Trump obliterates AIDS advisory council “All things AIDS, nationally and internationally, are in danger from the Trump administration, from PACHA to PrEP funding and other services right here in Baltimore,” says Lynda Dee, president of AIDS Action Baltimore, a non-profit group marking its 30th year providing essential services to people with HIV / AIDS.
Sen. Chelsea Manning?
With her 35-year sentence commuted by Obama, Manning aims to be the US’s first trans senator Elections have been bringing surprises lately – from Brexit to Trump. So could Marylanders soon be sending to Washington the first transgender US Senator? They may get the chance. Chelsea Manning – whistleblower of US war crimes in Iraq, who, as US Army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning leaked 750,000 pages of classified government documents to Wikileaks – threw her hat into the ring January 14th, announcing she would oppose two-term Maryland Sen. Benjamin Cardin, a conservative Democrat.
‘Divine Light’ Shines in Baltimore
Divine Light, a faith-based non-profit outpatient treatment and recovery program geared towards the LGBTQ community that started in Philadelphia over seven years ago, has opened an office in downtown Baltimore. Divine Light CEO / founder Sakina Dean welcomed invited guest to the new Baltimore location at 1 North Charles Street, suite 1504, on January 10th. Ms. Dean told Baltimore OUTloud that Divine Light is excited about expanding into the Baltimore area where it can provide a clean, safe environment for outpatient recovery from substance abuse as well as mental health counseling that is welcoming to sexual and gender minorities.
New Leadership at The Center for Black Equity
Dr. Durryle Brooks has been announced as the new head of the Center for Black Equity – Baltimore, a nonprofit group that aims to foster the local black LGBTQ community. He fills the vacancy left by Carlton R. Smith, the group’s founder.
Carlton Smith • New Ryan White Council Chair
For 26 years, the Ryan White Planning Council has focused on providing medical care and support services for people with HIV in Baltimore. The Planning Council recently elected Carlton R. Smith as chairman, as part of a new leadership team with over 60 years of combined experience in HIV planning, advocacy, and service provision.
‘Dance 4A Cause’ Fundraiser Coming in April
A small, local charity operation is about to make a big splash in Baltimore LGBT nightlife. This spring, D4AC (Dance for a Cause) kicks off its third annual fundraiser with a number of notable upgrades, including expansion to a three-day weekend event, robust entertainment lineup, and a more ambitious fundraising goal of $10,000 (proceeds go to Chase Brexton and Baltimore AIDS Walk & Run).
Baltimore Women’s March
Jan. 20th event marks one year from iconic DC protest To commemorate last year’s Women’s March on Washington, a Baltimore march and rally is planned for Saturday, January 20th, from 11 am to 2 pm – one of numerous events planned around the world. Subject to city approval, the rally will begin at 11 am at the War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall, then march down Holiday and Conway Streets, across Pratt Street, and end at McKeldin Park.
Catholic Bishops Tell Parents to Stop Children Transitioning
Washington, D.C.– An open letter by The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging parents to reject transgender children. What did the letter say? “We acknowledge and affirm that all human beings are created by God and thereby have an inherent dignity. We also believe that God created each person male or female; therefore, sexual difference is not an accident or a flaw—it is a gift from God that helps draw us closer to each other and to God. What God has created is good.”
Looking Back on 2017
As the ball dropped in Times Square last New Year’s Eve many in the LGBT community dreaded what the New Year would bring. After a surprise presidential election we were left not with hope but fear. Now they we’ve almost made it through 2017, let’s take a look back at the year that was.
Manning Critiques US War Policy at U of Penn Talks
Philadelphia – On November 29th, Chelsea Manning spoke to the University of Pennsylvania community. Several Penn groups, including the political science department and the LGBT Center, organized “A Conversation with Chelsea Manning,” which drew hundreds of Penn students, staff, and faculty to the Annenberg Center. Manning spoke with cultural anthropologist Briella Coleman, author of “Hacker, Hoaxer, Whistleblower, Spy,” about national security, social media and the intersection of identities and activism. Manning also opened up about her difficult time in prison and the current groundswell of political resistance. Manning was originally sentenced to 35 years in military prison for releasing more […]