Washington Blade, Volume 55, Issue 48, November 29, 2024
LGBTQ federal workers anxious about Trump’s return, PAGE 11
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A D.C. AIDS story:
‘I couldn’t have survived without you guys’
Old friends reunite as mystery of Kilbourne Place memorial stones is solved
By TIANA MINTER-EL
In the tradition of my family, funerals are not somber affairs cloaked in black garb. We call them “celebrations of life” where through our tears we laugh and reminisce about the dead. At the end, we all gather either in the basement of a church or a matriarch’s house where over a spread of rich, decadent food, we rejoice in the fact that our dead relative shed the chains of their flesh and transcended to the next phase. With bellies full, the kids run outside and play with each other and the adults would drink and trade stories. The repast is my fondest memories of childhood. It was a time when I could see family members separated by distance and eat collard greens simmered in smoked turkey and mac and cheese so cheesy that it solidified into a brick when cold.
Never would I have imagined that a repast would occur at Don Juan’s on the corner of Mt. Pleasant and Lamont. Instead of collard greens and mac and cheese, I dined on cheese pupusas with curtido. This occasion solidified the importance of a chosen family. While none of us were related by blood, we were related through one thread: AIDS. The story of the Kilbourne Memorial Stones is an AIDS story in which through unraveling the lives of Robert Rockershousen, Jakob Efsen, and Charles Winney, we received a glimpse into the impact of AIDS within D.C.’s gay community. A community that is often overshadowed by New York City and San Francisco when the early years of the epidemic are discussed.
When the Blade published my story “Unraveling mystery of the Kilbourne Place memorial stones” in August of 2023, Charles Winney’s story was still untold. What I did find out about him was through scouring public records but, no one stepped up to eulogize him. My friend, Peter Stebbins, knew of my struggles to locate a source for Charles and motivated me to continue fighting for him. In June of this year, I told Peter that I knew of Charles’spartner, Larry Martin, who lives in Provincetown, Mass. Between the years of 2022 and 2023, I reached out to Larry
through multiple means, but I received no response. Peter being a Provincetown regular since the 1980s, was adamant that he knew someone who knew Larry and could get him in contact with me. I cautioned Peter that this might not have been a good idea. I interpreted Larry’s silence as not wanting to reopen an old wound.
Undeterred, Peter found a mutual friend on Facebook and reached out to Larry; 48 hours later, a relationship formed between Larry and me. Through phone conversations and in-person interviews, he brought me into the world of Larry & Chuck (Charles). From their beginnings as a young couple in Baltimore through their years on 1747 Kilbourne Place, they built an intricate and intimate web of community that reminded me of the communal affection I received from my family. There was this sense of “through thick and thin” that allowed them to stand in the gap for others within their community that were affected by AIDS. Larry told of how he and Chuck used to host dinners and care for those who were dying. They did it because they cared, and it was important to their identity as gay Christians to be of service of others.
the stones. He hinted at the fact that it was a communal effort, and it wasn’t some lone solitary figure. Excitedly, I wanted to immediately put the story out, but he suggested for me to wait until he brought in his two friends, Mark Lambert and John Koran. Mark was Chuck and Larry’s roommate on Kilbourne Place. He was one quarter of the “Golden Girls,” which consisted of Mark, his friend Robbie, Larry, and Chuck. Together, they hosted large parties on the property that included parties for Pride. John was Robert’s best friend and roommate. Like Larry, I reached out to John through multiple avenues, but we did not connect.
Within a week, we were sitting at Don Juan’s drinking and breaking bread. While it was my intention to keep the group interview as formal as possible, I became enraptured in the camaraderie and nostalgia that permeated the air. Among these men with their graying hair and wrinkles, I again felt like that kid at the repast listening in on the adults. Larry officiated in a manner that was reminiscent of a patriarch. He corralled us all together in a group chat and laid the foundation for us to gather. Although the initial goal was to find out more information about Chuck, that moment laid bare the reality that these men belonged to a fraternity where they were hazed by the devastation of the AIDS epidemic. They are AIDS survivors.
on a few occasions. They became the adults in my family who drank their liquor and slapped their knees in laughter as they reminisced about the good ol’ days. While the men gave their eulogies, it was revealed that Larry, John, and a few others decided to lay down the Kilbourne Memorial Stones. It was decided that now that these men were together, we should walk down to the stones and take photos.
The men stood in front of the stones and on the porch of 1747 Kilbourne Place and they continued to laugh and tell stories while I snapped photos. We eventually parted ways and as I waited on the corner for a car to pass, I turned around and looked at the men for what may be the very last time. They were walking with their arms wrapped around each other like brothers. The scene reminded me of a discussion that was had at the dinner table less than an hour before. I asked the men if they believed their lives as gay men would be different during the epidemic if they didn’t have the support of each other. They all agreed in unison that their friendship was instrumental in their survival and Larry said among the nodding of heads, “I couldn’t have survived without you guys.”
‘Red
Reminds Me’
In our many conversations, Larry alluded to the identity of who placed
Allowing these men to convene and break bread in fellowship was a way to finally eulogize Chuck and also a way for them to have a repast for Jake and Robert. Their banter and inside jokes brought forth a youthfulness and exuberance that almost moved me to tears
Seven videos refecting the spectrum of living with HIV Sunday, Dec. 1, 4-9 p.m. | David Bethuel Jamieson Studio House at Walbridge | 3229 Walbridge Place, N.W. | Washington, D.C. | Reserve free admission on Eventbrite
Three gay men are memorialized in stones placed along Kilbourne Place in Mount Pleasant. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
(Blade photo by Michael Key)
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How will Trump impact D.C.’s plans for World Pride?
Organizers say events moving ahead as planned
By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com
Organizers of World Pride 2025, the international LGBTQ celebration scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. May 17-June 8, 2025, say plans for the many events associated with World Pride are moving ahead without any signs of problems caused by the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.
Although many LGBTQ activists saw President-elect Donald Trump’s positions on LGBTQ rights as far less supportive than losing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, LGBTQ Republicans point out that Trump did not take steps term as president. As president-elect, Trump recently nominated Scott Bessent, who’s gay, as Treasury Secretary. If conthe line of presidential succession.
ganizes most of D.C.’s annual Pride events and that is playing a lead role in organizing World Pride 2025, note that World Pride is expected to draw more than two million visitors to D.C. and the events are being embraced by local businesses.
Theresa Belpulsi, senior vice president for Tourism and Visitor Services for Destination D.C., an organization that promotes tourism and business-related events in D.C. and that is working with Capital Pride Alliance to support World Pride, said the outcome of the presidential and congressional elections has so far not had a negative impact on World Pride.
and three million people coming in over World Pride over the course of those three weekends that will be generating over
A spokesperson for the Trump presidential transition team couldn’t immediately be reached to determine whether the
president-elect has taken a position on World Pride 2025. Charles Moran, president of the national LGBTQ organization Log Cabin Republicans, said he expects the incoming Trump administration to be supportive of World Pride. -
vocates that World Pride will have a positive economic impact on the D.C. area.
form bolstered by economic opportunity for people to improve their quality of life, and travel/tourism is one of Amera statement.
agenda would clearly welcome people from around the world – and even those who don’t support him – to visit America to celebrate World Pride, bolster our regional economy, and celebrate freedom with us in the most free place in the
Ryan Bos, executive director of Capital Pride Alliance, said the organization fully agrees with reports by local business ad-
Comings & Goings
Charles Roth joins board of Pride Bands Alliance
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.
Congratulations to Charles Roth on his appointment to the board of directors of the Pride Bands Alliance, the national and international organization for LGBTQ
humbled, and excited, to join the Board of Directors of Pride Bands Alliance at the national / international level -
ing diversity, inclusivity, community, and pride through music is something I have always held very close to my
amazing organization and team, to keep that visibility alive and well, and to help foster and expand it even
Roth is the 2025 Guest Drum Major for The Queer Big Apple Corps, and former Marching Band Artistic Director for D.C.’s Different Drummers. Under his leadership, DCDD expanded its presence in and around our nation’s
the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, Smithsonian Institute, World Pride 2019, and two special appearances at the Naval Observatory, home of Vice President Kamala Harris. He is the Team DC LGBTQ Student Ath-
director in Alexandria City Public Schools, and teaches middle school band at a Title I, International Baccalaureate School, where he built an award-winning program. Congratulations also to Amira McKee and Chinanu Okoli, named by The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists as recipients of the 2024 Phillips-Green Family Scholar-
two CONNECT participants to support their participation in the CONNECT Student Journalism Training Proj-
Among other things, Bos said his organization has submitted applications for permits with the U.S. National Park Service for use of the National Mall for World Pride events.
ahead with planning the celebration that is expected to attract 2 million overnight visitors and an estimated $787 million in the National Mall but also throughout D.C. and its neighbor-
Mike Litterst, a spokesperson for the National Park Service’s National Mall and Memorial Parks division, said the Park Service has received at least one permit application from Capital Pride Alliance for World Pride events.
He said that under longstanding Park Service policy, permits are approved based on the applicant’s ability to ensure -
In the week following the U.S. presidential election, a few people, including some from Europe, posted messages on a World Pride 2025 Facebook page saying they would not come to D.C. for World Pride because of Trump’s election as president. Those messages were no longer on the World Pride Facebook page as of early in the week of Nov. 24.
LGBTQ rights advocates from D.C. are expected to point out that the locally elected D.C. government, including the mayor and City Council, have for many years and continue to be highly supportive of the LGBTQ community and are supportive of World Pride.
A full list of the World Price 2025 events can be accessed at worldpride.org.
to continue our support for young journalists whose
The CONNECT Student Journalism Training Project provides real-world, hands-on experience to students or recent graduates pursuing a career in journalism.
The Phillips-Green Family Fund aims to provide orgaeducation and well-being of women, children, and families. Their support helps make it possible for students in
Log Cabin leaders say they expect President-elect DONALD TRUMP to be supportive of World Pride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
CHARLES ROTH
LGBTQ federal workers face tough decisions amid Trump transition
‘I plan to leave shortly after the inauguration’
By CHRISTOPHER KANE
Donald Trump’s return to the White House promises to shake up Washington in ways not seen even during the norm-shattering Trump 1.0 years: on the table are blueprints for radically reforming the federal civil service into a more partisan institution where loyalty is prized at the expense of expertise and competence; off the table, among other things, are anti-discrimination protections that had long bolstered the rights and welfare of LGBTQ federal government employees.
Washington proudly boasts, per-capita, the highest LGBTQ population of any city in any state in America. Ninety-two percent of the city’s 678,000+ residents voted for Vice President Kamala Harris. So, according to exit polls, did 86 percent of LGBTQ voters.
Many of D.C.’s LGBTQ residents who work for the federal roads. Some stood to lose their jobs regardless of who won in November because they serve in higher-ranking “political” roles that typically turn over administration-to-administration, but more are “career” employees with experience serving with both parties in charge of the White House.
hyperlocal job market that is, at the moment, competitive for job seekers — or continue, if they can, working under institutions run by Republicans who have vowed to destroy them (or at least shake them up, whatever that will mean).
The Washington Blade has spoken with LGBTQ employees in the federal government who worry about the welfare of gay, queer, and trans colleagues they plan to leave behind for jobs in the private sector. They share a deep concern, too, for the LGBTQ Americans who, they believe, will suffer harmful consequences of policy and governance under the incoming administration.
A lesbian attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice and spoke anonymously with the Blade to share experiences and observations at their respective agencies.
BLADE: Do you expect to be working elsewhere when Trump 2.0 begins in January
[Justice Department]: I plan to leave shortly after the inauguration.
[Commerce Department]: I hope to be working elsewhere by the next term. The job market is incredibly competitive, but that’s because the Biden administration hired the best and brightest public servants that represent every community in America. It’s particularly important that companies
the pandemic, to then immediately serve their country. They have exceptional work experience, but can be at a hiring disadvantage behind their classmates who immediately entered the workforce.
BLADE: Would you be (or might you be) allowed to continue in your role under the next administration if you wished to do so?
[Justice]: Probably not.
BLADE: Under the next administration, if you were allowed to continue in your role or serve in a different position at your agency or perhaps work elsewhere in the federal government, would you? Why or why not?
[Justice]: No—risk of doxing is too high; did it once before and not interested in doing it again.
[Commerce]: I would not work in the Trump administration, even if allowed. To work for someone who believes in retribution over public service would violate the oath I took to my country and the Constitution he refuses to respect. I look forward to doing what queer people have done for all of American history: shining brightly in the face of hate and being a success in spite of every attempt to shame.
BLADE: What can you tell me about the post-election turnover at your agency that you’ve seen so far or expect to see in the coming months, as compared to that which you might have experienced during previous transitions?
[Justice]: I expect to see many more people leave than in any previous admin change.
[Commerce]: Experienced career staff who survived the
ble loss for the American people who are losing the dedicated subject matter experts who do the hard work of making their lives easier, safer, and healthier. So many of them work for the federal government because of how it can be used the people, especially minorities, women, and queer people, will, instead, be targeted. They don’t want to be a part of that. They can’t live with that.
BLADE: Are any of your LGBTQ colleagues staying in their jobs? If so, what can you share about the reasons you’ve heard for their decision to stay?
[Justice]: Yes; many will stay because they don’t have the
BLADE: What are some of your biggest concerns specific to how your agency might be run under the Trump 2.0 regime?
[Justice]: They will dismantle the civil rights division at
[Commerce
been done to help communities by building close-knit relationships with leaders across the countries. Will all these underserved among us be turned on them to identify easy
BLADE: Broadly speaking, what concerns do you have about the rights, safety, and wellbeing of LGBTQ folks who will remain in the civil service post-January, or those who might join the federal government’s civilian workforce after Trump takes over?
[Justice]: LGBTQ+ people will be at greater risk of doxunchecked.
[Commerce]: We are barely out of the shadow of the Lavender Scare, where thousands of queer American pub-
our partners on our desks, and then we’re escorted from the building for being security risks. LGBTQ Americans are the soldiers, and scientists, and civil servants and should never, ever have to worry if their mere existence could suddenly cost them their security clearance, their career path, or their safety.
BLADE: How do you think staff turnover at your agency [Justice]: Staff turnover will severely undermine DOJ’s
BLADE: If, ultimately, a disproportionate number of LGBTQ workers leave for jobs in the private sector, are you concerned about harms that might result from the loss of voices representing the community in the federal govern-
[Justice]: Re: loss of voices, yes. The federal government lic it serves.
Ricky Martin to headline World AIDS Day concert
Ricky Martin on Dec. 2 will headline the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s annual World AIDS Day Concert.
The event will take place at the Watsco Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. organization, hosts its World AIDS Day Concert to honor day after World AIDS Day, which takes place on Dec. 1. Martin — known globally as the “King of Latin Pop” — has long used his stardom to shed light on issues, having used
native came out as gay in 2010.
“Ricky has shown a deep commitment to breaking stigma, educating youth, and empowering communities to take action,” AHF said in a post on Instagram.
The event will also feature a performance by DJ Spinderella, a DJ and rapper, and the AHF Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to Dr. Julio Frenk, the University of Miami’s outgoing president and chancellor-designate for UCLA.
In the past, performers from Janet Jackson to Diana Ross to Mariah Carey have taken the stage at World AIDS Day events.
ERKKI FORSTER
RICKY MARTIN (Blade photo by Michael Key)
By CHRISTOPHER KANE | ckane@washblade.com
President-elect DONALD TRUMP could impact LGBTQ healthcare access in myriad ways. (Blade fle photo by Michael Key)
Trans activists celebrate advances in India, Pakistan
Transgender activists in India and Pakistan are celebrating two legal advances in their respective countries.
Akkai Padmashali, an Indian trans activist, made history on Nov. 12 by obtaining a passport for her 5-year-old child, Avin, without including a father’s name. As a trans woman and single mother, she set a precedent not only for the trans community but for all women in the country raising children on their own.
Padmashali, who is one of India’s most prominent
woman in the state to register her marriage with her husband, Vasudev V. Padmashali expressed her joy to the media when she adopted Avin, stating she had always dreamed of be-
coming a mother.
“It has been my dream and desire,” said Padmashali in 2019. “Our families have accepted the baby. It’s heart-warming to see the little one playing on my mother’s lap. I just hope that he does not face any kind of discrimination and social stigma when he grows up.”
In 2019, the same year Avin was born, parliament passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act.
The law seeks to safeguard the rights of trans people and promote their welfare. It includes provisions for is-nation in education, employment, healthcare, and other sectors, and establishing welfare programs. The law also addressed physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse through protections and rehabilita-
grievances, and outlined penalties for offenses against trans people.
The Narendra Modi-led government on Dec. 23, 2016, amended the passport policy to accommodate single parents and others who may not wish to include a father’s name in the application. This move was part of broader efforts to streamline and liberalize the passportcation of the application form, allowing applicants to list either the mother’s name, father’s name, or legal guardian’s name, instead of requiring both parents’ names. and children raised by legal guardians.
Padmashali during an interview with the Washington Blade emphasized this issue extends beyond the trans community.
“This is not a question of the community—maybe a single mother, a single parent, most of the women across the world,” she said.
“People are struggling with the identity crisis,” Padmashali added. “In a system of majoritarian, there are so many people who are in the process of questioning the notion of marriage, questions the notion of civil relationship or partnership. Especially in my case, born a male, transformed into a female, and challenged the notion of patriarchal institutions in that way. I claim myself as a woman and also adopting a child, getting the child every document from the government is a big challenge.-
ernment, and a very supportive environment.”
Padmashali told the Blade she was very happy with the process of obtaining a passport for her child, describing it as completely hassle-free.
“I think the passport authority of this country is very sensitive. The passport gives a certain amount of recognition, especially for the transgender community,” said Padmashali. “Many transgender women have also adopted children, but [are] struggling with lots of identity crises.”
“In my case, it was a completely different scenario, I got my passport as a female, and Avin’s also getting the passport without naming the father, I think it’s a national issue,” she added. “From the transgender person’s point of view, I am happy that my Supreme Court has recognized the community and the parliament has recognized the Transgender Protection Act. India is in process of progressing, I would say.”
ANKUSH KUMAR
Harris’s loss prompts mixed reaction in India
Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss in the U.S. presidential election has elicited mixed reactions among LGBTQ activists in India.
A notable portion of Indians expressed support for now President-elect Donald Trump over Harris, even though her maternal lineage traces back to India. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born into a Brahmin family in Chennai in 1938, and her grandfather, PV Gopalan, hailed from the village of Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu.
Harris’s loss prompted mixed reactions within the LGBTQ community.
While some individuals expressed disappointment, others backed Trump.
The Washington Blade in August reported that Harris’s grandfather moved to New Delhi to serve as a civil servant in British-ruled India. This move eventually facilitated Gopalan’s journey to the U.S., where she pursued biomedical science at the University of California, Berkeley a step that played a foundational role in shaping Harris’s future political aspirations.
The Washington Blade since Election Day has spoken
Harish Iyer, a plaintiff in one of India’s marriage equality cases, in response to Trump’s election said the “path for queer liberation has never been straight.”
“ the Republican side against transgender persons,” said Iyer. “There has been a complete denial of the existence
of transgender people and also widespread ignominy and ostracism. This, adding to the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, has aggravated tensions for everyone from gender variant persons to birthing parents of all genders.”
He further noted there is a strong change of more transphobic legislation and rhetoric in the U.S. with Trump in the White House, Republicans in control of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court.
“In a largely connected world, where many Indians and India-born people are in America, the effect of this will be palpable in India too,” said Iyer.
Indrani Chakraborty is a prominent social activist and advocate for transgender rights, particularly in northeast India. She has been outspoken about the challenges
faced by her trans daughter.
Chakraborty said the effects will be felt around the world if Trump continues his transphobic rhetoric and the U.S. government does not support the LGBTQ community. Anwesh Kumar Sahoo, an Indian artist, writer, model, and the youngest winner of Mr. Gay World 2016, told the Blade that Trump’s policies are a setback in the
“It’s a strong reminder of how interconnected our struggles are globally,” said Sahoo. “It highlights the importance of standing up for equality everywhere.”
Abhijit Iyer Mitra, an LGBTQ activist and senior fellow to Harris’s loss said her Indian roots “really do not matter.”
“America expects assimilation and not just integration,” said Mitra. “She has no real connect to India in any sense or knowledge of India in any sense. So, being from here absolutely means nothing. She is American through and through, she has demonstrated no knowledge of India, no nothing, so it is what it is.”
“I am not really worried, certainly not from an Indian point of view because her particular political supporters are all viciously anti-India, but not Biden,” added Mitra. “Biden is pro-India. But Kamala, especially her supporters, belongs to the same woke circuit which would be… ‘Oh India … genocide happening’ etc. So just being Indian means nothing.”
ANKUSH KUMAR
AKKAI PADMASHALI and her son (Photo courtesy of Padmashali)
Vice President KAMALA HARRIS speaks at Howard University in D.C. on Nov. 6, after she conceded to President-elect Donald Trump. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
NICKOLAUS HAYES
CHARLES FRANCIS
is president of the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., and author of “Archive Activism: Memoir of a ‘Uniquely Nasty’ Journey.”
Christian Nationalism: a ‘prop’ to achieving power?
The drive toward an authoritarian theocracy
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.” I clearly remember this call from a pulpit decades ago because it seemed so odd to hear such a thing in church. Rev. D. James Kennedy, a ballroom dancing instructor in the 1950s who became senior pastor of Coral Ridge Ministries in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., grandly announced: “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Bible!”
Down from the rafters, hanging on wires above the pulpit descended a huge Bible seemingly ablaze. Accompanied by old time miracle-riffs on an organ, Kennedy’s congregants stood with hand over heart to recite a chilling pledge of allegiance to The Word: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible….”. I went to Coral Ridge to see for myself how Kennedy preached about “the infamous men of Sodom who have moved into our churches.” I was one of those men. In the 1980s, when visiting my hometown Dallas, I attended what is still considered the largest LGBTQ church in the world, the Cathedral of Hope. I had helped this church raise money for a chapel to be designed by gay architect Philip Johnson (1906-2005). I had not experienced Christian Nationalists warning about the “men of Sodom moving into our churches” until I saw that giant hanging Bible in Fort Lauderdale.
alist movement, now a pillar of the new Trump presidency, which evangelical leaders liken to a “Red Sea moment in America.” One leader recently compared Donald Trump to Moses parting the Red Sea allowing his people safe passage into a new Promised Land. Amanda Tyler, the lead organizer of the Christians Against Christian Nationalism Campaign of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., warns in her new book the U.S. is now at “a high tide of Christian Nationalism.”
Tyler, a devout Baptist from Austin, is direct about the threat Christian Nationalism poses to religious freedom in the U.S. “Christian Nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to fuse American and religious identities….into one set of political beliefs…..It is pernicious and insidious,” she explains in her book, “How to End Christian Nationalism.” Besides being written by a Christian from Texas who asks hard questions, what makes this “how to” book such a good read is Tyler’s rejection of the despondency of the moment. She has no time for that. “We all have a role to play in ending Christian Nationalism,” she explains, by organizing in our communities, churches and with our legislative allies nationwide. This, she emphasizes, includes all who are impacted by Christian nationalism in unequal ways including “people of color, people who are not Christian, LGBTQIA+ people and people who belong to more than one of those identity groups.”
Tyler lays it out: Christian Nationalism exists in a multiverse beyond the old-school haters we once knew and loved. How can one forget “God Hates Fags” Rev. Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church? When my friend the conservative Republican Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming said he favored same-sex marriage, Phelps called him a “Senile Old Fag Lover” (2003). Today, Tyler writes, Christian Nationalists have smoothed those rough edges “using Christianity as a prop to achieving power” in their drive toward an authoritarian theocracy. She explains with cool precision how they evolved into a “well-funded and highly organized political” movement that “points not to Jesus of Nazareth but to the nation….as the object of allegiance.”
A Texan to her Baptist core, Tyler draws from her unique experience working at “ground zero of the culture wars,” the Texas Legislature. Following a proposal to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom in the Texas public school system (which passed in Louisiana) came legislation to replace licensed counselors in the public schools with religious chaplains. Using her “how to” logic she tells the story of Texas State Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin), a committed Christian and seminarian, who successfully opposed the school chaplain bill. Talarico told Tyler that his years as a public school teacher and his Christian faith meant he couldn’t stay silent “in the face of the Christian Nationalist agenda.” Tyler asks, “What would happen if a broad-based coalition of people of faith joined state Rep. James Talarico in saying we don’t want religious instruction happening in our public schools?” Tyler puts this to readers as a basis for action to be carried from the lawmaking trenches of Austin to Washington itself. Tyler’s how-to book rises beyond anger, despondency and “hopium” into concrete ideas for organizing and action among believers and non-believers alike.
Maybe Amanda Tyler’s campaign will take root in states like Oklahoma where the Superintendent of Schools issued a request for vendors to supply 55,000 Bibles (for $59.99 each) that sounded a lot like Donald Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bible printed in China for $3. The Bibles were to be used for classroom instruction in history, supporters claimed. After a storm of derision, the superintendent’s request was revoked without explanation.
is a longtime LGBTQ rights and regularly for the Blade. PETER ROSENSTEIN
Will Trump try to rain on World Pride in D.C.?
Many unanswered questions as city prepares for GOP takeover
The answer to whether Trump will rain on World Pride in D.C. is: We don’t yet know. There are so many unanswered questions about federal participation in this mega, and that’s mega, not MAGA, event. Though celebrating the LGBTQ community will certainly contribute to making America great.
Our community is strong! If there is one thing we have proven over the years, it is that we are resilient. From Stonewall, through AIDS, we as a community have stood handin-hand. Today we stand united with the transgender community, and together we will
members of the Democratic Party, like Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) when he makes unsolicited and hurtful comments. Yes, it would be nice if all our leaders stood strong. That includes those like Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who seems to think complimenting RFK Jr. is the right thing to do. Curious, does Polis know whether RFK Jr. would approve Mpox vaccines to save members of our community? Will he approve continued research into claimed
something RFK Jr. approves of? Maybe it’s time Polis rethinks his support for RFK Jr.
We have invited the world to come to D.C. from May 23-June 8, 2025. It is our chance to show the world we both support, and celebrate, the LGBTQ community. Capital Pride, and the government of Mayor Muriel Bowser, are doing everything to make those two weeks a success and to show the world here in the United States we celebrate the LGBTQ community, and will do everything we can to ensure their safety.
So, I have a number of concerns, including will Gov. Kristi Noem, yes, the one who
D.C. and the mayor, to ensure the celebrations during those two weeks are safe and joyful? Will there be all-out support from the National Park Service for this event? Will President Trump try to interfere with federal agencies and their LGBTQ organizations that want to participate and show their support for the LGBTQ community? Will he allow those groups to continue their work within the agencies? Then will the Republican Conby both attending events, and making sure their constituents who come to D.C. for the event, have a safe and joyful time? All these are questions yet to be answered.
are strong and proud. That we are here, and will not be cowed by those who want us to go back into the closet. Those who would discriminate against us. We and our allies will welcome the world to D.C. and show them an exciting two weeks. From concerts, to a parade, to dance parties, and a human rights conference, D.C. will be prepared to show off our city. From the time we were granted home rule, D.C. local government
approved marriage equality before the Supreme Court did so for the whole country. Our LGBTQ community fought for our rights in federal agencies, with those like Frank Kameny leading the way. While its name may have changed, back when it was the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, its members fought for the rights of our community and worked to ensure those rights here, even when they are still not guaranteed for the rest in the nation. Currently, because of the work of countless activists, and groups like LGBTQ community. We will make sure that never changes.
So, while it is my hope the Trump administration will support World Pride, whether they do, or don’t, we in D.C. will all work hard, supporting the Capital Pride Alliance and other organizations working to plan it, to make sure the two to three million people from around the world, who come to D.C. during those two weeks, are safe, and will have the experience of their lives.
By PATRICK FOLLIARD
DMV boasts a wealth of holiday-themed theater, music, Here’s
Arena Stage invites audiences “to step back into the holiday spirit with the joyful return of ‘Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show’ tradition of African-American stepping blends with the
“Elf in Concert: Film with Live Orchestra”
“Finn” (through
world premiere musical chronicles the coming-of-age jour-
For those in search of yuletide camaraderie and keyboards, there’s the National Cathedral Christmas Day Organ Recital
“A Swingin’ Little Christmas!”
“Black Nativity” blues, soul, jazz, spirituals, dance, and the powerful words
Dave Koz and Friends celebrate “A Hannukah Carol”
va Kanipshin who in pursuit of more followers, shuns fam-
media star Mimi Marley and other spirits who warn her to
“A Christmas Carol”
as the miserly Scrooge who after a night of ghostly visits,
sotto is stepping into the shoes of Paul Morella to star in this year’s edition of Morella’s celebrated solo adaptation of “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas”
with just a couple of notes proves true at the Folger Library
ble-in-residence, marvelously upholds a glorious Washington holiday tradition with “A Mass for Christmas Eve: Baroque Music for the Season”
“Madeline’s Christmas”
help from a magical rug merchant, all that’s miserable is brushed away, and the girls embark on an unforgettable
org
“The Nutcracker” at the glit-
usual suspects like children, rats, fairies, and a mysterious
“The Holiday Show”
ful harmonies, and features the high-kicking, bedazzled
The company of Step Afrika!’s ‘Magical Musical Holiday Step Show’ at Arena Stage. (Photo by Jati Lindsay)
He loves Annie’s and will until the end
Mano continues to bring infectious passion to his job at iconic restaurant
By JOE REBERKENNY
It’s rare for a restaurant to thrive for more than 75 years. Rarer still is a restaurant whose history is so deeply intertwined with the growth and resilience of a minority community.
Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse in Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle is one of those exceptional places — a cornerstone not only for the city of Washington, but also for its vibrant queer community.
Several factors contribute to a restaurant like Annie’s becoming a foundational space inclusive staff goes beyond mere hospitality. The decor doesn’t just acknowledge Washington’s LGBTQ community — it proudly celebrates it. And, of course, the award-winning food and drinks leave a lasting impression, making Annie’s a true icon in the nation’s capital.
When walking down 17th Street, where Annie’s is located after 76 years (even after moving three blocks north of its original location on 17th in 1985), it becomes understandable how this stretch of street has always been the heart of the “gayborhood,” regardless of
in nearly every window signal this place is not only a safe space for the LGBTQ community, but a place where being queer is worth celebrating.
Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse has long been a beacon of unwavering support for the LGBTQ community, particularly during times when openly identifying as LGBTQ was met with societal stigma or worse. This dedication, which started back in 1948, has cemented Annie’s as more than just a restaurant — it’s a queer haven and cultural landmark.
Georgia Katinas, the general manager of Annie’s and granddaughter of Annie’s founder George Katinas, told the Blade supporting the D.C. LGBTQ community is a key part of running Annie’s.
“I see Annie’s as a pillar of the LGBTQ community, and it’s important to me to continue that legacy,” said Katinas. “Getting involved in our community in many different facets, queer members of the community — all of that’s incredibly important to me, and it’s an honor. I take the family legacy very seriously, and I really am proud to continue it and to show up on behalf of my family and on behalf of the community and continue to be here.”
One of Annie’s unique legacies is its connection to the High Heel Drag Race, a beloved LGBTQ event on the Tuesday before Halloween. It started as a race between Annie’s and gay bar JR.’s in 1986, and has grown into a vibrant mini Pride celebration on 17th Street now
Although it takes a collective effort to transform Annie’s into the James Beard Award-winning restaurant it is today, one server has stood out for decades. Since 1975, his infectious attitude and heartfelt care have made him a cornerstone of the Annie’s experience, drawing loyal customers back time and again.
been a key part of the institution that is Annie’s for as long as most regulars can remember. -
“We treat every customer like a member of our family,” Mano told the Blade during a recent interview discussing his lengthy career in the restaurant. “Ninety-nine percent of the people feel like regulars, and that 1 percent are on their way to becoming them.”
to everyone around him — from coworkers behind the bar to guests in the booths. Known for gestures like cutting steaks for diners, Mano’s dedication once saw him working seven days a week, a testament to his love for being part of the Annie’s team.
“I feel every day better than the day before,” he said. “I love the people more than the day before. I look forward to loving them more. I can’t predict the future. The past is experience. Right now, at the moment, I am enjoying it.”
Despite his glowing appreciation for Annie’s, Mano has had to cut back from working at the restaurant as much as he once did. As he has grown older, Mano has slowly taken a day or two off from his work schedule.
“He wants the guests to have the perfect experience,” Katinas said. “He takes training very seriously. He has his own systems for how he counts money and uses the computer. He’s very particular but always so kind about it. When I watch him train new people now, I remember when he trained me. It’s very intentional and intense in moments because he cares so much.”
Mano’s presence and unwavering commitment to delivering impeccable service at Annie’s elevates him above many in the food service industry. His contributions also reinforce Annie’s cornerstone role in Washington’s queer history. When asked what sets his legacy— and by extension, Annie’s legacy within the LGBTQ community—apart from that of a server at any other restaurant, one word stood out in his response: respect.
“Give yourself some respect,” Mano said. “Give them [the customers] all the respect you want for yourself. If you cannot respect yourself, you cannot respect anyone else. I am a
Katinas explained Mano’s passion for Annie’s is infectious and has helped shape the restaurant in years prior, with caring about people at its center.
“He takes young servers under his wing,” Katinas explained. “He takes busboys who don’t speak the shared language, and he treats them with such compassion and generosity. Annie was someone who would always sit and talk with you. She would put her hand on your shoulder and really listen. And Mano does that too.”
“We’re all busy, we’re all running around, but Mano really will sit and take the time to get to know you and to listen to your troubles or happy moments, anything,” Katinas added. “He makes sure, even if he’s across the restaurant and someone walks in the door, he’ll yell ‘Welcome in!’ The sense of hospitality is in his blood.”
Not only is he one of the most passionate people in Annie’s at any given moment, but Katinas also highlighted that he cares about the people and history of Annie’s in a truly unique way.
“He’s like the lighthouse captain,” she said, tearing up and smiling. “He has to be tethered to the building. He doesn’t get too far from it and is like, ‘No, no, I’m going to be at my post.’ He’s always there in the front, and everyone knows to expect him there.”
“He’s got a heart bigger than his entire body,” bar manager Scott Paxton chimed in. “He leave. He’s the most dedicated out of all of them. He’s always offering to help.”
here for a long time with a long legacy, but he is a big part of that legacy. And so you wan-
“You don’t know where to sit or who’s who, but you probably end up sitting with Mano in his section and so it sort of becomes like your home base,” he said. “There are hundreds with anyone and people that request him. And 40 years later, they come in on Wednesday night and they want to see him.”
made clear — he loves Annie’s and will until the end.
“I wish them the best success,” Mano said pointing to Katinas, Paxton, and other staff working at the bar. “And they’re going to have it thanks to everybody, all these years of support for this place.”
MANO remains a near constant presence at Annie’s. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Mano,
We love you completely. You embody Annie’s spirit everyday. We’re grateful for your years of service and loyalty.
Love, Your Annie’s Family
Sunday, Dec. 1 | 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The program will include film screenings, curator tours, a listening station, and more. 8TH & G ST
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Katie Kleiger, Travis Van Winkle, and Olivia Cygan for Death on the Nile. Photo by Tony Powell.
Friday, November 29
CALENDAR |
GoGayDC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, November 30
GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, December 01
GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Dinner” at 6:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy an evening of Italian-style dining and conversation with other LGBTQ folk. Attendance 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 non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, December 02
Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. For more details, email justin@thedccenter.org.
OUT & ABOUT
Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend with drag
Charlemagne Chateau will host “Chateau Drag Brunch” on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Ring in 2025 with a World Pride party
Capital Pride/World Pride will host Rainbow Masquerade at Hook Hall, a New Year’s Eve party featuring drag shows, silk aerial acts, private lounges and the venue’s Hot Tub Cabana. According to Brandon Bayton, Capital Pride executive producer, “Step into the Fabric of Freedom and toast World Pride 2025 in style—where every moment sparkles, every performance dazzles and every toast makes a difference. It’s going to be an amazing night!”
The party is Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Hook Hall, 3400 Georgia Ave., N.W.
By TINASHE CHINGARANDE
Tuesday, December 03
Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on the organization’s website.
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email andyarias03@gmail.com.
Wednesday, December 04
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job 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.
Center Aging Women’s Discussion and Social Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a place where older LGBTQ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities and a chance to share what you want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, December 05
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
API Queer Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for the thedccenter.org.
Tired of turkey and family? Celebrate the end of the holiday weekend with a drag show on Sunday.
Erotica thrillers, ‘Nosferatu,’ and the explicit ‘Queer’ among entries
As soon as Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to look forward to another crop of holiday movies, and this year offers some excellent ones – though most of them seem to have very little to do with the season itself. Unfortunately, after the last year or so, when the number of queer-themed and queer-inclusive holiday -
lection is notably short on queer representation. Of course, with a couple of exceptions, they’re also notably short on seasonal cheer, too. Nevertheless, there are several promising gems headed to theaters over the next month, all of which should be of interest to any movie fan, queer or not, and the Blade is ready to break them down for you.
WICKED (Now in theaters)view also serves as a mini-review, since it jumped the holiday queue for an early release, but that’s OK, because it turns out we needed
director John M. Chu’s much-anticipated twopart adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon, in turn based on the eponymous book by queer author Gregory Maguire’s book of the same name, stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the two iconic witches of Frank Baum’s classic “Wizard of Oz” (Elphaba, the formerly anonymous “Wicked Witch of the West” as named by Maguire in his novel, and Glinda, the “Good Witch of the North,” respectively), and, without hyperbole, truly surpasses all expectation. Expanding the stage version’s Disney-ish whimsy (reinforced by its catchy song score from “Pocahontas” composer Stephen Schwartz) by incorporating elements from Maguire’s novel to bring additional gravitas (and timely relevance) to the family-friendly fun while showcasing the amazing, no-ex-
sign. Played out on elaborate real-life sets by a uniformly superb cast – which also features out gay “Bridgerton” heartthrob Jonathan Bailey, Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, veteran screen eccentric Jeff Goldblum, “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage, and queer “SNL” stalwart Bowen Yang, among many other talented performers – it is that rare stage-to-screen transition that not only captures the appeal of the show that inspired it, but enhances its magic by embracing a purely cinematic expression in doing so. Add the sweet irony that can be found in the post-election success of a musical fantasy about a marginalized woman being persecuted for daring to speak truth to an authoritarian power (who also happens to be an that is easily the movie of the year and then some. Something tells us that Baum would be proud of what his clever little satire of American “exceptionalism” has come to inspire more than a century later. If you haven’t seen it already, what are you waiting for? Get on your broom and head straight to the next available showing at your local multiplex.
By JOHN PAUL KING
GLADIATOR II (Now in theaters) Also crashing into the arena ahead of the holidays is Ridley Scott’s sequel to his Oscar-winning original “Gladiator” from 2000, which won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Actor (Russell Crowe) among multiple other honors. The queer appeal here lies mostly in the hunkiness of its stars – allies and queer-fan-favorite heartthrobs Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, who join Denzel Washington as the big-name-triumvi-
there’s not plenty of big-budget sword-andsandal excitement to entertain anybody with an appetite for such things; and let’s face it, as cheesy as they are, who doesn’t love a movie about barely dressed muscle men swinging swords at each other in the midst of Roman depravity? Revered queer British thespian Derek Jacobi reprises his role from the original Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, and Connie Nielsen.
QUEER (now in theaters) From Italiansponsible for “Call Me By Your Name” and this year’s earlier bi-triangle tennis romance “Challengers” – comes this eagerly anticipated adaptation of a semi-autobiographical novella by queer “beat generation” icon William S. Burroughs, set in 1950, in which an American expatriate (Daniel Craig in a reportedly career-topping performance) trolls the local bars looking for connection and becomes enamored with a former soldier (Drew Starkey) who is new in town. Already controversial (in some circles, at least) for its explicitness and its unapologetically raw perspective – an unsurprising element, considering that Burroughs’s legendary status as an author and personality has more to do with his countercultural radicalism than his queerness – this one is probably the standout must-see title of the season for LGBTQ audiences, or at least those not com-
Craig (who is no stranger to “playing gay”) has said in a recent interview that his character’s sexuality is the “least interesting thing” about him, we’ll wager that millions of queer fans will disagree. Also featuring the incomparable Lesley Manville (most recently an MVP in Ryan Murphy’s “Grotesquerie”), Jason Schwartzman, Henrique Zaga, and Omar Apollo. in t eaters et i
For the opera-loving crowd comes this widely touted biopic starring Angelina Jolie as legendary soprano Maria Callas, which covers the
Pablo Larraín’s cinematic trilogy about the lives of important 20th century women (after 2016’s “Jackie” and 2021’s “Spencer”), this one competed for the Golden Lion prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival, where it sparked Oscar buzz for Jolie’s tour-de-force turn as the operatic icon.
NIGHTBITCH (in theaters 12/6) Queer viewers can dive into their feminist allyship Adams) whose role as wife and mother (to a towheaded toddler) triggers a canine-esque transformation, complete with an enhanced sense of smell, unexpected body hair, and extra nipples on her belly. A metaphoric exploration of discovering personal power and -
ing womanhood around traditional roles of homemaker and mother, it will undoubtedly spark complaints from the anti-”woke” crowd, which obviously scores points with us, every time.
THE ORDER (in theaters 12/6) There’s
which stars Jude Law as a veteran FBI agent who confronts a zealous white supremacist rebel leader (Nicholas Hoult) in a “war for America’s soul,” but there are obvious points “what-if” fantasia based on 1980s headlines about the Aryan Nation spinoff group “The Order” and its campaign of robberies, bombings and murder. If you’re not a fan of Nazis (because no matter what they happen to call themselves, a Nazi is still a Nazi), this one is probably for you.
Nickel Boys (in theaters 12/13) Allyship is also the draw from this lengthy adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning bestseller, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as a hotel housekeeper whose grandson (Ethan Herisse) is unjustly incarcerated in a reformatory during the “Jim Crow” era. Directed by Peabody Award winner (and Emmy and Oscar nominee) RaMell Ross, this anti-racist drama is based on a true story.
e oom e t Door in t eaters If any upcoming movie deserves a spotlight -
odóvar, in which a pair of former New York magazine colleagues (Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore) reunite after many years when one of them is faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis and asks the other to help her “die with dignity.” With three such transcendent artis elevated enough for us to suggest that this might be the highlight of the season for lovers of pure cinema.
Better Man (in theaters 12/25) If you’ve never heard of Robbie Williams (and you’re an American), you can be forgiven, since the phenomenally successful pop singer-songwriter from the UK is a relatively unknown sensation on this side of the Atlantic, but this unorthodox musical biopic from “Greatest Showman” director Michael Gracey looks to be an introduction you’ll never forget. Depicting the well-publicized ups and downs of Williams’ personal life as it traces his rise to fame and beyond, it also depicts him as a chimpanzee – voiced by Williams himself and portrayed
through CG motion capture by Jonno Davies – because, as the pop star puts it, “I’ve always felt less evolved” than other people. It sounds odd, sure, but its September debut at the Telluride Film Festival was met with enthusiastic critical acclaim, and whether it works for you or not, it surely boasts the most unusual premise we’re aware of.
Babygirl (in theaters 12/25) Another unusual choice for Christmastime is this provocative erotic thriller from writer/director Halina Reijn, starring Nicole Kidman as a CEO who has become sexually bored with her husband (Antonio Banderas) and pursues an affair with a much-younger male intern (the incandescently beautiful Harris Dickinson), which weaves a steamy cautionary tale about the treacherous dynamics of power and sexuality within a professional setting. Another Golden Lion contender at Venice, it’s garnered heavy praise both for Reijn’s direction and Kidman’s performance; so while it may not be the kind
sneaking out for on a solo excursion while the rest of the family is sleeping off that holiday meal.
Nosferatu (in theaters 12/25) Even less appropriate for the holiday season (well, at least this one) but eagerly awaited nonetheless, this remake of F.W. Murnau’s venerable silent classic – a 1922 German Expressionist masterpiece based on Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” that is widely seen as the “granddaddy” of all
Robert Eggers (“The Witch,” “The Lighthouse”) is probably the perfect refresher after a month of cheer, festivities, sweetness, and light. Starring Bill Saarsgård as the sinister Count Orlok, with Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp as -
lem Dafoe as the professor who becomes his nemesis, it brings the gothic tale “into the 21st century” (says Eggers) and emphasizes the twisted obsessions and infatuations that tie its characters together. Long-delayed and much-anticipated, this one is already a guaranteed must-see for anyone who loves the genre – so if you need a seasonal connection, you can always think of it as a holiday gift for horror fans.
HARRIS DICKINSON and NICOLE KIDMAN embark on a dangerous affair in ‘Babygirl.’ (Image courtesy A24)
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Wicked Night
JR.’s celebrates hit musical with performances and showtunes (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
JR.’s held “Wicked Night” on Saturday to celebrate the release of the movie version of the musical, “Wicked.” Performers included Citrine, Dabatha Christie, Sirene Noir and Hennessey.
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WANTED FOR PURCHASE OR CONSIGNMENT (401)450-9052 vallots.com
Academy of
AdultHopePublic
Charter School REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Strategic Plan Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School (School) and Academy of Hope Foundation (Foundation) is requesting proposals from strategic planning consultants. See full RFP for details and submission information at https://aohdc. org/get-involved/jobs/. Proposals are due 12/16/2024.
Academy of
AdultHopePublic
Charter School REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Retention Wall Academy of Hope Adult PCS in Washington, DC seeks proposals for Retention Wall construction, demolition, and site preparation. Full RFP details and submission instructions are available at https:// aohdc.org/get-involved/jobs. Proposals are due 12/6/2024. Place your own ad at washingtonblade.com/ c assi e s
BULLETIN BOARD
PUPPY: SHIH TZUPOODLE
Tan and brown. Eight months old male. Likes children and dogs. Needs a loving home with a backyard.Free to good home. 202-384-5049.
People. Individual/Couples counseling with a volunteer peer community since 1973. 202-580-8661
No fees. Donation requested.
EMPLOYMENT
SMART BASES
PRGM MNGR, US IGNITE, INC.
tech. projects for DoD bases. Reqs: MS + 1 yr. exp. or BS + 4 yrs exp. must incl. exp. w/ cloud-native & data-intensive IoT tech. Position 100% remote.
nancy.jemison@us-ignite.org.
Housing Share and Personal ads are FREE! Place your ad today on our website!
EMPLOYMENT CAREGIVER
We are seeking a parttime caregiver for a Senior citizen. The schedule is Mon
ble. We are looking to hire someone immediately. Salary is $30/hr. Send email to com for more details.
HANDYMAN
BRITISH REMODELING
Local licensed company with over 25 years of experience.
kitchens & all interior/exterior
Trevor 703-303-8699
LEGAL SERVICES
ADOPTION, DONOR, SURROGACY
legal services. Catelyn represents LGBTQ clients in DC, MD & VA interested in adoptio o atte
MODERN FAMILY FORMATION Law Offices, Slattery Law, LLC. 240-245-7765
Formation.com
LIMOUSINES
KASPER’S LIVERY SERVICE Since 1987. Gay & Veteran Owner/ Operator. Lincoln Nautilus! Proper DC License & Livery Insured. www.KasperLivery.com 202-554-2471
MOVERS
AROUND TOWN MOVERS & STORAGE
Local | Long Distance
Residential | Commercial Licensed & Insured
Packing | Moving | Unpacking Ask about the Blade discount! Call Today 202.734.3080 www.AroundTownMovers.com
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE
OF
Harold Albert Deadman, Jr., Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment of Foreign Personal Representative and Notice to Creditors Mary-Catherine Lois Deadman whose address is 12008 Park
The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and
HOUSING SHARE / VA
SENIOR CITIZEN,
a private bath for rent. Current residents are seniors too. Not
bring your pet(s). Bedrooms are upstairs. Located in Kings Park
Must pass background check. I cannot allow nonresidents in house due to insurance. Howplace. mcintyrac@gmail.com 703-978-9018
MEN FOR MEN HANDSOME, GWM
dates & more. Open to all races. 420 friendly. Serious replies only. This is for real! Email: c assi e s as a e com (we forward this)
Thanks for reading the Blade!
Older WM Wolf seeks long-term hookups with older WM bears. Wolf packs rubbers. lonewolf5150@proton.me TALL,
GOOD nice-looking dude who is hung take care of him. Sincere replies 240-457-1292
