So if you recall, I attended the B’more Proud LGBT Leadership Summit last February and loved it. Last year it was at Towson, and every year the location changes. So this year, it was Hopkins turn to host. And boy was it fun. Granted, my role this year was a bit different (I was a photographer for the event this year), but I was still able to enjoy the main events.

First of all, we had Staceyann Chin come for our opening keynote. I had never heard of her before the event, but she delivered. For those of you who don’t know who she is, Staceyann Chin is a spoken word poet, using her poetry to be a highly-acclaimed LGBT activist. Let me just say, reading anything about her does her no justice, at all. You need to see her live, or at least watch one of her youtube videos. She’s amazing, and really gives you energy, no lie. It was amazing to meet her afterwards and talk with her, she really wants to give back to the LGBT population. I highly recommend checking her out when you have the time.

Then after that, there were breakout sessions throughout the day, covering a variety of topics. Some included Bondage (did you know “red” is a safe word for stop?), Masculinity in the LGBT population (i.e. breaking stereotypes), and how Otherism taught you how to be gay (more of a philosophical open forum), among other sessions of course. They really get you communicating with other people, and allow you to learn new stuff you never thought you would’ve learnt otherwise. Plus, you feel safer about talking about some issues, because it’s usually in a room of 30 or so people, rather than a huge lecture room.

Then, towards the end of the night, a second keynote was given by Staff Sergeant Eric Alva, the first marine seriously injured in the Iraq War. He is also openly gay, and a huge LGBT activist (he was recently on the cover of The Advocate). He was so real, and is constantly working with the Human Rights Campaign to push legislation through the government to help the LGBT population. That’s another thing he mentioned. Don’t call the LGBT people of America a “community;” it’s alienating, since we are just as much a part of the population as any other person in America.

He also said something else that really hit home. Once, he was asked why he (and all of the gays) could simply just not talk about their personal lives, as to avoid all these problems. His retort? “You do it all the time.” I never thought about it, but it’s true. If you have a a picture of you and your significant other, that’s displaying your personal relationship. A ring on your finger? Same thing. That wallpaper on your computer of the two of you on vacation? That as well. It’s human nature to display your affection, so why should only one faction get to? To me, it really hit home, especially considering how hetero-normative the world is.

Finally, the night was coming to a close. So what better why to end it than a drag show? It was amazing, as always, and the drag queens remembered me from last year! Anyway, I’ll let the picture do the talking, as I should get around to doing some work. Until next time!