Baltimore OUTloud • April 15, 2016

OUT

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES

Former Baltimore Pride Coordinator Pleads Guilty to Theft

By Steve Charing Washington Blade Just as leaders from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) are gearing up to host Pride 2016, the 2015 Pride Coordinator, Paul Liller, accepted a plea deal in a case in which he had been accused of theft by GLCCB’s board president Jabari Lyles.

Following three postponements that began in Baltimore’s District Court last December, Liller signed an Alford plea agreement in Baltimore Circuit Court on March 30.

He pled guilty to a misdemeanor (“Theft – Less than $1,000 value”) without admitting guilt and maintaining his innocence but admitting that the prosecution could likely prove the charge based on the evidence.

Liller, 33, was charged, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Toi Mason, with

“taking property” from the GLCCB in the amount of $704.58. Sources told the Blade that it was a result of his using the GLCCB’s debit card to buy non-GLCCB-related items.

These purchases allegedly occurred between August 15th and September 15th based on a complaint filed by Lyles on behalf of the GLCCB. According to the original charging documents, they included such items as various art supplies, crafting supplies, and office supplies.

Since he had become the GLCCB’s Pride coordinator in late 2014, Liller was appointed the GLCCB’s development coordinator and ultimately deputy director and acting executive director after the resignation of Joel Tinsley-Hall effective July 6, 2015.

Liller resigned suddenly on October 13 amidst rumors concerning missing money

April 15, 2016 | Volume XIII, Issue 27

from Pride. The GLCCB then initiated a review of its financial transactions whose findings led to the complaint.

As a result of the plea deal, Liller receives an 18-month suspended sentence, two years supervised probation, and restitution to the GLCCB in the amount charged. t

Paul Liller

credit: Steve Charing

GLCCB statement regarding the outcome of the state’s case against Paul Liller

By Jabari Lyles GLCCB President On the morning of March 30, 2016, just as the GLCCB team prepared to begin trial, we learned that Mr. Paul Liller, former GLCCB deputy director and Pride coordinator, entered an Alford plea and was found guilty of theft of property and assets of our organization. Mr. Liller was given a suspended sentence of 18 months in prison, two years of supervised probation, and a court order of restitution to pay GLCCB the value of missing goods considered, priced at $704.58.

The news of the sudden end to this long journey was certainly shocking, as we had prepared to engage in a lengthy, tiresome, and details-focused trial. This had been our fifth court appearance in less than six

months; prior proceedings were postponed each time, both the state and the defense exhausting their options to postpone, and then an eventual transfer to circuit court.

Although the process was lengthy, we remained steadfast in achieving our goal of diligently defending the integrity of how we conduct business as an organization, as well as protecting the assets of our community. Our team is new at GLCCB. Today, we boast a large, dedicated board of directors, a passionate staff and a regularly devoted team of volunteers. We are all, in many ways, new to doing the business as the GLBT Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland. However, we are not new to GLCCB’s very public and very tarnished history as an organization. We are

all community members, and were community members before joining the team at GLCCB. We know what you know, and we too have observed the very same things you have observed. What is different about today’s team is we are devoted to eradicating any threats to fulfilling the mission of uniting and empowering sexual and gender minorities in Baltimore and across Maryland. No longer will we turn a blind eye to hate, dishonesty, incompetence, or theft. Too many problems still exist in our community, and too many people have been left unserved, for our community center not to exist as a functioning organization.

Our pursuit against Mr. Liller was not only the correct thing to do, it was symbolic of how we will handle improprieties within

our organization moving forward. There is no question that Baltimore still deserves a community center for its vibrant LGBTQ community. However, our center will not exist without support from its community. By the same token, the community will not support an organization that takes its support for granted. The people of Baltimore have been fooled many times by the old GLCCB, and quite honestly, the community is tired and fed up. I say this to reiterate that we, too, are community members and we, too, are fed up. That is why we have spent countless, unpaid hours, over the past seven months, to fix this place that we need.

We have vowed to work hard and be transparent with our community, which necessitates a detailed public statement on what —continued on page 7

New Odefsey® is now available

2t

OdefseyB_BaltimoreOUTloud_9-875x9-6.indd 1-2 BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

Actual Size (15.4 mm x 7.3 mm)

One small pill contains rilpivirine, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF).

Ask your healthcare provider if ODEFSEY is right for you.

To learn more visit ODEFSEY.com

Please see Brief Summary of Patient Information with important warnings on the following pages.

4/7/16 3:29 PM BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

3

Brief Summary of Patient Information about ODEFSEY ODEFSEY (oh-DEF-see) (emtricitabine, rilpivirine and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets Important: Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with ODEFSEY. There may be new information about ODEFSEY. This information is only a summary and does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is the most Important Information I should know about ODEFSEY? ODEFSEY can cause serious side effects, including: • Build-up of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis may happen in some people who take ODEFSEY or similar medicines. Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because the symptoms could seem like symptoms of other health problems.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms which could be signs of lactic acidosis: – feel very weak or tired – have unusual (not normal) muscle pain – have trouble breathing – have stomach pain with nausea or vomiting – feel cold, especially in your arms and legs – feel dizzy or lightheaded – have a fast or irregular heartbeat • Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems may happen in people who take ODEFSEY. In some cases, these liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large and you may develop fat in your liver. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms of liver problems: – your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) – dark “tea-colored” urine – light-colored bowel movements (stools) – loss of appetite – nausea – pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area • You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking ODEFSEY or a similar medicine for a long time.

• Worsening of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. ODEFSEY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and take ODEFSEY, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking ODEFSEY. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before.

– Do not run out of ODEFSEY. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your ODEFSEY is all gone.

– Do not stop taking ODEFSEY without first talking to your healthcare provider.

– If you stop taking ODEFSEY, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual symptoms you may have after you stop taking ODEFSEY.

4t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

What Is ODEFSEY? ODEFSEY is a prescription medicine that is used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older: • who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past and have an amount of HIV-1 in their blood (“viral load”) that is no more than 100,000 copies/mL, or • to replace their current HIV-1 medicines in people who have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months, have a viral load that is less than 50 copies/mL, and have never failed past HIV-1 treatment.

It is not known if ODEFSEY is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age or who weigh less than 77 lb (35 kg).

When used to treat HIV-1 infection, ODEFSEY may help: • Reduce the amount of HIV-1 in your blood. This is called “viral load”.

• Increase the number of CD4+ (T) cells in your blood that help fight off other infections.

Reducing the amount of HIV-1 and increasing the CD4+ (T) cells in your blood may help improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or getting infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections).

ODEFSEY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. You must keep taking HIV-1 medicines to control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses.

Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others. Do not share or re-use needles, injection equipment, or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them. Do not have sex without protection. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.

Who should not take ODEFSEY? Do not take ODEFSEY if you also take a medicine that contains: • carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®) • dexamethasone (Ozurdex®, Maxidex®, Decadron®, BaycadronTM) • dexlansoprazole (Dexilant ®) • esomeprazole (Nexium®, Vimovo®) • lansoprazole (Prevacid®) • omeprazole (Prilosec®, Zegerid®) • oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®) • pantoprazole sodium (Protonix®) • phenobarbital (Luminal®) • phenytoin (Dilantin®, Dilantin-125®, Phenytek®) • rabeprazole (Aciphex®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater ®, Rimactane®) • rifapentine (Priftin®) • the herb St. John’s wort or a product that contains St. John’s wort

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ODEFSEY? Before taking ODEFSEY, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have liver problems including hepatitis B or C virus infection • have kidney and bone problems • have had depression or suicidal thoughts • have any other medical conditions • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ODEFSEY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking ODEFSEY.

Pregnancy registry: there is a pregnancy registry for women who take HIV-1 medicines during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take ODEFSEY. – You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

– At least one of the medicines in ODEFSEY can pass to your baby in your breast milk.

It is not known if the other medicines in ODEFSEY can pass into your breast milk.

– Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Some medicines may interact with ODEFSEY. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with ODEFSEY. • Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take ODEFSEY with other medicines.

How should I take ODEFSEY? • Take ODEFSEY exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. ODEFSEY is

taken by itself (not with other HIV-1 medicines) to treat HIV-1 infection.

• Take ODEFSEY 1 time each day with a meal.

• Do not change your dose or stop taking ODEFSEY without first talking with your

healthcare provider. Stay under a healthcare provider’s care when taking ODEFSEY.

• Do not miss a dose of ODEFSEY. • If you take too much ODEFSEY, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest

hospital emergency room right away.

• When your ODEFSEY supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider

or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to ODEFSEY and become harder to treat.

What are the possible side effects of ODEFSEY? ODEFSEY may cause serious side effects, including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about ODEFSEY?” • Severe skin rash and allergic reactions. Skin rash is a common side effect of ODEFSEY. Rash can be serious. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get a rash. In some cases, rash and allergic reaction may need to be treated in a hospital.

If you get a rash with any of the following symptoms, stop taking ODEFSEY and call your healthcare provider right away: – fever – skin blisters – mouth sores – redness or swelling of the eyes (conjunctivitis) – swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat – trouble breathing or swallowing – pain on the right side of the stomach (abdominal) area – dark “tea-colored” urine

• Depression or mood changes. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have

any of the following symptoms: – feel sad or hopeless – feel anxious or restless – have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself • Change in liver enzymes. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus infection or who have certain liver enzyme changes may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening liver problems during treatment with ODEFSEY. Liver problems can also happen during treatment with ODEFSEY in people without a history of liver disease. Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your liver enzymes before and during treatment with ODEFSEY. • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The exact cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known.

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking ODEFSEY. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking ODEFSEY if you develop new or worse kidney problems.

• Bone problems can happen in some people who take ODEFSEY. Bone problems may include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bones.

The most common side effects of rilpivirine, one of the medicines in ODEFSEY, are depression, trouble sleeping (insomnia), and headache.

The most common side effect of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide, two of the medicines in ODEFSEY, is nausea.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

• These are not all the possible side effects of ODEFSEY. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about ODEFSEY. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about ODEFSEY that is written for health professionals.

For more information, call 1-800-445-3235 or go to www.ODEFSEY.com.

Keep ODEFSEY and all medicines out of reach of children.

Issued: March 2016

ODEFSEY, the ODEFSEY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and GSI are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. ODEC0005 03/16

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

5

6t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

news // LOCAL GLCCB Statement on Theft case – continued from page 1 happened, and how we acted.

Being fully aware of the history of this organization, as well as taking responsibility for its leadership, when I discovered irregularities within our financials, paired with other professional concerns about Mr. Liller’s conduct during his time on our staff, I knew that I had to take swift and direct action. A full investigation, led by myself and other members of our team, revealed that large sums of money had been lost due to improper handling of the funds. We discovered that several items not for GLCCB use, including items such as press-on nails, stretch neon fabric, paints and canvases, a glass computer desk, and a pet bed, had been purchased using the debit card issued to Mr. Liller. A large amount of overtime pay was sent to Mr. Liller; many of those hours unapproved. Funds that had been mysteriously withdrawn from ATMs or inside of bank branches were missing. We also lost $4000 due to an unapproved contract made with an event venue. The value of missing assets totals $9109.26. As an aside, once a complaint was filed, the state decided only to move forward with a small portion of this total, citing that only that portion was possibly the result of criminal activity, whereas the rest could be pursued civilly.

I immediately scheduled a meeting with Mr. Liller to discuss my concern. I presented a detailed memo of issues, immediately revoked Mr. Liller’s debit card, removed him from current projects and asked for a detailed explanation of these mysterious charges, as well as any copies of receipts he may have collected. Mr. Liller was given until 4 p.m. on Monday, October 12th, 2015 to submit his explanations and receipts; he resigned around 2 p.m. on Monday, October 12, without having left explanations or receipts. At the board meeting that evening, it was decided that I immediately assume the role of acting executive director and take control of the daily operation at GLCCB. Since assuming the role of president in July 2015, and then as acting director in October, I have worked incredibly hard to build new processes and inspire a new culture of serving community at GLCCB. The rest is history. Since then, we have made incredible progress. I have assembled a dynamic and dedicated staff, continued to recruit the largest board in over five years at GLCCB, initiated new programs, hosted community events, collaborated with other community organizations, and even found time to install a water cooler, providing the GLCCB with potable water for

the first time since the move into the Waxter Center. While doing that, we have transformed our financial practices. Our finance manager, Mr. Chris Strietman, keeps daily watch on our transactional activity. We have worked together to establish new financial procedures for better accountability and tracking of how and where money is being spent. I possess the GLCCB debit card on my person at all times, and all purchases for now are approved and done by me.

There is a two-signature signing process for all checks, and we have just been able to revitalize our use of accounting software to make for easier reporting. We are in the process of cleaning up years upon years of poor recordkeeping, and are working hard to ensure proper tax reporting. In summary, most importantly, this new team is taking good care of the community’s money.

It was not fun to embark on this legal process, but we did what we needed to do within the scope of our jobs as well as to protect and defend our organization. The process required time and energy that we will not be able to recover, but we are proud of being on right side of this issue, and for organizing an iron-clad case. We have no reason to be dishonest about our accusations, as we are actively trying to move past the basic lies and drama, and to get to the necessary work of serving our community.

As we prepare for Baltimore Pride 2016, as well as embark on our new future, we invite the community into this journey. We are gearing up for exciting things, including hiring new staff, and potentially moving into a space better suited for our needs. We have so much work to do, and so many people to serve. We will be successful only with your support. We are glad to put this chapter behind us, with newly formed armor against this type of behavior.

Sincerely, with Pride. t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

7

news // LOCAL

‘Gender JOY’ Takes Anxiety Out of Growing Up Transgender Nate Sweeney Gender non-conforming children face challenging questions about their identity and heightened risks of harassment and violence at school and home. They also often struggle to have their health-care needs met.

In response, Baltimore-based Chase Brexton Health Care has launched a new program that offers a full range of health care services for transgender and gender-diverse youth.

The program, Gender Journeys of Youth, or Gender JOY, helps children, adolescents and young adults who have questions about their gender identity. Gender JOY is the first program of its kind in the Baltimore area.

“There are many children and adolescents who experience an internal feeling of gender that does not match their assigned gender, and they and their families often need extra support and care,” said Dr. Elyse D. Pine, Chase Brexton’s lead physician for transgender youth.

Gender JOY offers pediatric care along with individual and family therapy, providing transgender youth with a comprehensive support system – a resource that often goes overlooked by conventional health care organizations.

Parents of transgender and gender-diverse young people often struggle to find a provider who understands what their children are going through.

Nearly 75 percent of transgender patients worry that medical personnel will treat them differently as a result of their identity. Nationally, one in 300 people who are dealing with a significant gender concern face increased risk of serious psychological trauma or poor health.

For gender diverse children of any age, early intervention and support can help reduce anxiety and depression.

“For some youth, finding a safe space to explore their feelings about gender helps reduce distress, and may be all that is needed,” said Dr. Pine. “There are some

8t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

youth, however, that are consistent, persistent and insistent about their gender difference and will need medical intervention to grow and thrive.”

For older children, a Chase Brexton medical team will assist patients and may recommend medicines that halt puberty development for transgender youth facing the trauma that puberty can bring. These “puberty blockers” give young people more time to explore their gender and identity questions without pressure.

Cross-sex hormones may be recommended for older adolescents and young adults. In addition, behavioral health experts will help the youth and their families understand these questions and work together to create a supportive environment.

Chase Brexton’s LGBT Health Resource Center, which opened last year, will help connect Gender JOY patients to additional services and resources. Appointments may also be made via the Chase Brexton Call Center at 410-837-2050. t The author is director of Chase Brexton’s LGBT Health Resource Center

Chase Brexton’s POWER Project: Walk-In Help for HIV and STIs

By Ken Ruby III What does the concept of “power” mean to you?

For Chase Brexton Health Care, “power” means a lot of things: the power for someone to take control of their health and decide what HIV prevention methods are right for them; the power of a new, promising science to help decrease new HIV infections; and the power of the community to put a dent in new HIV infections.

Late last year, Chase Brexton Health Care revamped its HIV prevention efforts with the introduction of our POWER Project, which stands for “Protecting Ourselves With Every Resource.” The tagline “protecting ourselves with every resource” nicely encompasses a full array of HIV prevention options and programs.

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

Regular, walk-in, free HIV testing continues to be a core service of the new POWER Project. Knowing one’s status is half the battle. Did you know that HIV/AIDS is the fourth leading cause of death in Baltimore, but at least one in six people who have HIV are not aware of it?

Without knowing your status, you cannot begin taking care of yourself, or taking steps to protect your partners.

At Chase Brexton, anyone who receives an HIV-positive result at testing is able to enter care the same day if desired.

To make HIV testing even more accessible, we recently added our Testing Together program, which allows groups of two or more people to be tested together.

Partners learn about HIV transmission and each other’s status at the same time in a supportive environment.

Participants also mutually agree on a relationship “contract” and establish relationship rules, such as monogamy vs. open relationships, condom use within or outside the relationship, and how to inform the other partner if a rule has been broken.

The POWER Project also adds something new to the HIV prevention toolbox: PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis. Approved since 2012 for use by HIV-negative persons to help prevent HIV, the uptake on PrEP has been slower than expected. PrEP is a once daily medication which has shown to be between 92 and 99 percent effective. Also available is PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, a prevention method that involves starting anti-HIV medications within 72 hours after being potentially exposed to HIV to try to reduce the risk of becoming infected.

POWER Project navigators, or “The POWER Squad,” provide information about PrEP at community events and forums and individual encounters during HIV testing or on our POWER Hotline at 410837-2050 ext. 8813. You may also see our official profile on popular dating sites!

Most recently, Chase Brexton Health Care launched the new POWER Clinic to provide HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing, as well as PrEP and PEP for HIV. Providers at the clinic have extensive experience caring for patients’ sexual health.

The POWER Clinic is part of Chase

Brexton’s Infectious Diseases Center of Excellence, which offers testing, consultation and management services for HIV, Hepatitis C and a variety of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. The POWER Clinic has regular hours: Thursdays, by appointment, from 1 to 4 p.m., and Fridays, for walk-ins, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Finally, to engage with the community outside our four walls, we have acquired a mobile testing van which is expected to be on the road this May. Support our efforts at Baltimoreaidswalk.org!

The POWER Project is headquartered at Chase Brexton’s Mt. Vernon Center (1111 North Charles Street) in Baltimore, but offers services at all Chase Brexton Centers including Randallstown, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Easton.

Patients may contact the POWER Project Hotline with questions at 410-837-2050 ext. 8813. Through this hotline, HIV-positive individuals may schedule quick access to medical, behavioral health, or dental care services.

In addition, H I V- n e g a tive individuals may schedule appointments at the POWER clinic for STI/PrEP/PEP screening, or simply walk in during Friday walk-in hours.

The POWER Project is funded in part by a grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. t The author is director of operations for HIV Care Continuum & Social Work Services at Chase Brexton Health Care

news // national

‘We Are Family’ Denounces Attack on Transgender People in South Carolina Statement by Melissa Moore, the Executive Director of We Are Family on the introduction of S 1203: “Right now, a life of safety and dignity is being pushed out of reach for far too many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. A bill introduced in the South Carolina General Assembly yesterday would make it that much worse.

We should each be able to move freely through the public spaces of our state without barriers or discrimination – to be able to access public facilities without disrespect or discrimination, to use the bathrooms or locker rooms that are appropriate for each of us without harassment, and to have the same rights and access as anyone else.

This bill would deny transgender and gender-nonconforming people the ability to utilize the bathroom that is best for them.

The sponsor is replicating part of a bill that was passed in North Carolina (House Bill 2) that resulted in public outcry, businesses pulling their contracts from the state and a veto by the governor. The fact that such a hateful policy that was soundly rejected by so many and demonstrated to have great harm would be replicated is bad enough, but the way that it perpetuates hateful rhetoric and myths about trans people is truly reprehensible.

Bills like this one have been introduced around the country based on claims that they are needed for public safety, but it is transgender people whose safety is at risk.

People do not need to be protected from the transgender community. The sponsor admitted that there have been no problems reported and that there is really no need for this bill. Further, it is transgender people who are experiencing harassment and violence.

Transgender people face incredible discrimination in the workplace, in schools, and in public places. They face threats and physical assaults in public spaces like restaurants, parks and in bathrooms. It is transgender people who are being hurt and killed. We should be moving policies that ensure that transgender people have equal rights and access, not pushing bills

that make it that much worse.

Transgender people are being killed.

More transgender women were killed in 2015 than any other year on record and here we have lawmakers whose job it is to ensure equal access and participation in our state advancing laws that oppress and harm.

Policies like S 1203 feed into the climate that results in violence and disre-

spect of the transgender community. This is not only a waste of time when lawmakers could be advancing policies that help people in our state, but it is also hateful and insulting.” t

has the highest number of poor people in the country, many of whom are LGBTQ. “These folks already face devastating discrimination and racism. With this law they are going to face more. This is what makes Bryant’s action so despicable,” said Carey. The state’s new law discriminates against LGBTQ people and many others in a number of different contexts. These include: the workplace, at schools, in health care settings and in public spaces such as stores, hotels or eateries by giving individuals, religious associations and private entities the right to use their religious beliefs as an excuse to “shut the door” on anyone they choose. The outcry against Bryant has been diverse – from people of faith who think what he did was immoral to businesses who think that his action will be a jobs killer. “Bryant could have stopped this bill becoming law. Instead he signed it. Now it’s time for him to sign something else – his resignation letter. He must resign to do the decent thing, and to help make the Hospitality State truly hospitable again,” urged Carey. The petition calling for Governor Bryant to resign is available online at Bit.ly/quitPhil.

To take part in the conversation using social media, follow the hashtag #quitPhil. t

Task Force Calls for Mississippi Gov to Resign The National LGBTQ Task Force is calling on Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi to resign.

In early April, the governor signed a law, HB 1523, that legalizes discrimination against LGBTQ people. This new law may also lead to discrimination against unmarried people raising children, unmarried people having sex, and others. “Mississippi has once again passed a law that unduly infringes on basic human rights,” the Task Force said in a statement. “What Governor Bryant did was immoral. That’s why he must resign immediately. By signing this law, he is targeting some of the poorest people with the least legal protections in our nation, Mississippi’s LGBTQ community. And, he manipulated faith and cherished constitutional rights to justify this reprehensible action,” said Rea Carey, the group’s director.

Mississippi has the highest proportion of same-sex couples raising children in the U.S. at 26%. It has one of the highest percentages of black same-sex couples. And Mississippi BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

9

editorial

Election 2016: OUTloud Endorsements WE WOULD NEVER BE so presumptuous to suggest to the readers of this newspaper how to vote. However, we think that it is our responsibility to present our thinking on those running for the major offices up for consideration—president, U.S. Senate, and Baltimore mayor, city council president, comptroller and the circuit court judges.

We are only addressing the candidates in the Democratic primary because we see the Republican Party as so toxic to the desires and aspirations of LGBT people and so hostile to women’s rights generally (and in particular a woman’s right to choose) as to make all Republicans anathema. Our abhorrence of the Republican Party may result in our selling short some decent folks who are running for office, but we need only look at the current state of the Republican presidential campaign to be reassured that the party is philosophically and morally bankrupt and dangerous to our wellbeing. For those decent Republicans we urge them to get out because “decent Republican” is fast becoming an oxymoron.

Baltimore City Offices ¶ Mayor: Our choice is State Senator Catharine Pugh We were watching the mayoral debate sponsored by Maryland Public Television and WBAL TV while writing these recommendations and believe that all six of the candidates on stage (those polling at least 5%) comported themselves well. Each articulated credible policy positions on important Catharine Pugh for mayor

issues including schools, criminal justice, real estate and economic development, and economic inequality. Political newcomers, businessman, and philanthropist David Warnock and former Baltimore City Deputy State’s Attorney Elizabeth Embry are

10 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

making their first bids for public office and we are concerned that starting at the top of city government is not the best way to earn one’s political legs. We were surprised, quite frankly, with the visions put forth by Councilmen Carl Stokes and Nick Mosby. However, we strongly disagree with Mr. Stokes’ support for a bill pushed by City Council President Jack Young (Mr. Stokes said it is his proposal) to significantly reduce the power of the mayor on the Board of Estimates and in setting budget priorities. Councilman Mosby may be a rising star but we think that it is too soon for him to be running a municipal government of over 13,000 employees.

That leaves former mayor Sheila Dixon and State Senator Catherine Pugh. Sadly we are of the opinion that Ms. Dixon’s ethical lapses are disqualifying. We say sadly because Ms. Dixon ran the city with an energy and passion that was impressive and she was effective. Despite her expressions of contrition, however, we think that her behaviors over the years evidence a moral compass that is lacking.

Senator Pugh has broad experience inside and outside of government. She has been a member of the City Council (1999 to 2003) and is currently a member of the State Senate (first elected in 2006). She is majority leader and is also president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislatures. She has had a successful legislative career. She touts her role in Annapolis to raise the minimum wage, and her work establishing the Baltimore School for Design, her community work, and her business acumen as owner of a marketing and public-relations firm, a consignment shop in Pigtown, and onetime dean of Strayer Business College. Senator Pugh’s plan for improving the quality of life focuses on eight critical areas -- health, housing, transportation, lighting, property tax reduction, the environment, infrastructure, and improving the city’s image. Her plan for the city’s schools centers on a return of governance of the schools to the city and adopting a “true” community schools. Given the riots last April, it is not surprising that her public safety plan includes cultivating better police/community relations and addressing the serious problems of disadvantaged neighborhoods. All of these positions are competently developed and can serve as a workable blueprint for a Pugh administration.

The other candidates have good plans too; Baltimore is fortunate to have such highly qualified candidates, including Black Lives Matters activist DeRay McKesson, the only openly gay person running for mayor, whose policy papers won high praise from the Balti-

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

more Sun. However, none of the others have the experience at the city and state level, where she is a part of the Democratic leadership and the history of community activism and business experience to match Senator Pugh. ¶ City Council President and Comptroller: Jack Young and Joan Pratt We are not big supporters of City Council President Jack Young but he does not have strong opposition. Some of his initiatives, especially around the needs of city youth, are impressive. However, we strongly disagree with his recent proposal to weaken the authority of the mayor. He was visible during the riots but we were not impressed Jack with his efforts, no Young doubt well meaning, to reach out to the gangs that are plaguing some or the city’s neighborhoods. Despite our reservations, he has our vote.

Similarly, Comptroller Pratt is our choice, mostly by default. We were not at all impressed by the dispute she had with the mayor over the city phone system.

Nevertheless, she has held the post since 1995 and her challengers in the Democratic primary Joan Pratt don’t have significant campaigns. One candidate, Mike King, is running on a campaign of increased audits but he has little money or name recognition. Comptroller Pratt’s incumbency is likely to ensure her reelection.

She has our vote.

cause the voters vote for the first names on the list. The sitting judges have been vetted by a commission, interviewed by community bar associations and then appointed by the governor. We think that is the way to choose the people who judge us and will be voting for them. Last year they walked in the Pride parade, a nice gesture of support for our communities, but we wished that they did not have to campaign to retain their seats.

The challengers, City Councilman James Kraft and Assistant Public Defender Todd Oppenheim, have not articulated solid reasons why any of the sitting Judges should be unseated.

Finally, no matter who you plan to support, we urge you to go to the polls. We are convinced that a large voter turnout is essential.

National Offices ¶ President: Our choice is Bernie Sanders For president, we support Bernie Sanders over Hilary Clinton. Both have run substantive campaigns and will be strong allies to sexual minority communities and we certainly will back Secretary Clinton if she is the nominee. However, Senator Sanders presents an opportunity for a true progressive break with the past. After years of right-wing dominance in the Houses of Congress and the Supreme Court, a radical shakeup is in order, nowhere more so then through the adoption of a significantly more progressive tax policies and financial reform. These are certainly difficult tasks but long overdue.

Secretary Clinton has a powerful resume after a lifetime in politics and governance— First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the U.S., Senator, and Secretary of State. The jobs that she has held make her as qualified as many who sat in the Oval Office. Throughout her career, she has been involved sub—continued on page 18

¶ Circuit Court for Baltimore City: We support the Sitting Judges We also plan to vote for the slate of Baltimore City sitting judges that includes some LGBT judges. We think that requiring judges to run for office is generally poor public policy and can lead to demagoguery. Even when this does not occur, an election can be a crapshoot with the candidates at the bottom of the list on the ballot defeated be-

Bernie Sanders for president

beyond the beltway compiled by Jim Becker

Bernie and Hilary in Philly but say little about LGBT issues Philadelphia, Penna. – Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders both campaigned April 6th in Philadelphia ahead of the state’s April 26th primary, but neither spent much time on LGBT issues, instead preferring to delineate the differences between their progressivism. The former secretary of state told several hundred union members that she and Sanders have many of the same goals. “We agree that wages are too low and inequality is too high,”

Bernie & Hillary

Clinton said. “But Sen. Sanders and I have some real differences about how we would go about achieving our goals as president…. In a number of important areas, he doesn’t have a plan at all.” Clinton did not mention LGBT workers in her speech that was themed to appeal to union members.

At Sanders’s evening rally at the Liacouras Center at Temple University, he slammed Clinton for super PAC contributions to her campaign, voting in favor of the Iraq War and supporting trade deals that don’t benefit American workers. He went on to touch on marriage equality in his hour-long address as a nod to how radical change can happen. “If we were here, say, eight years ago,” Sanders said, “and somebody jumped up and said, ‘You know, Bernie, I think that gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states in this country,’ the person next to him or her would’ve said, ‘No, you’re crazy. That can’t happen.’ But what happened is for decades – and this is how change always happens – the gay community and their straight allies stood up. What they said is that in America, people should have the right to love whoever they want.”

Clinton has previously stumped specif-

ically for LGBT rights, saying at a town hall in the fall in New Hampshire that she would make it her “highest priority” to pass the Equality Act. Sanders is a cosponsor of the Equality Act, which would add federal protections against discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation based on sexual orientation and gender identity. She is overwhelmingly the preferred candidate among LGBT groups. The Human Rights Campaign has endorsed Clinton. Locally, Equality Pennsylvania and the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club have also endorsed her. (Philadelphia Gay News – Paige Cooperstein at Epgn.com)

Male-tofemale woman transitioning into a dragon New York, N.Y. – Born Richard Hernandez in Maricopa County, Arizona, Eva Tiamat Baphomet Medusa, Tiamat for short, age 55 prefers to be identified as “it” and wants to become a “mythical beast” through a series of intense surgical procedures. Tiamat claims to be the first person to ever have both ears surgically removed for purely cosmetic reasons, and says it’s on a quest to revert to its “true form”: a dragon. She also has a forked tongue and a full-face tattoo as part of the transformation. The name comes from a dragon in a video game.

On her website, Tiamat explains: “I am the Dragon Lady, A pre-op M2F transgender in the process of morphing into a human dragon, becoming a reptoid as I shed my human skin and my physical appearance and my life as a whole leaving my humanness behind. She adds that she wants to embrace her “most natural self-awareness as a mythical beast.”

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Tiamat says, “What I like about body mods is everything from the aesthetic appeal, the sexual pleasure, the shock value and most important of all, personal gratification and spiritual significance.”

“Body Modification has given me a new life, a second chance to live my life.

I am happy and at long last at peace with my complete self, how I see and feel myself. Perfection is a magical thing to experience.” Despite not having undergone gender reassignment surgery, she says she is dealing with some “serious gen-

Eva Tiamat Baphomet Medusa transforms

der dysphoria” and “loves” her 36B chest.

(The Daily Mail online at Dailymail.co.uk/ femail/article-3524063/Transgender-woman-Eva-Tiamat-Medusa-ears-nose-removed-dragon-lady.html & Lgbtqnation. com)

End sex-offender registries and protect children New York, N.Y. – Writing on Counterpunch.com, journalists Judith Levine & Erica Meiners argue registries are a bad idea, not just for kids: Recently the New Yorker published a major article about juvenile “sex offenders.” The story, by staff writer Sarah Stillman, is far ranging, moving and important.

Stillman writes about many young people who were caught doing anything from playing doctor to sexually coercing another person (usually another child). Convicted for sex crimes, some of these youth are incarcerated and subject to lifelong sex-offender registration – a kind of social death sentence. These “new” sex offenders are humanized: attractive, promising,

law-abiding heterosexual sons and fathers who made some youthful mistakes and deserve a second chance.

Exclusive focus on the young offender – rather than a rejection of the entire sex offender regime – avoids the larger, less politically popular truth. “Sex offender registries are harmful to kids and to adults,” says Emily Horowitz, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, and a board member of the National Center for Reason & Justice, which works for sensible child-protective policies and against unjust sex laws. “No evidence exists that they prevent sex crimes either by juvenile offenders or adult offenders.”

We are heartened by the nascent alliances forming between people convicted of sex offenses (and their advocates) and movements against policing, surveillance, and imprisonment. Particularly exciting is the transformative justice movement, which, recognizing the interconnections between state violence and interpersonal violence, is working toward cultural change and employing concrete practices to end (or at least reduce) sexual violence without embracing the state’s power to punish.

These movements hold the promise not just of freeing the youthful few, but of finally dismantling the registry while building real safety, for all. We need to care about children – both those who commit harm and those who experience harm. But we must not build movements that collude with a system that deems only some people – due to age, race, sex, gender expression, sexuality or criminal status – worth of compassion, justice, and life. For justice and for an end to violence, it’s time to abolish the sex-offender registry. t (Counterpunch – Judith Levine & Erica Meiners at http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/04/08/ dont-just-get-kids-off-the-sex-offenderregistry-abolish-it/)

These news notes have been compiled, with permission, from the online version of various newspapers and other web sites. We thank these publications for allowing us to bring you their news stories. Usually the reports have been significantly edited and you can read the full story by going to the web site mentioned following the item. Comments are strictly the opinions of Jim Becker and not of Baltimore OUTloud or Pride Media.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

11

12 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

13

14 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

15

16 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

quality of life

My Fabulous

Disease

By Mark S. King

Packing Up the Man Who Wasn’t There

By Mark S King When the health of my close friend Ron began to rapidly decline in 1987, he made the decision to leave Los Angeles to return home to rural New York to be near his family.

“Just long enough to feel a little better,” he told me at the time. It was a common trajectory in those days, usually undertaken not long after delivering the news to your family that you were gay and oh, by the way, had AIDS. I spent an afternoon helping Ron pack his things for the trip home. The chore was fraught with emotion, mortal dread, and the realization that my old friend was swiftly losing his mind.

“Mark?” Ron called from the bedroom.

“Did you get a lot of boxes? We’re going to need a lot, I think.” I was in the living room, sealing the music and video carton.

“Yes, Ron. I told you. I’m going to take all this to the mailing place right down the street. They’ll mail it home for you, okay?” I walked into the bedroom.

He sat on the bed, staring at stacks of clothes on the floor around him. They would all be sent along, he had insisted. Clothes for every season. It felt sadly optimistic. His athletic body was shockingly diminished, deflated into near nothingness.

“We need a lot of boxes,” he repeated.

“You know what, Mark?”

I took a cardboard garment box that was leaning against a wall and began folding it into place.

“What, Ron?” I grabbed packing tape and sealed the flaps at one end. Ron sat staring at the floor, as if he were napping with his eyes open.

“Hey, Ron, what is it?” I called to him. He didn’t respond.

I knelt by his bed, collecting a stack of clothes, and looked into his face. His features held no expression, except for his eyes, which darted back and forth in a sort of panic.

“Ron? Are you doing okay?” I squeezed

his knee. “Ron.” Don’t you dare have some sort of seizure on me, I thought. That I could not handle, buddy. I felt a flash of anger for agreeing to help him, for having to be the sole remaining companion, the one not driven away by the hospital visits and the disfiguring lesions, the one who had to carry out this depressing task for him. And then, of course, I felt ashamed.

Who said you wouldn’t have to get your Artwork courtesy of Alexander Binder

“There are more towels in here,” he said.

“Give them to that old woman next door. Maybe give her this bathroom stuff too, this soap dish and all. She’s old. Maybe she can use this shit.”

His burst of exertion suddenly caught up with him and his body slumped. He held on to the counter top with both hands. I watched his face in the mirror above the sink.

“No, I’m not crazy yet,” he said in a tired voice. He bowed his head, catching his breath.

I couldn’t know what would await him when he made the move home. I had no idea that his panicked parents would soon place my 26-year-old friend in a nursing home, the only available option in his small town, or that Ron’s fate would include losing what was left of his mental faculties in a recreation room filled with the elderly. There was no way for me to predict that the increasingly rare phone calls from his sister would include the fact that if his mother had to witness Ron laying in his own feces one more time the poor woman would go quite mad.

Ron lifted his head and caught my gaze in the mirror. I was wrestling with the muscles in my face to keep from crying. His look suggested that it was he who felt sympathy.

For me.

“I have to leave for a while, Ron,” I said.

“Lesley went into intensive care this morning

and I promised I would get over there to see him.”

Lesley, another close friend of mine, one who Ron didn’t particularly like. And now,

“I spent an afternoon helping Ron pack his things for the trip home. The chore was fraught with emotion, mortal dread, and the realization that my old friend was swiftly losing his mind.” the two were competing for the time and affections of our social circle as they raced to their tragic finish.

I stood up and began to gather my things to leave.

“This is just like Lesley,” he said suddenly.

I stopped and looked back at him.

“It figures he’d wanna die now,” he said.

“This is just like him.” t

hands dirty, Mark? There’s a consequence for inexplicably remaining alive while AIDS punctures your social circle. There’s a certain result from being able to function normally and pack boxes while your friends aren’t so fortunate. There’s a price for your continued good health. And you’re looking at it.

“Ron?” I tried again. “Ron, can you understand me?”

He turned his face to mine. “Of course I understand you, Mark. You think I’m nuts?”

I was startled. “Well no, Ron, but you were –” “I know everything that’s going on here, Mark!” He stood up a little too quickly, caught his balance, and began to pace around the piles of shirts and underwear. “I know that I am packing things up here, and you are helping me because I can’t fucking bend over without having some kind of stroke. Thank you, by the way. I know that everyone thinks that this is it for me, and that my sister is going to freak out when she sees me.“ He turned to me. “I know that I don’t need my Jane Fonda workout tapes anymore, do I, Mark?”

I couldn’t find words. He shuffled to the sink in the open bathroom. I lowered an armful of clothing into the box.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

17

quality of life

Open Wide ask Dr Eva

Dr Eva Hersh

Puzzles of Organ Transplants & HIV

Dear Dr. Eva, I was surprised to hear the news that Johns Hopkins has just done the first liver transplant from one HIV-positive patient to another. I am not medically trained, but this seems so obvious. Can you tell me what I am missing? I can see why it would not be safe to transplant organs from an HIV-positive person to an HIV-negative one, since the transplanted organ could carry the virus and infect the recipient. But what was thought to be the downside in having an HIV-positive patient donate an organ to another HIV-positive patient?

Confused Dear Dr. Eva, As an HIV-positive person, I am really appalled to hear that HIV to HIV organ transplants have been approved to be done in this country. Since HIV-positive people are expected to take care of our own health by wearing condoms to avoid getting infected with different strains of HIV, how can it be okay to transplant organs that could be loaded with resistant HIV strains into the bodies of people whose HIV has been well controlled up to that point? Something’s wrong with this picture.

Appalled Dear Readers, Thank you for bringing up these important controversies in HIV transplant medicine. To address them, let’s start with history. In 1988, a law was passed in the U.S. Congress which made it illegal to use organs from HIV infected donors for transplants. The concern was that transplant recipients might become infected with HIV through organs from HIV infected donors.

There were no known cases of this occurring, but there was concern. On the surface this may seem reasonable, until you learn that no such law has ever been passed to prevent any other transplant-related infec-

18 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

tion. Syphilis, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, and malaria are just a few among the many other infections which could also be transmitted by a transplanted organ, but there was never a level of public panic about these infections to compare with the panic over HIV. This same panic led to: laws preventing all men who have sex with men, regardless of HIV status, from donating blood; demands that HIV-positive children be excluded from classrooms; and proposals that HIV-positive people should be confined to concentration camps. No one was thinking then, when HIV seemed to be a uniformly fatal disease, that HIV infected people would ever be able to achieve the stable health and potential lifespan that are required to receive an organ transplant. Highly effective HIV therapy would not come into widespread use for another 5 years. It took 25 years, until 2013, for HIV health advocates to get revisions made to the law prohibiting use of organs from HIV infected donors so that these organs can now be used for HIV infected recipients.

One of the interesting things I learned while researching this article is that, while the recent Johns Hopkins transplants were the first HIV-positive to HIV-positive transplants reported in the U.S., surgeons in South Africa have been doing HIV-to-HIV kidney transplant surgeries since 2008.

We like to think the US has the most advanced medical system – why did South Africa make this advance first? Perhaps because we are such a litigious society and physicians and hospitals feared lawsuits if there were a bad outcome, or perhaps because of the concern raised by Appalled, that an HIV to HIV transplant could put the transplant recipient at risk of re-infection with another strain of HIV that could cause resistance to HIV medicines.

In response to this concern, it is important to keep in mind that people’s names usually don’t get placed at the top of the transplant list until their failing organ has almost completely stopped functioning. If a kidney transplant is needed, renal dialysis, a procedure for filtering the blood, is available and people often can tolerate dialysis for several years. However, there is no procedure like dialysis for liver failure: once the liver stops functioning, the person cannot survive more than a few weeks at most. Ideally, HIV to HIV transplants will be matched based on HIV virus medication sensitivity, and transplant protocols do recommend this. If only one organ donor is available when an organ is urgently needed, more basic matches like blood and tissue type will take priority. The patient may be left with a choice between the lesser of two evils: certain and impending death

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

from organ failure versus the potential but lesser risk of medication-resistant HIV virus. Especially now, at a time in which several new HIV medicines have recently become available, I think most people would choose to live longer and risk viral resistance. t Dr. Eva Hersh is a Baltimore family physician. Send your comments and questions to her by email at dreva@baltimoreoutloud. com.

OUTLOUD election endorsements – continued from page 10 stantively in all of the important issues of the day and has consistently supported policies that place her in the mainstream of the Democratic Party but far to the right of Senator Sanders. Her ties to Wall Street, support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, and her late embrace of some of our issues are concerning. But most troubling is her vote for the invasion of Iraq, a foreign policy misadventure that many view as one of the worst decisions ever made by this country. Nonetheless, she has been a tireless advocate for women’s rights and has adopted more progressive positions and policies recently. Her election as the first woman president is also a compelling reason to consider her. While not our first choice, we will support her enthusiastically over the Republican no matter who that is, if Senator Sanders fails to become the nominee.

Given that Senator Sanders has been an outsider since he was first elected to Congress, we do worry about his effectiveness but we think that his is a worthy cause and we are feeling the Bern! Universal, single-payer health care is the simplest way to deliver affordable, efficient medical care, but given the political realities, it is probably a stretch. Similarly free college tuition may be a pipe dream but it is certainly something to strive for. As we said, we are feeling the Bern and are casting our lot with the senator from Vermont. ¶ U.S. Senate: It is a tossup between two great candidates, Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen Deciding between U.S. Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Donna Edwards is not an easy task. Both have solid progressive records that we can easily support. After 12 years in the Maryland General Assembly, he was elected to Congress in 2003. As a member of the Democratic Leadership in the House of Representatives, Representative Van Hollen has proven that he knows how to get things

done. Representative Edwards was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2008 after beating the incumbent in the Democratic primary. She has a history of political activism and is the first African-American woman to represent Maryland in Congress.

During the campaign Representative Edwards has tried to paint Representative Van Hollen, unfairly we think, as someone who was ready to sell out Social Security in order to make a budget deal with Republicans during the fight over sequestration. However, we don’t buy it and are disappointed in Representative Edwards for this line of attack. We are also concerned about the claims by former state delegate and Democratic candidate for governor, Heather Mizeur, that Rep. Edwards’ staff provides poor constituent service. However, when we look at the big picture where both candidates will bring progressive values and policies to the Senate, we also consider Chris Van Hollen

other qualities in the candidates. The U.S. Senate has been a bastion of white male privilege for more than two centuries. There has been a dearth of women (Senator Mikulski was the first woman elected in her own right and did not obtain her seat after it was held by a spouse) and only one African-American woman has been elected to the Senate in the entire history of the country. Certainly, the Senate is long overdue for some racial diversity, something that a Senator Edwards will provide.

Both Representatives Edwards and Van Hollen will represent Maryland with distinction. Our editorial committee is divided but we are comfortable with them both. t Donna Edwards

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

19

Lively Arts // out on screen

The Boss from Hell

by Chuck Duncan I think Melissa McCarthy is a very talented comedienne, wowing movie audiences with her supporting role in Bridesmaids and her first appearance on “Saturday Night Live” as well as in her supporting role on Gilmore Girls and lead role on the recently cancelled Mike & Molly. She’s got the chops, no question about it, but she’s fallen into a trap of playing the same slovenly, unpleasant character in almost every movie she makes (and did basically that same character on her second, dreadful SNL hosting gig) that she and her husband Ben Falcone have a hand in. Where she has truly shone is in her three movies with director Paul Feig: the aforementioned Bridesmaids, The Heat, and last year’s hilarious Spy. This track record actually gives one hope for the upcoming Ghostbusters remake/reboot/revival ... whatever it is.

Which brings us to her latest comedy, The Boss, written by her and her husband

(with some assist from first-time writer Steve Mallory, who appeared with McCarthy in the terrible Identity Thief and the soso Tammy), and directed by her husband as well. Their last project together was Tammy which had some charm by letting McCarthy not stay in that character rut for the entire film, but still fell flat in the laughs department.

In The Boss, McCarthy plays Michelle Darnell (incidentally, the film’s original title), a high-powered, highstrung financial wizard who holds massive “you can get rich” seminars in arenas, complete with T-Pain and back-up dancers. But Darnell got rich from insider trading, which cost her six months in a country club prison and all of her possessions.

Out of prison, Michelle has nowhere to go, so she ends up at the apartment of her formerly harried assistant Claire (Kris-

Melissa McCarthy fills the role with aplomb

20 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

tin Bell) who grudgingly allows her former nightmare a spot on her sofa, for a limited time only. Michelle somehow bonds with Claire’s daughter Rachel (Ella Anderson), even if she thinks her name is Raquel, and discovers Claire has a talent for baking brownies.

After attending one of Rachel’s Dandelions meetings and seeing how much money they make selling cookies (the profits of which go straight to the organization), Michelle convinces Claire that they can start their own organization, sell brownies, make a huge profit and give a percentage back to the girls for college funds.

It seems like a win-win situation for everyone until Michelle’s ex in business and romance, Ronald (a.k.a. Renault) shows up, still harboring a grudge for her screwing him out of a promotion 25 years earlier.

He ratted her out and had her sent to prison in the first place and now he wants to take her new business venture away from her. Will he convince Claire to sell her half to him, or will Michelle just screw it all up on her own?

The Boss doesn’t really offer anything new with the typical rise and fall and rise and uh oh, will she make it plot structure, but it does have some genuinely funny moments sprinkled throughout the film ... depending on your tolerance for McCarthy and Falcone’s brand of humor. For this viewer, The Boss is the best of the McCarthy/Falcone collaborations, even with its sometime slow moments.

McCarthy manages to take what could have been another totally unpleasant character and gives her some real heart, especially as she bonds with Rachel and learns to appreciate Claire’s skills. She’s brash, but not off-putting and she’s always dressed to the nines ... although I do wish

someone would have explained Michelle’s affection for the up-to-her-chin turtleneck.

Bell shines in what could have been a totally thankless role as Michelle’s victimized Needs workman’s comp

assistant, and she and Anderson really make you root for Claire and Rachel to succeed even when it seems like Michelle is on course to destroy what they had just built.

Dinklage is a bit creepy in his role, but the scene with he and McCarthy sword fighting is pretty funny. Tyler Labine provides a late in the film love interest for Claire, Kathy Bates shows up in an extended cameo as Michelle’s former mentor, Cecily Strong is a sycophantic boss at Claire’s new job, Kristin Schaal is an out-of-her-depths troop leader, and Annie Mumolo has some very funny moments butting heads with Michelle.

Some think the film drags in places, but the only real slow down I felt was in the third act when things begin falling apart with the new business. Other than that, and perhaps because I was going in with such low expectations, I rather enjoyed the film, laughing out loud several times, particularly at one absurd sight gag (that’s already been ruined by the TV ads).

Critics are already sharpening their knives to carve McCarthy and Falcone to pieces regardless of what’s on the screen, and that’s their prerogative. You may or may not enjoy the movie, but if you like McCarthy’s brand of humor you should get more than a few laughs from The Boss. t

Lively Arts // QMUSIC

Coming Around Again

By Gregg Shapiro For an entire generation of music lovers, soul diva Regina Belle will forever be linked to Disney’s Aladdin and the Oscar-winning, chart-topping tune “A Whole New World” (the song that knocked Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” out of the number one spot). A duet by Belle and Peabo Bryson, the song can still be heard on oldies radio stations and supermarket sound systems on a regular basis. Of course, there is much more to Belle than that song, including hit singles from the late ’80s and early ’90s. Working the gospel circuit in recent years, Belle’s latest The Day Life Began (Shanachie/ Peak) combines secular (a slamming cover of the late Phyllis Hyman’s “You Know How to Love Me”) and spiritual (“He’s Alright”) numbers.

On Stripped (Main Man / MVD), his first studio album in more than 15 (!) years, Daniel Ash, known to many from his time in groundbreaking goth bands such as Bauhaus and Love and Rockets (as well as Tones On Tail) has re-recorded some fan favorites from his lengthy career.

Album opener, “So Alive,” a huge hit for

Love and Rockets may be the most familiar to listeners. In fact, there are six Love and Rockets songs, such as “No Big Deal,” represented on the disc. Tones On Tail gets three tracks reworked, including “OK, This is the Pops,” and Bauhaus is given a nod with “Slice of Life.” The bouncy “Come On,” one of two new songs, indicates that Ash hasn’t lost his touch.

Minneapolis’s Soul Asylum was grunge before there was grunge. Coming from the same lively music scene that spawned Husker Du and The Replacements, Soul Asylum officially got its start in the mid-1980s. After putting in time on the legendary Minneapolis record label Twin/Tone, the band was signed to A&M, but didn’t achieve the kind of success that was expected of them. That success occurred a couple of years later with 1992’s Grave Dancer’s Union including the breakthrough chart-topping single “Runaway Train.”

Twenty-four years, various labels and as-

sorted personnel changes later, Soul Asylum, still led by Dave Pirner, returns with Change of Fortune (eOne). The dozen songs split the difference between the band’s grungier (“Make It Real,” “Can’t Help It” and “Moonshine”) and poppier material (“When I See You,” “Don’t Bother Me,” “Supersonic,” and “Doomsday”).

Like Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone is one of the soul divas Angie who helped define Stone modern R&B in the early years of the 21st century.

Stone’s new album Dream (Shanachie) doesn’t have anything that comes close to equaling the songs that established her reputation, including masterpieces such as “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” “No More Rain (In This Cloud),” “Brotha” or “I Wasn’t Kidding.”

Nevertheless, there are enough reasons to recommend Dream, including “Dollar Bill,” “Clothes Don’t Make The Man,” “Quits,”

and “Didn’t Break Me.” Folk-rocker Pete Yorn, who recorded a collaboration album with Scarlett Johanssen a few years ago, comes back with ArrangingTime (Capitol), his first full-length album in six years. The album is a solid return to form driven by some of Yorn’s most memorable songs including “Lost Weekend,” “Halifax,” “In Your Head,” “I’m Not The One,” and “Screaming at the Setting Sun,” all bathed in a subtle acoustic-meets-electronic glow. With the right remix of “Tomorrow,” Yorn could even have a club hit on his hands.

For more than 20 years, neo-traditional blues artist Keb’ Mo’ (a.k.a. Kevin Moore) has been plying his trade and maintaining a devoted fan-base. Recorded during his 2015 concert tour, the double disc set Live: That Hot Pink Blues Album (Kind of Blue Music / RED), features Mo’ performing a “mix” of his “song catalog from the past 21 years, recorded in big venues, small venues, lively clubs, symphony halls and outdoor festivals,” in cities such as Charleston, Nashville and Denver. Mo’ includes selections from as far back as “She Just Wants To Dance” and “Tell Everybody I Know” to as recent as “The Old Me Better,” and “The Worst Is Yet To Come.” t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

21

Lively Arts // personalities

Hands-on Poet

By Gregg Shapiro The Kiss of Walt Whitman Still On My Lips (Squares & Rebels, 2016), the sixth book by deaf gay poet Raymond Luczak, takes the inspiration for its title from a remark made

by Oscar Wilde after the two met more than 130 years ago. In the book, separated into three sections, Luczak moves back and forth in time from the present day to Whitman’s lifetime, comparing and contrasting the life of a gay poet, then and now. Luczak, the author and editor of almost 20 books, most recently QDA: A Queer Disability Anthology, is a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in numerous anthologies and literary journals. Based in Minneapolis, Luczak is also editor of the respected queer fiction publication Jonathan, published by Sibling Rivalry Press. The Kiss of Walt Whitman Still On My Lips arrives on April 8, just in time for National Poetry Month.

Gregg Shapiro: Raymond, can you trace your awareness of Walt Whitman to being a gay man first or a poet first, or did it occur simultaneously?

Raymond Luczak: Even though I’d come out in August 1984, I wasn’t truly aware of Walt Whitman until the mid-1980s when I was attending Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. When my friend Melainie and I were walking around the city one day, she said that the poet Walt Whitman had lived there during the Civil War, and how she really liked his poem “We Two Boys Together Clinging.” She talked about having seen somewhere a picture of the older Whitman and his boyfriend Peter Doyle, a streetcar conductor he’d met one night, and being impressed by how they looked directly at each other.

GS: What was the first Whitman poem that you read and was it for school or for pleasure?

RL: Because Whitman had never been taught in my high school or college, I had no particular preconceived notions about Whitman; only that he was a poet whose boyfriend was a streetcar conductor. I don’t remember which edition of Leaves of Grass I’d read for the first time, but after plodding through his lugubrious introduction, I was like, “Okay. I get it.” Then I read his opening shot “Song of Myself.” I went, “Whoa!” The poet had conjured a palpable vision of what America could be, and after having read Allen Ginsberg’s Howl prior to Whitman, I saw plainly how a poet could be directly influenced and yet remain distinct from his predecessors. I’d never

spotted that kind of transparent influence in a writer’s work before, so that was a revelation.

By the time I graduated from Gallaudet, though, I had become enamored with the New Formalist movement, starting with sonnet novels by Marilyn Hacker, Alexander Pushkin, and Vikram Seth. I was besotted with the challenges of writing poems via traditional forms in the colloquial tongue. By the time my first book St. Michael’s Fall came out in 1995, I was already leaving New Formalism behind. Being a New Formalist taught me how to break down every element of a word and weigh it against the other elements in any given line and subsequently the entire canvas of the poem itself.

More than a decade later, when I began to research various developments in Western poetry for (my book) How to Kill Poetry, Walt Whitman returned to my consciousness.

In hindsight, he’d always been there; just waiting for the right moment to reveal himself in ways I hadn’t anticipated when I first read Leaves of Grass. But once he arrived, there was no turning him away. His shadow had finally crossed mine.

GS: What are the challenges and rewards of writing a book-length poem such as The Kiss of Walt Whitman Still On My Lips?

RL: When I began writing How to Kill Poetry, I was still in the throes of feeling an intense ache for a certain gardener. I didn’t know whether I should write about him, and if I did, how I should write. But when I reconnected with Whitman and researched his life prior to writing the poem “America’s First Coming Out”, I immediately saw that he, too, was a man of earth. What changed everything was coming across a spectacular quote in a letter Oscar Wilde had written to a gay friend after having met the poet: “I have the kiss of Walt Whitman still on my lips.” The prospect of such a startling title was almost like being given permission to write about my unrequited affections for the gardener, and for Whitman himself.

I’d never intended to write a book-length poem at all. I thought maybe it could be a chapbook – each page a single nine-line stanza – about learning from Whitman how to love again, but the more I learned about how Whitman lived as a gay man, the more he seeped into the heartbeat of my poem.

What did it mean to love back then? And what about now? I had wanted to learn how

An interview with Raymond Luczak

22 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

he could seem to love so extravagantly in a more repressed time. I wasn’t sure if I could believe in love again even in a far more accepting time.

GS: Parts of the book were published as individual poems in literary journals and anthologies. How did you know that Raymond Luczak

they were meant to coalesce into a longer piece?

RL: I typically create entire books before carving them up for submissions. I usually rewrite entire collections a few times before they see publication as a whole, usually years later. For this book, though, I cherry-picked the stanzas, strung them together as standalone poems, and gave them titles for submitting.

GS: Whitman is almost as famous for his beard as he is for his poetry. On the fifth page of section one, you make the first mention of beards in the book. Please say something about beards and bards.

RL: What’s so fascinating about Whitman is how much of a harbinger he was of not only the American identity but also of other identities. I believe he is the first American poet to delineate clearly that what being an American meant, and what that should mean; no more aping the Brits.

At the time, when he self-published the first two editions of Leaves of Grass, it wasn’t standard practice to have a picture of the author included in the book itself. But there he was, not in a proper suit but in everyday laborer’s clothes where he showed a little chest fur.

At the time, this shocked a lot of readers; the way he had his hand in one of his pockets was almost obscene. Not only that, a sharp-eyed scholar (no less than Ted Genoways himself!) has noticed that over a period

of time, Whitman must’ve had the original Samuel Hollyer lithograph gradually modified each time to make his bulge a bit more – how do we say this delicately now? – hung. In that sense, he was really no different from men today who feel the need to advertise their wares online and in hookup apps so they can get laid. Incidentally, both radical faeries and gay bears have embraced him; it’s hard not to compare him nursing the dying Civil War soldiers to those trying to help those affected by AIDS in the epidemic’s early days. No matter how our perceptions of Walt Whitman change due to the times we live in, he remains remarkably resilient.

Whitman was also marketing-savvy. He knew that the more photographs taken of him and sold, the more people would remember him. He knew he needed fame in order to sell more books. It is still shocking – perhaps not so, after having read so much about his life – that there are only 127 surviving photographs of the poet. Compare this number to the 128 photographs surviving of Abraham Lincoln!

Whitman’s beard, no matter its length, has certainly lent him an iconic look. My gardener in question also had a beautiful beard that was thick and stiff, so the beard was a convenient link between him and Whitman. Since the early 1990s I’ve always sported a beard.

I like having a beard [laughs]!

GS: You make use of wordplay incorporating Whitman references such as your line, “The electricity between us made me sing,” which is an allusion to Whitman’s “I sing the body electric.” Can you please say something about wordplay and citation?

RL: Leaves of Grass has had a number of editions, but my favorite is probably the second edition (1856). The first edition had startled many people; yet he must’ve felt buoyed enough to include a few more homoerotic poems the second time around. I think Whitman has created perhaps twenty to 25 great poems over the course of his lifetime, which is really a lot more than most poets could ever hope to ask for, and there are many astonishing phrases throughout the rest of his oeuvre.

I made note of such phrases with the intent of quoting him in “America’s First Coming Out,” but when that poem got too unwieldy, I trimmed it severely and retained only a few direct quotes. I wove some of my unused favorite quotes throughout the fabric of my book instead.

I needed to inhale Whitman’s words deeply in the same way I needed to exhale love’s ache in order to love more freely the next time around. t Read the full interview at Baltimoreoutloud.com.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

23

Lively Arts // screen savor

No Secret Anymore

By Gregg Shapiro Depending on how you felt about David Ebershoff’s Lambda Literary Award-winning novel, you will either love or hate Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of the Oscar-nominated The Danish Girl (Focus / Universal). Screenwriter Lucinda Coxon trims quite a bit from Ebershoff’s dense book and even diverts from the original ending.

That said, Hooper’s treatment of the tale, “loosely” based on a true story, is both sensitive and visually captivating. Married artists Einar (Eddie Redmayne) and Gerda (Alicia Vikander) are each attempting to make a name for themselves within the artistic community of 1920s Copenhagen. Einar, a landscape painter, has achieved more recognition than portrait painter Gerda. But all of that changes when the lithe and delicately-featured Einar stands in for a female model in a painting that Gerda has yet to complete.

The experience has an unexpected impact on Einar who suddenly finds himself drawn to cross-dressing, and even stirs up the memory of a youthful homosexual dalliance. The free-thinking Gerda is, at first, supportive of

24 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

Einar (they attend a party with him dressed as his alter-ego Lili). The reception that Gerda’s series of paintings of Lili receives elevates her status and even allows her to surpass Einar.

However, it doesn’t take long for things to start unraveling as Lili takes over Einar’s identity, leading Lili to seek out medical options to fully transition into her true self. As a film about artists, director Tom Hooper’s The Danish Girl is an artistic achievement. It’s simply stunning to behold. Equally dazzling are Oscar-winner Redmayne’s exceptional and insightful portrayal of transgender forerunner Einar/Lili and 2015 breakout star Vikander’s (see also Ex Machina and Testament of Youth) embodiment of Gerda. Both actors received Oscar nominations for performances that are nothing less than brilliant. The lone bonus feature is a “making of” featurette.

Based on the 2009 Oscar-winning foreign film, Secret in Their Eyes (STX/Universal) is one of those American remakes that simply pales in comparison to the original. Part of the problem is the complete lack of chemistry between lead actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nicole Kidman. Most of the film is set in Los Angeles,

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

but it might as well be Antarctica, it’s so chilly.

Plus, while not nearly as traumatizing as Kiss without makeup, Julia Roberts playing frumpy just doesn’t have any traction.

Secret In Their Eyes moves back and forth in time from the post-9/11 world of 2002 Los Angeles to the present day. While closely observing the activity in an L.A. mosque, counter-terrorism experts Ray (Ejiofor) and Jess (Roberts) and their boss Claire (a stiff Nicole Kidman) are inadvertently caught up in a devastating tragedy. Jess’ daughter Carolyn (Zoe Graham) is murdered and one of the suspects is somehow

connected to the mosque.

The primary force in the movie is confusion.

Ray is convinced that after spending more than a dozen years searching for Carolyn’s killer Marzin (Joe Cole) that he has located him.

But Jess, intent on keeping Ray at a distance, knows more about Marzin’s whereabouts than she cares to share. In addition to the gaping plot holes, the worst thing about Secret In Their Eyes is how surprisingly predictable it is, right down the big reveal. Blu-ray bonus features include an interview with Roberts, commentary by director/screenwriter Billy Ray and more. t

out in the valley

Parenting OUTloud

Rev. Kelly Crenshaw

Parenting a Sick Child The last two weeks have been tough. The kids took advantage of Spring Break to pass around the stomach flu. That’s always a fun time. I’m not sure why, but I never got it. Instead I ended up with bronchitis. Hooray for me! Some of us had colds. Others are suffering with Spring allergies. And, all of us have ble screaming fits where she was completely been miserable.

This is par for the course for a parent. Kids inconsolable. She was able to play and laugh. get sick. Parents with lots of kids can end up She could drink her bottle and sleep for up to with lots of sick kids. I can disinfect every sin- five hours at a time. The bad memories of her gle doorknob, light switch, and bathroom and experience in the NICU started to fade.

That was until two weeks ago. Two weeks we still manage to pass it around because kids never want to wash hands and sneeze ago, she started to cry. She was sitting on my into a tissue. Sick kids are ever less likely to lap, watching the birds fly and leaves flutter. help keep brothers and sisters from getting She was happy and laughing. All of a sudsick. So, we parents learn to disinfect to the den, it was like someone flipped a switch. She best of our ability and deal with the inevitable started to cry. Within thirty seconds, she was screaming. I tried to distract her. That didn’t consequences.

However, despite all of the viruses that work. I changed her clean diaper. No change. have floated through my house, there is noth- I cuddled her. I rocked her. I walked with her.

The screaming got ing compared to dealworse and worse. Her ing with our chronically little face turned deep sick baby. read and she looked at As many of you me with such desperknow, our youngest ation in her little eyes. baby is almost five It broke my heart. And months old. She was then, she started to born addicted to eight spit up. Over and over different substances. and over. This made She has been diagBaby Cassandra at Easter her cry harder. nosed with Neonatal Normally, she’s a Abstinence Syndrome, which basically means that she’s in withdraw- happy baby. She rarely fusses or cries. Even al. And, she’s been in withdrawal since her overnight, it’s like she says, “Excuse me, first day outside of the womb. That’s because please, but I’d like to eat now.” We feed her she spent the entire nine months prior being and she goes right back to sleep. She wakes addicted. She was literally taking drugs from up happy and smiling. She loves to play and the day she was conceived. Now, she’s pay- seems to enjoy wherever she is. She’s probably the easiest baby I’ve ever raised, and ing the price for someone else’s decisions.

She’s taken a variety of medications to that’s saying something. Until the withdrawal help with the symptoms of withdrawal. Mor- reality hits.

She raged for almost an hour and finally phine to relieve the pain. Then, when that wasn’t enough, the doctors added clonidine. collapsed from exhaustion. She slept for a bit Finally, they added phenobarbital. Before she and then woke again, obviously in pain. And, left the NICU, she was weaned off the first two there was nothing I could do. She hadn’t done medications. She still takes phenobarbital, this in months. It’s a step back in her progress.

The doctor increased her phenobarbital level, twice a day, every day.

And, for a while, it worked beautifully. The but doesn’t want to take it any higher.

We’re trying homeopathic options now, tremors went away. She didn’t have the horri-

chamomile and lavender. It seems to help, but it’s not perfect. Because of the excessive amount of chemicals in her little system, we expect this to go on for at least a year.

Parenting a sick baby is horrible. All I can do is stay strong and know that I’m giving my baby the best medical care possible. And, above all else, I know that she knows that she is loved. We will get through this. We will see

the day when she is happy and healthy. I have to believe this. t Rev. Kelly Crenshaw is the mom of 16 adopted kids, two biological kids, guardian of one baby girl and foster mom of dozens. She will be answering your questions about parenting, as well as sharing stories of her parenting adventures. Feel free to send your parenting questions to her at pastor.kelly@comcast.net

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

25

out in the valley

Beyond the Ice

Machine L:aura Anderson

Not Invited The week after Easter I went to babysit my three-year-old grandson. Since I had not seen him on Easter Day I took along a little basket of candy, some toys, and a card.

“But Easter’s over,” he told me as I handed him the gifts.

“Yes,” I replied, “but I didn’t see you on Easter.”

He looked at me earnestly and asked, “Why didn’t you come on Easter?” I thought for a moment and told him that I couldn’t make it that day. The truth, however, was that I wasn’t invited.

It was not the first family holiday gathering to which I was not welcome. Another grandson who is ten, when I gave him a birthday gift several weeks after his birthday, asked me why I never come to the birthday parties.

Again, I said I wasn’t able to be there on those days. In their minds, my grandchildren think that I would rather be elsewhere on the special days than with them.

I wrestled with the dilemma about just what to say and asked my daughter how I should respond to the growing number of questions about my absence. She told me to tell them the truth ... “you were not invited.” When I said that I am worried this will get back to their moms and dads who will then be upset with me for causing trouble, she answered, “But dad, why should you be invited? You and mom are divorced!”

“But other divorced couples get together with their children and grandchildren on special occasions,” I pointed out.

“Yes, but other divorced wives,” she returned, “don’t have husbands who became a woman.” ... Ouch! This from a daughter who has been a staunch transgender ally.

There is a painful reality in our overall transgender experience. It seems in our society that transgender issues are okay if

// spirit speaks they are out there – somewhere else. But having a trans person sharing a restroom, or in your own family is a bit too close and personal. I still believe that after a decade of being Laura, there remains deep-seated resentment within my family because I took away someone’s husband and dad in order to become me. I know their pain is real and my presence at gatherings would be a twisted reminder of how things used to be, but in spite of the talk of support and understanding, they still just don’t get it. How can they? I suppose it truly is too much to ask.

A decade after I began my transition I have noticed something else. Although many friends stayed with me and pledged support as I embarked on the journey, virtually all have now disappeared. I suppose it was a novelty at first, something interesting to witness and to talk about. But after a while it grew old – I am not the first to admit that it isn’t easy being a friend to a newly transitioning transwoman. I understand – what we have done, as described by one person’s former spouse, is “outrageous.”

Crossing the sexual chasm leaves behind so much. Few relationships survive the turbulence of the journey. Yet, on the other side, I have found new friends and relationships in which who I may have been before matters little.

So, my younger grandchildren are among my post-transition relationships.

Who I am now is all they have ever known and they love me for who I am.

They have not been forced to endure the intensity of a parent or grandparent’s transition. I am sorry for what I have done to the others and understand their lingering feelings of resentment, pain, and sadness.

And although people tell me that time will heal these wounds, I fear that may not be the case.

It is all such a struggle. This transgender journey is really, really hard... not only for ourselves but also for those around us.

I wish I could find a way to make it easier for them. t Laura Anderson is an educator, author, researcher, parent, and granddad. Her years teaching in public school classrooms as male provided the foundation for her more recent role educating future teachers.

“My younger grandchildren are among my posttransition relationships.

They have not been forced to endure the intensity of a parent or grandparent’s transition.”

26 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

Feeding the Lambs

By Rev. Kelly Crenshaw Twenty years ago, when New Light was brand new, there was a lot of discussion about the types of ministries they wanted to pursue. Most of us have a favorite charity and we’re more than willing to throw some money at it once or twice a year. But, this group wanted to make a commitment to the community that was meaningful and constant. They decided to put their mon-

sometimes, we forget what it means to be more fortunate. My understanding is that it means that if you have even a tiny bit more than someone else, you are more fortunate. And, if you have a tiny bit more, then you have something to share.

The early congregation at New Light MCC took this to heart. They shared each and every day for years. But, like many good things, it came to an end. Eventually, ministry focus went in other directions. City regulations changed so that the church’s oven had to be removed, making it much more difficult to cook food on a daily basis.

Helping the hungry

ey into action. They decided to feed the homeless.

So, they figured out what it would take to provide two meals a day, every day. They prepared and served the food. They welcomed the homeless, gave them a warm place to be and fed their hungry bellies. But most of all, they provided a smiling face.

They were told that sometimes, this was the only friendly face they saw all day.

The Bible tells us that Jesus told his followers that it was their responsibility to take care of the less fortunate. I think,

Now, the church participates in feeding the homeless through the Reach Shelter.

The church’s food bank provides groceries and essentials for those in need. And, those with life threatening diagnoses are fed through the Food and Friends program.

Putting faith into action is a great way to care for God’s creation. Feeding the lambs provides food for the belly as well as food for the soul. t For more info about New Light contact one of the co-pastors at 301-797-5698 or newlightmcc@hotmail.com.

out in the valley // brian’s brain

Bear-y Important Questions Brian George Hose A few weeks ago a friend posted a seemingly simple question on Facebook. I considered the question and quickly realized I didn’t have an answer. Since then, I’ve turned the question over in my mind countless times, examining it from different perspectives in an attempt to find an answer. So far I haven’t made much progress.

Each perspective leads to new questions, adding layers to what once seemed to be a straightforward topic. These questions lead to new perspectives, insights, and, of course, more questions. What has me so befuddled? This question: When does a cub become a bear?

Some of you may be members of the bear community and have an easy answer to this question. If, like me, you are on the fringes of the bear community, this question may be more difficult to answer.

When this question was posed my first thoughts were about data – hard facts that may provide an answer. Is the difference between a cub and a bear based on age?

Body type and composition? Presence and abundance of body hair? If so, it would be easy to answer the question. An inquiring

cub could simply complete a questionnaire to determine eligibility for bear status. However, such a system has the potential to rank bear “worthiness” and reinforce the hierarchy of the bear community. Some will be more “bear”-ish than others, but does that equate to higher status and privilege, or are all welcome? The more, the bear-ier?

Let’s consider the possibility that there is no definitive moment in a cub’s life that

signals he has become a bear (a “bearthday,” if you will). This would mean that becoming a bear is a process, a part of human development. Just as childhood leads to adolescence, which in turn leads to adulthood, perhaps cubs go through a transitional period that ends with becoming

“Every milestone should be celebrated with a party and several kinds of cake. Think of what we’re missing! If bear-dolescence ends with a bear-thday, we’ve already missed countless opportunities to celebrate and eat cake, which this reporter will not stand for.”

Having a sense of identity and belonging is important, especially for members of a minority group such as ours. It can be helpful to know where you fit in and who your allies are. As a bearded man in his late early-thirties with a certain softness of the belly, I find myself wondering where I fit in and, if I fit in, how? Could it be that I’m an accidental bear? Did the transition happen at the stroke of midnight when I turned 30? If so, who do I see about collecting missed bearthday cakes?

These are bear-y important questions

that I can’t answer. After much consideration I have decided that, for me, it doesn’t matter. Cub or bear, I’m still Brian, just as you will continue to be you regardless of how others label you. I find it fascinating that we continue to create new communities under the LGBTQ umbrella because what we can create we can change. So, let’s do that. Let’s create new communities and consider changing existing communities to be more inclusive. But first, let’s work on that bear-thday party idea because this maybe-cub needs some cake. t

a bear. If this is the case, our community has missed several opportunities. First and foremost, there should be a name for this transitional period. But what to call it? Bear-dolescence? And what to call the changing cub? My thoughts go to caterpillars growing into butterflies, so I propose the term “butter-bear” for transitioning cubs.

Secondly, I strongly believe that every milestone should be celebrated with a party and several kinds of cake. Think of what we’re missing! If bear-dolescence ends with a bear-thday, we’ve already missed countless opportunities to celebrate and eat cake, which this reporter will not stand for.

Is bear status based on self-identification with the bear community? There’s a strong argument for this, given that the bear community has welcomed ursulas (no, not the sea witch), the name denoting lesbians who identify as bears. Though I think this is a lovely and inclusive practice, it doesn’t shed much light on the cub-to-bear question. After all, doesn’t the name ursula imply that there is a difference between an ursula and a cub and, therefore, different standards for bear status?

Maybe this is all silly, but maybe it’s not.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

27

Lively Arts // B’more In The Know

Marylander’s New Novel: An Emotional Roller-Coaster

By Frankie Kujawa Imagine if you had the opportunity to peek at the email exchanges between your friend and their ex. You feel guilty, but all the while unable to look away. That’s exactly the feeling Maryland-native Mark Brennan Rosenberg hopes you take from his new novel, This Made Me Think of You. Told solely through emails, texts, and social media, Rosenberg explores the anatomy of a tumultuous breakup between main characters Max and Gretchen.

The candid author, who is best known for his hilarious Blackouts and Breakdowns and Eating My Feelings: Tales of Overeating, Underperforming, and Coping with My Crazy Family, recently sat down with Baltimore OUTloud to discuss his new novel.

“My inspiration for this book was based on the back and forth conversations via

28 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

texts and emails [during a breakup], and the stalking of Instagram and Facebook pages.” Rosenberg added, “I think everyone does that with a breakup. It’s very realistic.”

This novel is quite different from anything Rosenberg has done before.

Often known for his comedic essays, the author’s new novel is written in a style that doesn’t allow for a narrative.

“I think readers will relate to this book because many people have been in relationships where [after breaking up] there are very little opportunities for faceto-face interactions or phone conversa-

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

tions. Many then take to emails, texts, and social media.”

His novel is reflective of how technology and social media have ushered in a new era of communication between people, and a new genre has been born. “I can’t find another book like this.” Rosenberg explained. “I’ve looked everywhere. It’s topical and timely.” The author’s own recent experiences fed into the writing. “As I was going through my own breakup, I wrote this book in four days. Obviously, Gretchen and Max’s story is quite different from mine, but it definitely inspired me.”

Readers begin their roller-coaster ride at the end of a romance, when after ten years Gretchen Edwards has recently ended a relationship with her recovering alcoholic boyfriend Max Roberts. “When I started writing it, I knew I wanted to chronicle a break-up for a year.” The email correspondence and social media interactions between the two main characters start off very light and loving, but soon take a turn to become very emotional and deep.

“We find Max talking about his alcoholism and depression and those are really personal things people aren’t always com-

fortable hearing about. It’s very voyeuristic and I find that it’s human nature to be drawn to those types of things. The reader is ‘big brother.’”

Rosenberg, who is open about his sobriety, drew on past experiences when creating the character of Max. “Some of the conversations about sobriety in the book are actual conversations that I’ve had.”

Rosenberg continued on to explain the many misconceptions of alcoholism and AA. “A lot of people will think, ‘Oh this character has eight years of sobriety and he’s cured.’ But all these things happen to and around Max. Soon he’s right back to day one. He has to return to those principles learned in AA.” Rosenberg maintained that, though he drew upon personal experiences and the universal theme of breaking up, the story is fiction. “When you’re with someone for a long time, you always have a special place in your heart for them. I think that as the book goes on you see that when you love someone that deeply, and you lose that person, you’re heart becomes a little smaller. You don’t have as much love to give the next person.” t

quality of life

Ask

Dr. J

Janan Broadbent, Ph.D.

Why Escalate?

So you are annoyed because your partner did or said something that hit a sore spot.

Do you immediately think it is done intentionally? And what is the next thought? A sarcastic comment? The silent treatment?

Passive aggressive back-at-you behavior?

Because of course, especially if done on purpose, it should be punished! This is how minor issues escalate and get out of hand.

The question is this: Once you have gone through this sequence a few times, you know how it happens and how it will end. General learning principles dictate that if what I do makes me feel bad, I would

not repeat it. So why do we keep on repeating the same behavior? Even when we know the definition of insanity from Albert Einstein, that it is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?

This is what is so interesting about the mind and relationships.

Because emotions are involved, rational thinking takes second place. If you tried to solve a math problem using one formula, and it doesn’t work, you would look for another way. Not so with emotions.

We stay on the same approach and insist that it work. There are many possible reasons. It could be that our way of dealing with it used to work so it had been

successful. As a result, we cling to thinking it still should. Then too, once in a while it may work, which makes it much more likely that we persevere. Also, there is that pesky issue of And another thinking we are right, and thing I hate the partner is wrong. Who about you... wouldn’t want to establish that fact?

When this is happening, ask yourself: What is more important, that I am right, or that we have a contented if not happy afternoon?

Where does the relationship fare in your perspective?

How important is your partner to you?

What are you willing to compromise and come to terms with your partner’s imperfections?

Our upbringing leaves many marks on our psyches. We learn how we relate to others from those two most significant adults.

If your parents were never affectionate with each other, did not say I love you or

hug and kiss, do you find it awkward to express affection? If your partner wants those behaviors, which each human being needs, are you likely to see the roots of your discomfort and try to moderate?

It gets back to seeing how escalation of conflict and thereby establishing that non-productive and possibly destructive pattern harms your relationship. How do you change it?

Remember, it takes two people to bicker. If you decide to take the responsibility and not engage in sarcasm and snarky comebacks, the pattern will not continue.

However, I am not suggesting the silent treatment either. Calmly if you can, state that you will stop the conversation at that time and will get back to it at a later day.

And make sure that you do that at the specified date. Confront the issue factually, that whatever annoyed you, has to be dealt with.

See if you can come to an understanding of what was going on with your partner.

Most people, thankfully, do not sit and ponder how they can intentionally offend their partner, provided that there is love and affection in the relationship.

In the end, a relationship is a joint venture. You can make it work, together… t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

29

30 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

Thinking OUTloud

Progress Then and Now

By Morris Murray As I sit on the dais at Johns Hopkins Turner Auditorium waiting for the press conference announcing the first U.S. HIV positive to HIV positive organ transplants to begin I reflect back to what brought me here. I am not anyone of prominence. I was born and raised in South Baltimore and worked as a teller for many years at the racetracks where I punched out the wagers for customers betting on the races.

I listen as Dr. Dorry Segev, who pushed for the legislation that eventually became the HOPE Act that overturned the outdated ban on HIV organ donors, describe how this has the potential to save many more lives a year, especially for those living with HIV. Dr. Christine Durand, a part of the transplant team, gives a progress report on both patients of this historic milestone in HIV care, a liver and kidney recipient, who wished to remain anonymous.

They both are doing well and their transplanted organs are functioning properly.

The kidney patient is home and the liver patient was expected to leave the hospital shortly.

Hearing this is all great news to me. The reason I am at the press conference is because I was asked to recount my transplant journey at the briefing to give a more first count experience.

As I look out at the cameras, I think of that hot summer day in 1987, when I was first diagnosed.

I had put off getting tested for too long.

Too many friends were testing positive.

Too many people I had known from the clubs were either sick or had died. I was 27 years old at the time and while I was working at the racetrack then, I still had dreams of bigger things. People always thought I was funny and I would have liked to have been a comedian. Perhaps a mashup of Jerry Seinfeld and Joan Rivers. Comedy clubs were just starting to get big. But that diagnosed changed me. I

was still funny. I didn’t lose that. What I lost was courage. I worried what people thought.

Gays were becoming widely accepted by the early eighties. Pride festivals were popping up all over the country. HIV set us back though. A stigma was placed on people with HIV that still gives me shivers. Any blemish, any cough or loss of weight would be a cause of concern. Many believed everyone with HIV would be dead within a few years. Nobody really knew. I decided that I needed to stay in something secure. A union job, that was not too demanding seemed the right way to go, after all, I already had one at the racetrack.

Punching out wagers on horse racing would be my future. It wasn’t so bad since I enjoy the races and I certainly made the best of it. I got involved at work; eventually became the chief shop steward. No matter how well liked I was by union or management, I knew that there was no promotion I would accept. Even when protease inhibitors turned my immune health around, then the liver problems began that would lead to two transplants in a span of four days. It is a good thing that I have a sense of humor, because you need it.

Some of these treatments have got to be thought up by sadists.

You need to put that in where without sedation?

As the press conference draws to an end, I was happy that at one point I managed a laugh out of the crowd. I am also happy with the progress that has been made in both HIV care and with transplantation. I will be happier when there is a cure for HIV. Until then, please consider organ donation, regardless of your HIV status. No one likes to think about dying, but we are all going to do it, and by allowing someone else to live, it truly is the greatest gift to give to another person. Always be safe out there. Even if you are using PrEP, use protection. Don’t be faced with the decisions I had to make when I was young. HIV may be a manageable disease, but trust me it’s not fun to manage it. There are not only side effects of the medicines, but it will change you forever. Don’t think that it won’t. t

“As I look out at the cameras, I think of that hot summer day in 1987, when I was first diagnosed. I had put off getting tested for too long. Too many friends were testing positive.

Too many people I had known from the clubs were either sick or had died. I was 27 years old and while I was working at the racetrack then, I still had dreams of bigger things.”

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

31

Thinking OUTloud // mark my words

A 40-Year Journey

by Mark Segal Last Friday I attended a meeting of the National Gay Media Association, an organization of the publishers of the LGBT legacy publications. At one point when we came back from a break, Lynn Brown, publisher of the Washington Blade, asked all to rise but me. She then asked all the other publishers to toast me and Philadelpha Gay News on our 40th anniversary.

Being honored by the best in LGBT media brought me chills, and brought back a rush of memories. Today, PGN is the most-awarded LGBT publication in the nation. Now, it seems we win praise and honors wherever we go, but 40 years ago …

Our very own community didn’t believe a professional news publication was possible for us, and the mainstream media organizations refused us membership.

We had very little money. Most businesses didn’t want to see their names in our paper, so they didn’t give us financial support. The white supremacist magazine “Thunderbolt” put us on its hit list. It was routine for us to get death threats, and one night a homophobic neighbor broke into our $1-a-month rental office and tore out our electric wiring and what little plumbing we had. When we put vending boxes on the street, they were bombed, cars ran into them and the doors where torn off,

32 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

but Don Pignolet, our distribution manager, never allowed anyone to get the best of us. Don, who is still with us, has that PGN spirit; nothing will deter us from our original mission.

That mission is simple: to be a source of information and platform for discussion of all sides of all issues in our community. That has been trying at times when you have to report on homeless LGBT children, hate crimes, murders, and the toll that discrimination plays on individuals and families. It was never tested more than when HIV/AIDS emerged in the 1980s and we were writing about our very lives, how we were treated by the establishment and how we reacted as a community.

This newspaper is as great as it is due to one factor: the talented and dedicated people who are its family. When new employees join PGN, they quickly pick up the spirit that this paper was founded on. And each of them somehow along the way finds that spirit that Don found.

They have all become part of a family that delivers a newspaper to you each week that is committed, as our slogan states, to honesty, integrity and professionalism. t Mark Segal is publisher of Philadelphia Gay News. His new memoir And Then I Danced is out now.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

33

quality of life

Tech

Talk

David Sugar

Slow Computer?

So it’s been a few weeks since I’ve written anything while I come up with a good topic. Now I have one. My friend’s computer has slowed down and he has asked me to fix his computer.

Unfortunately it is almost impossible to diagnose the issue without looking at the computer in person since there are a number of possible reasons. Here are a few things you can check to determine why your Windows computer has slowed down.

Depending on how slow your computer is actually running my first suggestion would be to defrag your computer. The easiest way to do this is on a computer running Windows 7 is to go under the Start Menu, go under the Accessories folder and then under System Tools and you will find Disk Defragmenter. Though this won’t have too much effect it will have some effect on how long it takes programs and other

34 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

items on your computer to open.

Another thing you can check is which unnecessary programs are running on your computer. If you look in the lower right-hand corner of your computer screen you will see a number of small icons. These icons show some of the programs running on your computer. Programs such as Weatherbug run on startup. Even though you may not start these programs each time they start when the computer starts. These programs use up memory, the less memory available the longer it will take for other programs to start. For the more advanced computer user you can also click CTRL-ALT-DEL and choose Task Manager from the options. After the task manager opens choose the Processes tab and sort by the memory heading. You can determine which programs are using the most memory terminate programs which don’t need to run.

This brings me to checking computer memory. Yes computer memory can and will fail. Unfortunately you won’t always know until the computer has slowed down. Certain computers such as Dell systems will have built in diagnostics which you can run at boot-up which will check the memory and other system issues for you. If you don’t have a computer with these built-in diagnostics then my suggestion would be to use the built in memory diagnostics from Windows. In the search area

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

under the start menu type in memory and you will see Windows Diagnostic Memory appear.

Run this program and tell the program to restart your computer and check for problems.

If you do find you have memory issues then you will need to replace the faulty memory best left for someone comfortable with opening up a computer.

If none of the options discussed so far have worked then other causes of a slow computer could be a virus or spyware. This can be diagnosed using software such as McAfee or Norton but if you don’t have the money for those pieces of software then there are a number of

free reliable options available for download.

The other cause of a slow computer could be a faulty CPU. If this is the case depending on the age of your computer I would suggest checking the warranty and getting it fixed under warranty or considering a new computer.

Prior to spending the money on a new computer though I would suggest backing up your computer and trying reloading the operating system to rule out any software based issues.

Hopefully some of these suggestions worked for you. If you have any tech questions or comments please send me your questions at outloudtech@gmail.com. t

your money

IRS Changes for Same-Sex, Married Couples

By Woody Derricks So you’re a same-sex couple who can now marry in your state (or marry in a state other than your home state – where allowed). That’s great! What they don’t tell you when you get your marriage license and walk down the aisle is that your financial picture will change. In many ways, you’ll see things become simplified and more beneficial. In other ways, some of your finances may become more complex and you may wind up paying more for things-such as your taxes.

In its Revenue Ruling 2013-17, the IRS declared that all gender-specific wording in the tax code be changed to gender neutral so that it would include all married couples. What the ruling also clarified is that if you are married in a jurisdiction that allows for same-sex marriage (in this country or in a foreign country), you may file your federal income taxes as a married couple. This is regardless of whether or not your home state recognizes your marriage. Which is awesome!

With all these recent changes, you’re bound to have a lot of questions about filing your Federal Tax Return. To help answer your questions, The IRS put together a list of Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Individuals of the Same Sex Who Are Married under State Law. It can be found on the IRS website at: www.irs. gov/uac/Answers-to-Frequently-Asked-Questions-for-Same-Sex-Married-Couples.

The IRS website also has links to the following resources for same-sex married couples: • IR-2014-22, New IRS Video Helps SameSex Couples; Joins Extensive IRS Library of Online Tax Tips • IR-2013-72, Treasury and IRS Announce That All Legal Same-Sex Marriages Will Be Recognized For Federal Tax Purposes; Ruling Provides Certainty, Benefits and Protections

Under Federal Tax Law for Same-Sex Married Couples • Frequently Asked Questions on Estate Taxes (estate tax marital deduction for samesex couples) • Frequently Asked Questions on Gift Taxes (gift tax marital deduction for same-sex couples) If you have additional questions after viewing the IRS website or need additional help to determine what is appropriate for your situation, consult your legal, tax, and/or financial advisor.

The deadline for filing your 2015 Federal Tax Return is April 18, 2016. This is not a typo.

The regular tax return filing deadline is April 15.

However, due to the Washington, D.C., Emancipation Day Holiday being observed on April 15 instead of April 16, 2016, Tax Day is on the following Monday. t The author is affiliated with Partnership Wealth Management, a comprehensive financial services company. Visit Partnershipwm. com for more information.

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

35

36 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

leather line

Leather

Line

Rodney Burger

Ash Duncan Sashed Mr. Mayhem Leather 2016 Ash Duncan of Washington, D.C., was selected the third Mr. Mayhem Leather titleholder during the sixth annual Bears, Bikers & Mayhem Weekend held March 31st to April 3rd in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. First runner-up for Mr. Mayhem Leather 2016 was Christopher Stratton of Philadelphia and second runner-up was Richard Algra of Silver Spring, Maryland.

There were no additional contestants.

At a time when some events are struggling, it is amazing how quickly Bears, Bikers & Mayhem has grown. This year with 1,100 tickets sold the gathering took over not only the entire Eisenhower Inn but also the attached Aspire Hotel and had to add the nearby Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield as an overflow hotel. It just goes to show you that if you put on a very fun weekend at a reasonable price word gets out. Plus, it needs to be noted that money from this hugely successful event is going via Black & White Party to area LGBT and HIV/AIDS related charities.

In 2013 $3,000 was raised. In 2014 $6,000 was raised. Last year $18,500 was raised and awarded to such charities as the GLCCB, Chase Brexton Health Services, LGBT Community Center of Central Pennsylvania, Leather Heart Fund, and more. I am sure this year’s donation will be well above $25,000.

From $3,000 to $25,000 in three years – can I buy stock in this organization?

The fun began on Thursday, March 31st with a dinner held at the Battlefield Brew Works followed by a dance in the atrium of the Eisenhower Inn. When I arrived on Friday afternoon some folks had left on several side trips that were offered such as bowling, a trip to the Boswell’s Pipe Factory, or a walking tour of downtown Gettysburg. From 5 to 7 p.m. the Brotherhood of Cumalot sponsored the Meet & Greet party in the hotel’s bar with free draft beer. It was a great chance to meet the contestants and greet the judge’s. Judging the Mr. Mayhem Leather 2016 Contest were Mr. Mayhem Leather 2015 Kevin Michael, American Leatherman 2015 Dan Ron-

neberg, coming all the way from California was leather icon Mama Sandy Reinhardt, Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2012 Matthew Bronson, Mr. Exile Leather 2010 Sir Robert Chandler, event producer Daddy Sal Susino, and International Puppy 2014 Pup Tripp.

On Friday evening the contest, which is broken up into short segments and presented throughout the weekend, started with the “Attitude & Personality” category (a.k.a. on-stage question.) Questions included such classics as: “If the judges were the Justice League which super power would each have.” Also Friday night was the leather and fetish dance party with the theme “Pandemonium at the Circus” with DJ Say What. The freak show / circus decorations were wonderful and to add to the fun there was a performance by the Carnival of Curiosity and Chaos troupe that included walking on glass and body suspension. I will not go into detail about the body suspension. Let’s just say that it was the first time a person ever gets hooked while attending Bears, Bikers & Mayhem. The act was fun – but: “Let’s turn off this great dance music and clear the packed dance floor,” said no gay man ever. I wish the performance could have been off in a corner someplace and not brought the dance to a halt.

Since B.B.&M. took over two connected hotels, there was lots of room to spread out.

The leather vendor mart which was open all weekend was larger than last year and included such popular vendors as The Leather Man NYC, Leather Werks, Wolfstryker, Le Chateau Exotique, Bear Crue Appeal, Violent Wand Store, Leather Underground by Maus, Anubis Gear, and more. There was a heated cigar tent sponsored by COMMAND MC and a much larger afterhours play space sponsored by NastyKinkPigs.com.

It was one of the best play spaces at a hotel run that I have ever seen. There were three large conference rooms filled with all kinds of dungeon equipment. One room even had a dark maze. The lighting was perfect, the music was perfect, and the fourth room had a bar!

My only pet peeve, and it is not just restricted to this event, involves the taking of pictures. Before the popularity of cellphones and social media, leather events were a wonderful escape from the real world. People could forget the stress of their nine to five life and let their hair day. If one wanted to run around all day in a jockstrap – why not? There was an air of freedom and wild abandonment about these events. Today one can still run around in a jockstrap, but you must be aware that not only will pictures be taken but those pictures may end up on Facebook and elsewhere. If you have been paying attention to the national news not all states are gay friendly. Oh well it could still end the stress of your

Ash Duncan – Mr. Mayhem Leather 2016

nine to five. It bothers me when some fetish events have more paparazzi than the Academy Awards. Maybe signs could be posted, at the very least in the play space, that read: No Pictures. Just a thought.

Saturday was a busy day. There was a buffet breakfast, an eye-opener cocktail party (or two), and in the afternoon everyone packed the atrium/pool area for a cocktail party put on by the ShipMates Club of Baltimore, a puppy mosh play area, and the physique/ jockstrap part of the contest which was held both poolside and in the pool. There was also an enormous number of pizzas delivered.

On Saturday evening the Centaur MC

hosted a pre-dinner cocktail party. I’m not sure what was in their cocktail. It was tasty – but strong. It took me a long time to finish it.

It kept growing.

It was the only cocktail I ever had that refreshed itself! Saturday’s dinner buffet was very good and was followed by the formal leather portion of the contest and a hilarious performance by comedian Brad Loekle from TruTV’s World’s Dumbest. It is my understanding that he can also be seen on this summer’s edition of Last Comic Standing.

Knowing your audience is key and Brad put on one of the best stand-up routines I have seen.

He even added, “I can be found in the play space later. My safe word is Trump.” On Saturday evening there was the “Boots to Briefs Blackout Glow Party.” During the dance the Mr. Mayhem Leather 2016 Contest winner was revealed and the dance was stopped for a jockstrap auction. You may recall that in past years the Saturday night party for B.B.&M. took place at Altland’s Ranch.

Although this event was not scheduled to be there this year, it should be noted that after opening in 1967 the folks at Altland’s ranch hung up their boots and closed on March 20th.

In the late evening many returned to the popular play space and of course one can’t have a bear event without lots of food and refreshments. As Brad Loekle stated, “I saw a sub eat a sub.”

After a breakfast buffet on Sunday morning it was time hit the road. Bear, Bikers & Mayhem 6 was a big hit. Many are already looking forward to next year. Congratulations to Mr. Mayhem Leather 2016 Ash Duncan.

This new leather title is off to a good start with both prior Mr. Mayhem Leather titleholders competing at the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest in Washington, D.C. in January. I hope that Ash can do even more. A new leather title can be like a tavern for midgets – the bar is low. t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

37

38 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com t

39

40 t

BALTIMORE OUTLOUD

april 15, 2016 • baltimoreoutloud.com