Washingtonblade.com, Volume 50, Issue 49, December 6, 2019 by Washington Blade

Photo courtesy of Walter Ludwig

Mary Washington could become city’s first out LGBTQ mayor, PAGE 09

Holiday Gift Guide PAGES 22-24

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D E C EMBE R 06, 2019 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE.CO M • 03

VOLUME 50 ISSUE 49

State Sen. Mary Washington could become Baltimore’s ﬁrst openly LGBTQ mayor. PAGE 09

Blade 50th Sponsors

Kinda-sorta Christmas Movies

Comings & Goings

Queery: Darryl Pilate

Mary Washington for Baltimore

Time to Get Naughty

Kamala Harris Drops Out

Arts & Culture

New Leadership at Lambda Legal

Ian McKellan: A Biography

Utah Bans Coversion Therapy

Theological Pesticide?

Journalist Prohibited from Leaving Cuba

Holiday Pop-up Bar Fun

Cannabis Culture

San Antonio

Health News

Buying and Selling

Viewpoint

Classiﬁeds

Holiday Gift Guide

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Everyone Counts

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Get counted.

In early 2020, every household in America will receive a notice to complete the census online, by phone, or by mail. AARP.org/CENSUS

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Comings & Goings Frisch elected to Fairfax County School Board By PETER ROSENSTEIN The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: comingsandgoings@washblade.com. The Comings & Goings column also invites LGBTQ+ KARL FRISCH college students to share their successes with us. If you have been elected to a student government position, gotten an exciting internship, or are graduating and beginning your career with a great job, let us know so we can share your success. Congratulations to Karl Frisch who has been elected to the Fairfax County School Board from the Providence District. Frisch is the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to local HASSAN SYED office in Fairfax County. Upon his election, he said “I’m excited NAVEED about the work ahead and grateful that voters responded favorably to my message of making sure every student has the tools they need to succeed no matter who they are, where they are from, or how much money their parents make.” A former small business owner, Frisch helped clients like the National Education Association, Rock the Vote, several technology companies, and others refine their public relations and marketing strategies to more effectively break through the cluttered national media environment. He serves as executive director Allied Progress. Founded in 2015, Allied Progress is a watchdog organization that stands up for consumers by holding policymakers and predatory financial institutions accountable. Allied Progress is a project of Accountable.US, a nonpartisan watchdog group committed to making sure public officials are advancing policies in the public interest across a wide range of issues. Previously, he was communications director at Media Matters for America. Frisch is a member of the campaign board at the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Institute. He is an avid traveler and photographer. He lives next door to Mosby Woods Elementary School with his partner Evan, a product of Fairfax County Public Schools and a teacher in the system for nearly 15 years. He attended El Camino College in California. Congratulations also to Hassan Syed Naveed, the new deputy executive director for The Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the OPHC in summer 2019. Embedded in the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, OPHC will take a holistic approach to preventing hate crimes, developing and coordinating communitydriven prevention strategies to address biases fueling such crimes, and fostering healing for victims and their communities. The new office will coordinate city efforts to prevent and respond to hate crimes through an interagency committee, which includes the NYPD, City Commission on Human Rights, Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, Department of Education, Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, ThriveNYC, and Department of Youth and Community Development. Previously, Naveed served as director of outreach for the New York City Department of Investigation’s Office of Inspector General with the NYPD. Prior to working for New York City, he worked as an associate with McKinney & Associates Public Relations Firm. His clients included civil rights organizations, human rights groups and philanthropists. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his master’s in public administration, policy and management from New York University, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He served as chair of the D.C. Anti-Violence Project and is a board member of Casa Ruby. Naveed was also awarded the “Engendered Spirit Award” from D.C.’s Capital Pride Alliance in 2014, recognizing his advocacy efforts for transgender people.

D.C. second highest in nation for PrEP use: CDC But HIV prevention med underused by most who need it By LOU CHIBBARO JR. LCHIBBARO@WASHBLADE.COM

A report released this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that an estimated 36.5 percent of D.C. residents who could benefit from the HIV prevention drug known as PrEP have obtained a prescription for taking the medication. The 36.5 percent figure for PrEP use places D.C. second only to New York State among the 50 states in which residents who are HIV negative and who could avoid becoming infected with HIV through PrEP are actually taking it. “Too many Americans with HIV are unaware they have it, too few have the virus under control, and too few are taking the daily pill that prevents HIV,” the CDC said on Tuesday in a statement announcing the release of the new report. The report, which is part of the CDC’s monthly Vital Signs reports on efforts to address serious illnesses, is entitled, “Status of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing, Viral Suppression, and HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis – United States, 2013 – 2018.” The CDC released its report on the same day that U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar announced a new Trump administration program to provide PrEP free of charge to people who don’t have health insurance coverage for the HIV prevention medication. The CDC report shows that New York State, which has a 41.l percent PrEP usage, leads the nation among states and D.C. in the estimated percentage of people who could benefit from PrEP who have obtained a doctor’s prescription to take it. The report shows that the estimated rate of PrEP use is 14.3 percent in Maryland, 9.5 percent in Virginia, and 8.7 percent in Delaware. The CDC report doesn’t break down the PrEP use figures among the different risk groups associated with HIV infection such as gay and bisexual men or men who have sex with men but who don’t identify as gay or bisexual. But it points out that far more people who could benefit from PrEP should be taking it and efforts to fight the HIV epidemic should be taking steps to encourage greater use of PrEP.

The report includes these additional findings: • In 2018, about 18 percent (219,700) of the 1.2 million people who could benefit from PrEP nationwide had received a doctor’s prescription for the medication. • In 2017, about 154,000 people with HIV (14%) were unaware of their HIV status and only two-thirds (63%) of those who knew they were HIV positive had the virus under control through effective medical treatment. • The estimated number of annual new HIV infections has remained stable in recent years – at about 38,000 new infections from 2013 through 2017. The report notes that in order to reach the goal of the Trump administration’s plan announced earlier this year to achieve a 90 percent reduction in new HIV infections nationwide by the year 2030, far more people will need to begin taking PrEP than are currently doing so. It also points out that data analyzed for the report show that minority populations that are already at higher risk for HIV infection have the lowest rates of PrEP use. “In 2018, approximately 43 percent of HIV diagnoses were among blacks, and 26 percent were among Hispanics/ Latinos,” the report says. “However, PrEP coverage among whites was seven times as high as that among blacks and four times as high as that among Hispanics/ Latinos, suggesting that PrEP delivery to persons in racial/ethnic minority populations has not been equitable,” the report states. “Improving PrEP coverage will require targeted improvements in PrEP awareness, prescribing practices, and use in under-reached demographic groups, especially among young persons, blacks, and Hispanics/Latinos at risk acquiring HIV,” the report says. The report provides additional data showing the estimated the number of people diagnosed with HIV among the 50 states and D.C. compared to the estimated number of people who are believed to be infected but undiagnosed. CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

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D.C. Council recommends expulsion of Jack Evans

A special ad hoc D.C. Council committee open to all Council members voted 12-0 on Tuesday to recommend that Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) be expelled from the Council on grounds of serious ethics violations. Evans, one of the Council’s strongest supporters of the LGBTQ community during his record 28-year tenure on the Council, was the only one on the 13-member Council who didn’t show up for the ad hoc committee session. While praising Evans for his years of support on LGBTQ issues, many LGBTQ activists have joined community leaders across the city in calling on Evans to resign. Those calling for his resignation, many of whom are also calling for his expulsion if he refuses to resign, say they believe an overwhelming amount of evidence has surfaced showing Evans used his public office to benefit private clients, including companies doing business with the city, who paid him hundreds of thousands of dollars that Evans did not publicly disclose. Evans has denied any wrongdoing and insists he has not violated any laws. Although a federal grand jury has been investigating allegations of possible illegal actions, he has not been charged with a crime. Longtime LGBT rights advocate, Logan Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, and former D.C. government official John Fanning is among six candidates who have entered the Ward 2 D.C. Council election contest for Evans’ seat in the June 2020 Democratic primary. Evans has yet to announce whether he plans to run for reelection. Under D.C. Council rules, the expulsion of a Council member requires 11 votes. Council Chair Phil Mendelson said he expects the next step in the expulsion process to take place on Dec. 17, when the Council must give Evans an opportunity to testify at a hearing before an expulsion vote before the full Council can take place. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Applicants sought for D.C. LGBTQ Latinx scholarship The D.C. LGBT group LULAC Lambda is inviting current and future college

students attending D.C. schools to apply for its 2020 annual scholarship that it says will benefit students from the LGBTQ Latinx community. “For the third year in a row, LULAC Lambda will award a scholarship to a community-minded individual enrolled in a District of Columbia high school or college,” said Jesse Garcia, president of LULAC Lambda. “Our scholarship program will help that scholar achieve their academic goals and reduce their student debt,” Garcia said. “We want to thank our members and allies who have supported our fundraisers to keep this scholarship program alive,” he said. “The scholarship committee will look at academic performance and a student’s work in the social justice space, including community service accomplishments in the Queer Latinx community,” according to Erik Rodriquez, LULAC Lambda’s vice president. “We invite high school seniors, college students, graduate students and law students to apply,” he said. A statement released by the group says scholarship applications are being accepted through Jan. 10, 2020. Further details about the application process can be accessed at lulaclambda.org/ scholarship. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Blade Foundation offering $2,000 reporting fellowship

The Blade Foundation is offering a paid fellowship to “an aspiring LGBTQ+ journalist in the D.C. area to begin in early 2020” and the deadline to apply for the fellowship is Dec. 9, according to a statement by the foundation. The statement says applicants must be over the age of 18 and must either be currently enrolled in a college journalism program or have an acceptance letter to such a program. It says the fellowship will require 15-20 hours a week with a focus on reporting and writing LGBTQ-specific stories in D.C. and Virginia. Individuals interested in applying should send a letter of interest, resume and links to three published articles to Blade Foundation Director Kevin Naff at knaff@washblade.com, the statement says, adding that applicants will be notified of a final decision by Dec. 20. More information at bladefoundation. org/fellowships. LOU CHIBBARO JR.

LOCA L NE WS • DE CEMBER 06, 2019 • WA SHINGTON BL A DE . COM • 09

It’s ‘time to stand up and fight’ for Baltimore By MICHAEL K. LAVERS MLAVERS@WASHBLADE.COM Maryland state Sen. Mary Washington (D-Baltimore City) says she decided to run for mayor of Baltimore because “it’s time to stand up and fight for” her city. “I represent the city in Annapolis,” Washington told the Blade on Nov. 25 during a telephone interview. “This is my home and it’s time to stand up and fight for it here. The fight is here at home.” Washington, 57, on Nov. 20 officially announced she is running for mayor. Washington in 2018 became the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Maryland Senate. Washington would be Baltimore’s first out mayor if she were elected in 2020. “It would raise the standard about what it means to be a leader, someone who leads with integrity and that I’m someone that they can trust,” said Washington when the State Sen. Mary Washington says it’s Blade asked her about the prospect a sad time in Baltimore following the of an openly LGBTQ person guilty plea by former mayor Catherine Pugh to charges stemming from a becoming Baltimore’s next mayor. book deal. Washington lives with her Photo Courtesy Walter Ludwig partner of 12 years, Jodi KelberKaye, who is the associate director of the Honors College at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Washington and Kelber-Kaye have two children who are 16 and 21. “The fact that she would be the first openly gay mayor for the city is also not lost on us as a historic thing,” said Kelber-Kaye during the Nov. 25 interview. “I just couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of that, of what she can do.” Washington spoke with the Blade four days after former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to the sale of copies of her “Healthy Holly” children’s book series to the University of Maryland Medical System while she served on its board. Pugh resigned on May 2. Current Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young, Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott and former Maryland Deputy Attorney General Thiru Vignarajah are among those who have announced they are running for mayor. “It’s a very sad time in our city,” said Washington, referring to Pugh’s guilty plea. “I feel for the people who care and love her, but I also share the deep concern that so many people looked the other way. I think that’s something that we need to repair in our governance.” Washington told the Blade “repairing our relationship with our police department,” reducing youth homelessness and expanding economic opportunities in Baltimore are three of the issues on which she is campaigning. Washington said her main priority is “leading with integrity and restoring honor to the office, getting people excited about working in the city again, having people want to invest in the city and live here.” She summed up this pledge as “getting back to basics.” “The grandest idea is that we pay taxes, that we’re accountable to those taxes, that you have a transparent government that’s accountable and trustworthy,” said Washington. “Very boring ... but basic things that we don’t have right now.” Washington represented the 43rd legislative district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2011 until her election to the state Senate. She noted she has worked with Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration on a variety of issues that include homeless youth and affordable housing for seniors. CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

Trump unveils free PReP program But admin also seeks religious exemptions for providers By CHRIS JOHNSON CJOHNSON@WASHBLADE.COM

Sen. KAMALA HARRIS, a former frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, dropped out on Tuesday. Photo by DFree / Courtesy Bigstock

Kamala Harris drops 2020 bid

Sen. Kamala Harris, once on the trajectory to become a front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, has dropped her bid to run for the White House in 2020. The California Democrat made it official Tuesday with an email to supporters saying her campaign lacks the financial resources to continue. “In good faith, I can’t tell you, my supporters and volunteers, that I have a path forward if I don’t believe I do,” Harris writes. “So, to you my supporters, it is with deep regret — but also with deep gratitude — that I am suspending my campaign today.” Harris informed her staff on Tuesday morning she would discontinue her presidential campaign and made an official announcement later in the day. In an interview with the Los Angeles Blade, Harris — who was born five years before the 1969 Stonewall riots — said she never needed an epiphany to discover LGBT people were OK. “I grew up in a community and a culture where everyone was accepted for who they were, so there wasn’t a moment where it was like, ‘OK, now let’s let this person in.’ Everyone was a part of everything. It was about community,” Harris said. “It was about coalition building. It was about equality, inclusion. I mean, I had an uncle who was gay.” Equality California released this statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur: “Kamala Harris has dedicated her life to fighting for the people. From the battle for marriage equality to the struggle for safety and justice for our transgender friends and family, Kamala has always been on the front lines our movement, standing shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ community. She’s had our back when we needed it most, and we’ll always have hers.” CHRIS JOHNSON

In the same week World AIDS Day was recognized, the Trump administration has unveiled a new program to provide free PrEP as part of the initiative to beat the epidemic by 2030. Secretary of Health & Human Services Alex Azar announced the plan, known as “Ready, Set, PrEP,” in a conference call Tuesday with reporters, calling the initiative “a major step forward in the president’s plan to end the HIV epidemic in America.” “We believe the president’s HIV initiative is and will come to be seen as one of the major health initiatives of the early 21st century,” Azar said. “The president’s HIV initiative is a huge opportunity to make an impact on Americans’ health and well-being. We have the tools to stop the spread of HIV in its tracks. Now it’s about execution.” Among the details Azar enumerated was the number to call to enlist in “Ready, Set, PrEP,” 855-447-8410, and the website, GetYourPrEP.com. To receive the free PrEP, Azar said an individual must have no prescription drug coverage, test negative for HIV and have a valid on-label prescription for PrEP. Azar said HHS will cover the cost for the free PrEP through March 30 2020, but then private pharmaceutical retailers — CVS Health, Walgreens and RiteAid — will donate their pharmacy dispensing services to HHS and distribute the medication at its stores and via mail with no cost delivery. “Although many programs already exist to expand PrEP access and affordability, our program is of a totally different scale,” Azar said. “It is a national comprehensive approach to free PrEP access to the uninsured, which differs from programs that focus on particular areas or on co-pays in particular.” Asked about the cost, Azar said HHS is using a system through the pharmaceutical giant Gilead that costs the U.S. government about $200 per

bottle and goes to the company, but avoids other costs such as retail and distribution. The new free PrEP program, Azar said, is the implementation of the announcement earlier this year that Gilead would donate the medication to the U.S. government, which President Trump touted on his Twitter account. At the same time, HHS and Gilead are in the middle of litigation over a patent dispute over PrEP, but Azar said is unrelated to the free PrEP initiative. “Ready, Set, PrEP” is part of the Trump administration’s plan to reduce the rate of new HIV infections by 90 percent by the year 2030. As part of that initiative, which Trump touted in his State of the Union address, the White House requested an additional $300 million in HIV funding for domestic programs, but at the same time made drastic cuts to global programs. Azar said 57 target jurisdictions by the year’s end will have received HHS grants to design their implementation strategies, and four jurisdictions have already received funding to begin hiring and implementation: Atlanta, East Baton Rouge, Baltimore and the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. However, Congress has yet to pass an appropriations bill to fund the U.S. government for fiscal year 2020, let alone this HIV/AIDS initiative in particular. Azar said he hopes lawmakers will include that money as part of a continuing resolution or the upcoming budget for the Department of Health & Human Services, but failing that will seek funds from reprogramming through the White House Office of Management & Budget. The free PrEP initiative came the same day the Centers for Disease Control unveiled a new report finding only 18 percent of the estimated 1.2 million people at risk for contracting HIV, or about 219,700 people, are on the medication. Coverage, the CDC reports, is especially low among young people, black people and Latinos. “The time is now to end HIV in America. We have the right tools, the right data and the right leadership to get this done,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said in a statement. “Those living with HIV are our best teachers. They are key to helping us reach people where they are so that we can better diagnose and link patients to care.” CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

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New leadership at Lambda Legal Kevin Jennings busy developing strategies for protecting LGBTQ rights By KAREN OCAMB LOS ANGELES — Kevin Jennings is not a lawyer so why was he tapped to lead Lambda Legal, one of the LGBTQ community’s most important national organizations? “Well that was sort of what I said when Lambda called me,” Jennings told the Blade by phone before officially starting on Dec. 2. “They said, ‘We’re not looking for a lawyer. We have lots of brilliant lawyers. We’re looking for an experienced organizational leader,’ — and that I am. I’ve been a leader of the LGBT movement for over 30 years and this is really a critical time for a movement, particularly for Lambda. The right wing has a very clear strategy to use the court and all of [President]Trump’s horrific judicial appointments to roll back everything we’ve won over the last 40 years. Lambda is going to be a key player in stopping that.” Jennings is “very excited” to be taking the helm at this pivotal juncture. “Everything I’ve been working for my entire adult life since I marched in my first Pride in 1986 is at risk now. We’re in real danger of losing things that we thought just a few years ago were safe. I’m very excited to be part of the resistance and making sure that doesn’t happen,” says Jennings, best known as the founder of GLSEN and assistant deputy secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools at the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama administration. “The right wing is coming for us through the courts,” he says. “This is their whole strategy. They’ve been planning this. People think a lot of things about the right wing — they are not stupid. Never underestimate them. They know exactly what they are doing. They are coming for us through the courts, and we know that, and we are waiting and we are ready.” Jennings intends to emphasize the education aspect of Lambda’s incorporated name — Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. “The courts are going to be the central battleground,” Jennings says. “Much of what we’ve won could be taken away through the courts. It doesn’t matter if you’re a lawyer right now. The courts are where it’s at and everybody needs to be paying attention to what’s happening in the courts.” Jennings points to Jay Sekulow, head

KEVIN JENNINGS, new executive director of Lambda Legal Photo courtesy Lambda Legal

of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), as “the mastermind of the right wing litigation strategies” and ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council) as producer of their model legislation. “They have very carefully invested over 50 years to build a whole infrastructure of organizations,” Jennings says. “They have the Federalist Society, where they have built a very sophisticated infrastructure that identifies young people in law school and begins training them and grooming them and preparing them for court appointments. They’re brilliant at what they do. I will give them credit. They play a long game. We’ve got to be just as smart on our side because they make strategic investments that they expect to pay off in 10, 20, 30, 40 years, and we’ve got to be just as strategic on our side. “What they’re doing right now is they are reaping the investments with people like [Supreme Court Justice] Brett Kavanaugh, investments they made decades ago. We’ve got to be doing the same thing. We’ve got to be investing in long term change in the same way they are,” says Jennings. As a national leader and forever a teacher at heart, Jennings knows how to listen to the community’s needs and frustrations, including about the past several years at Lambda. “I plan to build a plan for the organization that responds to those concerns and frustrations,” he says. “I

know that there is a real need to address people’s frustrations that are out there and I come in aware of that and prepared to listen to those and to address them.” The larger context for Jennings’ plan is Lambda’s 41-year history and its “very well documented track record of success” plus Jennings’ own superlative track record as a leader in the LGBTQ community for over three decades. Additionally, Jennings’ own story adds that degree of authenticity that he personally grasps LGBTQ issues that are too often overlooked or overshadowed. “I grew up in a trailer park on an unpaved dirt road in an unincorporated town in rural North Carolina in a singleparent family,” Jennings says. “My mother worked in fast food restaurants and cleaned people’s houses. That’s how she supported us. My entire childhood was below the poverty line. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I understand the needs of our community members who are struggling with poverty and other factors in a firsthand visceral way because I’ve lived there.” Jennings intends to put his decades of experience to public use. “We’ve got to help people understand the issues and explain them and teach people, and I think that that is where I, because of my background as an educator, can contribute a great deal to Lambda. We have to not just educate judges, we have to educate the public.

We have to work in both the court of law and the court of public opinion.” Jennings is intent on developing coalitions to strengthen the LGBTQ hand. “Probably because I was a teacher, I believe strongly in the concept of playing well with others, and the leaders in this movement know me as someone who believes in the power of collaboration,” Jennings says. “Lambda already has a strong record of collaborating with other organizations and I plan to build off that reputation, as well as my own track record of collaborating with other organizations to strengthen those relationships because I believe that our movement is at its best when we’re all working together. We each have unique roles to play and when we’re collaborating and leveraging each others’ strengths, it makes the whole community stronger.” He acknowledges that Lambda Legal has not always lived up to that reputation, such as at times during the up and down struggle over marriage equality. “Prop 8 was a dark chapter in many ways in our community,” he says. But he emphasizes Lambda’s long participation in the Legal Round Table, which brings together all of the various groups that do litigation. “I think that structures like that — bringing people together so that there is dialogue and people are trying to collaborate — are really important and I’m really committed to keeping those structures going and building even more of them.” Out of that dialogue will come new strategies to deal with the shifting legal landscape of the Trump administration packing the courts with young lifetime appointees. “Trump’s nominees fill one quarter of the seats on the nation’s Circuit Court of Appeals. He has seen more Circuit Court judges confirmed, more by this point in his presidency than any other past president in U.S. history,” says Jennings. “They have packed the courts systematically and carefully under Trump and they still have at least 14 months to go. The landscape has shifted dramatically against us, and we need to recognize that means that we are going to have to focus on developing a very robust distinct strategy.” CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM

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Utah to become 19th state to ban conversion therapy

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has announced an agreement with the Mormon Church to ban conversion therapy.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert announced last week that his state would implement regulations prohibiting mental health experts from engaging in “ex-gay” conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth, making Utah the 19th state to prohibit the widely discredited practice. The announcement from a Herbert, a Republican, comes after a tumultuous debate over conversion therapy in the heavily Mormon state, where family rejection of LGBTQ youth is known to contribute to Utah’s homeless population. “I have learned much through this process,” Herbert said. “The stories of youth who have endured these so-called therapies are heart rendering, and I’m grateful that we have found a way that will ban conversion therapy forever in our state. I’m grateful to the many stakeholders who came to the table in good faith, with never-ending patience.” After legislation seeking to prohibit conversion therapy failed in the state legislature, Herbert in June announced the Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing would seek to establish rules to regulate conversion therapy. At the time, the results of that undertaking weren’t known. Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, praised Herbert in a statement for ending that process with regulations to prohibit conversion therapy. “Utah is once again leading the way in protecting LGBTQ youth and their families,” Minter said. “We salute Governor Herbert for taking action on this important issue and for this historic accomplishment.” Therapy aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or transgender status is considered ineffectual at best and harmful at worst. Major medical and psychological institutions — including the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics — widely reject the practice. Although the Mormon Church last month issued a statement urging Utah not to ban conversion

therapy, the Church of Latter-day Saints signaled in a statement it supports the agreement. “We are opposed to conversion therapy and our therapists do not practice it,” said LDS spokesperson Marty Stephens. “However, we are grateful for the clarifications the new rule provides, and we support its adoption.” According to Herbert’s office, the Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing is working to file the rule, which will be published on Dec. 15. A 30-day public comment period will follow that will end on Jan. 14, 2020. The new rule could be effective as soon as Jan. 22, 2020. The regulation is expected to have the same language as H.B. 399, legislation introduced by Rep. Craig Hall that failed in the state legislature, and will apply to all licensed therapists in Utah. (However, that won’t apply to practitioners of conversion therapy who aren’t therapists, such as clergy, and for LGBTQ adults seeking to participate in the practice with a licensed therapist.) “I am grateful we have developed language that both prohibits conversion therapy and also protects the legitimate interests of health care professionals, patients and families,” Hall said in statement. Conversion therapy for youth is banned in D.C. and 18 states: Connecticut, California, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington State, Maryland, Hawaii and New Hampshire. (Former Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló signed an executive order against conversion therapy after the legislature failed to pass legislation against it.) Mathew Shurka, a conversion therapy survivor and “Born Perfect” strategist for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, commended the Utah agreement in a statement. “It is vital that our leaders support LGBTQ youth,” Shurka said. “We are grateful to Gov. Herbert for his leadership and for making sure all youth know they are born perfect. It is lifesaving.” CHRIS JOHNSON

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Trump again omits LGBTQ people from AIDS Day proclamation In a proclamation last Wednesday recognizing World AIDS Day, President Trump again omitted any recognition of LGBTQ people as among the groups primarily affected by the epidemic. Such was the case in proclamations issued in 2017 and 2018. But the latest absence of LGBTQ people stands out even more because Trump takes the occasion to tout his administration’s plan to beat HIV by 2030. “Through this initiative, we will continue to lead the charge in applying the latest science to better diagnose, treat, care for and save the lives of individuals living with HIV by focusing on the cities and states most impacted by the disease,” Trump writes. The cross-agency initiative under the Department of Health & Human Services, as Trump explains in the initiative, seeks to eliminate at least 90 percent of new HIV infections in the United States within 10 years with a PrEP-heavy focus on diagnosis, treatment, prevention and response. By promoting his administration’s plan to beat HIV/ AIDS without enumerating the groups most affected by the epidemic, Trump declines to recognize HIV/AIDS as a social justice issue. In contrast, Obama in his 2016 proclamation spelled out HIV/AIDS predominantly affects “gay and bisexual men, transgender people, youth, black and Latino Americans, people living in the Southern United States, and people who inject drugs.” The furthest Trump gets to those groups in his World AIDS Day proclamation is a call to “remove the stigma surrounding HIV and to address disparities facing people living with this disease.” “Our success is contingent upon collaboration across all levels of government here in the United States and around the world, community interaction and outreach to people with HIV and at‑risk populations, and a citizenry motivated by compassion for the suffering of humankind and hope for the future,” Trump says. Trump’s budget request to Congress asked for $300 million in additional funds to combat HIV, but also slashed requests for international programs, including PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria. Trump critics, including the Human Rights Campaign, have faulted him for insufficiently funding HIV efforts based on those cuts. But Trump in the proclamation insists the U.S. commitment to beating the international HIV/AIDS epidemic “is clear and as strong as ever” and has invested more than $85 billion in PEPFAR. An estimated 1.1 million people in the United States have HIV and 38 million people have the disease worldwide. Since the beginning of the epidemic, 75 million people have been infected with HIV and about 32 million people have died from the disease, according to the World Health Organization. “As we mourn this tragic loss of life,” Trump writes, “we acknowledge the remarkable advancements in medical care, treatment, acceptance, and understanding surrounding the virus. While admirable progress has been made, it is not enough, and we must continue to work toward a vaccine and a cure.” CHRIS JOHNSON

U.S. ambassador to Zambia ‘horrified’ by gay couple’s prison sentence MAYKEL GONZÁLEZ VIVERO, director of Tremenda Nota, visits the Blade’s offices in D.C. on June 2. Blade photo by Michael Key

Journalist Vivero prohibited from leaving Cuba

MARTIN LOKEN is minister of political affairs at the Canadian Embassy in D.C. Photo courtesy of the Canadian Embassy in the U.S.

Editor’s note: Tremenda Nota is the Blade’s media partner in Cuba. Tremenda Nota on Monday published a Spanish version of this article on its website. HAVANA — Journalist Maykel González Vivero, director and one of the founders of Tremenda Nota, on Monday learned the Interior Ministry has decided he will not be able to travel outside of Cuba. He learned of the decision after he inquired about his status at a ministry paperwork office in Havana. The reporter was to have traveled to Madrid last week. “The travel bans have become so commonplace among journalists that I decided to check beforehand to see if any measures had been imposed against me,” he said. Nelson Julio Álvarez Mairata, an LGBTI YouTuber who has recently worked as a reporter for digital publications like Tremenda Nota and ADN Cuba, was also prohibited from traveling. State security a few weeks ago detained Álvarez Mairata twice. He not only lost his work equipment, but someone hacked into his social media accounts in order to publish homophobic texts and intimate images. The YouTuber found out that he would not be able to travel after he arrived at José Martí International Airport for a flight to Panama from where he would have continued his trip to Bogotá. “There is no legal proceeding against me,” Álvarez Mairata told Tremenda Nota. “What has happened to me is not new, it has already happened to many colleagues. Now I am one more person with restrictions,” he said. “The travel bans have various purposes: To punish and above all to discourage, but also to force you to dialogue with state security,” reflected González Vivero. The reporter has also received anonymous messages via email or chat that contain threats, including physical violence. “On Nov. 22 they wrote to me from a Facebook profile, probably fake, and insulted me because of my sexual orientation and threatened to hit me. The specific motivation was never made clear,” recalled the journalist, who has also worked as a human rights defender for LGBTI community. “From a Twitter profile they left me a comment that also sounded like a threat, where they said they would expose my private life in a video like the one about opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer that Cuban television broadcast,” he added. Other LGBTI reporters, like Ezequiel Fuentes, have recently been attacked on social media with references to their sexual orientation and their private life. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez in October told the Associated Press that he does not know the reasons for the travel bans. “We would have to know case by case,” he said.

The U.S. ambassador to Zambia has sharply criticized the sentencing of two men to 15 years in prison under the country’s colonial-era sodomy law. “I was personally horrified to read yesterday about the sentencing of two men, who had a consensual relationship, which hurt absolutely no one, to 15 years imprisonment for ‘crimes against the order of nature,’” said Daniel Foote in a statement that Rights Africa published on its website on Nov. 29. “Meanwhile, government officials can steal millions of public dollars without prosecution, political cadres can beat innocent citizens for expressing their opinions with no consequences, or poachers/traffickers can kill numerous elephants, barbarically chainsaw and sell their tusks and face a maximum of only five years imprisonment in Zambia.” Zambia — an African country that borders Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo — is among the upwards of 70 countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized. The Zambia Daily News on Nov. 28 reported the couple “were caught having sex at a lodge” in Kapiri Mposhi, a town that is located roughly 120 miles north of the Zambian capital of Lusaka. The Zambia Daily News noted Lusaka High Court Charles Zulu sentenced the men. “Decisions like this oppressive sentencing do untold damage to Zambia’s international reputation by demonstrating that human rights in Zambia is not a universal guarantee,” said Foote in his statement. “They perpetuate persecution against disenfranchised groups and minorities, such as people from other tribes or political affiliations, albinos, the disabled, our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) brothers and sisters, and everyone who is deemed ‘different.’” Pan Africa ILGA also condemned the sentence. “The harsh 15-year sentence meted out to the two consenting adults has shocked the world and is a blow to the continued global efforts to decriminalize same-sex consensual conduct as well as to enact laws which protect LGBTIQ+ rights and liberties,” said the organization in a statement that Rights Africa published. Angola, Botswana and Mozambique are among the countries that have decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations in recent months and years. The Trump administration earlier this year tapped openly gay U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell to lead an initiative that encourages countries to legalize homosexuality. Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Monday rebuked Foote’s comments. “We are saying no to homosexuality,” Lungo told Sky News, noting his government plans to make a formal complaint against Foote with the Trump administration. “Why should we say we are going to be civilized if we allow it … are you saying that we’re very primitive now because we’re frowning on homosexuality?” Foote on Monday said “threats made against me” have prompted his decision not to attend World AIDS Day events in Zambia. I was shocked at the venom and hate directed at me and my country, largely in the name of ‘Christian’ values, by a small minority of Zambians,” he said in a statement. “I thought, perhaps incorrectly, that Christianity meant trying to live like our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am not qualified to sermonize, but I cannot imagine Jesus would have used bestiality comparisons or referred to his fellow human beings as ‘dogs,’ or ‘worse than animals;’ allusions made repeatedly by your countrymen and women about homosexuals.” MICHAEL K. LAVERS

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Study finds little support for cannabis impacting cognitive abilities

The presence of Vitamin E acetate in illicit market, e-liquid vape products is likely associated with lung injury, according to a new report. Photo by Licsiren; courtesy of Bigstock

Another study links Vitamin E additive to lung illness Data published last week in the weekly publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides further evidence that the presence of Vitamin E acetate (oil) in illicit market, e-liquid vape products is likely associated with EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury). Minnesota investigators identified the presence of the oil additive in 24 of the products used by 11 patients with the lung disease. Virtually all of the patients interviewed in the study acknowledged obtaining THC vape products on the underground market. A previous analysis in 2018 of illicit vape products seized by police in Minnesota failed to identify the presence of Vitamin E. “Whereas Vitamin E acetate was not detected in the limited number of tested products seized in 2018, it was detected in products seized in 2019, suggesting that Vitamin E acetate might have been introduced recently as a diluent or filler,” investigators reported. They concluded, “According to these and other published data, using THC-containing products with Vitamin E acetate appears to be associated with EVALI; however, it is possible that more than one compound or ingredient could be a cause of lung injury, and evidence is not yet sufficient to rule out contribution of other toxicants.” Weeks earlier, CDC representatives for the first time identified Vitamin E acetate as a “very strong culprit of concern” in EVALI. The online publication Leafly.com has issued several extensive reports regarding the recent rise in popularity of Vitamin E among illicit market vendors of e-liquid products. Their reporting indicates that beginning in late 2018, some vendors began to use the oil as an additive in an effort to thicken the consistency of their e-liquids and to mask dilution. Full text of the study, “Characteristics of e-cigarette, or vaping, products used by patients with associated lung injury and products seized by law enforcement – Minnesota, 2018 and 2019,” appears online in the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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The occasional use of cannabis during late adolescence is not independently associated with adverse effects on cognitive abilities in young adulthood, according to longitudinal data published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. A team of investigators affiliated with the University of Colorado at Boulder assessed the impact of cannabis use on cognition, executive function, and working memory in 856 individual twins. Cannabis consumers were compared to their non-using twins in late adolescence and then again in their early 20s. Most of the cannabis consuming participants in the study reported occasional use of the substance, but not daily use. Authors found “little support for a causal effect of cannabis use on cognition. This conclusion is consistent with those from previous twin studies, which suggest that cannabis use does not cause a decline in cognitive ability among a normative cannabis using sample.” They concluded, “Results suggest that cannabis use may not cause decline in cognitive ability among a normative sample of cannabis users.” The findings are consistent with several prior studies which also failed to show significant changes in either cognitive performance, brain morphology, or intelligence quotient due to cannabis exposure. Specifically, a 2018 literature review published in JAMA Psychiatry concluded: “Associations between cannabis use and cognitive functioning in cross-sectional studies of adolescents and young adults are small and may be of questionable clinical importance for most individuals. Furthermore, abstinence of longer than 72 hours diminishes cognitive deficits associated with cannabis use.”

Adult-use marijuana sales begin in Michigan Licensed storefronts are now eligible to engage in retail cannabis sales to adults. The first adult-use sales began on Sunday, December 1. Michigan voters last year approved a statewide initiative authorizing state officials to regulate the plant’s production, use, and sale. In October, state regulators began accepting applications from medical cannabis dispensaries wishing to also engage in adultuse marijuana sales. As of this week, six storefronts — including four retailers in Ann Arbor — are licensed to sell cannabis to adults. Several other businesses have applications pending. Nonetheless, a statewide rollout of marijuana-related business is anticipated to be slow because many communities have passed local ordinances prohibiting adult-use establishments. On Jan. 1, Illinois will become the 11th state to permit adult marijuana use. Cannabis Culture news in the Blade is provided in partnership with NORML. For more information, visit norml.org.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York was the scene of a famous protest by ACT UP in 1989. Photo by Jean Christophe Benoist, courtesy WikiMedia

A Very Special Holiday with Marian Anderson Sunday, December 8 | 12 & 3 p.m. Kogod Courtyard & Great Hall

Sing and be merry! This day of song pays tribute to acclaimed contralto Marian Anderson. Join in a family-friendly sing-along with the Choral Arts Society of Washington and hear soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme perform spirituals from Anderson’s repertoire. This program is part of the Smithsonian Year of Music.

8th and F St. NW • Washington, DC 20001 npg.si.edu • #myNPG • @Smithsoniannpg #SmithsonianMusic Marian Anderson by Beauford Delaney, oil on canvas, 1965. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, J. Harwood and Louise B. Cochrane Fund for American Art. Photo by Travis Fullerton © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Estate of Beauford Delaney, by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire, Court Appointed Administrator

ACT UP protesters to reunite this weekend

A quarter of trans people too fat for surgery

NEW YORK — Organizers and participants from the 1989 ACT UP demonstration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York will reunite on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the 11 a.m. Mass for the 30th anniversary of the event. They will hold a press conference to condemn the church’s ongoing anti-LGBT teaching on AIDS, LGBT rights, abortion and health care, the group said in a press release. The “Stop the Church” demonstration was held on Dec. 10, 1989 and featured about 4,500 activists. They believed church policy was causing the deaths of millions. More than 100 were arrested.

THOROFARE, N.J. — More than 25 percent of transgender people seeking gender-confirmation surgery are too fat to have it done Healio reports, citing a new study published in Endocrine Practice. In a retrospective chart review, Dr. Joshua D. Safer and colleagues analyzed data from 1,457 transgender or gender-nonbinary individuals with a documented BMI who were seen for a gender-confirmation surgery consultation between Oct. 2015 and Feb. 2019 at the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at Mount Sinai (mean age, 35 years; 48 percent white; 75 percent transgender women). Researchers assessed the prevalence of obesity among surgery candidates at consultation and the most recent subsequent visit and evaluated the current default preoperative selfmonitored weight management protocol. Within the cohort, 58 percent of adults had a BMI of at least 25 kg/m². Of those, 382 individuals (26 percent) had obesity, defined as a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 at initial surgical consultation. Among 1,389 patients with BMI documented within three months of their consultation and at a subsequent clinical visit, 357 (26 percent) had obesity and 189 (14 percent) were deemed ineligible for gender-confirmation surgery at baseline. Self-monitored weight management was encouraged for preoperative weight loss to achieve an eligible BMI. However, despite some weight loss, all patients remained within the prescribed BMI range of obesity. No patients initially deemed ineligible due to elevated BMI became eligible at a subsequent surgical consult visit.

Gay blood donation laws found safe in U.K. SAN ANTONIO — New rules that make it easier for gay and bisexual men in the U.K. to donate blood have been found to be safe, but equal rights campaigners say they don’t go far enough to eliminate discrimination, New Scientist reports. Two years in, this policy change hasn’t compromised the safety of the U.K.’s donor blood supply, New Scientist reports. There was no significant rise in infected blood. Out of 2 million blood donations made in the U.K. in 2018, seven tested positive for HIV, compared with six in 2017. These donations were discarded and no transfusion recipients received HIV-infected blood, she told the meeting New Scientist reports.

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PETER ROSENSTEIN

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

TRINIDAD NAVARRO

is the insurance commissioner of Delaware.

VI E W PO I NT • DE CE M BER 06, 2019 • WA SHINGTONB L A DE . COM • 19

MARK LEE

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

Keep your promise to protect each other.

PETER ROSENSTEIN

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

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Even a flawed Democrat is better than Trump

I have lost count of how many candidates are still in the Democratic primary with some dropping out and others dropping in. They are all different but all have one thing in common: each is far better and more qualiﬁed to be president than Donald J. Trump. No candidate is perfect but then neither is any voter. We are only two months from the Iowa caucuses when voters will ﬁnally get their chance to chime in about what they think. Until now it has been a game of polling and the media seeming to decide whom they think is best. I have been a little disappointed in some of the mainstream media reporting on this race. It seems they are lemmings; if we see a story in one outlet we are sure to see the same story in all of them and usually without any original reporting. Yes they report on the ups and downs of the polls, and they try to tell us why that person is in the lead. It seems political reporting in the print media has often become more like opinion pieces than real journalism and that’s sad. Now I am an opinion writer, a columnist. APPLY FOR DISCOUNTED RATES ON : I try to adhere to what I see as the truth Electric Natural Gas but what I write is clearly my opinion. That Residential Aid Discount (RAD) Program Residential Essential Service (RES) Program is not what reporters should be doing. We see headlines claiming one or the other RES eligible customers will Potential savings of receive an approximate candidate is failing and people are no $300-475 annually. 25% discount on total bill. longer interested in them and we read the column and that reporter has gone to one event and spoken to three people. We read columns from a reporter who has gone to Water Telephone an event in Iowa for a candidate where 100 Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Lifeline Program (Economy II) A D V E R T Ipeople S I N Gattended PROO F they end up quoting and Annual discount on two people they talked to who didn’t even Potential discount could ISSUE DATE: 171208 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: one land line service go. I may just be nostalgic but in the past be over $500.00 annually. per household. REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of that wasn’t the case. proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is The press recently seemed to dismiss responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or Sen. Kamala Harris’s campaign citing an ONS any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair GO REVISIONS competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, employee who wrote a letter saying they or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the ADVERTISER SIGNATURE NS washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all By signing this proof you are agreeing to yourterrible contract obligations with the were to staff. I remember the original liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement, To apply for the telephone Lifeline Service 1-800-837-4966 by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach(Economy of any of the foregoingII),call representations payment and insertion schedule. attacks on Sen. Amy Klobuchar about dealing and warranties. These discounts are for DC residents only and are subject to income eligibility requirements. with her staff long since forgotten. They are now writing about how smart Mayor Pete Buttigieg is but forgetting to mention Sen. Cory Booker has the same credentials. Some had close to written Joe Biden off because

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of his flubs and suggested Sen. Elizabeth Warren is the odds on favorite only to see that dynamic turn around again. Many wrote off Sen. Bernie Sanders after his heart attack and yet he just doesn’t seem to fade away. The dynamic keeps changing and now three candidates who initially said they weren’t going to run — Tom Steyer, Deval Patrick and Michael Bloomberg — have entered the race. Bloomberg announced he is willing to spend $1 billion. Someone suggested he spent about $100 million to buy his third term as mayor of New York and figured at that rate to buy the presidency he would have to spend at least $12 billion. Some thought that was a joke but who knows? So we will know soon who Democrats will vote for when they actually attend a caucus or go to the ballot box. Let’s hope political reporters will be more open to the broad spectrum of candidates and not try to shut things down as they have seemed to try to do. It will also be important for Democrats to stop charging someone who disagrees with their candidate’s positions of using ‘Republican talking points.’ The Democratic Party has worked for many years to make sure the party is a big tent, welcoming to everyone, which results in strong opinions and often strong disagreements. It also means there is great agreement on a host of issues. As we continue to fight out the primary let us try to focus a little more on the agreements. It will be hard enough without the rancor for all the candidates and their passionate supporters to figure out how to unite after all the strum and drang of the long primary season. Democrats will first have to agree, which shouldn’t be hard, that all of their candidates are better by far than Trump. They are all decent human beings and the world will be better off with them than with Trump and his acolytes. The country will be better off with judges nominated by a Democratic president and confirmed by a Democratic Senate. To ensure that happens Democrats will have to put their hearts and souls into supporting whoever is the nominee.

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MARK LEE

TRINIDAD NAVARRO

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

is the insurance commissioner of Delaware.

Under Trump, discrimination can thrive in healthcare

Personal opinions about others could impact premiums, access to care There is no place for discrimination in Delaware, and there is no place for discrimination in the insurance industry. But in Washington, the Trump administration is creating an environment in which discrimination can not only exist in insurance and health care, it can thrive. If they continue on this trajectory, personal opinions about others could impact premiums and access to care, and in turn, devastate lives. Just a few years ago, the Affordable Care Act ensured that health programs could not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nation of origin, sex, age, or disability. For the LGBT+ community, it was an historic moment of celebration – the Act was transformational for the protections it provided to non-binary residents. Today, those protections are being trampled. In May 2019, at the request of the Trump administration, the group tasked with ensuring enforcement of antidiscrimination measures, the Office of Civil Rights, announced a proposal to repeal these critical provisions, specifically targeting gender identity protections. While the issue is debated in courts, the office can’t enforce these components of the law, not that they would – the Office of Civil Rights is led by a political appointee who previously worked for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank and notoriously

anti-LGBT+ group. If this proposal occurs, the impacts could be wide reaching. A non-binary individual could be denied critical care at a religiously afﬁliated hospital emergency room. A person’s sexual orientation could impact their ability to receive even routine, preventative care. Premiums and policies could change for hundreds of thousands of people. The right to life will become conditional. We won’t let it happen here. Locally, Delaware’s Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act outlaws any health insurance discrimination based on gender, and we will continue to apply those nondiscrimination requirements to any health plans offered through our Health Insurance Marketplace as well as the Essential Health Beneﬁts we require every health insurance plan offered to individuals and small businesses to cover. With the help of the General Assembly, we’ve even taken steps to eliminate discrimination in auto and home insurance policies, and we will continue to advocate for consumer protections every day. That means we can’t be silent now. Late in August, we joined 17 other states to urge for the withdraw of this proposal, which discriminates against the LGBT+ community. It isn’t right, and it can have devastating effects on insurance premiums, and individual health.

WAS HI NGTO NBL AD E.COM • DECEMBER 06, 201 9 • 21

Evans expulsion will end an era For the first time in the 45-year history of local self-governance, 12 members of the city’s unicameral legislature unanimously voted to expel their remaining, and absent, colleague. There was no fanfare when the vote took place, and scant public awareness of it occurring. In actuality it was only a preliminary action in advance of a formal vote later this month or early in January. The procedures for removing a representative were so unfamiliar, and the outcome so unanticipated, that clarifying the process was discussed following the tally. Literally no one expected the outcome, with local news reporters and political pundits predicting only an eventual vote of censure. Among a legislative body that commonly knows in advance whether a motion will be approved or not, the members appeared startled at the development. In fact, as several among them observed, it was not certain that a vote would even be taken at the session. D.C. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), nonetheless suffered the humiliation of having exhausted the patience and consideration of his colleagues over findings he had violated ethics laws both as an elected official and while serving as chair of the regional transit agency board. Evans is also under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Evans is accused of having taken on clients as an independent attorney and consultant, allowed under Council rules, yet failing to recuse himself from voting on matters benefiting at least some of them. Evans, who has not been charged with a crime, maintains he only offered occasional, and largely unspecified, professional advice and that no decisions or votes were motivated by these financial relationships or diverged from his legislative and policy positions. Evans was previously reprimanded by his colleagues and removed from his position as chair of the now-dissolved powerful finance and revenue committee in March. A subsequent independent investigation conducted by law firm O’Melveny & Myers

and paid for by the Council determined there were 11 instances spanning nearly six years in which Evans breached city ethics rules in inappropriately advancing the interests of his clients while earning about $400,000 from 10 entities. Evans, pending the duplicative formality of a final vote at a formal meeting, will continue to represent the center-city district spanning a midtown swath stretching across the downtown commercial district and encompassing neighborhoods from Georgetown to the Dupont and Logan Circle areas and including portions of Shaw. Speculation is strong that Evans will resign his seat prior to that upcoming vote. If he does not, at least 11 members would be required to again vote for expulsion. It is unlikely Evans would run to regain his seat in either a special election early next year to fill out the final year of his current four-year term or in a possibly concurrent Democratic primary on June 2 for the next one, nor would he be expected to launch a later independent general election campaign. A six-month-long recall election petition effort that nearly failed to collect the minimum required signatures could offer Evans hope he could win in a crowded contest. Six candidates have already registered to run. First elected in early 1991, Evans handily won re-election eight times as a politically moderate and business supportive legislator who championed LGBT issues long before everyone else did. He is credited with helping pull the city out of its bleak period of bankruptcy and federal control from 1995 through 2001, fostering the economic growth of the city, shepherding most major downtown development projects involving government participation, and taking a dim view of squandered monies and wasteful spending. In an era when seeking public office produces fewer credible takers, attracts lesser talents, and often solicits those who’ve done little else, politicians like Evans aren’t likely to frequently appear. Some will cheer that, no doubt, but Washington is better for having had benefit of his service.

Vol. III

Happy Holi-gays Gifts by and for LGBT friends and family By MIKEY ROX Category is: hot this year! Gifts galore for him, her, they and them — because secular Santa doesn’t discriminate like hypocrite “Christians” do.

Life’s too short! Why settle for traditional ornaments? Celebrity collection: from the queen, politicians to fashion icons. From $19.95. Available at nakeddecor.com or at Naked Decor Pop Up store at Downtown Holiday Market in Washington.

Lookalike dolls made to order from submitted photographs of your human and pet pals are stuffed with so much holiday cheer that this thoughtful treasure will be cherished for years to come. Ideal for drag queens that have everything but this. $99, budsies.com; $59-199, mypetsies.com

If any of your vices include a 2017 Mount Veeder Merlot, 2017 Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon, or 2018 Carneros Pinot Noir, stock up and save with these aptly named vinos handcrafted to make you feel naughty and nice. $28-695, thevicewine.com

The super-light, moisturewicking Tropical Jaguars hat (unisex) protects athletes and outdoor enthusiasts from noggin burn and wet eyes whenever they feel like running wild. $29, getsprints.com

Editor’s note: This is part three of four Blade holiday gift guides. Last week’s installment (home gifts) is online at washingtonblade.com if you missed it. Look for“last minute” in next week’s edition. (Dec. 13).

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Vol. III Guncles and lesbi-aunts will be bedtime-story superstars when they deliver this quarterly subscription box filled with racially and ethically diverse children’s books featuring LGBTQ, feminist and other traditionally under-represented characters and families. $2070, ourshelves.com Cats lick their plates clean when there’s fish on the menu, but roles are reversed when cute kitties become shark bait in this killer-cozy bed that’s totally fintastic. $85, thecatball.com Kick-start your secret Santa’s side hustle with Bluprint — NBCUniversal’s digital subscription service that offers classes, projects and supplies across 20-plus crafting hobbies, like quilting, knitting, embroidery and crochet, that can easily transform a creative procrastinator into a weekend money maker. $8-200, mybluprint.com

Step up your partner’s foot-fashion game with these ruggedly constructed wingtip boots featuring mixed leather and rubber for a no-slip stride that are as dapper as they are “damn, boy – you lookin’ fiiine!” $245255, querohms.com

A successful holiday potluck requires two staples: free-flowing booze and plenty of sweet treats. You’ll find the latter in this Party in a Box available in Southern Pecan Pie, Tres Leches, To-DieFor Fudge Pecan Pie or a customizable tasting box. $40-89, dessertgallery.com Using proper pronouns in the LGBTQ world can be confusing — you’ll stand corrected if you accidentally misgender — but these 14K gold or white gold nameplate necklaces (also available in HE/him and SHE/ her) remove all the guesswork so you can save face. $240, roryrockmore.com

Whether you guzzle it or gag on it, kombucha has proven it has staying power and now the most health-conscious homos in your squad can whip up a fresh batch of their favorite fermented fizz without forking over a bundle per bottle. $45, farmsteady.com

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In these three-step kits — available in sparkling rosé, spiced Old Fashioned, smoky margarita, and Moscow mule — all 5-o’clock-somewhere-ers have to do is add alcohol (like Tom of Finland vodka), shake or stir, and garnish to get tipsier than a freshly cut Tannenbaum. $30, twistyourspirits.com; $35, tomoffinlandvodka C ON T I N U E S ON PAGE 2 4

Vol. III

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Fun socks benefit Trevor Project You don’t have to believe in magic to reap the benefits of this collection of curated stones and crystals (which is backed by scientific research, btw) that can help facilitate healing, luck, confidence and calm and soothe negative nervous energy like anxiety. Rub ’em hard enough and you might even conjure up a top who can host. $29, quartzcollective.com

These cute plush critters with a purpose have companion storybooks. Axol is gender neutral, using only the pronoun “they/them” in the books, which teach children about rare endangered species and advocate for sustainable, ethical production and consumerism while donating a portion of proceeds to youth empowerment programs around the world. $19, axolandfriends.com

The best gift for friends in tiny apartments is even tinier plants that don’t require a ton of care. Live-and-let-live succulents and minis are the perfect present — because who the hell wants to attend another ficus funeral? $5-228, succulentsbox.com

Pop a literal chill pill when your in-laws start their shit at Christmas supper with CBD hemp capsules or gummies clocking in at under $20 for more than a week’s worth of you-don’t-give-afuckness. $7-20, cbdfx.com

Take a cue from today’s black-sock-showing youth and don this out-and-proud rainbow-stripe pair, the proceeds from each will benefit The Trevor Project to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. $17, fairtradewinds.net

Baby, it’s really cold outside with these festive, glass-assed skivvies that add some bulge to your bulbs. $18, alwaysfits.com Hey Sis!, Big Boss Miss Ross and Royal Riot are just a few of the names in HipDot’s 15-shade pressed glitter palette designed for all genders to beat their faces like Ziggy Stardust. Proceeds will be donated to the Anti-Violence Project. $30, hipdot.com

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyroxtravels.

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the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.

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LIFE’S TOO SHORT! Why settle for traditional ornaments? CELEBRITY COLLECTION From the queen, politicians to fashion icons Starting at $19.95. Available at nakeddecor.com

D EC E MBE R 0 6 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE.CO M • 27

VISIT US AT THE

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 23

Christmas movies are funny. Some folks never tire of the classics — “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947), “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) or “A Christmas Carol” (1938). But maybe you’ve worn those into the ground and are ready for something else. If you can’t stomach the saccharine heteronormativity of the Hallmark schlock, here are 10 movies that aren’t ostensibly about Christmas but feature either a significant holiday scene or happen to take place around the holidays. From the warm fuzzies to outright terror, these run a surprisingly wide emotional gamut. In no particular order … 1. “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999) — The final movie by legendary cinematic auteur Stanley Kubrick was released in July but is famously set in December. This polarizing sex mystery — some consider it Kubrick’s final masterpiece, others say it’s a steaming, meandering turd — uses lights of the season to ominous effect as Dr. Bill (Tom Cruise) pursues his ritualistic labyrinth. Opinions vary as to what it all means — some have even hypothesized it’s ultimately a depiction of the dark side of Christmas consumerism. 2. “The Lion in Winter” (1968) — It’s Christmastime, 1183 and King Henry II (Peter O’Toole) decides to let his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn in an Oscar-winning role) out of jail. Literarycaliber wit and one-upmanship ensue.

Clockwise from top left: KIM NOVAK in ‘Bell, Book and Candle.’Still courtesy Columbia Pictures; INGRID BERGMAN and BING CROSBY in ‘The Bells of Saint Mary’s”and MIA FARROW in ‘Rosemary’s Baby.’Still courtesy RKO and still courtesy 20th Century Fox.

Kinda-sorta Christmas movies Seen the staples a zillion times? Here are a few with holiday settings off the beaten path By JOEY DIGUGLIELMO JOEYD@WASHBLADE.COM

3. “Bell, Book and Candle” (1958) — Fresh off “Vertigo,” Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak reunite for this frothy romantic comedy in which Gillian (Novak) casts a spell on her new neighbor Shep (Stewart) and, of course, calamity ensues. If a jazzed-out, ‘50s-set authentic Greenwich Village Christmas vibe sounds appealing, this one has it. 4. “Has Anybody Seen My Gal” (1952) — Another Technicolor wonder from Hollywood’s boom years, this one finds Rock Hudson as soda jerk Dan; the object of his affection Millicent (Piper Laurie) is from a family grappling with sudden wealth. The Christmas scene is beautifully shot. Look for James Dean in an uncredited cameo. 5. “Female Trouble” (1974) — The convoluted and increasingly dark plot of this John Waters classic gets started all because Dawn Davenport (Divine) discovers on Christmas morning that

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“nice girls don’t wear cha-cha heels.” It’s a queer Xmas classic. 6. “Stella” (1990) — Bette Midler breathes new life into this third screen adaptation of a ‘20s novella (Barbara Stanwyck had the role in 1937) as the feisty, brash title character who mothers a child with a man from the other end of the social spectrum. Tender Christmas scenes add poignance to a genuine weepy. 7. “Die Hard” (1988) — An office Christmas party goes horribly awry but John McClane (Bruce Willis in his prime) saves the day. “Die Hard 2” (1990) also takes place on Christmas Eve. The films have become de facto seasonal classics in recent years. Ironically, they were both summer blockbuster releases in their first runs. 8. “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968) — Christmas scenes are tangential in this Polanski-directed thriller about a young woman Rosemary (Mia Farrow) experiencing a very unusual pregnancy. But if you want a Satanic twist on the Annunciation, this is always a fun one to revisit. 9. “The Bells of St. Mary’s” (1945) — Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman play a priest and a nun who join forces to save their school from being shuttered. Crosby revives his Oscar-winning role of Father O’Malley (whom he’d played in “Going My Way” the previous year). Its original Dec. 6 release date dovetails with its warm holiday scenes. 10. “The FBI Story” (1959) — Taken literally, this brisk, Jimmy Stewart vehicle may seem initially like little more than a J. Edgar Hoover puff piece. As a consultant on the film, Hoover made sure his agency comes out looking stellar throughout. As a pure thrill ride, however, I found it vastly more watchable than the leaden 2011 biopic J. Edgar. A Christmas passage finds Vera Miles (who has great chemistry with Stewart) decorating their home in full, mid-century holiday splendor. HONORABLE MENTION — “Psycho” (1960) — You may have forgotten, but the Hitchcock classic takes place over the course of nine days starting Dec. 11. Odd, then, that Norman (queer actor Tony Perkins) and Mother have no tree up when Lila (Vera Miles) comes snooping in their creepy house just five

Clockwise from top left: KATHARINE HEPBURN in ‘The Lion in Winter’Still courtesy AVCO Embassy Pictures; DIVINE in ‘Female Trouble Still courtesy Warner Bros.; BRUCE WILLIS in ‘Die Hard’Still courtesy New Line Cinema; vintage poster for ‘Has Anybody Seen My Gal?’Poster courtesy Universal Pictures; and TOM CRUISE and NICOLE KIDMAN in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ Still courtesy 20th Century Fox.

days before Christmas. Hitchcock chose the December setting because a second unit crew sloppily picked up Christmas decorations when filming process plates

D EC E MBE R 0 6 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA D E.COM • 29

prior to principle photography. You can spot them briefly in the scene when Marion (Janet Leigh) sees her boss from her car just before leaving town.

QUEERY Darryl Pilate Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

QUEERY: Darryl Pilate The 17th Street Dance dancer answers 20 queer questions By JOEY DIGUGLIELMO JOEYD@WASHBLADE.COM Darryl Pilate just joined 17th Street Dance, the dance ensemble under the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington umbrella, this fall and is gearing up for his first GMCW holiday show. He studied dance (modern, ballet, jazz and hip-hop) at Texas State University and now teaches high school dance in Maryland. He heard about the troupe from Aaron Jackson, another dancer. This will be Pilate’s first performance with the group. “The choreography is fun and high energy,” the 36-year-old Houston native says. “Each dancer adds their own flair and attitude in the movement. We perform several genres of dance during the concert.” “The Holiday Show,” a GMCW December tradition, is Dec. 7 at 8 p.m., Dec. 13 at 3 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. at Lincoln Theatre (1215 u St., N.W.).

Tickets are $25-65 at gmcw.org. This year’s show is being billed as “bigger and better than ever” with disco dancers, muscle boys, candlelight procession, handbells, snow, singing, Santa, a seven-foot-tall Christmas tree in heels and more. Songs include “The 12 Days of Christmas,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “What a Gay Ol’ Christmas Tree” and more. The dancers have been rehearsing every Sunday since Labor Day. Pilate says the veteran dancers have been “very welcoming.” He’s heard the chorus rehearse as well and says they “sound amazing as always.” Pilate came to Washington two years ago. He lives in Northeast Washington and enjoys karaoke, flag football, darts, concerts, movies, dancing and more in his free time.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? I have been out since 1999 to most importantly, myself. The hardest person to tell was my mother, whom I did not come out to until 2009. Who’s your LGBTQ hero? My cousin Jamal. He came out to our entire family back in the mid-‘90s and was completely unapologetic about it. I admired and envied his courage. What LGBTQ stereotype most annoys you? Any LGBTQ stereotype annoys me. Not one of us fits into a box or category based on our sexuality. What’s your proudest professional achievement? As a high school dance teacher, I am proud of the many students who share my love of dance becoming performers, educators and choreographers. Additionally, I am proud of the ones who become good people. What terrifies you? November 2020. Vote! What’s something trashy or vapid you love? Kanye West What’s your greatest domestic skill? I can properly fold a fitted bedsheet!

(I worked in home fashions at Sears in high school.) What’s your favorite LGBTQ movie or show? I cannot finish an episode of the new “Queer Eye” without crying. #jvn What’s your social media pet peeve? My biggest social media pet peeve is there are too many social media outlets. It’s difficult to update my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. I know, first-world problems! What would the end of the LGBTQ movement look like to you? Sadly, I cannot imagine what the end of the LGBTQ movement would look like because I cannot imagine a world without hate or discrimination. Fortunately, we will continue to fight for our rights! What’s the most overrated social custom? Gender roles What was your religion, if any, as a child and what is it today? As a child, I grew up Baptist. Today, I consider myself spiritual but do not align with any one particular religion. What’s D.C.’s best hidden gem? Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington What’s been the most memorable pop

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Clockwise from left: Holiday Bear Bust is Dec. 13 at Red Bear Brewing Photo courtesy RBB; CARSON KRESSLEY at a recent Avalon party. Its Naughty XXXmas Party is Dec. 14 Photo courtesy Dougie Meyer Presents, Inc.; Pixie’s Holiday Market is today Blade file photo.

and Miss

TranSwap: Fall Edition is Dec. 15

Time to get Naughty

Holiday-SLAY is Dec. 14

The TranSwap: Fall Edition hosted by the D.C. Area Transmasculine Society and the Casa Ruby LGBT Community Center is Sunday, Dec. 15 from noon3 p.m. at the Eaton Hotel (1201 K St., N.W.). DCATS and Casa Ruby are teaming up for this biannual event for gendernonconforming folks to shop for free in a gender-free environment. Everyone across the gender spectrum is welcome and needed as volunteers to help set up, take measurements, organize clothes, assist shoppers and more. Free mending services offered by Sew Queer. Visit the DCATS Facebook events page for information on donating and volunteering.

Avalon Saturdays presents A Naughty XXXmas Party with music by Steve Sidewalk at Soundcheck (1420 K St., N.W.) on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 p.m. The evening’s festivities begin with a Christmas-themed cabaret show at 10:30 p.m., then D.J. Steve Sidewalk fills the dance floor with high-energy music at 11:30. Doors open at 10 and $4 Absolut drinks flow until midnight at this 21-and-up event. Tickets start at $10 on eventbrite.com. Visit dougiemeyerpresents.com for more information.

The Coven D.C. presents HolidaySLAY 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Satellite Room (2047 9th St., N.W.). This event features “holiday cheers and beautiful queers” with music by DJ CynCity. The venue serves pizza, tots, vegan food and adult milkshakes all night long. $10 cover, must be 21 or over to attend. For more information visit The Coven D.C. or Satellite D.C. on Facebook.

Trans-Latinx holiday party coming soon Trans-Latinx DMV presents Celebración de Dias Festivos/Holiday Party at Whitman-Walker Health (1525 14th St., N.W.) Tuesday, Dec. 17 from 5-9 p.m. The public is welcome to this bicultural event and invited to bring a dessert, drink or vegan/vegetarian dish to share as well as a gift to exchange. Everyone is encouraged to enjoy food receive a gift even if they are unable to bring a gift or dish this year. Trans-Latinx DMV centers on the needs of black and indigenous gender-nonconforming Latinx people focusing on advocacy, community organizing, leadership and economic development. More information is available at translatinxdmv.org.

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TODAY

Miss Pixie’s seventh annual Holiday Market is today from 5-8 p.m. at Miss Pixies Furnishings and Whatnot (1626 14th St., N.W.). About 15 local businesses are on display for a night shopping, jazz by The Bitter Dose Combo and vegetarian paella from the Barcelona Wine Bar. Rafﬂe proceeds donated to Casa Ruby. Free tickets available at eventbrite.com. The Dirty Nil with guests Single Mothers and Debt Crisis performs tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.). This 2017 Juno award-winning Canadian punk rock band opened for The Who following their successful debut single “Fuckin’ Up Young.” Tickets are $12 on dc9.club. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington sings Christmas songs tonight from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the D.C. Temple Visitor’s Center (9900 Stoneybrook Dr., Kensington, Md.). Register for free tickets at eventbrite.com. Bearlesque is tonight at 9 p.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Hosted by Josh Schonewolf and featuring Turnpyke, Derek Deposit and Thurston Trapp. Visit dceagle.com for more information on this and other events. Kylie Christmas 3 is tonight at 10 p.m. at JR.’s bar (1519 17th St., N.W.). D.J. Travis Island serves up all Kylie Minogue videos all night long to kick off the holiday season. More information at jrsbar-DC.com.

Saturday, Dec. 7 Naughty Santa pix? Holiday Bear Bust hosted by Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) is Friday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. Featuring music by D. J. Shea Van Horn and $30 bottomless select craft beer and cider. Guests are invited to don ugly sweaters or other holiday-themed costumes for festive selﬁes with naughty Santa. D.C. staple Shea Van Horn has played venues throughout the area for years and is back to bring heat to the holiday scene. Visit redbear.beer for more information.

Queer/Trans/Nonbinary Yoga is today from 2-4 p.m. At Lamont Dharma House (1719 Lamont St., N.W.) This class is a chance to dive deeper into yogic practices in a safe, friendly queer space. Tickets start at $15 on eventbrite.com. The Christmas Revels presents “Celestial Fools” today at 2 p.m. hosted by Seth Kibel Music and Washington Revels (531 Dale Dr., Silver Spring, Md.). Featuring a night of music from around the globe including Arabic drumming and dance, Japanese dance and theater, Jewish song and more. Tickets start at $17 on revelsdc.org. The Holi-Gay Party Fundraiser for Rainbow Families is tonight from 7-11p.m. at the Belgard (33 N St., N.E.). Cocktails and queer holiday cheer offered to help raise money for Rainbow Families, a nonproﬁt committed to supporting LGBTQ family building and parenting. Visit rainbowfamilies.org for more information. LGBTQ Youth Open Mic Night is tonight from 7-10 p.m. at the Montgomery County College (51 Mannakee St., Rockville, Md.). Co-sponsored by the MoCo

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Pride Center. Admission is free, snacks and beverages provided. More information is available on Facebook events. Freddie’s Follies Drag Show is tonight form 8-10 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 23rd St., Arlington, Va.). Show starts at 8, $5 cover. Visit freddiesbeachbar. com for more information. AfroBeats, Hip Hop, Dancehall and Soca are the order of the night at Barcode (1101 17th St., N.W.) at 9 p.m. All are invited to celebrate a diverse club experience with an international mix of music. Tickets are available at on eventbrite.com. Rewind: Request Line with D.J. Darryl Strickland is tonight at 9 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). Featuring video hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s. No cover. Visit greenlanterndc.com for more information on this and other events. The Planet: A Dance Party for the L Word is tonight at 11 p.m. at the DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.). Music and dance to celebrate the return of “The L Word.” Tickets start at $5 at dc9.club.

Sunday, Dec. 8 The AIDS Healthcare Foundation 2019 World AIDS Day Concert is tonight from 5-9 p.m. at Saint Yves (1220 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Food and drinks will be served during this commemoration for those lost and a promise to continue the ﬁght. Register for free tickets on eventbrite.com. Partners of Transmasculine Folx hosted by the D.C. Area Transmasculine Society meets today from 5-7 p.m. at Whitman-Walker Health (1525 14th St., N.W.). A participant-led group discussion for the friends and signiﬁcant others of those assigned female at birth. For more information visit dcats.org. ZooLights continues tonight 5-9 p.m. at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). This free event features live music performances, food and holiday shopping. New this year are dozens of large, glowing animal lanterns. More information at national zoo.si.edu. The Human Rights Campaign of Greater Washington screens the premier of “The L Word: Generation Q” at A League of Her Own (2319 18th St., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free. RSVP to watch the return of this critically acclaimed series at act.hrc.org. Singer-songwriter Vienna Teng performs at The Hamilton Live (600 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. This straight artist’s songs “Inland Territory” and “City Hall” have been embraced by the LGBTQ community for their romantic queer themes. Tickets start at $28.75 on songkick.com.

Monday, Dec. 9 Coffee and Conversation for Older LGBT Adults is today from 10 a.m.-noon at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., Suite 105). Older LGBT and friends are welcome to enjoy friendly conversation and a free cup of coffee in the D.C. Center lounge. Visit the center’s Facebook page for more information. Wicked Bloom Mondays continues from 5-10 p.m. tonight at Wicket Bloom (1540 North Capitol St., N.W.). DJ Mim spins music to liven up your post-holiday Monday. For more information on the venue, visit wickedbloomdc.com. Whitman-Walker’s Community Volunteer Night is tonight from 6-8 p.m. at Whitman-Walker Health (1525 14th St., N.W., 6th ﬂoor). Volunteers are invited to help assemble STI self-testing kits with health center staff. For more information or to RSVP, email volunteer@whitmanwalker.org. Fake President: Conversation with Ralph Nader, Mark Green and Andy Shallal is tonight at 6 p.m. at Busboys and Poets (2012 14th St., N.W.). Nader and Green, both leading consumer advocates, discuss their new book about Trump. More information on busboysandpoets.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 10 Happy Hour and Bingo for Rainbow Youth Alliance is tonight from 6-10 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) Have a drink and play drag bingo to support LGBTQ youth. All are welcome. Visit nelliessportsbar.com for more information on this and other events. Cher’s “Here We Go Again” Tour is tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena (601 F St., N.W.). Joining this legendary entertainer are special guests Nile Rodgers & Chic, known for hits such as “Le Freak” and “Good Times.” Tickets start at $29.95 on Ticketmaster. Busboys and Poets Open Mic Night is tonight from 9-11 p.m. at Busboys and Poets (2012 14th St., N.W.). A diverse chorus of voices deliver the unexpected. $5 cover. Visit busboysandpoets.com for more information.

Wednesday, Dec. 11 The Transmasculine and Nonbinary Social Hour hosted by the D.C. Area Transmasculine Society is tonight from 6-9 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). Friends and partners are welcome when accompanied by someone transmasculine to this 17-and-up event. More information at dcats.org.

This Week in the Arts provided by CultureCapital.com Other Desert Cities. Thru Dec 15. Peace Moutain Theatre at Congregation Har Shalom. peacemountaintheatre.com. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Thru Dec 22. Round House. roundhousetheatre.org.

DANCE

The Holiday Show Dec 7-Dec 15. Gay Men’s Chorus at Lincoln Theatre. gmcw.org.

This annual holiday extravaganza returns with an all-new show, bigger and better than ever featuring dancing elves, falling snowflakes, soaring vocals, and a special visit from Santa Claus. Come see what the Chorus has in store this year as they ring in the season with songs like “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

Holiday Singin’ Pops Dec 6. National Philharmonic at Strathmore. nationalphilharmonic.org.

Share in the sounds of the holidays as Luke Fraizer and the National Philharmonic perform holiday favorites you’ve come to love. Joining the National Philharmonic will be Broadway singer/actress performer Ali Ewoldt of Phantom of the Opera; Hilary Morrow of the Birdland Jazz Club; international vocalist Kevin Rose. Guest appearances include Santa!

Come From Away Dec 10-Jan 5. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org.

A Best Musical winner all across North America! This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them.

Sweet Honey in the Rock Dec 7. Mason’s Center for the Arts. cfa.gmu.edu.

With five-part harmonies and sign language interpretation, Sweet Honey’s sound ranges from African to blues to gospel and jazz. Celebrating the Holydays offers a rare fusion of traditional American holiday spiritual songs and hymns, as well as songs from other cultures and religions ranging from Africa to Israel. Photo Courtesy of Gay Men’s Chorus

THEATRE A Chorus Line. Thru Jan 4. A Motown Christmas. Thru Dec 21. Signature Theatre. sigtheatre.org. A Christmas Carol. Dec 6-Dec 29. Singin’ In The Rain. Thru Jan 5. Olney Theatre. olneytheatre.org. Amadeus. Thru Dec 22. Folger Theatre. folger.edu.

An Irish Carol. Dec 12-Dec 31. Keegan Theatre. keegantheatre.com. The Second City’s Love, Factually. Thru Dec 29. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. Eureka Day. Thru Jan 5. Mosaic Theater Company at Atlas. mosaictheater.org. L’Enfance Du Christ. Dec 7-Dec 14. In Series at Foundry United Methodist Church. inseries.org.

Contemporary Viewpoints Festival. Dec 7-Dec 8. Dance Place. danceplace. org. Maya Beiser, Wendy Whelan, Lucinda Childs & David Lang: The Day. Dec 6-Dec 7. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. We Have Iré. Dec 6-Dec 7. GALA Hispanic Theatre. galatheatre.org.

MUSIC A Celtic Christmas. Dec 8-Dec 15. Danú: An Emerald Isle Christmas. Dec 7. Dumbarton Concerts. dumbartonconcerts.org. A Fantasia on Christmas Carols. Dec 7. National Philharmonic at Christ Episcopal Church. nationalphilharmonic.org. Artist Virtuosi. Dec 11. Korean Cultural Center DC at Anderson House. koreaculturedc.org. Dave Koz & Friends. Dec 9. Alicia Ward & Joey Antico. Dec 12. Strathmore. strathmore.org. Sing a New Song. Dec 7-Dec 8. Capitol Hill Chorale at Lutheran Church of the Reformation. capitolhillchorale.org. Celebrating Slatkin at 75/Kern plays Rachmaninoff. Thru Dec 7. NSO at the Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. Movement Reflected. Dec 8. Chiarina Chamber Players at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church. Chiarina.org. Clara Schumann at 200. Dec 6. Library of Congress. loc.gov. Damien Sneed. Dec 7. Washington Performing Arts at Sixth & I. washingtonperformingarts.org. Eileen Ivers: A Joyful Christmas. Dec 7. Ronnie Spector: Best Christmas Party Ever! Thru Dec 6. Wolf Trap. wolftrap.org. Zlatomir Fung. Dec 6. Embassy Series at Embassy of Bulgaria. embassyseries.org. Of Heaven and Earth. Dec 7. Georgetown Chorale at Church of the Epiphany. georgetownchorale.org. Holiday Vocals. Dec 8. Anderson House. societyofthecincinnati.org. Joy - How Can I Keep from Singing? Dec 7. Cantate Chamber Singers at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church. cantate.org. Karim Nagi: Alive and Diverse! Dec 12. Washington Revels at Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Silver Spring. revelsdc.org.

Merry Tubachristmas! Dec 9. NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas. Dec 7. Taylor Mac’s Holiday Sauce. Dec 12. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. The Grandsons. Dec 6. Arlington Cultural Affairs at Columbia Pike Branch Library. arts.arlingtonva.us. The Tudors. Dec 7. Washington Bach Consort at Virginia Theological Seminary. bachconsort.org. Year-End Concert with Korean Artist Virtuosi. Dec 11. Embassy Series at Anderson House. embassyseries.org.

MUSEUMS AU Museum at the Katzen. ARCADIA: The Clyde’s Murals by William Woodward. Fair is foul & foul is fair. Thru Dec 15. american.edu. Dumbarton Oaks. Ornament: Fragments of Byzantine Fashion. Thru Jan 5. Asian Art from the Bliss Collection. Thru Jun 1. doaks.org. Folger Shakespeare Library. Miniature Shakespeare Books from the Harner Collection. Thru Dec 31. The Architecture of the Folger Shakespeare Library. Thru Jan 5. folger.edu. Library of Congress. Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote. Thru Sep 1. Comic Art: 120 Years of Panels and Pages. Thru Sep 12. loc.gov. National Archives. Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote. Thru Jan 3. archivesfoundation.org. National Geographic. WOMEN: A Century of Change. Thru May 1. Becoming Jane. Thru Jun 1. nationalgeographic.org. National Museum of Women in the Arts. Women Artists of the Dutch Golden Age. Thru Jan 5. Judy Chicago—The End: A Meditation on Death and Extinction. Thru Jan 20. nmwa.org. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian. Curator Tour–One Life: Marian Anderson. Dec 8. Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence. Thru Jan 5. npg.si.edu. Postal Museum. None Swifter Than These: 100 Years of Diplomatic Couriers. Thru Jan 26. postalmuseum.si.edu.

GALLERIES Arlington Artist Alliance. Scenes of Scotland Solo Show by Shelley Micali. Thru Dec 7. A Taste of Winter. Thru Dec 27. Color Solo Show by by Rebecca McNeely. Dec 7-Jan 4. arlingtonartistsalliance.org. Arlington Arts Center. Assembly 2019. Thru Dec 22. arlingtonartscenter.org.

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Image courtesy St. Martin’s Press

Any old stick would do. When you were a child, that’s what it took to become a wizard: a stick became a makeshift wand, an old towel turned into a cape and you were ready for spell-making. It worked for imaginations everywhere although, as you’ll see in “Ian McKellen: A Biography” by Garry O’Connor, sometimes, reel magic helps, too. On May 25, 1939, mere months before the beginning of World War II, Ian Murray McKellen made his debut into the world. The only son of parents who lived large, passionate lives, young McKellen grew up securely happy despite the war. Alas, that ended when his beloved mother died of cancer when McKellen was just 12 years old. As years passed, he always regretted that she never knew about him what he knew about himself: he received his “first gay kiss” at age 9 and understood even then that he preferred boys to girls. Though his original plan was to graduate school and work as a journalist, McKellen was denied the chance and instead opted to attend Cambridge. There, others noticed that he had a great aptitude for Shakespearean acting; it was nurtured and a “most extraordinary explosion of talent happened.” His time at Cambridge helped him sharpen his craft; it was also there that McKellen lost his virginity to another man. O’Connor says that McKellen is “a slowprogress stickler” and never minded using “modest roles” as stepping-stones; every role he played led to bigger parts on better-known stages in larger venues. In 1964, he landed a small part in a BBC-TV production as his first foray into television, and he continued to eye a career in film, a career that “still eluded (him) until the late 1990s.” At that time, he was able

to transition from stage to screen, fast racking up a Tony, a Golden Globe, a SAG Award and an Oscar nomination. And then a “quick perusal of the Marvel comics … caught his fancy.” For readers who are wild about Shakespeare, “Ian McKellen: A Biography” will be a delight. Those who are not to be, however, may find this book quite tedious. Author Garry O’Connor, who’s known McKellen for decades, explains in his first chapter how this book came about, in opening words that are carefully off-thecuff. That chumminess feels as if you’re realtime eavesdropping on a semi-scripted conversation between two friends. Get past the account of McKellen’s early life, though, and much of the rest of this book is uber-deep into theater, with the occasional reminder of McKellen’s gayness in the narrative. Serious followers of British stage performances will find the former to be irresistible and the latter to make one feel like a close backstage insider. Those who prefer McKellen’s later work might find this all mildly interesting, but far too extra until toward the end. And so there’s the break-down: Theater fan, yes. You’ll love “Ian McKellen: A Biography.” If you’re a fan of McKellen’s later movie career only, this book is OK if you can stick with it.

‘Ian McKellen: A Biography’ By Garry O’Connor St. Martin’s Press $29.99 356 pages

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ANTHONY HOPKINS (left) and JONATHAN PRYCE in ‘The Two Popes.’ Photo by Peter Mountain; courtesy Netflix

Theological pesticide?

‘The Two Popes’ is bird’s eye view into relationship between Francis, Benedict By BRIAN T. CARNEY This week D.C. theaters get a retro feel with two movies that hearken back to classics from the past. Both movies open today at Landmark E Street Cinema. Like so many Hollywood religious epics, “The Two Popes” imaginatively recreates a monumental meeting between two spiritual and political figures. (Think Charleston Heston in one of the leads.) This time it’s the conservative Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and the more liberal Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), who will become Pope Francis. “Inspired by true events,” the movie opens in 2005. The Catholic Church is in disarray. The beloved Pope John Paul II has died and as one frustrated prelate puts it, “our churches are beautiful but empty.” The Cardinals have gathered for the conclave to elect the next pope. A chance meeting in a Vatican bathroom brings together the two men who will dominate the voting: the austere German Cardinal Ratzinger and the man-of-thepeople Argentinian Cardinal Bergoglio, who delightfully hums ABBA’s “Dancing

Queen” while he washes his hands. When the infamous white smoke clears, Ratzinger has been elected Pope. His tenure is marked by conservative policy positions (including a condemnation of homosexuality) and financial and sexual scandals. Bergoglio returns to Buenos Aires; he enjoys cheering on the Argentinian soccer team and advocating on behalf of his impoverished parishioners, but he has no interest in the pomp and circumstance or administrative duties associated with the position. Bergoglio writes to Pope Benedict asking to return to life as a parish priest; in fact, he decides to visit Rome to plead his case in person. At the same time, Benedict decided to invite Bergoglio to the Vatican to discuss the state of the Church. The fascinating conversations between to the two prelates forms the bulk of the magnificent and witty script by Anthony McCarten, the awardwinning screenwriter of “The Theory of Everything,” “The Darkest Hour” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” McCarten does an amazing job at humanizing both men, balancing their theological positions with interesting personal quirks. Benedict is a snappy dresser and a loner who loves playing the piano; Bergoglio wears simple vestments and enjoys talking to the gardener about oregano plants Award-winning Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles, whose credits include the acclaimed “The Constant Gardener” and the spectacular Opening Ceremonies for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, stages the conversations with amazing clarity and appealing simplicity. He never loses sight of the significant spiritual and emotional stakes at play and he allows wonderful moments of humor and whimsy to rise to the surface from time to time. Perhaps most notably, Meirelles never lets the amazing scenery upstage the action. The production design by Mark Tildesley; art direction by Saverio Sammali; set decoration by Livia Del Priore, Veronique Melery, Natalia Mendilburu and Germán Naglieri; and costume design by Luca Canfora is simply stunning. Netflix spared nothing in allowing this talented team to recreate numerous locations in the Vatican (including the Sistine Chapel) and the magnificent Papal Palace at Castel Gandolfo where most of the nation takes place. Under the eagle eye of cinematographer Cesár Charlone, the breathtaking combination of shimmering marbles, precious metals, sumptuous fabrics and beautiful scenery form an impressive backdrop for this amazing story. Both Hopkins and Pryce are

wonderful in their meaty roles. The chemistry between them is electric. Both men create fully rounded characters; each is sympathetic in his own way. There is, unfortunately, one major problem with “The Two Popes” — an extended flashback that details Bergoglio’s controversial role as head of the Society of Jesus of Argentina during the terrible Dirty Wars of 1976. Juan Minujin does a great job of playing the young Bergoglio, but the flashback slows the film’s momentum. Since Benedict’s own controversial past does not get a similar examination, it also unbalances the film. Nonetheless, “The Two Popes” is a remarkable accomplishment. It’s an important film for LGBT Catholics and for all LGBT film fans and should be experienced on the big screen, “Little Joe” is a sleek and stylish rethinking of the “pod” movies like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” Emily Beecham, winner of the Best Actress Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, plays Alice Woodard, a single mother and plant biologist at England’s Planthouse Biotechnologies. She’s developed a beautiful crimson flower that has a symbiotic relationship with humans. When the plant is talked to and lovingly cared for, it releases a pollen that makes people feel better. Alice’s problems begin to mount when she breaks company protocol and takes a plant home for her son Joe (whom the plant is named after). She also starts to encounter problems in the laboratory. Her colleague Chris’ courtship of her becomes increasingly aggressive and Bella’s behavior becomes erratic. In her first English-language film, award-winning Austrian director Jessica Hausner (who co-wrote the script with Géraldine Bajard) moves the action along at a steady pace that progressively and plausibly ratchets up the tension. Her collaboration with composer Jeiji Ito gives the movie a suitably eerie soundtrack that combines traditional Japanese instruments with electronic buzzes. Filled with gleaming white and glass surfaces and beautifully filmed by Martin Gschlacht, the set has an effectively abstract feel. The acting is outstanding. As the increasingly isolated scientist and mother, Beecham creates an intriguing aura of increasing panic. Out actor Ben Whishaw (“Paddington,” “London Spy” and “A Very English Scandal”) is delightfully creepy as her colleague and suitor Chris, Kit Connor is great as Joe and Kerry Fox offers a nuanced portrait of a woman on the edge. For LGBT fans of sci-fi, “Little Joe” is a must-see.

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December 7 8PM December 14 3PM | 8PM December 15 3PM Lincoln Theatre | 1215 U Street NW Tickets: 877-435-9849 or GMCW.org tickets and groups of 10 or more call 202-293-1548

D EC E MBE R 0 6 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE.CO M • 37

Cocktail next to fire pit at the Apres Ski Experience. Photo courteesy Savor PR

Holiday pop-up bar fun

Festive, sparkly, decorative and sure to get you sloshed By EVAN CAPLAN

What’s the difference between the 12 days of Christmas and eight days of Hanukkah? Four of Washington’s most entertaining holiday pop-up bars. Far from the White House Christmas Tree are these bars filled with frivolity, creativity and wonky winks and nods to the city’s culture. Highbrow — Conrad Hotel The Conrad Washington (950 New York Ave., N.W.), in its debut holiday season in the city, reaches across the pond to bring Alps inspo to its third-floor lookout for its Apres Ski Experience. The Conrad’s elegant terrace has transformed into a cozy mountain lodge, offering Euro-chic cocktails and dishes. Heated outdoor fire pits, necessary to combat the chill, are complete with blankets and thermoses filled with hot buttered rum and ‘haute’ toddy cocktails. Alsatian cheese and charcuterie boards get an additional lift from fireside s’mores kissed by chocolate ganache. CityCenter clothing retailer Moncler is setting up its chic outerware goods in a gondola for a feel of the Alps on your shoulders. Open Tuesday to Thursday 5-10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 4-11 p.m., through February. Lowbrow — Ivy and Coney For its third crazy year, Ivy and Coney (1537 7th St., N.W.) will get your candle hot in its Hanukkah pop-up, “Bar Mitzvah.” The laid-back, sports-focused space has become a place where “the Manischewitz shall flow, the dreidels shall spin and fun will be had by all,” according to the owners. Front and center are latkes, hot and fried, as well as “sufgani” shots (jelly donut, but make it a shot), and “eight-night fiery cider” that’s known in some circles as Fireball. Out on the patio, the “shotnorah” shines brightest, at which eight friends can take a shot of liquor concurrently. The bartender acts as shamash, or the middle lead candle. Emphasizing the mitzvah portion of “Bar Mitzvah,” the Ivy and Coney is donating a portion of proceeds to HIAS and Bread for the City. There will be candlelighting each night at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22-29 during the actual holiday. Getting lit is an almost certainty. The pop-up runs “from December 2nd through New Years’ Eve

of the year 5780.” Classic — Miracle on 7th Street The mother of all pop-up bars (or PUBs) in D.C., Drink Company’s Miracle on 7th (1843 7th St., N.W.) is back for another year of outrageously fun décor, complex cocktails and lines stretching around the corner in subfreezing weather. Its tri-fold, choose-your-own adventure style is back in full force. One room is again dedicated to Hanukkah, housing a “Chinese and a movie” concept, as well as whirling dreidels and a menorah of Maccabean size that would last for many more than eight nights. Another room is decked out in adorable teddy bears, in support of the Washington Children’s Hospital. The last room is pure home run: it’s a celebration of the 2019 World Series Champions, the Washington Nationals. Yes, Baby Shark will show up. As far as the drinks, cocktail manager Paul Taylor wrote that “all the drinks convey the season, festivity and personalities of the bars.” He’ll pour options like Gretchen, Stop Trying to Make Fetch Happen (cream sherry, dry curacao, and sparkling wine), as well as one for our recently departed Panda Bei Bei (tequila, vanilla, lime and soda). The pop-up is open Nov. 22-Dec. 31; on Dec. 23 the bar will host an event that benefits the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. Beery — Wundergarten NoMa’s Wundergarten (1101 First St., N.E.) is hosting its own third anniversary with this year’s Winterfest. The beer garden transforms into festive “hoppy” holiday dreamscape across all of its 13,000 feet of indoor/outdoor wonderland. Spiked cider, hot chocolate and seasonal beers are on tap. Stroll beyond the immersive “Polar Tunnel” art installation is The Chalet, a Swissinspired dining concept under twinkling holiday lights. When the chill’s a bit too strong, the heated igloo and fire pit help heat things up. There’s also a responsibly sourced Christmas tree garden and weekends bring Santa photo ops, local artist’s market and themed night like Ugly Sweater Party and Night of a 1000 Santas, The pop-up runs Dec. 6-22.

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The Alamo is a must-see attraction in San Antonio. Photo by Bill Malcolm

San Antonio makes great gay winter escape spot

Tex Mex food, biodiversity and thriving nightlife among features By BILL MALCOLM

San Antonio makes for a perfect winter get away. Temperatures stay mild, the historic city offers plenty to do complete with a great LGBTQ nightlife scene with all the bars except one located close together on Main Street. The historic city is a mix of Mexican, German, Spanish and native cultures and of course features the River Walk. Getting there: I paid just $200 on Southwest Airlines round trip to SAT (the airport code for the city airport). Once there, catch the VIA no. 5 bus Yto downtown for just $1.30. You can take VIA all around the city and they have two cultural buses to all the attractions. An all-day pass is just $2.75. Plan your trip at viainfo.net. Where to stay: I stayed at the Grand Hyatt one night and the Marriott River Center the other four. Both were great. Bargain hunters will want to stay at the LaQuinta or TRU by Hilton. All are near the famous RiverWalk area downtown. What to do: Make your first stop to the Alamo, site of the famous battle against Mexico which resulted in the creation of the Republic of Texas. The building was constructed in 1724. Walk north on the RiverWalk to the Art Museum which is located in an old Brewery. The Museum is open until 8 p.m. on Fridays. Take the 11B VIA bus to the Botanical Gardens which features three different areas of Texas botany. The region is unusual as plants from the east meet plants from the Southwest. They also have endemic species unique to the limestone-covered Hill Country. Palms, oaks, cacti, pines and Mexican species make for an interesting biogeography. Take the VIA 11A bus to The Witte Museum to learn about Texas culture, history and biogeography. The museum is free and open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Learn about the regions of the state and its colorful history. Don’t mess with Texas. It still has an independent streak. Don’t miss the Pearl District just north of downtown. The former brewery has

interesting shops and restaurants. The food everywhere is excellent and features great Tex Mex and Mexican as well as German. The San Antonio Gayborhood may be found on Main Street just north of downtown. Make your fist stop Pegasus Bar (1402 Main St.) which features great drink specials and a friendly crowd. Fierce Fridays features $2 wells and $2 beers. Try the Shiner Bock or Lone Star beer. Nearby is Heat, a dance bar at 1500 N. Main. You can pick up new clothes or leather gear at Ouch Apparel and Hard Core Leather. Knockout Pizza is good for a bite. Across the street on Main is Luther’s Café and Bar which features Wigstock Karaoke on Fridays. Dance the night away at the Bonham Exchange. The two-story building is located in an old German meeting hall. The mixed crowd allows minors and can be found at 411 Bonham downtown. On Saturdays, they have strippers plus a great dance area on two floors. They were having a Studio 54 birthday party the night I was there. Travel tips: Out in San Antonio is its LGBTQ publication (outinsa.com) and has bar ads to help you plan your visit. The Current is the city’s weekly paper, which also has great ideas. Visitsanantonio.com is your one stop shop for information on all the attractions and upcoming events. Thanks to Eva Alvallotis for the help. San Antonio makes for a great winter get away and is a big city with a small town feel without the attitude of Austin or the big city hassles of Dallas and Houston. Plus a great gay scene.

Bill Malcolm

is an Indianapolis-based traveler whose syndicated LGBTQ value travel column appears in publications around the country. He does this as a hobby.

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The emotional roller coaster of buying and selling Realtor can be part friend, therapist, negotiator By JOSEPH HUDSON One thing that has become evident to me in my role of a real estate agent over the past five years with so many of my clients is that I am not just handling paperwork and negotiations. I’m part therapist, part friend, part negotiator, part paperwork handler, and part creative idea generator. In some cases I have spent more time listening to my clients vent or talk about their day and what goes on at work or about family members involved in the transaction than the actual paperwork took time to be completed. I can be asked questions as varied as what color tile to put in a bathroom, what kind of countertop should be installed, who the heck does this other agent think they are, how much should we escalate over the sales price, and “should I even consider putting in another offer? I feel so defeated.” I have had clients refer to me as their “brother” or “cousin” and I have gotten to know my clients’ parents, siblings, best

A good Realtor does much more than show houses.

friends, and other assorted family and friends who are going to chime in with their opinion on the situation. Today I helped a client navigate the moving truck parking permit process in the District of Columbia, which involved multiple phone calls, missed connections, meeting at the police station to print them out and many texts and messages. The minutiae of details involved in a move and changing addresses can be enough to put anyone in a bad mood, and much of the time I’m just there to

absorb the “feels” and help my clients stay on track to the closing date and get the moving truck lined up and the utilities transferred to the proper person. Having an agent that is there for the emotional support that really IS part of the job but was never really taught to us in real estate school is important. Maybe it’s time to find someone who will pick up the phone at a drop of a hat to help you through whatever the latest hiccup or punch list item that needs to be addressed. Good agents have your back, cheer

you on, and help you celebrate your success! Today I also ran into a woman I met last year, who I helped buy a condo in the District, hadn’t seen her since due to scheduling shenanigans, and was able to chat for a few minutes to catch up, find out how her parents were, and also found out that her boyfriend has moved in with her. It’s fun to follow up with my clients later after the transaction to find out what new things are going on in their lives. While having an agent who knows the contract, can do all the paperwork, knows the comps and the neighborhood, and is a great resource where you can find recommendations is VERY important, it’s also helpful and important to have one that will encourage you when you feel down or defeated, and help you celebrate your success when you find the right home or get the right offer on your property. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you would like to attend my next homebuyer seminar on Jan. 7, 2020 at Nellie’s Sports Bar at 5:30 p.m.

Joseph Hudson is a Realtor with The Oakley Group at Compass. Reach him at 703-587-0597 or Joseph.hudson@compass.com.

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