Local
Celebration meets politics at Baltimore Pride
“I feel that Baltimore Pride 2012 was a huge success,” said Donald Young, Pride Parade coordinator
Thousands enjoyed flawless weather at the 37th annual Baltimore Pride festivities last weekend, which had a more political vibe this year given the referendum battle over marriage equality. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
With sun-splashed, comfortably warm temperatures adding to an already festive atmosphere, the organizers of Baltimore’s 37th annual Pride could not have ordered up a more perfect weekend for June 16-17. In the past, Pride-goers typically had to endure steamy, sticky conditions.
Following the traditional high-heel race, the parade traveled up Charles Street through Mount Vernon with its array of floats, marchers and vehicles. Colorful confetti, beads, candy and a host of other items were tossed to onlookers that were at least five deep on both sides of the street at certain points along the route.
A total of 76 units participated—a new record, according to Donald Young, Pride Parade coordinator. Young also co-emceed the event with Shawnna Alexander. Taking part were representatives from most of Baltimore’s bars and clubs, including The Lodge in Boonsboro, Md., a large assortment of LGBT and LGBT-friendly organizations and businesses, health organizations and political groups.
The parade’s Grand Marshal, June Horner, 75, a PFLAG Mom, marched with her gay son Mark. Horner eschewed a closed vehicle and opted to walk the route.
Three judges evaluated the entries. The Best Car/Motorcycle entry was awarded to C.O.M.M.A.N.D., a leather organization. Euforia—Latina night from the Club Hippo—won the Best Marching Group category. And AIDS Action Baltimore took the Best Float prize.
“I feel that Baltimore Pride 2012 was a huge success,” said Young. “I had a great team to work with, especially Trevor Ankeny and Gary Wolnitzek (president and director of programs, respectively of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore that produces Pride).”
“These two individuals made my work at running the parade and high heel race so easy and I am proud and honored to have served on the same team with them.”
At the conclusion of the parade, the merriment transitioned to the Baltimore Pride Block Party that attracted thousands of LGBT folks, allies and neighborhood residents. The throng spread beyond the normal confines of Eager and Charles Streets to nearby parking lots where tailgating parties, complete with DJ-led beat-thumping music, ensued. Food and beverage vendors as well as those offering LGBT-related clothing and accessories were available. A couple of “adult” performers, Max Ryder and Pierre Fitch, courtesy of TLA/Gay.com, were in a new Adult Zone to pose for photos.
A series of entertainers, headlined by British-born and New York-based Neon Hitch, rocked the party.
On Sunday, the venue shifted to Druid Hill Park. An estimated crowd of more than 5,000 attended the slightly less frenetic festival where some 80 vendors from LGBT organizations and friendly businesses lined the paths to offer their services or wares.
The 2012 edition of Baltimore Pride had a stronger political feel than usual given the looming referendum on the Civil Marriage Protection Act and the presidential election in November. More than a dozen volunteers and paid staff of Marylanders for Marriage Equality combed the area handing out stickers, canvassing attendees and urging them to sign pledge forms that signify their intent to vote for marriage equality. Obama campaign representatives sought donations, sold T-shirts and enlisted volunteers. The Human Rights Campaign also staffed a booth at the festival.
Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland and Karess Taylor-Hughes from the Marylanders for Marriage Equality campaign delivered brief speeches.
Baltimore Pride is the principal fundraiser for the GLCCB.
Baltimore
‘Heated Rivalry’ fandom exposes LGBTQ divide in Baltimore
Hit show raises questions about identity, cultural representation
By JOHN-JOHN WILLIAMS IV | “Heated Rivalry,” the surprise gay hockey romance that has captivated global audiences and become a cultural phenomenon, has inspired sold-out parties celebrating the characters from the steamy series, including in Baltimore.
For some, love of the show has exposed the loss of a once-vibrant gay nightlife in Charm City and splintered its LGBTQ community. It also brings up layered questions about identity, cultural representation, and the limits of identity politics.
In Baltimore, the majority of the parties also appear to be missing a key ingredient that has been a part of the show’s success: gay men at the helm. Last month, women hosted a dance party at Ottobar, a straight establishment.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Virginia
McPike wins special election for Va. House of Delegates
Gay Alexandria City Council member becomes 8th LGBTQ member of legislature
Gay Alexandria City Council member Kirk McPike emerged as the decisive winner in a Feb. 10 special election for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates representing Alexandria.
McPike, a Democrat, received 81.5 percent of the vote in his race against Republican Mason Butler, according to the local publication ALX Now.
He first won election to the Alexandria Council in 2021. He will be filling the House of Delegates seat being vacated by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-Alexandria), who won in another Feb. 10 special election for the Virginia State Senate seat being vacated by gay Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria).
Ebbin is resigning from his Senate next week to take a position with Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Upon taking his 5th District seat in the House of Delegate, McPike will become the eighth out LGBTQ member of the Virginia General Assembly. Among those he will be joining is Sen. Danica Roem (D-Manassas), who became the Virginia Legislature’s first transgender member when she won election to the House of Delegates in 2017 before being elected to the Senate in 2023.
“I look forward to continuing to work to address our housing crisis, the challenge of climate change, and the damaging impacts of the Trump administration on the immigrant families, LGBTQ+ Virginians, and federal employees who call Alexandria home,” McPike said in a statement after winning the Democratic nomination for the seat in a special primary held on Jan. 20.
McPike, a longtime LGBTQ rights advocate, has served for the past 13 years as chief of staff for gay U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and has remained in that position during his tenure on the Alexandria Council. He said he will resign from that position before taking office in the House of Delegates.
Local
Local LGBTQ groups, activists to commemorate Black History Month
Rayceen Pendarvis to moderate Dupont Underground panel on Sunday
LGBTQ groups in D.C. and elsewhere plan to use Black History Month as an opportunity to commemorate and celebrate Black lives and experiences.
Team Rayceen Productions has no specific events planned, but co-founder Rayceen Pendarvis will attend many functions around D.C. this month.
Pendarvis, a longtime voice in the LGBTQ community in D.C. moderated a panel at Dupont Underground on Feb. 8. The event, “Every (Body) Wants to Be a Showgirl,” will feature art from Black burlesque artists from around the country. Pendarvis on Feb. 23 will attend the showing of multimedia play at the Lincoln Theatre that commemorates the life of James Baldwin.
Equality Virginia plans to prioritize Black voices through a weekly online series, and community-based story telling. The online digital series will center Black LGBTQ voices, specifically trailblazers and activists, and contemporary Black queer and transgender people.
Narissa Rahaman, Equality Virginia’s executive director, stressed the importance of the Black queer community to the overall Pride movement, and said “Equality Virginia is proud to center those voices in our work this month and beyond.”
The Capital Pride Alliance, which hosts Pride events in D.C., has an alliance with the Center for Black Equity, which brings Black Pride to D.C. over Memorial Day weekend. The National LGBTQ Task Force has no specific Black History Month events planned, but plans to participate in online collaborations.
Cathy Renna, the Task Force’s director of communications, told the Washington Blade the organization remains committed to uplifting Black voices. “Our priority is keeping this at the forefront everyday,” she said.
The D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center is also hosting a series of Black History Month events.
The D.C. Public Library earlier this year launched “Freedom and Resistance,” an exhibition that celebrates Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr. It will remain on display until the middle of March at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G St., N.W.
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Local LGBTQ groups, activists to commemorate Black History Month
