Baltimore Gay Life - Maryland's LGBT Community Newspaper

[ Maryland LGBT Community Builders and Allies ]
James Donald Winter Tribute
James Donald Winter, a longtime volunteer at the Baltimore Gay Paper and Community Center during the 1980's and early 1990's, died on October 31, 2009 at the age of 86....Continue

[ National News ]
Mayor Sanders and gay daughter Lisa talk to reporters after mayor's Prop 8 trial appearance
Republican San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and his gay daughter Lisa talked to reporters in San Francisco on Jan. 19 after the mayor testified in the federal trial seeking to overturn Proposition 8 as a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Here's some of what they had to say....Continue

[ National News ]
Prop 8 federal trial continues in San Francisco
Famous attorneys David Boies, left, and Ted Olson are in federal court in San Francisco trying to kill Prop 8...Continue

[ National News ]
San Diego mayor testifies in federal Prop 8 trial
Republican San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, center, and his lesbian daughter Lisa speak to reporters in San Francisco Jan. 19 after Mayor Sanders testified at the trial in the case seeking to overturn Proposition 8 as a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Photo by Rex Wockner...Continue

[ David Placher ]
Are You An Eavesdropper?
I know I am! Many people sit silently, reading their daily newspapers, monthly magazines, or office memorandums on the commuter train. Just because, however, someone sits reading, does not mean their ears do not act as satellites, trying to listen to the first interesting conversation....Continue

[ Marvelous Marva ]
YIPPIE YE YE... GEE IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK... ;-)
I’ve had a major transition in my life which took from me away from you & writing for a moment... A good transition I might add... Now that I have gotten a sufficient level of normalcy back in my life I’m back... Please know thatI’ve missed talking to you... ;-)         ...Continue

[ Rev. Irene Monroe ]
Will faith-based agencies help Haiti’s gay community?
Since the world community has descended on Haiti with relief aid in response to the January 12th earthquake, I am wondering how Haiti’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities are being helped....Continue

[ Rev. Irene Monroe ]
Pat Robertson’s Theodicy on Haiti
Religion-based bigotry has been the mainstay of Rev. Pat Robertson’s bully Pulpit. And he mounts this pulpit as an umber-God, possessed with an inherent Omniscience in knowing not only the mundane and wicked thoughts and actions of man, but also knowing the cataclysmic actions of God’s wrath on man....Continue

[ Earth Talk ]
EarthTalk®

Dear EarthTalk: What are the primary environmental concerns in the aftermath of the big earthquake in Haiti? -- Frank Dover, Portland, OR

As would be the case after any natural disaster, water-borne illness could run rampant and chemicals and oil could leak out of damaged storage facilities as a result of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that ripped apart Haiti on Jan. 12. Surprisingly, no large industrial spills have been found during initial post-quake rescue efforts, but of course, the focus has been on saving human lives and restoring civil order.

...Continue

[ Flogger Tales ]
Flogger Tales v.3.12
01.31.10 – Is there room for romance in Leather? I can speak from personal experience and tell you the answer is, “Yes, absolutely!” At its extreme, Leather can be rigidly codified; leaving many to wonder how is romance possible. But if you look closer, you’ll see romance in the Rituals that are set, in the Protocols that are adhered to, and in the Respect that is mutually conferred. Ultimately, it is up to the parties involved to negotiate and discuss how much romance is a factor in their individual relationship. But romance is a lot closer in Leather than you may think....Continue

[ Find Your Feet... ]
Do you discriminate?
I am disappointed when I hear about any type of discrimination. I empathize with the suffering of the victim, as well as the inflictor. As the discriminator, you are limiting your ideas about individuals who can enhance your well-being. Changing your outlook means opening your heart and being compassionate....Continue

[ Flogger Tales ]
Flogger Tales v.3.11
And here we are… officially into 2010. Someone I trust said to me, “just because the cliff is there doesn’t mean you have to jump.” And I guess truer words were never spoken. Sometimes in our quest for control, we feel the need for action to be taken, and at times it is best just to let things be for a while. Of course, easier said than done, right? I’ll warn you now, this Column is venturing into some uncharted territory this time around, so strap yourselves in!!...Continue

[ DiningOUT Too! ]
Valentine’s Day?
Oh boy! Valentine’s Day! It’s time for one more “Hallmark Holiday” where I feel guilt-tripped into doing something on an arbitrarily assigned day to prove that I feel something (and feel bad if I don’t).  Surely there must be cultures where “significant others” feel loved without receiving a greeting card on some assigned day?  Massive amounts of advertising and store displays try to manipulate us into spending money to prove our affections by buying a VD card, buying VD candy and/or buying that special someone a VD dinner....Continue

[ DiningOUT Too! ]
The 12 “Best” of 2009
Best Restaurant Marty Had Never Heard Of! - Feast@4East  (Mt. Vernon)
Even with all the time he spends in Mt. Vernon, Marty didn't have a clue that "Feast@4East" existed.  When John suggested eating there, he had dubious expectations, BUT the classy small dining room, attentive service and tasty food changed all that and we've been introducing our friends to the aptly named “Feast” ever since!...Continue

[ DiningOUT ]
Gecko’s (Visited Nov 14, 2009)
From the outside, Gecko’s is a not very spiffy looking corner bar tucked away in an old row house neighborhood a block south of Patterson Park. Fortunately after driving around (and around!) to find a parking spot “only” two blocks away in this residential row house neighborhood (one friend ended up 5+ blocks away!), the inside was a pleasant surprise....Continue

[ Theatre ]
The opera show of all shows
Ok get this, you all know how I love the arts; what you didn’t know is I am a huge Opera fan. Though I may not be able to understand all of the words I love it anyway. The passion, the power, the feeling, the sorrows, joy, pains of it all…but not until this show have I ever been taken on a journey through OPERA with much added fun & excitement. This show is the show of all shows. It allows its audience to not take it too seriously or think it boring, talk about breaking the mold....Continue