Washingtonblade.com, Volume 50, Issue 28, July 12, 2019

Photo courtesy of World of Wonder

PLASTIQUE, OTHER ‘DRAG RACE’ DIVAS AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON, PAGE 32

J ULY 1 2, 2019 • VOLUME 50 • I S S UE 28 • WA S HI NGTON B LAD E.CO M

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VOLUME 50 ISSUE 28 ADDRESS

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If travel isn’t in the cards this summer, don’t fret.

D.C. has a busy slate of events, including Plastique and other ‘Drag Race’ divas coming to town.

PAGES 32-39

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Looking back:

20

50 years of the Blade 08 10 12 13 16 19

Canadian researchers address health disparities

‘Nothing to be proud of’— Norton

23

Viewpoint

blasts rise in D.C.hate crimes

32

Summer in the City

Man who confronted tourist with

40

Plastique fantastique

‘MAGA’ hat hit with anti-gay slurs

42

QUEERY: Amanda J. Hackett

Gay Senate candidate calls for

44

Crow returns to Wolf Trap

change in Saudi relationship

49

The size issue

In 1996, Sanders and Biden were

50

Grand governor

on opposite sides of DOMA vote

52

Rooftop Party

El Salvador police charged

57

Stroking toward gold

with murder of trans woman

59

Money tips for

Cannabis Culture

your summer travels 60

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6/26/19 3:43 PM

6 years ago, an optimistic view of the future FROM STAFF REPORTS

Six years ago this week, the Blade reported on the front page historic news that a Senate committee had passed a trans-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The measure would later pass the Senate but die in the House.

The headline was perhaps a tad optimistic as ENDA never became law. A new bill, the Equality Act, has since emerged in ENDA’s place and passed the House in May. But it faces an uphill fight in the Republican-controlled Senate and President Trump opposes it.

Take a walk down memory lane — visit washingtonblade.com/archives to research and browse the Blade’s unique 50-year archive of LGBTQ news and features in partnership with the DC Public Library.

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‘Nothing to be proud of’ — Norton blasts rise in D.C.hate crimes Trans woman sexually assaulted on Howard Community forum addresses recent anti-LGBT attacks University campus

By MICHAEL K. LAVERS MLAVERS@WASHBLADE.COM

Victim doesn’t believe she was targeted for being trans

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. LCHIBBARO@WASHBLADE.COM

From left, Del. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON (D-D.C.), Casa Ruby CEO RUBY CORADO and Lt. BRETT PARSON of the Metropolitan Police Department speak at a community forum on anti-LGBT violence on July 9.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) on Tuesday hosted a community forum on the recent spate of anti-LGBT attacks in the nation’s capital.

Norton acknowledged the number of reported hate crimes in D.C. nearly doubled over the last two years.

The Washington Post earlier this year reported there were 209 reported hate crimes in D.C. in 2018, compared to 107 that were reported in 2016. Norton on Tuesday said half of all reported hate crimes in D.C. are based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

“There’s been a doubling of hate crimes in our city in just two years,” said Norton.

“That’s nothing to be proud of.”

“Half of them were based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” she added.

“That’s nothing to be proud of.”

Lt. Brett Parson, who oversees the Metropolitan Police Department’s LGBT Liaison Unit, participated in the event that took place at One Judiciary Square. Casa Ruby CEO Ruby Corado, Helping Individual People Survive (HIPS) Development Associate Shareese Mone and National Center for Transgender Equality Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Action Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen also joined Parson and Norton.

The forum took place less than a month after Zoe Spears, a 23-year-old transgender woman and former Casa Ruby client, was killed near Eastern Avenue in Fairmount Heights, Md. Ashanti Carmon, a 27-year-old trans woman, was murdered in the same area on March 30.

A man with a gun demanded oral sex from trans women who were walking on Georgia Avenue near Casa Ruby in Northwest D.C. on June 15. Emmelia Talarico of No Justice No Pride was assaulted and threatened on June 18 when she was leaving a grocery store in Eckington.

A group of men attacked Braden Brecht and his boyfriend, Karl Craven, on U Street on June 16. Three people were stabbed inside the Fireplace, a gay bar on P Street in Dupont Circle, on the same day.

A Florida man on June 24 allegedly shouted anti-gay slurs at the manager of a Wawa in downtown D.C. when he attacked him with a stolen bicycle.

Corado became emotional when she spoke about Spears, who she said called her “mom.”

“She was an amazing kid,” said Corado, who added Casa Ruby is planning Spears’ funeral that is scheduled to take place on Friday. “She was someone who had a lot of dreams.”

A transgender woman of color told D.C. police she was sexually assaulted Friday night, July 5, by an unidentified male suspect as she was walking through the Howard University campus on her way to her home, which is located on a residential street behind the campus.

The victim, who’s in her late 20s and who spoke to the Washington Blade on condition that she isn’t identified, said she is not a Howard student and doesn’t believe the perpetrator targeted her because she’s transgender.

A D.C. police report says the incident took place between 11:40 p.m. and 11:55 p.m. on July 5 outside the Howard University Health Science Library building on the 500 block of W Street, N.W. “The complainant reports that between the listed times, the suspect who is unknown to her followed her on foot for several city blocks while continuously verbalizing an interest in her to which she responded that she was not interested in talking to him,” the report says.

“She reported that as they passed the front of the listed location, the suspect grabbed on to her by placing a hand around her waist, after which he placed a hand under her dress, touched her genitals and pulled at the top of her undergarment while attempting to kiss her,” the report continues. “She stated that she was able to disengage from him and continue to walk,” the report says.

The victim told the Blade the attacker continued to pursue her after she believes he discovered by touching her “private area” that she was a trans woman.

“I’m assuming he realized I was not, you know, I guess the woman he was looking for — I guess a cisgender female if you will,” the victim said. “He proceeded to struggle with me…and he pressed against me,” she said.

“I’m saying stop, please do not do this – no, please do not do this,” she told the Blade.

After entering her nearby residence she

immediately called 911 and reported the incident to D.C. police, she told the Blade.

The police report lists the incident as an offense of “Third Degree Sex Abuse - Force.”

D.C. Police Lt. Brett Parson, who oversees the department’s LGBT Liaison Unit, said the case remains under active investigation. Parson said police have no evidence based on information provided by the victim that the incident could be classified as a bias related or hate crime based on the victim’s gender identity.

Transgender rights advocate Lourdes Ashley Hunter, executive director of the Trans Women of Color Collective, said the victim is a member of the Collective. Hunter said that although the attacker may not have initially targeted the victim because she’s a trans woman, the incident becomes yet another in several recent cases in which trans women of color in the D.C. area have been victims of violent crime.

“Trans women of color have been targets of physical violence, even death not only in the District but across the country,” Hunter said in a statement. “This year alone 11 reported murders of Black trans women were recorded,” said Hunter, noting that two of those murders occurred in Prince George’s County, Md., just across the D.C. border.

“Walking on a college campus can put you at risk of sexual assault,” she said.

“Simply existing as a Black trans woman puts you in the line of fire literally.”

Trans rights advocate Dana Beyer, executive director of the trans advocacy group Gender Rights Maryland, said she too doesn’t believe the evidence shows that the July 5 sexual assault incident on the Howard campus was an anti-trans hate crime.

“This points out he assaulted her because she is a woman,” Beyer said. “This is just another assault on a woman, and trans women are women,” added Beyer.

“It is not an anti-LGBT hate crime. It is a misogynistic crime.”

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Man who confronted tourist with ‘MAGA’ hat hit with anti-gay slurs Former DNC official labels Trump backers racists, Nazis

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. LCHIBBARO@WASHBLADE.COM

A gay public relations specialist and former LGBT media outreach official at the Democratic National Committee says he’s been receiving homophobic attacks on social media following his widely reported Twitter posts describing how he was ousted from a D.C. restaurant for confronting a tourist wearing a proPresident Trump ‘Make America Great Again’ or MAGA hat.

In one of his July 4 Twitter posts, TJ Helmstetter states, “Guy wears MAGA hat at my favorite restaurant. I say ‘hey are you from dc?’ He says ‘no.’ I say ‘we don’t tolerate racism in this city. His girlfriend then physically jabs fingers into my chest and starts threatening me. Management tells me to leave, not woman who assaulted me.”

In a subsequent post and in an interview with the Washington Post, Helmstetter said the incident took place at the Hill Country Barbecue and Market restaurant at 410 7th St., N.W. just after President Donald Trump delivered his “Salute to America” speech at the Lincoln Memorial.

“Just got thrown out of Hill Country DC for standing up to a Nazi,” Helmstetter says in another post on Twitter. “Don’t go there ever again. They support Trump and Nazis.”

A spokesperson for the Hill Country restaurant told the Post in a statement that the restaurant’s management became concerned after observing “a very loud verbal altercation” near the bar area.

“When two of our managers approached the area, they observed one of our guests being hostile towards another group of guests,” the statement says. “Our team was simply trying to prevent a physical altercation as they are trained to do and asked the guest yelling at the group to leave the restaurant immediately,” says the statement.

“There was nothing more to it from our team’s perspective and the incident was handled appropriately to ensure guest safety,” it says.

When contacted Saturday by the Washington Blade via email, Helmstetter

responded by email saying he and his partner were on vacation. He said he would let the Washington Post story about the incident, for which he agreed to be interviewed via text message, speak for itself.

However, he added in his response to the Blade inquiry, “I’m getting a lot of antilgbt/ sexist/homophobic attacks in my DM [Twitter Direct Message] box and on other platforms. One guy on Instagram asked which of my partner and I were ‘the wife.’

Helmstetter continued, “Many of the messages toward me say ‘pussy’ ‘faggot’ ‘cocksucker’ [and] otherwise question my masculinity and threaten violence. That’s how these people operate.”

In the Tweets he posted on July 4 and July 5 Helmstetter expressed concern that the restaurant asked him to leave but not the woman whom he says “assaulted” him by jabbing her finger into his chest.

In one of his Tweets he says he called the restaurant’s manager after he was forced to leave and quoted one of the managers as saying the establishment was “an equal opportunity restaurant who welcomes all political viewpoints.”

Added Helmstetter in that Tweet: “Cool, except MAGA hats actually make clear that POC and LGBT are not welcome at all.”

He told the Post he felt compelled to confront the tourist wearing the MAGA hat because “progressives and any concerned person who thinks that we shouldn’t cage brown children in American concentration camps should respond vociferously to these people at every opportunity.”

The Post story about the incident says Helmstetter told the newspaper the social media attacks against him flooded his Twitter feed and private message inbox with hostile comments, prompting him to make his Twitter account private.

According to the Post, Helmstetter said he has become “burned out on politics in Washington” and that after many years working in the political arena, including at the DNC and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, he is starting a new business – a flower design studio.

SARAH MCBRIDE announced that she is running for a seat in the Delaware State Senate.

Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt

Trans activist McBride running for Delaware Senate

Transgender and LGBT rights activist Sarah McBride announced on Tuesday that she is running for a seat in the Delaware State Senate in a Wilmington area district where she was born and raised and currently resides.

McBride, 28, is running for a seat held by incumbent Democrat Sen. Harris McDowell, Delaware’s longest serving state senator, who announced he is retiring at the end of his term in 2020 and will not seek re-election next year.

“I’ve spent my life fighting for people to have dignity, peace of mind, and a fair shot at staying afloat and getting ahead,” said McBride in a July 9 statement.

“Sen. McDowell’s retirement at the end of this term is a well-deserved cap on a remarkable career of public service, and now our neighbors need someone who will continue to fight for them,” she said.

Her statement notes that she has been active in local politics and issue campaigns beginning at a young age, and while in college at American University in D.C. she served as an intern at the Obama White House, becoming the first openly transgender person to work in any capacity at the White House.

She currently serves as National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, the D.C.-based national LGBT advocacy group. A spokesperson for her state senate campaign said she has been working since 2017 for HRC in a Wilmington office.

Delaware’s 1st Senate District includes parts of Wilmington and the towns of Bellefonte and Claymont in New Castle County.

In 2013, McBride joined the Board of Directors of the statewide LGBT advocacy group Equality Delaware and became one of the leading advocates for the state’s gender identity non-discrimination legislation. Then-Gov. Jack Markell signed the measure into law in June 2013.

McBride became the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention in 2016 when she spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

As of the time she announced her candidacy for the State Senate seat on Tuesday, no other candidate has come forward to run for the seat. Political observers say they expect one or more other Democrats to challenge McBride for the nomination for the seat in the September 2020 Democratic primary in a district in which Democrats are the clear majority.

“At the end of the day, I’m not running to be a transgender state senator,” McBride told Wilmington’s radio news station WDEL FM. “I’m running to be a senator who serves her community, I’m running to be a senator who fights for affordable healthcare, I’m running to be a senator who works to expand access to paid leave and reform our broken criminal justice system,” she said. “Those will be my priorities.”

LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Blade’s Chibbaro named LGBT ‘Icon’ The Equality Forum, an advocacy group that promotes awareness of LGBT history, announced its annual “Icons” who will be celebrated during LGBT History Month in October. Among them is Washington Blade Senior News Reporter Lou Chibbaro Jr., who has written for the paper since 1976.

Chibbaro is in good company. Other icons being recognized this year include actor Rock Hudson, presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and Pulitzer Prizewinner Ronan Farrow.

Each day in October, the Equality Forum will feature a new Icon with a video, biography, downloadable images and other resources. LGBT History Month is a free educational tool available for to the media, academic institutions, organizations and the public.

“In its 14th year, LGBT History Month will have archived 432 Icons in its database, making it the largest online resource for information on worldwide LGBT leaders,” says Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality Forum. “The Icons are searchable by a variety of means, including from a cloud of over 150 descriptive tags, such as Academy Award, Transgender and Politics.”

STAFF REPORTS

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Stein Club calls for Evans’ resignation

An unidentified man was captured on video yelling anti-gay slurs while ripping down a Pride flag.

D.C. police seek help from public in rainbow flag incident

The Stein Club this week called for the resignation of Council member JACK EVANS. Washington Blade Photo by Pete Exis

The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, D.C.’s largest local LGBT political group, approved a resolution by unanimous voice vote Monday night calling for D.C. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) to resign from his seat on the Council.

The club approved a separate resolution, also by unanimous voice vote, calling on the D.C. Council to pass legislation decriminalizing prostitution in the District for consenting adults.

The resolution on Evans also calls for him to “immediately” resign from his position as National Committeeman from D.C. to the Democratic National Committee and for the Council to remove Evans from all Council committees and to “deny him the ability to participate in any legislative or oversight matters in the Committee of the Whole.”

The approval of the three-part resolution on Evans at the Stein Club’s regularly scheduled meeting on July 8 came four months after club members defeated a similar resolution calling for Evans to resign from the Council.

While defeating that resolution club members approved separate resolutions at their March 11 meeting calling for Evans to temporarily resign from his position as chair of the Council’s influential Committee on Tax and Revenue and from his post as National Committeeman to the DNC. Stein Club President Monica Nemeth said the club’s decision to ramp up its position on Evans, a longtime supporter of LGBT rights, by calling for his resignation from the Council was based on new information that has surfaced linking Evans to allegations of ever more serious ethics breaches.

In seven paragraphs headed by the word “whereas,” the Stein Club resolution cites the allegations that have surfaced against Evans, including a federal investigation looking into whether he used his position as a Council member and chair of the Metro Board to benefit his private consulting business.

“WHEREAS, Councilmember Evans appears to have so compromised himself, and to have conducted himself with such little regard for the dividing line between the public interest and his personal clients’ interests, that it is no longer tenable for him to serve on the Council without bringing the entire Council and its other members into disrepute,” the resolution states.

Evans has argued that the allegations against him appear more serious than his actual actions that have become the subject of the investigations.

“When all is reviewed and known, you will see my actions – while not becoming – are far from that which has been reported or suggested,” the Washington Post quoted him saying to fellow Council members at a meeting last week.

The sex worker decriminalization resolution approved by the Stein Club endorses a pending D.C. Council bill, the Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019, which was authored

by D.C. Council member David Grosso (I-At-Large) and co-introduced by Grosso and Council member Robert White (D-At-Large). The bill would decriminalize prostitution in the District while leaving in place laws that ban sex trafficking and any commercial sex work involving coercion.

The resolution states that “policing and criminalization of sex work is one of the primary means of racial profiling, police violence, and mass incarceration of black and brown women, girls, and trans and gender nonconforming folks.” It adds that “LGBTQ+ folks of color, who have fewer opportunities for housing, employment, and legal protections, are overrepresented among those engaged in sexual exchange.”

The resolution asserts that “removing criminal penalties for sexual exchange reduces discriminatory treatment of D.C.’s most marginalized. This increases sex workers’ ability to access supportive services, negotiate safer sex practices, and seek legal recourse for incidents of sexual and physical violence.”

Sex worker advocates Tanike Spellman and Alicia Sanchez Gill, who were guest speakers at Monday night’s Stein Club meeting, provided background information on the decriminalization bill and urged club members to contact their Council members to express support for the legislation.

LOU CHIBBARO JR. LO CAL NE WS • JULY 12, 2019 • WA SHINGTO N BL A DE . COM • 11

D.C. police have posted a video on YouTube of an unidentified male suspect ripping down a rainbow flag from a house on Capitol Hill and have appealed to the public for help in identifying the suspect.

One of the homeowners first posted the video on Twitter and on a community blog on the day the incident took place on July 2. The video was taken from a security camera attached to the house where the suspect ripped off the pole on which the flag had been hanging.

It shows the male suspect walking up to the house, pulling the pole off of the mount on which it was attached to the wall of the house, and slamming the pole and flag onto a fence. The video camera, which also has an audio recording component, also captured the suspect shouting anti-gay slurs as he grabbed and damaged the flagpole.

“The flag itself was not damaged,” said Betty Rhoades, who along with her husband, owns and lives in the house where the rainbow flag had been displayed.

“The flagpole, however, was destroyed – he ripped it out of its mount which destroyed the mount and the bottom of the pole where it attached and then he smashed it into our fence, denting it and rendering it unusable,” Rhoades told the Blade in an email.

“We displayed the flag to acknowledge and celebrate Pride month,” she said. “We have many dear friends in the LGBTQ+ community, and especially lately (with the increased assaults on LGBTQ+ rights in this country), we wanted to show them and others that our house is a safe space where they are welcome and supported,” she said.

D.C. police, who came to her and her husband’s house to take a report of the incident, have listed it as an offense of destruction of property and classified the incident as a suspected anti-LGBT hate crime.

Rhoades said police sent over a forensic team to attempt to obtain fingerprints from the flagpole. She said the officers took her and her husband’s fingerprints to rule them out from any other prints found on the pole. A police spokesperson told the Blade police never comment on evidence they obtain in an ongoing investigation.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect shown in the video and several still photos taken from the video is asked to immediately call D.C. police at 202-727-9099.

LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Memorial for slain trans woman Zoe Spears set for July 12 A celebration of life service for 23-year-old D.C. transgender woman Zoe Spears, who was shot to death on June 13 in Fairmount Heights, Md., just across the D.C. line, has been scheduled for Friday, July 12, at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, according to an announcement released on Monday.

“The transgender community condemns the murder of Zoe Spears,” says the announcement, which was issued by D.C. transgender advocate Earline Budd, who is organizing the service.

“Zoe deserved so much more in life rather than being gunned down like an animal,” the announcement says. “But a part of our closure is to bring the transgender community, family members, and officials together to say ‘farewell see you later’ through having a ‘Celebration of Life’ for this brave young woman taken too soon,” it says.

The announcement says the service will begin with a viewing at 10 a.m. at the MCC Church at 474 Ridge St., N.W. to be followed by the service at 11 a.m., which will be led by Bishop Allyson Abrams, pastor of Empowerment Liberation Cathedral.

Budd is calling on the D.C.-area LGBT community to make a contribution to help pay the costs for a burial for Spears in a D.C.-area cemetery. She said the Capital Mortuary funeral services company has agreed to temporarily store Spears’ remains while the fundraising effort for a burial site continues through a GoFundMe campaign at gofundme. com/help-with-services-for-zoe-spears.

LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Gay Senate candidate calls for change in Saudi relationship Colo.’s Dan Baer would be first out gay man elected to chamber

By CHRIS JOHNSON CJOHNSON@WASHBLADE.COM

Gay former U.S. ambassador DANIEL BAER is running for U.S. Senate in Colorado.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

Daniel Baer, a former U.S. ambassador during the Obama administration who is now vying to become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate, said the time has come for the United States to change its relationship with Saudi Arabia.

In an interview Monday with the Blade, Baer said the change he envisions is “hard to describe” in a single paragraph, but made clear Saudi Arabia, despite its longtime alliance with the United States in military affairs, is “not an ally” and must change regardless of the administration that is in power.

“We have security interests across the region, and we need to have a more robust and accountable bilateral relationship,” Baer said. “That doesn’t give Saudi Arabia a special position that they don’t merit.

It’s not that we should be looking for some way to be more aggressive or more confrontational with them. It’s just that Saudi Arabia does not merit — they are not an ally, they don’t share our values.”

Previously, Baer served as deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor under Hillary Clinton when she was secretary of state, then became U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe.

Baer spoke with the Blade shortly after winning the endorsement of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, an organization that focuses on electing LGBT people to political office, and reporting an impressive haul of $1.35 million in fundraising for second-quarter 2019 in his bid to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate.

Criticizing the Trump administration for using LGBT people and minority groups as

“fodder for the president’s populism,” Baer took particular issue with the transgender military ban and new regulations allowing medical practitioners to deny health care to transgender people in the name of religious freedom.

Baer was also skeptical of President Trump’s global initiative to decriminalize homosexuality and recalled former President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton beat him to the punch in pursuing initiatives in favor of international LGBT rights.

“I helped write the original policy of the United States government that we would advocate a move to drive our programs and our policy to achieve decriminalization worldwide back in 2011, I mean, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but coming from this administration, those words ring hollow,” Baer said, Bear was also critical of the new State Department commission on “natural law” established by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“I think it’s obviously an attempt for this administration to pick and choose which aspects of human rights they want to stand behind,” Baer said. “I think it’s incredibly disturbing, that it looks like this is an attempt to redefine what are universal rights, that are not only the foundation of our constitutional system, but that are now codified in international law thanks in large part to the efforts to the United States and our allies to accomplish that in the wake of World War II.” Read the full interview below: Blade: Given your expertise in foreign policy, how much will international affairs animate your campaign and career in the Senate?

Daniel Baer: Well, a couple things.

One, when I talk to people around the state of Colorado, obviously, the issues that come up more than any specific policy issue is actually an issue of values, which is that people don’t want to live in a society that has the kind of open advocacy for hatred and division that we see emanating from the White House.

And so, I think a lot of people out there are people like me, who are motivated by our concern in this moment for our communities and our states that motivates us to get involved in new ways, and that’s the primary kind of overarching concern.

Obviously, when we talk about issues that most of us care most about are the ones that hit us close to home, to the kitchen table.

That said, the conventional wisdom that is that voters don’t care about foreign policy. I found that that both underestimates the degree to which voters understand and are engaged with issues and their level of interest. Everywhere I go — rural areas, urban areas, – people understand that the issues that we care most about here in Colorado have a[n] international dimension, whether that is the economy, they understand trade and tariffs are something that impact jobs and the prices of agricultural goods here in Colorado. So, they understand that has an international dimension.

A lot of people obviously focus on climate change and the existential threat that it poses. We understand that it’s not just a local action that has to be used to take on that threat, but also national and international action. So, issue by issue, education, even people understand that this is about preparing young people to be able to have a shot at a middle class life in a 21st century economy, and they understand the 21st century economy is a global one, so people understand that international affairs matters.

Blade: But in terms of LGBT issues, where do you want to go?

Baer: I guess in terms of LGBT issues, I feel like the strongest argument for one of the cases that I have to make with fellow members of the LGBT community is that I just don’t just happen to be part of that community, but I’ve also, throughout my career, spent time on issues that affect our community directly.

Obviously, the work that I did at the State Department that you covered, including helping Secretary Clinton write her landmark speech and working out programs and diplomacy in a variety of

countries around the world to help move towards decriminalization or keeping LGBT activists safe from harm.

That’s a meaningful, meaningful part of my background to me professionally and is meaningful to me personally, as well. And I think, going forward, certainly, if elected, I would want to be one of the co-sponsors of the Equality Act and I would want to deliver appropriate oversight of the Pentagon in reversing the ban on transgender troops that Trump has reinstated.

I’m committed to continuing to be somebody who advocates for the dignity of all Americans and all people driving that through policy.

Blade: What bothers you the most about how the Trump administration has handled LGBT rights?

Baer: I guess what bothers me the most is when you look at the way that they have – it’s not systematic, it’s knee-jerk, and — but it is across — you know, it’s not just the trans troop ban. It’s also the way that they’ve moved to exclude LGBT people from healthcare. It’s also the rhetoric of the president.

And, you know, I think what bothers me the most is that LGBT people like other people who are members of minority groups have found themselves as fodder for the president’s populism. We’re being used by him and his administration to fire up a base to distract from the real problems that face the United States and the world. And so, we’re being used as a means rather than end and that’s, that’s disgusting and disappointing.

Blade: But in his tweet, recognizing June as LGBT Pride Month, President Trump recognized a global initiative within his administration to decriminalize homosexuality. What do you make of that initiative?

Baer: I helped write the original policy of the United States government that we would advocate a move to drive our programs and our policy to achieve decriminalization worldwide back in 2011. I mean, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but coming from this administration, those words ring hollow.

I helped write President Obama’s presidential memorandum that came out on the same day as Secretary Clinton’s historic speech in Geneva, that outlined decriminalization as a priority of the United States government and charged all U.S. agencies engaged in work overseas with making that part of their work.

CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM.

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In 1996, Sanders and Biden were on opposite sides of DOMA vote But opposition to bill didn’t translate into full marriage support

By CHRIS JOHNSON CJOHNSON@WASHBLADE.COM

Then-Sen. JOE BIDEN and then-Rep. BERNIE SANDERS took opposite votes on DOMA 23 years ago this week.

Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

A key vote on LGBT rights was taken 23 years ago in Congress and the results found two lawmakers who are now leading contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination — Bernie Sanders and Joseph Biden — on opposite sides of the contentious issue.

The vote was on the Defense of Marriage Act, an anti-gay law the Republican majority in Congress cooked up in 1996 to stymie President Clinton as he sought re-election.

Drawing on (unfounded) public fears as Hawaii’s courts were leading the way for the state to legalize same-sex marriage, DOMA sought to bar the U.S. government from recognizing same-sex unions for the purposes of federal benefits. Moreover, DOMA sought to allow states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

When the House vote was set to take place on July 12, 1996 — 23 years ago this week — public opinion was overwhelmingly against same-sex marriage. Gallup, which first started polling on same-sex marriage in 1996, found 68 percent of the American public opposed same-sex marriage and 27 percent supported it. (The numbers are basically reversed in 2019.)

The House vote on DOMA ended up being 342-67. Sanders, who was representing Vermont in the U.S. House, was among the small cadre of lawmakers who bucked public opinion and voted against the Defense of Marriage Act. Months later, when DOMA came up for a vote in the U.S. Senate on Sept. 10, 1996, Biden in his capacity representing Delaware in the U.S. Senate bowed to public sentiment at the time, voting in favor of the anti-gay law.

The vote on DOMA in the Senate was 85-14 with Biden in the supermajority of senators. DOMA then headed to the desk of President Clinton, who signed the measure into law on Sept. 21, 1996.

Biden has built a reputation as a strong supporter of the LGBT community, famously coming out in favor of same-sex marriage on “Meet the Press” in 2012, but his vote on DOMA in 1996 sets up a key contrast between him and Sanders in terms of who came to bat first when times were tough for the LGBT community.

But while observers say Sanders took a political risk in voting against DOMA in 1996 compared to Biden, whether it had an impact on the marriage equality movement was another question.

Andrew Sullivan, a gay conservative commentator and early marriage equality proponent, praised Sanders when asked whether Sanders deserves credit for his vote against DOMA and whether it had an impact.

“I do think it was brave and important for Sanders to vote this way — principled but unpopular,” Sullivan said. “It speaks very highly of him that he was against this Clinton-favored bullshit. I don’t think it made the slightest bit of difference though.”

A chief reason for the lack of impact of Sanders’ vote against DOMA is the lack of any statement from the Vermont independent on the issue.

The Washington Blade could find no statements from him in the congressional record at the time, nor did research of contemporaneous newspaper accounts yield any first-hand comments from him. (For that matter, the Blade could find nothing from Biden justifying his vote in favor of DOMA.) From what can be found, Sanders didn’t frame his vote against DOMA in terms of LGBT rights.

In 2015, when Sanders was running against Hillary Clinton, Mark Joseph Stern of Slate published an article that featured a 1996 quote in the Burlington Free Press from Sanders’ chief

N AT I O NAL NE WS • J ULY 12, 2019 WA SHINGTON BL A DE . COM • 13

of staff justifying her boss’ vote on DOMA on constitutional grounds and state’s rights.

“You’re opening up Pandora’s box here,” the Sanders staffer was quoted as saying. “You’re saying that any state can refuse to … recognize the laws of another state if they don’t like them.”

That’s hardly a ringing endorsement of same-sex marriage, which formed a strong basis of Stern’s criticism of Sanders for calling himself a longtime champion of marriage equality.

“Sanders’ exaggeration of his marriage equality record is strange and unwise,” Stern concluded. “If Sanders were honest about his evolution — and, yes, it was an evolution — then he could still brag about supporting marriage equality long before his chief primary rival. Instead, he has attempted to reframe his somewhat tepid support as vociferous and unabating.”

Moreover, Sanders — unlike Biden — was virtually absent in the marriage equality fight in the years that followed.

When a U.S. constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage nationwide was up for debate in 2006, Sanders was asked whether his state should legalize same-sex marriage.

Reflecting on the political turmoil in Vermont when it legalized civil unions in 2000, Sanders replied, “Not right now, not after what we went through.”

In 2009, when Vermont finally sought to legalize same-sex marriage, Sanders was absent from the discussion in his home state.

Vermont, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage though the legislative process, ended up only being able to do so after the state legislature held an override vote on the Republican governor’s veto.

In the Vermont State House, the override succeeded by a single vote.

Meanwhile, Biden, for beating President Obama to the punch in endorsing samesex marriage in 2012, continues to be remembered for his impact on the marriage equality movement.

Biden’s words on “Meet the Press” led Obama to follow suit and started a national conversation on the issue, which in turn led to more states legalizing same-sex marriage and the Supreme Court ruling for marriage equality nationwide.

Nonetheless, Sanders in his 2016 campaign bragged about his vote against DOMA as evidence of his longtime support for the LGBT community, criticizing Hillary Clinton for not coming out against the antigay law sooner. (Clinton had supported DOMA at least through her 2000 U.S.

Senate campaign.)

In a 2015 interview with the Washington Blade, Sanders said he has a clear memory of being on the House floor in 1996 as he cast his vote against the anti-gay law.

“I remember being on the floor at the time,” Sanders said. “It was politically a very difficult vote, and despite what some may say, the Supreme Court evolves as does the American public. I think it’s also fair to say that very few people would have predicted the degree to which gay rights have changed, the dramatic change in a relatively short period of time.”

Evan Wolfson, who founded and led Freedom to Marry, the campaign to win marriage for same-sex couples, was tepid in his assessment of whether Sanders deserves credit for his DOMA vote.

“He didn’t at the time offer full-throated support for the freedom to marry, but he was far from the only one not yet there at the time,” Wolfson said. “His vote would have had more impact had he followed it up with leadership on making the case for the freedom to marry nationally and in Vermont, which became one of our crucial battlegrounds in the late 1990’s and throughout the 2000’s.”

But asked whether in the terms of the DOMA vote Sanders showed greater leadership on marriage equality than Biden, Wolfson replied, “Sanders voted right in 1996. Biden did not.”

“Sanders was not a leader then or since on gay or transgender civil rights, but was generally on the right side and deserves credit for that, as well as his correct vote in 1996,” Wolfson added.

Wolfson emphasized he “like[s] many of the Democratic candidates for president, and have my favorites, but haven’t yet endorsed any.”

Both Sanders and Biden were clearly on the record against the Defense of Marriage Act by 2013, when the Supreme Court was considering litigation filed by the late “mother of marriage equality” Edith Windsor.

As previously noted, Biden came out for same-sex marriage on “Meet the Press.”

After initially defending DOMA in court, the Obama administration joined the American Civil Liberties Union and lesbian attorney Roberta Kaplan in lobbying against the law.

Sanders joined a group of 212 congressional Democrats in signing a legal brief arguing against the constitutionality of DOMA. The Supreme Court would strike down the antigay law in 2013.

The Sanders campaign didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment this week on the importance to Sanders of his vote against DOMA.

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Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. } The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

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Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. To learn more, visit BIKTARVY.com.

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6/24/19 4:10 PM

El Salvador police charged with murder of trans woman

Journalist among 3 trans women killed in Honduras

Three police officers have been charged with the murder of CAMILA DÍAZ CÓRDOVA, a transgender woman from El Salvador who was deported by the U.S. in 2017.

Photo courtesy of Aspidh Arcoiris Trans

SANTI CARVAJAL, a transgender journalist, was shot to death in Puerto Cortés, Honduras, on July 6.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Three police officers in El Salvador have been charged with the murder of a transgender woman who was deported from the U.S. The three police officers — Carlos Valentín Rosales, Jaime Giovanni Mendoza and Luis Alfredo — with El Salvador’s National Civil Police’s 911 System in San Salvador face charges of deprivation of liberty by an agent of authority and aggravated homicide as a hate crime in connection with Camila Díaz Cordova’s death earlier this year. The three men made their initial court appearance on July 5.

Díaz’s friend, Virginia Flores, told the Blade Díaz was reported missing at the end of January.

Díaz was later found at Rosales National Hospital in San Salvador with multiple injuries. She died there on Feb. 3.

“I am not 100 percent satisfied, because we already know that organized crime, as opposed to common crime, is the most harmful here in El Salvador,” Flores told the Blade.

Flores, who had been close to Díaz since she moved to San Salvador from Santa María Ostuma in La Paz department in 2007. Flores said Díaz became part of her family.

“The police officers’ lawyers allege that Camila was on drugs, which is not true,” Flores told the Blade.

“She was not a person with problems, she kept to herself,” added Flores. “She didn’t even swear and she only drank at home, but to say that she was going to drink on the street … I don’t believe it.”

Asociación ASPIDH Arcoiris Trans in a statement demanded prosecutors use the reformed penal code to ensure this crime does not go unpunished and serves as an example to state agents. The trans Salvadoran advocacy group also demanded prosecutors apply the reformed penal code to every hate crime committed against trans women and members of the LGBTI community.

Díaz asked for asylum in the U.S. because of violence against LGBTI Salvadorans and the government’s reluctance to defend their rights. The U.S. deported Díaz in 2017.

“The Salvadoran government owes a lot to all of these families who have lost a loved one who was part of the LGBTI community or specifically a trans woman,” Flores told the Blade. “Trans women, out of everyone in the LGBTI community, are the most stigmatized, the most discriminated because the same LGBTI community sometimes discriminates against us.”

LGBTI activists have reacted to the officers’ arrest positively, even though the case will generate uncertainty.

“I think that this symbolizes a big advance in the issue of access to justice, which is one of the most (tenuous issues) for the LGBTI community in El Salvador, especially for trans women who have been targeted for murder and disappearances since the 1990s,” says ASPIDH Arcoiris Trans Programs Coordinator Amalia Leiva.

The Díaz case has had its initial court hearing and will continue through the discovery case.

Flores says she hopes officers who have been arrested will not be released, even though the judge has ordered they remain in custody ahead of their next court appearance, which has not been scheduled. The officers face up to 66 years in prison if convicted of Díaz’s murder.

“I would expect that these people will not go free during the discovery phase, the case would continue to a final judgment, a trial, and that they will be convicted there,” said Flores.

MICHAEL K. LAVERS

A journalist is one of three transgender women who have been murdered in Honduras over the last week.

La Tribuna, a Honduran newspaper, reported Santi Carvajal was shot in Puerto Cortés on the country’s Caribbean coast on July 6. Carvajal’s relatives told the newspaper she died at a hospital in the nearby city of San Pedro Sula.

Carvajal hosted “La Galaxia de Santi,” a program that aired on a Puerto Cortés television station.

The Blade received pictures that showed doctors treating Carvajal at the hospital while she was lying on a stretcher.

A message posted to Carvajal’s Facebook page on July 6 confirmed she had died.

“Santy is already in her magical galaxy,” it reads. “Rest in peace.”

Indyra Mendoza, general coordinator of Cattrachas, a lesbian feminist network based in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, on Monday confirmed Carvajal was trans.

“She was a very public trans person,” Mendoza told the Blade.

Asociación Arcoiris, a Honduran advocacy group, on Monday said on its Facebook page that Bessy Ferrera, the sister of Rihanna Ferrera, a trans woman who ran for the country’s Congress in 2017, was killed in Tegucigalpa. The Blade on Monday saw a picture of Bessy Ferrera’s body slumped over on a set of stairs.

“This news has undoubtedly taken us by surprise,” wrote Asociación Arcoiris on its Facebook page. “It leaves us with a lump in our throat and a feeling of powerlessness to see how we are being killed cruelly and the authorities of this country are doing nothing.”

Mendoza told the Blade another trans woman, Antonia Laínez, was shot to death in El Negrito, a municipality in Yoro department in northern Honduras, on July 3. Media reports also say a cross-dresser

was killed in Comayagüela, a city that borders Tegucigalpa, on Monday.

“Today has been a very rough day,” Mendoza told the Blade.

Violence based on gender identity remains commonplace in Honduras, which has one of the world’s highest per capita murder rates.

Activists in the Central American country with whom the Blade has spoken in recent years say members of Honduras’ National Police and the Honduran military among those who target trans women.

Violence, along with discrimination and poverty, has prompted many trans Hondurans to migrate to the U.S. and Mexico over the last two years.

Roxsana Hernández, a trans woman with HIV from Honduras, was in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody when she died at a New Mexico hospital on May 25, 2018. Perla, a trans Honduran woman who traveled to the U.S. with a migrant caravan that left from San Pedro Sula’s main bus station earlier this year, told the Blade on March 26 that Honduran police target people based on their gender identity.

“The police, to be honest, make the decision to persecute us and arrest us,” said Perla when she and other LGBTI migrants from Central America were at Casa Ruby in D.C. “They even rape us and kill us.”

Mendoza told the Blade that police have arrested two men in connection with Bessy Ferrera’s murder. Erick Martínez, a prominent Honduran activist who lives in Tegucigalpa, said Carvajal may have been targeted because she was a trans woman and a journalist.

“People like her already have an implicit vulnerability because they are a transsexual woman,” said Martínez. “But this risk increases when you are known as a social communicator or journalist: Both profiles are high risk in Honduras.”

MICHAEL K. LAVERS

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Cannabis Culture “Our findings suggest that de facto medical use may be highly prevalent among adult use customers, and that access to an adult use cannabis market may influence individuals’ use of other medications,” authors concluded. “Our findings ... suggest that adult use customers may be similar to medical cannabis patients in their use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription analgesics and sleep aids. ... While adult use laws are frequently called ‘recreational,’ ... our findings suggest that many customers use cannabis for symptom relief.”

Longitudinal studies assessing the use of prescription drugs following patients’ enrollment in state-sanctioned medical cannabis access programs frequently report a decline in the use of conventional medicines, specifically opioids, anti-anxiety drugs, and sleep aids.

Metered dosing of herbal cannabis effective in patients

Photo courtesy of Bigstock

More financial institutions working with marijuana industry The total number of financial institutions willing to work directly with state-licensed cannabis business continues to grow, according to quarterly data provided by the U.S. Treasury Department and first reported by MarijuanaMoment.net.

Since the close of last year, the number of banks actively servicing marijuana businesses increased over 10 percent. The total number of credit unions servicing the industry rose by nearly 20 percent.

Federal law discourages banks and other financial institutions from maintaining relationships with marijuana businesses because the plant remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. In February, NORML submitted testimony to Congress in support of legislation to amend federal law in a manner that facilitates relations between the cannabis businesses and the banking industry.

Adults substitute cannabis for prescription meds: study NEW YORK — Adults who purchase retail cannabis typically report using it to mitigate pain and to improve sleep, and often use it in place of conventional medications, according to data published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.

A team of investigators from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and the University of Miami assessed marijuana use trends among 1,000 adult use customers in Colorado. Seventy-four percent of those surveyed said that they consumed cannabis to promote sleep, while 65 percent reported using cannabis to alleviate pain. Among those respondents with a history of taking prescription sleep aids, 83 percent reported either reducing or ceasing their use of those medicines. Among those respondents with a history of consuming prescription opioids, 88 percent reported mitigating or stopping their use.

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HAIFA, Israel — Hospitalized patients administered cannabis via a metered dose inhaler report symptom relief and no severe adverse effects, according to clinical data published in the journal Palliative & Supportive Care.

Israeli investigators assessed the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of metered dose cannabis inhalation in a group of hospitalized patients. The device allowed for patients to selfadminister precise quantities of cannabis in a vaporized (noncombustion) form.

All patients reported reduced pain symptoms following cannabis inhalation. Several subjects also reported relief from nausea and spasticity. No severe adverse effects were reported by any of the study’s participants. Three-quarters of the participants reported the inhaler to be “easy to use.”

Authors concluded, “[T]he current study results have demonstrated the feasibility of administrating cannabis using the Syqe Inhaler, allowing for the first time, to administer small, safe, accurate, precise, and reliable dosages of cannabinoids” in a hospital setting.

Del. lawmakers seek to reduce penalties for juveniles DOVER, Del. — Lawmakers have advanced legislation amending criminal penalties for juveniles who violate the state’s marijuana possession laws. The bill now awaits action from Democratic Gov. John Carney.

Senate Bill 45 eliminates criminal penalties for low-level marijuana possession offenses (up to one ounce) for those under the age of 21. Instead, juvenile offenders will face a fine-only civil penalty. Those with past criminal convictions for juvenile offenses will be eligible for the mandatory expungement of their records.

Under current law, marijuana possession offenses are decriminalized for those ages 21 and older, but remains criminalized for those under the age of 18. Those between the ages of 18 and 21 may be eligible for civil sanctions, depending on their past criminal history.

If signed into law, the new measure will take immediate effect.

Cannabis Culture news in the Blade is provided in partnership with NORML. For more information, visit norml.org.

Canadian researchers address health disparities TORONTO — A professor and his Ph.D. students at the University of Toronto have developed a list of 23 recommendations they presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health in June to address LGBT health disparities, MedicalXPress reports. It covers a wide spate of health topics.

Asst. Prof. Alex Abramovich has been studying the issue of homelessness among LGBT youth and young adults for a decade and does a lot of work in the area of trans health. With enough data, he says, public health specialists can provide safe housing for LGBT youth and education for health providers across Canada.

“It is also time to address the issue of (LGBT) youth homelessness nationally,” he told MedicalXPress. “(LGBT) youth are overrepresented among the youth homelessness population in Canada.

However, national point-in-time counts and street needs assessments, up until very recently, have not collected inclusive data.”

The report also recommends an end to all discriminatory practices related to blood, organ and tissue donation for men who have sex with men and trans people.

“I am thrilled this report has meaningfully included the research findings of communitybased organizations I am fortunate to work with, including the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC),” said Daniel Grace, an assistant professor at Dalla Lana, according to MedicalXPress.

In a recently published qualitative study in the journal BMC Public Health, Grace spoke to 47 Canadian men who wanted policies to catch up to evidence on HIV testing. Grace says an HIV-negative man told him his blood shouldn’t be deemed “better or worse” and that we “should look more at risky sexual behavior—independently of a person’s sexual orientation or gender.”

Gays down, straights up in latest Aussie HIV figures KENSINGTON, Australia — HIV infection rates for gay men in Australia are down sharply — 30 percent in five years, HIV Plus Magreports, citing the Kirby Institute’s 2018 HIV Surveillance Report.

“It’s the lowest number we’ve seen in 18 years,” said Rebecca Guy, head professor of the institute’s Surveillance, Evaluation and Research program, in a

report in The Sydney Morning Herald. Guy attributed the drop to the increase of PrEP use, regular testing and treatment efforts.

PrEP is highly effective at making HIV transmission nearly impossible.

However, the report did not reveal good news for straights folks Down Under.

HIV rates among straight men and women are holding steady in Australia, and account for roughly 200 new cases every year. Traditionally, heterosexuals have accounted for roughly one in five of all HIV diagnoses annually, but now — just as gay and bisexual men are curbing their HIV rates in the country — their rate has risen to one in four, HIV Plus Mag reports.

One issue is that testing rates are significantly lower among heterosexuals.

Only an estimated one in three heterosexual people had been tested for HIV in their lifetime in Australia. This results in a large numbers of people living with HIV for years before they are diagnosed, raising the risk of unknowingly transmitting the virus to their sexual partners, according to Kirby’s data, HIV Plus Mag reports.

Guy adds that the dramatic decline was the result of the “incredible commitment” of government, health care workers, the community and researchers.

New trans guidelines issued for health providers DANVERS, Mass. — Medical providers must be aware of the needs of patients who are transgender, working to deliver culturally competent care that addresses health inequities and patient care access issues, according to a new guidance published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Patient Engagement reports.

The guidance, written by researchers from Mount Sinai Health System and the Icahn School of Medicine, outlined the key aspects that health care professionals must acknowledge when delivering care from an individual who is transgender or who experiences gender incongruence.

Data shows that about 1.4 million individuals are transgender, but that access to health care is severely lacking. Access to a provider who has knowledge about treating individuals who are transgender is among some of the biggest barriers to care access that the transgender community faces, the researchers reported.

Additionally, care that is not culturally competent can lead to potentially disastrous health disparities, such as higher rates of certain cancers, substance use disorder, depression or behavioral health issues among transgender patient populations, Patient Engagement reports.

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2 2 • WAS H IN GTO N B LAD E.CO M • J U LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9

BROCK THOMPSON

is a D.C.-based writer who contributes regularly to the Blade.

KATHI WOLFE

is a regular contributor to the Blade and winner of the 2014 Stonewall Chapbook competition.

VI E WPO I NT • JU LY 12, 2019 • WA SHINGTONB L A DE . COM • 23

PETER ROSENSTEIN

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

RICHARD J. ROSENDALL

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

BROCK THOMPSON

is a D.C.-based writer.

He contributes regularly to the Blade.

On gay acceptance, young people suck.

So do Republicans.

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New survey reveals declining support for LGBT rights

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OK, stay with me. Years ago, well, not that many years ago, for us gay people pretty much all Republicans hated us. All Republicans and every other Democrat.

But now times have changed. As evidenced last month with all the wonderful Pride brouhaha, Democrats were practically tripping over themselves to march in our parades. Republicans, naturally, couldn’t be bothered. Whatever, right? I mean, can you imagine what sort of joy Mitch McConnell would bring to Pride anyway?

Democrats have largely come around, Republicans, not so much. And generally, acceptance is on the rise. Generally. All across the board society’s attitudes and perceptions of LGBT Americans have pretty much improved. That is, except for one demographic — young people. For those 18-34 years of age, the numbers have slid for a second year in a row. In its yearly national survey among U.S. adults conducted by GLAAD, the survey asked how comfortable are you interacting with an LGBT person. For young people in the 2018 survey, this stood at 45%.

That’s down from 53% in 2017 and a high of 63% in 2016. And this from young people, typically seen as the cooler of the generations. Even older Americans, those placed in the ‘curmudgeon’ and ‘back in my day. . .’ categories. That age group, those 72 and older, even edge out young people on the acceptance scale, albeit by just a hair.

So not great news coming out of the survey. And I don’t want to get too numbers heavy in these columns. But let me just offer up one more statistic. Hate crimes are on the rise in our city, and not surprisingly, LGBT Washingtonians are the biggest target. The Washington Post reported earlier this year that the District racked up 61 crimes in 2018 based on sexual orientation, up from 40 in 2016 and 56 the year before that. Numbers-wise, that’s an increase of more than 50 percent in just over two years. GLAAD categorized the decrease in acceptance among younger

Americans as ‘alarming.’ Let’s couple this with the rise in hate crimes against LGBT people and you could categorize it all as “Oh my God!” So where is all this ‘un-acceptance’ and downright hate coming from? There is a lot of it out there to be sure, and social media bares a lot of the blame. The truth is, no matter how you feel about us gays, it would only take a few clicks around to find a whole host of others that agree with you. A few more clicks to find some really hateful rhetoric, I’m sure. I’ve never gone poking around, but I do hate-follow a couple of politicians from back home in Arkansas, and one even tweeted about the survey noted above as a good development.

Yeah, needless to say, he’s a Republican.

And maybe it’s a good idea to be reminded from time to time that there are large swaths of America that don’t generally care for us. A large swath that would rather not have us around. And those folks are generally more on the Republican side of things. GLAAD minces no words in laying blame pretty much entirely on President Donald Trump. To all the people out there who thought on LGBT issues Trump couldn’t be that bad, GLAAD has tallied up over 100 instances of explicit anti-gay bias by Trump himself, his appointees, or departments. Talk about death by a thousand cuts. And let’s be clear, the two years seeing decreased acceptance among the young match up exactly with the 2016 election of Trump.

And social media is certainly his favorite platform from which to spew hate.

And this column has touched on it all before. I call it ‘trickle down hate’ coming from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. That the man sets the tone and tenor for all those impressionable young MAGA-hat wearing youths you dodge while running on the National Mall.

I’m ready for a change. And if Republicans and the president they embolden inspire others to act with bigotry and hate, then 2020 cannot come soon enough.

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PETER ROSENSTEIN

KATHI WOLFE

is a regular contributor to the Blade and winner of the 2014 Stonewall Chapbook competition.

Queer history emerging from the shadows

‘Love Letters of Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Simpson Whipple’ a must read Milestone anniversaries make us remember the past. Fifty years ago on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. As I raise a glass to honor Armstrong’s historic, awestruck footsteps, I’ll be thinking of hidden LGBTQ history.

The upcoming anniversary reminds me of Sally Ride, the first woman astronaut.

“Millions of little girls are going to sit by their televisions and see that they can be astronauts, heroes, explorers and scientists,” Gloria Steinem said when Ride made her historic 1983 flight into space.

Few knew until after her death that Ride had been in a same-sex relationship with Tam O’Shaughnessy. As I’ve written before in the Blade, I don’t judge Ride for not revealing her sexual orientation, “deciding to come out, even as marriage equality increasingly becomes a reality, is still a personal, and often, difficult decision.”

But, I hope Ride’s sexual orientation won’t be hidden from history. Sometimes straight people wonder why it’s important for hetero and queer folk to learn about LGBTQ people in history. “Who cares if Sally Ride or anyone in history was gay?” a cousin asked me once, “it’s what they did that counts.”

It matters because until recently few people could be openly queer. Though we’ve achieved marriage equality, you can still be fired just for being gay in more than half of our states. The Trump administration is pursuing an anti-LGBTQ agenda. Bullying is a problem for many queer students, especially, those who are trans.

As a youth, in school, I, like many LGBTQ people, didn’t learn about any queer people in history. Even now, queer folk are often absent from history books and lessons. How inspiring it would be for queer kids and adults to learn that some of our nation’s most renowned icons from Walt Whitman to Eleanor Roosevelt to Sally Ride were queer.

Thankfully, queer history is emerging from the shadows. The latest reveal to come my way, through a report in The Washington Post, is a new book, “Precious

and Adored: The Love Letters of Rose Cleveland and Evangeline Simpson Whipple, 1890-1918,” edited by Lizzie Ehrenhalt and Tilly Laskey. Rose Cleveland, a teacher and author, was the sister of President Grover Cleveland. Cleveland, who never married, served as first lady during part of Cleveland’s first term.

Cleveland, who was born in 1846, and Whipple, who lived from 1856 to 1930, were wealthy, educated, independent women.

When they met while visiting Florida in 1889, Cleveland was no longer the official hostess at the White House. Evangeline (then Evangeline Simpson) was a wealthy widow. (In 1896, Evangeline married Henry Whipple, an Episcopal bishop in Minnesota.

He died in 1901.) Both women owned several homes. Partly because she was, for a time, first lady, Cleveland’s book “George Eliot’s Poetry” was a bestseller.

At their first meeting, they sparked to each other. From that moment onward, the two women had a 28-year relationship “encompassing friendship, romance, sexual attraction and partnership,” the editors write in the introduction to “Precious and Adored.”

Their letters, mostly from Cleveland to Whipple, reveal a complex bond that endured from the Victorian era to World War I, the editors say. They had nicknames for each other. Cleveland called Whipple “Wingie” and “Eve.” She’d sign her letters with “Viking” or “Myself.” “You are mine by every sign in Earth & Heaven, by every sign in soul & spirit & body,” Cleveland wrote to Whipple.

Whipple begged Cleveland to “come to me this night.”

Yet being of their era, they wouldn’t have thought of themselves as part of “women who shared an identity built on same-sex attractions,” the editors write.

Though assigning a sexual orientation to Cleveland and Whipple after their time, is anachronistic, “it’s still possible,” Ehrenhalt and Laskey say, “to recognize their relationship, and their letters, as queer.”

When some still want to deny our place in history, that’s something to celebrate.

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

Why aren’t more Trump supporters embarrassed by him?

One thing I’m wondering: Why aren’t Trump’s supporters embarrassed by him?

When he lies; when he misspeaks; when he makes a fool of himself and denigrates women.

When he says he is OK with letting asylum seekers live in squalid detention camps? Why do they forgive all his indiscretions?

I have yet to find a plausible answer. I know they aren’t all stupid and while many of his supporters are as racist, sexist and homophobic as he is they aren’t all that way.

I thought it might be people who had never been far from home. Then recently I was on a nine-day Baltic cruise and during a tour of Stockholm one of the Americans on our tour bus defended him by saying he was the most honest president ever. I wanted to laugh but it wasn’t funny. This was a man traveling the world with his wife. He obviously had some money and was educated and it was perplexing. I asked him if he ever watched a Trump video when Trump said one thing and then denied saying it. He continued to insist Trump was not a liar.

During the 2016 campaign, Hillary Clinton said: “You can take Trump supporters and put them in two big baskets. There are what I would call the deplorables—you know, the racists and the haters, and the people who are drawn because they think somehow he’s going to restore an America that no longer exists.” Today we know she was correct. Because what other explanation is there for those who seem to excuse his presidency seemingly with their eyes and ears closed to what he is doing and saying?

Yet they are all not uneducated. Gregory T. Angelo, former president of the Log Cabin Republicans, said he continues to believe Trump is the most pro-LGBT president even after Trump and his administration “announced a ban on transgender people in the military; fired the entire presidential AIDS commission; decided not to collect data on LGBTQ people in the census; pulled questions about LGBTQ seniors in a health survey on the elderly; supported employer discrimination against LGBTQ people; backed allowing discrimination in public accommodations against LGBTQ people; appointed anti-LGBTQ judges to federal courts; and said he would stop investigating discrimination against trans students in bathrooms, among many other

hostile actions.” How does one pretend all this didn’t happen? Is Angelo deplorable? I don’t know but he is certainly something, maybe it’s despicable, and certainly not rational.

He recently joined Trump in opposing the Equality Act, lobbying against it.

In the coming months as we pick a Democratic candidate to run against the disgusting pig currently occupying the Oval Office some Democrats will debate who can get Republicans to join Democrats in voting him out. That is a waste of time. The reality is we don’t need those voters to get rid of him if Democrats and independent-leaning Democrats vote. As of October 2017, polling found “31% of Americans identified as Democrat, 24% identified as Republican, and 42% as Independent.” When Independents are asked, “Do you lean more to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party polling showed “46% are either Democrats or Democratic leaners and 39% are either Republicans or Republican leaners.” In the few states Democrats felt they should have won and lost by a total of 80,000 votes costing Clinton the Electoral College, Democrats took back the top three statewide positions in Wisconsin; won the governorship in Michigan; and took congressional seats and state legislative seats in Pennsylvania in 2018. It is about getting Democratic voters out and appealing to Democratic-leaning independents and getting them out.

We need a Democratic candidate focused on kitchen table issues who can speak to voters and look to their future.

These are voters disturbed about his handling of immigrants, separating children from parents and putting children in cages.

We Democrats have to do the work of making people believe we will help them get a good education for their children and a college education they can afford. We need to address bringing down the price of prescription drugs and ensure coverage for pre-existing conditions. We must convince them we can keep us out of war; raise taxes on the wealthy and bring down taxes on the middle class. They are not expecting miracles. That is why what Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic caucus in the House are now doing is so important. They are actually passing legislation that will make up a platform our candidate can run on and win on.

26 • WA S HI N GTO N B LAD E.CO M • J U LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9 • V IEWP O IN T

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6787ThornetonRoad.com Attractive updated waterfront rancher situated on a beautifully landscaped 3+/- acre property along lovely and serene Edge Creek. Features include an open floor plan, hardwood floors, abundant windows and great outdoor space. Stunning great room with vaulted ceiling, kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite and a breakfast bar, family room, and master suite with water view and master bath. Relax on the screened porch overlooking the water or take a dip in the beautiful in-ground swimming pool. Charming gazebo and large patio offer plenty of space for entertaining. Private pier, 250’+/water frontage and approximately 2’ MLW. 2-car attached garage. Ideal Royal Oak location near historic St. Michaels and the Oxford Ferry. The perfect retreat! $749,900

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Full name: Michael Moore Occupation: Realtor Favorite local restaurant: Sushi Ogawa Favorite local bar/lounge: Rooftop at the W hotel Favorite vacation spot: Italy (anywhere will be fine) Favorite Charity: Food & Friends Favorite thing to do on a weekend: Spending the weekend in NYC

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琀栀攀 RICHARD J. ROSENDALL

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

Immigrants are an enrichment, not a threat Oppose the GOP alliance between mob and capital I don’t know about you, but I am sick of conservative Never Trumpers blaming liberals in advance for our trickster president’s re-election, as if they hadn’t spent decades paving the way.

One playground for recriminations is America’s border with Mexico. A conservative colleague accuses me of helping to reelect Trump by being soft on the so-called immigration crisis. I proudly plead guilty. I refuse to prove my patriotism by pandering to fear and loathing I do not feel. I have known some undocumented immigrants, and I would trust those good people with the keys to the city as I would never trust the mountebank in the executive mansion.

As the Center for American Progress declared last month, “[D]espite the toxic, nativist rhetoric and policy President Donald Trump regularly peddles, the United States is neither being invaded, nor does it face an unmanageable migration crisis.”

Recent headlines, we should note, are damning: “Detained migrant children got no toothbrush, no soap, no sleep. It’s no problem, government argues.” “Graphic, sexually explicit Facebook posts roil Border Patrol.” “DHS Needs to Address Dangerous Overcrowding and Prolonged Detention of Children and Adults in the Rio Grande Valley.”

That last one is from the inspector general at the Department of Homeland Security.

This is America in the age of Trump. As Adam Serwer wrote in The Atlantic in October 2018, “The Cruelty Is the Point.” The fact that the policy of deterrence is not working does not matter to Trump. The only thing he cares about is provoking his base.

All I directly witnessed of Trump’s MAGA 4th of July celebration was the noise of fighter jets flying over my apartment; the fireworks a dozen blocks south were entirely obscured by smoke. The TV cameras showed a folly in which overhype, vanity, and bad weather ignominiously combined. After his Forgettysburg Address confusing two wars and inventing 18th century airports set off a torrent of mockery, Trump blamed his teleprompter.

The enduring problem, however, is a habitual bullshitter’s inability ever to admit an error.

Behind the snafus and stupidity crouched a more insidious beast: a belief that America is made great not by its ideas

but by its military stockpile. Belligerence and resentment may boost voter turnout, but do not enhance governance.

The argument that allowing economic migration will set off a stampede is like the argument that gay marriage would cause straight men to leave their wives. In fact, illegal immigration is down.

Migration is a constant of human history. Harping on rules of asylum is beside the point. America’s colonialist practices in Central and South America, including economic exploitation, toppling of governments, and financing of insurgent groups, contributed greatly to the problems from which the migrants are fleeing. We owe those countries help, not punishment.

Author Suketu Mehta writes in “This Land Is Our Land” an immigrant’s manifesto: “I am angry: about the staggering global hypocrisy of the rich nations, having robbed the poor ones of their future, now arguing against a reverse movement of peoples—not to invade and conquer and steal, but to work.

Angry at the ecological devastation that has been visited upon the planet by the West, and which now demands that the poor nations stop emitting carbon dioxide. Angry at the depiction of people like my family and the other families that have continued in my family’s path, because they had no other choice, as freeloaders, drug dealers, and rapists. I’m tired of apologizing for moving. These walls, these borders, between the peoples of the earth: they are of recent vintage, and they are flimsy.”

The threat to our republic is not from migrant families, but from a president whose vandalism is fueled by authoritarian nationalism.

Populist candidate Trump ran against immigrants and Goldman Sachs. President Trump kept demonizing immigrants but put several Goldman Sachs execs in his administration. As Mehta notes, Hannah Arendt called this old game the “alliance between mob and capital”—enrich plutocrats at the expense of the working class, then scapegoat strangers.

We must object. Our national creed is inconsistent with rule by fear.

Trump’s grandiosity was triggered by the 2017 Bastille Day parade in Paris. To that I say: Vive la résistance!

Copyright © 2019 by Richard J. Rosendall. All rights reserved.

VI E WPO I NT • JU LY 12, 2019 • WA SHINGTONB L A DE . COM • 31

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Page turners for the beach or pool

‘Love Falls on Us,’ A Wanderer’s Love Letter’ among summer book highlights

By YULANI RODGERS

Looking for some refreshing page turners for the summer? Dive into these new LGBTQ novels that are light on the mind.

Award-winning journalist Robbie CoreyBoulet takes on the LGBTQ movement in Africa and how it differs from those in the United States and Europe in his novel “Love Falls on Us: A Story of American Ideas and African LGBT Lives” (Aug. 15).

He argues that the international LGBT activists and allies have created winners and losers within the movement.

If someone from an African country identifies with the those of the global movement, then they find support. If their identity doesn’t happen to align so neatly, funding and care can be unavailable.

Especially in a world where LGBT rights are being reversed even in “developed” countries, Corey-Boulet investigates the right way to address LGBT issues in Africa.

This novel is for those who care to know the difference in approach.

Upcoming pop artist, Boy Untitled (Mark Tennyson), is releasing his first selftitled EP and accompanying illustrated book of poetry “A Wanderer’s Love Letter to the Universe” (out this month).

Both the EP and book reflect a tumultuous time in Tennyson’s life over the course of two years. There are five parts representing stagnation, recognition, action, vision and

evolution. Tennyson is a Los Angelesbased artist who began their career in the art scene and slowly transitioned to the sultry, electronica side of pop music.

“Diary of a Drag Queen” (out now) is exactly what the title suggests. Crystal Rasmussen takes readers through her crazy life on a daily basis over the course of a year.

She spills the details about her experiences dating men three times her age, sleeping with a VIP for her journalism career, being fired by a well-known magazine and much more. If you’re looking for a new perspective on life, this is the book for you.

Tehlor Kay Mejia tells the tale of Daniel Vargas, the top student at the Medio School for Girls in “We Set the Dark on Fire” (out now). Daniel has two options after graduation: maintain her husband’s household or raise his children.

The only problem is that her paperwork was forged by her parents to give her a better opportunity. Although there’s a few hiccups at her graduation, she gets through the day without anyone discovering her secret. Her new challenge is to spy for a resistance group causing a shift in her newest options: hold onto the privilege her parents sacrificed for her or pursue freeing Medio and a forbidden love.

If you enjoy the tale of King Arthur, “Once & Future” (out now) by Cori McCarthey and

Amy Rose Capetta is the novel for you. The main character, Ari Helix, crash lands on Old Earth and pulls the legendary sword from its place making her the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Merlin, who has aged backwards and is now a teenager, informs Ari that together they must break the curse that keeps bringing back Arthur. They must save humankind, defeat the oppressive government and bring peace to all. No big deal.

“Like a Love Story” (out now) follows three teenagers impacted by AIDS. Abdi Nazimian uses the stories of Reza, Judy and Art to address the complexities of being gay during the 1980s. Reza is an Iranian boy who knows he’s gay but won’t admit it because he worries about the disease affecting him. Judy is a fashion designer who has a strong relationship with her uncle who has AIDS and is active with ACT UP. Art is Judy’s best friend who rebels against his conservative parents by photographing the epidemic and is the only out gay student at school. Somehow Reza and Judy end up dating leaving room for heartbreak and disappointment.

“Red, White & Royal Blue” (out now) is a romantic comedy by Casey McQuiston where the First Son, Alex ClaremontDiaz, and his nemesis, Prince Henry, are forced into a fake friendship to help with his mother’s re-election campaign. After a

confrontation between the two was leaked to the tabloids, they were forced to truly get to know one another and their once fake friendship turns into a secret relationship.

With President Claremont’s campaign picking up, Alex must make a decision on which matters to him more: his political image or the potential love of his life.

In their first published work, Mason Deaver delivers “I Wish You All the Best” (out now). It’s a story following a non-binary (like the author) character, Ben De Backer, who has recently come out to his family. Disowned and thrown out on the street, Ben has no other choice but to go live with his sister and her fiance who, along with their therapist, are the only other ones to know their identity. Ben tries their best to get through the rest of their senior year by keeping a low profile however, Nathan Allan has other plans for them.

In poet Ocean Vuong’s debut novel “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” (out now), he explores topics such as race, class and masculinity. The novel is a written letter from a son to his mother who cannot read. It unearths the family history of Little Dog whose roots stem from Vietnam.

Written when the speaker is in his late 20s, Vuong takes readers through Little Dog’s life that includes information that even his mother has no clue about including an unforgettable revelation.

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Get cool, see art ‘Queer Japan’ screens July 27 at Landmark E Street Cinema.

Photo courtesy Reel Affirmations

Washington boasts nearly 80 museums and galleries and most are inexpensive with admission prices ranging from free to $30. So, if Stonewall celebrations whetted your appetite to be out in the community, D.C. offers much more arts and culture to feast upon.

Gallery B (7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E, Bethesda, Md.) will present an exhibition of work by Maryland Federation of Art members July 3-27. The exhibition is juried by Robert Yi, a recipient of the A.H.O. Roll Prize in Fine Arts and the Mae W. Jurow Scholarship who is also exhibiting at the Hylton Performing Arts Center (10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas, Va.) July 14-Sept. 8 with an opening reception July 25. Yi’s portrait paintings have ranged from Mohammed Ali and the Dali Lama to muscular men in tiny briefs. Gallery hours for the MFA show will be Wednesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. with a public reception on Friday, July 12 from 6-8 p.m. For more information, visit bethesda.org/bethesda/gallery-b.

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) presents “Queer Japan,” a colorful documentary celebrating the triumphs and struggles of being a sexual and gender minority in modern Japan, July 27 at 7 p.m.

This film is part of the Reel Affirmations XTRA monthly LGBTQ film series showing at Landmark’s E Street Cinema (555 11th St., N.W.). Tickets are $14. August 2-4 is the Outwrite Literary Festival and features awardwinning novelists Kristen Arnett and Jericho Brown as well as queer poet and drag performer Wo Chan. Arty Queers continues as the Center’s monthly indoor LGBTQ art market featuring work crafted by local artists, and Center Arts Gallery will hold a closing reception for professional photographer and graphic designer Todd Franson Saturday, Sept. 7, from 7-9 p.m. at the D.C. Center. For more information on these and other events, visit thedccenter.org.

The Wentworth Gallery (7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md. and 1807 Galleria at Tysons II, McLean, Va.) is exhibiting works by artists Charles Fazzino and Elena Bond this July and August. Fazzino, a 3-D pop artist, uses bright colors and detail to construct lithographs and serigraphs that are finished with either acrylic or glitter paint. His Batman-themed

Foundry, Hillwood, Newseum and more have compelling summer exhibits

By PHILIP VAN SLOOTEN

piece has a retro-look. Bond’s work is soft and impressionistic with soothing imagery such as crowds meandering down rainy streets. For more details, visit wentworthgallery.com.

The National Gallery of Art (6th and Constitution Ave., N.W.) presents “By the Light of the Silvery Moon: A Century of Lunar Photographs” July 14-Jan. 5. The exhibit marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969. An exhibition of some 50 works will include a selection of photographs from the unmanned missions leading up to Apollo 11 as well as images taken by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. An exhibition of Renaissance artist Verrocchio begins Sunday, Sept. 15. Verrocchio, who never married, was master to other greats such as Leonardo da Vinci. For more information, visit nga.gov.

The Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market Street, Suite 103, Reston, Va.) presents “Overlooked,” a group exhibition featuring artists who seek to bring awareness to issues often not a part of “polite conversation,” July 13-Aug. 31. July 13 there will be an artist talk at 4 p.m. followed by an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Artists include Leila Abdelrazaq, whose short animated film “Still Birth” was commissioned for the 2018 Palestinian Young Artist of the Year Awards exhibition; Lorenzo Cardim, who explores how queer people and other social minorities question the status quo; former Hamiltonian Fellow Larry W. Cook; Leigh Davis, whose work navigates the line between voyeurism and empathy; Helina Metaferia, whose art asserts the black body into sites of systemic oppression; Matt Storm, whose transcentric photography explores identity through self-portraiture; and Julie Wolfe, whose work has been reviewed in ARTnews and BBC American.

Visit restonarts.org for more information.

National Geographic Museum (1145 17th St., N.W.) presents “Queens of Egypt,” which is on display through Sept. 15. This exhibition explores the role powerful women such as Hatshepsut, Nefertiti and Cleopatra played not only in Egypt but on the world stage. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. with the last ticket sold at 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $15; for seniors, students and military members, $12; and for children ages 5-12, $10. Annual pass members and

children under 5 are free. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

The National Museum of AfricanAmerican History and Culture (1400 Constitution Ave., N.W.) presents “Taking the Stage,” an exploration of the history of African Americans in theater, film and television.

Located in the fourth floor culture galleries, “Taking the Stage” provides visitors with the opportunity to reconnect with some of their favorite popular culture memories through artifacts such as Eddie Murphy’s Detroit Lions jacket from “Beverly Hills Cop” and the outfits worn by Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford in the groundbreaking series “The Jeffersons.” The exhibition showcases stories of how African-American artists have enriched American culture through entertainment while also crafting possibilities for social change, such as with “Star Trek’s” first televised interracial kiss.

The museum offers free timed passes for entry, which can be reserved at etix.com. For more information, visit nmaahc.si.edu.

The Freer|Sackler Gallery (1050 Independence Ave., S.W.) presents “Body Image,” one of many multicultural exhibitions displaying at the gallery this summer. “Body Image: Arts of the Indian Subcontinent” explores through art how the human body is central to artistic expression on the Indian subcontinent in terms of sharing fundamental beliefs. The first room considers the perfect bodies of the Hindu gods before turning to the Indian courtly body as site of both pleasure and power. The rear gallery introduces the enlightened bodies of Buddhist and Jain traditions, as well as divine conceptions that transcend physical form. Admission is free. For more information, visit museum.oas.org.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave., N.W.) hosts “Power in My Hand: Women Poets, Women Artists and Social Change” through Oct. 31. This exhibit shows the enduring solidarity between women poets and artists using words and images illustrating the communication and inspiration across geographic boundaries and historical eras. Examples include Muriel Rukeyser’s honor poem for the German artist Kathe Kollwitz and Judy Chicago’s “Dinner Party” artistic homage to poet Emily Dickenson.

Regular admission is $10; $8 for visitors 65 and older and students and free for museum members and children 18 years and younger.

For more information, visit nmwa.org.

The Foundry Gallery (2118 8th St. N.W.) offers an alternative gallery experience, through artist talks, workshops, opening receptions, demonstrations and consultations. This summer’s exhibition includes “The Habitual Line” by Joseph Shelter July 3-28 with an opening reception on Saturday, July 13 from 5-8 p.m. Sheltler’s work is post-minimalist reflecting the practice of simplicity in art and life and honoring his Mennonite heritage. The Foundry Gallery is a non-profit organization supported by member dues, sales commissions and community donations. For more information, visit foundrygallery.org.

Hillwood Museum (4155 Linnean Ave. N.W.) presents “Mid-Century Master: The Photography of Alfred Eisenstaedt” and the art collection of Adelaide Close Riggs. The Eisenstaedt collection features nearly 50 photographs from his career in photojournalism, focusing on his images of mid-20th century life and the era’s most celebrated figures.

Riggs, eldest daughter of patron Marjorie Merriweather Post, was a notable art collector whose collection includes portraits, clothing and more. The exhibits run through Jan. 12 and suggested donations range from $5-18. Visit hillwoodmuseum.org for details.

Artists and Makers Studios (12276 Wilkins Ave., Rockville, Md.), an art center complex hosting about 150 resident artists, will host Black Artists of D.C. and the National League of American Pen Women for the month of July. Saturday, July 20, 1-3 p.m. is the Black Artists of D.C. talk. Other events include Theremin Music with Arthur Harrison, Solo Acoustic Guitar with David Ziegele and a Montgomery County Camera Club exhibition titled “Photojournalism and Street Life.” Exhibits continue through July 24 and viewing hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday and Sundays/Mondays by appointment. For more information, visit artistsandmakersstudios.com.

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Movies on the lawn Classics and recent hits featured into September in area series Golden Cinema at Farragut Square has outdoor screenings planned through Aug. 2.

Photo courtesy Golden Cinema

From summer staples like “Jaws” to recent hits like “Crazy Rich Asians,” this year’s outdoor movie options in the region abound with eclectic titles.

AFI Silver (8663 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) returns with its free outdoor movie series providing films starting July 5 and ending Aug. 30. Screenings planned are “The Matrix” (July 19), “Isle of Dogs” (Aug. 2), “The Little Mermaid” (Aug. 16) and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (Aug. 30). At the showing on Aug. 2, participants are encouraged to bring their dogs along for the fun. Movies start at sunset, around 8-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit silver.afi.com.

Bethesda Outdoor Movie Series returns to Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle (Norfolk and Auburn Ave., Bethesda, Md.) for its 15th year July 24-27. The four nights will be packed with films like “10 Things I Hate About You” (July 24), “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” (July 25), “Crazy Rich Asians” (July 26) and “As Good As It Gets” (July 27). Admission is free and all screenings begin at 9 p.m. Visit bethesda. org for more details.

Capitol Riverfront presents its outdoor movie series at Canal Park (2nd and K St., S.E.) through Aug. 22. Screenings include “Ralph Breaks the Internet” (July 18), “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” (Aug. 1) and “Incredibles 2” (Aug. 15). All screenings begin at sunset and include captioning. Admission is free.

To see a complete screenings list, visit dcoutdoorfilms.com.

Columbia’s Lakefront Summer Festival continues through Sept.29 and

By YULANI RODGERS

includes movies, dancing and live music at Columbia’s Downtown Lakefront (10275 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, Md.).

Screenings include “Aquaman” (July 19), “Bumblebee” (July 26), “Frozen” (Aug. 12), “Marvel’s Captain Marvel” (Sept.

1) and “Marvel’s Avengers: End Game” (Sept. 7). Admission for all events are free and films start at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit columbiaassociation.org.

Georgetown Sunset Cinema (1000 Potomac St., N.W.) presents its 2019 film series “Out of Office” featuring films about vacations and trips. The lineup includes “Sandlot” (July 16), “The Parent Trap (1998 version)” (July 30) and “Eat Pray Love” (Aug. 6). Several food trucks will be available across the street during each screening for a quick snack before or after the movie.

All movies start at sunset and early arrival is suggested. For more information, visit georgetowncinema.com/sunset-cinema.

Golden Cinema at Farragut Square (912 17th St., N.W.) is showing a variety of films through Aug. 2. New takes on classics such as “Mary Poppins Returns” (July 12), “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grendelwald”(July 26) and “Wonder Woman” (Aug. 2) are part of this series lineup. Movies will start around 8:30 p.m.

Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.

Visit goldentrianglec.com/goldencinema-2019.

Being the first and only summer movie series held at a memorial at the National Mall, Films at the Stone (1964 Independence Ave., S.W.) will be showing “Spider-Man Into the Spiderverse” (July 18) and “The Hate You Give”(Aug. 28).

Films start at 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Visit filmsatthestone. org for details.

Movies on the Potomac will feature a plethora of films at the National Harbor (165 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, Md.) every Thursday and Sunday through Sept. 29.

Featured films will include “Coco” (July 14), “Justice League” (July 25), “How to Train Your Dragon:The Hidden World” (Aug. 4), “Bring It On” (Aug. 15), “Black Panther” (Sept. 5) and “Despicable Me 3” (Sept. 22). Movies will start at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Dates and times are subject to change due to weather. The National Harbor will announce updates via their social media. For a complete list of films, visit nationalharbor.com/events.

Every Wednesday evening, NoMa Summer Screenings (1150 First St., N.E.) will play films according to their theme of Who’s Got Game? featuring films about sports. The lineup includes “Bend It Like Beckham” (July 17) and “Remember the Titans” (July 24). Along with each film showing, there will be featured food trucks for patrons to enjoy before and after the show. Films begin at sunset and admission is free. Visit nomabid.org/summerscreen for more details.

The Drive-In at the Union Market(1309 5th St., N.E.) is back for a seventh season featuring films such as “Jaws” (Aug. 2), “Coco” (Sept. 6) and “The Wiz” (Oct. 4).

Food vendors and pre-show activities will be available at each showing as well. The parking fee is $15 while walk-ups are free.

For showtimes, visit unionmarketdc.com.

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Summer’s second half OutWrite book fest, 17th Street Festival, Queen and more coming soon THE JONAS BROTHERS play Washington Aug. 15.

Photo by Peggy Siorta; courtesy Republic Records

Summer is well underway and events in the D.C. area are nowhere close to winding down. Check out ways to make the most of the remaining summer months with drag shows, concerts and festivals.

Denizens Brewing Co. (4550 Van Buren St., Riverdale Park, Md.) hosts a birthday drag brunch, featuring Haus of Stone, on Saturday, July 13 from noon-2 p.m. The brunch celebrates the lesbianowned Brewing Co.’s five year anniversary at its Silver Spring location. Show starts at 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/thehausofstone.

The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts a “Pose” viewing party every Tuesday night at 10 p.m. through Aug. 13.

No cover. Visit facebook.com/eagledc for more information.

Truckeroo, a food truck and music festival, is at the Bullpen (1299 Half St., S.E.) on Friday, July 19 from 4-11 p.m. There will be a variety of food trucks including Due South, Millies, Korean BBQ Taco Box, Red Hook Lobster Pound and more. There will also be live music. Free entry. Visit facebook.com/truckeroo for details.

9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) hosts a Beyoncé vs Rihanna Summer Dance Party on Friday, July 19 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. DJ Mills will spin Beyoncé tracks and Craig B will play Rihanna all night. This is an all-ages show. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit 930.com.

Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) hosts Drag Show Extravaganza on Saturday, July 20 from 9-11 p.m. Leronica

Vegas, Nadia Cole, Cake and Bombalicious Eklaver will perform. Desiree Dik hosts.

Visit redbear.beer for more details.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts the Bear Cave: #Freaky, a gay dance party, on Saturday, July 20 from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be $5 signature drinks. DJ Popperz will spin club, retro, latin and hiphop beats. No cover. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.

The Try Guys bring their “Legends of the Internet” tour to the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Thursday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. Keith Habersberger, Ned Fulmer, Zach Kornfeld and out member Eugene Lee Yang will perform live skits, original music and bring their viral videos to life on stage. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $31-81. For more details, visit warnertheatredc.com.

Slash Run (201 Upshur St., N.W.) hosts Desiree Dik’s Oddball, an oddity drag show, on Friday, July 26 at 11:30 p.m. The show will feature blood, comedy, queer art and more. Fawna, Mighty, Venus Valhalla and Cher Rub will perform. Desiree Dik hosts. Cover is $5. Visit facebook.com/ slashrun for details.

“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” star Tituss Burgess will be performed at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) on Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m. The Emmy nominee will include music from Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler and more. Tickets range from $29-99. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

Queen and Adam Lambert stop by

By MARIAH COOPER

Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) on Tuesday, July 30 at 8 p.m. “The Rhapsody Tour” comes on the heels of the wildly successful Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Doors open at 7 p.m. It’s nearly sold out. A few tickets remain starting at $595. For details, visit ticketmaster.com.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Katya has her comedy show “Help Me I’m Dying” at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $12.50-150. Visit thelincolndc.com for details.

The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts Mid-Atlantic Leather Women on Friday, Aug. 2 from 8-11 p.m. MidAtlantic Leather Woman Bootblack 2019, Mid-Atlantic Leather Woman 2019 and the first ever Ms. D.C. Eagle 2019 will be special guests. For more information, visit dceagle.com.

OutWrite 2019, an annual LGBT literature festival, is at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) Aug. 2-4. The festival kicks off with a launch event on Friday. Saturday there will be readings, panels, exhibitors and book sales. On Sunday, there will be workshops for writers. Featured writers include Kristen Arnett and Jericho Brown.

For more information, visit thedccenter. org/outwrite2019.

“The Ask Rayceen Show,” a live variety program and community festival, is at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Bebe Bardot will perform burlesque.

Nia Simmons will perform live music.

DJ Rosie will spin tracks for the evening.

Rayceen Pendarvis hosts the show. There will be free catered food. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook.com/askrayceen.

D.C. Bear Crue hosts an adult toy party version of its Bear Happy Hour at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) on Friday, Aug. 9 from 5-10 p.m.

Charger Stone and Adonis Ryan Lahr host the party. The toy party is from 7-8 p.m. followed by sales from 8-9:30 p.m. There will be drink specials and free food. Bear Happy Hour is every Friday at 5 p.m. Visit facebook.com/bearhappyhour for details.

Shawn Mendes comes to Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $85-$695.

Get details at ticketmaster.com.

The Jonas Brothers bring their comeback tour “Happiness Begins” to Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $84.95-$499.95. For details, visit ticketmaster.com.

The 17th Street Festival takes place between P and R streets, N.W. on Saturday, Aug. 24 from noon-6 p.m. The festival features more than 100 vendors including nonprofit organizations, politicians, entrepreneurs and local businesses. More than 60 artists will also display items such as jewelry, ceramics, crafts and more.

There will also be a kid zone with a large slide, soccer, snow cones, face painting and games. For more information, visit 17thstreetfestival.com.

3 8 • WAS H IN GTO N B LAD E.CO M • J U LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9

Summertime cinema sensations

‘Rocketman,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Lion King’ remake among highlights

By BRIAN T. CARNEY

From top: The cast of ’Sword of Truth.’ Photo courtesy IFC; JESSE EISENBERG and ALESSANDRO NIVOLA in ‘The Art of Self-Defense.’ Photo courtesy Bleecker Street and The Large Hadron Collider is featured in ‘Secrets of the Universe.’ Photo courtesy SOTU

If you’re planning a staycation during D.C.’s steamy summer, a trip to the multiplex or an indie cinema is a great way to stay cool and have a good time.

Two of the summer’s big releases are still on screens throughout Metro D.C. “Rocketman” is a dazzling musical fantasy that uses Elton John’s music to tell the story of his tumultuous life from his working-class childhood in 1950s England to his rise to international stardom to his life-saving entry into rehab in 1990. Working from a strong script by Lee Hall, director Dexter Fletcher and choreographer Adam Murray create solid book scenes and spectacular musical numbers that are visually stunning and often deeply moving.

With a winning combination of great characters, strong action sequences and a sly sense of humor, “Spider-Man: Far From Home” may well be the perfect summer movie. Tom Holland is back as Peter Parker/ Spider-Man. The high school webslinger just wants to have fun in Europe with his classmates, but following the death of Tony Stark/Ironman (Robert Downey, Jr.), Nick

Fury (Samuel L. Jackson with an unbeatable blend of barely restrained anger and dry wit) needs the reluctant superhero’s help to defeat a new threat.

The returning cast includes the magnificent Zendaya as MJ, Marisa Tomei as May Parker, Jon Favreau as grieving Stark sidekick Happy Hogan and the delightful Jacob Batalon as Peter’s confidant Ned. New cast members include the winsome Angourie Rice as Ned’s girlfriend and an excellent Jake Gyllenhaal as the new beefcake superhero Mysterio.

If you need a movie for the whole family, “Toy Story IV” is also still in theaters. The plot’s a little bumpy but the animation is stunning.

It’s opening weekend for “Secrets of the Universe,” a stunning new film at the Smithsonian Institution. The giant 3-D screen adventure draws amazing connections between recent technological wonders (the Large Hadron Collider, the James Webb Space Telescope and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory) and the work of pioneering scientists like Galileo, Marie Curie, Louis Pasteur, Rosalind Franklin and Charles Darwin. The film

JU LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA D E.COM • 39

will screen at the National Air and Space Museum in D.C. and the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. Tickets are available at si.edu/ imax/movie/secrets-universe.

Meanwhile, the #StudioGhibli Festival continues at both the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market and the Angelika Film Centre Mosaic in Fairfax. The next films in the line-up are “Princess Mononoke” (July 17-18) and “Howl’s Moving Castle” (July 24-25).

Two of the summer’s most highly anticipated releases open on July 19. “The Lion King” is a photorealistic computeranimated remake of the 1994 animated classic and features the vocal talents of Beyoncé, James Earl Jones, Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Oliver, Seth Rogan and Billy Eichner. “The Farewell” marks the dramatic movie debut of Awkwafina (“Crazy Rich Asians”). She plays a headstrong Chinese-American woman whose family refuses to tell the family matriarch that she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Also opening on July 19 are two offbeat indie comedies. In “The Art of Self-Defense,” a timid bookkeeper (Jesse Eisenberg) starts to train at a neighborhood karate studio under the watchful eye of the charismatic Sensei (Alessandro Nivola) and hardcore brown belt Anna (Imogen Poots). In “Sword of Trust,” Cynthia (Jillian Bell) tries to uncover the true story behind a Confederate sword left to her by her grandfather. Directed by Lynn Shelton (“Humpday”), the cast also includes Michaela Watkins as Cynthia’s

wife Mary, Marc Maron as a philosophical pawn shop owner and Jon Bass as his nottoo-helpful assistant.

Some of the excellent non-profit movie theaters in the region are also worth visiting.

AFI Silver in downtown Silver Spring is hosting a 15th anniversary screening of “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” on July 13, complete with a costume contest and scotch drink specials. Based on the classic play by Agatha Christie, there’s also “Witness for the Prosecution,” with Tyrone Power playing straight man to such queer icons as Charles Laughton, Elsa Lancaster and Marlene Dietrich.

Weather permitting, AFI Silver will also host “The Matrix” as part of its “Silver Screens on Sonny’s Green” outdoor film series. Full details are at afi.com/silver.

As part of its French Cinémathèque series, the Avalon in D.C.’s Chevy Chase neighborhood will screen “Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché,” a documentary about the pioneer female filmmaker on Wednesday July 17. The theatre’s full schedule is at theavalon.org.

This summer, the Old Greenbelt Theatre in Greenbelt, Md.,, will screen films at a special pop-up while its auditorium is being renovated. This week, the schedule includes “Nureyev,” a striking new documentary about the world-famous gay icon who made headlines with his dazzling dance moves, his defection from the Soviet Union to the United States and his personal life. Full details are at greenbelttheatre.org.

Plastique Tiara, real name Duc Tran Nguyen, walked into the Werk Room on season 11 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with the most social media followers of any queen on her season and, at 21 years old during filming, the youngest queen in her season to compete.

Tiara’s presence would cause a stir in the competition as the Vietnam-born performer openly shared her story of her family not supporting her drag. The story moved RuPaul to embrace Tiara in a rare display of affection and sent contestants A’kiera Chanel Davenport and Ra’Jah O’Hara into a tailspin of questions. Tiara was also in the middle of the now infamous WigGate when confusion erupted over exactly for whom Ariel Versace left her wigs behind.

Tiara, now 22, is on tour with other contestants from season 11 including winner Yvie Oddly, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, runner-up Brooke Lynn Hytes, A’kiera Chanel Davenport, Kahanna Montrese, Nina West and Versace. “RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 Tour” comes to the Lincoln Theatre on Thursday, July 18.

Details at vossevents.com.

The Washington Blade caught up with Tiara over the phone while she was performing in London. Tiara dished on what it was like to be comforted by her idol RuPaul, why she thinks contestants questioned her background and what really happened during WigGate.

WASHINGTON BLADE: It’s been a few weeks since the season wrapped up. What have you been up to since then?

PLASTIQUE TIARA: I’ve been working and I’m so grateful for it. There’s been so many opportunities that come from the show. There’s so many fans and I just get to travel around and meet all of them.

PLASTIQUE TIARA says she has surprises in store for the current ‘Drag Race’ tour.

Photo by Brandon Voss; courtesy Voss Events

Plastique fantastique ‘Drag Race’ season 11 lightning rod reflects on family, rivals and drama

By MARIAH COOPER MCOOPER@WASHBLADE.COM

BLADE: One of the stand out scenes of the season was when you had that emotional moment with RuPaul. What was it like for you in that moment and what was it like to see it again on TV? TIARA: Going into the show I thought that I was going to be the strong one, the ice queen of the season. I thought I knew who I was and this wasn’t going to bother me. However, at that moment it was just such a vulnerable moment for me. For RuPaul, I thought he had heard the story a million times over and over. So for him to comfort me at that very vulnerable moment, it was something that I’ll never forget. It’s something that is a blessing for me. He’s been an idol for me for a long time. So to have your idol feel for you like that is something that can’t be explained.

I was very happy. And watching it on TV, it was like “Wow.” He is a celebrity but he still has a heart.

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just more to learn about different cultures and to learn from our mistakes.

BLADE: Then there was WigGate. Can you explain what really happened?

TIARA: It’s kind of funny because everyone was pointing fingers at me when I’m the one who didn’t take one wig. I’m the one who didn’t take anything. And the funny thing is I said that, “I don’t need them” but everyone is saying that I said, “They need them,” which is a big difference between the two. It’s funny to see how people can take your words and twist them in order to make their actions seem righteous. That was entertaining watching it back for sure. It was a fun moment during the season. I feel like now WigGate is still not even solved so what can you do?

BLADE: Your drag mother is Alyssa Edwards and she’s been on “Drag Race” before. Did she give you any advice for being on the show?

TIARA: Yes, she did. Alyssa is a person that I’m very grateful to have in my life. She has always been there for me even from when I was a baby queen. She always reminded me that I was a star. Every time I see her she’s like, “You’re a star. You need to know that.”

So going into “Drag Race” she always told me to have fun. Because you have the drag, the look, just have a good time. She’s one of the first people to believe in me and I’m so fortunate to have her in my life.

PLASTIQUE was a polarizing figure to her fellow queens on season 11.

Photo by Brandon Voss; courtesy Voss Events

BLADE: Have you been in touch with RuPaul since the show ended?

TIARA: We don’t text but I know that he cares about each and every one of us.

BLADE: You were also the center of a lot of drama this season. Your authenticity was questioned by A’kiera and Ra’Jah in “Untucked.” A’kiera thought that your boyfriend’s message to you in “Untucked” meant that your family was more supportive of your drag than you had said.

It seemed like A’kiera was trying to stir the pot by telling Ra’Jah. Did you feel like you were being targeted?

TIARA: Oh, yes. During the filming process, it wasn’t brought to my attention that A’kiera was the one who started everything. That’s the magic of the show, obviously. Watching it back I was like, “Oh my gosh.” I did feel a type of way about what was happening. It really shook me because going through this process, I really thought we were cool

JU LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9

and everything. Watching it back on TV to where the camera caught everything, it was a different experience for sure. As a viewer, it was like, “Ohh.” It opened my eyes a little bit more.

BLADE: Why do you think some contestants were so invested in your background and family?

TIARA: I don’t know. I really don’t. I told my story over and over again. The audience seemed to get it. On this show, when you’re in a competitive environment, you reach for everything to nitpick at other people. If they’re doing well you find little details to tear the other person down.

That’s my only assumption of that.

BLADE: Did being on the show help your family better understand what you do?

TIARA: You know what, it’s been so much better with my family since the show. My grandparents travel back and forth from Vietnam a lot and I have a big

• WA SHINGTONBLA D E.COM • 41

fanbase over there. They actually heard of me going on television from one of our friends in Vietnam. And now that I’m doing all these campaigns and making money they’re like, “Oh, wow.” It’s not as shady as they thought it was going to be. I think it’s a lot better now. It’s a blessing.

BLADE: Some people on social media called Silky racist for speaking Japanese to you during the reading challenge when you’re Vietnamese. Did you feel that was racist?

TIARA: I didn’t think it was racist. At the moment, I was just surprised at her doing it. I didn’t think that was going to come out her mouth. But watching it back, I can see where the audience is coming from. But I do not fault her for it because we all make mistakes. But I see that moment as an opportunity for all of us to learn from our mistakes. That’s why I stand up for Asian representation, especially queer Asian representation, so much because we don’t get as much attention in the media. There’s

BLADE: You were one of the queens with the biggest social media followings.

Do you think that gave you an advantage in the competition?

TIARA: Definitely not. Going in you have so much expectation behind you.

That’s why the social media queens thing started because the other queens say that social media queens can’t do much other than post a pretty picture. There’s so much for us to prove going in. Going in I had to prove to them I can act, I can sew and do everything it takes to take the crown. It’s not an advantage.

BLADE: What can people expect from you during the “RuPaul’s Season 11” show?

TIARA: People can expect a different side of Plastique for sure. I’m having something really fun planned and I can’t wait to showcase it. It’s going to be super fun and I can’t wait for people to see.

Plastique Tiara

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 Tour’ Lincoln Theatre 1215 U St., N.W. Thursday, July 18 7 p.m. $37-120 thelincolndc.com

QUEERY Amanda J. Hackett Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

QUEERY: Amanda J. Hackett

The immigration law attorney answers 20 queer questions

By JOEY DIGUGLIELMO JOEYD@WASHBLADE.COM

It’s mid-summer so we’re revisiting some worthy folks we didn’t have time to get to when Pride season was in high gear.

Amanda J. Hackett opened her eponymous law practice to serve LGBT asylum seekers and other immigrants.

“Immigration is a vast field of law and asylum seekers in particular need an attorney they can trust because they need to be able to convey very intimate, painful memories,” says the 35-year-old military brat — she claims no hometown.

The issues are many and complex, Hackett says. Many LGBT asylum seekers are not comfortable joining organizations that could help them for fear of being outed, she says. They often have no family support and culture shock can both a blessing and curse, Hackett says.

“The freedom that many LGBT people in the U.S. experience can be overwhelming for someone who has not been able to even claim the word for their identity publicly,” she says. “Learning who they’d like to be is a journey.”

Hackett was named one of this year’s

Capital Pride Honorees (previously dubbed “Heroes”) for her work.

“Amanda’s work is truly transformational,” the citation read. “She helps people who are living in the shadows, some who may be afraid to come out and those who are fighting for their lives.”

Hackett came to Washington in 2008 to attend The Howard University School of Law. She’s been in practice since 2012 and specializing in immigration law since 2014.

She says it’s a thorny topic because U.S. immigration law is inherently xenophobic and political.

“I don’t believe there is enough will from the electorate or the legislative branch to work toward a long-term answer yet,” she says. “Asylum should be thought of as a political tool that countries use against one another to show disfavored status. Persecution should be thought of in the same way.”

Hackett is single and lives in Takoma with roommates. She enjoys singing, Pilates, reading, running and studying Indonesian in her free time.

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

I came out in the summer of 2010 after my second year of law school.

It was hardest to tell my best friend from Smith College.

What’s something trashy or vapid you love?

Candy corn and circus peanuts.

Who’s your LGBTQ hero?

Holly Near. As a deeply closeted fresh graduate in Northampton, Mass., I ran live events at the Academy of Music. Holly was very kind to me and gifted me one of her CDs before loading out; I think she saw through my closet the way many people did. I played “Hattie and Mattie” so often that my roommate started asking questions about why I loved that particular song so much.

What’s your favorite LGBTQ movie or show?

“D.E.B.S.”

What LGBTQ stereotype most annoys you?

People who believe that all lesbians are masculine of center.

What’s your proudest professional achievement?

Opening my law office. I had no idea if I could do it. Supportive friends who believe in you are vital for any grand endeavor.

What terrifies you?

Alligators — even in places they don’t exist.

What’s your greatest domestic skill?

I am an excellent baker.

What’s your social media pet peeve?

Not captioning photos.

What would the end of the LGBTQ movement look like to you?

I don’t conceive of an end. It will take many generations beyond the dismantling of the kyriarchy to heal what ails society.

What’s the most overrated social custom?

Not talking openly about money and salaries and the effects of generational wealth.

What was your religion, if any, as a child and what is it today?

Evangelical Christian. Atheist.

What’s D.C.’s best hidden gem?

The National Museum Of Women in the Arts. The building itself is gorgeous, they curate exhibits beautifully and there are so many free events.

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What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime “Lemonade’s” release.

What celebrity death hit you hardest?

Leonard Cohen. I got to see him live once and it felt like magic. He wrote so beautifully and seemed to have such a deep respect for women.

If you could redo one moment from your past, what would it be?

None. I can learn from bad moments and decisions, too.

What are your obsessions?

Proper lotion.

Finish this sentence — It’s about damn time: For equal pay What do you wish you’d known at 18?

That nonprofits are not the only effective way to make a difference and that they can also have repressive structures that harm workers and beneficiaries.

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Counterclockwise from top: Baltimore rapper DDm plays the 9:30 Club’s monthly gay party ‘BENT’ Saturday night. Photo courtesy 9:30; ‘Hamilton’ is in Baltimore through July 21. Photo courtesy Hippodrome; and LGBT ally SHERYL CROW plays Wolf Trap July 18. Photo courtesy Wolf Trap

Crow returns to Wolf Trap

Rooftop disco is July 19

Red Bear drag show is July 20

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow will perform at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, Va.) on Thursday, July 18 at 8 p.m.

She will preview songs from upcoming album “Threads” with Patrick Doney opening for her. Crow is a nine time Grammy Award-winning artist and has sold 35 million albums. She’s also identified herself as an ally and donates to multiple charities such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Tickets start at $45. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and only lawn seats are available. To purchase tickets, visit wolftrap.org.

Will Call presents a rooftop disco at Cambria Penthouse (899 O St., N.W.) on Friday, July 19 starting at 8 p.m.

The event is a post-Pride month celebration of diversity and inclusion for LGBT people. There will be performances by multiple performers such as Vagenesis, Majic Dyke and Ariel Von Quinn.

Washington Heights will host the event and special guest Creme Fatal.

After the performances there will be a dance party with music from DJ Honey. This event is free and participants must be over the age of 18. Visit tfl.events/dc to RSVP.

Desiree Dik will host a drag show extravaganza on Saturday, July 20 at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) at 9 p.m.

The event will showcase a variety of queens such as Leronica Vargas, Nadia Cole, CAKE and Bombalicious Eklaver.

Patrons are encouraged to bring dollars to support the performers and enjoy a speciality drink specialty cocktail.

Desiree is a local drag legend and “D.C.’s own blowup doll.”

For more information, visit redbear.beer.

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TODAY GAMMA meets tonight at Luther Place Memorial Church (1226 Vermont Ave., N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. It’s a peer support group for gay and bisexual men who have been or are currently in relationships with women. The group meets every second and fourth Friday of the month. They also have meetings in Vienna, Va., and Frederick, Md. For more information, visit gammaindc.org.

The Backstreet Boys play Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. With the iconic boy band reuniting back in 2012 and producing a new album, the “DNA World Tour” will feature new songs along with the classics like “I Want It That Way.” Baylee Littrel, son of country artist Brian Littrel, will open. Tickets start at $39.50. To purchase, visit ticketmaster.com.

Saturday, July 13

‘Hamilton’ continues Baltimore run The wildly popular touring production of “Hamilton” is at The Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (12 North Eutaw St., Baltimore) through Sunday, July 21 with various showtimes.

“Hamilton” is a Broadway show about one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, who became George Washington’s right-hand man and the nation’s first Treasury Secretary.

The accompanying music blends hiphop, rap, jazz and blues to “tell the story of America then by America now.”

Tickets start at $81.50. For a complete list of showings, visit baltimorehippodrome. com/hamilton.

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) offers its monthly Arty Queers event today from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Every month the center provides local LGBTQ artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their artwork at the indoor market with items such as paintings, pottery, jewelry and clothing. It occurs every second Saturday until December. Art space is available to purchase for $20 per table. Any interested artists are encouraged to email kimberley@ thedccenter.org.

The 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) presents its LGBTQ dance party BENT tonight at 10 p.m. For the first time, a rapper will be featured by the name of DDm. He is a Baltimore native whose sound includes aggressive raps, animated beats and big personality. He’s opened for people such as Big Freedia and Cupcakke. Tickets are $20. To purchase, visit ticketfly.com.

Sunday, July 14 Channel Devereaux and her team of drag queens host a drag brunch today at 11 a.m at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St. N.W.). Participants will enjoy an all-youcan-eat brunch buffet along with a free mimosa or bloody mary. Featured brunch items will include roast pork, vegetarian

JU LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA D E.COM • 45

pasta, cheesy grits and seasonal fruit.

Tickets are $41.91. Visit eventbrite.com to purchase tickets.

The D.C. Area Transmasculine Society(DCATS) is hosting a nonbinary transition meeting today at WhitmanWalker Health (1525 14th St., N.W.) at 5 p.m. Members will discuss AFAB (assigned female at birth) nonbinary social and medical transitioning. Along with the discussion there will be a binder exchange and a needle/syringe exchange. These meetings are “open to those who are AFAB but believe this is inaccurate or incomplete description of themselves.” For more information, visit dcats.org.

Monday, July 15 Sew Queer returns with its most popular class “My Gender Is Pockets” at the Lemon Collective (808 UpshurSt., N.W.) this evening at 6:30 p.m. This version of the class will focus on the inseam pocket which is particularly good for skirts. It’s a bring-your-own-skirt event but all other materials like sewing machines and fabric will be provided. This is a beginner level class and is open to all genders. Tickets are $30. Visit eventbrite.com to purchase.

The GenderPro Summit begins today at Norma Lee and Morton Funger Hall (2201 G St., N.W.) at George Washington University starting at 9 a.m. The Global Women’s Institute is in partnership with UNICEF to host the summit and will serve as the culmination of the GenderPro Capacity Building course. The week will include speakers and panelists from a variety of backgrounds and fields. This is a free event and all panels are open to the public. For more information, visit genderpro.gwu.edu.

Tuesday, July 16 A “POSE” viewing party will be held at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) tonight at 10 p.m. This is a weekly event that allows attendees to watch the hit show with two flatscreens. “POSE” is a drama spotlighting the legends, icons and ferocious house mothers of New York’s underground ball culture, a movement that first gained notice in the 1980s. The show was also recently renewed for a third season. To RSVP, visit eventbrite.com

The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA) of Washington has its monthly meeting at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Visit glaa. org for more details.

Wednesday, July 17 The legendary Puerto Rican artist Jennifer Lopez performs at Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m.

Fans can expect the “It’s My Party Tour” to be filled with “a nonstop party mix of Jennifer’s new and classic anthems, showstopping choreography and dancers, dazzling wardrobe” and more according to a press release.This will be her first North American tour in six years and will feature some of the World of Dance stars to open and provide workshops in exclusive packages. Tickets start at $49.

For information and to purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

Bookmen D.C. meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. The informal men’s gay literature group will discuss “The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle” by Lillian Faderman. They meet every first and third Wednesday of the month. Participants do not have to commit to attending every meeting or reading each book the group reviews. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.

Thursday, July 18 Thirst Trap Thursday’s are back tonight at Pitchers D.C. (2317 18th St., N.W.) from 11 p.m-12:30 a.m. Hostess Venus Valhalla picks local talent to be showcased each night. Shows are held every Thursday and alcohol is available for purchase. For more information, visit pitchersbardc.com.

Goethe-Institut Washington (1990 K St., N.W.) will present its Kino-Q series tonight at 6:30 p.m. The series includes showing films from Germany and North America that highlight aspects of queer rights movements followed by an expert-led discussion. Tonight they’ll be showing part one of “The AIDS Trilogy,” “Silence=Death” directed by Rosa von Praunheim. Joanne Sincero and Randy Pumphrey, long-time Whitman-Walker Health staffers, will answer questions. For more details, visit goeth.de/washington.

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MICHAEL RADKOWSKY

The size issue Bad college encounter led to vicious sexless circle

HI MICHAEL, I’m in my 30s and I’ve never really had sex or dated anyone. Am I the only gay guy my age in this predicament?

The whole mess started when I was in college and was having my first real experience with another guy. When we got naked, he said something really insulting about my small endowment, lost his erection, got up and left. I know he spread the word around the gay community at my college. I felt humiliated.

I don’t ever want to go through that again. Since then I’ve never even been on a date because I’m afraid the other guy will want to take things in a sexual direction right away and I’ll be humiliated again.

I feel like I’m in a Catch 22. If I could get to know someone before I had to take off my clothes, I am thinking the other guy might like me enough to keep dating and even get past the size issue and like having sex with me. But the way gay dating/sex works, I don’t see how that can happen. I don’t have a chance to make a good impression before my dick becomes a turnoff.

I’m so afraid of being judged. And making this even worse is that the more time that goes by the more hopeless my situation becomes. The older I am, the more ridiculous I am as a virgin. And the less likely it is that anyone would want to go out with me, a middle-aged guy with no experience and an inferiority complex that gets reinforced with every passing year.

My life has been on hold for the past 20 years. And lately I’m thinking I’ve missed my chance.

I always wanted a boyfriend or to get married. But as it is, I don’t even really have any gay friends anymore. They were always on my case about hooking up and I just couldn’t take it. I was too embarrassed to tell them.

So basically my life is just having some casual work and neighbor friends and my cat. Yes, I feel like a bad cliché.

MICHAEL REPLIES: You have two choices: You can stay safe and let your life continue to go by as it is or you can decide that you’re willing to tolerate rejection, start putting yourself out there, and have the possibility — but

not the guarantee — of constructing the life you’d like to have.

You think you’re in a uniquely bad situation, but you aren’t. No one likes rejection and most of us do at times get rejected, often over something that’s intrinsic to us and that we cannot change.

That’s life.

As you’ve found, staying home is a way to avoid this kind of hurt, but can also be a lonely existence.

You’re not the only gay man in this world who isn’t well-endowed and your size certainly doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Some guys think size is everything, some guys think size is great but not essential, and of course, some guys don’t really care one way or another. You certainly can give and receive pleasure with your penis no matter its size.

Regarding your hunch that if someone got to know you, he might want to be with you: I’m glad you have enough self-respect to think you’re a guy whom someone might like to date. If you decide to pursue dating, aspire to keep your focus on the positive qualities you see in yourself, rather than on your fear that you are inadequate.

I’m certain you’re wrong that any guy you go out with will want to have sex with you the first time you get together. That is a cliché — often true, but often not.

Certainly on hookup sites you’re more likely to find people who just want to screw around, but there are numerous other places and ways to meet the many gay men who don’t value sex above all, who are interested in dating, who want to take it slow and get to know someone first.

For you to move forward, I think you’re going to have to deal with your painful experience in college that led you to shut down. When we go through trauma, we tend to automatically do everything we can to avoid similar experiences going forward. Trauma isn’t easy to push through.

I suggest you seek out a therapist with specialized training in helping people heal from trauma. This might ease your getting unstuck and moving forward with your life.

I’m also hopeful that in therapy you could work on reducing your intense selfcriticism. The insults you direct toward yourself are doing damage and improving your self-esteem will certainly help you in your quest to find a significant other.

JU LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA D E.COM • 49

HOLLAND TAYLOR took care to ensure her play ‘Ann’ has a through line and goes somewhere.

Photo by Linda Matow; courtesy Arena Stage

Grand governor

Late Texas politician Ann Richards inspires actress Holland Taylor

By PATRICK FOLLIARD

Out actor Holland Taylor met Texas Gov. Ann Richards at lunch with legendary lesbian gossip columnist Liz Smith at fashionable Le Cirque in New York City.

“When Ann arrived, it was like a rock star had entered the room, and that wasn’t an easily impressed crowd,” Taylor says.

“She was incredible and the lunch was great fun, but I didn’t know her.”

So, when Richards died in 2006 at 73, Taylor was surprised at the deep sense of loss she experienced.

“I was really caught off guard,” Taylor says, “And like many creative people, I had to find something to do to get the sadness out. Because I’m a denizen of the theater, I looked toward the stage.”

Taylor’s desire to celebrate Richards indomitable life force spurred a massive

endeavor Involving three years of research and two years of exhaustive rewrites.

The result is “Ann,” a comical and inspiring solo play about Richards’ life and work that Taylor wrote and has performed to great acclaim, receiving a Tony Award nomination in 2013. Currently, “Ann” is playing Arena Stage with Jayne Atkinson in the eponymous part.

“My research was about finding a persona and not what she did on a given date,” Taylor says. “By interviewing her children and closest friends and aides who are often the same, I came to know a tough boss who engendered soulful devotion. She was no-nonsense, yet her sense of humor and sense of wit was such a rich ingredient in all of her transactions with people.”

Richards rose to national prominence delivering the keynote speech at the 1988 National Democratic Conventions where she famously described President George H.W. Bush as having been born with a silver foot in his mouth. She was elected governor in 1990 and served one term, yet she remained a larger-than-life presence on the national scene. An ardent feminist, she memorably noted: “After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.”

“The play isn’t political,” she says, “It’s about life. It’s about how to live a purposeful life. Ann was in the zeitgeist.

Ann was a person who mattered to me. I liked knowing she was there for all of us, for our country.”

And while Taylor, 76, considers herself a political person, her decision to go public with her relationship with accomplished actor Sarah Paulson (“Carol,” TV’s “American Horror Story”) wasn’t motivated.

“To an extent, the personal is political.

It’s a statement of who you and what you stand for,” Taylor says. “But I don’t beat a drum about it because I think we’re all living for the day when no one even think about this kind of thing. I remember hearing a French movie star say that in France it’s a question that isn’t asked.

Unfortunately, we live in a prurient society and it’s getting more so under the man in

the White House.”

Taylor’s upbringing reads idyllic: Reared in Philadelphia, she attended Quaker boarding schools before studying drama at Bennington College, and then went on to New York City for theater.

Famed drama teacher Stella Adler encouraged Taylor (then in her 30s) to do TV sitcom work to create more stage opportunities. Soon Taylor was playing Tom Hanks’ intimidating, sexy boss on “Bosom Buddies,” and subsequently found fame and fortune assaying sophisticated, whip smart women on the big and (mostly) small screen with “The Practice” and “Two and A Half Men.” While L.A.-based Taylor might wish she’d done more theater early in her career, she’s more about the now. She praises partner Paulson’s work.

“We share the same taste and talk the same language. But we’re very different.

She’s very much a chameleon. She has the histrionic ability to act well, but she’s also very changeable with a talent for mimicry; it’s uncanny.”

And Taylor is delighted with the casting of Jayne Atkinson (“House of Cards,” “Criminal Minds”) in Arena’s “Ann.” “I’ve written a play with a narrative line, and not strung together quotes and historic things. It’s going somewhere; it’s doing something. And it doesn’t require Holland Tyler to do it.”

While Taylor admires women other than Richards, she doesn’t feel compelled to dramatize them.

“Writing ‘Ann’ wasn’t a choice. It was something I had to do. I’d like to write again, but I think the solo show is a one off.”

Holland Taylor ‘Ann’ Through Aug. 11 Arena Stage 1101 Sixth St., S.W. 202-554-9066 $41-95 arenastage.org

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Pride (and Health Disparities) Don’t End in June

By Morgan Wright & Chris Hoefer

As we wrap up the 50th anniversary of the stonewall rebellion and we turn our attention to the future, it’s time to identify the challenges that our community will face over the next 50 years. One of the biggest issues we’ve confronted over time, which we are now positioned to address better than ever before, is the issue of health disparities. The preventable difference in the burden of disease and violence in disadvantaged populations, health disparities are opportunities for growth in how queer people are treated at the doctor’s office and beyond.

Are you a gay or bisexual man who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer?

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JU LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE.COM • 53

The RESTORE study team believes that research into health disparities will be a growing opportunity to ensure the health and prosperity of the LGBTQIA+ community. Gay men are often disproportionately affected by heath concerns such as HIV, AIDS, body dysmorphia, STDs and STIs. The RESTORE study’s focus is the disparities of sexual and urinary outcomes after prostate cancer treatment. New developments in research and a better understanding of the ways we access health care will be beneficial in this fight. New knowledge, understanding and prevention can minimize the difference in healthcare between ourselves and our straight counterparts.

The Restore II study seeks to discover new recommendations and expand our knowledge even further. Observing the effects of prostate cancer treatment in gay and bi men, we are tracking the effectiveness of various rehabilitation techniques. The study is filling up, now with over 350 men and soon to our goal of 400. Over the next few years, the Restore study will learn a wealth of information and shine a light on the need for rehabilitation specific to gay and bi men.

Other international research groups are working on these issues, but few of them are based in the United States. Prostate cancer research for gay and bi men, in particular, is being done by a few small teams of researchers across the globe. Earlier this month, the BBC reported on guidelines for waiting times for receptive anal sex after prostate cancer treatment. This is the first time any international news source has done so. This highlights the cutting edge state of sexual rehabilitation after prostate cancer.

Despite the recommendations publicized by the BBC, the medical community still doesn’t know much about rehabilitation sexual and urinary functioning for gay and bi men after prostate cancer treatment. The Restore II study is changing that with the first U.S- led study of gay and bi men and prostate cancer treatment.

Once we have additional information on the ways gay and bi men approach their cancer rehabilitation, and we have a high-level look at what is working, those findings will be published in medical, academic and scholarly journals. It is the hope of the study team that science-backed recommendations for change will encourage the medical community to acknowledge and address the specific needs of their gay and bi patients.

Visit restorestudy.umn.edu for more information on the RESTORE study. If you are interested in participating, click on the ‘eligibility survey’ to begin the enrollment process.

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Stroking toward gold Local swimmers nab more than 100 medals at New York competition

By KEVIN MAJOROS

District of Columbia Aquatics Club members at the International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics world championships last month in New York.

Photo courtesy DCAC

The historic World Pride and Stonewall 50 celebrations in New York City last month coincided with six days of athletic competition.

The International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics world championships drew in about 900 athletes from around the globe in the sports of swimming, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming and open water swimming.

When it was over, swimmers from the District of Columbia Aquatics Club (DCAC) had captured 82 gold, 28 silver and 27 bronze medals in the pool. DCAC broke 17 IGLA world records and had two swimmers win medals in open water swimming.

The IGLA championships were founded 30 years ago and have continued to thrive.

The sense of history seemed especially prevalent at this year’s event.

“On the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, it was important for DCAC and the Washington Wetskins water polo team to compete at this year’s championships,” says Jack Markey, a founding member of both teams. “Older athletes who were instrumental in founding and leading LGBT aquatics renewed friendships and athletic rivalries, while looking on with pride at the accomplishments of younger athletes from teams around the world.”

For the fourth year in a row, a contingent of swimmers from Uganda were at the IGLA championships. They are wildly popular with all the teams and each year with them in attendance serves as a reminder as to how far other countries have progressed in regard to LGBT rights.

“Uganda is a place where same-sex relationships are criminalized, social acceptance is low and LGBT individuals face harassment, imprisonment, blackmail and violence,” Markey says. “While the challenges they face back home are reminiscent of pre-Stonewall America, their presence at IGLA reinforces the importance of LGBT sports programs and the positive effect they have on people’s lives.”

DCAC swimmer Geoff Heuchling attended his first IGLA in 1994 which was also held in New York City in conjunction with the Gay Games.

He wasn’t planning on competing this year because of a career change and home move.

In April he went to a D.C. screening of the documentary “Light in the Water” and

changed his mind. The film chronicles the journey of the LGBT-based West Hollywood Aquatics team and offers a glimpse of what it was like to be a gay athlete in the 1980s. Not only is it a story about swimming, water polo and the HIV/AIDS crisis, it is a story about hope, perseverance and the battle for acceptance.

“The film reminded me what IGLA is all about and prompted me to go. My brother Peter swam for West Hollywood Aquatics and died from AIDS in 1992,” Heuchling says. “Going back for another IGLA was a touchstone to my brother. IGLA was very meaningful to him.”

Heuchling was one of DCAC’s record setters at the championships and he plans to continue competing for a variety of reasons.

“These are people who I have been swimming against for decades and it is great to see them every year,” Heuchling says.

“Swimming is good for both my emotional and physical health and is a marker as to how I am aging. Plus, I value any time I get to spend with my DCAC teammates.”

DCAC swimmer Chris Meadows was attending his first IGLA championships. Born in Georgia and raised in Tennessee, he was brought up with swimming as part of his family. The Georgia Tech aquatic center is named after his great-uncle, Herb McAuley.

A former American University swimmer, Meadows was competing at a multi-day swim meet for the first time since finishing his collegiate career in 2012.

“It’s always a challenge to prepare your body for multiple fast swims over several days,” Meadows says. “IGLA was a reminder of how much I love this sport and that I need to be in the pool.”

Participating in his first LGBT swim meet also came with unexpected experiences and important interactions with older LGBT swimmers.

“One thing that stood out was hearing everyone’s stories. Even if they were sad stories, such as the large number of swimmers lost to the AIDS epidemic, they were important to hear,” Meadows says.

“I’m not just swimming, I’m learning life lessons. Plus, it was pretty cool to have a drag queen as an announcer at the pool.”

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Money tips for your summer travels Ideas on websites, airports, credit cards to ensure an affordable trip

By ALEX GRAHAM It’s no secret that travelling is a big part of LGBTQ culture. Whether it’s planning a weekend trip to Rehoboth or a trip 5,000 miles away to Tel Aviv, we travel to meet new friends, experience new LGBT cultures, and expand our network in our community.

Many new travelers first look at the commonly known travel websites like Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity. These sites tend to offer ‘loose packages,’ meaning that they will sell you a flight, hotel, rental car and maybe even some excursions, but you’re responsible for execution. One word of caution, however, when using a digital travel agency - many suppliers (e.g. airlines), will require you to contact the agency in case of irregular operations. This can sometimes cause finger pointing between the supplier and the agency, and, unfortunately, the agency may not efficiently address your needs.

It is always the safest bet to book with a major agency and be skeptical of firms that you have never heard of. In fact, I only use travel agencies that offer some sort of loyalty program.

If you want or need a more planned experience, Googling ‘gay travel’ will bring up companies like Atlantis, VACAYA, and Outgoing Adventures that offer more organized trips including guides. You cede control and pay a bit more, but know there is a dedicated staff member to ensure you’re happy.

You typically get your best deals by booking things a la carte - meaning purchasing airfare directly from the airline, hotel, rental car, etc. Each of these

Traveling this summer? Be sure to do your homework before taking off.

(DCA), United (IAD), and Southwest (BWI).

Because of that, it may be in your best interest to align with one of those carriers.

Depending on which airline you align with, take a look at their own credit cards. Over the past two years, we have seen a marked devaluation in the worth of airline miles, so it’s becoming less advantageous to only earn a single airline’s miles.

That’s where the major credit card companies come in - especially Chase and American Express. Both offer strong cards for earning and redeeming their points. One perk that savvy travelers use in this program are the direct transfer of the points earned in the Membership Rewards/Ultimate Rewards programs directly into various airline and hotel company programs. Essentially, accrued points can be used in a multitude of different ways. In fact, if you check The Points Guy’s monthly valuation of points, those ‘neutral point programs’ come out way ahead in terms of value. You can frequently find cheap business class seats across the Atlantic on an European carrier, but unless you happen to frequent Europe for work, there is little chance you would be able to earn those points.

Finally, when you are abroad, make sure your credit card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee (most travel cards do not - all Capital One cards do not). It ranges from 1-3%, but can add up fast. If asked when they run your card to pay in local or USD, always choose local currency.

Your big U.S.-based financial institution can typically get you a better exchange rate than the local credit card processor.

Photo by Maridav; Courtesy of Bigstock

companies have extra incentive to instill direct loyalty with you. However, it may take a lot more personal organization, but the results (e.g. more cash to spend on the trip) can outweigh the extra pre-planning spreadsheets.

JU LY 1 2 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA D E.COM • 59

The first step to saving for a la carte travel is to figure out how you plan to get to your destination. A good chunk of the upfront travel costs is air (or even train) fare. If you live in the D.C. metro area, we tend to be dominated by American Airlines

Alex Graham

is a Principal at Graham Capital Wealth Management, a registered Investment Advisor located on K Street. Reach him at 202-780-7726 or at Alex.Graham@ grahamcapitalwealth.com.

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“The The Artist�

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