Washington Blade, Volume 54, Issue 33, August 18, 2023

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Fairfax County schools defy Youngkin policies for trans, nonbinary students

FCPS Pride organized rally in Falls Church on Aug. 15.

By MICHAEL KEY | mkey@washblade.com

A group of activists organized by FCPS Pride held a rally and march near Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls Church on Aug. 15 to support transgender, nonbinary and gender expansive youth in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Teachers, students, administrators and activists were joined by elected officials in praising the statement issued earlier in the day by FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid, which assures constituents that the current Fairfax County policies for trans and nonbinary students will remain unchanged.

The Virginia Department of Education issued a model policy that rolls back protections for trans and gender non-conforming students. Advocates warn that the new state policies directly harm trans, nonbinary and gender expansive students.

In response to the state policy announcement, Reid publicly responded in a letter on Aug. 15. “We have concluded our detailed legal review and determined that our current FCPS policies are consistent with federal and state anti-discrimination laws as required by the new model policies.”

“Let me be clear that FCPS remains committed to fostering a safe, supportive, welcoming and inclusive school environment for all students and staff, including our transgender and

gender expansive students and staff,” the statement continues.

Reid announced in the statement that FCPS would retain current county policies: Including that students continue to be addressed by their chosen names and pronouns; provided with access to facilities, activities and trips consistent with their gender identity; and continue to have their privacy respected regarding gender expansive or trans status, legal name, or sex assigned at birth. These Fairfax County policies are in direct opposition to the policies announced by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration.

A group of Fairfax student and teacher activists were joined by Fairfax County School Board members Karl Frisch and Laura Jane Cohen, state Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church), members of faith communities and representatives from the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers union in a rally and march at Luther Jackson Middle School in support of the Fairfax policy announcement.

“This is about making sure that every child can show up in our schools without the weight of the world on their shoulders so they can focus on learning,” Karl Frisch, who is the school board’s vice chair, told the assembled activists. “Pro-

tecting them from the weight of the bigotry out there so that they can focus on getting the education that we are offering them in our school buildings.”

Va. removes ‘homosexuality’ from state ‘sexual conduct’ definition State Sen. Scott Surovell ‘struck’ legislative compromise

By STAFF REPORTS

Virginia lawmakers have removed “homosexuality” from the state’s definition of “sexual conduct.”

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in April 2022 signed a bill that requires school boards to notify parents about “sexually explicit materials” in the classrooms.

The Washington Post reported Youngkin last summer signed a separate measure that requires the Virginia Department of Education to publish guidance about the handling of sexually explicit material and the notification of parents about it. The guidelines, according to the Post, defined sexual conduct as “actual or explicitly

Comings & Goings

simulated acts of masturbation, homosexuality, sexual intercourse or physical contact in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification with a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if such be female, breast.”

The Post reported state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax County) “struck a compromise to get the code changed” after lawmakers failed to do so. The Fairfax County Democrat offered to support state Sen. William Stanley, Jr. (R-Franklin County)’s bill to require age verification on pornography websites in exchange for an amendment that

CAMP Rehoboth scholarship honors David Mixner

By PETER ROSENSTEIN

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: comingsandgoings@washblade.com

Thanks to David Mixner for lending his name to a scholarship with CAMP Rehoboth. CAMP and Danny Sebright invite you to an intimate evening with trailblazing, LGBTQ+ rights activist, David Mixner for cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres on Friday, Sept. 1, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 6 Wade Court, in Canal Corkran. The suggested donation to attend the event is $500. The event is the launch of the David Mixner LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship that will honor the legacy of David Mixner and his long career as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. This LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship, an endowed fund, will perpetually offer a student a real-world learning experience interning at CAMP Rehoboth, the only LGBTQ+ Community Center in Delaware.

CAMP Executive Director Kim Leisey said, “CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, a 501 (c)3 is greatly appreciative

of Danny Sebright and his willingness to host this event with David Mixner. David’s trailblazing LGBTQ+ activism will be honored through this scholarship, ensuring that an LGBTQ+ student has financial support for their education. Education is foundational for a sound democracy, a principle Mr. Mixner has exhibited throughout his career and activism.”

Sebright said, “When CAMP told me they wanted to honor David Mixner, I was excited to host this event. David is a lifelong friend and I honor his commitment to pursuing equality, which has been both trailblazing and heroic. This scholarship should inspire young people for years to come to continue fighting for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community, along with CAMP Rehoboth.”

Congratulations to Andrew C. Wills on his new position as Senior Vice President for Invenergy. He was most recently Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, at the Department of Energy (DOE). Upon leaving DOE and accepting his new position, Wills said, “It was one of my proudest experiences and a distinct honor to serve my fellow Americans by supporting Secretary Granholm and President Biden in

would remove “homosexuality” from the state’s definition of “sexual conduct.”

Youngkin signed Stanley’s bill with the amendment that Surovell proposed.

Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman welcomed the revision.

“For many LGBTQ+ Virginians, their identity is not merely an action, but rather a core part of who they are and how they move through the world,” Rahaman said in a statement to the Post. “To solely equate homosexuality with ‘sexual conduct’ is both minimizing and antiquated.”

advancing a secure energy future. I’m excited to rejoin the country’s largest private clean energy company, Invenergy, as we work to implement recent infrastructure legislation by deploying affordable, clean, and reliable energy to all Americans.”

Prior to working at DOE, Wills served as Director of Federal Affairs at Invernergy, Washington, D.C.; Government Relations Director and Counsel, American Public Power Association (APPA), D.C.; and Associate Counsel, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), D.C. Prior to that he was a summer associate with Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer, & Pembroke, D.C.; and a legal intern with Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC), Tucker, GA.

Students, teachers, administrators and activists march along Gallows Road in Falls Church, Va., on Aug. 15, 2023, in support of Fairfax County Public Schools’ decision to disregard the new ‘model policies’ for transgender and nonbinary students issued by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration.

DAVID MIXNER ANDREW WILLS

New D.C. police chief pledges ‘fair and equal treatment’ for LGBTQ community

Says role as ordained minister won’t impact efforts to provide services for everyone

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

Acting D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith, whose nomination to become permanent chief is pending before the D.C. Council, said she is committed to providing “ fair and equal treatment” for all the city’s diverse communities, including the LGBTQ community, in her role as the city’s chief law enforcement officer.

In an Aug. 9 interview with the Washington Blade, Smith responded to questions raised by some in the LGBTQ community about whether due to her background as an ordained minister she may have biased views toward LGBTQ people based on her religious beliefs.

“ Thank you for that question, and I certainly welcome any questions that members of any community may have with respect to my faith,” Smith told the Blade. “ What I will tell you is I’ve been in law enforcement for 25 years. And I’ve always and will continue to provide fair and equal treatment to anyone who is subjected to any kind of threat or crime,” Smith said.

son Unit (LGBTLU), provides services to crime victims, outreach to community meetings, and “training and support to the rest of the department as well as the community.”

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on July 17 nominated Smith to become the city’s next police chief. At the time her nomination was announced Smith was serving as an assistant chief. A short time later, the mayor named her acting chief while her nomination was pending before the D.C. Council, which is expected to approve the nomination when the Council returns from its summer recess.

If her nomination is approved by the Council, Smith would make history by becoming the first African-American woman to serve as the permanent D.C. police chief since the department was founded in 1861.

Smith joined the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in May 2022 after having served as Chief of Police for the United States Park Police in the nation’s capital. Her more than 20 years of service with the Park Police included assignments at Park Police offices in New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco.

Among the topics the Blade raised with Smith during her interview was concern raised by some LGBTQ activists and other community activists that the shortfall of police officers that the department is currently facing has prevented the department from replacing members of the community liaison units, including the LGBT Liaison Unit, when members of those units retire or take other jobs.

Smith said she is committed to retaining the liaison units and doing all she can to keep them fully staffed.

a possible hate crime whenever they’re investigating or engaged in a case,” she added. “ We have a multidisciplinary team that works together on reported hate crimes.”

The Blade asked Smith for her thoughts on calls by some community activists, including LGBTQ activists, for the decriminalization of prostitution involving consenting adults and for the police to de-prioritize making prostitution-related arrests for consenting adults.

“ Well, I think our position today and our position has always been that we continue to enforce the laws of the District of Columbia,” she said, adding that in the past several years D.C. police have focused more on targeting sex worker customers or “Johns ” in making prostitution-related arrests.

Smith said she was not familiar with the specifics of the D.C. police investigation into the unexplained death of D.C. gay resident Ernest Terrell Newkirk, 55, whose body was found May 28 on a Southeast D.C. street several hours after he attended an LGBTQ Black Pride dance party at a Capitol Hill gay bar. His partner of 21 years, Roger Turpin, said Newkirk’s wallet, phone, jewelry, and car were all missing at the time he was found.

Turpin has expressed concern that the detective initially assigned to the case declined to look for fingerprints on Newkirk’s car that was found two days later and was not interested in tracking down calls made by someone on Newkirk’s phone shortly after his body was found.

“And since we’re specifically speaking about the LGBTQ community, that translates to the LGBTQ community as well,” she said. “And my faith has nothing to do with me treating anyone differently,” she added.

“ I served when I came into the Metropolitan Police Department as the Chief Equity Officer,” she said. “And my role was certainly about fair and equitable treatment for every employee of the Metropolitan Police Department,” said Smith. “And for me, that transfers to the members of our community – our businesses, our visitors, our tourists here in the District of Columbia.”

Asked whether that policy would apply to members of the LGBTQ community as well, Smith replied: “Absolutely. Listen, we have many members from the LGBTQ community here in MPD, including a transgender sworn member currently up to the rank of a lieutenant.”

Smith added, “ We also have LGBTQ members in the reserve and volunteer corps supporting many functions in the department, including support of the LGBTQ Liaison Unit. We have a nationally recognized LGBTQ Liaison Unit.”

According to Smith, that unit, listed on the MPD website as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Liai -

“ While we have no officers who have been reassigned away from those units, we do realize that attrition takes a toll on any area of the organization,” she told the Blade. “And what I want you to know is the Special Liaison Branch, which includes the teams servicing the LGBTQ plus community as well as our immigrant, our interfaith, deaf and hard of hearing communities –they play an important role in servicing and connecting with our diverse community,” Smith said.

“And this is especially true now as D.C. prepares to host World Pride in 2025,” she said, referring to D.C. having been selected to host the 2025 international LGBTQ Pride event, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from throughout the world.

“And so, what I have done as an initial step within the last couple of weeks is that I’ve approved four vacancies to be filled in the Special Liaison Branch,” Smith said. “And two of those vacancies will be for our LGBTQ unit.”

The Blade also asked Smith how she plans to address the issue of hate crimes at a time when D.C. police crime statistics show that over the past 10 years, the largest number of reported hate crimes in the city are those that have targeted LGBTQ people as victims.

“ What I can say is in the department, we certainly have strong policies and training to make sure members can recognize hate crimes,” Smith said. “And officers have to report whether there are any indicators of

D.C. Police have said they have ruled out a homicide in the case because there were no signs of injuries on Newkirk’s body, but the cause of death has yet to be determined due to delays in chemical toxicology tests by the Office of the D.C. Chief Medical Examiner. A police spokesperson said the case remains under investigation.

Turpin said a new detective was assigned to the case and he is hopeful that police would aggressively investigate the case.

“ What I can do is see if I can obtain some additional information from our investigators on this side,” Smith told the Blade. She said she knows from personal observation that MPD detectives “ work very aggressively” on the cases to which they are assigned.

Asked if she has any message for the LGBTQ community in her role as Acting Chief of Police and in anticipation of her confirmation as permanent chief, Smith had this to say:

“ Well, I can say personally the LGBTQ plus community will see me. They will see me out and about,” she added. “ They will probably see me in spaces and places that they’re probably not familiar with seeing me in,” she said.

“And I plan to be very supportive. And if there’s anything that I can do to be of support to the LGBTQ community just as I would any other community, I would add, don’t hesitate to reach out,” she said. “If there’s anything I can learn new about various communities or different communities I’m open to that as well.”

Acting D.C. Police Chief PAMELA SMITH (Screen capture via ABC 7 News)

First Republican primary debate to take place on Aug. 23

It remains unclear whether Trump will participate

By CHRISTOPHER KANE | ckane@washblade.com

The Republican National Committee will host the party’s first 2024 presidential primary debates next Wednesday, Aug. 23, in Milwaukee.

Five declared candidates have met the threshold requirements to participate: (One) 40,000 unique donors with at least 200 unique donors per state, (two) polling one percent or higher in three national polls recognized by the RNC, or in two national polls and in two polls from early voting states and (three) agreeing to support the eventual Republican nominee.

These GOP hopefuls are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who formerly served in the U.S. House of Representatives, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who formerly served as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. during the Trump administration, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a billionaire former tech mogul, and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Three more — former President and current GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, who formerly served in the U.S. House and as governor of Indiana, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — have not yet signed loyalty pledges but otherwise will qualify.

(Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, businessman Perry Johnson, conservative talk radio host Larry Elder and former congressman Will Hurd are also in the running.)

IT’S TRUMP’S RACE TO LOSE

Just before he was handed a 13-count felony indictment on Monday, polling showed the twice impeached former president had grown his lead over DeSantis from six points in January 2023 to a whopping 38 points, while Ramaswamy trailed behind the Florida governor by just seven points and a one or two-point difference distinguished the rest of the field.

In 2015, the last time he faced a primary contest against a crowded pool of Republican hopefuls, Trump by August was leading the pack, though by a slimmer margin of 11 points. In a distant second place was Jeb Bush, who was governor of Florida from 1999-2007 and ultimately suspended his campaign after a poor showing in the South Carolina primary.

However, and despite the many scandals that roiled his insurgent campaign eight years ago, Trump had run on a populist economic platform with a relatively cohesive message stressing his business bona fides and outside-the-Beltway career as a real estate mogul.

The picture looks different now.

Should he secure the Republican nomination, Trump would square off against President Joe Biden, who already beat him in 2020.

Efforts by Trump to stay in power despite that decisive loss culminated in the Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ issuance on Monday of 13 felony indictments against him for election fraud and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

“Trump and the other defendants charged in this indictment refused to accept that Trump lost, and they knowingly and willfully joined a conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favor of Trump,” the indictment said.

The former president will now face a total of 91 charges in four separate cases that will soon be adjudicated in courtrooms from Fulton County, Ga., to New York, with the former carrying a mandatory minimum 5-year sen-

tence — and the specter of live television coverage whose impact on the 2024 race will be difficult to forecast.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR NEXT WEEK

Most of Trump’s 2024 rivals reacted by coming to his defense following Monday’s news of the fourth set of indictments. Depending on whether he opts to participate in the Milwaukee debate, the other candidates may or may not take the opportunity to differentiate themselves from the former president and make the case for why they — and not he — should be nominated to take on Biden.

For instance, Christie told Fox News he is “uncomfortable” by the indictment, calling it “unnecessary,” but hedged that “we can’t normalize this conduct” by Trump and promised to call him out from the debate stage.

With such a solid lead, Trump may well skip the event despite having participated in all but one of the 12 presidential debates held between August 2015 and March 2016. Of the 17 major declared candidates, only U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) participated in all 12.

The U.S. Supreme Court established the nationwide constitutional right to same-sex marriage with Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015, prompting each of the GOP presidential primary candidates to go on the record with their respective positions.

A couple months later, during the Aug. 5 debate hosted by Fox News and Facebook in Cleveland, Kasich disclosed that he had recently attended a friend’s same-sex wedding, adding that “God gives me unconditional love” and therefore “I’m going to give it to my family and my friends and the people around me.”

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), by contrast — who had warned Obergefell would usher in the “criminalization of Christianity” — inveighed from the debate stage against policies allowing gay and transgender service members to serve openly in the military.

Now, of course, transphobia is ascendent on the right.

Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills, most targeting the transgender community, have been introduced in conservative state legislatures this year, prompting the Human Rights Campaign to declare a state of emergency for LGBTQ people in the U.S.

Experts say it’s all about keeping evangelicals voting. Whether and how the Republican Party’s embrace of anti-LGBTQ policies and rhetoric will be reflected on the debate stage next week remains to be seen.

2024 CANDIDATES ON LGBTQ ISSUES

The GLAAD Accountability Project details the records of each of the eight GOP hopefuls who are likely to appear on the debate stage next week. Here are some excerpts:

Trump:

In March 2023, GLAAD writes, the former president “vowed to crack down on ‘transgender insanity’ and pledged to ‘revoke every Biden policy promoting the disfigurement of our youth’ at the first rally of his 2024 presidential campaign. He said that he would ‘keep men out of women’s sports’ if re-elected president, after he last year misgendered trans athlete Lia Thomas. He added: ‘I will immediately sign an executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and other racial, sexual or political content on our children.’”

DeSantis:

During an interview with Fox News in July 2022, DeSantis “lied about gender affirming care,” GLAAD notes, telling host Laura Ingraham: “They will actually take a young boy and castrate the boy. They will take a young girl and do a mastectomy, or they will sterilize her because of the gender dysphoria. There is no evidence that this is something that’s effective medical care.”

Ramaswamy:

In May 2023, Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital that “Target ‘spit in the face of conservatives’ in an anti-transgender attack on the retailer for selling swimwear designed to accommodate a variety of body types,” GLAAD writes.

Pence:

Last month, GLAAD notes, the former vice president, “as a part of his 2024 presidential bid, said that as president, he would again prohibit transgender Americans from serving in the military, as was the policy when he was vice president under Donald Trump: ‘… having transgender personnel, I believe, erodes unit cohesion in a very unique way.’”

Haley:

In June 2023, Haley “falsely claimed that transgender girls playing sports contribute to teenage suicide ideation,” GLAAD said, echoing previous comments in which the former South Carolina governor “said President Joe Biden’s support of transgender rights will destroy women’s sports, saying, ‘Across the sporting world, the game is being rigged against women and in favor of biological men.’”

Christie:

The organization notes that as governor, Christie signed bills “instituting broad new protections for trans New Jersey residents: One directing schools to let students use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity or provide ‘reasonable alternative arrangements,’ and another prohibiting health insurers from discriminating against transgender residents.” At the same time, GLAAD highlighted that he “vetoed a bill that would have eased access to accurate birth certificates for transgender people.”

Scott:

GLAAD highlighted a 2010 report in Newsweek that Scott “considers homosexuality a morally wrong choice, like adultery.”

Burgum:

In May 2023, GLAAD notes, Burgum “signed a bill into law that allows public school teachers and state government employees to ignore the pronouns their transgender students and colleagues use.”

(Washington Blade photos on top row by Michael Key; screen captures on bottom row via YouTube)

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Pentagon sued for failing to correct discrimination after DADT repeal

Plaintiffs allege thousands still face consequences of discriminatory policy

By CHRISTOPHER KANE | ckane@washblade.com

A lawsuit filed on Aug. 7 by a group of LGBTQ veterans seeks to address the U.S. Department of Defense’s failure to grant honorable discharges to service members who were fired before the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2011.

The five plaintiffs, all of whom were kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation, also want the agency to remedy other manifestations of this “ongoing discrimination,” including biased language in the discharge papers of LGBTQ veterans.

Their class action complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, notes that the federal government has made significant overtures to recognize and condemn “the decades of discriminatory policies it enforced against LGBTQ+ veterans.”

However, the lawsuit argues, the plaintiffs — along with “thousands of others who were involuntarily discharged un-

LGBTQ Hawaiians need help

Maui wildfire has killed at least 100 people

By BRODY LEVESQUE

The devastation of the wildfires that impacted the island of Maui is most evident in the city of Lahaina. The death toll has pushed past 100 people and is expected to rise in the coming weeks as recovery efforts continue.

In a statement to media outlets, the Hawaii Tourism Authority said “in the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.”

Maui County estimates more than 80 percent of the more than 2,700 structures in the town were damaged or destroyed and 4,500 residents are newly in need of shelter.

There are numerous critical needs for the residents who have been displaced, many living in temporary shelters. Randy M. Soriano, the executive director of Hawai‘i LGBT Legacy Foundation, Honolulu Pride and the LGBTQ Center Honolulu on the island of Oahu is asking for assistance.

“Mahalo for checking in. It has been a devastating week for the entire state of Hawai’i. Our hearts go out to those who have experienced such a tremendous loss. Our organization is located on the island of Oahu so we’re fortunate to not have been directly affected but we’re trying to activate as much aid as possible,” Soriano wrote in a Facebook post.

“Below I’ve included information on local partners that are collecting donations for those in Maui,” he noted:

“The Maui Strong Fund is providing resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui.

HCF will not be collecting a fee for donations to the Maui Strong Fund; 100 percent of the funds will be distributed for community needs.

Please consult the following links for more information. If you still have questions, contact Donor Services at donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org or (808) 566-5560.

www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

Our hearts go out to our Maui ‘ohana. Please donate to one of our trusted partners, hawaiiancouncil.org/ maui and hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.”

On the Big Island of Hawai’i the Prizma Hawaiʻi LGBTQ+ Center wrote:

Notice and Request for Volunteers: Prizma Hawaiʻi LGBTQ+ Center and Hawai’i Island LGBTQ+ Pride will partner to participate in the “Hawaiʻi County Task Force for Maui Recovery Assistance.”

“Please share any upcoming details that we will be posting with our Island Ohana so we can help Maui during their recovery.

We are asking for volunteers to help be at the Prizma Hawaiʻi LGBTQ+ Center to accept donations during the times of 5 p.m. -8 p.m. throughout the week and week-

der anti-LGBTQ+ policies — continue to combat the effects of this discrimination.”

Discharge papers, known as DD-214s, are required to access veterans’ benefits and apply for jobs, loans, and apartments.

A Department of Defense spokesperson said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

News of the lawsuit was first reported on television Tuesday by CBS News, which has investigated the Pentagon’s failure to amend the service records of veterans who were dishonorably discharged because of their sexual orientation.

CBS found that “more than 29,000 individuals kicked out because of their sexuality were denied honorable discharges.”

end times from 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Please message our page or contact Beverly Tese to help fill in spots. Any other non-profits that would like to partner please reach out as well. We will post a calendar of dates and times very soon.

Thank you for supporting us to help Maui, Prizma Hawaiʻi LGBTQ+ Center Committee.”

Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and Maui United Way are accepting online monetary donations to benefit Maui residents affected by fires.

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation started a Maui Strong Fund to support residents affected by the wildfires: www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.  Maui United Way is accepting donations to its Maui Fire and Disaster Relief fund at www.mauiunitedway.org/ disasterrelief.

People trying to locate loved ones who may be impacted by the fires can call the American Red Cross hotline at 1-800-733-2767.

Elliot Page offers up advice & encouragement for LGBTQ+ youth The 36-year-old Canadian actor discussed his autobiography Pageboy

By BRODY LEVESQUE

Academy-award nominee Elliot Page interacted with LGBTQ and other young people during an audience question and answer period from the Creativity Stage at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this past weekend for the 2023 Library of Congress National Book Festival.

The annual event was founded in 2001 by former First Lady Laura Bush and the Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, who died in November 2018. The book festival brings together authors, the public, and includes book-signings, musical performances, storytelling, panel discussions, demonstrations of illustration and new tech-

nologies.

The 36-year-old Canadian actor discussed his autobiography/memoir Pageboy, that details his life and transition, which was published on June 6, 2023. Upon its release, the book debuted atop The New York Times Best Seller List for Nonfiction.

Afterwards he took questions from the audience.

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Photo credit: U.S. Courts/GSA)

ELLIOT PAGE speaks with audience members during a Q&A at the Creativity Stage during the 2023 Library of Congress National Book Festival. (Screenshot/YouTube Library of Congress)

Lahaina, Hawai’i, as it appeared on Aug. 12, 2023, after the devastating wildfire destroyed the Hawaiian city of 13,216, leaving over 90 people dead. (YouTube screenshot from NBC News)

UN human rights experts condemn Taliban over treatment of LGBTQ Afghans

Extremist group regained control of country in 2021

By MICHAEL K. LAVERS | mlavers@washblade.com

United Nations human rights experts on Aug. 14 sharply criticized the Taliban over its treatment of LGBTQ and intersex people and other groups in Afghanistan.

“Two years ago, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. Since then, the policies they have imposed on the Afghan population have resulted in a continuous, systematic and shocking rescinding of a multitude of human rights, including the rights to education, work and freedoms of expression, assembly and association. Consistent credible reports of summary executions and acts tantamount to enforced disappearances, widespread arbitrary detention, torture, and ill treatment, as well as arbitrary displacement have caused increased concern,” reads a statement that Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the independent U.N. expert on LGBTQ and intersex issues, and others signed. “The hardest hit are women and girls, ethnic, religious and other minorities, people with disabilities, displaced persons, LGBTQ+ persons, human

rights defenders and other civil society actors, journalists, artists, educators and former government and security officials.”

“Despite reassurances by the Taliban de facto authorities that any restrictions, particularly in terms of access to education would be temporary, the facts on the ground have demonstrated an accelerated, systematic and all engulfing system of segregation, marginalization and persecution,” the statement further notes.

The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021. The last American forces withdrew from the country 15 days later.

The State Department in its 2022 human rights report  notes the Taliban “criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity, and representatives routinely enforced this position through violence, intimidation, harassment and targeted killings.”

“Under sharia, conviction of same-sex sexual conduct is

punishable by death, flogging or imprisonment,” reads the report. “Individual Taliban members made public statements reiterating that their interpretation of sharia includes the death penalty for homosexuality.”

The report further notes the Taliban “takeover of the country increased

Memorial to LGBTQ Holocaust victims vandalized in Berlin

Anti-queer attacks on the rise in Germany

By BRODY LEVESQUE

The Memorial to Persecuted Homosexuals under National Socialism located at the edge of the German capital city’s famed Tiergarten Park was vandalized this past weekend, according to a Berlin Police spokesperson.

The Berlin Police said that a park security official observed a male suspect “papering” the monument with slips of paper later found to contain Biblical verses condemning homosexuality and then attempting to set the memorial ablaze by tossing a burning object at it. The suspect fled when confronted by the guard.

Berlin Police are investigating this incident and another attack against a memorial for victims of the Holocaust, the “Platform 17” memorial, inside the Berlin-Grünewald train station.

The Memorial to Persecuted Homosexuals under National Socialism, in the shape of a cube with a window insert where a video of a same-sex couple kissing can be seen, was first

erected in 2008.

German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported that under the Nazi regime in Germany from 19331945, gay people were systematically repressed and persecuted, with some 50,000 being convicted on account of their sexuality.

Many thousands of them were deported to concentration camps and large numbers murdered there.

The second arson attack took place at the “Platform 17” memorial, which honors the German Jewish people who were sent to their deaths during the Holocaust from the Grünewald train station.

In a statement issued Monday the Berlin-Brandenburg Lesbian and Gay Association decried both incidents:

“We are shocked by the inflammatory energy of both acts and hope that the person responsible in both cases will be caught quickly.”

These past two weekend incidents are among a rising rate

Malaysia bans Swiss watch maker’s LGBTQ products

Homosexuality remains criminalized in Southeast Asian country

By BRODY LEVESQUE

The Home Ministry in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority conservative Southeast Asia country where homosexuality is illegal, punishable by punishments such as caning and imprisonment, announced that it has banned all Swiss watchmaker Swatch products that contain any LGBTQ elements, whether on watches, boxes or wrappers.

The ministry said the ban has been implemented under the Printing Presses and Publications (Prohibition of Undesirable Publications) Order 2023, noting that the Swatch products are “likely to be prejudicial to morality.”

“(The Swatch products) have been banned as they are detrimental, or possibly detrimental, to morality, public interest and national interest by promoting, supporting and normalizing the LGBTQ movement, which is not accepted by the general public of Malaysia,” the ministry said in its announcement.

“The home ministry again states its commitment to ensure

public safety and peace by monitoring and controlling all forms of publications to curb the spread of elements, teachings and movements that contradict the local socio-cultural setup,” the statement continued.

In its announcement, the Malaysian government also warned that anyone found with or owns any such products produced by Swatch could face up to three years in jail or a maximum fine of RM20,000 ($4,372.06), or both, if convicted.

In May of this year, Malaysian authorities seized watches bearing the letters “LGBT” but, according to a lawsuit filed in July by the Swiss company, also confiscated watches from its 2023 Pride collection.

Al Jazeera reported in a lawsuit filed with the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, the Swiss watchmaker is seeking compensation and the return of 172 watches seized by officials over their alleged “LGBT elements.”

of anti-LGBTQ sentiments in Germany, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, a German television station, reported. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the number of attacks against queer people increased in 2022. Last year, 1,005 cases were counted, including 227 violent crimes and 341 insults. That is about 15 percent more cases than in the previous year. The gay anti-violence project “Maneo” in Berlin also reports a slightly higher number of cases. According to Maneo, they will be “at a high level” overall in 2022.

The queer commissioner of the federal government assumes that the vast majority wants queer people to be able to live without fear and have equal rights. However, the results of a study from 2023 showed “that this consent is not stable and self-evident.”

Kerstin Thost, the spokesperson for Berlin-Brandenburg Lesbian and Gay Association told ZDF:

“We all have a responsibility now to work tirelessly to protect and treat everyone equally,” said Thost. “In this situation, everyone should position themselves for human rights and democracy. Even those who are not affected by queer hostility themselves.”

Swatch said in the filing that the seizure of the watches, valued at RM64,795 ($14,164.39), had no legal basis as well as including items that had no connection to LGBTQ activism.

“Without a doubt, the seized watches did not and are not in any way capable of causing any disruption to public order or morality or any violations of the law,” Swatch said in the lawsuit, which was filed on June 24 and first reported by the Malay Mail.

Media outlets and LGBTQ activists in Malaysia reported that authorities raided retail shops across the country, including in the nation’s large mega-shopping centers.

According to Al Jazeera, Swatch Group Chief Executive Nick Hayek at the time of the filing of the suit questioned how “peace and love could be harmful” and whether authorities would try to confiscate rainbows in the sky if it was possible.

The ministry and Swatch did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Memorial to Homosexuals persecuted under Nazism in Berlin on July 23, 2022.

(Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Two men in Kabul, Afghanistan, in July 2021 (Photo courtesy of Dr. Ahmad Qais Munzahim)

LISA D. T. RICE

a native Washingtonian, is an ANC Commissioner representing single member district 7B07, which includes residents of the Penn Branch, Dupont Park, and Fort Davis neighborhoods. She is a registered Independent and the proposer of the MAKE ALL VOTES COUNT ACT OF 2024.

Open primaries, ranked choice voting support better democracy

Change is difficult for humans to embrace. I know it. You know it. We like our routines and hold onto them for dear life, often to our detriment, robbing ourselves of the opportunity to evolve and grow, break the mold and truly make a difference.

Change may be hard for Washington, D.C.’s politicos, too – as Peter Rosenstein demonstrates in his recent opinion piece in the Blade. Yet, open primaries and ranked choice voting – the two electoral reforms proposed in the Make All Votes Count Act of 2024, also known as Ballot Initiative 83 – will help our city’s democracy evolve, grow, and improve. They will help us live up to our democratic ideals: more voters’ voices heard, more true choice for voters and politicians who work harder for all of us and are truly accountable to We the People.

We can do better than the status quo that Rosenstein seems to celebrate in his piece. One in every six D.C. voters is a registered independent. That includes me. Yet, under the status quo, our party primaries – which are taxpayer-funded – are closed to these 86,000 voters. Of course, in a nearly one-party city like D.C., the Democratic primary is the most important election.

Our constitutional right to vote should not – and does not – require subscribing to a political party. Yet, registered independents are denied that right in this all-important contest – even though we pay for it with our tax dollars. It doesn’t have to be this way; a majority of states already allow independents to vote in party primaries.

Our closed primaries also discourage change-agent candidates who might appeal to those 86,000 voters. Meanwhile, our single-choice elections discourage first-time and diverse candidates who fear they might “split the vote” or are told to “wait their turn.” Our single-choice elections also mean that candidates can be nearly guaranteed election even if they barely eke out a narrow slice of the Democratic primary vote (sometimes as low as 20 or 25 percent).

With our current election rules closing off real voice and opportunity for many, party bosses end up dictating both the party platform and the policies that come out of the Wilson Building.

There’s one thing our current system is very good at: preserving the status quo. In D.C.’s 2022 elections, only one incumbent lost their attempt for re-election (to another incumbent — a Democrat turned independent — seeking a new seat). All the others won.

Yet, there’s a reason that the electoral reform movement is gaining momentum here and elsewhere: survey after survey shows we are not happy with the status quo. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 62 percent of Americans are not satisfied with how democracy is working in the U.S.

If we want to change the results, we need to change the system. If you want democracy to work better for you, then support for open primaries and ranked choice voting is obvious.

Open primaries in D.C. would empower all registered voters, including independents, to fully participate in our taxpayer-funded primary elections. We must have that right. Voter suppression in D.C. must end.

Meanwhile, ranked choice voting empowers voters, provides more genuine choice in elections, and results in more representative outcomes. Candidates must appeal to a broader audience, winning a minimum of 50 percent of the vote. In our current system, a candidate needs only a plurality in both the primary and general elections to prevail.

Our politicians should work harder for all of our votes. Ranked choice voting is one of the tools to make that happen. (In his piece, Rosenstein questions whether politicians will actually work harder with ranked choice voting. It’s a simple math problem – you have to work harder to win over 51 percent of voters than to win over just 20 or 25 percent.)

Currently 51 cities, counties, and states use ranked choice voting –in primaries, caucuses, and general elections. Since 2005, there have been more than 650 elections using ranked choice voting. Naysayers try to claim that ranked choice voting is too complicated for us. Far from it.

We rank things in our everyday lives – it’s unsurprising that, across those 650-plus elections, voter understanding and satisfaction is high. Cities across the country have elected historically diverse representatives using ranked choice voting, including the first majority-LGBTQ+ city council in Salt Lake City, Utah; a majority-women city council in New York City; and the first majority-people of color council in Minneapolis. In D.C., election reform can help usher more new and diverse voices into office.

Under status quo, D.C. primaries are closed to 86,000 independents

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PETER ROSENSTEIN

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

Is Trump behind bars a good thing?

Incarceration could turn former president into a martyr

I often dream about Donald Trump behind bars, wearing an orange jumpsuit, to match his face makeup, and wake up with a smile on my face. But in the light of day I question if that is a good thing for the country, and I am not sure.

Don’t misinterpret my meaning. I want to see him convicted on every count, of every indictment. My only thought is whether putting him in jail for his crimes, makes him a lasting martyr to his cult. Is that the worst punishment for him? Will he fade from view if we put him in a minimum-security prison? Is there any punishment where he can be kept quiet? One of my friends facetiously suggested Guantanamo. (I think it was only facetious.)

I believe he will be convicted of several charges, if not all, and juries and judges will have to determine what the sentences will be. Clearly, whatever they are, he will use every appeal available to him, going all the way to the Supreme Court if that is an option. There are differences between the federal charges, which are on one level, and the state charges, like those anticipated in Georgia. If he is convicted of those there is no option for a presidential pardon.

What makes Georgia particularly interesting is its RICO law, which may make moot whether Trump has to do prison time if Fani Willis, the prosecutor in Fulton County, decides to use it in her indictment. As reported in Newsweek , Elie Honig, a former federal prosecutor and CNN’s legal analyst, said, “under Georgia State law, if somebody’s convicted of RICO, there is a fi ve-year mandatory minimum.” Georgia has a stronger RICO law than the federal government. Honig added, “RICO charges could be used in the case against Trump if Willis’s offi ce can convince a grand jury that numerous people were working together as part of an illegal plot to keep Trump in power after losing the 2020 election.” From all reports we have seen that is clearly easy to show.

In the federal case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, being tried in D.C., U.S. Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, has already said , “while the former president has First Amendment rights to free speech, those rights are not absolute and must be weighed against protecting the integrity of the court process, regardless of his status as a political candidate.”

Judge Chutkan went on to say, the “existence of a political campaign” will not have a bearing on her decisions and that Trump running for president should not interfere with the orderly administration of justice. If that means he can’t say exactly what he wants to say about witnesses in this case, then that’s how it’s going to be.” Let the games begin.

Many of us will follow these cases, along with those in New York and Florida, religiously. To political junkies, newspapers, and TV networks, this is manna from heaven. But let us never forget what this is really about. While it may entertain some, it is about a homophobic, sexist, racist, anti-Semitic president trying to stage a coup in the United States. Trump did something most of us thought unthinkable. We believed these things happened only in banana republics, not in the Unites States. Trump and his minions of what Mike Pence called ‘crackpot lawyers,’ along with his cult followers, gave us a very disturbing wake-up call. That is what these court cases, particularly the ones in D.C., and potentially if it comes to fruition, in Georgia, are both about.

So, no matter what happens to Trump, whether or not he ends up in jail, it is crucial juries convict him of the crimes he is both accused of, and by his own words, has perpetrated.

It seems clear these cases won’t be fi nally decided, appeals and all, before the 2024 election. So, before we possibly see him in jail, if the Republican Party, or as I call it the Trump cult, allows him to be its candidate for president, it will be up to the American people to net out justice for what he has done to them. They will have the chance to do that in November 2024, by handing him a resounding defeat.

‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ director on new film, royal weddings, and more Matthew López moves from theater to movies with gay rom com

These days, it seems that gay rom coms are as prevalent as right-wing religious fanatics protesting said movies. There is even a preponderance of gay Christmas movies. On the Hallmark channel, no less. So, does “Red, White & Royal Blue” have what it takes to stand apart from the pack? Based on the popular novel by queer writer Casey McQuiston, “Red, White & Royal Blue” isn’t just notable for its storyline involving the budding romance between Alex, the bisexual First Son of the first female POTUS, and gay British Prince Henry. “Red, White & Royal Blue” marks the directorial debut by Tony and GLAAD Media Award-winning gay playwright Matthew López (“The Inheritance” and “Some Like It Hot”). Matthew generously made time in his busy schedule for an interview in advance of the movie’s release, which premiered last week on Prime Video.

By GREGG SHAPIRO

we hope, if we’re successful and if we’re lucky, it becomes part of the larger canon of rom coms, rather than simply kept in a corner. We want as many people to see this movie as possible, but we also knew that we wanted to make a movie that was as specific as possible. We never tried to hide who we were in order to find an audience. I think that kind of specificity is what people are really desiring these days.

BLADE: There are some powerful and emotional scenes in “Red, White & Royal Blue,” but the one that hit me the hardest is when Alex, son of the first female POTUS, came out to his mother Ellen, played by Uma Thurman. What was it like to work with Uma?

LOPEZ: I adore her. She was so very happy to be in this movie, which was so wonderful. She really understood Ellen. She and I had so many wonderful conversations about her before production. I involved her in a lot of costume design decisions. She was really wanting to understand this woman holistically. That scene was just so beautiful. By the time we shot it, she and Taylor had really bonded, and they had shot a lot of scenes together at that point. It was the loveliest, warmest environment on set. I mean, it was a very lovely, warm environment on set every day, but that day you can just see in that scene the genuine affection that these two actors have for one another. It was real.

BLADE: Ellen is a staunch Democrat. As a Florida native, and considering what has occurred here during the reign of the current governor, was that in any way what appealed to you about directing and co-adapting the screenplay for “Red, White & Royal Blue”?

working on it, he was like. “I’d really love to be a small part in it if you have anything.” But I never talked to him and never met him. When this role came around [laughs], we thought, “Let’s see if he really means what he says!” He jumped at it! It didn’t take long at all for him to say, “Yes.” That was fun. Just to watch him and work with him is just a great thrill and a pleasure. It was for everybody. Everybody was really excited the day that he came on set.

BLADE: “Red, White & Royal Blue” is being released at a time when, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth and the situation surrounding Harry and Meghan, questions about the necessity of a monarchy have gotten more attention. Do you think “Red, White & Royal Blue” is a help or a hindrance in that regard?

LOPEZ: I don’t really have an opinion one way or the other about that because I think that the movie isn’t actually about the royal family. It uses the royal family as a vehicle to tell the story of a person trapped in a circumstance. I think the thing that is so amazing about Casey McQuiston’s novel is that Casey actually gives us a character that, historically, we haven’t had too much sympathy for. And yet, because Casey draws this character in a way that a lot of us can relate to, which is a person trapped against their own will and circumstances that they are powerless over, you really care for Henry and you really feel deeply for Henry. I also knew that, as we were making this film, I didn’t want the audience to think about the actual royal family when they were watching the film. Because I think if they did, they would be taken out of the story. I think we use the trappings of royalty as a way to tell our story, but it doesn’t take an opinion one way or another, because that’s not what the movie is about.

BLADE: Matthew, considering your long and lauded history in the theater, was the prospect of directing your first feature film daunting, thrilling, or both?

MATTHEW LOPEZ: Generally thrilling, occasionally daunting. But it was only daunting in that there was just a steep learning curve. I was acutely aware of the things I didn’t know, and on occasion, there were things I didn’t know I didn’t know until I had to know it [laughs], at the risk of sounding like Donald Rumsfeld. But it was mostly thrilling, and it was great fun, really. I’d do it again if they let me.

BLADE: With actors such as Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine in the lead roles of First Son Alex and Prince Henry, “Red, White & Royal Blue” will have no trouble drawing gay men. Do you think the actors could have the same draw on straight audiences?

LOPEZ: I hope so. I’ve spent a lifetime as an avid consumer of straight love stories, and not just because I had no other options, but because I genuinely wanted to see any of those particular films. I don’t see any reason why the stream doesn’t flow in both directions. This is as unapologetically a queer rom com as “Moonstruck” was as unapologetically an Italian rom com. It is part of what makes this movie unique. It is inescapable, but it also is,

LOPEZ: No, I loved the story, and I didn’t give a shit what the governor of Florida thinks about it. I couldn’t care less what that man thinks, only as it relates to the health of the union. I didn’t have this story growing up. I didn’t have access to characters such as these when I was younger. It took until I was in my 40s to read it, to get a novel that had a character like Alex. That I knew implicitly was really special. To me, it was really powerful to read a novel that had a queer, Latino, young man at the center who was a very positive characterization of a queer Latino man. Someone who was filled with hope and possibility. I wanted to bring that into the world. The politics in the novel and in the movie are a hopeful one. It’s not something that is, I hope, too much of a fairy tale.

BLADE: I loved seeing out actor and writer Stephen Fry’s name in the credits at the beginning, and without giving anything away, was surprised to see him, very close to the end, in the role he plays. What did it mean to you to work with Stephen?

LOPEZ: I’ve always been such a fan of his and really admired him greatly. We had had some sort of communication through other people over the years because he had seen “The Inheritance” in London. He got word to me, through our producers, how much he loved it. I had been working at one point on another film that I thought I was going to make, and when he found out that I was

BLADE: The movie begins with a storybook royal wedding, but the real love story is the one between Alex and Henry. In recent years, the UK has begun taking actions such as the posthumous pardoning of thousands of gay men for gross indecency, and such, as well as Prime Minister Sunak’s recent apology to LGBT members of the military. With that in mind, do you think that the characters of Alex and Henry could also have a storybook wedding?

LOPEZ: Absolutely! I think the British people would support it. The British people are no different than the American people in many ways. There are, of course, great pockets of resistance to change. There is an adherence to traditionalism. I live in London, I’m a resident of the UK. The people that I know there are good and accepting people by and large. I think that Alex and Henry absolutely could have the wedding that they wanted if they wanted it.

BLADE: Have you started thinking about your next film, theater, or writing project?

LOPEZ: I’ll honestly tell you that the thing I’ve been thinking about lately is getting a fair deal from the studios for writers and for actors. As a striking writer who also happens to be a non-striking director, beyond releasing this film, my primary concern is making sure that we can go back to work with a fair contract.

TAYLOR ZAKHAR PEREZ and NICHOLAS GALITZINE in ‘Red, White, and Royal Blue.’ (Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime Video)

CALENDAR |

Friday, August 18

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Speed Friending” at 7 p.m. at Puro Gusto. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

“Center Aging: Friday TeaTime” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This event is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. For more information, contact adam@thedccenter.org

Saturday, August 19

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space the strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerp

South Asian LGBTQ Support Group will be at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identifying LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email board.khushdc@gmail.com

Sunday, August 20

GoGay DC will host “Drag Show for Charity” at 8 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. Tips to the drag performers this evening will benefit worthy charities that have been vetted by the Imperial Court of Washington DC. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of nonstop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Monday, August 21

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group on Zoom for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit www. genderqueerdc.org or Facebook

Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation will be at 10 a.m. 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

Rockville residents launch DEI initiative

Ingleside at King Farm will host a resident-led diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging art initiative on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at Ingleside at King Farm’s Cultural Arts Center.

The open house event will feature a panel of artists sharing their inspiration with visual presentations of their creations. Following the panel, tours will be provided across the community to view the art in-person.

For more details, visit Ingleside at King Farm’s website.

By TINASHE CHINGARANDE

Tuesday, August 22

Pride on the Patio Events will host an “LGBTQ+ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. This event is a weekly cocktails and dinner social mixer for the LGBTQIA community in Frederick, Md. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Wednesday, August 23

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email centercareers@thedccenter.org or visit www.thedccenter.org/careers.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org

Thursday,

August 24

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga Class with Charles M. will be at 12 p.m. online. This is a weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork and meditation. Guests are encouraged to RSVP on the DC Center’s website, providing your name, email address and zip code, along with any questions you may have. A link to the event will be sent at 6 p.m. the day before.

OUT & ABOUT

9:30 Club to hold evening of laughter and storytelling

9:30 Club and The Circus Life Podcast will join forces to host three DMV-area bands in an event on Sunday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at 9:30 Club.

Justin Trawick and The Common Good, Griefcat and Jon Tyler Wiley and His Virginia Choir will take the stage to provide a highly entertaining and collaborative evening of music, laughter, and storytelling. The concert will represent the cumulative hard work it takes to be able to play at one of the finest music clubs in the country, which is in D.C.’s own backyard.

For more details, visit 9:30 Club’s website.

Rockville residents have launched a DEI initiative

There’s nothing subtle about ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’

Dazzling Kennedy Center production makes for exhilarating summer escape

By PATRICK FOLLIARD

There’s nothing subtle about “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” The set, the score, the book, the Vegas meets fin de siècle costumes are all undeniably extra but that’s what makes it tick. Now at the Kennedy Center, the jukebox musical is plying its over-the-top charms on D.C.

At a recent matinee, having left the hot sun of the terrace for the cool confines of the Opera House, I felt transported. Always cavernous and ornate, the theater was now aglow in bright pinkish red, the stage an explosion of concentric hearts, book-ended by a huge red windmill and an enormous blue elephant, and backed by a tapestry filled with fleurs de lis and yet more windmills. Onstage, corseted dancers, female and male, lured the audience into their snare while a pair of sword swallowers provocatively displayed their skills before the foot lights.

It’s 1899 Paris and the Moulin Rouge nightclub is busy. A louche haven where titled men pick favorites from the demimonde, the popular boîte is helmed by emcee/impresario/owner Harold Zidler (the terrific Austin Durant). Artfully addressing his audience, he calls up to the balcony, “I want to make love to each and every one of you,” but his real focus is on the deep pocketed swells closer to the stage. The Moulin Rouge is going bust and without securing an investor STAT, Zidler can’t keep club going, Champagne flowing, and cute chorus boys knocking at his door. Nearing rock concert volume, the show opens with four vivacious showgirls exploding into “Lady Marmalade” accompanied by an uber versatile, medium-sized pit orchestra. But then, the mood abruptly changes when Christian (Christian Douglas covering for out actor John Cardoza), an aspiring American songwriter, recounts his journey. He’s left the strictures of Lima, Ohio, for Paris’ freewheeling Montmartre quarter where he joins France’s children of the revolution in celebrating the bohemian principles of truth, beauty, freedom, and, primarily, love.

There he rapidly befriends Latin dancer/gigolo Santiago (Gabe Martínez) and the delightfully antiestablishment painter Toulouse-Lautrec played by Nick Rashad-Boroughs. The trio endeavor to produce a show and will somehow convince Moulin Rouge headliner Satine (Nicci Claspell covering for Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer) to play the lead. It’s a longshot, but why not?

Meanwhile Zidler has other plans for streetwise pal Satine involving the nefarious

Duke of Monroth played by the handsome but insufficiently repellant Andrew Brewer. Monroth introduces himself to Satine with a mash up of “Sympathy for the Devil” and other Rolling Stones songs. Zidler suggest the rich nobleman might be the payday they both desperately need.

After a bungled introduction in which Satine mistakes Christian for the Duke, a passion ignites between the unlikely pair and a difficult relationship ensues. (Not incidentally, both Claspell and Douglas are glorious singers and able actors, neither of whom faltered on a line or lyric. Again, understudies save the day.)

Based on Baz Luhrmann’s innovative 2001 celluloid success “Moulin Rouge,” an ill-fated romance that put movie musicals back on the map for some time, the 2019 Broadway hit tells the same story, and also employs a mashup of mostly chart-topping tunes. Similar to the film, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” rather brilliantly uses contemporary music (Madonna, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Katy Perry, Queen, Nat King Cole, and many more) to put across a turn of the 20th century Belle Epoque narrative; these anachronistic renditions are clever, sometimes dark, and always wonderfully unexpected.

Director Alex Timbers assembled a brilliant design team: set designer Derek McLane, costume designer Catherine Zuber, and quite significantly lighting designer Justin Townsend. Beyond the divine excess of the scarlet, glowing club, they create a world of Belle Epoque fantasy including a pastel-hued Champs-Élysées and an artsy silvery-skied Montmartre.

John Logan’s book borrows from various operas, romantic novels, and some classic movies including “Cabaret” and gay director George Cukor’s 1936 “Camille” starring Garbo as the courtesan and an arrestingly pretty Robert Taylor as the bogus baron who steals her heart.

Other contributions of note include Justin Levine’s music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangement, as well as Sonya Tayeh’s innovative, athletic choreography, especially an erotic number featuring Santiago (Martínez) and blonde cabaret siren Nini (scene stealer Libby Lloyd).

Diverting and visually dazzling, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” makes for an exhilarating late summer escape.

AUSTIN DURANT as Harold Zidler in ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical.’ (Photo by Michael Murphy)

Photo of Francis Jue and Brooke Ishibashi in Cambodian Rock Band by Kian McKellar.

Trans sex workers tell it like it is in ‘Kokomo City’

wanted to humanize the transgender experience’

By JOHN PAUL KING

It’s probably rare for a film review to begin with a news report about a real-world crime, but “Kokomo City” is a rare film.

On April 18, a transgender woman known as Koko Da Doll was fatally shot in Atlanta. She was the third Black transgender sex worker killed in the city to that date in 2023, and the 10th trans, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming person to die by violence in the U.S.

It was a story that made limited headlines, but comparatively far more (unfortunately) than usually accompany the killings of Black transgender sex workers; that’s because Koko – whose “non-performance” name was Rasheeda Williams – was one of four trans women, from both Atlanta and New York City, profiled in the Sundance-honored documentary “Kokomo City,” which went into limited theatrical release on Aug. 4. The film, which was executive produced by boundary-breaking queer multi-hyphenate talent Lena Waithe (among others), offers a remarkably candid, completely unfiltered, and entirely non-judgmental portrait of its subjects as they share the experiences and observations that have occurred on the job.

In the film, Koko – along with fellow sex workers Daniella Carter, Liyah Mitchell, and Dominique Silver – provide extensive interviews in which they “get real” about the perspective on life bestowed upon them by their work. Sometimes horrifically shocking, sometimes unflinchingly blunt, their anecdotes paint a portrait of society seen from the bottom up; but it’s a far cry from the hand-wringing and moralizing some might expect to accompany a film about such a subject, instead giving these four fully self-aware individuals a chance to sound off about all the hypocrisies and social stigmas that define and constrain our culture’s view of sex in general, and queer sex in particular, while revealing the intelligence and strong sense of self – and yes, the strong sense of humor, too –necessary to survive as a member of one of the world’s most widely disregarded classes of human being. It’s transgressive in a way that many will find refreshing, even thrilling, but others will find appalling.

As much as we might wish otherwise, most of us are likely to believe that the audience for “Kokomo City” probably won’t include the people who most need to see it. Those who are predisposed to restrictive judgments around sex work and trans people are not likely to add it to their streaming queues – a shame if only for the loss of their own opportunity to recognize and empathize with the humanity of people they would otherwise demonize in their imaginations. That doesn’t matter, however, to the movie’s director - two-time Grammy-nominated producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith, who made history as the first trans woman cast on a primetime unscripted TV show.

For her feature film directorial debut, Smith aimed to elevate her subject’s voices not just as an expression of queer experience, but of the wider Black experience, as well. Couch-surfing with friends over a three-year period as she collected the material for her movie, she was concerned, first and foremost, with delivering the story these four women had to tell. In its final form, her documentary is a testament to individual truth within a dichotomy that has no space for it; the Black community as a whole, itself ostracized and oppressed within mainstream

culture while subject to the strict norms of acceptability built into its own traditions and heritage, has long held a particular stigma against queer sexuality. As Smith offers in her press notes, “So many of our Black children grow up afraid and confused because of traditional values or admissible violence against them, sometimes leading to death. [It’s] a conversation that’s been avoided for many, many years [that] has now taken center stage.”

To hear her four interviewees tell it, those hard-andfast-beliefs disappear quickly behind closed doors – but even so, in public, the prejudice holds fast. Indeed, Smith offered five other directors the opportunity to helm the project, and all of them balked before she decided to do it herself.

“I went out and bought a camera and a nice lens and filmed it myself.,” she says. “No assistant, no lighting person, no editor. Just the vision of a truth.”

Part of that truth, she says, was “to create a film that people outside of the LGBTQ+ community could be drawn to,” but she also wanted to be authentic in her presentation of these women. She was asking them to be real, so she had to be, too.

“At the time of [the film’s] conception,” she says, “there was a lot of transgender content with this narrative I call the ‘red carpet narrative.’ It’s when a fierce PR team puts a trans woman in a fabulous gown and has her speak like a pageant finalist. That’s not our real experience.”

She wanted to present something different. “I wanted to feel something untampered with. Something that looks like my actual experience. Something that we can all find ourselves in. Something without all the rules and laws that separate us as people of color. I wanted those walls down. In this film, I was able to share the private lives of four transgender sex workers who are never represented publicly. I offered the girls freedom. Freedom

to talk like us. Look like us. Don’t worry about the politics. Forget about makeup. Don’t worry about calling your glam squad today. Just tell your story. I wanted to humanize the transgender experience.”

Captured in stark-but-stylish black-and-white, “Kokomo City” does exactly that. Putting the spotlight on four women who are anything but the so-called “norm” and who are accustomed to having their voices silenced, or at least ignored, Smith gives us a raw-yet-deeply considered perspective that challenges the audience by taking them out of their comfort zone, yet never ceases to be entertaining.

To be sure, there is an almost a joyous vibe to “Kokomo City,” no doubt largely due to the freeing, cathartic sense of unburdening its subjects must have felt in getting the chance to share their truth with the world.

Sadly, that joy must now be forever tempered by the knowledge that Koko, whose life shines so brightly from the screen, has been lost to us – who, though authorities say there is no evidence her death was motivated by homophobia or transphobia, is nevertheless yet another victim of the deeply embedded hate and violence that haunts our culture and makes movies like this one seem so very, very precious.

At the same time, hearing her voice ring among the others in Smith’s wildly entertaining documentary – which won the Sundance Film Festival’s NEXT Innovator Award and NEXT Audience Award and has gone on to win acclaim at other festivals including the Berlinale and LA’s OutFest – gives it an even greater sense of urgency, a higher imperative to present both the beauty and vulnerability of trans women, and turns the film into a celebration of her unquenchable light.

It also introduces Smith as a filmmaker to be reckoned with, and we are excited to see where she takes us next.

‘I

KOKO DA DOLL in ‘Kokomo City.’ (Photo courtesy Magnolia)

The play’s the thing in new book ‘Gays on Broadway’ An engaging LGBTQ history of the Great White Way

By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

You had to look around you and check your seat.

Yep, you were still in a theater in a large building, fanny planted in a dusty red seat. You weren’t in a Brooklyn tenement or a castle, or at a society party but the performance you caught made you think you were, at least for a couple hours. As they say, and as in the new book, “Gays on Broadway” by Ethan Mordden, the play’s the thing.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the LGBTQ history of the Great White Way “starts with drag queens.” In the earliest parts of the 20th century, many comedies were written “specifically calling for a male character forced ... to disguise himself as a woman,” often to the delight of audiences. Still, any overt mention of such things was forbidden then.

By the 1930s, Mordden says, “our tour mostly starts now.” Not only were audiences treated to titillating hints of gayness that were barely concealed, but the “odd gay character” often showed up in plays on purpose. And yet, behind the scenes, few gay or lesbian actors dared to come out; many of them, instead, entered “lavender marriages.”

In 1942, New York’s “Wales Law,” a sort of Hays Code for Broadway, shut down a “salute to vaudeville,” putting all of Broadway on notice. Even so, “gay characters did turn up in a few postwar titles.” This was, after all, a time when Tennessee Williams’ hand was all over theater – especially with what Mordden calls his “Beautiful Male” character: shirtless, buff, and highly memorable for gay audiences.

In the 1950s, Williams’ influence was joined by some

By Ethan Mordden

“honestly gay characters” onstage, and by the talents of Tallulah Bankhead, who “maintained a strong association with camp humor.” By the 1960s, “gay characters were everywhere on Broadway,” the word “gay” was acceptable, and the adventurous theatergoer could find nudity off-Broadway.

A decade later, though Broadway was “still partly stuck in stereotype mode,” says Mordden, “now it was the turn of gay people.”

You’ve seen your favorite play how many times? You’ve followed a handful of actors from off-Broadway to on, and you’ve discovered some intriguing talent. And now you need “Gays on Broadway” to fill in the gaps of your knowledge and to see how it all began.

Starting more than a century ago – before movies were a thing and TV was invented – author Ethan Mordden acts as a sort of usher as he takes readers on a trip that goes both back- and on-stage. Mordden casually but constantly name-drops, and it’s good to see often-forgotten actors mentioned in a way that may spur you to learn more about actors and their long-ago plays. He also delightfully highlights the cleverness of actors and writers who winked at audiences when “gay” was a bad word.

Almost as much fun as collecting playbills, almost as good as a seat behind the orchestra, this is one of those books that theater-goers will want to take to the show to read during intermission. Get “Gays on Broadway” and take a seat.

Mr. Nice Jewish Boy

Joey Fink crowned the winner at annual pageant

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

NJB+ DC organized the Mr. Nice Jewish Boy pageant and fundraiser on Sunday, August 15. The fundraiser, now in its sixth year, was held at the Edlavitch D.C. Jewish Community Center (DC-JCC). Proceeds from the pageant went to the LGBTQ+ Jewish support group Keshet as well as GLOE, an organization that produces queer programming and support services through the DC-JCC. Four contestants vied for the crown and Joey Fink was voted the winner. The drag performer Vagenesis served as the emcee.

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Tip-top pocket rockets: BMW M2, BMW Z4

German automaker leads in rankings for user-friendly options

By JOE PHILLIPS

Sure, German cars are uber exciting, but Asian brands are much more reliable. Right? Well, not exactly.

This year, for the first time, BMW tops the list in what is considered the holy grail of product-quality resources: Consumer Reports. Along with improved reliability, BMW leads in the rankings for user-friendly options—including innovative infotainment systems.

To be sure, seven of the top 10 most-reliable vehicles are still made by Asian automakers.

But today’s BMW drivers can enjoy both style and substance, with rides that are fun, fast, furious—and now very dependable.

BMW M2 COUPE

$64,000

MPG: 16 city/24 highway

0 to 60 mph: 3.9 seconds Cargo room: 13.8 cu. ft.

PROS: lively acceleration, taut handling, sexy exhaust growl

CONS: rigid front seats, tight backseat, hard-to-access seatbelts

IN A NUTSHELL: I have a love-hate relationship with two-door cars. They fail the test when it comes to ferrying lots of people or more than a few suitcases. And forget about cross-country trips, especially if you want to pull over and catch 40 winks by stretching out in any sort of rear cargo area. But it’s hard to resist the convenience of a coupe or convertible when scooching into tight parking spaces or weaving through congested traffic. And these rides can be a blast to drive. That’s the case with the BMW M2 super-coupe, a pocket rocket that comes standard with a 435-hp engine and six-speed manual transmission. Expect automotive purists to forgo the optional eight-speed automatic, though it is a tad faster.

The feisty styling boasts flared fenders, muscular side panels and an arousing rear spoiler. As my husband Robert said, “This car is ‘sex on wheels.’ ” Yes, indeed.

Of all the BMW high-performance M cars, the M2 is the smallest and least expensive. Yet it’s loaded with the latest bells and whistles: sport-tuned suspension, track-oriented tires, side-impact airbags, knee airbags, Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo, 12.3-

inch digital gauge display and an even-larger 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. This second-generation M2 is also longer and wider than before, which adds more leg and elbow room inside.

My test car came with the weight-saving carbon-fiber package. This included bucket seats with rigid thigh bolsters, as well as a quirky hard protrusion that stuck up awkwardly between my legs. Intended to keep you seated firmly in place when swooshing in and out of twisty curves, the intrusive seat design can sometimes smoosh your nether regions. In other words, there’s a reason these seats are called “ball busters.”

BMW Z4 ROADSTER

$55,000

MPG: 25 city/33 highway

0 to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds

Cargo room: 9.9 cu. ft.

PROS: wicked fast, easy to drive, cushy cabin

CONS: low ground clearance, no second row, skimpy storage

IN A NUTSHELL: Built on the same platform as the less-expensive but also less-luxurious Toyota Supra coupe, the BMW Z4 convertible is more of a comfortable cruiser than cheeky racecar. Two fine engine choices are available, though neither propels the Z4 as fast as the Supra or BMW M2 coupes. Still, handling and braking are splendid. Most important, my tush appreciated the more traditional seating in the Z4 compared with those butt-blasting seats in the M2.

As with all BMWs, styling on this two-seater is dramatically sculpted. My only complaint was with the doors, which are so darn long you need to lean over and reach into another county to close them.

The high-quality cabin is surprisingly spacious, with plenty of headroom, even with the top up. But storage cubbies are few and far between. Luckily, the trunk offers decent stowage, thanks to the power-operated top that takes up no cargo space when lowered. And despite having a fabric top instead of a thick metal one, there’s very little road noise.

As with the M2, the Z4 is actually a lot of car for the money. Pricey competitors to the Z4 include the $101,000 Porsche Boxster S and $110,000 Mercedes SL-Class.

While crossovers and other SUVs may rule most showrooms today, these two rousing, reliable and relatively affordable two-door rides offer plenty of temptation.

BMW M2 BMW Z4

What’s all this I hear about gas stoves?

Emissions can include nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter

By SCOTT BLOOM

Have you heard? There is research that suggests a link between exposure to gas stoves and an increased risk of childhood asthma. There are reports that using gas-powered stoves releases toxic chemicals, degrading indoor air quality. And the House of Representatives recently passed a ban against regulations to limit the use of gas stoves in order to protect consumers.

What does this really mean for you, particularly if you love your gas range?

In 2019, the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that children who were exposed to gas stove emissions in the home had an increased risk of developing asthma, particularly if they had a specific genetic variant that made them more susceptible to the effects of the emissions. Other studies have also found a link between exposure to gas stove emissions and an increased risk of respiratory problems in children, including asthma.

In January 2023, Bloomberg magazine published an article suggesting that the Consumer Product Safety Commission is ready to begin regulations of gas stoves. Also in January, the New York Times, responding to increased worries about the safety of using gas stoves, published ways to mitigate most health effects of using gas stoves and thus the lively media discussion about the danger of gas stoves was born. Or at least this research and these articles raised awareness and started controversy surrounding the facts about emissions from cooking with a gas range.

The emissions from gas stoves can include pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which can irritate the airways and lead to respiratory problems. Additionally, gas stoves can also release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and irritant, which can be inhaled and cause health problems.

This research is still ongoing, and more studies are needed to confirm the link between gas stoves and childhood asthma. And keep in mind that gas stoves are not the only source of indoor air pollution and other factors such as smoking, pets, or cleaning products can also contribute to poor indoor air quality and childhood asthma.

The CPSC is responsible for protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Gas stoves would fall under the purview of the CPSC, and the agency may consider proposing regulations for them if it determines that they pose an unreasonable risk to the public. If you are looking for information on any specific regulations or proposals regarding gas stoves, check the CPSC website or contact the agency directly.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are not currently seeking to regulate gas stoves. This was confirmed in a tweet posted on January 9, 2023 by CPSC Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr., one of five commissioners of the (CPSC) who wrote that the agency “isn’t coming for anyone’s gas stoves.” As the article in Bloomberg points out, in reality, cooking produces emissions and harmful byproducts no matter what kind of stove is used.

The CPSC has issued safety standards for ranges, ovens, and cooktops, which include requirements for stability, labelling, and warning systems. These standards also require manufacturers to include instructions for the proper installation, use, and maintenance of their products. The CPSC has also issued a warning regarding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and recommends that consumers install a CO detector in the home and have their gas appliances inspected and serviced regularly.

What steps can I take to better protect myself and others in my household?

“Ventilation is really where this discussion should be, rather than banning one particular type of technology,” said Jill Notini, vice president of communications and marketing with the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a Washington-based trade group. “Banning one type of a cooking appliance is not going to address the concerns about overall indoor air quality. We may need some behavior change, we may need [people] to turn on their hoods when cooking.”

Back to the January New York Times article, they published a few simple steps you can take to mitigate most health effects of using gas stoves. Journalist Dani Blum wrote, “Despite the recent news around gas stoves, it’s important to remember that there are concrete steps you can take to reduce their risks. [Brady Seals, a manager at the environmental think tank R.M.I.] said. “I think it’s [using a gas stove] a concern, but it’s a concern that can be mitigated. It’s a concern we have solutions for.”

As Blum emphasized for Times readers, “Remember that the risk of health effects from using a gas stove is generally low, but taking these steps can help to further reduce your risk.”

SCOTT BLOOM

is senior property manager and owner of Columbia Property Management.

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