| About Us : Contact : Subscribe : Advertise : Distribution |
Gay Life Volume 33, Number 22
I first visited Video Americain on Cold Spring Avenue in 1994 when my mom bought a house a few blocks away. I would walk to the store every weekend, spend hours exploring the shelves, and walk home with four or five movies in hand (and these were the days of the bulky VHS!). I've never considered myself a film buff — but there was something about this store that kept me loyal throughout the years, even as I moved farther and farther away. My guess is that most of us have a store like this, a place where we enjoy the browsing as much as the purchase, where we hope the employees approve of our selections, where we are eager to hand over our money.
These days itís especially important that we spend our money wisely, which is why GL is featuring our favorite LGBT-friendly retail stores. From movies to books, clothing to pet food, sterling silver to some things much sexier, we collected the spots we think canít be missed. We hope you share our excitement when you discover — or rediscover — some of Baltimoreís best shops.
Maggie Beetz
Editor
First to Enter Same-Sex Civil Union in Denmark Dies
Gay rights pioneer, Axel Axgil, one of the first LGBT citizens of Denmark to exchange vows, died Oct. 29 due to complications from a fall. He was 96. Axgil is credited with helping Denmark become the first country to legalize same-sex unions, which it did in 1989. He was also one of the founding members of LGBT Denmark. Vivi Jelstrup, a spokeswoman for the organization said in a statement to the Associated Press that Axgil in many ways personified the struggle for gay rights in Denmark.
“But Axel Axgil was a modest man who never cast himself as a lonely warrior,” Jelstrup continued, “he always underscored that there were many involved in the work and that it was a common cause.”
Malaysian Government Bans Pride Event
Malaysian police have vowed to prevent "Seksualiti Merdeka," the annual gay rights festival meaning Sexual Freedom. According to ChannelNewsAsia.com, the festival has taken place in the capitol city of Kuala Lumpur since 2008. Khalid Abu Bakar, deputy national police chief stated that the Sexual Freedom Festival was canceled after Muslims and other groups in the socially conservative country protested that it could “create disharmony, enmity and disturb public order."
The national Bernama news agency reported that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called the gay rights festival “immoral” stating, "Any activity that does not benefit the majority of Malaysians should not be carried out. It's a waste of time.”
Festival organizer Pang Khee Pik said the announcement marked a "very tragic day for Malaysia." He told the Agence France-Presse that "we are aware that homophobic polices in Malaysia are not isolated, but [the police decision] is a symptom of a systemic breakdown in human rights in the country.”
Gay Rights Unlikely in Ghana
John Atta Mills, president of Ghana, has promised to block any and all efforts to legalize homosexuality in the West African country. His stance is reportedly in a response to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks that his country will consider withholding aid from countries that don’t recognize LGBT rights.
According to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBCGhana.com) Mills said that Cameron “does not have the right to direct other sovereign nations as to what they should do, especially where their societal norms and ideals are different from those [in Britain].”
Mills, however, received some push back from a member of Ghana’s Parliament. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGBTA) reported that Gifty Ohene Konadu said, “homosexuals are human beings who must enjoy their rights and not to be condemned.”
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Appears to Support LGBT Rights
Morgan Tsvangirai, prime minister of Zimbabwe, is making waves over a statement he made in support of gay rights. According to a report in the Mail & Guardian Online (mg.co.za/article/2011-11-04-tsvangirai-in-a-fix-over-gay-rights), Tsvangirai said on BBC's Newsnight, “I hope the [new] constitution will come out with freedom of sexual orientation.”
The article says that his comments, which not only contradict previous statements regarding gay rights, put him at odds with country's largely conservative views on homosexuality. On the show, Tsvangirai acknowledged that he is dissenting from popular opinion.
“Of course, there is a very strong cultural feeling towards gays in my part of the world, but to me it's a human right. It's something that individuals must be allowed to make a choice.” After outrage from Zimbabweans over Tsvangirai’s shift in ideology, he backpedaled slightly by saying his comments were “only the opinions of an individual and not a collective party position.”
Brazilian High Court Clears the Way for Marriage Equality
Brazil in one step closer to legalizing gay marriage. In a 4 to 1 vote that took place on Oct. 25, the highest federal court ruled that the Constitution “makes it possible for stable civil unions to become marriages.” “Sexual orientation should not serve as a pretext for excluding families from the legal protection that marriage represents,” the members of the Supreme Court said in a joint statement. The ruling, which comes five months Brazil's highest court approved civil unions for same-sex couples, stemmed from the case of two women who have tried to wed in Rio Grande do Sul state. Presently, Argentina is the only country in Latin America where same-sex marriage is legal, experts say that this decision should play some role in discouraging Brazil's states from blocking same-sex marriage.
House Democrats Challenge DOMA
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and 130 Democrats have officially challenged the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) by filing a friend-of-the-court brief. Pelosi is credited with spearheading the effort, which challenges the decision by House Republican leaders to hire outside counsel to defend the statute after the Justice Department decided in February it could no longer do so on constitutional grounds.
In a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, called the Democrats' brief “a tremendously powerful statement to the courts and the country” that shows “how much the political center of gravity has shifted on the marriage question.”
“Fifteen years ago, people were falling over themselves to sign on to DOMA,” he said.
On Nov. 10, the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to vote on bill by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calf., to repeal the law. The Respect for Marriage Act, has 31 co-sponsors, all of them Democrats. A companion bill in the House by Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., has 130 co-sponsors, including one Republican, Florida's Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Read the complete article at: sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/03/MNP31LQ681.DTL#ixzz1clBWZpP1
International Healing Foundation
Apologies to LGBT Community
On its 21st anniversary, the International Healing Foundation (IHF) has issued an official apology to the LGBTQ community. In a press release for the organization, IHF Founder and Director Richard Cohen, is sorry for “years of unknowingly fueling anti-gay sentiment.” Headquartered in Maryland, but serving men, women, and adolescents worldwide since 1990, the IHF’s new message is one of acceptance and tolerance.
"By opening our doors to everyone in the LGBTQ and straight communities, we are expanding upon our mission and broadening the scope of our services," Cohen said. According to the press release, IHF’s new effort, “Coming Out Loved,” adopts therapeutic guidelines from the American Psychological Association for members of the lesbian, gay and, bisexual communities; American Counseling Association guidelines for the transgender community; and National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality therapeutic guidelines for anyone questioning their sexuality and/or experiencing unwanted same sex attraction.
New Jersey GOP Members Make ‘It Gets Better’ Video
For the first time since the It Gets Better Campaign began in 2010, three members of the Republican party participated in a video with other members of New Jersey Delegation in support of LGBT youth. New Jersey Congressional Republican Reps. Leonard Lance, Frank LoBiondo, and Jon Runyan have a mixed voting record when it comes to legislation to expand gay rights. While all three have voted against legislation like the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and in favor of the Marriage Protection Bill, Lance voted to expand the federal hate crimes law to cover sexual orientation, and sponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity—which LoBiondo also supported.
In a statement to the Washington Post, Runyan—who opposes gay marriage but supports civil unions—said; “There is no place in our society for bullying, especially when continued bullying leads to young adults taking their own lives. This issue goes beyond political affiliations.”
In related news, The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, the toughest and most intense anti-bullying law in the country, has been signed by New Jersey Governor Christie. The new law requires that New Jersey public teachers, administrators, and other employees go through training that will help them stop and counteract bullying of all kinds.
The video is here: youtube.com/watchfeature=player_embedded&v=XsHwmqp567Q
Gay Ohio Teen Beaten by Classmate
A 15-year old student at Union-Scioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio was brutally attacked on campus, and the entire event was captured on video. No one attempted to help. According to Change.org—a campaign launched by Bret Thompson of Columbus, Ohio—the victim suffered broken teeth and a possible concussion. His attacker was suspended for three days. Thompson started the campaign to urge the Union-Scioto Local School District to create and implement a policy that specifically protects against harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Every child has the right to learn in a safe environment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” he told a Huffington Post reporter. The petition, which also calls for the expulsion of the attacker, racked up more than 4,000 signatures in just a matter of days. The victim's mother, told reporters that she wants criminal charges pressed against the attacker, including federal hate crime charges.
CA Politician Comes Out
California Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani has officially come out as a lesbian. Galgiani, who helped pass a law requiring that LGBT history be taught in schools, told the Stockton Record that she was motivated to come out after actor Zachary Quinto publicly announced he was gay. He cited the recent suicide of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer as the moment that made him want to show there's no reason to hide being gay. Like Quinto, Galgiani wants to be an example to LGBT youth.
"It sickens me that young people would think about taking their lives because of who they are," she told the Stockton Record. Quinto’s coming out also inspired ABC's World News Now anchor Dan Kloeffler to announce he is gay.
Lady Gaga Starts Nonprofit
Aimed at Supporting LGBT Youth
Lady Gaga, known for her support of LGBT equality, has announced that she is launching the “Born This Way Foundation,” a non-profit that will focus on youth empowerment. According to The Daily Activist, the organization is joint effort between Gaga and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The California Endowment, and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University to create the foundation. Beginning in 2012, it will focus on issues like “self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development."
Gaga released a statement regarding the foundation saying “Together we hope to establish a standard of Bravery and Kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others in the face of bullying and abandonment.”
Bachman, Others Ask Senate
to Ban Same-Sex Marriage in Military
Congresswoman and GOP presidential hopeful Michelle Bachman does not want same-sex marriages allowed in military facilities. Bachman, along with 86 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter written by Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) urging the Senate to pass an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in order to prohibit them. In a statement, Akin said that the letter is in response to the Department of Defense stating it would allow military chaplains to marry gay couples on a “sexual orientation-neutral basis.”
“Unfortunately, this current administration is now directing the Department of Defense to ignore this law and perform gay marriages on military bases,” he said. “I think that is wrong, which is why I offered an amendment to the House-passed defense bill making it clear that DOMA applies to the DOD.”
There’s out, and then there’s OUT, a distinction that politician Evan Low learned the hard way back in 2004, when he was running for a spot on the City Council of Campbell, a suburb of San Jose in his native California. “I was 21, and I just didn’t have the experience to realize that when you’re running for office, everything’s out on the table,” he recalls. Long story short: a local paper attended one of his fundraisers, and the next day, the big story was about the “young, Chinese-American, openly gay” candidate in the City Council race.
The Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition announced that civil rights legend Julian Bond, former president of the NAACP, is featured in the group’s fourth web ad supporting marriage equality in Maryland. In the video, Dr. Bond says, “As Chairman Emeritus of the NAACP I know a little something about fighting for what’s right and just. Gay and lesbian couples in Maryland have the same values as everyone else: love, commitment and stable families.”
The video campaign raises the profile of and underscores the diverse support for civil marriage equality in advance of the 2012 legislative session. Governor Martin O’Malley (D-MD) kicked off the effort earlier this month, followed by Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and Baltimore native and Oscar Winner Mo’Nique.
The bill to be considered in the Legislature allows same-sex couples to get a government-issued marriage license. Clergy and religious authorities would never have to perform a marriage they did not agree with.
The videos can be viewed at MarylandersForMarriageEquality.org.
Listeners can tune in to Maryland Gay Radio on November 15 to hear host Ted Hart interview Maryland Lt. Gov Anthony Brown, who will share his view of Maryland’s LGBT community and the upcoming fight for Marriage Equality.
A joint press release from PFLAG Columbia-Howard County and Gender Rights Maryland announced that Howard County Councilmembers Courtney Watson (District 1), Calvin Ball (District 2), Jen Terrasa (District 3), and Mary Kay Sigaty (District 4) introduced county legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression in the areas of housing, law enforcement, public accommodations, financing, employment, and health, and social services.
On October 27, Gary Nelson won the Bingo jackpot of $1,000 at Club Hippo’s weekly Gay Bingo. Proceeds from Gay Bingo benefit the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB), but that didn’t stop Nelson from generously donating $100 of his winnings to the Center.
“Over the 9 plus years that Gay Bingo has been hosted at the Hippo, the community has helped to raise over $210,000 to support the GLCCB!” said GLCCB Board President Trevor Ankeny.
“All of us at the GLCCB, the Board, staff, volunteers, and most importantly the community members we serve, send a special thank you to everyone who has come out to play Bingo. It is through this generous and continued support that this important institution has served the LGBT community going on 35 years.”
Bingo is held every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Special themed evenings include the upcoming Turkey Bingo on November 16. A total of 20 turkey dinners will be given away, one turkey dinner with each game. The dinners will include the turkey and the trimmings.
Turkey Bingo
Wednesday, Nov. 16 • 8:30pm • $20
Club Hippo • 1 W. Eager St.
410.576.0018 • ClubHippo.com
NOTE: Kate Clinton is emceeing the 2012 Creating Change Conference in Baltimore
Self proclaimed “fumerist” or feminine humorist, Kate Clinton kicked off her comedy career in 1981 using her hilarious blend of lesbianism, Catholicism, and politics as material for her jokes. This is quite the departure from her initial career as a high school English teacher. I had the exciting opportunity to capture a few minutes of Kate’s time and catch up on her career, her tour, and her thoughts on Baltimore.
HUNTER was on the Prowl to let you know about the entertainment that Baltimore and beyond has had for you!
Friday, October 7 was a double dose night. Down in South Baltimore at The Rowan Tree, Miss Shawnna Alexander hosted part two of her benefit show for The Allen Center. Shawnna had many entertaining performers such as Mr. & Miss Rowan Tree 2012, Miss Eve D’Mure, Marketta Buffet, Blu Alexander, Victoria Blair, and Miss Youth Princess 2011 Krystal Nova. Another great benefit for The Allen Center by Shawnna Alexander and The Rowan Tree!
We compiled a list of our absolute favorite retail businesses—just in time for holiday shopping. The following stores (along with Pikesville Silver & Antiques) are not only LGBT-friendly, they are independent, local shops that deserve our attention and support.
Pikesville Silver & Antiques is a family affair. Just ask owner Jory Newman, who runs the “Ma and Pop shop” along with his wife Barbara and his father Jay. The Newmans do everything related to silver imaginable, from plating, polishing, and engraving pieces to selling new gifts and restoring broken family treasures.
Contrary to popular belief, Alewife's handsome building never was a bank! It was built in 1847 for the Baltimore Equitable Society (founded in 1794 to provide fire insurance and put out house fires for its members). The Society moved out in 2005 to bigger offices on Pratt Street (between then and when Alewife opened, two other restaurants have opened and closed at this location). Alewife retains much of the original architectural detail (including a vault where the Society's insurance contracts were stored!). The striking interior has 20+ foot tall ceilings, large windows with views of the nearby Hippodrome Theater, handsome woodwork, and an attractive bar.
Award-winning artist Denise Duarte is offering a free, weekly art program, "Express Yourself," for LGBTQ youth.
"The program will nurture creativity and provide leadership skills, team building, and community building opportunities in a safe and accepting environment," said Duarte, an artist in residence at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB).
Sexy, scandalous, secrecy. Words all too familiar in Hollywoodís fast-paced, competitive, silicon world are brought to life by the cast of Fells Pointís latest theatrical performance. Located in a historic brick fire house, Fells Point Corner Theatre presents "The Little Dog Laughed," written by Douglas Carter Beane and directed by Steven Goldklang.
