Gay Life January 2013

January 2013

BaltimoreGayLife.com

WELCOMING CONGREGATIONS

PLACES OF WORSHIP

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

Love it.

John Waters TAKES THE STAGE TO NARRATE

HAIRSPRAY: IN CONCERT!

ALSO INSIDE...The

Gay Life Wedding Guide

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JANUARY 2013

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

JANUARY 2013

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JANUARY 2013

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

IN THIS GAY LIFE

LOCAL LIFE

JANUARY 2013 Hairspray Mastermind John Waters Photo by Cory Donovan

7 Baltimore NOW

in the New Year

By Denise R. Duarte

Feminist Reading Group Now at the GLCCB

8 GLCCB's "Express Yourself" Art Program Encourages Youth to Create, Discuss

Local LGBTQ Humanist Council Offers a Voice of Reason

By Daniel McEvily

HIGH LIFE

9 Balacing the Mechitza: Transgender in the Jewish Community

11

BSO Presents the Symphonic Premiere of Hairspray: In Concert!

Writer/director/producer John Waters leads a star-studded cast as he narrates Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's special performance commemorating the 25th anniversary of his original 1988 film.

12 Welcoming

Congregations

John C. McLucas, Paige Hunter, Vann Michael, and Heather Cronk discuss several worship options with open arms for the LGBT community in Baltimore.

14 The Gay Life Wedding Guide Our extensive list will give you plenty of options for officiants, florists, venues, photographers, musicians and much more.

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Book Review By Paige Hunter

REAL LIFE

18 National & International News

By Rachel Roth

OUR LIFE

19 Op Ed: Questions to Explore Before Tying the Knot

By Rev. Meredith Moise

BETTER LIFE

20 The Cervix: What's Up Down There?

By Jill Weaverling

SOCIAL LIFE

21 BSCENE: Hunks in Trunks

Photos by Anthony Moll

22 Datebook

By Rachel Roth JANUARY 2013

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EDITOR’S LIFE

New Beginnings It’s January, which means we survived both the holidays and the Mayan Apocalypse. As a result, we’re very grateful to bring you this first issue of 2013 with tons of great articles and resources to help you through the month and the rest of the year.

If you or someone you know is planning a wedding, you will be all set with our LGBT Wedding Guide (p. 14). Plus, whether you’re looking for a ceremony spot, or just need help out of a spiritual funk this winter, we’ve highlighted a few local religious congregations (p. 12). I’m still surprised by the multitudes of LGBT-inclusive congregations in Maryland— far too many to mention here.

We’ve spotlighted a few, but please find our more complete list at BaltimoreGayLife.com.

While you’re on the Gay Life website, don’t forget to vote for your favorite spots in Gay Life’s 2013 B-Proud Awards. Tell us what you’re most proud of in Baltimore—choose from our nominations or write in your own answers—and tell us the neighborhood, bar, workplace, and so much more that makes our LGBT communities B-Proud!

MAGGIE BEETZ Editor

ON THE COVER

John Waters, writer/director/producer of the 1988 film, Hairspray.

Photo by Greg Gorman.

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

Maggie Beetz, Editor editor@baltimoregaylife.com M. Cory Burgess, Art Director cory@metroscapemedia.com Sabre Chase, Advertising sales@baltimoregaylife.com

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

Love it.

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

National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 Marty Shayt, Senior Volunteer Contributors Heather Cronk, Denise R. Duarte, Paige Hunter, Daniel McEvily, John C. McLucas, Kristi Metzger, Vann Michael, Rev. Meredith Moise, Rachel Roth, Jill Weaverling

Photographers Anthony Moll Magazine Committee John Cullen, Dan McEvily, Doug Rose, Emily Salinas, Marty Shayt, Gary Wolnitzek

Gay Life is a publication of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB). Gay Life is published monthly in Baltimore, Md., with distribution throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Copyright 2012. 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.

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GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

LOCAL LIFE

Baltimore NOW in the New Year

BY DENISE R. DUARTE Baltimore NOW is gearing up for the New Year with major events and activities planned for January and February of 2013.

January’s Baltimore NOW program will take place on Jan. 16 at 6:30pm at the GLCCB and will focus on co-sponsorship of One Billion Rising, a global strike that will occur on Feb. 14, 2013.

One Billion Rising is a campaign of V-Day, an annual global event to end violence against women and girls held every Feb. 14. This year is V-Day’s 15th anniversary to create awareness and to work to end women-centric violence, such as rape, sex slavery, female genital mutilation, battery, and incest. V-Day grew out of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues and has become a standard production every Valentine’s Day with over 5,800 events occurring in 2012. This year, the One Billion Rising campaign is asking for one billion women, and those who love women, to “walk out, dance, rise up, and demand an end to violence.” According to their website, “one in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime.”

“Through One Billion Rising, we hope that the people of Baltimore will realize that something needs to be done to end violence against women, including right here at home,” said Baltimore NOW President Sara Wilkinson.

Evan Garofalo, a Baltimore NOW One Billion Rising Task Force co-chair, said, “We’ll have streaming video from the global One Billion Rising campaign website and create our own ‘I am Rising because...’ video.”

“We are going to encourage people to upload their own information, let us know why they are rising and spread the word about events,” added Co-Chair Anne Kotleba.

Individuals interested in participating in the video can go to the Baltimore NOW Tumblr page at BaltimoreRising.tumblr.com.

“Baltimore NOW is collaborating with the Maryland Institute College of Art’s Feb. 14 performance of the Vagina Monologues,” explained Kotleba. “Baltimore will rise through speakers, musicians, dancers, spoken word performances, and more. This coming together will celebrate women in our own community and join in solidarity BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

for the global movement to end violence against women.”

Baltimore NOW is also supporting and participating in the Women’s Suffrage March organized by the Overlea Community Association to celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the 1913 suffrage march from New York to Washington, D.C., which passed through Overlea, Md. The local march will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 9am, beginning at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Belair Road, and continuing to Northern Parkway.

This historic march began, according to Sheridan Harvey’s article “Marching for the Vote” for the Library of Congress, “On Monday, March 3, 1913, lawyer Inez Milholland Boissevain, clad in a white cape and riding a white horse, led the great women’s suffrage parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in the nation’s capital. Behind her stretched a long procession, including nine bands, four mounted brigades, three heralds, more than 20 floats and more than 5,000 marchers.”

The march galvanized not only women, but helped shift the country’s opinions regarding suffrage when national press reported mistreatment of the marchers by men who infiltrated. Harvey writes that “women were jeered, tripped, grabbed, shoved, and many heard ‘indecent epithets’ and ‘barnyard conversation.’” Instead of protecting the parade, the police “seemed to enjoy all the ribald jokes and laughter, and [in] part participated in them.”

The Library of Congress states that “the Woman Suffrage Parade of 1913, [was] one of the most dramatic public events in the 82-year struggle of American women to gain the vote.”

Baltimore NOW calls on equality minded people to walk with them on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 to honor women’s right to vote and the continuing struggle for equality.

BALTIMORE NOW MONTHLY MEETING Wednesday, January 16 • 6:30pm GLCCB • 241 W. Chase St. E baltnow99@gmail.com

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE MARCH Saturday, February 23 • 9am From Maple Ave. & Belair Rd. to Northern Pkwy.

T Facebook.com/BaltimoreNOW TTwitter.com/BaltNOW T BaltimoreRising.tumblr.com T OneBillionRising.org T United4Equality.com

Feminist Reading Group Now at the GLCCB A WOMEN AND TRANS* READING GROUP FOR READERS AND NON-READERS ALIKE The Baltimore Feminist Reading Group formed in June 2011 with the aim to create an anti-racist, transfeminist space and analysis, and to foster feminist activism in Baltimore. The group now meets weekly at the GLCCB and discusses an ever-widening range of feminist texts: theory and fiction, manifestos, zines and academic articles, and on occasion, movies and radio shows. Topics range from the health of incarcerated trans folks to the racial hierarchies in reproductive labor, theories of intersectionality to histories of feminism, afro-pessimism to neoliberalism, and more. The readings serve as a point of departure for discussion, but are definitely not mandatory for one’s participation. Recent texts include Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks, Women, Unions, and Work by Selma James, “Racial Ethnic Women’s Labor” by Evelyn Nakano Glenn, and the online essay, “Towards an Insurrectionary Transfeminism.”

The group is closed only to cis men (male-assigned at birth, male-identified persons) so that our women and trans membership can develop an

autonomous political analysis.

The group believes that these kinds of autonomous spaces allow discussion, theorizing, and organizing to emerge from shared experiences of marginalization; they also allow us to recognize and sort through our differences in a context sheltered from attacks on feminist politics. This autonomous model gives primacy to voices and perspectives that are often pushed or crowded out when cis men are present. The group observes that even cis men who check themselves and are considerate can affect group dynamics in ways the group want to work against.

Last summer the Baltimore Feminist Reading Group organized a series of barbeques centered around current issues with which feminists contend, such as transfeminism, reproductive rights, and feminist organizing; the final barbeque in the series was specifically for persons of color. Currently the group is planning a series of movie screenings, hosting a speakers series, and printing another anthology for the group. They are always excited when new people stop by.

* The use of the asterisk with trans denotes transgender folks as well as those with non-conforming gender identities.

BALTIMORE FEMINIST READING GROUP Thursdays 7pm • GLCCB • 241 W. Chase St. E BMoreReadingGroup@gmail.com T BMoreReadingGroup.wordpress.com

Banner by Kate O’Brien Photo by Casey McKeel

JANUARY 2013

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Local LGBTQ Humanist Council Offers a Voice of Reason

LOCAL LIFE

BY DANIEL MCEVILY

GLCCB's "Express Yourself" Art Program Encourages Youth to Create, Discuss The Express Yourself program is not your typical popsicle-sticks-and-glitter-glue art class. It is a weekly workshop held at the GLCCB designed specifically for LGBTQ teens to come together and develop their artistic and expressive skills.

Since October, students have learned about a variety of mediums and techniques such as bookbinding, lino-cuts, image transfers, and making zines. Queer youth have the opportunity to meet other artists, collaborate with each other, develop their portfolios for college, and create their own media.

“Identity politics in art making is really important to me, personally,” said Express Yourself facilitator and Americorps volunteer Emily Salinas. “I have witnessed how the arts raise questions, change minds, and connect people, and I truly stand by its ability to help combat the sense of powerlessness that LGBTQ youth so often feel.”

Salinas explained that subjects such as relationships, bullying, and overcoming depression often come up in the classroom.

For example the topic of gender expression will arise during a discussion on art elements and the youth will have a barrage of questions.

“I think that the workshops are as much about discussion and support as they are about learning about art materials and techniques,” said Salinas.

By getting more LGBTQ youth involved in the arts, and then also exposing their work to the public, Salinas is hoping PAGE 8

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to transform minorities into majorities.

“The zine project has been a personal favorite of mine. To me, it validates that old feminist proverb, ‘the personal is political.’ The youth created zines to tell their own coming out stories, as a consciousnessraising activity. Displaying and distributing something as small as that can be a powerful way to get a message out there,” she explained. “The students have a lot that they want to say—and it’s not like I have to force it out of them. They just need a safe and creative space to make art and they pretty much take it from there!”

This spring, she hopes to raise funds to teach more skills that particularly interest the youth—such as wearable art, screen printing, and photography.

“Research has proven the arts to be a positive force in the lives of disempowered populations, time and time again. I want to see more youth participating and it’s the responsibility of the community to advocate for both the arts and our youth.”

Readers can support the GLCCB’s youth arts programming by visiting the Express Yourself GiveCorps fundraising page today: bit.ly/ZciaQd.

EXPRESS YOURSELF!

Ages 13-19 Tuesdays 4-6:30pm GLCCB • 241. W. Chase St. • 1st floor E esalinas@glccb.org

The passage of marriage equality in Maryland would not have been possible without the help and support of many local organizations, including many welcoming religious congregations (see page 12 for more about these groups). One such organization that tirelessly lent their support was the Baltimore chapter of the LGBTQ Council of Humanism.

The Council formed in March 2012 after Emil Volcheck, president of the Baltimore Ethical Society (BES) received an invitation from the American Humanistic Association to start an LGBT Humanistic project in Baltimore.

Now the group is fighting alongside activists on marriage, trans rights, and violence in the LGBT community.

But what exactly is Humanism? GL spoke to three local leaders to learn more: LGBTQ Humanist Council co-leaders Lucas McCahill and Nicole Stanovksy, as well as Volcheck, who in addition to being the BES president and the Council’s founder, also serves as the coordinator of the Baltimore Coalition of Reason.

Humanism, as Volcheck points out, is a progressive philosophy that believes human beings have inherent reason and compassion. Being “good for goodness sake” and being “good without God” are among the philosophical tenants many Humanists ascribe to.

“It’s the idea that people can be good and that there’s no supernatural reason,” said Volcheck. “There’s no saving grace that makes us good, but there’s also

no original sin that makes us inherently evil. We’re human beings and we are reasonable, compassionate, and empathetic. When we think and relate to each other in groups, we can make good things happen.”

One of the biggest misconceptions around the philosophy is that many confuse Humanism with atheism, which is not necessarily the same.

“If you say you’re an atheist, that’s saying what you’re not, that you don’t believe in God. Humanism is saying what you do believe in and that is other people, fellow human beings that you put trust and faith in,” Volcheck explained.

Humanism comprises a diverse group of individuals that reaches beyond the typical misconception of being atheist-exclusive.

“I’ve met people who are Jewish but don’t completely get into the traditional religious practices,” said McCahill.

“That’s why this fits better for them.”

With a strong emphasis on community and inclusion without prejudice, Humanism is a perfect fit for many LGBT people, Stanovsky noted.

“People tend to go to churches because they are looking for community and that’s what they know because religion is such a large part of our culture. The Baltimore Ethical Society of Humanism has allowed a place for people to come because they need a sense of community but without the religious guilt. Humanists accept you as you are,” she said.

Now that the November election is over, the group hopes to continue to engage conversations important to the Baltimore LGBTQ community, particularly focusing on gender equality, transgender rights, and the passage of state-wide gender identity and gender expression non-discrimination legislation in Maryland.

LGBT HUMANIST COUNCIL

T bit.ly/ZLVpCX

BALTIMORE ETHICAL SOC.

T BmoreEthical.org

AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOC. TAmericanHumanist.org

WEDDINGS AT THE BALTIMORE ETHICAL SOCIETY Same-sex couples looking to tie the knot can turn to the Baltimore Ethical Society, an affiliate and supporter of the LGBTQ Humanist Council. In additional to renting their hall, BES offers four active officiants certified by the American Ethical Union. Their ceremonies do not include prayers and blessings. But a religious attitude toward life is present throughout, and there is a deep moral commitment to the worth and potential of all human relationships.

306 W. Franklin St. (the old Congress building) E weddings@baltimoreethicalsociety.org T BMorEthical.org

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

HIGH LIFE

BOOKS

Balancing on the Mechitza: Transgender in the Jewish Community REVIEW BY PAIGE HUNTER In a time when major religions are grappling with their positions on women, gay men, lesbians, military service, and other issues for both progress and detriment, Balancing on the Mechitza: Transgender in the Jewish Community examines genderqueer and transgender aspects of Jewish life. This collection of essays, edited by Noach Dzmura, is not just for Torahobservant, frum Jews: these are stories for everyone: convert, frum, progressive, antiZionist, male-identified, female-identified, goddess-centric, scholar. These are essays for those exploring how Jews relate to other people as well as the divine.

The title references the mechitza, a traditional divider between the men’s and women’s sections of the synagogue. In Orthodox Jewish law, gender performances are highly regulated; males study and converse the Torah and Talmud in lively discussions with study partners, females learn laws and customs relating to cooking and family (such as the exact details and timing of separating dairy from meat, and what she would have to do or not do in terms of touch and modesty). Males, unlike females, have to perform certain ritual commandments, including thrice-daily prayers. Males typically wear a kippot (in Yiddish, yarmulke) and tallitot (fringes, often on prayer shawls)—but what would it mean for a female, or a genderqueer person, to wear them? Even in congregations that maintain equality, and participation from all, what constitutes welcome in the tradition?

In the introduction to this collection, Dzmura states his intention to show that transgender and gender-variant Jews are not alone. “[…] [T]here are many ways to access Jewish life and culture. Some of them may work for you, or may stimulate your thinking towards an alternative you might otherwise never have considered,” (p. xxv). But it is also meant to be useful for both allies and those who balk at the idea that the vast sea of Jewish voices can BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

ever include vastness of gender expressions and identities.

The book is divided into three parts inspired by pillars of Judaism, the words of the ethical treatise Pirkei Avot (or “Wisdom of the Fathers”): the Torah, service, and acts of lovingkindness. The Lovingkindness section tells stories of personal moments, ordinary moments that turn out to be extraordinary. The section of Service includes how actions are traditionally gendered in Judaism, and how—in the course of everyday life—these actions can change and be given respectful meaning for those of us who are genderqueer, variant, or transgender. The Torah section details Jewish law and tradition, specifically rabbinical writings in which rabbis found room for gender variant/non-binary people in their otherwise gender-marked system of behavior. This section in particular offers Torahobservant Jewish folk, rabbis, students, and scholars an example of how gender variant, non-binary, and transgender voices can argue for respect and action within the commandments and traditional rationale.

All in all, this is a book I go back to.

After all, it reminds me—and those like me—I am welcome.

JANUARY 2013

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GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

HIGH LIFE

ON STAGE

John Waters

Photo by Cory Donovan

BSO Presents the Symphonic Premiere of Hairspray: In Concert!

BY KRISTI METZGER AND DANIEL MCEVILY Ask any out-of-towner what Baltimore’s greatest contribution to art, film, and pop culture over the past half-century has been, and they will quickly, enthusiastically, and empathically give you the same answer: John Waters.

Waters and his expansive repertoire of transgressive cult films have served as some of Baltimore’s most recognized and best loved exports over the past six decades and this January, one of the director’s most beloved projects, Hairspray, returns to Baltimore, with another fresh, new twist.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original film, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will be performing Hairspray: In Concert! Jan. 24–27 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, as well as a special one-night engagement at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda.

Prior to the Maryland performances, the concert series will kick off in with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 11-13.

The Hairspray franchise has enjoyed tremendous success over the past 25 years. Set in Baltimore in the early ‘60s, Hairspray follows the misadventures of “pleasantly plump” Tracy Turnblad, as she pursues stardom on a local TV teenage dance program while rallying against racial segregation, both in front of and behind the cameras.

The original comedy film, which Waters wrote and directed, hit movie theaters in 1988 and quickly gained a cult following.

In 2002, Hairspray was reinterpreted as a stage musical on Broadway, where it won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for over 2,500 performances.

A film adaptation of the musical was released in 2007.

For Hairspray’s symphonic reinterpretation, Waters will serve as the program’s guiding narrator, a familiar role, similar to “a director’s commentary on a DVD, but live and on stage,” Waters told Gay Life BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

in a recent interview. Waters promises to offer fresh behind-the-scenes insight into the Hairspray legend.

“I wrote a whole new thing for it; [the narration] is completely new,” said Waters.

“It’s about how I thought it up. It’s much more personal.”

Waters is happy the Hairspray story still captures the hearts and imaginations of fans and was enthusiastic to give Tracy Turnblad’s tale a symphonic makeover.

“Hairspray is the gift that keeps on giving. This is the first time with a symphony.

I’m always looking to infect new worlds.

I’m flattered that they asked me,” he said.

Waters will be in joined on stage by a star-studded cast that includes Micky Dolenz, best known as the drummer and lead vocalist of the ‘60s made-fortelevision band The Monkees, as Wilbur Turnblad; Tony-winner Beth Leavel as the deliciously conniving Velma Von Tussel; and Paul Vogt, who returns to the role of Edna Turnblad that he previously played in the Broadway production. Marissa Perry will star as Hairspray’s heroine Tracy Turnblad, a role she also played on Broadway. Other performers include Nick Adams (Link Larkin), NaTasha Yvette Williams (Motormouth Maybelle), Alix Korey (Prudy Pingleton), Julie Kavanagh (Penny Pingleton), Rhiannon Hansen (Amber Von Tussle), Bret Shuford (Corny Collins), Marcus Terell (Seaweed J. Stubbs), John Phillips (Mr. Pinky) and the Divas of Song (Dynamites), led by Natalie Perkins.

“If there’s ever a time to do a concert production of this classic story and musical, it’s now,” said Jack Everly, who serves as Principal Pops Conductor for both the Baltimore and Indianapolis symphony orchestras, in a news release. “All of the stars are aligned: We have the original filmmaker John Waters, a superior cast of actors, singers and Broadway stars, many of whom have performed in previous

Hairspray is the gift that keeps on giving. This is the first time with a symphony.

I’m always looking to infect new worlds.

Hairspray productions, the epitome of 1960s pop culture with musician Micky Dolenz, and two major orchestras collaborating in this significant full symphonic production.”

Hairspray: The Concert! comes on the heels of a busy few months for Waters, which had him darting across the country on two separate tours—This Filthy World and The John Waters Xmas Show. Additionally, last summer saw Waters hit the road in a completely different way, with just his thumb to guide him, as he embarked on a 21-ride, nine-day cross country hitchhiking trip from Baltimore to Los Angeles. He chronicled his adventure and the people that he met for a collection of anecdotes, which he has tentatively titled, Carsick.

As for another musical adaptation of one of his films (in addition to Hairspray, Broadway saw a musical adaptation of Waters’ film Cry-Baby in 2008), Waters won’t dismiss the idea completely.

“You never know,” he said. “Serial Mom: The Musical! [Although] I think that would work better as a TV series. Every month she kills someone new. She could kill Dexter!”

Either way, Baltimore would be mighty proud, hon.

HAIRSPRAY: IN CONCERT! Jan. 25, 26 & 27 • 8pm Jan. 26 & 27 • 3pm Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 1212 Cathedral St. W410.783.8000 T BSOmusic.org Thursday, January 24 • 8pm The Music Center at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda, MD W301.581.5100 T Strathmore.org

JANUARY 2013

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First & Franklin Presbyterian Church

BY JOHN C. McLUCAS, ELDER

First & Franklin Presbyterian Church is a magnificent Victorian Gothic landmark in the Mount Vernon neighborhood. The congregation recently celebrated its 250th anniversary and throughout its long history has always been at the forefront of social justice causes.

As early as 1980, the church voted to become a “More Light” congregation—one which advocated for the rights of gay and lesbian persons to be ordained to church leadership and the clergy. One of the ministers at that time also began performing Holy Union ceremonies for same-sex couples. In those days, the church had very few LGBT members, but the church’s location, its public stance in favor of gay/lesbian rights, and the genuinely welcoming attitude of the membership led many LGBT persons to join throughout the 1980s and since. LGBT people now occupy positions of leadership in all aspects of the church.

The church has remained a leading voice in the political push for ordination rights and the right of LGBT people to marry. The current pastor, The Rev. Dr. Alison Halsey, has been a strong advocate for the community since coming to the church in 2000. She and the church have been strong supporters of Maryland’s Civil Marriage Protection Act. By church policy, she personally conducts

same-sex weddings only for members or friends of the congregation. However, other same-sex couples may rent the church for their ceremonies.

Members of First & Franklin were active in the mid-1980s in convening the first meetings of PLGC (Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns), a group of LGBT and straight allies from several local congregations who met together for many years for social support and political organizing within the denomination.

As the AIDS epidemic struck Baltimore, the late Rev. Harry Holfelder, pastor of the congregation from 1985 through 1998, became a leading clergy voice of pastoral compassion to those affected by HIV. The church has hosted numerous worship services, including interfaith ones, in response to the epidemic. Recently the church hosted panels from the Names Project (the “AIDS Quilt”). The AIDS Interfaith Network was founded by Rev. Holfelder and colleagues from other faith traditions, and that group in turn helped establish AIRS (AIDS Interfaith Residential Services).

The church continues to be an inclusive, progressive congregation which welcomes people of all nationalities, ethnicities, economic conditions, and sexual orientations. 

First & Franklin Presbyterian Church

210 W. Franklin St. 410.685.2330 FirstUnitarian.com

WELCOMING CONGREGATIONS • Places of Worship for LGBT Persons in Baltimore and Beyond • Repair— A Spiritual Essay

BY PAIGE HUNTER

I grew up in a vaguely Lutheran (Protestant Christian) household, and while my mother tried to get me to Sunday School and youth groups with whatever church she happened to like, the messages were clear to me: I had to ‘dress nice,’ which meant dresses, skirts, and jewelry. Never mind I read the King James Bible and learned more about religious practices— Protestant and Catholic—on my own; when in Sunday School, I was the student.

I was not to bring up controversy. I was not to make trouble.

But by being there, I made trouble. I was not the girl they thought I was. If anything, I did not want to be a ‘girl’ or a ‘guy.’ I PAGE 12

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wanted to be me. God was love, I thought.

Love and welcome and maybe a sit-down chat to remind you of the really important things in life, but love nonetheless. And for me, growing up, that was not what was expected, desired, wanted. From what I heard, the divine did not want me. There was no place for someone like me, someone who wished for a flat chest in the shower, someone who wanted to be one of the guys.

At best I was ‘confused,’ a pity case. At worst, in with devils and cults.

Around this time I ran into the story of repair, a story based in Lurianic mysticism.

It goes with many stories about the divine in all of us, and that saving one life is like saving the entire world. Repairing the world is trying to spread compassion and wholeness. Not hate, not fear.

I am now trying to convert to Judaism.

I’m drawn to Judaism in part because of the

tradition of social justice and questioning in the religion. I wrestle; I may never know the answers. Faith is like that. The world is broken; there is so much hate: families abandoning their transgender child, or a church cutting off ties with a congregant who comes out as gay. I see a fear that trying for acceptance, trying to come closer to the divine, is read as an either/or. That a person cannot be lesbian, or gay, or along the gender spectrum, and have faith. Some people will cling onto that binary belief, of course. But all that does is bring more fear and hate in this world, let alone telling God who God may accept.

All I can do, faith or not, is to help repair this world. One article, one smile, one understanding at a time. There is only one me. But if that’s the case – then you, too, are special, and should be the best you you can possibly be. It will be enough. 

Welcoming Synagogues Baltimore Hebrew Congregation

7401 Park Heights Ave. 410.764.1587 BHCong.org

Look for a profile on Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and Rabbi Sachs-Cohen in an upcoming issue.

Beit Tikvah

5802 Roland Ave. 410.464.9402 BeitTikvah.org

Bolton Street Synagogue 210 W. Cold Spring Ln. 410.235.5354 BoltonStreet.org

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

Unity Fellowship Church of Columbia Intentionally Affirming

BY VANN MICHAEL I know you may have seen church welcoming signs adorned with rainbow colors or a disclaimer stating, “All are welcome.”

Perhaps you have entered these spaces with hopes of truly being affirmed only to depart feeling like an outcast, having been spiritually attacked or welcomed with conditions.

“Feeling unable to fellowship as your authentic self, subjected to homophobic language that fuels the political and religious world you find yourself outside of church,” is how Rev. Dorothy Harris described the matter. Fully aware of these spiritual dramas that play out in the lives of many LGBTQIA persons, Unity Fellowship Church in Columbia, Md., has approached this dilemma by being intentionally affirming. Here one will find an undeniable safe space for a myriad of gender expressions, gender identities, and those of various sexual orientations to connect or reconnect spiritually.

Unity Fellowship Church of Columbia is guided by Rev. Harris, a self identified Christian lesbian who arrived in Maryland in 2000. Coming out at age 30, Rev. Harris is very cognizant of the differences between

spirituality and religion. She recalls her decision to “walk away to heal,” which became a major turning point in her life. Yet she said, “I never left my spiritual teachings.” Her firsthand experience with pseudo-inclusive, unsafe, un-affirming, faith spaces earlier in her life increased her compassion to fill this void. Rev. Harris has been successful with meeting her own as well as others’ spiritual needs harmed by traditional places of worship through her leadership at Unity Fellowship Church of Columbia.

Intentional affirming at Unity Fellowship Church is an action exemplified within the diversity of its members and planned events.

A true testament to what an all-inclusive space looks like in motion: people from different cultures, ethnic groups, those of various international origins, individuals who outwardly represent the gambit of gender expression, identity, sexual orientation and faith experiences coming together every Sunday. Each month there are well planned and executed awareness events like Women’s Awareness, Masculine Awareness, and Transgender Awareness Months with Gender Awareness activities interwoven regularly. The progressive Liberation Theology allows individuals to explore self, unhinged, lovingly and authentically while connecting with God at their own pace and in their own way within a healthy support-

The Open Church Open—Radically Open!

BY HEATHER CRONK Almost one year ago, The Open Church opened its doors.

We started off by meeting once a month at the Delta Lambda Outreach Center, getting to know one another, creating relationships, and building trust with each other as we gathered for services and defined our community. Created out of the belief that there are too many churches doing too little social justice work, we wanted to create a loving and open community that threw its doors open to anyone and everyone who wanted to walk through them, but also that takes social justice work seriously as a core part of who we are.

The Open Church was active in the Question 4 (Dream Act) and Question 6 (marriage equality) ballot initiatives, playing a public role in encouraging people of faith across the state to understand how fundamental these issues are to our collective equality. When I first heard the news that both Question 4 and Question 6 had passed, I started crying—as a lesbian resident of Maryland, I hadn’t realized how deeply I had internalized my legal inequality until I was able to breathe the air of equality. But

it wasn’t until a few days later that I really understood the power of The Open Church community and the investment of church members in my equality.

Just a few days after Election Day, we held a lay leadership retreat to gather together some of the folks who have taken on the work of ensuring that our congregation and community are moving forward. I dragged myself to the early morning meeting, just hoping for a cup of coffee as I walked in the door and started setting up tables. Instead, I was repeatedly grabbed by the shoulders and hugged as straight, 60+ year-old African American women walked through the door and saw me there—shouting about how happy they were about the results of the ballot initiatives in our shared state, and how they had been thinking about me and other LGBT members of our congregation that night, also crying as the results came in.

As a white, agnostic, 34-year-old lesbian

ive environment. Reeling from a successful Transgender Awareness Month, Unity Fellowship Church of Columbia will host their very first Night Watch to usher in 2013 and the church will conduct a special marriage ceremony for those who wish to exercise their right to marry in Maryland.

Celebrating its second year, Unity Fellowship Church of Columbia is a part of the Unity Fellowship Church family. There are also worship spaces in Baltimore City and Washington, D.C., Rev. Harris wants the LGBTQIA communities to know they are loved, accepted, and respected. Unity Fellowship Church of Columbia asks, “What would you like to see in your worship service? Let us know!” The invitation is Intentionally Affirming and always open. 

Unity Fellowship Church of Columbia

Services held at Locust Park Neighbor Center 8995 Lambskin Ln. • Columbia 301.275.5310 UFCColumbia.org

Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore

4007 Old York Rd. 410.244.0884 UFCB.org

who grew up in a conservative church community in the South, The Open Church has renewed my hope to find a community of people who genuinely care about one another and care for one another, as I believe the Jesus we see in the Bible would have wanted.

While I continue to struggle with the relevance of organized religion worldwide, I do not struggle with the importance of this community we’ve created—a community that offers love, life, and faith in humanity.

LGBT people often live guarded lives— looking over our shoulders, constantly guarding ourselves from confrontation or harm, seeking out networks where we can be ourselves and feel safe. That morning of our lay leadership retreat, I realized that we’re in the midst of building a new world—a world dictated by love, not fear, and by hope, not doubt. This community doesn’t draw boundaries—not around theology, not around God, not around identity, and certainly not around love. Regardless of where you are in your spirituality or where you are in your identity, The Open Church is a place that is open—radically open—to you! 

The Open Church

1st & 3rd Sundays • 10am Northwestern High School 6900 Park Heights Ave. TheOpenChurchMD.org

• Find Additional Congregations at BaltimoreGayLife.com • BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

JANUARY 2013

PAGE 13

The Gay Life

Wedding Guide

Beauty Balance — The Salon 410.366.6169 Balance-TheSalon.com Flaunt 410.235.1001 Lindsay@Flauntontheavenue.com FlauntontheAvenue.com Neal’s The Hair Studio 410.528.8100 neals856@yahoo.com NealsWebPage.com Sprout Salon 410.235.2269 info@sproutsalon.com SproutSalon.com Zena’s Spa and Salon 410.783.1971 • ZenasSpa.com

Caterers Biddle Street Catering 410.727.7777 llevy@biddlest.com BiddleSt.com Black Tie Caterers 410.669.3500 scole300c@aol.com BlackTieCaterers.com

It’s 2013 and you know what that means—we can all get married! Not that everyone will (or should!) but we created the ultimate resource for those darling lovebirds who are ready and finally able to tie the proverbial knot. We scoured and searched, collected and compiled, we called out, recruited, and maybe even hassled—all so you that you have don’t have to. And here it is, Gay Life’s first official guide to LGBT and LGBT-friendly vendors, venues, and everything else you need to plan your beautiful, special, and legally-binding-in-the-state-of-Maryland day!

Rouge Catering 410.527.0007 delight@rougecatering.com RougeCatering.com

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Creative 410.244.0066 Sales@ccbbcreative.com CCBBcreative.com

Holiday Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor 888.465.4329 rmcsweeney@innerharborhi.com HolidayInn.com

The Spice Rack Catering 301 919.8078 catering@thespicerackllc.com TheSpiceRack.biz

Select Events Rentals 410.653.6851 sales@weparty.com WeParty.com

Hotel Monaco Baltimore 888.752.2636 Monaco-Baltimore.com

Windows Catering 703.519.3500 windows@catering.com Catering.com

Dance Lessons Beginning Ballroom 410.231.3262 dance@beginningballroom.com BeginningBallroom.com The Wedding Dance Specialists 703.626.7016 info@theweddingdancespecialists.com TheWeddingDanceSpecialists.com

Florists Candlelight Floral Designs 240.409.3635 melissa@candlelightfloraldesigns.com CandlelightFloralDesigns.com

Hotels and B&B 's 1840s Carrollton Inn 410.385.1840 info@1840scarrolltoninn.com 1840sCarrolltonInn.com Admiral Fell Inn Historic Fell’s Point 800.584.7065 HarborMagic.com Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel at Camden Yards 800.228.9290 bit.ly/12Ayg5m Black Walnut Point Inn 410.886.2452 stay@blackwalnutpointinn.com BlackWalnutPointInn.com The Double Tree Inn at The Colonade 410.235.5400 DoubleTree3.Hilton.com

Hyatt Regency Baltimore 410.528.1234 qualitybwirb@hyatt.com Baltimore.Hyatt.com Inn at 2920 B&B • 877.774.2920 reservations@theinnat2920.com TheInnat2920.com The Inn at Colonnade Baltimore – A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel 410.235.5400 delynn.powelson@hilton.com ColonnadeBaltimore.com The Inn at Henderson’s Wharf 800.584.7965 HarborMagic.com InterContinental Harbor Court Baltimore 800.424.6835 HarborCourt.com Mount Vernon Hotel 410.727.2000 info@mountvernonbaltimore.com MountVernonBaltimore.com

Crimson and Clover Floral Design 410.534.5455 amycrims@mac.com CrimsonandCloverDesigns.com

Embassy Suites — Baltimore/Hunt Valley 410.584.1400 EmbassySuites3.Hilton.com

Pier 5 Hotel 800.584.7065 HarborMagic.com

The Classic Catering People 410.356.1666 ClassicCatering.com

Edge Floral Event Designers 301.330.5232 info@edgeflowers.com EdgeFlowers.com

Gramercy Mansion B&B 410.486.2405 info@gramercymansion.com GramercyMansion.com

Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore 800.967.9033 kathleen.barone@radisson.com Radisson.com

Copper Kitchen 410.244.7152 info@copperkitchenmd.com CopperKitchenMD.com

Flower Box Events 410.878.0373 katyson@myflowerboxevents.com MyFlowerBoxEvents.com

Hampton Inn Baltimore— Downtown/Convention Center 410.685.5000 HamptonInn3.Hilton.com

Renaissance Harborplace Hotel 800.535.1201 Renaissance-Hotels.Marriott.com

Dionysus’ Kitchen 410.744.4300 paul@dionysuskitchen.com DionysusKitchen.com

LV Creative Designs 301.392.6055 lwheeless@lvcreativedesigns.com LVCreativeDesigns.com

HI — Baltimore Hostel 410.576.8880 baltimore@hiusa.org HIusa.org/Baltimore

Hyatt Regency Bethesda 301.657.6420 Hyatt.com/gallery/bethecatering

Furniture Rentals

Hilton Baltimore 443.573.8700 Hilton.com

AFR Event Furnishings 301.362.4300 jbafford@rentfurniture.com AFRevents.com

Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport Hotel 410.694.0808 Hilton.com

Chef’s Expressions 410.561.2433 cheers@chefsexpressions.com ChefsExpressions.com

Occasions Caterers 202.546.7400 OccasionsCaterers.com

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JANUARY 2013

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore 410.234.0550 Sonesta.com/Baltimore Scarborough Fair B&B 410.837.0010 innkeeper@scarboroughfairbandb.com ScarboroughFairBandB.com Sheraton Baltimore City Center 800.325.3535 holly.elder@interstatehotels.com StarwoodHotels.com/Sheraton

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

Sheraton Inner Harbor 888.627.7061 vaneska.adams@sheraton.com bit.ly/VXjrEm

Donna Dallas 410.458.7677 directordallas@aol.com

Sleep Inn & Suites — Inner Harbor 410.779.6166 SleepInn.com

Heaven’s Hands for Harmony 304.724.7919 heavenshands@frontiernet.net HeavensHandsForHarmony.com

Tremont Plaza Hotel 410.727.2222 cburns@tremonts.com TremontPlazaHotel.com

Legally Wedded 410.428.7742 legallywedded@gmail.com LegallyWedded.com

Wyndham Baltimore Peabody Court Hotel 800.292.5500 ken.ayers@snbhotels.com PeabodyCourtHotel.com

Meetings and Events Unlimited 240.278.1905 info@revnicole.info MeetingsAndEventsUnlimited.com

Music Absolute Entertainment 410.761.1212 AbsoluteEntertainment.com Bialeks 410.484.7978 info@bialeksmusic.com BialeksMusic.com Claddagh Productions Entertainment Services 301.752.6607 cj@claddaghproductions.net CladdaghProductions.net My Deejay 888-438-6935 MyDeeJay.com Nachibear DJ Svcs.

410.337.8801 eedare@aol.com Piping For All Occasions — Maryland Bagpiper 410.382.0200 paul@marylandbagpiper.com MarylandBagpiper.com Young-At-Heart DJ Service 443.794.9832 lyoung116@aol.com Young-At-HeartDJs.djgold.com

Rev. E. Sean Penn 443.467.4263 eseanpenn@gmail.com SJB Ministries LLC 202.253.3629 revsjburns@gmail.com Startum.com/newlyweds.htm Spirit Unions 410.595.5097 Susan@SpiritUnions.com SpiritUnions.com Weddings by Sandy 410.340.3224 info@weddingsbysandy.com MarylandOfficiants.com

Photographers

John Heredia Wedding Photography 404.895.6276 johnheredia@yahoo.com JohnHeredia.com

MPD Photography & Video 443.821.6998 dag@matthewdagostino.com MatthewDAgostino.com

Regal Celebrations 301.774.5236 robin@regalcelebrations.com RegalCelebrations.com

Sachs Photography 410.889.7854 info@artfulweddings.com ArtfulWeddings.com

Ultimate Affair Party Planners wultimateaffair@aol.com Facebook.com/UltimateAffairWeddings

Stoker Studios 443.504.4103 stokerstudios@gmail.com StokerStudios.com

Photo Booths

Garth Phoebus Photography 301.378.0510 garth@garthphoebus.com GarthPhoebus.com House of Red Bird 443.844.2352 Kathy@kathyfreundel.com KathyFreundel.com

Couture Events & Weddings, LLC 202.599.0824 CoutureLLC@aol.com CoutureLLC.com

Plan it Perfect 410.685.4765 rshaw@planitperfectevents.com PlanItPerfectEvents.com

Daniel McGarrity Photography 301.758.9512 daniel@danielmcgarrityphotography.com DanielMcGarrityPhotography.com

Baltimore Ethical Society 410.581.2322 BaltimoreEthicalSociety.org

Boutique Events 410.292.1921 BEventsLLC.com

Lisa Webb Photography 410.419.5927 lisawebb7@gmail.com LisaWebbPhotography.com

Visual Image Photo. & Video.

410.378.2806 visualimage.com@gmail.com V-Img.com

Eric Gerber Photography 410.335.8142 eric@ericgerberphoto.com EricGerberPhoto.com

Adorned Events, LLC 301.379.1573 adornedevents@hotmail.com AdornedEvents.com

Elizabeth Bailey Weddings 410.879.8984 ElizabethBaileyWeddings.com

Borrowed Blue 410.532.0679 BorrowedBluePhoto.com

Rev. Alberta Eaton 410.256.5330 revalbertaeaton@yahoo.com RevAlbertaEaton.com

Planners

John Kardys Photography 443.804.3475 JKardysPhotos@verizon.net JKardysPhotos.com

Balance Photography 443.904.6743 BalancePhotography@gmail.com BalanceWeddings.com

Officiants

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Jennifer McMenamin Photography 410.746.3843 Jennifer@jennifermcmenamin.com JenniferMcMenamin.com

Studio C Photography Imaging 240.446.6085 studiocphotos@yahoo.com Studio-C-Photography.com

Elaine Studley Photography 301.670.1762 estudley@comcast.net ElaineStudley.com

Rev. David B. G. Flaherty, Officiant Extraordinaire 443.691.9800 weddingsbyrevdbgf@gmail.com bit.ly/T7Sj78

Jay W. Photos 410.952.6724 JayWPhotos@comcast.net JayWPhotos.biz

Lovely Day Photo Works 410.207.0826 info@lovelydayphotoworks.com LovelyDayPhotoWorks.com ShudderBooth Photo 443.955.5637 susan@shutterbooth.com ShutterBooth.com/maryland Smilez Photo Booth 443.212.8777 contactus@smilezphotobooth.com SmilezPhotoBooth.com

DIY Photography Photos on a Shoestring 4sale4u@comcast.net

Van Landingham Design Studio 870.917.8861 vanlandinghamdesignstudio@gmail.com VanLandinghamDesignStudio.com Wolf’s Weddings by Kathleen 301.775.3173 Kathleen@wolfsweddings.com WolfsWeddings.com

Stationary Glyph Fine Press 410.939.0504 info@glyphdg.com GlypHdG.com It’s a Snap 410.583.7845 deb@itsasnapmd.com ItsaSnapMD.com OutVite.com 866.688.8483 customerservice@OutVite.com OutVite.com

Venues 1840s Ballroom 410.385.1840 info@1840sballroom.com 1840sBallroom.com American Visionary Art Museum 410.244.1900 x228 rentals@avam.org AVAM.org

JANUARY 2013

PAGE 15

The Annapolis Inn 410.295.5200 info@annapolisinn.com AnnapolisInn.com Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel 410.756.6812 amanda@antrim1844.com Antrim1844.com Baltimore Ethical Society 410.581.2322 weddings@bmorethical.org BmorEthical.org Belvedere 410.332.1000 info@trufflescatering.com BelvedereBaltimore.com The Black Eyed Susan 410.342.6960 info@baltimorepaddlewheel.com BaltimorePaddleWheel.com

JP Studios Video Production Services info@JPStudios.net JPStudios.net

Gramercy Mansion 410.486.2405 jennifer@gramercymansion.com GramercyMansion.com

MPD Photography & Video 443.821.6998 dag@matthewdagostino.com MatthewDAgostino.com

Historic St. Mary’s City 240.895.4991 events@stmaryscity.org StMarysCity.org Holiday Inn Laurel West 310.206.4114 cathy.hochman@holidayinnlaurel.com HolidayInn.com Padonia Park Club 410.252.2046 events@padoniaparkclub.com PadoniaParkClub.com

Black Walnut Point Inn 410.886.2452 stay@blackwalnutpointinn.com BlackWalnutPointInn.com

Royal Sonnesta Harbor Court 410.234.0550 Sonesta.com/Baltimore

Elegant Settings of MNCPPC 301.446.3240 pg-historic-rental@pgparks.com bit.ly/Ww9boI

Sheraton Inner Harbor 410.347.1848 vaneska.adams@sheraton.com SheratonInnerHarbor.com/weddings

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JANUARY 2013

Videography

Frederick Douglass Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum 410.685.0295 mjews@douglassmyers.org DouglassMyers.org

Video Vignette 410.931.3224 jack@videovignette.net VideoVignette.net

Miscellaneous Free State Legal Project Simple Estate Planning, Domestic Partner Agreements, Second Parent Adoption 410.625.5428 FreeStateLegal.org

Gala Cloth 410.790.8171 teri@galacloths.com GalaCloths.com On The Town Limousines, Inc. 301.829.7999 info@onthetownlimousines.com OnTheTownLimousines.com The Same Love, Same Rights Campaign 866.251.1564 SameLoveSameRights.com Smyth Jewelers 1.800.638.3333 SmythJewelers.com Tuxedo House Inc. 410.252.6220 tuxedohouse@gmail.com TuxedoHouse.com Women’s Industrial Exchange 410.685.4388 WomansIndustrialExchange.org

Did we leave someone out?

Make sure you don’t miss inclusion in the new wedding section of the 2013 Baltimore LGBT Visitors Guide, now in production. Contact us at editor@baltimoregaylife.com or sales@baltimoregaylife.com.

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

JANUARY 2013

PAGE 17

REAL LIFE

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BY RACHEL ROTH

WASHINGTON, D.C. ENGLAND

FRANCE UTAH

MEXICO CAMEROON

Naked Protesters Storm House Speaker’s Office WASHINGTON, D.C. In a precursor to World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, seven naked people stormed the office of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Nov. 27 to protest cuts to AIDS funding.

The protest was organized by Health Global Access Group (GAP), Queerocracy, Act Up NY, and Act Up Philadelphia. Talking Points Memo reported that protesters eventually dressed and left after police threatened to arrest them for indecent exposure. The three female protesters who remained to speak to reporters were arrested.

SCOTUS to Decide Prop 8, DOMA WASHINGTON, D.C. The Supreme Court will weigh in on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8 in 2013. The court will first decide whether California’s constitutional amendment that forbids same-sex marriage is constitutional.

Lawyer Vicki C. Jackson of Cambridge, Mass., will then argue that it is improper for the Supreme Court to even consider making a ruling on a federal law that treats same-sex married couples differently from PAGE 18

JANUARY 2013

heterosexual married couples. According to reports, Jackson was asked by the court to argue that “the Executive Branch’s agreement with the court that DOMA is unconstitutional deprives this court of jurisdiction to decide this case.” She will also argue that House Republicans cannot substitute themselves for the Justice Department and therefore lack standing.

Four federal district courts and two appeals courts have already struck down the provision of DOMA that defines marriage as between a man and a woman for the purpose of deciding who can receive a range of federal health and pension benefits, as well as favorable tax treatment.

LDS Church to LGB Mormons: “Stay with Us” UTAH A new website (MormonsAndGays.org) is aimed at providing “greater sensitivity and better understanding” among Latter-day Saints with regards to same-sex attraction.

Explained LDS spokesperson Michael Purdy, “Too often these types of big, important issues are dealt with in sound bites, and often by individuals who do not have the complete picture of what the church is doing. We hope (the website) will be a resource for better understanding and better communication.

Mexico Strikes Down Same-Sex Marriage Ban MEXICO The Mexican Supreme Court unanimously struck down a law in the southern state of Oaxaca that defined marriage as between a man and a woman. While this ruling only applies to Oaxaca, advocates believe that it will “open the doors to same-sex marriages across the country.” Lesbian and gay couples have been able to legally marry in Mexico City since 2010, and the Mexican Supreme Court has ruled other states must recognize samesex marriages legally performed the capital.

Jail Sentence for “Gay” Text Message Upheld by Cameroon Court CAMEROON A Cameroon appeals court has upheld a three-year sentence against a man who was found guilty of homosexual conduct. The man allegedly sent a text message to another man saying: “I’m very much in love with you.” According to ABC News, Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, 32, had been provisionally released on bail in July after serving a year and a half in prison.

Church of England “Shocked” over Gay Marriage Ban ENGLAND The United Kingdom’s Culture Secretary Maria Miller created protections for religious organizations that choose not to conduct same-sex marriages, but allows them to “opt in” if they chose to do so. Miller also banned the Church of England and Church in Wales from performing same-sex marriages. Dr. Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales told the Scotsman that the ban was a total shock, stating that the church should be allowed to opt-in or opt-out of the law, much like other religious institutions.

Thousands Say “Oui” to LGB Rights FRANCE Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Pairs and throughout France to show their support for marriage equality and adoption rights for lesbians and gays.

A proposed bill from France’s socialist government due to pass in mid-2013 would legalize gay marriage and adoption, but not assisted procreation.

Find more LGBT news online at

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

OUR LIFE

OP ED

FINANCE

Questions to Explore Before Tying the Knot

BY REV. MEREDITH MOISE The Question 6 victory was stupendous. Maryland gays and lesbians now have the right to marry their partners. Many of us have started to plan the weddings of our dreams and to get our state marriage licenses. But before we rush off to the altar, let’s consider some questions we should ask before tying the knot:

How well do I know my partner?

We should ask ourselves how well do we know our beloveds. Is she our right hand, or do I even know her middle name? This question goes beyond what his favorite color is or even her birthday. This question is about knowing your lover’s heart and spirit. What are her final wishes?

Does he have or want kids? This should definitely be explored before getting hitched.

What’s going on with the money?

Money and finances can be a challenging area for couples. It is important to talk about money, finances, and wealth. Are you exploring pre nups or dividing assets in case of divorce or death? Talk about credit issues that both of you may have. Don’t wait until after marriage to talk about money.

Is there a will and are you in it if there is?

What church/temple/mosque are we going to attend?

Faith is an important part of many of our lives. Discuss religion, spirituality, and faith with your partner. Will you have a religious wedding using a clergy person to preside or are you going to the courthouse? How does spirituality factor into your relationship? If you are going to have kids, will they be raised in a faith tradition or not?

Kids anyone?

Do you want kids but she doesn’t? Does he have kids but you don’t like them? Do you have a great relationship with her kids, or none at all? Get this right before your nuptials.

Your house or mine?

Are you two living together now? If not, will you move into a new home together or keep separate dwellings? Are both of you on the deed?

This question is so important. Home is the foundation of successful relationship. Stabilize your living situations before getting married.

These are just a few questions to be explored before getting hitched. Of course, there are many more. The point is to ask questions and solidify your union before marriage. And above all else, know yourself and to thine own self be true.

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

JANUARY 2013

PAGE 19

BETTER LIFE

QUEER HEALTH

The Cervix: What's Up Down There?

BY JILL WEAVERLING, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, REVIEWED BY MEG MCMANUS, CRNP, DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL OPERATIONS, MT. VERNON CENTER The cervix. It’s dark, cavernous, not often talked about, and frequently overshadowed by other health concerns—breast cancer, ovarian cancer, HIV, etc. But this tucked away gem is just as important to a woman’s health and wellness as her other bits and pieces.

Located in the lower part of the uterus (womb) connecting the uterus to the vagina, the cervix allows menstrual fluid to pass, helps promote fertility, plays a role in women’s sexual pleasure, and most of all, protects the uterus, upper reproductive tract, and a developing fetus from viruses, bacteria, germs, and other pathogens.

PAGE 20

JANUARY 2013

Even if everything seems OK down there, it’s always important to pay attention to any changes and maintain a regular check-up routine. The cervix is vulnerable to some serious health conditions, which left untreated, can develop into cervical cancer.

Maintaining Cervical Health PAP TESTS

The best way to ensure your cervix’s health is to have regular Pap tests, also known as Pap smears. Pap tests check for changes

in the cells of the cervix, which could indicate an infection, unhealthy cervical cells which could lead to cervical cancer, or cervical cancer itself.

While it’s always best to talk with your health care provider about what’s best for you, we suggest women start having Pap tests at the age of 21 and every two years thereafter unless otherwise instructed. Regular Pap tests every two years can help prevent up to 90 percent of the most common types of cervical cancer.

Women who are HIV+ are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer and other cervical diseases, therefore the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these women have an initial Pap test, and then get retested in 6 months. If both Paps are normal, they can then maintain a yearly Pap test schedule.

HPV VACCINE

A second way to avoid cervical cancer and diseases is to stay clear of the human Papilloma virus (HPV), a major cause of cervical cancer and the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). An HPV test can be done along with a Pap test, but it is important to discuss your risk factors with your health care provider so the appropriate tests are done.

You can also get vaccinated against the

virus. Today there are two HPV vaccines, Cervarix and Gardasil, which have been shown to protect against most cervical cancers in women. Gardasil also protects against genital warts and cancers of the anus, vagina, and vulva, and is the only one of the two that is available for men.

HPV vaccines come in a three shot series and are most effective when given to individuals who receive all doses before they are sexually active. They are recommended for preteen girls and boys around age 11 or 12 and for all teen girls and women through age 26 and teen boys and men through age 21 who did not receive all three doses when they were younger.

WOMEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH WOMEN AND TRANSMEN

Lesbians, transmen (who have not gone through surgery), and bisexual women are not immune to STDs and cervical cancer, and still require regular Pap tests. HPV can be spread through direct genital skinto-skin contact or by the virus traveling on hands or sex toys. Unfortunately, the percentage of women who have sex with women and transmen who have not gone through surgery getting screenings is much lower than women who have sex with men.

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

SOCIAL LIFE

BSCENE

Hunks in Trunks Fundraiser Dec. 12 at Red Maple PHOTOS BY ANTHONY MOLL

m. cory burgess graphic designer

cory@metroscapemedia.com www.metroscapemedia.com BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

JANUARY 2013

PAGE 21

SPOTLIGHT

SOCIAL LIFE

DATEBOOK

TUESDAY, JAN. 1 New Year’s Day The Morning After: Hangover Brunch

Greasy eats.

8am-2:30pm B&O American Brasserie • 2 N. Charles St. BAndORestaurant.com

Make Your Dream Wedding Come True The Second Annual Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo features dozens of Baltimore-area exhibitors that can help couples make their same-sex wedding dreams a reality, including event coordinators, DJs, officiants, jewelers, stationers, bakers, photographers, and many more. Whether couples are seeking skilled videographers or original and romantic venues, they’ll just the right fit at this exceptional show.

The Wedding Expo takes place at the elegant Tremont Suites Hotel & Grand Historic Venue on Charles Street in downtown Baltimore. A “TAG-approved” hotel and wedding venue, the Tremont Suites Hotel enforces non-discriminatory policies, treats heterosexual and domestic partners equally, and provides diversity and sensitivity training to employees.

Couples, singles, advocates, and allies are all welcome at this unique and fun-filled event.

Attendees can win fabulous giveaways, enjoy free samples, and much more. Advance registration for this one-stop-shopping opportunity is FREE at the RWN website. For additional information, call 828.645.8750.

SECOND ANNUAL GAY AND LESBIAN WEDDING EXPO

Sunday, Jan. 27 12:30-3:30 pm Tremont Suites Hotel & Grand Historic Venue 222 St. Paul Place T SameLoveSameRights.com

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JANUARY 2013

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 2 Living Well with HIV Support Grp.

Share, support and receive education about living well with HIV. Every Wednesday 10:30am Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. Jacques.UMaryland.edu/support.html

Spiritual Development with Rev. Sam Offer

FREE • Every Wednesday 7pm Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore 4007 Old York Rd. UFCB.org

Gay BINGO!

Cash prizes and progressive jackpot.

Drink specials, appetizers, and raffles.

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

BY RACHEL ROTH

Mousetrap

The Agatha Christie mystery opens. $10-17 • 8pm • Thru Jan. 3 Vagabond Players • 806 S Broadway VagabondPlayers.org

Best of Burlesque(er): REVOLUTION!

Hosted by “Baltimore’s Fiercest Femme.” $5-10 • 8pm The Wind-Up Space • 12 W. North Ave. TheWindupSpace.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 5 Baltimore Frontrunners

LGBTQ running/walking club.

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

In the Company of Women

Celebrating womanhood.

FREE • Every Saturday 10am-Noon First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net

The Stone Hill All-Stars

CD Release Party. $10-15 • 5:30pm Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

THURSDAY, JAN. 3 Constellation Thursday Nights

Discover how the Walters Art Museum comes alive at night.

FREE • Every Thursday 5-9pm The Walters Art Museum 600 N. Charles St. TheWalters.org

Hip Hop Night at Club Hippo

Get your dance on every Thursday.

Reduced cover before 11pm Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com

FRIDAY, JAN. 4 HIV Support: Just Between US

Support group specifically for members of the LGBT population with HIV. FREE • Every Friday 11am-Noon Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. ihv.org

Chocolate Happy Hour

Every Friday 6:30pm Ma Petite Shoe • 832 W. 36th St. MaPetiteShoe.com

Cindy Mehr Solo Exhibition

Opening night reception.

FREE • 5:30-7:30pm Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

League of Women Bowlers

For those who enjoy “being in the company of women.”

Every Sunday 4:30pm AMF Marlow Heights Lanes 4717 St Barnabas Rd. • Temple Hill LeagueOfWomenBowlers2@verizon.net

TUESDAY, JAN. 8 “Open Doors”

Support for LGBTQ for Jewish youth.

FREE • 6pm Owings Mills JCC • 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. JoinTeens.org

Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore County

Support for LGBTQ teens and allies.

FREE • 2nd and 4th Tuesday 7-9pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. RYABaltimoreCounty@gmail.com PFLAGBaltimore.org

Rainbow Youth Alliance of Howard County

Support for LGBTQ teens and allies.

FREE • 2nd and 4th Tuesday 7:30-9pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia 410.280.9047 • rya_leaders@hotmail.com PFLAGMD.org

Howard Co. PFLAG Monthly Mtg.

For parents & friends of LGBTQ children.

FREE • 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia PFLAGMD.org

Meditation Group

Delegate Mary Washington Photo by Anthony Moll

Let’s Toast Mary Washington!

Annual celebration in honor of the delegate from Maryland's 43rd district. $125-500 • 7-9:30pm Gertrude’s Restaurant 10 Art Museum Dr. ElectMaryWashington.com

Meets in the sanctuary.

FREE • Every Tuesday 6:15-7:45pm First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net

Showtune Video Madness

Sing out (Louise) songs from the best Broadway and Hollywood musicals.

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

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 9

Cirque Eloize iD

Acrobatic/theatrical spectacle. $42-62 • 8pm • Thru Jan. 6 The Lyric • 140 W. Mt Royal Ave. LyricOperaHouse.com

SUNDAY, JAN. 6 Dream Group

Guide to growth, development, and change.

FREE • Every Sunday 12:25pm First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net

National Organization for Women

Baltimore NOW meets monthly.

FREE • 6:30pm The GLCCB • 241 E. Chase St • 1st Floor NOW.org

GAY LIFE MAGAZINE

GEM: Gender Empowerment MD

Kris Allen

A community empowerment group through lobbying and education.

FREE • Every other Wednesday 7pm Equality Maryland • 1201 S. Sharp St. Owen@EqualityMaryland.org

American Idol winner performs live.

21+ • $19.50 • 8pm Ram’s Head On Stage 33 West St. • Annapolis RamsHeadOnStage.com

THURSDAY, JAN. 10

TUESDAY, JAN. 15

Almost Elton John & The Rocket Band

One of the best Elton John tribute artists. $39.50 • 8pm Ram’s Head On Stage 33 West St. • Annapolis RamsHeadOnStage.com

Unscripted: An Improvised Play in Two Acts

Opening night of this 3-week BIG event. $16.52 • 8:30pm • Thru Jan. 26 Mobtown Players • 3600 Clipper Mill Rd. BigImprov.org

FRIDAY, JAN. 11 Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend

Pride, brotherhood, plus Mr.MAL contest $10-25 day passes • $180 full registration Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW LeatherWeekend.com

Surrealist Magician

A three day celebration of wonder, magic, play and creativity.

FREE • 8pm • Thru Jan. 13 Theatre Project • 45 W. Preston St. TheatreProject.org

SHE Productions Presents REHAB

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

Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore City

Brand new support, social, and discussion group for LGBT youth ages 13-19.

FREE • 7-9pm GLCCB • 241 W. Chase St. GLCCB.org

August: Osage County

An Everyman tradition: Pay What You Can Night.

Everyman Theatre NEW LOCATION 315 W. Fayette St. EverymanTheatre.org

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16 Yappy Hour

Wine, cheese, and four-legged friends.

FREE • 5pm Camp Bow Wow 7165 Oakland Mills Rd. • Columbia CampBowWow.com

Everyman Theatre

Charm City Volleyball: Social Play

MONDAY, JAN. 14

Everyman Theatre Grand Opening

Featuring Baltimore premiere of August: Osage County. $44-52 • 7pm • Thru Feb. 17 Everyman Theatre NEW LOCATION 315 W. Fayette St. EverymanTheatre.org

THURSDAY, JAN. 17 Life Before Hairspray: Secrets of Ancient Roman Hairdressing

Everyman Theatre’s Grand Opening Celebration

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Presented by State Ballet Theatre of Russia. $40-$50 • 7:30pm • Thru Jan. 19 Hippodrome • 12 N Eutaw St. BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 19 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

Pay homage to Dr. King.

FREE • Noon Starts at MLK Blvd and Eutaw St.

Superstars of the ‘70s Soul Jam

The Stylistics, The Emotions, The Blue Notes and others. $53.50-$71.50 • 7pm 1st Mariner Arena • 201 W. Baltimore St. BaltimoreArena.com

Hula Monsters Winter Luau and Dance Party

Swing, rockabilly, blues, country, and campy Hawaiian standards. $10-15 • 8pm Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

For parents & friends of LGBTQ children.

FREE • 5pm St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 17 Bond St. • Westminster PFLAGWCC.org

Talk with “ancient hairdressing” expert.

FREE • 5:30-6:30pm The Walters Art Museum 600 N. Charles St. TheWalters.org

Ribbon-cutting ceremony.

10am Everyman Theatre NEW LOCATION 315 W. Fayette St. EverymanTheatre.org

Cinderella Opens

Westminster PFLAG Meeting

Watch your fave. Celebs battle the King. $15-20 • 7:30pm Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

Have a calendar listing? Send it to

CALENDAR@ BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

PFLAG Baltimore Co. General Mtg.

For parents & friends of LGBTQ children.

FREE • 7pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. PFLAGBaltimore.org

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

The smash hit Broadway musical. $30-$85. 7:30pm. Thru 2/3 Hippodrome, 12 N Eutaw St. BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

SUNDAY, JAN. 20

Elvis Birthday Fight Club

Competitive and Scrimmage Play. $7 • 10am Volleyball House 5635 Furnace Ave. • Elkridge VolleyBaltimore.org

State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents Cinderella

Express Yourself!

Find acceptance through art for LGBT youth ages 13-19, at a new day and time.

FREE • 4-6:30pm GLCCB • 241 W. Chase St GLCCB.org

SATURDAY, JAN. 12

SUNDAY, JAN. 13

FRIDAY, JAN. 18

A Night at the Movies

Favorite songs from favorite movies. $15 • 7:30pm Germano’s Trattoria • 300 South High St. GermanosTrattoria.com

MONDAY, JAN. 21 MLK Jr. Family Festival

Celebrate a hero.

FREE • 10am-4pm The Walters Art Museum 600 N. Charles St. TheWalters.org

TUESDAY, JAN. 22 Parents of Transgender Kids Support Group

Support and Q&A for parents of transgender kids.

FREE • 7:30-9pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia cvhyde@gmail.com • PFLAGBaltimore.org

THURSDAY, JAN. 24 Hairspray: in Concert!

In honor of the film's 25th anniversary, narrated by Baltimore's own John Waters and featuring a star-studded cast. $31-91 • 8pm • Thru 1/27 Music Center at Strathmore 10701 Rockville Pike • Rockville BSOmusic.org

Miranda Lambert

CMA “Song of the Year” winner. $27-51.75 • 7:30pm 1st Mariner Arena • 201 W. Baltimore St. BaltimoreArena.com

FRIDAY, JAN. 25 Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week Kicks Off

Three-course prix fixe dinner menus. $20.13-30.13 • Thru 2/3 BaltimoreRestaurantWeek.com

Anything You Can Sing I Can Sing Higher

Starring The Dueling Sopranos.

7:30pm Germano’s Trattoria • 300 S. High St. GermanosTrattoria.com

Effervescent Collective

Premier dance company of the Baltimore arts underground. $10-15 • 8pm Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

SATURDAY, JAN. 26 Charm City Roller Girls Playoffs

Junkyard Dolls v. Speed Regime, Mobtown Mods v. Night Terrors. $5-25 • 5:30-10pm Du Burns Arena • 1301 S. Ellwood Ave. CharmCityRollerGirls.com

SUNDAY, JAN. 27 Gay Wedding Expo

Meet gay-friendly wedding vendors.

Suggested donation $5-15 • 12:30-3:30pm Tremont Suites Hotel & Grand Historic Venue • 222 St. Paul Pl. SameLoveSameRights.com

THURSDAY, JAN. 31 Citizen Cope

A Baltimore favorite. $30-125 • 7pm Rams Head Live • 20 Market Pl. RamsHeadLive.com

JANUARY 2013

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