Volume 33, Number 6

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1979

Comic Jennie McNulty Performs at CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST

MARYLAND’S LGBT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER APRIL 1 - APRIL 15, 2011 VOLUME XXXIII, NUMBER 6 WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

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PERSONAL FINANCE PLUS: n

Playwright Adam Bock

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VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 3

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ter

CONTENTS

letter editor’s

APRIL 1 - APRIL 14, 2011 VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6

A

s we welcome April—springtime and tax season—Gay Life brings you a story on financial planning for the LGBT community. Gay and lesbian individuals and couples often must handle more complicated concerns than their straight counterparts.

7

Like the LGBT Health Awareness feature in our March 18 issue, this is a subject crucial to everyone, and it’s one that can inspire bouts of procrastination, even dread. But like health, personal finance is an area of life that can lead to devastating consequences if ignored. And similarly, advanced planning can ensure far better results, giving you the peace of mind that you (and your loved ones) will remain protected, no matter what life brings.

PAGE 8 DINING OUT: Donna’s. By John Cullen and Marty Shayt

There are so many different sides to financial planning that it’s impossible to cover them adequately in 2,000 words. Each topic—including taxes, longterm care, retirement, estate planning—can easily make up a feature unto itself. In this issue, local LGBT-friendly financial planning professionals share their expertise on these topics and more. I encourage you to read their explanations of laws and issues that inevitably touch your life.

Once your financial house is in order, make sure to budget some time for fun: Check out Cirque du Soleil’s latest incarnation, Totem (page 9). Find your excuse for a beach trip among the various CAMP Rehoboth’s Women’s FEST events (page 8). Read an exclusive interview with “Swimming in the Shallows” playwright Adam Bock about his latest production with Iron Crow Theatre (page 5). Or relive the fun had by all during the crowning of the King and Queen of Pride at Club Hippo (page 18).

So without further ado, I invite you to welcome in April showers with a new edition of Gay Life.

ON THE COVER

PAGE 9 CIRCUS: Cirque du Soleil’s Totem.

By Rose D’Longcroi

Headline News

FEATURE STORY PAGE 12:

LGBT Personal Finance.

By Maggie Beetz

Out Front

First Person

PAGE 5 THEATER: Interview with Adam Bock. By Steve Satta and Michele Minnick

PAGE 15 SPEAKING OUT: Vodou’s Acceptance of Gays.

By Rev. Irene Monroe

PAGE 6 PRIDE: Equality Forum 2011, Philadelphia, PA

After Hours

PAGE 6 WELLNESS: Spring Cleaning. By David Allen

VISIT US ONLINE AT BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

PAGE 7 FASHION: MICA’s Fashion Show.

By Kelly D. McClain

Gay Life is a publication of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore. Gay Life is published every other Friday in Baltimore, Maryland, 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.

PAGE 4 • APRIL 1 - APRIL 14, 2011

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STAFF

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

Out Going PAGE 14: DATEBOOK

Comic Jennie McNulty

Maggie Beetz, Editor

PAGE 10 NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

By Rex Wockner with Bill Kelley

PAGE 18 HUNTER ON THE PROWL

By Mark Hunter PAGE 18 BSCENE: King & Queen of Pride.

PAGE 8 FESTIVAL: CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST.

By Terri Solomon

Maggie Beetz Editor editor@baltimoregaylife.com

Advertising Sales sales@baltimoregaylife.com 410-837-7748

Michael Nguyen Art Director art@baltimoregaylife.com

National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media 212-242-6863

Marty Shayt Volunteer

Kelly D. McClain Intern

PAGE 19 LEATHER TALES: Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf. By Sir Andy Liu

Contributors David Allen, John Cullen, Rose D’Longcroi, Ryan Davis, Bill Kelley, Sir Andy Liu, Rev. Irene Monroe, Marty Shayt, Terri Solomon, Rex Wockner Photographer Jay W. Photos Newspaper Committee: Trevor Ankeny, Kelly D. McClain, Doug Rose, Craig Wiley

BALTIMORE GAYLIFE

3/30/11 7:19 PM

Auction benefits local youth program

outfront THEATER

Interview with “Swimming in the Shallows” Author Adam Bock

BY MICHELE MINNICK AND STEVE SATTA

I

ron Crow Artistic Director Steve Satta and “Swimming in the Shallows” Director Michele Minnick talked with playwright Adam Bock about

falling in love with a shark, being a gay playwright, and other juicy topics.

Photo by Robyn Quick

The following is an excerpt from their conversation:

MM: Why a shark?

AB: I was doing “A Christmas Carol,” and I got annoyed because there were no gay people in it.

So I decided to do “A Gayboy Nutcracker.” I took seven songs of the Nutcracker and made seven skits. One was two drag queens swimming, and they got attacked by a shark and then rescued by some gay lifeguards. And I thought “oh that shark is cute.” So I thought “what if someone fell in love with a shark?” And it felt so, you know… how love is dangerous, or that you never really know the other person, and they can seem completely alien to you, and yet when you talk to them they become normal.

MM: I’ve always thought that the shark is the most grounded, together character in the play.

AB: Exactly. And he’s sort of the voice of reason. Which is odd.

SS: The openly gay hockey player in “Five Flights” [another Bock play] is probably as rare as a talking shark.

The two gay men in these plays—their objects of affection are these fantastical creatures.

AB: When you really think about gay guys, there is something a little bit fantastic. In the gay world, you see these guys who are making these leaps WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

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of imagination, or they’ve created themselves. They’ve said: “Okay, I’m not gonna be what I’m told I’m supposed to be.” So it makes sense to have a bit of fantasy.

MM: We talk about this apparent history from closeted to gay and lesbian theater, to sort of queer theater. What is your take on those different ways of articulating it?

AB: I don’t know where I’d be on the spectrum. I was always a fuzzy thinker.

So whenever I did theory, I was always getting into trouble. What I try to do is acknowledge that the world isn’t the story that’s normally told. I always put in the center of my plays people whose stories aren’t normally told. That’s very important to me. Who’s important is onstage. And so I want to change that.

And what I know as a gay guy was that I was told to be quiet. So the whole point is not to be quiet. To me theater is actually about honesty. The truth of the world to me is that there are gay people, straight people—everybody’s mixed. That’s what I’m always looking for. And then I’m looking for how can I tell the story differently so you’ll notice the story.

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Email us at sales@baltimoregaylife.com to place your classified or display ad.

Laura June, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Psychotherapy for Individuals and Couples Imago Relationship Therapy Stone Mansion 4901 Spring Garden Dr. Baltimore, MD 21209 Ph 410-235-7899 laura.june@comcast.net www.drlaurajune.com

It’s not really theoretical. It just feels to me like my job as a writer is similar to the job of a teacher or a politician or a minister or someone who is supposed to try and speak for people [when] that’s not their skill. It’s my job to work at that skill to see if I can try and tell the truth. n Adam Bock has several Outer Critics Circle nominations and an OBIE award for his work. He has been produced at Yale Rep, Playwrights Horizons, and the Humana Festival, and published by Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service and Playscripts, Inc. He is an NEA grantee and a member of New Dramatists.

DETAILS: Adam Bock’s “Swimming in the Shallows” produced by Iron Crow Theatre Company.

Thru April 16. $10-15. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 811 Cathedral St. IronCrowTheatre.com.

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 5

3/30/11 7:19 PM

outfront FORUMS

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25 Major Panels

Parties

National Religious Colloquy, a conversation with The Rt. Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool, the first openly lesbian Episcopal bishop; National Seniors Panel, moderated by SAGE Executive Director Michael Adams; National Politics Panel, moderated by Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff; National Families Panel, with leading experts on same-sex families; National Youth Panel, moderated by out University of the Arts President Sean Buffington and including Yale undergraduate Katherine Miller.

Absolut Mandrin Cabaret and Dance Party; Absolut Wild Tea Men’s Party; Absolut Peach Girl Fever; Absolut Tea Dance

International Focus

“Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case that Made History” and “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”

LGBT Challenges in Latin America, moderated by former U.S. Ambassador Michael Guest, including leading Latin American activists and experts. The International Equality Dinner at the National Constitution Center features Special Guest of Honor Daniel Hernandez Jr., the openly gay intern who saved Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ life.

SundayOUT! at The Piazza The region’s largest LGBT street festival at Philadelphia’s urban hot spot.

Zane Booker Dance Tribute A tribute to Zane Booker, who has danced and choreographed with leading companies in the U.S. and Europe.

Film Screenings

12th Annual Gay & Lesbian Art Exhibit Featuring photographers Connie Imboden (Reflections) and Lorenzo Triburgo (Transportraits).

DETAILS: Equality Forum, April 25–May 1, Philadelphia, PA. Free. EqualityForum.com.

HEALTH

In the Next Breath: Spring Cleaning

BY DAVID ALLEN

The arrival of spring means it’s time to get busy. That may involve getting the yard in shape, heading back to the gym, or giving the house a good spring cleaning. Depending on your winter routine, your body has been closed up, just like your house. Now is a perfect time to start cleaning your inside.

The body is very effective at eliminating waste and relies on multiple systems to complete the task. The following breakdown may surprise you: • breath/exhalation – 70% • skin – 20% • urine – 7% • feces – 3%

Jeffery A. Klug, LCPC Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor 2 Village Square, Suite 211, Baltimore, MD 21210 410 241 4215

PAGE 6 • APRIL 1 - APRIL 14, 2011

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JeffKlugCounseling.com

As you consider that information, feel how you are breathing right now. Is your breath full? Shallow?

Labored? Unless there is a physical issue within the respiratory system, the deeper you inhale, the bigger your exhale will be. The more you exhale, the more complete a “sweep” you will have via the lungs.

Go Outside and Breathe A great way to have a more full breath experience is being outside, especially this time of year. Find a green space and go walking. Try leaving the iPod (and cell phone!) at home and listening to the sounds of nature—even in the city. As you walk, be aware of your breathing and periodically include a big, full breath with a full exhale. Think of it in terms of efficiency: exercise and your own personal spring cleaning in one time block. n David Allen is a certified Breathwork practitioner in Baltimore. Send your questions for upcoming columns to david@breathworkworks.com.

BALTIMORE GAYLIFE

3/30/11 7:19 PM

outfront

No two people are alike.

FASHION Matthew Reading as Ring Leader

Nick (Paul Wissman, left) woos The Shark (Chris Zargarbashi) in Adam Bock’s comedy “Swimming in the Shallows” at Iron Crow Theatre

Experimental Fashion at MICA

Dillow’s design St. Ursula

BY KELLY D. MCCLAIN

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is featuring more than 150 student designers, roving costumed characters, and musicians in their upcoming fashion show, The RACK. The show will present bodies of work pushing the boundaries of fashion and costume with both performance and sound.

Jacob Whayne Dillow and Matthew Reading, gay students of MICA’s Fiber Department, are two of the designers who will express their artistic fashion on the runway on April 9.

Dillow, a 22-year-old senior, prefers using found or recycled cotton fabric as a medium, which he hand-dyes.

He is inspired by fashion designers Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier and costume designer Colleen Atwood, who won an Oscar for her work in “Alice in Wonderland.”

Upon doing research for the RACK show, Dillow looked to artist Nick Cave for inspiration because his work “completely transforms the body,” something Dillow wants to capture in his own designs.

Arriving at MICA with the ambition to be a painter, Reading, a 21-yearold junior, saw the displayed work in the school’s Fiber Department and he “had to be a part of it.” His choice of art reflects the Baltimore performance art scene. Artist and fashion

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Primary Care | Behavioral Health | Dental Services | Specialized Services designer Hussein Chalayan and the collaborative fashion team Viktor & Rolf are Reading’s inspirations. His Smart Textile Circus is a carnival-like extravaganza of costumed performers and performative textiles, celebrating exuberance and engineering.

“The RACK is an explorer’s discovery of the forgotten group,” said Dillow, “a love letter to the forgotten.” n

DETAILS: RACK, Saturday, April 9, 6 & 9pm. St. John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul St. $5-10., 410-225-2276.

Store.mica.edu.

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VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 7

3/30/11 7:19 PM

outfront FESTIVAL

DINING OUT

11th Annual Women’s FEST Promises Food, Fun, and Females

Donna’s at Cross Keys

Comic Jennie McNulty

Stacey Fearheiley as Molly Ivins

Photo by Murray Archibald

BY TERRI SOLOMON

CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST 2011 offers comedy, a one-woman play, FEMinars on a variety of topics, dancing, and a charity walk. Fay Jacobs, in her second year as chair of the Women’s FEST committee, took time to speak with Gay Life about the upcoming long weekend, April 7-10.

Lesbian comic Jennie McNulty, a Provincetown favorite, performs at the Convention Center on April 8. Why is Jacobs partial to McNulty? “She’s not smutty, just truly funny, and she loves entertaining for women,” she said. “You smile throughout the whole show.”

On April 9 and 10, Jacobs expects to see her male friends at CAMP Rehoboth for “Red Hot Patriot—The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins” because it appeals to a wide audience. The one-woman show (directed by Jacobs) features local Stacey Fearheiley as Texan newspaper columnist Ivins, who adeptly satirized the conservative, male-dominated political establishment.

The highlight of Saturday night is the return of the Ladies 2000 Tea Dance, complete with DJ, speed dating, and a mix of hundreds of singles and couples.

On Sunday, Broadwalk on the Boardwalk raises money for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. “We’re all going to walk with pink boas,” Jacobs said.

The four-day event draws a number of visitors, both men and women, to the intimate beach resort that Jacobs calls Gayberry, RFD. “While the classes and some events are open only to women who sign up for the Saturday conference, the Friday and Saturday night shows, tea dance, boardwalk event, and much more are open to all,” according to the website.

DETAILS: CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST. April 7-10. $15-50. Various locations in Rehoboth Beach, DE. 302-227-5620. CampRehoboth.com.

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BY JOHN CULLEN & MARTY SHAYT

Lunch at Donna’s Café at Cross Keys has been enjoyable for lunch in the past, and that motivated us to try it for dinner. It has a contemporary feel with 20+ tables under timbered cathedral ceilings and long walls of windows facing the patio (which is pleasant for outside dining when weather allows).

While casual at lunchtime, dinnertime is more formal with white linens, flowers on the tables, and overhead lighting from rows of white globes and strings of lights along the windows.

We enjoyed complementary French bread and crackers served with a mild red pepper spread, but we were a bit surprised to find that the dinner menu was more expensive than we would have expected (FYI – Donna’s doesn’t provide lunch or dinner menus on their website). The dinner menu has ten entrees ($16-28), ten appetizers ($5-13), a few soups ($4-7), two entrée salads ($16-18), three personal pizzas ($8-12) and four side dishes ($4-7). The only sandwich was a bison burger (which at $16 raised our eyebrows).

We’ve enjoyed Donna’s soup at lunch so that’s how we opted to start our dinner. Marty’s curried lamb lentil was zesty with lots of lamb; John’s Crab Florentine was lusciously rich and creamy with plenty of crab (but curiously light on spinach). Both soups merited our thumbs-up.

For entrées, Marty decided on spinach ravioli; though tasty, only four raviolis with not much sauce for $16 seemed pricey. John had Moroccan lamb ragout over polenta; while the portion was generous, the ragout sauce had a certain unwanted sweetness while the polenta was creamy yet bland. Our friend Bernie’s chicken fusilli was colorful with spinach, red pepper, onions, and walnuts (but the small amount of diced chicken and the touted gorgonzola cheese sauce—which didn’t taste of blue cheese—was disappointing).

Fred’s grilled salmon filet with parsnips and cabbage and a beurre rouge sauce topped with matchstick sweet potatoes (attractive but soggy) was just “ok.”

Our buddy JT’s pappardelle pasta with asparagus, tomatoes, fennel, and moz-

zarella (with added sausage for $2) was the only one of our entrées that elicited an unqualified “really good.” While a side of sweet potato fries received a thumbs-up from all, it arrived 10 minutes after the entrées without any apology or explanation for the delay.

Dinner at Donna’s left us with mixed feelings. While the soup, the bread and spread, and the sweet potato fries were great, four out of five entrées were at best “ok” and seemed overpriced and/or under-portioned. Our server was friendly, but the unexplained delay with the fries, as well as her disappearances on a nonbusy weeknight, was frustrating. While we’ve enjoyed lunches at Donna’s at Cross Keys, this experience didn’t leave us eager to return for dinner. n DETAILS: Donna’s (Cross Keys); 5100 Falls Rd/40 Village Sq. 410-532-7611. Lunch and dinner 7 days/week, 11am-9pm. Full bar, vegetarian options, adjacent free parking. Donnas.com.

BALTIMORE GAYLIFE

3/30/11 7:20 PM

outfront Photos by Mike Buscher

CIRCUS

Cirque du Soleil Brings a New Imaginative Experience to Baltimore

BY ROSE D’LONGCROI

The international collection of gymnasts, contortionists, acrobats, and performers that make up the latest cast of Cirque du Soleil will be making the blue-and-yellow Big Top of Baltimore’s Westport Waterfront their home for two short weeks in April.

Their latest show, Totem, embraces evolutionary experiences of all species.

the

“When you think of ‘totem’ many people think of totem pole,” said writer and director Robert Lepage.

“But totem is not just a totem pole, totem is the animal that’s within you. Some people are more bear; some people are more ape; some people are fish.

So it’s man recognizing that he’s not just part of the human species, but that he’s part of the whole chain.”

Following the stories of the Amerindain Dancer, the Scientist, and the Tracker, the audience will be drawn into an acrobatic exploration of the dawning

of life from single cell ameba to the current state of evolution we have achieved. Performers explore the turtle-shaped stage as the Amerindain Dancer hunts for his spirit animal and as the Scientist, coupled with his pet monkey, attempts to discover the core of life.

This show evolves as nine various acts span folklore across our little blue-green planet in an attempt to understand creation, how we came into existence, and our ongoing quest to reach the stars. Audiences will be awed as the Amerindain Dancer shows our connections with members of all animal kingdoms.

Words will fail to impress the mind with the scintillating colors and visual dynamics that are the mark of Cirque du Soleil. For 26 years, this nouveau cirque has entertained the world with jaw-dropping stunts and a growing arsenal of 22 wildly different shows. n

The Tracker (Ante Ursic)

The Tracker (Ante Ursic), The Amerindian Dancer (Nakotah Larance), The Scientist (Gregory Kennedy) and The Monkey (Joseph Putignano)

DETAILS: Cirque du Soleil’s Totem, Westport Waterfront. April 7- 24. $65-350. 1.800.450.1480. Cirquedusoleil.com.

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VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 9

WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM TOTEM – BALTIMORE – ANN « GAY LIFE »JRNL – MARCH 28 NO annonce : Publication : GL_V33_6_mb.indd Format Fini :

028273_TOT_BALT Baltimore Guide 9 9.75” x5.5”

Date de Livraison : Date de Parution : Couleur :

March 28, 2011 March 28, 2011 CMYK

028273 Linéature : 85 lpi.

Safety : XXX Infographiste : Robert

NO2

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NATIONAL

DOMA Repeal Bills Introduced in Congress Bills were introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress on March 16 to repeal the Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act. The act prohibits the federal government from recognizing states’ same-sex marriages and gives states cover to refuse to recognize each other’s same-sex marriages.

The federal-recognition part of the act recently was deemed unconstitutional by President Barack Obama and the Justice Department, which has stopped defending that portion of the act in a series of ongoing federal lawsuits. At the same time, the department declared that any discrimination based on sexual orientation, like discrimination based on race or religion, is automatically unconstitutional absent some important governmental need for treating gay people differently.

The DOMA-repeal bill, called the Respect for Marriage Act, might not see a floor vote in either chamber this year, though it is likely to proceed further in the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.

Majority of Americans Support Same-Sex Marriage Another national poll has found that a majority of Americans now support same-sex marriage. The Washington Post-ABC News poll, released March 18, found that when asked, “Do you think it should be illegal or legal for gay and lesbian couples to get married?” 53 percent of adults said “legal” and 44 percent said “illegal.”

The random telephone poll quizzed 1,005 people and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Recent CNN and AP polls also found majority support for same-sex marriage.

“When the so-called Defense of Marriage Act was stampeded through in 1996, only 26 percent of Americans supported the freedom to marry. In the 15 years since, that support has more than doubled,” said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry.

Chad Griffin, board president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, said: “The trend captured by today’s Washington Post-ABC News poll – and a variety of other surveys – is indisputable. The more Americans talk about this issue with one another, the more they come to embrace the idea that all citizens deserve equal rights, including the freedom to marry.

As AFER has witnessed in its case to overturn Prop 8, people from all political persuasions and walks of life believe that adults in committed, loving relationships should be able to live their lives free from the government’s interference.”

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INTERNATIONAL

Gaga Censored in Malaysia Malaysia’s largest chain of non-government-owned radio stations has removed gay lyrics from Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” for fear of being fined by government censors. The words “No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I’m on the right track, baby, I was born to survive” have been garbled so as to be unintelligible.

A

Canada Inserts Gays into Citizenship Guide

St. Lucia Apologizes to Gay Americans

Canada has added a gay sentence to “Discover Canada,” the nation’s official citizenship study guide. According to the national LGBT lobby group Egale, the sentence says, “Canada’s diversity includes gay and lesbian Canadians, who enjoy the full protection of and equal treatment under the law, including access to civil marriage.” Egale criticized the guide for making no mention of transgender people, and urged Parliament to pass pending Bill C-389, which adds “gender identity” and “gender expression” as prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act and adds transphobic crimes to the Criminal Code’s hatecrimes list.

The Caribbean island of St. Lucia on March 11 apologized to three American gay men who were violently attacked and robbed inside a vacation villa by assailants who called them faggots. The apology from the tourism minister came after one of the victims, Michael Baker, posted a graphic account of the nightmarish incident on his Facebook page – tinyurl.com/luc-attac.

B

C

Tourism Minister Allen Chastanet said: “Whether or not this crime was motivated by anti-gay sentiment, or during the course of a robbery, it is nonetheless unacceptable behavior and Saint Lucia as a destination will not tolerate it. ... Saint Lucia has always been a safe destination, respectful of people’s own choices for religion, beliefs and perspectives on life.”

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3/30/11 7:20 PM

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D

Gay Sex Ban, Opposes Discrimination The government of the South American nation of Guyana said March 10 that it opposes both anti-gay discrimination and advocacy of gay “lifestyles.” Gay activists called the statement inadequate and said that if the government wanted to lessen anti-gay discrimination, it should repeal laws that ban gay sex and cross-dressing. The ban on cross-dressing is being challenged at present in the Supreme Court on constitutional grounds.

D

Moldovan Anti-Discrimination Bill Under Attack A government-supported bill to ban anti-gay and other discrimination has come under attack in Moldova’s Parliament, where it is being debated. According to ILGA-Europe, a number of MPs have called for the deletion of “sexual orientation” from the draft law after being encouraged to do so by “right wing American evangelicals.”

E

On March 17, about 150 anti-gay activists staged a protest outside Parliament dubbed “Homosexuals stay at home.” ILGA-Europe’s board co-chair, Martin K.I. Christensen, said Moldova has little choice but to pass the bill with gays included.

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“Moldova committed to passing an anti-discrimination law protecting all minorities under its visa-liberalization agreement with the European Union,” he said. “We call on the EU to assert its position with the Moldovan authorities and hold them accountable under their obligations.”

ILGA-Europe is the European Region of ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

Isle of Man Passes Civil-Partnership Law A same-sex civil-partnership law has passed the parliament of the Isle of Man, a self-governing British crown dependency in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. The law, which takes effect April 6, includes all the rights and obligations of marriage, the same as the United Kingdom’s civil-partnership law. British gay activist George Broadhead commented: “As a Manxman myself who was born on the IOM in 1933 and realized I was gay at school in the 1940s, I know only too well what a frightful homophobic place it was -- much of it stemming, as elsewhere, from religious bigotry. Activists on the island itself and the rest of the UK launched a campaign to get the law changed and I am proud to have played a part in this.”

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VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 11

3/30/11 7:20 PM

“DOMA [the Defense of Marriage Act] is really the bottom line of everything here,” says Wendy Goldband of Fusco Financial Associates. She points to a 2003 Government Accountability Office letter identifying a total of 1,138 federal statutory provisions in which marital status is a factor in determining or receiving benefits, rights, and privileges.

COMING

OUT ABOUT

TAX PLANNING

PERSONAL

The tax status of domestic partners differs from that of married couples, mainly because the former must file as single taxpayers.

FINANCES

PLANNING IS VITAL FOR NON-TRADITIONAL FAMILIES

BY MAGGIE BEETZ

T

he filing deadline for 2010 taxes falls on April 18 this year, giving Americans three extra days. In that time many will confront a topic that seldom receives our full attention: personal finance. Maintaining a long-term financial strategy is an important, but sometimes challenging, task for LGBT people and their families. Most laws affecting financial planning—including taxes, retirement, and insurance—are designed for traditional families. LGBT individuals need to educate themselves.

According to Kevin Fusco, vice president of Fusco Financial Associates, the number one barrier to getting good financial advice, is not coming out to financial planners. “Financial planning can be very intrusive,” says Fusco. “You basically have to reveal yourself to the planner. The role of the trusted advisor is more important than ever.”

While financial planning can be overwhelming for anyone, this disclosure can turn off some members of the LGBT community. But the need to be open about identity issues while making financial plans is great because there are fewer legal protections in place for LGBT people than for their heterosexual counterparts.

“The personal choices of LGBT individuals have financial, legal, and

PAGE 12 • APRIL 1 - APRIL 14, 2011

GL_V33_6_mb.indd 12

tax implications,” says Janet Redman, a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, “but chief among them is the fact that domestic partners do not have recognized legal status at the federal level.”

This lack of recognition impacts health care, guardianship, and disability benefits; adoption and child care; property rights; asset ownership and titling; executor and trustee decisions; Social Security survivorship rights; and even immigration status.

And what if the Civil Marriage Protection Act became law in Maryland? The financial future of samesex couples would still be unprotected in many ways because federal provisions only apply to the finances of heterosexual married couples.

“Regardless of how poor or how rich you are, if you have to file taxes individually, normally you get into a higher tax bracket than if you file jointly,” said Simon Chia Hu, a gay financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services. “Since we don’t have that advantage, having a good tax strategy becomes very important.”

A good tax strategy does not simply involve filing your taxes correctly; it means planning ahead in order to reduce the amount you pay and increase the amount you earn and save. Hu suggests maximizing both 401(k) and Roth IRA accounts whenever possible.

Most companies offer 401(k) retirement savings plans (or 403(b) plans for nonprofits), and many offer matching contributions. If this option is offered, Hu highly recommends participating.

“You lower your tax bracket right now and get free money with the match,” says Hu. Employees do not pay taxes on the money they contribute. Plus, because the investment grows tax-deferred, there are no taxes on the earnings until the money is withdrawn, ideally upon retirement.

According to Hu, one of the best tools the government created is the Roth IRA, which works differently than the 401(k) in that taxes are paid now, rather than upon withdrawal. There are both income and contribution limitations on an IRA, but it’s a great option to consider now because the tax is historically low.

LIFE INSURANCE Life insurance can be vital for some individuals, and unnecessary for others.

Unlike straight married couples, a gay or lesbian individual cannot currently draw on a spouse’s Social Security benefits when the spouse dies. The survivor could suddenly be left with very limited income after decades of living in a two-income household. While life insurance may not be necessary for single individuals, and may be optional for straight married couples, it’s essential for gays and lesbians who want to protect their spouses.

ESTATE PLANNING Everybody should think about estate planning, but this is another area that especially affects gay and lesbian couples and nontraditional families.

There are three documents that everyone should have:

1.

A will lets you state, very clearly and officially, how to distribute a person’s belonging after death.

Without a will, widowed gays and lesbians do not automatically have the legal right to inherit their domestic partner’s or spouse’s property.

“If there is not a will, then property will go to your closest family, which would be your parents,” explained Hu. “If your parents are deceased then it will go to your siblings.” A married straight couple should have a will too, but in the absence of a will, the marriage certificate ensures that the surviving heterosexual spouse will inherit everything.

2.

A durable power of attorney is the person designated to make decisions when a person is unable to make decisions for him or herself, for example, due to loss of consciousness after an accident.

Again, in straight marriages, the right to make decisions would fall automatically to the husband or wife.

But gay and lesbian couples must maintain written documentation that the partner or spouse has the right to make decisions about bank accounts, medication, and other important considerations.

3.

Health care proxy is the power of attorney that designates an individual to make health care decisions, including life or death decisions, should a person become unable to do so for him- or herself.

RETIREMENT & WEALTH RESERVE Financial planners agree that starting to save for retirement when young ensures the best retirement protection.

An employer savings plan or an individual retirement account is an important place to start. Depending on Social Security or a partner’s coverage is not adequate.

“A person in their 50s versus a person in their 30s is going to need a totally different strategy,” says Hu. “I have clients saving in their 50s just starting from scratch because people always have their life stories: ‘I got divorced, my spouse took everything I own,’ or ‘my business was lost to bankruptcy and I lost everything.’

Everybody has different situations, but trust me, somebody’s situation is worse than yours.”

BALTIMORE GAYLIFE

3/30/11 7:20 PM

OUR EXPERTS

Simon Chia Hu

Kevin Fusco

Janet Redman

Wendy Goldband

Gay Life spoke with Simon Chia Hu of Ameriprise, Janet Redman of Merrill Lynch, and Kevin Fusco and Wendy Goldband of Fusco Financial.

LONG-TERM CARE

DISCRETIONARY INCOME

Many people choose to invest in long-term care insurance, in addition to retirement, to cover nursing home expenses, or inhome nursing care. Couples with children can sometimes rely on their offspring to pitch in whatever retirement doesn’t cover.

One of the universal personal finance pitfalls is that people tend to spend more than they earn and purchase things they don’t need. Understanding cash flow—money coming in versus money going out—can be the first step in creating a realistic budget, which becomes the basis for a sound financial plan.

“But for gay couples, because we’re not a traditional family, we normally lack that support,” says Hu. “So how do we cover that gap? We get insurance and transfer the risk to the insurance company.”

Goldband points out that straight married couples without long-term care insurance will have Medicaid to protect them. To qualify for Medicaid benefits, assets such as the couple’s house are considered. The healthy spouse can usually keep assets such as the couple’s home, household goods, and an automobile until his or her own death.

But in domestic partnerships, if the home is in the name of the partner needing care, the healthy partner risks losing the home immediately or upon the death of the partner receiving long-term care because Medicaid will want to recover the cost of care. Even if the home is jointly owned, Medicaid still counts the part of the home that is owned by the long-term care recipient, and will probably place a lien on the home upon the death of the partner.

“Paying for long term care on your own can easily cost $80,000 a year,” she said. “So for many people it won’t take long to become impoverished and need Medicaid to kick in.”

With long term care insurance, they avoid these issues because the insurance will pay for the cost of care. Plus, as people live longer, long-term care and disability coverage become more important to maintain quality of life.

WOMEN Redman cites the 2007 Department of Labor statistic that 90 percent of all women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives. “Many women are not prepared for that, in my opinion.”

Women comprise 51 percent of managerial employees and receive more bachelor, graduate, and professional degrees than men, said Redman. But there are some challenges unique to women that can impact their ability to realize financial goals.

“For one, women have a longer life expectancy than men—80.4 years versus 75.2 years for men—so they have greater retirement needs and increased health care costs, while being exposed to inflation for a longer period of time,” she said.

Moreover, women average 11 years out of the workforce as caregivers, raising children, or helping aging parents or other relatives. This directly impacts women’s financial strategy by reducing their earning power, contribution to social security and 401(k) plans, and their ability to save.

“Overall, women earn about 30 percent less than men during their working years,” said Redman citing the 2005 report Chutes and Ladders: The Search for Solid Ground for Women in the Workforce.

WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

GL_V33_6_mb.indd 13

“Gay and lesbian couples don’t realize that if we want to save, we are actually able to save more money than straight or couples with children,” explains Hu. He says gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals are more likely to spend money on travel and recreation than straight and same-sex couples with kids.

“So if we really want to cut down, we really can save more money,” says Hu, “which means we can have a higher quality of retirement life, and can even retire earlier.”

CHILDREN AND DIVORCE Same-sex couples who do have children will share many of the financial concerns of their straight counterparts—education, health care costs, affording a bigger home. But there are also other considerations. While anyone can start a 529 College Savings Plan, says Redman, same-sex joint adoption laws vary from state-to-state. As a result, securing a child’s financial future may be more complicated for gay and lesbian couples.

Moreover, there are no traditional protections in place when gay and lesbian couples break up.

“Second parent adoption is a county-by-county issue in Maryland,” says Goldband. Without traditional divorce proceedings, issues like child support, claiming the child deduction benefit, and visitation rights are at best unclear.

Without the legal binding of marriage, childless same-sex couples may actually find it easier to split. Assuming, of course, they are not financially entwined.

“Hopefully gay couples can last all their lives, but in reality there are more chances people will depart,” says Hu. “You cannot prevent a relationship from going that way, but financially you can protect yourself.”

BOTTOM LINE “Everyone needs a financial plan,” says Fusco. There is an information gap when it comes to personal finance decisions, and laws change so often it’s hard for nonprofessionals to keep up.

All Americans—gay and straight, couples and individuals— should consider how they can best protect themselves, their partners, their children, and other loved ones by making decisions now. A financial plan provides the strategic awareness necessary to navigate multiple, interrelated issues. Most professionals stress that it’s never too late to start a financial plan. The real mistake is never to start one at all.

Seeking the guidance of a professional financial advisor can help to secure the savings, documents, and decisions necessary to ensure long-term financial security. And those who don’t have an advisor need to come up with their own plans, said Hu. But the plan will only be useful if the individual remains both educated and disciplined about his or her financial options. n

LGBTFRIENDLY FINANCIAL PLANNERS Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Simon Chia Hu, MBA, CRPC Financial Advisor, Chartered Retirement, Planning Counselor 10500 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Ste. 300b Columbia, MD 21044 Office: 410.964.4914 Cell: 443.801.6182 Chia.t.hu@ampf.com Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management Janet K. Redman, Financial Advisor, CRPC Financial Services Professional Focused on Financial Planning for Women 19535 Camelot Dr. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 Direct: 302.227.5135; Toll-free: 800.487.4518 Janet_redman@ml.com Web: http://fa.ml.com/jredman Rita Mahaffey, Client Associate 302-227-5164, rita_ mahaffey@ml.com Fusco Financial Associates, Inc. Independent and Objective Financial Advice GLBT Wealth Management Web: Fuscofinancial. com 505 Baltimore Ave. Towson, MD 21204 410.296.5400 info@fuscofinancial.com Community Pride Financial Advisors David Michael Engler Gay-Owned Firm Serving the Gay & Lesbian Community 2205 St. Paul Street, 1st Floor Baltimore, MD 21218 Web: CommPrideFinAdvisors.com 410.243.8070 comprdadv@aol.com

Partnership Wealth Management, LLC Gay Friendly Financial Planning Woody Derricks Web: PartnershipWM.com 1819 Thames St. Baltimore, MD 410.732.2633 woody.derricks@lpl.com Sun Trust Private Wealth Management Susan Nestler Vice President Web: Suntrust.com 120 E. Baltimore St. 23rd fl Baltimore, MD 21202 410.986.1669 susan.nestler@suntrust.com Harper Advisory Group Liz Harper Enrolled agent and tax accountant Full service individual, business accounting & tax services with a personal touch Web: HarperAdvisory.com 10840 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Ste. 400 Columbia, MD 410-730-1414 liz@harperadvisory.com Lawrence S. Jacobs Attorney at Law Lawrence S. Jacobs & Associates, PC 110 N. Washington St. Ste. 400 Rockville, MD 20850 Web: PartnerPlanning.com 301.738.8220 lsj@lsjlaw.com Peg Downey Investment Advisor Money Plans 8701 Georgia Ave. Ste 710 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301.5894250 pegsnew@aol.com

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 13

3/30/11 7:20 PM

outgoing SPOTLIGHT

Event Info Speak Easy Gala, $15 Grand Central Station Nightclub 1001 N. Charles St. Sat. April 9, 1-6pm, cabaret at 2pm CommandMC.org/ SpeakEasy

SPEAK Easy Gala to Benefit Suicide Prevention

J

oin Mr. Maryland Leather 2011 Alex Lemaire for a benefit to support SPEAK (Suicide Prevention Education Awareness for Kids), an organization that speaks out on behalf of at-risk youth and puts a face on the deeply affective issues of depression and suicide. A local advocacy and educational organization, SPEAK works at the community level to initiate preventive strategies, making great strides in five Maryland counties since 1999.

Far from an austere occasion, however, the afternoon will include hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, silent auction, and raffles. Attendees will also enjoy a cabaret performance and special appearances by Miss Freestate 2011, Miss Gay Maryland America 2009, and Miss Hippo 2011! – R.D.

APRIL FOOL’S DAY Baltimore: Open City: Installation exhibit by Damon Rich, MICA students, and Baltimore locals investigates the ways Baltimore is and is not an open city. Thru May 15. FREE. North Avenue Market, 16 W. North Ave. BaltimoreOpenCity.com GLCCB Volunteer Orientation: Put your inspired ideas, sharp skills, and generous abilities to work for the Center! RSVP at info@glccb.org. GLCCB, 241 W. Chase St. GLCCB.org Who’s Bad: Check out “The World’s #1 Michael Jackson Tribute Band.” 8pm. $15. Ram’s Head Live, 20 Market Pl. RamsHeadLive.com

Saturday, April 2

Baltimore Frontrunners and Walkers: Wind up LGBT health week with this community club’s weekly run/walk to the Inner Harbor. Assemble 8:45am, depart at 9. FREE. Panera Bread, 3600 Boston St. BaltimoreFrontrunners.org SPEAK Easy: Mr. MD Leather 2011 Alex Lemaire presents this cabaret to benefit Suicide Prevention Education Awareness for Kids (SPEAK). 1-6pm. $35-45. Grand Central Station, 1001 N. Charles St. COMMANDmc.org/SPEAKeasy.html

Sunday, April 3

Watching You: Surveillance Exposed: Learn about the role of the camera in surveillance, from artistic applications to selfsurveillance on the web. 2pm. FREE. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. artBMA.org

PAGE 14 • APRIL 1 - APRIL 14, 2011

GL_V33_6_mb.indd 14

“A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”: Family performance (ages 5 and up) by BSO of gay composer Benjamin Britten’s influential work. 11am. $12-20. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. BSOmusic.org We B*Girlz: Baltimore native Martha Cooper presents photos from her 2005 book about the booming B-Girl hip-hop scene. Fly Girl and Rokafella perform after the reception. Reception: 6pm, FREE. Show: 8pm, $10- $15. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. CreativeAlliance.org RACK: An Experimental Fashion Event: (See article, p. 7) MICA students present bodies of work that push the boundaries of fashion and costume with performance and sound. Two shows: 6pm and 9pm. $5-10. St. John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul St. MICA.edu BLADeaf Victory Party: Meet the BLADeaf competition winners. 10pm. Leon’s Leather Lounge, 227 W. Chase St. BLADeaf.com Rehab: Monthly dance party from the ladies of SHE Productions.

9pm. $5. Sappho’s, 1001 N. Charles St. CentralStationPub.com

Sunday, April 10

Spiritual Sunday: Passover: Family educational program explores Pesach’s theme of hope and ideas for incorporating into your seder personal expressions of liberation from bondage to freedom. Adult program: 10am; intergenerational activity: 11:30am. Waldorf School, 4801 Tamarind Lane BeitTikvah.org Aimee Mann: Clever, witty lyrics and infectious melodies from the singer of “Voices Carry” and the Oscar-nominated “Save Me.” 7pm. $27.50-29.50. The Recher Theatre, 512 York Rd, Towson RecherTheatre.com

Tuesday, April 12

RISE Retreat registration deadline: Affirming retreat for men who love men, takes place Apr 16 and Apr 23. FREE. AIDS Action Baltimore, 10 E. Eager St. Info: 410.837.2437 or BaltoAIDS@aol.com

Wednesday, April 13

DATEBOOK Friday, April 1

Saturday, April 9

Tuesday, April 5

FPCT 10x10: See ten 10-minute plays, then vote for your favorite. Thru May 1. 8pm. $10. Fells Point Corner Theatre, 251 South Ann St. FPCT.org

Wednesday, April 6

BINGO!: Hosted by Roger Dimick. Cash prizes and progressive jackpot.

Proceeds benefit GLCCB. 8:30pm. Club Hippo, 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com

Thursday, April 7

Cirque du Soleil “Totem”: (See article, p. 9) Thru Apr 24. $38.50-$250. Grand Chapiteau, Westport Waterfront, 2001 Kloman St. CirqueduSoleil.com “Help! Help! I Know This Title Is Long, but Someone’s Trying to Kill Me”: Part one-man vaudeville, part whodunit, part how’s-he-gonna-do-it?! 8pm. $10-17. Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. TheatreProject.org

Friday, April 8

Live and Let Die: A Tribute to Paul McCartney: Tony Kishman, McCartney look-alike and sound-alike, delivers the best Beatles songs, backed by the BSO. 8pm. $33-93. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. BSOmusic.org “We Were Here”: The 25th Annual Washington DC International Film Festival screens director David Weissman’s documentary about gay men and lesbians in late1970s San Francisco. Thru Apr 9. 6:30pm. $11. Regal Cinemas Gallery Place, 701 7th St., NW, Washington, DC FilmFestDC.org BLADeaf Run XIX: Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf (BLADeaf) presents their annual weekend of events and competitions. Thru Apr 9. Leon’s Leather Lounge/Triple L, 227 W. Chase St. BLADeaf.com

“West Side Story”: Revival production of the classic, directed by award-winning gay librettist Arthur Laurents. Thru Apr 24. $20-75.

Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St. France-MerrickPAC.com BINGO!: Hosted by Roger Dimick. Cash prizes and progressive jackpot. Proceeds benefit GLCCB. 8:30pm. Club Hippo, 1 W. Eager St. ClubHippo.com

Thursday, April 14

BHYI Cirque du Soleil Benefit: “Totem” performance benefits Baltimore Homeless Youth Initiative (BHYI). 8pm. $120. Grand Chapiteau, Westport Waterfront, 2001 Kloman St. Tix: ross. pologe@gmail.com or 410.332.4277, x222

Friday, April 15

Close-Ups: “Precious”: Baltimore Washington Institute for Psychoanalysis presents the film, then discusses issues of incest, abuse, illiteracy, teen pregnancy, and a teenager’s escape through food and fantasy. 7:30pm. $7-15. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. artBMA.org The 4th Annual Swashbuckler Soiree: Libations, hors d’oeuvres, and live music, plus pirate costume competition! 8pm-12am. $4045. Fells Point, 1730 Bank St. FellsPointMainStreet.org The City That Feeds: Join Amy Wolpert and Team Diet Tribe for a benefit for Moveable Feast; featuring: The Motorettes, The Matrimonials, Jacob Panic, and DJ King Gilbert and DJ Action Pat. 8pm. $10. Sidebar Tavern, 218 E. Lexington St. SideBarTavern.com

EMAIL CALENDAR INFO TO CALENDAR@BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM Compiled by Ryan Davis and Mark Douglas

BALTIMORE GAYLIFE

3/30/11 7:20 PM

firstperson SPEAKING OUT

Vodou’s Acceptance of Gays

BY REV. IRENE MONROE

A

s an African-American Reverend, I believe it’s important to recognize West African religious contributions. And as a lesbian, it is

especially important to highlight the contribution of Vodou (known more commonly in America as “Voodoo”).

Why? Because its spiritual tenets include acceptance of all sexual orientations and gender expressions.

One of the religions brought to the New World by the African Diaspora, there is no other that frightens and fascinates the world over like Vodou.

Misconstrued by racist images of zombies rising from graves, jungle drums, cannibalism, and orgiastic ceremonies ritualizing malevolent powers of black magic, (images courtesy of Hollywood and the New Orleans tourism industry) Vodou is a persecuted religion.

Haitian Vodou is an ancestral folk religion whose tenets have always been queer-friendly. With the religious belief that behavior is guided by a spirit (loa),

Unfortunately, homosexuality was illegal in Haiti until 1986, and few protections and provisions accompanied legalization. In a country that is predominately Roman Catholic, homosexuality is more commonly condemned. Neither same-sex marriage nor civil unions are recognized. LGBTQ Haitians don’t openly serve in the military. And the country does not have anti-hate crime laws specifically protecting LGBTQ Haitians.

Minimally, LGBTQ Haitians are protected under the country’s constitution as stated in article 35-2, which prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on “sex, beliefs, opinions and marital status.” With no queer enclaves in Portau-Prince and other big cities throughout Haiti, many LGBTQ Haitians are

4-star tourist hotel, the Hotel Montana in the hills of Petionville, was one of the hotspots (before it was destroyed by the January 2010 earthquake). And these queers even held positions as government officials, business people, nongovernmental organization officials, and U.N. aid workers.

For the poorer classes of LGBTQ Haitians, however, who live, work, and socialize in the densely populated and improvised Port-au-Prince, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender expressions is commonplace.

The 2002 documentary, “Des Hommes et Dieux” (“Of Men and Gods”) by anthropologist Anne Lescot, exposes the daily struggles of Haitian transwomen. In the film, a Haitian transwoman named Blondine said, “When people insult me because I wear a dress I am not ashamed of how I am. Masisis (gay males) can’t walk down the street in a wig and dress.”

Poorer classes of LGBTQ Haitians have at least two ways to openly express and celebrate who they are-- in Vodou and in Rara festivals. Rara festivals are

yearly festivals that follow Carnival and belong to the peasant and urban poor of Haiti. The Rara bands come out of Vodou societies that have gay congregations where gay men are permitted to cross-dress with impunity.

While it is true that Vodou evolved in New Orleans at the same time it was taking shape in Haiti, New Orleans’ Vodou was not suppressed and was instead allowed to flourish among both its black and white citizens.

Haiti’s, however, was not. And, hiding itself behind the trappings of Catholicism, Vodou in Haiti was unofficial and largely practiced in secret until recently.

Why even consider Vodou a religion, many people ask?

Vodou enables Haitians to connect with and preserve their West African heritage, to link to ancestral spirits who affect everyday events of their lives, and to bond with their local communities. And as a religion with tenets based in acceptance, we should take the time to learn the true values of this often misunderstood faith. n

“With the religious belief that behavior is guided by a spirit (loa), gay males in Haitian Vodou are under the divine protection of Erzulie Freda, the spirit of love.” gay males in Haitian Vodou are under the divine protection of Erzulie Freda, the spirit of love. And because she is a feminine sprit, gay males are allowed to imitate and worship her. Lesbians (madivins) are considered to be under the patronage of Erzulie Dantor, a fierce protector of women and children experiencing domestic violence. Erzulie Dantor is bisexual, but she prefers the company women.

As a monotheistic religion, Vodou believes in one God, but also many spirits called “lwas” that have both dark and light sides. The “lwas” are the varied expressions of God in the world, and these spirits oversee all human activities by forming connections between the material world and the spiritual world from which they derive.

WWW.BALTIMOREGAYLIFE.COM

GL_V33_6_mb.indd 15

left puzzled by what it means that homosexuality is legal in their country.

However, as in all repressively homophobic cultures, LGBTQ people have found ways to express and to live out their true authentic lives. In Haiti, how openly queer you are depends on your class, profession, skin complexion, as well as your religious affiliation. Haiti’s LGBTQ middle and professional classes find ways to socialize out of the public “gaydar” and with impunity.

For example, Petionville, an upscale suburb of Port-au-Prince composed mostly of American and European whites and multiracial Haitians, is where many LGBTQ people informally gathered for dinner parties at restaurants and beaches. The well-known

Studio/Fax: 410.719.6721 Cell (24/7): 410.952.6724

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 15

3/30/11 7:20 PM

the CENTER Page Welcome

Here is our schedule of free or low-cost support groups, meetings, and services. Unless otherwise noted, all events are held at the Center: 241 W. Chase Street, Baltimore. Please call (410) 837-5445 for more information or visit www.glccb.org.

PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE

TRANSGENDER PROGRAMS

ACHIEVE, CULTIVATE, & EDUCATE (ACE) SERIES ACE classes provide learning opportunities for the LGBT community in a safe and affirming environment to enhance and enrich community members’ lives!

Interested in teaching?

Contact us at info@glccb.org or (410) 837-5445

GENDER IDENTITY GROUP (GIG) A support group for transgender, gender queer, or anyone who varies from traditional gender expression.

Meets the 2nd Saturday, 8:00 p.m. room 201 Email GIG@glccb.org or visit www.transmaryland.org

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Every Monday, 8:30 p.m. Every Thursday, 8:30 p.m. Every Saturday, 6:30 p.m.

Room 201. Visit www.baltimoreaa.org for information, resources, and other meeting locations and times.

GIG: Baltimore Trans-Masculine Alliance (BTMA) GIG’s FTM support group meets the 4th Saturday, 6 p.m. room 202 Email BTMA@glccb.org or visit www.transmaryland.org

AA - POSITIVELY SOBER Alcoholics Anonymous open meeting centered on living a sober and healthy lifestyle. Focus is on HIV+ and health related issues affecting sobriety.

Meets every Sunday, 6:00 p.m. Room 201 Contact Dave at BmoreDave@gmail.com BEGINNERS’ YOGA SUNDAY afternoons, 3:30 p.m in room 201. Gentle beginners’ yoga with instructor Tim Hurley, RYT. $9.00 per person. Walk-ins WELCOME! HIV & SYPHILIS TESTING with the Baltimore City Health Department Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 3rd Floor SCA - Sexual Compulsives Anonymous Every Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Room 202 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Sunday Men’s Rap - Meets every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in room 201. Visit www. na.org for information, resources and other meeting locations and times.

PRIDE IN THE ARTS The GLCCB presents art receptions and movie screenings that showcase local LGBTQ talent. Check out the GLCCB’s calendar at www.glccb.org for upcoming Pride in the Arts events. Artists interested in submitting work for exhibit or screening contact us at info@glccb.org.

MEN’S PROGRAMS MEN LIKE ME Open support group for adult males who love other men. Come discuss issues of coming out, homophobia, relationships, etc. in a safe and supportive space.

The objective is to empower participants to take better care of themselves and each other. Facilitated by a licensed clinician. Meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, 6:00 p.m. room 201 Email Shane at MenLikeMe@glccb.org POZ MEN Peer support group for all HIV+ men.

Meets EVERY WEDNESDAY, 7:00 p.m. room 202 Email POZMen@glccb.org

GIG: Tran*quility GIG’s MTF support group meets the 4th Saturday, 8:00 p.m. room 201 Email tranquility@glccb.org or visit www.transmaryland.org GIG: Partners of Trans People Group (PTP) A support and resource group for anyone in a relationship with a transgender person.

Meets every 4th Saturday, 8 p.m. room 202 Email ptp@glccb.org

WOMEN’S PROGRAMS PEARLS OF WISDOM (POW) A coming out/peer support group for ALL womyn of the LBTQ community, engage in open and Anonymous/Confidential dissusions on relationships, families, self-identity, coming out, peers, deceit, and more! While visiting POW, you will experience mixed emotions of womyn from a variety of age groups and backgrounds from feminine to transgender.

Meets the 1st and 3rd Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. room 202 For more information, contact “Q” at POW.Lesbian@yahoo.com WOMEN OF COLOR A collective group committed to providing a safe, confidential, and supportive space for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning women of all colors.

Meets the 2nd, 4th & 5th Thursday, 7:30 p.m. room 202.

Email WOC@glccb.org WOMEN OUT AND ABOUT Social group for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women who want to meet new people doing enjoyable activities.

For more information on planned activities contact Ms. Kelly at BWOAEvents@ yahoo.com

YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT 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 which features a rap group, special activities, speakers, trips!

Meets every Saturday, room 201 at 12:00 p.m.

Email SAIM@glccb.org Part of the GLCCB’s mission is to provide quality support services, appropriate facilities and professional resources for the development and well-being of individuals and groups. While the GLCCB is committed to positive and enriching experiences for all who use its services, the group descriptions listed, content, and the views expressed are those of the facilitators or organizers and do not necessarily reflect those of the GLCCB. The GLCCB is a 501(c)(3) organization.

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BALTIMORE GAYLIFE

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VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 17

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afterhours HUNTER ON THE PROWL! & BSCENE

King & Queen of Pride Contest

BY MARK HUNTER • PHOTOS BY JAY W.

Well it’s that time of the year, time to start seeing events kick off Baltimore Pride 2011. Club Hippo hosted The King & Queen of Pride Contest on March 25. The contest started around 10:30 p.m. and lasted till the end of the night at 1:45 a.m. There were three Queen of Pride Contestants and five King Contestants. All contestants did an amazing job, along with entertaining us! At the end of the night, Miss Sparkle Diamond was crowned Queen of Pride 2011 and Mr. Javiar Diamond was crowned King of Pride 2011. n

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HOOK UP FAST

LEATHER TALES

Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf

BY SIR ANDY LIU, MID-ATLANTIC LEATHERSIR 2008

BLADeaf (Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf) roars into April with their BLADeaf Run XIX! Spanning April 8 and April 9, both days’ worth of events will be at the Triple L (Leon’s Leather Lounge).

The main event of the weekend will be the contests for Mr. Baltimore Deaf Leather 2011 / Ms. Baltimore Deaf Leather 2011 / Baltimore Deaf Leatherboy 2011 / Mr. Baltimore Deaf Bear 2011 / Baltimore Deaf Cub 2011, happening on Saturday.

Anyone interested in being a contestant should go to BLADeaf.com andOF CHANGE: DESCRIPTION download an application form.

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There is much to celebrate this year, as our very own Val Sherrill steps aside PLEASE BEGIN RUNNING: as Ms. Baltimore Deaf Leather 2010. To recap, Val went on after being sashed Ms. Baltimore Deaf Leather 2010 to become our Mid-Atlantic Leather RunTFN. Woman 2010, and then our International Ms. Deaf Leather 2010! Thank you Val, for your service and all that you continue to do!

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I had the honor of participating in this run the last 2 years, and I highly recommend it. You will have an awesome time!

Until then, be kind to yourselves, each other, and practice random acts of kindness!! n DETAILS: BLADeaf Run XIX, April 8-9, Triple L, LeonsLeatherLounge.com, BLADeaf.com.

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VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 PAGE 19

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School 33 Art Center’s

19th Annual

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Sat., April 23 Silo Point Continuous Cocktail Buffet & Art Viewing begins at 6:00pm Drawing begins at 7:30pm After Party: Sky Lounge, 9pm Lotta Art features juried art from more than 130 artists who have generously donated their work to benefit School 33 Art Center. Each art ticket holder is guaranteed to go home with a work of art in this lottery-style drawing.

Supporting Sponsors:

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