Washingtonblade.com, Volume 49, Issue 33, August 17, 2018

AUGUST 17,

2018

VOLUME 49

ISSUE 33

•

AMERICA’S LGBTQ NEWS SOURCE

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

‘Defining moment for trans equality’ Hallquist wins Dem nomination in Vermont governor’s race

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com In a historic victory, Christine Hallquist won the Democratic nomination Tuesday to become the next Vermont governor, making her the first transgender candidate ever to obtain a major party nomination in a gubernatorial race.

The Associated Press declared Hallquist, former CEO of the Vermont

Electric Cooperative, won the Democratic nomination in Vermont at 9:14 p.m. shortly after polls closed at 7 p.m. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Hallquist obtained 48 percent of the vote, compared to 22 percent for environmental activist James Ehlers, 21 percent for progressive activist Brenda Siege and 8 percent for high school student Ethan Sonneborn. (Vermont has no age requirement for candidates.)

Should Hallquist succeed in the general election in November, she’d be the first openly transgender person elected as a governor in the United States.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 12

CHRISTINE HALLQUIST has become the first transgender candidate to win a major party nomination to run for statewide office.

PHOTO COURTESY HALLQUIST

Bowser, Corado travel to El Salvador Mayor signs sister city agreement to ‘build stronger communities’

By ERNESTO VALLE SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and more than 20 others from the nation’s capital traveled to the Salvadoran capital from Aug. 11-14. Ruby Corado, a transgender woman and LGBT activist who lives in Washington was among those who witnessed Bowser sign agreements with her San Salvador counterpart.

The trip’s main objective was to meet with San Salvador Mayor Ernesto Muyshondt to sign a sister city agreement between the two cities that includes cooperation in investment, culture and sports. Bowser on Monday afternoon signed the agreement with her Salvadoran counterpart to promote economic and youth development, public security, sustainability, culture, education and government cooperation between both cities.

“Salvadorans have played an important role in the construction of a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Washington, D.C., in which we live today,” said Bowser. “With thousands and thousands of Salvadorans living in the D.C. region who continue to make CONTINUES ON PAGE 14

D.C. Mayor MURIEL BOWSER with San Salvador Mayor ERNESTO MUYSHONDT in San Salvador on Aug. 13, after the two mayors signed a sister city agreement.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYOR’S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

LOVE WINS

BEDFELLOWS

ODORAMA REDUX

Counter protesters far outnumber white supremacists at march.

Liars and opportunists Omarosa and Trump deserve each other.

John Waters on the upcoming reissue of camp classic ‘Hairspray.’

PAGE 04

PAGE 16

PAGE 21

0 2 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

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

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 0 3

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

0 4 • A UGUS T 1 7 , 2018

LO CA L N E W S

Thousands of counter protesters vastly outnumbered the 20 or so white supremacists who showed up in D.C. on Sunday.

contingent arrived at the Foggy Bottom station about 2:30 p.m. The news reports said the contingent that arrived in D.C. consisted of only about 22 people, far fewer than the 400 people the contingent’s organizers said they expected to attend the event.

If the Unite the Right contingent arrived in Foggy Bottom near 23rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue at 2:30 p.m. they could have walked along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House and Lafayette Park before the LGBT contingent reached Pennsylvania Avenue at 19th Street about 3:30 p.m.

Press reports said the contingent was accompanied by a flank of D.C. police officers as it marched along downtown streets, but the press reports didn’t say which streets the Unite the Right members took.

Nasr told the Blade he had learned from what he believed to be a reliable source that word that the LGBT counter protesters had assembled on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House prompted the Unite the Right organizers to change their plans to march down Pennsylvania Avenue to Lafayette Park.

“It’s been incredible,” Nasr said. “We’ve successfully shut down the street that the white supremacists and the Nazis were going to walk down,” he said. “This street right here, yes, Pennsylvania Avenue,” he added.

Nasr’s claim that the LGBT counter protest led to a rerouting of the Unite the Right contingent couldn’t be confirmed from D.C. police as of Sunday night.

WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

LGBT counter protesters avoid contact with white supremacists at rally ‘Queer and Trans ResisDance’ march blocks traffic

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com About 150 LGBT people and their supporters marched from Dupont Circle to 18th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. on Sunday afternoon as part of what they called a Queer and Trans “ResisDance Party” and counter protest to the Unite the Right rally next to the White House organized by white supremacist leaders.

The LGBT counter protesters, who tossed rainbow colored graffiti and danced to music blaring from a portable loudspeaker while marching along downtown streets, decided not to continue their procession to Lafayette Park, where the Unite the Right rally began more than an hour earlier than originally planned.

“We are here to send a clear message to Nazis and to white supremacists that you and your ideology are not welcome here, not here in D.C., not here in the U.S., and here in the world,” gay activist Firas Nasr, the lead organizer of the LGBT contingent, said in Dupont Circle before the contingent began its march.

“We are here today to send a clear message that we, queer and trans people, that we intersectional people, people of color, disabled folks, native folks, we are here and we’re not going anywhere,” he said.

Among the signs and banners carried by the LGBT contingent was one that read “Smash White Supremacy.”

The LGBT counter protesters were among more than 10,000 counter protesters that turned out in several different locations in downtown D.C. on Sunday afternoon to challenge the Unite the Right contingent, far outnumbering them.

Out of fear of potential violence and retaliation by white supremacists expected to participate in the Unite the Right rally, organizers of the LGBT contingent did not announce the Dupont Circle location where they first assembled or the route of their march until Saturday, just one day before the event.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and District Police Chief Peter Newsham announced at a news conference Sunday night after the rally and counter protests were over that the massive presence of police that separated the opposing groups on Sunday succeeded in preventing violent outbreaks similar to the clashes that erupted in the first Unite the Right rally held one year ago in Charlottesville, Va. Lesbian activist Sarah Massey, director of communications for the National LGBTQ Task Force, was among two bikers that led the LGBT contingent’s march on their motorcycles. Massey told the Washington Blade the contingent’s organizers decided to stop at 18th and Pennsylvania Avenue for the purpose of possibly acting as a surprise “welcoming party” for the Unite the Right contingent.

Unite the Right leaders announced last week that they planned to arrive in D.C. from Virginia on Metro and planned to exit at the Foggy Bottom Metro station. They said they planned to march along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House and Lafayette Park, where they planned to hold their rally, which was originally scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

But press reports, including a report from Yahoo News, said the Unite the Right

Sports enthusiast James McDonald dies at 56

James “Jimmy Mac” McDonald, a retired retail store manager in Atlanta who was widely known for his active involvement since the early 1980s in gay men’s competitive softball and bowling leagues and whose teams traveled for tournaments to several MidAtlantic cities, including D.C., died July 28 of a heart attack at his home in Tucker, Ga. He was 56.

Frank Yodonis, his partner of 35 years, said he quickly JAMES MCDONALD learned of McDonald’s PHOTO COURTESY FRANK YODONIS interest in softball when the couple first met on Memorial Day weekend in Pittsburgh in 1983. McDonald was participating in a softball tournament as a player for the Pittsburgh Metros, a gay men’s softball team for which McDonald served as coach.

Yodonis said that while he and McDonald lived in Pittsburgh until 1989, the couple traveled to many regional gay softball events, including several in D.C., where they became friends with the late Calvin Steinmetz, a D.C. attorney and avid softball player in D.C.’s gay softball league.

McDonald and Yodonis also traveled to D.C. and other cities to participate in gay men’s bowling tournaments, Yodonis said, including D.C.’s annual Capital Halloween Invitational Tournament in which McDonald won the men’s doubles event in 1986 or 1987.

Yodonis said McDonald was born and raised in Wellsburg, W.Va., and graduated from Brooke County High School. He said McDonald spent most of his career in the retail business, finishing his last job before retiring due to health issues as manager for a Dollar Tree store in Atlanta, where the couple moved in 1987.

According to Yodonis, since first moving to Atlanta he and McDonald also lived in Austin, Texas; Tampa, Fla.; and Raleigh, N.C., before moving back to Atlanta in 2005.

“We had the pleasure of getting to know many metro D.C. sports participants over the years,” said Yodonis. “Many in the bowling and softball communities came to know and love us.”

A memorial service is scheduled to be held for McDonald at Windsor Heights Church of God in Windsor Heights, W.Va. on Aug. 19.

Survivors include his life partner Frank Yodonis; his mother Kathryn Beckett, stepfather Clyde Beckett, stepsister Paula Kokosinski and her husband John Kokosinski; and many nieces and nephews in Wellsburg, W.Va. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 0 5

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

0 6 • A UGUS T 1 7 , 2018

LO CA L N E W S

Coluzzi, Byrne win Rehoboth commissioners seats Two open seats were up for grabs on the Rehoboth Beach Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 11 election. Richard Byrne, Pat Coluzzi and Gary Glass were running for the seats. Coluzzi and Byrne won, with Byrne receiving 660 votes and Coluzzi taking 583.

“I’m genuinely humbled by the vote and honored to have the trust of so many of the voters,” Byrne said. “I’m grateful for all of the support from so many residents and businesses, PAT COLUZZI won a seat and I want to say a big thank you to all of them. I on the Rehoboth Board of Commissioners. look forward to rolling up my sleeves and going to PHOTO COURTESY OF COLUZZI work on behalf of the residents and businesses.”

Byrne also congratulated Coluzzi and Glass on running with him and encouraged voters to stay in touch to let him know what’s on their mind.

“It’s clear that working together we can preserve and improve the quality of life in Rehoboth Beach,” Byrne said.

Coluzzi, who served as a Rehoboth Beach commissioner from 2007 to 2013, wrote in the Cape Gazette that she has “a proven track record of successfully tackling a variety of issues over the years.” She wrote that she is “uniquely positioned” to address some of the issues that confront Rehoboth. The Blade has reached out to Coluzzi for comment on her victory.

Coluzzi and Byrne will be sworn in on Sept. 21 during the commissioners meeting to each serve a three-year term. They will join Mayor Paul Kuhns, Stan Mills, Kathy McGuiness, Lisa Schlosser and Toni Sharp on the Rehoboth Beach Board of Commissioners.

BLAKE CHAMBERS

Pride festival brings music, awareness to Delaware DOVER, Del. — The Delaware Pride Festival was held at Legislative Hall here on Aug. 11. The venue was full of sound from music from the performances. People could be seen dancing throughout the festival, both under the performance tent and around the vendor booths. Booths for Sen. Tom Carper, his opponent Kerri Evelyn Harris in the upcoming U.S. Senate election for the state of Delaware, the Human Rights Campaign and PFLAG of Rehoboth were among those seen at the festival.

“I have a lot of friends who are a part of the LGBT community, and I’m also bi,” said Kailey Blevins, an attendee. “I have a friend in Massachusetts who is a drag queen. I have a friend from Ohio who’s bi as well.”

Attendees not only showed up to celebrate their own LGBTQ identity, but also to show support for the entire LGBTQ community.

“I’m bisexual, and this is my first Pride, and she is here to support me and everyone else,” said Brooke Bowman, another Delaware Pride Festival attendee who was there with her friend, Kira Czerwinski. “I like it. I think it’s fun. I enjoy the music.”

Kathy Carpenter Brown, who is transgender, was at the festival with the United Church of Christ in Milton and was working the Rehoboth PFLAG desk. Carpenter Brown is also one of the creators of Rehoboth TransLiance, which was founded in June 2016 and serves as a supportive social group for the trans community.

“I’m loving it. It’s great. I’m transgender, and I’m seeing more and more transgender people coming out of the woodwork,” said Carpenter Brown on the festival. “Pride is an indicator of what’s going on in society.”

Carpenter Brown was also there promoting the Butterfly Project, which seeks to create a future in which societies are more aware and accepting of the gender spectrum as a whole. She will speak at the D.C. Ladies Conference in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 18 and at CAMP Rehoboth on Aug. 20.

Kelsea Johnson, Earth Radio, Derek Deleqúa, SongBird the Goddess, the Manhattan Prairie Dogs and emcee Josh Schonewolf were among the list of entertainers at the festival.

Johnson was on Season 14 of “The Voice” as part of Team Alicia. Johnson is a Delaware native with Newark being her hometown.

Delaware Pride is already looking for logo themes for next year’s festival.

Theme ideas can be emailed to info@delawarepride.org by Sept. 9.

BLAKE CHAMBERS

JAMES M. WHEELER was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Bruce Garnett, who was stabbed to death in 2017.

PHOTO COURTESY CHESTERFIELD COUNTY POLICE

Virginia man arrested for 2017 murder of gay activist Chesterfield police say victim and suspect were in relationship

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com Police in Chesterfield County, Va., on Aug. 6 arrested a 56-year-old Virginia man for the April 2017 murder of longtime Virginia gay activist Bruce Garnett, 67, who was found stabbed to death in his apartment in a section of Chesterfield near Richmond.

Police charged James M. Wheeler, a resident of the town of Stuarts Draft near Staunton, Va., with second-degree murder in connection with Garnett’s death after he confessed to the murder, according to Maj. Edward Carpenter of the Chesterfield Police Investigations Bureau.

“I can tell you that we received information that the suspect pretty much confessed to an independent party about his involvement in the case,” Carpenter told the Washington Blade.

“And based on that we were able to do some corroboration and coordination, and a search warrant was executed on a residence in Augusta County, Va.,” which was where Wheeler lived in Stuarts Draft, Carpenter said. According to Carpenter, Wheeler agreed to voluntarily go with Chesterfield detectives to the Augusta County police station for an interview.

“After several hours of interviewing he confessed to stabbing Mr. Garnett to death,” said Carpenter, who added that Wheeler confirmed he and Garnett had been friends and were in some type of relationship. “They had a friendship that lasted for an extended period of time,” said Carpenter, noting that Wheeler didn’t describe him and Garnett as a couple.

“That wasn’t said in the confession,” he said. “But the bottom line is they did have a relationship.”

Carpenter said Wheeler was being held without bond at the Middle River Regional Jail in Staunton while extradition arrangements were being made to transfer him to Chesterfield, where he will be prosecuted in Chesterfield County Circuit Court.

Garnett’s brother, Bill Garnett, told the Richmond Times Dispatch that his brother was an early pioneer for gay rights in Virginia and helped form the Gay Rights Association in Richmond in the 1970s. In 1978 Bruce Garnett became the first known registered lobbyist for LGBT related issues before the Virginia General Assembly, his brother told the Times Dispatch.

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 0 7

Saturday, August 25, 2018 | Noon to 6:00 p.m. | www.17thstreetfestival.org

17 th

STREET

FESTIVAL

CELEBRATING THE SHOPS, SCHOOLS, RESTAURANTS, CLUBS, PARKS, ARTS AND FOLKS OF THE 17TH ST. CORRIDOR

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

0 8 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

NATIONAL NEWS

Trans student, 12, target of Facebook threats in Oklahoma ‘We have open hunting seasons on them kind’

By STAFF REPORTS

An elementary school in Achille, Okla., shut down for two days after violent threats were posted on Facebook explicitly targeting a 12-year-old transgender student.

The private “Achille ISD Parents Group” Facebook page was apparently created by and for parents of the school children.

But a wildfire was ignited when one parent found out the trans student used the girl’s bathroom at Achille Elementary, which serves pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.

“Jamie Crenshaw began colluding the hate crime by posting a warning in the Achille ISD Parent Group on Facebook. She dehumanized the child by saying, ‘Heads up parents of 5th thru 7th grade girls. The transgender is already using the girls bathroom. We have been told how the school has gone above and beyond to make sure he has his own restroom yet he is still using the girls. REALLY….looks like it’s gonna be a long year. We have made school board meetings over this situation last year but nothing seems to be changing. This is the same kid that got an trouble as soon as he transferred two years ago for looking over the stalls in the girls bathroom. Enough is enough,” tagging Burney Crenshaw, the online activist group Hatewatch reported, noting that all spelling, grammar, and punctuation

BRANDY ROSE, the mother of a trans student in Oklahoma, said her daughter only used the girls’ room one time.

TB SCREENSHOT OF CHANNEL 12

errors were made by Crenshaw.

Another commentator, David Williams, chimed in: “Ty Hays you know we have open hunting seasons on them kind. Aint no bag limit in them either.”

Eddie Belcher, 79, of Broken Arrow in suburban Tulsa, wrote: “If he wants to be a female make him a female. A good sharp knife will do the job really quick.”

The parents of Maddison Kayleen Kleeman filed an emergency protective order on Friday, Aug. 10 against Burney Crenshaw in Bryan County Court. Mother Brandy Rose told CBS affiliate KXII that her daughter had only used the girl’s room once. Additionally, she noted, her daughter did not “peer” over or under bathroom stalls, as Crenshaw claimed.

The Blade called the Crenshaws, who own Crenshaw Chemical & Fertilizer, located in the neighboring town of Colbert. The person who answered told

the Blade there would be no comment and hung up.

The Blade also got a “no comment” from Frontier Airlines, the corporate bosses of Kevin Lee Bickerstaff, 58, who told the Facebook group: “Just tell the kids to kick ass in the bathroom and it won’t want to come back!” Bickerstaff is involved in the Mid-South Youth Rodeo Cowboys Association of Oklahoma. He is also a member of the Texoma Junior Rodeo Association—whose former president is Burney Crenshaw.

Oklahoma does not have a law guarding transgender people against discrimination and last February, the U.S. Department of Education withdrew guidance protecting trans students under federal law. A spokesperson for Education Secretary Betsy DeVoss told the Blade that it has sent memos clearly stating that the USDOE will not process any complaints

from transgender students experiencing discrimination in schools.

“LGBTQ is not a category in hate crime legislation and state statues. Worse, trans persons are invisible in Oklahoma,” Oklahoma City-based trans activist Paula Sophia Schonauer, a social worker, told the Blade. “I’m a retired police officer. When I’d take reports similar to this, this type of threat is what crossed the legal line, as long as those threats were specific.”

Schonauer added: “These kinds of comments are common for trolls. I have experienced many of the same kind, in different roles as a trans advocate, when I’ve encountered this hate before. But this time it is different. It’s a kid.”

Bryan County Sheriff Johnny Christian says deputies are currently investigating the Facebook posts and could file charges.

He says most of the responses were from parents outside the Achille area—some even from out of state. Christian confirms that Maddison Kayleen Kleeman’s family has a protective order against the parent who made the comment about using a knife.

The Achille ISD (independent school district) superintendent Rick Beene said the “Achille ISD Parent Group” is not endorsed by their school district. “Our kids, our parents, most of our community is very, very good people,” he told the Blade, “very open to all ethnicities, all populations and really, we’ve got a group of kids that love each other. We know of no bullying, as far as this one situation is concerned.”

Beene does not anticipate further school closures.

■ CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

Bill to ban conversion therapy dies in Mass.

Vote on ‘consumer fraud’ version of Calif. measure later this month

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com A bill calling for banning licensed mental health professionals from performing conversion therapy for minors died in the Massachusetts Legislature on Aug. 1, even though it had been approved by both the state House and Senate.

In a development that disappointed LGBT activists, the state Senate passed the bill by voice vote without opposition minutes after midnight on the final day of the legislature’s 2018 session.

But the Senate was unable to make technical changes needed to make the bill consistent with a version passed by the House in June before the legislative session ended for the year.

According to the New Boston Post, supporters of the bill in the Senate initially balked at adding an amendment that the House passed removing controversial language from the original version of the bill that called for declaring conversion therapy for minors a form of child abuse.

If left in the bill, the provision could have authorized the state’s child protection agency to remove children from the home of parents who forced them to undergo the therapy, a prospect that outraged conservative activists.

Deborah Shields, an attorney and executive director of Mass Equality, a statewide LGBT rights organization, said an effort by the bill’s supporters to extend the deadline for the Senate to complete work on the bill was blocked by one of its opponents in the House, Rep. James Lyons (R-Andover).

Shields said supporters of the bill plan to immediately reintroduce it in January, when the legislature begins its

2019 session. But she said the process of moving the bill through both houses of the legislature must start from scratch under legislative rules.

“So we have to start the battle all over again,” she said. “As you can probably tell, I’m frustrated and aggravated by the whole process.”

Similar to conversion therapy bans passed in more than a dozen states and D.C., the Massachusetts bill called for banning licensed mental health professionals from performing conversion therapy to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity that is under the age of 18.

Meanwhile, the California State Assembly in April passed a bill that would classify conversion therapy performed for a fee, for adults or minors, as a form of consumer fraud subject to penalties under the state’s consumer protection law.

Although LGBT activists and legal experts believe the state’s existing

consumer protection law could be invoked to take civil action against those performing conversion therapy for a fee, advocates said they pushed for the new legislation to make it explicit under state law that the therapy must be treated as consumer fraud.

The bill became stalled in the state Senate for the past three months after opponents stepped up a campaign portraying the bill as a threat to free speech that could result in the banning of books, including the Bible. Supporters disputed those claims, saying the bill clearly would only impact people who charge money to perform conversion therapy.

This week supporters, including Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Cupertino), who introduced the measure, said they expect the Senate to vote on the bill before the legislative session ends on Aug. 30. However, Low’s press spokesperson, Maya Polon, said supporters could not predict whether the bill has enough votes in the Senate to pass.

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 0 9

SUNDANCE 2017 | RAINBOW XXX

A TWO NIGHT EVENT LABOR DAY WEEKEND at the Rehoboth Mall, 18908 Rehoboth Mall Boulevard (Please enter the Rehoboth Mall on the side facing Route 1, next to Tuesday Morning).

THE SUNDANCE AUCTION | SATURDAY, SEPT. 2 7-10 PM,, Food by Plate Catering, Open Bar all night.

AUCTIONEER: LORNE CRAWFORD | MUSIC: STEPHEN STRASSER

SUNDANCE: RAINBOW XXX | SUNDAY, SEPT. 3 The party begins at 8 PM, with dancing until 2 AM.. Open Bar all night.

MUSIC: DJ/REMIXER JOE GAUTHREAUX | LIGHTS: PAUL TURNER Shuttle transportation available from downtown Rehoboth Beach throughout the night.

Tickets $45 per event or $80 for both events.

CAMPREHOBOTH.COM, CALL: 302.227.5620

ORDER TICKETS NOW

TO BENEFIT THE CAMP REHOBOTH COMMUNITY CENTER G O L D S PO N SO RS

DI A MON D S PONSO RS

Pre-need Specialist, Scott Burdette

ART & DESIGN STUDIO

ER

LOVE CON

DI

AN

ROUD VE P

ERS HATE, LI QU

E HUB

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 0 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

NATIONAL NEWS

New Trump admin memo on Obama order alarms LGBT advocates 2014 directive barred anti-LGBT workplace bias against fed’l contractors

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, the Trump administration has issued new guidance that seeks to uphold “religious freedom” in the implementation of former President Obama’s executive order against antiLGBT workplace discrimination among federal contractors — a move troubling to LGBT rights supporters.

The Aug. 10 guidance from the Labor Department purports to “incorporate recent developments in the law regarding religion-exercising organizations and individuals” with the enforcement of the executive order, taking note of the narrow ruling in decision of Colorado baker Jack Phillips as well as other recent rulings in favor of religious freedom, such as the Supreme Court decision in the Hobby Lobby case.

The guidance also takes into account recent executive orders signed by President Trump in favor of “religious freedom,” saying they “have similarly reminded the federal government of its duty to protect religious exercise — and not to impede it.” Trump signed a directive last year with the stated purposed of bolstering religious freedom under federal law and his order ensuring faith-based organizations have access to federal grants.

“In line with the longstanding constitutional requirement that government must permit individuals and organizations, in all but the most narrow circumstances, to participate in a government program ‘without having to disavow [their] religious character,’ OFCCP staff are instructed to take these legal developments into account in all their relevant activities, including when providing compliance assistance, processing complaints, and enforcing the requirements of EO 11246,” the guidance says.

As a result, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs under the Labor Department is instructed to take into accounts “religious freedom” when enforcing Executive Order 11246 in numerous ways, barring the agency making a “condition the availability of [opportunities] upon a recipient’s willingness to surrender his [or her] religiously impelled status.”

Signed by Obama in 2014, EO 11246 prohibits anti-LGBT discrimination among companies that do $10,000 a year or more in business with the U.S. government in addition and barrs discrimination against federal workers who are transgender.

The instructions seem aimed at

allowing religiously-affiliated non-profits to discriminate against workers for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender despite the executive order. Heretofore, religiously non-profits, including religious schools and universities, were required to abide by the executive order and received no religious exemption.

The latest directive is one of two issued by the Labor Department on Aug. 10 related to the Executive Order 11246. But the other directive doesn’t seem aimed at non-discrimination protections or “religious freedom.” It calls for “a portion of future scheduling lists” to include focused reviews on three authorities OFFCP enforces: EO 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.

LGBT rights groups said the “religious freedom” directive is an attempt by the Trump administration to gut the non-discrimination protections in the executive order — which covers an estimated 34 million workers, or about 22 percent of the Americans workforce — and demonstrates the negative impact of the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision.

Sharon McGowan, legal director for Lambda Legal, said her organization has “serious cause for concern” the OFFCP will interpret the mandate with broad view and allow for exemptions to discriminate under the executive order.

“Apparently, this Administration believes – correctly – that rescinding the EO outright would cause a huge public and politically damaging outcry,” McGowan said. “So instead, they are trying to accomplish the same end through different means.”

The directive comes down from the Labor Department about a year-and-a-half after the White House announced in a statement Trump would keep the executive order in place and is “respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights,” a statement contradicted by subsequent anti-LGBT actions from the Trump administration.

McGowan said nothing in the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision compelled the Labor Department to issue the directive, but Lambda is “not surprised to see this administration seize on the decision as a way to justify its ongoing assault on the civil rights of the LGBT community.”

“We hope that non-discrimination has become part of the standard operating procedures for the overwhelming majority of federal contractors, and they will continue to recognize that a workplace open to all is not only the right thing to do, but also makes smart business sense,” McGowan said. “But in the same way that the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision has embolden antiLGBT forces to paint themselves as the victims of LGBT equality, these directives

Former PRESIDENT OBAMA signed an executive order barring anti-LGBT workplace discrimination among federal contractors.

WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

from OFCCP sends an encouraging signal to those individual employees within these larger entities who want to insist on a license to discriminate.”

Harper Jean Tobin, director of policy at the National Center for Transgender Equality, said in a statement “is an attempt to encourage businesses to take taxpayer dollars and then fire people for being transgender.”

“Religious organizations have ample protections under federal law, but they are not allowed to use federal money to discriminate against people,” Tobin said.

“The language of this directive is so broad and so vague because it is part of a long line of attempts by this administration to sow confusion and encourage any employer to act on their worst prejudices.

No employer should be allowed to use taxpayer dollars to fire someone because of who they are.”

A Labor Department spokesperson said in response to the Washington Blade’s inquiry about the directive OFCCP “will follow the law” and non-discrimination provisions in the executive order remain in place.

“FCCP remains committed to enforcing compliance with all of the protections in EO 11246, Section 503 and VEVRAA,” the spokesperson said. “Collectively, these laws prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.”

The Masterpiece Cakeshop decision was in favor of Phillips, but was based on the facts of his case and didn’t find a First Amendment right to refuse to make custom-made wedding cakes for samesex couples as he was seeking. As a result, LGBT non-discrimination protections remain in effect in the aftermath of the decision regardless and any instructions

to take the ruling into account when enforcing them shouldn’t be enough to change their outcome.

Dale Carpenter, a conservative law professor at the SMU Dedman School of Law who’s written about LGBT rights, echoed those views and said nothing in the guidance is cause for alarm.

“Indeed, on its face, that guidance purports only to require what is already mandated by the Constitution, federal statute, or executive branch policy,” Carpenter said. “I don’t foresee any significant erosion of EO 11246 protections.”

Embedded in the directive is a sign more is to come. The instructions conclude with a line saying they remain in force “in anticipation of an addition to the department’s regulatory agenda followed by rule-making informed by public comment,” suggesting future changes to the executive order — a religious exemption or a revocation — are forthcoming.

Asked the about those words and the nature of any new rule, the Labor Department spokesperson said, “The Department cannot comment on a future rule-making.”

David Stacy, government affairs director for the Human Rights Campaign, said the directive is the latest attempt by the Trump administration “to implement a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people by providing unsound guidance in implementing Obama-era regulations.”

“The erroneous application of the Supreme Court’s narrow ruling in Masterpiece and recent Trump executive orders is meant to aggressively marginalize hardworking Americans because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity,” Stacy said.

“The American people will not tolerate discrimination, and LGBTQ people will not be erased.”

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 1 1

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection.

Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi.

Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%).

For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant?

• Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother?

• It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65.

So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines?

If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi?

For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

Rx Only Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com.

NP-390-17

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 2 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

NEWS

In first, trans candidate wins nomination for governor’s race CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

In a statement to the Washington Blade in May, Hallquist said her win in November would be a “positive signal for all LGBTQ people” because she would be the first transgender governor and represent a rural state.

“Typically, rural communities have been viewed as less affirming,” Hallquist said. “Marginalized communities have historically had problems with winning executive positions. For too long leadership has been associated with masculinity and the dominant culture.

Vermonters choosing me, a trans woman, as their governor, would expand the realm of possibility for generations to come. My success would mark a new milestone in acceptance.”

Hallquist was endorsed by LGBT rights groups, including the LGBTQ Victory Fund and the National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund.

Annise Parker, CEO of the Victory Fund, said in a statement Hallquist’s victory is “a defining moment in the movement for trans equality” at a time when few transgender officials are in government.

“Many thought it unthinkable a viable

trans gubernatorial candidate like Christine would emerge so soon,” Parker said. “Yet Vermont voters chose Christine not because of her gender identity, but because she is an open and authentic candidate with a long history of service to the state, and who speaks to the issues most important to voters.”

According to the Victory Fund, 13 openly trans people are serving in elected office in the United States. The Victory Fund has endorsed seven transgender candidates this election cycle.

Another transgender candidate seeking statewide office this year was Kim Coco Iwamoto in Hawaii. A former member of the Hawaii Board of Education, Iwamoto sought the Democratic nomination to run for lieutenant governor, but came up short in the primary on Saturday.

Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund, said Hallquist’s victory “cannot be overstated.”

“Our mission as an organization is deeply rooted in bringing transgender people into the center of society, and Christine’s nomination is a massive step forward in that fight,” Keisling said.

Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez also commended Hallquist in a statement, calling her win an “inspiration to LGBTQ people everywhere.”

“We are excited to stand behind her and the entire slate of fantastic Democratic nominees in Vermont,” Hallquist said.

“There’s no doubt that Christine and her fellow nominees will join a strong ticket this November that will fight for our values and serve as dedicated advocates for Vermont’s working families. Vermont voters know that Democrats have their backs and share their values, and they’re ready to organize to turn more seats blue this November.”

Hallquist’s Republican opponent in the general election will be incumbent Gov. Phil Scott. A moderate who signed into law gun control legislation, Scott faced a challenge from a conservative candidate, but came out on top in the primary.

Political observers say Hallquist faces an uphill battle in the general election against the incumbent Republican. The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Nathan L. Gonzales have each rated the race either solid or safe Republican.

Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia, called Hallquist’s win

“a historic breakthrough” and predicted she’ll be the focus of tremendous media attention, but said the road ahead is difficult.

“On the one hand, Vermont is clearly liberal, except on guns,” Sabato said. “On the other, it’s going to be very tough to beat Gov. Phil Scott, who is one of three moderate GOP governors leading in blue states this year (Massachusetts and Maryland are the other two). For Hallquist to win, Scott will have to make some big mistakes, or there would have to be the ‘blue’ wave tsunami that Democrats hope is coming.”

Despite the challenge Hallquist faces in the general election, it should be noted she won more votes in the Vermont primary than her Republican opponent.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Hallquist won 27,381 votes compared to the 23,857 votes Scott won.

Hallquist is one of four LGBT candidates who’ve won the Democratic nomination to run for governor in 2018. The other three are Rep. Jared Polis in Colorado and former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez in Texas, who could be the first openly gay people elected governor in the United States, as well as Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who’s bisexual and seeking re-election.

Leah Vukmir emerges as Tammy Baldwin’s opponent

By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com When the smoke of the Wisconsin primary cleared on Tuesday night, one thing became clear: The opponent of Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) in November will be State Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Milwaukee County).

In a primary with the Steve Bannonbacked Kevin Nicholson, Vukmir — the establishment candidate backed by the state Republican Party machine — won a plurality of 49 percent of the vote compared to the 42 percent Nicholson won.

If Vukmir succeeds in the general election against Baldwin — an outcome that would defy polls, but not impossible amid considerable Koch brothers spending in the race — the Republican will have succeeded in ousting a longtime champion of LGBT rights and the first openly gay person elected to the U.S. Senate.

Cast by LGBT rights groups as an anti-LGBTQ extremist, Vukmir has a history of votes in nearly 16 years in office in the Wisconsin Legislature against LGBT rights.

Top among them is her opposition to a measure against anti-LGBT bullying added to an education omnibus bill in 2010.

According to an article at the time from the progressive Wisconsin Gazette, Vukmir voted against the measure in committee and on the floor one day before the National Day of Silence, a

Wisconsin state Sen. LEAH VUKMIR (R-Milwaukee County) is Tammy Baldwin’s opponent in the 2018 election.

student-initiated annual event that seeks to bring attention to anti-LGBT harassment in schools.

The Wisconsin Gazette reported prior to the votes in an email exchange on Feb. 12, 2010, Vukmir consulted with the Wisconsin Family Council, an anti-LGBT group, in seeking to defeat the measure.

After telling Vukmir the anti-bullying measure is “dangerous” and “promoted by the pro-gay group GLSEN and others,” Julaine Appling, head of the Wisconsin Family Council, gave Vukmir “alternative language” for the measure. Vukmir told the anti-LGBT group she was “open to your suggestions.”

According to a 2006 report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Vukmir supported a constitutional amendment on the ballot approved by 59 percent by

voters that banned same-sex marriage in the state. The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals later overturned the measure as unconstitutional.

Unlike other politicians who evolved on the issue, Vukmir has never articulated support for same-sex marriage. In fact, in 2014, Vukmir voted against a resolution to remove from the books the state provision that only marriages of one man and one woman be recognized, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, Vukmir has also declined to co-sponsor pro-LGBT bills, including a measure barring widely discredited “exgay” conversion therapy for youth, a measure to add gender as a protected class to the state hate crimes law and and a bill to allow same-sex couples to file a joint state tax return in the same way permitted for opposite-sex couples.

Wendy Strout, Wisconsin state director for the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement after the primary HRC is ready to help Baldwin defeat Vukmir.

“The choice for fair-minded Wisconsinites couldn’t be clearer this November,” Vukmir said. “We can either support pro-equality champions like Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who have spent their careers fighting to ensure that every Wisconsinite can live a life free from discrimination and harassment, or side with anti-equality candidates like Leah Vukmir who, time and time again, has

worked to undermine equality for the LGBTQ community.”

But there’s no record of Vukmir publicly ranting about LGBT rights or disparaging LGBT people like other Republican candidates for U.S. Senate. Among them is Roy Moore, who urged Alabama to ignore the U.S. Supreme Court for samesex marriage and last year lost his special election in that state.

Among those heaping praise on Vukmir is President Trump, who on the morning after the primary congratulated the Republican on Twitter. Without naming Baldwin, Trump ridiculed the lesbian senator for having “done very little” despite her record for LGBT rights and distinction of being the first openly gay person elected to the Senate.

“Congratulations to Leah Vukmir of Wisconsin on your great win last night,” Trump tweeted. “You beat a very tough and good competitor and will make a fantastic Senator after winning in November against someone who has done very little. You have my complete and total Endorsement!”

Polls are good for Baldwin. A NBC News/Marist poll published in July found Baldwin leading Vukmir by 5538 with 6 percent undecided. Another Public Policy Poll last month had Baldwin leading Vukmir by 51-39 with 10 percent undecided.

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 1 3

Sponsored by Aegis Project Controls, AgFed Credit Union, 94.7 Fresh FM, GEICO, KIND Bar, Pacers Running & Washingtonian

Register today for our inaugural 5K event!

Costumes, pets & strollers welcome.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018 | FREEDOM PLAZA | 8:00 AM | FONZ.ORG/5K FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL ZOO & CONSERVATION NATION

summer annuals save

30

%

americanplant.net

open daily 10am-5pm 5258 river road bethesda, MD 20816 301.656.3311 7405 river road bethesda, MD 20817 301.469.7690

Does not include herbs, vegetables, fall annuals.

While supplies last. No special orders.

landscape design/build/maintain call for appointment 301.762.6301

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 4 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

NEWS

Corado advances LGBT visibility during mayor’s El Salvador visit CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01

tremendous contributions not only in our local economy, but in the culture of our city, I am proud that San Salvador will be the first city into which I am entering an agreement as mayor and I will work very hard to ensure that we can build safer and stronger communities together.”

Bowser arrived on Saturday, but she had to return to the U.S. capital on Sunday to oversee the city’s response to the “Unite the Right” white supremacist march.

She returned to El Salvador on Monday without any disruptions to the agenda.

Bowser was the guest of honor on Monday at the signing of an agreement between Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School Executive Director and CEO Allison R. Kokkoros and Elsy Escolar, rector of ITCA-FEPADE de El Salvador, a school that specializes in engineering.

“I want to congratulate Mayor Bowser and her team for demonstrating Washington, D.C., values through the sisterhood between both cities,” said Kokkoros.

Bowser in her comments said, “I am pleased to be a witness to such an important signing of the memorandum of understanding between two great institutions, both from Washington, D.C., and from El Salvador.”

The mayor also said that her administration is doing everything it can to help migrants in the city — in which there is a large percentage of Salvadorans — be able to succeed.

She added “these agreements will benefit both entities, create opportunities for educational and cultural exchanges, both for students and for teachers.”

Corado, who had to leave the country during El Salvador’s civil war and seek asylum, is among them.

“I am a war refugee. Washington, D.C., was the home that extended its hand and showed me a family,” she told the Washington Blade. “I owe a debt to this city and over the years I have worked and I’ll continue doing it to make sure that not only the Salvadoran LGBTI community has a better quality of live, but my entire country, with a clear emphasis on my LGBTI community.”

“I realize that here in El Salvador there is a large LGBTI community that comes from wealthy, political families and from all social strata in general, but they do nothing to raise their voice,” added Corado between smiles. “I am participating in the delegation that accompanied Mayor Bowser. I am making clear that as part of the agreements that are being signed, the LGBTI community, which is part of historically excluded populations, should not be left out.”

Corado said that Casa Ruby, an organization that has been in the U.S. capital for years, is giving support to the LGBTI migrant community, and will continue supporting any person who has been affected by President Trump’s antimigrant policies. She told the Blade that Casa Ruby is doing its best to provide a place for them to go in D.C. or provide them with a place to go in their countries of origin if they are deported.

Bowser visitó El Salvador SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Del 11 al 14

Casa Ruby’s RUBY CORADO traveled to El Salvador with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser this week.

PHOTO COURTESY CORADO

de agosto, la capital de El Salvador recibió la visita de la alcaldesa de D.C., Muriel Bowser, acompañada de más de 20 personas que conformaban su comitiva, dicha comitiva incluye a salvadoreños residentes en Estados Unidos que fueron testigos de los acuerdos pactados, entre ellas Ruby Corado, mujer trans y activista en la defensa de los derechos LGBTI en Washington.

Esta visita tiene como principal objetivo reunirse con su homólogo de San Salvador, Ernesto Muyshondt, para sellar un acuerdo de hermanamiento entre las dos ciudades, incluyendo líneas de cooperación en inversión, cultura y deporte. Bowser el lunes por la tarde firmó un acuerdo de hermandad con Muyshondt para promover las áreas de desarrollo económico, desarrollo juvenil, seguridad pública, sostenibilidad, cultura, educación y colaboración gubernamental en ambas ciudades.

“Los salvadoreños han jugado un

papel importante en la construcción de un Washington D.C diverso, incluyente y próspero en el que vivimos hoy,” dijo Bowser. “Con miles y miles de salvadoreños viviendo en la región de D.C. que continúan haciendo contribuciones tremendas no solo a nuestra economía local, sino a la cultura de nuestra ciudad, estoy orgulloso de que San Salvador sea el primer Acuerdo de Ciudades Hermanas en el que estoy entrando como alcaldesa y trabajaré arduamente para garantizar que podamos construir comunidades más seguras y más fuertes juntos.”

El sábado llegó Bowser a suelo salvadoreño, pero por contratiempos laborales tuvo que volver el domingo a la capital estadounidense y atender asuntos de seguridad respecto a la marcha supremacista blanca “Unite the Right” y sin ningún problema retomó agenda el día lunes.

Conservative groups upset over ‘boycott’ by LGBT Bar Association Law firms asked to refuse services to antiequality groups

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com Two national litigation groups that specialize in lawsuits seeking to overturn LGBT rights laws issued a joint statement last week denouncing the National LGBT Bar Association for calling on the nation’s lawyers and law firms to refuse to provide free legal services for the two groups.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the Colorado baker in the now famous anti-LGBT Supreme Court decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, and the Liberty Counsel accused the D.C.-based National LGBT Bar Association of fomenting anti-religious bias.

“It is shameful that an association of lawyers wants to shut the courthouse doors to millions of Americans who

D’ARCY KEMNITZ, executive director of the National LGBT Bar Association, issued a call to action to warn attorneys about anti-LGBT legal groups.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LINKEDIN

believe in natural marriage and who oppose the anti-religious freedom agenda of some LGBT activists,” said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel.

“The courthouse should be open to all, no matter your beliefs,” Staver said in the joint statement. “The LGBT Bar Association is upset because Liberty

Counsel and ADF are winning many important cases all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court,” he said.

“They might as well extend their so-called boycott to the justices on the High Court,” he added. “Their boycott is that ridiculous.”

Staver and the two groups were reacting to a nationwide initiative launched by the National LGBT Bar Association in July called the Commit to Inclusion Campaign.

The campaign calls on lawyers and law firms to sign an online pledge not to provide pro bono, or free, legal services to Liberty Counsel and Alliance Defending Freedom or any of their respective clients.

“This campaign is a call to action to warn attorneys about the anti-LGBT legal groups and their dangerous and strategic efforts to chip away at legal protections for LGBT people,” said D’Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of the National LGBT Bar Association in a statement.

“We are imploring the legal profession to hold back pro bono resources that would help these groups advance their

discriminatory agenda,” Kemnitz said.

“When you help anti-LGBT legal groups – even on matters not relating to LGBT issues – you hurt LGBT people,” she said.

Kemnitz told the Washington Blade this week that Alliance Defending Freedom is currently calling on the Supreme Court to take a case from the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which has acknowledged that an existing federal civil rights law protects transgender people from employment discrimination. She noted the anti-LGBT group’s involvement in the case is one of ADF’s and Liberty Counsel’s many efforts to overturn LGBT supportive court rulings.

“There have been times when larger law firms have taken on pro bono work for these groups on cases that weren’t directly LGBT related,” Kemnitz told the Washington Blade. “These groups promote a deliberate strategy to harm LGBT people in all sectors of their lives,” she said. “Helping the ADF/LC in any type of case strengthens them as they continue to hurt LGBT people.”

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

H E A L TH NEW S

A U G U S T 17, 2018 • 15

Apply for Discounts on Your Utility Bills Discounts are Subject to Income Eligibility Requirements

Cost a barrier to LGB health treatment: study PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Under the Affordable Care Act, LGB adults are insured at the same rate as straights in the U.S. but are more likely to avoid necessary medical treatment due to cost, MedicalXPress reports.

Researchers analyzed three data sets from the CDC spanning from 2014-15 (the first year the survey asked about sexual orientation) to 2016-17, the most current data set. The study included about 330,000 adults between ages 18-64, 4.3 percent of whom identified as LGB. Of those surveyed via the study, 16.4 percent of LGB adults reported avoiding or delaying medical treatment for financial reasons, compared to 14.2 percent of their straight peers. Given the large number of people surveyed, that difference proved statistically significant, MedicalXPress reports.

The study was publishd in the Aug. 6 edition of Health Affairs.

Though the study did not explore the cause of the difference in being able to afford medical treatments based on prior studies, researchers said one possible explanation is that more LGB adults had individually purchased insurance, which may have higher copays or deductibles than employer-sponsored insurance.

Another possibility is that on average LGB individuals may need more medical services than straight individuals, MedicalXPress reports.

In addition to similar levels of health insurance, the study also found that LGB individuals now report comparable levels of having a primary care doctor and having an annual check-up as their straight peers — approximately 77 percent and 66 percent, respectively, MedicalXPress reports.

Yet despite comparable levels of access to health care, LGB adults reported 5.3 days in the last month where poor health prevented them from doing normal activities, compared to 4.9 for their straight peers. Similarly, they reported 5.6 poor mental health days (days with stress, depression or emotional problems) in the last month, compared to 3.9, MedicalXPress reports.

- Apply for Discounted Rates on Telephone

Lifeline Program (Economy II)

Annual discount on one land line service per household.

Natural Gas

Residential Essential Service (RES) Program

Potential savings up to $276 during the winter heating season.

Electric

Residential Aid Discount (RAD) Program

Potential savings are between $300-$475 annually.

Water

Customer Assistance Program (CAP)

Potential discount could be over $450 annually.

For more info call 311 or visit doee.dc.gov/udp

To apply for the telephone Lifeline Service (Economy II), call 800-253-0846.

These programs are for DC residents only.

PrEP adherents have better overall health care BOSTON — People on PrEP for HIV prevention are more likely to get routine health care like flu shots and recommended screenings for common health problems, Reuters reports citing a new U.S. study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

People taking this daily pill also tend to get tested and treated more often for hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), researchers note.

But many people who take PrEP have other unmet medical needs, noted lead study author Julia Marcus of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Reuters reports.

“Most PrEP users in the U.S. are gay and bisexual men, a community for whom experiences of discrimination contribute to a higher risk of mental health conditions, substance use and smoking,” Marcus told Reuters via e-mail. “For this reason, PrEP users stand to benefit from the increased opportunities for non-HIV-related screening and treatment.”

All 5,857 patients in the study were treated at a community clinic in Boston specializing in care for sexual and gender minorities. They were all considered at high risk for developing HIV because they had been tested for rectal STIs. Overall, 2,047 patients, or 35 percent, were prescribed PrEP. A total of 2,357 people in the study, or 40 percent, received flu shots.

In addition, 4,353 patients, or 74 percent, were screened for tobacco use, and 4,211, or 72 percent, received screening for depression, Reuters reports.

Researchers also looked at two tests for diabetes. About 15 percent of patients got a test assessing A1C proteins in the blood, which reflects average blood sugar levels over time, and 51 percent of patients got a different test that looks just at current blood sugar levels, Reuters reports.

Compared to patients who didn’t take PrEP, those who did were 28 percent more likely to get flu shots. They were also 7 percent more likely to get screened for depression, and 6 percent more likely to get screened for tobacco use, Reuters reports.

With PrEP, patients were 78 percent more likely to get a blood sugar test than other people in the study, but they were also 19 percent less likely to get the A1C test.

It’s possible that patients prescribed PrEP were more motivated to care for their health in other ways, or that doctors did more screening for these patients because they assumed they had a higher risk for certain conditions than other people, Reuters reports, citing the study authors.

Injured in an accident? Call

AARON LEVINE & ASSOCIATES

Auto Accidents - Medical Malpractice - Defective Products

Over 50 years serving the Washington, DC area with over $500 million in client recoveries

Lawyer of the Year, Board Certified, Writer/Author/Lecturer, Class Action Chairman, Reasonable adjustable fees, Practicing in Maryland, Virginia and DC, 4 Progressive Lawyers on Staff, Published Feminist on Staff, Former Senate and House of Representatives Aid, Art Collector

202.833.8040

1310 L Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005 aaronlevinelaw.com

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 6 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

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

VOLUME

49

ISSUE

33

ADDRESS

PO Box 53352 Washington DC 20009 PHONE

Omarosa, Trump deserve each other In new book, one greedy egomaniac writes about another one

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

The latest installment of our obscene reality show, otherwise known as the Trump presidency, has one of the characters, Omarosa, fired and writing a book about Trump, calling him a liar and a racist.

Trump in response calls her a low life.

Well it takes one to know one as they say.

The crazier part of all this is why anyone would think this is news. It would have been more newsworthy, though not believable, had she written that in one-on-one conversations he is actually a decent guy.

Lest we forget, Omarosa is the nobody Trump turned into a reality TV star on “The Apprentice.” She tried to convince us that through editing he made her into the ‘bitch’ that season; now we know it didn’t

require editing. Reading her Wikipedia page you find out “in the 1990s, Omarosa worked in the office of Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton Administration.”

She later stated the job had been “a very difficult environment, because they don’t believe in training. They just kind of throw you in the fire.” Gore’s former office administrator, Mary Margaret Overbey, has said Omarosa “was the worst hire we ever made.” She was later transferred to the Commerce Department via the White House personnel office. Cheryl Shavers, who then served as the department’s under secretary for technology administration, has said that at the time, Omarosa was “unqualified and disruptive,” adding, “I had her removed.”

I won’t read the book but the media are giving her all the free publicity she craves.

She lives for being famous and having people talk about her. They are certainly doing that on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and “Meet the Press,” where Chuck Todd got into the mud with her simply by having her on as a guest.

She says she knew Trump was a racist from when he was doing “The Apprentice.” Yet she didn’t let that bother her when she agreed to work for his company and then took the White House job. Clearly to her it is all about money and fame, being connected to power, and the ensuE DIT OR IA L C A R T OON

ing publicity that brings. She got all those things but must have known through it all people were laughing not with her, but at her. She has outdone even some of his most ardent supporters in what she has said about Trump prior to writing this book. “Referring to the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, in which President Barack Obama mocked Trump, then in the midst of his ‘birther’ campaign and considering a run for the presidency, Omarosa said ‘Every critic, every detractor, will have to bow down to President Trump. It’s everyone who’s ever doubted Donald, whoever disagreed, whoever challenged him — it is the ultimate revenge to become the most powerful man in the universe.’” So will she now join those bowing down to him?

I met Omarosa Manigault Newman once. It was at a cocktail party to honor David Shulkin after he was confirmed as Secretary of the Veterans Administration.

Through some good investigative reporting we now know that was a fiasco in which he was complicit.

At the party I chatted with Omarosa and also with General Kelly who was then Secretary of Homeland Security. She seemed pleasant enough. During our conversation I mentioned I had a letter with me for Ivanka, which was a copy of my Blade column, ‘An Open Letter to Ivanka’ and had hoped to meet someone at the party from the White House. Omarosa said she would be happy to take the letter and personally give it to Ivanka. That was at a time many of us thought Ivanka had some clout in the administration and was a decent human being. During our conversation Omarosa spoke proudly about her work in the White House and spoke glowingly of Trump. It was funny reading in the Washington Post that she was fired for “abusing the government car service.”

At that cocktail party, which wasn’t an official event but a private party, she mentioned a couple of times how her driver had dropped her off and was waiting for her outside. I actually kidded her saying I have a driver too, he works for Uber.

Turns out I never heard from Ivanka about the letter and Omarosa never responded to the two emails I sent her asking if she had delivered it.

With Omarosa’s book we are treated to one greedy egomaniac writing about another one. It would be funny if one of them wasn’t the president of the United States.

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, HELEN PARSHALL, ERNESTO VALLE, NICOLÁS LEVY, BUNMI JOHNSON 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 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.

©2018 BROWN NAFF PITTS OMNIMEDIA, INC.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

B R O CK PA PER SCI SSORS

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 1 7

Fuchs’ ‘In the Closet’ is not to be missed Tackling problems gay men face, including aging, loss

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

No one really asks it anymore. Well, not of me anyway, I’ve been out for more than 20 years. It used to be fairly ubiquitous though. When did you come out? To which I reply, which time? To myself? To co-workers? To friends? For many of us, coming out, and even going back in, is a never-ending process. Oh, to be able to go back and speak to my 18-year-old self, the kid twisting himself in knots over how to do it.

This week, the Rainbow Theatre Project opens its sixth season with the premiere of local writer Sigmund Fuchs’ new play, “In the Closet.” In two acts, we meet four

men, all at different stages of gay existence — a young man, a middle-aged man, an old man, and then lastly, the youngest of all, John. As the foundation is laid, we hear the usual insults levied across the generations — the young man is ‘selfish’ and ‘lazy,’ the older men are ‘bitter old queens.’ They all meet back in the closet where they’ve all run to at their differ-

character is forced to confront the trauma that places them back within the confines, or comfort, of the closet. Dialogue becomes honest and real, and gay milestones are hit upon, everything from reconciling faith and sexuality, to the first time you dared to enter a gay bar, to realizing you’re no longer young in a community that places a premium on youth.

Have you ever run back into the closet? Just maybe tiptoed back in for a quick second?

ent ages, for different reasons. John runs back in, panicking after his first same-sex sexual experience. The oldest man is back in and coming to grips with the very real problem of LGBT seniors having to re-enter the closet as they seek nursing home care at facilities not equipped to deal with their needs.

From there, the second act explodes, and without revealing too much, each

Coming out stories are a bit tired at this point, but Fuchs turns it all on its head.

And you have to ask yourself — have you ever run back into the closet? Just maybe tiptoed back in for a quick second? Maybe in the back of an Uber and decided to ‘straighten up’ your conversation? Or maybe walking down an unfamiliar street and you decide to butch up your walk for a bit? The boundaries of the closet are

highly permeable, and mostly it’s thought of as a place of shame and self-doubt.

But on to top of all that, Fuchs’ play has us wondering if there are any redeeming qualities to the closet? Can it be a safe space; a space for regrouping, reconciliation, and healing? Beyond the pitfalls and problems with the closet, the play tackles the very real problems gay men face, including self-acceptance, aging, loss and self-loathing.

It’s often strange to see a play without a real main character, no one to rally behind or champion their on-stage growth or journey. But each of the four men commands your attention from beginning to end. Special recognition, however, goes to actors Zachary Dittami and Christopher Janson, both who portray their characters at their lowest points, lives fraught with trauma, giving us this but also exuding warmth and empathy in their tender exchanges. The audience is likely to see their own stories among theirs — memory can be a powerful thing like that.

“In the Closet” runs from Aug. 16-Sept.

15 at the District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. For tickets, visit rainbowtheatreproject.org.

V I E WPO I N T

Senators must vet Kavanaugh on LGBTQ freedoms Stakes high as more equality cases headed to Supreme Court

By DANIEL RAMOS In a few short weeks, the nation will be watching closely as the U.S. Senate begins its confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who has been tapped by President Trump as the replacement for Justice Anthony Kennedy. If confirmed to the highest court in the land, Kavanaugh would be tasked with immediately deciding what our Constitution means and how it will affect the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans and their families.

That is why Colorado’s U.S. senators – Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner – should fulfill their Constitutional responsibility by rejecting efforts to rush this nomination process, and thoroughly and closely examine Kavanaugh’s record and stances to ensure that if confirmed, he

will respect full equality for all people – including LGBTQ people – under the law.

June is Pride month for the LGBTQ community, and this past Pride month, the Supreme Court handed down a narrow ruling on the Masterpiece case that actually affirmed the need for LGBTQ protections under the law. In fact, Justice Kennedy wrote that “It is unexceptional that Colorado law can protect gay persons, just as it can protect other classes of individuals, in acquiring whatever products and services they choose on the same terms and conditions as are offered to other members of the public.”

I bring this up because in the coming years, the Supreme Court is likely to face a number of other cases that will have lasting impacts on LGBTQ freedom and equality. Examples could be a future case that raises the question if an LGBTQ employee can be fired based on the employer’s religious beliefs, or if a ban on the harmful, discredited practice of conversion therapy should stand. With these possible cases in mind, it is not hyperbole to say that basic rights and protections

LGBTQ Coloradans and their families rely on are now at serious risk with this nomination — including the ability to adopt and foster children, protection from discrimination in employment, housing, and public spaces; and the ability to get health insurance, even if you have a pre-existing condition.

Coloradans believe that everyone should have the freedom to live their lives openly and with dignity. Equality is a Colorado value, which is why Sens. Bennet and Gardner owe it to Colorado to ask Kavanaugh tough questions on how he would rule on cases concerning LGBTQ equality.

If it is found through a constitutional process of thorough vetting that Kavanaugh is hostile to civil rights and LGBTQ equality, then the truth is that he would not be a suitable replacement to Justice Kennedy on the Supreme Court.

This nomination is about the values our nation and Constitution stand for — freedom, dignity, fairness and equal opportunity. While the challenge before us to make sure Brett Kavanaugh upholds these ideals seems enormous — and

the stakes high — we the people have the power to demand and achieve a fair process and an acceptable nominee. If the protests and activism since the 2016 election have shown us anything, it is that our voices as a community do make a difference.

The Supreme Court represents the last line of defense for our country’s most cherished protections and the legacy of its rulings endure for generations, which means the stakes are too high for this process to be rushed or taken lightly.

With that knowledge, I ask my fellow Coloradans to join me in calling on Bennet and Gardner to carefully examine Kavanaugh’s record and demand a commitment that as a Supreme Court justice, he will defend the freedom and dignity of all, including LGBTQ Coloradans and their families. Anything less is a disservice to the people of Colorado.

DANIEL RAMOS is executive director of One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

1 8 • A UGUS T 1 7 , 2018

VIEWPOINT

Vote for the homo, not the Cuomo for N.Y. governor Nixon is a true progressive who will fight the corporate agenda

By PAULINE PARK Cynthia Nixon’s challenge to Gov. Andrew Cuomo is generating attention for many reasons, not least because the former “Sex & the City” star brings Hollywood celebrity to what otherwise might be a dull and uncontested re-election campaign by the dull and thoroughly anti-progressive Andrew Cuomo. But while I enjoyed the HBO television series and Cynthia Nixon’s role as Miranda Hobbs back in the day, her TV stardom has nothing to do with my decision to vote for her and endorse her for governor.

The simple fact is that Democrats have a choice between a genuine progressive and a phony one when they go to the polls in September to vote for the Democratic nominee for governor of the state of New York. Nixon is running on a progressive platform that includes alternatives to

incarceration, legalization of marijuana and driver’s licenses for all New Yorkers, including undocumented immigrants as well as a host of other important progressive agenda items foreign to Andrew Cuomo’s anti-progressive corporate agenda.

In sharp contrast, Cuomo has surrounded himself with corporate lobbyists and his cronies are being convicted of corruption, including Joseph Percoco, one of Cuomo’s top aides who Cuomo has said is ‘like a brother’ to him and who was found guilty on three counts by a federal jury in March 2018.

I don’t vote on the basis of identity politics alone or even primarily, but the fact that Cynthia Nixon is openly queer is not at all an irrelevant fact, especially given Andrew Cuomo’s notorious role in organizing the ‘vote for Cuomo, not the homo’ smear campaign during his father Mario Cuomo’s race against Ed Koch for the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York in 1977.

And of course, Andrew Cuomo himself has tried to use identity politics against Nixon, most notoriously when he sent his attack dyke Christine Quinn out to publicly

savage his rival in March 2018. Quinn was forced to apologize for calling Nixon an ‘unqualified lesbian’ and the former New York City Council Speaker has not been heard from since that disastrous gaffe.

Cuomo often brags about his role in getting the marriage equality bill through the Republican-controlled Senate, but he never mentions the fact that he refused to support the Gender Expression NonDiscrimination Act and actually undercut GENDA by signing an executive order instructing the State Division of Human Rights to add gender identity and expression to the list of categories under which it accepts complaints of discrimination.

Nor does the governor mention the fact that he has almost single-handedly kept the senate in Republican hands by prompting Sen. Jeff Klein to form the Independent Democratic Conference to split the Democrats and enable the IDC to prop up the Republican minority and retain control of the upper chamber of the state legislature; Republican control of the Senate has had significant consequences

for the state, enabling Cuomo to block progressive legislation from coming to his desk. Republican control of the senate has also enabled Cuomo to boast about his ability to ‘reach across the aisle’ and work with Republicans in the senate as well as Democrats in the Assembly, even while concealing his crucial role of maintaining Republican control of the Senate.

While the Democratic Party establishment has closed ranks behind Cuomo, progressives are flocking to Cynthia’s banner, including independents not closely associated with the party. And I will be casting my vote for Cynthia Nixon in the primary on Sept. 13. When it comes to the choice between Cynthia Nixon vs. Andrew Cuomo, my advice is this: Vote for the homo and not the Cuomo!

PAULINE PARK led the campaign for the transgender rights law enacted by the New York City Council in 2002 and in 2005 became the first openly transgender grand marshal in the history of the New York City LGBT Pride March. She has a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

O U R BU SI N E SS MA T T E RS

Two-thirds of D.C. neighborhood races uncontested Advisory neighborhood commissions plagued by continuing disinterest

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

Fully two-thirds of all D.C. advisory neighborhood commission (ANC) seats citywide will again have either no candidate running for election or only one uncontested candidate name will appear on the ballot in the November general election.

As has now become commonplace, the 296 hyper-local ANC non-partisan positions are plagued by a startling lack of community interest. According to a preliminary ballot count based on filings at the time of the D.C. Board of Elections candidate petition deadline last week, 197 of those positions are uncontested or no one is running.

This massively dominant number of

no-candidate or one-candidate contests is nearly identical to filings in recent years throughout at least several ANC two-year election cycles.

Even those running in the small minority of contested races typically generate a far lesser number of actual votes from among those who show up at the polls and choose to cast a choice between candidates in their micro-district race.

Opaque candidate zone designations, officially Single Member Districts named SMDs, are nearly hieroglyphic. The nomenclature consists of the political ward, an ANC alphabetical reference and a two-digit SMD numerical designation, separated by a hyphen. My ANC commissioner, for example, purports to represent those living in 2F-01 (and, yes, I had to look that up).

There are 40 ANCs, each sub-divided into the smaller SMDs of varying number ranging from only two to as many as 12. Each SMD is intended to represent approximately 2,000 people but that number can vary based on the explosive growth in the number of residents in certain parts of the city since the last Census-based reconfiguration.

Most of the time, voters have no clue about the solitary or competing candidates who are running for election, or

even who they are. Fewer have any idea what these mysterious names might do in supposedly representing their small neighborhood areas if or once elected.

The most neighborhood locals might know is whether the group has made business difficult for a local business or new development. Not much else typically seeps out to command community consciousness unless it’s a salacious scandal or screaming scene that manages to hit a local blog.

These SMD representatives and ANC groupings typically meet once a month in often-lengthy hours-long sessions attended by only a handful of area residents. ANC meetings can infrequently attract a slightly larger audience if the group has taken on a particularly controversial neighborhood issue for which the advisory recommendation might have specific impact within a city board or regulatory agency.

Although they have no decision-making authority, these commissioners can have influence on some neighborhood matters, albeit only as an advisory suggestion.

Their opinion is theoretically required to be bestowed an essentially hypothetical and undefined “great weight” if filed with a regulatory body or city agency, which often merely means that a written response must be provided.

This ANC “influence” can include offering opinions on agency decisions affecting the opportunity for additional housing density needed across the city to meet the needs and affordability of a still-increasing population, or regulatory restrictions that can determine whether local community small business enterprise can or will succeed. Zoning approvals and nightlife venue licensing details are the primary occurrences and generates most notorious ANC controversies.

Of course, D.C. Council members tend to favor the existence of these uncompensated ANC commissioners and their dabbling in localized minutiae. It allows the Council to distance itself from direct neighborhood engagement. You can almost imagine Council members peering down while smirking from the upper-floor windows of the Wilson Building marveling at ANC commissioners flailing about in the gutter-muck of mitigating mundane matters that would otherwise be their responsibility.

The city would better benefit from a Council more focused on nuts-and-bolts service to residents with less mischiefmaking time on their hands to explore and exact additional mind-numbing rules, regulations and restrictions.

Until then, we’re left to ponder who, what, why – and even whether – ANCs.

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 1 9

2 0 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

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

SEX IS...

PRIDE Be proud of your sexuality.

Visit SexIsDC.org LEARN. SHARE. BE.

@SexIsDC

ARTS

AND

ENTERTAINMENT

•

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

•

VOLUME

49

•

ISSUE

33

•

AUGUST

17,

2018

•

PAGE

21

JOHN WATERS, DIVINE and TAB HUNTER on the set of ‘Polyester’ in 1981. The camp classic will be reissued in a deluxe DVD and Blu-ray edition by The Criterion Collection in 2019.

WASHINGTON BLADE ARCHIVES PHOTO COURTESY NEW LINE CINEMA

‘Polyester’ tease Campy 1981 cult classic slated for 2019 deluxe reissue

By ED GUNTS “Polyester” is the next John Waters movie that will be released on DVD and Blu-ray and the Baltimore-based filmmaker is hoping an updated version of his Odorama card will go along with it.

“I want to add the 11th Odorama odor: Wig odor,” Waters told an audience in New York City at a Q&A last month. “Hair and sweat.”

Appearing at the IFC Center for soldout screenings of “Hairspray” and “Female Trouble,” Waters confirmed that “Polyester” will be restored and distributed in 2019 as part of The Criterion Collection, following re-releases of

“Multiple Maniacs” and “Female Trouble.”

“They are going to do ‘Polyester’ next year, so I am excited about that,” Waters said. “They are a Class A company. I think they do an absolutely beautiful job.”

“Polyester,” starring Divine and Tab Hunter (sadly, both now dead), tells the story of suburban house frau Francine Fishpaw (Divine), stuck in a dreary marriage, and how her life changes after she meets dashing Todd Tomorrow (Hunter). Filmed in Greater Lutherville for $300,000 and released in 1981, it was part of Waters’ suburbia-based “Trash Trilogy,” along

with “Hairspray” and “Cry Baby.”

“Polyester” became known for its Odorama card, which contained 10 scents that movie goers could scratch and sniff as they watched. They ranged from air freshener and roses to smelly sneakers and flatulence. Inspired by the Smell-OVision device from William Castle’s 1960 Scent of Mystery, the Odorama card was touted with the lines: “It’ll blow your nose!” and “Smelling is Believing.”

Other original smells were: model airplane glue, pizza, gasoline, skunk, natural gas and new car smell. Glue was taken off the card when a LaserDisc version was released.

“Polyester” received positive reviews from critics such as The New York Times’ Janet Maslin.

“Ordinarily, Mr. Waters is not everyone’s cup of tea, but ‘Polyester’ … is not Mr. Waters’ ordinary movie,” Maslin wrote. “This time, the comic vision is so controlled and steady that Mr. Waters need not rely so heavily on the grotesque touches that make his other films such perennial favorites on the weekend Midnight Movie circuit.

Here’s one that can just as well be shown in the daytime.”

CONTINUES ON PAGE 34

2 2 • A UGUS T 1 7 , 2018

Q U E E RY : 2 0 Q U E ST I O N S F O R D A N CA RT E R

D AN C ART E R “Golden Girls” meets a Cyndi Lauper video.

PHOTO BY CASSIDY DUHON; USED WITH PERMISSION

By JOEY DiGUGLIELMO joeyd@washblade.com Dan Carter’s yoga obsession started when he was trying to attract the attention of the girl he wanted to take to prom.

“She was obsessed with yoga and after a few classes, so was I,” the 27-yearold Philomont, Va., native says. “In the end I realized I didn’t like girls ‘that way’ but I did like the yoga. We’re both yoga teachers now.”

Carter says the appeal for him is the idea that it takes you “completely within your own body.”

“You can feel and control internal processes like breath, pulse, digestion, temperature regulation and pain,” he says. “A lot of people thought the famous yogis of the early 20th century were supernatural because they could do this kind of stuff. I’m not anywhere near that level, but I’m working at it.”

Carter has been teaching for four years. For the first two, he taught part time while working at the Discovery Channel. Two years ago he started teaching full time.

“I was really nervous when I took the leap, but I’m so much happier and healthier now. It’s very cathartic and thought provoking for me. I have a hard time turning off my brain, but during a great yoga class, I’m totally in my own space and in control of my mind and body.”

Carter teaches 15-20 classes per week at Past Tense, VIDA Fitness, Flow Yoga Center and the Capital Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness. He’s hosting a four-day “very nontraditional” yoga retreat he calls Summer Camp for Adults Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at the Blue Mountain Retreat Center. The promo code JOINTHEPACK at danimalyoga.com makes it $445 for the trip with meals, classes and accommodations included.

Carter says he has lots of gay students in his classes.

“It depends where I teach,” he says. “I lead weekly naked yoga classes and those are almost completely gay. At VIDA, I also have a large gay and lesbian population.”

Carter — “Danimal” to his friends — is engaged to Cassidy DuHon. They live together in Shaw. Carter enjoys drag and Bloons Tower (an iPad game) in his free time.

“I teach a very intentional, anatomy-focused style of yoga and at the end of the day, I need something totally ridiculous to distract me.”

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

I’ve been out for eight years. The hardest people to tell were my fraternity brothers. In the end they’ve been some of the coolest and most accepting people.

Who’s your LGBT hero?

Right now, Adam Rippon. He’s one of the first gay celebrities who is unabashed to be feminine and talk about gay sex openly. I think femmephobia in the gay community is super toxic and it’s good to see him just being himself.

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

Trade. The owners and managers have worked really hard to make it an inclusive and alternative space for LGBT nightlife. Some of my best friends have launched parties or nightlife careers there. They support our local drag community and queer culture in a really amazing way. I think they really have their finger on the pulse of where gay culture is headed.

Describe your dream wedding.

My wedding that’s coming up this spring! We’re getting married at Pineapple Point in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s a drag-encouraged wedding and we have some real gags planned. Imagine “The Birdcage” meets “Miami Vice” meets

What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?

Right now I’m only focused on LGBT issues. I think under the current administration, it’s important to lift each other up. Recently I’ve focused on partnering with the transgender community here in D.C. Last fall my friend Leah Haile and I led a yoga class called Shine Yoga where we partnered with The D.C. Center to help educate the gay community about trans issues and how we can be allies. This summer I volunteered to be roasted to fundraise for Trans Women of Color Collective.

With the incredible help of their executive director Dr. Hunter, we raised $3,000.

What historical outcome would you change?

I’m less focused on what I wish could be changed and more on what I can change. When Trump won in 2016 I spent a year being stressed and having unhealthy anxiety about my future. I’ve gotten past that and use my energy elevating the gay community, living an unabashed queer lifestyle and helping my friends, family and students be as happy and healthy as possible.

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

The Lady Gaga, Beyonce “Telephone” music video premiere.

On what do you insist?

I think people use the word “sorry” way too much. I think it should be reserved for serious situations.

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?

A video from my roast. If you like it or laugh, make sure to donate to the Trans Women of Color Collective!

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

“A Series of Fortunate Events”

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

Nope.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?

I’m still exploring my relationship with

the spiritual world. I don’t think I need to have it figured out yet. I do my best to be a good person, be kind to others, animals and our planet — to me that’s what matters most.

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?

Don’t isolate the letters and reach out to other minority communities. I think cis, white, gay men need to work harder to ask our trans friends and friends of color how we can be allies.

What would you walk across hot coals for?

A really cute dog.

What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?

That they have a certain body type.

We come in all shapes and sizes and the sexiest thing to me is a bold personality.

What’s your favorite LGBT movie or TV show?

I love “Pose” on FX right now! I think it’s elevating trans, black and Latino narratives in the wider context of the gay community.

What’s the most overrated social custom?

Wearing a shirt in public. D.C. is a swamp! We take our shirts off during Pride, why not all year round?

What trophy or prize do you most covet?

My red, suede, fringe, stiletto, heel boots. They look like they belong in a Shania Twain video and I LOVE them.

What do you wish you’d known at 18?

I wish I had known that people would not just accept my most authentic self, but celebrate it. I am much happier letting my freak flag fly and being honest with my family and friends. I think it gives them permission to do the same with me.

Why Washington?

The District keeps getting weirder and cooler, you just have to know where to look for it. If you’re the kind of person who’s looking for that kind of crowd I encourage you to come to my naked yoga class or if that’s not your thing, just come to Trade and say hello to me. My friends and I want to continue building queer community here in D.C.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

M USI C

A U G U S T 17, 2018 • 23

IMAGE COURTESY FREIDA JEAN RECORDS

JAKE SHEARS is his usual goofy, endearing, musically refreshing self on a new solo record.

Shears endears Scissor Sisters frontman out with catchy new solo record

By THOM MURPHY Like the emcee in “Cabaret,” Jake Shears invites us into his new eponymous solo debut album, a smart, eccentric and at times outlandish record that feel like its own self-contained cabaret performance.

Shears is best known as a founding member of the pop group Scissor Sisters. The group went on hiatus in 2012 following the album “Magic Hour,” a Billboard No. 1 album on the Top Dance/ Electronic chart which featured the single “Let’s Have A Kiki.” Shears has since appeared alongside Kylie Minogue in the 2015 single “The Other Boys,” published a memoir and made his Broadway debut in “Kinky Boots” — coincidentally in the same role played by Panic! At the Disco’s Brendon Urie last summer. But in his first solo album (out last week), the 39-year-old singer seems interested in branching out from his previous work, experimenting with country and blues.

The album begins with a short “Introduction” that serves as a show opener and cements the performative element of the album: Piano and orchestra bounce along merrily and end with a drum roll that leads into “Good Friends.” Complete with bluesy piano and a saxophone solo, this track sets a fun, upbeat tone for the rest of the album. Shears hits his signature nasally falsetto in the bridge, putting him in his usual disco-ish vocal territory. It’s a solid start for the record and a fair sample of the whole.

The lead single “Creep City” is the theatrical climax of the album, due in no small part to the delightful music

Keep your promise to protect each other.

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

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

Serving the LGBT Community in DC/MD/VA since 1983

video. Under Mac Boucher’s direction, the curtain opens on Shears as the glamorous, seductive cabaret master — feathers, chapeau and all. And as if a reference to Cabaret’s “Money Money,” he sings: “Get me out of this creep city/I’m flat broke and I don’t need pity right now.”

Throughout the song, the lyrics buzz with Rabbi Gilah Langner the smart aleck wit of the best Scissor Hazzan Ramón Tasat Sisters songs.

“Sad Song Backwards,” one of the best Independent. Welcoming. Soulful. cuts, has a country sound. The chorus has the feel of Nashville-based singer Margo Price’s “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” but a few clicks faster and with a strong theatrical component. Shears’ country stylings feature both a horn section and back-up singers better suited to Broadway than Nashville, but are a natural fit.

Perhaps the most clever track is the single “Big Bushy Mustache.” The album cover shows a pajama’d Shears with a prominent mustache lounging on a green Full schedule & Tickets: antique couch. With his typical sense of humor, the singer winks at fellow ADVERTISING follicle enthusiasts: “I want a porn star handlebar/And a neon pink Mustang as PROOF #1 ISSUE DATE: 10.26.12 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com) my second car.” But despite its clever 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 lyrics, the song is less musically innovative 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 than many of the other tracks.

Shears 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 instead opts for a more straightforward 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 IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, rock ’n’ roll sound. or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE NO REVISIONS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contr The song “Mississippi Delta (I’m Your 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 no 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.

Man),” an ode to Shears’ current home of and warranties.

Children, Teens Services. Childcare.

New Orleans, sounds as though it could have been recorded by Elton John, and the influence of “Superstition” on the song “Clothes Off” is unmistakable. There is also the pervasive influence of Queen Shirat HaNefesh Meets at and ‘70s disco throughout the album. But North Chevy Chase Christian Church for Shears, variety is virtue. And if it’s his musical eccentricity that keeps him out of 8814 Kensington Parkway, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 the American mainstream, it’s also what makes him so endearing.

Lawrence S. Jacobs/McMillan Metro, PC

High Holiday Services Filled with Music and Meaning begin Sept 9.

www.ShiratHaNefesh.org Questions: 240-292-9450 or HHD@ShiratHaNefesh.org

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

2 4 • A UGUS T 1 7 , 2018

A RT S & CU LT U RE

This Week in the Arts provided by CultureCapital.com

The Color Purple Thru Aug 26. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org.

2016 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical Revival! With a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime, and blues, this joyous American classic has conquered Broadway in an all-new “ravishingly reconceived production that is a glory to behold” (The New York Times).

In the Closet Thru Sep 15. DC Arts Center (DCAC). dcartscenter.org.

The season will kick off in August with the world premiere production of Siegmund Fuchs’ In the Closet, a metaphysical comedy that follows four men, each living during a different time period, as they look at their lives in the place where all gay men begin, in the closet.

Live from the Lawn: Mark G. Meadows Sextet Aug 22. Strathmore. strathmore.org.

Meadow’s velvet voice harmonizes pop, gospel, R&B, hip hop, funk, and jazz while delivering lyrics that speak to the soul. And performances alongside world-renowned artists including Bobby McFerrin and Renee Fleming, we can’t wait for the sounds of his sextet to fill the air on the lawn.

Don Cristobol Aug 17-Sep 9. Pointless Theatre at Dance Loft. pointlesstheatre.com.

Lorca’s writing infused themes of domestic violence, gender inequality, within a corrupt political environment. Written specifically as a Punch and Judy show, this production will bring to life the centuries old, brutally comedic style of performance that thrives on crude puppet violence.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KENNEDY CENTER

THEATRE Blues Revolution featuring Akua Allrich. Aug 21-Aug 25. Passion. Thru Sep 23. Signature Theatre. sigtheatre.org.

Don Cristobol. Aug 17-Sep 9.

Pointless Theatre at Dance Loft. pointlesstheatre.com.

In the Closet. Thru Sep 15. DC Arts Center (DCAC). dcartscenter.org.

Polaroid Stories. Aug 17. Curtains.

Thru Aug 18. Theatre Lab at Theater J. theatrelab.org.

The Bridges of Madison County. Thru Sep 2. Keegan Theatre. keegantheatre.com.

The Color Purple. Thru Aug 26.

Hamilton. Thru Sep 7. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org.

The Pirates of Penzance. Thru Aug 17. H.M.S. Pinafore. Aug 18-Aug 19.

Olney Theatre. olneytheatre.org.

DANCE Summer Steps with Step Afrika!. Aug 22. Step Afrika! At THEARC. stepafrika.org.

MUSIC Carpe Diem-Revels Community Sing.

Aug 21. Washington Revels at Seekers

Church. revelsdc.org.

Chuck Brown Day. Aug 18. DCCAH at Chuck Brown Memorial Park. dcarts.dc.gov.

Dance with Step Afrika! on The Wharf!. Aug 19. Step Afrika! at The Wharf. stepafrika.org.

Jazz in the Garden: 3Divas. Aug 17.

National Gallery of Art. nga.gov.

Live from the Lawn: Mark G. Meadows Sextet. Aug 22. Strathmore. strathmore.org.

Participate in a workshop and STEP with Step Afrika!. Aug 21. Step Afrika!

At Dance Place. stepafrika.org.

Soprano Nancy Scimone ‘’Passport Not Required’’ A Summer Holiday Journey. Aug 19. Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association at The Lyceum. wmpamusic.org.

Summer Concerts on the Lawn: DuPont Brass and VeVe & tha Rebels. Aug 23. Library of Congress at Library of Congress North Lawn. loc.gov.

VooDoo Threauxdown. Aug 17. The Avett Brothers with Nicole Atkins.

Aug 18. The Revivalists with ZZ Ward.

Aug 19. Jeff Beck and Ann Wilson of Heart. Aug 20. Michael McDonald and Peter Cetera. Aug 22. Dawes with Shovels & Rope and Joseph. Aug 23. Wolf Trap. wolftrap.org.

MUSEUMS Dumbarton Oaks. Outside/IN: Martha Jackson Jarvis at Dumbarton Oaks.

Thru Sep 2. doaks.org.

Folger Shakespeare Library. Form & Function: The Genius of the Book. Thru Sep 23. folger.edu.

Kreeger Museum. Reinstallation of the Permanent Collection. Thru Dec 31. kreegermuseum.org.

Library of Congress. Letters to Lyrics: Alexander Hamilton at the Library of Congress. Thru Aug 21. Drawn to Purpose. Thru Oct 20. Echoes of the Great War: American Experiences of World War I. Thru Jan 1. Baseball Americana. Thru Jun 29. loc.gov.

National Archives. Remembering Vietnam. Thru Jan 6. archivesfoundation.org.

National Gallery of Art. Jackson Pollock’s Mural. Thru Oct 28. Water, Wind, and Waves: Marine Paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. Thru Nov 25. Exhibition: Sense of Humor. Thru Jan 6. nga.gov.

National Geographic. National Geographic: Exploration Starts Here.

Thru Jan 1. Titanic: The Untold Story.

Thru Jan 6. nglive.org.

National Museum of Women in the Arts. Heavy Metal—Women to Watch 2018. Thru Sep 16. Bound to Amaze:

Inside a Book-Collecting Career. Thru Nov 25. nmwa.org.

Smithsonian Anacostia Museum.

Your Community, Your Story: Celebrating Five Decades Of The Anacostia Community Museum, 1967-2017. Thru Jan 6. Bridging the Americas: Community and Belonging from Panama to Washington, DC. Thru Jan 31. ACM 50th Anniversary Program: Block Watch. Thru Feb 28. A Right to the City. Thru Apr 20. anacostia.si.edu.

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian. The Sweat of Their Face: Portraying American Workers. Thru Sep 3. National Portrait Gallery - Recent Acquisitions. Thru Nov 4. Portraits of the World: Switzerland. Thru Nov 12. UnSeen: Our Past in a New Light, Ken GonzalesDay and Titus Kaphar. Thru Jan 6.

Celebrating Fifty Years. Thru Jan 6. Black Out: Silhouettes Then and Now. Thru Mar 10. Lincoln’s Contemporaries. Thru May 19. Champions. Thru May 19. One Year: 1968, An American Odyssey. Thru May 19. Daguerreotypes: Five Decades of Collecting. Thru Jun 2. npg.si.edu.

GALLERIES African American Civil War Memorial and Museum. 20th Anniversary Celebration: Hubert Jackson & Curtis Woody. Thru Sep 30. zenithgallery.com.

District Architecture Center. 2018 Professional Awards of the Potomac Chapter, ASLA. Thru Aug 31. Beyond Practice: Watercolors by David Cox, FAIA. Thru Aug 31. aiadac.com.

Dupont Underground. 20/20: Double Vision. Thru Aug 28. dupontunderground.org.

Gallery Clarendon. Gallery Clarendon August Show. Thru Sep 9. arlingtonartistsalliance.org.

Gallery Underground. “POWER OF NATURE” Juried Exhibition. Thru Aug 31. arlingtonartistsalliance.org.

Glen Echo Park. the Puppet Co.: 35 Years of Enchantment. Thru Aug 25. Design Domain: Contemporary Furniture and Inspired Decor. Thru Aug 26. Organic Growth: Meaghan Busch and Annalisa Leonessa. Thru Aug 26.

Art Walk in the Park: First Friday of every month thru September. Thru Sep 7. glenechopark.org.

Goethe-Institut. 1968: A Time of Uproar in Europe and the US. Thru Aug 24. goethe.de.

Hill Center. Hill Center Galleries Regional Juried Exhibition. Thru Sep 22. hillcenterdc.org.

Korean Cultural Center DC. K-Arts Exhibitions: Expanding Spacetime: Works by Chae Eun Rhee and Sky Kim. Thru Sep 4. koreaculturedc.org.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

FI L M

A U G U S T 17, 2018 • 25

Discover the

VOLVO XC90 The most awarded luxury SUV of the century.

2019 MODELS IN STOCK NOW

PHOTO COURTESY WARNER BROS.

CONSTANCE WU in ‘Crazy Rich Asians.’

‘Crazy Rich’ comedy Rom-com with gay side story ends summer with laughs

By BRIAN T. CARNEY Although there are technically still a few days left, the 2018 Hollywood summer movie season has unofficially come to a glittering end with the sumptuous new rom-com “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Besides being breathtakingly beautiful and deliciously funny, the movie is groundbreaking: it’s the first studio movie in 25 years to feature an all Asian cast.

(The last was “The Joy Luck Club” in 1993.)

Based on the global best-selling novel

by Kevin Kwan, “Crazy Rich Asians” is the story of Rachel Chu (Constance Wu of the TV series “Fresh off the Boat” and the web series “Eastsiders”), a professor of economics at New York University who has been raised by a single mother. She’s been dating the charming Nick Young (newcomer Henry Golding) for a year and she’s delighted when he invites her to fly to Singapore to attend his friend Colin’s wedding and meet his family.

There’s only one problem. Nick has never told Rachel that he’s rich — filthy rich. He’s the heir to a huge fortune and his very traditional Chinese family expect him to return to Singapore, find a rich and well-bred wife and run the family business. Nick’s snobby family and society friends quickly make it clear that Rachel will never be good enough for him.

The opposition to Rachel is led by Nick’s formidable mother, the steely Eleanor (expertly played by Michelle Yeoh of “Star Trek: Discovery” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”). Besides her considerable wealth, her troops include her haughty sisters-in-law and her sweetly domineering mother-in-law.

And while Colin supports Nick’s plans to propose to Rachel, the rest of the

wedding party, drawn from the spoiled sons and daughters of the Singapore elite, do not approve of Rachel and try to break the couple up. While Nick and Colin are able to escape the raucous bachelor party, Rachel is trapped on a party island with the bride (a vacuous high-fashion model) and her vicious friends. She is subjected to brutal pranks and, more seriously, learns that Nick has failed to tell he about some of his past romances.

Luckily, Rachel rallies some troops of her own: her college friend Goh Peik Lin (played by rapper and actress Awkwafina, who is also heard on the soundtrack), Nick’s gay cousin Oliver T’sein (Nico Santos from NBC’s “Superstore”) and Nick’s cousin Astrid (Gemma Chen of “Humans”). In their own way, all three are fighting against the strict rules of the Singapore elite and help Rachel navigate her way through the wedding.

While the ending is never really in doubt, director Jon M. Chu and his skillful cast and crew make the journey delightfully suspenseful. The screenplay by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim is full of very funny situations and characters, zippy one-liners and genuinely tender moments. Their adaptation of Kwan’s sprawling novel is occasionally clunky. The profusion of underdeveloped minor characters gets confusing; some of them seem to appear only for cheap laughs or because they will be in the inevitable sequel. (The novel is the first book in a trilogy.)

The gorgeous cinematography by Vanja Cernjul is a visual valentine to the people, sights and tastes of Singapore. The cast looks great in splendid shimmering couture by Mary E. Vogt; the city looks amazing; and the shots of food are droolinducing. But, Cernjul and Chu are also masters of tone, and the movie takes on highly effective surrealistic and satiric overtones when things turn ugly.

DONBEYERVOLVO.COM | 1231 WEST BROAD ST. FALLS CHURCH, VA 22046

Call (301) 495-7314 2730 Garfield Avenue • Silver Spring, MD 20910 Free estimates

Mention this ad and receive $25 off!

SPEAK WITH OUR PREPLANNING ADVISOR, JAMIE ARTHURS AT (202) 966-6400 OR EMAIL JAMIE.ARTHURS@DIGNITYMEMORIAL.COM

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

Inspired by the New York Times Best Seller FULL SERVICE

“A FASCINATING, OCCASIONALLY SHOCKING FORAY BEHIND THE SILVER SCREEN.”

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

26 • AU G U S T 17, 2018

O U T & A BO U T

-THE NEW YORK TIMES

“DELICIOUSLY SALACIOUS!” -ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

“FUN, DISHY, UNIQUELY NOSTALGIC.” -LOS ANGELES TIMES

A film by

Matt Tyrnauer

By MARIAH COOPER

ARED TURNER SH RDNER WHEN LANA TH AVA GA A LOVER WI

STILL NOT MAR FANS DEMANDRIED, ROCK? ANSWERS!

ScottyMovıe.com STARTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 17

WASHINGTON D.C. BLADE FRI 8/17 2.25" X 5.625" DUE MON 3PM ET

PHOTO OF COURTESY HANKS PASTA BAR

Restaurant Week continues through Sunday Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week runs through Sunday, Aug. 19 at various participating restaurants in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

More than 250 restaurants will offer special menus. Restaurant week prices are $22 lunch, $22 brunch and $35 dinner. Participating restaurants include Birch and Barley, City Winery D.C., District Commons, Hank’s Pasta Bar and many more.

For more information, visit ramw.org/restaurantweek.

PHOTO COURTESY COSTA

Singer Nikka Costa to give Aug. 28 concert Singer Nikka Costa performs at City Winery D.C. (1350 Okie St., N.E.) on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.

The show is in promotion of her latest record “Nikka & Strings” which features a cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compare 2 U” and Lena Horne’s “Stormy Weather.” Bar stool tickets are $22, premier tickets are $25, front premier tickets are $28 and VIP tickets are $32. Doors open at 6 p.m.

For more details and to purchase tickets, visit citywinery.com/washingtondc.

WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY

Queer pool party is Aug. 25 17th Street Festival next weekend The ninth annual 17th Street Festival is on Saturday, Aug. 25 from noon-6 p.m. in the 1500-1600 blocks of 17th Street N.W. About 100 vendors will be there including non-profit organizations, politicians, entrepreneurs and local businesses. More than 60 artists will also display fine art, jewelry, ceramics, crafts and more. Children can enjoy a kid zone with activities such as a moon bounce, ball crawl, face painting and games. Admission is free but attendees can purchase a $10 discount wristband. The wristband gives access to discounted drinks and appetizers at select locations.

For more details, visit 17thstreetfestival.org.

LezBeSocial, LitLivesMatter and Daryl Wilson Promotions host the Ultimate LGBT Pool Party on Saturday, Aug. 25 from 7 p.m.-midnight.

DJ Honey hosts the party which will have drinks, food and hot body/swimsuit contests. Floaties are allowed. All are welcome. General admission tickets are $25. Location will be released to guests seven days before the party date.

For more information, search “The Biggest Pool Party #LGBT Edition” on Facebook.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

ART

A U G U S T 17, 2018 • 27

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISHER

GARY FISHER

PHOTO COURTESY OF WRIGHT

JASON WRIGHT

Rehoboth exhibitions Gay artists unveil Gallery 50 shows this month

By PETER ROSENSTEIN Two talented artists in the LGBT community will be exhibiting their work in Rehoboth Beach. Their art will line the walls of Gallery 50, at 50 Wilmington Avenue (m.me/gallery50art or 302-227-2050).

The gallery opened its doors in 2007 and regularly offers a variety of artworks from renowned, established and emerging artists in a variety of mediums.

During each exhibition, the gallery focuses primarily on the work of one to two artists.

The gallery also hosts private events, parties, book signings, film screenings and more. In addition to being a gallery, it retains a master framer who can frame anything from your important works of art to your children’s masterpieces.

The first show opens tonight (Friday, Aug. 17) and will feature the works of one of D.C. and Rehoboth’s premier artists, Gary Fisher, who’s has had a long career as an environmental enforcement attorney with the U.S. Justice Department.

He began painting almost 30 years ago and has developed a wide following.

“It is an expression of the beauty I see around me and my optimistic outlook on life,” Fisher says. “My paintings reflect my highly individual vision of the scenery or subject matter that surrounds me. Color dominates my vibrant surfaces as the play of light is expressed in applications of intense and sometimes surprising hues. Paint strokes are infused with an exuberant energy. The results are dream-like canvases that evoke a sense of playfulness and spontaneity.”

His canvases often appear to take on a life of their own — fresh and exciting.

It isn’t always easy to get one of his pieces as much of his work is now on a commission basis. Over the years, Fisher has been featured in special exhibits at the Children’s National Medical Center, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, U.S. Government buildings and U.S. embassies around the world as part of the State Department’s Art in Embassies Program.

The second show begins on Friday, Aug. 31 and will feature the work of Jason Wright, a Hawaii resident. He studied painting and graphic design at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington. While there he began his career illustrating and designing graphics for the surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding industry. That makes sense as aside from being a talented and accomplished artist Jason is a medaled athlete and skydiving instructor. I think he just likes the freedom of being in the water and up in the sky and the challenges the sports he participates in represent.

“This show continues my study on the beauty of isolation,” Wright says. “I wanted to evoke the mystery and magic one feels during first light on a cold winter day.

That special moment when the golden hues of the sun collide with the cool tones of the water, which often reminds me of childhood. It’s a feeling I’ve always wanted to capture. These paintings are inspired by my time spent on the eastern shore over the years chasing winter swells and my love of the small towns and rural areas that surround the beach towns.”

Wright’s paintings are created with a palette knife and are a mixture of oil and acrylic paint. His studio is located on The Big Island of Hawaii.

“My love for nature has never faded,” he says. “I still catch the surf on my way to the studio every day.”

Help advance HIV research.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

2 8 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

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 The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (729 15th St., N.W.) hosts its 2018 LGBT Biz Pitch Competition today from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Finalists will present on stage in front of the conference audience. The winner will receive $50,000 in cash and prizes including a $25,000 cash prize and a $25,000 business consulting package. Participation is open to chambercertified LGBT Business Enterprises and LGBT entrepreneurs who are eligible and intend to obtain a LGBTBE Certification or International LGBTI Supplier Registration through the chamber. For LGBTBE Certification or International LGBTI Supplier Registration eligibility, a business must be 51 percent or more LGBT-owned and operated. For registration details, visit facebook.com/nglcc.

Geek Nite Out hosts a meet up for a screening of Blockbuster hit “Black Panther” at Farragut Square (912 17th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. The screening is part of Farragut Square’s Golden Cinema series.

Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/geekniteout.

R&B singer/actress Melba Moore performs at Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Moore’s career achievements include four Grammy nominations and a 1970 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. Tickets are $35. There is a $12 food/beverage minimum per person.

Doors open at 6 p.m. For more details, visit bluesalleylive.com.

XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) hosts Slumber Party, a ladies dance party, tonight at 9 p.m. Dress code of pajamas and other slumber party attire is encouraged. There will be a popcorn bar, ice cream bar, $1 Jello shots, $5 cotton candy shots, dancers, pillow fights and more. At midnight, there will be a lingerie and onesie competition. Winner receives a $20 bar tab and a special gift. DJ Honey will play music. Cover is $5 at the door. For details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.

D.C. Bear Crue hosts Bear Happy Hour at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight from 5-10 p.m. Drink specials include $5 rail cocktails and $5 draft pitchers. Free appetizers will be handed out all night.

For more information, visit facebook. com/bearhappyhour.

The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Exile, a 18-and-older dance party, tonight from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. At 10:30 p.m. the Birds of Prey Drag Show kicks off hosted by Ba’Naka. Brie Devine, Jaxknife Complex, Iyana Deschanel and Brooklyn Heights will perform. DJ C Dubz will spin tracks. For more details, visit facebook. com/eagledc.

PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY/MARVEL

Geek Night Out meets up for a ‘Black Panther’ screening tonight (Friday, Aug. 17).

SATURDAY, AUG. 18 Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts a drag brunch today with shows at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Chanel Devereaux and her girls will perform imitations of Lady Gaga, Pink, Beyonce and more.

Tickets are $41.91 and include an all-youcan-eat brunch buffet. Food items on the menu include roast pork, vegetarian pasta, grits, salad and more. The first mimosa or bloody Mary is free. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

Freed Bodyworks (1337 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) hosts Yoga and Queer Identity with Melanie Williams today from 1-4 p.m. The workshop will begin with a brief meditation followed by a discussion on the eight limbs of yoga through a queer lens. Afterwards, there will be another brief meditation and an hour-long, alllevels asana practice. The session will close out with savanna and a final guided meditation. The workshop is meant to be a LGBT-only space. Tickets are $35 but a sliding scale is available. For more details, visit facebook.com/freedbodyworks.

The Ladies of LURe hosts BARE’s ninth annual White Party at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Dress code is white. There will be a wet T-shirt contest hosted by MC Alesia Michelle. Participants must bring their own towel but T-shirts will be provided.

The top three winners, based on crowd applause, will receive cash prizes. DJ

Rosie will spin tracks. The DystRucXion dancers will perform. Drink specials run all night. Cover is $7 before midnight and $10 after. For more information, visit facebook.com/lurewdc.

SUNDAY, AUG. 19 Bar Roubaix (1400 Irving St., N.W.) hosts D.C. Sassy Brunch today from noon-2 p.m. Desiree Diks hosts the show with performances by Laronica Vegas, Paul and special guests Rose and Mariah Black. Online tickets are $21 and include the show and one entree. Tickets are available at the door for $6 with purchase of food or $10 with no food purchase.

Drink specials include $18 bottomless mimosas, bloody Marys and Bloody Marias. For more information, visit facebook.com/sassydragbrunch.

MONDAY, AUG. 20 PFLAG hosts its monthly meeting at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-9 p.m. Parents, families and friends of the LGBT community are invited to provide encouragement and resources. For more details, visit the dccenter.org.

TUESDAY, AUG. 21 The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its monthly Bi roundtable discussion tonight at 7 p.m. People

are invited to discuss issues related to bisexuality in a private setting. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22 Ben’s Chili Bowl (1213 U St., N.W.) hosts its 60th anniversary with a block party today from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. featuring performances by Maysa, Rare Essence, EU featuring Sugarbear, Soul Searchers, DJ MelloT, Ozone and more.

At 7:30 p.m. there will be a tribute to owner Virginia Ali at Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). Tickets range from $60-150. Proceeds will benefit the Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation. For more details, visit benschilibowl.com.

The Lambda Bridge Club meets 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.

THURSDAY, AUG. 23 The second annual D.C. Burger Battle is at Hill Country Backyard BBQ at the National Building Museum (401 F St., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m.

Restaurants will compete to create the best burgers. Tickets are $30 and include burger samples from each restaurant, complimentary beer, live music and games. Ticket proceeds will be donated to SOME (So Others Might Eat). For details, visit dcburgerbattle.com.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

N I GH TLI F E

A U G U S T 17, 2018 • 29

Ladies’ League

琀栀攀

New lesbian bar launches in Adams Morgan

By MARIAH COOPER mcooper@washblade.com Since the closing of Phase One in 2016, queer women in D.C. have been forced to schedule their nightlife choices around weekly or monthly parties hosted for them around town.

David Perruzza hopes to change the landscape of D.C. nightlife for queer women with his new lesbian bar, A League of Her Own. The space, which officially opened on Aug. 16, is located right next to Pitchers (2317 18th St. N.W.), Perruzza’s newly opened gay sports bar.

Perruzza, who was a former manager at JR.’s Bar for years, said he had been thinking about D.C.’s need for a lesbian establishment since working at JR.’s.

“One day I had this couple come in and they said, ‘Hey, are there any lady bars?’ I was like, ‘No, there’s not’ and the look of disappointment on their face. I was like, ‘Wow, this is really sad that this is the nation’s capital and we don’t have a bar for the ladies,’” Perruzza says.

When Perruzza went to check out the building for Pitchers, he noticed an intriguing feature of the space that sparked an idea for a second business venture.

“I literally walked down and I saw this space and was like, ‘Oh my God, there’s a separate entrance. I can put a lesbian bar in there. It could be like a league of their own.’ Then I’m like ‘Oh, a League of Her Own.’ That’s literally how I came up with the name,” he says.

While Pitchers and A League of Her Own have the same sports bar concept, Perruzza describes A League of Her Own as “more earthy” with a more industrial design.

A League of Her Own will also feature a foosball table, pool table and TVs and video games just like its Pitchers counterpart.

“I was like, ‘What do I do for the people that don’t know anybody? What do I do for the introverts or the people from out of town? So they didn’t have to really interact too much or feel awkward?”

Perruzza says.

From his past working at video bar JR.’s, where people could watch videos instead of socialize, Perruzza decided video games would be an ideal choice.

He admits he’s “learning” about the lesbian community but still wanted to ensure someone connected to the community would be managing the establishment. He hired Jo McDaniel, who identifies as a lesbian and formerly worked at Phase One. “It is owned by a gay guy but it’s run by a lesbian. In the past, I think a lot of lesbian bars have been owned by a gay

一䄀䬀䔀䐀 夀伀䜀䄀 䴀漀渀搀愀礀猀 ☀ 眀攀搀渀攀猀搀愀礀猀

㘀㨀㌀ 倀䴀

琀甀攀猀搀愀 礀猀 ㄀⼀㈀ 瀀爀椀挀攀 氀漀挀欀攀爀猀 ☀ 爀漀漀洀猀 㠀 愀洀 ⴀ 洀椀搀渀椀最栀琀 WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY TOM HAUSMAN

A League of Her Own was slated to open this week in Adams Morgan.

guy and run by a gay guy,” Perruzza says.

Plans for events and parties are still in development. In the meantime, A League of Her Own will host monthly events for charity on Thursdays. Cover is $5 and all proceeds will benefit a different LGBT charity organization. On Aug. 16, Casa Ruby will be the charity of the month.

Wanda Alston House is the planned charity for September.

Since Pitchers is right next door to A League of Her Own, Perruzza hopes that the spaces can foster an inclusive environment without being intrusive.

Some patrons of Pitchers have chosen to check out the next door bar but ultimately have been “very respectful of the fact that this is one of the only spaces for queer women to go to,” according to Perruzza.

The location of A League of Her Own and Pitchers isn’t in the typical D.C. gay neighborhoods of U Street or Dupont Circle. Perruzza says he worried about the location for “a brief moment” but realized that in the age of Uber people could still easily access the bars. He also has heard that it’s helped renew nightlife for LGBT people who live in the Adams Morgan/ Woodley Park area.

Perruzza says one of the best parts of having gay bars outside the gayborhood is that it brings a diverse group of people together.

“It’s creating a small town bar feel that forces lesbians, transgender people and gay men all to go to one bar to talk,” he says. “That’s exactly what’s happening here and its pretty amazing because the lesbian community has a lot more women of color. The women coming up stairs (to Pitchers) are making the men who are of color come in here and feel very comfortable. So it’s creating this amazing environment in the bar of people just chilling and talking to each other. Just every different type of person you can think of.”

猀愀 琀甀爀搀愀 礀猀 最爀愀戀 愀 ␀㔀 漀昀昀 挀愀爀搀 愀琀 吀刀䄀䐀䔀 昀愀挀攀戀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀⼀琀栀攀挀爀攀眀挀氀甀戀

㄀㌀㈀㄀ ㄀㐀琀栀 猀琀 一圀

Hookups =

Visit www.squirt.org to hook up today

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

3 0 • A UGUS T 1 7 , 2018

THEATER

PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY

CARLA R. STEWART (left) as Shug and ADRIANNA HICKS as Celie in the North American tour cast of ‘The Color Purple.’

‘Purple’ shines Spare but effective touring production blossoms at Kennedy Center

By PATRICK FOLLIARD Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” gets its title from one of the novel’s most poignant passages. Raucous juke joint singer Shug Avery asks somber Celie if she ever takes the time to notice the little things that God does to show us love, things that we might take for granted like a field of pretty purple flowers. It’s an especially moving

moment for Celie who has known very little tenderness. Her life has been mostly about abuse and hard work.

First a 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “The Color Purple” was made into a popular film and later a Broadway musical in 2005. Currently the national tour of 2016 Tony Award-winning revival directed by John Doyle is playing at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre (the national tour of “Hamilton” is selling out next door at the Opera House). Marsha Norman’s serviceable libretto combining humor and heartbreak as well as Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray’s lively score (an amalgam of jazz, gospel,

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

FamiLY | eState PLaNNiNG | emPLoYmeNt | immiGratioN ComPLeX LitiGatioN | CiviL riGHtS | LGBt | adoPtioN | BuSiNeSS

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

ragtime and blues) are unchanged, but Doyle’s production is dramatically and very successfully streamlined.

The plot centers on Celie, a poor and plain African-American woman who comes of age in the Jim Crow South. We meet her as an abused farm girl who’s been impregnated by her stepfather twice and has had both subsequent children stripped from her arms. Next, she’s married off to Mister, an unkind man who uses her as a laborer from dawn to night.

The only glimmer of happiness in her dreary life comes from women. Her sister and best friend Nettie who disappears from her life (their eventual reunion is an ongoing storyline), and strong, stubborn Sophia, the wife of Mister’s cowed son Harpo.

And later comes Shug Avery, the bluessinging, booze-swigging, free spirit who captures Celie’s fancy. Carrying a torch for Shug is the only thing Celie and Mister have in common. Eventually it’s Shug who facilitates Celie’s escape from drudgery and helps her claim independence as a shopkeeper/pants designer.

The relative intimacy of the Eisenhower (as compared to the Opera House) suits Doyle’s vision. The set is simple: a tower of wooden kitchen chairs attached to raw, splintered cabin siding. Chairs are cleverly used to create humble homes, jail, a juke joint and various rural locales.

Doyle puts the spotlight on storytelling and performance. Luckily, the tour has

assembled a cast of first-rate singers and a terrific-sounding but unseen orchestra.

Adrianna Hicks as Celie, Carla R. Stewart at Shug, and Gavin Gregory as Mister, give nuanced performances adding texture and depth to their, at times, broadly written characters. Carrie Copere is a real crowd-pleaser as big, bold Sofia and N’Jameh Camara is convincing as kindhearted missionary Nettie. A talented ensemble of young actors seamlessly morphs from muscular farm laborers to late night revelers to church folk.

Here, Alice Walker writes about female empowerment and finding strength and solace in other women. Though she doesn’t identify as lesbian, Walker was romantically involved with singer Tracy Chapman for a time.

The score is a celebration of women.

With “Push Da Button,” Shug brings down the house delivering a risqué song celebrating sexual freedom. “Hell No!” is Sofia’s fearless refusal to be bullied or beaten by men. And Celie’s terrific 11thhour solo “Still Here” is a triumphant expression of self-love and courage proving that she ultimately wins.

‘THE COLOR PURPLE’ Through Aug. 26 The Kennedy Center $79-149 202-467-4600 Kennedy-center.org

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

BOOKS

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 3 1

Joy of motion Journalist merges memoir with dancing tome

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

You can’t stop your feet. They need to move, to tap tap tap, to side step and do-si-do. The music’s on and you gotta move. You can’t help it, your toes gotta go and in “And Then We Danced” by Henry Alford, you take the lead.

Think of all the times you danced in your life.

Your first was likely some bouncytoddler thing you did and the adults around you laughed. Later you endured embarrassing and awkward boy-girl classes or school events until you

became cool (even if only in your mind) and snuck into clubs. You’ve danced at weddings, for fun, for joy and Alford has danced for work. He’s a journalist who immerses himself in his subject in order to write about it but, in the case of dance, he’s been immersed his whole life.

Dance, he says, is a “universal language.” If you suddenly found yourself in Siberia and you began dancing, nobody would mistake what you were doing. It’s an art but it’s much more.

Dance, he says, is a way of “social entrée.”

Cotillions and debutante balls are good examples, dancing in a club falls into this category and if you ever took classes from an Arthur Murray studio, you get the picture.

Politics can step onto the dance floor, Alford says. Think about your favorite candidate on the campaign trail, dancing with potential constituents. Or think of the Cakewalk, a dance that was “originally devised as a way for slaves to mock their masters.”

Teenagers know that dance can be a form of rebellion; icons such as Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham knew that, too. Dance can be a form of emotional release, happy, sad or angry, and it can

PHOTO COURTESY SIMON & SCHUSTER

involve one’s entire body, almost without thought. Any good church choir can tell you that dance is spiritual. With the right group, it can bring on feelings of nostalgia.

And dance, if you need it, can be healing.

There’re a few pleasant little surprises to this book about moving your body: it’s also author Henry Alford’s memoir, and it’s a series of mini-biographies of

dancers you may know and admire. And it’s delightful.

Part of the reason is that Alford uses his youth as example here: he was a gawky kid who tried very hard to ignore his gayness, an attempt that made junior high boy-girl dances understandably more awkward.

His tales are mostly universal (who didn’t hate forced dance class?) and they’ll make you laugh, while anecdotes of researching to write this book are woven between the life stories of Murray, Duncan, Graham, Savion Glover, Toni Bentley and other dancers, as well as lighter-side dance history through the ages.

Yes, there are a few incredulous moments here, but the joy in this book supersedes any sadness. All in all, it’s a quickstepper, and for a hoofer, ballet lover, line dancer or anyone who shimmies and bops, “And Then We Danced” will have you on your feet.

‘AND THEN WE DANCED: A VOYAGE INTO THE GROOVE’

By Henry Alford Simon & Schuster $26 229 pages

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

32 • A U G U S T 17, 2018

“

Some think I should dress more like a woman. Some think I should dress more like a man.

I may not fit some ideas about gender, and I am a proud part of DC. Please treat me the same way any person would want to be treated: with courtesy and respect.

Two-door beauties Dodge Challenger, BMW 13S offer spunk, panache

By JOE PHILLIPS Want the scoop on coupes and convertibles? They’re not as popular or practical as crossovers, hatchbacks or other rides built for hauling cargo and companions. But they sure are sexy.

That’s why some vehicles with beaucoup doors, like the BMW below, are cleverly designed to look like two-door turn ons.

Discrimination based on gender identity and expression is illegal in the District of Columbia.

If you think you’ve been the target of discrimination, visit www.ohr.dc.gov or call (202) 727-4559.

OFFICE OF

GLBT AFFAIRS

DODGE CHALLENGER GT

Show your support! Spread word of the #TransRespect campaign by photographing this ad and sharing on Twitter.

AUTOS

DODGE CHALLENGER GT $35,000 Mpg: 18 city, 27 highway Zero-60 mph: 6.3 seconds Keeping track of the hot Dodge Challenger is, at times, a challenge. Along with major trim levels — from the base SXT to the GT, R/T, R/T 392, SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat — there are a slew of variants, like the R/T Scat Pack, R/T Shaker, SRT Hellcat Redeye, SRT Hellcat Widebody and, well, you get the picture.

All showcase the Challenger’s nostalgic muscle-car looks. This includes the oldschool grille, a sweeping hood that seems to stretch two football fields and a trunk the size of Kansas. Compared to a Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro, the Challenger is a land yacht, but in a good way.

Large 19-inch wheels, sturdy brakes and solid suspension make for smooth sailing on all kinds of roads. The GT debuted last year and is the only model with all-wheel drive, a major plus in bad weather. The 305hp V6 is reasonably fuel efficient and plenty powerful, though it’s no V8 Hemi engine (which is available in the higher-performing and higher-priced Challenger models).

The retro cabin, with a pleasing array of simple dials and gauges, is a bit plasticky but also spacious. And there are plenty of modern features, including heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, backup camera, interior ambient lighting and smartphone integration. All in all, the Challenger GT is a nice step up from the base model yet doesn’t break the bank.

BMW I3S $49,000 Range: 180 miles (114 miles battery-only) Zero-60 mph: 6.8 seconds

Alas, sexy may not be the word to describe the BMW i3 electric vehicle.

But the sliced-and-diced design certainly gives it personality, somewhere between cute and quirky. The funky shape cleverly disguises two rear doors and a hatchback, which are all a blessing when loading/ unloading passengers or packages.

An optional 2.4-gallon fuel tank extends the range to 180 miles, which is more than enough for most daily drivers.

And the tree-hugger cabin is made from recycled and renewable materials. BMW’s latest tech and safety gear is here, with a floating infotainment screen, gearselector knob on the steering wheel, on-street parking locator, pedestrian warning, collision alert and much more.

This year, there’s the new performance version, the i3s. It’s lower to the ground than the base model, with bigger tires for better grip and zip around curves. Along with some special exterior styling, there’s a surprise inside: the bizarro bright-blue seat belts, which are the same vibrant color as in the BMW logo.

Most impressive is the Sport mode, with quicker acceleration and tighter steering to help the i3s break away from being just another EV. It works, because this is one fast and fun ride that also happens to be eco-friendly.

MERCEDES E400 4MATIC CABRIOLET $69,000 Mpg: 20 city, 26 highway Zero-60 mph: 5.2 seconds The E-Class often sets the standard for midsize sedans, wagons, convertibles and coupes. The latest generation is no exception, especially with the coupe and convertible — two primo rides that share the same DNA. Yes, the coupe is a hair sexier, thanks to unbroken lines of sheetmetal flowing gracefully from front to back. But with the top down and the wind blowing in your hair, the cabriolet can’t be beat.

Available in rear-wheel or 4Matic allwheel drive, this sensuous soft-top has 10 layers of acoustic insulation to muffle outside noise. Toodling to the beach via freeways and back-country roads is a joy, with a surprising amount of legroom for rear-seat passengers.

On hot days, sun-reflecting material keeps the seats cool. For chilly nights, the headrests blow warm air directly on your neck. Using a smartphone, you can start the car and even park it remotely. And a special windshield wiper system prevents fluid from spraying into the car with the top down. The list of other add-ons seems endless, from upgraded paint and massaging seats to an aromatherapy system, semi-autonomous driving and 64 shades of ambient lighting.

But there’s a catch: such extras can boost the price to nearly $100,000.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

P H OTO S B Y TO M HAU SMAN

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 3 3

A League of Her Own, a new bar catering to women, opened on Thursday, Aug. 9 at Pitchers in Adams Morgan.

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

3 4 • A UGUS T 1 7 , 2018

A RT S & E N T E RT A I N ME N T

Waters marvels at mainstream embrace CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Known as the “Pope of Trash” and “Sultan of Sleaze,” the openly gay filmmaker came to New York to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Hairspray” and the 2018 re-release of “Female Trouble.”

He had appeared the week before at a “Hairspray” screening and cast reunion in Los Angeles.

At the New York event, moderated by the entertainment writer Michael Musto, Waters was joined by Leslie Ann Powers, the actress who played Penny Pingleton; Joann Havrilla, who played Prudence Pingleton; and Holter Graham, who played I. Q. Jones. Waters said he hadn’t seen Powers in decades and thought she was hiding in the “‘Hairspray’ witness protection program.”

The filmmaker said “Hairspray,” which follows teenager Tracy Turnblad’s efforts to integrate a TV dance show in the 1960s, is “the gift that keeps on giving,” because there have been so many versions of it.

“I say it’s radical because it snuck up on Middle America,” Waters said. “Even racists like it. I’ve been paid to write the sequel two times. There’s been talk of ‘Hairspray on Ice,’ ‘Hairspray in Space.’

What’s left?”

The running joke in the movie is that the 300-pound drag actor Divine, who died in 1988 and played Tracy’s mother Edna, is actually a man but no one knows it except the audience.

In real life, Divine “had no desire to be a woman,” Waters said. “He wanted to be Godzilla. …We created Divine to scare hippies.”

Born Harris Glenn Milstead, Divine off-screen was nothing like Divine onscreen, Waters noted. “He was a kind, gentle man who was a pothead and liked to eat.”

Though he and Divine were good friends, Waters said, Divine eventually wanted to do more than John Waters movies, especially after the scene in “Pink Flamingos” where he ate dog poop.

“He got weary of being with me … because people couldn’t get over the whole eating-shit thing,” Waters said.

“He got so sick of talking about that. …

He wanted to get away from me and do things without me.”

During a separate Q&A session following the “Female Trouble” screening, Waters reported that none of the child actors in his movies was traumatized by the experience.

“All the kids in my movies turned out fine,” he said. “The little girl that I locked in a refrigerator (in Desperate Living)?

She’s fine. … There was nothing weird or anything. They memorized their lines.

They’re fine.”

“Female Trouble” focuses on Dawn Davenport (Divine), who turns to a life of

MICHAEL MUSTO, left, with JOHN WATERS in New York on July 27.

crime after she didn’t get cha cha heels for Christmas, kills her daughter Taffy and ends up frying in the electric chair.

Waters said he originally wanted Divine to play both the mother and daughter but concluded it wouldn’t work because of Divine’s age. Instead, he had Divine play both the mother and the father, which means Divine rapes himself.

The famous line delivered by the late Edith Massey: “the world of the heterosexual is a sick and boring life,” had a double purpose aside from its comedic punch, Waters said.

“That was market testing. I wanted to see how many gay people were in the audience.”

Ever the name dropper, Waters said he loves the director Ingmar Bergman because “he had the first puke scene.” He said he met Elizabeth Taylor toward the end of her life and “she looked like Divine.”

He said he considered casting Roseanne Barr as the lead in “Serial Mom,” back when she was “a complete liberal,” but eventually chose Kathleen Turner.

Waters said he used to visit courtrooms during criminal trials but can’t anymore “because people recognize me.” He disclosed that Dawn Davenport’s character was inspired in part by Alice Crimmins, a New York woman and Casey Anthony forerunner who was convicted of killing her two children in 1965.

Musto said he had a treat for Waters.

“Big surprise,” he said. “Alice is here with us tonight!”

The conversation eventually came

down, as it often does, to cha cha heels and Christmas.

Musto asked Waters if the dialogue about them — “Those aren’t the right kind. I told you cha cha heels, black ones!” and “Good girls don’t wear cha cha heels” — aren’t the most quoted lines from a John Waters movie.

Waters said the scene in which the Christmas tree falls over on Dawn’s mother was inspired by a time when a Christmas tree fell on his grandmother.

“I remember the handyman screaming, the maid crying and me being, ‘Is my present hurt?’ She wasn’t injured, but I was obsessed by it.”

He said a lot of his fans seem to have stories about falling Christmas trees.

“It’s usually drugs or liquor.”

PHOTO BY ED GUNTS

Waters said his family always had real trees when he was growing up, never artificial, and his mother frowned on those who decorated with multi-colored lights.

“She was all white lights,” he said. “She would go around the neighborhood and look in windows” and make disparaging remarks about families with multicolored lights.

Waters marvels that his movies are so embraced today since mainstream studios shunned them initially.

The Criterion Collection, which will distribute “Polyester,” is affiliated with Warner Brothers, one of the largest entertainment companies in America.

“Warner Brothers distributes all of mine now,” Waters said. “Who would have imagined?”

More John Waters fun!

He’s no longer making new movies but there are still ways to enjoy the John Waters sensibility.

“John Waters: Indecent Exposure,” billed as the “first major retrospective of Baltimore native John Waters’ visual art,’ opens Oct. 7 at the Baltimore Museum of Art (10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore) and runs through Jan. 6. The show will “examine the unapologetic cultural force’s influential career through more than 160 pieces of his work dating back to the early 1990s.” Details at artbma.org.

Waters makes his annual trek to the Birchmere (3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria) on Thursday, Dec. 20 for “A John Waters Christmas,” his comedy stand-up show. Tickets are $55. Details at birchmere.com.

Attorneys that are OUTthinking |OUTspoken |OUTdoing ackermanbrown.com

W A SH I NGTO N B LA D E.C OM

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 3 5

REALESTATE

Accentuating apartment spaces Lessons from The Belgard Apartment buildings nationally have been expanding on their common spaces for residents, as amenities have begun taking an increased importance for potential residents over living space. D.C. metro area buildings have taken note of the trend and have been adding larger club rooms, fitness centers and differentiated lounging areas, and more to woo guests.

Nationally, many developers are creating smaller in-unit living spaces and expanding the common spaces in the building. The Belgard has created special settings for residents to escape their homes. In order to create special destinations onsite for residents, developers need to go beyond the traditional common spaces that most buildings have just to check the box – clichéd clubroom, standard rooftop pool and grilling areas, occasional piece of art scattered throughout.

NoMa’s The Belgard, developed by Wood Partners, has moved the goalposts for luxury living with thoughtful amenities meant to serve as an extension of the apartment space. Developers and designers, keep these in mind when crafting living spaces for your residents, whether they are first-time renters, young married couples, or an older couple just looking to have an extra place in the city.

Accentuating the lobby For many years, the lobby was a grand opulence that buildings designed to make residents feel like they were walking home into luxury. However, those spaces were not always welcoming to residents The Belgard’s lobby space is meant to serve as an extended living room for residents.

Whether they are looking for a place to get some work done, hang out with friends, or sneak away from their apartment to read a book, the lobby highlights the awe-inspiring 561-gallon exotic saltwater reef tank. The stunning high ceilings, modern industrial light fixtures, and plush seating options all revolve around showcasing this piece that residents are already flocking to. The lobby feels more like a larger, and cooler, version of everyone’s living room. Don’t think stodgy old gathering place, but more reminiscent of the Hudson Hotel.

Not every building needs to follow The Belgard’s lead in aquatic exploration to create a space that will encourage residents to spend more time in common areas. Choosing a centerpiece or focal point to spark conversation or engagement among your residents is the first step. When in doubt, a large conversationprovoking sculpture or art piece seems to do the trick.

Craft a space to entertain With ever-rising drink costs in D.C., it’s

We also host private events LINCOLN Restaurant 1110 Vermont Ave., NW Washington, DC 20005 www.lincolnrestaurant-dc.com

202-386-9200

TEDDY & The Bully Bar 1200 19th St., NW Washington, DC 20036 www.teddyandthebullybar.com

202-872-8700

always nice to have a cocktail before you go out on the town with friends – or one when you return from a night out. Whether you focus on creating communal areas by a rooftop pool, have a bar area near your game room, or even by just decorating a club room with nightlife-themed art or design pieces. Create a welcoming, inclusive environment that feels unique to your building.

The Belgard has built out a full “speakeasy”-styled bar for residents to entertain in, including a dual-tapped Kegerator, bar seating, and private liquor lockers for residents who want to store their entertaining stash for when they have guests.

This space is open at all hours, and residents can utilize it whether they’re looking to entertain a date by whipping up cocktails to take to the courtyard, or for having a nightcap after a long night out. Inclusive and unique amenity spaces like this make apartment buildings stand out from the glut of other buildings in the market and provides a blueprint on modern entertaining in apartment buildings.

Game night brought to a new level Not every night in D.C. is a party – for those who are looking less for a pregame and more for a fun night in, it’s helpful to offer different common areas for residents to interact in. Creating an atmosphere of

inclusion in a mature setting, many buildings are building out more robust game rooms – whether it’s for pool tables, shuffleboard, ping pong, or other activities, residents enjoy having these perks.

People don’t typically think of playing video games as the most social activity – however, when you supply your residents with a customized four-player arcade machine with classic games like Street Fighter, NBA Jam and NFL Blitz, friends may just start flocking over. The game room includes classic board games like a jumbo-sized Monopoly board, shuffleboard table, and for those who like to gamble there’s a luxurious custom-made 60-inch poker table and chips available for residents to entertain.

With the trend continuing to shift toward accentuating the common areas, D.C.’s new buildings must continue to innovate and provide different experiences and destinations onsite for their residents.

The Belgard is located at 33 N Street NE, in Washington’s NoMa community.

The building will feature 346 luxury residential apartments and ground floor retail, with leasing ongoing and move-ins beginning on July 1. The building offers micro-units, junior one-, one-, and twobedroom residences. Those interested in scheduling a tour and learning more about the building can do so on the property website, thebelgarddc.com. (Courtesy The Belgard)

Love Among the Ruins: A soft-spoken man and his carpenter bond during a kitchen renovation.

VALERIE M. BLAKE, Associate Broker, GRI, Director of Education & Mentorship Dupont Circle Office • 202-518-8781 (o) • 202.246.8602 (c) Valerie@DCHomeQuest.com • www.DCHomeQuest.com

3 6 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

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

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 3 7

LEGAL NOTICES

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ROBERT PAUL WILKINSON, NAME OF DECEDENT LAWRENCE S. JACOBS, MCMILLAN METRO, P.C. 7811 MONTROSE ROAD, SUITE 400, POTOMAC MD 20854

MASSAGE ROSSLYN - CMT available for massage in Arlington, SunTues or DC, Thurs-Sat. Call or text Gary 301-704-1158. mymassagebygary.com.

Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs Kevin Riley Gowen, whose address is 560 N Street SW, #N201, Washington, DC 20024 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert Paul Wilkinson who died on May 27, 2018 with a Will and will service without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, DC, Building A, 515 5th Street, NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20001, on or before 8/17/2019. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before 2/17/2019, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of it’s publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of First Publication: 8/17/2018 Kevin R. Gowen A True Test Copy Anne Meister, Register of Wills

BULLETIN BOARD Best Selling LGBT Memoir “First Mistake: Facing Death, Finding Life” is a love story about defying the odds (even certain death) and spiritual memoir. www.amazon. com/dp/B07F2MWXT4

BODY & SOUL NEED A HUG? TRY CUDDLING! MEN In Arms will provide you with a discrete, relaxing and therapeutic cuddling experience. RSVP at WWW. MENINARMS.COM today!

Swaggle - Turn Your Closet into Cash Sell your clothes on our fun to use app. Download Swaggle today - turn your closet into cash!

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

DEADLINES

All Classified Ads - Including Regular & Adult Must Be Received

By Mondays at 5PM washingtonblade.com

PETWORTH SENIORS MOVING Furniture, Appliances, W/D, Ref, Freezer, China Cabinet, Dressers, Twin Beds, Dishes, Paint, Christmas.

1st Edition Black Barbie Dolls, Beany Babies. etc.

Sale starts Aug 16th.

(202)722-5269.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Results-Oriented • Affordable

Larry Cohen, LICSW

30 years serving the LGBT community

202-244-0903 socialanxietyhelp.com

See website for NPR story on my work

Dr. Melvin L. Phillips, Jr., Ed.D., LICSW, LCSW, CSAC

Offering psychological solutions for depression, anxiety, chronic pain and illness

(202) 544-5440

www.drleephillips.com

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

703-593-3204

WWW.DAVELLOYD.NET ENTHUSIASTICALLY SERVING DC & VIRGINIA

COUNSELING 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.

EMPLOYMENT COMPUTER RETAIL & SERVICE CENTER Seeking Friendly and Dependable Sales Persons “ Send Resume to lisa@LambroInc.com.

WHOLISTIC SERVICES, INC. seeking Full Time Direct Support Professionals to assist intellectually disabled adults with behavioral health complexities in group homes & day services throughout DC. Requirements 1 year exp., valid drivers license, able to lift 50-75 lbs, complete training program, become DDS Med Certified within 4 months of hire, ability to pass security background check. Associates degree preferred. For more information, please contact the Human Resources (HR) Department at 202-832-8787.

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.

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

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.

3 8 • A UGUST 1 7 , 2018

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE

WASHINGTONBLADE.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.

LIMOUSINES KASPER’S LIVERY SERVICE Since 1987.

Gay & Veteran Owner/ Operator. 2016 Luxury BMW 750Li Sedan.

Properly Licensed & Livery Insured in DC. www.KasperLivery.com.

Phone 202-554-2471.

PHOTOGRAPHY STEVE O’TOOLE PHOTOGRAPHY Fine Art Photographer for Portraits & Weddings & more! Check out my 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.

TELL ‘EM YOU SAW THEIR AD IN THE Blade classifieds!

PLUMBERS DIAL A PLUMBER, LLC - FULL SERVICE PLUMBER JUST SAY: I NEED A PLUMBER! Bathroom Sinks, Tubs, Vanities, Kitchen Sinks, Disposals, Boilers & Furnaces, Hot Water Heaters, Drain Service!

202-251-1479. Licensed, Bonded & Insured.

DC Plumbers License #707. Visa, MasterCard, American Express accepted.

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

MOVERS AROUND TOWN MOVERS. Professional Moving & Storage. Let Our Movers Do The Heavy Lifting. Mention the ‘Blade’ for 5% off of our regular rates. Call today 202.734.3080. www. aroundtownmovers.com GREAT SCOTT MOVING INC. Local & Long Distance, Pianos! A Great Move at a Great Price call (301) 699-2066. Highly` rated by Consumer Check Book, Better Business Bureau, Yelp & Angie’s List. We’ve moved the Blade, let us move you!

SHARE / DC

Playmates and soul mates...

Washington:

202-448-0824

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

LARGE MBR SUITE AVAILABLE Gay Married couple renting LARGE Master Bedroom Suite, $1200 per mo. Util incl.

Loc. Ft Lincoln NE DC. Email: MarcSnDC@gmx.com for details.

RENT / MD WHEATON METRO 4 BR/3.5 BA townhouse featuring finished basement w/ built-in bar, new kitchen appliances & flooring. Abundance of closet space/storage. 2 parking space passes provided & plenty of street parking. 10-minute walk to Wheaton Metro/bus stop. Nearby you will find Costco,Safeway, Giant, and plenty of restaurants. All of this for only $2200 (not incl. utilities). Available September 1, 2018 - Call 301-252-3075.

RENT / VA CLARENDON METRO GYMS, restaurants, grocers, shops, new 1 bedroom basement apartment, 750 square foot, extensive wet bar. $1750/mo. utilities included. 703 850-9319.

SALE / DC Rambler/Colonial Village, DC 3000+ sq.ft. 4BR,3FB, Sunroom, FP, Large Back Yard, second KT in Basement. Blocks to SS. Mid $800Ks. Needs updating. Linda Burton, Realtor, 301-335-7687

LUCAS IS BACK

5’ 9”, 170 lbs, 36 yo, Latino Masseur offering Swedish to Sensual massage on my heated table, in a private atmosphere. In/ out, Hotels welcome, Parking Available, 24/7.

Call Lucas, 240-462-8669. fromlucas@yahoo.com.

MEN’S PERSONALS Penis Enlargement. Gain 1 to 3 inches permanently & safely. Resolve ED. Licensed medical vacuum pumps, surgical & supplements. For free brochures/consultation call: Dr. Joel Kaplan 888978-HUGE (4843). www. getbiggernow.com.

PLACE YOUR FREE AD ONLINE WASHINGTONBLADE.COM/CLASSIFIEDS

18+ MegaMates.com

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

A U G U ST 1 7 , 2 0 1 8 • 3 9