Washingtonblade.com, Volume 50 Issue 12, March 22, 2019 by Washington Blade

Natasha Cloud, Kristi Toliver, Elena Delle Donne

Photo courtesy of the Washington Mystics

MA RCH 22, 2019 • VOLUME 50 • I S S UE 12 • WA S HI N GTONB LAD E.CO M

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M AR CH 22, 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE.COM • 03

VOLUME 50 ISSUE 12 ADDRESS

PO Box 53352 Washington DC 20009 PHONE

Natasha Cloud, Kristi Toliver and Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics are among our picks for the 40 Under 40 Queer Women of Washington. PAGE 30

06 08

Cherry Blossom time!

of the Blade

he’s not supporting

Arts & Culture

Lyft driver investigated

Equality Act

Mind control

Bolsonaro visits White

Mary’s truth

of trans passenger

House, reiterates anti-

Story of ‘Us’

Council member calls

LGBT views

‘Abby’s’ place

Pence meets Irish

Playing it too cool?

LGBT youth, seniors

prime minister’s

Practice and precision

HRC’s Chad Grifﬁn

partner

New(-ish) collaboration

for sexual abuse

for housing funds for

12 14

Manchin on why

Looking back: 50 years

ready to step aside

Cannabis Culture

Photos

Trump’s picks for AIDS

Health news

To AirBnB or not—

council disappoint

Viewpoint

some ﬁghting the

40 Queer Women

epidemic

Queery:

what’s all the fuss? 62

Classiﬁeds

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, ERNESTO VALLE, NICOLÁS LEVY, FELIPE ALFACE, YARIEL VALDÉS, LYNARE ROBBINS, RACHAEL ESPINET, KATLEGO K. KOL-KES, VICTOR MAUNG NEWS INTERN JAMES WELLEMEYER 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.

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When Hepburn played Washington — 1982 By JOEY DIGUGLIELMO

Washingtonians got a rare chance to see Katharine Hepburn live on stage during her ’82 Kennedy Center engagement in the Ernest Thompson play “West Side Waltz.” The Blade reviewed it in our March 19, 1982 edition. Finding the script a bit wobbly, the Blade praised Hepburn’s work as “a consummate artist at work.” A plot point about her character’s live-in companion being available because the woman’s husband left her for a man, set off a funny passage with the great actress riffing with “a string of oneliners about gays.” Hepburn has been outed posthumously as bi (at least) by multiple biographers and Hollywood historians. She was married once briefly to a man in her young adult life but spent most of her adult years with fellow actor Spencer Tracy, which some say was more a friendship than sexual relationship. Tracy and Hepburn were both said to be clients of Scotty Bowers, a Hollywood pimp of yore known for arranging same-sex liaisons with clients. Other biographers, such as gay author/historian William J. Mann, have suggested that despite a lack of concept for it in the early 20th century, Hepburn may have been somewhere on the transgender spectrum. She was unabashed about a youthful penchant for cross dressing and calling herself Jimmy. She never wore dresses in her personal life and often spoke of having lived her life much like a man. Hepburn also joked about having a Stein/Toklas-like relationship with her longtime live-in assistant/secretary Phyllis Wilbourn but it was in jest — their relationship, multiple biographers agree, was platonic.

On the occasion of our 50th anniversary year, the Blade is looking for couples to profile who met via Blade classified ads and are still together. If interested, please contact Features Editor Joey DiGuglielmo at joeyd@washblade.com or 202-731-0829. 0 6 • WAS H IN GTO N B LAD E.CO M • M AR C H 2 2 , 2 0 1 9

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Lyft driver investigated for sexual abuse of trans passenger

Third anti-LGBT complaint against service in D.C. since February By LOU CHIBBARO JR. LCHIBBARO@WASHBLADE.COM

A third area LGBT customer has filed a complaint against a Lyft driver.

D.C. police are investigating an incident in which a 30-year-old transgender woman said a Lyft driver touched one of her breasts to see if it was “real” after he repeatedly asked her if she was a “real woman or a man.” The transgender passenger, who asked not to be identified by name, said the incident took place on Saturday, March 2, after she called Lyft for a ride from her D.C. residence to Hyattsville, Md., where she was meeting friends for dinner to celebrate her upcoming birthday. In response to a request by the Washington Blade for a comment on the trans woman’s allegation, Lyft told the Blade in an email on Tuesday that the driver was terminated as soon as the company was made aware of the incident. The trans woman who made the allegation said she found it odd that when the driver arrived to pick her up he directed her to sit in the front seat, saying the rear doors were broken. “He started driving and then on the way to Maryland he started asking me if I’m a real woman or if I’m a man,” said the woman,

who said she’s a native of El Salvador. “And then when we were like half of the way to Maryland he touched my breast and I moved his hand,” she told the Blade. “And then he started asking me to show him, to prove to him if I was a real woman by showing him what is between my legs,” she said. “It was really scary. I was really scared.” She said the driver a short time later confided in her that he is attracted to transgender women and has had sex with a least one transgender woman. The trans passenger told the Blade that after it became clear the driver was coming on to her she told him she was attracted only to women, with the hope that this would discourage him from further improper action toward her. But she said things got even scarier as the driver stopped the car when he reached her destination in Hyattsville. “He took me to the destination but when I get to the destination he locked the door,” she recounted. “And he was telling me to prove to him – because I asked him to open it – and he said prove to me that

you are a real woman so you can go.” She said the driver quickly unlocked the door when one of her friends, who had been expecting her arrival, approached the car. “And when the driver saw my friend he gets a little scary and then he offered to pay for my drinks if I let him go with me,” the woman said. “He was offering me to pay all my drinks and also my food if I was able to let him come with me,” said the trans passenger. “I said no.” A D.C. police report of the incident lists the driver’s alleged action of touching the woman’s breast without her permission as a misdemeanor sexual abuse offense. Upon conviction, such an offense can result in a maximum sentence of 180 days in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000 under D.C. law. “Sexual Assault Unit detectives are currently investigating this case and at the conclusion the case will be submitted to the United States Attorney’s, and they will make the determination if the case will be prosecuted,” said D.C. police spokesperson Brianna Jordan. Lt. Brett Parson, who oversees the department’s LGBT Liaison Unit, said both the LGBT Unit and the department’s Latino Liaison Unit were notified about the incident. Parson noted that under D.C. police policy the immigration status of a crime victim “is irrelevant to any investigation we may be conducting.” Heather Wydra, an attorney at WhitmanWalker Health who has represented the transgender woman on other matters, said the trans woman is in the U.S. legally. Wydra said she’s monitoring the police investigation of the trans woman’s allegations about the Lyft driver. The trans woman told the Blade that she submitted a complaint against the driver with Lyft and a Lyft representative called her to say the alleged actions by the driver were unacceptable, against Lyft’s policies and the company would look into the matter. The email message that Lyft sent the Blade on Tuesday says Lyft has a strict antidiscrimination policy and that violation of the policy can and does lead to permanent

deactivation of a driver. The report by the transgender woman of the alleged improper touching by a Lyft driver marks the third known case since February that an LGBT person in D.C. has filed a complaint about improper behavior by a Lyft driver. Gay Arlington, Va., resident Matt Johnson told the Blade a Lyft driver ordered him to leave his car on Feb. 16 when Johnson mentioned he has a husband. Johnson said he entered the car outside the Dupont Italian Kitchen on 17th Street, N.W, where he works, and was going to his residence in Arlington when the driver said, “Please get out of my car.” Johnson said he filed a complaint with Lyft and with the D.C. Department of For Hire Vehicles, which is investigating the complaint. In a separate incident on March 7, gay D.C. resident Greg Alexander said a Lyft driver told him he was “going to burn in hell” after picking Alexander up at the Newseum and learning he had attended the opening of an LGBT-themed exhibit. Alexander said the driver’s outburst came after the driver asked him what exhibit he had seen and Alexander replied that it was called Rise Up and was about the Stonewall riots and the LGBT rights movement. According to Alexander, the driver started to chant biblical verses and initially declined to let Alexander out of the car “until you pray with me.” When Alexander refused and opened the door while asking the driver what would happen to him, the driver said, “You will burn in hell. God loves everyone but hates your sin.” Lyft spokespersons told the Blade the alleged actions by the drivers that picked up Alexander and Matt Johnson violated Lyft’s strict policies of non-discrimination and appropriate behavior toward passengers. Lyft spokesperson Campbell Matthews said the company fired the driver who picked up Alexander. Johnson received a message from Lyft in response to his complaint, which stated, “This sort of behavior by a driver is a violation of our Terms of Service and is something we absolutely do not tolerate in the Lyft community.”

Md. Assembly passes bill to allow ‘unspecified’ gender on licenses The Maryland House of Delegates last week approved a bill that would allow Marylanders to obtain driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards with an “unspecified” gender marker. The 92-48 vote took place less than a month after the Maryland Senate passed the measure by a 32-14 vote margin. “This is a huge step forward in affirming the identities of thousands of Marylanders,” said FreeState Justice Executive Director Mark Procopio in a press release. “State-issued identification touches so many aspects of public life from voting, to education, to accessing healthcare and entering public institutions. We thrilled that so many of Marylanders will be positively impacted by this legislation.” It remains unclear whether Republican Gov. Larry Hogan will sign or veto the bill or allow it to become law without his signature. Eight other states and D.C. currently provide a third gender option for driver’s licenses or government-issued IDs. STAFF REPORTS

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Md. man arrested for murder of lesbian DJ Family, friends grieve over loss of beloved ‘Salamander’ By LOU CHIBBARO JR. LCHIBBARO@WASHBLADE.COM D.C. Council member TRAYON WHITE wants to add $500,000 to back housing for LGBT youth and seniors. Photo courtesy of Facebook

Council member calls for housing funds for LGBT youth, seniors D.C. Council member Trayon White (D-Ward 8) is calling on Mayor Muriel Bowser to add $500,000 to the city’s proposed fiscal year 2019 budget to support nonprofit organizations providing housing-related services for LGBT youth and seniors. White called for the funds to come from the budget of the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, which is headed by lesbian community housing expert Polly Donaldson, one of Bowser’s many LGBT appointments to high-level city positions. White included the funding proposal for LGBT youth and senior housing as one of 18 specific funding proposals on a wide range of issues, including violence prevention efforts, youth mentorship programs, and home ownership assistance. He used the term “LGBTQ” as the heading for his youth and seniors housing funds proposal, which he said should be allocated in the form of city grants to support “organizations that are working on housing security to LGBT seniors and homeless youth.” A spokesperson for Donaldson couldn’t immediately be reached to determine whether Donaldson and the mayor support White’s proposal. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

AHF joins lawsuit to oppose CVS-Aetna merger

The Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the nation’s largest AIDS organization, which provides HIV-related medical services in D.C., has become a party to an antitrust lawsuit filed last fall by the U.S. Justice Department and five states to temporarily halt the merger of CVS Health Corporation and Aetna, Inc. Judge Richard Leon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who is presiding over the case, approved on March 6 AHF’s petition to join the lawsuit to oppose the CVS-Aetna merger as an amicus or “friend of the court” participant. The Justice Department and federal regulatory agencies subsequently agreed to allow the merger to go forward. But at the request of several states and other amicus partners that joined the lawsuit, Leon halted the merger in December to allow opponents to present their case on why the merger could violate U.S. antitrust laws. “AHF strongly believes the merger would have serious negative consequences for HIV patients and others with chronic health conditions,” the organization said in a statement. “AHF believes that state and federal regulators glossed over many red flags in granting approval for the merger last fall and thanked Judge Leon for putting the brakes on the deal to allow for the Court’s careful review of the anti-competitive aspects of the deal,” the statement says. The states that signed on to the lawsuit include California, Florida, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington. Among the organizations joining the lawsuit as amicus partners are the American Medical Association, Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency, Consumer Action, and U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). LOU CHIBBARO JR.

SALINA ‘SALAMANDER’ RIVERA was a popular area DJ with several prominent upcoming gigs booked before her death. Photo courtesy Rivera’s Facebook page

A 21-year-old Aberdeen, Md., man was being held without bond this week after being charged on March 15 with the murder of lesbian DJ Salina “Salamander” Rivera, 27, who was found shot to death three days earlier outside her residence in Hyattsville. Prince George’s County Police said they have charged Alexander Maskiewicz of the 4000 block of Ventura Way in Aberdeen with first-degree murder in connection with Rivera’s death. “On March 12, at approximately 7:55 p.m., patrol officers with the Hyattsville City Police Department were called to the 6200 block of Belcrest Road for a reported shooting,” a statement by P.G. County Police says. “When they arrived, officers discovered Rivera in a walkway suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene,” the statement says. “The preliminary investigation reveals the suspect shot the victim while attempting to rob her during an illegal drug transaction,” the statement adds. It provides no further details about the drug transaction. P.G. Police officials said the investigation into the fatal shooting continues and that anyone with information relevant to the case should call detectives at 301-772-4925. Rivera went by the nickname Salamander, which she used and was best known for in her work as a DJ in D.C.-area nightclubs and dance events. She had

been scheduled to work as a DJ at the U Street Music Hall in D.C. on March 14, two days after her death. She announced on her Facebook page that she was scheduled to serve as a DJ in June at an event associated with D.C.’s Capital Pride. Fox 5 News interviewed a woman who identified herself as Rivera’s girlfriend who asked not to be identified or have her face shown on camera. “She was beautiful and soft and kind hearted and strong and just and fair and understanding and all she ever wanted was peace,” the girlfriend told Fox 5 News in describing Rivera. In a posting on a GoFundMe page set up by family members to help pay for funeral arrangements, Rivera’s sister, Sabrina Rivera, said friends and family members were devastated over Salina Rivera’s sudden loss. “For those who did not have the privilege of knowing my sister, she could light up any room,” Sabrina Rivera said in her post. “She was the most down-to-earth human being. She was generous and fair, a true Libra as she would say,” Sabrina Rivera wrote. “We are completely devastated that [allegedly] someone so close to her would end up destroying her,” Sabrina Rivera continued. “Salina was the thread that held our family together and truly the best sister that I could ever have been blessed with. We need to honor her life.”

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HRC’s Chad Griffin ready to step aside Looking back on seven history-making years atop LGBTQ movement By KAREN OCAMB

HRC’s CHAD GRIFFIN

Photo by Conrad Schmidt/AP for Human Rights Campaign

Donald Trump’s shocking election in 2016 jolted the LGBT community out of its sleepwalking trek toward full equality and first-class citizenship. Like most voters— including apparently Trump himself—LGBT people expected Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to win and progress to continue, building on the freedom to marry and to serve openly in the U.S. armed forces. Chad Griffin wasted no time pivoting, leading the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights lobbying organization, into an historic national partnership with women and other minority groups in the exploding Resistance movement and building political power. HRC spent $26 million targeting specific races and buffeting local organizations, helping generate and galvanize equality voters to flip the House in 2018 and elect LGBT and pro-equality officials. Griffin was ubiquitous, traveling to 23 states, campaigning for 50 candidates in 47 cities and building a locally based LGBTQ voting bloc unlike anything seen since David Mixner and ANGLE backed dark-horse Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton for president in 1991, during the Second Wave of AIDS. Ironically, like Bill Clinton, Griffin hales from Hope, Ark., and wound up serving in the Clinton White House press office as the youngest staffer ever at age 19. When Griffin announced he was leaving HRC in 2019 after seven years of service, Hillary Clinton was one of the first to respond. “Even in 1992, when I first met him, it was clear Chad Griffin would do a lot of good in the world. Little did I know! Grateful for his leadership at @HRC in fighting against discrimination and for marriage equality, and mobilizing millions to build a more just, equal America,” Clinton tweeted on Nov. 15, 2018.

During this critical time, Griffin has helped build HRC into a political powerhouse, doubling membership from 1.5 million to more than 3 million. The 2018 CNN exit poll pegged the self-identified LGBT voter turnout to be 6 percent, meaning more than 7 million LGBT people voted, making the difference in numerous narrow races around the country. HRC also created an energized infrastructure in such key electoral states as Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan with an eye to the 2020 elections. Driven by his personal experience as a young, frightened closeted gay boy lying awake at night in Hope, Ark., Griffin proudly launched an HRC campaign in the Deep South, including Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama, no longer abandoning the region as too inhospitable to fight for LGBT rights. Griffin embraced the intersectionality of LGBT people, creating coalitions with other social and racial justice movements. He also focused on justice and programming for the transgender community and youth of color. Griffin’s latest focus has been on passing the federal Equality Act, which would amend existing civil rights law to provide protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill was introduced on March 13 with bipartisan support from 241 original cosponsors, as well as backing from more than 105 major businesses operating in all 50 states. HRC organized several intense lobbying days with more than 600 board members and grassroots supporters flying to Washington for their annual Equality Convention. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic presidential candidate, gave a rousing speech and got a standing ovation. “These days it is challenging to break through” the cacophony of the day,

Griffin tells the Blade in a March 18 phone interview. “I think the House leadership has said they intend to have the vote by June, or in early June.” On the larger stage, Griffin says the 2020 elections have become “the most important elections of our lives” given the rollbacks and what’s at stake under this administration. “We need to protect the House, protect the victories we’ve had; we need to make progress in the Senate; and we need to take back the White House – and all three of those are possible, but is going to take a lot of work between now and Election Day, 2020,” he says. “But I do believe that when all the dust settles, come January of 2021, that a new pro-equality president and vice-president will be sworn in. But there is a hell of a lot of work to do between now and then to insure that that happens.” Griffin is excited by the Democratic primary, including out South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg making the Democratic primary debate stage. “I think it’s historic. I think he is running a very smart campaign that is engaging both LGBTQ people and straight folks alike all across this country,” he says. HRC is teaming up with UCLA to host its own LGBT-focused forum on Oct. 10, an idea he formulated with Gary M. Segura, Dean of the Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA. Segura had been an expert witness for Griffin’s American Foundation for Equal Rights when they successfully fought Prop 8 in federal court. During the forum and the primary battles, each candidate will have to “make the case to our community—how they will move the Equality Act forward, how they will protect transgender troops, how they will lead and bring back many of the protections through regulations that we have lost under Donald Trump and Mike Pence.” Meanwhile, Griffin says HRC is holding itself to high standards: transgender employees are 7 percent of the staff; Griffin is the only white gay man at the senior table, with one trans man and the rest women, two of whom are women of color. He also elevated the head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to that senior table. “I understand, like a lot of legacy organizations, we are too slow to move and to catch up with where this country is and we cannot do our jobs unless our staff, volunteers, volunteer leaders, and our programs reflect the broad, diverse community that we are,” Griffin says. “We have prioritized that, not just from a staff perspective but from a volunteer perspective and in our programs – really using a racial equity and justice lens across all of our programs at HRC to ensure that we are truly

reaching everyone in our community. And we are consistently checking ourselves, asking ‘where are we falling short, and what more can we do?’ And that is not something that you reach a finish line on. That is something that will always be ongoing for us here, and for other organizations.” While proud of the progress, “we still have a long way to go,” Griffin says. HRC has worked hard in the area of trans justice and wants leaders to do the same. “Anyone who wants to be president needs to make the case on how they are going to extend protections to transgender people, how they are going to address the epidemic of violence that plagues this country – and quite frankly, the world –and also to be very specific about how they’re going to bring back protections that folks like Betsy DeVos staked their career on undermining,” Griffin says. He points to what happened in North Carolina when Gov. Pat McCrory attacked the rights of trans North Carolinians and visitors – thinking it would excite his base and ensure his re-election. “Instead it did just the opposite,” Griffin notes. “It ensured his defeat. In a year where Donald Trump won the state of North Carolina, the Republican incumbent governor lost because he attacked transgender North Carolinians, and I think that says a lot about the political power of LGBTQ people. And that is something that we all need to continue to invest in and continue to build the political power of LGBTQ people – that’s how we stop these rollbacks, that’s how we defeat those who choose to come after us. In politics, there have to be consequences and Pat McCrory is an important consequence.” McCrory’s loss is a message. “Democrats running for president or House or Senate need to understand the significance and importance of our voting bloc in order to win elections. We went from 5 percent of the electorate in 2016, to 6 percent in the midterms – one of the only demographic groups that increased our support from the presidential to the midterms – and that’s 7 million voters in this country,” Griffin says. “And that’s just the number of people that answer the question to a stranger, that they’re LGBTQ. There are lots of surveys that show upwards and near 20 percent of millennials that identify as LGBTQ.” Politicians should fear this powerful voting bloc. “If you attack us, we are going to organize, mobilize, and oust you on Election Day,” he says. “But more proactively, it is a voting bloc to be taken seriously, and it’s a voting bloc that you have to talk to, and you have to vocalize your agenda to, if you want to get their votes.” CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

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Trump’s picks for AIDS council disappoint some fighting the epidemic Critics worried about addressing homophobia, transphobia By CHRIS JOHNSON CJOHNSON@WASHBLADE.COM

President Trump’s recently selected choices to the fill the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS are rankling some observers. Critics say the appointments fail to address social determinants of health, including homophobia and transphobia, rely too heavily on the pharmaceutical industry and leave out Republicans with records of fighting HIV/AIDS. The nine members were selected last week — joining co-chairs Carl Schmid and John Wiesman — in the aftermath of Trump announcing in his State of the Union address a pledge to end new HIV infections in the United States by 2030. Scott Schoettes, HIV project director for Lambda Legal, said he’s “glad to see” the posts filled, but had concerns about addressing the social determinants of health and the Trump administration waiting to make the choices until after the plan was unveiled. “I have some concerns that they really came up with their plan, and then chose the people to be on the council sort of after the fact,” Schoettes said. “It seems to be you would want those people in those advisory positions as you develop your plan, and it seems like the people they’ve picked are, so far, reflective of that plan in that it’s very focused on finding everyone, getting them tested, getting them treated and not really thinking much about the social determinant of health or the things that we know drive the epidemic in a significant way in the United States.” Schoettes is a former member of PACHA who was appointed during the Obama administration, but was among six members who resigned in June 2017 over Trump’s perceived inaction on HIV/AIDS. “I’m hopeful that the administration will pay more attention to these individuals than they did to the members while I was serving, but I’m not sure that they will,” Schoettes said. In December 2017, Trump sacked the remaining remembers of PACHA without explanation via letter from FedEx, as first reported by the Washington Blade. It wasn’t until 15 months later that Trump would finally restaff PACHA with the nine new members. Schoettes said the social determinants PACHA should be able to address include “housing instability and access to care, income insecurity, food insecurity.”

“All of those things drive the HIV epidemic in addition to things like homophobia, transphobia, racism, gender inequality,” Schoettes said. “And so, unless you are addressing those other factors, you’re not really going to get at the sort of entrenched people living with HIV and the people that are out there that are not currently diagnosed. Those folks are living in a swirl of other social determinants of health that are preventing them from getting tested, from accessing care and you got to address those things as well as just the biomedical side of it.” The nine new PACHA members come from variety of backgrounds , including the pharmaceutical industry, activism and academia: Gregg Alton, chief patient officer for Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Wendy Holman, CEO and co-founder of Ridgeback Biotherapeutics; Marc Meachem, head of External Affairs North America for ViiV Healthcare; Rafaelé Roberto Narváez, co-founder and director of Health Programs for Latinos Salud; Michael Saag, professor of medicine and associate dean for global health at UAB School of Medicine and director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for AIDS Research; John Sapero, office chief for the HIV prevention program at the Arizona Department of Health Services; Robert Schwartz, head of Dermatology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; Justin Smith, a Ph.D. candidate at Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University; and Ada Stewart, lead provider and HIV specialist at Eau Claire (South Carolina) Cooperative Health Centers. Created in 1995, PACHA has provided advice to U.S. presidents on policy and research to promote effective treatment and prevention for HIV — maintaining the goal of finding a cure. Asia Russell, executive director of the New York-based Health GAP, said the appointments demonstrate Trump “doesn’t give a damn” about PACHA being truly diverse, citing in particular the appointments from the pharmaceutical industry. “His appointment of representatives of pharmaceutical companies that profit directly from government refusal to

address price gouging is unethical,” Russell said. Gay Republicans with records of working on HIV/AIDS were also critical of what they perceived as a lack of Republican appointments to PACHA. (Schmid was once a Republican, but told the Blade he’s now a registered independent and has been so for about the last decade.) Jim Driscoll, a Nevada-based HIV/ AIDS advocate who supported President Trump in the 2016 election, was among those dissatisfied with the apparent lack of Republicans. “Politically the group is very one sided,” Driscoll said. “Members appear to be chosen more to forestall community blow back than for their ability to aid, advise or influence President Trump.” Driscoll, who served as a PACHA member during the George W. Bush administration and applied for membership in the Trump administration, also said other key groups were absent, such as AIDS patients in treatment, registered nurses and older patients “despite elders being the fastest growing group and too little is being done about AIDS among the elderly.” “Gay Republicans are wondering, who actually won this election?” Driscoll said. “Gays are well represented, except there appear to be zero gay Republicans. The council needs at least two credible gay Republicans who supported Mr. Trump and at least three or four more Trump supporters. I expect that even VP Pence and his evangelical supporters would want this.” Jerri Ann Henry, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, said she knows Republicans who have been involved with her organization and “unhappy to have been passed over,” and echoed the concerns about no Republicans. “It’s very disappointing for me to see there are, I don’t think, any Republicans on PACHA at all under a Republican administration,” Henry said. “And I think this is one of those committees that most administrations have tried to make overly partisan. That’s not a top criteria that should be used in selecting people, but under a Republican president, it would be great to see some Republicans there, especially the people who have worked in the past under less friendly administrations to make things like this happen.”

Schmid, who in addition to serving as PACHA co-chair is deputy director of the AIDS Institute, said in response to criticisms Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar is responsible for the appointments, but in defense of the appointments said the claims were off base. With respect to addressing the social determinants of health, Schmid said during the PACHA meeting last week — the first meeting after the new appointments were made — those issues were discussed “along with other nonmedical issues were highlighted and discussed throughout the meeting.” “Seems people are quick to criticize without knowing the facts,” Schmid said, “And comments such as these ignore the leaders in the community who are members of PACHA and the work they are doing to end HIV in their respective communities.” In response to the lack of Republicans on PACHA, Schmid said people making the criticism do not have their facts correct and “probably should do some more research before making such a claim.” “I tend to think people keep their party affiliation private and it is not my business, it is their private personal matter,” Schmid added. In terms of diversity, Schmid said six out of 11 of the members are gay, including two black gay men and one Latino gay man. Schmid said during the PACHA meeting last week he announced the new appointments were just the first round and more should follow in the aftermath of Trump unveiling a plan to beat HIV/AIDS by 2030. “I listed a number of people we are looking for: More people living with HIV, more women, younger people, trans people, injection drug users, reps of tribal and faith communities, local government, philanthropy, community health centers, people who focus on Hepatitis, STDs, different disciplines and geographic diversity,” Schmid said. The Department of Health & Human Services didn’t respond to the Washington Blade’s request for comment on the criticism of the PACHA choices. Among the first orders of business for the newly appointed PACHA was approving a resolution in support of the Trump administration’s “Ending the HIV Epidemic” plan.

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Manchin on why he’s not supporting Equality Act

Sen. JOE MANCHIN is the only Senate Democrat not supporting the Equality Act. Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has come out with an explanation for why he’s the only Senate Democrat who has declined to support the Equality Act, citing concerns about potential problems for local schools. Manchin issued the statement to media outlets this week in the aftermath of reintroduction of legislation last week in both chambers of Congress, insisting he “support[s] equality for all people and do[es] not tolerate discrimination of any kind.” “After speaking with local education officials in West Virginia, I am not convinced that the Equality Act as written provides sufficient guidance to the local officials who will be responsible for implementing it, particularly with respect to students transitioning between genders in public schools,” Manchin said. “I will continue working with the sponsors of the bill to build broad bipartisan support and find a viable path forward for these critical protections so that I can vote in support of this bill.” Manchin also said “no one should be afraid of losing their job or losing their housing because of their sexual orientation,” notably leaving out anti-transgender discrimination from those remarks. The West Virginia Democrat, who has a history of siding with President Trump and voted to confirm U.S. Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, is the only Senate Democrat not to co-sponsor the Equality Act. The bill has 47 co-sponsors in the Senate, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Within Manchin’s state of West Virginia, an anti-transgender incident at a high school was recently exposed in the Daily Beast. A 15-year-old transgender boy — Michael Critchfield — contends his assistant principal confronted him in a bathroom stall, telling him to “come out here and use the urinal” to prove he’s a boy. The principal, who also refused to use male pronouns when talking to Michael during the incident, was suspended without pay. Manchin has a mixed history on LGBT issues. In 2013, he was among the bipartisan group of senators to vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would have banned anti-LGBT discrimination in the workplace, but had a big exemption for religious institutions. Manchin also has the distinction of being the only Senate Democrat to never come out in favor of same-sex marriage. Nearly four years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of same-sex marriage, the last word from Manchin was affirmation from his spokesperson in 2015 his opposition “has not changed” as his fellow Senate Democrats signed a friend-of-the-court brief in favor of marriage equality. In 2010, Manchin declined to vote on legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” although he later said skipping out on that vote was a mistake. Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD, urged Manchin in a statement to come out in favor of the Equality Act. “While it’s easy to understand Senator Joe Manchin’s concerns about the federal government’s power over local authorities, 58,000 LGBTQ West Virginians cannot have their safety remain on the line as they wait for their state government to defend them,” Ellis said. “The Equality Act presents an opportunity to protect LGBTQ people from harassment at schools, at work, or even in their homes in his home state of West Virginia – and that’s about as local as it gets.” CHRIS JOHNSON

Supreme Court rebuffs Hawaii B&B for refusing lesbian couple The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday announced it has refused to hear the case of a Hawaii bed and breakfast that sought to refuse service to same-sex couples out of religious objections. The high court indicated it had denied certiorari to Aloha Bed & Breakfast, or refused to take up its case, in an order list Monday reflecting decisions justices made during a conference on Friday. The denial of certiorari effectively means the end to the lawsuit against Aloha Bed & Breakfast, which was found to have violated Hawaii civil rights laws for refusing boarding to Diane Cervelli and Taeko Bufford in 2007. The initial lawsuit, Aloha Bed & Breakfast v. Dianne Cervelli, was filed by Lambda Legal on behalf of the same-sex couple after they were denied service. The co-plaintiff in the case was the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. Peter Renn, counsel for Lambda Legal’s Western Regional Office, said the denial of certiorari affirms non-discrimination laws for LGBT people in face of objections based on “religious freedom” claims. “The Supreme Court’s decision to let the lower court ruling stand reaffirms that the freedom of religion does not give businesses a right to violate nondiscrimination laws that protect all individuals from harm, whether on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation,” Renn said. “The Supreme Court declined to consider carving out an exception from this basic principle when a business discriminates based on the sexual orientation of its customers. LGBT people deserve an equal right to go about their everyday life without the fear that discrimination waits for them around the corner.” According to the complaint, after Cerveilli emailed Phyllis Young, the owner of the Hawaii B&B about a potential room, she was initially told there was availability. When Cervelli disclosed she was bringing a same-sex partner, Young replied, “Are you both lesbians?” The owner then refused boarding, saying she was uncomfortable with having lesbians in her home. The Hawaii First Circuit Court ruled for the same-sex couple in April 2013. Although Aloha B&B appealed to the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, that court affirmed the lower court ruling. Last year, the Hawaii Supreme Court refused to hear that decision. But the Aloha Bed & Breakfast wasn’t

done. In October, the business filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court, citing a First Amendment right to refuse service to same-sex couples for religious reasons. “The Commission officially labeled her religious beliefs unlawful ‘discrimination’ despite the fact that Mrs. Young declines to rent bedrooms in her family home to any romantic partners other than a married man and women — Hawaii’s only recognized form of marriage in 2007,” the petition says. “For this ‘crime’ of being a faithful Catholic, the Commission sought punitive damages and statutory penalties that could cause Mrs. Young to lose her home.” Aloha Bed & Breakfast also asserted a Fourteenth Amendment right to due process was violated because the establishment, which rents out 1-3 rooms in the owner’s personal home, wasn’t given fair notice Hawaii civil rights law would apply to her. Although the anti-LGBT legal firm Alliance Defending Freedom initially served as counsel for Aloha Bed & Breakfast, a private attorney, James Hochberg, filed the petition before the Supreme Court. Hochberg didn’t respond to the Blade’s request to comment on Monday. In a filing last month responding to the petition, Lambda Legal disputed Aloha Bed & Breakfast suffered harm under the First Amendment. “Aloha B&B’s accusation that the Commission engaged in a ten-year campaign of religious hostility is a work of pure fiction,” the filing says. “To begin, it completely ignores that it was Ms. Cervelli and Ms. Bufford — private parties — who suffered discrimination by Aloha B&B and thereafter filed this civil action. And, unlike the authority relied upon by Aloha B&B, it was a circuit court — not the Commission — that found Aloha B&B liable for violating the public accommodations law.” The Supreme Court’s decision to deny certiorari to Aloha Bed & Breakfast comes nearly a year after justices issued a narrow ruling for Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, who was penalized under Colorado law for refusing service to a samesex couple. Although the Supreme Court didn’t issue a First Amendment right to discriminate as Phillips requested, the court ruled for the baker based on the narrow facts of the case, finding anti-religion bias on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. CHRIS JOHNSON

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Bolsonaro visits White House, reiterates anti-LGBT views

Brazilian President JAIR BOLSONARO visited the White House on March 19. He reiterated his opposition to LGBTI rights during a press conference with President Trump. Photo by Agência Brasil Fotografias; courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday reiterated his opposition to LGBTI rights when he spoke alongside President Trump during a press conference in the White House Rose Garden. Bolsonaro, speaking through a translator, stressed his government’s “respect of traditional family values” and opposition to “gender identity.” Bolsonaro in his remarks also praised Trump. “I have always admired the United States of America,” said Bolsonaro. “This admiration has only increased since you took office.” “Brazil does not have a president who is anti-American,” he added. Trump said support of Venezuelan National Assembly President Juan Guaidó, who has declared himself the country’s interim president amid a worsening political and economic crisis, is among the issues that he and Bolsonaro discussed. A joint statement that the White House released does not say whether Trump and Bolsonaro discussed LGBTI issues and human rights. “Today, President Donald J. Trump and President Jair Messias Bolsonaro of Brazil committed to building a new partnership between their two countries focused on increasing prosperity, enhancing security, and promoting democracy, freedom and national sovereignty,” reads the statement. Bolsonaro, a former Brazilian Army captain who previously represented Rio de Janeiro in the country’s Congress, last October defeated former São Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad of former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s Workers’ Party in the second round of the country’s presidential election. Bolsonaro took office on Jan. 1. Bolsonaro continues to face widespread criticism over his rhetoric against LGBTI Brazilians, women and other underrepresented groups. Bolsonaro during his campaign said his government would defend the “true sense of marriage” between a man and a woman, even though same-sex couples have been able to marry across Brazil since 2013. Bolsonaro after taking office issued an executive order that directed Brazil’s human rights ministry not to consider LGBTI-specific issues. Jean Wyllys, a member of the leftist Party for Socialism and Liberty who is the first openly gay man elected to the Brazilian congress, in January resigned and fled the country because of death threats that he received. Bolsonaro tweeted “great day” after Wyllys made his announcement. Bolsonaro spoke at the White House a week after two former police officers were arrested in connection with the 2018 murder of bisexual Rio Councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. Élcio Vieira de Queiroz, one of the former police officers who was arrested, lived in the same condominium complex in Rio’s exclusive Barra da Tijuca neighborhood in which Bolsonaro’s home is located. Brazilian media has published a picture taken last August that shows Bolsonaro with Queiroz. Franco was a vocal critic of military militias that operate in Rio’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Bolsonaro on Monday during an interview with Fox News denied that he had any involvement in Franco’s murder. Felipe Alface in São Paulo contributed to this article. MICHAEL K. LAVERS

LGBT groups condemn attacks at NZ mosques LGBT advocacy groups around the world have condemned last week’s terrorist attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that have left 50 people dead. Express, an LGBT newspaper in Auckland, reported organizers of the Wellington International Pride Parade that was scheduled to take place in Wellington, the country’s capital, on Saturday have postponed the event. “We, like all New Zealanders, are hurting today,” said parade organizers in a Facebook post, according to Express. “We have considered long and hard about asking Wellingtonians to walk alongside us in solidarity with our friends in Christchurch; we don’t want terrorists to win, we don’t want terrorists to dictate how we live our lives.” The 2019 ILGA World Conference is scheduled to begin in Wellington on Saturday. The organization in a tweet said it is “shocked and saddened by the news of what happened in Christchurch.” “All our solidarity goes to the Muslim community in New Zealand and beyond,” said ILGA. Media reports indicate a 28-yearold gunman who was born in Australia killed more than 40 people at a mosque near downtown Christchurch when he opened fire at around 1:40 p.m. local time. Authorities say the gunman — who reportedly live-streamed the attack on Facebook — killed more people at a second Christchurch mosque before police arrested him. Reports indicate 48 people were also injured in what has been described as New Zealand’s worst mass shooting. The gunman has been charged with murder. Media reports indicate police have detained two people in connection with the massacre. “It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday during a press conference. Ardern said those who planned and carried out the attack have “extremist views that have absolutely no place in New Zealand and in fact have no place in the world.” She added they chose New

Zealand “for the very fact that we are none of those things.” “We represent diversity, kindness, compassion, a home for those who share our values, refuge for those who need it,” said Ardern. “Those values I can assure you will not and cannot be shaken by this attack.” President Trump and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa Scott Brown are among those who have also condemned the attack. “We’re heartbroken over the events in Christchurch today,” said Brown in a tweet. “We stand with our Kiwi friends and neighbors and our prayers are with you.” Friday’s terrorist attack took place against the backdrop of continued antiMuslim rhetoric from Trump and his supporters, including Fox News host Jeanine Pirro who sparked outrage last week with her suggestion that U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) is un-American because the Somali-born congresswoman wears a hijab. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among the other world leaders who have sparked criticism in recent weeks with comments that their critics contend target immigrants and other marginalized groups. “We are heartbroken and outraged by this terrorist attack on Muslims in places of worship, and we mourn for the victims and their families,” said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin on Friday. “Hate violence against Muslims is a global epidemic, fueled by the toxic combination of Islamaphobia and xenophobia that has led to tragedies here in the United States and in nations around the world,” he added. “While in these moments, only the attackers are directly responsible, there is broader climate of hate that encourages and inspires deadly extremism such as this. We call on politicians who traffic in dangerous anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant hate speech, including Donald Trump, to immediately stop the fear-mongering and divisive politics that can have deadly consequences. Now is a time to be united against hate — not engage in the ‘both sides’ rhetoric that only serves to legitimize extremists.” MICHAEL K. LAVERS

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Pence meets Irish prime minister’s partner Awkward encounter at St. Patrick’s Day breakfast

2 policemen charged in murder of bi Rio congresswoman

By MICHAEL K. LAVERS MLAVERS@WASHBLADE.COM

Irish Prime Minister LEO VARADKAR, second from right, and his partner, Dr. MATTHEW BARRETT, first from right, attend a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at Vice President Pence’s official residence in D.C. on March 14. Photo via Twitter

MARIELLE FRANCO, a bisexual Rio de Janeiro councilwoman, and her driver were murdered in their car on March 14, 2018. Brazilian police have arrested two former policemen in connection with Franco’s murder. Photo via Facebook

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and his partner last week attended a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at Vice President Pence’s official residence. Pictures that Varadkar posted to his Twitter page show him and his partner, Dr. Matthew Barrett, with Pence and his sister, Anne Pence Poynter, at the breakfast. Mike Pence’s wife, Karen Pence, who teaches at a Virginia school that does not allow openly LGBT students to enroll and refuses to hire out faculty members, was not in attendance. “We are greatly honored for our third time as a family in this historic residence to welcome the prime minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar,” said Mike Pence as he introduced Varadkar at the breakfast. “We are also really honored to be joined by your partner, Dr. Matthew Barrett.” Pence and President Trump continue to face criticism over their administration’s anti-LGBTI policies that include efforts to ban openly transgender service members. The breakfast also took place less than a month after the White House announced openly gay U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell will lead a campaign that encourages countries to decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations if they haven’t done so already. Varadkar in his remarks said Mike and Karen Pence at last year’s breakfast told him “my partner Matthew would be welcome to join us” at this year’s event. Varadkar also referenced the fact that Ireland criminalized homosexuality until 1993. “I knew at the time that I lived in a country where if I tried to be myself at the time, it would have ended up breaking laws, but today that has all changed,” he said. “I stand here as leader as my country, flawed and human, but judged by my political actions and not by my sexual orientation, my skin tone, gender or religious beliefs.” Varadkar is Ireland’s first prime minister who is openly gay and of Indian descent. Varadkar is one of a handful of out world leaders. Varadkar raised LGBTI-specific issues during Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland in August 2018. Varadkar last month also discussed them in his public comments at a summit with European Union and Arab League of Nations countries that took place in Egypt.

SÃO PAULO — Brazilian authorities on Tuesday arrested two former policemen in connection with the murder of bisexual Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco. Investigators say Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Vieira de Queiroz on March 14, 2018, shot Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes, from their car. Lessa, a retired military policeman, allegedly fired 13 shots at the car in which Franco and Gomes were sitting, along with Fernanda Chaves, Franco’s former assistant who survived the shooting. Police say De Queiroz, who is also a former military policeman, was driving the car. There were indications that military militias in Rio were likely behind the killing of Franco, who was outspoken against their conduct in the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods. But her murder is far from being solved. Far-right politicians in Brazil openly despised Franco because she was a human rights activist. It is also believed the former police officers who were arrested are not the ones who ordered her murder. Investigators have concluded the crime was probably planned for three months, according to an Internet search history on Lessa’s computer. Investigators found saved searches about the gun used in the crime and also about places that Franco used to frequent.

Lessa was arrested at his home, which is in the same condominium complex in Rio’s exclusive Barra da Tijuca neighborhood in which President Jair Bolsonaro lived when he represented the city in Brazil’s Congress. Another Rio congressman, Marcelo Freixo, who was Franco’s political mentor, was under threat last December without his knowledge. Authorities uncovered a plan to murder Freixo, who was among those who were the most public in their demands that Franco’s murder be solved. “We know who fired the gun, but still don’t know who ordered Marielle’s assassination,” said Freixo on Tuesday after Lessa and De Queiroz’s arrest. The arrests took place less than two months after death threats prompted Jean Wyllys — the first openly gay man elected to Brazil’s Congress who was a vocal advocate for LGBTI and human rights and religious freedom — to resign and flee the country. He announced he was leaving because he was afraid for his life. Wyllys had been under police protection for months and was continuously receiving death threats. Bolsonaro in a tweet after Wyllys announced he was leaving Brazil wrote “great day.” Investigators continue to investigate whether Bolsonaro and his sons have ties to the Rio militias. FELIPE ALFACE

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Cannabis Culture

Rep. ED PERLMUTTER is a sponsor of the SAFE Banking Act.

25 House members back marijuana banking act More than one-quarter of U.S. House members have signed on to newly introduced legislation to facilitate greater access to banking for state-licensed cannabis operators. The 2019 version of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act was introduced last Thursday and now has 113 cosponsors — the most ever for a marijuana law reform bill. Under federal law, banks and other financial institutions are discouraged from entering into relationships with marijuanaspecific businesses. This has led to the industry operating on a largely ‘cash-only’ basis. Last month, members of the U.S. House, Consumer Protection and Financial Institution Subcommittee heard testimony in favor of federal banking reform. NORML submitted testimony to the Committee, opining: “In short, no industry can operate safely, transparently, or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions and it is self-evident that this industry, and those consumers that are served by it, will remain severely hampered without better access to credit and financing. Ultimately, Congress must amend federal policy so that these growing numbers of state-compliant businesses, and those millions of Americans who patronize them, are no longer subject to policies that needlessly place them in harm’s way.” The SAFE Banking Act is one of several marijuana-related bills introduced in Congress in recent days. Other legislation includes The Ending Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2019, The Marijuana Justice Act, The Next Step Act, and The Marijuana Data Collection Act of 2019.

Cannabinoids associated with anti-cancer activity STOKE-ON-KENT, U.K. — The administration of cannabidiol (CBD) is associated with anti-cancer responses in human subjects, according to a pair of recently published case studies. H E A LT H • MAR CH 22, 2019 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE . COM • 23

In the first study, British investigators reported on the use of CBD in an 81-year-old lung cancer patient following his decision to decline chemotherapy treatment. Authors reported that the patients’ tumor size was reduced following the use of CBD extracts. They concluded: “[T]he data presented here indicate that CBD may have had a role in the striking response in a patient with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the lung as a result of self-administration of CBD oil for a month and in the absence of any other identifiable lifestyle, drug or dietary changes. Further work is needed both in vitro and in vivo to better evaluate the various mechanisms of action of CBD on malignant cells, and its potential application in the treatment of not only lung cancer but also other malignancies.” In the second study, Brazilian investigators described the use of CBD in two 38-year-old patients with brain cancer. Their use of CBD in additional to traditional anti-cancer treatment was associated with a “significant improvement” in clinical outcomes and a lack of disease progression for two years. Authors concluded, “These observations are of particular interest because the pharmacology of cannabinoids appears to be distinct from existing oncology medications and may offer a unique and possibly synergistic option for future glioma treatment.” A 2017 study assessing the concurrent use of CBD and Temozolomide (TMZ) in 21 patients with glioma reported that subjects provided CBD lived, on average, 45 percent longer than those treated with TMZ only. Although cannabinoids have well-established anti-cancer activity in preclinical models, scientists have generally failed to assess these properties in controlled, clinical trials.

S. Dakota guv vetoes hemp licensing bill PIERRE, S.D. — Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has vetoed legislation, House Bill 1191, which sought to comport state law with newly enacted provisions of the 2018 Farm Act. The measure sought to permit state regulators to license farmers to commercially cultivate industrial hemp and sought to regulate certain products derived from hemp, including CBDinfused extracts. In December, Congress enacted legislation descheduling hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids from the federal Controlled Substances Act and making states the primary regulators of the plant. Gov. Noem stated in her veto: “Our state is not yet ready for industrial hemp. ... [T]his bill supports a national effort to legalize marijuana for recreational use.” Members of the House voted to successfully override the governor’s veto, but Senators failed to obtain the two-thirds majority necessary. Noem received an ‘F’ grade in NORML’s 2019 Governors Scorecard. (Cannabis Culture news in the Blade is provided in partnership with NORML. For more information, contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at paul@norml.org.)

Trump’s HIV efforts face obstacles in Miss.

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JACKSON, Miss. — President Trump’s plan to end HIV in the U.S. is sound in its twin goals, experts agree: to get everyone positive on antiretroviral meds and get everyone at risk on PrEP, but is underfunded and faces especially thorny obstacles for gay black men and trans women in the deep south, The New York Times reports. More than half of new HIV infections in the country each year now occur in the South, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and often SERVING THE LGBT COMMUNITY FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS. NOW IN DC, MD & VA! in rural areas, the Times reports. Many of the newly infected are young 827 Woodside Parkway • Silver Spring, MD 20910 black men. Nationally, gay and bisexual p: 240.863.2441 • f: 240.491.9551 black men face a 50 percent lifetime risk jfairfax@jenniferfairfax.com • www.jenniferfairfax of HIV infection. The epidemic cannot be halted, experts say, unless those men can be found, educated about the disease, convinced to protect themselves and their sexual partners, and helped to do so, the A Waterfront Oasis Times reports. More than 80 percent of all new Just in time for Boating Season infections are transmitted by people who 400 Alameda Parkway, don’t know they are infected or who are Arnold, Md 21012 not on medication, according to the CDC. 3BR- 31/2Bath “People want us to jump to being San Fantastic Views, Deep Water Pier Francisco right away, and we’re just not MLS #1005274415 there,” said Dr. Thomas Dobbs, chief of the Mississippi state health department, the Times reports. OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY About a third of gay black men in Jackson are infected, he said. MARCH 24TH, 1PM TO 3PM Outside Jackson, doctors trained to treat HIV patients are rare. When Dobbs practiced in Hattiesburg, in the southeastern part of the state, he said, appointment@citydentaldc.com some patients drove almost four hours to see him, the Times reports. ADVERTISING PROOF Wages in Mississippi are so low that ISSUE DATE: 19 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: PHIL ROCKSTROH (prockstroh@washblade.com) many full-time workers could be on Medicaid. But the state legislature rejected 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 Medicaid expansion under the Affordable the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is Care Act. responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users 1221 Massachusetts Ave., NW

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A ban on conversion therapy for anyone under 18 appears poised to pass through the Colorado Legislature and be signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis, the first openly gay

governor elected in the U.S., the Colorado Gazette reports. Such “therapy” seeks to convert a gay or bisexual into being straight through psychological or spiritual interventions or both. It has been rejected “by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades,” HRC says. House Bill 1129 would ban licensed mental health therapists from providing such treatment to youths. The bill was approved by the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on a 3-2 vote Monday and sent to the full Senate for what’s expected to be its final vote and a trip to Polis’ office, the Gazette reports. Former Attorney General Cynthia Coffman testified that Colorado youth have a high suicide rate, noting that in February alone, the Safe to Tell program took 345 calls about suicide and suicidal ideation among school children statewide, the Gazette reports. Stephen Black of the Truth & Liberty Coalition, which promotes Christianity, said he was gay for eight years but has been “free of LGBT chaos” for 35 years. “No one is born gay. They can change and be free of sexual sin,” said Black, of Colorado Springs, according to the Gazette.

Univ. of Kansas expands trans health care LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas is expanding care for transgender students at its health center so students no longer have to leave campus to seek hormone therapy, the Associated Press reports. Transgender students will now be able to start and continue hormone therapy through the university’s student health center, Watkins Health Services, the Kansas City Star reported. The university’s student health insurance plan will cover the services performed at the health center, said Doug Dechairo, director for Watkins Health Services. The center will also coordinate treatment with counseling staff, the AP reports. The center’s health care offerings were very limited for transgender students, who often could only get prescriptions for medication filled. Students had to leave the Lawrence campus in order to get evaluations and lab work needed to begin the gender transition process. Some were forced to take buses or find rides to Kansas City for doctor’s appointments, said Noah Ries, president of the university’s Student Senate, according to the AP.

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

VI E WPO I NT • MARCH 22, 2019 • WA SHINGTONB L A DE . COM • 27

RICHARD J. ROSENDALL

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

PETER ROSENSTEIN

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

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Preparing to defeat Trump and reclaim our government The Democratic field of contenders continues to grow and I am impressed by the wide range of talent in the party. On Nov. 7, 2018 I wrote that Democrats need a coherent message and younger candidates to win in 2020. My thought was there should be no one over 70 on the ticket. I stand by that today. Over the past two years many said they fear there isn’t a strong bench in the Democratic Party. To my thinking they have been proven wrong. All we need do is look at the array of candidates who have already announced they will enter the Democratic primary including Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Corey Booker, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former Gov. John Hickenlooper, and Gov. Jay Inslee to name just a few. They represent a diverse set of backgrounds; there are women, minorities and even a gay candidate. What they all have in common is they are smart and looking to serve to ensure more equal opportunity for all Americans. While they speak of a better future they have differing ideas on how we get there. They speak to the American voter in different ways and over the year we will see what resonates with those voters. They all recognize Trump and his policies are anathema to the future of America they believe in. They would all be wise to remember Barack Obama was elected on the slogan of hope and change, and try to reignite the feeling of hope in the voters that things can get better. As an older American myself I feel ADVERTISING PROOF comfortable calling on the elders in the Democratic Party to realize we are at a crossroads in our country. Millennials and young people are going to be the biggest voting bloc in the nation. Like each new generation they think and view the world differently than we do. They may like the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited programs weto placement, elders rely on like Medicare payment and insertion schedule. and Social Security but may not feel they will be there for them. They also realize they will be paying into those programs to support us elders for many years. They legitimately will question the party if we continue to put up candidates who can be their grandparents or in many cases their great grandparents. I remember my excitement in 1960 as a 13 year old supporting John F. Kennedy. He was young, vibrant and someone I could connect with. Democrats win with younger

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vibrant candidates such as Kennedy, Carter, Clinton and Obama. In 2018 we elected a host of younger candidates to Congress. I am not suggesting those over 70 don’t have a role in the party — they do and an important one. They have worked hard to move us forward and in doing so gained their experience and wisdom. Sharing that with the next generation of leaders is important. We also want to know the next generation we elect recognizes that wisdom and experience and understands there are so many roles from issue advisers, to White House advisers, to cabinet secretaries they can fill. President Obama recognized he needed Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and chose Joe Biden as his vice president, both having years more experience than he did. Today, the youngest of the announced candidates is Peter Buttigieg at 37. Clearly if he were to be elected he would need the elders of the party to share their knowledge and wisdom. The same for the broad, diverse spectrum of other candidates like Harris, O’Rourke, Klobuchar, and Booker. I would think those elders would make the same decision Hillary Clinton has made and realize the time has come for them to step off center stage. I have seen columns attacking each of our candidates as they announce. Bringing up all their problems and making it clear we have no perfect candidate. But then there is no perfect voter. We each have our foibles and have each done things in our lives we would rather not have done or said. Attacking someone for being a cis white male of privilege makes little sense. He had no more choice in being born that way than someone of color or a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The focus should be on what you do with that privilege. The diversity of our candidates is exciting. I hope Democrats end up with a woman on the ticket. There are a number of qualified women running. Each of our candidates will have their chance to make their pitch to the primary electorate in the next year before the first primary. We should listen to them all carefully as they make their case. I will also try to think about how they will be able to make their case to the general electorate, which is different from the Democratic primary voter. For the good of the nation and the world we must defeat Trump and reclaim our government.

28 • WA S HI N GTO N B LAD E.CO M • M AR C H 2 2 , 2 0 1 9 • V IEWP O IN T

RICHARD J. ROSENDALL

琀栀攀

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

Avert the abyss. Welcome the stranger. Descent into fear cannot save us A grim memory flashed through my mind when I saw an early death count from the March 15 terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand: 49 was the same number killed in Orlando’s 2016 Pulse massacre. In this case, the victims were not partiers at a nightclub, but worshippers at prayer. Now as then, they were targets of hate. (The death toll has since risen to 50.) “Hello, brother” were the last words of a man at the door to Al Noor mosque, spoken to the killer just before he opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle. In an instinctive act of decency bracketing the horror, a woman living nearby waved fleeing people into her home. If we are to be saved from our impulse toward barbarism, the welcoming of strangers must be our guidepost. Asked about the growing threat of white nationalism, Trump denied it. Of course he did. This man who has variously excused, inspired, and incited hate violence always deflects responsibility. We are long past any reasonable doubt as to what he represents. The birther in chief and Islamophobe who fathered the Muslim travel ban continues to campaign on fear and hatred. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wore hĳab on March 16 when she met with terror victims’ families. In contrast, Trump fanatic Jeanine Pirro was suspended by Fox News after questioning whether Rep. Ilhan Omar’s wearing hijab indicated adherence to Sharia law over the Constitution. We must reject racial and religious intolerance, as we reject those who traffic in it. Diversity is our inescapable future and an essential foundation of any national progress. A poisonous double standard lurks at the heart of our public discourse: the treatment of white perpetrators as individuals, and of minority perpetrators as representatives of their demographic group. This persists despite most terrorist acts in this country having been committed by white people. No one thinks to blame me for Dylann Roof’s 2015 murder of nine African Americans in Charleston’s Emanuel A.M.E. Church on account of our both being white. Those victims were at a Bible study class led by their pastor, state Sen. Clementa Pinckney. Like the man who

greeted the shooter in Christchurch, they welcomed a stranger. While public policy has a role to play against gun violence, such as with background checks and bans on semiautomatics, the deeper problem is our simultaneous acceptance and indignant denial of white supremacy. It is all too easy to deny the existence of something you take for granted. People who despise the Klan can still engage in redlining, racial profiling, or voter suppression. Will Connolly, the teen who cracked an egg over Australian Sen. Fraser Anning’s head for his victim blaming after the mosque shootings, pledged to donate most of the GoFundMe money raised for his defense to help the victims. Trump, meanwhile, was busy calling asylum seekers “invaders” and defending Pirro. On March 13, in a Breitbart interview, Trump casually threatened a coup: “I can tell you I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump—I have the tough people, but they don’t play it tough—until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad.” Perhaps Trump really believes that mobs of CPAs and landscape architects on their Harleys would storm government and newspaper offices on his behalf. Here and there, he may be right. But to expect military and police officers en masse to disregard their oaths? That is a fantasy. If his tenure as president is ended, whether by impeachment, 25th Amendment, or election, he will either go peacefully or be removed. The beasts our presidential man-child has unleashed will ultimately devour him. Words come to mind from Georg Büchner’s play Danton’s Death: “He thinks he can keep the wild horses of revolution waiting outside the brothel like patient hacks. But they’ll be strong enough to drag him to the guillotine.” In the event of an overstay by the current White House resident, as with “last night’s trick who won’t go home” (to quote an old friend), it will suffice for the Secret Service to lift him off the floor and deposit him unceremoniously outside the northwest gate. Copyright © 2019 by Richard J. Rosendall. All rights reserved.

VI E WPO I NT • MARCH 22, 2019 • WA SHINGTONB L A DE . COM • 29

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40 Under 40: Queer Women of Washington

Celebrating some of the city’s up-and-coming change agents By STAFF REPORTS

The Washington Blade, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Office of Women’s Policies and Initiatives, is proud to present: 40 Under 40 Queer Women of Washington. Here we celebrate some of the city’s many inspiring queer women who are the voices of change from a diverse group of industries. Nominations came from our readers; that list was then trimmed to the 40 queer women profiled here. Come meet the 40 Under 40 at a special event on Wednesday, March 27, 6-9 p.m. at the Google office at 25 Massachusetts Avenue. Get tickets online via the Blade’s Facebook page.

3 0 • WAS H IN GTO N B LAD E.CO M • M AR C H 2 2 , 2 0 1 9

Photo courtesy of Carletta G

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

ALESIA LUCAS

SHARITA GRUBERG

Occupation: National digital manager Passion: Connecting people What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? 1. Always trust your instincts. 2. Have an idea? Don’t wait for someone else to do it. Go for it. 3. Own your “no”; you don’t have to be anywhere or do anything you don’t want to. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? As a native Washingtonian, having a woman lead our city inspirers me deeply. It shows us what’s possible. They say D.C. is one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the United States and Mayor Bowser has no doubt contributed to that honor.

Occupation: Director, LGBT research and communications project, Center for American Progress Passion: Making rights a reality. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? No one is ever as confident or certain as they seem. Most of the time we are all just trying our hardest and making it up as we go along. So don’t let doubt stop you! Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? We definitely need more women in every level of public office in this country.

Photo courtesy of Gendi

Photo courtesy of Byte Back

TIARA GENDI Occupation: Community organizer/trans activist Passion: Black liberation and protection of LGBTQ+ youth What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? In a world that is designed against you, dare to be unapologetically you and do your part. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Being a black trans and immigrant woman, having a black woman mayor means there is platform to leverage the safety and meaningful participation of queer women in decision-making processes.

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ELIZABETH LINDSEY Occupation: Executive director, Byte Back Passion: Leading an organization that helps people from all backgrounds thrive in the digital economy. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Be true to who you are. When we’re ourselves, when others see us being authentic and real, there’s nothing we can’t do. There’s such a confidence that comes from using our strengths and doing work that feels natural to us. And if someone — an employer, an investor, a partner — doesn’t want us for who we are, then they’re not the right fit for us. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? As a queer woman of color, a parent and a leader in the nonprofit sector, I am inspired every day by Mayor Bowser and the other women in D.C. leading our city. It is such a privilege for me to hardly ever be the “only” in D.C. — I’m rarely the only woman, or person of color, or member of the LGBTQ community in a room. And I’m thrilled to raise my daughters in a city like this.

Photo courtesy of Trick

Photo courtesy of Tapepechul

ASHLEY TRICK

XEMIYULU MANIBUSAN TAPEPECHUL

Occupation: Community affairs engagement strategist with Capital One Passion: Serving and elevating diverse communities. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Actively work to limit the use of “sorry” in your vocabulary, but practice radical candor every day. Women can care personally while also challenging directly. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Women’s leadership is imperative. Diversity in leadership breeds innovation and resilience and having a black woman as the mayor of our city sets an important precedent for further leadership. Through women’s innate leadership, they transform, nurture and empower their communities and I am so profoundly proud to work under so many exceptional women.

Occupation: I am an independent artist: a playwright, author, spoken word artist, actor and director. Passion: I have a passion for healing indigenous transgender, intersex and gender nonconforming communities through the arts. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? It’s OK to not know who you are. It’s OK to discover who you are along your journey. It’s OK to love yourself and celebrate yourself. You got this! Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? It’s important to have representation of cisgender women, transgender women, transgender men, non-binary people and cisgender men of color, in government and other cisgender white male-dominated spaces. As a queer woman living in the capital of the empire, it’s important to see genders that have been in the minority in position of power, that are representing truth, justice and ancestor.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

AMANDA DENNISON

LISA MARIE THALHAMMER

Occupation: Director, programs and partnerships Passion: I have spent much of my life with my nose in a book, so much so my family feared I wouldn’t know my way around in the real world. I have always been driven by the desire to learn and understand more about the world. Through books I was able to hear other peoples’ stories, learn about communities, my chosen field of work, the world beyond the small town I grew up in. All of those books, and constantly asking “why” or “so what,” have played a big part in shaping my view of the world now and getting to where I am today. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? There are probably three main pieces of advice I would given young women. One: you are worthy and deserve to be here and to be heard. Two: be brave and don’t let the fear of leaving your comfort zone prevent you from chasing your goals and dreams. Three: be unapologetically yourself and take pride in who you are. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Seeing Mayor Bowser leading our city and actively supporting the LGBTQ+ community is both empowering and inspiring. As a queer woman living and working in D.C., trying to live my best life and lift up our community, it means everything to have a strong female fighting to give every D.C. resident the opportunity to live their best lives. I know that our mayor supports me, our community and the important work we are trying to accomplish.

Occupation: LOVE artist Passion: Painting, murals, art and activism. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Trust your journey, believe in your power and live your dreams in full color. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? When Mayor Bowser spoke at the Jan 21, 2017 Women’s March on Washington, I felt an immense amount of pride to be a queer Washingtonian woman. I was in the crowd that day with a group carrying my “Strong Women LOVE” artwork, a painting on a 24-foot diameter parachute, which depicts a woman flexing her biceps in front of a rainbow-colored backdrop. I felt synergy with my mayor’s directive to speak up for women and their health care; like I was in that moment for a reason, with a purpose to live out my life’s mission of creating visual art and images that empower and uplift women.

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Photo courtesy of Clymer

Photo courtesy of John Shinkle

CHARLOTTE CLYMER

REBECCA BUCKWALTER-POZA

Occupation: Press secretary for rapid response, Human Rights Campaign Passion: Justice for marginalized communities, the written word and seeing women present their unapologetic authenticity to the world. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? You are never “not queer enough.” You are never “not woman enough.” The only scarcity that should ever concern you is being yourself. The world doesn’t need a copy. It needs an original. It needs you. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Mayor Bowser was one of the first public officials to speak out when I was discriminated against at a D.C. restaurant for being a transgender woman. She is not just my mayor; she is my sister. This is a leader who fights for the queer community.

Occupation: Journalist Passion: Helping others find their voice. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Be fearless. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? It means everything to me, especially as a woman of color. Former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said, “As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.”

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

LANAE SPRUCE Photo courtesy of Maya Satori

EBONE BELL Occupation: Founder and editor-in-chief of Tagg Magazine Passion: Creating events, building community, learning new things and friends and family. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Keep reaching for the stars! You’re closer than you think. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? I’m proud to live in a city that continues to be groundbreaking in so many ways. Not only is our mayor leading the charge, but I consistently see LGBTQ women doing the same. D.C. is a beautiful, diverse city.

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Occupation: Creative digital strategist Passion: Locating trends on the internet and doing it for the culture. In my free time I am a foodie who loves exploring the local restaurant scene on my travels. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? When you walk into a room, don’t be afraid to be yourself and stand in your own truth. You’ve already made it past the door. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? I chose to make Washington my home because it has a long history of preserving and championing the rights of queer people. As a queer black woman, it means the world to me that my city has my back.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Alonso

Photo courtesy of NCTE

ANDREA PINO-SILVA

RAFFI FREEDMAN-GURSPAN

Occupation: Digital strategy and communications manager at The National Center for Lesbian Rights Passion: I help tell the stories of our queer resistance for a living, and it inspires me every day. I fight for a world where our struggle isn’t our full story and envision a world where every student has access to a safe, equal education free from violence and oppression. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? As a niña, my abuelito always told me: “nunca, nunca, nunca pares de luchar.” He instilled in me a belief, that no matter my upbringing, or how seemingly impossible my goal, it was achievable. Apply to that college. Apply to that job. Write that memoir. Lead that protest. La lucha is in all of us and our resistance and our passion is a gift from our ancestors. Their lucha, and their dreams live on within us. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? I’ve never lived in any other city led by a woman until moving to D.C., nor have I lived in a city with as many protections for marginalized people. As a queer woman, I feel safer and prouder to live in a city led by a strong woman like Mayor Bowser and feel more confident investing in making this city even better.

Occupation: Director of external relations, National Center for Transgender Equality Passion: Social justice and equal opportunity for those who have been most marginalized and historically oppressed including black people, Latinx people, indigenous peoples, women and feminine presenting individuals, LGBTQ folks, people living with disabilities and religious and ethnic minorities in the United States. My passion is to create a better world for all. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Remember to laugh, remember to have a good cry once in a while and remember to hug those you care for and remind them why they are important to you. Being a strong woman requires knowing yourself, being honest with yourself and asking for the compassionate support you deserve from those whom you love. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Having a woman of color mayor as a woman of color myself is tremendously moving, inspirational and something I proudly share with people about our city. Mayor Bowser has been such a great friend of the LGBTQ community and as a queer woman I am proud to live in her city.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

ASHLEE KEOWN

LAURA DURSO

Occupation: Marketing specialist/entrepreneur Passion: Creating opportunities for people What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Don’t be afraid to try something new and fail. It is also important to adjust your expectations so that you understand that anything that you do will involve growth and failure. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? It mean we are lucky enough to have someone in office who understands the challenges women and people of color face. Some who has the insight and ability to think about others.

Occupation: Vice president of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress Passion: Gender equity, fat acceptance, empiricism and music. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Try new things, care just a little bit less what other people think of you, tell friends you love them, make peace with your body, have confidence in your ability to adapt and change, learn to catch when your brain wants to give in to imposter syndrome and remember how badass you are, spend your time with people and things that nourish your soul, hire people smarter than you, lean on your networks to help you get shit done, believe you can fix things but remember not everything always needs fixing, forge a new path, bring people with you. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? The ability to govern effectively knows no gender and as a queer woman, I am both proud and comforted to live in a city where voters recognize the talent and leadership that women bring to the table. Electing leaders from diverse backgrounds and experiences opens the door for new conversations to happen and new policies to be enacted that better serve our communities and drive us toward more meaningful change. 3 4 • WAS H IN GTO N B LAD E.CO M • M AR C H 2 2 , 2 0 1 9

Photo courtesy of Steiner

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

TAISSA MORIMOTO Occupation: Policy Counsel at the National LGBTQ Task Force Passion: Playing guitar, crushing the patriarchy, apple juice, the Companion Cube, deconstructing colonialism and long walks on the way to protests.We each have such different life experiences, especially based on our social identities and how we are perceived in our society. I hesitate to give general advice because I can only speak from my own experiences as a queer woman of color who has many privileges. What changed my life, though, was the decision to put my own needs first. And that happened when I moved to D.C., where I was able to be my full self. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? So, for queer women of color in my shoes, I will share what I wish people had told me more often: Don’t ever apologize for who you are and who you are becoming. There are people who will love you for exactly who you are. Let them. Being vulnerable is not weak, it is a sign of growth. Lean into that discomfort. Ask for help, even when you think you can handle it on your own. You are enough. You will always be enough. I am so honored and proud to be in community with you all. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? It means finally being able to live my full complete self. To me, it means freedom.

CARLIE STEINER Occupation: Co-owner of Himitsu + Dos Mamis Passion: Empowering women and making money. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Buy better shoes with good support. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Watching Muriel Bowser break through the glass ceiling by becoming D.C.’s mayor both empowered and inspired me to make the final push to open Himitsu at the age of 25. Now, two-plus years later, she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible. Women serving in positions of leadership and the visibility it provides to young women is paramount. Having a role model like Mayor Bowser who is equally respected and relatable is important to women of all ages, but especially to young girls who can look up to her as an example of a woman is making change and that’s how real progress happens.

Photo courtesy of Neale

YESENIA CHAVEZ

Photo courtesy of Diaz

BREANNA DIAZ Occupation: Co-director, Pull for Pride Passion: LGBTQ advocacy via access to typically closed-off spaces, such as powerlifting. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Remain authentic and accountable to yourself and your community. Always center who you are, your lived experience and your values in your work. Take pride in what you bring to the table. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Representation matters and seeing someone of the same gender as myself in a leadership position is empowering.

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Occupation: Policy and government affairs specialist Passion: Developing leadership pipelines of LGBTQ youth and people of color, hiking, traveling and cycling. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Remember that when you are the only woman of color, the only queer person, or first-generation person in a classroom or a board room, you carry your ancestors into that room with you. Most importantly, once you are in the room, be sure to open the door and pull up a chair for the next generation. When you pull up that chair, be intentional about who you bring to sit there. Start with those who almost never get access to those seats, i.e. trans/gender non-conforming folks, queer people of color, people with disabilities, etc. That is how you make radical change in who gets access to these rooms. We can end being the first or only one in the room if we pull each other up. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? As a queer Latina, I think it is important to have representation in all levels of government and I value seeing women of color in leadership. I was raised by a Mexican immigrant singlemother in a low-income household and know that is a unique story in comparison to the backgrounds of the voices we typically hear from. I believe it is critical for people who don’t see themselves reflected in leadership, to work to change that because as the saying goes, “If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” Centering the voices of those of us who are at the intersection of marginalized identities is necessary during the policy-making process to ensure policy has a positive impact on our communities.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

LINA NICOLAI Occupation: Owner Passion: Little things in life. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Don’t give up. Work hard. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? It means that the concerns of women issues are being addressed in policy.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

NICOLE ARMSTEAD-WILLIAMS Occupation: Psychotherapist and mental health advocate Passion: I’m passionate about dismantling the harmful stigma of mental health, with a particular heartbeat for reducing the risk of suicide and self-harm in QTPOC (queer/ trans people of color) communities. I am passionate about creating eco-therapeutic healing spaces for survivors of trauma, loss and grief. I also really get excited about all things rooted in love, wanderlust and long-distance road trips, dogs and growing sweet potatoes. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? To a young woman walking in my shoes, I would say: wear the shoes that are the most authentic fit for you so that you can sustain the walk of your personal dream and journey. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Experiencing leadership from not only a woman-identified mayor but a black woman mayor provides me with a greater hope that we as women/women of color can show up, can be seen and affirmed and can support growth as an agent of change. To me, as a queer women living in the District, this means voice and visibility.

KYRISHA DESCHAMPS Occupation: Festival producer/operations manager Passion: Using my skills, experience and access to create opportunities and help others. Also, intentionally finding joy in each day. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Surround yourself with positive people who support your wild dreams and act as your sounding board. Trust the process and take time for yourself when you need to. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? I’m a huge fan of women in positions of power. I am very excited about the number of women who are moving into politics to create the change that needs to be seen and felt in the world. As of today, a political career isn’t in the stars for me, but I would love to see more women and LBGTQ leaders in positions of power in government.

Photo courtesy of Lynch

KRISTIN LYNCH Occupation: Communications director Passion: Politics, writing, news, sports, avocados, coffee porters What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Think outside the box, defy conventional wisdom, travel. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Representation matters. When leaders who look differently than what society typically associates with power — i.e. women, people of color, queer individuals — we begin to dismantle our preconceived notions of what a leader should be and reimagine what a leader could be. Having a mayor who is both a woman and a person of color breaks down barriers and shows underrepresented groups that we too can rise to powerful leadership positions, even if we may not always see that truth reflected in our day-to-day lives.

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Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

LUELLA GARIES Occupation: Massage therapist, dance organizer Passion: A combination of love for partner dancing and of bringing that love to queer women and trans people. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? As a dancer, know that simply by being openly yourself in the very heteronormative world of partner dance, or by breaking gender norms therein, you are a revolutionary. You are changing the world one literal step at a time and that is something to be proud of. As an organizer, someone recently asked me what’s my secret to organizing successful events over the long-term. “Passion,” I said. Actually there are many other answers I could give, but that’s the one I would underscore. You don’t need to be extroverted, popular, talented or wealthy to bring people together. But if you have a dream that lights up your soul and you have an inkling of how to share that with others, you can find a way. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? To me this is one among many ways that D.C. is setting an example and leading the way for the rest of the country, especially since our mayor is like a governor. It’s all the more reason that we should have full voting rights.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Mines

JOY WHITT Occupation: Presidential Innovation Fellow Passion: Creating safe, uplifting spaces for women/trans/non-binary folks who are interested in learning about technology. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Stay true to yourself. Surround yourself with people who will educate and amplify you; pay it forward. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? As a queer, black woman, it is an incredibly big deal to be a resident of a city led by a black woman. Mayor Bowser represents many of my identities while serving at D.C.’s highest level, and because of that, her initiatives (and council’s policies) create a more inclusive environment for people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community. I lead initiatives in D.C. that create professional and social opportunities for technologists of underrepresented genders (i.e. women, trans and non-binary folks, etc.). Mayor Bowser and the government of D.C. have made these efforts possible by amplifying and celebrating tech inclusion.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

JENNIFER PATIENCE ROWE

HARPER JEAN TOBIN

Occupation: Artist: primary vocalist, poet and actress. Passion: My passion is facilitating spiritual experiences in secular spaces. I’m passionate about black folks being free. I’m passionate about honoring our grief. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? I would tell young black women that it’s OK to be unsure, its normal to constantly be discovering who you are. That change is the only constant. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? As a second generation native Washingtonian, it’s beautiful to have experienced all of the changes this city has and is surviving. Having a woman elected mayor has spoken to the great shifts and growth the capital city is capable of seeing.

Occupation: Lawyer/lobbyist for trans equality Passion: Improving trans people’s lives and living my own rich life. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Listen to your passion. Find where you’re best suited to make a difference. Ask for support. Be kind to yourself. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? We need leaders and public servants who reflect the diversity of our communities today. Women may not necessarily be better leaders, but every conversation is different when the people in the room don’t all look the same.

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Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

ASHLAND JOHNSON Occupation: Policy lawyer and sports equity advisor Passion: Creating social equity in and through sports. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Don’t be afraid to bet on yourself. We as women, especially women of color, invest so much time warding of doubt and working to achieve someone else’s vision of success. You have to make it a priority to invest in you— your goals, your passion, your vision— all day, everyday until it becomes second nature. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? As a queer woman of color living in D.C., for me having a black female mayor is both an invaluable gift and a necessity. Representation matters. Empowerment matters. Our mayor represents and empowers women, especially women of color everyday she leads our district forward.

EMILY HAMMELL Occupation: Events manager for LGBTQ Victory Fund & Institute Passion: Oh gosh, so many to chose from! My most noteworthy passion is my collection of commemorative plates. But I also love Raquel Raccoon (my three-legged cat), relationship anarchy, tattoos, LGBTQ+ rights, gender and racial equity, sex workers rights and harm reduction. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Be as out and loud as you’re able to, it matters so much to those who can’t. And if you can’t be out and loud? Please be kind to yourself, you are still part of the queer family and you matter so much. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? It’s pretty dang inspiring to see a woman of color succeed in the political world. I may not always agree with Mayor Bowser, but I absolutely respect how hard she has worked to climb that ladder.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

SARAH HORVITZ Occupation: National political director at Run for Something Passion: Encouraging and supporting young women who want to serve their communities in elected office. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? You aren’t going to be amazing at everything you do on day one. Stay focused on the specific tasks and goals you are trying to accomplish and trust you will get better the more you try. Surround yourself with other women out there who are doing their best and befriend them. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? I love living in D..C for many reasons (honestly too many to name) but I am especially proud to live in a city with a woman in charge. I know that Mayor Bowser is fighting every day by making political and fiscal decisions that prioritize equity for women and girls, especially people of color and members of the LGBTQ community. She is not only an advocate in our national’s capitol for resident’s of D.C., but is also leading the charge nationally for more representation of marginalized communities in elected office.

KATIE NICOL Occupation: As senior manager of public benefits and insurance navigation at Whitman-Walker Health, I focus on removing barriers to health care access, particularly for those who identify as LGBTQ, people living with HIV and the immigrant population. Passion: I’m passionate about helping others, geeking out over insurance eligibility policy and nuance, logistics and the work of Whitman-Walker Health. I have the privilege to be a part of an organization that represents what it means to provide culturally competent care free of stigma and judgement and to serve a patient population I identify with. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Stay true to your queer self, give yourself room to grow and evolve and don’t take yourself too seriously. Take every opportunity to learn from your experiences, mistakes and from others. Your relationships are your greatest assets — personally and professionally — so nurture those connections. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and follow your instincts; sometimes your greatest hurdle is fear. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? In today’s political climate where woman, let alone a woman of color, are marginalized, it’s a reminder that women — regardless if queer or not — are equal to men. It is additionally inspiring to live in a city where a woman of color of color is a true representation of Washingtonians and our values, which include inclusivity for all residents, regardless of immigration, sexual orientation or gender expression.

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Photo courtesy of Rhealt

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

WHITNEY WASHINGTON

BRITTANY RHEALT

Occupation: Attorney/legal fellow Passion: People are my passion. I love the process of getting to know folks and learning about them. As much as I am willing to get to know absolutely anyone from whatever walk of life, I acknowledge that not all folks are willing to do the same. I understand that to greater society some folks are not worth anything because of who they are or what they may have done in the past. I feel lucky to be able to offer my skill set to show support to the people that society has written off. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? This is a funny question because I still think of myself as a young person. Three things that I remind myself of daily are one: nothing worth doing is easy, but also that the most difficult option is not always the answer — there is often a middle ground; two: I know a lot more than I think I do; and three: I have a lot to learn. Outside of my daily reminders, I think the biggest thing I would tell a younger person is: being a person is a process and that regardless who you are right now, and regardless of whoever you will become, you are valid. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? The socio-political impact of Muriel Bowser’s position as mayor of Washington cannot be overstated — it is crucial that voices like hers are amplified, especially in our current political climate. As a queer, non-binary individual, this signals to me that this historically black city values its legacy, champions its pioneers and strives to be at the forefront of change in our nation.

Occupation: Director of sports operations at United Fray Passion: My passion at work is making fun possible. I have the pleasure of bringing “play” into everyday life with my job. I couldn’t ask for a better profession. As for the rest of my life, my passion is to make people feel included, whether that’s on a dance floor or with my friends, I’m always striving for laughter and fun and connection. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Hustle. What separates you from the pack is your willingness to step in or step up. Being complacent is never an option. You have to be willing to show up and impress with commitment and work ethic. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? To me, it’s inspiring that I am living in a city that would not only elect but reelect a female mayor.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

BELA MUNEY

AMINA MORRISSEY-BROWN

Occupation: External affairs team Passion: Helping others in need. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Never give up on your hopes and dreams. The sky is the limit. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? It means we’re all here and queer!

Occupation: DJ Passion: Being an entertainer/DJing What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? My mother told me I would grow up and have my own business when I was in the fourth grade. I would give young women the same advice that was given to me and it changed the trajectory of my life: “Fall in love with something you enjoy doing and turn it into a business!” Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? I thinks it’s important for women to be represented in the high ranks of corporations and politics. During my speaking engagements at schools, I always encourage our young girls to reach for the stars and never think that gender makes them inadequate in any industry.

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Photo courtesy of Steadwell

Photo courtesy of the Mystics

BE STEADWELL Occupation: Musician Passion: My passion is for telling stories that make queer black folks feel seen and afﬁrmed. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Someone out there needs to hear your story. Tell it with sincerity, vulnerability and it will change someone’s life. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? Black women at the center of leadership and politics is exactly what our country and our world needs. I believe the most marginalized communities have the perspective and incentive to look out for all people. Though I don’t agree with everything our mayor does, I’m proud to have her as a leader for our city.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

WASHINGTON MYSTICS Occupation: Professional basketball team WNBA Passion: Compete at the highest level on the court and bring a WNBA Championship to Washington. We play to excite, inspire and unite the D.C. community — all eight wards. Our passion for the game and this city is reﬂected in the memory-making experiences we strive to provide to our fans each game day. We invite all to celebrate and share in these moment with us. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Demonstrating fearless character will lead to your success. Tapping into the power of uniﬁed strength that comes with a sisterhood gives you the ability to overcome any challenge or adversity. We are a part of the community we represent and you are a part of us. Celebrate the power and beauty of being a woman.

Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro Jr.

AMBER POSADOS

STAR BENNETT

Occupation: Specialty support Passion: Defend the rights of the LGBT community and advocate for those who doesn’t have voice. What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Never give up on your dreams and ﬁght for what you really want in life. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? It gives me the power to know as a queer woman I too can achieve success.

Occupation: CEO of Check It Enterprises Passion: fashion design What advice would you give to a young woman walking in your shoes? Chase your dreams and never give up. Washington is one of the few major cities in America with a female mayor. What does this mean to you as a queer woman living in the District? That females have the same ability that men have.

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40 Under 40: Queer Women of Washington Awards Reception presented by

Join the Mayor’s Ofﬁce of LGBTQ Affairs, the Ofﬁce of Women’s Policies and Initiatives, and the Washington Blade as we celebrate 40 fantastic queer women who are making a difference in their community. From political activism, business leadership, and cultural innovation, we’ve found 40 queer women who call their District home and are the change-agents the District needs.

March 27, 2019 | 6-9PM Google | 25 Massachusetts Ave NW #900 Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request by calling 202-727-9493 or emailing lgbtq@dc.gov.

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QUEERY Alan Thompson Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

QUEERY: Alan Thompson

The D.C.-area volunteer guru answers 20 gay questions By JOEY DIGUGLIELMO JOEYD@WASHBLADE.COM Alan Thompson has made an art of volunteering with D.C.-area LGBT groups. He’s on the Capital Pride production team, he’s a board member with The Cherry Fund, he volunteers with Northern Virginia Pride and New York City Pride, he’s on the stage crew for Miss Adams Morgan and has worked with the High Heel Race, Food & Friends, the D.C. Center Health Working Group, Point Foundation and more. He was also a volunteer usher for The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for many years. He says his motivation is simple. “It’s just a desire to meet people and help the community,” says the Troy, Mich., native, who gives his age as “slightly before Stonewall.” “The LGBTQ community members need to have places where they can go and not feel alone, even in the online era,” Thompson says. Thompson came to the area nine years ago as a civilian employee of the U.S. Army where he works as assistant program manager. He’s single, lives in Alexandria and enjoys the gym and volunteering (of course!) in his free time.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? On and off for 40-plus years. My mother — she would always talk about all my gay friends and I finally said, “Mom, I’m gay,” then she said, “well, I thought so.” Mothers always know. Who’s your LGBT hero? Ed Bailey because he created a nonjudgmental place where everyone could enjoy themselves. And the very first time I ever walked in, I felt like everyone said, “Welcome home.” What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present? Town Describe your dream wedding. I’d like to find a “Mr. Right” like many others and would be pretty happy with something simple, but when I started in the gay community (not LGBT back then), the concept of samesex marriage was many years in the future, so I did the next best thing, which was trying to help as many as I could in hoping that would make me a better person and give me the satisfaction that perhaps I missed by not having a partner. What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about? Making Virginia a bluer state. What historical outcome would you change? I would have like to have seen the “Lost Causes of the Civil War” (not the Civil

War but the attempt to justify it that came years after) never happen. I believe that had that part of history never happened – we would be much further along in eliminating racism. What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime? I think that’s about to occur with Cherry Pop 2019. On what do you insist? Be sincere please. What was your last Facebook post or Tweet? “Volunteering with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington” If your life were a book, what would the title be? “How to Help Others” If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do? Nothing What do you believe in beyond the physical world? I’m pretty much a mainstream Christian and try to follow the teachings of the New Testament as found in the gospel. I believe in the birth, death and the resurrection of Jesus and in the life eternal. Often people may criticize me for making faith and religion as much a part of my life as I do, and my answer is always the same: It is my faith, my religion and no one can take that away from me.

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What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders? Get to know and listen to members of the trans community before you blindly act and try to help. Don’t be exclusionary and remember despite the tremendous progress we’ve made, we are still a minority. What would you walk across hot coals for? A cure for HIV/AIDS. I saw too many people die. What LGBT stereotype annoys you most? I’m too old to really care about stereotypes. What’s your favorite LGBT movie? “Brokeback Mountain” What’s the most overrated social custom? Taking offense where none was intended and demanding an apology where you could have walked away. What trophy or prize do you most covet? None What do you wish you’d known at 18? That life would be a great as it has been. Why Washington? Because there is such an opportunity to help others and set an example in doing so. Because there is such diversity.

M AR CH 22, 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE.COM • 43

The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off this weekend with a bounty of major events. Photo by Steve Strummer via Wikimedia

Cherry Blossom time! The National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the bloom of the cherry blossom trees in the District with numerous events throughout the coming weeks. The festivities kick off with the Pink Tie Party, presented by All Nippon Airways, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy food catered by local restaurants such as Barley Mac, Cane and Columbia Firehouse and an open bar. There will also be dancing and a silent auction. Tickets are $225. The sold-out opening ceremony is at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Saturday, March 23 at 5 p.m. Performers will celebrate the anniversary of the gift of trees from Japan to the United States with both traditional and contemporary performances. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon The Super Live, Ikuko Kawai, Yusaku Mochizuki and the 682 Quintet will all perform. The Blossom Kite Festival is at the Washington Monument (2 15th St., N.W.) on Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m.-

4:30 p.m. Kite makers and flyers will showcase their skills in competitions and demonstrations, Rokkaku Battles and the Hot Tricks Showdown. Attendees can bring their own kites or children can make kites at an activity station. Kites will also be available for purchase on-site. Admission is free. Petalpalooza is at The Wharf (690 Wharf St., S.W.) on Saturday, April 6 from noon-9:30 p.m. There will be live music on multiple outdoor stages, a beer garden and activities for all ages. A fireworks show closes out the day at 8:30 p.m. Free admission. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade runs along Constitution Avenue N.W. on Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m. “black-ish” star Anthony Anderson will serve as grand marshal. Singer Cece Peniston, Motown star Freda Payne, “The Voice” contestant Rayshun LaMarr, “American Idol” contestant Michael Woodard, “America’s Got Talent” contestant Christina Wells, Miss America Nia Franklin and the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders will also make appearances. Grandstand seating is $20 but standing along the parade route is free. For more information on all National Cherry Blossom Festival events, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Trans Visibility Festival is March 30 The Trans Visibility Community Festival is at Spaces Washington D.C. (1140 3rd St., N.E.) on Saturday, March 30 from 1-5 p.m. Organizations that serve the transgender community will exhibit their services. Transgender artists and creatives will also showcase their work. There will also be film screenings, open mic sessions, food and a raffle. Admission is free. For more details, visit transvisibilityfestival.com.

Qwerty returns next weekend Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Qwerty, a gay dance party featuring CTRL DJs, on Saturday, March 30 from 10 p.m.2:45 a.m. Queer performance artist Sippi Sonique

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TODAY

will give a live performance. DJ Adam Koussari-Amin, DJ Dvonne and DJ Jeff Prior will spin a mix of vogue house, hard-pop, queer-step, disco and more. No cover. For more details, visit facebook.com/ ctrldc.

Masquerade time at The Eagle The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Code Red V: Stigma Can’t Stop Us, a red-themed masquerade party, on Saturday, March 30 from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. The ball supports the ﬁght against HIV/ AIDS. DJ Vjuan Allure and recording artist Kevin Aviance will perform. There will be giveaways, rafﬂes, silent auctions, Code Red baked goods and more. Red attire is suggested but not required. Tickets for the Code Red Drag and Cabaret Extravaganza and Main Event at 9:30 p.m. are $30. Tickets for Code Red V Main Event only at midnight are $25. For more information, search Code Red on Eventbrite.

Slash Run (201 Upshur St., N.W.) hosts Desiree Dik’s Odd Ball tonight from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. The Odd Ball will feature odd drag performances that will include blood, burlesque and gross elements. Performers include Sasha Mann, Virya Shavasana and Buhnana Gunz. Desiree Dik hosts the show. Showtime is at 11 p.m. Cover is $5. For more information, visit facebook.com/slashrun. Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Phunked Up tonight from 11 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ Diyanna Monet and DJ StrikeStone will spin classic funk, disco, soul and more. No cover. For more details, visit facebook. com/trade.dc. Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts Ottermatic/Otterotica, a dystopianthemed party, tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Cover is $5. Grant hosts the party. Matt Strother and Scott M. Douglass will bartend for the night. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com. Gamma D.C., a support group for men in mixed-orientation relationships, meets at Luther Place Memorial Church (1226 Vermont Ave., N.W.) today from 7:309:30 p.m. The group is for men who are attracted to men but are currently, or were at one point, in relationships with women. For more information about the group, visit gammaindc.org.

Saturday, March 23 The D.C. Boys of Leather host Spring is Hung at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. The suggested dress code is gear or underwear. Guests wearing pastel gear or underwear will receive three free Jello shots. For more details, search “Spring is Hung” on Facebook. GLOE hosts Pride of Purim, a masquerade party, at Mission (1606 20th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear drag or other costume. There will be food and discounted drinks at a private bar. Anyone interested who would like to speak with a member of GLOE in advance can email GLOE Program Manager Ariel Weinstein at gloe@edcjc.org. Tickets are $10 online and $15 in person. For more information, visit facebook.com/edcjcc.gloe. D.C. Progressive Dinner presents SMYAL for Spring at Pitchers (2317 18th St., N.W.) today from 2-5 p.m. The event

M AR CH 22, 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE.COM • 45

will say goodbye to winter and welcome spring by supporting LGBT youth. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more details, visit smyal.org. Church presents Midnight Mass at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Performers will include The House of Sonique with Chaz Sonique, Rigatoni, Butterknife Decadence and Sippi. DJ Jesse Jackson and WesstheDJ will play music for the night. Geneva Confectionn will host the party. For more information, visit facebook.com/trade.dc. Millennial Pink, a party for transgender and queer people, is at the Dew Drop Inn (2801 8th St., N.E.) tonight from 10 p.m.2 a.m. Alex DB, Blaq Dinamyte, Buhanna Gunz, Chaz, Divoid and more will perform. For more details, visit facebook.com/ millennialpinkdc. The Ivy Project presents Gays Gone Wild, a spring break party, at RedRocks (1348 H St., N.E.) tonight from 11 p.m.3 a.m. DJ Eletrox and DJ Milko will spin tracks. Britney Marie and Hellablond will perform. There will be beer bongs, beer pong and ﬂip cup. For more information, visit facebook.com/ivyprojectdc. D.C. Rawhides, a LGBT country western dance group, meets at Secrets/ Ziegfelds (1824 Half St., S.W.) tonight with a lesson from 7-8 p.m. Open dancing is until 10:50 p.m. Cover is $5 until 9 p.m. and $10 after 9 p.m. For more details, visit dcrawhides.com.

Sunday, March 24 The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Sunday Cruise, a weekly event, today from noon-2 a.m. There will be drink specials including $10 and $12 bottomless beer mugs, $3 off all whiskeys and bourbons and $5 Chivas Regal all day. All other drinks will be discounted $2 until 9 p.m. For more details, visit dceagle.com.

Monday, March 25 Ariana Grande brings her “Sweetener World Tour” to Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $39.95-279.95. For more information, visit ticketmaster.com. Monday Night Skating, an LGBT skating group, hosts a St. Patricks’s Day skate at Laurel Skate Center (9890 Brewers Ct., Laurel, Md.) tonight from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Attendees

are encouraged to wear shades of green. Activities will include the limbo, a congo line, a rafﬂe with a door prize of a 90-minute massage and more. Visit facebook.com/ mondaynightskating for more details.

Tuesday, March 26 Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) hosts its National Dinner Kick-Off tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The meeting will cover how interested participants can volunteer to be a part of the HRC National Dinner. For more information, visit hrcnationaldinner.org.

Wednesday, March 27 The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Karaoke Wednesdays tonight from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Karaoke night will be hosted by D&K Sounds. Drink specials include $3 rail cocktails and domestic drafts and $4 wines. For more details, visit dceagle.com. Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Womxn Crush Wednesday tonight from 6-10 p.m. This is a monthly happy hour for LBT and all female-identifying people. For more information, visit facebook.com/ trade.dc. The Washington Blade hosts 40 under 40: Queer Women of Washington Awards Reception at Google (25 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. Join the Blade, the Mayor’s Ofﬁce of LGBTQ Affairs, the Ofﬁce of Women’s Policies and Initiatives as they celebrate 40 queer women who have made a difference in their community in political activism, business leadership, cultural innovation and more. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook.com/washingtonblade. 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, March 28 D.C. Lambda Squares hosts an open house at the National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) tonight from 7:30-9:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, visit dclambdasquares.org.

This Week in the Arts provided by CultureCapital.com

The Jewish Queen Lear Thru Apr 7. Theater J at Davis Center, Georgetown University. theaterj.org.

If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother! Written in 1898, Gordin’s story of power and pride revolves around Mirele Efros, a wealthy widow and clever business woman who wants to find a good wife for her son. When her children turn against her, Mirele experiences a fall of Shakespearean proportions. Wildly successful in its time, Gordin’s masterpiece of Yiddish theater shines in a scintillating new English translation.

Art on the Vine Fri. Mar 22. The Art League. theartleague.org.

Part global wine tour, part fine art tour, this special celebration of visual and vineyard artistry. Each ticket includes admission, a souvenir wine glass, eight redeemable wine tasting tags + one full pour “token,” a light pairing buffet, an opportunity purchases hard-to-find artisan wines.

Jazz Hot! Syncopated, Sophisticated and Sassy Mar 23-Mar 24. Congressional Chorus at Church of the Epiphany. congressionalchorus.org. Heat up your cold winter blues with a shot of JAZZ HOT! From ragtime, blues, stride and swing, to bebop, hard bop, bossa nova and cool, experience a century of music and dance that is a uniquely American invention: JAZZ! Congressional Chorus’ 80 singers and dancers, backed up by a hot seven-piece band, will put new twists and riffs on an eclectic line-up of iconic jazz numbers in this fully costumed and choreographed jazz extravaganza.

The REDress Project Thru Mar 31. Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. americanindian.si.edu.

To commemorate Women’s History Month, The REDress Project, an outdoor art installation by artist Jaime Black (Métis). Showing in Washington, D.C. for the first time, the installation of red dresses hung in public spaces symbolize the issue of missing or murdered Indigenous women. In her artwork, Black seeks to create dialogue around social and political issues, especially through an exploration of the body and the land as contested sites of historical and cultural knowledge. PHOTO COURTESY OF THEATER J

THEATRE Confection. Thru Mar 24. Folger Theatre at Folger Shakespeare Library. folger.edu. Eugene Onegin. Thru Mar 29. Faust. Thru Mar 30. WNO at Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. Hands on a Hardbody. Thru Apr 6. From Gumbo to Mumbo. Thru Apr 7. Keegan Theatre. keegantheatre.com. Heathers: The Musical. Thru Mar 24. Arts on the Green at Arts Barn. gaithersburgmd.gov. Into the Woods. Thru May 16. One Destiny. Thru Oct 26. Ford’s Theatre. fords.org.

A Bronx Tale. Mar 26-Mar 31. National Theatre. thenationaldc.org. Landless: Puffs. Mar 23. Next Stop: North Korea. Thru Mar 24. Landless: The Doyle and Debbie Show. Mar 22-Mar 29. DC Arts Center. dcartscenter.org. Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Thru Apr 7. Signature Theatre. sigtheatre.org. I Remember Murder. Mar 22-Mar 24. Arts Barn at Kentlands Mansion. gaithersburgmd.gov. Native Son. Mar 27-Apr 28. Mosaic Theater Company at Atlas. mosaictheater.org. Oil. Thru Mar 31. Olney Theatre. olneytheatre.org.

Picasso. Mar 23. GALA Hispanic Theatre. galatheatre.org. Queen of Basel. Thru Apr 7. Studio Theatre. studiotheatre.org. Shear Madness. Thru Jun 19. Kennedy Center. shearmadness.com. The Second City: It’s Not You, It’s Me. Thru Mar 23. The Barns at Wolf Trap. wolftrap.org. Topdog/Underdog. Thru Apr 14. Avant Bard at Gunston Arts Center. wscavantbard.org. Virginia Opera: Madama Butterfly. Mar 23-Mar 24. Mason’s Center for the Arts. cfa. gmu.edu.

DANCE Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company: Analogy Trilogy. Mar 28-Mar 30. TU Dance + Bon Iver’s Come Through. Mar 25. Bon Iver & TU Dance’s Come Through. Mar 25. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org.

MUSIC Anoushka Shankar. Mar 23. Sixth & I. washingtonperformingarts.org. Borodin Quartet. Mar 22. Aaron Diehl. Mar 23. Alash Ensemble. Mar 27. Library of Congress. loc.gov. Christina and Michelle Naughton, pianos. Mar 24. Terrace Theatre. washingtonperformingarts.org. Global Sounds on the Hill: Alash. Mar 26. Hill Center. hillcenterdc.org. La Paloma at the Wall. Mar 23-Mar 31. In Series at GALA Hispanic Theatre. inseries.org. Jubilee Voices at New Creation Church. Mar 24. Washington Revels. revelsdc.org. Lauren Mitchell. Mar 22. Lonesome River Band. Mar 23. BlackRock. blackrockcenter.org. Lobkowicz Trio. Mar 26. Embassy Series at Embassy of the Czech Republic. embassyseries.org. Natalie Clein, cello. Mar 24. National Gallery of Art. nga.gov. The Viennese Classics. Mar 23. National Chamber Ensemble. nationalchamberensemble.org. NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron. Mar 22. Jamie Barton. Mar 23. Fortas Chamber Music: Morgenstern Trio. Mar 26. Gabriel Kahane—Book of Travelers: 8980. Mar 27. KC Jazz Club: Mary Halvorson’s Code Girl. Mar 28. NSO: Glass’s Itaipu & Auerbach’s ARCTICA. Mar 28-Mar 30. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. San Francisco Symphony. Mar 23. Washington Performing Arts at Kennedy Center. washingtonperformingarts.org. Sotkovetsky Trio with Sean Lee - Vienna to Hollywood. Mar 24. The Barns at Wolf Trap. wolftrap.org.

MUSEUMS Anderson House. A Revolution in Arms: Weapons in the War for Independence. Thru Mar 24. societyofthecincinnati.org. Folger Shakespeare Library. First Chefs: Fame and Foodways from Britain to the Americas. Thru Mar 31. folger.edu. Library of Congress. Baseball Americana. Thru Jun 29. loc.gov. National Gallery of Art. In the Library: The Evans-Tibbs Archive of African American Art. Thru Apr 12. Drawing in Tintoretto’s Venice. Thru May 26. Venetian Prints in the Time of Tintoretto. Thru May 26. nga.gov. National Geographic. Queens of Egypt. Thru Sep 2. nglive.org. National Museum of Women in the Arts. Ambreen Butt—Mark My Words. Thru Apr 14. Ursula von Rydingsvard: The Contour of Feeling. Mar 22-Jul 28. New York Ave Sculpture Project. Thru Sep 20. nmwa.org. Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. The Great Inka Road: Engineering an Empire. Thru Jun 1. americanindian.si.edu. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian. Orchids: Amazing Adaptations. Thru Apr 28. Lincoln’s Contemporaries. Thru May 19. Champions. Thru May 19. One Year: 1968, An American Odyssey. Thru May 19. npg.si.edu. Postal Museum. Beautiful Blooms: Flowering Plants on Stamps. Thru Jul 14. postalmuseum.si.edu. Woodlawn and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House. 2019 Woodlawn Needlework Show & Sale. Thru Mar 31. woodlawnpopeleighey.org.

GALLERIES DC Arts Center. Sparkplug: Karen Joan Topping. Thru Mar 24. Lush: Wayson R. Jones. Thru Apr 7. dcartscenter.org. Del Ray Artisans. For The Artist. Thru Mar 31. delrayartisans.org. District Architecture Center. Transforming Cities, Transforming Lives. Thru Mar 29. aiadac.com. Gallery Clarendon. Retrospective: Works by Marina Troy. Thru Mar 31. arlingtonartistsalliance.org. gallery neptune & brown. Foon Sham: Twist of Lime. Thru Apr 20. galleryneptunebrown.com. Gallery Underground. Reef Connections: Christy Gavitt. Thru Mar 29. arlingtonartistsalliance.org. Glen Echo Park. Outer Cape Cod: Catherine Hess. Thru Mar 30. Landscape and Memory: Robert Devers. Thru Mar 31. Voyages: Michael Horan. Thru Mar 31. glenechopark.org. JCCNV. The Norman and Jane Rosenthal Collection. Thru Mar 27. jccnv.org. Korean Cultural Center DC. Works by 45 Korean American Artists. Thru Mar 25. Digital Media Artist HyeGyung Kim. Thru Apr 22. koreaculturedc.org.

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VAUGHN RYAN MIDDER as The Black Rat in ‘Native Son.’ Photo by Iwan Bagus; courtesy Mosaic Theater Company

Mind control

Out actor gets inside protagonist’s head with Black Rat character By PATRICK FOLLIARD

Early in his career, out actor Vaughn Ryan Midder felt a little behind the curve. He didn’t have that aspiring actor’s storied string of high school starring roles under his belt. “At Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, the focus was on turning out engineers and scientists,” he says. “But I was a movie buff and knew that I wanted to act. I just didn’t know how to go about it.” All that changed with college. As a University of Maryland undergrad, he strove to make up for lost time. Playing bisexual teen Hanschen in “Spring Awakening,” Midder memorably simulated masturbation while singing “My Junk.” His first professional gig was understudying in Studio Theatre’s “Choir Boy” in 2014. He won a Helen Hayes Award in 2016 for playing puppet characters — closeted, gay Republican Rod and basement dweller Trekkie Monster (another fan of onanism) — in Constellation Theatre Company’s musical “Avenue Q.” Myriad plays and musicals have followed. Now he’s assaying The Black Rat in Nambi E. Kelley’s same-titled take on Richard Wright’s “Native Son” at Mosaic Theater Company. Like the seminal 1940 novel, the play gets inside the head of Bigger Thomas (Clayton Pelham Jr.), a young black man who, in search of opportunity in Depression-era Chicago, goes to work for a wealthy white family where he unintentionally sets off a chain of tragic events. Ninety minutes without intermission, Kelley’s adaptation is an illustration of memories, fantasies and the thoughts of its main character, says Midder, 26. Sixty snapshot scenes lead the audience from one pivotal moment to the next as they fall deeper and deeper into Bigger Thomas’ mind. There’s nothing cheesy about The Black Rat. “I’m not a little devil on Bigger’s shoulder,” Midder says. “I’m collection of his thoughts personified through another actor. And I’m the reflection how the hostile world sees Bigger as a 20-year-old black man. But I offer him a survival guide.” The Black Rat brings to life the concept of double consciousness, civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois’ term describing the internal conflict experienced by subordinated groups in an oppressive society, particularly how black people see themselves through the eyes of a racist white society. “It’s a duality still experienced today,” Midder says. Young and eager, Bigger is ready to fly from Chicago’s vermin-infested slums. He’s frustrated by the injustices he encounters at every turn. “He has fantasies about what it’s like to live white. I’m there to tell him to hope for less so he won’t fall as hard when he comes back down to reality.”

“Native Son” marks Midder’s third collaboration with Mosaic Theater Company. He acted in “When January Feels Like Summer” and “Milk Like Sugar” and assisted out director Serge Seiden with Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm’s “Hooded, Or Being Black for Dummies.” “Chisholm wrote a dark comedy about the things you can and cannot do as young black men in America. If you follow the manual, you can stay alive. It’s not so different from ‘Native Son,” Midder says. “Serge was adamant about making sure my voice was heard. He could see how important that play was for me.” Double consciousness isn’t unfamiliar to Midder. “Creeping on 20, I became more aware of the duality. You understand how it works on a constant basis. You have to balance your black boy joy with your black power protest side. If you try to carry the weight of how the world perceives you 24/7, it will make you crumble. But if you’re oblivious to it, you’ll have some heavy falls coming your way. The world doesn’t believe it owes you joy.” He works primarily though not exclusively in the Washington area. In the fall, Midder appeared in Lynne Nottage’s “Sweat” at Everyman Theatre in Baltimore where he currently lives. Being out hasn’t been problematic for the young actor. “I’ve found there are many different kinds of people making art. There are so many avenues for conversation. I’ve never felt uncomfortable attacking sensitive pieces in D.C. It’s been really good for me.” The process surrounding putting a play together can be rocky. “Rehearsing ‘Native Son,’ we tapped into some dangerous territory. Our director Psalmayene 24 is very open to experimenting but he’s also protective. He was very transparent about making sure that we take care of each other, and he instilled trust, allowing us to be as vulnerable as possible among one another so the story can be told.” Looking forward, Midder says he’d play any part penned by gay, black playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. But he especially likes the prospect of playing a role that hasn’t been done yet, a part that he gets to create: “No comparisons, no right or wrong way to do it. It’s yours to bring to life.”

‘Native Son’

Through April 28 Mosaic Theater Company Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H St., N.E. $20-60 202-399-7993 mosaictheater.org

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it’s a pivotal moment. So in retrospect I can see that I developed a process over time that works for me but it wasn’t something that I did consciously. I developed a relationship with the truth that has served me well in my songs. I’m not quite sure how I did that. But that’s what I do. I tend to migrate towards the emotional truth and solve that in my writing so that the songs resonate with listeners in a way that is hopefully meaningful to them. BLADE: You’re writing a book about songwriting? GAUTHIER: Yeah, it’s a combination memoir/book on my songwriting process. BLADE: When will that be released? GAUTHIER: We’re looking at 2020.

MARY GAUTHIER says honesty is the most important ingredient in songwriting. Photo by Laura Partain; courtesy All Eyes Media

Mary’s truth

Longtime singer/songwriter plays D.C. this weekend By MARIAH COOPER Mary Gauthier is an expert on penning pain to paper but it took her longer to embark on her songwriting dreams than most musicians. Gauthier was adopted by her parents, who lived in Louisiana, when she was one year old. She struggled with being adopted and in her younger years used alcohol and drugs to cope. In 1990, Gauthier opened Dixie Kitchen, a Cajun restaurant in Boston. On opening night she was arrested for drunk driving which marked the beginning of her long-term sobriety. After getting clean, she used her past issues with adoption trauma and alcohol and drug addiction to fuel her songwriting. Gauthier is now an accomplished singer/songwriter with 10 albums under her belt and a memoir/songwriting book on the way. The singer, whose last album was nominated for a Grammy, spoke with the Washington Blade from Nashville on March 11, her 57th birthday, which she admits “is not a big day for me.” She gave some songwriting 101 tips, teased her upcoming book and gave her thoughts on celebrities’ coming-out announcements.

WASHINGTON BLADE: You got into songwriting much later on in life which isn’t typical for most artists. What drove you to write your first song? MARY GAUTHIER: I got sober in 1990. After I got sober, I looked up and saw myself parked right next to the Berklee College of Music. I owned a restaurant next door. My employees were all musicians and songwriters. I really got swept up into it. I had a lot of time on my hands after I got clean. I just got carried away with it and it became the thing I wanted to do more than anything. After awhile, I really started taking songwriting seriously and that remains true. BLADE: Do you have a particular method to your songwriting? Do you do music or lyrics first? GAUTHIER: It depends. I’m writing a book. It’s so interesting in the middle of a process you don’t know what you’re doing. Years go by and you can reflect on the process and see, “Oh that was a pivotal moment.” But when you’re standing in the middle of a pivotal moment you don’t know

BLADE: What’s the best piece of songwriting advice you have for someone just starting out? GAUTHIER: Tell the truth. BLADE: That’s definitely what you do in your songs. You’re very open about your struggles with adoption trauma and alcohol and drugs. I’m sure writing about it is cathartic but do you find some songs are too much to perform consistently? GAUTHIER: Yeah, some songs I don’t bring out to an audience. Some songs I bring out a couple of times and some songs I only bring out once. I think there’s a fine line between enough and too much. That actually can change over time. I think that the challenge for me is to get myself in a place where I’m looking at a song to understand what the song wants to be and try to deliver it. Then I’ll make those decisions after the song is written as to whether this one is for me or for the public or for a record. A lot of the songs from “The Foundling,” where I worked through quite a bit of adoption trauma, I don’t play them anymore because I don’t want to relive that. I needed to write it and it was important to capture it. But I don’t need to constantly talk about it. I’m past it in many ways. So the best thing for me to do with those songs is leave them where they are and let them find their audience without my help. They are doing their work without me having to do much. People find it when they need it. BLADE: You’ve been out your whole career. Lately, a lot of actors and musicians make big, public coming out declarations to their fans. Do you think that’s something you would have done if you weren’t out? GAUTHIER: It’s hard to know how to come out if you’ve never been in. I don’t know. I think the more people that are open about it in life, the general public will understand that being gay is kinda like the color of your freaking hair or eyes. It’s something incidental. It’s not defining of who we are. It normalizes it if people know gay people in their real life. “Oh, you guys are just like us except you’re stumbling into the walls in same-sex relationships instead of heterosexual relationships.” So, I think having people out is a good thing. However you come out is good I think and however you want to handle it. I’ve never been one to tell people to come out if they’re not ready to come out. There was a time when people were outing people. I

always thought that was something I wasn’t comfortable with. I think we have the right to make that decision ourselves and based on the circumstances of our life. BLADE: You’re writing a book on songwriting and you used to own a restaurant. Any plans to write a cookbook? GAUTHIER: Probably not. I’ve kinda moved on from food. I’m not real passionate about it anymore. The work it would take to do that is probably not time well spent for me. I’m trying real hard to write this other book and, let me tell you, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s hard work. Writing a book is incredibly challenging. And I know for a cookbook you have to test everything over and over again and make sure you got the portions right and the timing right. You never know, but probably not. BLADE: Your last album “Rifles and Rosary Beads” was a collaboration with veterans telling their stories. Where did that concept come from? GAUTHEIR: I’ve been working with an organization that’s a non-profit that pairs veterans with songwriters and I just collected songs over a six year period and the collection of songs grew to the point where I realized this is a body of work and I decided I should put a record of these songs. I feel like the songs are significant. They tell the story of so much of what the veterans in this country are going through right now. It was wonderful for me to be out there with a record that wasn’t about me. BLADE: How did the songwriting work on that? GAUTHIER: The vets aren’t songwriters so we just listened to their songs and captured what they say and put it in a song. The veterans had the authority to say, “Hey, that’s not what I said” or “Can we change it a little different?” So they sign off on it but the songwriter does the writing. But it’s their story. It’s their life story. BLADE: Do you have any upcoming music projects? GAUTHIER: I’m always on the road. I’m always working. I travel the highways and bi-ways of the world. I love my job. I’m excited to play the City Winery in Washington. I’ve never played there before. I’ve played quite a few spots in the general vicinity but I’ve never played City Winery so I’m excited to come in and try a new venue. BLADE: What can people expect from your show? GAUTHIER: I’m gonna play the songs people are familiar with from my back catalogue and play some brand new songs and some songs off of “Rifles and Rosary Beads.” It’s 90 minutes of story and song.

Mary Gauthier with Jamiee Harris City Winery 1350 Okie St., N.E. Sunday, March 24 7:30 p.m. $22 citywinery.com

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LUPITA NYONG’O and WINSTON DUKE in ‘Us.’ Photo courtesy Universal

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Story of ‘Us’

New thriller is sleek and scary update on American Dream gone awry By BRIAN T. CARNEY Two years ago, writer/director Jordan Peele leapt into to international prominence with his first film, “Get Out.” Peele’s dazzling blend of satire and horror won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and the movie was also nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (Daniel Kaluuya). “Us,” his second film, is a chilling nightmare version of the American Dream that will certainly join the pantheon of great horror movies. With flawless timing and the pitch-perfect manipulation of comedy and terror, Peele puts a contemporary spin on classic horror movie tropes and turns a funhouse mirror on middle-class mores. It opens today (Friday, March 22) nationwide. As the movie opens, Adelaide Wilson (an impeccable Lupita Nyong’o) is bringing her family to her childhood home for a summer vacation, despite a growing sense of unease fueled by dim memories of a traumatic incident from her past. After a tense day at the beach with the family of her old friend Kitty Tyler (Elisabeth Moss), Adelaide’s fears materialize when a mysterious yet somehow familiar family

suddenly appears outside her house. To say anything further about the plot might spoil the terrific roller coaster ride that Peele and company have created. Peele’s work as writer and director is flawless. There’s not an extra word or a wasted shot and every detail is meticulously planned. With its careful focus on masks, mirrors and reflections, the movie is also a visual delight. Thanks to his seamless collaboration with cinematographer Mike Gioulakis, editor Nicholas Monsour and especially composer Michael Abels, Peele ratchets up the tension until a breathtaking final revelation and a closing image that is somehow both deeply disturbing and very funny. The entire cast is terrific. Nyong’o is thrilling as a woman confronting her own past and the monsters that threaten her family. Moss is wonderful as the shallow friend whose vanity and unmet ambitions become a fascinating part of Peele’s thoughtful commentary. Winston Duke is delightfully goofy as Gabe Wilson. He provides crucial comic relief, as does Tim Heidecker as Kitty’s husband Josh. Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex turn in fine performances as the brave Wilson children.

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NATALIE MORALES as Abby in ‘Abby’s.’ Photo courtesy NBC Universal

‘Abby’s’ place

New York City Ballet

New NBC sitcom sparkles with strong veteran cast By BRIAN T. CARNEY

New sitcom “Abby’s” starts with the interesting announcement that the show was filmed in front of a live outdoor audience. But while shooting the show live and outside (and in a multi-camera format) gives the show a distinctive look and pacing, that’s not what makes the show a milestone for LGBT representation and inclusion. The show is historic because it’s the first sitcom with a bisexual female lead that’s played by an out actress. It premieres on Thursday, March 28 at 9:39 p.m. on NBC following “Will & Grace.” Natalie Morales plays Abby, a former Marine Staff Sergeant who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. When she returns to civilian life, she decides to set up a neighborhood bar in her backyard. Although the patrons are bound by an elaborate set of 162 rules and regulations (ranging from no cell phones to a rigorous vetting process before they can get a coveted seat at the bar), the bar becomes a popular hangout. That’s all established in the first episode (of the three episodes available for press preview). In the second episode, the audience learns that Abby is bisexual and meets one of her former girlfriends Dani (Cyrina Fiallo), a representative from one of the liquor companies. Abby’s sexuality is not an issue for her patrons, but one of the regulars, Beth (Jessica Chaffin) is upset that Abby never told her about her threemonth relationship with Dani. Morales publicly came out as queer in 2017 before embarking on the press tour for “Battle of the Sexes.” The movie smoothly wove together lesbian icon Billie Jean King’s coming-out story with a stunning recreation of her famous tennis match against self-proclaimed male chauvinist pig Bobby Riggs. Morales played Rosie Casals, the professional tennis player who countered Howard Cosell’s casual sexism when the two provided onair commentary on the legendary game. Morales’ breakout role was Wendy

Watson on the 2008 cult favorite “The Middleman.” Since then, she’s had lead or featured roles in “Parks and Recreation,” “Trophy Wife,” the “90210” reboot, “The Grinder” and “Girls.” She’s also delighted LGBT audiences with her performances on “Santa Clarita Diet” and “BoJack Horseman.” On the former, she plays Deputy Anne Garcia who begins a romantic relationship with her partner’s wife after he goes missing. On the latter, she voiced Yolanda Buenaventura, a light pink axolotl who comes out as asexual during her relationship with BoJack’s sidekick Todd (who also comes out as asexual). Now she’s breaking new ground on network television with a fine performance as Abby. With sure-fire comic timing, Morales is delightful when she lobs quips across the screen and engages in comic banter with her colleagues. Although Abby can be gruff and abrasive, Morales also displays deep sensitivity when Abby talks about the bar as a “community center” for her oddball neighbors and growing up as a bisexual Cuban teen with an alcoholic father. Overall, series creator Josh Malmuth surrounds Abby with a strong supporting cast. In addition to Chaffin, who plays a harried mom who keeps an eye on her sons from her barstool, the cast includes sitcom veteran Neil Flynn (“Scrubs” and “The Middle”) as a long-time family friend and Nelson Franklin as Abby’s new landlord. The lead cast is rounded out by Leonard Ouzts and Kimia Behpoornia whose characters will hopefully be further developed in later episodes. While “Abby’s” is a milestone for LGBT representation and inclusion, the early episodes sometimes feel like a more diverse reboot of the classic sitcom “Cheers” which premiered on NBC in 1982. But, anchored by the talented Morales, the new show is funny and fast-paced and should age well, unlike the allspice vodka the characters are forced to drink in the second episode.

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Sterling Hyltin and Gonzalo Garcia in Opus 19/The Dreamer, photo by Paul Kolnik

Reisen, Balanchine & Robbins (Apr. 2, 3 & 7) Composer’s Holiday (Foss/Reisen) Kammermusik No. 2 (Hindemith/Balanchine) Opus 19/The Dreamer (Prokofiev/Robbins) Symphony in C (Bizet/Balanchine)

New Works & New Productions (Apr. 4, 5, 6m & 6e) Easy (Bernstein/Peck) In the Night (Chopin/Robbins) The Runaway (Muhly, West, Jay-Z, Blake, add. artists/Abraham)* SOMETHING TO DANCE ABOUT Jerome Robbins, Broadway at the Ballet (Bernstein, Bock, Gould, Rodgers, Styne/Robbins, direction and musical staging by Carlyle) *Music used in The Runaway contains lyrics with strong language and mature themes. See website for casting details.

April 2–7 | Opera House with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra

Kennedy-Center.org (202) 467-4600

Support for Ballet at the Kennedy Center is generously provided by Elizabeth and C. Michael Kojaian.

Groups call (202) 416-8400 For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540

MICHAEL RADKOWSKY

Playing it too cool? Burned by past relationships, gay man stumbles repeatedly

MICHAEL,

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April 5 & 6 | Concert Hall

Kennedy-Center.org (202) 467-4600

David M. Rubenstein is the Presenting Underwriter of the NSO.

Groups call (202) 416-8400 For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540 AARP is the Presenting Sponsor of the NSO Pops Season.

I was in a great relationship with Stuart for four years. We were living together and engaged. He had been a heroin addict but was clean when we met. It all blew apart when he relapsed. I had to end the relationship and was heartbroken. A few months later Stuart died of an overdose. I was so lonely and despondent. About a year after Stuart died, I met Boyd at a friend’s house. He was cute and flirtatious. For the first time I felt there might be a future for me. We dated for six weeks. I thought Stuart was completely amazing and loved being with him, even though part of me knew I was under some kind of spell because I felt like he was rescuing me from total misery. Then he dumped me. He said I was too needy. That was about two years ago. I decided I’d never again let myself come across as needy so I wouldn’t scare anyone else away. Now I’m dating Brent and I’ve been doing my best to play it cool. I waited for him to initiate sex the first time because I didn’t want to seem desperate. When we don’t spend the night with each other, I wait for him to text first in the morning because I don’t want to come across as thinking about him all the time. Usually I wait for him to suggest getting together, although I definitely make it clear that I like being with him. Last week he’d been talking about going to a concert together on Friday night. On Thursday he still hadn’t said it was definite, so I made plans with another friend. I didn’t want Brent to think I was just hanging around waiting on him. Then Brent called me on Friday morning to firm up plans. It turned out he had gotten the tickets the same day he told me about the concert. When I said I wasn’t available, he told me that I had really hurt his feelings. Now he’s mad at me. I’ve been trying to come across as selfsufficient with lots of friends and a busy life so Brent would see me as a strong person and want to keep dating me. Instead he thinks I’m thoughtless and I’m afraid he’s going to dump me. I feel like I’m going crazy. I lost one great guy by letting him know I was really into him and now by holding back I may

lose another great guy. I’m miserable and to top it off I’m furious at Stuart again. It’s been more than three years and I can’t stop thinking that if he hadn’t relapsed, we’d be married and having a great life. Instead I’m in these humiliating situations hoping to find someone. MICHAEL REPLIES: I’m sorry about your having lost Stuart so tragically. Given that loss, it makes sense that you would have come across as needy when you were dating Boyd. I hope you can forgive yourself for having behaved in a very human and understandable way. Part of the healing from losing your relationship with Stuart will be to actually become a stronger and more resilient person, rather than just trying to look like one. You need to do this mostly so that you can have a decent life, even if you don’t find a partner. That said, doing this work is also likely to help you in your quest to be partnered. Every one of us is better relationship material when we can comfortably stand on our own when there is no one there to stand with us. Right now, you’re keeping yourself in a weak and needy position. By trying to come across as something you’re not, you’re acting out of desperation. If you are to become a strong and solid person, you need to figure out what it means for you to behave in a way that you respect rather than putting on a performance designed to keep your current boyfriend interested. Whether or not Brent likes who you are should be almost beside the point. Aim to behave in a way that you like and respect. Regarding your behavior toward Brent, I think you are confusing being needy with being vulnerable. There is a big difference. Vulnerability means opening yourself up to someone and being willing to tolerate the pain that inevitably, at times, comes with such closeness. Being a strong person has to include letting yourself be vulnerable with someone you care about. Things may not go as you hope. But if you’re strong, you can survive. Right now your dishonesty toward Brent is creating all sorts of complications. If you like him, stop playing games and let him know who you really are and where you stand.

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ALLESANDRO GHIDINI (left) and CRAIG LOUISY are off to a strong start a year into their training. Photo courtesy Ghidini/Louisy

Practice and precision Local duo excels at ballroom dancing By KEVIN MAJOROS This week in the Washington Blade’s All Star series, we shine a spotlight on two LGBT athletes who are navigating their way through the costumes, music and theatrics of competitive dancesport. Growing up in Milan, Italy, Alessandro Ghidini was drawn to sports that involved water. He competed in swimming and water polo before joining the varsity Olympic kayaking team at the University of Milan. His studies to become an obstetriciangynecologist brought him to the United States where he attended Yale for five years along with a fellowship in New York. After arriving in D.C. in 1994, he returned to the water as a rower with the D.C. Strokes Rowing Club. Looking for something new, Ghidini joined a group that gave instruction in American Style ballroom dancing. “It was a good match for me. As a physician, I am trained for perfection and polish,” Ghidini says. “Dancing takes coordination, balance and an awareness of muscles. It’s very meticulous as is stitching up a patient.” Two years ago, Ghidini met coach Terry Chasteen of DanceSport Dupont Circle and began training in the International Style of ballroom dancing. A plan was formed to compete in the 2018 Gay Games in Paris, but finding the right partner proved difficult. Chasteen was line dancing with the D.C. Rawhides and spotted a possibility in the form of Craig Louisy. A partnership was formed with all dance training pointed toward competing in Paris. Louisy grew up in Saint Lucia and played multiple sports including tennis, karate, basketball and volleyball. Looking for a better life and education, he arrived in the D.C. area to attend Howard University. After medical school at Temple University in Philadelphia, he returned to the area for stints at Washington Hospital Center and the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Louisy accepted a position as a locum tenens surgeon (traveling surgeon) and spent the next several years traveling through Maryland, South Dakota, Hawaii and North Carolina. “Traveling so much made me feel disconnected. I couldn’t forge any lasting friendships and I knew it was time to establish some roots,” Louisy says. “When I returned to D.C., I joined the D.C. Rawhides. I always imagined myself on a stage, but

my medical career took me in a different direction. The thoughts of dancing and performing were still a part of me.” Ghidini and Louisy secured their dance steps and began the long hours of training to perfect them under Chasteen’s watchful eye. Not all dancesport competitions accept same-sex couples, so they selected welcoming competitions in Bethesda, New York and Columbus as tune-ups for Paris. “The competitions were fun, challenging and brought out my competitive side,” Louisy says. “DanceSport has dusted off different parts of my brain and has given me the exact thing I was looking for — social interaction and fun.” The pair arrived at the Paris Gay Games last August ready for their moment to perform on the international stage. They were entered in the Standard (waltz, tango and quick-step) and Latin (rhumba, jive and cha cha) categories. When the dust settled, they had captured two silver medals and a bronze. “It was such a sense of accomplishment after a year of practicing our steps and thinking about shoes, costumes and details,” Ghidini says. “The parade of athletes at the Gay Games opening ceremonies blew me away. Seeing athletes from anti-LGBT countries such as Cuba and Algeria brought tears to my eyes. I had family members there, including my husband, cheering us on. We were interviewed by French television stations and I felt so welcome.” Louisy agrees. “It was everything I imagined it would be — an international convening of the LGBT community. It was a very positive environment and you could feel the energy of it,” Louisy says. “It made me proud to be gay and athletic; like I was exposing it to the world that our community comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. It felt important, like I was doing my civic duty.” With such a great experience behind them, the pair are now training for the upcoming EuroGames in July in Rome. “After losing our virginity in regard to competing in international sports, I am totally game to keep this going,” Ghidini says. “But it takes two to tango.” Louisy says he’s in it for the long haul. “We made a lot of friends from other countries and learned techniques from each other,” Louisy says. “It has given me structure and resulted in only positive things.”

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Don’t get caught

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we were going to go ahead and release it before that goes any further, before the possibility of selling a single record is lost. Also the timing seemed right in terms of all the collaborations we hoped for. They kind of came together magically in the last year. BLADE: Will there be a vinyl? LAUDERDALE: There will be and hopefully we’ll have the vinyl in hand by the time we hit D.C. It should be here any day now.

THOMAS LAUDERDALE says his collaboration with MEOW MEOW has resulted in some of the greatest musical collaborations he’s ever done. Photo by Preston Thalindroma; courtesy Sacks and Co.

New(-ish) collaboration

Pink Martini braintrust Thomas Lauderdale teams up with Meow Meow for new album, mini-tour By JOEY DIGUGLIELMO JOEYD@WASHBLADE.COM Thomas Lauderdale (the Pink Martini bandleader) and musical gal pal Meow Meow go way back. Their new joint album “Hotel Amour” took about 10 years to make. Out today (March 22) on Heinz Records, “Hotel” features originals and international standards in French, German and more, on a mood journey through bittersweet tragedy, humor, politics and more. They opened a 10-city mini-tour this week in California and play Washington on Monday, March 25. Lauderdale, in his first interview with the Blade since 2013, spoke by phone Monday from his Portland home. His comments have been edited for length. WASHINGTON BLADE: I understand you and Meow have been recording off and on for several years. How did it work out that now was the time for the record? THOMAS LAUDERDALE: At the time we started recording this, people were still selling albums, selling CDs and records and of course, as the years have passed, that landscape has changed so we decided

BLADE: Vinyl is pretty hot now. You really think the album form will eventually die? LAUDERDALE: Yeah, I do. I think physical objects in our culture are becoming scarcer and scarcer and as the population shifts, the new generation is not used to touching things so there will be more virtual of everything. I feel like a dinosaur. All the things I like are disappearing. BLADE: How many LPs do you own? LAUDERDALE: I don’t know. Thousands probably. I also have 78s. I’ll take a photo and send it to you. … I much prefer records to CDs any day. This (album) sounds better on record. It was largely recorded on analog so it’s gonna sound better on vinyl than any other medium. BLADE: How would you characterize your musical chemistry with Meow Meow? LAUDERDALE: I’m not a songwriter … but writing with Meow Meow is the easiest of all the collaborations I’ve ever had. We just sort of sit down and start writing. I come up with a melody and she comes up with lyrics and there’s never any problem. It’s just effortless and I totally trust her taste and her aesthetic. We have different tastes but somehow it comes together in a really great way and we save each other from our worst instincts. BLADE: What do (Pink Martini lead singers) Storm (Large) and China (Forbes) think of this? Are they jealous? LAUDERDALE: I don’t know, I haven’t asked. … Whenever we all perform together, it never feels like a competition. We all support each other and recognize each other’s genius. BLADE: Are you gonna perform the whole record? LAUDERDALE: We’ll mix in other stuff. There’s a melancholy aspect to it, some are quiet and introspective, which is not really how Meow is in performance. A Meow performance is maybe the wildest and funniest show I’ve ever seen. People laugh so hard … but the album is more contemplative. If the album was like a Meow show, I think it would be like a disco record. It would have a certain shelf life. BLADE: Is that a common concern? There are certainly raucous classic albums

but what’s streaming through your house on Pandora while you’re cooking dinner isn’t necessarily the cacophony you’re down for at a live show. LAUDERDALE: Yeah, it’s a constant sort of quandary. Over the years, I feel like I’ve always been able to sort of slow things down in recording ‘cause live, there’s a tendency to play faster and louder. On a record, that can make the listener feel anxious. It’s something I’m aware of. We need more beauty, not more noise to compete with. BLADE: How did you and Rufus (Wainwright, who sings on the record) get so chummy? LAUDERDALE: I met him in 1995 when he was doing his first show in Portland … and it’s been amazing to watch him progress and become more himself as the decades passed. Whenever he comes to town, if I’m in town, we have a dinner party or a cocktail party or take him berry picking on the nude beach. He’s such a genius. BLADE: Are you still with Philip (Iosca)? LAUDERDALE: No. Phil and I were together almost a decade. He would say I did too many drugs and I would say he was too mean to my friends so we were kind of incompatible. We tore out all the walls in my 1859 building in downtown Portland and built a new inside. This was a threeyear process. At the end, he moved back in and that lasted just a few months and then he left. He won’t speak to me. BLADE: Are you with anyone now? LAUDERDALE: Yeah, I have a new partner named Hunter Noack and he’s a pianist as well. He’s got an incredible project where he takes 9-foot Steinways out into the wild and people listen through wireless headphones and wander the landscape. It’s really astonishing. BLADE: Did you eve get a TV? LAUDERDALE: No. Life is so interesting. If I turn on the TV in a hotel room, it sucks you in and there’s nothing worthwhile except maybe an animal show. BLADE: Don’t you feel out of the loop culturally if everybody’s talking about a hot show you’ve never seen? LAUDERDALE: No. I don’t think my friends watch TV either. There’s so much to do, to read, who has time for TV?

Meow Meow and Thomas Lauderdale Monday, March 25 Lincoln Theatre 1215 U St., N.W. 8 p.m. $35 thelincolndc.com

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‘Let Freedom Sing’ The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performed the show ‘Let Freedom Sing’ at the Lincoln Theatre over the weekend. Washington Blade photos by Michael Key

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The Coven ‘The Coven’ dance party was held at Ten Tigers Parlor on Saturday, March 16. Washington Blade photos by Molly Byrom

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To AirBnB or not — what’s all the fuss?

There’s more to coastal Delaware than in-town Rehoboth. Washington blade photo by Daniel Truitt

Harmless biz to some, tax-evading hotels in disguise to others By JOSEPH HUDSON I have stayed in AirBnB’s before when traveling. They have been really convenient, nice “homes away from home” where we had a kitchen if we wanted to stock up with some eggs and toast for breakfast in the morning, had big sectional couches for an afternoon nap after a long day of sightseeing, and a great way to feel

like you are “living as the locals do” for a few days without coming and going to a big lobby in a hotel that feels like it could be anywhere. But AirBnB’s are not without controversy. Many cities are enacting legislation to restrict the owners of properties and their ability to rent them out for AirBnB. For example, here in Washington D.C., the laws are changing so that only a property where the owner itself lives on the property can rent out another portion of the property (a carriage house or an English basement in a row home). If you own a house down the street, technically you won’t be able to AirBnB it out anymore. Not unless you live in some portion of it. There are questions out there as to how will this be enforced, what will be the fines,

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and how many people will ignore it and do it anyway? There are strong feelings as to why are these laws are being enacted, and what right does the government have to dictate how property owners use their properties. Some have said that the legislation is needed to protect homebuyers from having to compete with the individuals that buy up all kinds of properties with the sole intent of short term renting them, but with the benefit of not having to pay taxes on them like a hotel would. With any new type of business, eventually comes regulation and formal tax structure. When automobiles were first introduced, there was little precedent for laws and regulation, and only over time did we eventually have speed limits, one-way streets, stop signs, seatbelt laws, etc. It’s

inevitable that this new type of business – an app based short term rental that brings user and homeowner together for a short term transaction – would eventually be subject to regulations and restrictions. If you are interested in learning more about homeownership and the steps to becoming a homeowner, register to attend my homeowner seminar at Purple Patch in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday March 26 at 6 p.m. on Eventbrite. Look for “Homeowner 101 – Mount Pleasant” online and register for my free seminar.

Joseph Hudson is a Realtor with The Oakley Group at Compass. He can be reached at 703-5870597 or Joseph.hudson@compass.com.

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