Openly Gay College Park Ex-Mayor Faces Porn Sentencing November 20th

Openly gay, College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn was a progressive Democrat rising star – with over two decades of support for environmental causes, marriage equality, and civil rights – before he resigned upon his arrest on March 2nd, 2023, facing charges for collecting and reposting allegedly illegal sexually-explicit images of boys he’d found on the internet. Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisah Braveboy crafted indictments that threatened the former mayor with 360 years in prison. Wojahn has been locked up in the county jail since his arrest. Usually defendants caught simply possessing and sharing illegal internet images – most of […]

Black lesbian files federal wrongful termination suit

Pottsville, Pennsylvania – A Pottsville African-American lesbian filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in federal court last month, claiming she was fired from her job as a nursing assistant after using female pronouns to refer to her life partner during a workplace conversation. “Jane Doe” filed suit in the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Saber Healthcare Group on September 28th. She’s seeking in excess of $150,000 in damages. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani, based in Scranton. A jury trial has been requested. In September 2022, Doe, 25, began working for Saber as a certified […]

Carl Nassib, first out active NFL player, is eager to help

Tampa Bay, Florida – Carl Nassib is the first openly gay active NFL player. In 2021, as a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, he made headlines by coming out after five seasons in the pros. Nassib was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to a family of football enthusiasts. His father played at the University of Delaware. His older brother played in the NFL. Nassib excelled in high school sports, lettering in football, basketball, and track and field. His love of athletics and exceptional success fueled his dream of one day playing professional sports. At Penn State University he […]

Lesbian bar target of arsonist

San Diego, California – Gossip Grill, a queer women’s bar in San Diego, was targeted by an arsonist at about 12:30 a.m. Friday, October 20th,, according to a post on social media. By about 1:45 that afternoon, according to NBC 7, police had a suspect in custody. NBC 7 reports that police found the suspect, 38-year-old Ryan Habrel, near the scene Friday afternoon and arrested him on charges of arson to a commercial structure and the use of an accelerant. Police said the investigation is ongoing but that there is no indication so far that the fire was a hate […]

Area Theatres Collaborate to Make the World Go ‘Round

Premiering on Broadway in 1991, And the World Goes ‘Round showcased iconic Kander & Ebb songs from Cabaret and Chicago to The Rink and The Act. It’s been staged by theatres consistently since, but over 30 years later, one issue could no longer be ignored: what about the works of Kander & Ebb since? Actor and ArtsCentric director Kevin S. McAllister decided to produce the show with this in mind, updating the revue’s songbook to include pieces from Kiss of the Spider Woman (1992), Curtains (2006), and The Scottsboro Boys (2010). Co-produced between ArtsCentric, Everyman, and Olney Theatres, the new […]

“Exclusion” Debuts at Arena Stage

Beginning its run early in Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the world premiere of Kenneth Lin’s play Exclusion at Arena Stage offers a too-relatable exploration of the clash between truth and commercial interests. Set in the present day, the story revolves around Katie, an acclaimed historian portrayed by Karoline, whose book on the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 gains attention from Hollywood. A struggle ensues when producer Harry, played by Josh Stamberg, challenges the book’s authenticity for the sake of marketability. Set in sleek Los Angeles locales designed by Arnulfo Maldonado including a glossy office, a trendy coffee […]

FROZEN’s Tyler Jimenez on What to Let Go, and How to Thaw a Frozen Heart

Disney’s 2013 hit film FROZEN has been a cultural favorite for the past decade, spawning a 2017 live Broadway musical, and a 2019 national tour, and a film sequel. The Broadway musical became a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the national tour continues to spread Disney magic, now bringing summer snow showers to Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre. Original company member Tyler Jimenez talked with Baltimore OUTloud about his long tenure with the musical and the moments that warm his heart in this interview abridged for clarity. Did you see FROZEN on Broadway before being cast in the tour? No, actually. […]

From Tragedy to Comedy: Strand Theater Transforms Shakespeare in R/J

“It’s very funny. We really do treat this as a comedy until it’s not.” Which Shakespeare play are artists O’Malley Steuerman and Betse Lyons referring to? As You Like It? Perhaps A Midsummer Night’s Dream? More than just a name has been updated here. Their Romeo and Juliet, styled as R/J, brings comedy, contemporary flair, and representation to the Strand Theater Stage to complete their 15th season. Cover Image: Production photo of R/J at the Strand Theatre. Photo by Erik W Photography, erikwphotography.com, @erikwphotography on Instagram Previously cast together in Strand Theater’s production of Christmas at Pemberley, Steurman and Lyons […]

Signature Wraps Season of Sondheim with Sweeney Todd

Two days after Stephen Sondheim passed away in 2021, I attended a production of Rent at Signature Theatre. I was looking forward to one particular moment: how would the audience react to the Song “La Vie Boehme” during the lyric “To Sontag, to Sondheim, to anything taboo?” Cover photo: Bryonha Marie (Mrs. Lovett) and Nathaniel Stampley (Sweeney Todd) in Sweeney Todd at Signature Theatre. Photo by Christopher Mueller. I was in good company. The theatre shop sold t-shirts emblazoned with the lyric. The audience cheered along with me at “To Sondheim.” Signature dedicated their following season to Sondheim. Filled with […]