Baltimore Gay Life February 2015 by Baltimore Gay Life

FEBRUARY 2015

The Monastero Twins

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

Love it.

COMING OUT TO PARENTS LIVE ON VIDEO HELPED SKYROCKET THESE FRATERNAL TWIN VLOGGERS TO INSTANT STARDOM

Adam Luke

GMCW'S LOVE 10 ROCKS CONCERT

EQUALITY ORG PLANNED 12 VALENTINE GIFT GUIDE 20 FOR NORTH BALTIMORE

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 1/31/2015. 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 1/31/2015.

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 1/31/2015. 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.

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

IN THIS GAY LIFE

Valentine's Gift Guide

Departments LOCAL LIFE

REAL LIFE

Failure is Not One of My Options

by Joel Tinsley-Hall

14 20

Local Profile: Author & Communicator Michael Warren by Carlton R. Smith

OUR LIFE

HIGH LIFE

10 10 11

Grasan Kingsberry in One Night in Miami by Timoth David Copney Love Rocks at GMCW by Frankie Kujawa Twice as Nice: Monastero Twins by Mikey Rox

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

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

22 The W.O.E. Report by Wyatt O'Brian Evans 22 Justin's HIV Journal by Justin B. Terry-Smith 23 The Circus Comes to Town by Courtney Bedell Eckler 23 Spiritual In-To-Me-I-See by Coach Maq ElĂŠ 24 out-skirts by Danielle Ariano

Spilling the Tea

with Carlton Smith and Saida Agostini

Crossing T's by Angela Wren

BETTER LIFE

26 26

Financial Records by Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm

LGBT Love & Aging by Alicia Gabriel

SOCIAL LIFE

28 Datebook by Rachel Roth

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

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)

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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 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS support services for LGBT individuals. LGBTQ-centered recovery Monday, Tuesday,AA Thursday 2-7pm groups, welcoming all. at Please contact Latifto Karim Mondays - 7:15pm outreach.latifkarim@gmail.com Thursdays - 8:30pm Saturdays - 6:30pm ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS LGBTQ centered AA recovery NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS groups, welcoming to all. Men’s Rap- group Mondays 7:15pmfor men in recovery. Thursdays - 8:30pm Sundays Saturdays- 11:30am - 6:30pm

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

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

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS recovery. BEGINNERS’ YOGA Sundays - 11:30am Gentle beginners’ yoga with instructor Tim Hurley, RYT. $9 Sundays - 3:30pm

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

Health & Wellness HIV & SYPHILIS TESTING BEGINNERS’ YOGA

FREE confidential Gentleand beginners’ yogatesting with from the Baltimore City Health Dept. instructor Wednesdays - 5-8pm Tim Hurley, RYT. $9 Sundays - 3:30pm

HIV & SYPHILIS TESTING

FREE and confidential testing from the Baltimore City Health Dept. Wednesdays - 5-8pm

Community Community Programs Programs

A welcoming book club for group for HIV-positive individuals in LGBTQ individuals to discuss a the LGBT community. selected reading. Wednesdays - 7-8pm 3rd Mondays - 7pm POZpeople@glccb.org Facebook.com/ groups/139583666184199 BOOK CLUB

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

Dan McEvily, Editor

Read it. Live it.

Love it.

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

2013

GAYLIFE

Baltimore Pride

Wren. Angela debuts her monthly comic, Crossing T’s, this month (p. 25). I’ve had the pleasure of working with her on the comic for the past few months, and we’re so excited to unleash it onto the world. She’s a brilliant illustrator with a fun and unique perspective. Be sure to check her out monthly, both in our print publication and online at BaltimoreGayLife.com. Finally—how have we been doing? Are we missing great stories that you’d like to see in Gay Life? Drop a line to editor@baltimoregaylife.com and let us know! Have a wonderful month!

Dan McEvily Editor

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

A welcoming book club for LGBTQ individuals to discuss selected readings. Due to snow cancellation last month, the selection will again be Local Souls by Allan Gurganus 3rd Mondays - 7pm Facebook.com/ groups/139583666184199

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

continued in next column u

Hello once again everyone, We’ve got some fantastic stories lined up for you this month to help beat those late-winter blues, including a wonderful write up on one of the latest YouTube sensations—the Monastero Twins (p. 11). You may remember hearing about Luke and Adam’s story last fall, when they simultaneously came out to their very understanding and accepting parents on video. The twin’s story pulled on the Internet’s collective heart strings, and Gay Life caught up with them to discuss what they’ve been up to after the overwhelming response to the video. Speaking of heart-strings, we’ve got a robust Valentine’s Day gift guide for you to peruse this month—with a wide range of romantic, fun and frisky gifts to consider for your sweetheart—or sweethearts—on Feb. 14 (p. 12). Finally, I’m so happy to announce another member to the Gay Life family—Angela

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

(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

Health & Wellness Men’s Rap group for men in

Love is in the Air

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

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 Saida Agostini, Daniele Ariano, Courtney Bedell Eckler, Steve Charing, Timoth David Copney, Coach Mac Elè, Wyatt O'Brian Evans, Frankie Kujawa, Rachel Roth, Mikey Rox, Carlton Ray Smith, Justin B. Terry Smith, Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm, Alicia Gabriel, Angela Wren 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

LOCAL PROFILE Author & Communicator

MICHAEL WARREN

Photo by Steve Charing.

FROM THE GLCCB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESK

Failure is Not One of My Options

reetings Community. I am the first black man to lead this organization as executive director in its almost 40-year history. Think about that for a minute. Over 63% of the population of Baltimore City is black, and over 30% of the population of of Maryland is black, yet I am the first black person to hold the position of executive director at the GLCCB. Simple logic would say if 63% of the population is black, a black person should have been at the helm for at least 25 years. Using the state wide average of 30% would still give us 12 years at the helm. Now, I know things don’t work out exactly that way, even in random selection, but for that leadership number to be ZERO… come on! This is Black History Month, and I want to share what it means for me to lead this organization as a black man. I want to talk about the drive and determination I have. I want to talk about rumblings in our community that have made it back to my ears from those that are “waiting on me—the black man—to fail.” Let me start by saying that kind of talk can stop because failure is not one of my options. Up to this point in my life, I haven’t thought a lot about whether or not the color of my skin has held me back from doing things. I had a very accomplished career in the United States Army. After the Army, I had strong academic success at MacMurray College. I have secured many vocal and theatrical roles while pursuing my love of music and theater, and in my professional career I have been privileged to work for some great organizations. It has only been now, after accepting the executive director (ED) position

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at the GLCCB that race has become a factor that burrowed into my consciousness. It wasn’t long after being named as ED that it was pointed out to me that no other person of color had held the position. That simple revelation gave me great pride for busting through a racial wall. It also stirred within me an even greater strength and determination that I didn’t know existed. Not only am I leading an organization whose mission is very dear to me as a gay man, but many will judge my successes and failures as a reflection on an entire race. Failure is not one of my options. A conversation was recently overheard out in our community. The gist of the conversation was that I was only hired because of the color of my skin. The remarkable part of the story is that the person who insinuated this is a fellow man of color. Let me say to all ethnic minorities out there: we need to stop this behavior and put our energies into coming together as a community to pump up our leaders and trailblazers because as I said earlier, there are those that will judge an entire race based on the actions of one. Failure is not one of my options. The GLCCB’s future is bright. We are an organization that is here to serve all people in our LGBTQ community and will continue to be here for years to come. I am going to make sure of that. Failure is not one of my options. Joel Tinsley-Hall Executive Director Joel Tinsley-Hall can reached at (410) 777-8145 or at jtinsleyhall@glccb.org.

CARLTON R. SMITH

ike Warren has worn many hats in his day—solider, father, communicator. However, audiences may know Warren as an author of urban gay literature. His first novel, A Private Affair was picked up by Life Changing Books publication Company and published in the summer of 2007. Because of the controversy and peaked sales, Warren was asked by his publisher to do a sequel, thus bringing forth his second novel, Sweet Swagger, which was published in 2009. Two other novels then followed that, Sir Yes Sir, published in 2011, and Just Make Him Beautiful, published in 2013. Gay Life recently caught up with the author to discuss his latest work, his Baltimore roots and how bisexuality and safer sex is reflected in his work. Please let our audience know a little about yourself. Well, I’m the baby of the family. I am the father of five children who are all grown, thank God [Laughs]. I spent six years in the United States Army. I have a Masters Degree in Communications. I have been in a committed relationship with my partner for a little over five years. And I still live here, in Baltimore. What inspired me to write actually was a dare I got from a friend of mine. He thought I couldn’t or wouldn’t do it, but I did. As a result, my first book, A Private Affair, was born. My inspiration for me to write comes from the passion I have in telling stories, and from family and friends. Where are you taking your audience with your latest book, Love All of Me? Love All Of Me is the finale to the main character of Sean Mathews from the A Private Affair series. I just wanted to close out that chapter and start something new. In my new series, Church Brothas, I want to take my audience on a journey with the three “E’s”—to entertain, educate and excite.

Why do you think we need more people like you to write for our SGL community? I think we need more Urban Gay Literature writers. We all have a story to tell. Even in the SGL Community, there are similarities, but there are also a lot of differences. You have covered a lengthy list of subjects and substance. Do you find it easier to discuss bisexuality and safer sex context in your books? How is it important to you to discuss or relay these and other messages in the Black and SGL communities? Discussing bisexuality and safer sex is just as easy to write like anything else. However, all of my books don’t contain safe sex. And, the interesting thing is, straight as well as gay people ask me all the time, why not? I tell them, when you are reading so called “straight books/hood books,” they don’t always use safe sex. So, why should I? I will say that we all live in a time where we all know about HIV and AIDS. Therefore, I shouldn’t have to restrict my writing to conform with ones’ health status, although, I do expect people who are grown enough to be sexually active, to also be grown enough to protect themselves. In my opinion, I think it’s very important for the Black and SGL Community to always, always protect themselves. What I write for the most part, is fiction. Nothing more, nothing less. Can you leave our readers with some words of encouragement or pearls of wisdom to our SGL community. All I can say is, “Live your truth.” Be who you are and never change for anyone but you. Also, follow your dream. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Dreams happen for all of us.

Michael Warren

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

HIGH LIFE

Grasan Kingsberry — Taking Show Business One Giant Step at a Time by

TIMOTH DAVID COPNEY

rasan Kingsberry is a charming, good-looking, talented, affable (did I mention charming?) triple-threat. At 33, he has an impressive string of Broadway credits, with a sprinkling of movie and TV turns. Now he’s landed in Centre Stage’s production of One Night in Miami by Kemp Powers. It’s the story of one fabled night that really happened in a hotel room in Miami. Cassius Clay has just won the heavyweight title. His three friends, Jim Brown, the best running back in football; Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam’s firebrand; and Grasan’s character, soul singer Sam Cook. During the evening, they reveal truths about themselves and the times they live in with vivid candor. It’s a part that suits Grasan beautifully. He becomes the iconic singer with an assured performance that

makes it easy to understand why he’s so successful. He struts, growls, sings and shouts, lighting up the stage. Grasan, a native of Charlotte, N.C., was an ordinary kid with an extraordinary amount of talent and opportunities. Being from a sports-loving family, he was drawn to track and basketball. But when he discovered dance, his fate was sealed. He joined a movement class and was a standout. In a local production of The Nutcracker, he played one of the children. And from then on, he knew where he wanted to be. The fact that he could also sing and act were added bonuses. A transfer to a performing arts high school, an acceptance and four years at Julliard as a dance major, and he’s never looked back. Nor should he. Not with the track he’s on.

Love Rocks at the GMCW by

FRANKIE KUJAWA

f you’re looking for a ‘rockin’ way to celebrate February, join the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. (GMCW) for their upcoming concert Love Rocks! Recently awarded the 2014 MD Theatre Guide’s Reader Choice Award for Best Chorus, the GMCW will feature vocal ensembles Potomac Fever and Rock Creek Singers in a performance that is sure to leave audiences dancing in their seats. “The songs will be recognizable and the audiences will want to sing along, but please don’t!” laughs Dr. Thea Kano, artistic director for the GMCW. A Northern California native, Dr. Kano originally joined the GMCW

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

He has Broadway credits like Motown the Musical, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Leap of Faith, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Catch Me If You Can, Finnian’s Rainbow, The Color Purple, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and his first show, Aida, which he landed three weeks before he got his degree in 1999. He’s performed with the national tours of The Color Purple and Dreamgirls. His TV credits include Smash, All My Children, and the Tony Awards. And just because he could, he appeared in the Will Smith film I Am Legend, playing an army of zombies almost single-handedly (lots of CGI involved.) He considers getting to play Sam Cook in this production a stroke of good luck. It’s a part that he says really stirs his soul. One might think after a 15-year run of Broad-

as an associate music director. In 2005, she founded the New York City Master Chorale. The 60-member group is recognized as one of the finest vocal ensembles in New York City, and has performed to sold-out audiences on two continents. Having since been appointed to her position as GMCW’s artistic director in August 2014, Dr. Kano is the first heterosexual, and first woman, to lead the organization. Since taking on her new position, the GMCW has seen an increase in the size of its chorus. Dr. Kano has successfully integrated her musical experience and talents into the GMCW’s mission, which is to delight audiences and champion gay equality with robust artistry, fun and surprise. “Potomac Fever has added impressive vocal percussion to several of its songs.” Dr. Kano explains, “This is in thanks to a fabulous new member who improvises the rhythms! The dynamic contrasts that the Rock Creek Singers deliver will send chills down your spine.” Love Rocks!, which will be performed on both Feb. 12 and 14, really brings home the message of the true meaning of love. As Kano explains, “Love is universal, regardless of sexual

way, national Tours, television and movies, Grasan would relax into his reputation as a staple in the business. Working consistently with some of the best directors and choreographers in the business, he’s well known and well respected. But the kid from Charlotte is hungry for more. He’s made it this far doing the things in his wheel-house he already knows he can do. But serious acting is the next rung on his ladder. And playing Sam Cook in One Night in Miami is giving him his shot to show just how far he can go.

One Night in Miami

Thru Feb. 15 Center Stage 700 N. Calvert St. CenterStage.org

orientation or gender. “ Kano hopes that audiences will realize that “We all experience love and it can be beautiful, funny and heartbreaking, often at the same time (and in the same song!).” Along with well-known songs such as “I do,” “Faith” and “Take Me Home Tonight” the concert will also feature a set of songs by Queen including the 40th anniversary of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Also included will be “We Will Rock You” and an a cappella version of “Somebody to Love” sung in 10-part harmony featuring both Rock Creek Singers and Potomac Fever. “The Queen set is worth the price of admission.” Kano explains. “The vocal range is three octaves, and one of the arrangements is a 12-part harmony. There is no better way to mark the 40th anniversary of Bohemian Rhapsody than to hear 40 gay men singing the hell out of it!”

GMCW presents Love Rocks!

Feb. 12 and 14 • 8:00PM New York Ave. Presbyterian Church 1313 New York Ave. NW • Wash. D.C. GMCW.org

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Luke Adam

Twice as Nice CATCHING UP WITH THE MONASTERO TWINS by

MIKEY ROX

ith more than 35,000 subscribers and 2.5 million hits to their eponymous YouTube channel, it’s safe to say that the fraternal Monastero Twins—Luke and Adam—are a social media success. The 21-year-olds (Luke is older by two minutes) started vlogging mid-2014 with an impressive initial following, but they really struck a chord with viewers with a video titled “Twins Coming Out to Parents Live,” which pulled in over 2 million hits when it was released last fall—a spike driven by reporting from major media outlets. Aptly titled, the video captured their combined coming out to refreshingly understanding and accepting parents. (We should all be so lucky.)

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Since then, the guys have published videos weekly—on what they’ve dubbed ‘Monastero Mondays’—that cover an array of LGBT and mainstream topics like ‘Learning Gay Slang’ and ‘All About University.’ In their first LGBT print interview ever, the chatty Canadian cuties open up about their newfound Internet fame, navigating social media to find the right guy, their own insecurities, and where they see themselves in five years. Which—if they get their way— is all booed up. Take a number, boys; the line forms way back there. You’re relatively new to vlogging,

but you’ve amassed a huge following in that short time. How have your videos’ popularity changed your life? Adam Monastero: We’ve been a lot closer with our friends and family because of it. Our whole family and friends, they watch the videos, they tell us how much they like it. We live in a small town, so when we go out to a bar or something we see a lot of people from high school that we haven’t seen in a while, and they run into us and say, like, ‘hey, I watched your videos; I love them.’ It’s been an overall positive experience. Continued on Page 30

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

Cupid Ain’t Stupid Valentine’s Gifts That’ll Getcha Some

by Mikey Rox

Christmas hasn’t been gone for long, but there’s another gift-buying season right around the corner. The best thing about Valentine’s Day, however, is that it really is the thought that counts. (People lie about that at holiday time, ya know.) To help you pick the perfect gift for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, here’s our list of fun and frisky ideas that they’ll love to unwrap.

Kiss Pillows and Paintings Contemporary artist Olesya Robison gives puckery pouts the glam-rock treatment in her Kiss collection, featuring oil-on-canvas conversation starters and in-your-face throw pillows with just the right amount of pop. The former—officially titled “Candy Crush Kiss”—features 24k gold flakes imported from France and genuine Swiss Swarovski crystals, while the latter gives your urban space a splash of champagne wishes and caviar dreams via one sultry smooch. $65-$1,000; olyrobison.com

The Gay Gospel Twenty-something singles don’t have to spend another lonely Valentine’s Day down in the dumps when they can curl up with a confidence-boosting book. Author Justin Luke Zirilli’s The Gay Gospel levels the playing field for today’s young gay men with his no-nonsense but oft-hysterical advice on everything from sex and dating to family and finances. Couples, too, can enjoy this quick guide to love, relationships and everything in between that Broadway star Billy Porter calls “deftly concise, incredibly lean, yet amazingly practical.” From $6.95; justinlukenyc.com

360 Mini Massager Instead of outsourcing your lover’s spa-quality shiatsu session, get hands-on at home this year with Moji’s 360 Mini Massager—the

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

perfect palm-sized device to help put a little passion back in the bedroom. Equipped with seven rotating steel spheres to help ease the tension out of the toughest spots, this flexible massager features an adjustable clasp for a contoured fit so the two of you can take turns getting knotty—er, naughty—all night. $29.95; gomoji.com

Nip+Man If your bae is focused on staying buff (lucky you!), Nip+Man male grooming products will help him stay studly and cuddly while enhancing that bangin’ bod. More than just a skin care line for men, this range of products – billed as incorporating a “number of plastic surgery alternatives” – are designed to emphasize natural contours and improve skin texture. Lineup includes the usual suspects like facial wash and after-shave lotion, but there also are more manly additions like Pec Fix, Bicep Fix, and Ab Fix, the names of which alone will make you want to rip off his clothes. $60.84; GNC.com

Bits of Love Jewelry If you’re not quite ready to take the legal plunge with your main squeeze, Bits of Love jewelry can help you effectively express your four-letter affection without signing an anxiety-inducing lifelong contract. Each solid-sterling silver ring is handcrafted in the United States, and a portion of sales benefit Street Poets Inc., a poetry initiative for at-risk youth that believes in the power of words to transform. $95; bitsoflovestyle.com

Perfect Reject Plush Sculptures There’s a certain beauty in our own flaws – and those of our better halves – and that concept has never been captured more poignantly than by Perfect Reject, plush sculptures that aptly celebrate difference and diversity in a tattered-and-torn collection of misfit dolls. With an emphasis on tolerance and compassion, these handcrafted keepsakes are as unique as the love between you and your S.O., and each one is a testament to the resilience and imperfection of your individual relationship. Available in a wide array of animals and pop-culture icons, there’s a Perfect Reject to fit every personality. $150-$375; perfectreject.com

Casetify Help your partner preserve his or her selfies, ‘usies’ and other photos while protecting their digital lifeblood with a custom case from Casetify. You’ll create functional sentiment— to complement an iPhone, iPod, iPad or Android devices—by pulling pics from Facebook and Instagram to build a collage of images in a selection of patterns, including a heart. Because each case is made-to-order, allow ample time to receive it before the big day. From $29.95; casetify.com

Brickell Men’s Products Give your sweetie the gift of smooth, caress-

able skin—all over his beautiful body—with the full line of natural grooming products from Brickell. For V-Day, pick up the giftable-from-the-getco Men’s Starter Kit, which includes travel-size favorites including scented or unscented face wash, shave cream, aftershave, moisturizer, hand balm, and bar soap. $45; brickellmensproducts.com

Heart Swatch Let your sweetie know that your love will stand the test of time with Unlock My Heart, the newest addition to the expansive heartthemed collection from Swatch. A portable lock of love and presented in a special box to make sure your romance never misses a beat, this latest addition is inspired by the love padlocks representing happy relationships that notably adorn bridges throughout Europe. $70; swatch.com

Whiskey Explorers Club Does your honey have an affinity for high-end hooch? Send your message of love by the bottle with the Whiskey Explorers Club, a one-time or quarterly gift set that packs a powerful punch. Each For Whiskey Lovers shipment contains four 50mL flights of premium whiskey labeled with a generic code. To find out what brand of whiskey they’re tasting, your too-cute connoisseur can turn the experience into an interactive game where they’ll provide tasting notes and ratings while enjoying a rousing edition of My Whiskey IQ. From $75; forwhiskeylovers.com

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GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

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National & International News SCOTUS to settle marriage equality debate WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Supreme Court will decide whether or not all 50 states must allow lesbians and gays to marry. The justices will review cases in four states—Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee—that are appealing a ban on same-sex marriages.

Fla. becomes 36th state to sanction marriage equality FLORIDA

Ending weeks of confusion over the effects of a ruling that struck down Florida’s samesex marriage ban, a federal judge kicked off the new year with clear instructions that all gay and lesbian couples are allowed to marry. U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle issued a four-page order on New Years Day stating that all of Florida’s 67 clerks had “every right” to abide by an August decision overturning the state’s same-sex marriage ban. Furthermore, wrote Hinkle, any Florida clerk who decides not to grant marriage

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

licenses to same-sex couples beginning next week could face expensive legal action.

Mich. to recognize same-sex marriages MICHIGAN

A federal judge ruled that Michigan must recognize as valid the marriages of about 300 same-sex couples who married after the state’s marriage ban was struck down. “In these circumstances, what the state has joined together, it may not put asunder,” U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith wrote. Goldsmith’s ruling does not address the constitutionality of Michigan’s marriage equality ban, which was upheld by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in November and is before the Supreme Court.

RACHEL ROTH

Va. lawmakers at odds in aftermath of marriage equality’s arrival VIRGINIA

More than three months after marriage equality reached Virginia, lawmakers in Richmond are divided over how to incorporate it into state law. Democratic legislators, with the backing of Gov. Terry McAuliffe, are seeking to remove language banning same-sex marriage from the state’s constitution and statutes. Republicans argue that the Supreme Court should weigh in before the state makes substantial changes to its marriage law. In related news, McAuliffe has promised to veto a bill “in a nanosecond” that would allow state licensed or accredited business owners to deny service to someone based on their religious beliefs.

WANT MORE LGBT NEWS? Visit BaltimoreGayLife.com

Marriage ban stuck down in S.D. SOUTH DAKOTA

A federal judge on Monday overturned South Dakota’s ban on marriage equality, writing in her decision that the plaintiffs “have a fundamental right to marry.” The ruling was stayed pending an appeal from state officials, which if pursued, would send the case to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Miss. city repeals pro-LGBT ordinances MISSISSIPPI

Aldermen in Starksville, Miss., repealed a host of LGBT-friendly policies that had been touted as groundbreaking when they were passed last year. The city’s equality resolution is a non-discrimination policy that includes language protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and ended its plus-one insurance option available to workers’ same-sex partners. According to The Commercial Dispatch, the action took place without public discussion or warning. Mayor Parker Wiseman in-

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That won’t do anything but make them hate them self. That’s exactly what it did to me.” After her death, Alcorn’s mother referred to Leelah using male pronouns in an interview with CNN, telling them that while they didn’t support him, they “loved their son.” Leelah concluded her note saying, “the only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren’t treated the way I was, they’re treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights. Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something.”

Ky. senator proposes bounty for reporting trans kids caught in ‘wrong’ bathroom KENTUCKY

A Kentucky State Senator proposed a bill that would offer students $2,500 if they reported transgender students found in the “wrong” bathrooms. Senator C.B Embry’s proposed bill would ban trans students from using and toilet or changing room “designated for use by students of the opposite biological sex while students of the opposite biological sex are present or could be present.”

U.N. secretary-general speaks out against anti-LGBT laws INDIA

Artists around the world have used their talents to create works in memory of transgengender teen Leelah Alcorn from Ohio Illustration by Soaiirse (saoiirse.deviantart.com)

dicated that he intends to veto the decision, but the board of aldermen would likely have enough votes to override the veto.

Transgender teen’s suicide sparks national conversation OHIO

Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old transgender woman from Kings Mills, OH., committed suicide after battling with what she called “a life that [wasn’t] worth living. Leelah, born male, was struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 71 near Cincinnati. Shortly after her death, a pre-programed suicide note appeared on her Tumblr.

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“Please don’t be sad, it’s for the better. The life I would’ve lived isn’t worth living in… because I’m transgender,” the note said. “To put it simply, I feel like a girl trapped in a boy’s body, and I’ve felt that way ever since I was 4.” When Leelah told her mother about her gender identity, her mother “reacted extremely negatively” because of the family’s religious belief saying that “God doesn’t make mistakes” and that she was wrong for feeling like “a girl trapped in a boy’s body.” Leelah went on to write, “if you are reading this, parents, please don’t tell this to your kids,” the note says. “Even if you are Christian or are against transgender people don’t ever say that to someone, especially your kid.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday harshly criticized India’s antihomosexuality law during a visit to New Delhi, saying the country’s policies “violate basic rights to privacy and to freedom from discrimination.” Ban, who was in India at an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the U.N.’s founding, pushed world leaders to ensure equality for all citizens regardless of sexual orientation. India is one of more than 70 countries with nationwide antihomosexuality laws.

Gambian president attacks LGBT community GAMBIA

Yahya Jammeh, president of Gambia, spoke out harshly against the LGBT community in a speech from the country’s capital of Banjul. According to the Washington Blade, Jammeh said; “the Bible that came first condemns homosexuality and the Bible is the book of the Almighty Allah and the Quran,” Jammeh told soldiers, adding that efforts by pro-LGBT countries including

the United States to “impose homosexuality on the globe” are doomed to fail. The speech followed an alleged coup attempt against his government two weeks ago.

26 Egyptian men acquitted on “debauchery” charges EGYPT

A court in Cairo on acquitted 26 men on charges of “debauchery” stemming from alleged sexual activities at a public bathhouse in Egypt’s capital city. Al Jazeera reported that activists familiar with the situation say the acquittal, which comes over a month after the men were arrested, marks the first time an Egyptian court has ever cleared individuals accused of homosexuality. The case garnered additional media attention after the men alleged sexual assault during their incarceration.

Lithuanian MP threatens gayrights group LITHUANIA

A Lithuanian politician is taking heat for his comments to an LGBT rights group. Algirdas Vaclovas Patackas warned the leader of the activist group LGL is ‘playing with fire’ and its activities could lead to a massacre similar to what happened in Paris [at Charlie Hebdo]. He reportedly said to expect ‘dead bodies’ if they continue to ‘provocate’. According to Gay Star News, Patackas issued the statement following LGL’s humorous suggesting the now-defunct 10 litas bank note, which features two men, to be used as LGBTI souvenirs.

Twitter users fined for hashtags saying gay people should be burned FRANCE

A French court fined several Twitter users for using hashtags that called for gay people to be killed. Three Twitter users were fined this week for using hashtags like ‘#Gays must die because…’ and ‘#let’s burn the gays…’ According to the Local, prosecutors argued that statements made on Twitter should be considered the same as those made in any other way. The court ruled that the users had incited hatred and violence based on sexual orientation, the case resulted in one roughly $300 fine, and two more at roughly $500.

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

COMPLERA is a prescription medicine for adults who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before and who have no more than 100,000 copies/mL of virus in their blood. COMPLERA can also replace current HIV-1 medicines for some adults who have an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL) and whose healthcare provider determines that they meet certain other requirements. COMPLERA combines 3 medicines into 1 pill to be taken once a day with food. COMPLERA should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines.

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COMPLERA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS.

To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses you must keep taking COMPLERA. 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. It is not known if COMPLERA is safe and effective in children under 18 years old.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about COMPLERA? COMPLERA 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 COMPLERA 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. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and stop taking COMPLERA, your hepatitis may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking COMPLERA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health. COMPLERA is not approved for the treatment of HBV.

Who should not take COMPLERA?

Do not take COMPLERA if you: • Take a medicine that contains: adefovir (Hepsera), lamivudine (Epivir-HBV), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol-XR, Teril, Epitol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenobarbital (Luminal), phenytoin (Dilantin, Dilantin-125, Phenytek), rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane, Rifadin), rifapentine (Priftin), dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium, Vimovo), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), pantoprazole sodium (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), more than 1 dose of the steroid medicine dexamethasone or dexamethasone sodium phosphate, or the herbal supplement St. John’s wort. • Take any other medicines to treat HIV-1 infection, unless recommended by your healthcare provider.

What are the other possible side effects of COMPLERA?

Serious side effects of COMPLERA may also include: • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your kidneys before starting treatment with COMPLERA. If you have had kidney problems, or take other medicines that may cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider may also check your kidneys during treatment with COMPLERA. • Depression or mood changes. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless, feeling anxious or restless, have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself.

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Changes in liver enzymes: People who have had hepatitis B or C, or who have had changes in their liver function tests in the past may have an increased risk for liver problems while taking COMPLERA. Some people without prior liver disease may also be at risk. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your liver enzymes before and during treatment with COMPLERA. • 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 COMPLERA. •

The most common side effects of COMPLERA include trouble sleeping (insomnia), abnormal dreams, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, rash, tiredness, and depression. Other common side effects include vomiting, stomach pain or discomfort, skin discoloration (small spots or freckles), and pain. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking COMPLERA? All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or had any kidney, mental health, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. • All the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. COMPLERA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how COMPLERA 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 COMPLERA without first talking with your healthcare provider. • If you take rifabutin (Mycobutin). Talk to your healthcare provider about the right amount of rilpivirine (Edurant) you should take. • If you take antacids. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA. • If you take stomach acid blockers. Take acid blockers at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA. Ask your healthcare provider if your acid blocker is okay to take, as some acid blockers should never be taken with COMPLERA. • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COMPLERA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking COMPLERA. • 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 COMPLERA can pass into breast milk, and it is not known if this can harm the baby. •

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Gay Life

Brief Summary of full Prescribing Information COMPLERA® (kom-PLEH-rah) (emtricitabine 200 mg, rilpivirine 25 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 COMPLERA? • COMPLERA is a prescription medicine used as a complete HIV-1 treatment in one pill a day. COMPLERA is for adults who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before and who have no more than 100,000 copies/mL of virus in their blood (this is called ‘viral load’). Complera can also replace current HIV-1 medicines for some adults who have an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL) and whose healthcare provider determines that they meet certain other requirements. • COMPLERA is a complete regimen and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. When used properly, COMPLERA may reduce the amount of HIV-1 virus in your blood and increase the amount of CD4 T-cells, which may help improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or getting infections that can happen when your immune system is weak. • COMPLERA 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 COMPLERA? COMPLERA can cause serious side effects, including: • Build-up of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis can happen in some people who take COMPLERA 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 – having stomach pain with nausea or vomiting – feel cold, especially in your arms and legs – feel dizzy or lightheaded – have a fast or irregular heartbeat • Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems can happen in people who take COMPLERA. 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

BS Page 1

are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking COMPLERA for a long time. • Worsening of Hepatitis B infection. If you have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and take COMPLERA, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking COMPLERA. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. COMPLERA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you must discuss your HBV with your healthcare provider. – Do not run out of COMPLERA. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your COMPLERA is all gone. – Do not stop taking COMPLERA without first talking to your healthcare provider. – If you stop taking COMPLERA, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly to check your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual symptoms you may have after you stop taking COMPLERA. Who should not take COMPLERA? Do not take COMPLERA if you also take any of the following medicines: • Medicines used for seizures: carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol-XR, Teril, Epitol); oxcarbazepine (Trileptal); phenobarbital (Luminal); phenytoin (Dilantin, Dilantin-125, Phenytek) • Medicines used for tuberculosis: rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane, Rifadin); rifapentine (Priftin) • Certain medicines used to block stomach acid called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): dexlansoprazole (Dexilant); esomeprazole (Nexium, Vimovo); lansoprazole (Prevacid); omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid); pantoprazole sodium (Protonix); rabeprazole (Aciphex) • Certain steroid medicines: More than 1 dose of dexamethasone or dexamethasone sodium phosphate • Certain herbal supplements: St. John’s wort • Certain hepatitis medicines: adefovir (Hepsera), lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) Do not take COMPLERA if you also take any other HIV-1 medicines, including: • Other medicines that contain tenofovir (ATRIPLA, STRIBILD, TRUVADA, VIREAD) • Other medicines that contain emtricitabine or lamivudine (ATRIPLA, Combivir, EMTRIVA, Epivir, Epzicom, STRIBILD, Trizivir, TRUVADA) • rilpivirine (Edurant), unless you are taking rifabutin (Mycobutin) COMPLERA is not for use in people who are less than 18 years old. What are the possible side effects of COMPLERA? COMPLERA may cause the following serious side effects: • See “What is the most important information I should know about COMPLERA?” • 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 COMPLERA. If you have had kidney problems in the past or need to take another medicine that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider may need to do blood tests to check your kidneys during your treatment with COMPLERA. • Depression or mood changes. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: – feeling sad or hopeless – feeling anxious or restless – have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself • Change in liver enzymes. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus infection or who have certain liver enzyme changes may have an increased risk of

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Gay Life

developing new or worsening liver problems during treatment with COMPLERA. Liver problems can also happen during treatment with COMPLERA in people without a history of liver disease. Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your liver enzymes before and during treatment with COMPLERA. • Bone problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. 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 taking HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the main part of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The cause and long term health effect 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 if you start having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine. The most common side effects of COMPLERA include: • Trouble sleeping (insomnia), abnormal dreams, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, rash, tiredness, depression Additional common side effects include: • Vomiting, stomach pain or discomfort, skin discoloration (small spots or freckles), pain 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 COMPLERA. 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.

• Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following medicines: – Rifabutin (Mycobutin), a medicine to treat some bacterial infections. Talk to your healthcare provider about the right amount of rilpivirine (Edurant) you should take. – Antacid medicines that contain aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium carbonate. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA. – Certain medicines to block the acid in your stomach, including cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), or ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac). Take the acid blocker at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA. Some acid blocking medicines should never be taken with COMPLERA (see “Who should not take COMPLERA?” for a list of these medicines). – Medicines that can affect how your kidneys work, including acyclovir (Zovirax), cidofovir (Vistide), ganciclovir (Cytovene IV, Vitrasert), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and valganciclovir (Valcyte). – clarithromycin (Biaxin) – erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, Pediazole, Ilosone) – fluconazole (Diflucan) – itraconazole (Sporanox) – ketoconazole (Nizoral) – methadone (Dolophine) – posaconazole (Noxafil) – telithromycin (Ketek) – voriconazole (Vfend) 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 COMPLERA without first talking with your healthcare provider.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking COMPLERA? Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including: • If you have or had any kidney, mental health, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection. • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COMPLERA can harm your unborn child. – 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 to 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 COMPLERA. – 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 COMPLERA can pass to your baby in your breast milk. It is not known if this could harm your baby. – Talk to 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: • COMPLERA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how COMPLERA works. • If you take certain medicines with COMPLERA, the amount of COMPLERA in your body may be too low and it may not work to help control your HIV-1 infection. The HIV-1 virus in your body may become resistant to COMPLERA or other HIV-1 medicines that are like it.

How should I take COMPLERA? • Stay under the care of your healthcare provider during treatment with COMPLERA. • Take COMPLERA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. • Always take COMPLERA with food. Taking COMPLERA with food is important to help get the right amount of medicine in your body. A protein drink is not a substitute for food. If your healthcare provider decides to stop COMPLERA and you are switched to new medicines to treat HIV-1 that includes rilpivirine tablets, the rilpivirine tablets should be taken only with a meal. Keep COMPLERA and all medicines out of reach of children. This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about COMPLERA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can also ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about COMPLERA that is written for health professionals, or call 1-800-445-3235 or go to www.COMPLERA.com.

BS Page 2

Issued: September 2014

COMPLERA, the COMPLERA Logo, EMTRIVA, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, HEPSERA, STRIBILD, TRUVADA, VIREAD, and VISTIDE 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. CPAC0133 10/14

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Gay Life

REAL LIFE

Baltimore Local News by

STEVE CHARING

Local PFLAG chapter co-founder Colette Roberts

Eva Couture (1st runner up), Dimitria Blackwell (winner), Alondra Sanchez (Miss Gay Maryland America), and Jocelyn Carillo (2nd runner up)

Photo by Steve Charing

Colette Roberts Honored by Howard County Women’s Org. Colette Roberts, the co-founder of the PFLAG-Columbia/Howard County chapter and who led the organization for 15 years, will be inducted into the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame. She will be joining four other women inductees at a ceremony held by the Howard County Commission for Women. Her immediate reaction was, “I’m shocked and honored to be selected.” Roberts had been instrumental in helping the chapter become a model for the other 500 PFLAG chapters nationally to emulate. Through her work in the areas of support, education and advocacy—the chapter’s mission components—Roberts met with local elected officials and succeeded in gaining legislation and policy changes that helped LGBT families in the county. She also handled many emotional phone calls with some coming at all hours of the night from parents who could not deal with their child’s sexual orientation and gender identity and from LGBT kids who were experiencing a hostile environment at home and established a successful youth group and parents support group. The event will take place on March 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the George Howard Building in Ellicott City, MD.

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

FreeState Legal Project's 2015 Resource Guide for LGBTQ+ Youth

Photo by Bjkj Illusions

Dimitria Blackwell Wins Miss Hippo Contest On Jan. 9, Dimitria Blackwell (a.k.a. Paul Liller) captured the title of Miss Gay Hippo Maryland America 2015. The reigning 2014 Miss Hippo, Shawnna Alexander, who was honored during the festivities, gave up her title as a result of the 2015 contest that took place in a packed Club Hippo that had an “Into the Jungle” theme. “Being Miss Hippo has been a dream ever since I began my journey in female impersonation,” Liller said. “I look forward to working with my promoters and the staff and management of the Hippo to make my reign something to be proud of! Thanks to everyone for all the love and support, and I look forward to seeing you at a bar near you soon!”

FreeState Releases Resource Guide for LGBTQ Youth FreeState Legal Project, a Baltimore-based non-profit that provides free legal advice and services to low-income LGBTQ individuals, released its 2015 Resource Guide for LGBTQ+ Youth in Maryland. The guide provides a comprehensive list of services and programs aimed at LGBTQ+ youth; an expanded second version will be released in the summer.

Organized by jurisdiction with statewide services displayed in the front, the guide offers such sections as Health & Wellness, Legal Advocacy, Community Centers, Support Groups and Places of Worship within each jurisdiction. These listings contain a brief description for each resource, contact information and website. Over 80 resources are included, and the guide offers a tool for organizations to survey youth about how LGBTQ+ affirming their community is. The guide’s Introduction points out that “research has found that accepting families and communities are crucial to an LGBTQ+ youth’s positive social, academic and emotional development. However, we know that familial and social rejection occurs at a deeply concerning rate.” This statewide resource guide, according to FreeState, is part of the answer, to ensure that all young people have access to safe spaces. “LGBTQ+ youth need affirming community members, advocates, teachers, youth workers, therapists and allies,” said Saida Agostini, Director of LGBTQ+ Resources, FreeState Legal Project, in a statement. “We are very excited about the number of affirming resources we found in our research, but know many more are needed.” FreeState mailed the guide to about 70 schools statewide with link to access the guide as well as over 30 other agencies across the state committed to working with youth.

To download the guide, and find out more about the resources FreeState Legal Project offers, visit freestatelegal.org.

Equality Organization Planned for North Baltimore In an effort to provide needed services and programs to residents in Charles Village and Waverly, a new non-profit called the North Baltimore Equality (NBEq) Center is being planned. Using the catchy theme “Let’s be Bmore Equal,” the goal, according to founder Kelly Neel, is “to bring a small community center environment with programming and resources through partnerships for all ages, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, etc. with a focus on LGBTQ individuals, in addition to programming and services for all underserved populations.” On the new website bmoreequal.org, an additional explanation is offered stating, “While our main focus is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ community, we also provide support to the broader community by offering low-cost access to technology, programs, events and educational workshops that boost involvement in the arts and environment, and provide skills for healthy, smart, sustainable Continued on Page 30

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GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

OUR LIFE THE W.O.E. REPORT

Catching Up with Crisean “B

WYATT O’BRIAN EVANS

eing my authentic self—that is, openly gay—frees me to be more creative! I believe I have a duty to be visible.” These heartfelt sentiments come from the openly gay, androgynous African-American musician and Baltimore native Crisean (pronounced “Cris-Shawn”), 27, who was a guest last year on The Wyatt O’Brian Evans Show, my radio program which airs on PapiChuloRADIO.com. In the next step in his rising career, this innovative performer made the move to NYC last year. I wanted to see how things were going. A March 2014 article by Steve Charing said, “an independent artist with an infusion of pop, dance and soul/R&B, Crisean had been singing Disney songs around the house and putting on shows for family members since the age of 8…. He has been inspired by such contemporary artists as Beyonce, Britney Spears and Usher. ‘That’s when I fell in love with Soul Music and legendary icons

such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Elvis Presley,’ [Crisean] explains.” I asked Crisean to expound on his statement about being his authentic self. “Certainly! Being your authentic self definitely frees you to be more creative. It truly is an emotional and psychological drain and burden hiding who you really are.” Next, Crisean chatted about his move to the Big Apple. “NYC has been exciting, scary and such a learning experience! I’ve been setting up meetings with incredible artists to collaborate with on various projects for 2015.” Then he added, with just a tinge of wistfulness, “ I will admit that I miss Baltimore more than I thought I would! [Pause.] But now I have two homes, which is kind of amazing.” So, just what does the musician have on tap for the New Year? “I have so many things planned for 2015,” he grinned. “I’m not going to give them all away, but I am working

on my album entitled, Sound Approved. Crisean continued, “I can tell you that I have a performance coming up for “Hyper Gender,” a burlesque/variety show in February that I’m super excited about! I haven’t thought about what the performance will be like, but I cannot wait to see the outcome.” You can follow Crisean at Facebook.com/ criseanmusic, YouTube.com/unobtainablecrisean, Twitter.com/criseanofficial and Instagram.com/criseanofficial. Wyatt O’Brian Evans is a journalist, radio personality (“The Wyatt O’Brian Evans Show,” PapiChuloRADIO.com), instructor, motivational speaker, and author of the new novel, Nothing Can Tear Us Apart—RAGE! (Gay/ ethnic). You may visit Wyatt at his on line home, WyattEvans.com. Follow him at The Wyatt O’Brian Evans Official Fan Club on Facebook, and on Twitter at @MisterWOE.

JUSTIN’S HIV JOURNAL

Polyamory and ME I

come to you, the readers of Baltimore Gay Life Magazine, as someone who definitely loves the many communities I serve and help, whether they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Latin, Native American, HIV-positive or negative. But there is an honest truth that I must unveil. Some of you know things about me that I tend to keep private. Well here I go… Wait for it…wait for it…I am polyamorous. Let me explain what polyamory technically means. Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of intimate relationships that are not exclusive with respect to other sexual or intimate relationships, with knowledge and consent of everyone involved. My attraction includes polysexuality, which is an attraction towards multiple genders and/or sexes. Let me start off by saying that every

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

polygamous relationship is different. Let me start by explaining my own. My husband and I have been together for about nine years and have been happily married for 5.5 years. We are only polyamorous in our leather life of our relationship. Polyamory for us, for now, extends no further. Polyamory is not to be compared to polygyny or polygamy. Polygamy is a marriage that includes more than two partners. When a man is married to more than one wife at a time, the relationship is called polygyny; and when a woman is married to more than one husband at a time, it is called polyandry. My husband is my husband, and I will take no other as my husband but him. In my leather life I’m considered a Leather Switch, which means I’m both a Dominant and submissive. As of right now, a Dominant and I are in the “talking” stages.

by JUSTIN B. TERRY-SMITH

I confess this to you only because all parties involved know that I am HIV-positive. I’ve been very open about it from the very beginning of any serious relationship I’ve been in. I’m in love with my husband and I will not do anything to let someone or something come between us. People often criticize me for having a marriage like this. A friend of mine stated, “You're just getting permission to mess around.” This came from a man who can’t stay in a relationship for more than four months at the age of almost 50. My response is that it makes us both happy and there is no reason to let go of being happy or to let go of being honest when it comes to love, being in love and loving what someone is doing to/ with you. Judging my life for love that I show and share, has nothing to do with the love you are not getting or are jealous of. WOW! Look at that—I’m HIV-positive and still happy and loved.

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 Terry-Smith and their son Lundyn.

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

TRANSMISSIONS

The Circus Comes to Town by COURTNEY BEDELL ECKLER

y February column was almost complete and I was so excited about congratulating our trans community, as well as our cisgender supporters for creating such wonderful progress in our community! For Amazon.com’s show Transparent winning the Golden Globe for best TV drama and best actor. For its star Jeffrey Tambor’s acceptance speech thanking the transgender community. In front of 40,000 viewers and the entire internet, this instantaneously validated us like never before—I broke into tears weeping like a baby. Then, a week later President Obama advocated for trans rights in his State of the Union speech. And while I was basking in this sunshine, Governor Cuomo was lobbying New York State to cover transgender health services including GRS (other states are also pushing for similar health coverage). All amazing indicators that the tide is turning in our favor quicker than many of us dared imagine! I was totally elated by all this wonderful positive news—then the Bruce Jenner circus blew into town and I couldn’t not respond to it. We’ve all seen the cover of In Touch magazine with Bruce Jenner in “Barbara Bush drag!” I use the word “drag” because Jenner has not publicly declared anything about his gender identity and gender expression. It really is nobody’s business anyway. That this person is hounded for not adhering to the media’s idea of appropriate gender expression is egregious! And if he is pursuing gender congruity to physically become a woman, then she doesn’t deserve to be hounded for that either. An expert on these mock-ups told me for In Touch’s cover they pasted Jenner’s head on a photo of a woman. Tabloids do this kind of thing all the time. but there are some lines they shouldn’t cross. Seems it’s open season for someone “accused” of being transgender. Haven’t Americans been exposed to enough transgender people to be over the sensationalism? With Jenner I know it’s partly due to the Kardashian connection, but it’s more than that. It feels odd that in a time when there has been such progress towards the transgender community that Jenner would be hounded so. But, of course the idea is deeply ingrained in our culture’s psyche that a male perceived as acting or looking womanly is funny—or worse, is deserving of ridicule. And what I must now cop to is that I, a trans woman, even chuckled when I first saw the

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Jenner cover. I stopped myself after about five seconds, but I learned that I too am a victim. Every time I was policed for behaving femininely as a child I internalized the message that it was wrong. It’s a slow process to change unconsciously held beliefs. But it does get better over time, just as it has for deeprooted prejudices in other civil rights battles. There may even be some comic value when a person that is obviously of the male gender dresses in exaggerated femininity. But, I think most of our culture by now recognizes the difference between that and a MTF transgender woman. That’s why I have said to my friends if Bruce Jenner is transgender, then she would be better off declaring it to the media to take the sensationalism out of the story. It would then only be just one more tale of a person’s MTF transition. True, the Kardashian angle would still leave something for the tabloid audience to chew on. But, HOLD the PRESSES! I have just learned that the whole Jenner question has been resolved. People magazine website confirms that Jenner has signed on to do a documentary series about his transition from male to female. Maybe he’s smarter than we gave him credit for and he took all that tabloid flack for a financial payoff using the media to build up heat for his documentary. It would be satisfying to know that he/she used the tabloids as much as they used him/her. (Until he/she actually declares his/her gender we don’t know what pronoun to use.) In any case, the media circus over this whole thing shows just how far we still have to go as a society before we can call ourselves enlightened! With that said, I’m still going to ride the high I’m feeling over the incredible trans victories taking place! And I have absolutely no doubt that it won’t be long until the tabloids will need to find something else to exploit because no one will care who is transitioning, it will just be a part of life. And as for Bruce Jenner; “you go girl!” Courtney Bedell Eckler is the author of a Gay Life advice/insight column that covers all aspects of transgender life. Have a question? Email advice@ baltimoregaylife.com.

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

STOP Should-ing on Yourself

by COACH MAQ ELÈ

n any given day, how many times do your hear yourself saying “I should not have said that;” “I should not have done that;” or “I should not have dated her?” This “should” is often precipitated by a feeling of guilt and/or shame usually based on the reaction of others or the internal embarrassment you feel. Our mind runs to the “should-ing” in an attempt to stop the discomfort (pain) we are feeling. For some reason we have tricked ourselves into believing that if we can just admit what we “should” have done, then we will be free of our discomfort. This is only a temporary solution; the energy of that discomfort buries itself somewhere deep within your conscious to only later rev its ugly head at inappropriate and inconvenient times. The truth about “should” is that it is a judgment; a judgment is observing and/or experiencing something and assuming that it needs to be different than what it is. Any time you hear “should” come out of your mouth, or someone else’s, you are in fact operating from EGO. Ego, representing Easing Good (or God) Out is committed to one thing… BEING RIGHT! The EGO does not care whether this “right” works for you or not, it just wants to be right. When you spend your life focus-

ing on what you “should” have done, you are keeping your energy stuck in the past. When you are stuck in the past you are unavailable to what is present in your life, which sets you up to miss the good that is available to you. So instead of “shoulding” on yourself… FEEL. Feel those feelings of discomfort, allow them to pass through. Accept what is and look for the opportunities to grow, heal and transform your consciousness!! BE-LOVED! ~Coach Maq

Coach Maq Elè is a certified Spiritual Life and the facilitator for the GLCCB group SILhouette (Spiritually In-Tuned Lesbians). For more information about Coach Maq and SILhouette please visit Maqele.com. To contact Coach Maq with your coaching questions email CoachMaq@baltimoregaylife.com.

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

OUR LIFE ALL TEA, NO SHADE: DISHIN’ WITH THE DUCHESS

What's Love Got to Do with It? by

OUT-SKIRTS

First Kiss by DANIELLE ARIANO

ne night after the bars closed, a group of my coworkers and I went over to our manager Susan’s apartment. It was the summer after my graduation from college, and I was waiting tables at a restaurant in Fells. Late night gatherings like this were common. I’d had a crush on Susan for weeks, but I didn’t really know what to make of it. Susan had just gotten out of a long-term relationship with a man. She was straight. As for me, although that line had started to blur in recent months, if anyone had asked I would’ve said that I was straight too. I’d been dating guys all my life. Of these guys, exactly one had broken my heart, but even way back then, I wouldn’t have said that I was in love with him. I liked his irreverence, his intelligence, his scratchy voice, and most important of all, I liked the way his ear length hair flipped out at the back of his head. I might’ve even loved that hair. The rest of the guys? Meh. Sure, there were a couple of drama filled breakups, but I’d be over my angst within a week. By contrast, when my best friend in high school started hanging out with other girls and not inviting me, I moped for months, cried intermittently while playing basketball alone in my driveway, and listened to R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts while holed up in my bedroom analyzing what had gone wrong. At Susan’s apartment that night, I sat on the couch in a drunken haze listening to two of the guys discuss the utter radness of Limp Bizcut’s newest song Nookie. Out of nowhere, Susan sat down next to me on the couch, put her hand on my knee and looked me in the eyes. “You want to kiss me, don’t you?” I stared at her for a moment. Susan was thirty to my twenty-one. She had long, flowing hair that she wore swept up in a clip. From time to time, she let it down and shook it out before gathering it back up. She reminded me of the sexy librarian, except that she didn’t wear glasses or read books and she occasionally snorted lines of coke. Did I want to kiss her?

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

I did. I gave her a barely perceptible nod. She narrowed her eyes and smiled, as if to say, I knew it. Then she leaned in and kissed me. Her face and lips were so soft, so silky, so unlike any of the scraggly faced guys I’d kissed in my lifetime. When she finally pulled herself away from me, I would’ve done anything to kiss her again. I felt as though I’d washed up on the shore of some new land and the only thing in my possession was a compass that pointed firmly in her direction. Logic and reason, which admittedly aren’t my strong suits to begin with, disappeared entirely from my life the moment Susan’s lips met mine. I pined for her in a way that I’d never pined for another human being. I was gay. I’d been gay all my life. It was the strangest thing to figure this out both slowly and all at once. I felt like a wife who’d just walked in on a cheating husband after months wondering about his late hours at the office. All of the clues that had been buried in a jumble began to jump out like words in a word search puzzle: my nonchalant lack of emotion with the guys I’d dated, my unwillingness to hand any of these fellas my v-card, and most of all, my angst over the dissolution of my friendship with my bestie in high school. Gay, gay, and gay. After that kiss, I didn’t know where I was going or what I was going to do with this knowledge, but I did know one thing for sure. If I never felt another five o’clock shadow grating against my face, that’d be just fine with me.

Danielle Ariano is a writer and cabinetmaker. Her work has been published by Huffington Post, Baltimore Fishbowl and North Dakota Quarterly. Ariano lives in Lutherville, Md. with her wife and their two dogs. When she is not writing or building, you can usually find her at the beach surfing.

CARLTON SMITH and SAIDA AGOSTINI

Hi Lovebirds in the Gayborhood, I remember growing up and getting so excited for the month of February to come. February brought with it the SuperBowl, the Academy Awards, Presidents Day (no school!) and of course, Valentine’s Day. And I know that you know that love has a whole lot to do with the LGBTQ community! The visibility of LGBTQ relationships on television (think Modern Family, Glee, and Transparent, to name a few) give visibility to our communities throughout Middle America. With that said, I would like to introduce one strong woman from our community who can speake out in the name of LOVE: Saida Agostini from FreeState Legal Project:

have an important question to ask you: what does love mean to you? Beyond the endorphins that go rushing through your body when you meet someone attractive, how do you know when you are really loved? A famous Black scholar and activist, bell hooks, contends that we struggle to understand what love really means, and that until we have a practical definition, our relationships will struggle as well. hooks defines love as “one’s commitment to the emotional, spiritual and physical growth of oneself and others.” Now, that was a lot of words but when I break it down, what this means to me, is that when I love someone else (a friend, partner, etc.), I will act in ways that build them up. It is also means that I have a responsibility to build myself up as well, and that I expect others who say that they love me, to do the same. So hooks’ definition of love pushes us to move beyond the visions of love presented in Lifetime movies, Love & Hip Hop, reality dating shows, or even by some of our families. Love, isn’t about how much money you give, or how attractive somebody is, or even the ability to say “I love you”. Love in its daily practice, are those people who you can turn to in moments of crisis for comfort, who will laugh with you, encourage you to dream big, and have faith in you. Ask yourself: who are the people in your life that make

Saida Agostini and Carlton Smith you feel loved? What is it they are doing that makes you know their love? When I’ve asked this question before in workshops and groups, I often hear a number of the actions that are listed above. When we are with people who are loving towards us, our strength, resilience and power grows. We feel more confident and grounded in our actions because we are surrounded by people who treat us with great love. This act of defining love can be lifesaving, and it is a conversation desperately needed in our community. Studies have found that domestic violence occurs in LGBTQ populations above or at the same rate as cisgender and/or heterosexual individuals. This violence doesn’t just occur in our romantic relationships, but our familial ones as well. One study found that 26% of LGBTQ youth were forced to leave their homes due to their perceived sexual orientation and/ or gender identity, however, we as a community rarely engage in open conversations about the impact of domestic violence and familial rejection in our lives. We all have the right to safety, love, tenderness and care. Defining what these words mean to us is crucial. We have to be able to have these dialogues about love to celebrate our survival, educate each other, and build new definitions of love that truly sustain us.

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C R O S S I N G

T's

I remember when my dad first discovered I was different…

What are these bra and panty sets doing in your drawer?!?

You’re close with both guesses, but guess one more time….

I’m thinking this means that a woman has been sleeping in your bed or you’re a homo and haven’t told me!!

By ANGELA WREN

My dad never did find out that I’m a trans lesbian.

REACH THE LOCAL LGBT MARKET.

Protect What Matters

Advertise in Gay Life.

Your Partner • Your Family • Your Wealth

Lee Carpenter

A Maryland attorney to the LGBT community • • • • •

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

Love it.

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

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GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

BETTER LIFE

When It Comes to Keeping Records, Not Every Piece of Paper is Equal by

AMANDA WOODDELL WILHELM

ach month, we are all inundated with bank, credit card, and mortgage statements, utility bills, canceled checks, and the like. While some of these documents may be electronic, many are still on good oldfashioned paper, which can pile up very quickly. And many of us are afraid to get rid of anything for fear that we will need it down the road. By understanding the distinction between which documents must be kept and protected, and those that can be tossed after a useful shelf life, you can thin those bulging files.

VITAL RECORDS

Suppose you lost all your documentation in

a natural disaster. How would you get access to your money, and even establish your identity, with your bank and other financial account holders? These are vital documents that should be protected from natural disasters and theft in a secure bank safe deposit box or a home safe. These include passports, birth and marriage certificates, automobile titles, trust documents, insurance policies, wills, social security documents, and stock and bond certificates.

ESSENTIAL RECORDS

When you apply for a loan—mortgage, auto, or education—the lender requires proof of income. If you notice that money is disappearing from your checking account,

you’ll need bank statements to back up your claims of unauthorized transactions. If you have investments, you’ll need to have those records of your capital gains in the event of a tax audit. However, that doesn’t mean you have to hang onto these documents indefinitely. You can use these informal guidelines to help prioritize your documents: Short-Term (1–3 years) — Household bills, except those that support home office or rental tax deductions (heat, water, and electricity) and expired insurance policies. Medium-Term (6–7 years) — Tax returns and supporting information; income and expense records, including lottery tickets and winnings; bank and credit union statements; brokerage house statements; canceled checks and check registers (checks for major purchases may be kept longer); paid-off loan documents; personal property sales receipts. Long-Term (indefinitely) — Tax dispute records; evidence of retirement plan distributions; investment records; medical history information; pension or retirement plan documents; home ownership and home improvement documents (seven years after the sale or indefinitely).

GET ORGANIZED

If you have income from sources other than an employer, it’s especially important to keep

track of cash receipts. A small notebook or a few sheets in a separate file fold will do for recording income as it arrives. Create a separate file to track your expenses. If you keep essential documents on your computer, keep it in an encrypted file and make sure the files are backed up in the event of a cyber-attack, technical failure, or theft. If you use financial management software, remember you still must retain original documents as evidence of past transactions. Make record de-cluttering an annual ritual, like spring-cleaning. It will make more room for the documents you’ll acquire as you move closer to achieving your ultimate financial goals.

Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm is a Manager at SC&H Financial Advisors, the Personal Financial Planning practice at SC&H Group, which is an audit, tax, and consulting firm based in Sparks, Md. To learn more about SC&H Group, visit www.scandh.com. Note: Securities offered through Triad Advisors, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through SC&H Financial Advisors, Inc. SC&H Financial Advisors, Inc. and Triad Advisors, Inc. are unaffiliated entities.

Love and Aging Through the LGBT Lens L

ove. It’s a pain and a joy. Hardship and relief. It’s sort of a riddle most of us try to understand all of our lives. Sometimes, we’re incredibly lucky to know what and who we love—and who loves us back. The love we feel for those we love is never the same even if it is as strong or as solid or as true. Love is a confusing and amazing feeling. Remember that line from wedding ceremonies: to love, honor, and cherish in sickness and in health? You may make that commitment to your partner at some point in your life, but you will likely never be asked, publicly, to commit to that sentiment for your parents, or your children, or your best friend…But that doesn’t seem to matter. When we love, no matter who it is we love, we may feel a responsibility to care, in sickness or in health.

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

This care may be for our partner, for our child, or it may be for one of many LGBT individuals in our community who are growing older alone. We in the LGBT community may find ourselves in the particularly scary position of growing older relatively alone. According to the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, when compared to their heterosexual counterparts, LGBT older adults are: • Twice as likely to be single • Twice as likely to live alone • Three to four times less likely to have children to support them Isolation, legal barriers, inadequate health insurance, lack of trans health coverage by Medicaid, institutional discrimination, abusive caretakers, and poverty from a variety of reasons, including an inability to receive

Social Security benefits after our partner passes, are among the many issues we face as we get older. In fact, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging (AoA), recently added “individuals isolated due to sexual orientation or gender identity” to the definition of the term “greatest social need.” This historic addition allows community organizations delivering services to senior and receiving funding through the Older Americans Act to focus their efforts on improving the lives and health of LGBT seniors. It is, in the words of the venerable Martha Stewart, a good thing that we are getting more and more protection. And, soon, we will have more and more resources too. Thanks in part to a grant from the Harry

ALICIA GABRIEL

& Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Elders (SAGE) and the new LGBT Health Resource Center of Chase Brexton Health Care are bringing SAGECAP to Baltimore and Maryland. SAGECAP (CAP stands for Caring and Preparing) was “designed to provide a safe, welcoming community that helps caregivers [in the LGBT community] navigate their current and future needs.” Together, with the LGBT Health Resource Center, caregivers will find resources, one-on-one and group counseling, guidance on benefits, online resources, and more. The launch of this landmark national program in Baltimore will be coming soon. Learn more at ChaseBrexton.org and SAGEUSA.org.

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GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

SOCIAL LIFE

Datebook

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

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

RACHEL ROTH

Mondays Interfaith Fairness Coalition Mtg. Fourth Mondays 7:30pm Contact info@ifcmd.org to confirm meeting location IFCMD.info PFLAG Howard County Parent Forum Third Mondays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia PFLAGMD.org Senior Pride: Discussion Group for Women 55+ Monday evenings Chase Brexton Health Services Call 410-837-2050, ext. 2428 for details www.bit.ly/SeniorPride

Tuesdays Howard County PFLAG Monthly Mtg. Second Tuesdays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia PFLAGMD.org Karate-Dō (LGBT-friendly classes) Every Tuesday 5:30-7:30pm Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus Bob Remington — MDShoto@aol.com Csskshotokan.com Meditation Group Every Tuesday 6:15-7:45pm First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net PFLAG Baltimore Co. General Mtg. Fourth Tuesdays 7pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. PFLAGBaltimore.org

Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore City 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesdays 7-9pm The GLCCB • 1000 Cathedral St. RYABaltimore@gmail.com Facebook.com/groups/RYABaltimore Teen Program at JCC Second Tuesdays 6pm Owings Mills JCC 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. JoinTeens.org Trans Parents Forum, Baltimore Co. Third Tuesdays 7-9:30pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. PFLAGBaltimore.org

Wednesdays Charm City Volleyball: Social Play Every Wednesday 6:30-9:30pm • $3-30 Mt Royal Recreational Center 137 McMechen St. Living Well with HIV Support Group Every Wednesday 10:30am Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. Jacques.umaryland.edu/support.html Spiritual Development with Rev. Sam Offer Every Wednesday 7pm Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore 4007 Old York Rd. UFCB.org GEM: Gender Empowerment MD Every other Wednesday 7pm Equality Maryland • 1201 S. Sharp St. Owen@EqualityMaryland.org Senior Pride: Discussion Group for Men 55+ Wednesday evenings. Chase Brexton Health Services Call 410-837-2050, ext. 2428 for details www.bit.ly/SeniorPride Support Group for Transgender Adults Third Wednesday 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia hoctytransgroup@gmail.com

Parents of Transgender Kids Fourth Tuesdays 7:30-9pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia cvhyde@gmail.com PFLAGBaltimore.org

Thursdays

Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore County 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7-9pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. RYABaltimoreCounty@gmail.com

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

Rainbow Youth Alliance of Howard County 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia 410.280.9047 rya_leaders@hotmail.com

Karate-Dō (LGBT-friendly classes) Every Thursday 5:30-7:30pm Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus Bob Remington — MDShoto@aol.com Csskshotokan.com

Fridays HIV Support: Just Between US Every Friday 11am-Noon Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. IHV.org

Saturdays Baltimore Frontrunners Every Saturday 8:45am • Brunch 10am Panera Bread, 3600 Boston St. BaltimoreFrontrunners.org HOPE DC Monthly Brunch First Saturdays 11am Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro DC 1801 18th St. NW • Washington, D.C. HopeDCSocials-owner@yahoogroups.com In the Company of Women First Saturdays 10am-Noon First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net

DATEBOOK

Sunday, February 1 Superbowl Party at The Hippo Watch the game or just the commercials on 7 giant screens • 4pm Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com Annie Leapin’ Lizards, America’s favorite orphan is back! $25-95 • 2pm Hippodrome Theatre • 12 N. Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com One Night In Miami A fictional account of the night Cassius Clay won the title • $19-59 • 2pm • Thru Feb. 15 Center Stage • 700 N. Calvert St. CenterStage.org

Monday, February 2 Spot Light Mondays Drink specials & drag shows! 9pm Club Hippo, Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com Men’s Naked Yoga Every Monday 6:30-7:30pm • $18 Vitruvian Gallery, LLC 734 7th St., SE, 2nd fl. • Wash., D.C. VitruvianGallery.com Karaoke Sing your heart out every Monday and Tuesday night. Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Wednesday, February 4

Sunday, February 8

Friday, February 20

Laura Tsaggaris vs. Justin Jones & the B-Sides DC-based singer/songwriter • $20 • 7pm 9:30 Club • 815 V St NW • Wash., D.C. 930.com

Prime Timers General Meeting With guest Thomas Bonderenko, Executive Director of Movable Feast • FREE • 6pm St. Marks Lutheran Church at St. Paul & 20th Sts. PTBalto.org

Patti Austin Sings Ella and the Duke Grammy and Oscar award-winning vocalist sings the standards • $29 • 8pm Meyerhoff • 1212 Cathedral St. BSOMusic.org

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

Thursday, February 5 Hip Hop Night at Club Hippo Get your dance on every Thursday. Reduced cover before 11pm. Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com Omega Thursdays Every Thursday 9pm-2am Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Friday, February 6 Wine Tasting FREE • Fridays 5-8pm. Spirits of Mt Vernon Wine Shop 900 N. Charles St. SpiritsOfMtVernon.com

Friday, February 13 Robert Irvine LIVE More than just a cooking demo. $37-152 • 8pm Hippodrome Theatre • 12 N Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com REVIVAL A monthly hoedown • $6 • 21+ • 7pm Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Saturday, February 14 Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Date Night at National Aquarium Take a memorable trip around the world! $80-100 • 5-11pm • 21+ National Aquarium • 501 East Pratt St. AQUA.org

National Aquarium Celebrates Black History Month Be transported back to one of Baltimore’s legendary jazz clubs • $12 • 5-9pm National Aquarium • 501 E. Pratt St. Aqua.org

Saturday, February 21 African-American Innovators BSO celebrates Black History Month. $29 • 11am Meyerhoff • 1212 Cathedral St. BSOMusic.org Hot Sauce Feat. Rich Morel • $10 • 9pm • Monthly Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Wednesday, February 24 Laura Lippman: Hush Hush Launch of the latest Tess Monaghan novel. FREE • 7pm The Ivy Bookshop • 6080 Falls Rd. TheIvyBookshop.com

Chocolate Happy Hour Weekly chocolate-fest • 6:30pm Ma Petite Shoe • 832 W. 36th St. MaPetiteShoe.com

Tassles & Champagne—Palazzo Decadente Feat. Giilded Lilly and Sac Au Lait. $20-25 • 7:30 & 10pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

Thursday, February 25

Levi & Leather Leather or Bear attire gets you a discount. Fridays 8pm. Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Yoga and Live Music w/ Charm City Yoga and Paul Rucker. $10 suggested donation • 10-11:30am The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

LaShonda Katrice Barnett: Jam! On the Vine Novel launch party • FREE • 7pm The Ivy Bookshop • 6080 Falls Rd. TheIvyBookshop.com

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

SHE Productions Presents REHAB 2nd Saturday of Every Month • $5 • 9pm • 21+ Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Friday, February 26

Saturday, February 7

Monday, February 16

Bob Marley’s Birthday Soul Shakedown Party with Yellowdubmarine. $17-23. 8pm The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

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

Swan Lake Presented by The State Ballet Theatre of Russia • $45-75 • 7:30pm • Thru Feb. 8 The Hippordrome • 12 N. Eutaw France-MerrickPAC.com Showtune Video Madness Sing out Louise! FREE. Tuesdays. 7:45pm Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com Showdown Trivia Competition Hosted by John Woods. 9:30pm Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Tuesday, February 17 The Employee Show A night of illusion and entertainment. 9pm Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Wednesday, February 18 POZ DC Happy Hour Mixer For HIV+ men • 7pm Green Lantern 1335 Green Court NW • Wash., D.C. HopeDC.org

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.

Sunday, February 28 Viva Brasil! Creative Alliance’s annual carnival mid-winter throw-down! $17-20 • 7:30pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

HAVING AN EVENT?

Bianca Del Rio Self proclaimed as a “clown in a dress,” Bianca Del Rio (Roy Haylock) emerged on the New Orleans’ gay entertainment scene in 1998 and nearly immediately became a premiere nightlife entertainer. As an experienced costume designer, comic and theatrical performer, Roy seamlessly merged his multifaceted talents to create the beloved Drag Queen persona, Bianca Del Rio. The combination of her talents remains largely unchallenged; Bianca has been awarded some of the highest honors in her field. Appearing on major television networks including MTV, A&E and the Travel Channel she quickly was invited to perform at many national nightlife circuit and party events, and has become synonymous with gay Mardi Gras Events. As an experienced entertainer Bianca soon transplanted herself to NYC. Having worked in the city before, she immediately found acceptance and success at some of the most renowned gay and straight venues in the country. Bianca performs weekly at various NYC bars, clubs and eateries while continuing to travel nationally for special events. Bianca Del Rio’s impeccably quick-witted comedy, effortless fashions and unique ability to make audiences cry from laughter while she tatters their self-image to shreds, keeps everyone beckoning for more. Bianca is the winner of the sixth season Rupaul’s Drag Race, which aired in 2014.

Bianca Del Rio's Rolodex of Hate

Rolodex of Hate Feb. 21 • 8 and 11pm Baltimore Soundstage 124 Market St. BaltimoreSoundstage.com

Email Editor@BaltimoreGayLife.com

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

Monastero Twins

Continued from Page 11

Luke Monastero: We can be ourselves a lot more. We don’t have to pretend to be someone else. We’ve all had to struggle with accepting our homosexuality at some point and eventually coming out, and I thought your comingout tips were great advice for LGBT youth currently battling with it. Has anybody privately reached out to you for help, and how do you hope to continue to help your viewers with these serious issues moving forward? AM: Yeah, there have been a lot of people that have e-mailed us, especially since our actual coming-out video happened. Through Twitter, Instagram, direct messaging, and email. I try to respond to every single one and give them the best advice that I can because I’ve experienced it myself. LM: We want to give them good advice and help them be confident in who they are. Just try to help them come out of the closet when they’re ready. Live your life to your full potential, you know.

AM: We’ll keep making videos that touch back on the whole coming-out process. We made the coming-out update video just to let people know how we are right now, and we’re going to make one today about how it does get better, how the year has changed our lives drastically in a positive way. Have you found it harder to date or hook up now that you’ve gained some notoriety. Has your popularity changed the way you manage your presence on Grindr and Tinder? LR: Definitely. It’s definitely changed the way we manage that. AM: I just use Grindr and Tinder as a networking thing. I’ll put in my bio like, hey, I have a YouTube channel; be sure to check it out. LM: Yeah. AM: And I’ll have all my Instagram links and my Twitter link. So for me it’s more of a networking thing, but, hey, if I meet someone on there then that’s cool, but they’ll know about my channel through meeting me online, which I don’t mind at all. It’s bet-

ter for them, because they see how I am in person, how I sound, and everything. It’s just for me to get to know them now. What’s the one physical characteristic about a guy that always gets your attention? AM: The face, for me. LM: For me it’s maybe eyes. AM: The whole face in general for me. If I’m attracted to your face—you have a goodlooking face—it’s good from there. LM: Yeah, face and eyes. AM: Maybe nice skin, too; that doesn’t hurt. How do you hope to spend this Valentine’s Day? AM: Either with friends or with a significant other on a date or something. LM: Yeah, going out on a date. Nice dinner and a movie maybe. AM: The ideal would be to be with a guy that I like, but we’ll see if that actually happens. You guys are young, so you’ve got plenty of time to play the field,

Baltimore Local News

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living. All we ask is that those who choose to use our services make a conscious effort to treat everyone they meet kindly and equitably and strive to “Bmore Equal”. Before any plans are set in concrete, Neel is requesting the community to complete a brief survey on the website. Respondents are asked to choose among a series of potential community programs ranging from adult education/job readiness to bicycle safety. People can write in their own choices as well. For community services, among the available choices are a drop-in center, a media center and studio space available for artists and performers for a nominal hourly rate. Again, the public can add others as they see fit. In addition, several support groups were proposed including a youth group, a transgender support group, LGBTQ-friendly Alcoholics Anonymous among others. The website offers a Project Outline, an About page, a Volunteer Application page as well as the survey. The Project Outline provides the organization’s leadership structure and responsibilities as well as details concerning the proposed programs and services. Neel, who was the interim executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and

GAY LIFE / FEBRUARY 2015

Kelly Neel, once the interim executive director of The GLCCB, is launching a new non-profit called North Baltimore Equality (NBEq) Center Photo courtesy of Kelly Neel

Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) before resigning this past September, acknowledges that NBEq intends to offer programs

but what do you hope for your romantic future? Where do you see yourself in five years? AM: Probably just a steady boyfriend that I really like, you know, be comfortable with each other. Maybe, hopefully, live together if that happens, if it’s going well. LM: Yeah, me too. I’m the same way. AM: Just to be happy with someone. LM: Hopefully I’m not alone. Hopefully I have someone to spend my time with. Get a weekly dose of Adam and Luke —they post new vids every Monday—by subscribing to their YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/themonasterotwins. Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and blogger whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world, including CNN.com, The Huffington Post, The Advocate, Instinct magazine, and Out.com, among many others. He lives in Manhattan with his husband and their cuddle-buddy furbaby. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox.

and services that have historically been operated by the GLCCB. She points out that these services are needed throughout the city, not just in Mount Vernon and that GLCCB executive director Joel Tinsley-Hall is “100 per cent on board.” Neel is seeking the GLCCB to be a partner in this endeavor along with other community organizations. “I see the NBEq Center as a way to bring together the various LGBTQ organizations in Baltimore City to collaboratively tackle the issues our community faces,” Neel said. “If we are all working in partnership towards the same goals, it is much more attractive to potential funding groups and foundations. Applying for grants jointly and in partnership allows the funders’ dollars to travel further; killing two birds with one stone, or in a more PETA friendly terms, allowing two organizations to serve their community through one grant.” A first year budget is estimated between $60,000 and $65,000. The area in which NBEq intends to serve contains the most concentrated population of LGBT folks of anywhere in the Baltimore vicinity. However, Neel intends to offer programs and services throughout the city and beyond if this project is successful. To keep up with developments, follow NBEq on Twitter @bmore_equal or on Facebook at facebook.com/bmoreequal. Questions can be emailed to thecenter@ bmoreequal.org.

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