AHF’s Weinstein compares homelessness to 1980s AIDS crisis, PAGE 14
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AHF’s Michael Weinstein is tackling the homelessness problem in California, invoking comparisons to the ‘80s AIDS crisis. PAGE 14
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Supporters, opponents testify at Town nightclub hearing Engineer says soundproofing will block noise from adjacent apartments By LOU CHIBBARO JR. LCHIBBARO@WASHBLADE.COM
Town Danceboutique closed after 10 years and is seeking a license to reopen in a former church on North Capitol Street. Washington Blade photo by Michael Key
Seventeen witnesses expressing either support or opposition to allowing the LGBT nightclub Town Danceboutique to reopen in a former church on North Capitol Street testified on Dec. 4 at a hearing before the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board that lasted nearly six hours. Among those testifying in support of Town were an architect and structural engineer considered experts in noise abatement. The two testified that proven soundproofing technology that Town has hired them to employ will completely block any noise generated by the proposed nightclub from reaching an apartment building located next to the former church. The owners, several residents, and others associated with that building, the John and Jill Ker Conway Residence apartments in which many formerly homeless military veterans live, have emerged as the main opponents to Town’s application for a liquor license at the former church. Calvin Johnson, one of the apartment building residents who testified at the hearing, said that while he is concerned about noise and increased vehicle traffic congestion, his biggest fear of having a nightclub open next to his residence is his “sobriety.” He said he’s a formerly homeless veteran, and living at the Conway apartments has helped him “get
my life back together.” Lyle Blanchard, an attorney representing the apartment building owners and some of its residents, told the ABC Board that some of the residents like Johnson are struggling with substance abuse and other addiction-related problems. He said other residents are Vietnam War veterans who are grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder and a nightclub located next door could adversely impact all of them. Blanchard said the residents are also concerned that a nightclub would increase crime in the neighborhood by attracting criminals who would target the nightclub customers but also pose a safety concern for the apartment residents. In a development that surprised some Town supporters, one of the witnesses opposing the Town license application, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Drew Courtney of ANC 6C, testified that he was a customer of Town nightclub at its former location at 8th Street and Florida Avenue, N.W., before it closed due to real estate development. He told ABC Board members that if Town were requesting to reopen just two blocks away from the Conway apartment building he would have no objections to the license application. After the hearing, Courtney told the Washington Blade the close proximity to the apartment building is his main objection.
“They could be quite noisy,” Courtney said of the previous Town’s patrons. “And I just think that trying to situate them next to a facility specifically designed for people who are coping with PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder], in recovery, homelessness, needing more support – that they are not the right people to bear the impact of that.” Two other Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, John Fanning of the Logan Circle ANC 2F, and Robb Hudson of ANC 1B representing the U Street entertainment area where Town had operated for 10 years, testified that the Town owners have been exemplary business operators of several bars and nightclubs. The two said they have never encountered any problems with the clubs operated by Town co-owner John Guggenmos and his business partners. “There were no complaints against Town. The neighbors loved them,” Hudson said. “You could walk by and not hear anything,” he told ABC Board members, referring to an outdoor patio that Town installed at its previous location. Fanning, a longtime gay activist and candidate for the Ward 2 D.C. Council seat, said he and his fellow ANC commissioners agree that Number Nine and Trade, two gay bars the Town owners currently operate in the Logan Circle area, have never caused any problems in the neighborhood. During his own testimony,Guggenmos said he and his business partners would continue their longstanding policy of interacting with nearby residents and community organizations. He said the Jamal development company, which owns the church building that Town hopes to occupy, will pay for all needed structural renovations of the building, including a full roof replacement and repointing of the exterior brick walls at a cost exceeding $1 million. Guggenmos said the Town owners would pay for all interior renovations, including soundproofing related construction at a cost of $850,000 to $1 million. He said experts working on the renovation, including the architect and sound abatement specialist, have pointed out that there is a space of about an inch
or more between the church building and the adjacent apartment building. The fact that the two buildings don’t actually touch each other will be an important natural barrier to noise coming from the new nightclub, according to structural engineer and soundproofing specialist Martin Beam, who testified during the hearing. He and others also noted that only a small four-story-high part of the 14-story apartment building abuts the church with the one-inch space separating the two buildings, and there are no apartments in that section of the building. “John Guggenmos and his partners are ultra-sensitive to the needs of the residents of the adjacent residential facility and in particular issues such as sound and noise and have presented a comprehensive plan to address those concerns,” Steve O’Brien, the attorney representing Town, told the Blade after the hearing. “Not all nightclubs are bad,” O’Brien told the board members in his closing argument at the hearing. “You have somebody who has a 29-year track record of well run and quiet nightclubs,” he said. “And how often have you had two ANC commissioners testify in favor of a nightclub?” O’Brien said the church building is in “terrible shape” now and it places the adjacent apartment building in jeopardy. “It is now a dark, desolate corner,” he said. “This will become a well-lit, well run facility.” He was referring to the former St. Phillips Baptist Church’s location on the corner of North Capitol and K Streets, N.E. at 1001 North Capitol St., about one mile north of the U.S. Capitol. Blanchard, the attorney for the opponents, called on the ABC Board members to withhold approving the liquor license needed to allow Town to open in the former church building until the building renovation and soundproofing work is completed so it could be tested to ensure it works. O’Brien said Town opposes such a requirement. CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
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Fauci to Congress: Help us implement plan to end HIV NIH official gives congressional briefing on new federal AIDS plan By LOU CHIBBARO JR. LCHIBBARO@WASHBLADE.COM
Dr. Anthony Fauci said that scientific advances have made it possible to end the HIV epidemic in the United States within the next decade if not much sooner. Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told an audience of mostly legislative aides to members of Congress at a Dec. 5 congressional briefing on Capitol Hill that scientific advances have made it possible to end the HIV epidemic in the United States within the next decade if not much sooner. In an impassioned description of what he calls “implementation science,” Fauci said he and his colleagues at the National Institute of Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other federal, state, and local health agencies are hopeful that a newly launched federal plan to end HIV will be able to overcome socio-economic barriers that have prevented the scientific advances from reaching those who could most benefit from them. The briefing, held at the Rayburn House Office Building across the street from the U.S. Capitol, was organized by the National Minority AIDS Council, or NMAC, a D.C.-based AIDS advocacy group that puts on the annual U.S. Conference on AIDS. Fauci said his presentation was based on findings and information presented at the 2019 U.S. Conference on AIDS in August. Among those who attended the briefing were U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.). Fauci has been involved in AIDS research and public policy since the
epidemic first surfaced in the U.S. in 1981. He told the briefing the federal plan is based on two major scientific advances that are available today. The first, he pointed out, is the effective anti-retroviral drug treatment regimens that have successfully suppressed HIV in the human body for the past 10 years or longer. More recently, he said, studies have shown that suppression of the virus to the point that it becomes undetectable means an infected person can no longer transmit HIV to someone else through sexual relations. The second major advancement, he noted, is the development of the HIV prevention drug known as PrEP, or preexposure prophylaxis, which Fauci said is 99 percent effective in preventing someone at risk for HIV from becoming infected. “So you now have two, as I call it, game changing issues, treatment as prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis,” he told the more than 75 people attending the briefing. “Theoretically, if you got everyone or almost everyone who is infected and put them on therapy and bring down the virus to below detectible and you got most of the people who are at risk of infection and put them on PrEP, theoretically you can end the epidemic tomorrow because the people who are infected are not infecting anyone and the people who are at risk have a 99 percent effective therapy to prevent them from being infected,” he said. “And all you need to do is implement
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that,” said Fauci. “The problem is we don’t live in a theoretical world, we live in a real world. And the goal of any plan is to bridge that gap between what we know is possible and what we can make happen,” he said. “And that’s really what the plan is.” Among the “real world” facts that the plan is intended to address, Fauci said, is the disparities among the diverse groups at risk for HIV who are not taking advantage of the treatment and prevention options. “Thirteen percent of the population in the United States is African American,” he said. “Yet almost 45 percent of all new infections are among African Americans. Of those, 60 percent are among AfricanAmerican men who have sex with men and 75 percent of those are young individuals,” Fauci said. “So right now you have a concentration, a real disparity of infection.” He noted that nationwide, only about 260,000, about 20 percent of the 1.2 million people in the U.S. who are believed to be at “substantial risk” for HIV, are taking PrEP. Aside from that, only 53 percent of people in the U.S. who have HIV have a viral load that is undetectable due to effective drug treatment, Fauci said. “We have to do better than that,” he told the briefing. “That’s a big target of the plan.” According to Fauci, he and his government colleagues who helped develop the plan to end HIV in the U.S. determined one important way to address disparities faced by different risk groups was to respond to the geographic breakdown of the HIV epidemic in the U.S. Much to their surprise, Fauci said, data show that more than 50 percent of all new HIV infections in recent years come from just 48 out of the 3,007 U.S. counties plus the District of Columbia and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Also shown to have high concentrations of new infections are seven southern states. “This almost shocked me to the point where I had to go and look at the individual data myself because I almost didn’t believe it,” Fauci said. “That’s really amazing.” Among other things, the new federal plan will target those 50 geographic
“areas” along with the seven states for greater resources and outreach to address the disparities that may be causing the higher infection rates there, he said. “So what do we do to do better than that?” Fauci said. “You maximize the tools you have and you develop better tools,” he continued, adding that a “prototype” for the new federal plan is a highly effective program developed in San Francisco called Rapidly We Treat All. “They proactively and aggressively go into the community with community workers,” said Fauci in describing the San Francisco program. “They go into areas where there is high risk – gay bars, bathhouses, homeless shelters, commercial sex workers. They approach people and they test them and they get the result right there in a test that takes only 20 minutes,” Fauci said. “If you’re positive you immediately are put on therapy because they give you a bag of a month’s supply of a drug and say take it. And then they give you a prescription for when they run out,” he said. “And then they say now if you have any trouble call us. This is our phone number. And if don’t have a phone they give them a phone,” said Fauci. “It’s really amazing how they go into the community,” he said, noting that the incidence of new HIV infections in San Francisco declined dramatically. He said an aggressive outreach program in D.C. has also resulted in a sharp drop in new HIV infections over the past decade, although the new infection rate in D.C. has remained stable in recent years. Still more advances in drug treatment, including PrEP, may further boost the number of people taking PrEP, Fauci said. He pointed to a new form of “long lasting” PrEP that’s in the final stages of drug trials that can be given as an injection that will last a month or more, eliminating the need for taking a daily pill. He said a PrEP implant is also in development that can be placed under the skin similar to birth control implants used by women that can last as long as a year. CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
SHOCKER: Senate confirms out gay judge nominated by Trump
PATRICK BUMATAY is one of President Trump’s openly gay judicial nominees.
In a counter-intuitive development, the U.S. Senate approved on Tuesday an openly gay federal prosecutor named by President Trump for a seat on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, making him the highest-ranking openly gay federal judge in the country. The Republican-majority chamber approved Patrick Bumatay, who previously worked as a U.S. attorney in Southern California, to a lifetime seat on the federal appeals court. The vote was 53-40. With Republicans voting in his favor and Democrats voting against him, the traditional party roles on LGBTQ rights were shifted on the confirmation vote. Democrats cited Bumatay’s lack of appellate experience as a reason to vote against him. Trump chose Bumatay for the seat after ignoring the recommendations of Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein of California for the seat on the Ninth Circuit. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the only out lesbian in the Senate, and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), the chamber’s only open bisexual, were among the Democrats voting against Bumatay. Also voting against was Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the chief sponsor of the Equality Act in the Senate. No senator — either for or against Bumatay — took to the floor to speak out on the nominee days before his confirmation or the cloture vote to end the filibuster to end his nomination. Now that he’s confirmed, Bumatay, who’s gay and Filipino, is not only the highest-ranking openly gay person on the federal bench, but also the highestranking Filipino. Previously, the only other openly gay federal appeals judge is U.S. Circuit Judge Todd Hughes of the Federal Circuit, whom the Senate confirmed in 2013 after he was nominated by President Obama. But the Federal Circuit isn’t considered as prestigious or high-ranking as the Ninth Circuit. It’s the second openly gay person Trump has confirmed to the federal bench. The first was Mary Rowland, who was approved in August and is now a federal judge in Illinois. To be sure, Trump has nominated and the Senate has confirmed scores of judicial nominees who have lacked diversity and have anti-LGBTQ records. Among them is Lawrence VanDyke, who was set to have a vote for confirmation to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this week. CHRIS JOHNSON
Activists slam Fairness for All Act
Newly introduced legislation in the U.S. House backed by the Mormon Church seeks to strike a middle ground on LGBT rights and religious freedom in federal civil rights law, although major proponents of each refuse to support the legislation. Introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) on Friday, the Fairness for All Act would strike a balance between LGBT rights and religious freedom in a way proponents say would protect First Amendment rights. That way, however, permits anti-LGBT discrimination from religious institutions and small-business wedding vendors. “Throughout history, there are times when principles come into conflict, and often they are conflicting good principles, both of them with equal value,” Stewart said at Capitol Hill news conference. The Fairness for All Act is seen as an alternative to the Equality Act, legislation approved by the House in May under the Democratic majority — with five Republican votes. The Equality Act would make anti-LGBT discrimination a form of sex discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and clarify the Religious Freedom Restoration Act can’t be a justification for discrimination. Much like the Equality Act, the Fairness for All Act would make anti-LGBT discrimination against federal law, but it would also institute an accommodation for institutions like religious groups and small-business wedding vendors. The Fairness for All Act would prohibit antiLGBT discrimination in employment, housing, jury selection, credit, federal programs and public accommodations, but do so without defining anti-LGBT discrimination as sex discrimination. The bill would also expand the definition of public accommodations beyond the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But in contrast to the Equality Act, the Fairness for All Act would preserve the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and protect the tax-exempt status of religious colleges and universities that oppose same-sex marriage, such as Brigham Young University, Bethel University and Catholic University. The Fairness for All Act would also extend protections to small businesses whose owners refuse to provide services to same-sex weddings based on religious objections. Among them is Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, who gained notoriety when his case reached the Supreme Court and justices ruled narrowly in his favor based on the facts of the case. The measure would prohibit anti-LGBT discrimination at “any store, shopping center or online retailer or provider of online services that has 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year,” but states the threshold
doesn’t apply to claims of discrimination based on race, color or national origin or the small business wedding vendors excluded under the measure. Similarly, the measure says “a property owned or operated primarily for noncommercial purposes by a non-profit religious corporation that holds itself out to the public as substantially religious, has as its stated purpose in its organic documents that it is religious, and is substantially religious in its current operations” is not a public accommodation under the legislation. Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said he “strongly oppose[s]” the Fairness for All Act because it sells LGBTQ people short and erodes existing protections under federal civil rights law. “The so-called Fairness for All Act is an unacceptable, partisan vehicle that erodes existing civil rights protections based on race, sex and religion, while sanctioning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people,” David said. CHRIS JOHNSON
Defense spending bill omits trans ban remedy LGBTQ rights supporters were quick this week to slam an agreement on major defense spending legislation for leaving out language overturning President Trump’s transgender military ban, but the measure retains some minor provisions for LGBTQ troops. Although the House approved an amendment introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) as part of the fiscal year 2020 defense authorization bill to ensure transgender people can serve in the armed forces, the final $738 billion package House and Senate conferees unveiled late Monday excludes the provision. However, the defense bill retains language based on an amendment introduced by Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) seeking to codify the process by which service members expelled under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” can update their DD-214 paperwork to “honorable” if they had “other than honorable” or “dishonorable” discharges. Additionally, the defense measure contains a provision along the lines of an amendment introduced by Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) requiring the Defense Department to produce reports on waivers granted to transgender enlistees under the Trump ban. Also included as part of that provision is a paragraph encouraging the military to grant waivers to transgender people seeking to enlist in the armed forces in the same manner that would be granted to other applicants seeking waivers. That language goes beyond what the Brown amendment initially sought. CHRIS JOHNSON
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Nat’l Center for Trans Equality regroups after mass staff departures Former employees file unfair labor practice complaint with NLRB By CHRIS JOHNSON CJOHNSON@WASHBLADE.COM
MARA KEISLING, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said that new hires are on the way. Washington Blade photo by Michael Key
In the wake of mass employee departures over a stalemate in union negotiations, the head of the National Center for Transgender Equality is ready to rebuild with an official plan forward — but those former staffers aren’t giving up the fight either. Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, said Monday in an interview with the Washington Blade after the departures of the employees — which left the non-profit with eight staffers after a high of 21 this year— that new hires are on the way. “I think that everybody agrees that NCTE is an absolutely integral part of fighting for trans rights here in Washington and around the country, so what we have to do is create the strongest possible NCTE moving forward,” Keisling said. The plan is laid out in a document obtained exclusively by the Washington Blade titled simply, “The Plan Forward, which identifies goals for the organization over the course of six month and throughout 2020. With this plan underway, Keisling said the National Center for Transgender Equality will continue its mission of defending transgender people amid attacks from the Trump administration and elsewhere. “Trans people are going to be attacked in at least a dozen states in some really horrible ways this year,” Keisling said. “I don’t know if you’ve seen some of these bills that we’re looking at they’re targeting kids, and in particular kids’ doctors and their parents for providing health care. We’re going to have to be in
that fight.” Many of the new hires, Keisling said, will focus on minority relations within the workplace, which was a source of criticism from the former staffers. An accusation of structural racism was a complaint from employees in an organization charged with advancing social justice. “We are hiring a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant, we have an organizational development consultant and we didn’t really have those two things coming up the last time,” Keisling said. Coaches will also be among the new hires for staff needing assistance for racial equity, supervisors needing assistance with management skills and staffers who are people of color, Keisling said. The process for making the new hires, Keisling said, will be done differently the next time around. Previously, Keisling said they were done “as resources became available,” which made the non-profit grow three times larger than it was four years earlier. As part of this new approach, Keisling said the National Center for Transgender Equality will review its internal policies, such as hiring, on-boarding and staff support processes. Moreover, Keisling said the communications and leadership systems will be done with organizational consultants, including a local blackowned consultant group. “We don’t just have me picking the systems, or us collectively on the fly as we’ve been growing,” Keisling said. Additionally, Keisling said another
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component of the plan going forward is accountability within the transgender community, which she envisions as a national council of advisers that will form sometime early next year. “This is something that’s been on the table, that we’ve approved doing almost two years ago, but we’ve just been so under siege by the Trump administration, and honestly, by our growth, that we just have not been able to do it,” Keisling said. Although Keisling said some of the new hires are urgently needed and will have to happen immediately, she said a more systematic approach for other positions is warranted and they won’t hire right away. “We’re going to be a lot more ‘planful’ — that’s my own, I made that word up — but we’re going to be thinking through a lot more about our work plans,” Keisling said. Keisling said the National Center for Transgender Equality continues to be in solid financial shape. The most recent IRS 990 for the organization from 2018 reveals $2.75 million in net assets, bringing in $3.2 million in contributions and grants and expending $2.3 million for that year. But the former employees aren’t done. Their union representative has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, which enforces U.S. labor law, alleging illegal practices from management in negotiations with employees. As widely reported, employees in late November demanded Keisling and her deputy, Lisa Moffet, step down from the National Center for Transgender Equality. When that didn’t happen, the employees were offered a buyout. They declined, instead quitting their positions. Kayla Blado, president of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union, said the basis of the charge against the National Center for Transgender Equality was an attempt at union-busting. “We believe that the mass layoff of their workers was in retaliation for both organization and for protective collective action,” Blado said. The layoffs, Blado said, were in retaliation of a mass walkout of employees last month during a unionorganizing drive, which she added was a
protected activity. As a remedy, Blado said employees are hoping the NLRB “sees the injustice in this and can help these workers get back to work or find some remedy that suits everyone,” but ultimately it would depend on the outcome of the NLRB investigation. Blado pointed out workers were given two months of severance before the holidays, even though some of those employees had been there for several years. “Ironically, by NCTE’s own research transgender workers are discriminated against at higher rates and face higher rates of retaliation than their non-trans counterparts, and so they’re basically doing a disservice to their own mission by firing their staff,” Blado said. An NLRB spokesperson said the agency received the charge on Nov. 15 and regional staff from Baltimore are investigating the matter. Investigators typically take about three months to complete their work, the spokesperson said, and if they find reason to believe federal law was violated, they will issue a complaint. Both Keisling and the union board said a major sticking point was whether supervisors would be placed in the same bargaining unit as the employees they manage. Blado said management was “dragging out negotiations” over the issue, which involved a single supervisor within the National Center for Transgender Equality. “The term ‘supervisor’ is kind of a loaded term with NLRB,” Blado said. “And we don’t think this person was an actual supervisor. They managed a worker, but it’s not uncommon for middle managers to be in the bargaining unit.” To be excluded from a union, Blado said, a worker has to have authority for hiring, firing, disciplinary and salarysetting powers, she said which was not this supervisor. “Just kind of guiding and directing work of an employee does not qualify as supervisory work, so that shouldn’t preclude someone from being in the union,” Blado said. CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Worsening of Hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.
ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: } dofetilide } rifampin } any other medicines to treat HIV-1
BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: } Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. } Have any other health problems. } Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. } Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: } Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. } BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.
Get HIV support by downloading a free app at
MyDailyCharge.com
(bik-TAR-vee)
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. } Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. } Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. } Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. } Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. } The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY. HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food. GET MORE INFORMATION } This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. } Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5. } If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP PUSHING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: December 2018 © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0103 02/19
BVYC0103_BIKTARVY_B_9-5x10-5_WashingtonBlade_KeepPushing2_DR4_r2v1jl.indd All Pages
12 • WA S H IN GTO N B LAD E.CO M • D EC EM B ER 1 3 , 2 0 1 9
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Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. To learn more, visit BIKTARVY.com.
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.
10/10/19 11:01 AM
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The arc of Michael Weinstein’s moral outrage AHF president compares homelessness to 1980s AIDS crisis By KAREN OCAMB LOS ANGELES — California is caught in a conundrum. While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff are steadily guiding America through the divisive impeachment process, President Donald J. Trump seems more and more determined to punish the big blue state for its resistance to his draconian pronouncements. On Nov. 3, for instance, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds for the devastating wildfires, tweeting that Gov. Gavin Newsom “has done a terrible job of forest management.” “No more,” if Newsom asks for funding, Trump tweeted. But there is an odd, unrecognized disconnect between concern for the burned-out fire victims and the larger issue of homelessness in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego – 981 human beings died on the streets of LA County in 2018. And the expectation of more turmoil looms large with Trump’s anticipated intervention into California affairs after the Nov. 15 firing of Matthew Doherty, the gay executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. According to the Los Angeles Times, Doherty is likely to be replaced by Robert Marbut, a Texas-based consultant who “has long encouraged elected officials to stop coddling people on the streets.” For instance, The Times reports, in 2012, Marbut “pushed the Florida city of Clearwater to stop ‘renegade food’ donations from churches and other charitable organizations. At the time, he characterized Clearwater as the secondmost enabling city in America.” Marbut’s philosophy, which broadly includes expanding police authority to crack down on the homeless for minor offenses, “is in line” with the Trump administration, The Times reports. And what is that philosophy? “We have people living in our … best highways, our best streets, our best entrances to buildings ... where people in those buildings pay tremendous taxes, where they went to those locations because of the prestige,” Trump said during a September LA site visit by administration officials. “And all of a sudden they have tents.” Trump’s options are legally limited. But when has that stopped him? If officials order sweeps of streets and homeless encampments, where would
they go? Or might they be rounded up and placed into unspecified federal facilities? But Newsom may now have a muchneeded resource. On Dec. 4, he hired fired federal homeless expert Matthew Doherty to be his senior adviser, perhaps even figuring out how to pry loose millions of dollars in stalled funding for the state with half the nation’s unsheltered homeless population. Doherty has a daunting job. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority estimates approximately 50,000 to 60,000 people were homeless in LA on any given night in 2019, more than 44,000 on the streets. About 34% are Black, hugely disproportionate to their 8% of the population; 31% are females; and minors through age 24 make up 8,915 of the county’s homeless population, up from 8,072 in 2018. The jump comes “despite over $619 million in spending on the [homeless] problem in the region over the past year,” AIDS Healthcare Foundation cofounder and President Michael Weinstein said in a June 2 statement. The LAHSA did not post LGBTQspecific statistics but last June, when out City Controller Ron Galperin introduced an online map to help link homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth to services, he noted that up to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. “The homelessness crisis gripping our region spans the spectrum of age, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation and expression, but is particularly difficult for LGBTQ youth,” Galperin said. Within this context, a majority of voters recognize homelessness as a crisis — exacerbated by a paucity of affordable housing, escalating rents, retaliatory evictions and gentrification. But, The Times notes, “there is some appetite among L.A. County residents to have law enforcement be more involved.” To Weinstein, the humanitarian calamity on the streets and the criminalization of homelessness is a moral outrage. “AIDS Healthcare Foundation was born of moral outrage over the mistreatment of people with AIDS. We began as a hospice provider when people were dying in the hallways of the county hospital,” Weinstein says. “Today’s housing crisis is a similar
AHF’s MICHAEL WEINSTEIN is taking on California’s homelessness crisis. Photo courtesy AHF
crisis of indifference to suffering. Our patients and employees are feeling the devastating impact of skyrocketing rents. AHF has jumped into the breach with advocacy and by directly creating affordable housing units.” In 2017, AHF created the Healthy Housing Foundation by AHF, which bought and renovated SROs in Hollywood and Downtown LA. AHF has also sued to prevent destruction of available housing units by developers proposing luxury housing with some affordable units set aside. Weinstein, whose first apartment at 19 was in West Lake for $100 a month, believes the supposed “trickle down” of luxury complexes actually makes surrounding housing units too expensive for someone living on minimum wage. Watching this, Weinstein turned to his board of directors and his management team and asked: “What can we do to not just say how bad it is, but create a solution?” “And so we went out in the marketplace and we bought our first single room occupancy hotel that was two thirds vacant and we rehabilitated it to put people in there,” Weinstein told the Los Angeles Blade. “And now we have seven of them and we have almost 800 rooms. The average cost is $100,000, including the renovation — whereas the city is spending $500,000. And the first units from Proposition HHH, which was the city initiative around building affordable housing, have yet to come online, not one single unit. “It’s an urgency to meet human need,” he continues. “So not only are
we criticizing and advocating, we’re also providing a solution. And I’ve committed to 10,000 rooms over the next five years,” including building from scratch. “We’ve amassed three lots and we will eventually build a project that hopefully will be 800 units there. So we’re very, very serious about creating solutions.” Weinstein remembers the 1986 fight with his best friend Chris Brownlie against Lyndon LaRouche’s Prop 64 initiative to quarantine people with HIV/AIDS. After the measure failed, they asked what they should do next. Seeing poor gay men evicted from their apartments, dying homeless and loveless on the streets or in the halls of County General Hospital or the overcrowded 5P21, they founded the AIDS Hospice Foundation to give them death with a modicum of dignity. Nov. 29 was the 30th anniversary of Chris Brownlie’s death in the AIDS hospice that bore his name. “Not only is homelessness and housing affordability akin to the moral outrage of AIDS in the ‘80s, but AIDS seemed like an insoluble problem, right? It just seemed like an overwhelming thing that you couldn’t get your arms around. And AHF and others who worked on this issue made it a solvable problem. Same thing can and should happen with housing affordability.” On Nov. 30, AHF announced it would appeal a dismissed lawsuit filed last August in Superior Court against the City of Los Angeles, the City Council CONTINUES ON PAGE 18
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Facebook pressed to drop ads claiming PrEP is unsafe ‘Inaccurate’ ads blamed for discouraging HIV prevention efforts By LOU CHIBBARO JR. LCHIBBARO@WASHBLADE.COM More than 50 LGBT, AIDS, and public health organizations released a joint letter on Monday addressed to Facebook Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg urging him to immediately remove “dangerous and misleading” ads currently running on Facebook and Instagram suggesting the HIV prevention drug PrEP is unsafe “As organizations attached to this letter – leaders in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy, public health, and HIV/AIDS prevention – we are urgently reaching out to Facebook and Instagram regarding factually inaccurate advertisements which suggest negative health effects of Truvada PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis),” the letter states. “Using Facebook’s and Instagram’s targeted advertising programs, various law firms are attempting to recruit gay and bisexual men who use Truvada PrEP as an HIV preventative to join a lawsuit, claiming that the drug has caused harmful side effects in this patient population, specifically bone density and kidney issues,” the letter says. Officials with the LGBT advocacy group GLAAD and the HIV prevention advocacy group PrEP4All Collaborative, who organized the joint letter, say the ads in question are lumping together past instances of side effects of Truvada as a treatment for people with HIV who have taken it in combination with other drugs and HIV negative people who are taking Truvada alone as PrEP. They point out that studies conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have found Truvada use in PrEP has had minimal to no side effects and has been deemed safe and effective as an HIV prevention medication. Government studies have shown PrEP to be 99 percent effective in preventing someone from acquiring HIV if taken properly. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which oversees HIV prevention efforts, told a congressional briefing last week that serious side effects of PrEP have been shown in studies to be “very few” and “really not pertinent at all, not at all.” The letter released by the advocacy groups expresses concern that Facebook
Facebook CEO MARK ZUCKERBERG is under fire again for the company’s advertising practices. Photo by Anthony Quintano; courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
appears to be ignoring these findings in its refusal so far to remove the ads suggesting PrEP is harmful. “By allowing these advertisements to persist on their platforms, Facebook and Instagram are convincing at-risk individuals to avoid PrEP, invariably leading to avoidable HIV infections,” the joint letter says. “You are harming public health.” The letter says the LGBT and HIV prevention groups reached out to Facebook to explain why they believe the advertisements are harmful and for months have urged Facebook to take them down but Facebook has declined to do so. The Washington Post reported on Monday that Facebook said the ads do not violate its advertising policies. “We value our work with LGBTQ groups and consistently seek their input,” the Post quoted a statement it says Facebook released to the newspaper. “While these ads do not violate our ad policies nor have they been rated false by third-party fact checkers, we’re always examining ways to improve and help these key groups better understand how we apply our policies,” the Post quoted the statement as saying. According to the Post, Facebook’s archives show that the ads have been viewed millions of times in recent months. Longtime HIV patient advocate Peter Staley, who is a co-founder of the PrEP4All
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Collaborative, told the Washington Blade that LGBT and AIDS activists have tried unsuccessfully to explain to Facebook and its third-party fact checking officials why they believe the ads are misleading and inaccurate. Most of the ads in question have been purchased by law firms and personalinjury lawyers representing clients in lawsuits filed against Gilead Sciences, the drug company that manufactures Truvada. The lawsuits charge that some HIV-positive patients who have taken Truvada in combination with multiple other drugs have experienced serious and potentially life-threatening kidney function and bone density problems. The lawsuits also claim that Gilead withheld releasing a safer version of one of the compounds that make up Truvada for many years until the patent ended on one of the drugs with more harmful side effects. “All of those drugs together can really attack the kidney and it’s really hard to figure out which one is to blame,” Staley said. “But for HIV negative people on PrEP, PrEP is generally the only thing they’re taking except maybe Viagra,” Staley said while laughing. “So that’s why even though it’s the same drug – Truvada is the same drug as treatment and as prevention – it has acted very differently in these two patient populations in these two points in history,” he said. “So we tried to explain all this to Facebook and they’re just pointing to the label,” said Staley. “It’s the same drug so it’s only got one label. The FDA doesn’t issue a separate label for treatment and one for prevention for PrEP. It’s all one label,” Staley points out. “And right at the top on the label are these scary warnings that in rare circumstances this can cause kidney problems, this can cause bone density issues,” Staley says. “So Facebook points to that and says well it’s there, it’s right on the label. These law firms running these ads can say this.” “And we’re like yeah but you’re scaring tens of thousands of people away from a miracle pill that is nearly 100 percent effective and where we haven’t seen these toxicities in this patient population at all,” Staley said. “And here we are with Facebook just pointing to
obscure, undefined advertising policies and third-party fact checkers that know nothing about HIV.” Among the groups that signed on to the joint letter to Facebook, in addition to GLAAD and the PrEP4All Collaboration, are the Human Rights Campaign, AIDS United, the American Academy of HIV Medicine, the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis of New York, the National Minority AIDS Council, and the Trevor Project. Representatives of the groups that signed the joint letter have pointed out that Facebook recently agreed to ban ads placed by organizations opposing vaccines on grounds that anti-vaccine messages were refuted by virtually all professional medical organizations and public health experts. The AIDS and LGBT representatives are urging Facebook to ban the ads targeting PrEP on similar grounds that medical and scientific evidence refutes any claims that PrEP is harmful for those who take it as an HIV prevention medication. “As a caregiver I want patients to realize that Truvada is absolutely safe for PrEP,” said Dr. Sarah Henn, Chief Medical Officer at D.C’s Whitman-Walker Health. “We want to make sure that patients who are at increased risk for HIV acquisition don’t get scared away from prevention that could really be important to their long-term health,” Henn told the Blade. Staley said that after months of intransigence by Facebook over the LGBT and AIDS groups’ requests for dropping the anti-PrEP ads, he was encouraged on Monday afternoon when he and a GLAAD official received an email message from Facebook. The message came after widespread media coverage of the release of the joint letter to Zuckerberg by the over 50 groups. “You and your partners raise a number of important issues which we have shared with our leadership, and which will receive our full attention,” Staley quoted the message as saying from Lindsay Elin, Facebook’s director of external affairs. “And they also say they look forward to continuing the conversation,” Staley paraphrased the message as saying. “I think we got their attention.”
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They concluded, “The findings presented here, taken together ... indicate that CBD-enriched CE [cannabis extracts] yields positive effects in multiple autistic symptoms, without causing the typical side effects found in medicated ASD patients. Most patients in this study had improved symptoms even after supervised weaning of other neuropsychiatric drugs.” The findings are similar to those of other recent trials reporting that the use of CBDdominant extracts reduces symptoms of ASD and is well-tolerated by most patients. Full text of the study, “Effects of CBD-enriched cannabis sativa extract on autism spectrum disorder symptoms: An observational study of 18 participants undergoing compassionate use,” appears in Frontiers in Neurology.
Photo courtesy of Bigstock
Fed’l agencies offer guidance for banks, hemp providers Federal banking agencies released a joint statement last week acknowledging that banks and other financial institutions may work with those in the commercial hemp industry. The new guidance memo states, “[B]anks are no longer required to file suspicious activity reports (SAR) for customers solely because they are engaged in the growth or cultivation of hemp in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.” The statement was issued by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, FinCEN, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. Banks have historically been reluctant to work with any businesses involved with the production or sale of cannabis-related products. Legislation signed into federal law in 2018 de-scheduled low-THC hemp and products derived from industrial hemp plants from the Controlled Substances Act. In October, the USDA issued interim rules governing commercial hemp cultivation.
CBD extracts aid patients with autism: study BRASILIA, Brazil — The twice-daily administration of plant-derived CBD-dominant extracts is associated with symptom improvement in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to observational data published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology. Brazilian investigators assessed the use of CBD-enriched cannabis extracts (75 to 1 ratio CBD to THC) in 15 ASD patients over at least six months. Study participants were between the ages of six and 17 years and subjects consumed between 50 to 100mg of oral CBD capsules daily. Authors reported, “Fourteen out of these 15 patients (93 percent) showed improvements equal to or above 30 percent in at least one symptom category. Most patients that adhered to the treatment had improvements in more than one symptom category: seven patients (47 percent) had improvements equal to or above 30 percent in four or more symptom categories; two patients (13 percent) presented improvements equal to or above 30 percent in two symptom categories, and five patients (33 percent) presented improvements equal to or above 30 percent in one symptom category.”
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FDA warns companies against illegally marketing CBD Representatives of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued warning letters to multiple companies for marketing CBD-specific products in ways that violate federal law. The agency issued warning letters last week to 15 commercial entities. Seven additional companies received similar letters earlier this year. The FDA alleges that the companies marketed CBD as either a dietary supplement or as a food additive, or in a manner that implied it could prevent or cure serious diseases — all of which violate the federal Food, Drug & Cosmetics Act. Following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed low-THC hemp and extracts from the plant from the Controlled Substances Act, the agency advised: “Cannabis and cannabis-derived products claiming in their marketing and promotional materials that they’re intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases are considered new drugs or new animal drugs and must go through the FDA drug approval process for human or animal use before they are marketed in the U.S. ... Additionally, it’s unlawful under the FD&C Act to introduce food containing added CBD or THC into interstate commerce, or to market CBD or THC products as, or in, dietary supplements, regardless of whether the substances are hemp-derived.” Two weeks prior to the FDA’s action, a review of 300 leading online CBD retailers by the group LegitScript.com reported that 92 percent of sellers marketed products in a manner that was non-compliant with current FDA policies. The FDA also issued a separate advisory acknowledging that many commercially available CBD products lack appropriate regulatory controls and may be of variable quality and purity. NORML has previously highlighted several independent investigations identifying product mislabeling and/or the presence of adulterants and/or heavy metals in some commercially available CBD products, such as those here, here, and here. Currently, commercially available CBD products are not regulated by the FDA, despite the fact that some three in four Americans presume otherwise. By contrast, CBD-infused products sold at state-licensed dispensaries are typically subject to statespecific regulations and lab testing protocols. However, such facilities are typically only open to either state-qualified patients or to adults in states that legally regulate whole-plant cannabis sales. In May, NORML provided written testimony to the FDA urging the agency to move expeditiously to provide regulatory guidelines governing CBD-infused products, including best practices for their manufacturing, standardization, and purity. In Monday’s announcement, the agency acknowledged that it “plans to provide an update on its progress regarding the agency’s approach to these products in the coming weeks.” Cannabis Culture news in the Blade is provided in partnership with NORML. For more information, visit norml.org.
Keep your promise to protect each other.
AHF: ‘fight like hell for the people you love’ CONTINUNED FROM PAGE 14
and four Hollywood developers. The lawsuit sought to enforce the federal Fair Housing Act and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act regarding developments that AHF asserts were “approved without providing adequate measures to ensure that the projects would not displace protected minorities.” In addition to the gentrification of minority neighborhoods, AHF is tackling the issue of escalating rents. On Dec. 5, AHF announced it has secured nearly one million signatures — far more than the required 623,212 voter signatures needed — to qualify the Rental Affordability Act for placement on statewide ballots for November 2020. The RAA is sponsored by Housing Is A Human Right, AHF’s housing advocacy division. It is endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, Rep. Maxine Waters, and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, among others. If passed, the initiative would remove restrictions in state law to give cities and counties the ability to devise rent control policies that limit how much rents can increase each year. “Seventy-five percent of Californians hold a positive to very positive view of rent control,” Weinstein said at a Dec. 5 news conference. “The housing affordability and homelessness crises are the most pressing social justice and public health emergencies in our time, especially in Southern California. We must take action to stop it now. To that end, we intend to bring the issue directly to California voters next November.” Last year, a similar measure, Prop 10, was defeated. The effort cost $96.66 million – with Coalition for Affordable Housing raising $25.30 million (AHF contributed $22.52 million) and the A D V E R T INo S I on N GProp P R10 OO F estate PACs raising real $71.37 million. ISSUE DATE: 171208 SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Big PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of and Manufacturers Association) also 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 chipped in $500,000 to the No on 10 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 ONS campaign. When the medical news 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, organization STAT asked why, a PhRMA 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 your contract obligations with the claimed they had over liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred washington blade newspaper. This spokesperson includes but is not limited to placement, by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations payment and insertion schedule. and warranties. 900,000 people living and working in California (thus 2.3% of the state population) and they were concerned that the measure “…could make housing VALERIE M. BLAKE, Associate Broker, GRI, Director of Education & Mentorship harder to find,” according to a Sept. 20, Dupont Circle Office • 202-518-8781 (o) • 202.246.8602 (c) 2018 report on Business Wire. Valerie@DCHomeQuest.com • www.DCHomeQuest.com
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Weinstein has a long history of tangling with Big PhRMA, from the late 1980s when AIDS Hospice Foundation and ACT UP protested drug companies profiteering from outrageous drug pricing, to his lawsuits challenging Gilead Sciences drug patents making “untold billions off of tenofovir in its various treatment combinations since its introduction in 2001.” AHF’s lawsuits have paved the way for hundreds of other lawsuits, including a recent patent infringement case by the federal government involving Truvada. “A rift between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences ruptured further Wednesday when the Trump administration sued Gilead in U.S. District Court, asserting that Gilead made billions of dollars on HIV prevention therapy while repeatedly ignoring government patents,” the Washington Post reported Nov. 7. Weinstein is also a favorite target of critics who tend to repeat the same debunked claims, even into the pages of the New York Times. “To his many critics in AIDS activism, Weinstein is the Koch brothers of public health,” Christopher Glazek wrote in a New York Times feature story, citing a slew of old allegations, including “giving kickbacks to patients, overbilling government insurers.” “AHF has always been and remains clean as a whistle and at the same time, because our advocacy and our outspoken voice, we are a huge target,” Weinstein said. “Plus, oppression sickness that’s still very alive and kicking in the LGBT community does not allow anyone to rise to a level of leadership without being subjected to this kind of malicious attack.” Weinstein encourages simple fact checking. For instance, in the so-called “Whistleblower Kickback case” in Florida, the original judge validated the AHF clinic’s business model of giving bonuses to employees to get people tested and using incentives and gift cards for clients who returned for a second appointment, now a more common practice in public health. After the initial lawsuit by former employees failed, they went to both the U.S. Department of Justice and the state government alleging Medicare fraud – but both declined to pursue the case. CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
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D EC E MBE R 1 3 , 2 0 1 9 • WA SHINGTONBLA DE.CO M • 19
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BLUE CHRISTMAS A SERVICE OF HOPE AND COMFORT Are you struggling this Christmas because of loneliness, stress or grief ? This hour of hope and comfort may be the best gift you receive this year.
You are warmly invited
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 • 7pm The service will be held in the Sanctuary. Come as you are.
1328 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036 20 • WA S H IN GTO N B LAD E.CO M • D EC EM B ER 1 3 , 2 0 1 9
ROBYN OCHS
is a longtime LGBTQ rights advocate and editor of Bi Women Quarterly.
RICHARD J. ROSENDALL
is a writer and activist. Reach him at rrosendall@starpower.net.
VI E W PO I NT • DE CE M BER 13, 2019 • WA SHINGTONB L A DE . COM • 21
PETER ROSENSTEIN
is a D.C.-based LGBT rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.
BROCK THOMPSON
is a D.C.-based writer who contributes regularly to the Blade.
ROBYN OCHS
is a longtime LGBTQ rights advocate and editor of Bi Women Quarterly.
Bi, pan, queer people need the Equality Act’s protections
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The U.S. Supreme Court is considering three cases that could decide whether LGBTQ+ people will continue to be protected from discrimination under federal civil rights laws. As we wait for the justices’ critical and historic decision — which will literally determine how LGBTQ+ people live our lives in our own country — we must remain stalwart in our commitment to passing crucial legislation that finally clearly and fully protects from discrimination bisexual people, and those who identify as pansexual, sexually fluid or queer. People are often surprised to learn that bisexual people make up the single largest—and fastest-growing—group within the LGBTQ+ community. However, according to UCLA’s Williams Institute and the HRC Foundation’s research, about 50% of people who identify as either gay, lesbian or bisexual, identify as bisexual. Data compiled by the University of Chicago’s General Social Survey suggests that the number of openly bisexual Americans has tripled over the past decade. The Supreme Court’s decision in these cases could effectively decide whether to solidify or take away non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people under federal civil rights laws, which prohibit sex discrimination in contexts ranging from employment to housing, healthcare and education. The workplace—the location of discrimination in the three cases being considered at the Supreme Court—can be an especially difficult and distressing terrain for bisexual employees. And yet, many conversations regarding these cases—and workplace discrimination in general – have erased the bisexual community. HRC Foundation data shows that 37% of LGBTQ workers have heard bisexual-specific jokes in the workplace. A 2016 study by Prudential found that
bisexual women make nearly $10,000 less on average than their lesbian peers, and nearly $16,000 less than the average straight woman. A person’s sexual orientation should never be a barrier to achieving their professional or educational goals, raising a family or simply living their life in the public square without risk of discrimination. Regardless of how the Supreme Court decides, the Senate must join the House in acting immediately to pass the Equality Act to explicitly codify protections for the LGBTQ+ community and address the significant gaps in federal civil rights laws for everyone. The bipartisan legislation has growing, unprecedented support, including from nearly 70% of Americans, hundreds of members of Congress, more than 250 major businesses, more than 500 social justice, religious, medical and child welfare organizations and more than 60 national trade associations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and the Business Roundtable. This legislation would have a widespread and positive impact on the bisexual community. Currently, 50% of LGBTQ Americans live in the 29 states that still lack explicit statewide nondiscrimination protections, leaving them at risk of being fired, denied housing, or refused service because of who they are or who they love. This means, without the Equality Act, it is possible that a man living with his wife could be kicked out of his apartment if his landlord finds out he once dated a man. A bisexual woman could be fired from her job simply because of her sexual orientation. A pansexual person could be denied access to an LGBTQ-focused education or job training program because they are not seen as being gay “enough”— or too gay.
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HEALTH INSURANCE FOR DC RESIDENTS RICHARD J. ROSENDALL
Our country must live in us I know it’s time for holiday cheer when my building’s lobby is festooned with fake Christmas presents. Fortunately, nearby collection bins for coats and non-perishable food show the real spirit of giving. We are beset, however, by counterfeits. A Russian asset poses as an American patriot. Republicans vilify Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan for a punning reference to Barron Trump as if she had roasted and eaten him like the witch in a folktale, despite their own history of gleeful attacks on teens from Chelsea Clinton to Greta Thunberg. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich laments, “On the eve of Christmas it is really sad to see the dishonesty and the partisanship,” referring to Democrats, amazingly enough, considering that he himself impeached Bill Clinton six days before Christmas. Think of Donald Trump as a meaner, duller, and less competent version of Eddie Murphy’s Billy Ray Valentine in the 1983 film “Trading Places,” who is caught up in a wager between plutocrats over what will happen if they replace the managing director of their brokerage firm with a street hustler. In our case, the wagerer is Vladimir Putin, who helped dupe American voters into replacing a thoughtful and decent president with a mobbed-up developer to see if he could turn a republic into a third-rate crime syndicate. So far, Trump’s biggest hustle has been remarkably successful: he vandalizes our country by exploiting race- and class-based resentments to profiteer while posing as a reformer. Everyone is onto him except his diehard supporters. Last week, he made himself a laughingstock at the NATO meeting in London, while back in Washington, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked key committee chairs to start drafting articles of impeachment. Trump and his enablers seem to believe that crimes done in broad daylight are OK. As far as they are concerned, we are in a postfactual age. It is easy to wax self-righteous and hypocritical when glibness and shamelessness trump logic and evidence. It is easy to sell out your country when you convince yourself that the worst person is an agent of God while you yawn over the teachings of your Savior. Despite his threats to lock up Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server,
is a writer and activist. Reach him at rrosendall@starpower.net.
Trump routinely commits worse security breaches by using cell phones, in addition to constantly blabbing classified information. All but one House Republican voted against the Voting Rights Act restoration bill. They loved the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which gutted the VRA and paved the way for massive voter suppression in the name of fighting imaginary voter fraud. Republicans mock “do-nothing Democrats” while 275 House-passed bills await action on Mitch McConnell’s desk. A Daily Beast headline says, “ExInfowars Staffer: We Made Up Shariah Law Threat Stories.” Freedom of speech has become the refuge of disinformation ops. While Democratic candidates argue over healthcare and education, Trump regales a small business roundtable with ignorant musings on light bulbs and low-flush toilets. He waits for Senate Republicans to absolve him of corrupting the election so he can continue corrupting it, while impeachment critics tell us to resolve our concerns via the election as Rudy Giuliani returns to Ukraine. This is farce without laughter. Trayvon Martin’s murderer sues Martin’s family. Accused child molester Roy Moore, who narrowly lost an Alabama Senate race, rises again. The Border Patrol let a migrant teen die of untreated flu. The devil himself could not be more heartless. Pope Francis (@Pontifex) tweeted on Dec. 3, “God’s works begin by sprouting from a seed, from little things.” First we must see clearly. A demagogue’s incitements have swayed too many fellow citizens. He is at odds with reality, compassion, respect, and the Constitution. He has threatened civil war. Democracy cannot endure one group’s supremacy nor a leader who holds himself above the law and continually sows discord. Belief in our country requires upholding its values, as brave civil servants have done in the face of threats and slander. Against the aggressive lies, against the madness, let us not defeat ourselves by making the perfect the enemy of the good. Let us rebuild together with honesty, accountability, and hope. Copyright © 2019 by Richard J. Rosendall. All rights reserved.
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BROCK THOMPSON
PETER ROSENSTEIN
is a D.C.-based writer. He contributes regularly to the Blade.
Ignoring bullies only goes so far — just ask Jordan Steffy Have liberals finally learned to stand up for themselves? “Call me a faggot one more fucking time. . .” I must have watched it well over a dozen times. You might have too. That video clip of that gay teen somewhere in middle America who had finally had enough from his tormentor. The kid’s name is Jordan Steffy, the school, Indiana’s LaPorte High School. But it could have been any of us in any of the small-town cinderblock public schools we came from, the hallways we had to carefully navigate, the bullies we had to dodge. Time we had to bide. I think that’s why the clip was so popular. That and that glorious slap was something out of a Hollywood sound-effect studio. So perfect. Go watch it if you haven’t yet. “Because I am motherfucking done with you. . .” I wonder how far this kid had been pushed to get to that point? It also resonated because it could have been any of us really. And we sort of wish it was, right? Sweet justice for a bully. And frankly, I’ve always thought it a mistake to mislabel gays as cowards, people not willing to stand up for themselves. Truth be told, some of the gays I know in Washington are the most ruthless people I’ve ever met. Maybe the video and again that sweet slapping sound resonated perhaps because it represents a larger turn of the tide, or a least a change of tactics for some of us. This past week there were several headlines of liberals (finally) getting angry. Literally, go Google it. “Nancy Pelosi Gets Angry,” “Joe Biden Gets Angry.” And people largely responded well to it. Nancy Pelosi laid it out in no uncertain terms for a right-wing news journalist when asked if she hated President Trump. The look on her face says she might be a grandmother but she’s not putting up
with any of that crap. “Don’t mess with me,” she told him with a pointed finger. Joe Biden responded similarly when an Iowa voted rather foolishly gurgled up some Republican talking points. Anyone out there might want to rethink the whole past-his-prime narrative after seeing his reaction to the voter mentioning his son and supposed corruption. “You’re a damn liar,” Biden told the man. Perhaps both should have told their hecklers that they were “motherfucking done with you.” Maybe only a gay teen pushed too far can get away with that sort of colorful language. But, like that kid, I’ve always found it annoying and regrettable that liberals have the reputation of running out of the room as soon as the fight starts. Or that it seems that Democrats for some time were always bringing knives to gunfights. Or that any emotion, especially anger, is too much emotion. Maybe all that’s changing. Maybe it’s time to get a little angry. To start slapping back. Maybe I’m mistaken. But their side seems to have been pretty damn angry for some time. And don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should stoop to anyone’s level of pettiness and vitriol. But we should certainly stand up for ourselves when we find ourselves being horribly misrepresented, mischaracterized, or even pushed around. It might be the only language they understand. Going into next year, an election year, this is an important takeaway. Hindsight is 20/20 of course, but shouldn’t have John Kerry responded a bit more forcefully to being Swift-boated? Hillary Clinton more soundly to endless email drama? Ignoring bullies only goes so far. Just ask Jordan Steffy from LaPorte, Ind. He’ll tell you. Sometimes a little anger every now and then is worth it.
is a D.C.-based LGBT rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.
Giuliani, sleazy former mayor, now consigliere to the dregs Rudy Giuliani, once known as “America’s Mayor,” can now more appropriately be referred to as “America’s sleaziest Mayor” who is consigliere to some of the lowest dregs of the world. The lowest being President Trump. Aside from his public life Rudy is a scumbag in his personal life. While he sometimes claims that is no one’s business he has made it public. He has been married three times. First to his second cousin, Regina Peruggi, then to Donna Hanover and finally to his latest wife Judith Nathan, who recently filed for divorce. His second wife found out he was divorcing her when he announced it during a press conference. He slept with each future wife while still married to a current one and according to the third wife has done it again. A real class act. Judith Nathan told the New York Times, “I feel betrayed by a man that I supported in every way for more than 20 years. I’m sad to know that the hero of 9/11 has become a liar.” But then nothing about Rudy Giuliani shows any class and he has always been a liar. He tried to extend his term as mayor after 9/11 suggesting how important he was. Thankfully wiser heads prevailed. Today Rudy runs a law practice that does security work for foreign clients. According to ABC News, “Experts have said Giuliani’s more recent work for his various foreign clients — often brought up to the president’s attention — could fall under the category of activities that need to be registered and reported under the Foreign Agent Registration Act, also known as FARA. “It requires registration not just for lobbying, but for any activity that Giuliani intended to or believed might influence the U.S. government or the U.S. public with reference to any political interests of a foreign nation,” Josh Rosenstein (not a relative of mine), a lawyer with expertise in FARA compliance, told ABC News. “So grassroots work, media work, public relations work and speeches all may be covered.” We know his biggest client is the president of the United States. The interesting thing we are seeing at the moment is Rudy’s
lying for the president on TV, along with his interactions with members of Congress and foreign leaders, may actually be getting the president into deeper trouble. Recently it was reported by CNBC, “Rudy Giuliani says he believes President Donald Trump will remain loyal to him but jokes that he has ‘very, very good insurance’ should the president decide, as a reporter says, to ‘throw him under a bus.’” My take: when lawyers say this they aren’t joking and Rudy is from New York where you don’t need an OK from the person you are talking with to tape their calls. Rudy is a sleaze and may be venal but I give him credit for not being dumb. So I believe he has the goods on Trump. Now that may be important as according to Bloomberg LP “Now we are hearing Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, is being investigated by federal prosecutors for possible campaign finance violations and a failure to register as a foreign agent as part of an active investigation into his financial dealings, according to three U.S. officials.” Now Rudy is traveling in the Ukraine again. His longstanding ties to the Ukraine began in 2003 according to the Guardian. More recently the Guardian reported, “He announced that he was a lawyer for the president of the United States, that he was working for Donald Trump and there was nothing to hide,” said Andrii Telizhenko, a former Ukrainian embassy official who met with Giuliani in the U.S. over burgers and cigars. Giuliani’s ties became a U.S. political story when two Soviet-born American businessmen, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, helped connect Giuliani with powerful Ukrainian prosecutors who claimed to have information about a scandal tied to Biden’s son, Hunter, and in turn sought to trade in on Giuliani’s name to advance their own business interests. The pair were arrested on charges of violating campaign finance laws while attempting to travel to Vienna, shortly after they met with Giuliani in Washington, D.C.” It appears the law may finally be closing in on Giuliani and his main client the president of the United States.
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Vol. IV
Fun, fast & easy Eliminate stress from your holiday to do list with these last-minute gift ideas By ALEXANDRA RADOVIC
Who needs an ordinary candle when you can snag one with an icon or a bold statement? The Drake and Beyoncé candles at Urban Dwell run at $24, whereas the others go for $20.
To add extra sauce to any kitchen, these playful oven mitt and apron sets from Chocolate Moose (1743 L St., N.W.) make a laughable and functional stocking stuffer. Most sets run at $13 for mitts and $12 for aprons.
For $40 a piece, these GurglePots from Urban Dwell are definitely a conversation starter in any setting.
Take a walk into Urban Dwell this season (1837 Columbia Rd., N.W.) to find homey trinkets for all your friends and family who live (or decorate) outside the box. For $3.95, you can collect a bag of Kyanite, Quartz, Fluorite, Citrine and Amethyst to sprawl through your center piece or toss in a clear vase.
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Editor’s note: This is part four of four 2019 Blade holiday gift guides. Previous installments (pop culture, home and hot this year) are online at washingtonblade.com.
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Annapolis a good destination for holiday shopping The Circle Gallery (18 State Circle, Annapolis, Md.) offers new showing from local artists that can certainly add personality to your decorating style this season. This set of “The Swim Club” sells for $150 per head/“swim cap.”
This piece, “Aperture to the Void,” is a creative way queer gift givers can challenge or embrace masculinity. It currently runs in The Circle Gallery for $120.
These witty hand towels at Surf’s Up go for $10 as well.
Surf’s Up Candle (234 Main St, Annapolis, Md.) adds a beachy twist to an otherwise chilly season. All-natural soy-based candles, with phrases like “Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle” run typically at $10.
The boutique has also teamed up with “Love Is” project, which supports artisans in Indonesia, Vietnam, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bhutan and India. A bracelet for your loved one costs $30, as well as the tote.
Lou Lou Boutique (locations in Washington, Fairfax, Alexandria and more in the region) offers modern décor and trendy trinkets that make handy grab bag gifts. The graphic mugs sell for $22 and the inspirational bracelet/card sets go for $24.
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Vol. IV
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28
Area mall kiosks stock Pride ornaments Annapolis Pottery (40 State Cir, Annapolis, Md.) has something colorful for all tastes. These psychedelic vases currently range from $116-264 and the bubble clock opens up any room at $56.95.
Stockings to Stuf, a kiosk in the Francis Scott Key Mall (5500 Buckeystown Pike) in Frederick, Md., has LGBT-themed ornaments such as grooms (sadly no lesbian couples!) and “Love is Love.” $11.99 each. Barefoot Dwelling (65 Maryland Ave, Annapolis, Md.), a vintage interior decorating store downtown offers candles such as: “Stay Weird: as if you had a choice” ($25) and “Bad-Ass Bitch Balm” ($4).
Also at the Francis Scott Key Mall and other malls in the region, Spencer’s has its own version of a “Love is Love” ornament ($9.99) and equality mug (also $9.99).
For the local music lover on your list, this Anthem Pride Tee, a black, unisex 100 percent cotton T-shirt, is $20 and celebrates one of D.C.’s hippest venues. Available at the Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) or online at merch.930.com.
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‘L Word: Generation Q’ features a more diverse cast of new characters. Photo courtesy Showtime
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‘L Word’ — the next generation Classic lesbian-themed Showtime ’00s hit returns By SUSAN HORNIK “Roseanne” (aka “The Conners”), “Fuller House,” “Charmed,” “Will & Grace” — reboots are all the rage on TV. Now it’s “The L Word’s” turn as Showtime revives the classic lesbian-themed series, which ran from 2004-2009. Now called “The L Word: Generation Q,” the original cast members — Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Kate Moennig and creator Ilene Chaiken — along with newbie stars Jacqueline Toboni, Arienne Mandi, Leo Sheng, Rosanny Zayas, Jordan Hull, Sepideh Moafi, Jillian Mercado, were all at the recent red carpet premiere. Also present was executive show runner/executive producer Marja-Lewis Ryan, Darren Criss, Cyndi Lauper and Cybil Shepherd. Viewers attending the premiere had all the feels about the show’s Dec. 8 return. Eight episodes have been ordered. It airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. The first episode is available to stream at show.com/lwordgenq. Said Courtney Kist in a tweet: “I went to a pre-screening of ‘The L Word: Generation Q’ hosted by @them and @ Showtime and Im feeling EMOTIONAL abt how I used to watch the OG series with the volume all the way down in my parents living room and last night I watched it holding my partners hand in a
theater of queers.” “As it turns out a lot of people were in a similar place last night and I just feel lucky that we were all there in our feelings together, watching this show that will hopefully continue to give us a place to see ourselves and our community represented,” Kist wrote. At the Television Critics Press Tour, Chaiken talked about the reboot. “The world has changed a lot in these 10 years and lesbians still belong on television,” Chaiken said. “We’re telling the stories about what’s happened in those 10 years, where we are now and where we’re headed.” Chaiken continued: “The feeling was mounting that we should bring the show back ... the world of these characters was beloved ... it came together in a moment. And then what made it really happen was finding someone, Marja, who had something really fresh to say and who knew how to carry it forward.” For Beals, what’s intrigued her about this new series was the chance to expand the discussion about sexuality and gender identification. “You know, when we were starting the show, nonbinary was a mathematical term, and now we talk about it in terms
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of identity,” Beals said. “And we’re being able in this new iteration of the show to talk about all the other ways that we now talk about gender identity and sexuality.” Beals pointed out how the Trump administration has an impact on the series. “I think with this administration, they have given people permission to say really hateful things and they are perpetrating hateful things. I’m hoping that the Equal Rights Amendment can be passed for many, many reasons, but not the least of which that if you’re LGBTQ, you can be fired from your job still in 26 states. You know, you can be denied housing in 26 states. And so, certainly we haven’t reached any kind of state of equality, but I think that’s also the power of storytelling can help that issue.” Beals remembered the first time she watched “The L Word” onscreen. “I usually don’t watch myself at all and Ilene made me watch the first four episodes in a row. And when I came out of the show and I walked outside and I saw all these heterosexual couples, it was really kind of odd, because you’ve been living in this other reality. … You saw these people loving each other and wishing for happiness, and it just seemed completely normal, as it should be,” she said.
“But the culture is telling you, ‘Oh, no. This is abnormal.’ And it is not abnormal. You know, everybody wants to find love. Everybody wants to find happiness. So I think in that way, storytelling can then give you an affinity for the characters. They can have you feel compassion and empathy and you want this character to be with this character. And you don’t care if it’s two women or two men or whatever. You don’t care, because love is love and it’s an energy that’s not defined by gender or sexual preference.” Hailey loves the inter-generational quality “Generation Q” has. “I think it’s actually interesting, that conversation between a newer generation and older generation of, like, who’s done the marches, who’s broken those barriers down,” she said. “I’m always personally trying to respect anyone who came before our show, and I think that’s an important conversation to always have. But it’s also really interesting to learn from a new generation as well. What they have to teach us is part of what we can’t wait to tell on the show.”
SE E PAGE 3 4 F O R A RE V IE W O F “ THE L WO RD : GE NE RATIO N Q”
The gals are back
First four episodes engrossing, promising for ‘L Word’ reboot By SARAH TOCE
“The L Word: Generation Q” debuted on Showtime this week, breaking a global Sapphic fast lasting over a decade. The expectation by fans and industry leaders to deliver an adequate, if not above par, script was surpassed exponentially with the premiere of this reinvented treatment by original series creator Ilene Chaiken and executive producer Marja-Lewis Ryan. Dubbed by Showtime as “a bold new show, for a bold new generation,” the thoughtprovoking storyline captured the essence of the LGBTQ culture spanning, literally, generations. Old and new fans of the show should watch and take heed: this isn’t your mother’s “L Word.” Original series cast members Jennifer Beals (Bette Porter), Kate Moennig (Shane McCutcheon) and Leisha Hailey (Alice Pieszecki) were each given dedicated screen time to reprise their roles and placement in lesbian cultural iconic history, resulting in a hodgepodge of storylines tilted here and there. The result was a reunion in the city that birthed them right in front of our eyes — Los Angeles, baby! I’ve had the opportunity to review the first four episodes of “The L Word: Generation Q” and, like a vintage red wine at Jenny Schechter’s memorial service, this show ages with ease. Spoiler alert: This is where you leave if you don’t want to know what happens next. Shane is married and avoiding deliverance of divorce papers like the plague (it’s complicated), Alice is in a relationship with a divorcee with kids and has her own televised talk show (where, oddly, they don’t mention The Chart, but they do talk about vaginal rejuvenation and coffee preferences, not related), and Bette has hot flashes. Tina (Laurel Holloman), although not on-screen for the first four episodes at least, makes a substantial impact in the storyline whenever Bette fails to parent Angelica “properly.” Oh, and for loyal viewers of the original series, did you catch the Easter
From left JENNIFER BEALS, ALICIA HAILEY and KATHERINE MOENNIG in ‘The L Word: Generation Q.’ Photo courtesy Showtime
egg in Angelica’s room during the first episode? There’s artwork hanging on the walls and Mama T is an artist by trade in real life. Time to pull the band aid off: Jenny (Mia Kirshner) is referenced in “Gen Q,” but only when Bette is forced to reveal skeletons in her closet during her mayoral campaign. About that, remember the time Bette had sex with a married woman? That comes back to bite her in the ass as well and the relationship might still have legs. While I wouldn’t quite call the introduction of the new “Gen Q” cast members a hand-off, it might be more or less appropriately referred to as a training sesh for both generations equally involved. The new cast is decidedly more diverse than the original cast, with representation by a transgender actor and several queer people of color. Bette and relative newcomer Arienne Mandi, who plays ultra-fly PR
exec Dani Nùñez, are a prime example of the generations coming together for a common story. Although the two originally butt heads, the stand-off at the end of episode one puts them on the same team where they stand the chance to win it all. As the series progresses, Bette helps Dani with defining her own terms (“How do you sleep at night?”) and Dani helps Bette recover from scars of the past. Bette and Dani could learn a few things about matters of private conscience, but they have room to unite immediately on issues concerning public grit and determination. And we can’t wait to see how their lives continue to intersect on the campaign trail. This brings us to Shane and her minime, played by the gorgeous Jaqueline Toboni as Sarah Finley. “Finley” is a captivating new addition to the drama, much like Shane was in the original. Some might argue she demands screen time even more so with her ingénue approach
and contagiously wide smile. Finley and Shane connect while discussing their living situations and, to cut to the chase, end up cohabitating in Shane’s massive complex. Sexual escapades in need of fine tuning are no match for the older but wiser Shane as she reluctantly takes Finley under her wing. With her divorce papers not even signed, Shane buys a lesbian bar for a new fling, who happens to be married herself. Lonesome Shane strikes again, but with a ton more money this time around. What else will she do? Trans man Leo Sheng enters the scene as professor Micah Lee, a tender heart with the desire to carve out a spot all his own. In the handful of the first few episodes, we watch as Micah blossoms through love, heartache and a deeper understanding of what it means to live an authentic life — awkward first dates and all. Rosanny Zayas plays Alice’s TV producer Sophie Suarez, an attractive sweetheart who captures Dani’s heart, but also challenges her to rise up and become her own person outside of her family’s fortune and expectations. Sophie works and lives alongside not only her new fiancé Dani, but also Finley (for a time) and Micah in Koreatown. This new group of close-knit friends resembles the old guard, but with a fresh new twist. “Gen Q” cameos so far include lesbian staples Fortune Feimster and soccer champion Megan Rapinoe. Admittedly, if one considers oneself to be anti-label or not a lesbian so much as expected by societal norms, there’s still much to be found in this reboot. “Gen Q” establishes the art of selfdiscovery whether queer, bi, gay, lesbian, trans, gender non-conforming, and on and on down the line of alphabet soup — an antiquated term that might not even be appropriate to use anymore, but the closest thing possible to explaining that if you are a human being, you will be moved by “Gen Q.” Find out more of the scoop by visiting sho.com/the-l-wordgeneration-q and following @sarahtoce on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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QUEERY Kathi Wolfe Washington Blade photo by Michael Key
QUEERY: Kathi Wolfe
The poet and Blade columnist answers 20 queer questions By JOEY DIGUGLIELMO JOEYD@WASHBLADE.COM
Kathi Wolfe’s path to poetry was circuitous. She’d written some poetry in childhood but a poetry workshop in grad school deflated her. “The teacher, a famous poet, after accepting me as a student, told me I had no talent and no business being there,” Wolfe says. “He was right. Then my poetry sucked.” But the death of her partner Anne from cancer at age 46 both devastated Wolfe and got her writing again. She took classes at a writer’s center in Bethesda and started going to open mics. Since then, she’s identified as a poet. “I like the concision and precision of poetry,” the Salem, N.J., native says. “Whether you write in form or free verse, writing poems enables you to tell stories. … A good poet in a one-page poem or even a haiku can do what a fab novelist does in a 500-page novel.” “Love and Kumquats,” Wolfe’s fourth book, was released this fall (it’s $17 at itascabooks.com or Amazon). It
features 80 of Wolfe’s works. Wolfe unabashedly weaves being queer into her work. She averages one new poem a week. They’re typically a page or a half-page long. “My work has a queer sensibility,” she says. “It’s what informs the pain, humor — being an outsider, passion for justice — that permeates many of my poems.” In 2020, Wolfe plans a book of poems related to movies, everything from the classics to new stuff streaming on Netflix. She has readings planned at Zed’s (8225 George Ave., Silver Spring) on March 6 and at the Clemson University Literary Festival on April 3. Wolfe, a Boomer and widow, is single and lives in Falls Church, Va. She came to Washington in 1991 to work at an advocacy center for people with disabilities. She is a long-time Blade columnist. Wolfe enjoys following the Nats and old Hollywood movies (“Bette and Joan forever!,” she says) in her free time.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? Since my early 20s. The hardest person to tell was my Aunt Manci. Anne and I visited her in the 1990s. I was worried how she’d take my being queer, but it was great! She said, “She loves you! You’re so lucky!” Who’s your LGBTQ hero? Pauli Murray. She was an AfricanAmerican lawyer, civil rights advocate and one of the first to be ordained as an Episcopal priest. What LGBTQ stereotype most annoys you? The idea that we’re out to convert hetero people into being queer. Thankfully, I think this stereotype’s dying out. What’s your proudest professional achievement? A woman who was blind and queer emailed me. She said after reading my poetry, she felt better able to deal with homophobia and ableism. What terrifies you? Being unable to write. Hate crimes against queers, people of color, immigrants, disabled folks — any group. What’s something trashy or vapid you love? I love watching Flintstones cartoons. There’s something about Betty and Wilma. Some kinda queer thing going on.
What’s your greatest domestic skill? If you can think of one, let me know! I’m good at washing dishes. What’s your favorite LGBTQ movie or show? “Grace and Frankie” What’s your social media pet peeve? The humble brag. What would the end of the LGBTQ movement look like to you? We wouldn’t have to worry about homophobia or transphobia. “Liberal” hetero people would no longer congratulate themselves on how comfortable they are with queers. What’s the most overrated social custom? Having to respond instantly to texts. What was your religion, if any, as a child? As a child, Groucho Marx was the saint in our house. My parents were Jewish-agnostic. They loved Pope John 23 and Vatican II. Now, I’m a hopeful agnostic. I pray to God though I’m often angry or disbelieving of Her. What’s D.C.’s best hidden gem? Tryst at the Phillips in the Vradenburg Cafe at the Phillips.
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What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment in your lifetime? Aretha Franklin singing at Obama’s 2009 inauguration. What celebrity death hit you the hardest? Doris Day If you could redo one moment from your past, what would it be? Losing my temper with my grandmother after my mother, who was her child, died. I wish my young self hadn’t done that. What are your obsessions? “Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf, dogs, old Hollywood movies. Finish this sentence – It’s about damn time: … that people stopped being so prejudiced against those different from them. What do you wish you’d known at 18? That I knew so little. That it’s often better to be kind than to be right. Why Washington? People in the D.C. area are from all over the world. There are museums, restaurants with any type of food you can think of. We have the cherry blossoms!
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Counterclockwise from left: JOHN WATERS returns for his annual Birchmere holiday raunch fest Dec. 18 Photo courtesy Admire Entertainment; Queer band BETTY returns to hometown D.C. for a concert Dec. 15 at City Winery Photo by Gene Reed and the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs has its holiday mixer at Pitchers Dec. 19 Washington Blade photo by Michael Key
Mayor’s Office to hold mixer The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs Holiday Mixer celebrates the season Thursday, Dec. 19 from 6-9 p.m. at Pitchers (2317 18th St., N.W.). All are welcome to attend this annual free event. The mayor’s office invites the community including family and friends to enjoy an evening of dancing, light fare and all night drink specials. The event is hosted by the mayor’s LGBTQ affairs team which provides outreach and public education activities, while advising the D.C. government on the needs of LGBTQ residents. For more information and to RSVP, visit lgbtqmixer2019.eventbrite.com.
Hoe Hoe Hoe The Bear Cave #HoeHoeHoe Party hosted by Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) kicks off Saturday, Dec. 21 at 9 p.m. There is no cover for this 21-and-up event featuring music by D.J. Popperz and go go entertainment by Pup Indigo and Badger. Bear Can Party presents music from across genres for dancers to feel the holiday spirit during this all night party. Visit greenlanterndc.com for more information on this and other events on the Green Lantern calendar.
Peach Pit returns Dec. 21 The Peach Pit ’90s Dance Party gets into gear 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at the DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.). Tickets are $5 before midnight, $8 after, and are available at the door. Must be over 21. Resident DJ Matt Bailer of Mixtape fame spins ’90s hits all night long including retro holiday favorites to keep revelers in a merry mood. Mixtape, formerly a monthly dance party hosted by DJs Bailer and Shea Van Horn, featured an eclectic mix of music during its popular run on the area club circuit. Bailer once more brings the energy to the DC9. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the party begins at 10:30. More information on this and a host of other holiday events available at dc9.club.
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TODAY
Sunday, Dec. 15
Tuesday, Dec. 17
The Smithsonian Zoolights exhibit continues tonight at 5 p.m. at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). This free event includes live music, winter treats and holiday shopping. More information available at national zoo.si.edu. Holiday Bear Bust with D.J. Shea Van Horn is tonight at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) at 8 p.m. Festivities run all night with $30 bottomless select craft beer and cider and selfies with naughty Santa. For more information on this and other holiday events, visit redbear.beer. Get on Bad! hosted by West Indian, Caribbean and African Lesbians in the region is tonight at 10 p.m. at XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.). D.J. Elle Groove spins dancehall all night for this 21-and-over event. Tickets are $5 at the door or on eventbrite.com. Birds of Prey Drag Show and Dance Party hosted by the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) is tonight. Show starts at 10:30 p.m. followed by a dance party. Details on this and other events at dceagle.com. Glo Underwear Dance Party featuring D.J.s Ultra and Phoenix is tonight at 10 p.m. at Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.). $5 cover. Visit greenlanterndc. com for more information.
TranSwap: Fall Edition presented by DCATS and Casa Ruby is today from noon-3 p.m. at The Eaton Hotel (1201 K St., N.W.). Gender nonconforming folks invited to share fall clothes in an affirming environment. Free mending by Sew Queer. More information about the event and donations on the DCATS Facebook page. Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington continues its Holiday Show today at 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). Tickets start at $25 at thelincolndc. com. Queer Grrrl Movie Night Holigays 2019 is tonight from 7-11 p.m. at Right Proper Brewing Company (624 T St., N.W.). All genders, sexualities and presentations welcome to celebrate queer womxn in film. More information on this event and the venue on Facebook events and rightproperbrewing.com. Appalasia, a fusion trio from Pittsburgh, will provide live musical accompaniment to a screening today at 2 p.m. of the silent D.W. Griffith melodrama “Broken Blossoms” (1919), which tells of an outsider named Cheng Huan (Richard Barthelmess), a Buddhist who leaves China and travels West to spread a message of peace. The film has been cited as having a coded/possibly gay hero. Appalasia will perform with erhu (a traditional Chinese instrument), banjo and dulcimer. It’s at the Freer Gallery in the National Gallery of Art (1050 Independence Ave.) and is free. BETTY, a queer band that started in Washington, returns for a show tonight at 7:30 p.m. at City Winery (1350 Okie St., N.W.). They’re planning a holiday show that includes “original songs about joy, love, longing, sex, food, heartbreak and the highs and lows of the holidays.” The band is Amy Ziff, Elizabeth Ziff and Alyson Palmer. Tickets are $30-45 at citywinery.com.
A holiday mixer hosted by The National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals is tonight 5:307 p.m. at Number Nine (1435 P St., N.W.). The Association is a nonprofit advocating for homeownership and wealth creation for LGBT people. Register for this free event on eventbrite.com. The End Violence Ki Ki Ball hosted by HIPS is tonight at 6 p.m. at Ziegfeld’s Secrets D.C. (1824 Half St., S.W.). Show starts at 7 p.m. with guest host Rayceen Pendarvis. For more information, visit endviolencekikiball.com or hips.org. The Bi Roundtable Discussion is tonight from 7-8 p.m. at the D.C. Center. Discuss bisexuality and related issues in a private setting. More information available at thedccenter.org.
Saturday, Dec. 14
More Dik fun Desiree Dik’s holiday drag extravaganza Dik in a Box sets things off Saturday, Dec. 21 from 9-11 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). Friends, Family and Red Bear regulars can enjoy drag performances with a seasonal spin by Bombalicious Eklaver, Chastity Vain, Geneva Confectionn and more. Host Desiree brings her usual flair to this festive event. Visit redbear.beer for more information.
Arty Queers: The Holiday Edition hosted by Center Arts is today from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., Suite 105). The center’s monthly indoor LGBTQ art market features original artwork for sale to support the community. Visit thedccenter.org for more information. Glam Box hosts Holiday Glamour Shots at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 5-8 p.m. An evening of retro mall merriment complete with lasers, make up and winter scenery. D.J. Joann Fabrixx spins. For more information, visit Glam Box on Facebook events. Christmas, Mary! hosted by D.J. Travis Island is at Uproar lounge and restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. All diva videos all night from Mariah and Beyoncé to Ariana. Details on Facebook events. Avalon Saturdays presents A Naughty XXXmas Party with D.J. Steve Sidewalk tonight at 10 p.m. at Soundcheck (1420 K St., N.W.). $20 general admission tickets and $25 VIP until 10 p.m. Tickets and details on eventbrite.com. The Coven’s Holi-Slay is tonight at 10 p.m. in the Satellite Room (2047 9th St., N.W.) with a $10 cover for 21 and over. Free admission and one free drink to first 100. More information about the venue at satellitedc.com.
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Monday, Dec. 16 Queering Up for the Holidays, a poetry reading and open mic event hosted by the Line hotel (1770 Euclid St., N.W.) is tonight from 7-9 p.m. It’s presented by OutWrite and co-curated by Marlena Chertock and Dave Ring. Hosted by comic Andi Basto. More information available on OutWrite’s Facebook page. Love is Love LGBT Book Club meets today at 7 p.m. at the Shirlington branch of the Arlington public library (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va.). Bring your favorite book to share. For ages 18 and up, no registration required. Details at library.arlingtonva.us.
Wednesday, Dec. 18 Bookmen D.C., an informal men’s gayliterature group meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center to discuss “Speak My Language and Other Stories,” a gay anthology edited by U.K.-based journalist Torsten Hojer. All are welcome. Visit bookmendc.blogspot. com for more information. Karaoke Night starts at 9 p.m. tonight at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.), presented by D&K sounds. More information on this and other events at dceagle.com. Queer film director John Waters brings his annual Christmas show to the Birchmere (3701 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria) tonight at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are $55 at birchmere.com.
Thursday, Dec. 19 Artists and Makers Studios 1 Parklawn (11810 Parklawn Dr., Suite 2010, Rockville, Md.) hosts Three Visually Rich Exhibits with viewing hours today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Featuring gallery exhibits “Be Still My Life” by Teresa Jarzynski, “May Beauty Follow” by Vladimir Zabavskiy and “Doors of Distinction” by Jenny Nordstrom. All are welcome to this free event. More information at artistsandmakersstudios.com. The Lez Be Merry Pre-Christmas Party hosted by Ceo Blade Jones is tonight at 9 p.m. at the Red Lounge (2013 14th St., N.W.). Donate a toy for free entry before 10 p.m. $5 without toy before 11, $10 after all night. Visit redloungebar. com for venue information. Event details on Facebook events.
This Week in the Arts provided by CultureCapital.com L’Enfance Du Christ. Thru Dec 14. In Series at Foundry United Methodist Church. inseries.org. 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 Asaph Dance Ensemble: Clara’s Christmas. Dec 15. Hylton Center. hyltoncenter.org. The Hip Hop Nutcracker. Dec 17-Dec 19. Strathmore. strathmore.org.
The Christmas Revels: Celestial Fools Dec 13-15. Washington Revels. revelsdc.org.
Our cast of over 100, ages 9-90, invites you to join tradition bearers Karim Nagi, Shizumi Shigeto Manale and Mark Novak for this timeless fable. Sing along and dance through the aisles to eclectic instrumentals by Seth Kibel, Vladimir Fridman and Bob Abbott, with the glorious tones of the Washington Revels Brass.
Gloria! A Baroque Italian Christmas Dec 13-18. Folger Consort at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church. folger.edu.
Written around 1715, the piece was first performed by the all-female choir and orchestra of the Ospedale della Pietà, composed entirely of young women and directed by Vivaldi himself. Other seasonal music from the Italian High Baroque includes Alessandro Scarlatti’s Christmas Cantata and Corelli’s magnificent Christmas Concerto.
Heifetz Holiday Concert Dec 19. The Kreeger Museum. kreegermuseum.org.
Returning to The Kreeger Museum for an annual favorite, the Heifetz International Music Institute is dedicated to the artistic growth and career development of some of the most talented and promising young musicians in the world. This special program features Heifetz Institute graduates presenting a holiday-infused program of Baroque favorites, classical masterworks, and music for the season.
Candlelight Tours Commemorating Christmas 1899 Dec 11-19. Tudor Place. tudorplace.org.
Tour the mansion by “candlelight,” viewing unique decorations and installations inspired by 1899 holiday celebrations, hear Peter family stories, and enjoy period refreshments in the Conservatory. In 1899, families in America celebrated not only the holidays, but the turn of a new century. That Christmas, four generations of the Peter family gathered to mark the season together. Photo Courtesy of Washington Revels
THEATRE A Chorus Line. Thru Jan 4. A Motown Christmas. Thru Dec 21. Signature Theatre. sigtheatre.org. A Christmas Carol. Thru Dec 29. Singin’ In The Rain. Thru Jan 5. Olney Theatre. olneytheatre.org. Amadeus. Thru Dec 22. Folger Theatre. folger.edu.
An Irish Carol. Thru Dec 31. Keegan Theatre. keegantheatre.com. Come From Away. Thru Jan 5. My Fair Lady. Dec 17-Jan 19. 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.
MUSIC A Bohemian Christmas. Dec 16. Atlas. atlasarts.org. A Celtic Christmas. Dec 13. Outside the Bachs. Dec 15. Seth Kibel & the Kleztet. Dec 18. AMP. ampbystrathmore.com. A Celtic Christmas. Thru Dec 15. Helicon: Winter Solstice. Dec 14. Dumbarton Concerts. dumbartonconcerts.org. Art Ensemble of Chicago50th Anniversary. Dec 14. Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. Holiday Pops. Dec 14. Vienna Boys Choir. Dec 13. Mason’s Center for the Arts. cfa.gmu.edu. Holiday Pops. Dec 13. Resounding Joy. Dec 14. Hylton Center. hyltoncenter.org. Celebrate Chanukah. Dec 15. Pozez JCC at Congregation Adat Reyim. jccnv.org. Cool Yule with Rochelle Rice. Dec 14. Arts on the Green at Arts Barn. gaithersburgmd.gov. Handel’s Messiah. Dec 19-Dec 22. A Holiday Pops! with Leslie Odom, Jr. Dec 13-Dec 14. NSO at Kennedy Center. kennedy-center.org. Miró Quartet | Antonio Stradivari Memorial Concert. Dec 18. Library of Congress. loc.gov. The Holiday Show. Dec 14-Dec 15. Gay Men’s Chorus at Lincoln Theatre. gmcw.org. The Stars Looked Down. Dec 14-Dec 15. Voce Chamber Singers at Church of The Holy Comforter. voce.org. Yearning to Breathe Free. Dec 15. Embassy Series at The James Monroe House. embassyseries.org.
MUSEUMS
Anacostia Neighborhood Library. Right to the City @Anacostia Neighborhood Library. Thru Apr 20. anacostia.si.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. Live Dangerously. Thru Jan 20. New York Ave Sculpture Project. Thru Sep 20. nmwa.org. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian. Women of Progress: Early Camera Portraits. Thru May 31. Storied Women of the Civil War Era. Thru May 8. npg.si.edu. Postal Museum. None Swifter Than These: 100 Years of Diplomatic Couriers. Thru Jan 26. postalmuseum.si.edu.
GALLERIES Arlington Artists Alliance. A Taste of Winter. Thru Dec 27. Color Solo Show by Rebecca McNeely. Thru Jan 4. arlingtonartistsalliance.org. Arlington Arts Center. Assembly 2019. Thru Dec 22. arlingtonartscenter.org. DC Arts Center. Some Things Old/Most Things New - Explorations at Gravity Press by Alec Simpson. Thru Jan 12. Out of Joint - Small Drawing by Karen Schiff. Thru Feb 23. dcartscenter.org. Hill Center. Hill Center Galleries. Thru Feb 1. hillcenterdc.org. Korean Cultural Center DC. Recollection: Reinterpreting Tradition and Heritage. Thru Jan 3. koreaculturedc.org. Pozez JCC. Open Exhibition. Thru Jan 13. jccnv.org. Zenith Gallery. 6@35 - Fabricating Culture. Thru Jan 4. Small Treasures. Thru Jan 11. zenithgallery.com.
AU Museum at the Katzen. A New Community of Women, 1855-2020. Thru Dec 15. Fair is foul & foul is fair. Thru Dec 15. american.edu.
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A U Street Corridor resident, Strasser is currently single (he likes guys who wear glasses). And while he has connected with the D.C. theater scene, he’s not averse to taking on additional far-flung gigs.
GREGORY KENG STRASSER hungers for more international theatrical collaboration. Photo by Hannah Ervin; courtesy 4615
‘Infinite’ possibility
Young Chinese-American director/ playwright explores Irish mythology By PATRICK FOLLIARD
Out director and playwright Gregory Keng Strasser palpably exudes energy, artistic ambition and curiosity. It’s these traits that fuel his avid pursuit of storytelling and collaboration at home and abroad. Strasser, 25, was born in China and brought up mostly in Michigan. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in directing, he relocated to D.C. and became affiliated with the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics and 4615 Theatre Company. He’s now the 2020 Allen Lee Hughes Directing Fellow at Arena Stage. Besides Washington, he’s had work produced Bangkok, Holstebro (Denmark), New York City, Ann Arbor and Detroit. At age 6, Strasser was introduced to Irish mythology through a beautifully illustrated storybook. The tales impressed him deeply, prompting him to revisit the tales over the years. Today he’s directing his own adaptation of those myths titled “The Infinite Tales,” now making its world premiere at 4615 Theatre Company in Bethesda. Crossing time and space, “The Infinite Tales” follows the journey of four children cast out from their homeland and cursed to live as swans for 900 years. Facing incredible odds, they remain hopeful that one day they’ll go home again. But over time, their country and its people change, creating additional challenges for the misplaced quartet. It’s a story of place and the Irish diaspora.
WASHINGTON BLADE: What is it about Irish mythology for you? GREGORY KENG STRASSER: Initially it was that book, “The Names Upon the Harp,” illustrated by P.J. Lynch. The cover features a gorgeous woman casting a spell on four swans. When I stumbled upon it, I already loved fairy tales and the Chinese myths that I’d heard from my mother. But what I liked about these Irish stories is that they weren’t happily ever after. I loved how grown up they were even though they were about magic. BLADE: When did you first incorporate these legends into your work? STRASSER: In my senior year of college, I was tasked with writing a play. Mine was about refugee children and storytelling. I needed something to wrap it up so I finished it off with a story about home, “The Children of Lir,” one of the tales from “The Names Upon the Harp.” I drew from that. My play wasn’t great but it had potential. Even then, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. But I needed to graduate and do other things first, so I stored it away for a while. BLADE: What brought you to D.C.? STRASSER: I needed a job desperately. Shanghai Media Group saw something in me — probably foremost that I speak Mandarin — and they hired me as an assistant content producer. It was a great company to work for even though they were making propaganda, and the job allowed me stability and a way to explore the city. I only stayed with them for six months, but it was my way into D.C. where I found my way into the theater scene. My end goal was always theater. I began networking and eventually met Natsu Onoda Power and Derek Goldman, both playwrights and directors. Through them I was introduced to the Laboratory for Global Performance of Politics at Georgetown University and made connections in Europe and Asia. Also, I became connected with Rorschach Theatre. Rorschach gave me my first production, Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig’s “410[GONE],” a take on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice set in the world of Chinese mythology and technology. At the time, my family was reeling from a near tragedy, so the experience was cathartic. It was a big play to direct and I was just 23, but it was perfect for me. BLADE Would you describe “The Tales of the Infinite” as big?
STRASSER: Yes, definitely. It’s broad and expansive with music, puppetry and movement that borders on dance. It has a cast of nine. It’s a gigantic adventure, an epic journey, a quest about survival and hope, as well as an internal journey of endurance and the reliance on self and a radical transformation of your heart. It’s born from a deep love of these stories and our shared humanity. We’re on different journeys but we intersect at some point. It’s about those shared intersections. BLADE: Is there any LGBT content or themes in what you’re doing with the stories? STRASSER: There is, but you must mine those values. The stories are about homeland, ostracization. I think the older LGBT generation might relate better because they’ve gone through trauma of coming out in an unwelcoming society. And that’s changed a trauma free — well not for everyone everywhere. BLADE: And how was coming out for you? STRASSER: Actually, not easy. I was forced out at 17 when my parents caught me and my then-boyfriend together in my room. My mother is Chinese and very traditional and my father is from the conservative part of Michigan. There were a few tense months at home before I felt for college. Thankfully they didn’t take away my tuition money. I used to believe that my mother was a backward-thinking Trump supporter, the antithesis of me. Then I sat down and did her oral history and realized I was wrong. She survived the Tiananmen Square protests. She was sick of government oppression and having no career opportunities as a woman. She wanted out. So, when she met my white American father and was offered a way to leave, she took it. In her view, I didn’t realize how lucky I was just to be living here. Why make things difficult? My father is naturally curious. He looks for answers, asks people for advice. It’s gotten better. BLADE: Is D.C. home ? STRASSER: It’s a base where I’m building a foundation. There are great opportunities to connect and collaborate here, but I still really want to do things in other countries. I’m in love with the world and in love with international collaboration.
‘The Infinite Tales’ Through Dec. 29 4615 Theatre Company The Writer’s Center 4508 Walsh St. Bethesda, Md. $16.50-20 4615theatre.com
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FROM TOP: SCARLET JOHANSSON and ADAM DRIVER in ‘Marriage Story.’ Photo by William Webb; courtesy Netflix and DOLLY PARTON in ‘Heartstrings,’ a limited series run of dramatizations of her hit songs. Photo by Tina Rowden; courtesy Netflix
A divorce and a wedding Two new Netflix offerings are poignant, inclusive
By BRIAN T. CARNEY
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When it comes to diversity in general, and LGBT representation in particular, two recent debuts on Netflix show how to get the job done right. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, the gripping “Marriage Story” centers on the divorce of Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlet Johansson), a power couple in the New York theater scene with an 8-year old son (Azhy Robertson). He’s a famous director and she’s his leading lady, but she’s been offered the chance to star in a television show in Los Angeles. Her imminent departure forces them to realize that their marriage is over, but they decide to divorce amicably and minimize the involvement of lawyers. Things change when Nicole gets to L.A. and is advised to retain the services of Nora Fanshaw (Laura Dern), forcing Charlie to hire his own lawyer (first Jay Marotta played by Ray Liotta, then Bert Spitz played by Alan Alda, then Marotta/ Liotta again). The legal and emotional stakes continue to rise until the divorce papers are finally signed. Baumbach is remarkably evenhanded in depicting both spouses and all their strengths and weaknesses. In fact, the movie starts out with Nicole and Charlie reading from essays praising each other (it’s an exercise from their soonto-be-fired mediator). It’s a remarkably effective technique; instead of rooting for one spouse over the other, the audience is encouraged to focus on the breakup of a once promising marriage and its toll on the extended family. Baumbach also creates a wonderfully diverse cinematic world. While most of the principal characters are white and (apparently) straight, Baumbach fills the screen with a rich kaleidoscope of people. Veteran film and stage actor Wallace Shawn, who plays one of the actors in Charlie’s theater company, gleefully underscores this theme when he advises the separated Charlie to “fuck as many people as you can.” He makes it clear that he means both men and women and it’s a delightful and powerful way for Baumbach to open up the world of his film. Netflix’s commitment to diversity
is also proudly on display in the new eight-episode series “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings.” Each hour-long episode is inspired by one of Parton’s hit songs, and the installments range from love stories and inspirational tales to family dramas, westerns and revenge comedies. Each chapter is introduced by the long-term ally for LGBT rights who sings the title song and often appears as a character in the narrative. The uplifting stories bear a family resemblance to the formulaic Hallmark Christmas movies, but they’re marked by a deep commitment to inclusion and representations. Take for example, the funny and moving “Two Doors Down” episode. From her Dollywood theme park, Parton tells the story of how she wrote the song and encourages viewers to “accept the love of the people around you” and says that “what it all comes down to is love is love.” The action then shifts to a small Southern town. The Meegers clan is gathering for a wedding, but as the family matriarch (the wonderful Melissa Leo) ruefully observes, “It certainly is raining surprises tonight.” By the end of the nuptial weekend, things will be very different for the wedding party, including the uptight mama, the bride with dreams of becoming an actor (Katie Stevens), her closeted brother and his boyfriend (Andy Mientus and Michael J. Willett), the stoic family patriarch (Ray McKinnon) and cousin Ren (Aidan Langford), a non-binary teen who is one of the “bridesmates.” Other episodes include a lively variety of LGBT themes and assorted actors. Tammy Lynn Michaels plays a lesbian entrepreneur who is reunited with her high-school friends in “Cracker Jack;” Kathleen Turner plays a mysterious mountain woman in “These Old Bones;” Julianne Hough offers a fine breakout performance as the misunderstood country singer “Jolene;” and Delta Burke makes a stirring comeback of sorts in “If I Had Wings.” These surprisingly progressive and thoroughly heart-warming stories may be a perfect way to spend time with your family, whether biological or “logical,” this holiday season.
GAME CHANGERS: Viet Tran Local Stonewall Kickball team captain enjoys ‘semi-competitive’ team By KEVIN MAJOROS
VIET TRAN says it’s important to him to work in queer and Asian-American communities. Photo courtesy Tran
This week in the ongoing Game Changers series in the Washington Blade, we meet an athlete from Stonewall Kickball who is carving his path both on and off the playing field. Recently voted onto the Stonewall Sports national board as the Washington representative, Viet Tran plans to be outspoken about diversity, equity and inclusion. He refers to those as key values in his life. Born in Vietnam and raised in San Diego, Tran grew up in a family that believed children should be active. He played Little League and tennis including two years on his high school tennis team. During his undergrad work at University of California San Diego, he was a member of the quidditch team and running club along with picking up Olympic-style weightlifting. Because of his interest in policy and politics, he moved to D.C. three days after graduating in 2014 to pursue a post-undergrad internship. He joined Stonewall Kickball in 2016 and is now team captain. “I was looking to integrate into the LGBT community and for me, Stonewall provided a strong vibrant community,” Tran says. “My team is semi-competitive and I like to create an environment where people are comfortable. Winning is a bonus but it is more about the camaraderie and social aspects.” In his role on the Stonewall Sports national board, Tran is hoping to be involved in developing a committee that focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion.
He says things like adding pronouns on the Stonewall shirts would create a bridge to a more inclusive culture. “I came from a large Asian community and it was different when I arrived here in D.C. As I became more informed about my own queer identity, I became more aware that there are not a lot of Asian Americans in that community,” Tran says. “The numbers are growing in Stonewall and I want to be more welcoming to all communities including trans, nonbinary and women players. My team is diverse, but it doesn’t extend to the entire league.” Outside of the kickball field, Tran has had a loaded career trajectory with each experience evolving around his key values. He has worked with the Victory Fund, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the Center for the Study of Social Policy and the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership. Currently he is the deputy press secretary at Human Rights Campaign. “The work that I have done and the issues that I advocate for are tied to my own identity. I am an Asian-American immigrant who is queer,” Tran says. “It is important that I work in the communities that I resonate with.” When Tran came out to his mother, he spoke to her in Vietnamese as a sign of respect to her heritage and to meet her halfway on connecting as immigrants. “The narrative and culture in D.C. is so rich. I want to be a part of creating an environment that is reflective and representative of everyone,” Tran says. “It is my mission to make it an intentional action.”
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Join Us For The Holiday Edition of
Arty Queers Art Market on Saturday December 14th from 11-5pm At The DC Center
Arty Queers is The DC Center’s Monthly Indoor LGBTQ Art Market featuring original artwork for sale including paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry, glass work, textiles and clothing. The Holidays are coming and we want you to have the perfect gifts and this is the place to get your monthly dose of art created by local LGBTQ Artisans in the heart of U Street Corridor. Support your local LGBTQ Creatives and check out their unique and one of a kind artwork!
2000 14th Street NW, Washington, DC
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ZooLights The Smithsonian National Zoological Park continued its ZooLights display on Sunday night. Programs and events run through January 1. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu/events/zoolights. Washington Blade photos by Zach Brien
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10 202.262.7762 michael.moore@compass.com
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103.4% Leveraging repeat business and a steady stream of referrals, Michael’s past performance has paved the way for the success he enjoys today. Adopting a hands-on approach, Michael ensures that each transaction is seamless from start to finish.
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Michael loves that in real estate, no one day is the same, and he’s prepared for anything — whether it be an unexpected barrier to tackle or a new chance to go above and beyond for his clients.
Compass is a licensed real estate brokerage that abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Compass is licensed as Compass Real Estate in DC and as Compass in Virginia and Maryland. 1232 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 |202.448.9002
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Make your list and check it twice... 18878 Forgotten Harbor Court #504, Rehoboth Beach MLS 151872 | Offered at $289,900
Centrally located between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Make your beach memories here!
18521 Rose Court, Lewes MLS: 151638 | Offered at $629,900
Impeccably kept, turn-key home on one of the largest lots in well-located Reserves at Lewes Landing.
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...a home at the beach would always be nice! 515 Kings Highway, In-town Lewes MLS 150626 | Offered at $699,990
Classic architectural details and prime in-town location.
124 W. Cape Shores Drive, Cape Shores, Lewes Beach MLS 147606 | Offered at $2,395,000
Beachfront home with amazing water views.
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62nd Annual
Christmas Candlelight Carols SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2019 4:00 p.m. Cookies & hot chocolate afterwards. Featuring First Baptist & National City Christian Church Choirs and Runnymede Singers ddd - Lorem ipsum Love Offering to benefit S.O.M.E. (So Others Might Eat)
1 3 2 8 1 6 T H S T N W, W A S H I N G T O N , D C 2 0 0 3 6 | + 2 0 2 3 8 7 2 2 0 6 www.firstbaptistdc.org
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Finding flexible workspace that’s right for you Doing due diligence will help you find the perfect fit By MIKE KRIEL Thinking of making the move from a home office or coffee shop to a flexible workspace? Keep these factors in mind when you’re checking them out: Pay Attention to the Vibe. What’s the feel you get when you visit the space? Members live the culture every day and will likely share their view. It permeates the workspace as everyone feels tied to a similar mission. Some flexible workspaces define their culture by operating a niche center, seeking a specific type of member, like cybersecurity firms, writers, or biotech startups. Other spaces have a random mix or a certain size of companies they want to promote. Like most traditional office spaces, the vibe in a flexible workspace is contagious, and the right fit goes both ways. Culture is not only the most important consideration, it’s also the hardest to change, yet it’s crucial to match it your company’s vision. Do members appear to freely interact with others or does everyone stay in their own lane? There’s no right answer, it’s just a factor to consider. More than Just an Office Space. With the right people in place, managers of well-run flexible workspaces will take deliberate steps to create a community. They’ll plan social events, set up learning opportunities with expert guest speakers, and find ways to pull people out of their offices and to get them to collaborate, learn, and grow. As a result, small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs can interact and maybe even form alliances or client relationships
Thinking of making the move to a flexible workspace? Here are some tips for choosing the right place. Photo by VadimGuzhva; courtesy of Bigstock
through the member interaction fostered by organized activities. By nature, flexible workspaces offer collaborative interactive spaces, but the staff still needs to bring them to life and encourage people to step out of their offices. Find out what kind of programming a potential workspace has done, what they’re planning to do, and how often it is offered. But make sure the staff doesn’t go too far, so events don’t become a distraction to those members who still need to work or focus on a deadline. Amenities: Basic or Deluxe? Amenities are all the rage right now and it seems like each workspace is trying to out-do the next. Basics such as wifi, printing, and front desk service are a
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given, so those extra amenities can be important as a marketing differentiator. The list continues to grow, from juice bars, rock climbing walls, meditation/nap rooms, and more. Caution: these can be great promotional tools, but they need to be the right fit. As a potential member, make sure the amenities will enhance what you are trying to accomplish and are not a distraction. It might look cool, but do you really envision yourself at that foosball table? And remember the cost is built into the price you pay for your space. It’s like buying a car. You know the make and model you want, but what about the extras? Do you go with the basic or the deluxe model? There is a cost benefit to picking the proper package.
Flexible workspace options seem endless but doing your due diligence will help you find the perfect fit. And, don’t forget, one of the benefits of the flexible workspace model is that if it doesn’t work out, you are not locked in long term. And when you do find the right environment, there’s opportunity to grow in that space when the time comes.
Mike Kriel is CEO of Launch Workplaces, a management services division of The Brick Companies, that brings flexible office solutions into existing properties and manages them upon opening.
Pepco CEO: ‘It’s not enough to not discriminate’ Velazquez on his personal commitment to diversity and inclusion FROM STAFF REPORTS David Velazquez’s commitment to building an environment where all were treated equitably began taking shape in 1977, when he was a 20-year-old serving on the Human Relations Commission in Allentown, Pa. Velazquez, now president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, says a proposed Allentown ordinance banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was under consideration. It did not pass the City Council at that time – or for many years afterward. Velazquez remembers being struck by the negative reaction – not only from the Council, but from some members of the public. It was a feeling he would not forget. In college and as a young professional, his awareness of, and passion for, inclusion grew. “I’ve been in the energy industry for 38 years and I’ve seen an enormous amount of change,” Velazquez says. “I studied engineering at a school outside of Philadelphia. I’ll say there was a handful of women in the class and that was it. There were probably even fewer people of color. Then you show up for work, and there is no diversity in your office.” Now, at Pepco and parent company Exelon, the landscape is vastly different and there is an emphasis on making a full scope of opportunities available to everyone.” It’s not enough to not discriminate, Velazquez emphasizes. “You have to be actively anti-discrimination.” “I’ve seen us as a company, as an industry, and as a country make huge
‘I’ve seen us as a company, as an industry, and as a country make huge strides in opening opportunities and valuing diversity,’ said Pepco Holdings CEO DAVID VELAZQUEZ. Photo courtesy of Pepco; “LOVE” mural © 2017 by Lisa Marie Thalhammer, Commissioned and funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC Creates Public Art Building Communities Program
strides in opening opportunities and valuing diversity,” he continues, “Now, we have to drive toward the inclusion piece as well,” he says. “That is a task that is ongoing, not just here, but across the country. How do we make sure that everyone who is here not only feels included, but that they have the same access to opportunities?” “It’s imperative that people can come to work without feeling they have to put on another suit or put on another face. It’s so important to us as an organization to get the genuine perspectives of the array of people who work on our teams. If you walk into work and feel like you have to hold back an essential part of yourself, you are stifling your creativity and productivity.” Velazquez says he has seen the impact of bias and discrimination on his own family, which makes it intensely personal
to him that no one faces discrimination. “Are we, as leaders in our organizations, creating an environment where someone in the LGBTQ community can feel comfortable being themselves, not feeling there are potential issues in the workplace that would cause them not be open about who they are?” he asks. “It’s not just one big thing – there are a hundred small things you need to do to create a supportive and inclusive environment.” “For the last two years Pepco and our Pride employee resource group have been sponsors of the D.C. Pride Parade. In addition to the dozens of employees in Pepco shirts, our trucks were part of the parade as well. A visible presence and support can be very meaningful to employees as well as our customers who care about what we stand for as a company.” “Utility companies perform an
essential public service,” he says. “Our homes, businesses, and entire communities need electricity to function. Because of our reach, we also have an obligation to be representative of the communities we serve. We serve everybody in the community.” “Washington, D.C., is a tremendously diverse city, the most diverse city I’ve worked in in my career,” Velazquez says. “And that brings tremendous vibrancy and value to the community – such a richness. I feel fortunate to live and work here. We are seeing that same vibrancy, creativity, richness, and value reflected in our workforce as well.” “The commitment and involvement that Pepco has in the community, I’d stand up against any organization in the District of Columbia,” he says. “Everybody here feels that responsibility.”
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MASSAGE ROSSLYN - MASSAGE low key spot near Rosslyn, SunTues, Spa in DC, Thurs-Sat. Call or text Gary 301-704-1158, mymassagebygary.com.
PETS AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLE PUPPIES Available Now Chocolate, Blonde, Apricot & Caramel. 25-35 lbs. Fleece coat. Take home January 1st. Call Tom at 703-819-7391 or visit web site: Providencehillaustraiian labradoodles.com.
COUNSELING COUNSELING FOR LGBTQ People. Individual/ couple counseling with a volunteer peer counselor. GMCC, servicing since 1973. 202-580-8661. gaymenscounseling.org. No fees, donation requested.
COUNSELING - TRAUMA, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY Adults, Couples, Adolescents, Families. Dr. Theodore A. Hoch, LPC, LBA, BCBA-D, Evening & Saturday appts. available. Near the Reston Metro. www.northernvirginia appliedbehavioranalysis. com. Call 703-987-8928.
EMPLOYMENT
DIRECTOR OF EQUITY & Community Initiatives The Potomac School is hiring
for a Director of Equity and
Community Initiatives. To learn
more, please visit our webpage. www.potomacschool.org.
Academy of Hope Adult PCS, a leader in DC Adult Education, is accepting Requests for Proposals for Prospective ASL Interpretation Partners for the School Year 2020. All interested applicants can go to www.aohdc.org/jobs for more information and to submit a response no later than December 15, 2019 to audrey@aohdc.org. PART-TIME LOAN OFFICER / PROCESSOR Howard University Employees Federal Credit Union is searching for a part-time employee to process loans. The ideal candidate will be able to interview members interested in obtaining a loan and have the abilities to work up and complete the application processes from beginning to end. Three to five years of lending experience is required. Credit union lending experience is a plus. You must have a high school diploma or equivalent. College degree is a plus. Interested candidates should email their resumes to info@huefcu.org or fax them to 202-806-4511.
WHOLISTIC SERVICES, INC. Seeking Full Time Direct Support Professionals to assist intellectually disabled adults with behavioral health complexities in group homes & day services throughout D.C. Requirements: Valid Driver’s License, able to lift 50-75 lbs., complete training program, become Med Certified within 6 months of hire, pass security background check. (Associates degree preferred) For more information please contact Human Resources @ 301-392-2500. LOCKER ROOM ATTENDANTS NEEDED! The Crew Club, a gay men’s naturist gym & sauna, is now hiring Locker Room Attendants. We all scrub toilets & do heavy cleaning. You must be physically able to handle the work & have a great attitude doing it. No drunks/druggies need apply. Please call David at (202) 319-1333. from 9-5pm, to schedule an interview.
FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM Representing the GLBT community for over 35 years. Family adoptions, estate planning, immigration, employment. (301) 8912200. Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A. www.SP-Law. com.
LIMOUSINES KASPER’S LIVERY SERVICE Since 1987. Gay & Veteran Owner/ Operator. 2016 Luxury BMW 750Li Sedan. Properly Licensed & Livery Insured in DC. www.KasperLivery.com. Phone 202-554-2471.
CLEANING FERNANDO’S CLEANING: Residential & Commercial Cleaning, Reasonable Rates, Free Estimates, Routine, 1-Time, Move-In/Move-Out. (202) 234-7050, 202-486-6183.
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LEGAL SERVICES ADOPTION, DONOR, SURROGACY legal services. Jennifer represents LGBTQ clients in DC, MD & VA interested in adoption or ART matters. 240-863- 2441, JFairfax@jenniferfairfax.com.
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