Washington Blade - October 21, 2016 by RP MEDIA ARCHIVE

OCTOBER

21,

2016

VOLUME 47

ISSUE 43

•

AMERICA’S LGBT NEWS SOURCE

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

0 2 • O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2016

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

mbusa.com/c-coupe

Set his heart racing. Looks that thrill with the performance to match: the all-new C-Class Coupe harmonizes ultra sleek design with sensible sportiness in a vehicle far ahead of its class. A dream combination. #TogetherWeDream

MB-LGBT_C-Coupe_16_Men_WashingtonBlade_01.indd 1

For more information, call 1- 800 - FOR - MERCEDES, or visit MBUSA.com.

5/25/16 4:41 PM

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 0 3

the

FALL EVENT L AST WEEKEND TO SAVE 20% OFF OUR ENTIRE COLLECTION EXTENDED THRU 10/23 I N - STO CK & S P E C I A L O R D E R U P H O L ST E RY | TA B L E S & STO R AG E | L I G H T I N G R U G S | ACC E S S O R I E S | B E D L I N E N S | WA L L A RT | W I N D OW T R E AT M E N TS 2 0 % O F F S P E C I A L O R D E R U P H O L ST E RY S E L E C T F RO M : 2 0 0 + ST Y L E S | 3 0 0 + FA B R I C S & L E AT H E R S | 2 E CO - F R I E N D LY C U S H I O N O P T I O N S 12 N A I L H E A D F I N I S H E S / S I Z E S | 2 2 L E G / B A S E WO O D F I N I S H E S A L L C R A F T E D I N A M E R I C A W I T H E A RT H - F R I E N D LY M AT E R I A L S

WASHINGTON, DC | TYSONS GALLERIA | MGBWHOME.COM

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

0 4 • O CTO B ER 2 1 , 2016

LO CA L N E W S

— 46. Rehoboth Beach, Del., a beach resort town popular with LGBT people, received a rating of 62, the highest rating among Delaware municipalities. San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles and Orlando and Wilton Manors in Florida were among the cities to receive a rating of 100. The HRC Foundation says in a statement that the ratings are based on 44 speciﬁc criteria that fall under four broad categories: non-discrimination laws; LGBT inclusive municipal employment policies; LGBT inclusiveness in city services; LGBT-supportive law enforcement policies, including hate crimes reporting; and “municipal leadership” on matters of equality. The full report can be viewed at hrc.org/mei. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

D.C. responds to gay cop’s bias lawsuit The 30th annual High Heel Race is set for Oct. 25.

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Mayor to host pre-High Heel Race reception D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and her Office of LGBTQ Affairs are scheduled to host a preparty gathering before the start of the 30th annual 17th Street High Heel Race on Oct. 25. The gathering is set to take place from 6-9 p.m. at Cobalt/Level One bar and restaurant at 17th and R Streets, N.W., which are steps away from the starting line of the famed race in which dozens of runners in drag will compete. Started in 1986 as a venue for the LGBT community to celebrate Halloween, the annual High Heel Race has become one of D.C.’s most unique events that attracts thousands of spectators who line both sides of 17th Street between R Street and Church Street, which serves as the finish line. In addition to the race, the event has become known for the dozens of partygoers who strut along 17th Street in creative Halloween costumes during a two-hour period that immediately precedes the race. During election years many of those participating in this informal parade often dress as political figures running for office. Mayor Bowser and award-winning drag queens Ba’Naka and Birdie LaCage are serving this year as grand marshals for the race. “Before the race starts, please join Mayor Bowser, LGBTQ members of the Bowser Administration and members of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Affairs at Level One/Cobalt,” LGBT Affairs Office Director Sheila Alexander-Reid said in a statement. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Rockville receives highest LGBT ‘city’ rating in D.C. area The city of Rockville, Md., received a rating of 98 out of a possible 100 in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2016 Municipal Equality Index, placing the suburban Maryland jurisdiction at the top of the ratings on LGBT supportive laws and policies among D.C. area municipalities. The 2016 Municipal Equality Index, released on Oct. 17, rates 506 cities in all 50 states. D.C. is not included in the ratings because the HRC Foundation and its partner in the ratings index, the Equality Federation Institute, treat D.C. as a state and include it in a separate state equality index ratings process. Among the D.C.-area jurisdictions rated for 2016, Rockville rose from a rating of 60 in 2015 to its current rating of 98, placing it ahead of Alexandria and Arlington, Va., which received 2016 ratings of 86 and 87 respectively. College Park, Md., which has a gay mayor, came in fourth place in the D.C.-area scores, with a 2016 rating of 83. The 2016 Municipal Equality Index ratings for other D.C. area municipalities included Gaithersburg, Md. — 59; Bowie, Md. — 56; and Fairfax County, Va. — 33. The Fairfax County rating represented a decline by 10 points from a rating of 43 in 2015. The score shows that the county lost 10 points this year for not fulﬁlling the category of “LGBTQ Police Liaison or Task Force.” It received 10 points for that category in 2015, according to a ratings chart for Fairfax County. As it has during the past three years, Baltimore received a perfect rating of 100 this year. Nearby Towson, Md. received a rating of 94; Frederick, Md., received an 86 rating; and Annapolis, Md., the state capital, was given a rating of 65. Other Virginia municipality ratings include Charlottesville — 72; Norfolk — 49; and Richmond

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine on Oct. 12 filed a court brief responding to a lawsuit filed last year by a gay former D.C. police officer accusing fellow officers and supervisors of subjecting him to discrimination, harassment and retaliation based on his sexual orientation. Racine’s 17-page brief, filed on behalf of the city and the Metropolitan Police Department, states that his office either denies or lacks sufficient information to “admit or deny” a long list of allegations in the lawsuit filed by former MPD Officer Christopher Lilly. Among the allegations Lilly makes in his lawsuit are that fellow officers at the department’s Fourth District repeatedly called him anti-gay names, subjected him to ridicule and a hostile work environment because of his sexual orientation, and attached 40 D.C. government AIDS awareness magnets to his locker. At the time the magnets were affixed to his locker Lilly also discovered on the floor next to his locker “a large ‘spurt’ looking puddle of unknown white liquid meant to simulate ejaculation,” the lawsuit says. The response by Racine came just over two weeks after U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan approved a motion by Racine calling for three of the lawsuit’s 11 counts to be dismissed. The motion said the three counts failed to state a valid claim that the alleged discrimination faced by Lilly violated his First and Fifth Amendment constitutional rights. Both Racine’s office and Lilly’s attorney, Sameera Ali, have declined requests for comment on the case. D.C. attorney Brian Markovitz, who specializes in employment rights law, said the fact that Racine’s brief responding to the lawsuit doesn’t disclose why the city denies Lilly’s specific allegations is a standard practice for responding to a lawsuit of this type at this stage in the litigation. He predicted it would take at least two years before the information gathering process known as discovery would be completed and the case would be ready for trial. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

AIDS training website debuts for black MSM Information about the D.C. group Us Helping Us is included in a “revolutionary” new website launched last week by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors aimed at helping medical professionals provide better care for black gay men. Us Helping Us, which has been operating in D.C. for more than 20 years, has been praised for providing eﬀective HIV prevention and treatment services for black gay men or black men who have sex with men known as MSM. In a statement released on Oct. 12, NASTAD said its new website would serve as an “online training platform to help doctors, nurses, and medical professionals unlearn racial bias and elevate the quality of healthcare for black gay men and black men who have sex with men.” The NASTAD statement says the new website, called His Health, “was developed for and by black same-gender-loving men and their healthcare providers in partnership with NASTAD and the Health Resources Services Administration’s HIV/AIDS Bureau in response to the high HIV rates amongst black men who have sex with men.” The site can be reached at HisHealth.org. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

LGBT election night party set for Town The Human Rights Campaign, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, and D.C.’s Town nightclub have invited members of the LGBT community and their families to join them for an “exciting and nerve-racking” election night party on Nov. 8. The event is scheduled to take place at Town nightclub at 2009 8th St., N.W., starting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8. A donation of $5 to $10 is suggested, according to a statement released by the two groups and Town. “There will be big screens, delicious food and great drinks as we watch and announce election returns,” the statement says. There will be “limited seating available on ﬁrst come, ﬁrst served basis,” according to the statement, with closed captioning and a cash bar. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 0 5

ITALIAN SMART DESIGN SINCE 1923

G EORG ET OWN | CA DY’ S A LLEY 3 3 28 M STREET NORTHWEST WASHINGTO N , D C 2 0 0 0 7 (2 02 ) 2 44 - 5544 WASHINGTONDC@CALLIGARIS.COM washingtondc.calligaris.us | calligaris.com

0 6 • O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2016

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

NEWSEUM NIGHTS: ACT UP! Tuesday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. In collaboration with Art Soirée, express yourself with: A stomp performance by Dem’ Raider Boyz One-of-a-kind haikus with the Haiku Guys & Gals Glow-in-the-dark silent disco Live art installations Fun finger food Open beer and wine bar And much more! Plus, enjoy a craft beer tasting station with seasonal brews from Flying Dog Brewery, our exclusive beer sponsor for the evening. Get your tickets today at newseum.org!

NEWSEUM.ORG 555 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums in the U.S.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

NATIONAL NEWS

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 0 7

Some Maryland Republicans sticking with Trump JUDY SHEPARD

IMAGE COURTESY OF TWITTER

Szeliga denounces remarks, but plans to vote for GOP nominee

Judy Shepard denounces Trump’s ‘hate’

By MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com

A newly unveiled a pro-Clinton Super PAC ad features Judy Shepard powerfully invoking the memory of her son’s brutal murder to denounce the “hate” of Donald Trump. In the 60-second ad, made public by Priorities USA on Tuesday and titled “Hate,” Shepard says she’s “seen what can happen as the result of hate,” making the case Trump’s animosity is the same that led to the hate crime against gay college student Matthew Shepard. As an image of Matthew Shepard and a media report of his death is displayed, Judy Shepard recalls in 1998 when two men who pretended to be gay met Matthew Shepard at a bar, beat him in their car, then drove him “out to the prairie and tied him to a split rail fence, then beat him some more and left him for dead.” “In the aftermath of Matt’s death, my family saw the best of America in the love and support we were shown,” Judy Shepard says. “So when I see the hate the Donald Trump has brought to his campaign for president, it terriﬁes me.” After clips are shown of Trump encouraging violence, mocking the disabled and disparaging a judge for being Mexican, Judy Shepard adds, “Words have an inﬂuence.” “Violence causes pain, hate can rip us apart,” Judy Shepard concludes. “I know what can happen as the result of hate, and Donald Trump should never be our president.” According to Priorities USA, the new ad is set to air in several swing states in the presidential election: Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Nevada, Iowa, Colorado and New Hampshire. CHRIS JOHNSON

spokesperson for House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga’s U.S. Senate campaign says she still plans to vote for Donald Trump in spite of his lewd comments about women and allegations of sexual assault. “Kathy does still plan to vote for him,” Jacque Clark told the Washington Blade on Tuesday in an email. Szeliga, who represents portions of Baltimore and Harford Counties in the Maryland House of Delegates, is running against Congressman Chris Van Hollen in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.). The Washington Post on Oct. 7 released a 2005 recording in which Trump made lewd comments about women and bragged of groping them while speaking with then“Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush. Szeliga said in a statement that she was “appalled by” Trump’s comments. She also stressed she raised her sons “to never speak about women like this and to defend women against just these kinds of comments.” “Donald Trump should sincerely apologize to all women immediately,” said Szeliga. Trump has repeatedly described the comments — which included his bragging about groping women — as “locker room talk.” The New York Times and the Palm Beach Post last week published articles in which three women allege the Republican billionaire sexually assaulted them. “Both of these candidates are seriously ﬂawed,” said Szeliga in a separate statement, referring to Trump and Hillary Clinton. “One says appalling things and one has done appalling things. Like most Marylanders, I wish we had diﬀerent options, but we don’t. That’s why we need an independent voice in the Senate who will roll up their sleeves and get things done.” Gov. Larry Hogan, who announced in July that he would not vote for Trump, has endorsed Szeliga. Chrys Kefalas, who came in third in April’s GOP primary, also supports Szeliga. The gay Republican told the Baltimore Sun in August that he does not support Trump. A poll that the Washington Post and the University of Maryland conducted between Sept. 27-30 found Van Hollen was ahead of Szeliga by a 58-29 percent margin. “Donald Trump’s values are not

Campaign ad features Pulse victim’s mother The mother of a gay man who died inside the Pulse nightclub appears in a campaign ad that U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.) released on Monday. Christine Leinonen, the mother of Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, emotionally describes how a gunman shot her son nine times inside the Orlando, Fla., nightclub on June 12. “He didn’t have a chance,” she says. “And he’s just one of over 100 people who were shot. “He was half of my heart. I’ve lost half of who I am.” Christine Leinonen’s son and his ﬁancé, Juan Guerrero, were among the 49 people who died in the Pulse nightclub massacre. Murphy’s opponent in Florida’s hotly contested U.S. Senate race, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), announced his re-election campaign less than two weeks after the massacre that is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Christine Leinonen in August criticized the Cuban-American Republican for voting “against every piece of common sense gun legislation” since the Pulse nightclub massacre when she spoke with the Washington Blade at a gun control rally in Washington. She also described Rubio’s decision to deliver the keynote address at an anti-LGBT conference that took place at an Orlando hotel on the second month anniversary of the mass shooting as “infuriating.” “I cannot understand how Marco Rubio would go back to Washington, D.C., and do nothing,” says Christine Leinonen in the Murphy campaign ad. “I don’t think Patrick Murphy is afraid to take on the toughest problems, including gun violence, in this country.” Murphy appears with Christine Leinonen at the end of the ad. “Marco Rubio puts the gun lobby before Florida every time,” wrote Murphy on a post on his Facebook page that contains the ad. “I’m ﬁghting for Christine, those we lost at Pulse, and Florida families.” A poll that Quinnipiac University released on Tuesday shows Rubio is ahead of Murphy by a 49-47 percent margin. MICHAEL K. LAVERS

Maryland Del. KATHY SZELIGA (R-District 7)

Maryland values,” said Van Hollen campaign spokesperson Bridgett Frey in a statement after Trump and Clinton faced off in their second debate on Oct. 9. “What will it take for Delegate Szeliga to finally walk away from a candidate who has not only attacked women, but immigrants, minorities, people with disabilities, POWs, Muslims, and President Obama with his racist ‘birther’ comments?” Szeliga is not the only Maryland Republican who continues to support Trump. Dan Cox, a Frederick County attorney who is running against state Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery County) in the race to succeed Van Hollen in Congress, retweeted a Trump campaign video that Veterans for Trump posted on its Twitter page on Oct. 14. The clip, which is more than four minutes long, contains videos of the United Airlines Flight 175 flying into the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and other terrorist attacks overseas. It also includes clips of violence outside Trump campaign events. Former Chevy Chase Mayor David Lublin, a professor at American University who is the former president of the Equality Maryland board of directors, noted on his blog that state Del. Warren Miller (R-Carroll and Howard Counties) earlier this month said Clinton’s campaign “hates Christians.” State Del. Neil Parrott (R-Washington County), who led an unsuccessful effort to prompt a referendum on Maryland’s transgender rights law that then-Gov. Martin O’Malley signed in 2014, also supports Trump. Parrott, Miller and Cox did not return the Blade’s requests for comment.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

NATIONAL NEWS

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 1 1

Trump’s boasts ‘re-traumatizing’ for Oregon guv Brown, who’s bisexual, a survivor of domestic violence By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com Donald Trump’s recently unearthed 2005 remarks bragging about sexual assault were “re-traumatizing” for Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who’s a survivor of domestic violence. The governor, who could become the first out LGBT person elected as governor in the United States, reflected in an interview Tuesday with the Washington Blade on the misogynistic comments from Trump that shook up the presidential race. “I think for all us who have been through incidents of domestic violence or sexual assault the words are re-traumatizing, and I think, unfortunately, for women across the United States, it’s all too common to hear words like this from men in places of power,” Brown said. Asked what the remarks portend for a potential Trump presidency, Brown replied, “I’m certainly hoping that conscientious men and women will rise up and vote against Donald Trump.” Brown, who’s bisexual, came out as a survivor of domestic violence last month in response to a question about improving the lives of women during a debate with her Republican opponent William “Bud” Pierce. Referencing a new report from the Women’s Foundation of Oregon, which found women continue to face high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault, Brown said of her experience, “I know what it feels like to be a victim of domestic violence.” In response to the same question, Pierce didn’t acknowledge the governor’s disclosure and said, “A woman that has great education and training and a great job is not susceptible to this kind of abuse by men,” drawing boos from the audience. During her interview with the Blade, Brown said Trump’s remarks were emotional for her personally and the negative impact was compounded because they came days after her debate with Pierce. “It was re-traumatizing to me because [Pierce] clearly hadn’t listened to what I had to say, and it was just a very challenging next several days between that and Trump’s statement,” Brown said. “I don’t understand how anybody could consider voting for Donald Trump after what they heard him say.” The Brown campaign has confirmed the candidate was a victim of domestic violence, but declined to provide details other than to say the perpetuator wasn’t Dan Brown, her spouse, whom she married in 1997. Currently the only openly LGBT person

serving as a governor in the United States, Brown rose to the position last year. As Oregon secretary of state, she was next in line to become governor after her predecessor, former Gov. John Kitzhaber, resigned in scandal. But if Brown wins in November, she’ll have the distinction of being the first openly LGBT person, and first openly bisexual person, to win a gubernatorial election. For Brown, the significance of that distinction is increased visibility for the LGBT community because “you can’t be what you can’t see.” “If I can be a role model for one young person that decides that their life is worth living because there’s someone like them in the world, it’s worth it,” Brown said. (The first openly LGBT governor was former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, but he came out as gay in 2004 after he was elected and amid scandal prior to resigning. Former Rep. Michael Michaud sought to become the first openly gay person elected as governor in 2014, but he lost in a three-way race against Maine Gov. Paul LePage, who won re-election, and independent candidate Eliot Cutler.) Polls indicate Brown is likely to win that historic first for the LGBT community. A survey from the Oregon-based DHM Research for Oregon Public Broadcasting found Brown has a commanding 46-33 lead over Pierce. Aisha Moodie-Mills, CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, said Brown has “shattered glass ceilings throughout her career,” and the organization, which has endorsed Brown, is “thrilled” she’s about to break another ceiling by being the first openly LGBT person elected governor. “Her leadership sets the direction and tone for the entire state, and the result is a government focused on issues of equality for all people, including women and LGBT Oregonians,” Moodie-Mills said. “LGBT elected officials change the dynamics by humanizing our lives, impacting legislative debates and influencing lawmaker colleagues to support equality. The election of Gov. Brown will be a seminal moment in the history of our movement, and a further indication that LGBT people can run for the highest offices and win.” Over the course of her decades-long career in politics, which began as a lawmaker in the state legislature before she became secretary of state, Brown had a hand in advancing LGBT rights. She was a lawmaker when Oregon enacted its statewide LGBT non-discrimination law in 2007 and domestic partnership registration. The domestic partnership law, Brown said, was “created in such a way to ensure legal success in the future” for marriage equality, which came to pass in Oregon through litigation in 2014. “I have been on the path for justice and

Oregon Gov. KATE BROWN leads her Republican opponent in the polls. WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

equality, particularly for LGBTQ issues my entire adult life,” Brown said. “I will continue that fight here in Oregon. In Oregon, we are fortunate that we’ve been able to change the law. Now we need to be focused on changing people’s hearts and minds.” Among her most recent accomplishments for LGBT rights was signing into law a statewide ban on widely discredited “ex-gay” conversion therapy, which she said was personally rewarding. Oregon is one of five states that prohibit the practice for minors in addition to D.C. “I did not have that experience, but I was well acquainted with others in our community who had,” Brown said. “I was so proud that the legislature was willing to move forward on it, and I was very pleased to sign it into law.” Another LGBT achievement Brown identified during her tenure as Oregon governor was the establishment in May of an LGBT veterans coordinator at the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the first of its kind nationwide. Asked about her involvement in the bisexual community, Brown said she’s “honestly been really focused on governing the last 20 months” and pointed to her record in extending legal protections for LGBT people. Brown observed few openly bisexual people are political officeholders, but said she met Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (R-Ariz.), the only out bisexual in Congress, while traveling with the D.C.-based Aspen Institute. “And I have people come up to me on

a regular basis and just say thank you for being out,” Brown said. “It’s certainly opened a lot of eyes. We have a really solid bi community here in Oregon.” (A 2011 Williams Institute study found bisexual people comprise a bare majority in the LGBT community. Compared to the 1.7 percent who identify as gay or lesbian, 1.8 percent of the U.S. population identify as bisexual.) With so much progress made on LGBT rights in Oregon, Brown said the way forward is ensuring “gender-aﬃrming services in our Oregon health plan.” The challenge, Brown said, is “getting medical providers that are competent in terms of handling those health issues, and so I see that as an area of work.” “And then, we’re really working hard in our LGBT communities of color as well,” Brown added. “Oregon has struggled to be a fully inclusive state in terms of people of color, and so I am focused as governor in ensuring that we move forward in that regard.” Sean Yeager, a Portland-based bisexual activist and lead organizer for Bi Brigade, said the potential of Brown’s election as Oregon governor “gives us hope” because her story “speaks to the growing acceptance of bisexuals within Oregon and within the entire country.” “There are still many issues facing the community, as Gov. Brown’s own experiences with domestic violence indicate, but it is empowering to know that we will be represented by someone who understands our unique experiences,” Yeager said.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 2 • O CTO B ER 2 1 , 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

WikiLeaks exposes fallout over Clinton remarks on AIDS Emails reveal anger over praise of Reagans By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com The gaffe Hillary Clinton made in March crediting the Reagans with starting a “national conversation” on HIV/AIDS angered many of her LGBT supporters and created stress in the campaign before she issued an apology reflecting on the epidemic, according to campaign emails made public by WikiLeaks over the weekend. Shortly after Clinton made the remarks in March on MSNBC during Nancy Reagan’s funeral, she issued an apology in which she said she “misspoke” about the Reagans’ record, but Clinton supporters outside the campaign insisted that wasn’t enough. Richard Socarides, a gay New Yorkbased Democratic activist and Clinton supporter, emailed senior campaign officials to warn them the candidate should address the issue “before this spins out of control.” “Nancy Reagan in fact helped start a national conversation about HIV and AIDS but as we all know it was far too little and way too late,” Socarides wrote. “When Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992 it was on a platform that was highly critical of the Republican response to the HIV crisis. It had been a record of neglect. As first lady and as senator and as Secretary of State Hillary has been a champion for increased funding and raising awareness.” Echoing Socarides’ comments in a subsequent email was Steve Elemendorf, a gay Democratic lobbyist, who said he “cannot overstate how big a problem” the remarks were and called for immediate action from the campaign. Kristina Schake, a deputy communications director for the Clinton campaign, wrote in another email that Clinton ally and Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin was receiving complaints about Clinton’s remarks and his response, which condemned the remarks but didn’t reference the candidate herself. “I stayed with Chad last night who was receiving lots of angry calls and notes from people that he didn’t call her out by name,” Schake wrote. “He wouldn’t do that to her and kept stressing she just made a mistake, but suggested we need to do something more today to protect her. She has a great record and we lost a lot of ground messaging-wise.” Dominic Lowell, the Clinton’s campaign LGBT liasion, distributed an email to coordinate the response, saying “most people are expressing palpable anger

HILLARY CLINTON erroneously praised the Reagans for their approach to AIDS earlier this year. WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

and hurt over the comments” in the last 24 hours over the remarks. “If I had to break things down, I’d put people into three categories: 1) supporters who were horrified at the comment but accept the apology; 2) supporters who are angry and can only be mollified with a longer statement, tv appearance, roundtable, or something else big that shows she ‘gets it,’” Lowell wrote. “They will continue to make hay in the meantime; and 3) Bernie folks who are happy to have a new line of attack.” (Indeed, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Clinton’s opponent in the Democratic primary, in the aftermath of Clinton crediting the Reagans for their efforts on HIV/AIDS said on CNN’s “State of the Union” he doesn’t “know what she was talking about.”) Lowell expressed concern about the second group whom he identified, which he said consist of “Queer Nation, ACT UP, and other activists who are out, loud, and not afraid of direct action or aggressive confrontation,” adding he didn’t “want this to fester.” Possibilities Lowell raised as a response included bumping up the HIV/ AIDS policy roll out or putting together a roundtable. Lowell said Robbie Kaplan, a Clinton supporter and the attorney who successfully argued against the Defense of Marriage Act, had volunteered the New York-based Gay Men’s Health Crisis to assist with the effort. (The exchange reveals the idea of a roundtable with HIV/AIDS activists, which was publicly requested after the remarks and occurred months later, was under consideration at this time.) Teddy Goff, a technology strategist for Clinton, writes the problem with the candidate is supporters don’t understand

“on a fact level, what happened and how she could have gotten so mixed up.” “And in the absence of any explanatory information, they assume the worst — like that this was some cynical political strategy of ours,” Goff wrote. “(Which, I would note, makes no sense — why would our strategy be to piss everyone off? — but regardless.)” Jessica Morales Rocketto, digital organizing director for the Clinton campaign, raised the possibility of responding in the “Out for Hillary” Facebook group, which she said had 14,000 members and “the largest LGBT community of Hillary’s supporters I know.” “These are friendlies, they are already carrying water for us making sure the apology is out there, and they firmly sit in groups 1 and 2 that Dom identified,” Rocketto said. Rocketto added sending talking points out to supporters “really worked” because “they are popping up everywhere on the supporter Facebook groups.” Recognizing a distinction between younger and older Clinton supporters, Dennis Cheng, national finance director for the Clinton campaign, said using the groups would be helpful, but not enough because “a lot of our people (esp those who are older who lived through the 80s) want to see and hear her address it directly, given that they saw and heard her Reagan remarks on TV.” After Robbie Mook, who’s gay and Clinton’s campaign manager, wrote in a subsequent email a Medium post would be a good opportunity for Clinton to express herself, the campaign settled on that course of action. “She could open it by saying she misspoke and apologizes for that and wanted to make sure people understand what she will do,” Mook wrote. Megan Rooney, speechwriter for Hillary Clinton, issued the first draft of the Medium post. In the initial draft, Clinton was to say she was wrong about the Reagans and “said so right away,” but those words were omitted after Goff wrote he didn’t think “that gets us any extra credit” and sounded “a hair defensive.” Schake followed up with edits from Griffin, who changed the draft to more clearly state Clinton was sorry “for the pain my comments caused” and the persistence of HIV/AIDS among gay and bisexual men, transgender people and communities of color. Rooney said the chances of Clinton “OK-ing this statement with that top are slim” and the campaign would walk that back, although the phrase “made a mistake” remained in the final writing. As Xochitl Hinojosa, the Clinton campaign’s LGBT media spokesperson, raised concern about upcoming stories in the LGBT media

intending quote Clinton supporters who say the apology isn’t enough, the campaign scrambled to get approval and put the statement online. “I think we really should do everything we can to get this up today, if at all possible (fingers crossed),” wrote Clinton campaign director of content and creative Lauren Peterson. “Does not seem to be dying down online, either.” After approval by Clinton — and a few additional tweeks, including the removal of a reference to increase funding for PEPFAR in favor of a more general plan for “global funding” — publication was initially set to go, then halted for additional tweeks. A reference to “brave men and women” who fought HIV/AIDS was changed to “brave lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, along with straight allies.” The final Medium post has Clinton asserting she was wrong about the Reagans and touting her record in speaking out in favor of efforts to combat HIV/AIDS at the domestic and international levels and mentioned her plan to achieve an “AIDS-free generation.” Among the proposals in the draft were extending Medicaid, reforming HIV criminalization laws, capping out-of-pocket drug expenses for HIV/AIDS medications and expanding access to PrEP. “We’ve come a long way,” Clinton says in the post. “But we still have work to do to eradicate this disease for good and to erase the stigma that is an echo of a shameful and painful period in our country’s history.” When the statement when online, staffers responded with jubilation. Jennifer Palmieri, the Clinton campaign’s director of communications, wrote, “Praise, Jesus!” Clinton campaign spokesperson Dan Schwerin commended his colleagues for the post and called it “amazing actually.” Praise also came from outside the campaign. Jenna Lowenstein, digital director for the Clinton campaign wrote on Medium “the top comments are overwhelmingly positive (and some are quite moving).” Lowell passed around a statement from former Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, who said the post “literally brought [a] tear to my eyes,” and from another statement from AIDS activist Larry Kramer, who was angered with Clinton’s remarks, but satisfied with the Medium post. Ann O’Leary, senior policy adviser for the Clinton campaign, shared a message she said came from a couple, Viki and Jen, who were among the couples to marry in San Francisco by then-Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2004. � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 1 3

HamiltonsSofaGallery.com

FALL FURNITURE

HUNDREDS

OF FABRIC & LEATHER

OPTIONS

SALE

AVAILABLE

VISIT OUR CONVENIENT FURNITURE SHOWROOMS TYSONS

703.556.3900

FALLS CHURCH 703.820.8000

CHANTILLY 703.766.8000

ROCKVILLE 301.881.3900

% 40OFF STOREWIDE Off all special orders or in-stock merchandise* *Savings from MSRPs do not apply to other promotions.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 4 • O CTO B ER 2 1 , 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

Most LGBT adults don’t have a will: survey

Surviving spouse may not receive full inheritance by marriage By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com

Sixty-two percent of LGBT adults aged 45 to 60 do not have a will, according to a newly released survey conducted by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance company. The survey, which was conducted online, found that a similar number (60 percent) of adults in the general population in that same age range did not have a will. By comparison, 69 percent of Hispanic respondents and 71 percent of AfricanAmerican respondents reported not having a will, according to the survey, which consisted of a total sample of 2,500 Americans between the ages of 45 and 60. Out of that total, 500 identiﬁed as members of the LGBT community.

The survey was conducted Aug. 8-14, 2016. “Leaving a positive, meaningful legacy is important for LGBT adults,” said Wonhong Lee, assistant vice president for Mass Mutual’s consumer and diversity group, which provides services for LGBT consumers. “That’s why we want to help them align their legacy, values and aspirations when planning for their loved ones’ financial future,” he said. Lee said that although Mass Mutual’s main product is life insurance policies the company also provides financial planning services to its clients. Michele Zavos, a Silver Spring, Md., attorney specializing in LGBT family law, said she and other members of her firm, Zavos-Juncker, have observed anecdotally a similarly high number of LGBT people who don’t have a will. “I think that one misimpression that should be corrected when we say people don’t have wills is that they don’t have a will that they proactively prepared themselves,” she said. “But they do have a will. Their jurisdiction of residence writes it for them.”

Added Zavos: “So everybody has a will. It’s just a matter of whether you know what it says or not” and whether it’s in your best interest or not. According to Zavos, people who are married – whether gay or straight – often don’t realize that state laws that determine who inherits the assets of someone who doesn’t have a will often do not award the entire estate to the surviving spouse. In many states, Zavos said, the deceased person’s children and parents are awarded a sizable part of the estate, with the spouse getting a smaller part. It all depends on the laws of your jurisdiction of residence, which are known as intestate succession laws, she said. “It’s the equivalent of a will. It just says what the state wants to say, not what you want to say.” For that and other reasons, Zavos said, it is important that all adults, especially LGBT people who may be estranged from blood relatives who aren’t accepting of their sexual orientation or gender identity, take immediate steps to obtain a legally prepared will.

The survey found that LGBT adults along with adults in the general population have a better record of documenting personal financial information such as financial accounts and insurance information. Sixtyone percent of LGBT adults aged 45 to 60 reported having done this, the survey found, compared to 60 percent of adults in that same age range in the general population. But the survey also found that LGBT respondents in the survey were among the least likely to say they have a child who has access to their important financial information (10 percent). By comparison, 33 percent of African-American respondents and 25 percent of Hispanic respondents reported having a child with access to their financial information. LGBT respondents, however, were significantly more likely to report having shared their financial information with a “special friend” (10 percent) versus 3 percent with Hispanic and 3 percent African-American respondents. More information about the survey can be obtained at massmutual.com/lgbt.

GOP lawmakers express ‘concerns’ over trans health care 45 House members seek answers from HHS By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com In the aftermath of the Obama administration interpreting the Affordable Care Act to ensure transgender people have access to transition-related health care, a group of 45 House Republicans led by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) is raising “significant concerns” about the development. In a letter dated Oct. 6 and made public on Wednesday, Pitts and other Republicans assert — incorrectly — the rule made final by the Department of Health & Human Services requires doctors to perform gender reassignment surgery even if they believe the procedure is not in the patient’s best interest. “Doctors who follow their oath to act in the best interest of the patients by refusing to perform these procedures massive financial penalties and even job loss,” the letter says. “Never before has the federal government forced doctors to choose between caring for their patients based on their best medical judgment, and complying with federal law.” In July, HHS made final a rule interpreting Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which bars discrimination in health care on the basis of gender, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender non-conformity. The

Rep. JOE PITTS spread inaccurate information about accessing trans health care.

rule ensures transgender people have access to all areas of transition-related care, including gender reassignment surgery. Contrary to the fear mongering in the letter, neither the law nor the rule supersedes providers’ professional, clinical judgment about the appropriate treatment for each patient, as well as

when to provide referrals. Stoking fears about children who would be subject to unnecessary procedures under the rule, lawmakers cite a statistic that 94 percent of children who suﬀer from dysphoria outgrow the condition and the mandate “strips doctors of their ability to counsel and advise the best course of medical care in their professional judgment if they believe gender transition procedures to be harmful.” (Past studies didn’t diﬀerentiate between non-transgender children who have nonstereotypical interests and children who consistently express a transgender identity. More recent research shows that the latter group is distinct and children are healthier when they can express their gender identity, typically without medical treatments.) Claiming Medicare and Medicaid don’t require providers to cover the procedure, lawmakers take issue with mandating “virtually every private physician, health care provider and health insurance plan in the country to do otherwise.” (The rule also applies to Medicare and Medicaid. Before the rule was instituted, Medicare lifted its ban on coverage for transition-related care, including surgery, but didn’t require contractors to provide it. Medicaid provided these treatments in a number of states.) The letter also objects to the absence of a religious exemption in the rule; says the estimated number of more than 900,000 health care providers required to comply “is breathtaking”; and expresses concern about whether the rule requires health

care professionals to perform abortions despite their religious objections. “HHS received numerous requests to provide clarification as to whether prohibitions on sex discrimination could be construed to require insurance plans to cover abortion or require health care professionals to provide one contrary to their religious or moral beliefs,” the lawmakers wrote. “Despite these requests, the final rule offers no such assurances that these individuals and organizations will not be penalized for providing quality care or insurance coverage that excludes abortions.” Although lawmakers don’t outright call for a reversal of the rule, they seek clarification from HHS on 12 stated points by Nov. 14. Among them is whether a doctor is required to prescribe children puberty-blocking medications even if that’s against their medical judgment; why no religious exemption was included in the rule; what kind of speech, including intended use of a gender pronoun different from a person’s gender identity “could rise to the level of creating a hostile environment;” and why Medicare and private entities are subject to different standards for transition-related care. Among the 45 lawmakers who signed the letter in addition to Pitts are Republicans who have a history of hostility toward LGBT rights, including Reps. Steve King (R-Iowa), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) and Martha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 1 5

GEORGETOWN

2816 O St NW • $3,990,000

• 4-5 BR / 4.5 BA • Detached home with windows & sun on 4 sides, so rare in Georgetown • Off-street parking • Private, lush garden • 3,050sq.ft interior (per floor plan) • Christian Zapatka designed classic, high-end renovation, including the addition of a 3rd story • One of the best blocks in the East Village

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 6 • O CTO B ER 2 1 , 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

Thiel to donate $1.25 million to Trump campaign PayPal co-founder said he’s ‘proud to be gay’ at GOP convention By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com The hedge fund manager and entrepreneur who declared he’s “proud to be gay” at the Republican National Convention plans to donate $1.25 million to aid Donald Trump in his presidential bid. Peter Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal and board member of Facebook, will make the donation to Trump through a combination of direct contributions to the candidate’s campaign and Super PACs. The New York Times was ﬁrst to report the news. A spokesperson for Thiel conﬁrmed for the Washington Blade the entrepreneur’s plan to make the donation. The Blade has placed a request with the Trump campaign seeking comment. In addition to declaring he’s gay at the

PETER THIEL speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 21. WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Republican National Convention, Thiel decried stagnant wages, rising health care and college tuition costs, arguing Trump is the right candidate to ﬁx the problems. “Instead of going to Mars, we have

invaded the Middle East,” Thiel said. “We don’t need to see Hillary Clinton’s deleted emails: her incompetence is in plain sight. She pushed for a war in Libya, and today it’s a training ground for ISIS. On this most important issue Donald Trump is right. It’s time to end the era of stupid wars and rebuild our country.” According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Thiel during this election cycle has also donated to Carly Fiorina’s presidential campaign, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), the Republican Party of California and Paul Babeu, the gay Arizona sheriﬀ running to represent Arizona’s 1st congressional district. Thiel also said during the speech he doesn’t agree with everything in the Republican Party platform, considered the most anti-LGBT in history, and denounced the debate about “who gets to use which bathroom.” It wasn’t clear whether he was being critical of LGBT advocates for seeking to protect transgender people from discrimination in bathroom use or whether he was speaking out against laws barring them

from using the restroom consistent with their gender identity. The news outlet Gawker outed Thiel as gay in 2007. In May 2016, he confirmed in an interview with The New York Times he paid $10 million in legal expenses to finance several lawsuits, including one by Terra Bollea, or “Hulk Hogan,” for invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and infringement of personality rights. Gawker published a sex tape of Bollea with a married woman. As a result of the lawsuit, the jury awarded Bollea $140 million and Gawker announced it was permanently shutting its doors. Eric Mackey, a PayPal spokesperson, underscored Thiel is no longer affiliated with the company, which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of eBay, when asked by the Washington Blade if PayPal would denounce the donation. “Peter Thiel was one of PayPal’s founders, but he is no longer associated with the company in any way,” Mackey said. “We cannot comment on his personal or professional views or affiliations.”

Mass. ballot measure seeks to undo trans law Fed’l lawsuit also filed against measure barring bias By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com Opponents of a newly enacted Massachusetts law that prohibits anti-trans discrimination in public accommodations have obtained enough signatures to place the measure on the ballot in 2018, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin certified Tuesday. Brian McNaff, a Galvin spokesperson, affirmed for the Washington Blade Wednesday opponents of the law submitted 34,231 qualified signatures to reverse the measure, which is slightly more than the 32,375 names needed. “They filed a sufficient number of signatures last week, which puts the referendum on the ballot in November of 2018,” McNaff said. The title of the ballot asks voters whether they approve of the transgender non-discrimination law and then provides a summary of the measure as reflected in the statute. For the referendum to succeed in reversing the law, a majority of voters have to vote “no” at the ballot. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, signed the law in July after it was approved by the Democratic-controlled

legislature. Although Baker initially hesitated to support the law, he came around and later signed the measure, which went into effect Oct. 1. The Washington Blade has placed a call to Baker’s office seeking comment on the referendum. The referendum only applies to anti-trans discrimination in public accommodations. In 2011, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat, signed into law a separate measure barring anti-trans discrimination in the state in housing, employment, credit and post-secondary education. The referendum won’t affect that law. Kasey Suffredini, chief program officer of the pro-LGBT Freedom for All Americans and co-chair of Freedom Massachusetts, predicted in a statement voters would uphold the measure at the ballot in 2018. “Legislators updated our Commonwealth’s civil rights law this year to legally protect transgender people from discrimination with the overwhelming support of thousands of businesses, faith leaders, women’s advocacy and antiviolence groups and fair-minded residents across the state,” Suffredini said. “It takes less than 1 percent of the Commonwealth’s population to force this commonsense update of our state law to the ballot in 2018. The people of the Commonwealth have a deep and long history of promoting fairness and inclusion. When presented with the question of whether to continue to treat transgender people as equal

members of the Commonwealth in 2018, they will vote yes.” Deborah Shields, executive director of MassEquality, also said in a statement voters in Massachusetts will reject efforts to overturn the law. “The people of Massachusetts have a deep and long history of promoting fairness and inclusion,” Shields said. “If the question of whether to continue to treat transgender people as equal members of our society ends up before Massachusetts voters in 2018, we are confident they will vote to retain the law and affirm the values of justice and equality that are the hallmarks of our Commonwealth.” The state certified the referendum will be on the 2018 ballot on the same day the antiLGBT legal group Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of four Massachusetts churches and their pastors seeking to overturn the measure. The lawsuit observes churches are subject to the law because they’re considered public accommodations if they host a secular event open to the public. The lawsuit also states the law forces pastors to “self-censor their speech” on anti-transgender views because the public accommodations law prohibits covered entities from making statements intended to discriminate or incite others to do so. As such, the complaint contends the law violates the right to free speech, freedom of association freedom of religion and due process under the First

and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit also calls for the court to suspend enforcement of the law as the litigation proceeds. The named plaintiffs in the lawsuit are George Small, a pastor at Horizon Christian Fellowship; David Aucoin, a pastor at Swansea Abundant Life Assembly of God; Esteban Carrasco, a pastor at House of Destiny Ministries; Marlene Yeo, a pastor at Faith Christian Fellowship of Haverhill; as well as the nonprofit religious corporations themselves. Steve O’Ban, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement the lawsuit is needed because the transgender non-discrimination law constitutes government overreach. “The government shouldn’t encroach on the internal, religious practices of a church,” O’Ban said. “Neither the commission nor the attorney general has the constitutional authority to dictate how any church uses its facility or what public statements a church can make concerning a deeply held religious belief, such as on human sexuality.” The named defendants in the lawsuit are Jamie Williamson, Sunila George and Charlotte Richie, each in their capacity as a commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination as well as Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, an out lesbian. A Healey official said her office is reviewing the lawsuit. � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 1 7

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 8 • O CTO B ER 2 1 , 2016

I N T E RN A T I O N A L N E W S

An anti-LGBT pastor in the Dominican Republic has sparked criticism with his apparent defense of DONALD TRUMP against allegations that he sexually assaulted women.

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Anti-LGBT Dominican pastor defends Trump Dominican LGBT activists have criticized a pastor who appeared to defend Donald Trump amid allegations that he sexually assaulted women. “Do you prefer someone who promotes homosexuality or someone who has weaknesses for beautiful women to be president of your country,” said Ezequiel Molina in a tweet on Saturday. Molina, who is the pastor of a church in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, posted the tweet less than a week after the New York Times and the Palm Beach Post published articles in which three separate women alleged that Trump sexually assaulted them. The Washington Post earlier this month released a recording in which the Republican billionaire made lewd comments about women and bragged about groping them. Trump has repeatedly denied that he has ever sexually assaulted women. Molina has deleted his controversial tweet. He appeared to backtrack from it on Sunday. “A question that invited reflection was the only thing done,” wrote Molina in a tweet. “A question is not a value judgment, so only a sensible response is expected.” Bob Satawake, the husband of U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic James “Wally” Brewster, sharply criticized Molina. “Absolutely pathetic,” said Satawake on Sunday via Twitter. “You are not a man of God!” “You can erase it, but your words will live on,” he said after Molina deleted his controversial tweet. Yimbert Feliz, an activist who was the first openly gay candidate for the city of La Romana’s Council last year, said on Monday that Molina criticized him and the LGBT community during his campaign. Feliz also pointed out to the Washington Blade that Molina’s son, Ezequiel Molina, Jr., described gays as “perverts” in a recent Facebook post. “It is painful and shameful that Pastor Ezequiel Molina lives his life motivated by hate and discrimination towards the Dominican Republic’s LGBT community,” Feliz told the Blade. “He is always calling for hate, rejection and more against gays.” Molina posted his controversial tweet less than two weeks after police arrested more than a dozen young people who were in a Santo Domingo park that is a popular with LGBT Dominicans. Feliz told the Blade in a separate interview that some of those who were taken into custody paid a “bribe” before they were released. Brewster has urged Dominican officials to investigate the incident. MICHAEL K. LAVERS

3 ‘effeminate’ men arrested at Saudi Arabia Starbucks Saudi police last week arrested three “eﬀeminate” men at a Starbucks in the country’s capital. The man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter account told the Washington Blade that a gay friend said oﬃcers arrested the men — who were all under 20 — at a Starbucks on Riyadh’s King Abdullah Road on Oct. 13. Agents with the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice — the so-called “religious police” that enforces Sharia law in Saudi Arabia — were reportedly

with the officers when they arrested the three men between 10 p.m. and midnight. “[This is the] busiest time for restaurants and cafes in Riyadh, considering that the weekend there is Fridays and Saturdays,” said the man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter account, who has previously asked the Blade not to publish his name. He said the officers arrested the three men because Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice agents are “no longer allowed to make arrests.” The man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter account told the Blade on Tuesday that authorities released the men “shortly after” they were arrested. The State Department’s 2015 human rights report notes it is illegal in Saudi Arabia for men “to behave like women” or to wear women’s clothing. Media reports indicate that authorities in Taif, a city that is roughly 470 miles southsouthwest of Riyadh, arrested a man in late 2015 who was wearing an abaya, a black cloak that women in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries wear, at a shopping mall. Police and agents with the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in 2014 arrested 35 gay men — many of whom were wearing women’s clothing — at a party in the city of Jiddah on the Red Sea. The man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter page told the Blade that such raids are “not uncommon.” He said the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice directs the police to carry them out in order to “send a message.” Saudi Arabia is among the handful of countries in which homosexuality remains punishable by death. “The dangerous thing about these raids is that they are completely unexpected and random, and there are no way to know who will be arrested,” said the man behind the Saudi LGBT Twitter page. “Usually the ‘gayer’ you look the more likely you are to be arrested. But you can be arrested for just looking at the religious police funny or filming them. It is completely random.” He told the Blade that those who are arrested in such raids could face “humiliation, torture or even sexual abuse.” Neither the Saudi government nor Starbucks have returned requests for comment. MICHAEL K. LAVERS

CALEB OROZCO, an LGBT rights advocate who challenged Belize’s sodomy law, speaks with the Washington Blade at the lower Manhattan oﬃces of OutRight Action International on Sept. 21. WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS

U.N. urges countries to decriminalize homosexuality A U.N. report urges countries to decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein notes in the report to the U.N. Human Rights Council that “states that criminalize consensual homosexual acts are in breach of international human rights law.” “These laws, by their mere existence, violate the rights to privacy and nondiscrimination,” it reads. “Arrests and the detention of individuals on charges relating to sexual orientation and gender identity — including oﬀenses not directly related to sexual conduct, such as those pertaining to physical appearance or so-called ‘public scandal’ — are discriminatory and arbitrary.” The report from May 2015 notes consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized in more than 70 countries. Those found guilty of homosexuality in a handful of countries that include Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania and Sudan and in portions of Nigeria and Somalia face the death penalty. The so-called Islamic State has publicly executed dozens of men in Syria and Iraq who were accused of committing sodomy. “The application of the death penalty in this context represents a grave violation of human rights, including the rights to life, privacy and non-discrimination,” reads the report. Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique, Palau, Nauru and the Seychelles have decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual acts since 2011. Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin of the Belize Supreme Court in August ruled his country’s colonial-era sodomy law is unconstitutional. MICHAEL K. LAVERS

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

MA O CT ORCH BE R 1 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 ȏ• 1 9

want a quickie?

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

20 • OC T OB E R 21, 2016

BA LT I MO RE N E W S

New community center wins praise

quick & free hiv testing free safe sex kit info about PrEP locations in baltimore, columbia, glen burnie, & easton

When the GLBT Community Center of Baltimore (GLCCB) moved its offices from the Waxter Center in the Mount Vernon neighborhood to the new locale in lower Charles Village in August, there was an abundance of optimism among the staff and community members. On Oct. 16, the GLCCB hosted a grand opening to show off the new digs and to demonstrate why there is good reason for the optimism. The center hosted a cookout in the parking lot of its 2530 N. Charles St. edifice, which houses a Bank of America branch and office space for several other organizations. The open house featured a tour of the brightly lit, airy third floor suite complete with newly installed carpeting, several individual offices, multiple meeting rooms, including a large community room that can accommodate 100 people, a discreet HIV testing room where testing takes place twice a week, a library, an art gallery and ample parking among other amenities. “This is a lot more modern and more youth-friendly with its open lounge area and library, which is more accessible,” Jennifer Eden, a GLCCB Peer Navigator, told the Blade when comparing this venue to the Waxter Center offices. “There is sufficient meeting space to hold five meetings going on the same time,” says Eden. Mimi Demissew, the newly appointed director of operations for the GLCCB agrees. “It’s a lot more open and there’s a lot more room for programs,” she says. “It’s a better place for youth.” Jabari Lyles, president of the GLCCB’s board, in announcing the move in July, described this as “a new chapter for a stronger, smarter organization on which our community can rely.” The new space, Lyles says, is “a breath of fresh air. Hopefully, it solidifies a successful future for us.”

Md. LGBT Chamber of Commerce being formed The Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce is being formed in an effort to empower and promote LGBT business owners and professionals in the Maryland marketplace. “We will accomplish this through education, networking and advocacy,” says Betsy Cerulo, board president. For six months, more than 50 supporters have been laying the groundwork to organize and develop the group using the hashtag #MDLGBTChamber. The Chamber’s goal is to officially launch on June 14, 2017, aiming to grow to 500 individuals and businesses. To participate or support the chamber as a sponsor, find the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or call Betsy Cerulo at 410-715-4035 or email bcerulo@adnetp3.com.

Black Trans Advocacy holds summit

chasebrexton.org/POWER 410-837-2050 x8813

About 50 people attended the first Black Trans Advocacy MD/DC Regional Summit on Oct. 8 at the offices of Baltimore-based Hearts & Ears, a non-profit that provides support and services for LGBTQ individuals with mental health issues or concerns. Community members from New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Southern Maryland, and D.C. attended the summit, says Black Trans Advocacy Maryland/DC president Vann Millhouse, who co-hosted the event with Merrick Moses and Mykell Hatcher-McLarin. The summit highlighted key issues, such as HIV/AIDS and its impact on transmasculine communities, trans health issues, such as responsible intimacy and presentations from elders who shared their stories about life before the word “trans” was part of the lexicon. Kylar Broadus, Monica Stevens Alex G, Sandy Diore, Ken Jiretsu, Karen Holmes were among the speakers. Deb Dunn of Chase Brexton Health Care along with Star Track and the Baltimore City Health Department, and Trans Parent Network4You were in attendance to discuss gender variant communities and how to provide better services to these communities. For more information, contact vmillhouse@blacktransmen.org. STEVE CHARING

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 2 1

Keep your promise to protect each other.

~ 202.319.8541 • www.lgbtc.com • Se habla espanol

Serving Our Community for 35 years

a d v i C e • m e d iat 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

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

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

Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A.

at tor 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

6 9 3 0 C a r r o L L av e , S u i t e 6 1 0 • ta k o m a Pa r k m d

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

CATHERINE M. REESE, ESQ. Reese Law Kate Reese, a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, together with her associates Christine Hissong, Joseph Mullaney and Mario Williams, offers a wide variety of Family Law services throughout Northern Virginia, DC and Montgomery County, MD. Ms. Reese and Ms. Hissong are certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia to serve as Mediators in family law disputes and are trained in Collaborative Law (“the kinder, gentler process”). The firm advocates for clients in family law disputes, whether the parties are married, divorced, never married, or are interested third parties. We pride ourselves on serving the whole community and have the ability to assist in LGBTQ cases as well as grey divorces. The decisions you make impact your important relationships and may affect your legal rights. We invite you to join us at our office on November 12 for a free seminar designed to help you make informed, forwardfocused decisions. Space is limited; please promptly call to indicate your interest.

CONCENTRATIONS Family Law and Collaborative Law, as well as Advocacy, Mediation, Litigation, Grey Divorce, LGBTQ Family Law AWARDS Top 10 Attorney Award, National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, Inc.; DC and VA Super Lawyers, including Top 50 Women Attorneys in VA; Best Lawyers in America®

Your Partner in Family Law Resolutions 3050 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 510, Fairfax, VA 22030 Tel. 703.279.5140; E-mail Info@ReeseLawOffice.com ReeseLawOffice.com

Love, hope, success, family, security.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

22 • OC T OB E R 21, 2016

H E A LT H N E W S

LGBT people get new NIH designation In a move aimed at highlighting the unique health challenges facing LGBT people, the National Institutes for Health announced it has designated the LGBT community as a health disparity population. Eliseo Pérez-Stable, director of the National Institute on Minority Health & Health Disparities, said in a statement Thursday the decision “marks an important and necessary step in realizing NIH’s mission to advance the health of all Americans.” “Mounting evidence indicates that SGM populations have less access to health care and higher burdens of certain diseases, such as depression, cancer and HIV/AIDS,” Pérez-Stable said. “But the extent and causes of health disparities are not fully understood, and research on how to close these gaps is lacking.” The formal designation of the LGBT population is sexual and gender minorities (SGM), which NIH says includes LGBT people as well as “those whose sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, or reproductive development varies from traditional, societal, cultural or physiological norms.” Kellan Baker, senior fellow with the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress, said in a statement the designation is important because as LGBT people become more visible, “assaults on their dignity, health and well-being are on the rise.” “These disparities are then exacerbated by discrimination at the hands of health care providers,” Baker said. “Discrimination and disparities are especially harmful to LGBT communities of color and others who live at the intersections of multiple marginalized communities.” The designation builds on earlier steps the NIH has taken to advance health research for LGBT people. In 2011, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine published an NIH-commissioned report that found LGBT people face physical and health challenges in childhood, adulthood and later years. As a result of the report, NIH extended its research portfolio and created the Sexual & Gender Minority Research Oﬃce (SGMRO), which coordinates NIHsupported activities on LGBT health issues. Although NIH has already considered LGBT health a priority area for research, Baker said the new designation provides a home within the NIMID to localize that research. Pointing to research NIHID has done on young gay and bisexual men of color and HIV/AIDS, Baker said the new designation will also allow for increased research into transgender health. “This will allow more investigators, more researchers to put together proposals for looking at trans health disparities and take them to NIH and seek support for ﬁguring out what’s the magnitude of these disparities, what are interventions that hope to close them and what can we do to improve the health and wellbeing of the trans population,” Baker said. (CHRIS JOHNSON)

Smoking, drinking rates higher for gays: study Some things we all have in common. There’s nobody like me to protect the things we all value. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY. ®

Steve Weinberg ATTORNEY AT LAW

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR 33 YEARS

Jonna S Wooten, Agent Bus: 703-560-7804 www.jonnawooten.com

PERSONAL INJURY • PROBATE WILLS/ POA’s • CIVIL LITIGATION CONSERVATORSHIPS • GUARDIANSHIPS

202-861-0077

2141 P STREET NW SUITE 103 WASHINGTON DC 20037 E-MAIL steveweinbergdc@aol.com 1101022.1 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

LICENSED IN DC, MD AND VA

NORWALK, Conn. — New data just released from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 39 percent of LGB adults said they had used some type of illicit drug over the past year compared to about 17 percent of straight respondents, HealthDay News reports. About 15 percent of LGB adults said they’d battled substance use disorder vs. 15 percent of straight respondents. Smoking and drinking rates were higher as well — 32 percent smoking for LGB people vs. 21 percent of straight folks. For drinking, it was 64 vs. 56 percent respectively. However LGB adults seemed to be more amenable to seeking out treatment for a substance-abuse disorder if one developed. The report found that among adults who required substance use treatment, 15.3 percent of LGB adults received it at a specialty facility over the past year, compared with 10.6 percent of straight adults, HealthDay reports. LGB adults were more than twice as likely as straight adults to have had any kind of mental illness in the past year (37.4 percent versus 17 percent), and also had a higher rate of past year serious mental illness (13 versus 3.6 percent). However, treatment rates were higher for LGB adults with a mental illness, the researchers said. For adults with any kind of mental illness in the past year, LGB adults were more likely to receive mental health treatment than straight adults (48.5 percent versus 42.6 percent), according to HealthDay. About 4.3 percent of American adults are either lesbian, gay or bisexual, according to the report.

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 2 3

Washington’s premier center for integrative medicine and holistic Dentistry Brad Snyder, nurse practitioner, likes to approach wellness through a natural lens and integrate the best of holistic and conventional medicine. He is certified in palliative care and hospice, which has taught him to blend spirituality and healing to improve quality of life. Brad is licensed to provide the full range of primary care services to adults and children, including ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications, supplements, treatments, and referring to specialists. AreAs of focus: • Holistic Primary & Urgent Care for Children and Adults • LGBTQ Health & Wellness • Care and Support for Patients Living With HIV • Meditation/Mindfulness and Energy Medicine

Educated at Brown, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins Washingtonian Magazine Top Doc US News & World Report Top 1% of Doctors in USA Dual Board Certified: Facial Plastic Surgery Body Plastic Surgery

Convenient evening and Saturday hours Located across the street from Friendship Heights Metro Station • Parking is validated 5225 Wisconsin Ave., NW Ste. 402 • WDC 20015 www.nihadc.com

To help you Achieve opTimum heAlTh, nATurAlly!

DentalBug.com Cosmetic, Implants, Sleep Apnea, Sedation Call Today • Weekend Hours • MulTilingual

“We believe we can make the dental experience better.”

lauren rdH and Patient-of-the-Week Cielo ADVERTISING ISSUE DATE: 08.05.16

NS GN EVISIONS /LOGO REVISIONSJeanette Suh SIONS DMD

SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JOE HICKLING (jhickling@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, John or any other right of any Tsaknis person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the DDS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all Indra Mustapha liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred Maria Hodas DDS, MS to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related DDS and warranties.

1221 Mass. ave, nW • 202.628.7979 • (Free Parking) 703 d street, nW • 202.628.1288 l’enfant Plaza,sW • Promenade #325 • 202.628.2177

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

PROOF

• • • • • • • •

Laser Liposuction Pec and Ab Etching Facial Rejuvenation Gynecomastia Laser Hair Removal Botox & Skin Care Transgender Surgeries Ultherapy

CALL TO ASK ABOUT OUR LASER LIPO SPECIALS

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.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

2 4 • O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2016

VIEWPOINT

Shep Smith comes out — 11 years after I outed him Congrats to the longcloseted Fox News anchor

KEVIN NAFF is editor of the Washington Blade and can be reached at knaﬀ@washblade.com.

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith came out as gay Monday in an interview with the Huﬃngton Post — almost 11 years to the day that I outed him in 2005. Smith hit on me in a New York City gay bar a year earlier. I didn’t immediately out him because he wasn’t actively courting media attention at the time. But a year later, after Smith won praise for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina, he began attracting media attention and answering questions about his personal life in a coy way, always dodging the truth. Hence, the outing in the Blade.

After 14 years at the Blade, it remains one of the most popular stories I’ve written, which is unfortunate. I’d much prefer that privileged celebrities come out on their own and help inspire the next generation. As I wrote in 2005: “The biggest sleeping asset in the fight for full gay equality lies in the shadows of the closet. When we live openly, we force those around us to reconsider their negative views of homosexuality. That’s when the stereotypes give way to understanding and real change occurs. “No Human Rights Campaign ad campaign in the ‘red states’ can produce the impact of gays who live in those states actually coming out. “How can we expect the construction worker making $20,000 a year to come out when the rich and pampered are still hiding in the closet? How will gays living in Peoria find the fortitude to live honest lives, when the gay denizens of New York and Hollywood won’t?” Smith hasn’t exactly been closeted in recent years, appearing in 2014 at a National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association event in New York and posing for a selfie with CNN’s Don Lemon, who’s out. Blade

reporter Michael Lavers confronted Smith at that event and asked about his sexual orientation; he quickly disappeared. The reaction to my outing of Smith ranged from cheers to angry condemnation. It all seems a tad quaint in 2016 — and ridiculous that coming out today in Manhattan attracts any attention at all. But still, thanks to Fox News’s role in promoting the Republican agenda for 20 years that has often included vicious attacks on LGBT equality, it’s noteworthy that one of the network’s top stars is gay. My outing of Smith was chronicled in the 2009 documentary film “Outrage.” When I sat for an interview with director Kirby Dick, I assumed it would be an obscure documentary screened in a handful of LGBT film festivals. After the film debuted at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival, HBO picked it up and for a month, you couldn’t turn on one of HBO’s channels without seeing it. Throughout the controversy, I felt bad for Smith and how lonely it must be as a closeted gay man at Fox News. He’s a good guy, a skilled journalist and I’m relieved he’s finally out. It’s unfortunate it took so long, but welcome to the sunshine. E DIT OR IA L CA RT O O N

VOLUME

ISSUE

ADDRESS

PO Box 53352 Washington DC 20009 PHONE

202-747-2077 E-MAIL news@washblade.com INTERNET 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 POP CULTURE REPORTER MARIAH COOPER PHOTO EDITOR MICHAEL KEY mkey@washblade.com 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 ACCT. EXECUTIVE SIRIWAT PATHARAPANUPATH spath@washblade.com ext. 8078 JOE HICKLING jhickling@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.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

V I E W PO I N T

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 2 5

Why do LGBT voters ask so little of Hillary? Libertarians Johnson, Weld offer principled alternative By TERRY MICHAEL LGBT voters have serious alternative candidates to consider for president and vice president, Gary Johnson of New Mexico and Bill Weld of Massachusetts, former Republican governors in Democratic states, now Libertarians. But many gay voters seem willing to settle for a pat on the head from a woman who so often has found herself running to the front of the gay Pride parade, trying to catch up with the culture. Hillary Clinton’s “public” positions, we are informed by WikiLeaks, have not been consistent with her “private” beliefs, on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the egregious Defense of Marriage Act. I have been a member of the Washington gay community since 1975, coming to work as press aide to a new Democratic congressman. In the 1980s, I was press spokesman for the Democratic National Committee. From that experience, I am baﬄed how

organizations supposedly representing us have positioned the LGBT community as an adjunct to the Democratic Party. Whenever a minority group allows itself to be taken for granted, it loses leverage. Our “leaders” may get invitations to the White House, ego-satisfying pats on the head. More often, we get kicked in the butt, told to be grateful because the other party is so terrible. The prime example of LGBT organizations seduced by the Democratic Party and The Clintons is the Human Rights Campaign — the other HRC — and its executive director, Chad Griffin, a Clinton crony from Bill’s hometown of Hope, Ark. Griffin has ridden the coattails of Bill and Hillary, rising to head of the HRC and, as reported by the Blade, receiving $429,411 in compensation in 2013 — a then 40-year-old paid more than the leader of the free world. Rising from a 19-year-old press aide for Clinton, Griffin can be relied on to deliver an impression of gay support at HRC’s annual dress-to-impress dinners. The theme for 2015 was “Stronger Together,” not coincidentally Mrs. HRC’s campaign slogan. It was held Oct. 3, 2015, when she was still running

for the Democratic nomination against Bernie Sanders, whose opposition to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and DOMA was early and often, dating to The Clintons’ White House years. About two weeks after the dinner, Clinton claimed the discriminatory directive and law were “defensive actions,” as reported by the Blade on Oct. 24, 2015. A Washington Post fact checker on Oct. 28 debunked Clinton’s claim that DOMA was signed to “head off” a constitutional amendment. Post writer Michelle Ye Hee Lee gave Clinton “Four Pinocchios” for her creative attempt to rewrite history. Griffin’s HRC isn’t the only organization getting into bed with a political party. Log Cabin Republicans have been no profiles in courage this year, letting themselves be taken for granted by the GOP, refusing to condemn Trump. Many gay citizens are not single-issue voters. In addition to important social issues, economic/fiscal concerns and foreign/ national security policy are as important to many of us as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and DOMA. As a “libertarian Democrat,” I not only want the government out of my bedroom. I favor keeping it as far away as possible from

my bank account, my body and the backyards of the rest of the world. As a Democrat who refuses to be taken for granted, I’m working for Gary Johnson and Bill Weld. In December 2011, still running for the GOP presidential nomination, Gov. Johnson announced his support for gay marriage. That contrasts sharply with Clinton, who didn’t oﬀer her “public” approval until just weeks before the Supreme Court ruled for marriage rights in June 2015. Gov. Weld was well known for his support of gay rights when he was chief executive in Massachusetts from 1991-97, overlapping most of the Clinton White House years. It’s now all but certain Donald Trump isn’t going to be president. So LGBT voters should not be assumed for Clinton. Gay support for Johnson and Weld will be principled votes for two leaders whose “public” positions are the same as their “private” civil libertarian views. TERRY MICHAEL is senior media adviser for Johnson-Weld 2016. Founder of the Washington Center for Politics & Journalism, he was chief press spokesman for the Democratic National Committee from 1985-87. Reach him at terrymichael@terrymichael.net.

I N S I DE LGB T W A S HING TON

In awe of — and inspired by — Hillary Clinton Behind the unfair smears is a resilient, decent woman

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

No other woman in American politics has been as viciously attacked for as many years yet manages to maintain her equilibrium and overcome the odds while continuing to work for the American people. Many of us are in awe of her and respect, admire and are inspired by her. Americans named her the most admired woman in the world for 20 years. There has always been misogyny and sexism in politics and many strong women have been attacked at diﬀerent times in their careers. Eleanor Roosevelt and Bella Abzug are two that come immediately to mind. But none has faced the vicious and constant

drumbeat of criticism and smears directed toward Hillary Clinton. After law school, Hillary began her career working for the Children’s Defense Fund ﬁghting for children against segregated schools in the South and for an equal opportunity for a good education for those with disabilities. That may have been the last thing she did where she wasn’t savaged by the Republican Party attack machine. From the time she moved to Arkansas and married Bill Clinton she was a foil subjected to vicious attacks by those who wanted to bring him down. She was attacked for wanting to maintain her own name after marriage, something not done in the South at the time. In an interview in 1979 for “In Focus,” Hillary discussed her reasons for not taking her husband’s name saying, “I didn’t want anyone ever to think that I was taking advantage of his position or in some way riding on it.” It was reported that, “In Bill Clinton’s 1978 campaign for Governor his opponent, Frank White would refer to his own wife as “Mrs. Frank White,” an obvious attack against Clinton.” Over the years, the attacks on her used to get at Bill Clinton became more vicious. The so-called ‘scandals’ before and during the Bill Clinton presidency were about stopping

him. Hillary was excoriated in these attacks, which included Whitewater and Travelgate; she was even called a murderer when it was suggested she killed Vince Foster, a longtime friend who committed suicide. All were extensively investigated at the cost of millions of dollars to taxpayers and not one found Hillary guilty of anything. Then there were Bill’s indiscretions. Hillary was attacked for defending the husband she loved and even today is attacked for not embracing the women who intentionally tried to sleep with her husband. The world is upside down. There have been 25 years of attacks on Hillary and the billion dollars spent by the Republican Party to bring her and Bill down, most of the attacks before she even ran for oﬃce on her own and won the Senate seat in New York in 2000. Through it all Hillary has stayed strong and persevered. By any account she is an amazing woman. She maintains her own humanity, brought up an incredible daughter, and made the personal decision to save her marriage and just celebrated her 41st wedding anniversary. Her Republican detractors should remember the saying, “people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” Numerous people have looked and checked Hillary Clinton’s statements over the years. Mother Jones did and found Hill-

ary to be one of America’s most honest politicians. Jill Abramson wrote a column suggesting that Hillary is very honest and it may be her desire to have a ‘zone of privacy’ that sometimes leads people to think she isn’t telling the truth. But Hillary understands that ‘facts’ have never stopped people from believing and repeating years of well-funded Republican lies and smears against her. Other politicians without the strong central core of decency, morality and the amazing resilience Hillary has would have long ago gone home and lived the life of luxury and ease Hillary easily could have. Yet she doesn’t. She ﬁghts on and withstands the slings and arrows thrown at her because she knows there is more she can contribute toward making ours a ‘more perfect union.’ She understands there is so much more to do before we have a truly equal society where minorities, women and the LGBT community have the chance to live their lives to the fullest and in safety. She knows her work for children and families must continue. She knows the situation in the world requires a steady hand as commander-in-chief. I remain in awe of Hillary Clinton and am inspired by her as would anyone who takes the time to know the real woman behind the smears.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

2 6 • O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2016

VIEWPOINT

Overcoming election madness Michelle Obama calls us to action with strength and hope

RICHARD J. ROSENDALL is a writer and activist. Reach him at rrosendall@starpower.net.

The nastiness of this year’s presidential campaign makes it hard to stay on an even keel between now and Election Day. The Republican presidential nominee, exposed as a sexual predator by his own mouth, resorts to unhinged rants and escalating accusations. He blames a media conspiracy, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and the Jews. He accuses Hillary Clinton of using performance-enhancing drugs and demands a drug test before the ﬁnal debate. He critiques her backside. He baselessly claims the election is rigged. His supporters threaten armed insurrection. It all comes at us too rapidly to absorb. On Oct. 14, he denied all charges of sexual assault and said of accuser Jessica

Leeds, “Believe me, she would not be my ﬁrst choice.” Actually, decades after the alleged incident, I think she is still beautiful. But wait: he would rather have molested someone else? His compulsion to strike back against every critic betrayed him. His witness against Leeds, Anthony Gilberthorpe, has a history of making unproven claims, such as that he provided underage rent boys to Tory cabinet oﬃcers. The Republican nominee lives in an alternate reality with gold toilets and adoring nincompoops who cheer every blast of his verbal diarrhea. He mocked Oscarwinner Marlee Matlin as if her deafness made her mentally challenged. He threatens press freedoms. He acts as a Kremlin mouthpiece, dramatically waving around hacked Democratic emails that only crude doctoring or wild misrepresentation can render scandalous. He treats charitable giving the way he treats contractors: just his name or good word is payment enough. This is in the great American tradition of taking what you want (Latin motto for his coins: “Cape quod vis”). That said, he did not reach the top of the ticket without help. For example, Republican legislators, spotting an opportunity to demagogue against trans people, rushed to beat back a nonexistent spate

of molestations in bathrooms rather than deal with real problems facing their states. In ironic symmetry, their presidential nominee ogles teenage girls in beauty pageant dressing rooms and hits on 10-year-olds. It will do us no good if we respond to an opportunist’s drive-by political shooting with ill-focused blame of our own. Slamming the establishment in general for GOP obstruction is like responding to a broken leg by breaking your other leg. The intolerance, know-nothingism, and gridlock plaguing America have a Republican address. The destructive resentment the GOP candidate stokes is the impulse of a mob, not a solution to any problem. We cannot solve today’s challenges by retreating into the past. Immigrants are not leaving, lost industrial jobs are not returning, and women are not going back to the Mad Men era of groping and demeaning that their mothers and grandmothers endured. At a rally in New Hampshire on Oct. 13, Michelle Obama gave a strong, stirring speech that was a master class in political discourse. She not only turned a withering gaze on the adolescent bully who is the Republican nominee, she gave an exhortation: “On November 8th, we can

show our children that here in America, we reject hatred and fear, and in difficult times, we don’t discard our highest ideals. No, we rise up to meet them. We rise up to perfect our union. We rise up to defend our blessings of liberty.” We must pace ourselves to get through this ugly season. We can turn off the television, turn away from the flood of bile on social media, take in the autumn air, relax with friends. But we cannot forget our civic duty. We have to assume that those whom Trump has rallied to pull our country apart out of misdirected anger will vote. We dare not let them win by default. A self-described feminist gadfly in Houston named Andrea lifts my spirits. Responding to Trump’s claim that “a global power structure” is out to stop him, she tweeted, “We are, but most people just call us women.” The first lady summons our better selves. Decades of progress in achieving America’s ideals are at risk of being reversed, and our Constitution subverted. As President Obama said, “Democracy itself is on the ballot.” We don’t have perfect choices, but we have clear choices. It is time to rise. Copyright © 2016 by Richard J. Rosendall. All rights reserved.

BRO CK, P A P E R, SCI SSO RS

Time to make 17th Street our official gay street City should paint crosswalks in rainbow colors and more

BROCK THOMPSON is a D.C.-based freelance writer. He writes regularly for the Blade.

In this “Best Of” issue of the Blade, we’re reminded of the best things about being gay in this fabulous city of ours. Practically everything is here — the best this, the best that — it’s truly an honor just to be nominated, probably. And truthfully, we get to highlight some very cool places and very deserving people. I’ve even explored all the great and gay things I love about D.C. before in this column. One reader liked that piece so much they commented, “I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.” I assume they threw up out of excitement, like the Labrador we had when

I’d like to see 17th Street pedestrian only, if not just for a few days or even weeks around Pride. I was a kid. But of all the things I love about D.C., the one thing I’ve come to really appreciate is 17th Street. After all, it’s our street. I enjoy strolling down 17th Street just about any time of day. We all know the stretch I’m talking about, those few blocks between S and P streets. Dito’s Bar, JR.’s, Cobalt, Annie’s, and some sexy, sultry frame stores, 17th Street is just too damn charming. It’s right that the gay community coalesced around it. It’s tree-lined, quietish, and more appealing than nearby 14th Street. When I saw a baby stroller literally jammed in the revolving door of a popular 14th Street restaurant, I knew that strip had seen its heyday. But 17th endures. When I think of other cities that I’ve been to recently that boast similar gay neighborhoods, I’m reminded that we can

do a better job of really making 17th Street our own. But how to go about designating that? Chicago’s infamous Boystown has those large, rather phallic looking things with rainbow rings running around its base lining Halsted Street. The symbolism there is rather subtle, don’t you think? Google that, hit images. You’ll see what I mean. But, nevertheless, there is a benefit to designation. It helps clarify, impart, and promote the benefits of history, especially important for minority groups. Visiting Montreal for the first time this past summer for a friend’s bachelor weekend, I was struck by what an importance the city places on pedestrian-only streets coupled with public art installations. The heart of the gay neighborhood, there known as “the Village,” was free of

cars during the summer months. Not only that, the street was lined with thousands of pink balls hung overhead. Also, it was peppered with public art pieces, including an upright piano free for anyone to play. It was fascinating to watch people, gay and straight, respond to these things. Chicago and Montreal are but two examples. D.C. can do this. And D.C. needs to do this. And yes, I know that a few of those blocks on 17th Street are designated as Frank Kameny Way, just look up at the street sign next time your at Dupont Italian Kitchen. Sadly, though, not a lot people are familiar with who Frank Kameny was or what he did. That’s a column for another time. My point, we can do more. I’d like to see 17th Street pedestrian only, if not just for a few days or even weeks around Pride. I’d like to see more of an eﬀort from the city to help, with anything from painting the crosswalks in rainbow colors to some of those blue neighborhood heritage trail signs that you see around other neighborhoods in the city. Seventeenth Street is our street. And it’s time to oﬃcially designate that. It’s really one of the best things about living in D.C.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

V I E W PO I NT

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 2 7

#CripTheVote brings disability community to the fore Presidential candidates take note of long-ignored group

KATHI WOLFE, a regular contributor to the Blade, was the winner of the 2014 Stonewall Chapbook Competition.

This has been a contentious, divisive election season. Yet, being queer and disabled, I’m hopeful despite the muck. Though campaigns (at least in the Democratic Party) have recognized the LGBT community as a political constituency for some time, the disability community has been largely unnoticed. This election cycle, the disability community is finally getting on the radar. Through the social media campaign #CripTheVote and other get-out-the-vote efforts, the disability community has become a part of the cultural conversation as it hasn’t been before. Recently, on Sept. 21 in Orlando, Fla., Hillary Clinton became the first presidential candidate to deliver a speech pitched to the disability community. In a tight race, Clinton and Donald Trump are seeking the votes of a community that is increasingly becoming a voting bloc to be reckoned with: the one-in-five Americans who, ac-

proud winner of a 2013, 2014 & 2016 american graphic design award

cording to the U.S. Census Bureau, have disabilities, their families, friends and allies. Some three to ﬁve million people identify as queer and disabled. Previously, presidential campaigns have occasionally referenced disability. In 1996, the late actor Christopher Reeve, who had a spinal cord injury, spoke at the Democratic National Convention, and Bob Dole, the Republican presidential candidate and World War II veteran, spoke openly about his war injury. But this election, it’s diﬀerent. Crip the Vote has been tweeting questions and responding on Twitter during the presidential debates. Three disability groups, The Association of People with Disabilities, National Council on Independent Living and REV UP campaign, sent the candidates a detailed questionnaire about their policies on disability issues. Clinton and Trump responded to the survey. Clinton’s speech to the disability community in Orlando wasn’t the usual batch of platitudes. She spoke of the discrimination, inaccessibility and poverty so many people with disabilities live with daily. Disability is an issue that “really gets to the heart of who we are as Americans,” she said. Not all disabilities are visible, Clinton said. But, “If you don’t know you know someone with a disability, I promise you, you do,” she added, “But their disability is just one part of who they are.” Clinton’s campaign has plans aimed at making colleges more accessible to disabled students, helping people who have Alzheimer’s disease and autism. The campaign has

released an ad for Clinton in American Sign Language and an ad featuring disability rights advocate Anastasia Somoza. People with disabilities were mentioned 35 times in 19 section of the Democratic Party platform, former Congressman Tony Coelho, who has epilepsy, told the Washington Post. Trump’s disability policy is far less developed than Clinton’s. And his recent comments on people with disabilities are on par with his anti-queer, misogynistic, anti-immigration and sexist views. Behind the scenes, he called Oscar-winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin “retarded” when she was on his reality TV show “The Apprentice,” according to recent news reports. The term “retarded” is a slur against people with intellectual disabilities. Matlin, known for her role on the “The L Word” isn’t intellectually disabled. “It’s not about insults or taking each other down,” Matlin wrote in a statement on Twitter, “As a person who is Deaf, as a woman, as a mom, as a wife, as an actor, I have a voice. And I’m using that voice to make myself heard...and vote.” Trump’s mockery of a New York Times reporter with a disability is well known. Trump has denied dissing the reporter, and boasted that he spent “millions of dollars” to make his buildings disability accessible. (He’s legally required to ensure that his buildings are accessible to disabled people.) If you’re able-bodied, accessibility may seem like an abstract concept. If you’re disabled, it’s all too real. In 2012, I went to my polling place to vote. After I said I needed assistance because I’m visually impaired, a man working at

the polls said to me, “if you read to me what’s on the ballot, I’ll help you vote.” Eventually, this got ironed out. But, for a moment, I wondered if I’d be able to vote. CripTheVote is a nonpartisan campaign to engage voters and politicians in a discussion of disability issues, and to get disabled people out to vote. You might think that there’s little connection between CripTheVote and the queer community, but you’d be wrong. Disabled people in our community have spouses, friends and colleagues. Now that we can legally marry, some of our children will have disabilities. “The LGBT community has shown what targeted organizing can accomplish,” Alice Wong, a CripTheVote co-founder, e-mailed me. “The LGBT community is a great example of how to build coalitions.” The disability community has a higher rate of poverty than the queer community, Ted Jackson, a 47-year-old gay man with a neurological disability, told me in a phone interview. “But the LGBT community didn’t start from a place of wealth,” added Jackson, the former community organizing director of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. “Yet, if you get enough $3 donations, they’ll add up to a million dollars,” Jackson, currently, director of disability community engagement with the Democratic National Committee, said. You don’t have to be disabled to support #CripTheVote. Check it out. Let’s all join the conversation.

2 8 • O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2016

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

30 YEARS OF PROGRESS BUT THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER

1987

1999

Join Us November 12, 2016 2015

RUN, WALK OR DONATE TODAY For decades, Whitman-Walker Health has worked to end HIV. We’ve been part of this fight for 30 years and we know that we are so close to finding a cure. Now is your chance to RUN, WALK or DONATE to end HIV! Join us November 12th on the National Mall as we honor those we’ve lost along the way, mark the progress we’ve made and aim to reach the finish line.

walktoendhiv.org

The great thing about the Washington Blade’s annual Best of Gay D.C. Awards is that there are always new things to try. Even if you’ve lived in the District for years, there’s no way all this stuff could be on any one person’s radar. And there are always funny, bittersweet and poignant moments throughout these pages — we cheered on Tatianna on “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season two, we hung out and ﬂirted at the Town Patio, we mourned the devastating loss of this year’s Best Chef Tyonne Johns, we splurged at Le Diplomate, we rooted for Sheila Alexander-Reid and Earl Fowlkes in their advocacy work, went shopping at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and felt the triumph of the human spirit at “Kinky Boots” during its Kennedy Center run. About 20,000 votes were cast in 98 categories for the 15th annual Best of Gay D.C. Awards. The Blade’s Stephen Rutgers coordinated the process. The writers and photographers are credited throughout. The entire Washington Blade staff congratulates each of this year’s winners and ﬁnalists.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

•

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

LOCAL HERO

ERIC FANNING U.S. ARMY SECRETARY

President Obama has appointed a record number of openly LGBT people to his administration, but over the course of the last year none has received as much attention as Army Secretary Eric Fanning. His approval by the U.S. Senate in May after a nearly yearlong process in which his confirmation was in question made him the first openly gay person confirmed to head a military service branch. Since that time, Fanning has become a hero in the LGBT community and a favorite interview subject for the media.

In an interview with the Blade in August, Fanning said he’s aware of his fan base, which he said has grown with each advancement of his career at the Pentagon. “I always think I’m prepared and then the wave comes when you’re nominated, when you’re confirmed, when you’re sworn in,” Fanning said. “There’s always something that’s a hook that gets a little bit of attention.” Over the course of the Obama administration, Fanning has occupied a position in each of the military services. Before his confirmation as Army secretary, Fanning held the posts of Air Force under secretary and deputy secretary at the Navy. Fanning was also chief of staff to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and served as acting Army secretary, but had to relinquish the job briefly to win confirmation. No stranger to LGBT advocacy, Fanning was once a

board member for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. He began his tenure in the Obama administration at the time Congress repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In 2013, Fanning became the ﬁrst senior defense ofﬁcial to endorse a non-discrimination rule for sexual orientation in the military and openly transgender service in the armed forces. The U.S. military has since adopted both ideas. Fanning said in August the changes have been great for him to witness personally, but “far more important, I think, it’s been great for the U.S. military.” “Opening up service to people who haven’t had the opportunities, but meet the requirements, means we can recruit from a broader pool of talent and get the best our country has to offer,” Fanning said. (Chris Johnson) � CONTINUES ON PAGE 32

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 3 1

CELEBRATION

Receive Up to $20,000 Toward Flex Cash!* Pulte Homes is already known for offering outstanding floor plans with Life Tested® features in great locations. Now we’re giving you another reason to buy, extra cash toward closing costs or to apply toward designer upgrades in Quick-Move-In homes* located in our most popular communities.

Hurry in today. These savings, like these homes, won’t last long. Ends November 13th.

866.362.0711 | PULTE.COM/DC *Offer valid on purchase agreements accepted by Pulte Homes from 10/15/16 until 11/13/16 on quick move-in homes only in Pulte's DC Metro neighborhoods and is subject to change or withdrawal at any time without notice. Home must close by 12/22/16. Homebuyers participating in the Affiliate Incentive Program, which includes financing through Pulte Mortgage LLC, will receive a credit at closing of up to $18,750, not to exceed 3% of the final sales price, which credit may be used for the payment of approved closing costs and reserves, or toward cost of selected options (excluding lot premiums). In addition, any buyer not participating in the Affiliate Incentive Program, will receive at closing a credit up to $1,250, which credit may be used for the payment of approved closing costs and prepaids, or toward cost of selected options (excluding lot premiums). Total of credits not to exceed lesser of 6% of Total Purchase Price or $20,000. Any unused amount of the credit is the property of Pulte Homes. Buyer is responsible for paying closing costs and reserves or cost of upgrades that exceed the incentive amount. Some conditions, limitations, and restrictions apply. Offers, rates, terms and conditions subject to change or withdrawal without notice. All loans subject to underwriting and loan qualifications of the lender. Pulte Mortgage LLC is an Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS Entity Identifier #1791. For licensing information for Pulte Mortgage LLC access www.pultemortgage.com www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Upgrade selections vary by home and community. Offer may not be redeemed for cash or equivalent, and no substitutions are available for any upgrades. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. Photograph is for illustrative purposes only, is not intended to be an actual representation of a specific home being offered and depicts a model containing features or designs that may not be available on all homes or in all areas or that may be available for an additional cost. Please see a sales consultant for details. Life Tested® is a registered trademark of PN II, Inc. ©2016 Pulte Home Corporation. MHBR#516. All rights reserved. (10/15/16)

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

BEST ARTIST

JOHN JACK GALLAGHER RUNNER-UP: DENIS LARGERON WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST AMATEUR ATHLETE/ BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

GRACE THOMPSON D.C. FRONT RUNNERS

RUNNER-UP: MARK HOFBERG, D.C. GAY FLAG FOOTBALL RUNNER-UP (FITNESS INSTRUCTOR): KYLE SUIB Grace Thompson calls the D.C. Front Runners “welcoming, supportive and friendly.” The D.C. native joined the group seven years ago and is one of between 15-20 women in the league. “Our group is dynamic with a full spectrum of runners, from the sub threehour marathon to walkers and every pace in between.” Thompson, a lesbian, started running consistently about 10 years ago. Since then, she’s run ﬁve full marathons and four half marathons. On Oct. 30, she’ll add another to the list — the Marine Corps Marathon. “I’m honored, surprised and thankful to win,” Thompson, who works by day as the owner of Embody Pure Fitness, says. “I honestly didn’t campaign at all. It was a surprise to me that I was even nominated.” (Joey DiGuglielmo)

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

John Jack Gallagher has been taking photos since his ﬁrst boyfriend gave him a 35-millimeter camera for his birthday more than 30 years ago. In 2012, he started shooting professionally after members of the Stonewall Kickball team he’d been photographing insisted he shoot their wedding. “I created a Facebook page and started getting a lot of likes and even some clients,” Gallagher, 57, says. “My friends ended up eloping so I did not get to photograph their wedding, but by then, John Jack Photography was started down the road to being a permanent thing.” Gallagher shoots fundraisers, weddings and sports and says he’s working more hours than he ever has before. “But I love it,” he says. He aims for “colorful, candid and emotional” photos. “I like my photos to be vibrant and tell a story, even when they capture a single moment,” he says. Gallagher is single and has been traveling all over the East Coast to build his business. He’s also learned to be more careful after getting banned from Facebook ﬁve years ago for accidentally posting a photo of a woman whose bathing suit had slipped during a Jello wrestling match. (Joey DiGuglielmo) � CONTINUES ON PAGE 34

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 3 3

From your friends at the National Aquarium,

Thanks for voting us the Best Reason to Go to Baltimore!

aqua.org

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST BUSINESSPERSON

BEST CLERGY

TOWN, TRADE AND NUMBER NINE

RUNNER-UP: BISHOP ALLYSON ABRAMS

JIM ‘CHACHI’ BOYLE

RAYCEEN PENDARVIS

RUNNER-UP: DR. GREGORY JONES, CAPITAL CENTER FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY & WELLNESS Jim “Chachi” Boyle has been involved in various nightlife ventures for 20 years. A decade ago he became business partners with John Guggenmos and Ed Bailey, the visionaries behind Town Danceboutique, Trade and Number Nine. “It’s an honor to be recognized,” Boyle says. “My partners and I are fortunate to have amazing managers, awesome staffs and great customers.” Boyle lives in Shaw. Town Danceboutique has won dozens of Washington Blade Best of Gay D.C. awards since it opened in 2007. (Joey DiGuglielmo)

MOST COMMITTED ACTIVIST

EARL FOWLKES

RUNNER-UP: SARAH MCBRIDE Those who know Earl Fowlkes know the path he has taken over the past 30 years from an AIDS and gay rights activist in New York City and D.C. to his current role as leader of three prominent LGBTrelated organizations and chair of the D.C. Commission on Human Rights. He epitomizes the term “committed activist.” Fowlkes served as a volunteer with various AIDS organizations in New York City and New Jersey during the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

early 1990s. In 1996, he moved to D.C. to take a job as executive director of Damien Ministries, a faith-based group that provides services to people with HIV/AIDS. In 1999, he became one of the founders of the organization that expanded D.C.’s Black Pride celebration into a national federation that quickly evolved into the International Federation of Black Prides, which helped coordinate black LGBT Pride events worldwide. While serving as its CEO and president, Fowlkes played a key role in 2012 in expanding the organization’s mission to take on black LGBT-related economic, social and health issues along with a change of its name to the Center for Black Equity. In keeping with his interest in politics as a means of achieving social change, Fowlkes was elected chair of the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT Caucus in August 2013 shortly after being appointed as a member of the DNC. In November 2014, Fowlkes won election as president of D.C.’s Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the city’s largest local LGBT political organization. As if this were not enough, the D.C. City Council in July 2015 conﬁrmed Fowlkes’ nomination by Mayor Muriel Bowser to become chair of the D.C. Commission on Human Rights. The independent commission is charged with adjudicating discrimination cases under the city’s Human Rights Act, which bans discrimination, among other categories, based on sexual orientation and gender identity. “One thing led to another,” said Fowlkes in discussing his activist endeavors. “It’s the most humbling thing that’s ever happened to me and I’m so immensely proud to have this honor.” (Lou Chibbaro Jr.) � CONTINUES ON PAGE 36

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 3 5

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST COUNCIL MEMBER

DAVID GROSSO

RUNNER-UP: JACK EVANS Most LGBT activists who know Council member David Grosso (I-At-Large) say he began with a running start in his support for LGBT issues during his first year on the Council in 2013 and hasn’t stopped since then. “He has an extensive record of supporting LGBT concerns, including introduction and passage of bills to prevent youth suicide and to require LGBT cultural competency for medical professionals,” according to the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, which gave Grosso its highest rating of +10 for D.C. Council candidates running in the Nov. 8 election. During his first term in office, Grosso has introduced, co-introduced or cosponsored at least a dozen bills that directly or indirectly benefit LGBT people. Among them is the Youth Suicide Prevention and School Climate Survey Amendment Act of 2015, a first-of-its-kind measure that specifically lists “LGBTQ

youth” as an at-risk subgroup requiring careful attention in school suicide prevention programs. Other bills that Grosso introduced or co-introduced include the LGBTQ Cultural Competency Continuing Education Amendment Act of 2015, which requires all medical professionals to take LGBTQ cultural competency training to maintain their licenses; a bill banning co-called “conversion therapy” for minors; and a measure requiring the city to provide new birth certificates to transgender people to reflect their correct name and gender. Grosso has attended meetings of LGBT organizations has appeared at numerous LGBT events, including the Capital Pride Parade, AIDS Walk Washington, D.C. Black Pride and the D.C. LGBT Center annual reception. “As an at-large Council member I work every day to ensure that our city welcomes, embraces and respects the human rights of every person,” he wrote in his response to GLAA’s candidate questionnaire. “This commitment to inclusion is reflected in my staff that includes several individuals who live openly as members of the LGBTQ community.” (Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST HILL STAFFER

JOHN ASSINI

RUNNER-UP: EVAN DORNER For John Assini, public service has been a calling he has felt since his youth and one he now answers as legislative correspondent to Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). “When I was young, it was instilled in me to ﬁght for my beliefs,” Assini said. “Working on the Hill allows me to do that every day. Working for passionate members of Congress over the last ﬁve years has allowed me to contribute in a small way to the national conversation, which has been a humbling experience.” Assini, 27, has already built a substantial resume since he began his career on Capitol Hill in 2011. Before working for Baldwin, he was a legislative aide for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources and an intern for now-

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). Between 2012 and 2014, Assini was also a board member for GLASS, the afﬁnity group for LGBT Senate staffers. But Assini feels especially honored to work for Baldwin, whom he calls a “dedicated and thoughtful member who continues to work tirelessly on behalf of her state and its residents, and who shares my values of a fair, more equitable America.” The only out lesbian in Congress is up for re-election in 2018. “That I also am part of the ﬁrst openly gay U.S. senator’s team does not escape me,” Assini said. “She will always be a part of our shared LGBT history and I’m very lucky to work for her. Knowing that I play a role executing Sen. Baldwin’s vision of cleaner energy, better water quality and a brighter future for Wisconsin helps me stay focused every day.” (Chris Johnson) � CONTINUES ON PAGE 38

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 3 7

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK RUSTEIN

BEST REAL ESTATE GROUP

THE EVAN AND MARK TEAM COMPASS EVANANDMARK.COM

RUNNER-UP: RAY GERNHART AND ASSOCIATES RE/MAX

PHOTO COURTESY OF BEAGLE PHOTO BY FERNADO FRANAO; COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

BEST LOCAL PRO ATHLETE

KATIE LEDECKY

FIVE-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST IN SWIMMING

RUNNER-UP: BRYCE HARPER

BEST REHOBOTH REAL ESTATE AGENT

CHRIS BEAGLE

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY GALLO REALTY GOTOGALLO.COM (ALSO WON THIS CATEGORY LAST YEAR)

RUNNER-UP: JACK LINGO

BEST MASSAGE

GARY BRENNAN ARLINGTON, VA. MYMASSAGEBYGARY.COM 301-704-1158

RUNNER-UP: JACOB GOUGH BEST LGBT BUREAUCRAT

SHEILA ALEXANDER-REID DIRECTOR OF LGBTQ AFFAIRS FOR D.C. GOVERNMENT

RUNNER-UP: JACK JACOBSON BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

MICHAEL FOWLER COMPASS 202REALTOR.COM

RUNNER-UP: JEFF TAYLOR, SOTHEBY’S WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST STRAIGHT ALLY

HILLARY CLINTON

RUNNER-UP: LEIGH ANN HENDRICKS � CONTINUES ON PAGE 40

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;˘ 3 9

ARRIVE FASHIONABLY. NEVER LATE.

At BMW of Fairfax we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just help you reach your destination, we make sure you arrive in style. Because life is all about moments and making sure you make the best of them. The art of complimenting each customer with their dream car has taken years to perfect. And we want to thank you for acknowledging our hard work and voting BMW of Fairfax as Best Car Dealership in the Washington Blade Best of Gay DC Awards. We are so grateful that we are offering

SPECIAL OFFER

30% OFF

any service repair or maintenance (total of bill, parts and labor, less discount, plus shop supplies and tax)

*Valid 10/22/16-10/31/16 (excludes batteries and tires. Maximum discount $500).

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST TRANS ADVOCATE

SARAH MCBRIDE

RUNNER-UP: RUBY CORADO Sarah McBride in July became the ﬁrst openly transgender person to speak at a major party convention, but her advocacy efforts began long before she took to the podium at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. McBride came out as trans in 2012 when she was the student body president of American University. The Wilmington, Del., native had been involved with Equality Delaware, a statewide LGBT advocacy group, for several years. She joined the organization’s board of directors after she came out. McBride testified three times in support of the bill that added gender identity to Delaware’s antidiscrimination and hate crimes law. Gov. Jack Markell said after he signed the measure in 2013 that his former intern “courageously stood before the General Assembly.” McBride made national headlines in April when she posted a picture of herself on Instagram inside a women’s

bathroom in North Carolina. The state’s governor, Pat McCrory, had just signed House Bill 2, which prohibits trans people from using public restrooms that are consistent with their gender identity and bans local municipalities from enacting LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination measures. “Trying to pee in peace,” wrote McBride in her post. “Trying to live our lives as fully and authentically as possible. Barring me from this restroom doesn’t help anyone. And allowing me to continue to use this bathroom — just without fear of discrimination and harassment — doesn’t hurt anyone. Stop this. We are good people.” McBride, who supports Hillary Clinton, worked at the Center for American Progress until she became a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign in June. She remains humble about her advocacy efforts. “ I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of this community and this movement, especially at such an important time,” McBride says. “There are so many amazing trans advocates doing lifesaving work across the country.” “This has been a tough year for

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

transgender people, particularly in states like Mississippi, Texas and North Carolina, but I hope they know that there are so many people who see them, who care for them, and who are fighting to make this world a little kinder and safer for all of us.” (Michael K. Lavers)

BEST STYLIST

QUENCY VALENCIA SALON QUENCY 1534 U ST., N.W. 202-930-7008

RUNNER-UP: RYAN PAYNE, BANG SALON

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 42

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

ent t urg e new s o em f th of th ances o Post e n o n form sily ingto [E]a ing per n -Wash p easo grip and heater s t

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 4 1

FOR E! K C BA RD TIM I E TH

“Scabrously funny” -Washington Post

BY GUILLERMO CALDERÓN DIRECTED BY YURY URNOV

NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 6

OCTOBER 25—OCTOBER 30

CITY Y! D N ECO WOOLL S E TH NS TO UR RET

NOVEMBER 12—JANUARY 1

WOOLLYMAMMOTH.NET 202-393-3939

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIXTAPE

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

she came of legal age decided she wanted to emulate Barbra Streisand’s Fanny Brice. Her journey led her to frequent fetish clubs, at the time the only place to find burlesque shows. Now La Blanc regularly performs at the Bier Baron Tavern and has her own burlesque production company Glit-ORama Productions. She’s also become known for her cos-play of Regina Mills from “Once Upon a Time.” La Blanc says her showgirl life is an open book for her kids who often see an evening gown and a vat of crystals strung out on the dining room table after dinner in her Northern Virginia home. Events like this make it all the more fitting that her tagline is “The Stepford Wife gone wild!” For La Blanc, burlesque is all about pride in being who you are. “As an exhibitionist I love being on stage and I love sparkly things,” La Blanc says. “But I find that self-empowerment, self-confidence is what burlesque is all about. I go on stage and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m a 30-something-year old woman. This body has popped out babies and I’m still going to wear next to nothing and shake my bacon.” (Mariah Cooper)

BEST DANCE PARTY

MIXTAPE

RUNNER-UP: BARE BY LURE DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer host Mixtape, an alternative dance party, on the second Saturday of each month. Locations vary. The ﬁfth annual Mixtape Halloween party is on Monday, Oct. 31 at the Howard Theatre. It’s at the 9:30 Club on Saturday, Nov. 12. mixtapedc.com BEST BARTENDER

DITO SEVILLA

DITO’S BAR AT FLORIANA 1602 17TH ST., N.W.

RUNNER-UP: DUSTY MARTINEZ, TRADE BEST BURLESQUE DANCER

BELLA LA BLANC

RUNNER-UP: GIGI HOLLIDAY Bella La Blanc is a housewife and mother of three, but unlike most wives and mothers, she’s a showgirl who has found a way to play multiple roles in her life and not just on stage. La Blanc, originally from Miami, says she was a theater kid who ﬁrst fell in love with burlesque after watching “Gypsy.” She then watched “Funny Girl” and once

PHOTO COURTESY OF LA BLANC

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 44

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 4 3

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY DAMIEN SALAS

BEST DRAG QUEEN

TATIANNA

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST COCKTAIL

LEMON SQUEEZE

DUPLEX DINER 2004 18TH ST., N.W. 202-265-7828 DUPLEXDINER.COM (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: WATERMELON BASIL SLUSH, LOGAN TAVERN BEST DJ

MATT BAILER

PEACH PIT, MIXTAPE (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: DJ TEZRAH

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAY

BEST DRAG KING

CHRIS JAY

RUNNER-UP: SEBASTIAN KATZ

Chris Jay — who identiﬁes as gender non-conforming and goes by Chris Jennings in non-drag endeavors — started drag three-and-a-half years ago, led to the craft by photography. Interested in ﬁnding some different subjects, he happened upon the D.C. Kings four years ago and started shooting as many of their performances as he could.

About six months later, he started with the Kings and continues to this day. “I’m a lover of R&B, so you’ll ﬁnd me performing that mostly,” Jay says. “My drag persona is me at a thousand, so I’m kind of full of myself and way more outgoing.” Now with Pretty Boi Drag (the Kings folded last year), Jay performs twice a month — the ﬁrst Sunday of each at Acre 121 and the third Sunday of each month at the Bier Baron. Jay is 36, happily partnered and lives in Baltimore. (Joey DiGuglielmo)

RUNNER-UP: BA’NAKA While Tatianna has been a drag nightlife staple in D.C., for the rest of the nation she had dropped off the radar in between her appearance on the second season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and her reemergence in “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2.” In her original season, Tatianna, who hails from Falls Church, Va., became a stand-out competitor when she won Snatch Game with her eerily on point imitation of Britney Spears circa 2005. Her taglines, “Thank you” and “Choices” also made her a fan favorite. In “All Stars 2” Tatianna was booted from the show by fellow queen Alaska not once, but twice. However before leaving she yet again left an impression on the judges with her spoken word performance of “Same Parts,” an ode to men at parties who hit on her and don’t realize she also has the “same parts.” The local queen also dressed up as T-Boz for her last runway challenge impressing both the judges and fans. Tatianna can frequently be found performing at Town and has said her favorite celebrities to impersonate are Britney Spears, Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus. Tatianna has mentioned on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” that she ﬁrst began doing drag in middle school at age 14. Since leaving the show, Tatianna is ready to continue working hard on her career. “You can expect to see me everywhere because I’m traveling the world, dropping new music and saying ‘Yes!’ to any and all projects,” Tatianna told the Hufﬁngton Post following her exit from the show. (Mariah Cooper) � CONTINUES ON PAGE 46

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 4 5

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

SAT, APR 15

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF WASHINGTON, DC PRESENTS:

GOD SAVE THE QUEENS

TWO SHOWS!

WED, OCT THU, OCT2613 SAT, OCT 22

BUMPER JACKSONS MAHMOUD AHMED FRI, OCT 21

LAURA BENANTI SAT, OCT 29

TWO SHOWS!

CRISTINA PATO FRI, NOV 11

WILLIE NILE SAT, NOV 12

LOOK PARK SOUTHSIDE JOHNNYOF (CHRIS COLLINGWOOD &FOUNTAINS THE POOR OFFOOLS WAYNE) INDIAN DANCE AND AMERICAN MUSIC POETRY IN MOTION SAT, NOV 19

NEWMYER FLYER

LAUREL CANYON: GOLDEN SONGS OF LOS ANGELES 1966-1972 SAT, NOV 26

WED, NOV 9 + THU, NOV 10

SHEILA E. THE SWINGLES YULE SONGS

CHAMBER MUSIC AT THE BARNS FRI, DEC 2

BOSTON BRASS

CHRISTMAS BELLS ARE SWINGIN’!

CHAMBER MUSIC AT THE BARNS SUN, DEC 4

AND MANY MORE!

WOLFTRAP.ORG/BARNS | 1.877.WOLFTRAP

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44

He’s a weekly regular at Town and performs there and elsewhere, never taking himself too seriously. “I just try to be entertaining and cute,” the 25-year-old D.C. resident says. He’s also honored to win — “It feels good, I didn’t think I would.” Knight dances nude sometimes and has shot more than 100 gay porn scenes since 2012 (favorite co-star? Colby Jansen). He got his famous shamrock tattoo at Ocean City at age 18 when he was there for his senior trip. “My boyfriend and I got matching tattoos,” he says. “I’m Irish and pretty lucky, so it ﬁts.” (Joey DiGuglielmo) BEST HAPPY HOUR

D.C. BEAR CRUE BEAR HAPPY HOUR EVERY FRIDAY AT 6 P.M. TOWN DANCEBOUTIQUE 2009 8TH ST., N.W. DCBEARCRUE.COM

RUNNER-UP: NUMBER NINE HOTTEST BAR STAFF

NELLIE’S

900 U ST., N.W. NELLIESSPORTSBAR.COM

RUNNER-UP: TOWN PATIO WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 48

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNIGHT

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY HUGH CLARKE

BEST DRAG SHOW

LADIES OF TOWN FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AT 10:30 P.M. TOWN DANCEBOUTIQUE 2009 8TH ST., N.W. TOWNDC.COM

RUNNER-UP: PRETTY BOI DRAG BEST GAY-FRIENDLY STRAIGHT BAR

DACHA BEER GARDEN

1600 7TH ST., N.W. 202-524-8790 DACHADC.COM (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: BLACK CAT

BEST GO-GO DANCER/STRIPPER

DYLAN KNIGHT

RUNNER-UP: CHRISTIAN LEZZIL

Tatianna isn’t the only star to launch from Town Danceboutique. Dylan Knight started gyrating lasciviously about 2010 after seeing other go-go dancers there.

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 4 7

THANK YOU

FOR VOTING US BEST BREWERY AGAIN THIS YEAR!

DCBRAU.COM

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46

PHOTO BY KATHERINE GAINES; COURTESY OF 9:30 CLUB

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST LIVE MUSIC

9:30 CLUB

815 V ST., N.W. 930.COM (A perennial favorite in this category)

RUNNER-UP: BLACK CAT

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

JR.’S BAR & GRILL

1519 17TH ST., N.W. JRSBAR-DC.COM (A perennial favorite in this category)

RUNNER-UP: UPROAR

BEST OUTSIDE-THE-DISTRICT BAR

FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY PETE EXIS

555 S. 23RD ST. ARLINGTON, VA. FREDDIESBEACHBAR.COM (A winner of this award many times previously)

RUNNER-UP: GRAND CENTRAL (BALTIMORE) BEST OUTDOOR DRINKING

TOWN PATIO

TOWN DANCEBOUTIQUE 2009 8TH ST., N.W. TOWNDC.COM (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: DACHA BEER GARDEN BEST PLACE FOR GUYS NIGHT OUT

ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS

1824 HALF ST., S.W. SECRETSDC.COM (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: DC BEAR CRUE BEAR HAPPY HOUR WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY HUGH CLARKE

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 50

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 4 9

Meet Cat.

A rebel with claws.

Grieving the suicide of her lesbian lover, a young poet goes home to her religious parents, who enlist a firebrand minister to “tame” her ... but she fights back. A rejoinder to Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew from a fierce woman's point of view.

. E M A T

10010 Fernwood Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817

Worship as You Are!

By JONELLE WALKER Directed by ANGELA KAY PIRKO With JILL TIGHE as Cat

In Montgomery County SUNDAYS at 10:30AM

NOV 3 to DEC 11, 2016 2700 South Lang Street, Arlington, VA 22206

bethesdaucc.org

avantbard.org

Michael Fowler

Thanks for voting me A D V E RT I S I N G P R O O F ‘Best Realtor’ SALES REPRESENTATIVE : JOE HICKLING (jhickling@washblade.com) for 2016! Realtor ® DC/VA/MD 202.812.0272

ISSUE DATE: 10.21.2016

202Realtor.com facebook.com/202Realtor twitter.com/@202Realtor

REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. 14th Street Floor Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is1313 not submitted withinNW, 24 hours of 2 the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia Washington, DC 20005 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,

ADVERTISER SIGNATURE

By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the

Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 202.386.6330 | 301.298.1001 | 202.545.6900 | 202.448.9002

GUNSTON ARTS CENTER Theatre Two

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 48

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY DAMIEN SALAS

BEST PLACE FOR GIRLS NIGHT OUT

BEST REHOBOTH BARTENDER

EVERY THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH AT COBALT 1639 R ST., N.W. FACEBOOK.COM/LUREWDC (Second consecutive win in this category)

BLUE MOON 35 BALTIMORE AVE. REHOBOTH BEACH, DEL. BLUEMOONREHOBOTH.COM

BARE BY LURE

RUNNER-UP: WHISKHER BEST REHOBOTH BAR

BLUE MOON

35 BALTIMORE AVE. REHOBOTH BEACH, DEL. BLUEMOONREHOBOTH.COM (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: AQUA

MATT URBAN

RUNNER-UP: JAMIE ROMANO, PURPLE PARROT Matt Urban has been behind the bar at the venerable Blue Moon for 14 years. His friendly, reserved demeanor keeps the customers coming back year after year. He says the best part of the job is “meeting so many different people and catching up with friends.” Originally from Wilmington, he lives in Rehoboth with his wife. � CONTINUES ON PAGE 52

PHOTO COURTESY OF URBAN

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 5 1

VOTED BEST DATE RESTAURANT! VOTED BEST BARTENDER, DÍTO SEVILLA!

Half priced wine Wednesday and Sunday. Díto downstairs all week!

Family Building through: • Adoption • Donor Agreements • Surrogacy Serving the LgBt coMMunity for ALMoSt 20 yeArS. noW in Dc, MD & vA!

827 Woodside Parkway • Silver Spring, MD 20910 p: 301.221.9651 • f: 240.491.9551 jfairfax@jenniferfairfax.com • www.jenniferfairfax.com

Thank you Washington Blade readers for your votes and patronage! Mon - Thurs & Sun: 5 - 10:30 pm • Fri - Sat: 5 - 11pm Bottomless Brunch Sat & Sun

1602 17th Street, NW • Washington, DC 20009

202.667.5937 • florianarestaurant.com

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50

BEST ROOFTOP

UPROAR LOUNGE & RESTAURANT 639 FLORIDA AVE., N.W.

RUNNER-UP: NELLIE’S BEST SINGER OR BAND

FRANKIE & BETTY

FACEBOOK.COM/FRANKIEBETTY (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: WICKED JEZABEL

PHOTO COURTESY OF COUTURE

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY HUGH CLARKE

BEST TRANSGENDER PERFORMER

GIGI PARIS COUTURE

RUNNER-UP: LADY DANE Gigi Paris Couture started performing 20 years ago. She was just hanging out in drag one night at a bar and one of the performers was a no-show. “They asked me to perform and I liked it,” Couture, a veteran of Ziegfeld’s, Town, Freddie’s, Cobalt, Perry’s and many others, says. She performs weekly and works by day as a stylist at the Cosset Aveda in Crystal City, Va., near where she resides in Alexandria. Couture, who’s single, says many trans performers work right alongside drag queens. She acknowledges there is “occasional tension, but nothing major.” “There’s always something funny at every show,” Couture says. “That’s the nature of the business. A pastie can come off, duct tape might fall off or a piece of jewelry might fall on someone’s eggs during brunch. Little funny things that make people laugh.” She’s happy to win this new category, a Washington Blade Best of Gay D.C. ﬁrst. “It’s an honor to be acknowledged for something I have enjoyed doing for so long.” (Joey DiGuglielmo) WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 54

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 5 3

2401 Foxhall Road, NW WashiNgtoN dC

Clarice smith, Gallop, 2009, oil on canvas

albert Paley, Steneby I, 2011, forged steel with blackened finish

20007

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT

DUKE’S GROCERY 1513 17TH ST. NW DUKESGROCERY.COM RUNNER-UP: TASTY BURGER

BEAU THAI

“Delicious, fresh, authentic Thai food in inviting atmosphere.” Also won this category in 2015. 3162 MOUNT PLEASANT ST., N.W. 1550 7TH ST., N.W., UNIT A (SHAW) BEAUTHAIDC.COM

Let there be no mistake, despite the everchanging menu at Duke’s Grocery, the Proper Burger reigns supreme. Whether you eat it to stop a hangover before it starts or indulge in it when said hangover has taken hold, it’s an artery-clogging melange of Creekstone Farms Angus beef (now that we’re on a Michelin kick in D.C., it’s the same beef you’ll often ﬁnd in Michelin-starred restaurants) topped with smoky gouda and both a garlicky aioli and a Thai sweet chili sauce. Add a duck egg and housemade chicken liver paté when those two beef patties are just not enough protein, or pile on extra pickles and rocket if you’ve got your mom’s voice in your ear reminding you that you really need to eat more veggies. And some of us can’t resist adding a side of the trufﬂe mac ’n’ cheese. Just sayin.’ (Kristen Hartke)

RUNNER-UP: RICE

BEST BOOZY BRUNCH

LEVEL ONE

BRUNCH IS SERVED A LA CARTE EVERY SAT. & SUN. FROM 11 A.M.-4 P.M. 1639 R ST., N.W. LEVELONEDC.COM

RUNNER-UP: FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR BEST LOCAL BREWERY/DISTILLERY

DC BRAU

“Popular craft brewery offering free tours and tastings.” Also won this category in 2015. 3178-B BLADENSBURG RD. NE DCBRAU.COM

RUNNER-UP: RIGHT PROPER BREWING CO.

BEST BURGER

PHOTO BY STEPH HARDING; COURTESY OF DC BRAU

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 56

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 5 5

lifestyle boutique Beltway 7405 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301.469.7690 Bethesda-Chevy Chase 5258 River Road Bethesda, MD 20816 301.656.3311 Landscape Design|Build|Maintain 7405 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301.762.6301 Shop online: americanplant.net

FestiveFall Arrangements

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 54

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIMEO

BEST CHEF

TYONNE JOHNS

RUNNER-UP: ALEX LEVIN, OSTERIA MORINI PHOTO BY ELLA M PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF OLD BLUE BBQ

BEST CATERER

OLD BLUE BBQ

“Full-service catering company specializing in regional ﬂavors, southern specialties and homemade favorites.” Also won this category in 2015. 4580 EISENHOWER AVE., ALEXANDRIA, VA. OLDBLUEBBQ.COM

RUNNER-UP: MASON DIXIE BISCUIT CO. BEST CHEAP EATS

&PIZZA

1215 CONNECTICUT AVE., N.W. 1250 U ST., N.W. 1400 K ST., N.W. ANDPIZZA.COM

RUNNER-UP: AMSTERDAM FALAFEL

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

The last meal that caterer and chef Tyonne Johns served was salmon and jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese and rice pilaf, at the wedding reception for a close friend on Aug. 6. An openly gay chef, her life was senselessly ended that night when an employee of the Chantilly, Va., park where the wedding was held argued with Johns over some folding chairs and stabbed her to death. It’s a tragic footnote on the life of a woman whose brother was murdered 10 years earlier; she is particularly remembered by her friends for her commitment to supporting LGBT events, programs and entrepreneurs, and using her business as a way to provide new opportunities for aspiring chefs. (Kristen Hartke) � CONTINUES ON PAGE 58

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 5 7

STREB Extreme Action Elizabeth Streb, Artistic Director

SEA (Singular Extreme Actions)

DOG WALKING & CAT SITTING petservices@metromuttsdc.com

(202) 643-6344 WWW.METROMUTTSDC.COM Thank you Blade reader for voting us Best Pet Business!

25% OFF TWO VISITS FOR USE THE BLADE-EXCLUSIVE PROMO CODE “BLADE” FOR 25% OFF TWO VISITS FOR NEW DOG WALKING & CAT SITTING CLIENTS IN OUR SERVICE AREA!

November 4 & 5 | Eisenhower Theater A short Meet & Greet with the company follows each performance. Nov. 4: The Meet & Greet is preceded by a free Post-Performance Discussion.

• VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO REGISTER FOR SERVICE • CONSULTATION REQUIRED • OTHER RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! KENNEDY-CENTER.ORG | (202) 467-4600 Tickets also available at the Box Office. Groups call (202) 416-8400. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 56

BEST COFFEE SHOP

COMPASS COFFEE 1335 7TH ST., N.W. COMPASSCOFFEE.COM

RUNNER-UP: TRYST

OK, so, yeah, Compass makes good coffee. The nitro cold brew, a process by which the grounds are steeped in cold water and then infused with nitrogen, results in a creamy, rich brew that almost mimics the texture of a protein shake, so we can fool ourselves into thinking that it makes a good liquid breakfast after spin class. But we’re kind of into the tea, too, which Compass co-owners Michael Haft and Harrison Suarez decided to custom blend in-house when they couldn’t ﬁnd a tea that complemented their coffee program. Look for the Raspberry Rose Petal, a ﬂoral caffeine-free blend, or the bergamot-tinged Lavender Earl Grey. For chai lovers, don’t miss out on the housemade masala chai, a spicy blend of black tea with ginger, black pepper, cardamom, allspice, anise and licorice. (Kristen Hartke)

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST DATE RESTAURANT

FLORIANA

“Intimate, white-tableclothed bistro offering lasagna and other Italian classics with weekly specials.” 1602 17TH ST., N.W. FLORIANARESTAURANT.COM

RUNNER-UP: BUSBOYS AND POETS BEST DESSERT

BAKED & WIRED

“Family-owned coffee shop and bakery in Georgetown with baked goods made in small batches with the ﬁnest ingredients.” 1052 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST., N.W. BAKEDANDWIRED.COM

RUNNER-UP: GRASSROOTS GOURMET

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 60

PHOTO COURTESY OF BAKED & WIRED

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 5 9

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND Washington, D.C.

Colonel Larry H. Lang, Commander and Conductor

Spirit of the

YOU DECIDE 2016

DECISION TIME IS HERE! 2ND CHANCE CONTEST GRAND PRIZE POLL 1 PRIZE OF $201,600 or or

43%

10 PRIZES OF $20,160 47% 100 PRIZES OF $2,016 10% Results as of October 14, 2016. Current results may differ.

Your vote counts in deciding how the 2nd Chance Contest Grand Prize will be awarded. Visit dclottery.com.

Season2016 Saturday, Dec. 10

3 p.m. & 8 p.m. D.A.R. Constitution Hall Washington, D.C. FREE! Tickets required. Please visit: www.eventbrite.com

Search: Air Force Band

Play and vote today! Voting ends: TATES AIR FO DS

E BAND RC

THE UNITE

75 years

www.usafband.af.mil

2016 D.C. Lottery

DCL1238 | Community Pubs | You Decide | Blade | 4C | 4.75x11.5

19 41 ~ 2016

HIN G T O N, D

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58

PHOTO BY TRONTNORT; COURTESY FLICKR

BEST ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT

DUKEM ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT 1114-1118 U ST., N.W. DUKEMRESTAURANT.COM

RUNNER-UP: ETHIOPIC Whenever people ask me for a restaurant recommendation in D.C., I invariably send them to Dukem, and here’s why: it’s authentic, it’s cheap and it tells a real story about our city. With the largest Ethiopian community outside of Ethiopia, eating Ethiopian food in D.C. is akin to eating pizza in New York. It’s also a communal meal, where everyone at the table shares in the dishes, eating literally off the same plate, and omnivores and vegetarians can all walk away perfectly satisﬁed. For meat eaters, the signature doro wat, a dish of slow-cooked chicken and hard-boiled eggs spiced with berbere, a blend of several spices including chili pepper, ginger, basil, nigella and fenugreek, is tender and saucy, while the vegetarian combination platters are piled with spicy lentils, savory braised cabbage and collards, and shiro, a peppery stew of powdered legumes like chick peas or broad beans. Utensils won’t be on hand, so order extra injera, the spongy sour bread used to scoop up the food. Dukem also won this category in 2015. (Kristen Hartke)

BEST FARMER’S MARKET

EASTERN MARKET 225 7TH ST., S.E. EASTERNMARKET-DC.ORG

RUNNER-UP: DUPONT CIRCLE FRESHFARM MARKET Oh, Eastern Market. Sometimes it’s exciting to visit other farmer’s markets in search of new freshly baked gluten-free cookies or odd varieties of winter squash, but Eastern Market, which also won this category last year, never disappoints — solid, reliable, always there when you need it. While it’s true that the same vendors have been there for decades, it’s also true that Eastern Market serves a real function to the community, because people actually shop there for their groceries, not just for novelty items. Inside the market, which is open every day except Monday, you’ll ﬁnd most of the items on your list, from freshly butchered meats to loaves of cinnamon raisin bread to vegan kimchi. If there is a cheese you’re looking for, Bowers Dairy has nearly everything on hand, no special ordering required, and D.C.’s very own condiment, mumbo sauce, is available in both regular and spicy ﬂavors at Market Poultry. If you’ve always wanted to eat at Market Lunch, take a tip from the locals and head over there for breakfast or lunch during the week so you don’t have to wait in line. (Kristen Hartke) � CONTINUES ON PAGE 62

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 6 1

Shaw Wins!

CHEF MIKKO CATERING

Best Gayborhood: Shaw TM

NE.CN O S O @GMAIL OM K O K EFMIKKO K I M F O.COM • CH CHEE K FMIK

Other Shaw Winners

GLOBAL CUISINE WITH A NORDIC TWIST LARGE EVENTS + INTIMATE PARTIES WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA

(202) 413-6419 • FACEBOOK.COM/CHEFMIKKOCATERING

“Thank you Blade readers for voting me as the Best Councilmember. I will continue to stand up on behalf of the LGBTQ community, from ﬁghting for cultural competency training for medical providers to implementing our nation-leading youth suicide prevention law. ”

Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor

www.shawmainstreets.org PROOF #1

It’s time you commit to your health!

ISSUE DATE: 10.21.2016

REVISIONS REDESIGN TEXT REVISIONS IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS NO REVISIONS

PRIVATE STUDIO TRAINING | SEMI PRIVATE TRAINING | CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PLANS Email JohnQ@coachgﬁtness.com to schedule your FREE Consultation

WWW.COACHGFITNESS.COM BEST OF GAY DC BEST PERSONAL TRAINER WINNER 2014 & 2015.

• Honored by the D.C. Center for contributions to the LGBTQ community • Received a 10+ from Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance • Endorsed by Gertrude Stein Democratic Club ADVERTISING • Trevor Project Ally Award Recipient SALES REPRESENTATIVE: SIRIWAT PATHARAPANUPATH (spath@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 contr washington blade newspaper. This includes but is n payment and insertion schedule.

VOTE EARLY OCT 22 - NOV 4 ELECTION DAY NOV 8

PAID FOR BY GROSSO AT-LARGE 2016, MICHAEL FORTUNATO, TREASURER. 3619 15TH ST NE, WASHINGTON, DC 20017. A COPY OF OUR REPORT IS FILED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF CAMPAIGN FINANCES OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 60

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

RED HEN

“Italian-inﬂuenced American restaurant located in historic Bloomingdale with wood-ﬁred fare set in an airy, rustic-industrial space with open kitchen and bar.” 1822 1ST ST., N.W. THEREDHENDC.COM

RUNNER-UP: FLORIANA

BEST PIZZA

MATCHBOX

“Brick-oven pizza and contemporary dining.” 713 H ST., N.W. 521 8TH ST., S.E. 1901 14TH ST., N.W. MATCHBOXRESTAURANTS.COM

RUNNER-UP: PIZZERIA PARADISO

RESTAURANT YOU’D WAIT IN LINE FOR

ROSE’S LUXURY

“Eclectic New American tapas with menu crafted in cozy, converted townhouse with an upstairs lounge.” 717 8TH ST., S.E. ROSESLUXURY.COM

RUNNER-UP: LITTLE SEROW BEST FOOD TRUCK

PHOTO BY JASON VARNEY; COURTESY OF THREE LOCKHARTS PR

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 64

RED HOOK LOBSTER POUND

Brings freshest Maine lobsters to D.C. Also won this category in 2015. FIND OUT WHERE THE TRUCK IS ON TWITTER: @LOBSTERTRUCKDC REDHOOKLOBSTERDC.COM

RUNNER-UP: CAPTAIN COOKIE & THE MILK MAN BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT

LE DIPLOMATE

“Bustling brasserie serves classic French fare and drinks.” Also won this category in 2015. 1601 14TH ST., N.W. LEDIPLOMATEDC.COM

RUNNER-UP: BISTROT DU COIN BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

RASIKA

Modern Indian food; famous for its crispy spinach. Also won this category in 2015. 633 D ST., N.W. 1190 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., N.W. RASIKARESTAURANT.COM

RUNNER-UP: INDIGO

PHOTO BY T TSENG; COURTESY OF FLICKR

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 6 3

“Y

ET CK TI

BE N GI N OV S 9

ht ug o ho di o t , t tu ld S st e w .G bo nly ho ion joy e he o k e s ipt n at rt r or cr d e im fo w o m bs an ult al. us ng . or su es he de in ki er Jo ovo eliv hree own ang —t ate t r ch gs im pr n d se ou ex in ult ca oo e y et sav he Ch eat ick m r t cr ee t imu y fo fr ax ilit m exib fl

VE SA

IS OUN HO ONE G JE IN TT OF AN — ES TH LEE NP AM E

ER T P IC LA A. YW ” R

T GH N AI E M TE HI

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

HT N IG ME RA TE ST HI W

E LE AN JE G BY PER UN D OO YO CTE C BY RE NA DI HA S

CALL 202.332.3300 OR VISIT STUDIOTHEATRE.ORG

PFLAG promotes the equality and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: • Support to cope with an adverse society. • Education to enlighten an ill-informed public. • Advocacy to end discrimination and secure equal civil rights. 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.

The Best Pet Care In DC Full-service, animal veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care.

CONGRATULATIONS, CHUCK! WE AGREE WITH THE WASHINGTON BLADE READERS YOU REALLY ARE THE BEST!

609 2nd St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 (Located 1 block from Union Station)

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY

(202) 544-2500 www.unionvetclinic.com

Open 7 days a week • Appointments from 7:00 am-8:00 pm

FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 62

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

HANK’S OYSTER BAR

Perennial lesbian-owned favorite. Also won this category in 2015. 1624 Q ST., N.W. 1026 KING ST., ALEXANDRIA, VA. 633 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., S.E. HANKSOYSTERBAR.COM

RUNNER-UP: BLACK SALT

BEST STEAK RESTAURANT

CLAUDIA’S STEAKHOUSE

“Chic, high-gloss steakhouse supplements its beef offerings with Latin-style dishes and sides.” 1501 K ST., N.W. CLAUDIASSTEAKHOUSE.COM

RUNNER-UP: ANNIE’S PARAMOUNT STEAKHOUSE BEST SUSHI

SUSHI TARO

“High-end sushi spot with chef’s choice dinners, bento-box lunch specials, sake and sho-chu.” 1503 17TH ST., N.W. SUSHITARO.COM

RUNNER-UP: THE HAMILTON PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CARVING ROOM

DOS LOCOS

Shareable tapas and inspired wine and cocktail list. Also won this category in 2015. 1622 14TH ST., N.W. 3310 WISCONSIN AVE., N.W. BARCELONAWINEBAR.COM

“Spacious Mexican restaurant with vast menu including seafood, stone grills and margaritas.” Also won this category in 2015. 208 REHOBOTH AVE. REHOBOTH BEACH, DEL. DOSLOCOS.COM

RUNNER-UP: DITO’S BAR AT FLORIANA

RUNNER-UP: BLUE MOON

BEST VIRGINIA WINERY

BREAUX VINEYARDS

BEST SANDWICH

36888 BREAUX VINEYARDS LANE, PURCELLVILLE, VA. BREAUXVINEYARDS.COM

CARVING ROOM

“Hip joint with a patio serving cured and carved meat sandwiches, craft beers and innovative cocktails.” 300 MASSACHUSETTS AVE., N.W. CARVINGROOM.COM

RUNNER-UP: FOX MEADOW WINERY With an impressive array of awards, Breaux Vineyards is typically at the top of the list of Virginia wineries worth checking out, and it’s just 45 minutes from D.C. in Loudoun County, making it a great destination for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Of course, you’ll also find it well-represented in stores and restaurants across the city, from Glen’s Garden Market to Jack Rose Dining Saloon. Look for the Cabernet Franc, a peppery palate-pleaser with long notes of blackberry on the finish. (Kristen Hartke)

RUNNER-UP: TAYLOR GOURMET

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST WINE BAR

BARCELONA

BEST REHOBOTH RESTAURANT

PHOTO COURTESY OF CLAUDIAS

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 66

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 6 5

MICHAELS PLASTIC SURGERY

At Michaels Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, we always strive to exceed patient expectations. You will be met with unmatched warmth and care from the moment you contact our practice through the completion of your procedure. We will listen carefully to your goals and give you an honest treatment plan tailored to your individualized needs. Our practice is the first and only one in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area to offer Sculpsure and Smartlipo (laser liposuction), in addition to excisional body contouring surgical procedures (tummy tucks, arm lifts, thigh lifts, body lifts). Because of our experience and our ability to offer you a full spectrum of body contouring procedures, our practice is ideally suited to discuss which procedure will meet your goals and expectations.

25 MINUTE TREATMENT • FDA-APPROVED • 24% FAT REDUCTION • NO DOWNTIME

Exceeding expectations, one patient at a time. JOSEPH MICHAELS, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon 11404 Old Georgetown Rd. #206 Rockville, MD 20852 Phone: (301) 468-5991 3620 Joseph Siewick Dr #301 Fairfax , VA 22033 Phone: (703) 957-8610

www.JosephMichaelsMD.com

BREAST AUGMENTATION • SKIN CARE • EYE LIFT • BROW LIFT • KYBELLA • FACE LIFT • BREAST LIFT

MALE BREAST REDUCTION • LIPOSUCTION • BOTOX • FACIAL FILLERS • TUMMY TUCK • FAT TRANSFER

CHEMICAL PEELS • NECK LIFT • BODY LIFT • MICRODERMABRASION • ARM LIFT • BREAST REDUCTION

Join us on November 10th from 12-2 for a lunch and learn event about SculpSure. Special Event only pricing available. Please RSVP 301.468.5991 AWARDS

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 64

BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITY

CHUCK BELL, NBC 4

(2015 runner-up; 2014 winner in this category)

RUNNER-UP: KIDD O’SHEA, ABC 7

PHOTO COURTESY OF BYT

BEST LOCAL BLOG

BRIGHTEST YOUNG THINGS BRIGHTESTYOUNGTHINGS.COM

RUNNER-UP: DCIST

BEST LOCAL PODCAST

JELLYVISION

RUNNER-UP: C.L.I.T. BY LEZLINK

“The JellyVision Show” combines humor with creative entrepreneurship co-hosted by standup comedian Tim Trueheart and Jennifer Crawford, also known as Jelly. Crawford says she came up for the idea of the podcast in 2010 while running her own creative co-working space. Visual artists, performing artists and writers were coming to work on projects and Crawford was amazed by the level of creativity. “If you weren’t in the building, you weren’t in the building,” Crawford says. “So I thought if we had a podcast we could expose people who weren’t coming into

our building to these people that we were meeting every day. We could interview them and if just a few people tuned in it was a few people who didn’t know these creative entrepreneurs beforehand. It was really just an experiment.” The experiment turned into a real project once Crawford’s business closed. Saddened, she and Trueheart, with whom she had improvised in a theater troupe for years, decided to keep the podcast going. Now the podcast is recorded from Crawford’s dining room every Monday with episodes released on most podcast platforms, including iTunes and Google Play, weekly. The podcast now rakes in 5,000-7,000 downloads per month. Crawford notes the podcast isn’t about how to become a millionaire, but how to live a lifestyle that incorporates doing what you love. “But we wanted to bring an entertainment value to the table,” Crawford says, “so we throw in some fart jokes along the way.” (Mariah Cooper)

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY JONATHAN ELLIS

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST LOCAL TWITTER FEED

BEST RADIO STATION

“News, noise, food, sports, art, charity, fashion, TV, ﬁlm, happy thoughts, all things LGBT+DC.” (Second consecutive win in this category) TWITTER.COM/DCHOMOS

“D.C.’s No. 1 hit music station and home of ‘The Kane Show.’” (Second consecutive win in this category)

@DCHOMOS

RUNNER-UP: @ALEXMORASH

HOT 99.5

RUNNER-UP: WAMU 88.5

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 68

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 6 7

NOW WITH COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE Biana Arentz 410.490.0332 Fluent in Spanish

Steve Arentz 410.310.0896 Fluent in English

biana.arentz@cbmove.com

410.224.2200 (Office)

Beautiful waterfront homes on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Minutes to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and an hour away from Washington DC

Taking Eastern Shore waterfront living to the next level 3107 BENNETT POINT ROAD, QUEENSTOWN ON THE WYE RIVER | Offered at $3,950,000

302 WHISTLING SWAN LANE, QUEENSTOWN ON EASTERN BAY Incredible sunsets, pier, and pool Offered at $1,449,000 | QA8722153

UNDER CONTRACT

48 GREENWOOD SHOALS, GRASONVILLE ON GREENWOOD CREEK Community amenities include golf, pool, tennis, restaurant and more Offered at $949,000 | QA9669936

51 PROSPECT BAY DR. W, GRASONVILLE ON PROSPECT BAY Spectacular sunsets and your own movie theatre Offered at $1,199,000 | QA9651520

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 66

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST CAR DEALERSHIP

BMW OF FAIRFAX 8427 LEE HIGHWAY, FAIRFAX

RUNNER-UP: AUDI OF TYSONS

PHOTO COURTESY OF ATLANTIC PLUMBING

BEST APARTMENT/CONDO BUILDING

ATLANTIC PLUMBING 2112 8TH ST., N.W.

RUNNER-UP: THE SHAY

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST DOCTOR/MEDICAL PROVIDER

RAY MARTINS

WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH

RUNNER-UP: DR. ROBYN ZEIGER

BEST ART GALLERY

RENWICK GALLERY OF THE SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM 1661 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., N.W. RENWICK.AMERICANART.SI.EDU

RUNNER-UP: THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION BEST ADULT STORE

BITE THE FRUIT

1723 CONNECTICUT AVE., N.W. BITETHEFRUIT.COM

RUNNER-UP: TRICK BOX

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST FITNESS OR WORKOUT SPOT

VIDA FITNESS

1517 15TH ST., N.W. 1612 U ST., N.W. 999 9TH ST., N.W. VIDAFITNESS.COM (A perennial favorite in this category)

RUNNER-UP: YMCA

� CONTINUES ON PAGE 70

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 6 9

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 68

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ORGANIZING AGENCY

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE W HOTEL

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST GAYBORHOOD

SHAW

RUNNER-UP: LOGAN CIRCLE BEST HARDWARE STORE

LOGAN HARDWARE 1734 14TH ST., N.W. ACEHARDWAREDC.COM

RUNNER-UP: ANNIE’S ACE HARDWARE BEST HOME FURNISHINGS

MITCHELL GOLD + BOB WILLIAMS 1526 14TH ST., N.W. MGBWHOME.COM

RUNNER-UP: ROOM & BOARD

BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICE

THE ORGANIZING AGENCY

811 4TH ST., N.W., SUITE1013 THEORGANIZINGAGENCY.COM (Winner of last year’s Best LGBT-owned Business award)

RUNNER-UP: HOURLY HUSBANDS BEST HOTEL

THE W

515 15TH ST., N.W. WWASHINGTONDC.COM (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: DONOVAN HOUSE

BEST HOUSE OF WORSHIP

EMPOWERMENT LIBERATION CATHEDRAL

633 SLIGO AVE., SILVER SPRING 240-720-7605 EMPOWERMENTLIBERATIONCATHEDRAL.ORG (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: ALL SOULS UNITARIAN BEST LAWYER

PETER GLAZER THE GLAZER LAW FIRM BUSINESS ATTORNEY GLAZERLAWFIRM.COM

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST LGBT SOCIAL GROUP

GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF WASHINGTON RUNNER-UP: D.C. RAWHIDES

BEST LGBT SUPPORT GROUP

SMYAL

Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders 410 7TH ST., S.E. SMYAL.ORG (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: HIPS

RUNNER-UP: AMY NELSON � CONTINUES ON PAGE 72

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 7 1

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 70

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST LGBT SPORTS LEAGUE

D.C. ROLLERGIRLS

RUNNER-UP: STONEWALL KICKBALL Teammates on D.C. Rollergirls say the league feels like family. Founded in 2006, D.C. Rollergirls is centered around the group’s love for roller derby. In addition to games, the team also prides itself on contributing to community service with organizations that promote female empowerment, physical ﬁtness and awareness of issues women, children and families face in the D.C. area. League president Dawn Sherman, also known by her team nickname Aurora Borey All-Ass, says what makes the team stand out is the diversity of its members. “We have women from all different walks of life,” Sherman says. “We are an inclusive environment so we have cis-

gender women and we are very open to LGBT women. The fact that we all come together for this crazy common sport that we love just makes it amazing.” Women of all skill levels are welcome on the team especially beginners. JaeLee Waldschmidt, nicknamed Switch Please, says she stepped into the world of roller derby after a friend invited her to a match. Waldschmidt admits she was clueless and outside her comfort zone. “My friend was like, ‘You should come watch my team play.’ I was like, ‘Play what?’ ‘Roller derby,’” Waldschmidt says. “I was like, ‘What’s that?’ I watched one of their games and showed up to D.C. Armory like, ‘Where do I get in?’ and my friend was like, ‘The door. You go in through the door.’” After attending roller derby boot camp Waldschmidt found herself competing on the team.

She encourages other women interested in trying something new to do the same. Try out sessions are open to anyone regardless of experience level. Each Sunday the team has a roller derby boot camp where anybody, with the appropriate safety gear, can learn the fundamentals of roller derby. The next try out date is Sunday, Oct. 23 at the DCRG Warehouse (5706 LaFayette Pl., Hyattsville, Md.) from 12:30-3:30 p.m. The team consists of about 40 players, including dozens of volunteers, beginner boot campers and retired derby members who still like to stay connected. Another big part of being a D.C. Rollergirls team member is picking a nickname that suits you. For Sherman the name was all about who she was as a person. “I wanted to ﬁnd something that kind of gave people a little glimpse into my life,”

Sherman says. “My quirky sci-ﬁ side. Kind of just being a general science geek and my physique. So my name is Aurora Borey All-Ass and that kind of encompasses all those things.” Waldschmidt chose her name Switch Please, from the character Switch from “The Matrix.” Feeling comfortable to share parts of themselves with their team is the best part about the league, Waldschmidt says. “Being a trans woman, it’s kind of hard in this world trying to ﬁnd a place that accepts you for who you are,” Waldschmidt says. “I mean there are pockets here and there but roller derby was like ‘Alright, cool.’ It was a really empowering opportunity to be authentic and not have to try to conform to people’s expectations of what a man or woman is, to be myself.” (Mariah Cooper) � CONTINUES ON PAGE 74

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 7 3

HP & DELL w/WiFi

DESKTOPS & TOWERS:

win 7 LAPTOPS from

HP PRO or DELL Optiplex Dual Core Win7

$149

$99

TABLETS $89 - $299

LOCAL NEIGHBOR

DISCOUNT

Shop now and Never Pay Full Retail Again Not Valid w/ other promos;

Offer Expires.12-15-16

*Full Warranty Available on Website!

Woman Owned & EOE Employer 4926-D EISENHOWER AVE 22304

M-Fri 10am-7pm; Sat 10-6pm

www.LambroInc.com

703-370-5440 Coldwell Banker congratulates all Best of Gay DC winners!

Just listed logan circle

1500 VERMONT AVE NW, #3 ISSUE DATE: 10.21.2016 2BR/2BA • $1,275,000

PROOF #1

under contract adams morgan

Listed by Listed by A D V E R T kerry I S I Nmuldoon G P R O O F Frank decrosta 2301 CHAMPLAIN ST NW #407 202.297.0767 202.436.1268 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com)

2BR/2BA • $749,900

1,250 premier unit in historic mansion. Panoramic Fabulous 1,150 SF penthouse residence with 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 not submitted within 24 hours of the date in the heart of views of Logan Circle. Ornate moldings, soaring two isstories, three private terraces of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia REVISIONS ceilings, abundant sunlight, gas fireplace, Adams View of Washington Monument llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design Morgan. 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 REDESIGN gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors, abundant included. the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third TEXT REVISIONS parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, storage, in-ceiling sound system.

IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS NO REVISIONS

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.

J James Braeu

Branch Vice President

if you are looking for an exciting career in real estate and want to join our state-of-the-art office on 14th Street, call James today! 202.215.2440 • JBraeu@cBmoVe.com

1617 14th Street NW

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.

202.387.6180

Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 72

BEST PET BUSINESS

METRO MUTTS 508 H ST., N.E. METROMUTTSDC.COM

RUNNER-UP: CITY DOGS

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

BEST LGBT-OWNED BUSINESS

CAPITAL CENTER FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY AND WELLNESS 1330 U ST., N.W. CAPITALPSYCHOTHERAPY.COM

RUNNER-UP: TOWN, NUMBER NINE AND TRADE

MOST LGBT-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

1640 RHODE ISLAND AVE., N.W. HRC.ORG

RUNNER-UP: WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH

BEST NON-PROFIT

WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH WHITMAN-WALKER.ORG

RUNNER-UP: CAPITAL PRIDE

BEST PLACE TO BUY SECOND-HAND STUFF

MISS PIXIE’S FURNISHINGS AND WHATNOT 1626 14TH ST., N.W. MISSPIXIES.COM

RUNNER-UP: BUFFALO EXCHANGE � CONTINUES ON PAGE 76

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 7 5

T H A N K YO U F O R V OT I N G C L AU D I A ’ S STEAKHOUSE FOR

BEST STEAKHOUSE

I N B E S T O F G AY DC 2 0 1 6 !

• • • • • POWER LUNCH $24 Private Dining • Weddings • Bridal Showers Engagement Parties • And more! events@adamsrestaurantgroup.com

HAPPY HOUR 7 DAYS A WEEK

1501 K ST. NW WASHINGTON, DC 20005 (202) 783-8212 WWW.CLAUDIASSTEAKHOUSE.COM

OCTOBER

21,

2016

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 74

BEST SALON/SPA

LOGAN 14 AVEDA

1314 14TH ST., N.W. LOGAN14SALONSPA.COM (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: SALON QUENCY

BEST REASON TO GO TO BALTIMORE

NATIONAL AQUARIUM

501 E. PRATT ST., BALTIMORE AQUA.ORG (Second consecutive win in this category)

BEST THEATER

KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2700 F ST., N.W. KENNEDY-CENTER.ORG (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: ARENA STAGE

PHOTO BY STEVE; COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

BEST PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS

SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KENNEDY CENTER

BEST THEATER PRODUCTION

‘KINKY BOOTS’

3001 CONNECTICUT AVE., N.W. NATIONALZOO.SI.EDU (Second consecutive win in this category)

(KENNEDY CENTER)

RUNNER-UP: SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

RUNNER-UP: “LA CAGE AUX FOLLES” (SIGNATURE THEATRE)

BEST REHOBOTH BUSINESS

BEST VET

CITYPAWS ANIMAL HOSPITAL

BLUE MOON

35 BALTIMORE AVE. REHOBOTH BEACH, DEL. BLUEMOONREHOBOTH.COM (Also won Best Rehoboth Bar)

1823 14TH ST., N.W. CITYPAWSANIMALHOSPITAL.COM (Second consecutive win in this category)

RUNNER-UP: PURPLE PARROT

RUNNER-UP: UNION VETERINARY CLINIC WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 7 7

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR

PARTNERS

& SPONSORS THAT MADE THE 2016

BEST OF

GAYDC AWARDS

A HUGE

SUCCESS

BA’NAKA • CHUCK BELL CHRIS JAY • BELLA LA BLANC

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

7 8 • O CTO B ER 2 1 , 2016

Q U E E RY : 2 0 Q U E ST I O N S F O R J A CO B RY E R How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? I am very blessed. I have always been out. I grew up in one of the reddest counties in central pennsyltucky but I come from a very open/loving accepting family. I do not have a “coming out” story because I was raised in an environment that just let me be me with no pressure.

WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

JACOB RYER By JOEY DiGULIELMO joeyd@washblade.com Jacob Ryer is totally sold on the concept of his employer Alton Lane, a Dupont Circle store that offers tailored apparel in suits, blazers, tuxedos and shirts for men. Located at 1506 19th St., N.W., one of 12 locations, Alton Lane (altonlane. com) is the brainchild of Peyton Jenkins and Colin Hunter who offer “custom garments at a fraction of the cost.” Ryer, who’s been with the company for six months, says the key difference to what Alton Lane offers comes with the 3D body scan they use for 300 points of measurements. “How the shoulders lay, how the collar lays, if there is a collar role or gap, we have so much more knowledge through these points of measurement than a traditional tailor has,” Ryer says. “It allows us to create a personal pattern for each client catered to their taste.” Custom suits start at about $600 and fabric is a big factor in cost. Ryer was drawn to the company after several years working in department stores. “I knew I wanted to make a change to something that was more modern and innovative,” he says. Ryer, a 28-year-old Dallastown, Pa., native, came to Washington six years ago. He’s engaged to Anderson Wells and the two live together in Dupont Circle. Ryer enjoys documentaries, Kylie Minogue, laundry — which he credits to his Amish ancestry — reading and entertaining in his free time.

Diana Ross on Fair Housing: “…I wanted to buy an apartment. I was single, female, divorced with three children… in show business and black. It was, like, impossible.” VALERIE M. BLAKE, Associate Broker, GRI

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

Who’s your LGBT hero? That’s a hard question. Across the spectrum one of my absolute greatest heroes is Eleanor Roosevelt. I wish she had lived in a different time when she could have been so much more. She was a brilliant, funny, charismatic woman and so much of what I have read on her makes me feel a kinship with her soul. As far as someone who did have the option to live out? Sia. I love her so much. She lives her life with so much integrity. She does not just survive, she thrives. What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present? The 9:30 Club is always a fun time. My fiancé and I love to eat out. We never cook, so I love sitting outside at Barcelona for a few hours. Describe your dream wedding. I’m going to have it! It’s important to note, I think, that I’m divorced. My first wedding was very traditional and a total mistake. This time I am very much in love. We are getting married at Studio Theatre next October. I love the space — beautiful and nontraditional. We’re going to be married in a ceremony we are creating that will be preformed by one of our best friends. It will be in the atrium there on the third floor as the sun sets behind the buildings across the street. It will be black tie cocktail. I’m not feeding people — everyone just wants to drink anyway. What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about? It’s such a toss up between climate change caused by man and the cycle of generational poverty. If hard work actually translated to wealth, this would be a completely different country. What historical outcome would you change? Just one? The assassination of Robert Kennedy. Of all the progressive men in the middle of the last century, I would be most interested to see how this country would be different if he had gone on to do so many things. What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime? Britney and Justin Timberlake’s matching denim outfits. On what do you insist? Never wearing socks that match your trousers. What was your last Facebook post or Tweet? A video of Lana Parrrilla, the evil queen from

“Once Upon A Time,” wearing a Nope Trump T-shirt.

If your life were a book, what would the title be? “Condemn them Mother, for They Know Exactly What They Do” If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do? Wonder what right-wing white devil funded it. Then destroy the research. What do you believe in beyond the physical world? The universal power of human kindness. The energy loving your fellow man can create, an energy that transcends time and space. Something that shows up in the collective human unconscious. What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders? Remember we are more than just the white 20-something gay men who are easy to market to. We are poor at times. Black. Latin. Asian. We are trans. We are a people who have survived a plague. We are resilient. We need to take that energy and continue to being the voice for every member of our community. What would you walk across hot coals for? A dinner party with Courtney Love, Donna Karan and Ryan Murphy. What LGBT stereotype annoys you most? The 20-something saying, “OMG why is that OLD man,” — who’s maybe 45 — at xyz place. Why do you care how old the room is? What’s your favorite LGBT movie? “Longtime Companion” What’s the most overrated social custom? Please don’t bless me when I sneeze. My soul is not escaping. And I don’t want to thank you for doing it. What trophy or prize do you most covet? The Razzie for Worst Supporting Actress What do you wish you’d known at 18? Don’t tell your mom when you have crabs. She will bleach the walls convincing herself they are everywhere. Why Washington? It is a beautiful, wonderful, vibrant city. I was sitting outside with friends today actually saying that D.C. is like a giant small town. We were walking from Soul Cycle on 14th to lunch on 17th Street and we ran into a half dozen different people we knew. I love that about D.C. It’s very transient but I love that you get to meet new/different/dynamic people all the time. I want to have kids, my future husband is set on just one, and I know I want to raise them here. I want them to be surrounded by as many different walks of life as possible.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

T HE ATE R

OC T OB E R 21, 2016 • 79

Cocktail Week

November 14 - November 20, 2016

Tasty cocktails perfectly paired with delicious bites for one price PHOTO BY C. STANLEY PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF ARENA STAGE

KATHLEEN TURNER isn’t an obvious choice to play writer Joan Didion, but she handles the material well in ‘The Year of Magical Thinking.’

Didion-penned work explores temporary insanity of grief By PATRICK FOLLIARD Everyone handles grief differently. For celebrated writer Joan Didion, the unexpected death of her husband John Gregory Dunne set off a long period of disbelief. While she outwardly moved through the conventional paces of mourning, it took her many months before she truly believed that her dead husband wasn’t coming back. Didion turned her time of sadness into an unflinchingly honest memoir, “The Year of magical of Thinking,” and later adapted it to the stage with a same titled one-woman play now playing at Arena Stage starring Kathleen Turner. Just like the book, the play closely chronicles Didion’s reaction to Dunne’s death in 2003 and the serious health issues and hospitalizations of their only daughter, Quintana Roo. But the play also details Quintana’s death in the summer of 2005 at 39, after the memoir was published. In addition to the death and sickness, there are happy memories of sun-kissed days at the Malibu beach house where Quintana learned to swim and Joan and John wrote, socialized and sometimes argued. In the 1970s, Didion and Dunne were a hot literary couple and Hollywood insiders — the latter status was facilitated by Dunne’s older socialite brother Dominick Dunne who produced films before he began writing novels. The married pair’s personal and professional lives were intertwined (they successfully collaborated on the screenplay “Panic In Needle Park”) and while they didn’t’ agree on everything, they ran everything by each other, she says in the play. Set in the author’s comfortable Upper Eastside New York apartment, the same apartment where not so long ago her husband slumped over and dropped dead at the dinner table, Turner’s Didion purposely enters the room and matterof-factly addresses the audience: “This happened on Dec. 30, 2003. That may seem

a while ago but it won’t when it happens to you. And it will happen to you.” At first glance, sturdy Turner isn’t an obvious stand in for the spidery writer. But what the actor shares with the playwright — a keen intelligence, great humor and a talent for storytelling — makes Turner an obvious choice. With her trademark husky voice and staccato delivery interrupted by short pauses, she recounts a harrowing two years in great detail but not without flashes of dry wit, sarcasm and warmth. Turner is formidable. The rapt audience is a testament to her powers. Didion’s “magical thinking” is the belief that her husband will return. At one point she asks for an autopsy because she hopes that if they find the cause of death they might be able to fix it. And when it finally comes to give away his clothes, she can’t part with his shoes — he’ll need them when he comes back. It’s not the usual way of thinking for a woman who typically tackles the grittiest matters head on. When the play opened in New York with Vanessa Redgrave playing Didion, the set was stark. The actor spoke mostly seated in chair center stage. Arena’s production, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, is different — Turner’s Didion effectively makes use of the entire realistic set, striding across the room, tossing her wavy shoulder-length hair. She goes for a glass of water, picks up a photo or a book, and sits here and there. Long ago Turner added stage actor to her heady movie star vitae. Broadway credits include “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” The Graduate” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” At Arena’s she’s done “Mother Courage and Her Children” and “Red Hot Patriot: the Kick Ass-Wit of Molly Ivins,” a one-woman show about the liberal columnist who long proved a thorn in the side of conservative Texans. With “Magical Thinking” Turner adds yet another exceptional entry to the list of fascinating women she has played. ‘THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING’ Through Nov. 20 Arena Stage 1101 Sixth Street SW $40-$90 202-488-3300 Arenastage.org

View locations and details at DCCocktailWeek.com Sponsored by: produced by

DRINK RESPONSIBLY. DON’T DRIVE DRUNK.

Carpet ● Hardwood ● Ceramic & Stone ● Laminate ● Vinyl ● Bath Remodeling

YOUR FLOORING PROFESSIONALS SINCE 1985

Aspen Hill

13629 Connecticut Ave (Aspen Hill Shopping Center)

301-460-4100 N. Bethesda

5268-J Nicholson Ln. (Next to Shoppers and HomeGoods)

(301) 881-0969 Laurel

13380 Mid Atlantic Blvd (Rt.1 & Contee Rd.)

301-206-2200 Germantown

20650 Seneca Meadows Pkwy. (Next to Wegmans)

301-528-6400 Columbia

8221 Gateway Overlook Dr. (Next to Costco)

Flooring that makes a Statement!

410-872-1129

Bring this ad in for a

Bring in this coupon for

bottle of

* Any Purchase of $3000 or More!

FREE

TECH STAIN REMOVER!* *While supplies last.

$250 OFF

*Limited time only, cannot be combined with any other offer. Must be presented at time of purchase.

FLOORMAX.US.COM

LOGOmotion, inc.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

80 • OCT OB E R 21, 2016

O U T & A BO U T

Branding products to promote your business.

By MARIAH COOPER

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIDDLEBURG FILM FESTIVAL

Middleburg Film Festival runs all weekend Middleburg Film Festival continues through the weekend with a mix of narrative and documentary films and offers discussions with filmmakers and actors. It wraps Sunday, Oct. 23 in Middleburg, Va. On Friday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m., “Moonlight” will be screened at Salamander Resort (500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg, Va.) as part of the festival’s Friday Night Spotlight Film selections. The film follows a gay, African-American boy growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood. “Jackie,” starring Natalie Portman, screens at Salamander Resort on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. The movie chronicles Jacqueline Kennedy’s struggle with John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Advanced tickets are sold out but tickets can be purchased at the venue 10 minutes before showtime. Tickets for films range between $10-15. For a complete list of films and showtimes, visit middleburgfilm.org.

• Awards • Tote & Duffle Bags • Mugs • Pens

• USB Drives • Clothing

• Flashlights....

And creative solutions for all your design, marketing, and print needs

The Graphic Issue www.theGraphicIssue.com

Chefs for Equality is Oct. 26 Human Rights Campaign hosts Chefs for Equality at the Ritz-Carlton (1150 22nd St., N.W.) on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The District’s top chefs and mixologists will gather to serve their best food and cocktails in support of LGBT equality. There will also be music and an auction to raise funds. This year’s theme is “Equality Street USA” in response to the anti-LGBT legislation that has been introduced in numerous states this year. HRC will also be honoring the late Michel Richard, an LGBT supporter and chef. Tickets are $200 and $50 for after party only. For more details, visit chefsforequality.org.

New cabaret series celebrates Coward, Porter

• Water Bottles

Robert Safro 301.986.0585 logomotioninc.com

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Get your heels ready! The 30th annual 17th Street High Heel Race is in Dupont Circle on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Ba’Naka and Birdie LaCage will serve as the race grand marshals. The parade begins at 7 p.m. and the race starts at 9 p.m. The event will take place rain or shine. Race registration is at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) to receive a monitor and sign a waiver. Runners must be at the start line on 17th Street and R Street by 8:50 p.m. Volunteer registration is at JR.’s Bar & Grill (1519 17th St., N.W.) at 6:30 p.m. There will be an after party for volunteers at JR.’s following the race. For more information, search for the event on Facebook.

Mr. Henry’s (601 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) hosts a new cabaret series Capital Cabaret starting Sunday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. The cabaret’s ﬁrst night will be “The Wit and Romance of Noel Coward and Cole Porter” and will feature Barbara Papendorp and Amy Conley performing “A Room with a View,” “Mad About the Boy,” “Let’s Do It” and more. They will be joined by special guests Aaron Reeder and Harv Lester. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner. Tickets are $14 for table seating and $12 for bar area seating. There is a $15 food and drink minimum. The event will be held on the fourth Sunday of the month. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mrhenrysdc.com.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

FI L M

OC T OB E R 21, 2016 • 81

PHOTO COURTESY OF IFC FILMS

GARETT CLAYTON as Sean (aka Brent Corrigan) in ‘King Cobra,’ an entertaining yet muddled ﬁlm about the gay porn industry.

2321 18th St NW WaShiNgtoN DC 20009

Muddled murder mystery based on true story By BRIAN T. CARNEY There’s a moment toward the end of “King Cobra” (available on demand on Oct. 21), the sophomore feature film by writer/director Justin Kelly (“I Am Michael”), when the movie finally clicks. Police lights slice through the dark suburban night. Two frantic young men are being escorted to separate police cars. Through tears, they shout out fervent declarations of eternal love and pained expressions of regret. Then their words are cut off by liquid piano notes that hang in the air. It’s the glorious opening notes of Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” Then there are words. Wily composer Tim Kvasnosky has added lyrics, a lovely pop ballad called “Love Is Forever,” to Schubert’s melody. It’s a delicious, multi-layered, thoughtprovoking moment. It’s witty, moving, visual and insightful. It reaches a level of cinematic finesse that is sadly not seen elsewhere in the movie. “King Cobra” is not a bad movie. It’s just rather pedestrian, which is a shame given the great material and this terrific sequence. It had its D.C. premiere at Reel Affirmations this month and a theatrical release is expected here soon. The movie is based on the sensational 2007 real-life murder of gay porn producer Bryan Kocis, who founded Cobra Video and launched the career of Brent Corrigan, porn star-turned actor, director and porn producer. The film opens when King Cobra (called “Stephen” in the movie and played by Christian Slater) picks up the ambitious Sean (Garrett Clayton). Performing as Brent Corrigan, Sean quickly becomes a star in the gay porn world. He and Stephen have a volatile relationship, fueled by jealousy and fights over Sean’s share of the proceeds. Sean finally leaves Cobra Video, but Stephen reveals he owns the rights to the name Brent Corrigan, leaving the young actor stranded.

www.bourbondc.com

Meanwhile, handsome young Harlow (Keegan Allen), a former military man, is 202-332-0800 turning tricks so that he and Joe (James @bourbon_admo Franco), a former youth pastor, can launch their own porn company Viper Boyz and earn enough money to buy Harlow his own Viper roadster. Their relationship is equally volatile, fueled by desperate levels of debt and the psychotic tendencies of both men. The two stories finally intersect when Sean meets Joe and Harlow at a fancy sushi restaurant, where Joe insists on ordering their most expensive bottle of sake. Sean reveals that Stephen still owns his stage name. Joe and Harlow say they can take care of that little problem. Unfortunately, they cannot take care of the movie’s central problems — leaden pacing and uncertain tone. The script jumps predictably back and forth between the two couples in short scenes separated by blackouts. Since King Cobra never meets the Viper Boyz (he’s never even heard of them), there’s no real rivalry between the two studios and there’s no sense of inevitably leading up to Stephen’s murder. While there are some excellent scenes, the movie never builds any momentum. More importantly, the film lacks a consistent tone. It’s not clear if this ADVERTISING is comedy or drama or something in ISSUE DATE: 10.21.2016 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JOE HICKLING (jhickling@washblade.com) between. Director PROOF of #1photography Benjamin Loeb seems to be stuck in a film 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 noir; the murky cinematography often the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts REVISIONS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is masks the actor’s faces. The REDESIGN quirky music 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 by composer Tim Kvasnosky TEXT oftenREVISIONS lends a copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, satiric edge to the material, anREVISIONS approach or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE NO 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 cont that seems to work quite well. liability, loss, damages, claims, or 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. and warranties. All the performances are solid. Former Disney kid Clayton hits all of the requisite young twink notes. Slater has fun with the mild-mannered closeted studio photographer who runs a gay male porn empire out of his basement. He switches from jealous producer to ruthless businessman with ease and is a very seductive cameraman. � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

82 • OC T OB E R 21, 2016

MU SI C

Fall Menu

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch and Breakfast

Business Lunch Menu

$19.50 Three Courses right from the menu! OPEN DAILY 5-CLOSE!

Happy Hour

Halloween Night

$4, $5, $6 & $7 Appetizer and Drink Selections 5-7PM (Patio Open)

Weekend Champagne Celebrations

Sky-Bar Closing Party

PHOTO COURTESY OF INTERSCOPE

LADY GAGA’s new album ‘Joanne’ is a stylistic change of pace.

Weekend Brunch

Monday October, 31

Saturdays – A-La-Carte - $29.95 Sunday - Buffet - $38.95

50% Off

Celebration Dinners

Food & Drinks

Friday & Saturday Nights Three Courses $38.95 pp + Tax

Unlimited Champagne!

202-872-1126 BBGWDC.com

17th & Rhode Island Ave. NW

Selections From Our Regular Menu For individual or small groups up to 25* Call for details

GREAT PERFORMANCES AT MASON CFA.GMU.EDU

Renowned chamber ensemble

ACADEMY OF ST. MARTIN IN THE FIELDS CHAMBER ENSEMBLE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 AT 2 P.M. Featuring Schubert’s rarely performed Octet in F major.

TICKETS

888-945-2468 OR CFA.GMU.EDU

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

Pop return is more subtle, reflective than previous efforts By CHRIS GERARD Three years have passed since Lady Gaga released her last pop album, “Artpop.” It was received tepidly by fans and critics and sold a fraction of her meteorically successful first pair of albums, “The Fame” (2008) and “Born This Way” (2011). “Artpop” yielded only one Top 10 hit, “Applause,” along with a Top 20 duet with R. Kelly, “Do What U Want.” Gaga was still getting plenty of attention but the novelty factor seemed to be wearing thin and the album’s relatively lukewarm reception was widely noted in the press. Was Gaga mania fading? There’s no question that the stakes were high and the pressure intense leading into “Artpop.” The situation is quite different now as she unleashes her fourth pop album, the surprisingly low-key “Joanne” (named for her late aunt). The last couple years have been good for Gaga’s career. Perhaps sensing that it was time to shake things up with some fresh projects and ideas, Gaga veered in some surprising but highly successful directions. Her duets album with legendary crooner Tony Bennett, “Cheek to Cheek” (2014), was a no. 1 hit and earned the duo a Grammy. Gaga recorded “Til it Happens to You” (2015), a dramatic ballad with a powerful video that explores the horrors of violence and sexual assault against women, for the film “The Hunting Ground.” The song was widely acclaimed and earned Gaga an Emmy along with an Oscar nomination. She also successfully tried acting, winning a Golden Globe for her role in “American Horror Story: Hotel.” Now that Gaga has expanded her career successfully in other directions, she clearly feels she has has less to prove. She’s drifted off into less overtly commercial territory

with her quirky new album “Joanne,” an entertaining and smart collection of fresh and idiosyncratic Gagaisms that opens a new chapter in her musical catalog. This is clearly not an album where Gaga and Ronson tried to come up with a dozen of the most Top 40 radio-friendly tunes they could. The album is certainly melodic and accessible, but it’s also deeper and more compelling than almost anything found on the vast wasteland that today’s Top 40 has become. “Joanne” isn’t going to yield multiple Top 10 singles, but it seems clear that isn’t chief among Gaga’s list of priorities (although the album itself is certain to land at the top). “Joanne,” was largely co-written and produced by the singer and arguably the decade’s most accomplished studio ace Mark Ronson, along with extensive contributions by dance/pop guru BloodPop. “Joanne” finds Gaga’s sound maturing with a confidence and sense of experimentation that is very different than anything she’s done before. Her voice has never sounded better and “Joanne” is by far her most stylistically diverse collection. First single “Perfect Illusion” is a bold slice of electro-rock with beaming synths and Gaga belting out like she’s been flipping through her Pat Benatar collection. There’s a genuine feeling of personal investment in “Joanne” that seems far more real than “Artpop,” in which she seemed to be trying too hard and often missed the mark. Fans are going to be delighted, although it may take a few listens to fully sink in. “Million Reasons” is a stunning ballad featuring a terrific vocal over a sparse acoustic guitar and piano accompaniment. The fun and funky upbeat country/dance concoction “A-YO,” a modern update on Shania Twain’s successful ‘90s pop/ country hybrid formula, might be the most infectious earworm on the album. � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

M US I C

OC T OB E R 21, 2016 • 83

Hollywood progeny carves out her own space in pop culture By MARIAH COOPER mcooper@washblade.com Rumer Willis, the eldest daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, began studying opera at age 12 and later became interested in musical theater in high school. In 2015 she took on Broadway as Roxie Hart in “Chicago” and is starring in the film adaptation of the musical “Hello Again.” She is also the winner of season 20 of “Dancing with the Stars” along with her dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy. Now Willis is embarking on her “Over the Love Tour,” a post-modern cabaret act and her first time touring. Willis, who’s straight, spoke with the Washington Blade about her love for cabaret, her parents’ reaction to her music dreams and her favorite low-key hobby. WASHINGTON BLADE: How did you first become interested in cabaret? RUMER WILLIS: It seems like such a cool way to have a conversation with the audience, especially because it’s so much more of an intimate setting. It allows you to get more personal with the audience and tell stories and connect with them. BLADE: The show is described as a “postmodern cabaret.” What does that mean? WILLIS: I think that it’s not all old school. It’s not all standards and it’s a little bit of a modern flair. BLADE: Who are some of your musical inspirations? WILLIS: Oh man. Etta James, Aretha Franklin, the Coasters, Patsy Cline. There’s a huge range you know? BLADE: “Over the Love” is your first tour. How did you go about curating your song choices? WILLIS: When I first put the show together, I didn’t necessarily think that it was going to be a tour about “Over the Love.” But then as I started to kind of look at the song list and put it all together I just realized, “What is a story that I can tell with this show?” And I just realized what’s something that everyone struggles with no matter where you’re from, or what job you have or how much money you have. What are things that we all kind of go through? And it’s love. Whether it’s something that makes you happy or makes you sad we all kind of deal with it. BLADE: You’re recording your first album. Is it all cover songs or original music? WILLIS: It’s mostly going to be all originals. Maybe a few covers. It’s still

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMP STRATHMORE

RUMER WILLIS says the theme of her tour slowly emerged as she cultivated her set list.

in the beginning stages because I really haven’t had time to continue working on it because I did “Dancing with the Stars” and then I did “Chicago” and then filming so it’s kind of been non-stop. BLADE: You performed on stage in “Chicago” and you also filmed a screen adaptation of “Hello Again.” What’s the difference between performing a musical live and filming one? WILLIS: It’s so different. When you’re on the stage you only really get one chance. You’re singing live. When you’re filming there’s different takes and you’re singing it a bunch more. So it’s very different I would say. BLADE: Most people may not know that you do music, but you’ve been professionally trained since you were a child. Is there anything else people would be surprised to learn about you? WILLIS: I knit. I’m kind of an old grandma. BLADE: Were your parents always supportive of your ambition to do music? WILLIS: Oh most definitely. They have always been so supportive of that and of pretty much any kind of creative venture. BLADE: You were the winner of season 20 of “Dancing with the Stars.” Have you had time to catch any of the new season? WILLIS: Oh most definitely. BLADE: Do you have any favorites? WILLIS: Obviously, I’m always going to be rooting for Val (Chmerkovskiy). But Sharna (Burgess) is one of my really great friends now and obviously Maksim (Chmerkovskiy). So I’ve got a few friends that I think are going to make it a really great season. ‘OVER THE LOVE TOUR’ Wednesday, Oct. 26 AMP by Strathmore 11810 Grand Park Avenue North Bethesda, Md. $40-50 ampbystrathmore.com

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

8 4 • O CTO B ER 2 1 , 2016

A RT S & CU LT U RE

This Week in the Arts provided by CultureCapital.com MUSIC

Los Angeles to New York: Dwan Gallery, 1959–1971 Thru Jan 29. National Gallery of Art. nga.gov.

In the newly reopened East Building, the remarkable career of gallerist and patron Virginia Dwan is featured with an exhibition of 100 works. Dwan’s LA enterprise was a leading avant-garde space in the early 1960s, presenting works by abstract expressionists, neo-dadaists, pop artists, and nouveau réalistes. In 1966, Dwan established a gallery in New York where she presented groundbreaking exhibitions of such new tendencies as minimalism, conceptual art, and land art.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Thru Oct 23. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org.

Based on the bestselling novel, this heartwarming story has an unforgettable young hero whose investigation of a mystery leads to a life-changing adventure in “one of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway” (New York Times).

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat Oct 21-Oct 22. UrbanArias at Atlas. urbanarias.org.

The story of a musician with a neurological condition which prevents him from identifying ordinary objects - and who instead uses music to navigate his daily life, mystifying both his wife and his doctor.

Rumer Willis Oct 26. AMP. ampbystrathmore.com.

The eldest daughter of Hollywood ﬁxtures Bruce Willis and Demi Moore brings her cabaret act to AMP for one night only. The 27-year-old singer portrayed Roxie Hart in the Broadway revival of Chicago and spent more than two years honing her act on the Los Angeles lounge scene, delivering knockout renditions of songs made famous by the likes of Amy Winehouse and Billie Holiday. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

THEATRE Gypsy! Oct 21-Nov 12. Reston Community Players. CenterStage at RCC. restonplayers.org. The Threepenny Opera. Oct 27-Oct 30. GMU Center for the Arts. cfa.gmu.edu. Sense and Sensibility. Thru Nov 13. Folger Theatre. folger.edu. Romeo & Juliet. Thru Nov 6. Lansburgh Theatre. shakespearetheatre.org. The Diary of Anne Frank. Thru Oct 23. Olney Theatre. olneytheatre.org. The Gulf. Thru Nov 6. Freaky Friday. Thru Nov 20. Signature Theatre. signature-theatre.org. Motherstruck. Thru Oct 23. Studio Theatre. studiotheatre.org.

A Dream Within A Dream: Madness. Thru Oct 31. Torpedo Factory. torpedofactory.org. The Trump Card. Oct 25-Oct 30. Kiss. Thru Nov 6. Woolly Mammoth. woollymammoth.net. The Rocky Horror Show. Oct 21Oct 30. Workhouse Arts Center. workhousearts.org.

DANCE Jess Curtis / GRAVITY & Claire Cunningham. Oct 23-Oct 24. Dance Place. danceplace.org. The Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Oct 21-Oct 23. San Francisco Ballet. Oct 26-Oct 30. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org.

Corky Laing Plays Mountain, Koﬁ Baker Plays Cream. Oct 22. AMP. ampbystrathmore.com. Cimbalom Duo. Oct 26. The Embassy Series. Embassy of Hungary. embassyseries.org. Dounouya: Global Sounds with the Merasi Ensemble of Rajasthan. Oct 21. Hill Center. hillcenterdc.org. NSO. Oct 27-Oct 29. Terence Blanchard feat. The E-Collective. Oct 22. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. After Hours. Oct 21. Kreeger Museum. kreegermuseum.org. Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano. Oct 26. Library of Congress. loc.gov. LeStrange Viols. Oct 23. National Gallery of Art. nga.gov. A Night in Vienna. Oct 22. Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre. nationalchamberensemble.org. Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn. Oct 22. Sixth & I. washingtonperformingarts.org. The Romantics: Schumann & Heine. Oct 23-Oct 29. In Series. Source Theatre. inseries.org. Roy Assaf Trio. Oct 27. Primary Blues. Oct 27. Strathmore. strathmore.org. Mahmoud Ahmed. Oct 21. Bumper Jacksons. Oct 22. Look Park. Oct 26. Alan Doyle & the Beautiful Gypsies. Oct 27. The Barns. wolftrap.org. Chamber Concert: Chris Royal, trumpet. Oct 21. Washington Musica Viva. Church of the Ascension. dcmusicaviva.org.

MUSEUMS Folger Shakespeare Library. Will & Jane. Thru Nov 6. folger.edu. Kreeger Museum. Selected Works: Sam Gilliam & Simmie Knox. Thru Dec 30. Smith|Paley. Thru Dec 30. kreegermuseum.org. Library of Congress. World War I: American Artists View the Great War. Thru May 5. Mapping a Growing Nation: From Independence to Statehood. Thru Sep 1. loc.gov. National Archives. Amending America. Thru Sep 4. archivesfoundation.org. National Gallery of Art. In the Tower: Barbara Kruger. Thru Jan 29. The Robert E. Meyerhoﬀ and Rheda Becker Collection. Thru Jan 29. nga.gov. National Museum of Women in the Arts. Priya Pereira: Contemporary Artist Books from India. Thru Nov 18. NO MAN’S LAND: Women Artists from the Rubell Family Collection. Thru Jan 8. nmwa.org. Smithsonian Anacostia Museum. Twelve Years That Shook And Shaped

Washington: 1963-1975. Thru Oct 23. anacostia.si.edu. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian. Jazz Portraits by Herman Leonard. Thru Feb 20. One Life: Babe Ruth. Thru May 21. npg.si.edu.

GALLERIES DCCAH. The Creative Age Exhibition. Thru Oct 21. dcarts.dc.gov. District Architecture Center. Furniture designed by Tom Shiner, FAIA. Thru Nov 19. aiadac.com. gallery Neptune & Brown. William Kentridge. Thru Oct 22. galleryneptunebrown.com. Glen Echo Park. From the Big Apple to the Capital. Thru Nov 13. glenechopark.org. Goethe-Institut. 2,000 Miles: Divided Land, Common Humanity. Thru Nov 4. goethe.de. ISAAG. Molas: Dress, Identity, Culture. Thru Nov 2. idbstaﬀassociationartgallery.org. ReCreative Spaces. Back to Balance - Gallery Hours. Oct 21-Oct 28. recreativespaces.com. Strathmore. Works by Mojdeh Rezaeipour. Thru Nov 6. Rise Up. Thru Nov 6. strathmore.org. The Art League Gallery. Op-Ed. Thru Nov 6. Transformations: Tapestries in Glass. Thru Nov 6. theartleague.org. Waverly Street Gallery. Oil Paintings by Cathy Abramson. Thru Nov 5. waverlystreetgallery.com. Zenith Gallery. Humor Heals. Thru Oct 29. zenithgallery.com.

AND MORE... Voyage of Time: The IMAX® Experience. Thru Nov 10. Smithsonian Theaters. National Air and Space Museum. si.edu. DAC Design Lecture – “Going Beyond” with LMN Architects. Oct 25. District Architecture Center. aiadac.com. Arabian Sights Film Festival: As I Open My Eyes. Oct 21. Good Luck Algeria. Oct 21-Oct 22. Our Mother. Oct 22-Oct 23. Like a Matchstick. Oct 23. Nawara. Oct 22-Oct 28. Hepta, The Last Lecture. Oct 23-Oct 29. Filmfest DC. AMC Mazza Gallerie. ﬁlmfestdc.org. Touch of an Angel. Oct 25. Washington Jewish Film Festival. EDCJCC. wjﬀ.org. Eavan Boland and Austin Allen. Oct 24. Folger Shakespeare Library. Folger Theatre. folger.edu. Reel Time at GALA: La Calle de los Pianistas (Pianists Street). Oct 26. Alborada. Oct 27. GALA Hispanic Theatre. galatheatre.org.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

A D V I CE

OC T OB E R 21, 2016 • 85

LIVE

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

DARLINGSIDE W/ FRANCES LUKE ACCORD THURSDAY OCT

the

AN EVENING WITH

Is fading euphoria a red ﬂag or normal feeling two years in?

MICHAEL RADKOWSKY, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works with gay individuals and couples in D.C. He can be found online at personalgrowthzone.com. All identifying information has been changed for reasons of conﬁdentiality. Have a question? Send it to Michael@personalgrowthzone.com.

MICHAEL, I still love my boyfriend, but I’m not in love with him. Connor and I have been a couple for two years, living together for the past eight months. Lately, the magic is gone. I used to be sad when we weren’t together, daydream about him at work and want sex every morning and every night, more on weekends (no kidding). I loved surprising him with fun treats I’d find online or at Trader Joe’s. We had so much fun planning weekend getaways. Now I’m happy when Connor works late or is out with friends and I have the place to myself. Although he still has a hot gym body, I feel like I could take him or leave him. And the little things I used to find endearing are now irritating. I can’t understand it. Connor is a great guy and I still care about him a lot, but I no longer feel a spark. To top it off, recently I met Jordan. Nothing is going on between us but I have a strong attraction toward him. I wonder if I should accept that my feelings have changed and move on to someone I’m really drawn to. Is there any hope to recapture the romance? MICHAEL REPLIES: If you were saying, “I don’t respect Connor’s values,” “I can’t trust him” or even, “I’ve decided he’s incredibly ugly and I never want to sleep with him again,” I’d agree that it’s time to move on. But when people say, “I love him but I’m not in love with him,” it often means that you’re just experiencing a normal part of being in a relationship. A lot of us feel the way you do about our romantic partners from time to time. Being close to someone can be annoying and monotonous, just as it can be blissful. And when you are feeling like this for the first time, after the initial intensity of new love, it’s easy to think that something is wrong.

FAB

When we start a relationship, we usually feel like we’re floating in the clouds and we see the object of our attraction through the rosiest of roseFRIDAY & SATURDAY colored glasses. Contributing to this, our OCT 21 & 22 brains are being flooded with feel-good bonding hormones. SUN, OCT 23 After a while, reality inevitably sets in. WAMU’S BLUEGRASS COUNTRY PRESENTS We start seeing our partners as mere THE GIBSON BROTHERS humans, the flood of bonding hormones W/ THE HONEY DEWDROPS recedes and it’s easy to get annoyed by all the little and big things that just didn’t MON, OCT 24 register in that gooey courtship phase. IAN HUNTER & THE RANT BAND That might be where you are. And now, W/ DOT DASH just as Connor is fading in your eyes, TUES, OCT 25 along comes Jordan, seemingly perfect, SEAN MCCONNELL a potential new object of your attraction. W/ DERIK HULTQUIST You could go on like this for the rest of your life. Many people do, riding one M-TH 11:30AM-10PM • F-SAT 11:30AM-11PM relationship till the initial magic begins to SUN. BRUNCH 11AM-3PM / DINNER 3-10PM fade and then looking for the next fix. Your other option: Accept that nonstop 322 MASS. AVE. NE • 202.543.7656 THEHAMILTONDC.COM bliss is just the initial stage of a relationship and that you’re not going to keep feeling like you are “in love” automatically, without making an effort to so. Intrigued? Your first step is to embrace A Full Service the reality that this shift is normal and you Some think I should dress more like AnimAl HoSpitAl needn’t panic. Next, acknowledge that it’s a woman. Some think I should dress more like a man. up to you to figure out how to generate Specializing in compassionate care loving feelings toward your boyfriend and find ways to keep your relationship I may not fit some ideas about gender, interesting. It’s Connor’s job to do the same. and I am a proud A necessary part of this is deciding to part of DC. make a commitment to your relationship rather than entertaining the fantasy that Please treat me the same way any person would want to be treated: there’s something better out there. with courtesy and respect. But how do you strengthen love Discrimination based on gender identity and expression is illegal in the District of Columbia. and devotion? How do you make your If you think you’ve been the target of discrimination, visit www.ohr.dc.gov or call (202) 727-4559. relationship one you want to be in? 1823 14th Street NW • WaShiNgtoN DC 20009 While I can’t give you a list of steps to 3513 CoNNeCtiCut ave. NW WaShiNgtoN DC 20008 take, obviously, I can point you in the WWW.CitypaWSaNimalhoSpital.Com right direction: Focus on making your 202.232.paWS (7297) Show your support! Spread word of the #TransRespect relationship special through thought and campaign by photographing this ad and sharing on Twitter. action. Prioritize the two of you. Cultivate your appreciation of Connor. Make the ISSUE DATE: 07.08.16 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: JERYL PARADE (jparade@washbl effort. Plan dates. And of course, remind PROOF #1 yourself that you’re going to be irritated 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 at times, and do your best to have a sense the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts REVISIONS omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is of humor about the inevitability of your 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 TEXT REVISIONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any partner driving you crazy now and then. copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, Everything I just said is also true of sex. or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the AD NO REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By s Because novelty is more exciting than what liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred wash by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations paym and warranties. is familiar, sex changes over time. Focusing on the closeness and connection between the two of you rather than just the physical may help you and Connor have a deeper, more intimate sexual relationship. If you’re going to be with anyone for a considerable length of time, you’re going to run into the same wall you have run into with Connor. While you’re free to move on, you may want to stay where you are and figure this out.

FAUX

CAFEBERLIN-DC.COM

“

Thank you for voTing us BesT veT!

OFFICE OF

GLBT AFFAIRS

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

JOIN THE

86 • OC T OB E R 21, 2016

SP O RT I N ’ I N D . C.

IN PARIS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EARP AND KOERNER

WADE EARP, left, and SONNY KOERNER compete with the International Gay Rodeo Association.

Gay rodeo veterans ﬁnd adrenaline, family in circuit By KEVIN MAJOROS

Paris 2017

This is not group travel as you know it...

D E TA I L S & R E G I S T R AT I O N AT WAS H I N G TO N B L A D E . CO M / PA R I S

Two legends on the International Gay Rodeo Association circuit will compete at the 30th anniversary World Gay Rodeo Finals this weekend in Las Vegas. The competition will feature the top 20 competitors on the Association circuit in 13 events. The finalists are determined by points accumulated over roughly 14 rodeos throughout the United States and Canada this past year. On a beautiful morning on a ranch outside of Dallas, it’s feeding time and the animals are producing a loud symphony for their owner. Wade Earp apologizes for the background noise. “The birds are going crazy this morning,” says Earp, “and it always makes the other animals frisky.” Along with his partner, Earp raises ducks, geese, chickens, Bobwhite quail, donkeys and small breed goats. He says his whole life is farming and ranching. Oh and there’s that rodeo thing too. Raised in Texas and Arkansas, Earp thrived in sports including baseball, soccer, softball, volleyball and basketball where he was allstate. His road to being a rodeo competitor is a journey that includes two older brothers who competed, competitive two-step dancing and a lifelong love of animals. Also, his father was a fireman and the fire department hosted the local rodeo every year. Earp’s first gay rodeo event was barrel racing in 1999 and since then, he’s been a fixture on the gay rodeo circuit. In 2014, he was one of the featured cowboys in the film documentary, “Queens and Cowboys.” His accomplishments are too numerous to list here, but include the Association World Gay Rodeo Finals all-around cowboy and a Gay Games gold medal. At this year’s finals, Earp has qualified for nine out of 13 events. He retired from bronc riding last year, but at 50 is still

going strong in other events. He says he’s too hooked on the camaraderie of the gay rodeo circuit to consider retiring. “I wish it wasn’t about gay or straight, but rodeo is very machismo. It’s tough to be an out gay rodeo competitor outside of this circuit,” Earp says. “There is such a family atmosphere here, especially with the rough stock competitors. It’s a place where people loan each other gear and help tie each other in in the chute.” Earp is a direct descendant of the Earp brothers who gained fame from their Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He tracked his link back to Virgil Earp when Time Life presented a family tree. “It’s a tough name to live up to,” says Earp, “but I haven’t had it half as bad as my brother, Wyatt.” Sonny Koerner remembers giggling the first time he saw men two-stepping together at Remington’s back in the early ‘90s. He would go on to become one of the first D.C. Cowboys. Earlier in his life he had been determined to become the first member of his family to become a rodeo competitor to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was the main male influence in his life. Koerner grew up in multiple locations as a part of a military family, but spent a lot of time at his grandparent’s cattle ranch in Victoria, Texas. He started competing in junior rodeos at age 12 and has been competing off and on ever since. He has been in the D.C. area since being stationed here in the early ‘90s during his military stint and now runs a consulting firm along with his partner. D.C. is not known to be a hotbed for rodeo, but he was pulled back into the sport after attending his first gay rodeo. “I was kind of in tears as I sat in the stands and watched my first gay rodeo,” Koerner says. “I had not married both sides of my life; rodeo and being gay. The opposing sides of me were coming together. It was a cathartic.” � CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

A UT O S

OC T OB E R 21, 2016 • 87

Worship With Us! Everyone is Welcome! “We acknowledge our oneness with all of God’s creation and invite gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons to share our faith, our community life, and our ministries.” ~ Foundry’s Statement of Reconciliation TOYOTA AVALON

This is not your grandmother’s Toyota Avalon By JOE PHILLIPS Some sport sedans are oh-so hot but also oh-so pricey. Others leave you cold, with too few features or subpar styling. But a select few are just right, hitting the sweet spot of fast, fun and affordable. Here are three of the best. TOYOTA AVALON $33,000 Mpg: 21 city/31 highway 0-to-60 mph: 6.4 seconds How did the Avalon — basically a fourdoor buggy only your grandparents could love — suddenly become a trendy sport sedan? By dramatically ditching the oldschool design, firming up the squishy suspension and packing the powertrain with plenty of punch. There’s a surprisingly crisp, Euro feel when flying down the freeway or taking sharp switchbacks. That same plucky panache carries over to the quiet cabin, with its swoopy dash, two-tone color scheme and tasteful wood and aluminum accents. This is a Lexus ES or GS wannabe, with virtually the same high-end materials and handling. Ditto the list of features, from the keyless ignition and steering-wheel paddle shifters to the rearview camera and smartphoneapp integration. Sure, a Lexus may be a tad quieter and offer must-haves options like a panoramic sunroof, but it also costs about $10,000 more. MERCEDES E300 $53,000 Mpg: 22 city/30 highway 0-to-60 mph: 6.5 seconds For a true Teutonic ride, Mercedes revamped its tried-and-true E-Class. First produced in 1953, this is the 10th

generation and it’s longer and wider than the previous model. It’s also more fuel efficient, with a four-cylinder turbo that’s peppy but, alas, no speed demon. Still, steering, cornering and braking are first-rate. So is the curvy styling, with a low-slung profile like the luxeladen S-Class. Inside, there’s a choice of 64 colors for ambient lighting on the doors, center console and such. But the E-Class shines most in all its tech gear including two, wide 12.3-inch screens (one for nav/entertainment, the other for speedometer, tachometer, etc.). More gizmos include massaging seats, automatic parking, semi-autonomous driving and cruise control that adjusts automatically to the speed limit. There’s also a dizzying array of safety gear, including a nifty stereo function that emits a special sound frequency to limit eardrum damage in the event of a crash.

Foundry is dedicated to social change: • Commitment to end chronic homelessness in DC • Seeks to promote the full inclusion of LGBT people in the United Methodist Church • Defends workers’ and immigration rights • Provides English as a Second Language classes • Commitment to racial reconciliation and justice

Come check us out:

Worship services Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM 16th and P Streets NW | (202) 332-4010 | www.foundryumc.org A Reconciling Congregation | We welcome everyone!

Discover Burgundy Discover our one-of-a-kind learning environment for students in Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade.

BMW 750i xDrive $99,000 Mpg: 21 city/29 highway 0-to-60 mph: 4.3 seconds OK, so a BMW 750i xDrive isn’t exactly a frugal four-door. Or is it? Compared with similar high-end sport sedans — like a Porsche Panamera ($150,000) or Aston Martin Rapide S ($206,000) — this Bimmer is downright economical. A spunky 445-hp, twin-turbo V8 is pure bliss, and there are lots of frills like a heated steering wheel, 20-way front seats and 16-speaker surround-sound stereo. A removable tablet even lets backseat passengers control lighting, audio and seat functions. And then there’s “gesture control,” which lets you twirl your finger or move your hand to adjust the nav and infotainment systems. Or you can simply pinch your fingers for a 360-degree camera view when parking the car. For “Bewitched” fans, you too can be like Samantha by simply twitching your nose and snapping your fingers.

Call 703.329.6968 to RSVP for an upcoming open house or to schedule a personal tour of our 25-acre Alexandria campus.

Friday, November 11, 9–11 a.m . Saturday, December 3, 2–4 p.m . Sunday, January 8, 2–4 p.m . Burgundy Farm Country Day School • 703.329.6968 • www.burgundyfarm.org

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

8 8 • O CTO B ER 2 1 , 2016

CA LE N D A R

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 Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company hosts its fall festival starting today at 6 p.m. with a free community performance by Akila Subramanyam and Bratati Saha. At 7:30 p.m. there will be a main stage performance at Theresa and Jane Lang Theatre (1333 H St., N.W.) featuring Rehan Bashir and Aswathy Nair. Tickets range from $25-50. The festival continues through Sunday, Oct. 23. For a complete list of performance and to purchase tickets, visit dakshina.org. The 10th annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk to Prevent Suicide will begin at the Sylvan Theater (Independence Ave., S.W.) today at 4:30 p.m. Registration will be from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Opening ceremony is at 4 p.m. and the closing ceremony begins at 6:45 p.m. For more information, visit afsp. donordrive.com. The Coven, a witchy queer group, hosts a dance party at Buckeye and Bear (1730 M St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.2:30 a.m. For more details, visit facebook. com/thecovendc. Gay District meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:309:30 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 and 35 in the D.C. area. For more details, visit thedccenter.org or gaydistrict.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22 National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) hosts a prayer breakfast today from 9-11 a.m. Rev. Loyce Craft will be the guest speaker. Minister Valeria Foster wll lead the NCCC Gospel Choir. Advance tickets are $10 and dayof tickets are $18. For more details, email Miriam.gentle@gmail.com. The ﬁfth annual Raven’s Night Extravaganza is at the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) today at 5 p.m. There will be an “All Hallows Eve Exposition” with tarot readings, dance and other carnival-themed attractions. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a “Salon Lunaire” dinner concert with music by DragonSong. Following will be “Cabaret Melancholia,” a showcase that will feature belly dance, dark burlesque and more, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include the carnival, concert and cabaret. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ravensnight.com. Bianca Del Rio brings her stand up tour “Not Today Satan” to Lincoln Theatre

PHOTO COURTESY OF WORLD OF WONDER

BIANCA DEL RIO, a ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ winner, brings her ‘Not Today Satan’ tour to the Lincoln Theatre this weekend.

(1215 U St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $37.50-199. For more details, visit thelincolndc.com. Miss Adams Morgan : Lights, Camera, Action will be at Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) today from 6-11:30 p.m. For more information on ticket prices and room bookings, search “Miss Adams Morgan XXIX” on Facebook.

SUNDAY, OCT. 23 Gin Dance Company presents “Inner Voice” at THEARC Theater (1901 Mississippi Ave., S.E.) today at 4 p.m. This will be the debut performance of Artistic Director Shu-Chen Cuff’s latest work. Guest dance company DancEthos will also perform “1 by 1,” Zoom In” and “Hello! Goodbye!” Tickets are $29.95. For more information, visit facebook.com/ gindancecompany. VIDA Fitness hosts its second annual 5K run/walk at East Potomac Park (Ohio Dr., S.W.) for Thrive D.C. today at 8 a.m. All race profits will benefit Thrive D.C. Experienced 5K participants and beginners are invited. For more details, visit vidathrive5k.com. Blue Point Brewing Company presents Shucktoberfest at Union Market (500 Penn St., N.E.) today from noon4 p.m. There will be bottomless Blue Point Brewing Company beer, spiked beer cocktails and unlimited oysters and seafood from Rappahannock Oyster Company. There will also be live bluegrass music, a beer gaming area and a football viewing lounge screening the upcoming Redskins game. Tickets are $75. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventnation.co/ event/shucktoberfest2016. Uproar Lounge and Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) hosts a viewing

party for the seventh season premiere of “The Walking Dead” tonight at 9 p.m. For more details, visit facebook.com/ uproarloungedc.

MONDAY, OCT. 24 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 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. 25 Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts a High Hell Race after party tonight from 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. DJ Summer Camp will play music. For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc. Genderqueer D.C. holds a discussion group at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. tonight. The group is for anyone who identiﬁes outside of the gender binary as bigender, agender, genderﬂuid or any label outside of cisgender. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26 The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-

407-6540. Queer Girl Move Night hosts a Halloween-themed screening at Suns Cinema (3107 Mount Pleasant St., N.W.) tonight from 8-11 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/ queergirlmovienight. Masculine of Center, a group for queer masculine of center identiﬁed people, will hold a happy hour at Nellie’s Sport Bar (900 U St., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. For more details, search “Masculine of Center Happy Hour” on Facebook.

THURSDAY, OCT. 27 Brightest Young Things’ comedy festival the Bentzen Ball kicks oﬀ its opening night with lesbian comedian Tig Notaro at Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Notaro will be joined by Apama Nancherla and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit thelincolndc.com. The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.W.) hosts a pumpkin carving event tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. For more details, visit dceagle.com. The D.C. Anti-Violence Project (DC AVP) hosts a meeting at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. D.C. AVP works to reduce violence against LGBT individuals through community outreach, education and assisting members of anti-LGBT violence. For more details, visit thedccenter.org. French photographer and performer Pascal Blondeau will present “Only You Could Have a Face Like That” at the Phillips Collection (1600 21st St., N.W.) today at 6 p.m. The performance will be a multi-art, one-man show tribute Andy Warhol’s muse Ultra Violet, a Warhol Factory regular. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit phillipscollection.org.

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 8 9

Don’t miss the

exhibit at FotoWeekDC 2016!

November 12th - 20th

2801 16th St. NW, WaShiNgtoN D.C. b e t W e e N h a r v a r D S t. & F u l l e r S t.

oWn a pieCe oF LGbt history

historiC, LimiteD eDition WashinGton bLaDe photos WiLL be avaiLabLe For purChase. aLL proCeeDs WiLL beneFit the WashinGton bLaDe FounDation .

9 0 • O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2016

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

You know the Best of DC –

Discover the Best of the Nation’s Summer Capital!

340 Market Street, Historic Lewes MLS #: 711591 • Oﬀered at $799,000

23 Shipcarpenter Square, Historic Lewes MLS# 707146 • Oﬀered at $899,500

HISTORIC JEWEL; IN-GROUND POOL! 4 Bedrooms; 3 Baths

QUINTESSENTIALLY LEWES; REMARKABLE RENOVATION 3 Bedrooms; 3 Baths

506 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach MLS #: 712672 • Oﬀered at $649,900

20327 Luciana Lane, Bella Vista MLS# 714232 • Oﬀered at $289,900

IN STYLE, IN TOWN; WALK TO THE BOARDWALK! 4 Bedrooms; 3 Full/2 Half Baths

CIAO, BELLA VISTA! SAY “HELLO, BEAUTIFUL” - SO CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN REHOBOTH! 3 Bedrooms; 3.5 Baths

1 6698 K i n gs Hi gh w a y Ste. A , L ewes, DE 1 9 9 5 8 • (3 0 2 ) 6 4 5 - 6 6 6 4 • L e e A nnG r o up . c o m

blade business

octobe r 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 9 1

REALESTATE

10 tips for choosing a Realtor Most people put more time into picking a hairdresser By ALLISON GOODHART DuSHUTTLE Let’s be honest: Most of you put more time and energy into finding a hairdresser than you do into choosing your Realtor. Think I’m kidding? I’m not! How many of you would dare go to the first available stylist at a hair salon you just wandered into? Not many! Yet, time and again, we meet people who choose their Realtors exactly that way. When you are buying or selling your house, you are making a major life decision. It’s a decision that affects your heart, your life, and your wallet — likely the biggest financial investment you make in your life. That’s why it is so important to choose the right person to guide you through the process. You want someone that understands the nuances of both the emotions and the numbers. It’s a tall order, but here are my top 10 tips for choosing the right real estate professional. RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. Whether you are buying or selling, it’s important to “click” with who you are working with. You will be spending a lot of time together for a few months, so be sure it is someone you trust and enjoy be-

ing around. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER AGENTS. Reputation is everything in the real estate business. You want to make sure your Realtor is respected by other agents in the community and works with others easily. Your agent should know the agents that frequently do business where you are buying or selling. There is a lot of agent networking done behind the scenes so it’s important your agent has their finger on the local pulse. AREA KNOWLEDGE. In addition to knowing the other agents in the area, your Realtor should actually know the neighborhoods. That means knowing what else has sold, what’s on the market now, and what the lifestyle is like in the area. If you’re buying, you will want an agent who not only can tell you when a house is a good choice, but where you can get the best pizza. EXPERIENCE, NEGOTIATION & PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS. You need an agent who has been around the block and has seen all of the problems that can come up in the course of a transaction. The agent’s job does not end once you are under contract. Often, the biggest problems can occur between contract and closing. You are dealing with 30 pages of legally binding contracts; it’s essential your agent knows his or her way around the contract.

COMMUNICATION. Make sure you find an agent that communicates in the style that you do. Do you prefer phone calls, texts, email or in-person discussions? Make sure your agent can communicate with you in the way(s) you prefer. AVAILABILITY. Be sure your agent works when you don’t! This is especially important for buyers. Pinpoint what days and times are typically best for you to tour properties and make sure your agent is available during those times. Some agents work part-time or only during regular working hours. Make sure your schedules will align. If you’re selling, be sure the agent or someone on their team is taking calls and emails about your home seven days a week. MANAGING THE BUYING AND SELLING PROCESS AT THE SAME TIME. Buying and selling homes at the same time? Then it is imperative that you pick an experienced agent who knows how to manage the process. There are many ways to approach this process that won’t make you crazy. A good agent can walk you through the different options. RELOCATION CONNECTIONS. If you’re buying or selling in the D.C. metro area with the other end of your transaction out of the area, pick an agent who has great referral connections in other markets. You want both of your

agents on the same page so your contracts, dates and deadlines work together seamlessly. PRICING, PREPARING & PRESENTING YOUR HOME (IF YOU’RE SELLING). Sellers, it’s crucial for your agent to know how to price, prepare and present your home to the market properly. Getting maximum exposure requires your Realtor to have a marketing plan that includes a fantastic website, a mix of traditional and digital marketing, an outreach program to other Realtors, a buyer database and public relations efforts. OUTLOOK ON THEIR BUSINESS & THEIR CLIENTS. Does your agent constantly strive to improve their service to their clients? Do they operate like a true business or more like a part-time job out of their house and their car? Is their focus on creating lifelong clients or on getting the next deal done? For more on this topic, be sure to visit our blog and www.thegoodhartgroup.com/ourblog. Allison Goodhart DuShuttle is lead agent for The Goodhart Group, Alexandria’s and McEnearney Associates’ top producing real estate team. In 2015, she was nationally recognized by Realtor Magazine, being named to its “30 Under 30” club. Allison can be reached at 703362-3221 or allison@thegoodhartgroup.com.

MICHIGAN PARK

$674,900 4889 Queens Chapel Terrace, NE • Washington, DC 20017

Classic colonial fully renovated on quiet tree lined street. Don’t lift a finger. Move in ready. Room for Nanny or Granny in Lower Level. You could be in your new home for the holidays!

MARY KEEGAN MAGNER

Call 301-785-1601

MRIS# DC9790418

OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 PM

9 2 • O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2016

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

NOW SELLING:

LUXURY GARAGE TOWNHOMES IN KENSINGTON, MD

This is your chance to design your new home in the ways you’ve always imagined. Purchase this fall and save* big with 1/2 oﬀ options up to $30,000* — an oﬀer that truly lets you build the home of your dreams.

WALK TO WHEATON METRO STATION ON THE RED LINE! Kensington Overlook • Kensington, MD 2-CAR GARAGE TOWNHOMES WITH LUXURIOUS APPOINTMENTS FROM THE UPPER $500s • 3 – 4 BR & 2.5 – 3 BA • 1,933 sq. ft • Close to Westﬁeld Wheaton mall • Near MARC, restaurants & entertainment • Close to the I-270 corridor • Just 4 miles north of Washington, D.C. • Quick move-in homes available

/khov.MD /khov_MD

Brokers Warmly Welcomed. GPS: 1166 Findley Road, Kensington, MD 20895 301-683-6462 • khov.com/KensingtonOverlook

*Savings off options are available only for new purchase agreements signed by December 31, 2016. Offer is not retroactive. The 50% off options offer applies to structural options only and only on to-be-built homes up to a maximum of 50% off $30,000 in options cost. On specific homesites and home styles only. Cannot be combined with any other offer. May affect maximum financing. See Sales Consultant for details. Prices, terms, features, incentives and savings subject to change without notice. See Sales Consultant for details. K. Hovnanian® American Mortgage, LLC, 3601 Quantum Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL 33426. NMLS #3259 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Licensed by the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. MHBR #3149, 6943.

DEADLINES

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

SHARE ADS ARE FREE. Place your housing to share ad 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 N GTO NB LA DE.C OM O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 • 9 3

DEADLINES

All Classified Ads - Including Regular & Adult Must Be Received By Mondays at 5PM washingtonblade.com PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

MASSAGE / CERTIFIED VOTED #1 BEST Of DC Certified massage therapist serving the DMV 10 years. Thank you! Gary 301-704-1158 or visit http://www. mymassagebygary.com/.

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.

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

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

BULLETIN BOARD CHANGES IN BODY, MIND & SPIRIT

Changing behaviors can be difficult. Hypnosis can help you at a subconscious level. Call the American Wellness Institute for your free consultation 202-544-5688.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HUGE YARD SALE TO BENEFIT THE FELINE FOUNDATION Of Greater Washington, 10/22, 8-1 P.M., 2355 Bedfordshire Cir, Reston. Sports Equipment, Video, Pet Items, Housewares, Art, Jewelry, Much More! Special Guest Appearance by Author INGRID KING Signing Her FelineRelated Books 10-Noon.

COUNSELING LGBTQ AFFIRMING THERAPY at Dupont Circle Individuals, couples, families, adolescents. Over 15 years serving the community. Mike Giordano, LICSW. 202/4606384 mike.giordano. msw@gmail.com. www. WhatIHearYouSaying. com.

RELAX, REGENERATE, REJUVENATE The 3 Rs to Health. Experienced Certified Massage Therapist helps you w/ the 3 Rs: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reiki, Energetics. Call Bruce (202) 491-8306. MT 0697.

BODY & SOUL

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.

MUSCLE BUILDING COACH You bring the effort, I’ll guide you to results! Maximize your muscular strength potential! “Maximum” Bob Whelan, MS, MS, CSCS. Visit: WebStrengthCoach.com.

SHARE ADS ARE FREE

Place your housing to share ad 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.

LIMOUSINES / DRIVERS

EMPLOYMENT 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.

LEGAL SERVICES ADOPTION & ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE Law Attorney Jennifer Fairfax represents clients in DC, MD & VA. interested in adoption or ART matters. 301221-9651, JFairfax@ jenniferfairfax.com. FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM Representing the GLBT community for over 35 years. Family adoptions, estate planning, immigration, employment. (301) 891-2200. Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A. www. SP-Law. com.

KASPER’S LIVERY SERVICE

BMW 2016 750XI Luxury Sedan Service; Hourly, Point to Point & Special Airport Transfer Rates! Gay & Veteran Owned! http://www.KasperLivery.com Phone 202-554-2471.

PHOTOGRAPHY STEVE O’TOOLE PHOTOGRAPHY Fine Art Photographer for Portraits & Weddings. Check out my new website - www. steveotoolephotography. com. Specializing in Bears & Big men. Steve 703-861-4422.

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

SIMPLE AFFORDABLE PROVEN RESULTS CALL TODAY TOPLACE YOUR AD

202.747.2077

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

703-593-3204

WWW.DAVELLOYD.NET ENTHUSIASTICALLY SERVING DC & VIRGINIA

DEADLINES

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

SHARE ADS ARE FREE. Place your housing to share ad 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.

9 4 • O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2016

DEADLINES

All Classified Ads - Including Regular & Adult Must Be Received By Mondays at 5PM washingtonblade.com

SHARE / DC CAPITOL HILL SHARE, $580 monthly + 1 mo. deposit + utilities. Between 14th St & Tenn on F. No smoking, pets. A quiet, clean roommate. Call Thomas, 202-3977132.

TELL ‘EM YOU saw their ad in the Blade classifieds!

SALE / MD

W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M EROTIC SWEDISH MASSAGE - healthy clean cut guy, 6’1”, 160 lbs, Dupont Circle, massage table, noon to 1:00 a.m., indulge your body. $70 for 1 hour. Bill 202-728-0238. No text messages.

FREE TO LISTEN AND REPLY TO ADS Free Code: W Blade

THE MAGIC TOUCH: Swedish, Massage or Deep Tissue. Appts 202486-6183, Low Rates, 24/7, In-Calls.

SHARE TOWNHOUSE TENANT has 1st floor, with private bedroom, living room and bath. Landlord has top 2 floor. 1 block East of Waterfront Metro. See and respond to my ad online.

SHARE / VA

MAID TO CLEAN Gay owned, awesome, trustworthy & reliable! Serving Alexandria & Arlington. Mention this ad for $50 off. Maidtoclean.com. (703) 299-0101.

1BR McLean/Tysons - 1BR ($1150mo.) w/ pvt. bath for rent in large McLean-Tysons condo only 12 min. walk/5 min. bike to McLean Metro. Contact mark. Pirritano@gmail.com.

SALE / DC

DUNGEON MASSAGE? or Rent our dungeon. Explore your fantasies! Surprise a BF or FB. Awesome, clean, discrete. Fully equipped private DC playroom. (Tutorial/instruction available). 202544-5688.

HOME IMPROVEMENT PATRICK’S KITCHEN REMODELING 20 years experience, from top of the line to affordable. Email pmcnulty2010@ hotmail.com, 202 909-5840.

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. TELL ‘EM YOU saw their ad in the Blade classifieds!

PEST SERVICES Got Rats? I have a mixture rats love. It kills them and roaches too. Only $20 dcbroker1@gmail.com.

TREE SERVICE BRANCHES TREE EXPERT Company. Full service certified arborists, pruning, insect & disease diagnosis, treatment & removal. 301-589-6181. www. BranchesTreeExperts. com. Angie’s List Award Winner.

WOMEN’S PERSONALS

PENTHOUSE LIVING 5149 Macarthur Blvd, NW http://mrislistings. mris.com/DE.asp?k= 1916236X0239&p=D E-347190029-431 Perched above MacArthur Boulevard, this classic looking semi-detached townhome lives like a downtown penthouse condo (no fee though;) with views to Virginia! Amazing open floor plan that is perfect for entertaining.Dualy zoned as residential and commercial, this house is a one stop shop. Master suite with sitting room and HUGE walk in closet.3 parking spaces located in the rear. HOME WARRANTY INCL Deirdre Lofft Dmlofft@gmail.com 571-213-5056.

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

TOP RATED MASSEUR Custom bodywork! Exceptional deep tissue & sensual bodywork for total stress relief in private studio on the Hill. Call Erik 202-544-5688. In calls only! No texts! Intro Special $99.00.

FIND REAL GAY MEN NEAR YOU Washington:

(202) 822-1666 Arlington:

Baltimore:

(703) 373-1000 (410) 468-4000 www.megamates.com 18+

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

O CT O BE R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 9 5

‘Thank you for voting us ‘Best Real Estate Group’ ‘in D.C. team@evanandmark.com www.evanandmark.com

202.386.6330 | compass.com | 1313 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 202.386.6330 | 301.298.1001 | 202.545.6900 | 202.448.9002