DECEMBER 08,
2017
VOLUME 48
ISSUE 49
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AMERICA’S LGBTQ NEWS SOURCE
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WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
Troubling signs in Masterpiece arguments Kennedy seems conflicted; activists fear grave consequences of ruling By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case Tuesday while protesters gathered outside. WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY
The U.S. Supreme Court concluded arguments Tuesday in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case with no clear indication of how it would rule as swing-vote Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy expressed skepticism of the Colorado non-discrimination law, but also sent conflicting messages. As the American Civil Liberties Union’s national legal director David Cole argued before the bench, Kennedy remarked the attorney’s claim the baker, Jack Phillips, denied a wedding cake to the same-sex couple based on their identity, rather than objections to same-sex marriage, was “just too facile.” Kennedy also maintained “tolerance is essential” in society and accused the Colorado
Civil Rights Commission of being “neither tolerant, nor respectful of Phillips’ religious beliefs,” noting a line in the commission’s ruling calling the baker “despicable.” Kennedy also mentioned “other good bakery shops that were available.” But Kennedy also questioned whether the denial of a wedding cake compromised the dignity of the couple — a principle of significant importance to the justice — and questioned why selling ready-made cake to the couple wouldn’t be speech as opposed to a custom cake. Kennedy also envisioned after a ruling in favor of the baker religious groups sending messages to bakeries to “not make cakes for gay weddings.” In the aftermath of the hearing, reporters in the Supreme Court press room speculated the court could remand the case to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission with instructions to be more tolerant of Phillips’ religious beliefs. Another possibility was a ruling specifically crafted to apply to Colorado’s CONTINUES ON PAGE 11
Banana Café set to close Dec. 16 Beloved restaurant to end 25-year run on Capitol Hill By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com
JORGE ZAMORANO announced he’s closing the Banana Café. Zamorano, on left, stands with his partner DARREN LOVE outside of the venue. WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY
The Banana Café, a restaurant and piano bar on Capitol Hill that has catered to a gay and mixed clientele for 25 years, announced on its website that it will be closing its doors for good on Dec. 16. Owner Jorge “George” Zamorano, who’s gay and who met his partner while working for the restaurant under its previous owner when it was called the Lone Star Cantina, said he has decided it was time to move on to other endeavors. “We have had a great, wonderful 25 years,” he told the Washington Blade on Monday. “And I think for me personally I feel satisfied with what we did. In my heart I feel it is time for new adventures and to see what else is
out there,” he said. Zamorano was born in Cuba and raised in Puerto Rico. A lifelong artist and figurative painter, he was known among friends as both an artist and hospitality industry manager. He told the Blade in a 2013 interview that in 1992 he left his position as food and beverage manager at D.C.’s Henley Park Hotel to focus full-time on his artwork. But he said he soon found himself bartending and helping in the kitchen at the restaurant opened by his friend – the Lone Star Cantina. A little over two years later he bought the restaurant, located a short distance from the Eastern Market Metro station, and soon renamed it the Banana Café and Piano Bar. Known for its reasonably priced Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Tex-Mex cuisine, Capitol Hill residents and visitors, both LGBT and straight, CONTINUES ON PAGE 12