David Martins

David Martins, a Baltimore native and regular presence at two east-side gay bars, the Masquerade and Numbers, during the early 1980’s, died of AIDS this past Sunday at the Francis Scott Key Medical Center.  He was  27 years old.

David grew up in Highlandtown and attended Baltimore City public schools.  As a student at Patterson High School he was driven from the school by homophobic students after he “came out” in dramatic fashion by attending the 1982 junior prom with a drag queen as his date.  He attended Towson High School his senior year.

David traveled extensively and loved music and dancing.  He had an extensive collection of disco and dance records.

David lived for a number of years in Houston where he worked as a real estate agent.  He would return to Baltimore for brief stays when he became homesick for friends and family but would head south at the approach of winter’s cold.  He resided most recently in Ft. Lauderdale  where he worked as a rental agent for a guest house.  He returned to Baltimore in July to be with friends and obtain medical treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  He required hospitalization immediately upon his arrival in Baltimore and was never able to recover sufficiently to return to his home.

David was very committed to his family.  Following the death of his sister five years ago he accepted responsibility for the care of his emotionally disturbed nephew.  The two of them lived in Houston until David’s medical condition prevented him from continuing to provide for the nephew.

David is survived by his mother Oma Tote, brothers Charles Tote, Jr. and George Tote and lifelong childhood friend Jeffrey Clagett.  The family suggest that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Johns Hopkins Aids Foundation.