Category Archives: Baltimore

Baltimore OUTloud celebrates 10 years

Baltimore OUTloud, Baltimore Pride, gay news, Washington Blade

Members of Baltimore OUTloud marches in Baltimore Pride Parade. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

May 17 marks the 10th anniversary of Baltimore OUTloud, one of two Baltimore-based LGBT newspapers. Mike Chase left his position as editor of Gay Life, the publication under the auspices of the GLCCB, and along with other partners formed a group, Pride Media, Ltd., which is the parent company of Baltimore OUTloud. Several writers and staff who had previously worked for Gay Life joined the new paper.

“We attribute OUTloud’s success for the past 10 years to the support from the communities we serve, our advertisers and talented writers,” said Jim Williams, co-publisher.

The commemorative issue on May 17 contains a nostalgic look at the past 10 years, and several of the original writers will be returning.

“We are so proud and honored to have reached this milestone,” said Jim Becker, also a co-publisher. “It could not have happened without our loyal advertisers and the incredible hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteer writers.”

MCC presents ‘Business Over Breakfast’

Brian Moulton, SHOK Resolution, Human Rights Campaign, HRC, United States Senate, Gay News, Washington Blade

Brian Moulton (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Maryland Corporate Council—a non-profit organization that provides business networking opportunities for LGBT and straight ally professionals — is holding a breakfast meeting on June 5. The event, titled “Getting Ready for Change,” will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Hotel Monaco, 2 North Charles St. in Baltimore.

Brian Moulton, legal director for the Human Rights Campaign, and Anastasia Khoo, marketing director for HRC will be the guest speakers. The main topic will be a behind-the-scenes look at the recent marriage equality victory in Maryland.

“Everyone is invited,” Ted Hart, co-founder and chair of the organization told the Blade. “The Maryland Corporate Council is the new standard in Maryland LGBT and straight ally business and corporate networking. That’s because we bring together top business owners, entrepreneurs and decision-makers.”

For more information and to register, visit marylandcorporate.org.

Ride for the Feast raises $522,000

Ride for the Feast, Bicycle, Moveable Feast, HIV, AIDS, Gay News, Washington Blade

Ride for the Feast raises money for Moveable Feast. (Photo by Daniel McGarrity Photography)

The just completed two-day, 140-mile bike ride from Ocean City to Baltimore on May 11-12 raised $522,651 and counting for Moveable Feast. Since 2003, the event has been one of the principal fundraising sources for the organization.

About two-dozen teams solicit donations and participate in the ride whose length of 140 miles coincides with the distance a Moveable Feast driver must deliver to the farthest client. A record 235 registered riders, 110 volunteers and thousands of donors participated in this year’s event.

Moveable Feast is a longstanding Baltimore nonprofit organization that provides nutritious food for low-income Marylanders living with HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and other life-threatening conditions at no cost.

“I am incredibly proud of my team — all 17 riders and four support and gear and medical staff,” David Sackett, team leader for the Shirley Temples, told the Blade. “They slogged through alternating thunderstorms and sunshine and happily made it safely to complete 140 miles of biking for a great cause.” He said the Shirley Temples raised $50,000, nearly 10 percent of the total.

Waters returns for Howard monologue

Gay filmmaker John Waters (Photo by Greg Gorman; courtesy of Waters)

Famed Baltimore-based gay director John Waters comes to the Howard Theatre (620 T St., NW) with his show “This Filthy World” on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Waters is known for his trash epics such as “Pink Flamingos,” “Female Trouble,” “Hairspray” and “Cry Baby.” His one-man act will share his early artistic influences, such as exploitation films, fashion lunacy, the extremities of the art world, Catholicism, sexual deviancy and a love of reading.

Tickets are $30. For more information, visit thehowardtheatre.com.

Magician up to new tricks at Theatre Project

David London, magic, entertainment, gay news, Washington Blade

David London’s new show premieres May 17. (Photo by Philip Laubner)

Magician David London is up to new tricks. London’s next appearance at Baltimore’s Theatre Project will be in a show called “(insert title here): An Evening with David London” on May 17. London will allow the audience to create their own magical experience by choosing from a menu of potential tricks, routines, shows, stories, games, as well as several curious points of discussion including alchemy, surrealism, wonder, creativity and all forms of magic, magick and majik.

The Baltimore resident will present more than 10 years of magical creations based on the preference of the audience and the order in which they choose. His repertoire includes original performance pieces that explore subjects ranging from the wonders of Wonder Bread, to thinking outside the box, losing your train of thought and psychic celebrity toenail clippings.

“This is a special show because for the first time in over five years, I am mixing things up a bit, and allowing the audience to help construct the experience based on their own inclinations and desires,” London told the Blade. “I am doing this to free myself of my script, with the hopes of providing both the audience and myself the opportunity to be more present with each other, and have increased the likelihood of genuine human interaction in my show!”

His shows have received favorable reviews from such publications as the Washington Post and the Baltimore City Paper.

London has created five original theatrical magic productions, including Cerebral Sorcery, …Art of Dreams, The Adventure to the Imagi Nation and Magic Outside The Box, as well as authoring eight manuscripts related to magic and illusion, including “Imagining the Imagination,” “Daydreams” and “Borderland State.”

In 2012, London, along with his partner, Jeramie Bellmay, co-founded the Circus of Wonders, (circusofwonders.com), which specializes in developing custom circus packages for special events, festivals, as well as theatrical and nightlife experiences.

“(insert title here): An Evening with David London” starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 17 and is recommended for ages 16 and over. London suggests the audience arrive early for interactive magic in the lobby. The Theatre Project is located at 45 W. Preston St. in Baltimore.

Tickets are $20 general admission or $15 for students. They can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com/event/37649.

For more information on David London and his magic, visit MagicOutsideTheBox.com.

Md. to end DP benefits for couples

Governor Martin O’Malley (Washington Blade file photo by Pete Exis)

Now that same-sex marriage is legal in Maryland, the state will no longer offer domestic partner benefits for its employees. According to the Baltimore Sun, the O’Malley administration notified employees in same-sex relationships that they would have to get married to receive health coverage. Fewer than 300 employees, including retirees, would be affected.

The state granted domestic partner benefits in 2009 because same-sex couples could not get married then. Same-sex marriage became legal on Jan. 1.

The news was met with some objection. “It’s really not the most equitable thing to be doing right now,” Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland told the Sun.

But O’Malley spokesperson Raquel Guillory noted that if two paths to benefits are offered to same-sex couples but only one to opposite-sex couples, the state could face lawsuits. The changes would go into effect next Jan. 1, but that is subject to change.

Obituary: Travis Rice, 27

Travis Rice, Cobalt, gay news, Washington Blade

Travis Rice formerly worked at Cobalt. (Photo courtesy Facebook)

Travis A. Rice, who worked in gay bars in both Baltimore and D.C., died May 3 in Baltimore. He was 27. The cause of death was not immediately available.

He was born Feb. 24, 1986 in Chambersburg, Pa., attended Spring Grove High School and graduated from York County High School. He was a swimmer since the age of 6, and swam on the varsity team in high school. A licensed scuba diver, he dove in the Florida Keys and off the coast of Mexico. Rice loved animals, especially his canine companion, Abby.

Rice moved to Baltimore for a period of time then to D.C. where he became a bartender and assistant manager at Cobalt. He returned to Baltimore two years ago where he worked as a bartender and then as assistant general manager at Grand Central.

His Facebook page quickly turned into a memorial as hundreds of comments expressing love and photos were posted on the day of his death alone. Several video tributes to Rice were also posted.

“I never really got a chance to know Travis for the two years that he worked at Grand Central as my general manager assistant,” said Don Davis, the owner of the club who now lives in Ft. Lauderdale. “Every time that I did get to Baltimore, Travis was always a real gentleman. I know he will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.”

Wendy Fox, owner of S.H.E. Productions, which produces events at Grand Central, was a close friend who worked with Rice. “Travis touched lives and hearts of so many people and will never be forgotten,” she said. “I am inspired to always treat people with respect, warmth and with open arms as he did daily. This is a tremendous loss for the Baltimore and D.C. community and we are heartbroken.”

Rice is survived by his father, Wayne B. Rice and companion Carol Myers of McSherrystown, Pa.; his mother Rebecca E. (Wentz) Rice and companion Allen Huff of Codorus, Pa.; his brother Matthew J. Rice of Codorus, Pa.; half sister, Trisha Tribby; paternal grandfather Fred E. Wentz and paternal great grandfather Russell A. Wentz; and step siblings Brian and Kelly Myers. He is also survived by many aunts, cousins, including special cousins Annie and Levi.

A service to celebrate and remember Rice’s life will be held 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 7 at the Kenworthy Funeral Home, Inc., 269 Fredrick St., Hanover, Pa., with Rev. Bonnie Wittier officiating. Burial will be in York Road Cemetery, Hanover, Pa. A viewing and time to share memories with the family will be held 1-3 p.m., May 7 at the funeral home. All of Rice’s Baltimore and D.C. friends and families are invited.

Memories and condolences may be shared at kenworthyfh.com.

There will be a celebration of his life at Grand Central, 1001 N. Charles St. in Baltimore on May 9. Organizers are asking “everyone to come together to share all of the beautiful memories you have created and shared with him and each other. This will keep him alive in our hearts and is meant to provide positive support to our community, his friends and family during this difficult time.” This event will take place beginning at 7 p.m.

After sundown, there will be a candlelight memorial outside of Grand Central where people will be able to leave a favorite picture, light a candle, or leave a note in memory of Rice.

Memorial contributions in Rice’s memory may be made to the York County SPCA, 3150 Susquehanna Trail, York, PA 17403.

Out Law honors local ‘trailblazers’

Aaron Merki, FreeState Legal Project, gay news, Washington Blade

Aaron Merki serves as executive director of the FreeState Legal Project. (Photo by Steve Charing)

The University of Baltimore Law School’s only LGBT group, Out Law, presented its annual COBALT awards on April 25 at the Club Hippo before approximately 50 in attendance. COBALT stands for Celebration of Our Baltimore Area LGBT Trailblazers.

Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the coalition that led the referendum battle in Maryland that culminated in a win for marriage equality at the ballot box last November, received the award that’s given to an organization. Jessica Emerson received the student award.

Aaron Merki, executive director of the FreeState Legal Project—an organization that provides legal services to low-income LGBT community members who cannot access existing service providers — was presented with the Mark Scurti Award.

Out Law is a law student organization that works to foster acceptance, promote education and awareness and advocate on the University of Baltimore Campus and in the community at large on legal issues facing members of the LGBT community, LGBT families and their allies.

Mount Vernon Baltimore murder trial postponed

Alex Ulrich, gay news, Washington Blade, Gay Baltimore

Gay artist Alex Ulrich was allegedly shot to death by Quinton Bass during a robbery (Photo courtesy of Baltimore Police Department)

The trial of a North Carolina man suspected in the Aug. 10, 2012 shooting of two well-known Mount Vernon residents, Joseph Alexander “Alex” Ulrich, Jr., 40, and Lawrence R. Peterson, 56, was postponed. It was originally scheduled for April 22 when jury selection was to take place. However, a spokesperson for the Baltimore City Circuit Court said that the trial had been postponed to June 27 at 9:30 a.m. at Courthouse East. No reason for the postponement was given. Ulrich was killed in the attack, and Peterson recovered following multiple surgeries.

Quinton Bass, who had come to Baltimore from Raleigh, N.C. in 2012 and lived in homeless shelters and vacant buildings, was arrested on gun charges three weeks after the double shooting.

Officials said that both Ulrich and Peterson were standing on the front steps of the historic Empire House on East Chase Street just before 4 a.m. on Aug. 10 when shots rang out. Both victims were taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital where Ulrich died several hours later.

Peterson is gay as was Ulrich. Police concluded robbery was the motive and did not identify it as a hate crime.

Miss Gay Maryland America crowned

Araya Sparxx, Anastacia Amor, Miss Gay America, Miss Gay Maryland, drag, pageant, gay news, Washington Blade

Miss Gay Maryland America winner Araya Sparxx (left) with runner up Anastacia Amor. (Photo by Daniel McGarrity/Daniel McGarrity Photography)

It was a night of entertainment, energy and emotion as the 2013 Miss Gay Maryland America was crowned at the Club Hippo on April 22. Araya Sparxx, a resident of Hagerstown, won the title, and Anastacia Amor, who hails from Baltimore, was the first alternate. Both will travel to St. Louis, Mo., October 9-13 to compete against other winners throughout the U.S. for the title Miss Gay America 2014.

Araya Sparxx, who is a professional actor, show producer and hotel manager, was elated but also reflective.

“When I was crowned on Monday, the thoughts running through my mind were endless,” she told the Blade. “Things like, ‘oh my gosh this is really happening to me; I wish my mother was still alive and with me to see and share in this happiness.’”

Gay What?

NEWS