Baltimore Gay Life November 2014

NOVEMBER 2014 BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

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CROW 7 IRON THEATRE

DAY 8 TRANSGENDER OF REMEMBRANCE

YOUR STATUS 16 KNOW FREE BALL

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

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GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

IN THIS GAY LIFE

Feature

Transgender Day of Remembrance

by NICK SALACKI

8 Departments LOCAL LIFE

5

GLCCB November News by Joel Tinsley-Hall

HIGH LIFE

6 7

20 Pure Years by Shane Gallagher Profile: Iron Crow Theatre by Timoth David Copney

REAL LIFE

14 15

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

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OUR LIFE

16 out-skirts by Danielle Ariano 16 Spilling the Tea by Keith Ebony 18 The WOE Report by Wyatt O'Brian Evans 18 Justin's HIV Journal by Justin B. Terry-Smith 19 Spiritual In-To-Me-I-See by Coach Maq ElĂŠ 19 For Absent Friends by Courtney Bedell

BETTER LIFE

20

Saving vs. Spending by Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm

SOCIAL LIFE

22 BScene: SpeakFire! Series Photos by Asia Kenney 23 Datebook by Rachel Roth

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

3

EDITOR’S LIFE

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

Hello again everyone!

November is upon us, and brings with it all its glorious fall foliage and crisp autumn air. For many of us, November is also the beginning of the six-week holiday season that extends to the end of the year; Family, friends, and festivities are paired with ample amounts of memories. We gather with our loved ones and create new memories while we also take pause to reflect on the past.

This month’s Gay Life features one commemoration that takes place in November that many readers may be unfamiliar with—Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), on November 20. TDoR is a day when we give pause to recognize and honor transgender victims of violence over the past year. It’s a day to memorialize those we have lost and also to raise awareness of the work we still must do together as a community to combat violence, and give a voice to those who are oftentimes stunted into silence. This year, the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore has organized a memorial service on Nov. 20. Furthermore, several local organizations are arranging activities.

Please come out and show your solidarity.

We also have some great arts features this month, including a fantastic interview with the

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

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

Waxter Center building 1000 Cathedral Street.

For more information please visit www.glccb.org.

Trans Programs

Women’s Programs

AKANNI

SILHOUETTE Women’s

Trans Programs A safe, respectful, confidential

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

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

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

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

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

Recovery Recovery ACCESS TO RECOVERY

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

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

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

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

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

Sundays - 11:30am

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

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

Wednesdays 5-8pm Wednesdays - 5-8pm

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

space for LBTQ women of all WOMEN OF COLOR colors.

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

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

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

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

Facebook.com/groups/ 1st, 3rd, & 5th Tuesdays - 7-9pm RYABaltimore RYABaltimore@gmail.com Facebook.com/groups/ MIXED COMPANY RYABaltimore (QUEER YOUNG ADULT GROUP)

amazing Maryland-native Crystal Waters (p.8) and a profile of one of our favorite theatre ventures: Iron Crow Theater (p. 9). And as always, be sure to check out our online edition of Gay Life, which features expanded interviews and exclusive material.

Until next month, have a safe and positive November!

Dan McEvily Editor

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

Dan McEvily, Editor

A discussion, support, and MIXED COMPANY social group for young adult

GAYLIFE Read it. Live it.

(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

Love it.

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

Community Community Programs Programs

editor@baltimoregaylife.com

Cory Burgess, Art Director National Advertising Rep.

cory@coryburgess.com Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863

Contributors

Danielle Ariano, Courtney Bedell, Steve Charing, Timoth David Copney, Keith Ebony, Coach Mac Elè, Wyatt O’Brian Evans, Shane Gallagher, Rachel Roth, Nick Salacki, Justin B. Terry Smith, Joel Tinsley-Hall, Amanda Wooddell Wilhelm

Photographers

John Kardys, Samatra Johnson, Asia Kenney, Kelly Neel, Eric Randolph, Richelle Taylor, Jay W.

Gay Life is a publication of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB). Gay Life is published monthly in Baltimore, Md., with distribution throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved. Gay Life is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Gay Life or its publisher.

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

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

HIV-positive individuals in the LGBT the LGBT community.

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

BOOK CLUB BOOK CLUB A welcoming book club for LGBTQ

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

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

continued in next column u

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GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

GAYLIFE

Baltimore Pride Read it. Live it.

2013

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

Love it.

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Photo by Steve Charing.

LOCAL LIFE

GLCCB November News INTRODUCING OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR by

JOEL TINSLEY-HALL

H

ello Baltimore! I am so very excited and honored to join the GLCCB as the new executive director. I’d like to thank the GLCCB board of directors for entrusting me with the responsibility to serve Baltimore’s LGBT community through this leadership post. It’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly, and in the coming weeks and months, I look forward to meeting and getting to know many of you as I transition into this executive director role.

A little background about myself: I am a Baltimore native, born at the South Baltimore General Hospital (now Medstar Harbor Hospital). I attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, located in Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon neighborhood. As an adult, I proudly served for seven years in the U.S. Army, and subsequently lived in Germany, Washington state and Illinois, before my husband Scott and I eventually decided to lay down our roots back here in Baltimore three years ago. Our family includes our beautiful daughter, LaRay, and our two furry kids: our cat George and our dog Cher. We recently moved from of Baltimore City proper and now reside in Glen Burnie, Md. I am incredibly proud of my role as a devoted husband and doting father, and I am excited to add this new role as the community center’s executive director. Please know that I come into this position with a deep passion for ensuring your community center will be positioned, planted and firmly rooted on a solid foundation, so that it will be here to serve our great, vibrant community for another forty years.

My first order of business is to personally introduce myself to as many of you in the community as possible. I want to share my

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vision and listen to your ideas for the GLCCB. I want to gain your trust so we can move forward united in a common purpose. I know relationship building must occur both inside and outside the LGBT community—from government leaders to small LGBT business owners; from established advocates to those many individuals in our community who often feel under-represented and undervalued.

As the center’s new executive director, it is also my duty to keep the center financially viable. From my understanding, times have been lean in the recent past, but I firmly believe that the center will get its footing back.

It is crucial that the GLCCB begins to enhance and expand its current revenue streams, while also developing new streams of cash flow. This must be done in short order as it is imperative to ensuring our current services at the center are preserved and other programs can be established to address additional needs of the community.

The task of strengthening the foundation of the center is not one that can be done single handedly. Everyone in Baltimore’s LGBT community, as well as our allies, must unite for this common purpose and mission. I know that I’m excited about the opportunity, and cannot wait to work with all of you as we forge a path together toward a bright future for our LGBT community center.

Through honest dialogue, we all can do great things together. My door is always open, and I’m eager to hear from all of you.

The GLCCB announced the selection of Joel Tinsley-Hall as its new executive director on Oct. 3. Tinsley-Hall can reached at (410) 7778145 or jtinsleyhall@glccb.org.

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

5

HIGH LIFE

20 PURE Photo by James Ortiz.

YEARS

CRYSTAL WATERS REMAKES HER CLASSIC TRACK by

SHANE GALLAGHER

C

rystal Waters’ “100% Pure Love” spent 48 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1994, becoming one of the longest charting singles of all time. In addition to being certified gold, “100% Pure Love” won the Billboard Music Award for top-selling club single. Its accompanying video earned an MTV Video Music Awards nomination.

Since then, Waters has remained a prominent force in the underground dance scene. Her singles “Dancefloor” and “Never Enough” were both Top 20 Billboard dance hits. “Destination Calabria” was #1 on the pop charts in more than thirty countries. “Le Bump”, her collaboration with Yolanda Be Cool, reached the top of the Beatport House Chart and “Come On Down” (based on the theme song from The Price Is Right), “My Time,” and 2013’s “Oh, Mama, Hey” were all Billboard #1s. Her latest single is “Be Kind,” a

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GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

collaboration with the Grammy-nominated producer StoneBridge.

To celebrate the 20-year anniversary of “100% Pure Love,” Crystal Waters laid down new vocals to an updated production that incorporates the melody and sounds of the original but reworks them with a modern tribal house vibe and a hint of electro. This entirely new version proves a modern anthem can have big room energy without being a banger.

How did Armand Pena convince you to re-sing “100% Pure Love”?

I’ve never re-sang the vocals for anyone, but I wanted to do something special for the 20th anniversary of the song. When I first met Armand, he said it was always his dream to remake “100% Pure Love.” I told him if he came up with the right track, I’d do it. I love

Armand’s work. I knew he’d make it hot.

Would you agree the song remains as relevant today as it was twenty years ago?

“100% Pure Love” is timeless. It was unique when it first came out and remains so today.

I love the lyrics. They are strong and sexy and more than just a put your hands up dance song.

What is one thing you feel 100% pure love towards these days?

I feel 100% love for my family, friends, and my fans too because without them, I’d be nothing.

How do tracks like “Be Kind” represent who you are as an artist today?

Ah, “Be Kind.” Stonebridge and I just wanted to make a great song. We didn’t worry about where it would fit in or if it would go #1. The production Stone did on that track is perfection. That’s where I am today. Quality is number one.

What’s the most significant lesson you have learned from two decades in the music business?

To not get caught up in the negative. There are so many negative thoughts, words and people in this business. My motto is “stay positive and keep it moving.”

Armand Pena & Crystal Waters’ “100% Pure Love” is available on iTunes now as is Crystal Water’s latest single, “Be Kind.” For more information on Crystal Waters, visit IAmCrystalWaters.com.

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Iron Crow Brings a Fresh, Queer Spin to the Baltimore Theatre Scene by

Sean Elias

TIMOTH DAVID COPNEY

Q

ueer. An emotionally charged word that, in addition to being a word for homosexuals, also means strange, unusual, peculiar, and odd.

Theatre. A place where the odd, the different, and the weird are not only welcomed, but also celebrated.

Put them both together and you have Iron Crow Theatre.

Iron Crow is the brainchild of a group of people who came together for a single production five years ago. Its leader, Steve J. Satta, founder and artistic director, saw that the LGBTQ community was underrepresented on local stages. Satta had the idea that maybe the group could stay together and keep making theatre that spoke to and for that community. And from that single interaction, Iron Crow was formed out of their

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shared commitment to filling a niche, being a presence, and providing non-mainstream, gay-centric productions. The group has gone through the typical growing pains, but the mission never wavers. Their website sums it up nicely: “Iron Crow Theatre is the theatre of mischief and subversion, a queer theatre celebrating the renegade and the unorthodox, in all of us, reflecting the diverse stories of our community and the world in which we live.” Satta has a passion and the skills to make the vision a reality.

This year’s season focuses on strong, powerful women. Giving voice to productions that are either written by or about women, the aim is to address women’s social issues that too often are not heard. While Satta’s and the other founding members’ intent was to address and present productions that spoke of and to the

LGBTQ community, they don’t limit themselves to that audience. Bringing in as diverse an audience as possible is a primary goal.

Starting with last month’s production, 4.48 Psychosis, the season also includes The Revelation of Bobby Pritchard, (March 13 – 28, 2015), by local playwright Rich Espey. It is the story of Marta, a woman who risks everything to get to the truth, alongside the woman she loves.

The season concludes with The Well of Horniness, by playwright Holly Hughes, a satire of film noir with a lesbian twist.

Iron Crow has gone through a restructuring that has seen company members’ roles more defined. Rather than the ensemble approach (though Satta has always been the undisputed leader), they now have an executive director, Sean Elias. He describes himself as a person who never says, ‘It’s Just’.

As in, ‘It’s just the program’, or the myriad of other details he attends to. Elias was only appointed executive director a few months ago, but Satta says the relationship and the newly delegated duties for Elias are great for him and the company.

The LGBTQ community is not as well represented on stages as it should be. Iron Crow is changing that with each production. With Satta’s artistic direction and Elias’ administrative stewardship, the theatre group is dedicated to ensuring we can all be entertained and educated by insightful and thoughtful theatre by, for, and about us.

For more information on Iron Crow and its 2014-2015 season, please visit IronCrowTheatre.org.

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

7

To Love, Honor & Remember TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

by Nick Salacki

November 20

is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR). It is the day to remember those who are suffering and those we have lost in the trans* community.

As for some of the events that are scheduled to take place in commemoration of this important day, the Cedar Lane Unitarian Church in Bethesda will be hosting an event on Saturday, Nov. 15. from 6-8 p.m.

Minister of Congregational Life and Social Justice for Cedar Lane, Heather Janules says that this solemn service will be the fourth annual service hosted by Montgomery County.

“We will have individuals come up and speak about their loved ones who have passed on, we will have a collection that will go towards Free State Legal and Equality Maryland, and later we will all adjourn to the Memory Garden outside to remember those who have fallen,” said Janules.

Executive Director of Gender Rights Maryland, Dana Beyer M.D., says she is definitely planning on attending the event at Cedar Lane.

“TDoR was the first, and is still the only, well-attended national day of note on the trans calendar,” Beyer said. “While it began as a day of remembrance, it has evolved in many communities to include days of celebration and activism.”

Another special event that will commemorate TDoR will take place at the Metropolitan Community Church in Washington D.C. (474 Ridge Street N.W., 20001). A special service will take place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20.

Board Chairperson of Gender Rights Maryland, Sharon Brackett says she is hopeful that being “out” will become the “new normal” and that there will be no need for a TDoR. “As we have made legislative progress in Maryland so must we make social progress as trans persons,” Brackett said. “The only significance this year, due to the hard work and diligence of many, is that in Maryland, we will observe, as equals, as we are no longer second class citizens under the law. That is not universal by a long shot and there is much work to be done.”

One other event to take place on TDoR will be at the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 20. At this event, a candlelight vigil and memorial service will be held to commemorate all that have fallen. Please visit FirstUnitarian.net for more info.

This past spring, the Maryland Senate passed a civil rights bill that prohibits discrimination against transgender people in various areas. Equal opportunity in employment, housing, and various public places are now some places transgender people can now feel safe without being looked down upon.

“While this year we celebrate here in Maryland with full legal protections on a statewide basis for the first time, as well as having additional layers of protections in three counties and Baltimore City, and federal employment protections, we recognize that bigotry and discrimination continues, leading to the persistence of assault and murder here in our state,” Beyer said. “It’s an epidemic rooted in ignorance and hate, and it has to stop, but the only way we can get there is by coming out and

speaking out, and taking our rightful place in the life of our communities. These days of remembrance are one tool we use to fight the darkness.”

Trans issues and politics have not only affected those in Baltimore city, but also to the students of its neighboring schools and universities. One student in particular has made much effort in spreading the word.

“Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to take time to remember all of the transgender individuals who have lost their lives simply for living their truths,” said Shane Henise, transgender activist and student of Towson University. “Too often, the stigma attached to trans individuals can become dangerous, in different ways.”

Henise considers himself a researcher. He is currently working with three different research labs with Towson University studying transgender micro-aggressions and identity.

“Not many people are doing trans research, so it’s very important to me that my community is represented,” Henise said.

As taken from Injustice at Every Turn, 41 percent of transgender people have attempted suicide. 78 percent of transgender students from Kindergarten to grade 12 have reported some form of harassment, ranging from verbal to physical assault. Over 12 transwomen have been murdered in the past year.

“This is why Transgender Day of Remembrance is so important,” Henise said. “It is imperative that we acknowledge the lived experience of transgender people and work towards promoting change and acceptance.”

“It is an obvious truth that every human being deserves dignity and respect. I cannot comprehend why anyone would commit unthinkable acts of violence out of ignorance, hatred, and fear. Transgender Day of Remembrance strikes a chord of anguish in all our hearts, but anger without action never leads to change. So, as we light a candle for our friends who lost their lives because others feared their courage to live life truthfully, we must also renew our individual commitment to protecting those who are marginalized, or who suffer discrimination and abuse. It is only by working together, with open arms, that we can ever make Baltimore a better, safer, stronger city.” — Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

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GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

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Fabulous AMERICAN WING GRAND REOPENING

A legendary home.

Spectacular gardens.

And you’re invited.

Celebrate the newly reopened historic entrance and beautifully renovated galleries

OPENING CELEBRATION Sunday, November 23, 10 am to 5 pm FREE FOR ALL • Live music, including Brooks Long & Caleb Stine • Art-Making and Art Demonstrations • Birthday Cake from Charm City Cakes

BMA Member Previews & Party Nov. 20-21. Join Today!

Visit artbma.org/100 Media sponsors WBAL TV11 and WYPR 88.1 FM Radio

10 ART MUSEUM DRIVE l BALTIMORE MD 21218 l 443-573-1700 l artbma.org

REACH THE LOCAL LGBT MARKET. Advertise in

Special Exhibition Now on view

Cartier: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Dazzling Gems

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

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Where Fabulous Lives

For more information call 202.686.5807 or visit HillwoodMuseum.org 4155 Linnean Ave. NW, Washington DC Free parking HIL-0024_GayLife_4.75x11.25_Nov1_v1.indd 1

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014 10/24/14 9:41 AM9

Insertion date: NOVEMBER 1, 2014 Size: 4.75” x 11.25” 4C NP

Fall is

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.

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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.

Del

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.

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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.

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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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REAL LIFE RUSSIA SCOTLAND

MINNESOTA

WASHINGTON, D.C.

CALIFORNIA

VIRGINIA SPAIN

KYRGYZSTAN

National & International News Supreme Court clears way for marriage equality VARIOUS

The Supreme Court denied review of seven petitions challenging same-sex marriage bans, likely leading to wide-spread marriage equality.

After the announcement, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said the that all of county clerks in the state are “obligated” to issue same-sex marriage and that his office won’t take up a marriage appeal. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, also announced that his office will no longer defend the state’s ban on marriage equality.

A Missouri judge ruled that the state’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriage violates the constitutional right to equal protection. According to the Washington Blade, state officials haven’t indicated whether they plan to appeal the ruling. A judge in Kansas also ordered Johnson County clerks to begin issuing marriage licenses to samesex couples.

In Virginia, government agencies must incorporate same-sex marriage recognition into their policies under an executive order issued Tuesday by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

14

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

Meanwhile, Alaskan Gov. Sean Parnell has promised to appeal a federal judge’s decision to strike down the state’s marriage equality ban.

Same-sex couples can adopt in Va. VIRGINIA

The Supreme Court’s decision last week not to hear a marriage case from Virginia means that same-sex couples in the state can now adopt, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced last week. “By formally recognizing that same-sex couples can now legally adopt, we are more fully complying with the ruling in this important case, and sending the message once again that Virginia is open and welcoming to everyone,” McAuliffe said.

Facebook changes name policy CALIFORNIA

Facebook has reversed its policy demanding that people use their “real names” on their profiles. The company also apologized to transgender and drag queen users whose ac-

by

RACHEL ROTH

counts were deleted for violating the policy.

The company now calls for people to “use the authentic name they use in real life.”

House Dems seek LGBT immigrant protections WASHINGTON, D.C.

House Democrats are urging the president to consider LGBT issues when tackling immigration reform. In a Sept. 29 letter to President Obama, 44 members of Congress wrote that any forthcoming executive orders on immigration reform must take into account the “uniquely dangerous and difficult circumstances facing LGBT immigrants.” The letter, was led by Reps. Jared Polis (Colo.), Raul Grijalva (Ariz.), David Cicilline (R.I.) and Zoe Lofgren (Calif.). No Republicans signed.

Minn. board delays guidelines for trans high-school athletes

guidelines regarding transgender athletes’ requests to participate in school athletic programs. The board said that they were postponing the vote while “a committee examines the issue,” BuzzFeedNews reported.

According to BuzzFeed, The Star Tribune, the largest newspaper in the state, recently aired a full-page advertisement from an antiLGBT group that criticized the proposal.

Calif. bans “gay panic” defense CALIFORNIA

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation outlawing the “gay panic” and “trans panic” defenses that have been used in LGBT hate crimes. The law is the first of its kind in the country that specifically addresses the defense that claims that a person’s overwhelming hatred for LGBT people causes them to “panic” and commit terrible acts of violence against them.

MINNESOTA

A board in Minnesota that consists of highschool sports coaches and administrators will vote Dec. 4 on a proposal to establish

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Save the date for Scottish marriage equality SCOTLAND

Same-sex marriages in Scotland are set to begin on Dec. 31, 2014. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act, which was passed in February, is expected to come into effect on Dec. 16, and weddings can begin after the standard 15-day waiting period.

Spain passes anti-discrimination law SPAIN

Spain, the autonomous community of Catalonia passed a law that will punish attacks against the LGBT community with fines of up to $14,000. Despite being known as one of the more LGBT-friendly countries in Europe, with the legalization of same-sex marriage being almost a decade old, in 2014, the majority of the hate crimes committed had been motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity.

Kyrgyzstan lawmakers advance “gay propaganda” bill KYRGYZSTAN

Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted to advance a draft of a Russian-style “gay propaganda” ban, bringing the bill one step closer to law in the Central Asian former Soviet republic.

The ban proposes up to a year in prison for individuals, including journalists, found guilty of spreading “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty reported. The bill would also ban LGBT advocacy organizations.

Russia says U.S. same-sex couple illegally adopted student RUSSIA

The Russian foreign ministry announced that it had suspended a 21-year-old program that placed Russian high school students with host families in the U.S. after alleging that a student had been put up for adoption and placed in the custody of a same-sex couple.

“A child who has a mother in Russia was illegally put up for adoption, and the boy was handed over to a homosexual American couple,” Russia’s child rights ombudsman, Pavel Astakhov, was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency on Wednesday. “The boy is healthy and comes from a good family, so it’s not clear what guidelines they were operating under in the U.S.”

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

STEVE CHARING

Northeast Baltimore suffers another gay murder Less than three weeks after Tamala Harris was charged in connection with the stabbing death of her girlfriend Tekeya Amanda Johnson in the 6000 block of Amberwood Road in Northeast Baltimore, another murder involving a gay couple struck the area on Oct. 11.

Andre Nicholas, 28, who performed a variety of handyman jobs at Club Bunns, was found dead in the basement of his boyfriend’s mother’s home at the 2500 block of Garrett Ave. Nicholas’ boyfriend of about a year and a half, Jermaine Jackson, also 28, was arrested and charged in the homicide.

According to police charging documents, Jackson’s mother told police that the suspect was in the basement of her house with a male friend when she left the dwelling in the morning. She reported that she returned home around 6 p.m. to cook dinner when her son came up from his room in the basement telling her there was a dead body in his bed.

Jackson then told his mother to get important papers together because they needed to leave the house. When she asked what happened, Jackson told his mother, “he choked and stabbed Nicholas because the victim wanted him to do something he didn’t want to do,” police wrote in the documents. What that request entailed has not yet been identified.

The mother walked partway down the steps and saw what she believed was a body wrapped in plastic on Jackson’s bed.

She then called police and the fire department. Upon arriving at the scene, police discovered a male wrapped in a sheet and plastic suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Nicholas was pronounced dead at the scene.

A photo of the corpse was posted on Jackson’s Facebook page then removed following protests from the victim’s friends.

Police are reportedly investigating how the photo was posted during the time Jackson was in custody.

Mark McLaurin, a very close friend of Nicholas and who knew the couple well, said that Nicholas frequently spent the night at Jackson’s mother’s home. “Andre was always the much bigger personality, and Jermaine was more quiet and laid back but not at all standoffish, almost shy but affable and approachable. It’s impossible to know what happened that day but I never would have guessed in a million years that Jermaine would kill Andre.”

McLaurin, a Washington D.C. resident and political director for the Service Employees International Union Local 500,

added, “I know it’s a cliché but Andre never met a stranger, through the sheer force of his personality and the brightness of his light. To know Andre was to love Andre.

Our community has lost so many, but this one is particularly hard.”

Court documents indicate Jackson was charged with Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Injure and Possession of a Concealed Dangerous Weapon.

A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 18 in District Court at 1400 E. North Ave. in Baltimore.

Jermaine Jackson arrested and charged for the homicide of his boyfriend Photo courtesy of Baltimore City Police

Documentary Gen Silent to screen twice in Columbia The LGBT Older Adults Task Force of Howard County and PFLAG Howard County will be hosting SAGE Metro DC in a free showing of documentary film, Gen Silent. The film highlights how LGBT older people fear discrimination by caregivers or bullying by other seniors forcing many to simply go back into the closet. A discussion led by Dr. Imani Woody, Chair of SAGE Metro DC follows the film.

The first screening tales place on Nov. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045. The second occurs Nov. 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bain Senior Center, 5470 Ruth Keaton Way, Columbia, MD 21044.

The 2010 documentary film is directed and produced by Stu Maddux. It follows the lives

of six LGBT seniors living in the Boston area who must choose if they will hide their sexuality in order to survive in the long-term health care system. Their surprising decisions are captured through intimate access to their day-to-day lives over the course of a year.

It has been screened at numerous colleges and universities as well as in front of government agencies and healthcare organizations.

Gen Silent premiered at the Boston LGBT Film Festival and has won numerous awards at others.

The title of the film is a reference to the generations of older LGBT people who remain in the closet or re enter the closet out of concern for their safety or quality of life. As a result of the documentary, the term “Gen Silent” has increased in use as a way to refer to this group.

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

15

OUR LIFE

Carlton Smith and Keith Ebony

OUT-SKIRTS

Deliverer of Doom

by DANIELLE ARIANO

ALL TEA, NO SHADE: DISHIN’ WITH THE DUCHESS

I

hit a squirrel when I was driving home from work the other day. Two of them had run out onto 83 South, like they were playing chase. I didn’t have time to react. I saw them, then heard a single thump.

My fingertips went white as I gripped the wheel. “AHHHH,” I groaned through clenched teeth.

For the briefest moment, I considered circling back, pulling off on the shoulder and scooping up whatever remained of the poor fella. I had no grand illusions of saving him, but I thought that maybe I could spare him the fate of getting eaten alive by the turkey vultures that perpetually swirled around overhead, as if the JFX was some sort of fast food joint. Highway-fil-a, (only one that doesn’t send money to organizations that discriminate against gay turkey vultures).

And if, by some chance, the little guy had already departed this world, then I planned to force myself look at what I’d done, to face the very messy consequences of my actions—a punishment, of sorts. For what, I didn’t exactly know. For driving home from work? For not swerving off the road? Maybe this is what my therapist meant when she said that I have rigid standards for myself ?

When I got home from my drive, I kissed my wife Lindsay hello.

“How was your day,” she asked cheerily. I paused briefly to consider whether or not to tell her about the roadkill incident.

Just a few weeks prior, I’d been chided for “oversharing” after I’d read her a terribly sad Facebook post about a woman who’d come home to find her house burning down.

The woman had attempted to get inside to rescue her dog, cat and bird, but couldn’t.

“Why did you tell me that?” Lindsay had asked after I finished reading. “Next time, don’t tell me something like that!” The corners of her mouth were turned down in an agonizing frown.

“Sorry,” I’d said meekly.

This exchange left me wondering, why had I told her? If I’d paused to think about it, I would’ve known that this was precisely the kind of information that Lindsay would opt not to hear, yet I’d found myself blabbing the unfortunate story. It was the same thing that my mother was always doing to me.

16

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

The Ballroom Scene with the Crown Prince by

My mother loved to call me with bad news about people I hadn’t thought about for years. People I barely knew.

“Do you remember Eileen from St. Phil’s?” she’ll call and say.

“No.” “She was three years below you. Always wore her hair in a ponytail? Parents owned a bar?”

“No.” “Well, she has a brain tumor. She’s got two kids. Isn’t that awful?”

Sometimes I got the feeling that she just wanted to remind me that there were people out there who had it far worse than I did, just in case I was thinking of feeling sorry for myself, which I had been known to do from time to time.

I knew she meant well, and as if to balance out all of the misery sharing, she also regularly told me about the joys and successes of these same strangers—their book deals, their beautiful babies—stories that left me feeling just as deflated as the tragic ones, but in an entirely different way.

“My day was just fine,” I said in response to Lindsay’s question. “How was your day?”

Maybe I’d call my mom later and tell her all about Mr. Squirrel.

Danielle Ariano is a writer and cabinetmaker.

Her work has been featured on Huffington Post, Baltimore Fishbowl and Cobalt Review.

Her forthcoming memoir, Getting Over the Rainbow, will be published by Shebooks later this year. 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. She blogs at Daniwrites.org.

KEITH EBONY

H

ey Everyone. This is the Crown Prince of Baltimore, Keith Ebony, so it’s only fitting that I hold court for the Grand Duchess Carlton Smith this month. First let me give you guys and gals a little history on what’s been going on in Baltimore with the ballroom scene. The Baltimore Ballroom Coalition was created by the leaders in the ballroom community to improve the quality of the ballroom scene and the overall local LGBT community.

The Health Department was invited to the table as a partner to address the many health disparities that plague the LGBT community.

Many great things have been developed since the Coalition and Health Department partnership started six years ago, including the Status Update Campaign, which is a community driven campaign to supply the community with vital healthcare information. This month, the Baltimore Ballroom Coalition and the Baltimore City Health Department will be bringing you the fifth annual “Know Your Status” free ball. The free ball was developed to merge the relationship between city agencies and the LGBT community. We will have HIV testing, care linkage referrals, access to various resources, live performances, and of course lots of fun!

The free ball has become one of the most anticipated events in the DMV area by bringing ball walkers, spectators, and families together in a fun and safe environment to learn firsthand about the underground culture of ballroom. There are a couple categories this year that I personally cannot wait to see.

We’ve got “Fem Queen Performance”—in a bangy look, with no heels allowed. Yes, no heels! We want the girls to carry and carry some more! Fem Queen Performance is a category exclusive for transgender women who can vogue, so I expect to see catfights, hair spins, and attitude.

For those who are new to ballroom, we are giving $300 for our “Virgin Wear” category to the person with the best production recreating Madonna’s 1984 MTV performance. I hope the kids come with their wedding dressings, dance moves, and props to deliver an OVAH performance worthy enough to pay homage to the Material Girl.

Since Baltimore has been named the realest city in the country on social media, we will settle the score at the free ball this year by each city battling together as a city (yes, as a city), regardless of house for realness and the spot as the official realest city in the country.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Patapsco Arena on November 15, and I promise that this year will be our best year yet and you will not want to miss it. So come out and have fun with the Crown Prince and the Duchess for a royal extravaganza!

5th Annual Know Your Status Free Ball Sat. Nov. 15 • 7pm Patapsco Arena 3301 Annapolis Blvd.

Facebook.com/ events/710516495670230/

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GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

17

OUR LIFE THE W.O.E. REPORT

JUSTIN’S HIV JOURNAL

I Love You to Death

Spilling the T!

by JUSTIN B. TERRY-SMITH

W

PART TWO by

WYATT O’BRIAN EVANS

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ever in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined what would happen next!

Antonio—my life partner, all 6’4”and 280 pounds of magnificent muscle—towered over me, slamming me directly into the wall! Gawd, the pain that ripped through my body…!”

That’s an excerpt from my new novel, Nothing Can Tear Us Apart—RAGE! Its overarching theme is Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A). As a journalist and motivational speaker, I’ve made this dehumanizing and potentially life-threatening behavior my signature issue.

Because IPV/A is heavily stigmatized and notoriously underreported in the LGBTQ community, my first three installments of The W.O.E. Report explore and examine this utterly deplorable behavior. Part One defined and fully explained IPV/A, pointing out that abusers certainly can control their behavior— particularly when it benefits them.

This installment details the complete cycle of IPV/A. Part Three will present the true and harrowing story of a survivor—along with ways you can make your “Great Escape.”

So once more, what exactly is IPV/A? The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs defines it as “a pattern of behaviors utilized by one partner (the abuser or batterer) to exert and maintain control over another person (the survivor or victim) where there exists an intimate, loving and dependent relationship.”

New research suggests that a greater percentage of LGBTQ individuals are living in fear of an abusive partner than previously thought. It is estimated that each year, between 50,000-100,000 lesbians (or more) and as many as 500,000 (or more) gay men are battered, and about one in four LGBTQ relationships/partnerships are abusive in some way.

According to psychologists and authors Jeanne Segal and Melinda Smith, “Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain

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total control over you.”

So, what is the complete cycle of IPV/A? According to Segal and Smith, it commonly works like this: ¡¡ Abuse. It’s a power play intended to “keep you in line, and show you who’s boss.” ¡¡ Guilt. After abusing you, your partner feels guilt—but not over what he/she’s done.

The abuser is more concerned about the possibility of being caught and facing consequences. ¡¡ Excuses. Your abuser rationalizes what he/she has done, devising a string of excuses or blaming you for the abusive behavior—anything to avoid taking responsibility. ¡¡“Normal” Behavior. The abuser does everything to regain control and keep the victim in the relationship. Your abuser may act as if nothing has occurred. His/her apologies and loving overtures in between abusive episodes can make it difficult for you to leave. Your abuser may make you believe that you are the only person who can help, that things will be different, and that he/she truly loves you. However, the dangers are staying are very real. ¡¡ Fantasy and Planning. Your abuser starts to fantasize about abusing you again, spending a lot of time thinking about what you’ve done wrong and how he/she’ll make you pay. Next, the abuser devises a plan for turning the fantasy of abuse into reality.

Wyatt O’Brian Evans is a journalist, radio personality (“The WOE 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 online home, www.wyattevans.com. Follow him at The Wyatt O’Brian Evans Official Fan Club on Facebook, and on Twitter at @MisterWOE.

e have to remember that transgender people are even more disenfranchised than their lesbian, gay and bisexual brothers and sisters. Time and time again, trans*folk have to deal with discrimination, stigma, and stereotypes. Well, ladies and gentlemen—it is confession time for this columnist.

I was at a club awhile back and I saw this beautiful man. I was automatically attracted to him. Little did I know at the time, he was also checking me out. I was sitting at the bar when all of a sudden, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and saw this sexy face full of smiles. He said, “I’m Cyrus [not his real name]. How are you?” I managed to mumble a “hi” out. After introductions were made, we played the regular cat and mouse game that people who are attracted to each other play. I think I was so surprised that this gorgeous man was attracted to me.

After the drinks were flowing, he made his move outside of the club in a private space. He first gave me a hug and it felt so good. Then he planted what had to be (before my husband) one of the warmest, softest, and sensual kisses I’ve ever had. I was very comfortable with him and when he asked me to go home with him I said yes. But there was something different about him and I couldn’t put my finger on it yet.

When the club closed, we went to his house and began to talk. But we kissed for about 20 minutes and began to undress one another. I felt comfortable and I wanted more. When I started unzipping his pants I said, “There is something I have to tell you.”

He grabbed my hand and said, “There is something I have to tell you too.” I said, “I have HIV. Are you okay with that?” and he smiled at me and said, “I am transgender.

Are you okay with that?” We both looked at each other and said “Yes.” We then talked more and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The both of us disclosed to one another our deepest secret. So I wonder are we as HIV positive, cis-gendered people all that different from a trans*folk? Answer that one for yourselves. But he taught me something, that even though our secrets were a little different I felt a little closer to him for being brave enough to tell me. I often think about him and wonder if he is doing okay. Later on that year, we saw each other again in another setting. We locked eyes and smiled at each other from across the room. At that moment I knew that I would appreciate and cherish that night of disclosure and beauty.

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.

Photo by Don Harris, Don Harris Photographics, LLC © 2011 All Rights Reserved.

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

F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real)

by COACH MAQ ELÈ

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hysiologically we have been given the presence of fear to assist us in removing ourselves from danger. The body is programmed to live, and when danger is imminent that threatens our will to live. We go into the “fight or flight” response. This allows us to pull up strength we did not know we had to save our own life or the life of someone else. We have heard about people turning over cars to save their loved ones and surviving days and weeks in the woods with no food and water. The “flight or fight” response is a gift from the Divine to support us in fulfilling what we are here to do, and that is TO LIVE! Somewhere along the way, we have begun to use this innate sense to stop us dead in our tracks from fulfilling the desires of our hearts. When people are asked, what is stopping you from living your dream, most respond with FEAR—fear of failing, fear of success, fear of not getting it right, etc.

Why have we been using FEAR out of

alignment with its intended purpose? There is a part of our consciousness that wants to stay the same; it does not want to ruffle

TRANSMISSIONS

For Absent Friends

by COURTNEY BEDELL

I

have found it difficult to get started with this month’s column because it has forced me to confront things I would rather not think about. The evils that have made being transgender a nightmare for some of us have created the need for a Transgender Day of Remembrance. And part of the purpose of this day is to remind us that we still need to work together to eliminate the need for such a day.

Being transgender is a challenge even under the best of circumstances. The seemingly impossible hurdles a transsexual must overcome to get to the other side often cause depression, sometimes leading to suicide. It’s incredibly expensive and insurance pays for very little of it. If one is fortunate

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

enough to raise the funds for sex reassignment surgery (SRS) life can still be difficult trying to blend into a culture that has a very specific idea of womanhood. The added fear and burden of being a target of hatred by some people just for who we are makes it that much harder.

Several years ago I was helping a young TG woman navigate the system going through transition and obtaining SRS. She had little money and minimal health insurance. Living as a woman, pre-op, my friend lived in fear that if some homophobe learned that she still had her “past appendage,” she might be bashed. The chance that she might raise enough money for surgery seemed impossible to her and the anxiety of

feathers and cause too much unwanted attention. It is afraid of being annihilated. It feels that if it does change, if it does ruffle some feathers or cause too much unwanted attention, it will die from embarrassment, shame or guilt. It feels as if its life will be over, thus, initiating the feelings of fear. This fear is False Evidence Appearing Real, the threat of imminent danger seems so real in your consciousness that you trigger the flight or fight response physiologically. This then leads to avoidance (flight) or resistance (fight). Avoidance manifests itself as pretending something is not present or ignoring the things that require your attention. Resistance manifests itself as making excuses for your lack of action and playing victim to your circumstances. Here are some questions to ask yourself the next time you find yourself halted by FEAR: ¡¡ Question 1: Am I making this up? Do I know without a shadow of doubt that what I am telling myself is true?

¡¡ Question 2: If I were not afraid what would I do? ¡¡ Question 3: What baby step can I take within the next 48-hours to move me closer to creating what I want?

Please know that living from FEAR is a choice, and at any moment you can make another choice… that moment can be NOW!

living forever in gender –limbo finally took its toll. She took her boyfriend’s revolver and went out to commit “suicide by cop.” She pulled her car over on the side of the road and called the police to report a “woman waving a gun around” in the hopes that she would be killed by a cop. By some miracle she was not, and thankfully she found the courage and patience to eventually transition.

She is now a happy and healthy woman, and I am thankful I don’t have to mourn her loss on this coming Day of Remembrance.

The good news is that it is getting better all the time. Some say LBGT anti-discrimination legislature is the last frontier. We are certainly on the way as with Maryland passing landmark anti-discrimination laws protecting transgender folk. I am incredibly hopeful that in the not-too-far-off future we will look back in all this and reflect on how silly humans have behaved over such unimportant issues.

I do say this with the full knowledge that the world still has a long way to go to catch up with us. Not all nations are as progressive as we are. Countries like Russia and Uganda are still waging all-out war on LBGT people.

Back in America: I just heard a song on a Baltimore jazz radio station about a woman lamenting that her girlfriend has moved away while she was out and that she is heartbroken. When major institutions recognize and support LGBT love and marriage like our Maryland has, the public will follow perhaps kicking and screaming all the way - but their noise will be pointless because the walls have already have been broken down.

So let us honor and mourn the transgender men and women who have fallen, but let’s also raise our glasses to the bright future we all will share in the better world we are making together!

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

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

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BETTER LIFE

Tips to Save Tax Dollars at Year-End by

AMANDA WOODDELL WILHELM

Y

ear-end tax planning will again be challenging this year as Congress has yet to act on a number of tax breaks that expired at the end of 2013. Some of these tax breaks may be retroactively reinstated and extended, but Congress may not decide their fate until the very end of this year and, possibly, not until next year.

These breaks include the following for individuals: ¡¡ The option to deduct state and local sales and use taxes instead of state and local income taxes. ¡¡ The above-the-line-deduction for qualified higher education expenses. ¡¡ Tax-free IRA distributions for charitable purposes by those age 70-1/2 or older. ¡¡ The exclusion for up-to-$2 million of mortgage debt forgiveness on a principal residence.

Here are a few tips on ways to save tax dollars if you act before year-end: ¡¡ Realize losses on stock and other investments while substantially preserving your investment position. ¡¡ Postpone income until 2015 and accelerate deductions into 2014 to lower your 2014 tax bill. ¡¡ Consider converting traditional IRA money into a Roth IRA if eligible to do so. Keep in mind, however, that such a conversion could increase your adjusted gross income for 2014. ¡¡ Consider using a credit card to pay deductible expenses before the end of the year. Doing so will increase your 2014 deductions even if you don’t pay your credit card bill until after the end of the year. ¡¡ Estimate the effect of any year-end planning moves on the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for 2014, keeping in mind that many tax breaks allowed for purposes of calculating regular taxes are disallowed for AMT purposes. ¡¡ Pay estimated tax payments of state and local taxes before year-end to pull the deduction of those taxes into 2014 if doing so won’t increase AMT. ¡¡ Take an eligible rollover distribution from a qualified retirement plan before the end of 2014 if you are facing a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. ¡¡ Increase the amount you set aside for next year in your employer’s health flexible spending account (FSA) if you set aside too little for this year. ¡¡ If you are eligible to make health savings account (HSA) contributions in December of this year, you can make a full year’s worth of deductible HSA contributions for 2014. ¡¡ Make gifts sheltered by the annual gift tax exclusion before the end of the year and thereby save gift and estate taxes. You can give $14,000 in 2014 to each of an unlimited number of individuals but you can’t carry over unused exclusions from one year to the next.

By following these tips, you may save a few tax dollars and start 2015 on the right financial foot.

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

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BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

SOCIAL LIFE BSCENE

SpeakFire!

Series Panel & Vogue Class at Chase Brexton October 9 by

BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

ASIA KENNEY

GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

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SOCIAL LIFE

Datebook

by

RECURRING & ONGOING EVENTS

Sundays Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar Every Sunday 7am-Noon Jones Falls Expressway Holliday & Saratoga Sts. PromotionAndArts.com Dog Hikes with the Doctor First Sunday of the month 11am-Noon • $2 Baltimore Humane Society 1601 Nicodemus Rd. • Reisterstown BMoreHumane.org Metropolitan Community Church Services Every Sunday 9am and 11am MCC Baltimore • 401 W. Monument St MCCBaltimore.org League of Women Bowlers Every Sunday 4:30pm AMF Marlow Heights Lanes 4717 St. Barnabas Rd. • Temple Hill LeagueOfWomenBowlers2@verizon.net Rise Up, Honoring Women’s Spirituality Fourth Sundays 12:45-2:15pm First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net Westminster PFLAG Monthly Mtg. Third Sundays 7pm St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 17 Bond St. • Westminster PFLAGWCC.org Heterosexual Friendly Gay Brunch First Sunday Frederick’s on Fleet • 2112 Fleet St. FredericksOnFleet.com ASGRA Monthly Trail Ride First Sundays 10:30am • $25-30 Piscataway Stables 10775 Piscataway Road • Clinton ASGRA.org Charm City Volleyball: Competitive Play Every Sunday 10am-1pm • $7 Volleyball House 5635 Furnace Ave. • Elkridge VolleyBaltimore.org Service of Worship First Sundays 10:30am First & Franklin • 210 West Madison St. FirstFranklin.org Service of Worship Every Sunday 10am Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church • 1316 Park Ave. BrownDowntown.org

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GAY LIFE / NOVEMBER 2014

Saturdays

Mondays

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Senior Pride: Discussion Group for Women 55+ Monday evenings Chase Brexton Health Services Call 410-837-2050, ext. 2428 for details www.bit.ly/SeniorPride

Wednesdays

RACHEL ROTH

Tuesdays Howard County PFLAG Monthly Mtg. Second Tuesdays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia PFLAGMD.org Karate-Dō (LGBT-friendly classes) Every Tuesday 5:30-7:30pm Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus Bob Remington — MDShoto@aol.com Csskshotokan.com Meditation Group Every Tuesday 6:15-7:45pm First Unitarian Church of Baltimore 1 W. Hamilton St. FirstUnitarian.net PFLAG Baltimore Co. General Mtg. Fourth Tuesdays 7pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. PFLAGBaltimore.org Parents of Transgender Kids Fourth Tuesdays 7:30-9pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia cvhyde@gmail.com PFLAGBaltimore.org Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore County 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7-9pm Towson Unitarian Universalist Church 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. RYABaltimoreCounty@gmail.com Rainbow Youth Alliance of Howard County 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia 410.280.9047 rya_leaders@hotmail.com

Charm City Volleyball: Social Play Every Wednesday 6:30-9:30pm • $3-30 Mt Royal Recreational Center 137 McMechen St. Living Well with HIV Support Group Every Wednesday 10:30am Institute of Human Virology 725 W. Lombard St. Jacques.umaryland.edu/support.html Spiritual Development with Rev. Sam Offer Every Wednesday 7pm Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore 4007 Old York Rd. UFCB.org GEM: Gender Empowerment MD Every other Wednesday 7pm Equality Maryland • 1201 S. Sharp St. Owen@EqualityMaryland.org Support Group for Transgender Adults Third Wednesday 7:30pm Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way • Columbia hoctytransgroup@gmail.com

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

THIS MONTH

Saturday, Nov. 1 Next to Normal The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that changed everything. $10-59 • 8pm • Thru Nov. 16 CENTERSTAGE, 700 N. Calvert St. CenterStage.org Mr. Maryland Leather Who will be next? Noon Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. CommandMC.org WPOC’s Girls With Guitars Feat. Jana Kramer, RaeLynn and Sara Evans. $35-150 + fees • 8pm Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com Zodiac Saturdays No cover… if it’s your sign.

Every Saturday 9pm Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com elektroschock First Saturday of every month 9pm. $6 cover • 21+ Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Sunday, Nov. 2

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

NPC Jay Cutler Baltimore Classic Bodybuilding, Bikini, Fitness, Physique Championships • $35-75 • 10am-9pm Hippodrome Theatre • 12 N Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com

Fridays

Monday, Nov. 3

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

Spot Light Mondays Drink specials & drag shows! 9pm Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com

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Karaoke Sing your heart out every Monday and Tuesday night.

Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Levi & Leather Leather or Bear attire gets you a discount.

Fridays 8pm Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Tuesday, Nov. 4

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

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

Wednesday, Nov. 5 Gay BINGO! Every Wednesday 8:30pm Club Hippo • 1 W Eager St. ClubHippo.com Neighbors Night at Marquee Lounge Every Wednesday 5pm The Patterson • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org

Thursday, Nov. 6 Ultrafaux Baltimore’s own original gypsy jazz band. $12 • 8pm Creative Alliance • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org Omega Thursdays Every Thursday 9pm-2am Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Friday, Nov. 7 Greek Food and Cultural Fest Food, dancing, shopping, Opa! FREE • 11am-11pm • Thru Nov. 9 Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation • 24 W. Preston St. Facebook.com/BaltGreekFestival INKED Tonight, skin is art • $15 • 7:30pm Creative Alliance • 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org National Aquarium Hosts Fluid Art Celebration Celebrate Baltimore’s art scene. $12 • 5-9pm National Aquarium • 501 E. Pratt St. Aqua.org Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!

TV’s hippest kids’ show. $37-47 + fees • Shows at 3 & 6pm Hippodrome Theatre • 12 N Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com

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Fridays After Five Every Friday 5pm • $12 National Aquarium • 501 E. Pratt St. Aqua.org

Saturday, Nov. 8 “Home Cooked Cabaret: Love Stinks” GMCW’s season opener features the cast of Love Stinks! $125 • Shows at 3 &8pm Atlas Performing Arts Ctr. • Lang Theatre 1333 H St. NE • Washington, DC GMCW.org SHE Productions Presents REHAB 2nd Saturday of Every Month 9pm • $5 • 21+ Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Thursday, Nov. 13 Date Night at the Aquarium Wander leisurely through the exhibits. $75-130/couple • 21+ • 7:30pm National Aquarium • 501 E. Pratt St. Aqua.org

Friday, Nov. 14 Gender Conference East Addressing the needs of youth and their families • 8am-7:30pm • Thru Nov. 15 North Baltimore Plaza Hotel 2004 Greenspring Dr. • Timonium GenderConferenceEast.org The Holi-GAYS The Charm City Kitty Club presents a holiday spectacular. $10-15 • 8pm • Thru Nov. 15 Theater Project • 45 W. Preston St. TheaterProject.org REVIVAL A monthly hoedown • $6 • 21+ • 7pm Grand Central • 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Monday, Nov. 17 GLCCB Book Club Lost by Gregory Maguire.

FREE • 7pm Waxter Center, 3rd Fl. • 1000 Cathedral St. GLCCB.org Giant Monster Monday Movies & drink specials • 8pm-Midnight The Wind Up Space • 12 W North Ave. TheWindUpSpace.com

Tuesday, Nov. 18 Night OUT feat: “It’s a Wonderful Life” A night at the theater for the LGBT community. $19-39. 6:30pm CENTERSTAGE, 700 N. Calvert St. CenterStage.org

Wednesday, Nov. 19 POZ DC Happy Hour Mixer For HIV+ men • 7pm Green Lantern 1335 Green Court NW • Washington, DC HopeDC.org

Friday, Nov. 21 Child’s Play Opens Inspired by youth, innocence and vitality. $12-15 • 8pm • Thru Nov. 23 Theater Project • 45 E. Preston St. TheaterProject.org Firefly Presents Tease: Experience the Difference w/DJ Neo Soul • $10 • 9pm Lux Nightclub • 10 S. Calvert St.

Tuesday, Nov. 25 It’s a Wonderful Life opens The perfect holiday outing for the entire family • $19-59 • Thru Dec. 21 CENTERSTAGE • 700 N. Calvert St. CenterStage.org

Friday, Nov. 28 Festival of Trees Kennedy Krieger’s annual fundraiser. $7-13 • 10am-9pm Maryland State Fairgrounds 2200 York Road.

Festival-of-Trees.org Baltimore Bike Party The biggest party on two wheels! 7pm St. Mary’s, Seton Hill BaltimoreBikeParty.com Burl-eoke!

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

Saturday, Nov. 29

Charm City Fringe Festival With Baltimore’s ever-growing fringe theatre community, Charm City Fringe is bringing artists out of the woodwork to present what they do best. Held in the Baltimore neighborhoods of Station North, Mt. Vernon and Hampden, this year’s festival will feature fresh new shows, after-parties with live music and comedy, exclusive festival collaborations, like 2014’s with Brewer’s Art, and special deals around the city, the Charm City Fringe Fest is not to be missed!

Charm City Fringe Festival Nov. 2–9 Station North, Mt. Vernon and Hampden $10–55 CharmCityFringe.com

Bazaart AVAM’s annual holiday marketplace.

FREE • 10am-5pm American Visionary Arts Museum 800 Key Highway AVAM.org 34th Street Holiday Lights The “brightest two blocks in the U.S.” turns on the lights • Dusk-11pm • Thru Jan. 1 West 34th Street ChristmasStreet.com

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