Washington Blade, Volume 53, Issue 07, February 18, 2022 by Washington Blade

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VOLUME 53 ISSUE 07 ADDRESS PO Box 53352 Washington DC 20009 PHONE 202-747-2077 E-MAIL news@washblade.com INTERNET washingtonblade.com PUBLISHED BY Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia, Inc. PUBLISHER LYNNE J. BROWN lbrown@washblade.com ext. 8075 EDITORIAL EDITOR KEVIN NAFF knaff@washblade.com ext. 8088 SR. NEWS REPORTER LOU CHIBBARO JR. lchibbaro@washblade.com ext. 8079 NEWS REPORTER CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@washblade.com ext. 8083 REPORTER & INTERNATIONAL NEWS EDITOR MICHAEL K. LAVERS mlavers@washblade.com POP CULTURE REPORTER JOHN PAUL KING PHOTO EDITOR MICHAEL KEY mkey@washblade.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS TINASHE CHINGARANDE, DUNIA ORELLANA, REPORTAR SIN MIEDO, PARKER PURIFOY, PETER ROSENSTEIN, MARK LEE, LATEEFAH WILLIAMS, KATE CLINTON, KATHI WOLFE, ERNESTO VALLE, YARIEL VALDÉS GONZÁLEZ, LYNARE ROBBINS, PHILIP VAN SLOOTEN, KATLEGO K. KOLANYANE-KESUPILE, KAELA ROEDER, TREMENDA NOTA, ALBERTO J. VALENTÍN, MAYKEL GONZÁLEZ VIVERO, ORGULLO LGBT. CO, ESTEBAN GUZMAN CREATIVE DESIGN/PRODUCTION AZERCREATIVE.COM SALES & ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING STEPHEN RUTGERS srutgers@washblade.com ext. 8077 SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE BRIAN PITTS bpitts@washblade.com ext. 8089 ACCT. EXECUTIVE JOE HICKLING jhickling@washblade.com ext. 8094 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION PHILLIP G. ROCKSTROH prockstroh@washblade.com ext. 8092 NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA 212-242-6863; sales@rivendellmedia.com For distribution, contact Lynne Brown ext. 8075. Distributed by MediaPoint, LLC

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Comings and Goings

Victory Fund names new press secretary By PETER ROSENSTEIN

The Comings and Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: comingsandgoings@washblade.com. The Comings and Goings column also invites LGBTQ+ college students to share their successes with us. If you have been elected to a student government position, gotten an exciting internship, or are graduating and beginning your career with a great job, let us know so we can share your success. Congratulations to Albert Fujii on being named press secretary at the Victory Fund. On his appointment Albert said, “Representation isn’t a passive box to check; it’s an active effort to ensure diverse voices are in the room where lifechanging decisions are being made. I am so excited to join LGBTQ Victory Fund as press secretary and support LGBTQ elected ofﬁcials and candidates during the 2022 midterms and beyond. To reach fair and equitable representation, we still need to elect more than 28,000 out LGBTQ candidates. I’m honored to join that ﬁght.” Prior to joining the Victory Fund, Albert was a senior associate with the Global Strategy Group, Washington, D.C., and served as a communications assistant with the Fulbright Program for the Middle East and North Africa, AMIDEAST,

ALBERT FUJII

TJ FLAVELL

Washington, D.C. He has also volunteered as a communications ofﬁcer with the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Washington, DC and worked on a number of campaigns including those of Malcolm Kenyatta and Jon Ossoff. Albert has his BA in International Studies, Minor in Arabic Language, American University, D.C. Congratulations to TJ Flavell on his appointment to the board of directors of the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community. TJ said, “I’m delighted to serve on the board of directors of the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community. It will allow me to bring more synergy to much of what I’m already doing in the community and help to bring an exciting renewal to a post-pandemic world. The D.C. Center helps sustain the arts and many other exciting programs. I encourage everyone to support The D.C. Center.” TJ is communications manager with the Center for Excellence in Education, McLean, Va. Prior to that he served as a senior associate for Online Communications, Achieve,

Inc., Washington, D.C., and a manager for the Education Technology Network, NSBA., Alexandria, Va. TJ founded Go Gay DC on the Meetup platform in 2008 as a community booster club fostering friendship, leadership, and service. Go Gay DC has grown and now reaches more than 10,000 local LGBTQ+ folk through email and social media channels. TJ hosts weekly socials at Westin Arlington Gateway, Ven Embassy Row and Moxy hotels and brunches at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. TJ said everyone is welcome to attend. TJ also served as digital communications committee co-chair of Human Rights Campaign and president of the Equality Chamber of Commerce (ECCDC). TJ has his BA in History, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minn. Congratulations also to the four recipients of the 2022 Victory Congressional Internship. These internships help develop the next generation of “out” public leaders. The 10-week program includes a rigorous in-person and virtual weekly leadership development series and mentorship component. Victory Institute is proud of their continued and growing partnership with the LGBT Equality Caucus, its members and other LGBTQ-friendly members of Congress. The interns are; Evynn Bronson (she/her) Idaho Falls, Idaho, Brigham Young University, Placement: Rep. Adam Schiff; Unique McFerguson (she/her), Fontana, Calif., Howard University, Placement: Rep. Mondaire Jones; Angel Strong (she/they), Lincoln, Neb., Drake University, Placement: Rep. Chris Pappas; and Daria Nastasia (she/ her), St. Louis, Mo., George Washington University, Placement: Rep. Jamaal Bowman.

D.C. drops vaccination mandate to enter indoor venues Bowser also announces easing of indoor mask directive By LOU CHIBBARO JR.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced at a press conference on Feb. 14 that the city on the following day would drop its requirement that people show proof of vaccination for the coronavirus as a condition for admission to businesses such as bars, restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues such as theaters. However, under the city’s revised COVID-19 policy, businesses may choose to keep vaccination requirements in place at their own discretion. Bowser and D.C. Department of Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbit also announced on Feb. 14 that as of March 1, the city will no longer require masks be worn by people patronizing many indoor places in which the city currently requires masks to be worn. Among the establishments where masks will no longer be required by the city as of March 1 are restaurants and bars; sports and entertainment venues; gyms, recreation centers and indoor athletic facilities; churches, grocery stores and pharmacies, retail establishments, businesses, and “D.C. government ofﬁces/areas with no public interaction.” Like the mayor’s revised vaccine mandate policy, the revised mask policy states “any private business that wants to require use of masks by its employees or customers” may

continue to do so. Other indoor places where masks will still be required, according to the revised policy, include schools, childcare facilities and libraries; the “congregate facilities” of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, shelters, dorms and correctional facilities; health care and medical facilities; public transit, taxis, and rideshare vehicles; and D.C. government facilities with direct interaction between employees and the public, such as Department of Motor Vehicles service centers and Department of Human Services centers. Bowser and Nesbit said they and Department of Health experts decided to ease the mask and vacation mandates after city data continue to show a decline in the number of newly reported COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. The mayor said the vaccination and mask mandates now being eased played an important role in curtailing COVID-19 cases as the peak of the omicron variant caused a surge in D.C. cases and cases nationwide last year. “And because of that diligence, we have seen since the height of the omicron wave entered the District cases have dropped more than 90 percent,” Bowser told the press conference. “And there has been a 95 percent reduction in hospitalizations. And we’re in a much better place now to

announce adjustments to that winter action plan,” she said. The city’s coronavirus website operated by the Department of Health states that the most recent data as of Feb. 10 show that the weekly case rate for COVID-19 cases was 152.7 cases per 100,000 people. The case rate for the previous month, according to the latest data, was 1,532 cases per 1,00,000. Mark Lee, coordinator of the D.C. Nightlife Council, a nonproﬁt trade association representing bars, restaurants and other nightlife and hospitality related businesses, including the city’s gay bars, said the mayor’s announcement on Monday that the vaccination mandate would end was welcomed by those businesses across the city. “The collective sigh of relief at the news of the end of the mandate and a commonsense shift toward a restoration of normal activity was shared by most venues and included the very small number of establishments that had self-initiated a vaccination-only admission policy prior to the mandate and might choose to continue to do so,” Lee told the Washington Blade. Lee noted that D.C.’s lifting of its vaccination mandate comes at a time when vaccine mandates were being lifted nationwide in the small number of cities that had recently imposed them.

Blade hosts LGBTQ Skate Night ‘Most Eligible Singles’ party on the ice By MICHAEL KEY

The Washington Blade and District Fray Magazine held an LGBTQ Skate Night at The Wharf on Feb. 11 to celebrate the “2022 Most Eligible LGBTQ Singles” issue. 0 6 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • FEBRUARY 18 , 2 0 2 2 • LO CA L NE WS

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D.C. man pleads guilty to transphobic, xenophobic assault Incident took place at Chipotle restaurant in December 2020 By LOU CHIBBARO JR.

A D.C. Superior Court Judge on Feb. 14 sentenced a D.C. man to 450 days in jail after he pleaded guilty ﬁve days earlier to one count of bias related assault and one count of attempted possession of a prohibited weapon. Court records show the guilty plea and sentencing were in connection with a Dec. 27, 2020, incident in which police say he shouted “xenophobic, ethnic and transphobic slurs” while assaulting a manager and an employee at a Chipotle restaurant in Northeast Washington. According to a statement released by the Ofﬁce of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Judge Jason Park suspended all 450 days of the sentence by giving Johnnie Williamson, 36, credit for the time he had already served. The statement says Williamson had been held in jail without bond since the time of his arrest on March 5,

2021. The statement says Park suspended the jail time for Williamson on the condition that he successfully completes one year of supervised probation, which includes a requirement that he participate in mental health treatment and supervision. The statement says the Chipotle incident began at about 8:40 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2020, when Williamson entered the restaurant and asked an employee how much food he could purchase with about $8. “The employee attempted to assist. But because of a language barrier, she had difﬁculty communicating, and so she asked her manager to assist,” the statement says. “The manager informed Williamson what was available on the menu for $8,” it says. “Williamson was not satisﬁed with the answer and immediately began yelling a series

of xenophobic, ethnic and transphobic slurs at the employee and the manager,” the statement continues. “As Williamson yelled these slurs, he climbed onto the service counter and spit on the employee. He then reached over the counter and began throwing food and serving spoons at the employee, striking her in the hand,” the statement says. “After throwing the spoons Williamson then pushed the cash register off the counter. He picked up a ﬁre extinguisher and threw it at the manager, striking her in the leg,” it says. “Williamson continued yelling slurs throughout the incident,” according to the statement, before he moved towards the exit and shouted that “he was going to return and kill the employees” before leaving the restaurant. He was arrested on March 5, 2021, the statement concludes.

Kimberley Bush named new D.C. Center executive director Organization receives $150K BHT Foundation grant By LOU CHIBBARO JR.

The D.C. Center for the LGBT Community announced on Feb. 15 it has appointed Kimberley Bush, who has been serving as its interim executive order, as its new executive director. “I am most fortunate and truly honored to be of service to our LGBTQIA2S+ siblings and equally honored that our board of directors has the utmost confidence, belief and surety in me to continue to reside at the helm of the D.C. Center as a strong, effectual, fiercely driven, progressive and compassionate leader,” Bush said in a statement. “In addition, I am extremely proud to be able to continue to guide our small yet mighty team through these extraordinarily challenging times into brighter chapters of our lives, as we provide a safe and peaceful space as well as the much-needed support, kindness, outreach, care, celebration and affirmation to our LGBTQIA2S+ community,” Bush said. In a Feb. 15 statement, the D.C. Center also announced it has received a $150,000 grant from the BHT Foundation as one of the foundation’s last financial contributions before it ends its operations. Formerly known as Brother Help Thyself, the BHT

Foundation announced last November that its board of directors decided to dissolve the organization after it had raised more than $3.5 million for more than 200 nonprofit LGBTQ organizations in the D.C. and Baltimore area since its founding in 1978. “We are so grateful for all that the BHT Foundation has done for the D.C. Center, and the wider LGBTQ+ community in the DMV area during the last 40+ years,” said D.C. Center Board President Andrew Zapfel in the Feb. 15 statement. “The grant comes at a particularly exciting time, as we begin a new chapter in the D.C. Center’s history, searching for a new location to call home, and officially appointing Kimberley Bush as our executive director,” Zapfel said. Zapfel was referring to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s decision announced in June 2020 to demolish the cityowned Reeves Center municipal building where the D.C. Center rents its offices at 2000 U Street, N.W., and to solicit bids from private developers to build a new, larger multipurpose building to include residential, office, and retail space at the 14th and U Street site. Plans for the new project meant that all of the Reeves Center’s tenants, including the D.C. Center and the Mayor’s

Office of LGBTQ Affairs, would have to move during the demolition and construction phases of the project. City officials have not said whether KIMBERLEY BUSH community-based (Photo courtesy of Kimberley Bush) organizations like the D.C. Center will be able to move into the new building. Bowser, however, has said the city would provide support for the D.C. Center’s search for a new location before the Reeves Center must be vacated. The D.C. Center describes itself as a non-profit organization “whose mission is to educate, empower, celebrate, and connect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in Washington, D.C. It says its programs focus on health and wellness, arts and culture, social and support services, and advocacy and community building.

Va. House subcommittee rejects marriage amendment repeal resolution Republicans killed measure by 6-4 margin By STAFF REPORTS

The Virginia Capitol

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee on Feb. 8 rejected a resolution that sought to repeal a state constitutional amendment that deﬁnes marriage as between a man and a woman. The Republican-led House Privileges and Elections Subcommittee struck down the resolution that state Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax County) introduced by a 6-4 margin. State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) has introduced an identical resolution in the state Senate. Virginia voters approved the Marshall-Newman Amendment in 2006. Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014.

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The General Assembly in 2021 approved a resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment. It must pass in two successive legislatures before it can go to the ballot. Republicans took control of the state House of Delegates last month days before Gov. Glenn Youngkin took office. Democrats maintain control of the state Senate by a 21-19 margin. “This morning, Virginia Republicans continued their assault on LGBTQIA+ individuals by killing an amendment that would have removed Virginia’s now-defunct marriage equality ban from the state constitution,” said House Democratic Leader Eileen FillerCorn (D-Fairfax County) in a statement she released after Tuesday’s vote. “Our Democratic House majority passed laws to make Virginia a more open and inclusive place,” she added. “As a result, more businesses chose to relocate and expand in the commonwealth. Virginia Republicans threaten to take us backwards by stoking the flames of hate and division, rather than accurately reflecting the laws of the country.”

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Brett Parson arrested in Fla. on sex with minor charges Former D.C. police lieutenant headed LGBT Liaison Unit By LOU CHIBBARO JR.

Former D.C. police lieutenant Brett Parson, who served as supervisor of the department’s LGBT Liaison Unit before retiring from the force in 2020, was arrested in Boca Raton, Fla., on Feb. 12, for allegedly having sex with a consenting 16-year-old boy in violation of Florida’s age of consent law, which is 18, according to an arrest affidavit filed in court. The affidavit, which was prepared by a detective with the Coconut Creek (Fla.) Police Department, says the 16-year-old told police he and Parson met on the gay online dating app called Growlr and agreed to meet for a possible sexual encounter after exchanging “explicit” photos of each other. An arrest warrant obtained by Coconut Creek police charges Parson with two counts of “Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor.” A separate incident and investigative report filed in court by Boca Raton police says officers with that department, in cooperation with Coconut Creek police, arrested Parson outside the Boca Raton residence of his parents where Parson was staying while visiting Florida from D.C. The Washington Blade couldn’t immediately reach Parson for comment or determine the status of his case. Fox News reported it obtained court records showing Parson was being held at the Main Detention Center in Palm Beach County without bond as of Feb. 14, and it wasn’t clear if he had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The incident report filed by Boca Raton police says Parson was arrested on Feb. 12, several hours after Coconut Creek police say he and the 16-year-old allegedly had a sexual encounter in a car belonging to Parson’s father that Parson was driving and after he and the 16-year-old arranged to meet at a gas station in Coconut Creek near where the youth lives. Criminal defense lawyers have expressed concern on behalf of clients in similar cases that an adult arrested for having consensual sex with a 16 or 17-year-old in a state where the age of consent is 18 would not have violated the law in states where the age of consent is 16. An online search of U.S. age of consent laws shows that at least 16 states and D.C. have established the age of consent for sexual acts at 16. At the time of his retirement in 2020 after 26 years on the D.C. police force, Parson announced he was starting a consulting business to advise law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad on police-related issues. He also announced he would become a part-time volunteer D.C. police reserve officer as part of the department’s Reserve Officer Corps. When asked to confirm media reports that Parson had been removed from his position as a reserve officer, D.C. police spokesperson Sean Hickman sent the Blade a short statement confirming those reports. “We were made aware of the retired member’s arrest early Sunday morning,” the statement says. “MPD immediately terminated him from our Reserve Corps.” According to the arrest affidavit filed by Coconut Creek Police Det. Sgt. John McKinney, officers on routine duty during the early morning hours of Feb. 12 observed a vehicle driven by the 16-year-old being followed by a vehicle driven by Parson. The affidavit says the officers approached both vehicles after they observed the vehicle driven by the 16-year-year-old, a Ford Focus, turned into a “restricted access facility owned by Comcast.”

It says the vehicle driven by Parson, a red Buick convertible, “waited in the middle of the roadway,” prompting officers to approach Parson. The affidavit says Parson told the officers he was a police officer visiting his parents from D.C. and wasn’t familiar with the area and simply got lost. It says the officers allowed Parson to leave the area after he told them he did not know the person in the other vehicle. “The officers then made contact with the driver of the gray Ford Focus, later identified as the 16-year-old minor hereinafter referred to as ‘RT,’” the affidavit says. “RT advised the officers that he was using Growlr, a dating application for gay men, to communicate with a male who identified himself as Brett,” the affidavit continues. “He stated that Brett told him he was looking for no strings attached casual sex, repeatedly asked him to meet, and sent each other explicit photographs.”

Former D.C. Police Lt. BRETT PARSON. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

After initially meeting at a Shell gas station, at about 1 a.m. on Feb. 12, he and Parson arranged to drive to another location and park their cars in a secluded parking lot at the site of a daycare center in Coconut Creek, where RT got into the car Parson was driving, according to the affidavit. He told police the two talked for a while before they began kissing and a short time later performed oral sex on each other, the affidavit says RT recounted to police. It says that the two attracted the attention of police when RT became nervous after someone walked past the parked car where he and Parson were engaging in intimate acts and the two decided to drive in their separate cars to find another location. That’s when police noticed that RT drove his vehicle into a restricted area and officers approached him to find out what was going on. The affidavit does not say what prompted RT to disclose the intimate details of his alleged sexual acts with Parson when the officers would not otherwise have learned about that. The affidavit also doesn’t explain how it came about that RT’s parents arrived on the scene where police were interviewing their son as stated in the affidavit, although it’s likely that RT provided police with his parents contact information. “We first spoke with RT’s parents and explained what we knew up to this point and the process involved in a case of this nature,” the affidavit states. “After a detailed explanation of their options, RT’s parents stated they would like to press charges against Brett Parson and together with their son would consent to the necessary steps for evidence collection,” it says. “We then spoke with RT,” the affidavit says in recounting

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the action by McKinney and other police investigators. “It should be noted that RT is a thin build male who clearly does not appear to be 18 years of age or older,” it says. The affidavit says RT then repeated his account of his interactions with Parson that he gave to the officers who stopped him in his car earlier that morning. The affidavit says RT turned over his phone to police to allow them to read the text messages that he and Parson exchanged after they met on the Growlr dating site. It quotes RT texting Parson to say “so sexy” after Parson sent him a shirtless photo of himself. After RT sent Parson a clothed photo of himself, Parson replied, “You are so cute,” the affidavit says. It says the two subsequently exchanged “explicit” photos of each other. The affidavit’s recounting of the text messages between Parson and RT makes it clear that RT willingly chose to meet Parson for a sexual encounter knowing that Parson was an older man. The affidavit says Parson is 53. After interviewing RT and his parents, the affidavit says detectives escorted them to the Coconut Creek Police’s Sexual Assault Treatment Center “for a physical examination, evidence collection and sworn recorded statement.” It says RT was then shown a group of photos of others along with Parson’s photo and he “positively identified Brett” as the person with whom he engaged in sexual activity. “Based on the facts above, probable cause exists for the issuance of an arrest warrant for Brett Parson because Parson, who is over 24 years of age, did engage in sexual activity, in this case oral sex with each other, involving the victim who is only 16 years of age,” the affidavit concludes. By mentioning that Parson was older than 24 years or age the affidavit was referring to the Florida age of consent statute that allows a person between the age of 18 and 23 to legally engage in consensual sex with a person who is 16 or 17 years old. The affidavit does not say — and it could not immediately be determined — whether RT self identifies as gay, whether he was out to his parents as a gay person before the incident with Parson surfaced, or whether his parents are supportive of his sexual orientation. LGBTQ youth advocates have reported that many LGBTQ young people are confronted with hostile parents who disparage their sexual orientation or gender identity and sometimes prompt the young LGBTQ people to run away from their homes. Gay former D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Alex Padro, who says he has known Parson for many years in Padro’s role as a community activist in the city’s Shaw neighborhood, said Parson “earned my respect and that of many in our city and beyond” during Parson’s career as a police officer. “Brett Parson served our city proudly for 26 years before his retirement in 2020,” Padro said. “Just like anyone else accused of a crime, Mr. Parson deserves to be treated as being innocent until proven guilty, and is entitled to mount a defense,” he said. “MPD’s action in terminating a 26-year veteran of its ranks from the Reserve Corps without due process, without even hearing his side of the story is both unAmerican and unjust, depriving our citizens and MPD of his years of experience and demonstrating to those volunteer reservists that MPD does not have their back,” Padro said.

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Fla. ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill new focal point in battles on racism, politics Ron DeSantis widely seen as 2024 presidential candidate By CHRIS JOHNSON

Legislation in Florida known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, criticized as an effort to quash any discussion of LGBTQ families and identities in schools, has become a focal point of contention in the context of ongoing national battles over politics, critical race theory, restrictions on LGBTQ books and anti-transgender sports legislation in state legislatures. The shock of the potential reach of the measure, which opponents say would make schools vulnerable to lawsuits simply over a teacher responding to a student’s question about a gay family member, followed by comments by Gov. Ron DeSantis signaling support for the bill, has opened up targets in other battles waged by the Democratic Party and progressives seeking attention for other issues and a potential upcoming challenger to President Biden in 2024. Chief among the fiery battles for which the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has provided kindling is the upcoming presidential election. It’s no secret DeSantis is widely seen as a potential Republican challenger to Biden, who may be vulnerable amid consistently low approval ratings and criticism over his handling of inflation and coronavirus. After DeSantis made comments last week favorable to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, saying he thinks it’s “entirely inappropriate” for teachers to be having conversations with students about gender identity, his opponents were quick to take him task and tie him to the legislation. Although the legislation had previously faced criticism from Chasten Buttigieg, who tweeted the legislation “will kill kids,” among the new voices against the legislation were no less than the White House and Biden himself. “I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are,” Biden wrote in a tweet last week. “I have your back, and my administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay person to obtain Senate confirmation for a Cabinetlevel role, echoed his husband’s criticism of the bill during an appearance last week on CNN’s “Newsroom.” When host Jim Sciutto asked whether the bill would inflict any potential harm the measure on LGBTQ kids, Buttigieg replied, “absolutely.” “And the reason is that it tells youth who are different or whose families are different that there’s something wrong with them out of the gate, and I do think that contributes to the shocking levels of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth,” Buttigieg said. The legislation hasn’t gone far in Florida. As of this week, one House committee and one Senate committee have approved it and neither chamber has scheduled a floor vote. But with Republican in control of both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s mansion, the measure is well-positioned to become law. A.G.Gancarski,a reporter with the news website FloridaPolitics. com, told the Washington Blade he could see the “Don’t Say Gay” bill coming up for a floor vote in the near future, pointing out “with these big social-message type bills, it seems like they do one a week in the House and the Senate.” “It’s going to come up this session because it’s in posture where we’ll hit the floors probably toward the end of session — the last two weeks after committees, where things get kind of kind of crazy and things happen quickly,” Gancarski said. “We’re not there yet. We got plenty of time for this to get through the process, and there are no structural impediments to it. I can’t see what stops this is what I’m saying.” One saving grace for opponents of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill is DeSantis has stopped short of committing himself to signing it. Gancarski drew a distinction between the support

DeSantis has offered the bill compared his support for other bills, such as proposed bans on critical race theory. “It’s something that Gov. DeSantis has not explicitly endorsed,” Gancarski said. “He hasn’t said, ‘I back these bills.’ Whenever he’s asked about these bills, he speaks conceptually supportive of them. This is true with CFO Jimmy Patronis also. So it’s something that Republicans on the executive level back, but it’s not one of those bills that DeSantis is putting the same emphasis on some other bills with his own name behind it, but he certainly backs it. He’s given every indication he would sign it.” LGBTQ groups and commentators aligned with the conservative movement, sensing the legislation could become a political liability for DeSantis, were quick to defend the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Chadwick Moore, editor of Log Cabin Republicans’ media arm Outspoken, told Tucker Carlson last week on Fox News said the measure is “a perfectly reasonable, rational bill” being unfairly maligned by Democrats and “childish wacky gay activists.” Brad Polumbo, a gay conservative commentator, in a column for the Washington Examiner criticizes opposition to the legislation as “wildly overblown and not based in reality,” then undercuts his own argument by saying the “language is admittedly rather broad.” Key portions of the legislation, numbered House Bill 1557 and Senate Bill 1834, reveal the potential penalty for the slightest hint of talk about LGBTQ kids and families in schools. The legislation is restricted to grade schools, although the bill never defines what constitutes a grade school from other places of education. Under the legislation schools “may not encourage classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity,” or generally in the education system “in a manner that is not ageappropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.” Further, the legislation empowers a parent of a student who feel the law was violated to “bring an action against a school district” in court to seek and obtain damages. Another portion of the bill would give parents “access to information about their child’s mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as information about any changes to their mental or emotional health,” which critics could lead to teachers being forced to out LGBTQ kids still going through the coming out process to their families. Equality Florida was out of the gate on Monday with a new TV ad against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which is the first of two TV against DeSantis’ policies. The ad features a young girl in a school classroom about to give a presentation on her heroes, which she subsequently says are her two moms. A red light and buzzer goes off in the classroom, after which a teacher informs the students she should be proud of her two parents. The ad closes within a voice from an overhead, saying “please report to the front office.” Although the “Don’t Say Gay” bill causing a stir at the national level, Gancarski said opposition to the legislation in Florida comes more from “people who don’t like the DeSantis agenda anyway” and the national outcry may not have the desired effect. “That’s sort of the rub,” Gancarski said. “The more the White House pushes against DeSantis, the Republicans, the more they take that as validation of their approach. So when President Biden tweeted last week, he set himself up as a foil as the thing moves forward as much as anything vis-and-vis DeSantis-supporter Republicans. And that’s the paradox.” ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill tied to ban on critical race theory The “Don’t Say Gay” bill, amid an intense political discussion over topics discussed in schools, is not unlike other measures enacted in Florida and elsewhere seeking to curtail ideas the

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conservative movement has found objectionable, such as critical race theory or gender ideology. In addition to getting behind legislation against critical race theory, which remains pending before the Florida Legislature, DeSantis signed into law a measure prohibits transgender girls from participating in school sports. As such, progressives see the fervor over the “Don’t Say Gay” bill as a means to highlight these related initiatives, encouraging the public to view them as one issue and part of a greater effort to further oppress marginalized groups, being clear to tie them all to DeSantis ahead of his potential challenge to Biden in the 2024 election. Nadine Smith, executive director the LGBTQ group Equality Florida, said Monday in a conference call with reporters the “Don’t Say Gay” bill is part of a “roster of bills that chip away at freedom of expression, allow for surveillance in the classrooms, video monitoring, microphones on teachers to eavesdrop on their conversations with students.” “They hide behind the guise of parental rights, but really when you read what these laws do they allow anybody in the community, regardless of whether or not they have a child, to challenge any resource and have it removed,” Smith said. A second ad from Equality Florida unveiled on Wednesday called “The Content of Our Curriculum” against the Stop WOKE Act in Florida, which is the vehicle DeSantis to ban the teaching of critical race theory in school. The legislation, House Bill 7 / Senate Bill 148, among other things, would prohibit teaching members of one race are “morally superior” to members of another race, individuals are inherently racist because of their race or an individual’s “moral character or status” is privileged or oppressed because of race. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill is also playing into the hands of critics who are decrying efforts to restrict pro-LGBTQ literature in schools and libraries across the country, many of them conservative states like Texas. According to a recent report in NBC News, hundreds of LGBTQ-themed titles have been pulled from libraries across the state for review, sometimes over the objections of school librarians. Many of these books are said to have sexually explicit content, although the Blade couldn’t immediately verify that claim. George Johnson, who says their book on the Black queer youth experience “All Boy Aren’t Blue” is banned in 15 states, was on the conference call with reporters and said efforts like bans on books are the result of demographic shifts in the United States and the “conditioning of students’ minds.” “The ultimate goal of book banning is to not just silence us,” Johnson said. “It’s not that they’re trying to say we don’t exist, it’s that the don’t want to condition Generation Z with the proper information about our existence, as well as information about the existence and history of this country. Because then, when Gen Z becomes the next CEOs, the next mayors and the next governors, they may actually think about people who are marginalized because they read about them growing up, because they knew them growing up.” With state legislatures across the country advancing at a rapid pace bills that would prohibit transgender girls from participating in school sports, LGBTQ rights advocates are also drawing connections between the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and the anti-trans sports measures. Mary Emily O’Hara, rapid response manager for the LGBTQ group GLAAD, said in the conference call in the national context, more than 170 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced throughout the country, many of which are focused on schools. “There is no separating book bans from anti-trans sports bans in schools,” O’Hara said. “They both impact students. They’re both about lowering representation on the visibility and equality for LGBTQ students. There is no separating LGBTQ school policy bills from critical race theory bans.”

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Chantale Wong confirmed as first out lesbian U.S. ambassador Ambassadorship ‘a symbol of hope and strength’ By CHRIS JOHNSON

Breaking a new barrier after the U.S. ambassadorial corps had been previously represented by the LGBTQ community exclusively in the past by gay men, the U.S. Senate confirmed on Feb. 8 the first-ever out lesbian to the position of U.S. ambassador. Chantale Wong was confirmed as director of the Asian Development Bank, a regional development bank that seeks to promote social and economic development in the AsiaPacific region, by a bipartisan vote of 66-31. In addition to being the first out LGBTQ lesbian confirmed as U.S. ambassador, she is also the first out LGBTQ person of color confirmed to the role. After the Jim Hormel became the first openly gay ambassador in 1999 when former President Clinton gave a recess appointment as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg, all future appointments and confirmations from the LGBTQ community to the position as ambassador had been gay men. When President Biden took office, LGBTQ rights supporters sense a new opportunity began a renewed push a woman to represent the LGBTQ community in the position as U.S. ambassador. One the stated initiatives of the LGBTQ Victory Institute was the appointment of a lesbian to the ambassadorial corps. Annise Parker, president of the LGBTQ Victory Institute, said in a statement Wong is “a symbol of hope and strength for LGBTQ leaders and community members fighting for LGBTQ rights across the globe.” “Millions of people still live in countries that criminalize LGBTQ people and deny them the right to marry, including many members states of the Asian Development Bank. Her appointment is a powerful statement to those nations,” Parker said. Imani Rupert-Gordon, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said in a statement Tuesday upon Wong’s confirmation demonstrates Biden’s commitment to LGBTQ people. “When President Biden took office a year ago, he pledged to transform the

Executive Branch by including appointments that reflected the full diversity of our great nation — including people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Rupert-Gordon said. “From appointing Secretary Buttigieg and Admiral Rachel Levine — the first Senateconfirmed openly gay and transgender cabinet-level appointments respectively Amb. CHANTALE WONG — to today’s confirmation (Public domain photo) of Ambassador Wong, it is clear that President Biden is intent on fulfilling that promise.” Wong, formerly CFO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, budget director at NASA and acting budget director of the U.S. Treasury Department, has also served as a U.S. representative to the Asian Development Bank. Wong has a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and a master’s in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Her undergraduate degree is in civil and structural engineering from the University of Hawaii.

Ariz. Republican breaks from party to block anti-trans bill SB 1138 sought to ban gender-affirming care for LGBTQ youth By ZACHARY JARRELL

A bill aiming to ban genderaffirming care for LGBTQ youth in Arizona is effectively dead after Republican state Sen. Tyler Pace broke from his party last week and voted against the legislation. The rare and unexpected move came Feb. 9 with Pace joining three Democratic colleagues on the Arizona Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, splitting the vote 4-4 and effectively stalling the bill. Though Pace saw “both sides,” he attributed his vote to the testimony of LGBTQ youth and their parents against the anti-trans youth health care bill. Arizona state Sen. TYLER PACE “The testimonies we heard today (Photo courtesy of Sen. Tyler Pace’s office) about the many people who are using these avenues of medical treatments to save lives, to improve lives,” he said during the committee hearing, “I don’t want my vote to stop those great things.” At the hearing, transgender youth and their families stood in front of the committee to testify against the anti-trans bill. “Kids like me should be able to be who they are without lawmakers attacking their rights,” said Samuel Cars, who identifies as trans and bisexual. “I ask you when you vote on this bill to think about me and this question: What side of history do you want to be on? Because the only way to be on the right side is vote no on this bill.” 1 4 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • FEBRUARY 18 , 2 0 2 2 • NAT I O NA L NE WS

Other people who spoke to the committee noted how the bill could increase suicide rates for trans youth in the state. Late last year, LGBTQ youth suicide prevention group the Trevor Project found a strong link between gender-affirming therapy and lower rates of suicide and depression in trans youth. The legislation — Senate Bill 1138, which sought to ban gender-affirming care to trans and non-binary youth, including reversible puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries — was one of Arizona’s 15 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced so far this year, the most of any state, according to NBC News. Pro-LGBTQ activists and lawmakers grew so concerned over the legislative landscape that they hosted a press conference last month, sounding alarm bells over the antiLGBTQ bills. “This is an attack on human rights,” said state Rep. César Chávez, chair of the Arizona LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, at the press conference hosted by the Human Rights Campaign. “We’re criminalizing individuals for being who they are. On top of that, we’re criminalizing doctors and health care workers, individuals that are doing their job.” The Arizona state Senate passed an anti-trans sports bill at the beginning of February that would restrict trans women and girls from playing on school sports teams that match their gender identity. Pace voted in favor of the legislation. Last year, Arkansas and Tennessee passed similar gender-affirming care bans, making them the only two states in the country to do so. However, a federal judge blocked the Arkansas ban last summer, according to LGBTQ research nonprofit the Movement Advancement Project (MAP). MAP also notes that Tennessee’s law prohibits medical providers from providing hormone-related medication to “pre-pubertal minors.” “Best practice medical care for transgender youth only includes such medication once a youth has entered puberty, not prior to it, and this further illustrates how these legislative efforts reflect a fundamental lack of understanding of medical care for transgender youth,” it added. “However, this legislation sets a dangerous precedent for further restrictions of medical care for transgender youth.”

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First openly gay Honduras congressman reflects on historic election Victor Grajeda hopes to expand opportunities for LGBTQ Hondurans By MICHAEL K. LAVERS

his Tegucigalpa home. SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — The first openly ‘We had three murders in less than 24 hours’ gay man elected to the Honduran Congress on Discrimination and violence based on sexual Feb. 7 described his election as a “very important” orientation and gender identity remain commonplace milestone for the country’s LGBTQ community. in Honduras. “It is something that has marked a before and an The Inter-American Court of Human Rights in a after; a great responsibility fell on my shoulders,” landmark ruling it issued last June said the Honduran Victor Grajeda told the Washington Blade during state was responsible for the murder of Vicky an interview in San Pedro Sula, the country’s second Hernández, a transgender activist who was killed in largest city. San Pedro Sula hours after the 2009 coup. Grajeda, 31, is from San Pedro Sula and works at Cattrachas, a lesbian feminist human rights group a beauty supply store. He lives with his partner of 13 in Tegucigalpa, notes Vicky Hernández and more years and their two cats. than 400 other LGBTQ people have been killed in Congresswoman Silvia Ayala of the leftist Free Honduras since 2009. Party ahead of Honduras’ congressional elections Thalía Rodríguez, a prominent trans activist, was that took place on Nov. 28 tapped Grajeda to be her killed outside her Tegucigalpa home on Jan. 11. “suplente,” which is alternate in Honduran Spanish Three LGBTQ people, including a gay couple in San and within the structure of the country’s political VICTOR GRAJEDA Pedro Sula, were reported murdered in Honduras on system. He will represent Ayala in Congress if she (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers) Feb. 2. cannot attend sessions in person. Castro has not publicly commented on the Vicky Grajeda, who is one of five openly LGBTQ Hernández ruling, but she has expressed support for marriage rights for same-sex candidates who ran for Congress, received more than 100,000 votes. He and Ayala couples. Grajeda noted to the Blade that Castro has also called for the legal recognition represent Cortés department in which San Pedro Sula is located. of trans Hondurans and supports “safe spaces” for LGBTQ people. Grajeda spoke with the Blade less than two weeks after President Xiomara Castro, who “The issue of violence, the issue of spaces is serious,” said Grajeda. “We had three is also a member of the Free Party, took office. murders in less than 24 hours.” Castro defeated Nasry Asfura, a member of former President Juan Orlando Hernández’s Harris and other Biden administration officials have acknowledged anti-LGBTQ violence National Party who is the former mayor of Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, in the is one of the “root causes” of migration from Honduras and neighboring countries. presidential election’s first round that also took place on Nov. 28. A 2009 coup toppled Grajeda told the Blade that expanding access to education is a “key issue with respect Castro’s husband, former President Manuel Zelaya. to opportunities for the LGBT community.” Grajeda also said trans Hondurans in particular Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Agency for International Development need more access to formal employment. Administrator Samantha Power are among the dignitaries who attended Castro’s “The only opportunities available to trans people are to work as prostitutes, as sex inauguration that took place at Honduras’ national stadium in Tegucigalpa on Jan. 27. workers,” he said. The inauguration took place amid a bitter dispute among Free Party members over “The same stigma that discriminates against them leaves them without access to who would become the Congress’ next president. Grajeda, who attended Castro’s education,” added Grajeda. “There are people (in the trans community) who are very inauguration, nevertheless described the event as “a return of hope.” intelligent, very capable.” “It will be a bit difficult for things to change overnight and for (Honduras) to be another country tomorrow where everything is happiness,” Grajeda told the Blade. “But (Castro’s Harris comments about migrants ‘understandable’ inauguration) marks a change, a new hope, a new opportunity, fresh air.” Many of the migrant caravans that hope to reach the U.S. leave from San Pedro Sula’s Grajeda described Hernández, whose brother, former Congressman Juan Antonio main bus station. “Tony” Hernández, is serving a life sentence in the U.S. after a federal jury convicted him Immigrant rights groups in the U.S. last June criticized Harris when she told migrants of trafficking tons of cocaine into the country, as a “narco president.” The Blade spoke with from Central America not to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border. Grajeda described Harris’ Grajeda hours after Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the U.S. had officially comments as “understandable.” sanctioned the former Honduran president for corruption. “It is a position that she has because it is her country,” said Grajeda. “We cannot close “It was only a matter of time,” said Grajeda. our eyes to the fact that a really large number of people who go (to the border) are not all The U.S. on Monday formally asked for Juan Orlando Hernández’s extradition on drug that legal, and that creates a burden.” trafficking and weapons charges. Honduran authorities the following day detained him at

New Zealand lawmakers approve bill to ban conversion therapy Measure passed by 112-8 vote margin By MICHAEL K. LAVERS

Lawmakers in New Zealand on Feb. 14 approved a bill that would ban so-called conversion therapy in the country. Reuters reported the bill passed by a 112-8 vote margin. Justice Minister Kris Faafoi, who introduced the measure, described the vote as “a great day for New Zealand’s rainbow communities.” Canada and Brazil are among the countries in which the discredited practice is now banned. The French National Assembly last month unanimously approved a bill to ban conversion therapy in the country. Israeli Health Minister Nizhan Horowitz, who is openly gay, on Monday announced health care professionals can no longer practice conversion therapy in the country.

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BRANDON J. WOLF is the press secretary for Equality Florida.

LGBTQ youth under attack in Fla.

Gov. Ron DeSantis putting political ambitions first I remember the feeling of isolation everywhere I went. I remember the sense of despair when butterflies exploded in my stomach after my crush passed by me in the hallway. I remember the terror that a conversation around the dinner table might expose me for who I was. Being a queer young person meant being perpetually weighed down by the secret I was carrying and tortured by the internalized fear that something about me was broken. No space felt safe enough to be in authentically, every moment of every day was spent clinging to a carefully constructed mask designed to shield me from the prying eyes of the world, and when I finally collapsed onto my pillow at night, I often screamed into the pages of my journal wondering in hurried scribbles why I had been punished with this curse. Home wasn’t a safe space. Church wasn’t a safe space. The hallways between classes weren’t safe spaces. It was only once I had ducked into a familiar classroom and slipped into my seat near the front of the room that I could finally exhale and let go. A classroom — a teacher — were my refuge. Shelter. A place to belong. A classroom — a teacher — saved my life. That wasn’t just the reality of a younger version of myself, it is the world that LGBTQ young people face every day. For many, affirming classrooms are their only lifelines; safe havens where the things that make them unique are first celebrated and they learn to see themselves not as a lonely outlier, but as an irreplaceable part of a rich, vibrant society. Those safe spaces give LGBTQ youth a chance to thrive — and they’re under attack in Florida right now. I’ll fill you in on the worst kept secret in our state. Governor Ron DeSantis desperately wants to be elected president in 2024. And he understands that to do that, he must outwrestle another Florida resident for the adoration of the most extreme segment of his party’s base: Donald Trump. That jockeying for political power has led to a legislative agenda being championed by the governor and fast tracked by his allies in the legislature that is designed to whip up right-wing fervor by banning books, muzzling teachers, censoring classroom conversations, replacing curriculum with propaganda and giving the state government license to police us in every aspect of our lives. But while the bills being proposed in Tallahassee were birthed from a cynical lust for power, they threaten to usher in a terrifying new reality in Florida. The Stop WOKE Act (HB 7) would censor honest conversations about this country’s history of slavery, racism, and injustice. It would upend diversity, equity, inclusion and even sexual harassment trainings in the workplace, seeking to preserve the “comfort” of some over the lived experiences of others. A 15-week abortion ban (HB 5) would insert the state government into doctor’s offices and clinics across the state, putting the prying eyes of the legislature over people’s shoulders while they make personal decisions about their own bodies. And the “Don’t Say Gay” bill (HB 1557) would ban conversations about LGBTQ people

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in schools across Florida, effectively erasing our community from classrooms and curbing efforts to create more inclusive school environments. These bills serve their intended purpose. They turn schools, workplaces, and doctor’s offices into political battlegrounds and serve up a buffet of culture war issues to fuel the far-right outrage machine. But beyond the sloppily written campaign rhetoric on each page, these dangerous pieces of legislation will have real impacts on real people. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill erases LGBTQ parents, making their presence on Career Day or in a show-and-tell project a potential legal liability. It terrorizes LGBTQ educators, forcing them to consider whether being themselves in the workplace might invoke a lawsuit. And it isolates LGBTQ young people, reinforcing the bigoted notion that their existence is something to be ashamed of. Rainbow “safe place” stickers will be peeled off. Pride month displays will be stuffed into trash cans. In their effort to avoid being sued by an outraged parent, cash-strapped schools will be forced to shut down conversations and put a stop to the work of making schools safe for every child. And the impact of that chilling effect on LGBTQ inclusion will rest squarely on the shoulders of society’s most vulnerable. Those who most need our affirmation and support have once again fallen into the crosshairs of a governor and legislative leaders determined to score political points at any cost. LGBTQ young people suffer higher rates of depression, anxiety, and are four times as likely as their peers to attempt suicide before graduating high school. And nearly 40 percent of transgender Americans reported attempting suicide at some point in their lives. This crisis is fueled by the social isolation, family rejection, bullying and discrimination that is all too familiar to LGBTQ people. And its solutions must be rooted in affirming people and creating safe spaces for them to feel a sense of belonging, not further stigmatizing and shoving them back into the closet. Simply put, efforts to legislate LGBTQ people out of society will have disastrous consequences on young people who are already fighting for their lives. LGBTQ people are a necessary part of the fabric of society. Our historical contributions deserve to be recognized. Our families deserve to be celebrated. Our lives deserve to be valued. And schools should be a safe space for all young people, no matter who they are or how they identify. As the next generation of LGBTQ young people looks on, we must send a clear message to them: You are perfect exactly as you are. And we will not allow the governor or his allies to use you as fodder for their runaway political ambitions. I remember the feeling of isolation everywhere I went. The sense of despair when butterflies exploded in my stomach after my crush passed by me in the hallway. The terror that a conversation around the dinner table might expose me for who I was. And I remember the safe spaces that saved my life. Those spaces are worth defending. And defending them from political assault is the task we are called to now.

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PETER ROSENSTEIN

is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.

Democrats: Get smart and pass some legislation!

Time to stop ‘all or nothing’ drumbeat

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If Democrats want a chance to win in 2022 they need to get smart now and pass some legislation. Time has come to move forward on the parts of the Build Back Better bill that can pass. Time to stop the “all or nothing” chant. If Democrats do this they just might get the chance to govern another day. Better than allowing Republicans to take back the Congress and spiral the nation backwards while destroying our democracy. The progressive left should do what they finally did in 2020 when they got behind Joe Biden; recognize only a moderate candidate can win in swing districts. Those like Congressperson Cori Bush (D-Mo.) are just courting defeat by sticking with losing slogans like “Defund the Police.” She is a smart woman who must understand this was one of the things Republicans used effectively to defeat Democrats. Instead look at how Eric Adams, New York City’s new mayor, is dealing with the complicated issue of policing. Using debunked slogans is not the way to victory. First lady Dr. Jill Biden spoke recently, saying unfortunately free community college is off the table for now. While she doesn’t like it, she recognized Congress must move forward with what is possible today. The American people do better with some progress. Democrats must accept our nation’s founders set up a government which calls for “compromise.” Not compromise on principles, but often compromise to make incremental progress. Whether it’s voting rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights or other initiatives, forward progress is better than none. Blaming President Biden for things like not passing the Equality Act, first introduced by my then boss, Bella S. Abzug (D-N.Y.), in 1974, and which no Congress since then has passed, is ridiculous. As with many civil rights issues, while we have made progress there’s still have a long way to go. As an older gay man, I would never have believed being LGBTQ+ would be a benefit to getting a job. Yet today, in the Biden administration, it is; as is being a woman, African American, Latino or Asian. The push for diversity in this administration is real and strong. Just look at the Office of Presidential Personnel. The first “out” lesbian ambassador has recently been confirmed by the Senate, as has the first transgender official. That is real progress. Now it’s time for the Democratic-controlled Congress to stop falling into the trap where “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” Recently, the Working Families Party in New York endorsed Jumaane Williams, the left-leaning NYC public advocate, for governor. If he did accidently win the Democratic nomination it would lead to the first Republican governor in New York in years. He won’t win and I assume the Working Families Party hopes endorsing him pushes Gov. Hochul to the left. In a recent poll she leads him 46 percent to 11 percent. It is time for Democrats to accept moderates will win in these difficult times, even in New York City and Buffalo as we saw in the 2021 mayoral races. Many smart, principled, Democrats won’t give up fighting for progressive policies. Policies like a $15 minimum wage, universal healthcare, the Equality Act, free community college and legislation to fight climate change. But those smart Democrats also must acknowledge they won’t get them all at once. They must accept incremental progress and the opportunity to continue to fight for what they believe in future Congresses. If Democrats stick together and can point to some progress on issues people care about Republicans are showing they will help us to win the 2022 elections. They are doing so by their in-fighting. It will help when a Democratic candidate can ask his/her Republican challenger if they support the Republican view of the nation which includes the Republican National Committee’s resolution saying Jan. 6 rioters engaged in “legitimate political discourse.” Even some Republican congressional leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, are attacking that and then having Trump attack them. It appears Donald Trump is finally causing a real fissure in the Republican Party and Democrats need to take advantage of that. We can make progress and we are seeing the administration and some in the business community finally recognizing the inequality in our nation and slowly moving towards changing that. The Democratic Congress can make positive incremental changes. As they do Republican legislatures around the nation will continue to try to take us backwards. Democrats can show voters we are different and not play into Republican hands in 2022 with debunked slogans and lack of any progress. For once Democrats must be the smarter Party. If that happens, they will win.

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LGBTQ-inclusive noms reﬂect progress, but Oscar is still dragging his feet Hope for continuing visibility in the Hollywood entertainment machine By JOHN PAUL KING

In summing up LGBTQ inclusion among this year’s nominees for the Academy Awards, you can’t get much more accurate and succinct than this statement from KODI-SMIT MCPHEE and BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH were both nominated for ‘Power of the Dog.’ GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis: “This year’s Oscar nominations for performances from queer actors including Ariana DeBose and Kristen Stewart, as well for powerful LGBTQ stories in films like The GLAAD statement makes no direct mention of “Dog,” though it is presumably ‘West Side Story,’ ‘Flee,’ and ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines,’ are clear reminders of included in the acknowledgment of LGBTQ content among the nominees. The advocacy the opportunities that exist with audiences and critics when Hollywood invests in queer organization is more concerned in the context of Oscar with the direct inclusion of talent and tells diverse stories in bold and original ways. With several worthy LGBTQ queer talent, and rightly so. Nevertheless, it’s worth recognizing that “Dog” is a movie stories, actors, and creators absent from this year’s list, the industry and Academy should which could not have been made in a world where queerness was still forbidden on prioritize investing in and recognizing creators and stories from LGBTQ and other our screens, and its elevation to the top of the awards race of 2021 is a victory for the marginalized communities that audiences both crave and connect with.” community, whether it takes home the big prizes or not. Ellis is on target with both observations. Oscar’s slate of nominated films is peppered As to that, Campion’s film seems sure to win in several categories, including Picture, with queerness, though only a few place it front-and-center, and having two openly Best Cinematography, and Best Actor (though some pundits have speculated an LGBTQ performers nominated within a single year is a record. Nevertheless, it’s a upset from Will Smith for “King Richard” or Andrew Garfield for “tick, tick… BOOM!”). notable fact that several high-profile out contenders didn’t make the cut (Lady Gaga Cumberbatch, for his part, fully deserves a win – even if it does make him the latest for “House of Gucci,” Tessa Thompson for “Passing,” Abbi Jacobson for “The Mitchells straight actor to snag an Oscar for playing gay. So, too, does Kodi Smith-McPhee, vs. the Machines,” and Colman Domingo for “Zola”) in a year when the front-runner for nominated for Supporting Actor, whose delicate interpretation of Cumberbatch’s Best Picture is widely considered to be “The Power of the Dog” – a film that explores the sensitive but inscrutable nephew implies queerness while remaining ambiguous. queer dynamic in a relationship between two men, both played by non-LGBTQ actors. It’s a category full of wild cards (including fellow “Dog” star Jesse Plemons), but he Some of the potential LGBTQ nominees were long-shots, of course (Jacobson, for could easily ride the movie’s Oscar wave into a win. Supporting Actress nominee Kristin example, would have been the first person ever nominated for a voice performance Dunst stands a strong chance at victory for her much-lauded performance as McPhee’s in an animated film), and the significance of “Flee” – an animated docudrama about beleaguered mother, but she would have to beat DeBose’s electric turn as Anita in a queer Afghan refugee telling his story on the eve of his marriage – receiving nods Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” – and the odds seem in favor of DeBose to be of in three categories (Best Documentary Feature, Best International Feature, and Best the few clear-cut winners at the ceremony, something that would also make her the first Animated Feature) should not be understated. Given the high level of acclaim it has queer woman of color to win an Academy Award for performance. received, not to mention the momentum it’s picked up in the “Awards Season” buzz, it “West Side Story” itself, which features a supporting queer character expanded and stands as the best chance for an LGBTQ-focused film to pick up some gold on Oscar more clearly defined than in the source material, earned six additional nominations, night. including for Best Picture and for Spielberg’s direction. It’s not likely to displace either That is, of course, unless you count “The Power of the Dog,” the year’s most-nominated “Dog” of Campion from the top spot in those categories, but it could take home some of film with nods in 12 categories. Director Jane Campion (now the first woman to earn the less high-profile awards for which it has been tapped – Best Production and Costume more than one nomination for Best Director) weaves queerness throughout the fabric Design seem its best shots. of her adaptation of Thomas Savage’s novel – the premise and plot both depend upon “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” with its bisexual teenage heroine, is a dark horse for it – but can it truly be called an LGBTQ film? Neither of its two central characters are Best Animated Feature, but fellow nominee “Flee” could conceivably be carried by its clearly identified as queer, though it’s perhaps obvious that Benedict Cumberbatch’s buzz into taking the category over Disney’s “Encanto,” widely viewed as the front-runner. hyper-masculine rancher has compartmentalized his queerness into a ritualized blend The latter film also has an edge for Documentary Feature, and though International of hero worship and sexual fetish. Feature seems destined for Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” (which also snagged There’s also the uncomfortable but unavoidable interplay of toxic tropes as the nods in the Picture and Director categories), it’s a possible winner there, as well. two characters come together to confront both the archetype of the he-man cowboy Finally, out actress Kristen Stewart, nominated for Leading Actress as Lady Diana in as idealized masculine image and the expectation of a sexual “mentorship” between “Spencer,” has a shot, but also some strong competition – Nicole Kidman in “Being the an older and younger gay man – not to mention the inescapable connection to the Ricardos” and Olivia Colman in “The Lost Daughter” seem locked in tight contention for old rules of the “celluloid closet,” in which one of the only acceptable roles for a gay their performances, and Jessica Chastain’s turn in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” should not character was that of (spoiler alert) cold-blooded murderer. be counted out, either. Yet the inclusion of these elements – which might be seen as “problematic” by some No matter which, or even if, any of these nominations convert to LGBTQ-friendly in the community – is a deliberate choice intended for the precise purpose of turning wins on presentation night, it’s safe to say that Oscar 2021 gives us hope for continuing them inside out and upside down, something Campion’s movie achieves with subtle acceptance and visibility in the Hollywood entertainment machine. and chilling brilliance. Seen as a disavowal of these outdated assumptions, “Dog” is very It’s also safe to say there’s still plenty of room for improvement. much a movie that rejects the oppressive worldviews of the past and strikes a blow for a The Academy Awards are set to broadcast on ABC, Sunday, March 27. You can find a more contemporary – and less rigidly moralistic – perception of LGBTQ identity. full list of the nominees at the Oscars website.

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Friday, February 18

Friday Tea Time and social hour for older LGBTQ adults will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. Feel free to bring your beverage of choice. For the Zoom link or more information, contact Justin (justin@thedccenter.org). Montgomery County Recreation will be hosting “REC Safe Zone” at 6 p.m. at Good Hope Community Center. This event is a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community and their allies to gather. For more information, visit Eventbrite.

Saturday, February 19 The D.C. Center for the LGBTQ Communitys LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space the strives to be safe and judgment free. Email supportdesk@thedccenter.org to receive the Zoom information. The D.C. Center’s South Asian LGBTQ Support Group will be at 1:30p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identiﬁed LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. Email supportdesk@thedccenter.org for more information. Go Gay DC will be hosting “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 10 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This event is ideal for those who want a good brunch and conversation with other LGBTQ folks. For more event details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, February 21 Center Aging Coffee Drop-In will be at 10 a.m. at the D.C. Center and online on Zoom. LGBTQ older adults — and friends — are invited to enjoy friendly conversations and to discuss any issues you might be dealing with. For more information, visit the Center Aging’s Facebook or Twitter pages. “Not Another Drag Show” will be at 8 p.m. at DuPont Italian Kitchen. Logan Stone will be hosting the event along with a rotating cast of local DMV performers. The event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Tuesday, February 22 Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary — whether you’re bigender, agender, genderﬂuid or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org. The D.C. Center’s Asexual and Aromantic Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. Email supportdesk@thedccenter.org for more details.

Wednesday, February 23 The D.C. Center’s Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This book club meets every month to discuss queer books by queer authors. This month’s discussion will focus on “And the Band Played On” by Randy Shilts. For more details, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org. Job Club will be at 6 p.m. in person at the D.C. Center and online on Zoom. The Job Club is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-conﬁdence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email centercareers@ thedccenter.org or visit www.thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, February 24 The D.C. Center’s Food Pantry Program will be held all day at the D.C. Center. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org or call 202-682-2245. The DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The primary mission of the DC AntiViolence Project is to reduce violence against LGBTQ individuals (and those perceived as LGBTQ) through community outreach, education, and monitoring cases to ensure that the rights and dignity of LGBTQ victims are respected and protected. For more information, visit the organization’s Facebook and Twitter. 2 6 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • FEBRUARY 18 , 2 0 2 2

OUT & ABOUT D.C. Center to screen Henrietta Lacks ﬁlm

The D.C. Center for the LGBT Community will be a free hosting a screening of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The event will also include a short discussion about the ﬁlm after the viewing. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” follows Deborah Lacks as she embarks on a quest to learn about Henrietta Lacks, a woman whose cancerous cells were extracted from her body and led to breakthroughs that revolutionized the medicine industry. The ﬁlm stars Hollywood giants such as Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne. Those interested in attending the event can contact adamheller@thedccenter.org for more information.

DC Metro Circle of Friends to host Us Helping Us, People Into Living fundraiser After a two-year hiatus, DC Metro Circle of Friends, Inc., will be hosting “Buddy’s Sweater Party” on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. at Ivy City Smokehouse. Proceeds from the event will go to Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc. Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc., is a community-based HIV/AIDS service organization committed to reducing HIV infection in the African American community. There will be sounds by DJ Roc & DJ Stylz of Baltimore and a cash bar. Tickets cost $25. For more information, visit Eventbrite.

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‘That Golden Girls Show’ comes to Strathmore Puppet parody to play for one night only By PATRICK FOLLIARD

Calling all girls, gays and grannies! That’s the tagline on the website for “That Golden Girls Show!” — a puppet parody based on the sitcom slated to play for one night only at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The tribute tour with a lot of heart is selling out venues all over the country with audiences whose demographics include but exceed the three forementioned Gs. Nearly everyone has seen “The Golden Girls,” TV’s massively appealing 80s episodic comedy about four disparate older straight white women, Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and her elderly mother Sophia, who share house and hijinks in Miami. With its catchy theme song, unintentionally outré outfits, acerbic wit, heartening storylines, and the occasional gay plots and openly gay supporting characters made the show a hit with large swathes of the queer community. And after seven years on air, lucrative syndication deals made its now all deceased cast members — Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty — all very rich women. Reveling in the original, “That Golden Girls Shows!” — which opened off-Broadway in 2016 but later closed due to COVID-19 only to reopen as a national tour in October — presents three storylines that celebrates the show’s characters and incorporates some of its best iconic lines (“Picture it, Sicily 1922,” etc.) From the top, live audiences will know exactly where they are: There’s the music (“Thank You for Being a Friend”), the Florida-inspired rattan furniture, and then the Muppet like puppets appear, looking eerily similar to the stars who created the parts. The show’s actors handling the cunningly realized puppets are dressed all in black, their faces are visible, similar to the style of hit musical “Avenue Q.” Lu Zielinski, who plays Blanche in the show, says “it’s a remarkable opportunity, one that I never imagined would come my way. And not only am I having a wonderful time, but I’ve acquired an entirely new skillset.” A veteran musical comedy actor with zero puppetry experience prior to joining the tour, Zielinski nails Blanche’ familiar breathy Southern tones. And she’s equally adept at handling the puppet, uncannily capturing Blanche’s seductive poses and walk.

LU ZIELINSKI handles Blanche Devereaux (Photo courtesy of Lu Zielinski)

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With so many fans heavily invested in the girls, does Zielinski feels a responsibility to get it right? “Actually no. It’s more about us celebrating friendships. My job is to make sure that the audience leaves laughing and that they’ve found a place to escape and enjoy their day. Judging by the eruptions of laughter, I feel we get that right.” If they hadn’t already developed a relationship to the TV show before touring, the four-person cast certainly has now. When Betty White died in December at almost 100, the subsequent outpouring of love was palpable with the tour’s cast. “We felt it,” says Zielinski, “Her legacy is embodied in the show, and audiences recognize that. We don’t think of seeing the show as closure but rather a way to bring love to the theater and have a last hug with her.” Work with puppets has proved a true learning experience. “An actors’ bond with the puppet is intense,” she says. “We take inanimate objects and make them real. We’re their mouth and arms and upper torso. I use my lower half to accentuate Blanche’s slinky moments which I like. Anytime I get to waggle my hips, I’m having a good time, so it’s perfect for me. I feel very connected to my Blanche puppet.” Additionally, puppets command attention and great care, she says. “These particular puppets are so expensive and well made — they allow for lifelike gestures and capture real-life faces. I’m working with a new puppet. I’m the only person who’s ever used it, it feels very custom made for me. We treat the puppets like celebrities. They roll around in their own specially designed suitcases.” Zielinski first caught the sitcom in reruns. “Every single day throughout the summer, my babysitter and I watched ‘Price is Right’ followed by two episodes of ‘The Golden Girls’ while eating cinnamon toast.” “Today, it remains a comfort show for so many of us,” says Zielinski. “A comfort show with zingers. That’s how my friendships are now. We adore each other, but we make fun. I think our audiences relate to that.”

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French actor goes home to mother in ‘My Best Part’ Nicolas Maury’s feature film opens Feb. 25 By JOHN PAUL KING

rennially hangdog expression, he “My Best Part,” the English-lanseems cut from the same cloth guage title of actor Nicolas Mauas many classic cinema clowns ry’s feature film directorial debut, — childlike, eternally out of step which opens for a limited theatriwith the world around him, and cal run and simultaneously drops just handsome enough to be an on VOD platforms Feb. 25, is a appealing romantic figure, yet reasonably suitable name for a with enough gravitas behind the movie about an actor with momeyes to carry the weight when he’s my issues, in that it plays on both required to get serious. There’s a its main character’s profession distinctly European flavor to his and the self-searching battle with comedic persona, a tendency tohis own insecurities which lies at ward sentiment that sometimes the center of the story, but it is not leans dangerously close to the the original one. maudlin — for American tastes, at In France, where the film least — but there’s also a touch of opened in 2020 after being “l’enfant terrible” that undercuts named as an official selection his most pitiable moments and at Cannes, though it was never turns them into shrewd self-satire. screened there due to COVID-19, He’s also openly, unquestionably, it goes by the title “Chiffon NICOLAS MAURY and NATHALIE BAYE in ‘My Best Part’ (Photo courtesy of Altered Innocence) and unapologetically gay, a welGarçon,” derived from the affeccome twist that sets his image tionate nickname bestowed upon apart from that of predecessors like Buster Keaton, Jacques Tati or even Paul Reuits hapless lead by his mother, and it’s easy to understand why the decision was made bens’ Pee-Wee Herman. The chance for LGBTQ audiences to see a classic cinema to change it for English-speaking audiences. The word “chiffon,” which is translated in formula reframed through a queer perspective is obviously a treat, and still a rare the subtitles as “napkin” but in French usage typically refers to any rag or cloth used enough experience to make it noteworthy. Maury brings his queerness to the screen to wipe something clean, is one of those linguistic transplants that conveys a more without a filter, and it’s glorious, whether you find him maudlin or not. limited sense in English than it does in its country of origin, and neither “Napkin Boy” As a director, Maury draws from a rangy set of influences. There’s a nostalgia about or “Rag Boy” really get the point across — besides which, they don’t exactly roll off the his film, a deference to the classics that nevertheless finds expression in a style more tongue. in tune with contemporary arthouse cinema than the stylized romantic comedies of It’s not uncommon for international films to go by different titles in different counthe past. At times, the resulting blend feels a bit uneven — the comedy a little bitter, tries, of course, so it’s no surprise Maury’s romantic “dramedy” went with that option. the wisdom a little pat — and veers unpredictably between styles so that we someIt’s worth mentioning, however, because the change of name doesn’t make it any eastimes feel as if we are watching two different movies cut together into one. Neverier to acclimate American audiences to the almost quintessentially French sensibility theless, he has a keen eye behind the camera, and a boldly intuitive approach to of his movie. filmmaking that — though it may occasionally disorient us, in the moment — never Maury — known to American audiences from the popular French comedy series loses our interest, even when it takes a surreal turn into Jacques Demy territory for a “Call My Agent,” which gained a cult following among binge-hungry Netflix viewers surreal “Hollywood” ending. during the pandemic — stars as Jérémie, a still-young-but-aging actor in Paris whose If “My Best Part” has a shortfall, it comes in its ambitious screenplay, which perhaps career is as much on the skids as his personal life; his relationship with Albert (Artries to pack too much substance into what feels like it should be as airy as a souffle. naud Valois), a handsome veterinarian who clearly loves him, has been sabotaged Penned by Maury with Sophie Fillières and Maud Ameline, it excels both in its broad by his extreme jealousy, and he’s abruptly been fired as the lead in an upcoming satirical strokes — particularly its savage lampoon of fragile show business ego — and movie on a whim from its director. Weighing perhaps most heavily on him, his father in its illumination of Jérémie’s inner struggles. Where its ambitions exceed its grasp has just committed suicide by shotgun, sparking an existential depression that makes are the places where it aims closer to the heart; there’s a yearning for resolution in the his problems feel even more insurmountable. A glimmer of hope appears, however, relationships that never quite earns fulfillment, instead opting to funnel its accumulatwhen he lands an audition for a stage role he seems born to play. ed emotional stakes into a climactic crisis involving an adorable puppy, who, for the Hoping for a respite from his insecurities record, gives a brilliant canine performance. while he prepares for it, Jérémie heads As for the human actors, Maury dominates the screen, despite sharing it for much off to spend time with his clear-headed of the time with his co-star, 10-time Cesar Award nominee (and four-time winner) mother Bernadette (Nathalie Baye) at and French cinema icon Nathalie Baye. She gives a warm, genuine, and layered perher country house, counting on her soformance, but even her grounded presence is not enough to bring full depth to the lace and support to help him find a more relationship between their characters, which ultimately feels less important than the positive outlook. When he arrives, howstress that’s placed upon it sets us up to expect. Valois, known to American audiencever, he is surprised by the presence of es from his powerful performance in 2018’s “B.P.M.,” makes his too-good-to-be-true Kévin (Théo Christine), a new handyman character seem true, and Christine manages to do the same, even as the film sweeps whose presence in the household feels him along into its barely plausible (but undeniably crowd-pleasing) denouement. like a replacement for his own. Ultimately, of course, plausibility is not what makes “My Best Part” (or “Chiffon Despite the somewhat gloomy set of Garçon,” if you prefer) a fun movie — and it is a fun movie, quibbling aside. While it circumstances that lead into its premise, never quite wins our heart, it makes us care about its characters, even the underwritten “My Best Part” is not a heavy affair — at and overdrawn ones, and in the end, perhaps that’s more important. There’s a truth least, not all the time — but aims at the in it, somewhere, that can’t quite be explained — much in the way that the full French sort of quirky, lighthearted approach fameaning of “chiffon” is not conveyed in English. Something is lost in the translation. vored by most contemporary romcoms. For a lot of people, that might make it difficult to enjoy; but for those who can simply To this end, Maury makes the perfect give in and appreciate its offbeat charm, it comes highly recommended. centerpiece; fey and fragile, with a pe3 0 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • FEBRUARY 18 , 2 0 2 2

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‘To Paradise’ is an unforgettable masterpiece Hanya Yanagihara’s new novel consists of three novellas

By KATHI WOLFE “To Paradise,” the new novel by Hanya Yanagihara, editor-inchief of T: The New York Times Style Magazine and author of the bestselling novel “A Little Life,” is unforgettable. Yanagihara, 47, an Asian American woman who was born in Los (Photo cover courtesy of Amazon) Angeles and grew up in Hawaii, is known for “To Paradise” writing about queer By Hanya Yanagihara (especially, gay male) c.2022, Doubleday | $32.50 | 720 pages characters. Some in the LGBTQ+ community think that Yanagihara portrays queer characters as stereotypes! Others love Yanagihara’s work. Queer author Edmund White has compared “To Paradise” to Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” “To Paradise” is a “War and Peace”-like masterpiece. But with Tolstoy, you know how things end — what happens to Pierre, Prince Andrew, Natasha and their families. “To Paradise” consists of three novellas. It takes place over 200 years and features characters with the same names in different time periods and families. It’s beautifully written. You’ll care about the characters. But, at the end, you won’t know what will happen to them. The first novella “Washington Square,” is an homage to

the Henry James novel with the same title, takes place in 1893 in Greenwich Village in New York. It is much like a James or Edith Wharton novel. It’s upper-crust families are preoccupied with status, wealth and ensuring that their children marry well. In Yanagihara’s reimagining of American history, America didn’t become a unified nation of states after the Civil War. In her imagining, after the war, America became a loosely connected set of territories. New York is in the territory called the Free States. In the Free States, both same-sex marriage and arranged marriages are legal. David Bingham, who is gay and prone to “nervous troubles,” lives in a mansion with his grandfather. His grandfather is concerned that David will have difficulty finding a husband because of his “illnesses.” He arranges for David to marry Charles Griffith, a rich man. Charles falls in love with David. But David doesn’t want to marry Charles. He loves Edward Bishop, a poor man who teaches music. David longs to escape from his grandfather — to live “in color.” He and Ed are set to go to California, where, unlike in the Free States, life is risky for gay people. The second novella of “To Paradise,” “Lipo-Wao-Nahele,” is set in late 20th century New York in the same Greenwich Village mansion and in Hawaii. In the first section of this novella, a paralegal, also, named David Bingham, lives with his wealthy lover, also named Charles Griffith. David struggles with his conflicted feelings about Charles. “He knew he should feel infantilized by how obviously

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unequal their life together was,” Yanagihara writes, “and yet he didn’t ... it was a relief not to think.” David grew up in Hawaii. He became estranged from his father, a descendent of Hawaiian royalty. The second, and longest, section of this novella is in the form of a seemingly endless letter from David’s father to David. “To Paradise” is a gripping book. But reading this letter is like being a child traveling with your parents. You keep wondering: are we there yet? “Zone Eight,” the third novella is set in 2093. It spans several decades (going back to the 2070s) over a serious of pandemics. New York is now Zone Eight and run by an authoritarian government. There is no Internet, access to books is restricted and flies monitor conversations. Pandemic life in “Zone Eight” makes our COVID-19 era seem like carefree. In “Zone Eight,” yet another Charles Griffith, a research scientist, tries to keep his granddaughter Charlie safe. “Zone Eight,” is narrated by Charlie and by Charles. Charlie is in an arranged marriage to a gay man. At age 10, she became intellectually disabled from medication she received when she had a virus. Charlie is an interesting character. She works at a lab and knows what’s going on in her life and world. She wants to be loved. But Charlie’s voice is often flat and childlike. I can’t help but think that there’s some ableism in Yanagihara’s depiction of Charlie. Despite this quibble, “To Paradise” is an enthralling book. It may make you cry or squirm, but you won’t stop reading it.

Wild and crazy rides

Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender 90 lean into retro roots By JOE PHILLIPS

There’s a twisted allure to bad boys and mean girls. Me, I like nasty toys — vehicles so wild and crazy they overrule common sense. A Bronco? That’s not the name for a mild-mannered ride. Even the Defender 90 sounds like some sort of sci-ﬁ creation from a “Star Trek” episode. But then, when it comes to being seduced by an untamed beast, perhaps Spock and the Borg say it best: Resistance is futile.

FORD BRONCO $30,000 MPG: 20 city / 24 highway 0 to 60 mph: 7.7 seconds Last year I raved about the return of the four-door Ford Bronco after a 25year absence. This time I test drove the two-door model, which is even more playful. It’s also 16 inches shorter, which somehow makes the bold and brawny styling even more pronounced. This includes two upright protruding hood handles, which look like devil’s horns but can be used to help tie down a kayak or camping gear on the roof. As with a sports coupe, the two-door Bronco exudes wanderlust and excitement. Ground clearance is really high, but it’s great for driver visibility. To help you climb inside, chunky grab handles are tastefully sculpted into each end of the dashboard. And while the back seats aren’t the easiest to access, they are comfortable once you get there. Choice of two brisk engines, along with some butch-sounding trim levels: Big Bend, Black Diamond, Badlands and Wildtrak. A nifty Trail Assist feature allows you to make turns that are sharper than expected, and the one-pedal driving system automatically applies the brakes just by lifting your foot off the accelerator. Other niceties: Standard all-wheel drive, an optional manual transmission and removable roof and doors. The tall roof also helps the cabin seem a bit more spacious, and those vinyl seats and rubber surfaces can easily be hosed down after a day of off-roading. Despite its Spartan appearance, this stubby SUV boasts the latest infotainment and safety features, but at a price. Fully loaded, a two-door Bronco can easily top $60,000.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 $50,000 MPG: 18 city / 21 highway 0 to 60 mph: 7.6 seconds As with the Ford Bronco, the Land Rover Defender 90 leans into its retro roots. But the styling here is far more futuristic and the off-road prowess much more formidable. To overcome challenging landscapes, a Terrain Response system lets you choose from various modes: Grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, rock crawl and wade. The adjustable air-suspension system raises and lowers the vehicle, allowing the Defender to travel through streams up to 35.4 inches deep while a sensor detects the depth automatically. The novel tailgate is hinged at the side, with a full-spare wheel attached — an anomaly in today’s world of donut spare tires. Though the four- and six-cylinder engines are mighty enough, this year there’s a new supercharged 518-hp V8 that can thrust this studly two-door SUV from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. But despite such gusto, Land Rover also sprinkles in plenty of glitz. This includes the exquisite and high-quality interior fit and finish, with wood-grain trim, tasteful ambient lighting and heated/cooled 12-way seats made of fine faux-suede material. There’s also smartphone integration, in-car Wi-Fi and a large infotainment touchscreen. And forget Coachella or any world-class concert hall — the optional 14-speaker Meridian stereo sounds just as nice. Like the Bronco, such options don’t come cheap — up to $120,000 for a completely decked-out Defender 90. And both of these two-door vehicles are only so practical, with less passenger room and cargo space than in a four-door SUV. But oh my, these adult Tonka toys are a helluva lot of fun to drive.

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Cupid’s Undie Run

Participants raise money for neuroﬁbromatosis research (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

A fundraiser for neuroﬁbromatosis research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation was held at Penn Social on Saturday, Feb. 12. Participants ran or walked in Valentine’s-themed costumes in Penn Quarter in downtown D.C. for “Cupid’s Undie Run” and partied at Penn Social.

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The décor of the floor

Laminate and luxury vinyl flooring a versatile, durable option By VALERIE M. BLAKE

Love and marriage, milk and cookies, law and order. We all recognize these pairings, but luxury and vinyl are two words I never thought would appear together, especially when describing flooring. When my best friend moved to Florida, I flew down to help her get settled in her new house. As soon as I stepped into the foyer, I was greeted by an odd smell and some wood-look, plank flooring that I could not identify. It turned out to be vinyl, with its volatile organic compounds (VOCs) still off-gassing from recent installation. Vinyl flooring has been around since the 1800s and used to contain asbestos, although the carcinogen was phased out of the manufacturing process in the 1980s. The product I saw was known as Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and was entirely unlike the sheet vinyl that used to be installed in our kitchens and bathrooms of yesteryear. In 1990, the Perstorp chemical corporation of Sweden patented its Pergo laminate flooring. Wildly popular, it was seen as the lowcost, DIY installation alternative to hardwood. These floorboards used photographs of different wood species, with a protective topcoat of melamine with aluminum oxide. It was easy for a homeowner to “tap” or “click” the boards into place, and they could be installed over a variety of existing floors, including the old asbestos tiles. Unfortunately, they also chipped, warped and opened their seams with exposure to water and humidity. They also felt squishy underfoot and emitted a hollow sounding echo never heard when walking on real wood. A couple of years ago, an agent in my consortium of Facebook real estate professionals asked whether LVP floors might be appropriate in a $3 million+ California home. That took me back to 2005, when I lived in San Diego. While house hunting there, I had learned there were two materials required in a typical suburban home: 1) honed travertine tile with a pinkish cast and 2) everything that was popular 30 years earlier. I intended to be the savior of the 70’s ranch, but only stayed in the area long enough to bring my own house up to East Coast standards. It came as no surprise, therefore, to hear the collective nodding of heads on the opposite coast, approving the use of LVP floors in a luxury market. At the time, I was aghast. Now it seems that higher grade laminate and vinyl floors are increasing in popularity among renovators of mid-priced homes in the DMV. The manufacturing process has been refined as well, and the malodorous off-gasses of LVP generally dissipate within a few weeks.

So, between laminate and luxury vinyl flooring, who wins and why? Ease of Installation: Due to its thickness and installation as a floating floor, laminate is more forgiving of imperfections in the subfloor beneath it. If you’re working with a flat surface, the glued down version of LVP is thinner and can be cut to fit without power tools. Verdict: A toss-up, depending on your DIY skills or those of your installer. Water Resistance: LVP is considered waterproof and is the winner in this category, making it the better choice for kitchens and baths. If you are cursed with a leaking dishwasher on a laminate floor, then you may find your floors “dead in the water.” Durability: The protective upper layer of each product will determine durability. With LVP, a 12 mm layer is considered commercial grade and will offer increased protection from scratches, but it is prone to fading in direct sunlight. Laminate carries an Abrasion Criteria (AC) Rating to measure durability. An AC rating of at least three is recommended for residential use and may withstand fewer dents over time. An AC4 rating can handle most children and pets. Budget: Both products are equally economical, ranging in price per square foot from $1 to $10 for laminate and from $1 to $14 for LVP. Add $1 per square foot if you need additional underlayment. Looks: In the end, you want a floor that not only performs well but that looks good. The quality of both laminate and vinyl have improved to such a degree that they can simulate the look of wood, tile and stone; however, this is not a product you want to select online. Visit a few flooring stores to look at, feel, and even smell the products. Take samples home if you can, to see them in both natural and artificial light. The winner will become clear. Whichever you choose, I’m betting that the variety of species, available stains, and sanding capabilities will allow real wood to continue its reign as the true luxury flooring, even if the trend becomes covering it with carpet once again.

VALERIE M. BLAKE

is a licensed Associate Broker in D.C., Md. and Va. with RLAH Real Estate. Call or text her at (202) 246-8602, email her at www.DCHomeQuest.com, or follow her on Facebook at TheRealst8ofAffairs. B US I NE S S • F E B R UA RY 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 • WA S H I N GTO N B L A D E.CO M • 3 5

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115 Bangor Lane, Milton, DE

33169 Seashore Place, Lewes, DE

MLS #: DESU2016146

MLS #: DESU2016038

MUST-SEE PREMIERE OPPORTUNITY!

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME!

Impeccably maintained home in this quaint waterfront community located just outside desirable downtown Milton. Located in a peaceful backdrop of mature ﬂowering trees and landscaping on a .75 acre lot, this 3 BR, 3 BA property has been featured on the Milton Garden Tour. Get ready for summer and enjoy the beautiful salt water lap pool which includes a pool house with an attached potting room. Don’t wait to call this property HOME!

With this gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2 bath stunner - with finished 2nd Floor Bonus Room - all on a private, tree-lined cul-de-sac lot, in the established Lewes community of Sea-Wood! Shows like a model, and features a spacious open floor plan with custom finishes & luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the main living area. Endless outdoor entertaining on the back deck that overlooks the expansive tree-lined backyard with irrigation system & a detached shed for all of your beach, bike & outdoor storage. A must-see, just minutes to Route 1, Lewes and Rehoboth Beaches!

116 W. 3rd Street, Lewes, DE

31658 Topsail Dr., Lewes, DE

MLS: DESU2014496

MLS #: DESU2014118

PRICE REDUCTION, 2/16/22: 31658 Topsail Drive NEW List Price: $745,000

Iconic Lewes landmark with visions for the future!

Original Lewes Firehouse & Lock Up is a rare opportunity to be part of history, complete w/ retail & living space. This resilient property extends a unique invitation for the visionary. Completely renovated from top to bottom in the mid 1980s, a 1st floor shop features 2 showrooms, storage (formerly town jail), bath & classic, multi-paned storefront windows. Upstairs living area offers 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, dining & living rooms w/wood & tile flooring.

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This barely lived in and well cared for 3 bedroom, 3 bath home is waiting for you in Marsh Farm Estates! Situated on a premium & private lot, this home has all the features you want in a home---a spacious, open ﬂoor plan, gourmet kitchen, ﬁnished walkout basement with wet bar and so much more. Within walking distance to the community’s clubhouse & pool; and only a short drive to Coastal Highway’s shopping & dining, along with Lewes & Rehoboth Beaches! Have a like-new home without the wait!

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MASSAGE

KICK BACK AND RELAX with a refreshing massage. Private studio near Courthouse in Arlington, Sun-Wed, 12-9. Contact Gary @ 301-704-1158, mymassagebygary.com.

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I’m looking for my ﬁrst boyfriend , when we were just 12yrs old in Germany. We linked up in 1990 when I lived in DC. I lost contact with him shortly there after. I’m hoping someone out there knows John. If you do, please contact me or advise him to call me. A small reward applies! Thanks Chris Guard

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Service Department

2805 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22031

(855) 527-9457

BMW OF FAIRFAX HAS BEEN AWARDED ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION OF BRAND NEW BMWS. We are having an exclusive sale on the following units starting FRIDAY FEB, 18TH AT 9AM, and ending MONDAY FEB. 21ST AT 7PM. We have 19 brand new 2022 X7 available.

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