Washington Blade, Volume 53, Issue 22, June 03, 2022

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Celebrating diversity, supporting the community, and sharing our pride.

At Kaiser Permanente, the region’s leading health system,1 we’ve always supported the LGBTQ+ community. From inclusive, compassionate care provided by physicians knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ health issues to a welcoming and safe environment, you’ll always get care that makes you feel like you belong.

kp.org/pridemedical/mas In the survey Best Health Insurance Companies for 2021 by Insure.com, Kaiser Permanente as a national enterprise is rated #1 overall among 15 companies.

In the NCQA Commercial Health Plan Ratings 2021, our commercial plan is rated 5 out of 5, the highest rating in MD, VA, and DC. The 2019 Commission on Cancer, a program of the American College of Surgeons, granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation to the Kaiser Permanente cancer care program (extended through 2022). The Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group is the largest multispecialty medical group in the Washington, DC, and Baltimore areas and exclusively treats Kaiser Permanente members. Permanente doctors are recognized as Top Doctors in Northern Virginia Magazine (2022), Washingtonian magazine (2021), and Baltimore magazine (2021). According to NCQA’s Quality Compass® 2021, we’re rated 5 out of 5 in 29 measures, including: controlling blood pressure (heart disease), blood pressure control (140/90) (diabetes), glucose control, colorectal screening, breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, childhood immunizations, prenatal check-ups, and postpartum care. Quality Compass is a registered trademark of the NCQA.

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Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. 2101 E. Jefferson St. Rockville, MD 20852 2022BD0702 MAS 6/3/22-12/31/23

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VOLUME 53 ISSUE 22 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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‘Secret City’ reveals long hidden stories of gay purges in federal gov’t Gay journalist uncovers reports of closeted officials serving under 10 presidents

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

A new book released this week called “Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington” is drawing the attention of LGBTQ rights activists and longtime Washington insiders alike for its never-before-told stories about dozens of closeted mostly gay men and at least one lesbian who worked for 10 U.S. presidents beginning with Franklin Roosevelt through George H.W. Bush.

The book ends with the role LGBTQ people played under the 11th president it covers — Bill Clinton — by pointing out that Clinton was the first president to appoint openly gay or lesbian people to high-level administration positions.

The book’s author, gay journalist James Kirchick, says he chose to end the book with his coverage of Clinton because Clinton, for the most part, ended the restrictions against gays and lesbians serving in sensitive civilian government jobs by lifting the longstanding ban on approving government security clearances for gays.

In an interview with the Blade, Kirchick said he began his research for the book over a decade ago in his role as a Washington reporter with a longstanding interest in the Cold War and the U.S. government’s struggle to address the perceived threat of communism promoted by the then Soviet Union at the conclusion of World War II. He said that prior to that time homosexuality was perceived as a “sin, a very bad sin,” but not a threat to the safety and security of the country. But that changed at the start of World War II when the country developed what Kirchick calls a bureaucracy for managing military and governmental secrets needed to protect the country from outside threats.

“From the Second World War until the end of the Cold War that followed, the specter of homosexuality haunted Washington,” Kirchick writes in the introduction to his book.

“Nothing posed a more potent threat to a political career or exerted a more fearsome grip on the nation’s collective psyche, than the love expressed between people of the same sex,” he writes.

Kirchick notes the development widely observed by historians and LGBTQ activists that homosexuals in important government positions were perceived to be a threat to national security because societal bias and official government restrictions forced them to hide their sexual orientation and made them susceptible to blackmail by foreign government agents seeking to uncover U.S. military secrets.

In his 2006 book, “The Lavender Scare,” gay historian David K. Johnson reports how large numbers of gays were denied security clearances and forced out of their jobs because of fears of security breaches that Johnson said were never shown to have happened.

Kirchick, who said he was inspired by Johnson’s book, expands on “Lavender Scare’s” reporting by providing detailed stories of dozens of individual gay people or people incorrectly thought to be homosexual who became ensnared in investigations into their alleged sexual orientation while working for at least 10 U.S. presidents.

The presidents the book covers include Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

A statement announcing the release of the book says Kirchick obtained thousands of pages of declassified documents, interviewed more than 100 people, and viewed documents from presidential libraries and archives across the country to obtain the information he needed for “Secret City.”

Among those forced out of their job was Sumner Wells, a high-level State Department official and diplomatic adviser under Franklin Roosevelt. In “Secret City,” Kirchick tells how despite Wells’ reputation as an invaluable adviser to Roosevelt, the president made it clear Wells could not remain in the administration after word got out that he had solicited one or more young men for sex who worked as porters on passenger trains that Wells had taken to travel to different parts of the country.

Not all of the book’s stories involve government officials. In one story Kirchick tells about Oliver Sipple, a former U.S. Marine who saved the life of President Gerald Ford by deflecting the gun of a woman who attempted to shoot Ford as he emerged from an event in San Francisco. The widely publicized incident prompted some gay activists to publicly disclose that Sipple was gay and should be hailed as a hero.

The book reports that Sipple was not out publicly and became emotionally distraught after being outed. His parents reacted in a hostile way after learning from press reports that their son was a homosexual and told him he was no longer welcome to visit his

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parents, according to the book.

A far more positive story emerged during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. The book reports on a development reported by the Washington Blade and other media outlets at the time it became known in 1979 when Jamie Shoemaker, a gay man who worked as a linguist with the U.S. National Security Agency, or NSA, had his security clearance revoked and was told he would be fired after officials at the highly secretive agency discovered he was gay.

Shoemaker contested the effort to dismiss him and retained D.C. gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny, who was a recognized expert in helping gays contest efforts to revoke government security clearances, to represent him.

In a development that surprised many political observers, former Admiral Bobby Ray Inman, who Carter had appointed as director of the NSA, determined that Shoemaker was not a threat to the agency’s secrets and could retain his security clearance and his job.

Inman made that determination after Kameny and Shoemaker made it clear that Shoemaker was an out gay man who had no problem disclosing his sexual orientation at work if doing so did not jeopardize his job. Shoemaker became the first known gay person to be allowed to retain a high-level security clearance at a U.S. government intelligence agency such as the NSA and possibly at any government agency or department.

Shoemaker, who has since retired, told the Blade that in recent years, an LGBTQ employee group at the NSA has invited him to return to the agency’s headquarters as a guest speaker for the group’s LGBTQ Pride event with the full approval of NSA officials.

The welcoming of Shoemaker at the NSA in recent years is viewed by activists as a development illustrating the dramatic changes that have taken place in support of LGBTQ workers at security agencies like the NSA, the CIA, and the FBI. “The story of the secret city is also the story of a nation overcoming one of its deepest fears,” Kirchick writes in the concluding chapter of “Secret City.”

“Only when gay people started living their lives openly did the hysteria start to become plain for what its was,” he writes. “Across the broad sweep of American history, no minority group has witnessed a more rapid transformation in its status, in the eyes of their fellow citizens, than gay people in the second half of the twentieth century,” Kirchick concludes.

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Former Va. Tech football player found not guilty in beating death of gay man

A Montgomery County, Va., jury on May 27 acquitted a former Virginia Tech football player of second-degree murder for the May 2021 beating death of a gay man who was dressed in women’s clothes when the two men engaged in sex after meeting through the online dating site Tinder.

At the time of his arrest last year, Isimemen Etute, 19,who was 18 at the time of the incident, told police he acted in self-defense after learning that victim Jerry Paul Smith, 40, tricked him into thinking he was a woman when he allowed Smith to perform oral sex on him at Smith’s Blacksburg, Va., apartment on April 10, 2021.

Etute told police he returned to Smith’s apartment in May of that year to determine whether Smith was a man or a woman, according to the Roanoke Times.

The newspaper reports that Etute testified at his trial that a confrontation broke out inside Smith’s apartment after Etute saw that Smith was a man. He testified at his three-day trial last week that he began punching Smith after Smith appeared to be reaching for a weapon under the mattress of his bed, possibly a gun.

Police discovered a knife under the mattress at the time they found Smith’s badly beaten body on the bedroom floor.

Prosecutors presented a witness from the county medical examiner’s office who testified that most of the bones in Smith’s face were broken, he had bleed-

ISIMEMEN ETUTE was acquitted after killing a gay man who tricked him into having sex.

(Photo courtesy Blacksburg Police Department)

ing and swelling in his brain, and had multiple teeth knocked out.

The Associated Press reports that Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Jensen argued at the trial that the injuries suffered by Smith indicated Etute acted with malice and Smith could not have posed a threat to him after he was initially punched by Etute.

“I felt violated,” Etute testified at the trial, according to the AP and the Roanoke Times “I was just in shock, in

disbelief that someone tricked me and lied to me,” the Times quoted Etute as telling the judge and jury.

His attorney, Jimmy Turk, told the jury that Smith was a “deceitful and dishonest man” who “defrauded young men for his own sexual gratification,” the Roanoke Times reports. “Who is the real victim here?” the newspaper quoted Turk as telling the jury in his closing arguments. “This was a wicked sexual ruse.”

Prosecutor Jensen called on Circuit Court Judge Mike Fleenor to instruct the jury that the defense could not use a so-called “gay panic defense” on Etute’s behalf because the Virginia General Assembly last year passed a law outlawing the gay and transgender panic defense in criminal trials.

The law, similar to laws passed by other states, says juries cannot consider a violent act to be justified by someone who finds out someone else’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

According to the Roanoke Times, the judge said the law would have applied in this case, but it did not take effect until after the incident in which Etute assaulted Smith took place and so the law could not be applied retroactively.

The Times and AP report that the jury handed down its not guilty verdict after deliberating for just three hours.

LOU CHIBBARO JR.

D.C. man gets 7 months for attack against gay Asian man

A D.C. Superior Court judge late last week sentenced District resident Patrick Trebat, 39, to seven months in jail following a dramatic court hearing in which a gay Asian man, Sean Lai, described how Trebat assaulted him and his parents while shouting homophobic and anti-Asian slurs in an unprovoked attack last August on a D.C. street.

The sentencing came after Trebat pleaded guilty during the same hearing to three counts of misdemeanor simple assault, with one of the counts designated as a hate crime based on the victim’s ethnicity. The guilty plea was part of a plea bargain offer by prosecutors with the Office of the U.S. Attorney for D.C. In exchange for Trebat accepting the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop two earlier felony charges of bias-related assault with significant bodily injury brought against Trebat in connection with the attack on Lai and his parents.

Judge Michael O’Keefe officially sentenced Trebat to 21 months of incarceration for the three charges, but suspended all but seven months of the sentence. O’Keefe also sentenced Trebat to three years of supervised probation upon his release, with the stipulation that he will be required to serve the full 21 months if he violates the terms of his probation.

Trebat, who had been released on a partial home detention order shortly after his arrest just under 10 months ago, was placed in immediate custody and escorted out of the courtroom by U.S. marshals after the conclusion of the sentencing part of the hearing to begin serving his sentence.

In delivering a victim’s impact statement in the courtroom, Lai told O’Keefe that in addition to inflicting physical injuries on him and his parents that required emergency treatment at a hospital, Trebat’s attack on his family caused deep emotional scars that continues to

MIKE SILVERSTEIN (left) and SEAN LAI are joined outside D.C. Superior Court by members of Lai’s legal team: BLAIR DECKER, MOLLY PALLMAN and KATIE COLURA. (Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro Jr.)

haunt all three of them.

He said he objects to the plea bargain deal on grounds, among other things, that it does not designate Trebat’s violent attack as a hate crime based on Lai’s sexual orientation, only on his and his parents’ ethnicity.

Court records show that Trebat attacked Lai and his elderly parents, who are of Chinese ancestry, as they were walking on a street in the city’s Observatory Circle neighborhood near where they were living and within sight of the Washington National Cathedral.

Police charging documents filed in court state that Trebat called the three victims “faggots” and shouted, “You are not Americans” as he approached them while they were walking along the 3700 block of Fulton Street, N.W. at about 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2021. One of the documents says Trebat punched and shoved the three victims, knocking each of them to the ground, after ini-

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tially punching Lai’s father in the head from behind while shouting, “Get out of my country.”

“As painful as it is to relive this moment when this atrocious attack took place, I choose to be here today because I wanted you to hear my own voice and perspective, as well as the perspective from my parents,” Lai told the judge. “The defendant attacked me and my elderly parents without provocation, motivated simply by his hatred toward our race and my sexual orientation,” Lai continued.

“But what breaks my heart the most is what was done to my parents,” he said. “I had to take them each to several orthopedics appointments over the following months.

I secretly cried in my bed each night after seeing the pain that was inflicted on them and the psychological trauma that they experienced.”

Gay D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Mike Silverstein followed Lai by delivering an LGBTQ community impact statement before the court on behalf of the city’s ANC LGBTQ Rainbow Caucus, the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community, and what Silverstein said was Lai’s request that he speak on behalf of the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

“Thank you, Your Honor, for the opportunity to give this victim’s impact statement,” Silverstein said. “And please forgive me for the next 13 words, which were not mine,” he said. “’Fuck you bitch!’ ‘Faggot!’ ‘You are not Americans!

Get out of this country!’”

“Those were the 13 words Patrick Trebat shouted at Sean Lai and his elderly mother and father just before Mr. Trebat physically attacked them without provocation,” said Silverstein as courtroom spectators listened intently.

LOU CHIBBARO JR.

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Pulse survivor ‘at a loss’ over Texas school massacre Right-wing politicians ‘haven’t lifted a finger to protect kids’

By MICHAEL K. LAVERS

A survivor of the Pulse nightclub massacre last week said he is “at a loss” over the massacre at a Texas elementary school that left 21 people dead.

“Twenty-one people were murdered,” said Equality Florida Press Secretary Brandon Wolf in a statement he sent to the Washington Blade a day after a gunman killed 21 people inside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. “Nineteen of them were children — babies.

That means 19 families sent their elementary age kids off to school only to get the worst news: That their babies would be leaving class BRANDON WOLF was a grand marshal at the in body bags.”

2019 Capital Pride Parade on June 8, 2019.

(Blade photo by Adam Hall) Wolf was inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on June 12, 2016, when a gunman opened fire and killed 49 people. His two close friends — Christopher “Drew” Leinonen and his fiancé, Juan Guerrero — were among those killed.

Wolf in his statement noted “right wing politicians have spent the past year insisting that the greatest threats our children face are the potential they’ll learn that this nation was built on the backs of enslaved Black people or that their teacher uses they/them

pronouns.”

“They’ve banned books, censored curriculum and bastardized history lessons,” said Wolf. “All the while, they haven’t lifted a finger to protect kids from what is killing them.”

Equality Florida echoed Wolf’s sentiments.

“I am heartbroken for the shattered families,” added Wolf. “Grief-stricken for these stolen lives. And enraged at the power-hungry leaders who have chosen time and again to serve up this country’s most vulnerable as sacrifices in exchange for a boost up the ladder of their own ambitions.”

Axel Rodríguez’s friend, Xavier Serrano Rosado, died inside the Pulse nightclub.

Rodríguez told the Blade that Tuesday was “such a sad day for us here” in Orlando.

“It is like going through the same emotions we had when the attack at Pulse happened, but it’s even worse because we are talking about children,” he said. “When will our government stop thinking about money and stop this madness? Everyone now can obtain a gun anywhere. I just cannot comprehend that at all.”

The Pulse nightclub massacre was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history until a gunman on Oct. 1, 2017, killed 60 people at a concert in Las Vegas.

A gunman on Feb. 14, 2018, killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Twenty children and six adults died in the massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012.

The Robb Elementary School massacre took place less than three years after a gunman killed 22 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

“There are no words,” tweeted Pride Center San Antonio, which is roughly 90 minutes east of Robb Elementary School.

“Our hearts are with the Uvalde community,” said Equality Texas on Tuesday. “Every child deserves to free safe at school.”

Tina Kotek could be nation’s first out lesbian governor

By BRODY LEVESQUE

Last week’s Democratic gubernatorial primary win by Oregon Speaker of the House Tina Kotek, who had announced her run for the governor’s seat to replace incumbent Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, who is term limited, positions her to become the first out lesbian governor in the nation should she win the general election in November.

Kotek’s win comes during an uptick in the elections nationwide as more candidates running for office identify as LGBTQ. More than 600 LGBTQ candidates are on ballots this year, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

According to the Victory Fund, at least 101 people ran or are running for the U.S. Senate or U.S. House – with 96 still actively running as of February 21, 2022. That marks a 16.1 percent increase in LGBTQ Congressional candidates compared to the 2020 election cycle, when 87 people ran.

Speaking to her supporters after it became clear she had won over Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read, who was polling second among Oregonian progressives, “This will be a three-way race for the highest office in our state, and this will be an election unlike anything any of us have ever seen,” Kotek said.

Republican state legislator Christine Drazan along with an independent candidate, Betsy Johnson are slated to be on the November ballot.

Last Fall when she announced her candidacy, she said, “I am running for Governor because I know that, together, we can reckon with the legacies of injustice and inequality to build a great future for Oregon.” She also noted, “Oregonians are living through a devastating pandemic, the intensifying impacts of climate change, and the economic disruptions that leave too many behind. We must get past the politics of division and focus on making real, meaningful progress for families across our state.”

“A victory for Tina would shatter a lavender ceiling and be a milestone moment in LGBTQ political history, yet she is running not to make history, but because there are few people as prepared and qualified to serve as Oregon’s governor,” said Mayor Annise

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TINA KOTEK is the Democratic nominee for governor of Oregon.

(Courtesy of Tina Kotek)

Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “Under Tina’s leadership, Oregon has led in passing legislation to improve roads and education, raise the minimum wage and ensure all residents are treated fairly and equally. As governor, Tina will make Oregon a role model for the nation.”

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GLAAD president addresses World Economic Forum in Davos

GLAAD President SARAH KATE ELLIS speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on May 25.

(Photo by Reto Hamme/GLAAD)

GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis participated in the World Economic Forum that took place this week in the Swiss resort town of Davos.

A press release notes GLAAD and the Ariadne Getty Foundation on Wednesday hosted a panel “on the intersection of LGBTQ people and corporations today” that CNN Business Editor-at-Large Richard Quest, who anchors the network’s “Quest Means Business” program, moderated.

Ellis spoke alongside BSR CEO Aron Cramer, Intel Corporation Executive Vice President Christy Pambianchi, Mastercard Executive Vice President of Sustainability Shamina Singh and Randstad CEO Sander Van’t Noordende. Axios Chief Technology Correspondent Ina Fried and Commonwealth Fusion Systems Head of Operations Joy Dunn also

held a “fireside chat” that took place during the event.

Ellis participated in a number of other panels while in Davos.

“LGBTQ people have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and recent systemic changes around the world, but we can also be disproportionately helpful in the recovery,” she said in the press release. “Corporate accountability cannot begin and end with employee benefits and hiring practices — it extends to how a corporation spends its dollars, philanthropic and political. It extends to how a corporation takes public stands against anti-LGBTQ legislation and in favor of pro-LGBTQ legislation, because this legislation impacts LGBTQ employees and consumers.”

MICHAEL K. LAVERS

Air Force base axes ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’

A drag queen story hour scheduled to be held at the library in honor of Pride month at Ramstein Air Base in Germany was abruptly cancelled by the command staff of the 86th Airlift Wing on Thursday.

According to Stars and Stripes, the 86th Air Wing’s public affairs sent a statement to a radical-right anti-LGBTQ news outlet in Canada, The Post Millennial, which had requested comment to its article about the event and also accused the Air Force of pushing a more “woke” agenda among servicemen.

“An advertisement was posted to the base library social media page before the event had completed Ramstein’s established processes for special observance coordination and approval. The advertisement has been removed and the event will not take place. Ramstein leaders strive to foster a culture based on inclusion where all people are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their political views, color of their skin or sexual orientation.

The base’s established processes will ensure all future special observance events are properly reviewed and approved prior to advertisement.”

The Post Millennial’s story framed its reporting using hard-line right terms and descriptions of the LGBTQ community; “Drag Queen Story Hour has become a phenomenon in recent years, with men dressing up in clown-

ish, garish costumes of women to read to children. Many drag queens have sexualized names, like Penny Tration.”

The conservative outlet also reported that one mom of a toddler, whose husband is stationed at the base, told The Post Millennial that while she often takes her child to the library for story time, she was “shocked to see the Ramstein Air Force Base Library plans to hold an official drag queen story hour for children.”

“I find it wholly inappropriate that the MILITARY of all places will be using public funds to sexualize children,” she said.

According to Stars and Stripes, the cancellation of the drag queen book reading drew mixed opinions from the Kaiserslautern Military Community, which encompasses Ramstein. With tens of thousands of Defense Department personnel and their families, it is the largest U.S. military community overseas.

An opponent of the wing’s decision launched a petition at Change.org to try to get the event reinstated.

“Now more (than) ever we need to show our support to our enlisted members and spouses in the face of blatant discrimination,” wrote the petition organizer, named Natalie Oyer, who described herself as spouse to a transgender wife.

“I don’t know if anything can bring back the events

though,” Oyer wrote. “Most of the queens are enlisted.”

Stars and Stripes also reported that the 86th Airlift Wing, axed a separate drag karaoke event scheduled to be held at the base enlisted club, according to community members posting on social media sites.

In a press release Friday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) took partial credit for the cancellation.

Rubio sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall regarding the Air Force Library at Ramstein Air Force Base hosting a “Drag Queen Story Time” event for young children of servicemembers. Rubio urged him to cancel the event, discipline the staff involved in planning and hosting the event, and respond to questions on whether other installations both at home and around the world have done similar events. Following receipt of Rubio’s letter, the Air Force canceled the event.

“The last thing parents serving their nation overseas should be worried about, particularly in a theater with heightened geopolitical tensions, is whether their children are being exposed to sexually charged content simply because they visited their local library,” Rubio wrote.

The 86th Airlift Wing’s publics affairs office at Ramstein and the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs office at the Pentagon have not responded to a request for comment.

BRODY LEVESQUE

Ellen DeGeneres signs off after 19 seasons

ELLEN DEGENERES ended her show after 19 seasons.

1 2 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • JUNE 03, 202 2 • NAT I O NA L NE WS

The lights went dark forever at the Warner Brothers Stage 1 complex on the lot at Warner Brothers Studio, home to the Ellen show, as comedian Ellen DeGeneres ended her daytime talk show after a 19 season run last Thursday.

In a highly charged emotional hour, DeGeneres paid tribute to her staff, executive producers and a global audience of loyal viewers. Highlighting the end of the show DeGeneres brought on guest Jennifer Aniston, the actress having been the comedian’s very first guest on the first show.

In her final monologue DeGeneres reflected on the journey across the years and she then took a moment to dance through the audience with her ‘DJ’ Twitch. During the course of the hour she discussed the progress that had been made since the series premiered in 2003, noting that she “couldn’t say ‘gay’ on the show” when it started or make a reference to her wife, Portia de Rossi, because same-sex marriage wasn’t legal.

“Now I say ‘wife’ all the time,” she said. Noting that there was resistance to the show and that few gave it a chance of surviving, DeGeneres promised that she wouldn’t be gone for long. “Today is not the end of a relationship, it’s more of a little break,” she said.

“You can see other talk shows now.”

BRODY LEVESQUE

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EXCLUSIVE: Blade speaks to U.S. envoy for global LGBTQ rights ‘Expanding resources to people targeted because of gender identity’

By MICHAEL K. LAVERS | mlavers@washblade.com

in January, has publicly backed marriage equality in her country.

The special U.S. envoy for the promotion of LGBTQ rights abroad in an exclusive inThe Privy Council’s Judicial Committee in London in March upheld a Bermuda law terview with the Washington Blade ahead of Pride month highlighted the White House’s that rescinded marriage rights for same-sex couples. The same judicial body, which is efforts in support of LGBTQ rights round the world. an appellate court for British territories, also ruled same-sex couples don’t have a conJessica Stern pointed out to the Blade the State Department’s decision to offer passstitutional right to marry in the Cayman Islands. ports with an “X” gender marker “is an important example of how we’re expanding reStern last month spoke at the 2022 ILGA World Conference that took place in Long sources to people who are targeted because of gender identity and expression.” She Beach, Calif. also noted U.S. embassies and consulates over the last year have publicly condemned She spoke with the Blade before she traveled to Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam. Stern violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. will also visit Lithuania, Sweden and the Netherlands before she returns to the U.S. on Andrea González, a transgender activist in Guatemala who was shot to death on June June 8.

11, 2021, near her Guatemala City home, participated in the State Department’s InternaMalaysia is one of the upwards of 70 tional Visitors Leadership Program. countries in which consensual same-sex Assistant Secretary of State for Westsexual relations remain criminalized. Iran, ern Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols is Saudi Arabia and Mauritania are three of among the U.S. officials who condemned the handful of nations in which homosexGonzález’s murder. William Popp, the uality remains punished by death.

U.S. ambassador to Guatemala, and U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Agency for International Development Price, who is openly gay, during a May Administrator Samantha Power visited 2021 interview with the Blade said the the headquarters of González’s group, decriminalization of consensual sameReinas de la Noche, to express their consex sexual relations is one of the Biden dolences over her death. administration’s five priorities in its efforts The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, the to promote LGBTQ rights abroad. Stern capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, condemned the noted that “among a wider set of prioriso-called honor killing of Doski Azad, a ties, marriage equality is one element of trans woman whose brother reportedly our longstanding and ongoing commitshot her in the head and chest in Janment to advance the rights of LGBTQI+ uary after she returned to the region. persons.”

The State Department in May 2021 in a “All human beings should be treated statement to the Blade described the with respect and dignity and should be so-called honor killing of Ali Fazeli Monable to live without fear, regardless of fared, an Iranian man whose relatives who they love,” she said. murdered him after they learned he was JESSICA STERN, the special U.S. envoy for the promotion of LGBTQ rights abroad, spoke Stern acknowledged potential critics gay, as “appalling.” exclusively with the Washington Blade ahead of Pride month. of the White House’s efforts to champion Stern noted the Biden administra(Photo courtesy of OutRight Action International) marriage equality and other LGBTQ-spetion’s continued support of LGBTQ rights cific issues around the world. Stern abroad also includes marriage equality stressed, however, the “only thing that holds us back is hatred and intolerance.” in countries where activists say such a thing is possible through legislation or the judicial “We see autocracy is on the rise globally. We see that democratic institutions and process. democracies themselves are being undermined and we see LGBTQI+ people are often “The administration acknowledges that married or not, LGBTQI+ people, couples and the canary in the coal mine,” she said. “We need to fight back against these homophobic their families deserve full equality, access to legal protections and should have their and transphobic trends.” families legally recognized,” she said. “All of this is consistent with President Biden’s The State Department on April 28 released a report on the implementation of Biden’s commitment to LGBTQI+ equality and marriage equality specifically.” memo.

President Biden in February 2021 signed a memo that committed the U.S. to proUSAID and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief a few weeks earlier anmoting LGBTQ rights abroad as part of his administration’s overall foreign policy. The nounced they delivered more than 18 million doses of antiretroviral drugs for UkrainiWhite House four months later named Stern, who was previously the executive director ans with HIV/AIDS. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last August after he met of OutRight Action International, as the next special U.S. envoy for the promotion of with Biden at the White House pledged his country will continue to fight anti-LGBTQ LGBTQ rights abroad. discrimination.

Biden, who is Catholic, was vice president in 2012 when he publicly backed marStern noted Canada and Germany are among the other countries that have pledged riage equality during on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He spoke in favor of the issue before to support LGBTQ rights abroad as part of their respective foreign policies. then-President Obama did.

“Every administration sets its own priorities. We know what a positive impact President A law that allows same-sex couples to marry and adopt children took effect in Chile Biden’s staunch support of LGBTQI+ rights has had on this community domestically and in March. on our support for LGBTQI+ people internationally,” she said. “Thankfully, governments Same-sex couples in Switzerland will be able to legally on July 1 after voters last Noaround the world are increasingly normalizing the idea that LGBTQI+ people are entivember overwhelmingly approved a “Marriage for All” law. tled to recognition under the law and affirming that their rights need to be an explicit Lawmakers in Cuba continue to consider a new family code that could pave the way part of a human rights agenda.” for marriage equality on the island. Honduran President Xiomara Castro, who took office

1 4 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • JUNE 03, 202 2 • I NT E R NAT I O NA L NE WS

There’s more than one big, progressive New York city, and we’ve got the LGBTQ+ community to prove it.

In fact, they call Buffalo “The City of Good Neighbors,” because love and inclusivity are a big part of who we are. Check out LGBTQBuffalo.com, or, better still, come visit. You’ll see what we mean.

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KAREN OCAMB is a longtime journalist and former news editor of the Los Angeles Blade.

Appreciating lesbian thinker, activist Urvashi Vaid ‘A whip-smart lesbian of color who stood up and fought’

When Joel finally took a breath, a muffled sound came from just Urvashi Vaid was whip smart. She could look at you with some analoutside the room. We looked and there was Urvashi, casually leaning ysis spinning behind her eyes and then smile a deep broad smile and on the door jamb with Phill Wilson, then co-founder of the National you could exhale as a shared vision started coursing through your veins Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum and of the LA chapter of Black — a warrior sisterhood striving and fighting for liberation. and White Men Together. “What about us?” Urv asked very simply. The And you didn’t even know liberation was on your wish-list. tension evaporated, I was allowed to stay and racism within the gay It’s hard to register that Urvashi Vaid is gone. community was discussed with passion but without grandstanding. (I Urvashi could seduce your brain with elevated and clear-spoken called Joel later and he said my report was acceptable.) common sense. And damn if she couldn’t rile you up and spur you to The tension eased so quickly because Urvashi had been fighting action as she did in Sacramento in 1991 after Republican Gov. Pete Wilsystemic racism at every level for a very long time, including within son vetoed AB 101, the gay rights bill he promised to sign, and with her the gay community. Her power was smarts, compassion, humor — and 1993 speech at the March on Washington. credibility.

And we needed that. After years of excruciating pain losing lovers, URVASHI VAID died of cancer at age 63.

(Screenshot from The Charlie Rose Show/PBS) Not to say Urvashi was perfect. In fact, I had a serious disagreement family and friends while Ronald Reagan’s spokesperson laughed about with her over an incident that happened in Los Angeles. There was a the scourge of AIDS in the White House press room, a serious LGBTQ ballot initiative that called for a new statewide Insurance Commissioner to be appointed by the political movement was emerging in the late 1980s. And igniting those righteous flames of fury governor. APLA Board Chair Dr. Scott Hitt and political consultant David Mixner opposed the was this short, thin, proud lesbian of South Indian heritage who exuded the perfume of powinitiative, which drove some AIDS activists crazy. We were in the middle of the second wave of er. She knew her stuff. And she was at ease with powerbrokers, including Hollywood A+ types AIDS and we needed government help. Hitt and Mixner explained that they didn’t oppose the who made history attending an August 1991 benefit for the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, idea, just the method: the Insurance Commissioner should be elected, not appointed. Imagine thrown by gay Hollywood manager Barry Krost, entertainment attorney Alan Hergott and Herif we had a governor more horrific than Pete Wilson? gott’s lover, NGLTF Board co-chair Curt Shepard. Hollywood was finally showing up for AIDS I reported that and activist writer Stuart Timmons freaked out. He wrote a 7,000 word thesis benefits — but gay rights was still just too controversial. It was a very big deal. in a treading-water alternative weekly bashing Hitt and Mixner. He also showed up at my apartAmong our own, Urvashi would let fools yammer on with puffed-up opinions. But eventually ment screaming about how I was afraid of these prominent politicos. I was pissed — so I did my she would halt us with a glance, a quick quip or a concise Marxist-ish dissertation on any situation own deep dive into his tome and found people who complained that he quoted them out of and its connection to poverty, rendering you dumbstruck, agog – pick a synonym. context or actually changed their quotes to fit his activist premise. Eventually, we all moved on, Urvashi was a teacher, a mentor — though I don’t think she thought of herself that way. She including me since Stuart was friends with my friend Harry Hay. was merely trying to help a brother or sister — especially younger folks — learn to think differently, But then Urvashi quoted extensively from Stuart’s disinformation piece in her book Virtual think for themselves, and think of themselves as part of the larger movement for civil rights.

Equality: The Mainstreaming of Gay and Lesbian Liberation. I tried to reach her but failed. I later One moment perfectly captures that for me. I was a freelancer covering the monumental 1992 heard her cite Stuart’s story as an example of bad gays. I fumed for a moment, then let that go, Creating Change conference in Los Angeles. That was the year when esteemed gay author Paul too.

Monette (Borrowed Time) ripped up a picture of the Pope, freaking out a lot of Catholic Latinos.

Besides, Urvashi was doing so much good. And her relationship with Kate Clinton was so cool I kept an eye on Urvashi and her pal Torie Osborn, head of the LA Gay & Lesbian Community and extraordinary. I learned what a “soft butch” was — but that’s another story.

Services Center, as they talked art with closeted LA City Councilmember Joel Wachs, as well Urvashi Vaid is appropriately being lauded as an exemplary warrior for justice and civil rights. I as the usual leadership discussions, debates and skirmishes among activists in a heightened remember her as a whip-smart lesbian of color who stood up and fought but also offered peace political year. and hope when possible — as she did appearing with conservative gay writer/editor Andrew I also covered breakout sessions and one proved to be particularly daunting. It was a discusSullivan on the Charlie Rose show before the 1993 march. sion about race in the gay movement. A young fierce gay Asian artist named Joel B. Tan took Last July, Urvashi was the guest on Gay USA, anchored by her friends Ann Northrop and Andy over the discussion and challenged my press credentials, my commitment to the movement, Humm. She talked about the National LGBTQ+ Women’s Survey, an American LGBTQ+ Museand my ability to report ANYTHING accurately or fairly about that meeting because I’m white. He um — and about fighting breast cancer. Urv seemed upbeat but a burdened aura of mortality called for a vote on whether I should be allowed to stay or get kicked out. cloaked her Zoom appearance. She seemed determined to approach death as she had lived Some folks in the room, familiar with my reporting since the late 1980s, defended me. I was — educating people about our ongoing fight for liberation and, with a deep, broad smile and prepared to get shamefully kicked out when Joel went just a tad too far and started claiming thoughtful eyes, telling the truth about her own humanity. the Task Force itself was a cauldron of white racism. In fact, the whole damn gay movement was Thank you, Urvashi Vaid. basically a rich white gay conspiracy to get power and use everyone else as pawns.

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1 8 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • JUNE 03, 202 2 • V I E WP O I NT

Spruce Up Your Home this Summer We’re all excited for summer festivities, outdoor gatherings with friends and family, or simply lounging in the sun, but how do you begin to prepare your home for making the most out of summer?

Here’s a checklist of helpful ideas to help you get started: 1 Clean and dry your outdoor furniture. As barbeque season approaches, it’s time to freshen up your outdoor cushions and wipe down any furniture so it’s free from pollen. Get the patio furniture looking new again and ready for hosting!

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ISAAC AMEND

(he/him/his) is a transgender man and young professional in the D.C. area. He was featured on National Geographic’s ‘Gender Revolution’ in 2017 as a student at Yale University. Amend is also on the board of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia.

Find him on Instagram @isaacamend.

We need a conversation about transmen in sports Overcoming cultural and social obstacles to pro careers

There has been an enormous debate this year about trans people in sports. Twelve state legislatures in the United States have so far banned trans athletes from competing in sports. Most of these states are in the South, including, but not limited to: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

A majority of this debate has focused on the role of trans women in athletics. The cultural dialogue focuses mostly on how trans women are at an unfair advantage in sports, because they were born with more testosterone in their bodies. Indeed, when searching for lists of famous trans athletes, there are usually twice as many trans women in sports as there are trans men. And during these Internet searches, it becomes apparent that many of the trans men who are considered professional athletes retired after transitioning into a man.

There is less dialogue and focus surrounding trans men in sports. Trans men, after all, pose a lesser threat in men’s sports: It’s more difficult for people born female at birth to keep up with male-born athletes.

While it’s important to advocate for the role of all trans people in sports (and defeat the bans in state legislatures), we need to have a separate conversation about the culture on men’s sports teams.

As someone who has played soccer my entire life, and enjoyed the sport enormously, I never felt like I truly fit on women’s sports teams. Women’s soccer teams come with their own subculture of spandex, stories of boys or lesbian relationships, and other social cues.

But when playing soccer with men, I’ve found them to be ultra competitive and threatened by a trans man’s dominance on the field. Most cisgender men I play with can’t believe that a trans man would beat them to the goal, or dribble faster, and smarter, and juggle better. They become envious, or angry, or, at its worst, violent.

This puts trans men in an awkward position: how can we navigate both women’s and men’s sports teams? The obvious answer is to join co-ed or queer groups. This works, for the most part. Leagues in D.C. like DC Fray (coed) and Dyke Soccer (queer) are mostly accommodating to trans men.

Dyke Soccer specifically is meant for queer women and trans people.

But this still leaves us frustrated at the fact that belonging on a men’s team, either club, Division One, or even professional, is incredibly difficult. If a trans man wants to play soccer seriously, and make a career out of it, he will face significant cultural and social obstacles to doing so, regardless of how well he plays on the field.

How can we fix the cultures on men’s soccer teams? The best solution is to teach young boys, from a very early age, to be accommodating and friendly to young trans boys playing soccer. As Gen Z grows up, and is replaced with an even more socially liberal generation, this should seem like a feasible solution to the issue at hand. Boys in youth leagues will understand that trans men are just like them–men themselves–and are on equal footing, both athletically and personally.

There are other fixes we can make to the issue of toxic culture on men’s sports teams. Male players who are derisive or insulting to trans players could be fined or banned. But this still doesn’t really address the underlying issues.

Bettering men’s sports teams starts from the ground up by teaching young children that trans boys and trans men deserve respect and equality, both on the field and off.

2 0 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • JUNE 03, 202 2 • V I E WP O I NT

Forward.

For all of us.

See how we’re moving health care forward.

An inner voice calls us forward.

So we listen. We imagine. We care.

Not just for us. But for all of us. hopkinsmedicine.org/forward

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CAPITAL PRIDE WEEKEND

DRAG BRUNCH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TITO’S AND OMMEGANG BREWERY

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 TWO SHOWS! 10 AM & 12:30 PM

Tickets: $55 includes brunch buffet and choice of a Tito’s Bloody Mary, Ommegang beer, or a soft drink.

Tito’s will donate $1 of every cocktail sold to the Capital Pride Alliance.

600 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005

Ommegang will donate $1 of every beer sold to the Cyndi Lauper Foundation.

Buy Tickets at TheHamiltonLive.com

2 2 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • JUNE 03, 202 2 • V I E WP O I NT

PETER ROSENSTEIN

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

Once again, if Democrats don’t work together, we lose Attack Republicans instead of each other

Democrats are facing a mid-term election where if we don’t work together, we will surely lose. If we lose, Trumpism wins and democracy loses. To succeed, left, moderate and more conservative Democrats, young and old, women, minorities and the LGBTQ community must all focus on attacking Republicans instead of each other.

When I wrote this column, a Florida appeals court had reinstated the congressional redistricting map signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. In New York, Judge Patrick McAllister “approved the court-appointed special master’s new congressional map. It creates 15 U.S. House districts that favor Democrats and around half a dozen competitive seats. Under a blocked map the legislature drew earlier this year, Democrats had hoped to have an easier path to about 22 House seats from New York. So redistricting will most likely leave Democrats in a hole nationally and make it ever harder to keep the House of Representatives.”

To make matters worse recent polls have President Biden’s approval ratings at the lowest point in his presidency. Forbes reported a new Associated Press-NORC poll finds “even Democrats take a dimmer view of the president as the U.S. battles issues like inflation, war in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing baby formula shortage.”

The poll found “Biden has only a 39% approval rating, which is the lowest approval rating of his presidency thus far, down from 45% in mid-April and 63% a year ago.” The report goes on to say “Biden’s previous lowest approval rating was in January, when the AP found 43% approved of his presidency a year after his inauguration.” AP notes “Republicans’ disapproval of Biden has remained steady—the poll found less than one in 10 GOP respondents approve of him—his popularity among Democrats has declined throughout his presidency, with 73% approving of his job performance now.”

This has to be scary for Democrats to read and Republicans must be dancing in the streets. But despite this, not all hope is lost for Democrats. In a wide variety of polls Democrats appear to be holding their own. This includes three Senate races Democrats need to win to switch seats from Republican to Democratic: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

In polling collected by Five Thirty-Eight Republicans are now only about 2.3% ahead of Democrats in generic polls about whom voters believe should control Congress.

Now while these polls aren’t great for Democrats, there is a real upside potential for a major surge in voting by Democrats based on the Supreme Court overturning Roe v.

Wade. Clearly it is only potential, but it can be realized if young people, who are big supporters of keeping Roe v. Wade, come out and vote. They and suburban women can make a huge difference in the outcome across the board. We know President Biden won these two groups of voters against Trump in 2020, so if they come out again Democrats can hold Congress.

But to have any chance to accomplish this, Democrats must work together, which is not an easy thing to make happen. Part of the problem with the Democrats ‘Big Tent’, which has been a goal for years, is the tent includes many people with very diverse views on how to move forward. While some applaud the views of the ‘squad,’ what is clear is if their views become the message of the party, then Democrats lose.

General election voters across the country are moderate, to moderate/right. They don’t support radical change. They do support some of the initiatives of progressives like Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), such as a higher minimum wage and better healthcare. But we have seen time and again, they won’t choose him, or those associated with the far left, as their candidate. Smart Democrats like Lt. Gov. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, made it clear throughout his winning primary campaign he believes in progressive issues, yet also took pains to say he was not aligned with the ‘squad.’ He said he would vote for progress but understood it takes compromise. Conservative Democratic Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) who has always been pro-life, joined with other Senate Democrats and voted to try to codify Roe v. Wade. The far-left members in the Senate and House need to take heed, and they too must come to the center for this midterm election and make the effort to get something done in Congress before November.

Democrats can win if we do this. We saw it with the Biden election. But as we know this is much easier said than done. Let’s hope saving democracy can be the catalyst to do it.

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Capital Pride returns to pre-pandemic style celebrations Organization’s parade and festival back after COVID restrictions

By TINASHE CHINGARANDE Like many LGBTQ organizations around the world, Capital Pride Alliance had to strip down its annual fete to observe COVID-19 health and safety guidelines while still honoring the importance of celebrating LGBTQ communities during Pride month. Two years later, the organization has returned to normalcy with its usual roster of events.

“We are returning back to how we were in 2019,” Capital Pride’s parade and festival return next weekend.

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) said Tiffany Royster, events and partnership manager at Capital Pride Alliance. “We’re putting on a full celebration because we had to dial it back because of COVID.” “We are bringing back what we’re known for, what we do,” she said.

In addition to the usual festival and parade, Capital Pride Honors will return this year and will be hosted on Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m. at Penn Social. This event honors trailblazers who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community. Many individuals will be awarded at the event this year, including television veteran Wendy Rieger who will receive the Presidential Award posthumously.

Capital Pride will also team up with Busboys and Poets to host “OUT Spoken: A Night of Queer Expression” on Monday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Busboys and Poets’ Brookland location. This event will include a night of spoken (Washington Blade photo by Adam Hall) word and poetry performances and singing from individuals of all gender identities, including transgender and cisgender women.

Other events to look out for include the Capital Pride Rooftop Pool Party on Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at VIDA Penthouse Pool and Lounge. This event will kick off Capital Pride Celebration weekend festivities and guests will get to enjoy music, cocktails, and appetizers and mingling with special guests while cooling off in VIDA’s swimming pool.

There will also be RIOT! The Capital Pride Official Opening Party on Friday June, 10 at 9 p.m. at Echostage. This event, dubbed D.C.’s largest pride event by the organization, will include a lineup of local, national, and world-famous queer performance artists such as Season 13 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Symone.

While this year’s celebration will focus on bringing the LGBTQ community together to honor it, it will not be blind to recent national news events such as the shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, N.Y., and the leaked draft opinion on Roe v. Wade.

“We have been dealing with this by [having conversations at Capital Pride] to make sure that we are honoring people,” said Royster. “We are working with the board to [en2 4 • WA SHIN GTO N BLADE.COM • JUNE 03, 202 2

sure] we have the necessary things in place.”

Like other organizations that have added activation booths about health and safety to their programming this year, Capital Pride has followed suit. The organization has the Give Pride 365 fund dedicated to funding local LGBTQ centers and providing them with the resources they need.

Capital Pride is also affiliated with the DC Center for the LGBT Community with regards to mental health programming.

As events approach and people flock to D.C. in celebration of Capital Pride’s full return, the organization hopes that LGBTQ individuals can feel a sense of community, love and support.

“I always say that it is someone’s first Pride,” said Royster. “So we need to be kind and understanding to each other.”

Royster also hopes that the events can be an opportunity for attendees to meet other people like themselves and “take a breath.”

“I want people to know that you are here, exist, and are important,” she said.

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

KEY D.C. PRIDE CELEBRATIONS 2022 • Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m., The Capital Pride Honors, Penn Social • Monday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m., OUTSpoken: Women’s Spoken Word & Other Queer Expression, Busboys and Poets (Brookland) • Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m., Capital Pride Rooftop Party, VIDA Penthouse Pool and Lounge • Friday, June 10 at 9 p.m., RIOT! The Capital Pride Official Opening Party, Echostage • Saturday, June 11, 12-10 p.m., Block Party, Dupont & Logan Circles, N.W. • Saturday, June 11, Parade, 3:30 p.m., Dupont & Logan Circles, N.W. • Saturday, June 11, Pride on the Pier, 2-9 p.m. at the Wharf • Saturday, June 11, Pride Fireworks Show, 9 p.m., the Wharf • Saturday, June 11, Remix Parade After Party, 9 p.m., City Winery • Sunday, June 12, Festival & Concert, 12-10 p.m., Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th&3rd. DNCE headlines with lead singer Joe Jonas

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10 Pride month celebrations in Delaware Visit parades, parties, art shows across the state this June

As June arrives, the nation is gearing up for a month of Pride celebrations ranging from block parties to parades. The Blade has compiled a list of 10 events that will be held in Delaware this year to help you make the most of Pride month 2022.

June 4: 2022 Delaware Pride Parade. A staple of Pride month each year, Delaware Pride is hosting its annual Pride Parade from 9 to 10 a.m. in Dover, Del., ending at Martin Luther King Blvd S. at its Main Pride Celebration. Local vendors and parade participants are sure to kick off another Pride Month with a fun and memorable celebration.

June 4: 25th Anniversary Delaware Pride Festival.

Delaware Pride has invited local comedians, performers, vendors, food trucks and more for its main festivities this Pride Month, held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the State Capitol located at 411 Legislative Ave. in Dover, Del. June 4: Pride Kids & Youth Cabaret. The Milton Theatre, located at 110 Union St. in Milton, Del., welcomes community members of all ages to a cabaret starting at 2 p.m.

June 8: Milton PRIDE Pre-Party & Art Show. From

By JACK WALKER

Delaware is celebrating Pride month with an array of events.

6-9 p.m., Inn the Dog House Tiki Bar at 428 Chestnut St. in Milton, Del., is hosting an art show and Pride celebration including local art vendors and handcrafted specialty cocktails.

June 11: Queer Queens of Comedy. The Milton Theatre is bringing LGBTQ comedians Poppy Champlin, Katie Robinson, Samantha Vega, Tavares Royale and Reih Rogers, for a night of Pride comedy and drag beginning at 8 p.m.

June 11: 2nd Annual Pride Walk and Festival.

Community members in Middletown, Del. will host a Pride festival, including a community walk and an array of local vendors, from 12-5 p.m.

June 12: Conversations with Caffeine. Delaware Pride welcomes the local LGBTQ community to Panera Bread located at 3650 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, Del., for a chance to chat over coffee and snacks from 1-3 p.m.

June 18: Delaware Pride Bowling. Held the third Saturday of each month, Delaware Pride will host a bowling night from 7-9 p.m. at Bowlerama located at 3031 New Castle Ave in New Castle, Del., and welcomes bowlers of all skill levels.

June 24: Have A Gay Old Laugh! Pride StandUp Comedy Show. The Milton Theatre is welcoming LGBTQ comedians Alejandro Morales, Brandon Jackson, Jess Carpenter and Keith Purnell for a night of laughs beginning at 8 p.m.

June 25: Pride Day at the Brandywine Zoo. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the Brandywine Zoo, located at 1001 N. Park Drive in Wilmington, Del., will host educational events, scavenger hunts, crafts, raffles and more to commemorate Pride month this year.

Dr Nathan Van der Linden has recently joined Rusk Thornton Dental Associates in downtown Washington DC and is accepting new patients.

Graduating from Dalhousie University in 2019 Dr. Nathan returned to his hometown working as a dentist until recently moving to the District.

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Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Open Thurs 10am-8pm Closed Sundays

The Love

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PRIDE 2050

6/10 | 6-10 PM | FREE TALK + PERFORMANCE ART EXCHANGE + PARTY What will the future of PRIDE look like in 2050?

Join Sasha Velour for an interactive discussion and performance art exchange challenging big thinkers and creatives in the LGBTQ+ community to collaboratively reimagine our shared futures.

Stay for a celebration to kick off Capital City Pride! aib.si.edu #TheFUTURES

This experience is made possible with the generous support of Accenture.

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Artists examine gender identity in D.C. exhibition Event sponsored by the Blade, Dupont Underground

By JACK WALKER realities of existing in a period of social volatility like the panEach weekend this June, visitors to Dupont Underground demic, and aims to show the “worlds” that exist within each — an arts space built into an abandoned trolley station under person, Ali Muhammad said.

Dupont Circle — will find walls lined with artwork ranging from Left to face the challenges of the pandemic and broadembroidery to watercolors. Together, the pieces make up the er social inequities, “you need to take the time inwardly to Underground’s latest exhibition, “The Gender Within: The think about and process everything that’s going on,” they exArt of Identity,” which unites more than 35 local artists in a plained. “You have to go within to understand who you are conversation on gender identity and the dynamic ways that sometimes.” gendered labels are experienced.

Nikki Brooks, whose painting “Blaq Jesus” portrays a Black Sianna Joslin, a web developer by day and one of the artand androgynous Jesus smoking a cigarette with a nondeists participating in the exhibition, is including a piece entiscript expression, rooted her creative exploration in her extled “The Inherent Agony of Having A Body” — an embroidery perience with societal gender norms. hoop that depicts an anatomical model of a transmasculine “For a long time I struggled with my gender expression. I individual bearing top surgery scars and patterned red boxhad to live up to how people framed me … putting this femers. ininity on me,” she said. The painting challenges “pressures The piece juxtaposes “the old ideals of the human body, from people saying that one person has to be one way, or the male form, with top surgery scars (and) these funny penexpress themselves one way,” and encourages others to “let nant boxers,” they said. “It’s kind of a play on what society has them live how they feel on the inside.” traditionally considered masculine versus these new symbols Brooks also noted the use of religious imagery was key of masculinity that transmasculine folks are embracing.” to her piece. In historical depictions of Jesus, he is often asAnother artist, Rashad Ali Muhammad, brings to the exhisigned certain racial and gender identity markers according bition a compilation of videos in which colorful, moving backto societal demands, she said. “This Black Jesus in a way degrounds are transplanted onto the faces of different people fies all those stigmas” tied to the identities depicted by con— pieces that originally began as NFTs. necting them to a revered religious icon.

This project, entitled “A World Within,” was inspired by the

The artists all noted that they are excited by the diversity of experiences the Underground’s exhibition has brought together.

“We’re going to see — from all of these different artists — interpretations of what gender means to them, and I just think that’s wonderful,” Joslin said. “I really hope that it expands on that notion of gender for a lot of people.”

Ali Muhammad found the exhibition especially meaningful for openly creating space for queer artists.

“In the history of art, a lot of artists tend to be queer … but people don’t talk about that,” they said. “Focusing specifically on queer art and queer artists (says) we are here, we are represented.”

The exhibition, cosponsored by the Washington Blade and Dupont Underground, can be accessed at 19 Dupont Circle, N.W., each Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry costs $10 per person, or $7 for students, seniors and members of the military.

Pride Family Day Saturday, June 4, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

8th and F Streets NW | Washington DC

Celebrate Pride at SAAM! Join us outside on the museum’s F Street plaza with DC’s Different Drummers, a dance party with DJ Rosie, a kid-friendly drag show, museum scavenger hunt, and a Pride craft kit to take home.

Free, register at s.si.edu/pride22 Program is weather-permitting. Craft kits are one per child, while supplies last. Registration does not guarantee a craft kit.

Photo by Karen Sayre

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Biden recognizes Pride, denounces attacks on LGBTQ rights Federal agencies announce plans to join annual celebration

By CHRIS JOHNSON President Biden, keeping with the tradition of Democratic presidents issuing a proclamation recognizing Pride month, pointed out in his statement the occasion comes as states are advancing and enacting laws against LGBTQ youth.

As a result of the anti-LGBTQ measures, Biden said in the statement on Tuesday, Pride festivities come at a time of “relentless attack” on LGBTQ people.

“An onslaught of dangerous anti-LGBTQI+ legislation has been introduced and passed in States across the country, targeting transgender children and their parents and interfering with their access to health care,” the statement says.

“These unconscionable attacks have left countless LGBTQI+ families in fear and pain.”

Among the measures being advanced in state legislatures are laws banning transgender youth from participating in school sports and making it criminal for medical providers to provide transition-related care to transgender youth.

Some of these measures have been approved by Republicans who are potential 2024 presidential contenders.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott declared transition-related care a form of child abuse as officials began investigating families with transgender youth. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed “Don’t Say Gay” legislation prohibiting teachers from discussing LGBTQ issues or identities in grades K-3 or other “age inappropriate” settings.

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“As I said in my State of the Union Address — especially to our younger transgender Americans — I will always have your back as your President so that you can be yourself and reach your God-given potential,” Biden writes. ”Today and every day, my Administration stands with every LGBTQI+ American in the ongoing struggle against intolerance, discrimination, and injustice.”

Another tradition for Democratic presidents for Pride month is hosting at the White House a celebration with LGBTQ leaders and allies in the Democratic Party. The practice was started under former President Obama, went on hiatus during the Trump years, and was restored in the first year of the Biden administration.

The White House has yet to announce plans for any Pride reception this year. In response to an inquiry from the Washington Blade on whether a Pride celebration would take place, a White House spokesperson responded with a comment about Biden’s general support for LGBTQ people.

“President Biden has always been a champion for families – and that includes LGBTQI+ families. We are proud of the historic progress this administration has taken to ensure everyone – no matter who they are or whom they love – has an equal place in our country, and we are excited to keep building on those actions this Pride Month and beyond,” the spokesperson said.

The White House spokesperson said the Biden admin-

istration has general plans to “be focused on spotlighting the voice of LGBTQI+ people across America, especially our LGBTQI+ children and families,” but stopped short of providing any details.

Meanwhile, a number of federal departments and agencies are keeping with the tradition of holding Pride events for their LGBTQ employees, including the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Justice.

The Pentagon is set to host an event in coordination with DOD Pride, the affinity group for LGBTQ service members and civilian workers within the Defense Department, on June 7 at 9:30 a.m. Speakers at the event are scheduled to include Kathleen Hicks, deputy secretary of defense; Shawn Skelly, who’s transgender and assistant secretary of defense for readiness; and Gina Ortiz Jones, who’s a lesbian and deputy secretary of the Air Force. Lt. Col. Bree Fram, who’s transgender and deputy chief of acquisition policies and procedures, is set to present remarks at the ceremony.

At the Department of Energy headquarters, Secretary Jennifer Granholm is set to join a Pride flag-raising ceremony with other members of the Department at Headquarters on Monday at 10 a.m. The event is consistent with the ceremony in which she participated last year to help with raising the Progress Pride flag outside the building.

A Justice Department spokesperson said the department will host an observance event for Pride month and DOJ Pride, the affinity group for LGBTQ employees within the Justice Department, will take part. The event is scheduled for later this month, the spokesperson said, but disclosed no further details.

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Black Pride Opening Reception Mayor Bowser greets celebration attendees (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

D.C. Black Pride weekend began with an opening reception at the Renaissance Washington Hotel on Friday, May 27. Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomed attendees to the celebration. The event was produced by the Center for Black Equity.

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Black Pride Festival

Us Helping Us annual event held at Fort Dupont Park (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

D.C. Black Pride concluded on Monday with the annual “Us Helping Us Black Pride Festival in the Park” at Fort Dupont Park.

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Margaret Cho on ‘Fire Island’ and the state of stand-up ‘We laughed every day’ making new film

By GREGG SHAPIRO

Could there be an Emmy Award in Margaret Cho’s future? In Hulu’s “Fire Island” (premiering June 3), as well as on HBO Max’s “The Flight Attendant,” Cho’s uncharacteristic restraint gives her queer characters, Erin and Utada respectively, an admirable depth and humanity. Additionally, Cho has an upcoming appearance on the Emmy Award-winning “Hacks” (as herself), and ongoing guest-starring roles in a multitude of popular shows. Never one to sit idle, Cho will be taking her stage act on the road throughout the coming months. Busy as she is, Margaret was gracious enough to make time to answer a few questions.

BLADE: Margaret, in the new movie “Fire Island,” you play Erin, who’s described by one of the characters as a “career brunch server, age unknown, lesbian queen.” What was it about Erin that spoke to you and made you want to portray her?

MARGARET CHO: I just love the script. I’m a big fan of Joel Kim Booster, and his comedy and his writing, and as a person. I wanted to be a part of the film. I love Andrew Ahn’s direction. I love Bowen (Yang). It was really special to do this. The “career brunch server” was so appealing. Everything about this character is a lot of fun, and so it was just perfect. We had a blast doing it.

because of the culture or the time or whatever. But I think that she’s just smart about doing what she can to get something.

BLADE: Was your first trip to Fire Island as a performer or as a vacationing guest?

CHO: Every trip I’ve made there was as a performer and then I stayed for vacation. So, I made it work and pleasure, both at the same time. I’ve been going there since 2008. I love spending time there and just hanging out. I’m actually more of a Provincetown lady.

I’ve been going to Provincetown since the 1980s to work and perform and just hang out.

These are very much important areas for me. It’s the gay beach life that I really love.

BLADE: You mentioned Andrew Ahn, the gay filmmaker who directed “Fire Island,” and he also directed the lauded 2019 film “Driveways.” Is he a director you could see yourself working with again?

CHO: Absolutely! I love Andrew. I think he’s quite an incredible director. Not only is he so great with actors…the way that he creates films is so visually stunning and they’re so emotionally rich.

I really admire him and his vision as an auteur. I would love to work with him again.

BLADE: You were one of the performers in the line-up for the BLADE: It looks that way! Erin is LGBTQ comedy show “Stand Out,” the wise lesbian housemother to which was part of Netflix is a Joke: her gaggle of younger gays. Is this The Festival. Stand-up comedy has an aspect of your personality that received increased attention with also transfers to your off-screen MARGARET CHO returns to film in ‘Fire Island’ out June 3. (File photo by Mary Taylor) Jerrod Carmichael coming out as life? gay in his HBO Max comedy speCHO: Absolutely! The elder gay. cial “Rothaniel,” as well as the controversy surrounding Dave Chappelle’s Netflix comeThe crone. It’s also the old lesbian who’s burned all of her bridges with the current lesbidy special. As a performer whose roots are in stand-up comedy, do you think there’s the ans her age and has to mine the younger generation for friendship. It’s very fun, it’s really possibility of healing? cold, and it’s very realistic to me.

CHO: Yes, I think so. We need to hear from LGBTQIA voices in comedy. I think that queer comedy has always been a part of the larger comedy world. We’ve always had BLADE: What was the best part for you about acting with rising comic actors such as a very strong presence within comedy. I see so many more of us participating and out Bowen and Joel, whom you mentioned, as well as Matt Rogers? there in this conversation. I was glad to be part of the festival and I’m so grateful to be CHO: We laughed every day. We had such a good time. Outside of my dressing part of the queer comedy community. room, every day, there were full-on reenactments of entire “Real Housewives” episodes.

Full Tiffany Pollard monologues from “I Love New York.” It was like Shakespeare in the BLADE: Finally, I live in Fort Lauderdale, and I noticed that Florida is not on your tour Park, but it was “Real Housewives” by the trailer. It was exciting. I just love those guys. schedule. I know that I’ve seen you perform in West Palm Beach, Miami, and, more recently, in Fort Lauderdale. With the political climate being what it is under the current BLADE: Erin was able to afford to purchase the Fire Island house following winning a governor, do you foresee performing here at any point in the near future? settlement involving a piece of glass and a major Italian chain restaurant. Do you think CHO: Yes, definitely. I think it’s important to be out there. I was actually just there a few our current culture is more litigious than necessary? weeks ago, so. I think that we need to be constantly out there and we definitely need to CHO: I don’t know. I think the character is just really savvy and knows where to make be heard. Yes, I’m sure I’ll be returning again soon. an opportunity for herself. I think that’s really more it. I don’t know if it was necessarily

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CALENDAR |

By TINASHE CHINGARANDE

Friday, June 03

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).

Go Gay DC will be hosting “LGBTQ+ Pride Kickoff Social” at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Saturday, June 04 DC Peer Support Group Lunch and Watch Party will be at 12 p.m. inside the atrium of the Reeves Center next to the DC Center for the LGBT Community. The watch party will begin at 12:30p.m. on the second floor community room. This will be a screening of will “Queer as Folk” Pride episode (season 2, episode 4), followed by a viewing of the trailer for the upcoming reboot of “Queer as Folk” premiering June 9. To register for this event, visit this link.

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 that strives to be safe and judgment free. For more details, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org.

Baltimore Trans Pride will be at 4 p.m. at Charles Station North and 23rd Street. The event will feature this year’s royalty couple Devin Bey and Kionte Wilkens. For more information email transpride@baltimoresafehaven.org.

Sunday, June 05 Latinx History Project will host “Orgullosamente Outdoors” at 12 p.m. at Key Bridge Boathouse. This will be a queer kayaking event on the Potomac River. The cost is $18 per hour. For more information, visit Latinx History Project’s Facebook.

Yappy Day Party with DJ MIM will be at 1 p.m. at metrobar DC. DJ MIM will be setting springtime vibes with great music for this gathering of members of the LGBTQ community. This event is free and more information is available on Eventbrite.

Monday, June 06 Center Aging Coffee Drop-In will be at 10 a.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community and online on Zoom. LGBT 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.

Wicked Mondaze will be at 5 p.m. at Bidwell Restaurant. Guests are encouraged to come chill with friends or mix & mingle to make new connections while enjoying delicious craft cocktails and food bites during the happy hour vibe.

There will also be music by DJ MIM and special guest DJs. Tickets cost $25 and are available on Eventbrite.

Tuesday, June 07 Center Aging Women’s Discussion and Social Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. To register for this event, visit this link.

Queen of the Hall will be at 7 p.m. at Hook Hall. This will be Queen of the Hall’s first-ever drag competition at the venue. There will be three categories- presentation, talent and a top 2 lip sync. Prizes include $350 cash, $1,000 in bookings, a custom mix, a custom wig, and a custom costume. This event is free and more information is available on Eventbrite.

Wednesday, June 08 Job Club will be at 6 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community 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.”

DC Fray will host a free bingo series at 7 p.m. at As You Are. This is a LGBTQ happy hour bingo night. DC Fray will provide the game night host, bingo materials including daubers, and awesome prizes. For more information, visit Eventbrite.

Thursday, June 09 The DC Center’s Food Pantry Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair 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 16th Official DC Latinx Pride Party will be at 9 p.m. at the Howard Theatre. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased on Ticketweb.

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A scene from last year’s Awesome Con. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

OUT & ABOUT Capital Pride to host drag brunch Capital Pride will be partnering with Tito’s and Ommegang Brewery for an all-you-can-eat drag brunch experience on Saturday, June 11 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at The Hamilton Live.

This is an 18+ event. Tickets will include a brunch buffet, a choice of a Tito’s Bloody Mary, Ommegang beer, or a soft drink.

Tito’s will donate $1 of every cocktail sale to the Capital Pride Alliance. Ommegang will donate $1 of every beer sold to the Cyndi Lauper Foundation.

Tickets start at $55 and can be purchased on See Tickets.

Awesome Con kicks off on June 3 Awesome Con, the capital region’s premier comic and pop culture convention, will start Friday, June 3 at 1 p.m. at Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

This will be a three-day event.

This event is a celebration of geek culture, bringing over 70,000 fans together with their favorite stars from across comics, movies, tv, toys, games, and more!

Badges to attend the event start at $50 and can be purchased on Awesome Con’s website.

Team DC to host Pride Night games Team DC will host seven “Pride Night Games” starting on Friday, June 3.

The first game will be professional ultimate frisbee at Carlini Field at Catholic University. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at their website.

The 17th annual Night Out at the Nationals is set for June 14 against the Atlanta Braves at 7:05 p.m.; $5 of every ticket sold is donated to Team DC. Tickets range $20-60.

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‘Unbreakable’ presents musical chronology of LGBTQ lives through 20th century

GMCW production an epic choral work making East Coast premiere

By PATRICK FOLLIARD brick-and-mortar seminary and not something In his song “The Room Next Door,” composon the internet.” He says, “I have great respect for er/lyricist Andrew Lippa celebrates Lem Billings, religious practices and religions of the world, but JFK’s lifelong gay best friend, and the imporwhat I don’t have respect for is religious people tance of Kennedy’s admiring bosom pal in the who insist they’re right and I’m wrong.” president’s professional and personal life.

The chorus also boasts spectacular featured The Billings tune is just one of about a dozen soloists Helen Hayes Award-winning Nova Y. songs exploring the resiliency of the queer comPayton and soprano Amy Broadbent from the munity in Lippa’s “Unbreakable,” an epic choral United States Navy Band Sea Chanters Chorus. work poised to make its East Coast premiere perGMCW veteran Solomon HaileSelassie directs. formed by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Lippa is best known for Broadway’s “The Wild (GMWC) at the historic Lincoln Theatre on SaturParty,” “Big Fish,” and “The Addams Family,” but day, June 4. he likes to dip his toe into other musical mediStructurally inspired by playwright August ums. His collaboration with gay choruses began Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle, “Unbreakable” is a with “I Am Harvey Milk” (2013), a choral work musical chronology of LGBTQ lives in America and theatrical piece based on the political marthrough the 20th century. tyr, commissioned primarily by the San Francisco “The piece is in part held together by the anGay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC). ticipation of what song the next decade holds,” When writing about the slain, openly gay maysays Lippa. He credits visual projections that give or, he didn’t’ want to create a gay stereotype or context to the protagonists, and his poetic intera “oh, woe is me” portrayal of queer people, but pretation with doing the rest. rather an empowering piece about a man who In selecting what stories made the cut for the didn’t something extraordinarily unlikely for his 75-minute concert, the self-described “fifty-sevtime. en-year-old, white, cisgender, homosexual who’s Five years later, a second choral opportunity a six on the Kinsley scale,” used himself as the came his way – he was commissioned to write litmus test: “I found myself populating ‘Unbreak“Unbreakable” again by SFGMC and about ten able’ with slices of history that I didn’t know much other LGBTQ choruses from throughout the about but kept me interested, hoping others country including GMCW. would be interested too.”

Lippa also sings beautifully (not always the Ultimately, his musical is made up of a mélange case with composers) and enjoys performing. of compelling queer tales demonstrating the He played the title in the premiere of “I Am Harcommunity’s resiliency including Harvard’s “Sevey Milk” and sang Lem Billings on the “Unbreakcret Court” of 1920, The Lavender Scare (the able” original cast recording. interrogation and firing of gay-identifying civil Typically, after a piece is sent out into the servants), the AIDS crisis, and the lives of transworld, his involvement is minimal. For instance, gender activist Sylvia Rivera, civil rights activist he zoomed with GMCW members just once in Bayard Rustin, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Jane May the same month he broke his foot and both Addams, novelist Gertrude Stein, and more. he and his husband musician Tom Regouski con“Members of the chorus play multiple roles inANDREW LIPPA (Photo courtesy Lippa) tracted Covid. He’s fond of saying, “Covid is bad cluding vaguer characters who aren’t necessarily but you trying doing it on one foot.” famous,” explains Lippa. “In one song where they “Unbreakable” starts with a question: “Who quote Bible verse, they’re not the queer commuare you?” It’s the very first three words of the piece. By asking this question, Lippa makes nity, but rather they’re the homophobic judges at a young man’s sentencing – they’re the clear the work is for audience. “The music and words aren’t about the people singing; it’s Marjorie Taylor Greene of the time.” about the people watching,” he says.

In addition to creating music, Lippa is an ordained interfaith minster who went to “a real

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A month of Pride on the screen

‘Queer as Folk’ reboot could be triumph — or colossal mistake

By JOHN PAUL KING If you’re a regular Blade reader, you already know that “Fire Island” is set to kick off your Pride Month viewing schedule when it drops on Hulu on June 3. But while the Andrew Ahn-directed gay rom-com written by Joel Kim Booster (who co-stars with Bowen Yang and Conrad Ricamora) delivers enough smart, funny, and gloriously queer entertainment to keep us going all month long, there’s also a whole queer plethora of movies and shows headed to our screens in June – which means film and TV fans have even more to celebrate during the first full-scale Pride in what feels like decades.

Even more exciting, it’s a truly diverse crop, featuring stories about characters representing every color of the LGBTQIA+ rainbow and covers all the bases from romance to drama to comedy – a welcome change from the slim pickings we’ve been accustomed to for so long. There are so many, in might even be a bewildering task to put together your watchlist. Don’t worry: as always, the Blade is here to help. Here’s our list of the notable titles that have caught our eye: BENEDICTION – June 3, in theaters. Siegfried Sassoon was a queer English wordsmith-turned-soldier who became one of the leading poets of the World War I era with works that captured the horrors of the battlefield and satirized the false patriotism behind the conflict. Now, this British indie, written and helmed by master director Terence Davies, follows the young poet (Jack Lowden) through this period of his life, covering his controversial criticism of the war, his “marriage-of-convenience” to a woman (Kate Phillips), and his on-again-off-again affair with renowned composer, actor, and matinee idol Ivor Novello (Jeremy Irvine). Heavy-hitters Simon Russell Beale, Peter Capaldi, and Gemma Jones also star – but be warned, it’s not a happy story.

BALONEY – June 7, VOD. From director Joshua Guerci comes this no-holds-barred, “clothing optional” documentary that chronicles 18 months in the life of Baloney – a mostly male, mostly naked, very erotic San Francisco burlesque troupe that was the brainchild of queer artist Michael Phillis after he realized that “his worst day as an artist was still better than his best day as a tech manager.” Already a fan favorite at film festivals like LA’s Outfest, this cheeky celebration of LGBTQ sexuality and life experience was also featured at this year’s DragCon, where it was nominated for Best Documentary.

QUEER AS FOLK – June 9, Peacock. Depending on who you ask, the highly anticipated reimagining of Russell T. Davies’ groundbreaking series could well be the biggest LGBTQ television event – or the biggest mistake – of the year. Both the British and American versions of the original series have their own legion of fans, and while many of them may have expressed their qualms (to put it mildly) over the entire idea of a new reboot, the return of the franchise looks poised to make some welcome improvements as it reinvents the beloved series for a new era, stepping up its representation game with a more diverse assortment of characters than the group of predominantly white gay men featured by its predecessors, telling a story that centers on a group of LGBTQ friends in New Orleans – all played by queer-in-real-life performers – as their lives are transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy. The impressive cast includes Ryan O’Connell, Johnny Sibilly, Devin Way, Jesse James Keitel, Fin Argus, Candace Grave, Benito Skinner, Juliette Lewis, and Kim Cattrall. Shade from old-school fans aside, this one will be essential viewing.

FIRST KILL – June 10, Netflix. We know we can count on Netflix to deliver when it comes to “genre” shows with LGBTQ representation, and this sexy new lesbian-leaning vampire saga looks to be a sure-fire hit with queer horror fans. Based on the first volume of “The Slayer Chronicles” book series by Heather Brewer, the story follows Juliette, a teenage vampire preparing to take her place among her powerful vampire family; for

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RYAN O’CONNELL and JOHNNY SIBILLY in ‘Queer as Folk.’

(Image courtesy Peacock)

her first kill, she sets her sights on Calliope, a new girl in town, only to find out her intended victim comes from a celebrated family of vampire hunters. According to the show’s description, each of these antagonists quickly learns that their opponent is not too easy to defeat, but way too easy to fall for. We’re definitely in, and we’re pretty sure you will be, too. Imani Lewis, Sarah Catherine Hook, Elizabeth Mitchell, Will Swenson, Aubion Wise, Jason Robert Moore, Gracie Dzienny, Dylan McNamara, Dominic Goodman, Phillip Mullings Jr., MK xyz, Jonas Dylan Allen, and Roberto Mendez star.

LOVE, VICTOR – June 15, Hulu. The popular series, inspired by and set in the same universe as Greg Berlanti’s 2018 teen coming-out comedy “Love, Simon,” returns for its third and final season to follow its young protagonist – whom we last saw torn between first boyfriend Benji and new love interest Rahim – as he goes on a journey of self-discovery to decide not only who he wants to be with, but more broadly, who he wants to be. It’s not an easy process, especially with post-high-school plans looming and a whole new set of problems that Victor and his friends must work through in order to make the best choices for their futures. Michael Cimino, Rachel Hilson, Anthony Turpel, Bebe Wood, Mason Gooding, George Sear, Isabella Ferreira, Mateo Fernandez, Anthony Keyvan, Ava Capri, James Martinez and Ana Ortiz all return for the show’s 8-episode victory lap.

DEAD END: PARANORMAL PARK – June 16, Netflix. For younger LGBTQ viewers, Pride month brings this extra-special animated treat, a series based on the graphic novels from award-winning creator Hamish Steele’s horror-comedy graphic novels “Deadendia.” It follows the adventures of Barney, a transgender teen (voiced by trans actor Zach Barack ) who works a summer job alongside his friend Norma – and a magical talking dog named Pugsley – while battling the totally real supernatural forces that dwell within it. A sardonic thousand-year-old demon named Courtney is their guide as they face zombie mascots, demonic game show hosts, sleep-sucking witches and the scariest thing of all – their first crushes! Groundbreaking queer representation? For sure. Fun for the whole family? Absolutely. Sounds like an all-around win to us.

WILDHOOD – June 24, Hulu. Another film festival favorite, this entry from two-spirit filmmaker Bretten Hannam is a Canadian import that breathes exhilarating new life into the familiar “queer coming-of-age” genre by putting the focus on the vastly underrepresented indigenous community. It’s the story of a half-Mi’kmaq teen who runs away from his abusive father, taking his younger half-brother with him as he embarks on a quest to reconnect with his long-presumed-dead mother and his First Nation heritage. Along the way, they meet a two-spirit pow wow dancer who becomes their guide as they travel across Nova Scotia – and whose obvious attraction to the elder runaway begins to draw him toward a different kind self-discovery. Garnering acclaim and awards at festivals like TIFF, AFI Fest, and the Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival, this off-the-beaten path look at queer experience looks like a must-see for any fan of diverse, authentic LGBTQ+ cinema, and stars Phillip Lewitski, Avery Winters-Anthony, Joshua Odjick, Joel Thomas Hynes, and Michael Greyeyes.

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First-time homebuyers: Did you know about these programs?

Start to build your net worth this year

By JOSEPH HUDSON

Recently I heard an interesting statistic. In units. There are household income standards 2019, the average net worth of homeowners was and assistance amounts on the DHCD website. $255,000, while renters had an average net worth The Employer Assisted Housing Program offers of $6,300. So, what are the options in the DMV to eligible District government employees a dehelp people get into homeownership? I want to ferred, 0% interest loan and matching funds grant discuss some of the options in this article. for down payment and closing costs to purchase First, there is DC Opens Doors. The program their first single family home, condominium, or cooffers competitive interest rates and lower mortoperative unit in the District. gage insurance costs on first trust mortgages. FiIn Northern Virginia, there is the VHDA Down nancial assistance is provided in the form of a dePayment Grant for either 3% or 3.5% of the home ferred 0% non-amortizing (no monthly payments) price. In Maryland, there is the Maryland Mortloan that is due and payable upon any one of the gage Program, which provides a 30-year fixed rate following: thirty (30) years from the date of loan home loan to eligible homebuyers purchasing in closing; sale or any transfer (by gift or otherwise) Maryland of the property to another person, business or Find a good local lender and real estate agent entity; property ceases to be your principal reswho understand the various options for first time idence or refinancing your first trust mortgage. homebuyers, and start to build your net worth this You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer year. to qualify for DC Opens Doors, you must however, Make sure your Realtor knows about special programs for first-time buyers. be purchasing a home in the District to qualify.

HPAP/EAHP-DCHFA serves as a co-administrator of the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) firstis a Realtor with The Rutstein Group of Compass. time homebuyer program HPAP. The program provides down payment and closing cost Reach him at 703-587-0597 or joseph@dcrealestate.com. assistance in the form of interest-free loans to qualified applicants for the purchase of their primary residence, to include single-family homes, condominiums, or cooperative

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