Washington Blade - October 2, 2015

OCTOBER

02

2015

VOLUME 46

ISSUE 40

Boehner quits, but his replacement could be worse on LGBT rights

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio)’s announcement that is resigning was hailed by social conservatives and LGBT advocates alike, although there’s little indication things would change dramatically with another Republican in charge.

Boehner, who’s served in the U.S. House since 1991 just before the “Gingrich Revolution,” said last week he would resign as speaker and give up his House seat at the

Francis secretly presents rosaries to anti-gay clerk: report

•

AMERICA’S GAY NEWS SOURCE

end of October amid a standoff in Congress threatening a shutdown of the U.S. government over continued federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

On the same day he announced his resignation, Boehner said the House would vote on a continuing resolution to keep the U.S. government open with funds at the same level as last year, which means, for the time being, Planned Parenthood would continue to receive government money.

As speaker, Boehner has a dismal record on LGBT rights, although there have been occasions when he’s broken with far-right Republicans on LGBT issues.

Boehner doesn’t have a ranking in the Human Rights CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

House Speaker JOHN BOEHNER announced his resignation last week.

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

MORE PAPAL COVERAGE, PAGES 12 & 20

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis held a secret meeting with Pope Francis during his recent trip to the United States, she and her attorney said late Tuesday.

Davis, a Kentucky clerk who was jailed for five days after being found in contempt of court for enforcing a “no marriage licenses” policy after the Supreme Court’s ruling for same-sex marriage, reportedly met Francis last Thursday at the Vatican Embassy in D.C. CONTINUES ON PAGE 15

KIM DAVIS reportedly met with Pope Francis in D.C.

WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

HATE ATTACK

ON OFFENSE

LAST CALL

Trans woman stabbed four times by suspect near Verizon Center.

Obama takes on GOP hopefuls during speech to LGBT supporters.

Baltimore’s iconic Hippo nightclub closes for good this weekend after 43 years.

PAGE 6

PAGE 10

PAGE 27

0 2 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M

The Bediz Group is committed to our community. With OVER 550 PROPERTIES SOLD, we know our market and treat clients like family. Maybe that’s why 100% OF OUR PAST CLIENTS WOULD RECOMMEND US!

THANKS FOR NOMINATING US FOR THE 3RD YEAR IN A ROW!

BEDIZ GROUP

2015 BEST REAL ESTATE GROUP NOMINEE

VOTE DAILY!

VOTE DAILY!

THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT. 4 TOP 99 IN THE REGION 2015

B E S TO F G AY D C .CO M

A+

TOP 3 AGENTS 2013+2014

WWW.BEDIZ.COM

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENTS

KELLER WILLIAMS® CAPITAL PROPERTIES

2118 4TH STREET NE 2-3 BEDROOM LUXURY CONDOS $579,900–$729,900

4456 FARADAY PLACE NW 5 BEDROOMS / 5 BATHS $1,399,900

202 642 1616

1530 T STREET NW 3 BEDROOMS / 2 BATHS $1,299,900

TOP 5 TEAMS 2015

MAIN OFFICE: 202 243 7700 1918 18th Street NW, Courtyard Ste. 2 Washington, D.C. 20009 Each office is independently owned and operated.

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 0 3

WE FOCUS ON HIV TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON

TODAY

Ask your doctor if a medicine made by Gilead is right for you.

onepillchoices.com © 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC1839 03/15

UNBC1839_MA1_WashBlade_9.75x11.5.indd 1

3/26/15 3:10 PM

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

0 4 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

Robert E. Barker dies at 69 Robert E. Barker, a retired deputy assistant director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and longtime volunteer for the Washington Home and Community Hospices, the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, and the Whitman-Walker Clinic, died Sept. 9 in the Intensive Care Unit of the George Washington University Hospital. He died of an infection that occurred following August surgery. He was 69.

Barker was born to Samuel and Margaret Barker on Sept. 24, 1945 in Pittsburgh. He graduated from Peters Township High School in 1963 and from Wheeling Jesuit University in 1967. In his senior year at Wheeling Jesuit, Barker was elected to Alpha ROBERT E. BARKER Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society, for his excellence in academics, leadership and commitment to the values represented by the Jesuit tradition. After a time as a seminarian at the Novitiate of St. Isaac Jogues in Wernersville, Pa., Barker joined the U.S. Army and after his tour was over in 1970, he moved to Washington where he worked as a civil servant for the U.S. Navy Department.

Barker worked for OMB from 1973 until his retirement in 2000. In his last two years at OMB, he was deputy assistant director for budget review and concepts, responsible for the preparation of the president’s budget and for tracking the president’s budget proposals through the congressional budget process. Earlier, he served as a staff member, then deputy, and then chief of the Budget Preparation Branch. In 1998, he received the prestigious Meritorious Presidential Rank Award.

Barker was a committed volunteer who provided care and support for terminally ill patients and their families. He began his volunteer work with Whitman-Walker in 1984, during the height of the AIDS crisis, serving as a case manager, team leader, and ultimately, a member of the board of directors.

Since 1997, he had been a volunteer at the Washington Home and Community Hospices on Upton Street where, by the end of 2014, he had amassed a total of 3,635 volunteer hours. He received an award for excellence from the Community Hospices in 2003.

Barker was also a volunteer assistant to the music ministry at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on Rhode Island Avenue, organizing a variety of concerts and helping raise funds for completion of the church organ. He also served for several years as a board member of the Webster House Condominium on P Street N.W., where he lived.

Barker frequented 17th Street, N.W. and was a regular patron of Trio Restaurant. He cared for Marjorie C. “Margo” MacGregor, a former Trio manager, until her 2007 death.

Survivors include his brother, William Barker of Pittsburgh; and friends in Washington and elsewhere. Two of his closest friends of more than 25 years, Mary Wheeler and Robert (“Dr. Bob”) Williams, both of Washington, were frequent companions.

A funeral Mass will he held on Monday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew the Apostle (1725 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Barker’s name may be made to the Lambda Legal Defense Fund, Washington Home and Community Hospices or to St. Matthew for the completion of its organ. These groups may be found online.

JOEY DIGUGLIELMO

New Blade column to highlight professional successes The Washington Blade announced the impending launch of a new business column titled “Comings & Goings,” which will highlight the accomplishments of D.C.-area LGBT professionals.

Written by Blade contributor Peter Rosenstein, the column will debut in mid-October. Rosenstein is asking Blade readers to email tips about their professional achievements — new jobs, promotions, board appointments, etc.

— to comingsandgoings@washblade.com.

STAFF REPORTS

LO CA L N E W S

Mendelson blocks gay nominee for Zoning Commission Council chair says Franco has possible conflict of interest

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) has surprised some LGBT activists by placing an indefinite hold on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s nomination of gay businessman David Franco for a seat on the D.C. Zoning Commission.

Mendelson told the Washington Blade on Wednesday he’s concerned that Franco’s role as principal owner of a real estate development firm raises the perception that he would have a prodevelopment bias rather than neutral stance on development related issues before the commission.

“David Franco is an active developer with a development company that has cases before the Zoning Commission,” Mendelson said. “He or his company has appeared before the Zoning Commission several times over the last 24 months.

That’s the primary concern I have.”

He said he’s also concerned that Bowser didn’t follow a longstanding tradition of past mayors who have routinely consulted with stakeholders in zoning matters, including citizens groups, before selecting a nominee for the Zoning Commission.

“That didn’t happen with this or the last two appointments,” he said.

Bowser submitted Franco’s nomination to the Council on May 20. The nomination is pending before the Council’s Committee of the Whole, which is chaired

by Mendelson. All 13 Council members sit on that committee.

“We just want to say on the record that Mr. Franco is a pillar of the community and he deserves a hearing and a swift vote so he can get to work on behalf of the residents of D.C.,” said mayoral spokesperson Christina Harper.

“The mayor has confidence in him,” Harper said. “She has confidence that if he is granted a hearing it will be a quick vote.”

But Mendelson made it clear that neither a hearing nor a vote is likely to happen. Asked if he plans to keep the nomination on hold indefinitely, he said, “There’s no hearing scheduled.”

When asked if that means the nomination is dead, he replied, “There’s no hearing scheduled.”

Rick Rosendall, president of the D.C. Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, and gay Democratic activist Peter Rosenstein said they were troubled by Mendelson’s decision not to hold a hearing on the nomination.

DAVID FRANCO’s nomination for a seat on the D.C. Zoning Commission is in limbo after Phil Mendelson put a hold on it.

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

“If he has concerns, that’s a reason why he should hold a hearing,” Rosendall said.

“Isn’t that a reason to hold a hearing and air these things? Why keep it in his pocket?”

Added Rosendall, “Phil is a very good friend of our community. He has done a long, long list of things for us. But I just don’t understand why he’s holding this up.”

Rosenstein said Franco is a respected gay businessman and native D.C. resident whose views on zoning related issues deserve to be heard. He said the full committee and Council should have the opportunity to vote up or down on Franco’s nomination.

“Mendelson’s refusal to hold a hearing can be equated to Republicans in Congress not holding hearings on President Obama’s nominations,” said Rosenstein.

“Hearings are open and transparent ways to get community input. Mendelson is turning into Boss Mendelson and isn’t the same person I have always supported for office in the past.”

Mendelson called that comparison “a bit of a stretch,” adding, “That’s also the go-to argument when what one really wants is a person to be confirmed.”

Franco is co-founder and principal owner of Level 2 Development, a real estate development firm specializing in mixed use projects in Washington, D.C., according to a write-up on the firm’s website.

Biographical information about Franco that the mayor’s office submitted to the Council in May says he co-founded a number of other successful businesses in D.C. between 1985 and 1993, including the gay nightclub Tracks in Southeast D.C. and the gay restaurant and bar Trumpets on 17th Street, N.W. near Dupont Circle.

In 1993, Franco founded Universal Gear, a men’s retail clothing store chain headquartered in D.C. � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 0 5

The Home You’ll Love in the neighborhood you can’t wait to explore

With wide open living space inside and out, these new Chelsea Heights townhomes offer the luxury and modern features you’ve always wanted. All this, just steps from Silver Spring Metro, Whole Foods, AFI Silver, and some of the best dining and entertainment venues in the area.

New Luxury Townhomes from the $700s to $900s Model Homes Open Daily 11am–6pm | 301-565-6700 25 Ellsworth Heights Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Find out more at

EYA.com/Blade

DIRECTIONS: From the District, travel north on Georgia Avenue toward Silver Spring.

Turn right onto Colesville Road. Turn right onto Spring Street. Spring Street becomes Cedar Street. Turn left onto Ellsworth Drive. Turn right on Ellsworth Heights Street.

MHBR #7092

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

0 6 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

LO CA L N E W S

Teen charged in stabbing of trans woman Victim initially identified as ‘male’ in police report

Clinton campaign appoints new LGBT liaison

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com An 18-year-old D.C. man was ordered held in jail without bond on Monday for allegedly stabbing a transgender woman about 5:40 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, outside a McDonald’s restaurant at 601 F St., N.W., where the Verizon Center is located, according to court charging documents.

A police arrest affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court says Larry Jeffers, a resident of the 2500 block of Pomeroy Rd., S.E., was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after being arrested by a D.C. police officer who witnessed the incident.

D.C. police initially designated the incident as an anti-transgender hate crime, but prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not include the hate crime designation when they filed the assault-with-a-dangerous-weapon charge in court on Monday.

William Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told the Washington Blade that prosecutors often add a hate crime designation at a later date in cases like this one.

Transgender activists were relieved that a D.C. police officer who was in his police cruiser at the time chased down the attacker on foot and arrested him a short distance from the scene.

Activists also expressed concern, however, that an initial police report identified the victim as a “male,” an action that goes against reporting procedures set by Police Chief Cathy Lanier that call for identifying transgender people by the gender with which they self-identify.

Police spokesperson Gwendolyn Crump said the public version of the report was changed to indicate the victim is a female following an inquiry by the Blade. Crump said the version of the report not released to the public states the victim is a transgender woman and that police were investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Transgender rights advocate Ruby Corado, founder and executive director of Casa Ruby, a D.C. LGBT community services center with an outreach to the trans community, said the victim told her that Jeffers stabbed her after yelling antitransgender and anti-gay names at her and other trans women who were with her at the McDonald’s.

“She has four stab wounds,” Corado said. “We have her in a safe place at a Casa Ruby facility.”

Jason Terry of the D.C. Trans Coalition said he learned from a police official that the victim was stabbed three times in the

A trans woman was stabbed four times near the Verizon Center on Saturday.

PHOTO BY CLIFF; COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

lower back and once in the upper torso.

A separate police report says the victim, whom Corado says is 23, was taken at the time of the incident to a hospital for treatment of injuries designated as non-life-threatening. Corado said Officer Zunnobia Hakir of the police Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit drove the victim to a location arranged for by Casa Ruby after she was released from the hospital.

A Superior Court judge ordered Jeffers held without bond until at least Sept.

30, when he is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing.

The police arrest affidavit says the victim ran into the street seconds after Officer T. Beirne, who was sitting in his cruiser, witnessed her fall to the ground while a suspect later identified as Jeffers had a knife in his hand and “was making a stabbing motion.”

The affidavit quotes the victim as shouting, “He stabbed me, he stabbed me.” It says Officer Beirne made a U-turn with his vehicle and followed Jeffers after observing Jeffers fleeing the scene.

“Officer Beirne noticed that Defendant 1 had blood on his hands, shirt, pants and backpack,” the affidavit says. “After Defendant 1 was detained Officer Beirne began to walk back retracing Defendant 1’s steps and observed a bloody steak knife in the street about 20 to 30 feet from where Defendant 1 was stopped,” the affidavit says.

Jeffers’ attorney, Brandi Harden, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

The stabbing of the trans woman was one of at least seven violent incidents, including robberies and assaults, that took place in Northwest Washington Friday and Saturday night shortly after Pope Francis ended his D.C. visit.

Hillary Clinton LGBT campaign liaison DOMINIC LOWELL PHOTO COURTESY OF HILLARY FOR AMERICA

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has appointed a new staffer to serve as LGBT liaison, the campaign announced Tuesday.

Dominic Lowell, whose official title will be director of LGBT outreach, joins the campaign on Thursday after serving as director of strategic partnerships for Rock the Vote where he coordinated progressive movement outreach.

According to a bio from the campaign, Lowell, 29, coordinated with more than 100 organizations to advance Rock the Vote’s pro-voting and pro-engagement mission.

Among the groups with whom he worked were youth and field-based organizations; state-based groups and coalitions; technology corporations; the voting rights community; and election administrators. Before his tenure at Rock the Vote, Lowell was vice president of investment services at Democracy Alliance.

Lowell, who’s gay, is one of several members of the Clinton campaign who identify as LGBT. Others include, but aren’t limited to, Campaign Manager Robby Mook, Deputy Political Director Brynne Craig and National Finance Director Dennis Cheng. A D.C. resident, Lowell plans soon to move to Brooklyn.

Upon news Lowell would join Hillary for America as LGBT liaison, Clinton’s LGBT supporters praised him in statements provided by the campaign.

Philip Dufour, a gay advocate and former LGBT liaison to former Vice President Al Gore, said Lowell “has a deep understanding of the challenges the LGBTQ community faces.”

“Working with him over the years, I am confident he will be an amazing asset and tireless force for change as our community seeks full equality under the law,” Dufour added.

Elizabeth Birch, former executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, also hailed both the Clinton campaign and Lowell.

“More than ever before, the LGBT vote is a potent one — not just in terms of that critical edge that is required in close elections, but because LGBT people are now a mature and experienced organizing force,” Birch said. “This is a critical position for the Hillary Clinton campaign and they have filled it with a proven, dynamic talent in Dominic.”

The Clinton campaign announced the Lowell appointment days before the candidate is set to speak before the Human Rights Campaign board of directors and supporters on Saturday, the same day as the organization’s national dinner in D.C. Vice President Joseph Biden is set to deliver the keynote address at the annual dinner.

CHRIS JOHNSON

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 0 7

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

0 8 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

NATIONAL NEWS

Supreme Court unlikely to hear LGBT cases in new term ‘Ex-gay’ therapy, Kim Davis litigation moving through system

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com During the upcoming term of the U.S. Supreme Court, justices are likely to follow their monumental ruling in favor of same-sex marriage with barely a peep on LGBT issues.

On Monday, the Supreme Court met behind closed doors for the first conference of its term, which was set to begin exactly one week later.

Jon Davidson, legal director for Lambda Legal, said the Supreme Court’s upcoming term will likely be less consequential in terms of LGBT issues following the marriage ruling.

“The popular wisdom is they’re not going to rush in to decide more cases right now,” Davidson said. “They’ve done a lot in the last number of years and unless they feel like there’s something that the lower courts are really getting wrong, they’re not going to be looking for other LGBT issues to tackle right away.”

One petition before the Supreme Court is another legal challenge to New Jersey’s ban on widely discredited “ex-gay” conversion therapy for minors, which was upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The petition was filed by the conservative legal firm Liberty Counsel on Aug. 10.

The Supreme Court has twice before declined to review state bans on prohibiting the practice of “ex-gay” therapy for minors.

Justices denied a certiorari petition for a lawsuit challenging California’s ban, and earlier this year denied a different request to review the Third Circuit’s decision in the New Jersey case.

Andrea Bowen, executive director of the New Jersey-based Garden State Equality, predicted the Supreme Court would likely reject this second challenge to her state’s conversion therapy ban.

“We’re highly confident that this will be rejected,” Bowen said. “We’ve seen stunning statements from lower courts affirming repeatedly that conversion therapy bans are constitutional, and we believe that this is settled law.”

But the decision on that petition may well be the only word from the Supreme Court on LGBT issues for its 2015-2016 term. Other cases affecting LGBT people are too far down the pipeline for review by the Supreme Court before the expected final day of its term in June 2016.

One such case is the continued litigation against Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, who has enforced a “no licenses” policy in her

office after the Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage. A district court has already enjoined her from enforcing that policy and the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court have refused to stay that order, but technically her lawsuit is ongoing On Tuesday, the Liberty Counsel, which is defending Davis, filed a request before the Sixth Circuit seeking to consolidate her appeals before the appellate court.

She’s appealing (1) the order against her itself, (2) the clarification it extends to everyone as opposed to just the plaintiff couples, (3) the district court’s decision that Davis cannot sue Gov. Steve Beshear refusing to grant her an accommodation under the state’s religious freedom law because it should be handled in state courts and (4) U.S. District Judge David Bunning’s decision to hold Davis in contempt of court.

Also potentially on the way to Supreme Court is a decision by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission that Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo., discriminated against a same-sex couple for denying them a cake for their wedding.

In August, the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld the commission’s decision that the bakery violated Colorado’s AntiDiscrimination Act, but the business pledged to continue litigation all the way to the Supreme Court.

But the case has yet to be reviewed by the Colorado Supreme Court, which would first have to render a decision before the bakery’s lawyers could petition the Supreme Court for review.

One lawsuit that’s not overtly related to the LGBT issues, but may have an impact on LGBT people is Evenwel v. Abbott, a case in which conservative groups are promoting the idea the “one-person, one-vote” principle allows states to use registered voting population, not total population, to apportion state legislative districts. The Supreme Court already agreed to review the case in May for its upcoming term.

Davidson, whose organization has filed a friend-of-the-court brief before the Supreme Court in the case, said the litigation’s outcome would be important to LGBT people.

“What they’re trying to do is to move power in the legislatures to the areas of the states that have fewer young people who aren’t eligible to vote, fewer immigrants who aren’t eligible to vote, fewer people who may be disqualified with voter ID restrictions, by felony disenfranchisement restrictions,” Davidson said. “But the whole result is an attempt to move power out of the cities and into more conservative areas of the states, which would have very negative impacts on whole ranges of people, but

BOBBY JINDAL was among the GOP presidential candidates who attacked LGBT rights last week.

WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Lagging in polls, GOP hopefuls take aim at LGBT rights Watching GOP presidential candidates speak at the Values Voter Summit, a pattern emerged: The lower a candidate stands in the polls, the more vehemently he’ll attack LGBT rights.

A number of Republican hopefuls appeared on stage Friday at the annual conference for social conservatives in D.C., which is hosted by the anti-LGBT Family Research Council.

But while top-tier candidates were largely quiet on LGBT issues, the further down the contenders were in the polls, the more they had to say.

Front-runner Donald Trump had nothing to say about LGBT people and made few references to social issues, basing much of his speech on his family Bible, which he held up at the beginning and end of his remarks.

Former neurosurgeon Ben Carson, running a close second to Trump in recent polls, also never explicitly addressed LGBT rights, although he accused progressives of seeking to eliminate God from the public sphere. Carson was silent on the issue despite his anti-LGBT reputation and decision to sign the National Organization for Marriage’s pledge to oppose same-sex marriage.

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), former New York Gov. George Pataki and Ohio Gov. John Kasich didn’t appear at the Values Voter Summit.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who’s risen in polls after his performance in the second debate, spoke of LGBT rights in terms of protecting religious liberty, which is considered code for conservatives to mean promoting anti-LGBT discrimination.

“In the year 2020, I want to be able to say that we have defended religious liberty,” Rubio said. “That we have supported – that we have worked to our heart to support the right of our people not just to hold traditional views, but to exercise them, to express them.”

Amid efforts by the Obama administration to advance LGBT rights, Rubio accused the administration of attempting to “redefine family.”

“It’s persecuted and now even prosecuted those who do not agree with the new direction that those seek to take us,” Rubio said.

Rubio also made a veiled dig at same-sex marriage, saying he had enjoyed privilege because he was “raised in a stable home by a mother and a father, a man and a woman who were married.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reiterated the pledge he made during the first Republican presidential debate to instruct his administration to promote religious liberty, saying it would be his priority after rescinding Obama’s “illegal and unconstitutional” actions and investigating Planned Parenthood.

“The third thing I intend to do on the first day in office is instruct the Department of Justice and the IRS and every other federal agency, that the persecution of religious liberty ends today,” Cruz said.

CHRIS JOHNSON

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 0 9

Serving Our COmmunity fOr 31 yearS A DV I C E • M E D I AT I O N • L I T I G AT I O N • A P P E A L S • C O L L A B O R AT I O N

Keep your promise to protect each other.

FAMILY | ESTATE PLANNING | EMPLOYMENT | IMMIGRATION COMPLEX LITIGATION | CIVIL RIGHTS | LGBT | ADOPTION | BUSINESS

Silber, Perlman, Sigman &tilev, P.a.

AT TO R N E YS AT L AW • D C | M D | VA

3 0 1 . 8 9 1 . 2 2 0 0 • S P - L aw. C o m

7 0 0 0 C a r r o l l av e n u e S u i t e 2 0 0 ta k o m a Pa r k m d

Bidding SeptemBer 2015 Capitol gateway marketplaCe CBe Subcontractors for a new construction apartment building 312 Unit miXed-USe mUlti-Family proJeCt on East Capitol Street near the Capitol Heights Metro Station.

This project is actively bidding now.

Bids are due Friday, october 9, 2015 at 12:00 pm.

All interested subcontractors send e-mail to CGM@cbgbc.com or fax 703-294-4748 for more information.

Wills & Trusts Powers of Attorney • Living Wills Partnership & Prenuptial Agreements

(240) 778-2330 • (703) 536-0220 www.PartnerPlanning.com

Serving the LGBT Community in DC/MD/VA since 1983 Lawrence S. Jacobs/McMillan Metro, PC

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 0 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

NATIONAL NEWS

Obama takes digs at GOP for anti-LGBT views Says religious freedom shouldn’t enable anti-LGBT discrimination

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com NEW YORK — President Obama was careful not to attack Republicans by name on Sunday night during an address before the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT gala, but it was clear what he thinks of their views.

For example, Obama didn’t mention Democrat-turned-Republican Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis or any the 2016 GOP presidential candidates, but his repudiation of the invocation of religious liberty as an excuse for anti-LGBT discrimination could have easily applied to them.

Acknowledging that religious liberty is cherished in the United States, Obama noted, “Religious freedom doesn’t grant us the freedom to deny our fellow Americans their constitutional rights.”

Obama delivered the 20-minute speech at Gotham Hall on the same day he came to New York City to attend a session at the United Nations. According to the DNC, about 530 supporters attended and contributed between $1,200 and $33,400 a person.

Reflecting on the GOP presidential candidates, Obama said they probably won’t

PRESIDENT OBAMA criticized the GOP at this week’s DNC LGBT gala.

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

use marriage as a wedge issue like they did in 2004, “because the country has come too far,” but he took the hopefuls to task for their responses thus far to the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of gay nuptials.

One candidate, Obama noted without identifying him, said the United States should “just disobey the Supreme Court’s order entirely.” That’s the view of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

“I’m sure he loves the Constitution, except for Article III,” Obama said. “And maybe the Equal Protection Amendment.

And 14th Amendment, generally.”

One of the leading candidates, Obama said, suggested “going to prison turns you gay.” That remark came from former neurosurgeon Ben Carson before he apologized.

Another candidate, Obama said, “boasts that he introduced an amendment to end nationwide marriage equality — which isn’t even an accomplishment at all.” That could be either Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who introduced such an amendment in the current Congress, or former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, who unsuccessfully led efforts on the marriage amendment in 2004 and 2006.

Introducing Obama at the event was Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in litigation that established the right of same-sex couples to marry across the country.

Obergefell praised Obama for embracing LGBT issues, including the Supreme Court decision, bans on “ex-gay” conversion therapy and transgender visibility.

But Obergefell joked one thing remains: Obama, he said, can’t pronounce “Obergefell” correctly. During remarks in June, at the White House Rose Garden at the time of the Supreme Court marriage decision, Obama tripped over Obergefell’s name when it came up on the TelePrompter.

“We have both names last names starting with ‘O’, so it should be easy,

right?” Obergefell said, adding that in truth he would support the president no matter how he pronounced “Obergefell.”

Upon taking stage at the gala, Obama sought to correct the record, enunciating “Obergefell” before he proceeded with the speech to the crowd.

Obama bragged about progress seen over the course of six-and-a-half years in his administration. Much of his talk was focused on the success of Obamacare enrolling 17 million people in health care as well as economic growth. Without naming 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Obama teased him for promising “to get the unemployment rate down to 6 percent by the end of next year,” citing the figure that it’s now at 5.1 percent.

The president also rattled off accomplishments on LGBT issues, saying the “cynics were wrong” that change wouldn’t happen. America is now a place “where marriage is equal,” Obama said. Obama also touted repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

“Tonight, we live in an America where ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is something that ‘don’t exist,’” Obama said, eliciting loud applause from the audience.

Among the high-profile attendees at the gala were lesbian finance guru Suze Orman, gay “Star Trek” actor George Takei, gay New York City Council member Corey Johnson, lesbian U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and gay Democratic National Committee treasurer Andrew Tobias.

DNC chair expects 2016 platform to include Equality Act Wasserman Schultz talks pope’s visit, Boehner’s exit, Kim Davis

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com NEW YORK — Following the introduction of comprehensive LGBT nondiscrimination legislation in Congress, Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she “would expect” the upcoming 2016 Democratic Party platform to include support for the Equality Act. “I would expect so. I can’t envision our platform not including that,” Wasserman Schultz said speaking to LGBT reporters during an LGBT gala for the DNC in New York City’s Gotham Hall.

Wasserman Schultz addressed the platform in the context of the DNC recently approving a resolution in support of the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of nationwide marriage equality. Asked about any upcoming resolution in favor

of the Equality Act, Wasserman Schultz predicted one would be forthcoming.

“I’m confident that we have a resolution standing up in support of the Equality Act,” Wasserman Schultz said. “The rights of the LGBT community are the central civil rights issue of our time, and they are an extremely important part of our party. I would assume we take every opportunity to draw a contrast with Republicans, and to back up our brothers and sisters and emphasize how important their rights are.”

The DNC chair also said she “100 percent, absolutely” expects the Democratic Party to oppose the Republican Party on the invocation of religious liberty to enable anti-LGBT discrimination, saying those efforts are already underway.

The Equality Act, introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) in the House and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act in addition to sex in other categories of the code where it was previously unstated.

Wasserman Schultz addressed the

legislation in a discussion with reporters that included a range of topics, including Pope Francis’ address to Congress, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis and House Speaker John Boehner’s announcement he would exit Congress.

On the pope’s speech, Wasserman Schultz said the biggest takeaway was his emphasis on dialogue “rather than having a very blackand-white, stark contrast” between different sides on important issues.

“We need dialogue on climate change, we need dialogue on health care and on immigration reform,” Wasserman Schultz said. “He really has moved, I think, toward the idea that we can find common ground on some of these incredibly important issues that affect so many people rather than being so dogmatic, and I think that’s important.”

Asked whether she thought the pope’s expressed concern about marriage being called into question was intended as a criticism of same-sex marriage, Wasserman Schultz said she “didn’t take it that way.”

“I thought his tonality was measured, and I really heard in the pope’s remarks at that

point in his speech really an emphasis on the support and the need for the strength of the family,” Wasserman Schultz said.

“He did, obviously, make some passing references to church doctrine, which of course, you would expect, but I thought it was done in a way that did what we he felt he needed to do, but the focus on his speech was certainly not that.”

On recent news Davis would change parties from Democrat to Republican after gaining nationwide attention for enforcing a “no licenses” policy after the Supreme Court marriage decision, Wasserman Schulz indicated the decision was a good one.

“She clearly hasn’t been representing the views of the Democratic Party,” Wasserman Schultz said. “It would make sense that that’s where she’s more comfortable.”

The DNC chair, who represents Florida’s 23rd congressional district in Congress, said she wasn’t surprised

by Boehner’s announcement that he’d give up his seat, saying, “How much abuse can one person take?”

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 1 1

Grounded in Culture.

Grounded in Brookland.

Inspired living in one of DC’s most historic and vibrant neighborhoods.

Brand New 3 & 4 Bedroom Townhomes 2 blocks from the Red Line Metro.

Steps from Arts Walk, galleries, university bookstores, eclectic restaurants, bars, coffee shops and boutiques.

Rooftop Terrace, Attached Private Parking and Green Space. Townhomes from the $700’s

Visit gallerytownhomes.com — or call 202.683.7242

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 2 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

NATIONAL NEWS

Pope: ‘Basis of marriage’ being called into question Francis speaks to joint session of Congress, celebrates Mass in NYC

By CHRIS JOHNSON & MICHAEL K. LAVERS One day after promoting the idea of a “tolerant and inclusive” society, Pope Francis hinted at the Catholic Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage, saying “the very basis of marriage” is being called into question.

The pope expressed his concern over the state of marriage during his speech on Thursday before a joint session of Congress and months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide.

“I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without,” Francis said. “Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and, above all, the richness and the beauty of family life.”

Francis never explicitly condemned same-sex relationships in his remarks, but that viewpoint would be consistent with the Catholic Church’s opposition to marriage equality. Even though Francis has taken a more moderate tone on LGBT rights, he has called same-sex marriage a “destructive pretension against the plan of God.” Francis’ comments on marriage were but one part of a speech in which he generally promoted inclusion and helping the marginalized, invoking the Golden Rule that calls for individuals to treat others as they wish to be treated.

“Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves,” Francis said.

“In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.”

Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, said the pope should apply this same logic of the Golden Rule to same-sex marriage and reproductive rights.

“We welcome Pope Francis’ advocacy for the ‘Golden Rule,’ which calls on everyone to ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’” Carey said. “But this doesn’t seem to apply to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people and our families. Nor does it apply to the millions who need vital access to reproductive health services.

We urge Pope Francis to use his position of immense power to create a truly welcoming and affirming church for all

Gay New York City Council members DANIEL DROMM (left) and COREY JOHNSON attend a Mass that Pope Francis celebrated at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 25.

POPE FRANCIS addressed a joint session of Congress last week.

LGBTQ people — and to treat our families with dignity and equal respect.”

In other portions of his speech, Francis called for action on climate change, income inequality as well as compassion for immigrants and aid for the refugee crisis in Europe. Francis received significant applause from the pro-life majority in Congress when he issued a call to “protect and defend human life at every stage of its development,” but less applause when he took that logic to call for global abolition of the death penalty.

Francis spoke against fundamentalism “whether religious or of any other kind” in the context of violent extremism throughout the world.

“But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners,” Francis said. “The contemporary world, with its open wounds which affect so many of our brothers and sisters, demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps. We know that in the attempt to be freed of the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within. To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place. That is something which you, as a people, reject.”

Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, said he thought Francis’ words on marriage were positive because the

IMAGE COURTESY OF C-SPAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL MALLON

importance of family he stressed is the basis of same-sex marriage.

“I think the Pope’s declining to criticize gay couples seeking the freedom to marry and aiming to take part in and celebrate our own family life, and his pointed refusal to use right-wing buzzwords such as ‘one man-one woman’ is what really speaks volumes here,” Wolfson said. “The ‘very basis of marriage and the family’ Pope Francis speaks of is love — and it is time for our opponents to stop threatening and fighting against the love we all, gay and non-gay, aspire to and deserve.”

lack an education, people without health insurance, the homeless and elderly — can also go unnoticed in large cities, such as New York.

“These people stand at the edges of our great avenues, in our streets, in deafening anonymity,” said Francis. “They become part of an urban landscape, which is more and more taken for granted, in our eyes, and especially in our hearts.”

Gay comedian and journalist Mo Rocca read a liturgy at the opening of the Mass.

Singers Jennifer Hudson and Gloria Estefan were among those who also took part in the gathering.

Gay New York City Council members Daniel Dromm (D-Queens) and Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan) attended the Mass. They both wore buttons from Dignity New York, a group that advocates on behalf of LGBT Catholics, with the slogan “opening wide the doors to Christ.”

Francis in his homily did not mention marriage rights for same-sex couples, homosexuality and other LGBTspecific issues.

The pontiff earlier on Friday during his speech to the U.N. General Assembly referred to “ideological colonization” — a phrase he has previously used to apparently criticize efforts to allow gays and lesbians to exchange vows — and “anomalous models and lifestyles which are alien to people’s identity and, in the end, irresponsible.”

Mass at MSG After leaving D.C., Pope Francis on Friday celebrated Mass at New York’s Madison Square Garden before more than 20,000 people.

The pontiff during his homily said living “in a big city is not always easy.” He also noted the “multicultural context presents many complex challenges.”

“Yet big cities are a reminder of the hidden riches present in our world: In the diversity of its cultures, traditions and historical experiences,” said Francis. “In the variety of its languages, costumes and cuisine. Big cities bring together all the different ways which we human beings have discovered to express the meaning of life, wherever we may be.”

Francis also highlighted those who are marginalized — foreigners, children who

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 1 3

r u O R O F JOIN US ace p s w e n r SEE ou t us u o b a e r o LEARN m eshments, efr ENJOY r working t fun, & ne

October 9:00AM-4 8 :0 1111 No rth Ch 0PM

ti

RSVP: penHouse HRCO L / m o c nyurl.

arl 2nd Floo es Street r Baltimore , MD 212 01 RSVP: TINY URL.COM

/LHRCOP

ENHOUS

E

X1049

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 4 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

NATIONAL NEWS

Will next speaker continue Boehner’s anti-LGBT ways?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

Campaign’s annual scorecard because of his position as speaker, but he received a rating of “0” during the time he was minority leader. In the earlier days before he was in leadership, Boehner, an opponent of same-sex marriage, voted in favor of U.S. constitutional amendments that would have banned it throughout the country.

Hilary Rosen, a D.C.-based Democratic activist and lesbian, criticized Boehner on LGBT rights and said she doesn’t see things improving after he’s gone.

“John Boehner has had personal friends and staff members who are gay,” Rosen said. “Yet he never once stuck his neck out to help for fear of his reputation in the caucus. I can’t imagine there will be any difference for LGBT policy until a broader group of Republican Americans start demanding that their party leadership stop kowtowing to the right wing. It will happen eventually if the community keeps pushing.”

Rosen didn’t respond to a follow-up email asking her to identify Boehner’s friends and staffers who are gay.

One key issue that emerged during his four-and-a-half years as House speaker was the U.S. House’s prolonged and ultimately unsuccessful defense in court of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibited the federal government from recognizing lawful same-sex marriages.

After former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced in February 2011 the Justice Department would no longer defend DOMA in court, Boehner convened a meeting of the five-member Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, which voted on a 3-2 party-line basis to take up defense of the anti-gay law.

BLAG hired Paul Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general under the George W. Bush administration as lead attorney to defend DOMA. By the time the litigation ran its course all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where justices ruled 5-4 to strike down DOMA, the cost of defending the law totaled an estimated $2.3 million.

In January 2013, when the Washington Blade asked Boehner whether he supported the continued raising of the cost cap to defend DOMA, which at the time reached $3 million, he replied, “If the Justice Department is not going to enforce the law of the land, the Congress will.”

At the same time BLAG was defending DOMA in court, the House under Boehner voted on at least three occasions to approve amendments on the floor reaffirming the anti-gay law. Just after the Supreme Court agreed to review DOMA, the House at the start of the 113th Congress by a 228-196 vote approved

House Majority Leader KEVIN MCCARTHY (R-Calif.) is the leading candidate to replace Speaker John Boehner.

governing rules making clear BLAG has authority to speak for the House before the Supreme Court.

But Boehner’s supporters say he advanced at least one pro-LGBT measure.

In 2013, under pressure from Democrats and women’s rights advocates, Boehner allowed a Senate-passed LGBT-inclusive version of the Violence Against Women Act to come to the floor, which passed by a 286-138 vote.

It wasn’t the first time a Republicancontrolled chamber of Congress passed LGBT-inclusive legislation. During the 109th Congress, the House passed an LGBT-inclusive version of hate crimes protections as part of a broader bill. But reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act did mark the first time a proLGBT bill passed under Boehner.

Speaking to LGBT reporters this week, Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz identified VAWA as one thing Boehner achieved for the LGBT community, saying, “He deserves credit for not continuing to block it.”

In his later years as speaker, Boehner’s views on LGBT issues became more mixed. That was best exemplified by his decision to meet with the LGBT Equality Caucus in early 2014, which was first reported by the Blade.

Not even President Obama has met with the LGBT Equality Caucus, making Boehner’s meeting with the openly LGB members of the group a historic moment for the LGBT movement.

But according to Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), who was present during the closed-door meeting, Boehner took the opportunity to say there was “no way” the House would bring up the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which at the time had passed the Senate under its Democratic majority.

Boehner made his opposition to ENDA clear when the Blade asked him during a news conference shortly after the Senate passed the bill whether he would bring it up for a vote.

“Listen, I understand people have differing opinions on this issue, and I respect those opinions,” Boehner said.

“But as someone who’s worked in the employment law area for all my years in the State House and all my years here, I see no basis or no need for this legislation.”

Although Boehner continues to oppose same-sex marriage, he made efforts to stay out of litigation seeking marriage rights for gay couples when it came to the Supreme Court, unlike his actions with DOMA. Asked by the Blade in February during a news conference whether House Republicans would participate in the litigation, Boehner indicated he expected his caucus to accept the decision from justices.

“I don’t expect that we’re going to weigh in on this,” Boehner said. “The court will make its decision and that’s why they’re there, to be the highest court in the land.”

When congressional Republicans made public their friend-of-the-court brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold state bans on same-sex marriage, Boehner’s signature wasn’t among the six U.S. senators and 51 U.S. House members who signed it. (However, he later clarified on NBC’s “Meet the Press” he thinks marriage should be left to the states, not the courts, and he would have signed the brief had it been presented to him.)

After the Supreme Court ruled on marriage, Boehner made no effort to bring to the floor a measure to address the ruling even though the Republican caucus has its greatest majority since the Truman administration. He’s been non-committal on the First Amendment Defense Act, religious freedom legislation seen to enable anti-LGBT discrimination, although social conservatives have clamored for a vote.

Gregory Angelo, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, commended Boehner for his tenure as speaker, saying he was saddled with managing an ideologically fractured majority, but “did it well.”

“Additionally, both Boehner and McCarthy gave tremendous support to openly gay Republicans running for Congress,” Angelo said. “This was especially evident in the 2014 election cycle where House Leadership campaigned

and fundraised for Carl DeMaio and Richard Tisei — and admonished House Republicans like Randy Forbes who tried to stop leadership from growing their ranks with gay Republicans.”

Angelo also credited Boehner with helping Log Cabin navigate potential allies in efforts to pass ENDA “before Democrats squashed it.”

After LGBT groups dropped support from ENDA last year over the breadth of the legislation’s religious exemption, it’s true Democrats sought to advance a version of the bill with a narrower carve-out, although Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) supported the Senate-passed bill and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said it was better than nothing.

It remains to be seen who’ll replace Boehner as presiding officer of the U.S. House after his departure, but the presumption is after the upcoming election it’ll be the No. 2 lawmaker in the Republican caucus: House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

McCarthy has scored a “0” on the Human Rights Campaign’s most recent congressional scorecard. McCarthy, an opponent of same-sex marriage, began his tenure in the U.S. House in 2007 — too late for him to have voted on the Federal Marriage Amendment in either 2004 or 2006.

But McCarthy was one of the three members of BLAG who voted in favor of the House defending DOMA in court.

The California Republican voted against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal and a version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in 2007.

If elected, social conservatives who feel emboldened by Boehner’s resignation are likely to press McCarthy for a vote on the First Amendment Defense Act, while at the same time LGBT rights supporters decry the absence of movement on the Equality Act. McCarthy’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment on whether he’d be open to allowing either of those measures to move forward.

Angelo declined to comment on a prospective McCarthy speakership because he said the leadership election “is still very fluid,” although Angelo maintained both Boehner and McCarthy always had an open door to Log Cabin.

David Stacy, government affairs director for the Human Rights Campaign, said McCarthy shares Boehner’s poor record on LGBT issues, but added that supporting LGBT rights is in the best interest of whomever leads the U.S. House.

“The next speaker comes to power in an environment where super majorities of the American people, and a majority of Republicans, stand on the side of equality,” Stacy said. “Time will tell, but I hope the next speaker will begin to reflect this emerging national consensus.”

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

NEWS

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 1 5

LGBT advocates to attend Honduras conference Randy Berry, gay Peruvian congressman to take part

By MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com EDITOR’S NOTE: Washington Blade International News Editor Michael K. Lavers will present a workshop on the media at the Tegucigalpa conference on Oct. 3.

Hundreds of LGBT rights advocates from across Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to gather in Honduras this week for a conference designed to spur further participation in the political processes of their respective countries.

Randy Berry, the special U.S. envoy to promote global LGBT rights, is among those who are scheduled to speak at the gathering that will take place in the Central American country’s capital of Tegucigalpa from Oct. 2-3. Gay Peruvian Congressman Carlos Bruce and Costa Rican Deputy Minister of the Interior Carmen Muñoz are also expected to attend.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute co-organized the conference alongside Hivos International, a Dutch group that promotes LGBT and other human rights issues, and Caribe Afirmativo, a Colombian advocacy organization. The Association of Youth in Movement, which advocates on behalf of LGBT Hondurans and other marginalized groups in the Central American country, also sponsored the gathering.

“Victory knows the importance of having more LGBT people elected around the world,” Caryn Viverito of the Victory Fund told the Washington Blade on Tuesday. “We’re thrilled to help our Honduras conference attendees transform their parties and their countries from within.”

Andrea Ayala, executive director of Espacio de Mujeres Lesbianas por la Diversidad, an LGBT advocacy group from El Salvador known by the Spanish acronym ESMULES, is among those who are scheduled to attend the conference in Tegucigalpa as panelists.

She told the Blade on Tuesday that this gathering and others like it are “necessary to learn and share wisdom between the different LGBTI activists who work in support of LGBTI communities.”

“When LGBT people are public leaders, it makes a tangible difference in moving equality forward,” added Viverito. “That is true no matter where you are in the world.”

A conference organized by Honduran LGBT rights advocates that will focus on how they can become more involved in their country’s political process will take place in Tegucigalpa on Thursday.

Nearly 200 LGBT Hondurans were reported killed between a 2009 coup that topped then-President Manuel Zelaya and May 2014. These include Walter Tróchez and Erick Martínez, two prominent advocates who were killed in Tegucigalpa in 2009 and 2012 respectively.

Reports indicate that transgender

Special U.S. Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT People RANDY BERRY is among those who will travel to Honduras this week for an LGBT rights conference.

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

women in Honduras are particularly susceptible to discrimination and violence from the police, gang members and other armed groups. The ongoing violence has prompted many LGBT Hondurans to seek refuge in Costa Rica and other Central American countries.

“The meeting is very important for us,” Indyra Mendoza, general coordinator of Cattrachas, a Honduran LGBT advocacy group, told the Blade on Tuesday.

Berry in a statement to the Blade applauded Mendoza and other advocates who work in the region.

“I look forward to meeting with civil society and political leaders from across the region to discuss how we can work together to advance human rights for LGBTI persons and end violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity throughout the Western Hemisphere,” said Berry. “There is much work that still needs to be done, but the region offers significant expertise, best practices, and lessons learned to advance measures that protect LGBTI persons from violence and discrimination.”

Lawyer: Pope and Kim Davis met secretly in D.C. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

“I was humbled to meet Pope Francis.

Of all people, why me?” Davis said in a statement. “I never thought I would meet the Pope. Who am I to have this rare opportunity? I am just a County Clerk who loves Jesus and desires with all my heart to serve him. Pope Francis was kind, genuinely caring, and very personable.

He even asked me to pray for him. Pope Francis thanked me for my courage and told me to ‘stay strong.’”

Also reportedly at the meeting, where Francis was said to have spoken in English, was Davis’ husband Joe Davis.

According to the Liberty Council, a conservative legal firm representing Davis, Francis told the clerk “Thank you for your courage.” He reportedly held out his hands and asked Davis, an Apostolic Christian, to pray for him. Davis was said to have held his hands and said, “I will. Please pray for me,” and Francis reportedly agreed to do so.

After the two embraced, the pope presented Kim and Joe Davis each with a rosary he personally blessed. According to Liberty Counsel, Kim Davis’ parents are Catholic and she intends to present the rosaries to her parents. Kim’s mother was clerk of court for Rowan County for 37 years until she retired last year.

Mat Staver, chair of Liberty Counsel, said in a statement Davis has become a symbol for Christians throughout the world facing hardships because of their beliefs.

“The challenges we face in America regarding the sanctity of human life, marriage, and religious freedom are the same universal challenges Christians face around the world,” Staver said.

“Religious freedom is a human right that comes from God. These values are shared in common by people of faith, and the threats to religious freedom are universal. Kim Davis has become a symbol of this worldwide conflict between Christian faith and recent cultural challenges regarding marriage.”

According to the New York Times, Staver said in a phone interview the couple met with the pope for about 15 minutes. Staver asserted photographers were present at the meeting and he expects to receive pictures soon from the Vatican proving the exchange took place.

Staver said Vatican officials arranged the meeting, not bishops or the U.S. Conference of Catholic of Catholic Bishops, the Times reported. Staver reportedly would not identify the Vatican officials.

When the Washington Blade contacted the Vatican Embassy in the United States, a receptionist who refused to divulge her name said the embassy doesn’t deny the meeting took place, but declined further comment.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops didn’t respond to the Blade’s request for comment on the reported meeting.

Francis reportedly held the meeting with Davis on the same day he delivered a speech on the U.S. House floor before a joint session of Congress and said “the

very basis of marriage” is being called into question, although he didn’t explicitly mention same-sex marriage.

Davis was in D.C. at the same time as the pope’s visit because she made an appearance at the Values Voter Summit, where she was honored with the “Cost of Discipleship” award by the anti-LGBT Family Research Council, On his return flight to Rome after visiting Philadelphia, Francis was asked whether public officials should be able to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples out of religious objections. The pope replied, “If a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right.”

Although there was speculation the pope may not have even been aware of Davis in responding to the question, Staver said in a statement there’s no doubt because of the meeting.

“Not only did Pope Francis know of Kim Davis, he personally met with her to express his support,” Staver said.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

16 • OC T OB E R 02, 2015

BA LT I MO RE N E W S

Baltimore Black Pride kicks off Oct. 4

It’s Bulb Time!

Quick and Easy Planting for Gorgeous Spring Color Members of the Washington Daffodil Society will be here Saturday and Sunday 11 am - 3 pm to answer your bulb questions!

Make the Most of the Fall Season

Pansies • Mums • Ornamental Grasses • Trees • Shrubs Perennials • Pumpkins • Cornstalks • Fall Décor Select Group

Free Seminars

TREES

Saturday, October 3 at 10 am

Look for the pink tags on assorted Shade, Flowering and Evergreen trees

Merrifield – Creating Real Curb Appeal Fair Oaks – Gardening with Native Plants Gainesville – Bulbs 101

AND 25% OFF MORE! While they last Reg. $125.00 - $395.00 Good 9/30 – 10/7/15

Full schedules available in our stores and on our website

MERRIFIELD

703-560-6222

FAIR OAKS

703-968-9600

GAINESVILLE

703-368-1919

New Fall Hours: Monday – Saturday 8 am – 7 pm, Sunday 9 am – 6 pm

merrifieldgardencenter.com

mgcblade10-1-15.indd 1

9/28/2015 4:37:35 PM

As part of Baltimore Black Pride’s annual celebration from October 4-11, several workshops have been scheduled. They include: Sexual Safety, The Trans Identity, LGBT Relationships Today, and Knowing Your Rights/Legal Law Lab. The workshops will take place on Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hotel Indigo, 24 West Franklin St. in Baltimore.

“We have some great topics this year and great speakers,” Letoi Robinson, who leads the Baltimore Black Pride Planning Committee, told the Blade. “We really tried hard this year to give our community a good variety of activities and events.”

The Grown and Sexy Annual Cultural Affair will take place later that evening from 7 p.m. to midnight. Recording artist Gwendolyn Collins will be the guest vocalist.

The event will be held at the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St. There will be a light buffet, refreshments, live entertainment, a guest speaker and dancing. The organizers say the attire is “fashion forward, dress to impress.”

The Sunday festival will take place in Baltimore’s St. Mary’s Park (Paca Street and Druid Hill Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other events include a drag brunch (Oct. 4), a professional mixer (Oct. 5), a pop-up art show (Oct. 6), speed dating (Oct. 7), the Pride kick-off reception and improv comedy show (Oct. 8), Black Out Party (Oct. 9), a Daylight White Party (Oct. 10), and worship services (Oct. 11).

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Bridging The Gap, Embracing our Uniqueness.” For more information, contact Bmoreblackpride@yahoo.com or visit cbebaltimore.org.

SpeakFire! discussion series on tap Speak with our preplanning adviSor, Jamie arthurS at (202) 966-6400 or email Jamie.arthurS@dignitymemorial.com

5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW • DC • (202) 966-6400 • www.JosephGawlers.com

Are you worried about HIV? PrEP: A daily medication that lowers your risk of HIV. The PrEP Clinic at Andromeda can help you decide if PrEP is right for you.

To talk with one of our specialists, call us at 202.743.7942

1400 Decatur St. NW • Washington, DC 20011

202.743.7942 • www.andromedaprep.org

Recognizing we live in a time of uprisings, police brutality and daily violence, a panel series called the SpeakFire! seeks to explore and celebrate how the black LGBTQ community in Baltimore defines and works toward freedom in our everyday lives.

The first installment of the SpeakFire! panel discussion series will take place Oct. 6 between 6-8:30 p.m. at the Hotel Indigo, 24 West Franklin St. in Baltimore.

The topic for this panel is “Dreaming Radical Resistance: Defining Liberation in the Black LGBTQ Community.”

“These panels are a meditation and celebration on liberation in our community,” said Saida Agostini of the FreeState Justice Project, one of the organizations partnering in the series.

For more information, email sagostini@freestatelegal.org or call 410-6255428

Frederick Center to hold annual meeting The Frederick Center will hold its annual meeting on Oct. 17 at Grace UCC, 25 E. 2nd St., in Frederick. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

The following topics will be addressed: Pride 2015 wrap-up, Pride 2016 planning, Youth Group and other youth services, Trans/GNC Community Group, Peaceful Connections Group, HIV Test Kit Distribution Program, Membership and Grants and Fundraising.

The meeting is free and open to the public. There is a nearby garage for a $2 flat rate and metered parking is in effect.

TFC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, formed in 2012 dedicated to support, educate, link, organize and provide outreach to the LGBTQ community of central Maryland. It currently operates out of various donated spaces.

For more information, visit thefrederickcenter.org.

STEVE CHARING

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 1 7

HAVE MORE FUN THIS FALL IN BALTIMORE. There’s something for everyone to enjoy this fall in Baltimore, from inspirational art to a citywide celebration of Black Pride.

FREE FALL BALTIMORE

PAUL SIMON: WORDS AND MUSIC

Citywide October 1–31, 2015

Jewish Museum of Maryland Opens October 11, 2015

There are hundreds of free events offered throughout the city, including workshops, dance lessons, exhibitions, musical performances, plays, puppet shows, walking tours and free admission to museums.

Still crazy after all these years? Crazy about Paul Simon, of course. Direct from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this new exhibit about one of America’s favorite singer-songwriters premieres right here in Baltimore. The exhibit features original guitars, draft lyrics, costumes, SNL video clips and a special narration by Paul Simon himself.

THE BIG HOPE SHOW

American Visionary Art Museum Opens October 3, 2015

Feel the inspiration and transformative powers of hope in the face of cynicism and despair with this jubilant exhibition marking AVAM’s 20th anniversary.

BALTIMORE BLACK PRIDE

Locations throughout Baltimore October 8–11, 2015

BALTIMORE RUNNING FESTIVAL

Downtown Baltimore October 17, 2015

Hit your stride with a day of full, half and team relay marathons, a 5K run and “Kids Fun Run.” Then, check out Celebration Village to enjoy interactive games and live music.

Black Pride brings the community together to embrace and celebrate diversity with a full schedule of events, including workshops and town hall meetings, entertainment and the annual Cultural Affair and Fall Festival.

Plan your visit today at BALTIMORE.ORG

150766_VISIT_9.75x11.5_WB.indd 1

9/1/15 5:33 PM

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

18 • OC T OB E R 02, 2015

H E A LT H N E W S

‘Who’s the Boss’ actor shares HIV status

MANDARIN ORIENTAL 1330 MARYLAND AVE, SW WASHINGTON, DC • metro accessible from the Smithsonian & L’Enfant Plaza stations • valet parking available

WASHINGTON — Former “Who’s the Boss” actor Daniel Pintauro said he’s HIV-positive in an interview with Oprah Winfrey last weekend.

“I wanted to tell you this a long time ago, but I wasn’t ready. I’m ready now,” Pintauro told Winfrey in an episode of her “Where Are They Now” show. “I’m HIV-positive, and I have been for 12 years.”

Why did he keep it to himself for so long? “It’s just a big deal, you know?” he said in the interview. “It’s not something that people are really talking about right now.”

Pintauro, who’s gay, was outed by the National Enquirer in 1997. He was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 2003.

“I was living in New York at the time and completely clueless to the idea that I was positive,” he said in the interview. “I went in for a regular checkup. It was just regular blood work. You go in, and you sort of waited two weeks on pins and needles — or at least I did, because I was just terrified of the idea of getting HIV.” He also talked about the fact that Actor DANIEL PINTAURO told Oprah Winfrey that he’s HIV positive. he was using crystal meth at the time of the diagnosis.

PHOTO COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM Pintauro lives in Las Vegas with his husband, Wil Tabares, and works as a restaurant manager. He aspires to open a bed and breakfast with his husband one day. Pintauro played Jonathan Bower on ‘Who’s the Boss?,” the ABC hit sitcom starring Tony Danza and Judith Light that ran from 1984-1992.

Jersey City expands transgender coverage

TickeTs available aT

www.501aucTions.com/smYal

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Jersey City is expanding the health care it offers city workers to include coverage for transgender medical care and related procedures, including gender reassignment surgery, nj.com reports.

Mayor Steve Fulop made the announcement last week. City officials say Jersey City will be the first large city in the state, and one of a few in the nation, to offer such coverage.

“Government has a responsibility to be a legitimizing force, to pull people in the direction of what is right, especially on LGBT issues” Fulop said in a statement provided to the Jersey Journal. “We’re making sure that our transgender neighbors get the care they need.”

The city says expanding health care for transgender workers costs a fraction of one percent of the city’s current healthcare costs, nj.com reports.

PrEP billboards raise concerns in Australia VICTORIA, Australia — Activists in Australia are urging gay men there to abandon condoms in favor of PrEP though the therapy, which has shown to be an effective prevention strategy against HIV, is not approved there yet for such use, the Age reports.

Large posters in Melbourne feature a blue pill and the text: “YOU CAN F*** RAW. PrEP WORKS. NO MORE HIV.” SEEITCLEARLY2020, a guerrilla activist group, is behind the campaign and said it was aiming to promote the “most powerful tool” to combat HIV. “The reality is that HIV will continue to be transmitted by raw sex if we do not make PrEP fully accessible to Australians,” it said in a statement according to the Age article.

Gilead Sciences, which manufactures Truvada, said it had nothing to do with the posters.

“Gilead supports Truvada for PrEP as an important HIV prevention tool if used as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy among certain high-risk populations. However, until it is approved by the TGA, Gilead does not support its off-label use in Australia,” a spokeswoman told the Age.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

FI T NES S 3 6 0

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 1 9

Ready to bulk up?

It takes strategy to build muscle mass With wintertime just around the corner, we tend to come back in doors, hunker down and refocus our energies back to the gym and our workout routines. So here are some tips on bulking up (gaining muscle mass) for winter.

Eat more protein. First, if you plan to Follow BUCKY MITCHELL on Instagram@ bulk up, you will need to calculate your BuckyMitchell or Twitter@bucky_mitchell or protein intake based on your weight. As Facebook: Bucky Mitchell (Fitness, Food and Fun) or e-mail him at buckymitchellinfo@gmail.com a rule of thumb, when starting a bulking for fitness or cooking consultations. His Couples phase, you should be consuming at Cooking classes continue at CulinAerie (1131 14th St., N.W.) details at culinaerie.com. least one gram of protein for one pound of body weight. For example, if you are 150 pounds, you should be consuming at least 150 grams of protein to see the bulk start to occur.

Second, vary your sources of protein. Whey protein is one of two proteins, the other being Casein protein, that can be found in most dairy products. Whey proteins are extremely important for muscle growth because they are quickly absorbed and cause a spike in your blood’s amino-acid levels, which allow your muscles to repair more quickly and build the fibers. Casein proteins are slow-digesting proteins and take a long time to digest and therefore are best taken right before you go to bed to keep the protein supply coming while you sleep. If you add more dairy, fish or soy to your diet, you will naturally add these proteins as well.

STACEY WILLIAMS-ZEIGER Real Estate Broker

Best of Gay DC Finalist BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT Vote for STACEY WILLIAMS-ZEIGER

by October 4 bestofgaydc.com

Protein intake and strategic lifting are required to get that ‘bulked up’ look.

Work your whole body twice a week. To bulk up more quickly, I highly encourage you to get away from your typical “two parts”- or even “one part”-a day routine and do three exercises in one workout. For example, you could do a barbell chest press, prisoner squats and barbell shrugs for four sets and six reps, increasing the weight with each set if you can successfully complete all six reps. As a result, you are hitting chest, legs and shoulders in one day. The next day you would then do the other parts you missed such as back, bicep and triceps. As a result, you would have worked the entire body in two days and then you would rest for two days. The two days of rest are essential to allow the muscles to grow and recover. It’s a “two days on, two day off”-workout regimen.

Minimize your cardio.

When it comes to bulking, the best thing you can do is minimize how much cardio you do per week. While cardio does have the added benefit of burning lots of calories in a short amount time and keeping up your endurance, cardio goes against the goal of bulking. Therefore, if you do plan on doing cardio, you have to keep two things in mind. First, be sure to double your calorie intake to make up for what you are burning and second, do it on your off day when you aren’t lifting. I prefer doing cardio is small increments, say for 15 or 20 minutes at a quick or moderate tempo.

Keep these three simple tips in mind and watch the bulk add up over the winter months.

all genders welcome

Best of Gay DC Finalist – BEST TRANS ADVOCATE Vote for ROBYN ZEIGER by October 4 bestofgaydc.com

Robyn S. Zeiger, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor serving the LGBT community for over 30 years

301.445.7333

www.drrobynzeiger.com

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

2 0 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

IN S IDE L G B T W ASH I N G T O N

VOLUME

46

ISSUE

40

ADDRESS

PO Box 53352 Washington DC 20009

Lifting the covers on Francis-mania Pope’s views remain backward when it comes to LGBT rights

PETER ROSENSTEIN is a D.C.-based LGBT rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.

Pope Francis got the reception in America usually reserved for rock stars.

He speaks with charm and oozes love. He talks of inclusion. But we must remember that no matter how much love and charm he exudes, he is still opposed to gay marriage, believing marriage is between one man and one woman; he’s against abortion at any time; and he leads an institution that believes women are not equal to men and that has a major problem with pedophilia among its leadership.

On his flight back to Rome he responded to a question about whether government officials should be allowed to object to certain duties — such as certifying same-sex marriages. He responded, “I can’t have in mind all the cases that can exist about conscientious objection … but yes, I can say that conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right. It is a right. And if a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objec-

tor, he denies a right.” What he wasn’t asked is whether the conscientious objector should be willing to accept the consequences, be it jail or loss of their job.

Yet we shouldn’t totally disregard the love and charm. The pope demonstrates that you can disagree but not stop talking or respecting each other. You get the impression from some of the things the pope said that he actually understands the separation of church and state in the United States.

Jaweed Kaleem wrote, “Pope Francis … made his most concrete reference to gay marriages that are now legal on American soil when he spoke Sunday morning to bishops gathered at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He spoke of the ‘unprecedented changes’ having ‘social, cultural and, unfortunately, now juridical effects on family bonds.’ While not actually using the word gay, which he has used before he ‘told bishops the solution to responding to a society that no longer agrees with church doctrine is not to rehash the church’s views, but instead reach out to spread their faith through friendship. Gratitude and appreciation should prevail over concerns and complaints.’ … The pope encouraged bishops to not give up on young people who often don’t hold the same values as the church on family and marriage.”

In addition to talking about gay marriage, the Pope met with victims of sexual abuse and agreed to create a new Vatican tribunal to prosecute bishops who failed to protect their flock by covering up for

pedophile priests.

In his speech to Congress he highlighted the work of Dorothy Day, a radical socialist who was a suffragette and who founded the Catholic Worker’s Party. Day also had an abortion. He also spoke for immigrants and said, “Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves.”

I am a reform Jew and the God I believe in is inclusive and welcomes all people. It appears Pope Francis wants the Catholic Church to be more welcoming to all people as well, even the ones who don’t agree with its teachings. He spoke out on making annulments of marriages easier, and allowing women who have had abortions to receive communion. I don’t know if that is satisfying to Catholics if divorce and abortion are still considered sins in the eyes of his God. No major institution is easy to change. No religion fully agrees with the principle “live and let live.” Orthodox Jews in my religion are as intolerant as anyone of those who don’t share their beliefs.

But I respect the efforts of Pope Francis, who is at least trying to sound more inclusive. We can only hope Francis will live long enough to have his views trickle down to local parishes and appoint enough new Cardinals so that the next pope won’t be inclined to move the church backwards.

It’s a little like hoping none of the current Republicans running for president is the person to succeed Barack Obama.

E DIT OR IA L CA RT O O N

PHONE

202-747-2077 E-MAIL news@washblade.com INTERNET www.washingtonblade.com PUBLISHED BY Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia, Inc. PUBLISHER LYNNE J. BROWN lbrown@washblade.com ext. 8075 EDITORIAL EDITOR KEVIN NAFF knaff@washblade.com ext. 8088 FEATURES EDITOR JOEY DIGUGLIELMO joeyd@washblade.com ext. 8081 SR. NEWS REPORTER LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com ext. 8079 NEWS REPORTER CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com ext. 8083 REPORTER & INTERNATIONAL NEWS EDITOR MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com EDITORIAL INTERN MARIAH COOPER PHOTO EDITOR MICHAEL KEY mkey@washblade.com PHOTO INTERN ANTWAN J. THOMPSON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PETER ROSENSTEIN, MARK LEE, LATEEFAH WILLIAMS, KATE CLINTON, KATHI WOLFE, RICHARD J. ROSENDALL CREATIVE DESIGN/PRODUCTION AZERCREATIVE.COM SALES & ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING STEPHEN RUTGERS srutgers@washblade.com ext. 8077 SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE BRIAN PITTS bpitts@washblade.com ext. 8089 SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE JERYL PARADE jparade@washblade.com ext. 8072 ACCT. EXECUTIVE DOUG PEETS dpeets@washblade.com DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BROOKE JORDAN bjordan@washblade.com ext. 8094 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION PHILLIP G. ROCKSTROH prockstroh@washblade.com ext. 8092 NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA 212-242-6863; sales@rivendellmedia.com For distribution, contact Lynne Brown at 202-747-2077, ext. 8075. Distributed by MediaPoint, LLC All material in the Washington Blade is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Washington Blade. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. Although the Washington Blade is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by the Washington Blade, but the paper cannot take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. A single copy of the Washington Blade is available from authorized distribution points, to any individual within a 50-mile radius of Washington, D.C. Multiple copies are available from the Washington Blade office only. Call for rates. If you are unable to get to a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 52-week mailed subscription for $195 per year or $5.00 per single issue. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Phil Rockstroh at prockstroh@washblade.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Washington Blade, PO BOX 53352 Washington, DC 20009. The Washington Blade is published weekly, on Friday, by Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia, Inc. Individual Subscriptions are $195 per year for 52 issues (only $3.75 per issue mailed to you USPS). Rates for businesses/institutions are $450 per year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. Editorial positions of the Washington Blade are expressed in editorials and in editors’ notes as determined by the paper’s editors. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Washington Blade or its staff. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words; commentaries should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verification.

Send submissions by e-mail to knaff@washblade.com.

©2015 BROWN NAFF PITTS OMNIMEDIA, INC.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

O U R B USI NES S MATTER S

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 2 1

Fit to be tied: D.C.’s regulatory reflex targets trainers What the fight over fitness certification reveals about our local nanny state

MARK LEE is a long-time entrepreneur and community business advocate. Follow on Twitter: @MarkLeeDC. Reach him at OurBusinessMatters@gmail.com.

Would D.C. benefit by forcing Council members to limit their activities to what are officially designated as “part-time” jobs? The fact that the D.C. Council remains in session on a year-round basis might be causing more trouble than they’re worth.

Local fitness trainers probably think so.

Until Council member Jack Evans last week introduced a bill garnering a majority of sponsors to repeal a measure unanimously approved last year to register and regulate trainers, the District was poised to become the nation’s first in the country to do so. The D.C. Council’s regulatory reflex to manipulate and manage anything that comes within its field of vision

will likely, in this instance, be scuttled. It took an organically organized outcry by fitness professionals, however, to make that happen.

Anyone pondering why industry associations lobbying for self-preservation proliferate in this town need only cast a gaze toward the politicians, and anonymous agency personnel catering to their whims, possessed with a big government instinct to control commerce. There’s ample reason D.C. is widely considered one of the worst unfriendly-to-business locations in America.

As is often the case, the resulting regulatory rulemaking spawned by prior passage of the law was partly prompted by a federal administration all too eager to promulgate these types of nanny state measures. The ostensible rationale for the local edict was a provision in the national health insurance overhaul that will allow corporate tax breaks and insurance applicability for wellness programs.

However, the now-former head of the buried-in-the-bowels-of-government D.C. Board of Physical Therapy, recently informed by Mayor Bowser that she would not be reappointed after 15 years, neglected to even mention such justification when defending having urged the Council to approve the law and justifying the proposed regulations she intended to forward for approval.

Instead, the “model” requirements setting off alarms around the country within the fitness world were characterized as necessary to regulate trainers similarly to hairdressers.

That assertion only begs the question why hairdressers are also over-regulated when national studies indicate the result discourages personal entrepreneurship and professional engagement – often primarily affecting minorities and those with skill levels recommending craft or service work as ideal employment options. As usual, the unintended consequences are overwhelmingly negative.

All of this merely leads to corporatization of independent endeavors and small business sectors through governmentsupported cronyism picking winners and losers by breeding layers of quasiindependent industry overlords. In the instance of regulating trainers in D.C., the board tasked with writing the rules had an inherent conflict of interest favoring the physical therapists currently under their domain. They were additionally confronted with choosing a particular private sector certification group with potential bias against exercise disciplines such as CrossFit, for example.

Perhaps more revealing, D.C. Council member Mary Cheh confessed that she and her colleagues didn’t adequately examine the legislation approved last

year. Cheh told local “Loose Lips” political reporter Will Sommer, “The truth is we never really focused on it.” Presumably the reflexive instinct to regulate was sufficient.

This boils down to dual derelictions in philosophy and judgment by government: All commercial activity requires smothering by heavy-handed regulation to protect infantilized consumers incapable of being competent marketplace actors and vetting service selections. If the “sharing economy” has taught politicians anything it’s that user evaluation is more valuable and beneficial than lurking and lumbering bygone-era bureaucracies.

Perhaps District residents should be spared politicians with too much time on their hands and too much inclination to legislate and regulate beyond reason or even commonsense.

Only 10 states have genuinely full-time legislatures. In the Washington region, both Maryland and Virginia have lessthan-full-time legislators, paid less than a full-time salary and commanding few staff.

In fact, no state pays its legislators a sum even approaching the District’s baseline salary of nearly $135,000, exceeded among municipalities only by Los Angeles.

Maybe a little tightening of the legislative and regulatory belt would be just the fitness regimen D.C. needs.

V I E W PO I NT

Million Man March 20 years later Standing black, gay and proud among our peers

By COURTNEY WILLIAMS On Monday, Oct. 16, 1995, one million black men gathered as a sign of unity and reconciliation. Among them were several hundred black gay men, along with a number of lesbians, who marched openly as a contingent in the Million Man March through the streets of downtown to the National Mall.

Our pre-march rally started at the Carnegie Library (Now the City Museum) at 9th and New York Avenue, N.W. We started with about 150 marchers. There were rally speeches from such local and national black gay leaders as Keith Boykins (National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum) and Ken Reeves, the openly gay mayor of Cambridge, Mass. I marched with my best friend Jeffrey Mason and his straight brother, who attended with us as a sign of support for his brother. Also in attendance were black gay people from

around the country who came to the March at their own expense to be part of the historic event.

Earlier, we were not sure what would happen if we marched. The speeches inspired us to go forward. We began our march down 9th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street into the Mall area.

We proudly displayed our poster board signs and T-shirts — “Gay by God,” “I am a man,” “As Proud as our blackness as well as our gayness,” “Born this way,” “Proud by choice,” “I support my gay brother.”

We chanted, “We’re black! We’re gay! We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

A few passers-by hurriedly moved out of the way, people driving their cars along the adjoining streets honked their horns in support and a number of pedestrians stopped and stared. Sensing no negative reaction and feeling safe, some of those on the sidewalks jumped in and joined our group. By the time we got to the Mall, our group had more than doubled.

When we approached the Mall, we made our way to the center of the gather-

ing. The mass of brothers opened like the parting of the Red Sea to allow us to enter among the many hundreds of thousands already on the Mall.

Rev. Bishop Rainey Cheeks gathered us into a circle to pray for the day and unity.

Some of those in the crowd not with our group joined us in prayer. At the moment of Rev. Cheek’s prayer calling our ancestors to help us to be unified in brotherhood, the sun came out and shined so brightly.

What we wanted is for our peers to see black gay men as an important part of the community and that we are here to stay.

We wanted our black brothers and sisters to see us believing in ourselves enough to come out of the closet and be open about who we are as black gay men – and to respect us more. I’m sure for many March participants, this was the first time they had ever seen black single-gender-loving men openly, visibly and unabashedly acknowledging themselves as a part of the black community. What I will always treasure most is walking hand-in-hand in unity with my gay brothers: Donald, Bryan,

Keith, Barry, Russell, Tony, Carlton, Steve, Phil, Jeffrey, Gary, Adrian, Derek, Bradley, Rainey, Billy, Chris, Gregory, Dennis and others.

For that moment in time, there was a safe place for all black men to gather with brotherly love for each other in peace and unity. Much is still to be done in our community to address violence, discrimination, homophobia and the other forces of oppression and division affecting our community. That is why we need to remember that day when we were not strangers but brothers, when the social, political, religious and economic groups we identified with were forgotten as we all hugged.

“Justice or Else,” a 20th anniversary observance of the Million Man March, open to people of all races, ethnic backgrounds and sexual preferences is slated for Saturday, Oct. 10 from 5 a.m.-7 p.m. on the National Mall.

COURTNEY WILLIAMS is a longtime D.C.based LGBT rights activist.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

2 2 • O CTO B ER 0 2 , 2015

VIEWPOINT

LGBT community should call it quits More than 30,000 of us die each year of tobacco-related diseases

By DAVID MARINER More than a quarter of people in the LGBT community engage in an activity that has significant negative consequences for their health. It can cause debilitating diseases and lead to premature death. It is also something that is preventable — smoking.

Smoking causes more deaths in the United States than HIV, illegal drug use and alcohol use combined, and more than 30,000 LGBT people die each year of tobacco-related diseases.

Members of the LGBT community smoke at rates 50 percent higher than the general population. Some studies indicate that LGBT adults are 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to smoke than heterosexual adults.

And, although most LGBT smokers say that they know smoking is harmful to their

health, fewer have tried to quit (75 percent versus 80 percent of all adults).

can make it more difficult to fight off infections, and people with HIV who smoke

Research has shown that one of the best ways to quit smoking is with the support of one’s community.

It is understandable why the smoking rates within the LGBT community are higher.

For some, the stress that comes with living in places that may not be accepting can lead them to smoke. At the same time, the big tobacco companies have marketed their products specifically to our community, hoping that slick campaigns entice young, and often vulnerable, individuals to start smoking.

The problem is that some of the most serious health conditions our community has been battling for decades are made that much worse with smoking. Smoking

have a higher risk of complications than nonsmokers.

Quitting, while it may be hard, is not impossible.

Research has shown that one of the best ways to quit is with the support of one’s community. The people around you can help keep you motivated and can help you quit for good.

This is why the DC Center for the LGBT Community recently worked with dozens of other organizations on a campaign to help people in D.C. quit. The campaign, DC Calls It Quits,

took place the week of Sept. 21 and had the support of more than 40 local organizations, government agencies and health groups.

The goal of the week was to show people that there are a variety of community resources available — including help lines, support meetings and therapies — that can make quitting easier.

Smoking cessation is an important component of LGBT health and wellness. If you need help, join a local support group that specifically focuses on LGBT smoking cessation, try to quit with a friend or partner — do whatever it takes.

Residents can access free support to quit smoking by calling 1-800-QUITNOW. D.C. residents who call this number can get free smoking cessation aids like nicotine gum or patches. Combining nicotine replacement therapy with such a program will double your chances of quitting successfully.

DAVID MARINER is executive director of the DC Center for the LGBT Community.

• 6 BR / 4.5 BA • Stunning hardwoods • Gourmet kitchen • Smart wiring throughout • Stainless steel Energy Star appliances • Backs to Dowden Terrace Park • Quick access to 395 & Mark Center

Why keep renting when you can own LUXUrY for the same price?

To see mo re o f T h Is mag n IfI cenT neW consTrUc TIon home , vIs IT WWW.3827LacYBLvd.com Irene Xenos Licensed Realtor® in VA & MD

RE/MAX By Invitation 4784 Lee Highway Arlington, VA 22207

Cell: (703) 956-0418 Office: (703) 677-8730 Fax: (703) 940-0708

Email: irene.xenos@remax.net Website: irenexenos.com Company Website: www.byinvitationrealty.com

New Price! $864,900

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 2 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DUPONT VICTORIAN TOWNHOUSES SELL FOR $6.5 MILLION The Bediz Group, LLC and Keller Williams Capital Properties are pleased to announce the successful sale of 1508-1512 21st Street NW, a collection of three Victorian townhouses in Dupont Circle, for a total of $6.5M.

1508–1512 21ST STREET NW

The sale comes after a seven month due-diligence and preparation process, along with negotiations with the Sellers and tenants for satisfactory terms necessary for the sale to transpire. The buyers, who wish to remain unnamed for the moment, intend to enrich the already very beautiful and popular neighborhood with luxury housing befitting the elegant historic facades and its location across from embassies and fine hotels. The properties are also less than a block away from the beloved Phillips Collection gallery.

David Bediz, founder of the Bediz Group team at Keller Williams Capital Properties, said of the transaction, “We are thrilled our firm was contracted for the successful sale of the property. We held a gallery-opening style party to announce the listing, along with champagne, custom photography and romantic lighting, plus we did intense market research to show potential buyers what the future could hold for the buildings. Thanks to this multi-pronged sales approach, along with shrewd negotiation and months of planning, we were able to capture the hearts of potential buyers, and then to collect four offers at the same time. As a result, we sold the properties for significantly higher than asking price, which itself was a record number for the offering.”

Bediz, a member of the Boards of Directors for both GCAAR and DCAR, the state- and local-level REALTOR associations, is proud of this sale and his other accomplishments. He and his group have earned top placement in Washingtonian magazine’s 99 best of the region for 2015, CityPaper’s best Agent and best Real Estate Team categories in 2014, and has been nominated as best agent or group in the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay DC categories for three years running. They are also featured in the Wall Street Journal ad placed by RealTRENDS, a real estate tracking company recognized across the country, as a top group in the area. With twelve agents and annual sales expected to increase 50% from last year to $60M, Bediz Group is a well-known and respected real estate company in the heart of Washington, DC. COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? David Bediz can be reached at 202 352 8456 or david@bediz.com.

WWW.BEDIZ.COM MAIN OFFICE: 202 642 1616

1918 18TH STREET NW, COURTYARD SUITE 2 WASHINGTON, DC 20009 I MAIN OFFICE: 202 243 7700

2 4 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M

NOT ALL SUPERHEROES FLY.

SOME WALK OR EVEN RUN TO END HIV.

WWH-018 AIDS Walk Blade Spread Ad.indd 1

9/30/15 11:37 AM

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 2 5

COME IN COSTUME

AND JOIN THE EVERYDAY HEROES!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24!

REGISTER TODAY walktoendhiv.org WWH-018 AIDS Walk Blade Spread Ad.indd 2

9/30/15 11:37 AM

2 6 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M

GREAT PERFORMANCES AT MASON VISIT US AT CFA.GMU.EDU

RIOULT Dance NY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 AT 8 P.M. Over more than two decades this exquisite ensemble has established a sterling reputation for blending breathtakingly beautiful movement with luminous symphonic works by Bach, Ravel, Stravinsky, and Mozart, creating contemporary dance that is truly sublime. They enchanted our audience three seasons ago, and we are very pleased to have them return, this time with an all-Bach program that includes such awe-inspiring works as Views of the Fleeting World, City, Polymorphous, and Celestial Tides. $48, $41, $29

Turtle Island Quartet

The National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China

with special guest Cyrus Chestnut

Jelly, Rags, & Monk SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 AT 8 P.M. Ragtime meets the string quartet for a lively journey through the history of ragtime music in a genre-crossing concert revealing the sweet, soulful connections between the two. Grammy Awardwinning Turtle Island Quartet collaborates with acclaimed jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut to explore ragtime music from its beginnings with the music of Jelly Roll Morton and Scott Joplin to the modern genius of Thelonious Monk. $48, $41, $29

Peking Dreams

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 AT 8 P.M. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 AT 2 P.M. AND 8 P.M. Experience spectacular Chinese circus, acrobatics, and Peking Opera all together! You’ll marvel at the unparalleled grace and the agility, flexibility, and athleticism of these highly trained artists.

With traditional Chinese music, elaborate props, and brightly colored costumes and makeup, it’s a production for all generations! $50, $43, $30 ff

ff = Family Friendly performances that are most suitable for families with younger children

TICKETS

Located on the Fairfax campus, six miles west of Beltway exit 54 at the intersection of Braddock Road and Rt. 123.

888-945-2468 OR CFA.GMU.EDU

PipeSpectacular

2015

Sunday, October 4 5:15 pm Renée Anne Louprette organist

Performing works of Bach, Franck, Vierne and Pamela Decker

Washington National Cathedral

Massachusetts & Wisconsin Aves., NW Free admission & parking Sponsored by Potomac, NOVA & DC Chapters of the American Guild of Organists

WHOLE MAINE LOBSTER

19.95

$

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

www.clydes.com

AVAIL ABLE AT ALL CLYDE’S LO CATIONS, OLD EBBIT T GRILL, THE TOMBS AND THE TOMATO PAL ACE

ARTS

AND

ENTERTAINMENT

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

•

VOLUME

46

•

ISSUE

40

•

OCTOBER

02

2015

•

PAGE

27

Hippo owner CHUCK BOWERS (center, waving) says goodbye to the club’s patrons last week.

PHOTO BY BOB FORD

Iconic Baltimore club closes its doors

By STEVE CHARING An enthusiastic throng amasses just prior to the 9 p.m. opening of the Club Hippo’s dance side for what is billed as “The Grand Finale Dance” on Sept. 26. The first dancers hit the floor almost immediately and a half hour later, the dance floor is crammed as Rick Astley’s “Together Forever” plays. At 12:40 a.m., Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” mix plays to an ear-splitting roar from the crowd with an hour still left to go.

DJ Farrell Maddox, who first worked at the Hippo in the mid-1980s and then returned in 1997, says, “I want the final moment to

be energetic and exciting. That is how I want people to remember the Hippo.”

Maddox had myriad choices for the final song at closing but he settles on the Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men” following a brief tribute to Hippo owner Charles E. “Chuck” Bowers.

Describing Bowers as a good friend, Maddox is touched and honored when he chose him to deejay the grand finale event.

He saluted the venerable Hippo’s past with eclectic music spanning five decades. At its conclusion, the patrons cheer and hug.

After 43 years as a focal point of Baltimore’s LGBT community, a series of “last” events that stretched out over the Hippo’s final days — last bingo, last hiphop night, last women’s night, last dance party and last drag show — lowered

the curtain on Baltimore’s largest and most celebrated gay bar. These special occasions on the dance side afforded opportunities for people to bid their final farewells. The saloon and karaoke areas will close on Saturday, Oct. 3.

To the dismay and disappointment of many in the community, the building is being leased to CVS Health as Bowers, 70, is retiring. On this night, the multigenerational patrons and the employees reflected the paradoxical mood: celebratory yet somber with many in denial about the beloved club’s fate.

The Hippo, which opened on July 7, 1972, was founded by Kenny Elbert and Don Endbinder and featured one of the largest dance floors in the state, a saloon and a video/karaoke bar. During disco’s

heyday, the Hippo flourished with packed crowds dancing to the beats of vintage and newer disco hits on its spacious, sunken, rectangular floor with an overhead disco ball, bathed in glimmering, colorful lights and fog effects. Many of the disco divas performed live throughout the ‘80s.

As musical tastes changed in succeeding years, so did the music and the Hippo’s deejays kept up. DJ Rosie Hicks, who played the music on hip-hop night on Thursdays, says, “As a DJ at Club Hippo for 11-and-a-half years, I know firsthand that losing this venue is an emotional blow to many of us in the community. So many memories have been made inside those walls, and despite our gratitude to Chuck CONTINUES ON PAGE 41

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

2 8 • O CTO B ER 0 2 , 2015

Q U E E RY : 2 0 Q U E ST I O N S F O R O SCA R CE V I LLE

WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

By JOEY DiGULIELMO joeyd@washblade.com For Oscar Ceville’s latest role, he says part of the appeal was getting to play a “bad guy with mustache and all.”

Ceville, a Panama native who’s been in Washington for a decade, says playing Dr. Jorge Ramiro Mendoza in Arena Stage’s current production “Destiny of Desire” has been rewarding.

“Several things attracted me to this project,” he says. “The fact that it was written by Helen Hayes Award-winning playwright Karen Zacarias, the amazing all-Latino cast, the great theater Arena Stage and the play itself.”

Ceville says the piece is a telenovela-inspired play, a popular storytelling form in Latin America.

“It has been an amazing experience to bring this art form on stage and feel the reaction of the audience immediately.”

“Destiny of Desire” runs through Friday, Oct. 18 at Arena’s Mead Center for American Theater (1101 6th St., S.W.). The play opens on a stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico when two baby girls are born, one into a life of privilege and one in poverty. A former beauty queen swaps the two and the stage is set for two outrageous misfortunes that grow into one destiny. Show times and tickets at arenastage.org.

This is Ceville’s Arena debut. He’s been in several productions at Gala Hispanic Theatre and has also appeared at local theaters such as Synetic, Scena, Constellation and more. He’s a company member of Factory 449. By day he works as an environmental specialist at the Organization of American States working on “identifying challenges and opportunities for sustainable development through the monitoring and evaluation of environmental cooperation projects and programs.”

He lives in Dupont Circle with his partner, Arnaud.

202.747.2077

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

Fifteen years. Myself.

Who’s your LGBT hero?

Those who are the face and voice of LGBT rights groups.

What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?

Any place where you can sit outside and have food and drinks with friends. As far as bars go, I’m partial to JR.’s. It’s been a big part of the LGBT community for years and the staff is always friendly.

Describe your dream wedding.

Fun with a lot of dancing.

What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?

Environment

What historical outcome would you change?

The invasion of Panama.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

Will and Jack’s kiss on ‘Will & Grace.’

On what do you insist?

Rosé is making a comeback.

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?

I’ve been sharing photos and reviews of our show “Destiny of Desire,” a heightened and passionate telenovelainspired comedy, it features intense drama, subversive comedy, outrageous plot-twists, passionate relationships, with music and dance. The show runs through Oct. 18th at Arena Stage.

If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“Esssso!”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

People should make their own decisions.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?

Reincarnation

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?

Keep the movement going — we’ll get there.

What would you walk across hot coals for?

My family, but also for a Bacardi and Coke.

What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?

That all we do is party.

What’s your favorite LGBT movie?

“Time to Leave,” “Just a Question of Love” and “Love Songs” are three brilliant small French movies. Also, the Canadian movie “C.R.A.Z.Y.” and the German movie “Free Fall” are great. “Far from Heaven” with Dennis Quaid and Julianne Moore is another.

What’s the most overrated social custom?

In D.C., waiting for a table.

What trophy or prize do you most covet?

An Oscar for Oscar, but I’ll settle for a Helen Hayes.

What do you wish you’d known at 18?

To drive

Why Washington?

Because it’s international, political, artistic, cultural, entertaining and bike-friendly.

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 2 9

Mt. Gilead

old town commons |$745,000 alexandria, va 22314 Farm” Associates, c. 1750.... presented by MaryAshley Rhule“Home with McEnearney Inc.

828 madison street offered at $899,900

Historic 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home on a private & picturesque setting. Rolling pastures, pond, 829 madison street koi pond, perennial gardens, log cabin, offered at $939,900 3-stall barn.

An enchanting property just minutes away from Historic Leesburg.

10 Reasons why Old Town Commons is a GREAT place to live:

t Beautiful new construction homes with open floor plans, garage parking and private roof terraces t 4 Blocks to the Braddock Metro Station; 3 stops to DC

5 Blocks to Potomac River and Mount Vernon Trail Blueridget Mountain

$725,000 Architectural Gem –t Situated on ten “Old Fashioned” neighborhood feel private acres with breathtaking views oftownhouse “crawls” t Regular neighborhood Playgrounds, Public Tennis Courts - all 8 Blocks or less mountains, valleys, and ttheParks, Shenandoah t Charles Houston Recreation Center across the street with swimming pool and gym River. State-of-the-art windows and t The Braddock Road Redevelopment - all new retail, restaurants, and residential units skylights. Wonderful year-round residence or unique weekend retreat.

Easy commuter corridors. t 7 Blocks to King Street

t Amazing restaurants, bars and shops all within a few blocks

St. Louis Rd.

$1,149,000 Historic “Temple Farm” c. 1720, Elegantly renovated in 2014. Home sits on 13 acres of beautiful vistas and a winding creek. Move in ready.

Available to be seen by appointment, please call Christy Hertel

860.214.7474

Old Town Alexandria’s living at its finest!

703-624-6283

chertel@mcenearney.com www.ChristyHertel.com Licensed Agent VA & DC Top Producer maryashleyrealestate.com Gilda Montel marhule@McEnearney.com 540-454-1022 860 . 214 . 7474 gmontel@mcenearney.com

MaryAshley Rhule

109 S Pitt Street

Alexandria, VA 22314 107 N. King Street 703.549.9292 7 W.

Leesburg, VA McEnearney.com

20176

Washington Street Middleburg, VA 20118

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

3 0 • O CTO B ER 0 2 , 2015

THEATER

PHOTO BY COURTNEY KALBACKER; COURTESY OF URBANARIAS

LUIS ALEJANDRO OROZCO and ASHLEY CUTRIGHT in ‘As One,’ a contemporary opera about the plight of a transgender woman.

Contemporary D.C. outfit explores trans experience in new production

By PATRICK FOLLIARD Don’t like opera? UrbanArias may change that. For five years, the local company has been making buffs out of the unconvinced with short, contemporary and relevant operas.

“I want to be a gateway to convert people into fans,” says UrbanArias’ out founder Robert Wood. “I want them to know what is so compelling about the human voice unamplified. What is stirring about being in a black box theater so close to the performers that you don’t only hear them you feel their voices resonate in your own rib cage.”

For many, length and language are opera’s biggest turnoffs, Wood says. In response, UrbanArias insists the works it produces be short (defined loosely as the length of a feature film — about 90 minutes) and they must be performed in English. (“Even with supertitles, people are turned by foreign language,” Wood says).

Their operas are less than 40 years old, and relevant. The story must be compelling and the music beautiful and accessible.

The company’s current offering is out composer Laura Kaminsky’s “As One,” a timely chamber opera about self discovery told through the journey of Hannah, who is transgender. The protagonist Hannah is sung in two voices — Hannah Before (baritone Luis Alejandro Orozco) and Hannah After (mezzo soprano Ashley Cutright). In 15 songs, the three-part narrative follows Hannah’s experiences from her youth in

a small town to her college years on the West Coast, and finally to Norway.

Commissioned by American Opera Projects, “As One” premiered last year at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Its co-librettists are Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed, whose documentary “Prodigal Sons” traces her own transition from high school quarterback to woman who makes films.

Kaminsky initially reached out to Reed to do video design only. But when experienced librettist Campbell joined the project, he invited Reed to also cowrite with him.

“It actually wasn’t such a big leap from filmmaking, especially the way Mark writes — unadorned and truthful,” Reed says. “Some of the lyrics began with a grain of biographical truth but it was important for us to leave my story behind and fictionalize the libretto to make it something universal. For instance, we included violence against trans women.

Not my experience, but something that needed to be told.”

Campbell, who wrote the libretto for the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Silent Night,” says collaborating with Reed was a smart decision.

“I really didn’t know if I’d get the transgender experience right. I’m a gay man but that doesn’t mean I’d automatically understand Hannah’s story. Looking back I can see that I was getting a lot wrong at first. Kim added a lot of realness to the story. I learned so much working with her.”

Campbell and Reed also made a defined resolution to tell an accessible story.

“Some people are terrified of contemporary opera, and because it’s sometimes pretentious, they have every right to be,” Campbell says. “We wanted to tell a story to which people could relate.

Also, the music is tonal and rhythmic with some beautiful vocal lines. A visible string quartet plays off to the side.”

And the team was adamant in not presenting a ‘50s film version of the transgender experience. While Hannah understands the seriousness of her journey, she is not a tortured person. Her experience isn’t exclusively about pain.

She can make fun of herself.

“Her journey isn’t unlike all of ours,” Campbell says. “We all have to give up something of ourselves to move on. Hannah’s recognizing her authentic self is something every queer person can understand. “ In creating UrbanArias, Wood, a D.C.based music conductor who freelances around the country, wanted to do something fulfilling and meaningful close to home.

And he wanted it to be different. He felt that interpreting what big regional houses do but on a smaller scale would only invite unfavorable comparisons. So far critics have responded positively and funding from local foundations has been good.

Wood concedes that among opera goers there will always be traditionalists who only want to see Puccini, Mozart and Verde.

“But for those who’ve seen various contemporary things along the way and are curious to see a little more,” he says.

“We can serve it to them beautifully done in a smaller portion.”

Past seasons have featured gay composer Rick Ian Gordon’s “Orpheus and Euridice,” and “Green Sneakers,” and the world premier of Gregory Spears’ “Paul’s Case,” based on a short story by lesbian novelist Willa Cather about a bored gay boy who steals money from his industrialist father and runs away.

While he describes Kaminsky’s score as beautiful and embracing opera, Wood says “past productions have had feet

planted firmly in a crossover genre like blues-infused opera, and musical theater, things purists in other opera houses would shy away from.”

“Also,” he says, “UrbanArias casts well.

I’ve spent the last 15 years conducting around the country over, and I’ve made a lot of friends. This allows us to have talented, known singers in our productions. And we pay pretty well too.”

In preparing to sing the part of Hannah after, Cutright joined a transgender chat room.

“I didn’t have any close trans friends and I wanted to get is right,” she says.

“The trans people I met were excited and supportive and forthcoming with experiences and perspectives.”

In the early stages of rehearsal, Cutright spent time grappling with her character’s physicality.

“I wasn’t sure how to move as Hannah.

I’ve been cast in a lot of trousers roles which means I play young teenage boys.

So I’ve had to walk like a guy, whatever that means. After some thought, I came to Hannah’s story is about somebody who is forced to be who she’s not. And they just want to be who they really are, so I relaxed and ended up moving like myself.”

Hannah is equal parts realist and optimist, says Cutright.

“She goes to Norway to see the Northern Lights and when they don’t appear, she realizes even the most natural things in the world aren’t going to appear just because I want them to, and she moves on. I love that about her.”

‘AS ONE’ Oct. 3-10 UrbanArias Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H St., N.E. $29.50 202-399-7993 Urbanarias.org

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 3 1

AwArd-winning Townhome Condos reAdy now - Close To everyThing!

3BR, 2½BA Townhome Condominiums from the Low $300’s • Commuter’s dream just off I-95 and within walking distance to the VRE Park & Ride • Short walk to the River’s edge and Old Town Occoquan, offering a variety of quaint shops and eateries • Close to all the shopping, dining and entertainment at Potomac Mills and the new Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center • Immediate Deliveries Available!

Tour 3 Decorated Models • Open 11-6 Daily • 703.497.8501 PotomacCrest@BasheerAndEdgemoore.com To Visit: From I-495, take I-95 S to exit 160 (VA-123 N). Left on Old Bridge Rd. Right on Occoquan Rd. Left on Lotte Drive to Models on the left.

Brokers Warmly Welcome.

1BR/1BA DC CONDO in Amenity-Filled Building

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

32 • OCT OB E R 02, 2015

• Spacious and sunny 8th floor unit!

• Living room with 12’ ceilings and wall of glass opens to balcony overlooking National Cathedral!

• Updated kitchen with granite & breakfast bar!

• Large bedroom with huge walk-in closet and spacious bathroom!

• Hardwood floors under carpeting throughout! Loads of storage!

• Condo includes parking space and extra storage!

NOW OFFERED FOR $455,000 www.3101NewMexicoAveNWUnit823.com

MID-CENTURY MODERN in Falls Church’s Lake Barcroft!

O U T & A BO U T

By MARIAH COOPER

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLY-LIFE INC.

Shake your bon-bon with Ricky Grammy winner Ricky Martin performs his “One World Tour” at EagleBank Arena (4400 University Dr., Fairfax, Va.) on Friday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.

Martin will perform a blend of his classic hits as well as songs from his latest album “A Quien Quiera Escuchar.” Puerto Rican reggae musician Wisin from reggae duo Wisin and Yandel will open for Martin. Tickets range from $40.50126. Doors open at 7 p.m.

For more details, visit eaglebankarena.com.

NOVA Pride is this weekend

NOW OFFERED FOR $799,900 Ask about our $3,000 buyer’s bonus! www.3801WhisperingLn.com PHOTO BY AUSTIN YOUNG

LISA DUBOIS|Broker|Owner

703.350.9595 lisa@chrissyandlisa.com chrissyandlisa.com RE/MAX by invitation 703.677.8730

Queer T-shirt lecture at Hillwood Hillwood Museum (4155 Linnean Ave., N.W.) presents Queer Self-Fashioning, a lecture and reception, on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Queer scholar Jonathan Katz will discuss the LGBT community’s use of fashion in its activism. Katz will also delve into the queer T-shirt and how it has been used in LGBT activism politics in the 1980s and ‘90s. General admission is $35. Hillwood member tickets are $20. Katz co-curated the controversial “Hide/Seek” exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in 2010.

For more details, visit hillwoodmuseum.org.

• 4-5br/3ba contemporary!

• Fully-renovated kitchen opens to main-level family room!

• Floor to ceiling windows!

• Spacious wrap-around deck!

• Lower-level catering kitchen; 3 fireplaces; 2-car garage!

• Welcoming community just minutes from DC, Tysons, and Arlington offers year-round vacation living!

#2 RE/MAX Agent in the Central Atlantic Region Top 1% Nationwide

PHOTO COURTESY OF HILLWOOD

Cho returns to D.C. on current tour Comedian Margaret Cho brings her “psyCHO” tour to Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Friday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. in support of Brother, Help Thyself.

Brother is selling 100 tickets for $87.50 each. Funds raised will go toward the organization’s annual grant-making efforts. Guests who purchase tickets through Brother Help Thyself will also have the chance to meet Cho before the show.

For more information, visit brotherhelpthyself.net.

Northern Virginia Pride is at Bull Run Special Events Center (7700 Bull Rn., Centreville, Va.) on Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon-9 p.m.

The festival includes performances

by Billy Win,, Tristan Schack, Goodnite Neverlanda, Lady Taij, Manuex and more.

There will also be a late night dance party with DJ Lemz playing music for the night.

Activities for family and kids include a landing of a Fairfax One Helicopter at 1 p.m., Giant Jenga, inflatable bowling, face painting, a Frisbee toss and more.

More than 80 business and community vendors will be on site. The event is free and pet friendly.

For more information, visit novapride.org.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

FI L M

OC T OB E R 02, 2015 • 33

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROADSIDE PRODUCTIONS

JEREMY IRVINE as Danny, a fictional character, in ‘Stonewall.’ The film has drawn ire for many creative decisions.

WORLD PRE M I E R E

Queer history reduced to stale cliches in muddled film

By BRIAN T. CARNEY Sadly, for once the trailer got it right.

In “Stonewall,” Roland Emmerich’s disaster of a movie about the heavily mythologized 1969 riots, it is indeed the fictional white teen Danny Winters (Jeremy Irvine) who saves the day and throws the legendary first brick.

And that’s just one of the many missteps in this mess of a movie that opens Friday, Sept. 25 at the Landmark Cinemas and AFI Silver.

The central problem with “Stonewall” is the muddled screenplay. Credited to openly gay TV and stage writer Jon Robin Baitz (“Brother & Sisters” and “Other Desert Cities”), it’s based on a detailed outline by openly gay director Emmerich (“Independence Day,” “2012” and “The Day After Tomorrow”). Although the scenario was inspired by his shock at the contemporary plight of homeless LGBT youth and his interest in the role of “street kids” in the Stonewall riots, Emmerich’s framework relies on recycled Hollywood plot devices instead of the amazing stories of the heroic rioters who converged on the Stonewall Inn and the historic activists who later led New York’s first Gay Pride Parade. Baitz’s narrative is clunky and poorly paced and the dialogue is simply laughable, with groaners like Danny’s climactic line “I can’t love you. I’m too mad to love anyone right now.”

Danny’s story starts out in a small town in Indiana. He’s on the football team and has won a scholarship to Columbia University, but his father (who’s also the football coach) is worried by his aloof behavior and sensitive manners. Coach

Winters’ suspicions are well-founded.

Danny is caught having sex with Joe (Karl Glusman), the team’s quarterback, in a lover’s lane that’s not quite secluded enough. Danny is expelled from Indiana and takes the bus to New York City.

Upon his arrival at Christopher Street, Danny is befriended by Ray (the blazing Jonny Beauchamp in a triumphant big screen debut) and his rag-tag multicultural band of street kids who steal and turn tricks to survive. They’re a colorful bunch, loosely inspired by actual people, a queer band of 1960s Dickensian outcasts complete with sad back stories, snappy come-ons and a stylish genderbending sense of fashion.

Ray (scrawny, androgynous, Latin) of course, burns with unrequited love for the beefy blond Midwestern hunk. Danny, however, loses his heart to Trevor (Jonathan Rhys Myers), the timid, pale activist whose political and sexual infidelity ultimately drives Danny to throw the brick that starts the riots. Besides reinforcing the gender stereotypes that the Stonewall rioters were fighting against (men and women were being arrested for wearing clothes that did not conform to their assigned gender), this trite triangle also underscores the confused political sensibilities of the movie.

Throughout the film, Ray and his friends mock Trevor and his follow activists. During the riot, Danny leads the crowd in chanting “Gay Power” in direct opposition to Trevor and his Mattachine Society comrades who organize under the banner “Gay Is Good.” Yet the movie ends with shots of the entire cast joining in the gay Pride parade which has been organized by those despised activists, and with titles that celebrate their hardwon political victories. � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

Kate Eastwood Norris.

ANIMAL B Y C LAR E LI ZZI M OR E DI R ECTED B Y G AY E TAY LOR UP CHUR CH NOW PL AYI NG A darkly comic play about the underside of domesticity, the complexity of the brain in chaos, and the thin line between sinking and survival.

S T U DI OTHEATR E.OR G

Logan 14 saLon spa/med spa haircuts, body waxing, laser hair removal

1314B 14th St. NW WDC 20005 • 202.506.6868 • Logan14salonspa.com

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

3 4 • O CTO B ER 0 2 , 2015

A RT S & CU LT U RE

HOT HITS & HIDDEN JEWELS From CultureCapital.com YOUR LINK TO THE ARTS IN METRO D.C.

texts&beheadings/ElizabethR Thru Oct 4. Folger Theatre.

202-544-7077. folger.edu.

Four actresses portray the resilient queen in this compelling, multilingual drama, which uses Elizabeth’s own words to reveal her wit, courage, and extraordinary love of her people. Part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival.

Edmar Castaneda Oct 2. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

301-405-2787. claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

A master at realizing beautiful complexities of time while skillfully drawing out lush colors and dynamic spirit, Castaneda’s talent, versatility and charisma have taken the harp out of the shadows and helped him become one of the most original musicians in jazz today.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Oct 6-Oct 25. Kennedy Center.

202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org.

Follow the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom-from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

After Hours At The Kreeger Museum Oct 2. Kreeger Museum.

202-337-3050. kreegermuseum.org.

An exclusive and delightful art and jazz soiree with Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Cézanne, and special test rides in the Tesla Model S offered by Tesla Motors.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOLGER THEATRE

Get Out More!

THEATRE Cake Off. Thru Nov 22.

Signature Theatre. 703-820-9771. signature-theatre.org.

Chimerica. Thru Oct 18. Animal. Thru Oct 25. Studio Theatre. 202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org.

Women Laughing Alone With Salad.

Thru Oct 4. Woolly Mammoth.

202-393-3939. woollymammoth.net.

YERMA (Barren). Thru Oct 4. GALA Hispanic Theatre. 202-234-7174. galatheatre.org.

Queens Girl in the World. Thru Oct 11.

Theater J. 202-518-9400. theaterj.org.

Kyle Dunnigan. Oct 7. Creative Collab Tour feat. Matthew Espinosa, Brandon Bowen & Chris Miles. Oct 6. Howard Theatre. 202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com.

Ironbound. Round House Theatre.

240-644-1100. roundhousetheatre.org.

Bad Dog. Thru Oct 25. Olney Theatre.

301-924-3400. olneytheatre.org.

Shear Madness. Ongoing.

Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org.

Cool Cow Comedy: Lucas Bohn. Oct 3.

Workhouse Arts Center. 703-584-2900. workhousearts.org.

The Guard. Thru Oct 18. Ford’s Theatre.

800-982-2787. fords.org.

DANCE Taurus Broadhurst Dance. Oct 2.

Clarice Smith at Joe’s Movement Emporium. 301-405-2787. claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

RebollarDance. Oct 3-Oct 4. Dance Place. 202-269-1600. danceplace.org.

MUSIC Pablo Ziegler Quartet for New Tango.

Oct 4. National Gallery of Art. 202-737-4215. nga.gov.

Christylez Bacon & Lily Neill. Oct 7.

Strathmore. 301-581-5100. strathmore.org.

Hamilton Leithauser. Oct 2. New Orchestra of Washington. Oct 3. Blue Highway. Oct 4. Michael Chapman and Riley Walker. Oct 8. AMP. 301-581-5100. ampbystrathmore.com.

WNO: Carmen. Thru Oct 3. NSO: Ludovic Morlot, conductor: Miloa Karadaglic, classical guitar. Oct 8-Oct 10. NSO: Donald Runnicles, conductor: Olga Peretyatko, soprano. Thru Oct 3.

Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org.

Lucinda Williams and Buick 6. Oct 7.

GW Lisner Auditorium. 202-994-6800. lisner.gwu.edu.

Cécile McLorin Salvant. Oct 3. WPA. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.

202-785-9727. washingtonperformingarts.org.

Virginia Opera: Orpheus in the Underworld. Oct 3-Oct 4. GMU Center for the Arts. 888-945-2468. cfa.gmu.edu.

Darius Jones and Emilie Lesbros: LE BÉBÉ DE BRIGITTE (Lost in Translation).

Oct 3. Atlas. 202-399-7993. atlasarts.org.

Harlem Gospel Choir. Oct 4. Big Daddy Kane & Rakim. Oct 8. Howard Theatre.

202-803-2899. thehowardtheatre.com.

Shenson Chamber Music Concert: Bella Hristova. Oct 7. Museum of Women in the Arts. 202-783-5000. nmwa.org.

Hot Sardines. Oct 3. KellyLee Evans.

Oct 4. BlackRock. 240-912-1058. blackrockcenter.org.

ASO: The Fantastic. Oct 3. Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. 703-548-0885. schlesingercenter.com.

Wagner’s Rienzi – A Concert Opera. Oct 3. National Philharmonic. Strathmore.

301-581-5100. nationalphilharmonic.org.

An Evening with Pianist Helen Sung.

Oct 5. Arts Club of Washington.

202-331-7282. artsclubofwashington.org.

Marc-André Hamelin, piano. Oct 4. Clarice Smith. 301-405-2787. claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

Saul Kaye in Concert. Oct 3. JCCNV. 703-537-3000. jccnv.org.

Aleksey Semeneneko, violin; Inna Firsova, piano. Oct 6-Oct 7. The Embassy Series. Embassy of Ukraine.

202-625-2361. embassyseries.org.

MUSEUMS National Gallery of Art. Vermeer’s ‘Woman in Blue Reading a Letter’ from the Rijksmuseum. Thru Dec 1. The Serial Impulse at Gemini G.E.L.. Oct 4-Feb 7.

202-737-4215. nga.gov.

National Archives. Spirited Republic. Thru Jan 10. 202-357-5000. archivesfoundation.org.

Museum of Women in the Arts.

Vanessa Bell’s Hogarth Press Designs.

Thru Nov 13. 202-783-5000. nmwa.org.

Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. How the Civil War Changed Washington. Thru Nov 15. 202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu.

National Geographic. Indiana Jones.

Thru Jan 3. 202-857-7000. nglive.org.

Sandy Spring Museum. Two for One. 301-774-0022. sandyspringmuseum.org.

GALLERIES Strathmore. Women Chefs: Artists in the Kitchen. Thru Nov 8. 301-581-5100. strathmore.org.

The Art League Gallery. Sheila Harrington. Oct 8-Nov 1. 703-683-1780. theartleague.org.

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall. Oil Paintings by Ann Schlesinger. Thru Nov 8. 703-845-6156. schlesingercenter.com.

Arts Club of Washington. October 2015 Art Exhibition. Oct 2-Oct 31.

202-331-7282. artsclubofwashington.org.

WPA at 1200 First St. NE. Lobby Project: David Bellard. Thru Nov 27. wpadc.org.

District Architecture Center. Nature in the Walkable City. Thru Oct 3.

202-347-9403. aiadac.com.

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 3 5

PFLAG promotes the equality and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, their families and friends through:

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

36 • OC T OB E R 02, 2015

• Support to cope with an adverse society.

• Education to enlighten an ill-informed public.

• Advocacy to end discrimination and secure equal civil rights.

DINING

Trained facilitators lead the Arlington Support Group and confidentiality is maintained. For further information about the Arlington Support Group, contact us at arl.pflag@gmail.com.

Our groups meet on the second Sunday of each month, from 3 – 4:30pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, at George Mason Drive & Route 50.

A.L.Y. is a group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning Youth and Allies in grades 7-12. Our goal is to give LGBTQ youth a safe place to gather. Trained facilitators lead the youth group. Confidentiality maintained. For more info, contact: aly.pflagdc@gmail.com.

Our Washington DC Chapter of PFLAG may be reached at 202-638-3852.

PHOTO COURTESY OF D.C. VEGFEST

Vegan barbecue, one of many tasty options that will be available at D.C. VegFest this weekend.

Georgetown Smile Welcomes New Patients

Accepting Most Dental Insurances Evening & Saturday Hours Available

FREE CONSULTATION

$99*

Dr. A.J. Peretz

Regular Cleaning, X-Rays & Consultation $269 Value

4400 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Ste. 200 • Washington, DC 20007

Gays prominent in meatless circles

By KRISTEN HARTKE

202.333.0003 • GeorgetownSmile.com

It can sometimes be pretty tough to go meatless here in the DMV. Vegetarians are accustomed to cobbling together meals out of the side dishes on restaurant menus (who doesn’t want a meal of mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach, and, uh, french fries?), and vegans, well, they get the house salad.

Luckily, a few restaurants have stepped up to the plate, like Equinox, which has been experimenting with plant-based fine dining for several years, including a wildly popular vegan brunch, and 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church just debuted its eight-course vegetarian tasting menu; vegans across the area are also breathlessly following the Indigogo campaign to raise funding for a new vegan diner concept, slated to open on H St., N.E., by Sticky Fingers Bakery owner Doron Petersen.

In the meantime, there’s D.C. VegFest, a day-long celebration of all things meatless at Yards Park on Saturday, A D V E R T I Oct. S I N 3, G which P R O will O F bring 15,000 of both ISSUE DATE: SALES REPRESENTATIVE: the faithful and the curious together to sample everything from nutmilk cheese REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of to jackfruit barbecue. For a vegan like the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts NS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is Shawn Byers, D.C. VegFest is an eagerly responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users GN ATTORNEY AT LAW can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or EVISIONS anticipated event each year. any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair /LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, “I love not having to ask, ‘What does SERVING OUR COMMUNITY or any other right of any person or entity.

Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE SIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the this but have in it?,’” says Byers. He knows the FOR 33 YEARS liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties. festival is one of the few places where he PERSONAL INJURY • PROBATE doesn’t have to worry about eggs or dairy WILLS/ POA’s • CIVIL LITIGATION products sneaking into the ingredient list.

CONSERVATORSHIPS • GUARDIANSHIPS When Byers and husband Mike O’Sullivan agreed to take on a friend’s 30day vegan challenge back in 2012, they had no idea that they would keep up with 2141 P STREET NW SUITE 103 the dietary change, but have embraced it WASHINGTON DC 20037 wholeheartedly, experimenting with a wide E-MAIL steveweinbergdc@aol.com variety of dairy-free recipes at home. They LICENSED IN DC, MD AND VA see D.C. VegFest as a place where they can *Call office for details. Expires 12.10.2015. Reserved Parking

Steve Weinberg 202-861-0077

ADVERTISING ISSUE DATE: 10.02.15

SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JERYL PARADE (jparade@washblade.com)

PROOF

explore new products, food trucks and restaurants, especially, as Byers says, “The vegan versions of foods you would think you could never have again,” such as creamfilled cannoli and fried “chicken” sliders.

But for some people, like this year’s D.C. VegFest emcee, Jane Velez-Mitchell, an animal rights activist and journalist, the event is about much more than food.

Citing heart disease, climate change and global hunger as issues all variously connected to the meat industry, VelezMitchell says, “Attending VegFest is the most important thing anyone can do because meat production is the most destructive industry in our world today.”

To take it a step further, she also sees animal rights as an issue that should resonate with the LGBT community.

“As a lesbian and an animal activist, I see tremendous commonalities between the struggle for LGBTQ rights and the struggle for animal rights,” she says.

“Until recent times, the grievances of gay Americans were ignored or treated with contempt by mainstream media, the courts and society at large. We, in the gay community, know what it’s like to have our suffering trivialized and mocked.” � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM D.C. VegFest 2015 takes place on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Yards Park, corner of N and 1st streets, S.E. The dog-friendly event is free and open to the public; the first 1,000 attendees get a free 2015 commemorative D.C. VegFest tote bag loaded with vegetarian-friendly products and coupons. Highlights include a vegetarian cooking demonstration by the owners of Philadelphia’s renowned Vedge Restaurant; presentations by Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary and ultra-endurance athlete Rich Roll; over 20 food vendors, including Vegan Treats, Woodlands Vegan Bistro, Equinox Restaurant, Vegetable Garden, Ape Man Foods, and Better Batch Vegan Goodies; and a beer garden sponsored by Busboys & Poets. More information is available at dcvegfest.com.

KRISTEN HARTKE is a DC-based food writer and editor; follow her kitchen adventures on Twitter: @khartke.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

BO OK S

OC T OB E R 02, 2015 • 37

IMAGE COURTESY OF W.W. NORTON

Funny, catty book explores American tastes and trends

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER has been reading since she was 3 years old. She lives in Wisconsin with two dogs and 12,000 books. Reach her at bookwormsez@yahoo.com.

Veronica Lake had her “peek-a-boo.”

Jackie O loved her pearls. Mary Quant made a teeny-weeny mini, perfect for the twiggy body of Twiggy. Kate Moss was waifish, Joan Collins pushed our shoulders out to there and JLo and Nikki push the envelope every chance they get.

So what’s your style? Dress up, dress down or, as Cintra Wilson says in her new book “Fear and Clothing,” is fashion dictated by where you live?

Oh, what to wear, what to wear?

Deciding, says Cintra Wilson, is a little like “portable feng-shui, right on your body.” Clothes cover, costume, decorate, indicate personality, point at politics and speak volumes to fashion watchers and journalists like Wilson, a freelance fashion critic for the New York Times whose work and an “absorbing curiosity” take her from runway to retail stores.

For this book, she traveled to places around the U.S. — both familiar and new to her — to report about style in various “belts.”

In San Francisco, “The Macramé Belt” where Wilson grew up, she notes that the city is “one of the few places … where a person really can create a fantasy avatar … and live in that costume full-time.”

People come to San Francisco, she says, to “change the sex of their clothes, or to change their sex altogether.”

In “The Beltway” of Washington, D.C.,

she writes that conservatism in dress for both men and women is almost mandatory in power circles. In Utah (“The Chastity Belt”), she attended a major, star-filled film festival, an experience that clashed with observations of the women from the Yearning for Zion ranch.

In “The Frost Belt” (Wyoming), she falls in love with Western wear. In Miami (“The Sand Belt”), she notices that naked equals fashion-forward. She goes high-power shopping in “The Star Belt” of Los Angeles, high-hatted in “The Bourbon Belt” of Kentucky, high-brow in “The Futility Belt” of UPCOMING PERFORMANCES Brooklyn, and notes “markedly different” body types in “The Butter Belt” of Iowa.

No matter where you live, Wilson says, your closet should be filled with things that are an “expression of who you really are.” Fashion should be a “joyful and FRIDAY OCT 2 important … way to empower yourself.”

And those comments, made early on, are interesting, although there are many instances in this book where author Cintra Wilson seems to ignore them. But more on that in a minute; first, I must say that “Fear and Clothing” is funny — laugh-out-loud funny sometimes, in SUNDAY OCT 4 a way that makes you wish you could hang out THURS, OCT 8 and people watch with her.

ADVERTISING ALO W/ FRUITION Which brings me to what made me PROOF #1book can be ISSUE DATE: 10.02.15 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JERYL PARADE (jparade@washblade.com) wince: while humorous, this SAT, OCT 10 unkind, too, particularly when examining NEWMYER FLYER PRESENTS REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of A JOHN LENNON BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE: proof.

Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the fashion sense of peopleREVISIONS with arguably the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimediaAND llc (dba SOLO the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is BEATLES YEARS unsophisticated tastes. Wilson even responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users REDESIGN can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any acknowledges that she’ll be TEXT taken to task MON, OCTpatent, 12 trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair copyright, IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, for writing those barb-filled words, but or anyFRIEDMAN’S other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE KINKY NO REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contr that self chiding doesn’t minimize them.

“LONELIEST MANdamages, I EVER claims, MET” orTOUR liability, loss, causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is n by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule.

W/ BRIAN MOLNAR and warranties.

Still, Wilson generally speaks the AVAILABLE NOW THRU OCT. 31 language of seasoned fashionistas, and TUES, OCT 13 it’s good. If you love that, you love wit NOW THRU OCT. 31: EVERY SAT. @ NOON JOHN GRANT W/ VILLAGERS and you can overlook the snark, then you WED, OCT 14 NEW DATE!! might need this book.

LIVE

LEE RITENOUR YACHT ROCK REVUE

Oktoberfest Menu

THE TAJ MAHAL TRIO

‘FEAR AND CLOTHING: UNBUCKLING AMERICAN STYLE’

By Cintra Wilson W.W. Norton $27.95 336 pages

Spanferkel

Roast suckling pig, two sides, apfelstrudel & 1L of Oktoberfest bier. $35.

M-Th 11:30aM-10pM • F-SaT 11:30aM-11pM Sun. brunch 11aM-3pM / dinner 3-10pM

322 MaSS. ave. ne • 202.543.7656

THEHAMILTONDC.COM

caFeberlin-dc.coM

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

3 8 • O CTO B ER 0 2 , 2015

CA LE N D A R thedccenter.org.

Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) holds a support group for gay black men to discuss topics that affect them, share perspectives and have meaningful conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6

PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS; COURTESY OF THE KENNEDY CENTER

‘Beautiful: the Carole King Musical’ opens at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 25.

E-mail calendar items to calendars@washblade. com two weeks prior to your event. Space is limited so priority is given to LGBT-specific events or those with LGBT participants. Recurring events must be re-submitted each time.

TODAY Busboys and Poets celebrates its 10year anniversary at its Brookland location (625 Monroe St., N.E.) tonight from 6:30 p.m.-midnight. Activists Alice Walker and Angela Davis will be the special guests.

There will also be performances by DJ Ayes Cold, DJ NativeSun and Chelsey Green. Tickets are $75 for access to the early reception at 6:30 p.m. as well as the party. The reception will give guests the chance to mingle with the night’s special guests while enjoying an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. The main party is at 8 p.m. and tickets are $45. There will be an open bar, light hors d’oeuvres, drumming and other entertainment. For more details, visit busboysandpoets.com.

Gay District meets at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The facilitated group discussion covers building understanding of gay culture and personal identity and awareness of community events for LGBT men between the ages of 18-35 in the D.C. area. For more details, visit thedccenter. org or gaydistrict.org.

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) holds a transgender support group meeting tonight at 7 p.m. The group is open to all members of the transgender community as well as their partners, friends and allies to join in on a peer-

facilitated discussion. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 3 Taste of Bethesda, a food and music festival, is today from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Woodmont Triangle featuring more than 50 restaurants and five stages of entertainment. New restaurants Gusto Italian Grill, Noodles and Company, Urban Heights and Villain and Saint will also be featured. Entertainment ranges from bluegrass and reggae to indie-pop and folk-pop. Admission is free. Tickets will be sold on site to taste different foods. Tickets are $5 for four tickets and a serving costs one to four tickets. For more details, visit bethesda.org.

D.C. Rawhides present Town and Country at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight at 6:45 p.m. Dance lessons will be for the two-step, line dancing, waltz and west coast swing. Doors open at 6 p.m. Open dance is from 8-10:30 p.m. Cover is $5 and includes the dance lesson and admission for a night at Town. For more information, visit facebook.com/dcrawhides.

Adult star Jake Bass will make an appearance at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. Cover is $12. The drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Select guests will receive a Jake Bass fleshlight. For more details, visit towndc.com.

Violinist Taylor Davis performs at Jammin Java (227 Maple Ave., E Vienna, Va.) tonight at 7 p.m. Davis became popular after her YouTube channel “Violintay” received millions of hits. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. There is

a full dinner and drink menu available. For more information, visit jamminjava.com.

The sold-out Human Rights Campaign National Dinner is at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mt Vernon Pl., N.W.) tonight. The keynote speaker will be Vice President Joe Biden.

There will also be musical performances

by A Great Big World, Carly Rae Jepsen and Futuristic. For more details, visit hrcnationaldinner.org.

SUNDAY, OCT. 4 Comedian and actress Mo’nique brings her stand-up charity show “Beats of Laughter” to DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m Tickets range from $55-105. For more information, visit dar.org/constitution-hall.

The Takoma Park Street Festival is from Carroll Avenue to Carroll Street today from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be about 200 vendors booths, 18 bands, 20 food vendors and children’s activities. The Crawl, a bar crawl, will also take place with attendees able to purchase a Takoma beer mug for access to drink specials at bars and restaurants in the area. For more details, visit mainstreettakoma.org.

MONDAY, OCT. 5 The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W..) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. through Oct. 25. The play chronicles King’s rise to fame. Her hit songs such as “I Feel the Earth Move,” “One Fine Day” and “You’ve Got a Friend” will also be performed. Tickets range from $39-175. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

“Edie Beale Live at Reno Sweeney” is at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight and Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. Jeffrey Johnson stars as “Little Edie” Beale of “Grey Gardens” and recreates her cabaret act at Reno Sweeney Nightclub in New York City from 1978. Tickets are “pay what you can” but there is a suggested donation of $10.

The upstairs bar will be open for attendees before and after the show. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 7 Gay singer Stewart Lewis performs an acoustic happy hour at the Sky Bar at the Beacon Hotel (1615 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. For more information, visit stewartlewis.com.

Out poet (and Blade contributor) Kathi Wolfe will read from her work at Pratt Library (400 Cathedral Street, Baltimore) on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. along with poets David Eberhardt and Gregg Mosson. They will also have a Q&A panel as well. It’s free to attend.

Big Gay Book Group meets at 1155 F St., N.W., suite 200 tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson, a story about twins Jude and Noah who were once close but stop speaking to one another. For more details, visit biggaybookgroup.com or email biggaybookgroup@hotmail.com.

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social bridge. No partner needed. For more information, call 301-345-1571.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8 Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.) tonight from 6-8 p.m. Volunteers will chop vegetables and pack groceries. To volunteer, email jonathan@burgundycrescent.org.

For more details, visit burgundycrescent.org.

SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts Women’s Leadership Institute, a group for LBT women and their straight allies ages 13-21 to discuss female sexuality, relationships and women’s rights today from 5-7 p.m.

For more information, visit smyal.org.

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 3 9

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

4 0 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

P H O T O S BY T Y LE R G RI G SBY

Reel Affirmations celebrated the 25th anniversary of the book and film, ‘Paris is Burning’ at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum on Sept. 25. Rayceen Pendarvis of the ‘Ask Rayceen’ show served as emcee.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

A R T S & EN TE RTA I NMENT

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 4 1

Hippo was home to many charitable efforts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

for sharing it with us for so long, we will all miss it terribly.”

For some, the Hippo was a life changer.

Paul Hummel, the karaoke host from 2010 to 2012 as well as a customer, says, “It was the happiest job I’ve ever had.

It’s where I went when I first came out.

It’s where I learned to be comfortable and proud to be me. It’s where I met the love of my life. If any one place sums up my gay experience, it will always be the Hippo. That place changed my life.”

The club’s historic significance was also remembered.

“The Hippo is the only bar in Baltimore that gave space and support events as varied as lesbian musical theater, drag pageants, leather contests, fundraisers for LGBT organizations, AIDS service providers, Pride festivals and the Baltimore Justice Campaign’s civil rights triumphs,” says Louise Parker Kelley, author of the recently released pictorial chronicle “LGBT Baltimore.”

Indeed, Bowers, who bought the Hippo in 1978 and the building itself in 2005,

donated sizable amounts of money to LGBT non-profits, and he allowed other organizations, such as Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, to hold fundraising events at the club. Early in the 1980s when the AIDS crisis began, Bowers was one of the first in Baltimore to help raise money to fight the disease.

Operating under the motto, “Where Everyone is Welcome,” the Hippo’s major draw was that of a social and entertainment venue, which was enjoyed by tens of thousands of people — gay and straight — including fans of drag and leather. Numerous contests and pageants were held there; its closing elicits profound sadness but fond memories.

“I’m very sad to see it closing and very happy I wasn’t born yesterday and had missed the chance to experience being part of an era that was great in Baltimore City,” says drag performer and comedian Shawnna Alexander, who was Miss Hippo 2014 and performed on the Hippo’s stage at various times for more than 20 years.

Paul Liller, a.k.a. Dimitria Blackwell, Miss Hippo 2015, found the Hippo to be an integral part of his life’s journey.

DC! Of Gay t s e B or or Us f Vote F

“Never would I imagine that I would eventually become not only a Miss Hippo, but the last one ever,” Liller says. “As the doors close, I feel like a part of me will be left inside those walls. Fortunately, I walk away with memories that will last a lifetime and a love for a place I was lucky enough to call home.”

Members of the leather community expressed gratitude for the many events that took place at the Hippo but noted the benefits were enjoyed beyond that community. “By allowing the leather community to hold events like Mr. Maryland and the 12 Day of Christmas, the Hippo had a hand in helping to raise thousands of dollars for charity,” says Greg King, Mr. Maryland Leather 2015.

“Chuck Bowers has left a legacy.”

Nearby businesses and even competitors recognize the impact the Hippo had as it was the primary destination in Mount Vernon’s “gayborhood.” Don Davis, owner of Grand Central, which is located diagonally across from the Hippo, acknowledges that he and Bowers may have had their differences over the years, but says, “We have always been there

with support of each other.”

Davis praised the way Bowers ran the club. “Chuck has always operated a firstclass business and his heart has always been there for everyone. He has had the most loyal staff and customers; so many who have been there since the beginning.”

To honor Bowers and the Hippo, city officials recently named the intersection of Charles and Eager Streets where the Hippo is located, “Chuck Bowers Way.” “The closing of the Hippo is like the closing of a spectacular Broadway show,” Baltimore Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake says to the Blade. “The performers take their last bow, the curtain comes down, and the audience departs. Thanks Chuck Bowers, staff members and patrons for making this iconic venue such a vibrant part of Baltimore’s rich history.”

In reflecting on those decades, Bowers is gripped with emotion.

“For 37 years this has been my home, it’s been my family,” he says. “Now that the Hippo is closing it has been an extremely emotional time for me because of all the friendships I’ve made here over these many years. I will miss this place.”

I am lucky to have this true gem of a shop in my neighborhood!

-Beth L.

ALL-NATURAL & MADE IN THE USA:

Foods, Treats, Chews & more for dogs & cats!

BOUTIQUE & BAKERY

Offering everything your need to spoil your dog or cat, plus home-made doggy treats & Birthday Cakes

FULL GROOMING SERVICES: E SAV ATE D ual , TH1E3th AWnenen Paerrty1st, b l-O- vem How ay, No 3pm d 1 to Sun

We set the standard for safety in grooming as seen on the TODAY SHOW!

“...was such a pleasure to bring my dog somewhere with such great service and my dog was happy and looked great. Thanks Doggy Style!” -Kristen V.

4 2 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M

Vote for me for Best reAltor, Best of GAy DC!!

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, do you like Contemporary?

Are you carrying a torch for Arts & Crafts with covered porch?

A brick Colonial might please with fenced-in yard and full-grown trees.

Perhaps a condo is for you with balcony and skyline view.

Just let me know the housing style Valerie M. Blake Associate Broker, GRI that suits your needs and makes you smile and I will handle all the rest; that’s, after all, what I do best!

Dupont Circle Office • 202.243.7700 (o) 202.246.8602 (c) • Valerie@DCHomeQuest.com

www.DCHomeQuest.com

ARLINGTON N PROOF #1

ISSUE DATE: 10.02.15

REVISIONS REDESIGN TEXT REVISIONS IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS NO REVISIONS

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! $359,900 A D V E RT I S I N G

P R O O F

SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com)

Just Listed! 1563 coLoniaL terrace #301

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted withinplay-no 24 hourscar of the date of proof.

Shop, live and required.

This 2 bedroom/1 bath Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date the ultra convenient Vista community of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, thecondo week ofinpublication.Brown naff pittsGeorgetown omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible offersany749 square feet users of space, for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or material to which can linkrefinished through hardwoods, fresh the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal or any rgihts of third a lovely landscaped paint, updated bath,laws oversized windows, parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, courtyard setting and easyunfair access to Metro. Enjoy spectacular trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination or regulation, or any other right views of thelawPotomac, Washington National Cathedral and of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and Georgetown from private assigning well the to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and your all liability, loss,covered damages,balcony By this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses may be incurred and by brown naff pitts along washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, vibrantthat dining, shopping entertainment the Orange omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties. payment and insertion schedule.

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

Call Henry MCKay 302-381-5039 (Cell) Jack Lingo, REALTOR 302-227-3883 (Main)

Line Metro. Condo fee covers all utilities.

daVe LLoYd & associates

4701 Old Dominion Drive • Arlington, VA 22207

703-593-3204 • WWW.daVeLoYd.net

OpeN SuNdAy 1-4pM

WA SH I N GTO NB LADE.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 4 3

REALESTATE

What’s cooking: The kitchen as art Even buyers who don’t cook want modern bells and whistles

By VALERIE M. BLAKE Be honest. How many times have you posted a photograph of your dinner on Facebook?

Now think back to the last time – did you cook the food or did you order from a restaurant menu? And if you were the cook, did you just post the food or did you also show us where you cooked it?

While many of us just eat to live, there are those among us who see food as an art form. From the preparation of ingredients to the scent, taste and texture of the end product, food becomes an aphrodisiac and the place we prepare it an artist’s studio, where paring knives and chopping blocks replace horsehair brushes and canvas.

So when my new client, a first-time buyer, shared the list of her housing needs with me (a condo with two bedrooms, two baths, central air, hardwood floors, a woodburning fireplace and, oh yes, a fully renovated, gourmet kitchen) I asked, “Oh, do you enjoy cooking and entertaining?”

I was expecting to hear tales of boeuf Bourguignon, salmon en croute or roast pork tenderloin accented with a purée of summer squash and sprinkled with diced shitake mushrooms that had been sautéed in Marsala wine, but instead I heard, “No. I don’t cook.”

Since I have studied the basics of de-

sign, my brain leapt immediately to the architectural principle that form follows function, i.e. that the design of a room or object should be primarily based upon its intended purpose. So when did we decide that the function of a kitchen is immaterial as long as the room is a thing of beauty?

Our mothers (and to a lesser extent, our fathers) were the chefs of our youth.

For them, a kitchen could be utilitarian and still evoke warmth as family members gathered to prepare and partake of a Sunday dinner or a holiday meal.

My first memories are of our 1950s kitchen, where colors bloomed. Ours was a pink and grey version, sporting swirling Formica counters with stainless steel edges, a corner banquette and wallpaper with little coffee pots on it.

Other kitchens of that era featured expanses of yellow, green and aqua accented with black and white checkerboard linoleum floors. Greater portions of stainless steel also made their debut as cooktops, wall ovens, countertops and backsplashes.

The ‘60s ushered in pine, oak and twotoned cabinets where the frames were painted one color and the doors and drawer fronts another. In the 1970s, appliances were available in Harvest Gold, Avocado Green and Coppertone, as seen on the refrigerator in Al Bundy’s house.

In the 1980s, black, white and almond appliances joined something called a “European cabinet,” a fiberboard two-tone concoction, usually made of a cream-colored laminate and accented by horizontal strips of ersatz oak. Having lived in Eu-

Sid Binks, PhD, ABPP-CN Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Individual & Couples Therapy for the LGBTQ Community 20 years experience!

3000 Connecticut Ave. NW • 202.255.5187 • SidBinks@aol.com

LGBTC.com/html/sid_binks.html

Many buyers expect high-end kitchens — even if they don’t intend to cook in them.

rope, I can attest that there was nothing “European” about them.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that we began to see a plethora of stainless steel appliances again, but this time with a sleek, industrial look and features that might make even Wolfgang Puck scratch his head.

This trend has continued during the past 15 years as we have paired restaurant-ready appliances with a progression of oak, maple, cherry, espresso and white cabinets and long strips of wood or ceramic tile flooring. “Builder Beige” has given way to “50 Shades of Gray” on our walls and our countertops now fall like water over the edges of our kitchen islands.

These choices make it easy for an accomplished chef to work in the kitchen of his dreams, but the reality is that our busy lives often limit our use of these

functional rooms to getting cubed ice from the refrigerator, making popcorn in the microwave, fetching wine from the cooler, or throwing lemons in a basket to accent the décor.

So who knows? Perhaps one day, instead of gushing over granite or fondling the faucet, a client will sing to me of easy-care laminate and hanging pot racks and we can reminisce about days gone by when chickens, not countertops, needed seasoning.

For now, however, I’ll just sit at the breakfast bar and drool over your Facebook photos. Bon appétit!

VALERIE M. BLAKE can be reached at 202-2468602 or at Valerie@DCHomeQuest.com. Each Keller Williams Realty office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

DAVE LLOYD & ASSOCIATES Top 1% Nationwide NVAR Life Member Top Producder

703-593-3204

WWW.DAVELLOYD.NET ENTHUSIASTICALLY SERVING DC & VIRGINIA

SIMPLE AFFORDABLE PROVEN RESULTS CALL TODAY TOPLACE YOUR AD

202.747.2077

4 4 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M

Our new column, Comings & Goings, is the place to share the good news of your career. Changing jobs? Win an award?

Join a board?

NEW COLUMN bY PETER ROSENSTEIN DEbUTS IN OCTObER

A D V E RT I S I N G PROOF #1

ISSUE DATE:

REVISIONS REDESIGN TEXT REVISIONS IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS NO REVISIONS

P R O O F

SALES REPRESENTATIVE:

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof.

Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, payment and insertion schedule.

DEADLINES

SHARE ADS ARE FREE

All Classified Ads - Including Regular & Adult Must Be Received

By Mondays at 5PM So They Can Be Included in That Week’s Edition of Washington Blade and washingtonblade.com

Place your housing to sharead online at washingtonblade.com and the ad prints free in the paper and online.* *25 words or less prints free - anything more is $1/word.

W A SH I NGTO N B LA DE.C OM

ENHANCE YOUR AD WITH OUR UPGRADES PICTURES BOLD TEXT LARGE TEXT COLOR AND MORE CONTACT US AT 202-747-2077

MASSAGE / CERTIFIED ROSSLYN. Certified massage therapist available 12-8 Sun-Tues & Thurs. Call or text Gary at 301-704-1158 or visit http://www. mymassagebygary. com/. DC appointments available Wed, Fri, Sat. Please call/text for details.

BEST MASSAGE by male certified therapist. Soothing Swedish; deeptissue; stress & pain release. Safe Atmosphere in Annandale, VA, almost right off I-395. Days/Eve/Wkend. In/ Out calls. Hotels welcome. Call Marval (703) 568-6348.

START FRESH – UPGRADE YOURSELF before upgrading your phone! My deep tissue massage will help you feel like a new person! Stretching, Swedish & Sports massage. Dupont.

Marcio (202) 271-9440. www.

MarciosMassage.com.

AUTOS NEED A CAR, TRUCK or SUV?

Specializing in Second/ Third Chance Financing!

All vehicles are from 2010 - 2015 - Income must gross a minimum $2k monthly or more - 2 Current Pay Stubs & 1 Bill Required. Call Jason @ 202.704.8213, Laurel, MD.

COUNSELING CHANGES ARE EASIER WITH HELP. Small, private practice group of experienced, caring therapists. Safe, confidential setting. Offices in Woodley Park & Takoma Park near Metro. Licensed professionals. Insurance reimbursable. Washington Therapy Guild. Call 202-483-2660. washingtontherapyguild.com.

LGBTQ AFFIRMING THERAPY at Dupont Circle Individuals, couples, families, adolescents. Over 15 years serving the community. Mike Giordano, LICSW. 202/460-6384 mike.giordano.msw@gmail.com. www.WhatIHearYouSaying.com.

LEGAL SERVICES

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 4 5

JEWELRY

FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM Representing the GLBT community for over 30 years. Family adoptions, estate planning, immigration, employment. (301) 891-2200. Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A. www.

SP-Law. com.

ADOPTION & ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE Law Attorney Jennifer Fairfax represents clients in Maryland & D.C. interested in adoption or ART matters. 301-221-9651, JFairfax@ jenniferfairfax.com.

HEATING / COOLING

LIMOUSINES / DRIVERS KASPER’S LIVERY SERVICE BMW 740LI Luxury Sedan Service; Hourly, Point to Point & Special Airport Transfer Rates! Gay & Veteran Owned! http://www.KasperLivery.com Phone 202-554-2471 or 800-455-2471.

PETS PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

COUNSELING FOR GAY MEN. Individual/couple counseling w/ volunteer peer counselor. Gay Men’s Counseling Community since 1973.

202-580-8861. gaymenscounseling. org. No fees, donation requested.

Place your housing to share ad online at washingtonblade.com and the ad prints free in the paper and online.*

EMPLOYMENT Prestigious Off-Premise Caterer Hiring Prestigious Catering Company now hiring to work our luxurious (and fun) events around metro area. Highest pay in the industry. You control your schedule.

Email Brian @ CateringSuperb@gmail. com.

LOCKER ROOM ATTENDANTS NEEDED! The Crew Club, a gay men’s naturist gym & sauna, is now hiring Locker Room Attendants. We all scrub toilets & do heavy cleaning. You must be physically able to handle the work & have a great attitude doing it. No drunks/druggies need apply.

Please call Richard at (202) 319-1333. from 9-5pm, to schedule an interview.

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

*25 words or less prints free - anything more is $1/word.

PHOTOGRAPHY STEVE O’TOOLE PHOTOGRAPHY Fine Art Photographer for portraits, weddings & dating photos for the internet. Call (703) 532-3031. www. steveotoolephotography. com.

CLEANING TOO NEAT GUYS INC. Residential & Commercial cleaning in DC & Northern VA. Over 20 years experience, gay owned, licensed, bonded & insured. Email: tooneat@ comcast.net, (703) 622-5983.

FERNANDO’S CLEANING: Residential & Commercial Cleaning, Reasonable Rates, Free Estimates, Routine, 1-Time, Move-In/Move-Out. (202) 234-7050, 202-486-6183.

MAIDTOCLEAN Gay owned, awesome, trustworthy & reliable!

Serving the DC/VA area. Mention this ad for $50 off. Maidtoclean.com.

(703) 299-0101.

HOUSERVICES, LLC Licensed, Bonded & Insured. Family Owned! Serving DC & Northern Virginia since 2000. Weekly or BiWeekly, Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning.

Call us now for a FREE ESTIMATE! (703) 929-6463. info@Houservices.com.

HANDYMAN / IMPROVEMENTS BRITISH REMODELING HANDYMAN Local licensed company with over 25 years of experience. Specializing in bathrooms, kitchens & all interior/ exterior repairs. Drywall, paint, electric & wallpaper. Trevor 703-303-8699.

MOVERS OUR GUYS AROUND TOWN MOVERS. Professional Moving & Storage. Let ‘Our Guys’ Do The Heavy Lifting. Mention the ‘Blade’ for 10% off of our regular rates.

Call today 202.734.3080. www. ourguysatmovers.com.

DEADLINES

ENHANCE YOUR AD WITH OUR UPGRADES PICTURES BOLD TEXT LARGE TEXT COLOR AND MORE CONTACT US AT 202-747-2077 x8092

All Classified Ads - Including Regular & Adult Must Be Received

By Mondays at 5PM So They Can Be Included in That Week’s Edition of Washington Blade and washingtonblade.com

4 6 • O CTO B E R 0 2 , 2015

W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M

SPECIAL LATINO TOUCH

ARMY STRONG MOVERS & Storage Local, Long distance, next day deliveries Charlotte NC, Florida, Chicago, NY, Licenced, bonded & insured www. armystrongmovesandstorage. com.571-228-4372.

TREE SERVICE BRANCHES - FULL SERVICE Tree Expert Company. Certified Arborists, pruning, insect & disease diagnosis, treatment & removal. 301-589-6181. www.

BranchesTreeExperts.com. Angie’s List Award Winner ‘09, ‘10, ‘11, ’12.

SHARE / DC SW DC WATERFRONT GWM ISO same to share home.

Cable & WiFi included. Garden & outdoor areas. Utilities, maid, parking included. Call Bruce (202) 488-4888.

SHARE / VA Alexandria/Del Ray Large 1BR Basement Apt w/ sep entrance. Lots of closet space, w/d in unit. off street parking. Walk to Braddock Rd Metro. $1700 a month incl all utilities, premium cable, & internet. avail 10/1 runneer206@ gmail.com or 703-519-0184.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

WASHNGTON D.C. TOP GAY REALTORS! Instant Free Access to D.C. & Nations Top LGBT Realtors.

FREE Buyers Representation FREE Sellers Competitive Market Analysis + FREE Relocation Kit any City, USA. Be Represented! Choose your Perfect Agent On-line at; WWW. GAYREALESTATE.COM

SALE / DC STUDIO NEXT TO JRs in well-managed bldg. at the heart of 17th St., High Heel Race, Pride & July 4th parties. Low fee includes everything! With 20% down live at $1500/month + interest deduction!

MLS: DC8714671.

5’ 9”, 170 lbs, Offering full body relaxing, release on my professional table, in a private atmosphere. In/out.

Parking Available, hotels welcome, HILLCREST DC, $730,900

DC/MD/VA, 24/7. Call Lucas, 240-462-

3 BR, 3 1/2 BATHS, 3,825 SQ. FT. One

8669, fromlucas@yahoo.com.

of a kind fully updated California style home w/ swimming pool, 2 Stone

EROTIC SWEDISH MASSAGE

fireplaces, family room, large library, recreation room, deck & possible roof

healthy clean cut guy, 6’1”, 160 lbs,

top terrace, 2 car garage. 2902 PARK

Dupont Circle, massage table, noon

DR. SE. Owner, licensed Real Estate

to 1:00 a.m., indulge your body. $70

Agent, Call Sara Campbell,

for 1 hour. Bill 202-728-0238. No text

202-494-8645.

messages.

SALE / MD

SWEDISH/DEEP TISSUE/SENSUAL

MOUNT RAINIER $344,000

REQUEST ONLINE PHOTOS! 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths!

Formal Dining!

Upgraded Kitchen!

Family Room Addition! Deck Overlooks Gardens!

LARRY PERRIN REALTOR ® (301) 983-0601 LJPerrin@aol.com.

MONTGOMERY VILLAGE TOWNHOMES

REQUEST ONLINE PHOTOS! -$233,000 3 Bedrooms! 3 Baths, Loft Bedroom with full bath!

-$269,999 3 Level Townhouse! 3 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Bathrooms! Deck!

Party Room Basement!

LARRY PERRIN REALTOR ® (301) 983-0601 LJPerrin@aol.com.

Massage - relaxed environment by CMT, 5’9”, 165lbs. NEW TABLE. David (202)-42one-8900. dcack@hotmail.

SALE / VA

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

THE MAGIC TOUCH:

RETREAT/RETIREMENT DREAM

Swedish, Massage or Deep Tissue.

5006 sf one level light-filled contemporary, 3.67 ac on mountain top - Radford, VA. Panoramic views. http://tinyurl.com/q49zr2r.

Contact Louis T. March, Valley Real Estate Brokers – LTMarch76@gmail. com or 540-960-0504

SALE / WV Harpers Ferry, WV

WOMEN’S PERSONALS GWF, SOFT BUTCH, attractive, blue eyes, brown hair.

I walk three miles every day. I like movies, music, playing cards, tv & pizza. ISO GWF attractive, feminine, for friendship & a long term relationship. If you are interested, call Debbie 703-368-3618.

BODYWORK

2012. 4br,3ba. Work from home! 298

dues: $10.00. One exit from Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Eastern Shore! Convenient location, quiet neighborhood. Check us out on Zillow! http://tinyurl.com/ookwocy.

24/7, In-Calls.

ADULT SERVICES RENT-A-DUNGEON Explore your fantasies! Surprise a BF or FB. Awesome, clean, discrete.

Fully equipped private DC playroom.

Dungeon Massage Available. (Tutorial/

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

Union Street Call Kimberly Wheatley,

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

Greentree Realty 304-671-1065.

Mid-Century Home. Water Rights walk to beach & clubhouse! Annual

Appts 202-486-6183, Low Rates,

instruction available). 202-544-8094.

Gorgeous 1830’s house, renovated in

CAPE ST. CLAIRE, MD w/ view, many amenities. 2 blk-

com. Cleveland Park metro.

AFTERNOON DELIGHT Custom bodywork! Exceptional deep tissue & sensual bodywork for total stress relief in private studio on the Hill or in my new Dupont location. Call Erik 202-285-5709. No texts. In calls only. Intro Special $99.00 Reg. $130.

ENHANCE YOUR AD WITH OUR UPGRADES PICTURES BOLD TEXT LARGE TEXT COLOR AND MORE CONTACT US AT 202-747-2077

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

O CT O BE R 0 2 , 2 0 1 5 • 4 7

2013 winner american graphic design award for publication design (official capital pride guide)

2014 winner american graphic design award for publication design (runwashington magazine)

FREE TO LISTEN AND REPLY TO ADS Free Code: W Blade

A D V E RT I S I N G PROOF #2

ISSUE DATE: 04.18.14

REVISIONS REDESIGN TEXT REVISIONS IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS FINDNO REAL GAY MEN NEAR YOU REVISIONS Washington:

(202) 822-1666 Arlington:

Baltimore:

(703) 373-1000 (410) 468-4000 www.megamates.com 18+

P R O O F

SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS bpitts@washblade.com REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof.

Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, payment and insertion schedule.