Losangelesblade.com, Volume 05, Issue 18, April 30, 2021

Biden’s first 100 days The good, the bad, and the work ahead, PAGE 12

AP RI L 30, 2021 • VO L UM E 05 • ISSUE 1 8 • AMERICA’ S LGBT Q NEW S SOU R C E • LO SAN G ELESB LAD E. C O M

Tell Congress to

It’s time for a comprehensive, federal non-discrimination law that protects ALL Americans. It’s time LGBTQ+ people are protected from discrimination in ALL 50 states and in ALL aspects of their daily lives.

Join the fight to pass the Equality Act at lalgbtcenter.org/equality Pol21_Equality_Act_Phone_Banks_FP_ad.indd 1

4/21/21 12:36 PM

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4$5#$'.#/" &3" 4'.'$" 46(#2$/" 7$0$#" ).(+" that more than 1,495,709 verified voter signatures have been gathered in the effort '&" '#(88$#" ." )%$5(.2" #$5.22" $2$5'(&-" .8.(-)'" 9$:&5#.'(5";&<=";.<(-">$?)&:= @6$" A$%*02(5.-B2$+" +#(<$" '&" #$:&<$" Newsom from office stemmed from growing 3#*)'#.'(&-"&<$#"'6$")'.'$C)"#$)%&-)$"'&"'6$" 1DEF9BGH"%.-+$:(5".-+"?6.'":.-/"<&'$#)" 3$2'"?$#$")$#(&*)":())'$%)"(-"'6$"8&<$#-&#C)" 0784!/0)12&2(3*#4!9:;<8:=<>?!@A:!+)+,! handling of the crisis. .@B@:!7C!@A:!.@B@:!B99=:DD!B@!379?:=!.@B9<EF! The verified voter signatures, which are E>9:=!5-G&3H,I!=:D@=<J@<7>D!7>!6B=JA!,)4 $I*.2" '&" GJK" &3" .22" 0.22&')" 5.)'" (-" '6$" 2.)'"

(Blade file photo) 8*0$#-.'&#(.2" $2$5'(&-" (-" JLGMN" :$$')" '6$" :(-(:*:"'6#$)6&2+"#$I*(#$:$-'"'&"3&#5$"'6$"#$5.22"$2$5'(&-= @6$"O&)"!-8$2$)"@(:$)"#$%&#'$+",&-+./".3'$#-&&-"'6.'">$?)&:C)"5#('(5)"8.'6$#$+"GNPJPNLQJ" <.2(+"<&'$#")(8-.'*#$)"&-"#$5.22"%$'('(&-)N".55&#+(-8"'&"7$0$#C)"#$%&#'"'6.'"5&-'.(-)"(-3&#:.'(&-" collected from elections officials in California’s 58 counties as of April 19. A few signatures remained unexamined and the final report will be issued by Friday.

Recent polling including a Los Angeles Times poll showed only 40% of California’s registered <&'$#)")*%%&#'"#$5.22(-8"'6$"8&<$#-&#= D-$"%&22N"5&-+*5'$+"0/">$?%&#'"R$.56"0.)$+"S#&0&2)T/"A$)$.#56N")*#<$/$+"HLL"1.2(3&#-(." <&'$#)"0/"%6&-$".-+"&-2(-$"0$'?$$-",.#56"GPBGH="@6$"%&22"5.##($+".":.#8(-"&3"$##&#"&3"%2*)" &#":(-*)"U=U"%$#5$-'.8$"%&(-')".55&#+(-8"'&"'6$"#$)*2')="@6()"%&22")6&?$+"'6.'".":.V&#('/"&3" California’s voters are inclined to keep Newsom in office.

4%$.T(-8" ?('6" '6$" R2.+$N" !+.:" S#&0&2)T/N" %#$)(+$-'" &3" S#&0&2)T/" A$)$.#56N" ).(+" '6.'" '6$" )*#<$/"3&*-+"'6.'"WU"%$#5$-'"&3"'6&)$"?6&"(-+(5.'$+"'6$/".#$"2(T$2/"'&"<&'$"(-"."#$5.22"$2$5'(&-" would vote to keep Newsom in office. Forty percent of all voters and 35 percent of likely recall

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<&'$#)"?&*2+"<&'$"'&"#$:&<$"6(:= Overall currently Probolsky stated was that 46.9% of voters likely to vote in the recall effort 6.+"."3.<&#.02$"&%(-(&-"&3">$?)&:="X$".2)&"'&2+"'6$"R2.+$"'6.'"6$"3$2'"%#&%&-$-')"&3"'6$"#$5.22" ?$#$"3.5(-8"."'&*86"0.''2$= A$8()'$#$+" 9$:&5#.')" &*'-*:0$#" #$8()'$#$+" A$%*02(5.-)" (-" 1.2(3&#-(." 0/" ." -$.#2/" JB'&B G":.#8(-="Y@6$"8&<$#-&#"6.)"6(86$#"3.<&#.02$)"'6.-"*-3.<&#.02$)".-+"'6$"#$5.22"?&*2+"3.(2"(3" the election was today,” explained Probolsky. However he also cautioned; “We did find some ?&##/(-8")(8-)"&3"?$.T-$))"3&#">$?)&:N"(-52*+(-8")(Z.02$"#$5.22")*%%&#'"3#&:"O.'(-&"<&'$#)=[ R2.5T" <&'$#)" 3.<&#" T$$%(-8" '6$" 8&<$#-&#" (-" ." \J" %$#5$-'" '&" GH" %$#5$-'" 8.%=" 76('$" <&'$#)" &%%&)$"'6$"#$5.22"0/".-"GG"%$#5$-'":.#8(-N"0*'".)"S#&0&2)T/"'&2+"'6$"R2.+$N"O.'(-&"<&'$#)"3.<&#" #$:&<(-8"6(:"0/"."QW"%$#5$-'"'&"QG"%$#5$-'":.#8(-="!:&-8"!!SF"<&'$#)N"QH"%$#5$-'")*%%&#'" T$$%(-8">$?)&:N"?('6"JH"%$#5$-'"?6&"?&*2+")*%%&#'"6()"#$:&<.2= Recall proponents still have a difficult process ahead before placing the recall on a ballot this Fall including potential court actions. @6$"#$5.22"%#&%&).2":*)'":&<$"'6#&*86":&#$"'(:$B5&-)*:(-8")'$%)".2&-8"'6$"?./N"(-52*+(-8" 8(<(-8"<&'$#)"."ULB+./"?(-+&?"'&"?('6+#.?"'6$(#"-.:$)= Dates have not been finalized, but the state Finance Department is expected to take 30 +./)"'&"%#&+*5$"."5&)'"$)'(:.'$"3&#"'6$"$2$5'(&-="4*%%&#'$#)"&3">$?)&:"-&'$+"('"5&*2+"5&*2+" surpass $80 million plus. After the financial report has been executed a legislative panel gets an .++('(&-.2"UL"+./)"'&"#$<($?"('= D-2/" .3'$#" '6&)$" )'$%)" .#$" 5&:%2$'$+" 5.-" '6$" )'.'$" 3&#:.22/" 5$#'(3/" '6.'" $-&*86" <.2(+" )(8-.'*#$)"6.<$"0$$-"5&22$5'$+="F3"'6.'"6.%%$-)N"9$:&5#.'(5"O'=";&<="]2$-("^&*-.2.T()"()"#$I*(#$+" '&")56$+*2$"'6$"$2$5'(&-"PL"'&"ML"+./)".3'$#"'6.'"%&(-'N"'6&*86"('C)"%&))(02$"."2.'$#"+.'$"5&*2+"0$" )$'= ]I*.2('/" 1.2(3&#-(." 6.+" 6&)'$+" M" O;R@_" 2.?:.T$#)" .-+" 5&::*-('/" 2$.+$#)" (-" ." `DD," teleconference last month after which 57 LGBTQ+ elected officials throughout California released a joint statement opposing the recall effort saying in part; “Governor Newsom’s leadership has $.#-$+"'6$"'#*)'"&3"O;R@_a"1.2(3&#-(.-)N".-+"&*#"5&::*-('/")'.-+)"#$.+/"'&"+$3$.'"."#$5.22=[ !"#$%&'()(*+,(

LOCAL

Bonta confirmed as California attorney general Alameda Democratic Assemblymember Rob Bonta was confirmed last week as the next California Attorney General by the state legislature. Bonta, 49, became the first Filipino American to serve as the state’s top law enforcement official when he took the oath of office to head the State of California’s Department of Justice at a ceremony Friday.

Bonta has a track record as a leading advocate for criminal justice reform who has campaigned to abolish the death penalty and eliminate cash bail for many offenses.

“Rob represents what makes California great – our desire to take on righteous fights and reverse systematic injustices,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

Bonta was elected to the California State Assembly’s 18th District in 2012, where he represents the cities of Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro. He became the first Filipino American state legislator in California’s then 160-plus-year history.

The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Chair Asm. Evan Low, Vice Chair Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman issued a joint statement on Newsom appointing Assemblymember !"#$%"&'($()$*''"+&,-$.,&,+(/0 “The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus is incredibly pleased with Governor Newsom’s decision to appoint Assemblymember Rob Bonta to the position of Attorney General.

During his time as a State Assemblymember, Mr. Bonta has been a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ+ community and a leader in calling for criminal justice system reform. We have no doubt Mr. Bonta will guide the California Department of Justice with honor and integrity.”

State Senator Scott Wiener, (D-San Francisco), told the Blade, “I’m thrilled that my former colleague Rob Bonta is now officially California’s new Attorney General. He is a progressive champion for many important criminal justice reforms, and I am excited to see what he does with his tenure. He is also an LGTBQ+ champion and I believe he will be an important ally in protecting our community and fighting for civil rights.”

Bonta will replace Xavier Becerra, who was recently sworn in as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. !"#$%&'()(*+,(

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In first, California to lose one U.S. House seat after Census

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LOCAL

Caitlyn Jenner announces run for Calif. governor

She went on to accuse Trump in her column of using the Trans community as “political In an announcement on her website and confirmed on her Instagram page, Caitlyn pawns.”

Jenner announced last week that she is running for governor of California. Jenner, 71, a “The leader of our nation has shown no regard for an already marginalized and struggling longtime outspoken member of the Republican Party, would face incumbent Democratic community,” she added. “He has ignored our humanity. He has insulted our dignity.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom in a likely recall election against Newsom later this year.

Jenner has not yet stated her policy positions on issues that affect the over 40 million Being a trans female, her race is a historic first as she is the first high-profile trans person Californians, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which triggered the recall effort to run for a governor’s office. against Newsom, especially with Republican dominant “California has been my home for nearly 50 years. areas of the Golden State.

I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless The other hot button issue beyond economic recovery of their background or station in life, could turn their as a result of the pandemic is California’s struggle with a dreams into reality,” a statement on her website home massive homeless population statewide but especially page reads. “But for the past decade, we have seen the in Los Angeles County. Yesterday for example, U.S. glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule District Court Judge David Carter told LA officials to that places politics over progress and special interests offer shelter by October to more than 4,600 people over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with living on Skid Row. a clear vision.”

Trump’s former campaign manager, Brad Parscale, Equality California hosted eight LGBTQ lawmakers and is helping Jenner assemble an inner circle. Also slated community leaders in a Zoom teleconference in March to join the campaign effort is longtime Republican after which 57 LGBTQ+ elected officials throughout strategist Ryan Erwin, a veteran of California and California released a joint statement opposing the recall presidential politics who would become the campaign’s effort saying in part, “Governor Newsom’s leadership general consultant; and GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren. has earned the trust of LGBTQ+ Californians, and our The recall effort has yet to clear the final hurdles community stands ready to defeat a recall.”

CAITLYN JENNER (Blade file photo by Michael Key) needed to qualify for the Fall ballot including legal Jenner, a transgender activist, enters the political race actions and needing legislative approval. Additionally a provision for allowing voters a to replace Newsom as fellow Republicans in more than 25 states are pushing dozens of 30-day window to withdraw their names, if they choose must be held to in the approval bills in state houses that target trans youth and their families. process.

Jenner has had an uneasy relationship with the LGBTQ community especially Black trans A poll released late last month showed that a majority of California’s voters are inclined activists over the past decade or so for her positions supporting Republican Party politics. to keep Newsom in office as opposed to removing him in a recall effort.

In 2020, Jenner described herself as “economically conservative, socially progressive” in a In a recall election ballot, California voters would be asked two questions: first, whether People magazine interview.

Newsom should be removed from office. The second would be a list of replacement Jenner came under fire for her early support of Republican President Donald Trump, candidates to choose from. This happens should more than 50% of voters in the recall who the former reality TV star broke with after Trump’s administration enacted a ban election support removing Newsom from office. against Trans military service and after the New York Times reported in October of 2018 Outside of Jenner’s announcement Friday, other Republicans who have announced was considering officially defining gender as biological and fixed. their intention to run include businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 In a Washington Post column in 2018, Jenner admitted her position had been a “mistake.” governor’s race, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose. “The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president,” !"#$%&'()(*+,( she wrote.

Rep. Bass doubts voters will support Jenner for guv In an appearance Sunday on the ABC News program, ‘This Week,’ Democratic Representative Karen Bass told host George Stephanopoulos she was opposed to the recall effort against Gov. Gavin Newsom, adding that she doubted Republicans are going to vote for Caitlyn Jenner, a Republican trans woman candidate for governor.

“You’re a member of Congress from California. It looks like a recall is going to happen on Governor Newsom this fall, and Caitlyn Jenner announced her candidacy for governor on Friday,” Stephanopoulos said.

“You remember the Democratic Governor Gray Davis was recalled in 2003. Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor. Worried that history’s going to repeat itself?”

Bass whose 37th congressional district covers several areas south and west of downtown Los Angeles in response noted, “Well, I absolutely hope not. That recall shouldn’t have happened, and this recall shouldn’t happen. If you are going to recall a governor, it’s because the person has committed a crime, is corrupt. There has to be a reason.

“You’re mad at him because he enforced public health guidelines to keep the state safe? I think that’s ridiculous. And also considering all of the anti-trans legislation around the country that Republicans have put

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forward, I have a hard time imagining that Republicans are going to vote for a trans — a Republican trans candidate for governor.

“So this is completely unnecessary. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money.

We’re going to wind up having to spend millions of dollars for an election in November when another election is going to be held just a few months later. So if people are mad with the governor, he is up for re-election next year. That’s where their focus should be, not on a recall.”

Stephanopoulos pressed her asking, “Do you think her candidacy is real or a stunt?”

Bass responded telling him, “I’m not sure. I’m really not sure. Whatever it is though, you know, she is getting a lot of publicity. Maybe that’s helpful, but it’s certainly not helpful to the State of California.

“We’ve been doing well. We have a lot more to do there, in terms of getting a hold of the virus and opening up the economy. The economy is going to open up again in a few weeks. That really needs to be our focus. I think that it is completely unnecessary and inappropriate that the governor has to spend time now fighting a recall.” !"#$%&'()(*+,(

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LOCAL

AB 65 clears first hurdle to create universal basic income !"#$%&'($)*+ ()+ ,-"'("+ '+ %('(".$/"+ 0*$1"-%'&+ 2'%$,+ 3*,)4"+ $*+ 5'&$6)-*$'+ ,&"'-"/+ $(%+ first hurdle Monday, as the California Assembly’s Revenue and Taxation Committee approved Assemblymember Evan Low’s AB 65 by a majority vote.

Monday’s hearing marked the first time in the history of the California Legislature that Universal Basic Income (UBI) has received a full discussion.

“I’m incredibly thankful to the Committee Chair, Assemblymember Autumn Burke, and colleagues for their open-minded approach to such a revolutionary proposal,” said Assemblymember Low (D-Silicon Valley). “We obviously have an incredible amount of work ahead of us in fleshing out the bill, but right now it’s more important to simply begin the discussion of how a Universal Basic Income could level the playing field and end poverty for millions of Californians.”

AB 65, which was co-authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and is supported by the National Association of Social Workers (California chapter), would provide eligible residents with $1,000 per month in unconditional cash payments in order to provide recipients with a basic level of economic security. Eligibility would be limited to adults who have lived in California for three-plus years and are not currently incarcerated. They must also earn 200% or less of the median per capita income for their respective county of residence. The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) would oversee the program, which is currently estimated to cost between $67-129 billion a year.

“Universal Basic Income would provide Californians with the financial security to take time for personal and creative pursuits, as well as go back to school for better career opportunities,” Low said. “The benefits translate to improvements in mental, physical and economic health.”

Over the last two years, an increasing number of UBI pilot programs have been launched in California, and studies have found the results to be overwhelmingly positive. In the City of Stockton, recipients of a completed UBI program were not only more likely to find fulltime jobs, but they also used the money almost exclusively on essential items like food and clothing.

“As the recent federal stimulus package has shown, economic relief for vulnerable Californians can only be achieved by putting cash directly into their pockets,” said Low, who also authored AB 1338, which seeks to shield UBI pilot program participants from having that income taxed and being priced out of public benefit programs.

Kristin McGuire, the Western Region Director of Young Invincibles, a national young adult policy and advocacy organization, applauded the Committee’s decision Monday, while also noting the impact a UBI could have in historically underserved communities in California.

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“Universal Basic Income has been heard in the California State Legislature for the very first time. This is more timely than ever as Black and Latino families in California remain disproportionately poor,” McGuire said. “We are seeing the success of local UBI measures across the state and it’s positive, lasting impact on those communities. We are pleased to see Assemblymember Low and the State Assembly lead on this timely and significant vote to support all Californians in attaining the American Dream.”

Studies have found that the top 1% of earners in the United States now have more money than the bottom 90% of Americans. More than 36% of California’s residents are at or near the poverty level, according to the Census Bureau.

“The difference between the haves and the have-notes has never been greater,” said.

“When we ask who bears the cost for this concentration of wealth, the answer is: all of us.

The Legislature not only has the ability to restore dignity to workers and make sure parents can afford to keep their children fed and healthy — we also have the responsibility to strive for the best standard of living possible for all Californians.”

AB 65 will now proceed to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. !"#$%&'(!!%")*#"'&

0E=A8NN@!T=BTB787!X,!:@;;@BC!MB=!=8;@8M!T=BL=E97*!IB98;877C877 Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Monday in his annual State of the City address, that he will seek to spend nearly $1 billion on initiatives for addressing homelessness, as well as allocate $235 million for the city’s Emergency Rental Assistance program, intended to help up to 100,000 households and other critical needs.

Garcetti laid out proposals for $25 million to help 5,000 small businesses negatively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic to reopen and rebuild with grants of $5,000. The Mayor also targeted $151 million in additional funds for programs and pilots to advance racial justice and economic progress.

The mayor’s speech is a preview of the proposed 2021-22 City Budget he will send to the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday.

Garcetti proposed a guaranteed basic income pilot project that would pay $1,000 a month to 2,000 to the city’s neediest households over the next year as part of a “basic guaranteed income” pilot program that he described as the biggest of any city in America.

“We’re betting that one small but steady investment for Angeleno households will pay large dividends for health and stability across our city and light a fire across our nation,” Garcetti said.

He also outlined plans for a $12 million L.A. REPAIR – Reforms for Equity and Public Acknowledgement of Institutional Racism – program to address racial injustices of the past by investing “to support job creation and provide organizational backing for community intervention, racial healing, justice and reconciliation.”

A vast majority of the mayor’s proposals would be funded with $1.3 billion from the 23!"!#$%&'!()*!+)+,!"!'-.#/01'1.2'#3145-6

federal government’s American Rescue Plan.

Other Highlights included: • Making outdoor dining permanent in many neighborhoods.

• Cutting red tape for restaurants, including speeding up the process to obtain alcohol permits, cutting fees and suspending some valet and off-site parking requirements.

• Paying DACA fees for 505 Dreamers in Los Angeles community colleges.

6E<B=!)"67%8("7)''6!G8;@O8=7!I@7!.NEN8!BM! • Installing WiFi access points in 300 NI8!5@N<!EGG=877!#T=@;!,U*!+)+,4 underserved neighborhoods. >.A=88C7IBN!O@E!V#25!W!/8R7F • Declaring a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling in Los Angeles.

• Banning citywide Styrofoam and single-use foodware.

• Establishing a memorial to an 1871 hate incident that resulted in the massacre of 19 Chinese Angelenos.

• Putting up memorials to COVID victims around the city. +"#,-%.)/)&01)

NATIONAL

28BA?!I;@@9!97DJC!DI!,))KB;G!>D;@!CD!98>?!1EF;@8CG!#:C!8?CD!@;H Bill stuck in Senate as Manchin claims no knowledge of measure '+&,-.(/&#$-*/$*&0&1234563578964:;9<=>13?

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With President Biden’s first 100 days in office coming to a close, the Equality Act doesn’t appear even close to passage after his campaign promise to sign the legislation into law within that timeframe, although defenders say talks are ongoing and point to his executive actions in favor of LGBTQ rights.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the first out lesbian elected to the U.S. Senate and a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, told the Washington Blade on Monday the Equality Act wasn’t completely dead in the water, alluding to imminent talks with fellow senators on the comprehensive LGBTQ

legislation.

“Conversations continue to try to get to 60 votes,” Baldwin said. “I am hoping to personally be involved in several of those before the recess next week, but they’re still tentative.”

Asked what the reception has been to lawmakers amid talks on the Equality Act, Baldwin referenced items of traction, but wouldn’t get into details.

“I think there’s a commitment among a bipartisan group of getting to ‘yes,’” Baldwin said. “It’s just the, you know, law-making is like sausage-making.”

When the Blade pointed out Biden had said he’d sign the legislation into law within his first 100 days and asked whether the White House was being helpful, Baldwin said she had no reason to think otherwise.

“I’ve been dealing directly with my Senate colleagues, but I have no reason to believe they’re not being helpful,” Baldwin said.

Senators considered on the fence about the Equality Act wanted nothing to do with inquiries about where things stand with them on the legislation when the Blade approached them.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who remains the lone Democrat in the Senate uncommitted on the Equality Act amid efforts of trying to pry him out by winning over the junior Republican senator from his state, professed to be unaware of the legislation when asked by the Blade if anyone has reached out to him.

Manchin, who previously signaled he couldn’t support the Equality Act because of concerns over public schools having to implement the transgender protection, told the Blade he “hasn’t seen” the bill.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who declined to co-sponsor the legislation this Congress after having previously supported it, pushed back when the Blade made similar inquiries about whether she’s involved in talks on the bill.

“I’ve talked to several people about it; I’m not going to give you a list of names,” said Collins just before a nearby aide closed down further inquiries, citing concerns about the Maine senator missing an imminent floor vote.

Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year in Bostock v. Clayton County determined anti-LGBTQ discrimination is illegal under existing law in the workplace, which has application to any law banning discrimination, the Equality Act would take things further to prohibit antiLGBTQ discrimination in public accommodations and federally funded programs.

Additionally, it would expand the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit using the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act as a defense in cases of discrimination, including protections on the basis of sex in public accommodations and federal programs and expand the definition of public accommodations to include retail stores, banks, transportation services and health care services for all protected categories, including race and national origin.

Biden, whose 100th day in office as president was set for Thursday, promised the LGBTQ community in multiple forums on the campaign trail in 2020 he’d sign the Equality Act within his first 100 days in office and included his commitment to that timeframe on the LGBTQ page of his campaign website.

Even in October 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic continued to rage in the United States and it was clear that would be a priority for him upon taking office, Biden said in an interview with the Philadelphia Gay News the Equality Act would be a top priority for him within his first 100 days. !"!"!#$%&'!()*!+)+,!"!'-.#/01'1.2'#3145-6

“I will make enactment of the Equality Act a top legislative priority during my first 100 days — a priority that Donald Trump opposes,” Biden said.

But the Equality Act faces significant hurdles in the path toward passage in a Senate equally divided 50-50 along party lines where 60 votes would be needed to end a filibuster. Antitransgender groups have pounced on the issue of transgender kids in sports, which has been the focus of legislation advancing through state legislatures and may be a sticking point in talks on the bill. Although the U.S. House passed the Equality Act largely along party lines in March, the Senate Judiciary Committee hasn’t yet voted to advance the legislation, let alone hold a floor vote on the bill.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) signaled through a spokesperson work continues behind the scenes on the Equality Act and important achievements have been made, including record business support announced this week.

“The Equality Act has made historic progress within the first 100 days of the Biden administration,” said Martina McLennan, a Merkley spokesperson. “In addition to passing the House with a bipartisan vote, this legislation has more Senate cosponsors than ever before, more than 400 major businesses have called for its passage, and, after the Judiciary Committee’s first-ever Senate hearing in March, the Equality Act is poised for further action soon. Sen. Merkley is continuing to have productive conversations with Senate Republicans and remains committed to achieving a bipartisan vote in the Senate and seeing this landmark legislation signed into law.”

The White House continues to insist nothing has changed in terms of Biden making the Equality Act a priority. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in February twice told the Washington Blade Biden “stands by” his 100-day commitment, once in February and again on the 83rd day of the administration, blaming the Senate for inaction.

“And as you know, in order to sign legislation, it needs to come to his desk,” Psaki said. “And while he has certainly been a vocal advocate in his support for the Equality Act, obviously, as you know and noted, it passed the House; it needs to work its way through the Senate. It requires the Senate passing it in order for him to sign it.”

Asked what Biden is doing to advance the Equality Act, Psaki cited a Statement of Administration Policy in favor of the legislation and vaguely mentioned talks Biden is having.

“He has talked about his view that this is legislation that should pass,” Psaki said. “And he has a range of conversations about a range of topics, but also so does our legislative team who work to move forward his agenda every single day.”

However, exactly what the White House and Biden are doing, if anything, behind the scenes to advance the Equality Act remains unclear. One Democratic insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity for greater candor, said he’s “disappointed that they haven’t allocated much energy to it compared to other items on the agenda,” later adding “hopefully they’ll plug along.”

A White House official, asked by the Blade for this article if Biden is disappointed he won’t be able to sign the Equality Act within the 100-day timeframe he envisioned, reiterated the president’s support for the legislation.

“President Biden believes the Senate needs to act now to pass the Equality Act, and will continue to prioritize this legislation so that no one can be discriminated against on the basis of sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation,” the White House official said.

To be sure, Biden has acted to advance LGBTQ rights through executive action during his first 100 days in office, signing an executive order on his first day in office ordering federal agencies to fully implement the Bostock ruling across the board with regard to all laws against sex discrimination.

Biden wasn’t done: Days later he signed an executive order reversing former President Trump’s transgender military ban and a memorandum directing the State Department to make LGBTQ human rights an international foreign policy priority.

Based on Biden’s Bostock order, federal agencies have signaled that they would take up cases of anti-LGBTQ discrimination as sex discrimination, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Housing & Urban Development. The Department of Education also issued a memo signaling anti-LGBTQ discrimination in school programs, including sports, is illegal under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

But the cornerstone of Biden’s campaign promise to the LGBTQ community was signing the Equality Act to enact a change in law for LGBTQ protections. Although Biden signaled he’d enforce the law consistent with the Bostock decision, signing the Equality Act into law within 100 days was what he repeatedly promised in campaign forums.

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Biden to nominate lesbian, trans officials for Defense roles

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Skelly, who served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 20 years as a Naval Flight Officer, is also co-founder of Out in National Security, an affinity group for LGBTQ national security experts and officials.

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McAufliffe releases LGBTQ platform in Va.

The LGBTQ rights platform that Terry McAuliffe released on Wednesday includes a call (+%',>,$/%(6,%-+P3$//,7%T3+#-3",#3,%3/$H-,U%(6$(%$//+5-%',/"="+H-P0$-,7%$7+>("+#%$=,#3",-%"#% _"'="#"$%(+%7"-3'";"#$(,%+#%(6,%0$-"-%+:%-,@H$/%+'",#($("+#%$#7%=,#7,'%"7,#("(KE TD#:+'(H#$(,/K.%_"'="#"$%/$5%,#$0/,-%3,'($"#%:+-(,'%3$',%$#7%$7+>("+#%$=,#3",-%(+%7"-3'";"#$(,% $=$"#-(%Y!J?Z^%"#7"4"7H$/-%5"-6"#=%(+%:+-(,'%+'%$7+>(%H#7,'%(6,%=H"-,%+:%',/"="+H-%+'%;+'$/% convictions,” says McAuliffe’s campaign in a copy of the platform the Washington Blade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`7H3$("+#A-% ;+7,/%>+/"3K%(+%>'+(,3(%('$#-=,#7,'%-(H7,#(-EU ?6,%>/$(:+';%3$//-%:+'%,@>$#7,7%;,#($/%6,$/(6%',-+H'3,-%:+'%Y!J?Z%K+H(6.%";>'+4,7%6$(,% 3'";,-%',>+'("#=.%$%',7H3("+#%"#%6+;,/,--#,--%$;+#=%Y!J?Z%K+H(6%$#7%T7$($%3+//,3("+#%(+% support LGBTQ+ communities and break down disparities.” McAuliffe would also require “all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

TG,% 5"//% >$--% $#% $#("P0H//K"#=% /$5% (+% >'+(,3(% -(H7,#(-.% >'+6"0"(% :+-(,'% 3$',% $#7% $7+>("+#% $=,#3",-% :'+;% 7"-3'";"#$("#=% $=$"#-(% Y!J?Z^% >,+>/,.% $#7% ,@>$#7% $33,--% (+% 3H/(H'$//K% 3+;>,(,#(% $#7% "#3/H-"4,% 6,$/(6% $#7% ;,#($/% 6,$/(6% 3$',.U% "(% $77-E% T?,''K% 5"//% $/-+% $77',--% 6+H-"#=% -($0"/"(K% 0K% /,4,'$="#=% :,7,'$/% 6+H-"#=% 7+//$'-% $#7% 5+'<"#=% (+% ,-($0/"-6% -$:,% $#7% "#3/H-"4,%-6,/(,'-EU McAuliffe, who was Virginia’s governor from 2014-2018, is among the Democrats who are 'H##"#=%(+%-H33,,7%3H'',#(%!+4E%W$/>6%V+'(6$;%+#3,%6"-%(,';%,#7-%"#%*$#H$'K%BOBBE Northam, who was Virginia’s lieutenant governor when McAuliffe was in office, has endorsed his predecessor’s bid. McAuliffe from 2001-2005 was chair of the Democratic National X+;;"((,,E His first executive order as governor banned discrimination against LGBTQ state employees.

McAuliffe in 2014 oversaw the extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples in Virginia.

McAuliffe’s campaign notes he is the first governor of a Southern state to officiate a same-sex 5,77"#=E TY!J?Z^%_"'="#"$#-%6$4,%:$3,7%7"-3'";"#$("+#%$#7%"#,9H"(",-%:+'%(++%/+#=%0,3$H-,%+:%56+% (6,K% $',% +'% 56+% (6,K% /+4,E% 8% $;% >'+H7% +:% (6,% >'+=',--% _"'="#"$% 6$-% ;$7,% "#% >'+(,3("#=% (6,% LGBTQ+ community over the past eight years, but our work is far from over,” said McAuliffe in a statement his campaign provided to the Blade. “As governor, I will fight my heart out to ;$<,%_"'="#"$%(6,%;+-(%+>,#.%5,/3+;"#=%$#7%"#3/H-"4,%-($(,%"#%(6,%#$("+#.%$#7%0',$<%7+5#% (6,% 7"->$'"(",-% (6$(% Y!J?Z^% 3+;;H#"(",-.% $#7% >$'("3H/$'/K% 3+;;H#"(",-% +:% 3+/+'.% :$3,% "#% ,7H3$("+#.%6,$/(6%3$',.%(6,%,3+#+;K%$#7%;+',E%?+=,(6,'.%5,A//%;+4,%_"'="#"$%:+'5$'7%"#(+%$% 0,((,'.%0'"=6(,'%:H(H',%:+'%$//EU State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who is the first openly gay man elected to the Virginia General Assembly, has endorsed McAuliffe. *$!"+,-&./&-+0,#%

GET VACCINATED

GET BACK TO NORMAL

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ERNESTO VALLE, YARIEL VALDÉS GONZALEZ, PARKER PURIFOY, CHRISTOPHER KANE, AUSTIN MENDOZA, JOHN PAUL KING, JOEY DIGUGLIELMO, CHRIS JOHNSON, LOU CHIBBARO JR., MARIAH COOPER, REBEKAH SAGER, JON DAVIDSON, SUSAN HORNIK, CHANNING SARGENT, SAMSON AMORE, CHRISTOPHER CAPPIELLO, MICHAEL JORTNER, DAN ALLEN, SEAN SHEALY, SCOTT STIFFLER, RHEA LITRÉ

#$%&'()%*+%,(-./0$1+2#'(1. >?@ABA@>/CD@9BEF ",%/#,10/,() CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, 562-826-6602

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We knew the Academy Awards were going to be different this year. !"#$%&'()'*+,-.'/"'#%012304%'0/5'/#2&0/0"426'7#%5%4/2/0"4'8"#12/9'/:%'1";0%'04&<5/#)=5' 1"5/'7#%5/030"<5'2>2#&5'5:">'$"4;%4%&'4"/'2/'?"66)>""&=5'."6()'@:%2/#%'A'2/'6%25/9'4"/' 8"#'1"5/'"8'0/'A'24&'"7/%&'045/%2&'/"'(#"2&$25/'/:%'$%#%1"4)'8#"1'/:%'#%62/0;%'04/012$)'"8' B"5'C43%6%5=':05/"#0$'D40"4'E/2/0"49'>:%#%'2'51266'2<&0%4$%'"8'4"104%%59'7#%5%4/%#5'24&' 3<%5/5'32/:%#%&'<4&%#'F60;%'5%/G'528%/)'7#"/"$"65'>:06%'"/:%#'72#/0$0724/5'$"44%$/%&'8#"1' various remote hook-ups across the world.

Instead of auditorium seating, tables; instead of an orchestra, Questlove. In addition, 5:">' 7#"&<$%#5' E/%;%4' E"&%#(%#3:9' H%55%' *"660459' 24&' E/2$)' E:%#' $:"5%' /"' 5:""/' /:%' event cinematically, employing the tricks and techniques of film to transform the evening from the stodgy affair so many of us love to hate into something resembling a movie. As promised during the week ahead of the broadcast, the show was going to tell a “story.”

It was a gamble that didn’t pay off. @:0435'5/2#/%&'"</'7#"1050436)'%4"<3:9'0/'1<5/'(%'520&9'>0/:'24'"7%4043'/#2$I043'5:"/' that followed host Regina King from the bright L.A. sunshine into the cool darkness of Union Station. The motion, the music, and most of all King’s commanding presence, gave us the sense that something big was about to happen. Then, early in her opening $"11%4/5' /"' /:%' 2<&0%4$%9' J043' (#"<3:/' 5<(5/24$%' /"' /:%' >%03:/' ()' $"11%4/043' /:2/' “if things had gone differently in Minneapolis this week, I might’ve /#2&%&'04'1)':%%65'8"#'12#$:043'(""/5G'A'#%104&043'<5'K25'08'0/'>%#%' 4%%&%&L'"8'/:%'42/0"426'8"$<5'"4'M62$I'N<5/0$%'/:2/':<43'26"4350&%' +5$2#=5'6"43O621%4/%&'5/#<336%'>0/:'&0;%#50/)'60I%'2'5:2&">'";%#'/:%' evening. The central theme of this Oscar “movie,” it seemed, had been firmly established.

For a while, it seemed to be working. The evening’s first winners >%#%' P1%#26&' !%44%66' 8"#' M%5/' +#030426' E$#%%4762)9' 8"#' FQ#"105043' R"<43' S"1249G' 24&' !6"#024' T%66%#' 8"#' M%5/' C&27/%&' E$#%%4762)9' 8"#'F@:%'!2/:%#9G'277%2#043'/"'5%/'2'/"4%'8"#'/:%'$%#%1"4)'04'>:0$:' #%$"340/0"4'>"<6&'(%'57#%2&'2#"<4&'/"'266'A'5"1%/:043';%#)'1<$:' 04' /<4%' >0/:' /:%' 7#%5<1%&' 5<(76"/' "8' /:%' F5/"#)G' >%' >%#%' (%043' /"6&9'04'>:0$:'+5$2#'>"<6&'#%&%%1'0/5%68'8#"1'/:%'U+5$2#5E"S:0/%' 255"$02/0"45'"8'0/5'725/'24&'7#";%'0/5%68'/"'(%'2'$:2170"4'8"#'820#'24&' equal diversity, after all.

E""4' 28/%#9' .240%6' J26<<)2' /""I' /:%' 2>2#&' 8"#' M%5/' E<77"#/043' C$/"#' A' 4"' 5<#7#05%' /:%#%9' 25' :05' 7%#8"#124$%' 25' 56204' M62$I' Panther leader Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah” had won the equivalent prize from every other major film awards so far — firmly establishing the “redemption” theme by celebrating the 7">%#8<6' >"#I' "8' 2' M62$I' 2$/"#' 04' 2' /#<%O608%' 5/"#)' /:2/' 2&&#%55%&' the corruption and tragedy of systemic racism in America. A pair of awards for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Best Makeup and Styling, M%5/' *"5/<1%' .%5034L9' 25' >%66' 25' 2' >04' 8"#' /:%' 7"60$%O;0"6%4$%O /:%1%&'F@>"'.05/24/'E/#243%#5G'25'M%5/'B0;%OC$/0"4'E:"#/9'#%048"#$%&' it even further. Better still, a shout-out to trans acceptance from “Ma Rainey” stylist Mia V%26'04':%#'57%%$:9'24&'2'76%2'8#"1'FE/#243%#5G'>#0/%#W&0#%$/"#'@#2;"4'!#%%'8"#'2<&0%4$%5' not to be “indifferent to our pain” in his, lent a powerful sense of earnestness that made the whole thing feel authentic. Maybe this year, Oscar was finally getting it right.

Unfortunately, the Oscar “story,” in its effort to be inclusive, allowed all the winners to talk until they were done. In other words, Questlove did not start playing anyone off when /:%)' :2&' <5%&' <7' /:%0#' /01%9' 24&' /:%' 21(0/0"<5' F1";0%G' "8' /:%' +5$2#5' 5""4' (%324' 6"5%' any momentum it had built. This is not to say that the winners don’t deserve their time in /:%'57"/603:/9'"#'/:2/'5"1%'"8'/:%'/:0435'/:2/'>%#%'520&'>%#%'4"/'>"#/:)'"8'(%043':%2#&X' (</' 24)"4%' 04' 5:">' (<504%55' 5:"<6&' I4">' /:%' 017"#/24$%' "8' I%%7043' )"<#' 2<&0%4$%' 04/%#%5/%&9' 24&' /:%' C$2&%1)' C>2#&5' :2;%' 5<$:' 2' 6"43' :05/"#)' "8' #<44043' 7"4&%#"<56)' overtime that it seems some kind of middle ground might have been reached.

There were other familiar complaints, too. The annual “in memoriam” segment inevitably 6%8/'"</'5"1%'017"#/24/'421%5'KC44'Y%04I0439'H%550$2'S26/%#9'FZ6%%G'5/2#'V2)2'Y0;%#29'24&' 8"#1%#'+5$2#'4"104%%'5"43>#0/%#'C&21'E$:6%5043%#9'/"'421%'N<5/'2'8%>L9'24&'/:%#%'>25' !"!"!#$%&'()#)%*#&+),-$.!"!&/01#!234!5356

24' 2>I>2#&' 5%31%4/' 04' >:0$:' [<%5/6";%' 762)%&' F+5$2#' /#0;02G' >0/:' 2<&0%4$%' 1%1(%#59' who were asked to identify movie songs that did NOT win the Academy Award. The latter 50/<2/0"4'>25'261"5/'52;%&'()'4"104%%'Z6%44'*6"5%9'>:"'&0&'24'F017#"17/<G'#%4&0/0"4'"8' “Da Butt” that was as goofily charming as it was obviously pre-planned.

C5' /:%' 5:">' >"#%' "49' /:%' $04%12/0$' $"4$%0/' $:"5%4' /"' #%;0/260\%' /:%' 7#"$%%&0435' became mostly irrelevant in the face of Oscar’s usual baggage. Further, the absence of any 7%#8"#124$%5'"8'/:%')%2#=5'4"1042/%&'5"4359'/)70$266)'2'82;"#0/%'8%2/<#%'"8'8245'2/':"1%9' 1%24/'/:%#%'>25'60//6%'#%570/%'8#"1'/:%'&<664%559'>:0$:'>25'12&%'266'/:%'1"#%'2772#%4/'()' the increasingly bored faces of the onscreen audience. The omission may have been due to the difficult logistics of additional COVID protocols, but surely pre-taped performances might have helped to perk things up. For the record, Best Original Song went to “Fight For You,” from “Judas and the Black Messiah.”

Along the way, there were noteworthy wins. The much-loved Pixar-Disney film “Soul” took /:%'2>2#&'8"#'M%5/'C4012/%&'!%2/<#%9'25'>%66'25'>044043'M%5/'+#030426'E$"#%'8"#'$"17"5%#5' Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste; the virally popular “My Octopus Teacher” won 8"#' M%5/' ."$<1%4/2#)' !%2/<#%X' .2;0&' !04$:%#=5' (62$IO24&O>:0/%' "6&O?"66)>""&' :"123%' “Mank” took the prizes for Best Production Design and Best Cinematography, continuing /:%'/#%4&'"8'57#%2&043'"</'/:%'>%26/:'21"43'/:%'8#"4/O#<44043'$"4/%4&%#5X'04'7#%5%4/043'

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Best Film Editing to “The Sound of Metal,” still-hunky Hollywood curmudgeon Harrison Ford gave an amusing nod to “Blade Runner,” the revered 1982 sci-fi film in which he 5/2##%&9' ()' #%2&043' /:%' 5$2/:0436)' 4%32/0;%' 5/<&0"' 4"/%5' 8#"1' 2' 7#%O#%6%25%' 5$#%%4043X' 24&' M%5/' E<77"#/043' C$/#%55' >%4/' /"' ;%/%#24' 7%#8"#1%#' R<:OH<43' R"<4' 8"#' :%#' >"#I' 04' “Minari,” making her only the second woman of Asian heritage to win the award (the first was Miyoshi Umeki for 1957’s “Sayanora”) — and making Close, who was nominated for :%#'#"6%'04'F?066(066)'P6%3)9G'/0%&'>0/:'Q%/%#'+=@""6%'25'/:%'2$/"#'>0/:'/:%'1"5/'4"&5'K%03:/L' without a single win.

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Chloe Zhao’s expected win as Best Director, for “Nomadland,” making her the first AsianC1%#0$24' >"124' K24&' "46)' /:%' 5%$"4&' >"1249' 7%#0"&L' /"' #%$%0;%' /:%' 2>2#&9' >25' 24' 277#%$02/%&':03:'7"04/'8"#':%#'%4/:<5025/0$'3#2/0/<&%'26"4%9'(</'2/'/:05'7"04/9'/:0435':2&' become pretty much business as usual, despite the grand designs and cinematic flourishes of the producers.

"789:7;-$-8<=<779=-78:>?@AB-C<:D-<E-FG7-<?D-HAC:F7 Then, the big twist came. Best Picture, always the final award of the evening, was being announced before the Lead Acting awards. What was happening? Was the Oscar “movie” about to give us a surprise ending?

The winner, “Nomadland,” had been favored, and star Frances McDormand helped to make the moment a highlight with a “wolf” howl (dedicated to sound mixer Michael “Wolf” Snyder, who passed away last month) when she joined the film’s other producers at the podium, but surely neither of those things warranted switching the order. Perhaps a clue to what was really happening could be found in the choice of presenter — Hollywood icon Rita Moreno, still fabulous at 89, whose Best Supporting Actress win for 1961’s “West Side Story” happened to have made her the first Hispanic woman to win an Oscar.

Was this reminder of diversity from the Academy’s past a sign that the “redemption” theme was about to pay off?

It suddenly became obvious. The Oscar “movie” was leading up to an emotional finale, a big and uplifting triumph that would not only be a celebration of diversity, but a tribute to a gifted young man whose talents had been taken away from us too soon. The story of Oscar’s redemption would culminate in the posthumous awarding of the Best Actor prize to Chadwick Boseman, whose nominated performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” was the last work he completed before losing his private battle with colon cancer and passing away at 43 last August. That would definitely be a “wow” finish.

Best Actress came first, accompanied by some suspense due to being one of the few categories without a clear front-runner. McDormand took the statue for “Nomadland,” joining a small handful of other performers as a three-time-winner and preventing “Ma Rainey” star Viola Davis from becoming the first Black actress to win twice. Her speech was refreshingly short and humble, a tribute to the joy of “the work” which included a quote from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” (“My voice is in my sword”) — a play considered by actors worldwide to be “cursed,” which in retrospect casts an interesting light on what happened next.

To present the final award, last year’s Best Actor winner Joaquin Phoenix (looking exceptionally uncomfortable) came to the mic and, after a feeble joke about his reputation for method acting, read off the five nominees before opening the envelope to bring about the now much-anticipated denouement.

“And the Oscar goes to… Anthony Hopkins, ‘The Father.’”

It wasn’t quite “fade to black, roll credits” after that, but it might as !"##$%&'"$("")* There was no uplifting finale, no redemption of the Academy as a reward for its show of diversity. There was only another in a longrunning series of gaffes (remember the “La La Land” vs. “Moonlight” debacle from just a few years back?) that have made the Oscar show’s tendency to mess things up a running joke.

This one, however, was possibly the worst. In an arrogant attempt to shape a narrative out of real life events that hadn’t even happened

yet, the Academy seems to have chosen to manipulate its audience into an emotional reaction — one that would have bolstered its own reputation and perhaps made up for some of its former perceived missteps — while exhibiting a cynical overconfidence in its own ability to predict the sentiments of its voters. As a result, its “wow” finish turned into an abrupt and uncomfortable faux pas, diminishing both Hopkins’ victory for a career-topping performance (which, at 83, makes him the oldest acting winner in Oscar history) and Boseman’s searingly powerful work by obscuring their accomplishments behind a colossal fuck-up born of its own hubris.

It’s worth noting that a plan was (reportedly) in place in the supposedly “unlikely” event that Hopkins would win, in which “Father” co-star Colman - known for her disarming grace and humor in awards situations - would have accepted the award in his absence. As reported

by The Guardian, Phoenix forgot to call her to the stage, resulting in the dull thud that was the end of the 93rd Academy Awards. Regardless, the Academy has only itself to blame. In its eagerness to tell the story it wanted to tell about itself, it appears to have forgotten that you have to know the ending first.

Ironically, when removed from all the drama, the list of winners does represent one of the most diverse and inclusive slates in Oscar history. It’s not enough, but it’s a start.

On that note, as a final observation, the LGBTQ community, despite recent strides in being acknowledged by Oscar, went largely unacknowledged at this year’s ceremony, with queer front-runners like “Two of Us” (a French contender for Best International Feature) and David France’s devastating “Welcome to Chechnya” (shortlisted for Best Documentary Feature) having been shut out of the nominations and no significant queer content among most of the nominated films.

Apart from Neal’s aforementioned invocation of trans acceptance as part of a possible future in which the recognition of all women for their achievements would be “normal,” the only other time we came up was during Tyler Perry’s acceptance speech for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Perry, whose popular films are frequently criticized for embracing borderline homophobic and transphobic humor and perpetuating problematic tropes about gender and sexuality, gave a speech calling for people to “refuse to hate” anyone “because they are Mexican, or because they are Black or white, or LBGTQ” or “because they are a police officer” or “because they are Asian.” Apart from the conflation of being a police officer (a choice) with being an LGBTQ person or a person of color (not a choice), the fact that he mixed up the “B” and the “G” is a clear indicator that, while he may refuse to hate us, he’s not exactly a committed ally, either.

If the LGBTQ angle seems like a footnote to the story, that’s because it is. Once more, the queer community is left feeling like an uninvited guest by the Academy.

If Oscar wants its story to be about diversity, it’s clear that next year’s “story” needs some better writers.

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D98!:<!MG9:8!><!F@>7F@ ‘I’d go nuts if I didn’t work’ ./'+0'12&*-

When writer and filmmaker John Waters turned 70 five years ago, he said he took six friends on a first-class trip to Paris for his birthday and “we had the best time.”

This year, for his 75th birthday on April 22, he was going to take his friends to Rome but the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way and they couldn’t all travel.

Instead, a friend is having a small dinner party for him in New York City, and he’s going with a friend. “Everybody has had their shots, and that’s what I’m going to do…It will be low-key this year.”

The older he gets, he said, the less he cares about making a big fuss out of every birthday anyway.

“What difference does it make? Old means old. It doesn’t matter which one.”

Though he’s taking some time to celebrate his 75th birthday, Waters has no plans to retire.

“No, God no,” he said last weekend while on a Zoom call with fans from London. “I jump out of bed every morning. It hurts to jump out of bed. I have aches and pains. But no, I’d go nuts if I didn’t work.”

That’s probably just as well because he has a lot going on. Between shooting episodes of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” getting ready for film festivals in several cities, planning a guided tour in Provincetown, and preparing for an exhibit of his private art collection at the Baltimore Museum of Art, he’s staying busy.

The ultimate multitasker, he didn’t even stop working when he went for a COVID vaccination recently.

“I signed an autograph when I was getting the shot,” he said. “Well, not at the moment, but right before.”

In a Zoom session organized by London’s Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities — an early birthday present of sorts because it drew fans from at least three continents — Waters announced that he just last week finished the book he’s been writing for the past three years, “LIARMOUTH,” a novel about a woman who steals luggage at the airport. It’s due out next year from Farrar, Straus and

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Giroux.

He also expressed optimism that some events that had to be cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic will be back in 2021, including his Camp John Waters “sleepaway” weekend for superfans in Kent, Conn., and a new, renamed iteration of the Burger Boogaloo punk rock music festival that he hosts in Oakland, Calif.

There’s even a chance he’ll make another movie. Waters told his fans there’s still interest in “Fruitcake,” the children’s Christmas film that he’s been trying for years to make. “There is new possibility,” he teased. “That’s all I’ll say. I’m not going to jinx it.”

He’s waiting to hear about the several dozen spoken-word shows he performs around the country every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“I think a lot of those decisions are going to happen in September.”

Most of all, he said, he’s just eager to make in-person appearances after a year in lockdown. Some of his engagements that were cancelled due to COVID have been rescheduled for the coming year, including appearances in New York, California, and Pennsylvania, and he’s adding others.

“I’m dying to get back on the road,” he said last weekend. “I’m still amazed that 20-something-year-old kids know who I am. I want to see what they look like.”

He’s wondering whether Meet-N-Greets – the sessions where he signs autographs and poses for photos with fans after a performance – will be possible in a post-pandemic world.

“Even before this, when I did the Christmas tour, I had Meet-N-Greets for usually 50 people” after a show, he said. “I’d always get sick because you have to hug everybody and then get on an airplane the next day. So I think Meet-NGreets might never come back. I don’t know how they’re ever going to do that safely.”

On a personal basis, too, he’s yearning to get out and travel more.

“I want to go to a movie theater. I want to go to a concert,” he said. “I want to be able to have even a dull day out with other people.”

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22!K=L8!H;9:>!0F=9!MCHFG!A=8!<BN!LC=98 New bar Stache a welcome addition to WeHo strip '")+&,-$''&"./)"-,

Ryan Floyd signed the contract for his first restaurant after working for 10 years in LA as a finance guy. He said he hit the decade mark and realized, “I want to do something on my own.” He liked the industry, and knew the business side after working as CFO for a successful restaurant development and management firm. Now, after more than a year in lockdown, he’s got big things planned for his spot 33 Taps, and his next venture, Stache in West Hollywood.

In 2016, Floyd bought a storied beer bar and country diner once known as The Crest on Sunset, making him the third consecutive gay owner of the location. The Crest on Sunset had been running since the late-1980s, with a loyal local clientele - most of the staff was gay, most of the customers were gay. “A friend brought it to me and I thought, this could be a good step for me,” Floyd explained, “I bought the assets and license and rebranded it as 33 Taps.”

33 Taps formally opened in September 2016, and will celebrate its five-year anniversary in the fall. “The first year was really stressful,” Floyd remembers, “we were under capitalized.

I lost money for the first six, seven months. It was scary.” The former investment banker had sunk all his own cash into the business, and it wasn’t until the end of 2017 that 33 Taps began to find its footing, and its niche.

Floyd credits his team for the longevity of the spot, and for helping keep the business open during its first year and all the years that followed. Many of the employees had even been at that location before the sale - the general manager at 33 Taps, Peaches, has been working at the address for more than 30 years.

Before the pandemic hit, business was good. “Seventy-five percent of our patrons are local,” Floyd said proudly. “We’ve really established ourselves as a place where people love to watch LA sports — the Dodgers, the Lakers, the Rams. And we also have a huge Drag Race following.” The bar finally returned to its weekly Drag Race viewing parties just in time for the grand finale episode last Friday. According to Floyd, more than a third of the clientele is LGBTQ. As Los Angeles slowly begins to reopen, and businesses and bars can welcome back customers, 33 Taps is greeting the postCOVID world with some new changes. “During the pandemic I had entered the liquor license lottery.” For businesses hoping for a budget break, the State of California holds a yearly liquor license lottery in which restaurants and bars can try their luck at a discounted license. “The state will issue however many licenses they think the market should absorb. You can buy those licenses for $15,000, which is a full liquor license — a type 47. Whereas on the open market, prices go from $100,000$120,000.” It was his fourth year entering the lottery, and his first time winning. It took the state months to process the license, but it finally issued 3725 Sunset Blvd. its firstever liquor license. It’ll be the first time in 40 years that the location will have a full bar.

A numbers man, Floyd explained an added benefit of a liquor license kicking in now. “Beer and spirits go through cycles. Beer had a very long, 10-year run. In 2005, there were 300 breweries in the United States, and now there’s over 5,000.” Floyd recites these statistics with a sportscaster’s excitement, “beer had this huge run, but now spirits have taken the lead again.” With the city’s reopening looking more and more optimistic, and more and more people wanting to celebrate big after a year in their living rooms - the new liquor license could not be better timed.

“We want to program our Friday and Saturday nights. We’ve never been open beyond 11 o’clock, now we can stay open until 1 a.m. and actually have a bar crowd.” He’s lining up a slew of parties, bringing some much needed queer nightlife programming to the Silverlake scene.

33 Taps will now be a part of the official Silverlake gay bar crawl, for

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all those on their way to dance at Akbar or a party at The Eagle. It rounds out the trio, offering its own flare - a modern neighborhood restaurant and sports bar.

Each spot brings something different to the table.

Akbar is beloved for its brand of queer punk quirk; the also beloved Eagle offers its loyal leather-clad following the gritty gay bar of years past. 33 Taps is the grad-school jock of the group, a lovable charm and an always here for a good time attitude. Floyd offered the elevator pitch: “You can listen to great music, drink from a full bar and also have some great food.” The 33 Taps food menu has always been one of its strongest assets, offering customers a chef-driven menu of craft burgers and fries. A top-notch bite at a gay bar is hard to come by, and the plates at 33 Taps put most bar menus to shame.

He teased a few details of his highly anticipated new venture: Stache. Coming to West Hollywood this summer, Stache is lucratively situated across the street from Beaches and TomTom, and down the block from Weho heavyhitters, Rocco’s and The Abbey. “Stache will also be a full restaurant and full bar, with a nightlife component as well,” Floyd shared. While he can’t reveal plans just yet, he promises big monthly parties, disco and drag. The new website, stacheweho. com, describes Stache as, “an all-inclusive social house for every form of self-expression.” The site also attributes the mustache in the name and logo as a symbol of resilience in the gay community, honoring those lost to the AIDS epidemic. After the closing of so many iconic LA gay bars during the pandemic, Ryan Floyd’s Stache is a welcome addition to the WeHo strip.

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