Volume 33, Number 23

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1979

MARYLAND’S LGBT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011 VOLUME XXXIII, NUMBER 23 WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

B'MORE AWARE OF HIV MICHAEL FEINSTEIN BED & BREAKFAST HOLIDAY TOUR TESTING AT GLCCB

PAGE 2 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 3

letter editor’s

by Roger Dimick

Prizes and Progressive Jackpot

Proceeds Benefit

I am a handbell ringer (you can laugh, I can take it). I ring with a small but devoted group made up of various ages and backgrounds, and when we come together we can make beautiful music. (We can also make a cacophony of awful, but that’s usually when we haven’t had enough practice.)

Due to stage fright, my least favorite part is performing, but perform we did during one recent Sunday service.

I’ll admit my attention drifted at times while we sat waiting for our turn to perform. But I perked up immediately when I heard the deacon disparage same-sex marriage. Not being a parishioner, let alone a Christian, I didn’t feel I could speak up. And while I wanted to walk out, I knew I’d only let down my group (for a handbell choir cannot perform without every last ringer).

This Thanksgiving I can list many things for which I’m thankful; but what I’m most thankful for right now, is that there are so many welcoming religious organizations in our community. I’m thankful that the LGBT community doesn’t have to choose between a intolerant church and a secular life. With Chanukah and Christmas right around the corner, I’m thankful that there are so many places that LGBT individuals can turn to worship.

CONTENTS

9 outfront

firstperson

PAGE 5 COMMUNITY

PAGE 15 TRANSMISSIONS

Carrie Evans returns to Equality Maryland as new ED.

Scout's Honor.

By Gwendolyn Ann Smith

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and Baltimore organizers request volunteers for January’s Creating Change conference.

outgoing

By Anthony Moll

PAGE 17 SPOTLIGHT

By Michael Quander

13th Annual 12 Days of Christmas Charity Gala welcomes 27 performers to Club Hippo.

DINING OUT

DATEBOOK

PAGE 6 COMMUNITY

STI testing is offered free every week.

Deliciously large portions are served at Towson's Bahama Breeze.

Calendar of Events.

By Rachel Roth

By John Cullen with Marty Shayt

PAGE 7 HOLIDAY

The B&Bs of Baltimore offer food, drink, and merriment on the second annual Holiday House Tour.

afterhours PAGE 14 BSCENE

Turkey Bingo at Club Hippo

By Terri Solomon

Photos by Samatra Johnson

PAGE 8 MUSIC

Free State Legal Project's "Will-Power Party"

A Candie Cramer Christmas means traditional carols for a good cause.

Photos by Linda Soares

By Rose D’Longcroi

Transgender Day of Celebration

PAGE 9 MUSIC

Photos by Terra Hiltner

Michael Feinstein speaks to GL about his Thanksgiving weekend performance at the Meyerhoff.

By Maggie Beetz with Samantha Buker

Maggie Beetz Editor

ON THE COVER

Courtesy of Art with a Heart and Moveable Feast

PAGE 4 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

headlinenews

FEATURE PAGE 12

PAGE 10 NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World AIDS Day: B'more Aware of HIV.

By Ted Blankenship

By Rachel Roth

241 W. Chase Street • Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone 410.837.7748 • Fax 410.837.8889 Email sales@baltimoregaylife.com

Maggie Beetz, Editor

Gay Life is a publication of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB). Gay Life is published every other Friday in Baltimore, Md., with distribution throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Copyright 2011. 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.

Scott FitzPatrick, Advertising

editor@baltimoregaylife.com

M. Cory Burgess, Art Director cory@metroscapemedia.com sales@baltimoregaylife.com 410.837.7748

National Advertising Rep.

Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863

Marty Shayt

Senior Volunteer

Contributors

Ted Blankenship, Samantha Buker, John Cullen, Rose D. Longcroi, Anthony Moll, Rachel Roth, Michael Quander, Marty Shayt, Gwendolyn Smith, Terri Solomon

Photographers

Terra Hiltner, Samatra Johnson, Linda Soares, Jay W Photos

Newspaper Committee

Trevor Ankeny, Bud Beehler, Kelly D. McClain, Terri Solomon

BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

outfront COMMUNITY

Equality Maryland Hires New Executive Director Equality Maryland announced on November 11 the hiring of former employee Carrie Evans as the new executive director.

Evans served as the organization’s Director of Policy and Planning from 2007 to 2009.

“I spent a couple of years outside the fray and missed the work,” Evans told Gay Life.

“We are so close to winning marriage and transgender equality and I hope I can help make these things a reality in Maryland.”

Evans works currently as a policy analyst for Baltimore’s Housing Department and as adjunct faculty for the Gender and Women’s Studies department at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

She has previously worked as the state legislative director at the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Carrie Evans “I came across a quote a few weeks ago, while I was making my decision about returning, and it captured in a simple yet profound way how I think the road ahead will be: ‘We are at our best when the way is steep.’ I am ready, and I hope everyone reading this is too, to be my best!” ■

EQUALITY MARYLAND is Maryland’s largest

lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights group, with thousands of members across the entire state. EqualityMaryland.org.

Volunteers Needed for Creating Change 3,000-3,500 LGBT VISITORS EXPECTED TO DESCEND ON BALTIMORE IN JANUARY

BY ANTHONY MOLL Creating Change, an annual leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement, is just around the corner. In January, Charm City will host the event along with thousands of advocates, activists, and organizers from around the nation, but it is going to take a lot of work.

The event is the 24th gathering of this unique national conference held each year by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). The five-day event (January 2529, 2012) will feature over 250 trainings and workshops, along with the opportunity to connect with like-minded folks from both our local communities and the national stage. For the first time ever, the event will also host a lobbying day, busing attendees to Washington, D.C. to discuss LGBT issues with congressional lawmakers.

The event will host several big names during both plenary and workshop sessions, including NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous, NGLTF Executive Director Rea Carey and more. The event will be emceed by political humorist Kate Clinton.

The conference is made possible each year only through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers; this year, the Maryland WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

LGBT community and its allies will have the opportunity to fulfill this need. Volunteers are needed as local guides to the area, as well as helping to ensure that the event goes smoothly for both organizers and participants.

Being part of this one-of-a-kind event, volunteers will have the chance to network with individuals throughout the movement.

Volunteers who give four hours of their time are registered to attend sessions for the remainder of the day. Training for volunteers will be provided from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and its local event cochairs on Sunday January 22, 2012.

Individuals interested in volunteering, registering, or who want more information on the event can visit the conference’s website, CreatingChange.org.

Additional information on volunteering is available through event co-chair Matt Thorn at 202.200.0153 or matthew@ beyondthehillstrategies.com. ■

CREATING CHANGE CONFERENCE January 25-29, 2012 Hilton Baltimore • 401 W. Pratt St. CreatingChange.org

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 5

outfront COMMUNITY

Free HIV and STI Testing Offered Weekly at GLCCB

BY MICHAEL R. QUANDER, JR.

HIV Counselor Robert Alston

Know your status and get tested. The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) is currently offering free and confidential health screenings for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s). These screenings are administered by trained counselors with the Baltimore City Health Department. Anyone can receive a screening for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and/or gonorrhea every Wednesday between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

This free service has been available for nearly a decade at the GLCCB, and a Baltimore City employee is encouraging local residents to use it more often. Robert Alston, 53, has been working with the Baltimore City Health Department for 10 years as a HIV counselor. He has been

the driving force behind keeping the free screenings available for community members at the GLCCB. “I want to help pick up the morale,” Alston said. “It’s important for people to understand that it is safe, private, and completely confidential.” He also mentioned that, “HIV is still on the rise among young gay people in Maryland,” even as young as 14 years-of-age.

According to a behavioral surveillance survey that was released in 2005 by the Center for Disease Control, 48 percent of men that tested positive for HIV were unaware of their infections. More specifically, out of the five cities that were analyzed, Baltimore had the highest rate of HIV incidence among men that have sex with men. Since the release of the data, Maryland’s Infectious Disease and Environmen-

tal Health Administration has implemented behavioral interventions and prevention techniques throughout the state, in hopes of decreasing the incidence rates within this population. The behavioral surveillance survey, also known as BESURE, is in the process of conducting another cycle to see if this data has changed or remained the same. The data from the current cycle will become available once all of the information has been compiled and analyzed.

Alston explained that one of the advantages of getting tested at the GLCCB was the safe and comfortable atmosphere.

“Here the people understand and respect you,” he said. ■

FREE HIV AND STI TESTING

Wednesdays, 5-8pm • GLCCB 241 W. Chase St. • 410.837.5445 • Glccb.org

DINING OUT

Bahama Breeze Dishes Deliciously Large Portions

BY JOHN CULLEN WITH MARTY SHAYT Perched on top of a parking garage just a block off the circle in the middle of Towson on Joppa Road, the entrance to Bahama Breeze Island Grille off-ramp into Towsontown Center is easy to miss. Part of a chain with a couple dozen locations and owned by the large Darden restaurant group (parent of Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Longhorn Steakhouse), Bahama Breeze features a Caribbean island theme. Inside, you’ll find three colorful, large dining rooms plus a long oval bar surrounded by booths, and a large covered patio that can be delightful (when the weather cooperates!). Along with our friends Tom and Paul, we were seated in a spacious booth with a view of the bar and the open kitchen.

The extensive menu includes about 20 appetizers ($5-12), several soups ($5-6), several entrée salads ($10-12), a half dozen sandwiches ($10, which include fries, fruit salad, tomato salad, or black beans and rice) plus eighteen entrées ($11-20).

We liked that half of the entrées offered PAGE 6 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

“lighter portions” priced dollars less in addition to the full size portions. We were all hungry and decided to share two appetizers: island onion rings ($8) and tomato island flatbread ($8). When Marty spied our onion rings coming out of the kitchen piled eight-inches-high on a huge plate, he exclaimed “Oh my gawd!” (which was quickly echoed by the rest of us! We discovered that Bahama Breeze portions are big!). The rings tasted even better than they looked with a crunchy, tasty crust that was surprisingly not greasy earning an unqualified thumbs-up. The flatbread, which turned out to be a 10-inch thin crust pizza, was equally impressive (and easily could have made for a wonderful entrée).

Our entrées earned thumbs-up from all of us. Paul’s buttermilk fried chicken ($12) generated “WOWs!” with several fried boneless chicken breasts stacked high with layers of sautéed spinach, tomatoes, and cheese (the menu description just doesn’t do justice to this creation!). Tom enjoyed his jerk chicken pasta ($16), which came

covered in a rich parmesan cream surrounding pieces of chicken, asparagus, and mushrooms (and left him wishing he ordered the $12 light portion!). John’s tropical fruit and grilled chicken salad ($10) included still- warm grilled chicken, fresh fruit, goat cheese and almonds on top of mixed greens; it was wonderfully satisfying! Marty was amazed by the large number of shrimp nestled in pieces of grilled scallions and fresh tomatoes in his calypso shrimp linguine ($17); again, the portion was so big that he wished he had opted for the “lighter” portion ($13).

Between the combination of the wonderful (and at times pleas“Anti-Atlas” Art Tilecreative!)

by Denisefood, Duarte

ant Caribbean feel, and our engaging, attentive waitress, our only regret was that we had no room left for dessert! Why did it take us so long to discover a thumbs-up restaurant like Bahama Breeze? Avoid our mistake and give it a try! ■

BAHAMA BREEZE ISLAND GRILLE

100 E. Joppa Rd. (Towson) • 410.821.7090 BahamaBreeze.com Open 7 days 11am-midnight Sunday brunch • Full bar • Vegetarian No reservations.

Email DiningOut@BaltimoreGayLife.com & find past reviews at BaltimoreGayLife-DiningOut.info BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

HOLIDAY

Bed & Breakfast Holiday House Tour Returns LOCAL INNS SHOWCASE FOOD, WINE, AND FINE LODGING

BY TERRI SOLOMON

The Better Baltimore Bed & Breakfasts, an association of local B&Bs and inns in the city, has come up with an innovative way to let more people know about their hospitable services for travelers and locals alike.

This year’s Holiday House Tour has stops at five Baltimore Bed & Breakfasts, with participants receiving a first peek at each inn’s festive decorations, as well as food and wine from local chefs and wineries.

If the temptation of food, wine, and seasonal décor isn’t enough to encourage participation, maybe donating to a worthy cause will motivate you. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Better Baltimore Bed & Breakfasts and Moveable Feast, an organization providing “nutritious foods and services to preserve quality of life for people with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening conditions.” [Learn more about their important work p. 12.]

SCARBOROUGH FAIR BED & BREAKFAST ■ 801 S. Charles St. • 410.837.0010

Barry Werner has owned Scarborough Fair Bed & Breakfast with his partner Jeff Finlay since 2007. Werner describes himself as “the creative bubbly one” in the relationship, responsible for decorating the Christmas trees and the holiday village, while the more restrained Finlay focuses on behind-the-scenes details.

Werner, who quit his job at an adult day care facility to devote himself to being an innkeeper full-time, has no regrets. “I still take care of people,” he said. “I enjoy seeing the direct outcome of my work with people, and the gratification of watching them really enjoy themselves.”

Werner is excited about the prospect of showcasing Scarborough Fair (with food from Corks and Waterfront Kitchen, paired with Basignani Winery), as well as the INN at 2920, Blue Door on Baltimore (with food from Water for Chocolate), Ra-

WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

chael’s Dowry Bed & Breakfast, and Celie’s Waterfront Inn (with food from Sláinte Irish Pub, paired with Black Ankle wine).

“We want to raise awareness that Baltimore has B&Bs,” Werner said. “With a B&B, you experience a city as a local. You are connected to people, instead of being removed from them.”

INN AT 2920

■ 2920 Elliot St. • 410.342.4450

Partners Warren Munroe and David Rohrbaugh have owned INN at 2920 for four years. Munroe describes the inn as a greener B&B, “marrying the traditional Baltimore rowhome to a more contemporary setting.” Their decorations this year highlight what the couple has collected throughout the years, such as Rohrbaugh’s assortment of Santas.

INN at 2920 will feature food by Jack’s Bistro, a Canton restaurant acclaimed for “cutting, avant-garde food like mac and cheese with chocolate,” said Munroe. “It’s something out of the ordinary and unique.”

Munroe touts the tour as “a great value— not many tours encompass all this.”

RACHAEL’S DOWRY

Holiday decorations at Scarborough Fair Bed & Breakfast Photos by Barry and Cary Werner

■ 637 Washington Blvd. • 410.752-0805

Rachael’s Dowry is a restored 18th century house in Ridgely’s Delight, operated by sister and brother team Letitia Bohner and Norman Finnance. Finnance describes the B&B as “a historical inn with all the modern amenities. It’s furnished with period antiques, but not overdone.”

“We were going to go period, but they didn’t even have Christmas trees when the house was built in the 1700s,” said Finnance, when asked about holiday embellishments. “We cut a tree ourselves, hang natural wreaths, and use personal decorations from past Christmases. My partner helps decorate the house.”

Finnance characterizes the tour as “really fun.” The Corner Bistro and Wine Bar, a new restaurant in the neighborhood, will provide “some form of crab hors d’oeuvres, their specialty,” he said. In Baltimore, it’s not Christmas without crab, hon! ■

BALTIMORE BED & BREAKFAST HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR

Sunday, December 4 • 2-7pm $40-50 includes transportation to each B&B BaltimoreHolidayHouseTour.ticketleap.com

BLUE DOOR ON BALTIMORE

2023 E. Baltimore St. • 410.732.0191

CELIE’S WATERFRONT INN

1714 Thames St. • 410.522.2323

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 7

outfront MUSIC

Candie Cramer Christmas to Benefit Cystinosis Patient

BY ROSE D’LONGCROI

www.embracehomeloans.com Licensed as Embrace Home Loans, Inc. NMLS# 2184

Beginner Yoga With Yoga Therapist Tim Hurley

Sundays at 3:30pm (please arrive a few minutes early) Room 201 at The GLCCB 241 W. Chase St. Cost is $9 www.glccb.org 410.837.5445 A portion of the cost is donated back to The GLCCB PAGE 8 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

In the weeks before Christmas, all through the city, Candie Cramer tells a story that will pull at your heart strings. It starts with the Baltimore native’s musical achievements, involves her 2007 Christmas CD, a rare kidney disease, and America’s Got Talent.

In 1963, Cramer was born to a family of five: four boys and one girl. She studied classical flute for four years in Peabody Preparatory, she represented Towson Senior High School as the winner of allstate band, and performed as first chair solo flute in 1980 and 1981. These honors ensured a scholarship to study flute at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in Ohio where she graduated with academic honors. She has since performed with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and recorded three tapes including the single, “Caught Up,” which was premiered on the Jenny Jones Show in 2000.

But Cramer put her path to national success on hold when her only sister, Gerrie, died suddenly in 2001, leaving behind a teenage daughter, barely old enough able to obtain a learner’s permit.

“My sister was my best friend, my confidant,” said Cramer. “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her.”

On the heels of this tragedy, and with the aid of Cramer’s creativity and drive, she took her niece under her wing, and successfully raised her—until tragedy struck again.

Her niece entered her 25th year as an expectant mother. Hopes were high when Natalie was born to the Cramer family, but she was diagnosed with Cystinosis soon after. Today, at 2 years old, Natalie is the height and weight of a 9-month-old.

Natalie’s illness, a rare kidney disease that Cramer herself can barely pronounce, has put her into the hands of Johns Hopkins pediatricians as they work to improve her overall growth. With the influx of doctors’ bills and general up-keep becoming harder to afford, Cramer decided to turn back to music strengths.

She is hoping her revitalized efforts to raise awareness about her 2007 CD, A Candie Cramer Christmas, will not only bring joy to audiences who will appreciate traditional Christmas carols, but also that it will raise awareness of this disease and help her niece meet the enormous financial burden of her daughter’s medical bills.

“It means so much to me to help my niece and her daughter financially during this terrible time in their lives.”

A Candie Cramer Christmas is an album of instrumental carols performed on flute

by Cramer. Most songs are accompanied by synthesized electric keyboard.

Cramer fans may get to see more of her talents soon enough. She has taken the leap into competitive TV this November with an audition for America’s Got Talent.

Where this venture has taken her cannot yet be revealed, though she will admit that she caught the producers’ eye while in line.

“I wore a rich, robust amethyst purple jacket with gold embroidered stars on the sleeves and a gold Chanel skirt with dangling metallic charms to the audition,” she explained. “The producers spotted me waiting in line outside the D.C. Convention Center, and they pulled me out of line and invited me to take photos and film video for the show.”

While Cramer’s fans will have to wait until February to find out more about this endeavor, A Candie Cramer Christmas is available now at The Sound Garden or online at Fluteworld.com. Fans can see Cramer perform the first track, “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” on YouTube.com. ■

A CANDIE CRAMER CHRISTMAS Sound Garden • 1616 Thames St. or buy online at Fluteworld.com

BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

MUSIC

Michael Feinstein Sings Sinatra

LEGENDARY SINGER SPEAKS TO GAY LIFE ABOUT HIS LIFE, MUSIC, AND MEYERHOFF PERFORMANCE

BY MAGGIE BEETZ WITH SAMANTHA BUKER ■ PHOTO BY AJ MAST

This Thanksgiving weekend the famous singer Michael Feinstein returns to Baltimore to perform Frank Sinatra hits as well as lesser known songs the icon never had a chance to perform. Feinstein’s concert is based on his acclaimed album, The Sinatra Project. He spoke to Gay Life about the time he spent with Sinatra, how Rosemary Clooney became his second mother, and how he and his partner came to be married by Judge Judy.

HAVE YOU SPENT MUCH TIME IN BALTIMORE AND AT THE MEYERHOFF SPECIFICALLY?

My first time at the Meyerhoff was right after I started to gain some notoriety, so I guess that would have been around the time I played Broadway, maybe late ‘80s, early ‘90s. I played solo and fell in love with the hall. I worked with Jack Everly a number of times as well and I love his work and the fine orchestra and the city.

The last time I was there I found a great vegan restaurant so I was happy.

YOUR ALBUM, THE SINATRA PROJECT, FOCUSES ON SONGS WRITTEN FOR SINATRA THAT WERE NOT RECORDED

BY HIM. AM I CORRECT IN SAYING IT’S BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED?

Yes, it has been. It’s some songs that he didn’t record, but a lot of them he did record. It’s hopefully a happy mixture of songs that encapsulate the era of the ‘60s in which he had become iconic. I wanted also to do a recording that included songs sung by people he influenced and people who influenced him.

So there are some Sinatra warhorses like “The Lady is a Tramp” and “For Once in My Life”—which he sang in almost every concert for the last 20 years of his life—“Luck Be a Lady,” which was very associated with him.

WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

I think there were two songs that he never sang at all. One is a song called “C’est Comme Ça” written by Duke Ellington and Marshall Barer. I included that because the lyricist Marshall Barer was a friend of mine, and he told me that he wrote it with Sinatra in mind as a classic Sinatra saloon song. The other one that Sinatra didn’t do was a song called “Thirteen Women,” which I discovered from my friend Ann-Margret, and wanted to do that as a nod to the crazy vibe of the ‘60s.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE SONGS?

Hm. I like “Thirteen Women” because it’s so uncharacteristic for me and it’s gotten wonderful response. And I like “I’ll Be Around,” which is a song by Alec Wilder written in 1942. Most of the songs on the recording are done with a wonderful big band and with an orchestra with strings. But this cut is just with a bass, and a violin as well, and it’s very quiet and intimate and sad.

YOU SPENT TIME WITH SINATRA. DID YOU SING WITH HIM?

Occasionally when I was at the house [his wife Barbara] would ask me if I wanted to sing, but I was always so intimidated by the thought of singing in front of him that I couldn’t do it. I guess

anybody else with more moxie or nerve or chutzpa would have done it, but I never did, and I guess I should have, but I didn’t. [Laughs]

YOU’RE SOMETHING OF A GERSHWIN AFICIONADO AS WELL. ARE THERE ANY PARALLELS BETWEEN THESE GIANTS OF THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT?

Sinatra certainly sang a lot of Gershwin songs through the years and on my previous CD, The Sinatra Project—I guess now it’s Part One—I included “I’ve Got A Crush On You,” one of Gershwin’s songs, but we wouldn’t know that song if it weren’t for Frank Sinatra. It was written in 1928 and he recorded it I think in ‘48. It wasn’t until Sinatra recorded that song that it became popular and became one of the most beloved Gershwin songs.

Ira Gershwin, for whom I worked from the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s, a six-year period until his death in 1983, he always talked about how Sinatra made that song a standard and how, without people singing the songs, they don’t live.

ROSEMARY CLOONEY WAS A MAJOR INFLUENCE ON YOU AS WELL. HOW DOES HER WORK COMPARE WITH SINATRA AND GERSHWIN IN TERMS OF INFLUENCING YOU AND YOUR WORK?

Rosemary was my favorite female singer, maybe my favorite singer of all time, because of the combination of her beautiful voice, her interpretive ability, her connection with the lyric and just something about her energy, if you will, that created a very deep connection in my soul. She became my second mom, and she used to call me her sixth kid. We toured and performed a couple hundred shows together through the years. She taught me a lot about interpretation and I consider her to be one of the major influences on American pop music even though (like many people who are no longer with us) she isn’t as well remembered as I wish she were.

WHAT IT IS ABOUT THE CABARET LIFE THAT HAS HELD YOUR INTEREST FOR ALL THIS TIME? CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 9

headlinenews NATIONAL

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Co-founder of Lesbian A Publishing House Dead at 78 Barbara Grier, co-founder of lesbian publishing house Naiad Press, died Nov. 10 of lung cancer. She was 78. Grier started Naiad Press in 1973 with her longtime partner, Donna McBride. Together, they turned a $2,000 loan into a $1 million business. Naiad Press published more than 500 titles by the time it folded in 2003.

According to an article in The Los Angeles Times, prior to Grier and McBride’s publishing house, lesbian literature consisted primarily of pulp fiction written by men whose protagonists generally ended up one of three ways: They married a man, went crazy, or killed themselves.

Grier wanted to provide lesbian readers with stories that could help them lead happier lives.

“She created Naiad Press because the mainstream would not publish any of our books,” author Katherine V. Forrest, told The Times. “Her accomplishments are just monumental, given the obstacles she faced. There was such virulent homophobia. Barbara was nothing if not fearless.”

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B Mass. Passes Transgender Rights Bill The Massachusetts State Legislature has passed a bill that specifically protects transgender people from discrimination and hate crimes, according to ABC News. The bill, which mends the state’s nondiscrimination statute and existing hate crime laws to include gender identity and expression, is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick.

“Transgender individuals in Massachusetts face unacceptably high levels of violence and discrimination in their daily lives,” state Rep. Carl Sciortino Jr., a Medford Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, told ABC News. “This bill will extend our statutory civil rights and hate crime protections to the transgender community.”

8 Case Back in Federal Court, C Prop Proponents Granted Right to Appeal The fight for marriage equality in California faced a minor setback on Nov. 17 when the California Supreme Court ruled that the proponents of Proposition 8 are allowed to defend Prop 8 in court. While Jon Davidson, legal director of Lambda Legal, called the court’s decision “disappointing,” he is still confident that samesex couples in California will win back the right to wed.

“The ruling addresses only a procedural legal question, Davidson said in a press release on LambdaLegal.org. “The key question underlying this case is whether the U.S. Constitution permits a state electorate to treat one group of people unequally to everyone else by depriving them of what the state’s high court has held to be a fundamental right. A federal court has already ruled that it may not. We look forward to seeing that decision upheld.”

D LGBT Seniors Face Increased Difficulties A new study by the University of Washington’s School of Social Work reports that LGBT seniors and baby boomers—a group whose numbers are expected to be more than 4 million by 2030—have greater rates of disability, depression, and loneliness compared with heterosexuals of similar ages. The study, released Nov. 16 and led by Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen, UW professor of social work and director of UW’s Institute for Multigenerational Health, surveyed 2,560 LGBT adults aged 50-95 across the United States. The study highlights issues unique to older LGBT adults, such as fear of discrimination, the lack of children to depend on as caregivers, and less social support and financial security with age, and that they are less likely to be partnered or married.

Fredriksen-Goldsen implored congress to take action during a presentation of some of the study’s key findings.

“The health disparities reflect the historical and social context of their lives, and the serious adversity they have encountered can jeopardize their health and willingness to seek services in old age,” she said.

To read the full report, visit CaringAndAging.org.

PAGE 10 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

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Marriage Equality Measure won’t be on

E 2012 Ballot in Oregon

While Basic Rights Oregon is “committed to winning the freedom [for same-sex couples] to marry,” the organization has decided not to pursue a ballot measure on marriage in 2012. In a recent press release, the Board of Directors cited several factors, including the “expense of waging a statewide political campaign in the midst of an economic crisis” as the main reason the board unanimously voted against putting the issue of marriage equality on the ballot. The press release also stated that in order to reach this decision, the board looked at a variety of data including an online survey with over 1,000 respondents from across Oregon, results from town hall meetings held across the state, and dialogues with a group of community leaders and campaign professionals.

Election Night Huge for Open LGBT Candidates Nov. 8 was a big night for Chris Seelbach, but an even bigger night for the LGBT community in Cincinnati, OH. Seelbach, 32, became the first openly gay man to be elected to city council, a move that State Rep. Denise Driehaus, D-Clifton Heights, said “changes the conversation” in the notoriously conservative city.

According to an article on Cincinnati.com, in his first 100 days in office Seelbach plans to propose legislation to give health benefits to city employees’ same-sex partners.

Ohio wasn’t the only place where LGBT politicians scored big on Election Night. LGBTNation.com reports the following: HOUSTON, TEXAS: Mayor Annise D. Parker has been re-elected to a second term on Tuesday. Parker is Houston’s second female mayor, and was the first elected gay mayor of a major U.S. city.

NEW LONDON, CONN.: Openly gay attorney Daryl Justin Finizioas became the city’s first

elected mayor in nearly nine decades.

HOLYOKE, MASS.: Alex Morse, a 22-yearold graduate of Brown University, was elected mayor, becoming the nation’s youngest openly gay mayor.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: LaWana Mayfield won her race for City Council, becoming that city’s first openly LGBT elected official. She was heavily favored after ousting the incumbent Democrat in the primary earlier this year.

VIRGINIA: State Del. Adam Ebbin was elected to the Virginia state Senate, making him the Commonwealth’s first openly gay senator.

MISSOULA, MONT.: Caitlin Copple, an out lesbian who was endorsed by the Victory Fund, won her race for city council, defeating an incumbent who voted against an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance.

MAYWOOD, N.J.: Mayor Tim Eustace was elected to the New Jersey Assembly, becoming the first openly gay non-incumbent to win a seat in the state legislature.

BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

BY RACHEL ROTH INTERNATIONAL

F Ugandan Activist Wins RFK Human Rights Award Frank Mugisha, one of the few openly gay Ugandan gay rights activists, was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in Washington on Nov. 10. The 29-year-old Mugisha is the leader of the underground group, Sexual Minorities Uganda, whose members must frequently move locations for their safety because homosexuality is considered a criminal offense. Mugsisha told RFKCenter.org that winning the award gives him the courage to continue fighting for LGBT equality in Uganda.

“For me, it is about standing out and speaking in an environment where you are not sure if you will survive the next day,” he said. “It is this fear that makes me strong, to work hard and fight on to see a better life for LGBTI persons in Uganda.”

In related news, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) reported that the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria has denied funding to the country because their policies were “deemed harsh on sexual minorities.” For more on that story, visit: ilga.org

Pikesville Silver & Antiques Your source for all things silver

G Thousands Support Gay Rights in Hong Kong Thousands of people gathered to march for gay rights in Hong Kong’s Gay Pride Parade on Nov. 12. Asia One reported that the crowd was mostly members of the LGBT community, gay rights activists from Taiwan, and mainland China and campaigners from the non-LGBT community.

Hong Kong decriminalized homosexuality in 1991, but in June the Chinese government hired a psychiatrist who said that homosexuals can be “cured” to train government counselors. According to Asia One, Hong Kong has not enacted laws barring discrimination against gay men and lesbians, and it doesn’t recognize the unions of gay couples. The military also bans gay troops, and there is no right to legally alter a person’s gender.

Kiss-In to Protest Nigeria’s Bid to

H Criminalize Same-Sex Marriage

629 Reisterstown Rd. · 410.358.3377 · M-F 10-5

In an effort to protest Nigeria’s Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill, a kiss-in took place on Nov. 15 outside of the Nigeria House. The event was organized by Nigerian LGBTIs in the Diaspora Against Anti-Same-Sex Laws, as a “gesture of defiance,” where Nigerian LGBTI people and allies held hands, hugged, and kissed.

“The new Nigerian bill aims to further criminalize same sex relationships,” said Yemisi Ilesanmi, the group’s Nigerian coordinator in a press release. “Already, consensual same-sex conduct between adults is a criminal offense carrying up to 14 years imprisonment and in some parts of the country there is the death penalty under Sharia law.”

The bill will not only outlaw same-sex marriage, but punished anyone who “witnesses, abet and aids” a same-sex marriage.

According to Peter Tatchell, director of the human rights lobby, the Peter Tatchell Foundation, the proposed law violates the equality and non-discrimination guarantees of Article 42 of the Nigerian Constitution. It also violates Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which Nigeria has signed and pledged to uphold. However, Nigerian lawmakers appear intent on passing the bill.

“Lawmakers are fast tracking the bill. [It] has already passed its second reading,” Ilesanmi said. To sign a petition in support of the Nigerian LGBTQI community, visit chn.ge/q4sHvX

I St. Petersburg Passes "Draconian" Anti-Gay Bill Amnesty International is urging St. Petersburg—the second largest city in Russia—not to enact the homophobic bill St. Petersburg’s city assembly passed nearly unanimously on Nov. 16.

According to Amnesty.org, if enacted, the law would allow authorities to impose fines of up to the equivalent of $1,600 for “public actions aimed at propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality, and transgenderism among minors.”

Consensual, same-sex activity was decriminalized in Russia in 1993; however this new law would prohibit all LGBTQI events where children might be present as well as publications anything relating to LGBTI rights or providing assistance or advice.

Nicola Duckworth, Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia program director called the bill “a thinly veiled attempt to legalize discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.”

“The notion that LGBTI rights activists are somehow converting Russia’s youth through ‘propaganda’ would be laughable, if the potential effects of this new law weren’t so dangerous and wide-reaching,” she said in a statement on the organization’s website.

WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 11

B’MORE AWARE of HIV and Join The Living Red Ribbon on December 1st

Raising awareness about HIV in Baltimore and fighting the 9.5 statistic By Ted Blankenship

WHAT IS WORLD AIDS DAY? WORLD AIDS DAY WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IN 1988 TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE AIDS PANDEMIC CAUSED BY HIV. EVERY YEAR ON DECEMBER 1, ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE OBSERVE THIS DAY IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE EDUCATION AND HONOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DIED FROM HIV/AIDS. PAGE 12 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

Every 9.5 minutes someone in the US is diagnosed with HIV. Stop and really think about that. Every 9.5 minutes. That’s the time it takes to blow dry your hair in the morning, to shave your beard, or to grab a cup of coffee and get your day of work started. In that time, one person’s life is turned upside-down.

How can we educate people about this disease, encourage testing so they know their status and change that alarming statistic?

The Partnership for Life works to answer this question through B’More Aware of HIV: The Living Red Ribbon. The Partnership for Life is a collaboration between Moveable Feast, Chase Brexton and AIRS, three local agencies that serve people with HIV and work to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS. Their signature awareness event, B’More Aware of HIV: The Living Red Ribbon offers numerous ways to educate and unite the community for this cause. Last October, hundreds of participants turned out for the health fair, speeches, entertainment and free HIV testing on site. At the event’s conclusion, as a demonstration of community solidarity, participants gathered together to form a living red ribbon.

As the Partnership looks forward to an even bigger turn-out this year, Volunteer Melissa Otterbein’s reflects on the day: As I walked to Rash Field that sunny morning, my heart was filled with an incredible sense that I was about to embark on something bigger than myself, something unique, and something that was a relevant way to stand up for advocacy and education about a health and social issue that impacts the world and particularly, Baltimore City. This event tugged at my heart for each of those things.

The crowd began to gather, slowly turning into a sea of red, and I thought about how easy it is for strangers to come together and lay any differences aside to support this important cause. I look forward to

staying involved to show Baltimore, and the world, that AIDS is real and being silent about it is never the answer. Please stand in red with me.

Join the Partnership for Life this year on December 1st, World AIDS Day, for their next B’More Aware of HIV day.

This year’s event will take place at Coppin State University and will again feature a health fair and the living red ribbon. Join thousands of individuals—students, local church groups, business and government leaders, and residents of Baltimore City— as they dress in red ponchos and attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for forming a human red ribbon.

Please take 9.5 minutes to visit BmoreAware.org for more information; just by learning more, you are taking the first step in supporting the person who was just diagnosed with HIV during that short timeframe. ■

B’More Aware of HIV

Thursday, Dec. 1 • 9am-3pm • FREE Coppin State University Athletic Complex 2500 W. North Ave. BMoreAware.kintera.org 9AM REGISTRATION OPENS. RIBBON FORMATION DOES NOT START UNTIL 11:45, BUT ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE REGISTERED BY 11:30 9AM-3PM HEALTH FAIR AND ENTERTAINMENT – LIVE MUSIC, EDUCATIONAL BOOTHS, HIV TESTING, HEALTH SCREENINGS AND REFRESHMENTS 10:30-NOON MARYLAND INFECTIOUS DISEASE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 11:30-11:45 PRESS CONFERENCE 11:45 LIVING RED RIBBON FORMATION 12:30-3PM HEALTH FAIR AND ENTERTAINMENT CONTINUES BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

HIV STATS EVERY 9.5 MINUTES SOMEONE IN THE US IS DIAGNOSED WITH HIV. THE CDC ESTIMATES THAT 21% OF THE INFECTED US POPULATION DOES NOT KNOW THEIR STATUS. MARYLAND IS RANKED 4TH IN THE US FOR HIV CASES. (28,270 MARYLANDERS) BALTIMORE IS RANKED 5TH FOR MAJOR CITIES IN THE US FOR HIV CASES. (13,269 BALTIMOREANS) 1,200 PEOPLE WILL BE NEWLY INFECTED IN BALTIMORE CITY THIS YEAR. WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 13

It’s not just a conference, it’s a powerful organizing moment that feeds me and pushes me to build a broad movement for justice.

Alfonso Wenker Director of Development & Communications, PFund Foundation, Minneapolis, MN

The largest annual gathering of activists, organizers and leaders in the LGBT movement

January 25–29, 2012 Hilton Baltimore Maryland www.CreatingChange.org See you there!

We’re still looking for host committee members and volunteers. If you live in the Baltimore area, go to www.CreatingChange.org and look at “Wanna Help?” in the main menu.

Gold & Platinum Conference Sponsors

Build Power Take Action Create Change PAGE 14 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

firstperson TRANSMISSIONS

Scout’s Honor

BY GWENDOLYN ANN SMITH

Bobby Montoya wanted to join the Girl Scouts.

Born with male genitalia, Montoya decided at age 2 that she was a girl. She dresses and acts like a typical American 7 year old. Her mother, Felisha Atchuleta, has been supportive of her child, even holding “princess parties” for Montoya’s birthday. Recently, she tried to get Montoya into the Denver chapter of the Girl Scouts of Colorado, a part of the Girl Scouts of the USA. You know, the folks who sell cookies.

When Atchuleta approached the local troop, she was rebuffed. Indeed, the scout leader said things that humiliated Montoya, driving her to tears. After the story hit the news, however, higher ups with the Girl Scouts of Colorado presented a very different view than the local leader.

“Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization and we accept all girls in Kindergarten through 12th grade as members,” read the Girl Scouts’ press release. “If a child identifies as a girl and the child’s family presents her as a girl, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes her as a Girl Scout.”

I should add that they do expect transgendered Girl Scouts to be very definitive in their gender identity—or as Rachelle Trujillo, the vice president of communications for Girl Scouts of Colorado, said to a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, “If she does want Bobby to join, they need to make a decision, that as a family, that we are going to entirely have her live her life as a girl. If they do so, we are happy to have her as a member.”

Perhaps the reason for this statement is, as the group claims, that Atchuleta framed her request using male pronouns for Montoya, and that this led to the initial rebuff. While that may have been the case, it still doesn’t sound like it was handled well.

The Girl Scouts of Colorado have said they will be altering their training programs and reaching out to Atchuleta and Montoya, and presumably welcoming them to be a part of the Girl Scouts experience.

Trujillo said that they only hear of one or two cases of a transgender child wanting to join a year, and that they’ve only encountered transgender kids wanting to join WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

the group in the last three or four years.

I can tell you, with certainty, that the Girl Scouts have had transgender members before. Aside from the high likelihood that some of their members transitioned away from girlhood and into a male identity, I too was a member of the Girl Scouts. No, really.

In spite of being—at the time—an only child, and being years away from publicly admitting to my preferred gender, I was part of the Spanish Trails Council of the Girl Scouts back in the 1970s. One of my aunts was a troop leader, and my mother opted to assist her. In order for her to do this, she would have to bring her kid along. The upshot was that I was made an honorary girl scout. No, I did not have the uniform—aside from an awful daisy pattern and bric-a-brac vest that we all had in our troop—but I did earn a handful of badges, and was welcome to participate in all our events and activities.

Even though I was definitely considered a separate animal from the others in scouts, I know I did get a lot out of the experience. Frankly, I wish I could have experienced it in my preferred gender, and really been a truly equal party to this experience. I loved the experience I had, and feel it did contribute to who I am today, but I know it could have been much more.

We live in an interesting time. Much like Trujillo indicated, it is only in the last few years that we’ve seen parents beginning to accept their children’s transgender status, and have attempted to accommodate the needs of their transgendered offspring. It is a far cry from the days when I was an ersatz Girl Scout, when the very notion of a child displaying tendencies outside their birth gender would not have been met with acceptance, but scorn and derision.

With this rise in acceptance, we’re also seeing the inevitable pushback, with people like Fox News commentator Dr. Keith Ablow leading the charge. Hot on the heels of an article warning parents to not let their children catch a glimpse of Chaz Bono on Dancing With The Stars, for fear that “transgender rays” will strike your child and turn them transgender, he’s turned to the debunked science of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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201 N. Charles Street, Suite 2300 Baltimore, MD 21201 Office: 410-332.1170 • Fax 410-837-0288 Lyndamdee@aol.com • www.lyndadeelaw.com VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 15

Building Community Since 1977 The GLCCB is proud to offer a wide range of free and low-cost programs, events, and services to the community. .

Unless otherwise noted, all events are held at the GLCCB located at 241 W. Chase Street, Baltimore.

For more information please visit www.glccb.org or call 410-837-5445.

WOMEN’S PROGRAMS PEARLS OF WISDOM (POW)

A coming out/peer support group for ALL womyn of the LBTQ community, engaging in open and confidential discussions on relationships, family, self-identity, coming out, peer relationships, and more.

Meets 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 11:00am in room 202 For info contact POW.Lesbian@yahoo.com

WOMEN OF COLOR

A collective group committed to providing a safe, confidential, and supportive space for LBTQ women of all colors.

Meets 2nd, 4th, and 5th Thursdays at 7:30pm in room 202 For info contact WOC@glccb.org

TRANSGENDER PROGRAMS GENDER IDENTITY GROUP (GIG)

A support group for transgender, gender queer, and anyone who varies from traditional gender expression.

Meets 2nd Saturday at 8:00pm in room 201 For info contact GIG@glccb.org

GIG: Baltimore Trans-Masculine Alliance A support group for FTMs.

Meets 4th Saturday at 6:00pm in room 202 For info contact BTMA@glccb.org

GIG: Tran*quality

A support group for MTFs

WOMEN OUT AND ABOUT

A social group for LBTQ women who want to meet new people while enjoying fun activities.

Meets 4th Saturday at 8:00pm in room 201 For info contact Tranquility@glccb.org

GIG: SOFFA-T

Meets off-site, dates and times vary For info contact BWOAEvents@yahoo.com

MEN’S PROGRAMS MEN LIKE ME

An open support group for adult men who love other men with the objective of empowering participants to take care of themselves and each other. Topics of discussion include coming out, homophobia, relationships, and more provided in a safe and supportive environment.

A support and resource group for significant others, friends, family, and allies of transgender persons.

Meets 4th Saturday at 8:00pm in room 202

HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS BEGINNERS’ YOGA

Gentle beginners’ yoga with instructor Tim Hurley, RYT. Drop-ins WELCOME!

Meets 2nd and 4th Mondays at 6:00pm in room 201 For info contact MenLikeMe2glccb.org

$9.00 per person, per class EVERY Sunday at 3:30pm in room 201

POZ MEN

HIV & SYPHILIS TESTING

Meets EVERY Wednesday at 7:00pm in room 202 For info contact POZMen@glccb.org

EVERY Wednesday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on 3rd Floor

FREE and confidential testing provided by the Baltimore City Health Dept.

A peer support group for men who are HIV+.

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM SUFFICIENT AS I AM (SAIM)

A supportive group for youth and young adults 24 years of age and under. Youth are welcome to drop-in and try out this successful long running program that features discussion sessions, special events, guest speakers, and trips.

Meets EVERY Saturday at 12:00pm in room 201 For info contact SAIM@glccb.org

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS The GLCCB offers a wide range of community events including art shows, musical performances, variety shows, special events, and projects. For more info visit our website at www.glccb.org or look for separate ads in the Gay Life newspaper.

The GLCCB is the publisher of

The GLCCB is the producer of

RECOVERY PROGRAMS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

LGBTQ centered AA recovery groups, welcoming to all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Meets EVERY Monday at 8:30pm, Thursday at 8:30pm, and Saturday at 6:30pm in room 201

AA—POSITIVELY SOBER

an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, which provides a safe place for those with HIV or other health related issues. All are welcome.

Meets every Sunday at 6:15pm in room 201 For info contact woodylightandlove@gmail.com

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

Men’s Rap group for men in recovery.

Meets EVERY Sunday at 11:30am in Room 201

CHANGE—SEXUAL COMPULSIVES ANONYMOUS Group for individuals recovering from sexual compulsion.

NOW MEETING at Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore on Mondays at 8:00pm

www.glccb.org PAGE 16 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

outgoing E M A I L YOUR E V E NT INFO TO C ALENDAR @B ALT I MO R EGAY LI F E.CO M

DATEBOOK

COMPILED BY RACHEL ROTH

Friday, November 25 Michael Feinstein Sings the Music of Frank Sinatra: The five-time Grammynominated entertainer – and “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook” – returns to Baltimore to perform songs from his acclaimed album, “The Sinatra Project.” $38-76. Thru 11/27. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., bsomusic.org

18th Annual Night of 100 ELVISes: It’s back, pretty mama! A benefit for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, the Baltimore chapter of the Guardian Angels, and Hungry for Music. There will be a whole lotta Elvis – tribute bands, that is. $55-65. 6pm2am. 2nd Night on 12/3. Lithuanian Hall, 851-3 Hollins St., NightOf100Elvises.com

Wine Tasting: Get your weekend started off right with complimentary tastings of wines from around the world. Discounts on bottles included in tastings. FREE. 5-8pm. Fridays.

Spirits of Mt Vernon, 900 N. Charles St. 410.727.7270, SpiritsOfMtVernon.com

Matt Porterfield presents CHELSEA GIRLS: Join the Baltimore filmmaker for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of watching Andy Warhol’s dual projector hit, the 1966 film, shot in the famed Chelsea Hotel. Mod attire encouraged. $7-12. 7pm. Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., CreativeAlliance.org

Festival of Trees: Kennedy Krieger Institute’s three-day extravaganza of fairyland forests, gingerbread towns and toy train gardens, also features craft boutiques, holiday goodies and activities for kids of all ages. You can also enjoy a special line-up of nightly entertainment for the whole family! $6-12. 10am-9pm. Thru 11/27. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium, FestivalOfTrees.kennedykrieger.org Lust: The Ladies of Lure present your newest desire with Dj Rosie and DJ Keenan, DystRuXion Dancers, and dancers specials. $5-7. 10pm. Club Hippo, 1 W. Eager St. 410.547.0069, ClubHippo.com

Photo by Shutterpup.com

Saturday, November 26

SPOTLIGHT

13th Annual 12 Days of Christmas Charity Gala For the last 13 years, the 12 Days of Christmas Charity Gala has brought together an award-winning, star-studded cast representing the gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, leather, drag, and rodeo communities.

This year’s gala, “The 12 Days of Christmas, Lucky 13,” will be held at Club Hippo on Saturday, December 10.

Attendants can enjoy acts by 27 performers from all over the country. MCs for the afternoon are Shawnna Alexander, Summer Clearance, Karen “Ultra” Crecelius, Debbie Jones (ASL), Slave Jez (ASL), and Susan Weinstein (ASL). Other attractions include a silent auction and a tinsel tree raffle in which one lucky participant will win the tree and all of the gifts!

“Also on sale are Belton’s famous cupcakes, and Lulus kitchen will be serving hotdogs and other goodies,” said organizer Rik NewtonTreadway. Doors open at 12:30 for the silent auction and pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Clause.

This year’s event, presented by Hooker and Boys, benefits three charities: The Carter / Johnson Leather Library, LA&M’s Women’s Leather History Project, and the Sharon St. Cyr Fund with donations being distributed to SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Education Awareness for Kids). Their goal is to raise at least $2,000 for each organization.

To donate silent auction items or the tinsel tree raffle, or for sponsorship and advertising questions, contact Newton-Treadway at hookernboys@comcast.net or 410.366.5312. ■

Event Info

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CHARITY GALA

Saturday Dec. 10 • $13 • Doors 12:30pm, Show 2pm Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St. • HookerandBoys.org

WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

Rohina Malik’s Unveiled: Five Muslim women in a post-9/11 world serve tea and uncover what lies beneath the veil in this compelling one-woman show. $11.25-22.

8pm. Thru 12/4. Theater Project, 45 W.Preston St., TheaterProject.org

Irish Family Thanksgiving: Raconteur, master button accordion player Billy McComiskey shows off how traditional Irish music is passed down with family and friends playing around the kitchen table. Bring your instruments for a post-show “ceili” in the Marquee Lounge. $15-20. 8pm. Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., CreativeAlliance.org Trixie Little’s 2nd Annual Baltimore Beauty Pageant: Join Trixie, Evil Hate Monkey, and Mr. Gorgeous for the crowning of the new King – or Queen – of Crabs. This all-out spectacle of the glitter-meets-gutter style that makes Baltimore the quirky capital of the world is sure to prove that beauty (and Baltimore) are in the eye of the beholder. $15. 7pm. The Otto Bar, 2549 N. Howard St., TheOttoBar.com Baltimore Frontrunners: Running/walking club for LGBT individuals and friends.

Assemble 8:45am, run 9am. Reassemble for brunch 10am. Panera Bread, 3600 Boston St., BaltimoreFrontrunners.org

Tuesday, November 29 Christmas with Choral Arts: Tom Hall leads the Chorus and Orchestra in this festive program, featuring beloved Christmas favorites. $25-55. 7:30pm. The Baltimore Basilica, 409 Cathedral St., BaltimoreChoralArts.org

Wednesday, November 30 Transgender Issues Working Group: Support group for those who identify as transgender. Meets every other Wednesday. Registration required. FREE. 7pm.

Equality Maryland, 1201 S. Sharp St., Contact Owen@EqualityMaryland.org BINGO! Cash prizes and progressive jackpot. Enjoy drink specials, appetizers, and raffles all night. Hosted by Roger Dimick. Proceeds benefit GLCCB. 8:30pm. Club Hippo, 1 W. Eager St., 410.547.0069, ClubHippo.com

Thursday, December 1 WORLD AIDS DAY B’MORE AWARE OF HIV: The Living Red Ribbon Event: (See article p. 12).

9am-3pm. Coppin State University, 2500 W. North Ave. Athletic Field/Physical Education Complex, BMoreAware.kintera.org Choirs & Candles: In honor of World AIDS Day, jazz & blues legend Lea Gilmore joins three choruses to share transcendent music and a profound commitment to raising awareness. Hosted by Steven Kaufman of AIDS Outreach Project and CA’s H. Proceeds benefit area Baltimore AIDS programs. $12-17. 7:30pm. Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., CreativeAlliance.org A Monumental Occasion: Celebrate the 40th annual lighting of the George Washington Monument with fireworks, live music, and food. FREE. 5:30-8pm. Mount Vernon Place, 600 block of N. Charles St., GoDowntownBaltimore.com

Friday, December 2 Glitter and Spew: A Trio of Satirical Short Plays Puncture Pop Culture Pretensions: Playwright Alison Luterman’s three short plays form a three-ringcircus meditation on media exposure, shame, and personal responsibility. $10-25.

8pm. Thru 12/17. The Strand Theater, 1823 N. Charles St. Strand-Theater.org

Saturday, December 3 Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower Open Studio Day: Visual artists showcase their talents with original art, including theatrical scripts, mix media, paintings, photography and sculptures. Reception to follow. FREE. 1-9:30pm. Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, 21 S. Eutaw St., BromoSeltzerArtsTower.com Artist Talk: Two voices from a new generation of printmakers discuss their eight powerful portraits of Abu Ghraib prisoners created during in-person interviews between the detainees and their lawyers. FREE. 2pm. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr., ArtBMA.org.

Miss Gay Pennsylvania USofA Pageant: The preliminary to the national Miss Gay USofA Pageant is hosted by Angel Sheridan and starring Miss Gay Pennsylvania USofA and Miss Gay USofA. $55-70. 6pm. Eagle Firehouse Ballroom, 46 N. Sugan Road, New Hope, PA. MissGayPAUSofA.com Daddy Christmas Benefit: The Shipmates present a Daddy Christmas to benefit SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Education Awareness for Kids). 9pm. The Baltimore Eagle, 2022 N. Charles St., 443.524.3333, TheBaltimoreEagle.com

Sunday, December 4 Art to Dine For: Smith Island Cake Party: Smith Island baker Janice Marshall, along with folklorist Elaine Eff, sings, tells stories, and ices cakes while teaching you to bake one of Maryland’s most famous cakes. 2-5pm. $85. Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., CreativeAlliance.org

Tuesday, December 6 Rainbow Youth Alliance of Baltimore County: A support group for LGBT and questioning teens and allies. RYA is a safe place to ask questions, find mutual support, and learn information pertinent to the lives of LGBTQA youth. FREE. 7:30-9:30pm. Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd., Lutherville, PFLAGBaltimore.org, RYABaltimoreCounty@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 7 MICA Art Market: Shop for original work by 250 MICA students, alumni, faculty and staff, including one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, illustrations, paintings, sculptures, textiles and more. FREE. 10am-6pm. Thru 12/9. Leidy Atrium and Falvey Hall: Lobby of Brown Center, 1301 W. Mount Royal Ave., MICA.edu BINGO! Cash prizes and progressive jackpot. Enjoy drink specials, appetizers, and raffles all night. Hosted by Roger Dimick. Proceeds benefit GLCCB. 8:30pm. Club Hippo, 1 W. Eager St., 410.547.0069, ClubHippo.com Living the Full Rainbow Flag: Connect with LGBT members and allies in the Unitarian Universalist community. Meets the first Wednesday of every month. FREE. 7:15-9pm. Cedar Lane UU Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, CedarLane.org.

For registration contact Jeannette Wilson 301.493.8300 or jwilson@cedarlane.org Brooklyn: The Musical: A sidewalk fairy-tale about a young girl’s quest for truth and love, told through a mix of brash pop and some incredible soul. $20. 8pm. Thru 12/11.

Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., TheaterProject.org

Friday, December 9 Victoria Vox & ellen cherrys` Not All Holiday Show: The combo of ukulele, folkinfluenced narratives and traditional holiday songs will charm your Christmas socks off. $11-16. 8pm. Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., CreativeAlliance.org A Girl Called Esther: A new play that mixes traditional narrative with explorations in movement and music tells the story of a behavioral psychologist who thrives on keeping her life in order. $10-15. 8pm. Thru 12/11. E.M.P. Collective, 306 W. Redwood St., EMPCollective.org VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 17

afterhours BSCENE

TURKEY BINGO AT CLUB HIPPO ■ NOV 16

PHOTOS BY SAMATRA JOHNSON

FREE STATE LEGAL PROJECT'S "WILL-POWER PARTY" ■ NOV 17

PHOTOS BY LINDA SOARES

TRANSGENDER DAY OF CELEBRATION ■ NOV 19

PHOTOS BY TERRA HILTNER

PAGE 18 • NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 8, 2011

BALTIMORE’S GAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

Michael Feinstein Sings Sinatra CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 I’ve had a nightclub for 11 years now, and I love that I have a place that has just become part of the fabric of New York and is a place where people can hear performers in a smaller setting with all of the advantages of being in close proximity to the performer—seeing their facial expressions, being able to feel really connected to a performer in a way that isn’t quite the same in a large hall. Though a large hall is also wonderful because of the communal experience. There are certain places that allow more of a connection than others. Certainly the Meyerhoff is one of them.

YOU AND YOUR PARTNER WERE MARRIED BY JUDGE JUDY. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT? WHAT IS SHE LIKE OUTSIDE OF THE COURTROOM?

She’s a wonderful lady. We actually had dinner with her last night. We became friends a long time ago, probably 12 years ago. Judy is a very devoted friend and a kind person and absolutely tough on her television show because that’s how she ran her courtroom. She does not suffer fools. She’s the one who actually spurred Terrance and I to get married because we’d been together for a while and she said that she had a bad feeling about the law in California being changed.

We didn’t feel any great rush to get married, like many people, because state legalization of marriage does not give the federal advantages and all of the things that would make it truly equal to any other marriage. But she pushed us to do it because she felt and feels that it should be legal on a national level. And

Scout’s Honor

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE GAY LIFE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING VISIT?

The show itself is one of my favorite shows to perform. The big band sound, which is endangered these days, is very exciting. It is wonderful to see the reaction of the audience in response to the swing sound. For people who haven’t ever experienced that sound it’s just one of the greatest things in the world. People are practically dancing in the aisles from the joy of the music and the swing experience. ■ Read the extended interview online to learn Feinstein’s favorite Baltimore restaurant, the diet that changed his life, his $170 million performing arts complex, and more at BaltimoreGayLife.com.

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN SINGS SINATRA

Nov. 25, 26, and 27 • 8pm (3pm Sunday) Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 1212 Cathedral St. • 410.738.8000 BSOMusic.org

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Dr. Paul McHugh to fight against sexual reassignment.

He also dredged up last year’s J. Crew advertisement, where their creative director, Jenna Lyons, painted her son’s toenails. It seems as if Lyons is now dating another woman, leading Ablow to dig back to the 1970s, claiming that Lyons is trying to feminize her son because she’s the classic “man hater” stereotype.

This is the world these parents have to navigate. People who, like Ablow, would equate acceptance of transgender children by their parents as a form of “child abuse.” While I think there may still be WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

she said “OK. Get out your books— we’re going to make a date.” And we got out our books and made a date. She beautifully performed the ceremony.

Barry Manilow sang and Liza Minnelli sang, and it was a life-changing experience. Because even though we had been together a long time there’s nothing that could compare to the feeling that I had of being with 150 people who are our closest connected intimates and friends, who were there supporting us with unconditional love, which was something as partners many of us never get to feel.

some issues along the way with the Girl Scouts of Colorado and their stance on transgender children, it’s certainly a big step above what may be out there from other groups, schools, and other bodies these parents may have to navigate. I’m sure it’s far beyond anything we may ever see from the Boy Scouts of America, too.

So I applaud the Girl Scouts of Colorado for moving in the right direction, and presenting a Girl Scouts that is open to all girls. ■

Gwen Smith wishes she still had her badges.

You can find her on the web at GwenSmith.com VOLUME 33, NUMBER 23 • PAGE 19