cannot do. I suggest to all of you reading this column to keep that in mind before you shame somePhoto by Don Harris, one into thinking that what they do sexually Don Harris Photographics, is wrong. People need to wake up to the LLC © 2011 ways of the world and get their head All Rights Reserved. out of their behinds and other people’s personal lives; because frankly it’s none of your damn slut shaming business.

Justin B. Terry-Smith 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 TerrySmith and their son Lundyn.

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GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

THE W.O.E. REPORT

I Love You to Death PART THREE by

WYATT O’BRIAN EVANS

“N

ever in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined what would happen next! Antonio—my life partner, all 6’4”and 280 pounds of magnificent muscle—towered over me, slamming me directly into the wall! Gawd, the pain that ripped through my body…!”

That’s an excerpt from my recent novel, Nothing Can Tear Us Apart—RAGE! Its overarching theme is Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A). Because this deplorable and potentially life-threatening behavior is heavily stigmatized and notoriously underreported in the LGBTQ community, I’ve made it the focus of my first three installments of The W.O.E. Report.

I’ve decided to devote Part Three of “I Love You to Death” to how the victim can make his/her “Great Escape”—which is absolutely critical. Early next year, I’ll present the true and harrowing story of a survivor.

As a refresher, what exactly is IPV/A? According to the The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, it’s “a pattern of behaviors utilized by one partner (the abuser or batterer) to exert and maintain control over another person (the survivor or victim) where there exists an intimate, loving and dependent relationship.” Brand new research suggests that a greater percentage of LGBTQ individuals are living in fear of an abusive partner than previously thought. It is estimated that each year, between 50,000100,000 lesbians (or more) and as many as 500,000 (or more) gay men are battered, and about one in four LGBTQ relationships/ partnerships are abusive in some way.

So, how can you make your “Great Escape?”

The Women’s Justice Center ( JusticeWomen.com), which is headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, outlines various steps: ¡¡ Your struggle to escape is heroic.

Continually remind yourself that yours is one of the most worthy and difficult struggles of all. ¡¡ Reawaken your dreams. Oftentimes,

domestic violence and abuse can snuff out all of your hopes and dreams. However, to free yourself, you’ll need those hopes and dreams to help carry you through the obstacles and tough times of escaping. ¡¡ Dealing with fears, risks. The majority of IPV/A victims feel fear, which can immobilize them from acting on their own behalf. However, you can help alleviate your fears by having the courage to tell anyone who will listen. ¡¡ Don’t be ashamed if you still love him/her. At the same time however, be mindful and determined that the violence and abuse must be stopped—because the abuser’s not going to stop on his/her own. ¡¡ Often, the best strategy for breaking free of IPV/A is the exact opposite of the strategy for surviving it. In order to survive IPV/A, the victim usually does everything possible to avoid offending or upsetting the abuser, and exposing him/her. However, freeing yourself from IPV/A requires the exact opposite strategy. ¡¡ You deserve help. You need it. You can find it. It’s important to remember that it’s the abuser who caused you to feel this way, and that it’s his/her behavior that’s criminal and unacceptable—not yours. ¡¡ Know your legal rights. You have a right to equal protection of the law, and to live free of any kind of abuse. Do your research! ¡¡ There are officials and institutions that can help you safely escape IPV/A. These include the 911 operator, police, county jail, district attorney and victim assistance. Become knowledgeable about, and avail yourself of these critical resources.

If you or someone you know is experiencing IPV/A, call: the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) or the Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project Hotline (1-800-832-1901).

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TRANSMISSIONS

Holiday Gifts

by COURTNEY BEDELL

T

he theme for this December issue is “the holidays.” Apart from the crass commercialism that we have all accepted as part of the deal, what the holidays are really about is family! We make time to see folks we often don’t make time for throughout the year. For those of us who have become estranged from their genetic families, it may mean spending time with the families we’ve created within our LGBT community. Since we now enjoy an unprecedented level of acceptance, fewer of us experience rejection by the families we were born into.

It’s sad that so many of us have had to relinquish family relationships in order to be ourselves.

My family situation is great now, but this was not always the case. When I finally decided it was time to stop living in misery and begin my life as a woman, I was already 35 years old. Three years earlier, I had been living secretly as a woman while presenting myself at work and to everyone who knew

me as a male. It was absolutely exhausting, not to mention an emotional nightmare.

Out of desperation, I made a last ditch effort to lock myself into a male gender role by marrying a woman. She was a nurse by day and an exotic dancer by night. My thinking was that nobody would question my maleness if I was married to such a sexy woman.

It obviously didn’t work and within two years I just couldn’t carry on the lie anymore.

I told my spouse, who was not very sympathetic, and we divorced rather quickly.

I called my mom, whom I had always been close to, and asked if I could stay with her temporarily. Once I moved in, I told her the truth. At first, it was not easy for her to let go of her son. She said it felt like a death.

My older sister was sympathetic, but it took a lot of educating of both of them about the differences between gender identity and anatomical sex. The main thing I had to remember was that this was not an easy thing to understand and I needed to practice

SPIRITUAL IN-TO-ME-I-SEE (SPIRITUAL INTIMACY)

put yourself last and so on. And as a result of this many of us send ourselves into financial debt, buying others gifts we cannot afford and emotional debt because we are over extending ourselves trying to please others. But what about you… what do you want? What do you want to do with your money and time?!

As you navigate through the end of your year, I invite you to consider that you… in all of your glory are the gift! I invite you to give the gift of yourself to yourself! What does this look like? This looks like honoring yourself first and foremost and only doing those things you want to do, and not doing the things you do not want to do. If you do not want to go into debt buying everyone gifts you cannot afford, don’t! If you do not want to spend another holiday watching Uncle Leroy scratch himself while vegging out in front of the television, don’t! Instead, give yourself your own time and energy by doing the things you want to do! And know that you are so, so worthy to receive yourself as THE GIFT that you are!!

You're the Gift

by COACH MAQ ELÈ

L

et’s face it, we are less than 30 days away from the end of 2014. And if you’re anything like me you’re frantically stressing over your holiday plans. What gift am I getting my mother for Christmas? Whose house am I going to for Christmas dinner? And what in the world am I going to do for New Year’s Eve? In our society this time of year marks the time to be “merry” and “giving.” This time, above any other time of the year, we are hit over the head with the messages give to others;

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BE-LOVED! ~Coach Maq

patience and compassion for their feelings if I expected the same back from them.

My sister didn’t understand transsexuality, but she loved me enough to try. She asked me why I couldn’t just be a feminine gay man—as if that were the same as being a woman. She eventually came around and is now happy to have a sister instead of two brothers. My brother was a tough case because men seem to have a harder time with it, but we are as close now as we were as kids growing up playing in the woods.

Now I have wonderful relationships with all my family members including my mother, brother, sister, niece, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and will see many of them over the holidays.

I am grateful for the love that won out over intolerance, and that is one of the best gifts one can give or receive. Have a great holiday and remember as we move forward, each year will be better than the last for the LGBT community.

REACH THE LOCAL LGBT MARKET. Advertise in

GAYLIFE 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 www.maqele. com. To contact Coach Maq with your coaching questions email coachmaq@ baltimoregaylife.com.

Read it. Live it.

Love it.

Email Sales@ BaltimoreGayLife.com to place your ad today!

GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

19

BETTER LIFE Follow Your Heart (But Be Smart) When Giving to Charity This Season by

AMANDA WOODDELL WILHELM

A

s the year is coming to a close and we approach the holiday season, charitable giving is at the forefront for most of us. Supporting a charitable organization not only is an opportunity to improve the lives of others, but it may also allow you to claim a charitable contribution deduction on your income tax return—a positive outcome all around.

Many charitable organizations increase their fundraising efforts near the end of the calendar year in anticipation of being the recipient of donors’ generosity. Therefore, it is important to develop a strategy that will ensure that you align yourself with a charity that is working to promote a mission in which you believe, as well as to protect yourself from scams that prey on donors’ good intentions.

IDENTIFY AND VET YOUR CHARITIES

Before you write your first check, take an inventory of what issues matter most to you based on your values. Is it education, hunger, environment, human rights, or animal welfare? Where do you wish to make an impact—is it nationwide or right here in your own community? Perhaps you have identified a fledgling charity and wish to help it grow.

Make certain the charity’s mission is aligned with yours. Look closely at their materials—website, annual reports, and news reports—to ensure that the organization’s mission, programs, and operations are truly accomplishing the type of work you believe in.

Evaluate the charity’s accomplishments and financial stewardship. Research how much of your donation goes for general administration and fundraising expenses, and how much is being used for the program

services you want to support. Compare similar charities to determine which ones are doing the most good with their means.

GuideStar is an excellent resource that gathers and disseminates information on every IRS-registered non-profit organization to assist donors in making informed decisions.

AVOID FRAUD

Charlatans have become very sophisticated in creating charitable fronts to separate you from your money. They often use times of extreme distress (i.e., natural disasters, the outbreak of diseases, and terrorist attacks) to take advantage of your generosity. And they use the same tactics—including phone calls, text messages, and social media sites—as legitimate charities. Before you give, confirm that the organization is valid.

Keep in mind that a tax-exempt organization must be completely transparent to the public, and must make their financial and operational data available for inspection. If a charity cannot provide this data to you or is even reluctant to provide financial information, stay away!

In any case, never send cash. Also, never provide your credit card data to a telephone solicitor or an unfamiliar website. Always get a receipt or printed copy of your donation as it is a necessary record for tax purposes.

CONCLUSION

Once you have completed your research and are prepared to donate, feel confident about your decision. Charitable giving is far more than just reducing your tax bill. It is furthering your values and bettering our world.

Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm is a Tax 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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GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

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SOCIAL LIFE BSCENE

Equality Maryland Signature Brunch Honoring Gov. Martin O’Malley on Nov. 16 by

JAY W.

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GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

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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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GAY LIFE / DECEMBER 2014

Saturdays

Mondays

Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore City 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesdays 7-9pm The GLCCB • 1000 Cathedral St. RYABaltimore@gmail.com Facebook.com/groups/RYABaltimore

Baltimore Frontrunners Every Saturday 8:45am • Brunch 10am Panera Bread, 3600 Boston St. BaltimoreFrontrunners.org

Interfaith Fairness Coalition Mtg. Second Mondays 3-4:30pm First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. IFCMD.info

Teen Program at JCC Second Tuesdays 6pm Owings Mills JCC 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. JoinTeens.org

HOPE DC Monthly Brunch First Saturdays 11am Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro DC 1801 18th St. NW • Washington, D.C. HopeDCSocials-owner@yahoogroups.com

PFLAG Howard County Parent Forum Third Mondays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia PFLAGMD.org

Trans Parents Forum, Baltimore Co. Third Tuesdays 7-9:30pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. PFLAGBaltimore.org

In the Company of Women First Saturdays 10am-Noon First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net

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

Wednesdays

RACHEL ROTH

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 Parents of Transgender Kids Fourth Tuesdays 7:30-9pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia cvhyde@gmail.com PFLAGBaltimore.org Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore County 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7-9pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. RYABaltimoreCounty@gmail.com 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

Charm City Volleyball: Social Play Every Wednesday 6:30-9:30pm • $3-30 Mt Royal Recreational Center 137 McMechen St.

THIS MONTH

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 Support Group for Transgender Adults Third Wednesday 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia hoctytransgroup@gmail.com

Thursdays HIV Support: Substance Abuse & HIV Every Thursdays 2-3pm Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. IHV.org 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

Monday, Dec. 1 World AIDS Day AIDS.gov Festival of Trees Kennedy Krieger’s annual fundraiser. $7-13 • 10am-9pm Maryland State Fairgrounds 2200 York Rd. Festival-of-Trees.org

Tuesday, Dec. 2 It’s a Wonderful Life Opens The perfect holiday outing for the entire family. $19-59. Thru Dec. 21 CENTERSTAGE • 700 N. Calvert St. CenterStage.org Newsies Opens Carrying the banner through it all.

8pm • $25-175 • Thru Dec. 7 Hippodrome Theatre • 12 N. Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com The First Annual Maryland Music Awards Honoring Maryland’s great music community • $25-50 • 7:30pm Rams Head Live! • 20 Market Pl. RamsHeadLive.com

Wednesday, Dec. 3 Neighbors Night at Marquee Lounge Every Wednesday 5pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

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Thursday, Dec. 4 Charlie Bethel in The Odyssey A solo performance of Homer’s epic poem. $12-22 • 8pm • Thru Dec. 14 Theater Project • 45 W. Preston St. TheaterProject.org RAW Baltimore Presents Holiday RAWk This event is 18+ • Cocktail Attire $15-20 • 8pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

Friday, Dec. 5 A Christmas Carol Opens A holiday classic with a Baltimore twist!

8pm • $19-45 • Thru Dec. 23.

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company 7 S. Calvert St. ChesapeakeShakespeare.com “Holiday Celebration” at the Aquarium Festive music and dance performances from around the world • $12 • 5-9pm National Aquarium • 501 E. Pratt St. Aqua.org

The Sweater Sets A holiday party with the uke strumming, pop charmers • $13-15 • 8pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

One Koast Family Christmas The Grilled Lincolns, Pasadena, Bumpin Uglies and more • $12-15 • 6:30pm Rams Head Live! • 20 Market Pl. RamsHeadLive.com

Moonlight Madness and Tree Lighting Treats, discounts, and free gift wrapping.

7pm-Midnight Federal Hill — Main Street Inc 42 E Cross St. HistoricFederalHill.org

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker $28-88. Thru Dec. 20 Hippodrome Theatre • 12 N Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com

Saturday, Dec. 13 12 Days of Christmas Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas’ Sweet 16 • $20-100 • Noon Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com Jim Jefferies One night only • $80.15 • 8pm Hippodrome Theatre • 12 N. Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com

Sunday, Dec. 14

First Fridays First Friday of every month 6pm • FREE Eastern & East Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

Maryland Jewish Book Festival The region’s best Jewish authors to talk about and sign their books • 11am-4pm.

Jewish Museum of Maryland • 15 Lloyd St. JewishMuseumMD.org

Sunday, Dec. 7

Monday, Dec. 15

A Family Chanukah Celebration with Joanie Leeds A rocking family Chanukah concert with Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights! $1 • 2:30pm Jewish Museum of MD • 15 Lloyd St. JewishMuseumMD.org

Giant Monster Monday Movies & drink specials • 8pm-Midnight The Wind Up Space • 12 W North Ave. TheWindUpSpace.com

Wednesday, Dec. 10 Deathtrap Opens 7:30pm • Thru Jan. 11 Everyman Theatre • 315 W. Fayette St. EverymanTheatre.org Holly Jolly Pops Jack Everly and the Tap-Dancing Santas are back • $18-80 • Thru Dec. 14 Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 1212 Cathedral St. BSOMusic.org

Friday, Dec. 12 Brooklyn Heights Presents Battle of the Cosmetics A Benefit for kids in need.

Bring a Toy donation • 10pm Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com

HAVING AN EVENT?

Email Editor@BaltimoreGayLife.com

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GLCCB Book Club The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal FREE • 7pm Waxter Center, Third Floor 1000 Cathedral St. GLCCB.org

Wednesday, Dec. 17 First Night of Chanukah BSO’s Rusty Musicians Program Play side-by-side with the world-class orchestra • $65-90 • 6:30 & 7:50pm Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 1212 Cathedral St. BSOMusic.org POZ DC Happy Hour Mixer For HIV+ men • 7pm Green Lantern • 1335 Green Ct NW • D.C. HopeDC.org

Friday, Dec. 19 Trixie Little’s 10th Annual Holiday Spec-tac-uthon $22-25 • 7 & 10pm • Thru Dec. 20.

The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

Monday, Dec. 22 Matisyahu’s Festival of Light Touring his new album. $35. 7pm 9:30 Club 815 V St. NW Washington, DC 930.com

Wednesday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 34th Street Holiday Lights The “brightest two blocks in the U.S.” turns on the lights.

Dusk-11pm • FREE • Thru Jan. 1 West 34th Street ChristmasStreet.com

Thursday, Dec. 25 Christmas Hip Hop Christmas Dance! • No cover • 10pm Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com

Friday, Dec. 26 Kwanzaa Begins Baltimore Bike Party The biggest party on two wheels!

FREE • 7pm St. Mary’s • Seton Hill BaltimoreBikeParty.com Burl-eoke!

Burlesque & Karaoke collide • $10 • 8pm The Brass Monkey Saloon 1601 Eastern Ave.

Wednesday, Dec. 31 New Years Eve Ring in the New Year with B&O American Brasser 3- and 5-course dinner menu and offering pairings • $65-90 • 6pm-Midnight B&O American Brasserie • 2 N. Charles St. BandORestaurant.com Annual Ball Drop and Running of Baby New Year An event that must be seen to be believed!

FREE • 11:45pm Hampden • West 34th St. ChristmasStreet.com

Baltimore International Black Film Festival The 1st annual Baltimore International Black Film Festival (BIBFF) will be held at the historic Charles Theatre, the only theatre of its kind in Baltimore. The Charles Theatre is a 1150-seat, 23,000 square-foot movie house located in one of Charles Street’s most historic buildings and is only minutes away for the Baltimore Harbor in addition to numerous restaurants, bars, museums, and attractions.

BIBFF is truly a “Charm City” event blending entertainment and education in the greater Baltimore area through a uniquely diverse cinematic experience.

Films this year include Troop 491: The Adventures Of The Muddy Lions and True Story in the narrative feature category; Before You Know It, Out In The Night, Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers And The Emergence Of A People and You Are Not Alone in the documentary category; and Jesus, Proletarian French Voguers and When It All Falls Down… in the film shorts category.

With its unique paring of films

by African-American, the African Diaspora, and members of the Same Gender Loving - Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (SGL-LGBT) community, the BIBFF serves a dual purpose of providing a venue for independent films for, by and about African Americans, the African Diaspora and members the SGLLGBT community locally, nationally and globally.

Baltimore International Black Film Festival Dec. 3–4 The Charles Theatre 1711 N. Charles St. BIBFF.com

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