Resolve to resist
10 ways to fight Trump’s attacks in 2025, PAGE 17
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D.C. jury convicts man for hate crime assault against gay couple
Attacker targeted male victims after seeing them holding hands
By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com
A D.C. Superior Court jury on Dec. 12 found a 42-yearold District man guilty of two counts of bias related assault against a gay male couple on Aug. 3 after seeing the men holding hands outside the 9:30 Club in the Shaw neighborhood.
Court records show the jury also found the attacker, Franklin Siate, guilty of the offense of attempted threats against a female employee of the 9:30 Club after the woman and witnesses said he threatened to rape and murder her a short time before he targeted the two gay men.
Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro, who presided over Siate’s trial, scheduled a sentencing hearing for Feb. 10.
Under D.C.’s hate crimes law, the judge has the authority to hand down a sentence one and a half times greater than the maximum sentence for the underlying charge of assault to which he was convicted in connection with the attack against the two gay men.
Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia who serves as the city’s chief prosecutor, referred to iat ’s con iction an his o fic ’s orts to pros cut hat crim s at a c 20 pr ss ri fing on crim tr n s or 2024 in response to a question from the Washington Blade about hate crimes.
“On the night of August 3, 2024, Siate verbally and then physically accosted multiple people outside the 9:30 Club,” a stat m nt r as y th ttorn y’s o fic says irst, he approached a line of patrons waiting to enter the concert venue for a Taylor Swift Dance Party and started yelling at them,” the statement says.
“He then turned his attention to a 9:30 Club employee and threatened to rape and murder her,” the statement continues. “He then saw two men walking by, holding hands, and acting affectionately towards one another.” The statement adds, “Siate followed them down the block saying, ‘Gays cannot hold hands in my city.’ You’re in my living room, yelling a slur at th m
According to the statement, Siate then “picked up a large sign outside of another establishment, lifted it over his head, an charg towar th two m n t says a po ic o ficer arrived just in time to stop Siate from physically hitting the men with the sign.
Under the D.C. criminal code, the actions by Siate against the two gay men and the woman employee of the 9:30 Club constitut a crimina o ns o assau t an thr at o io nc even though there was no reported physical contact.
Court records show that Siate was released on the day following his arrest on his own recognizance while awaiting trial. But the records show he was arrested on a new, unrelated charge on Aug. 31 for allegedly threatening a man with a kni an assau ting a po ic o fic r Th r cor s show h has been held in jail since that time and will remain in custody until at least the time of his Feb. 10 sentencing hearing.
The Blade reached out to the couple who were victims in th inci nt Th y r u st to i ntifi on y y th ir first names, Collin, 28, and his partner, Clayton, 29.
Collin said he and Clayton went to the 9:30 Club with the hope of buying tickets for the Taylor Swift Dance Party perormanc , ut th y uick y arn th tick ts w r so out He said the two men then began walking away from the 9:30 club when Siate saw then holding hands and began to harass them.
“He started off by saying gays can’t hold hands in D.C.,”
Lesbian-owned gift shop among recipients of D.C. business grants
Femme Fatale, an upscale gift shop and event space on onn cticut nu in orthw st that’s own an operated by a lesbian couple, is among 41 small businesses to receive a total of $7 million in city grants aimed at supporting businesses that sell or produce their products in the city.
Cee Smith, who co-owns Femme Fatale with her partner Adriana Mendoza, said the funds from the $261,300 grant they received will be used, among other things, to enable them to manufacture many of the items they sell.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the 2024 business grant recipients at a Dec. 12 ceremony held at the D.C. Arts nt r, a nonprofit organi ation in th city’s ams organ neighborhood that received one of these grants last year and that is operated by gay executive director Sean Elias.
“With every grant awarded, we’re fueling innovation, creating opportunities, and building stronger communities across all eight wards,” Bowser told attendees at the Dec. 12 ceremony. “These investments don’t just help businesses thrive, they uplift our neighborhoods, create jobs, and ensure that D.C. continues to be a city where creativity and entrepreneurship
ourish, th mayor sai
Smith told the Washington Blade she and Mendoza opened Femme Fatale in the city’s Cleveland Park neighborhood in 2016. The retail store and shop is located at 3409 onn cticut , on a on ock s ction o th str t where about a dozen other shops, restaurants, and small businesses are also located. Among the items Femme Fatale sells are artwork, jewelry, clothing, holiday cards, and upscale household items such as wine glasses, coffee cups, candle ho rs, an ow rpots
“We wanted to be able to manufacture some of those things ourselves,” Smith said. “And to not only be able to sell them in our store, as we know they will sell, but also to be able to access for Femme Fatale retail sales outside of just our store,” she said. “So, being able to wholesale and have them in other gift shops and locations around the city.”
Smith said Femme Fatale also hosts community events, including LGBTQ community related events at the store. She said the store has a back patio where events can be held. stat m nt r as y th mayor’s o fic announcing th
Collin recounted. “And then he said gays can’t hold hands in my city,” according to Collin, who added, “And then he starto owing us to him to g t away rom us sai , you’r in my living room and then he proceeded to call us ‘faggots’ twice.”
A short time later, as the couple were approaching a nearby ice cream shop called Coneacopia, Siate picked up a sign outside the shop and “started charging at us” with the two men fearing he was about to hit them with the sign, Collin to th a t that tim , a po ic o fic r arri on th scene in his patrol car after Collin called 911 and waved at the o fic r as h approach th sc n s th po ic o fic r arri iat runs up to th po ic o fic r an t s th o fic r that w w r harassing him an that we were throwing rocks at him,” Collin said. But after the o fic r took a u stat m nt rom o in an ayton, h put iat in han cu s, o in sai sai a t r th first o fic r an oth r po ic o fic rs who arri on th sc n an spok with witnesses, they placed Siate under arrest.
ccor ing to o in, t cam out to a goo ning ater all the craziness.” He said 9:30 Club employees, who witnessed much of the interaction between Siate, and the two gay men unfold, told Collin and Clayton, “We’re so sorry this happened to you guys. You can come in,” allowing them to attend the Taylor Swift Dance Party show despite its sold-out status.
po ic r cor s, m anwhi , show that as o ct 1 o this year, the most recent data available, the assault against Collin and Clayton outside the 9:30 Club was one of 40 anti-LGBTQ hate crimes reported for 2024.
The data shows that 22 of the reported incidents were based on the victim’s sexual orientation and 18 of the hate crime incidents were based on the victim’s gender identity.
business grant recipients describes Femme Fatale as a “Black, queer, and women-owned retail and event space in Cleveland Park featuring the products of D.C. women makers.”
On its website, Femme Fatale states, “We are a hub for womxn and non-binary creatives, entrepreneurs and organizers. We catalyze: a womxn led economic ecosystem that advances intersectionality on a platform of equality. We are on a mission to amp i y th in u nc o wom n y pro i ing inspiration and practical support.”
Continues at washingtonblade.com.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Femme Fatale on Connecticut Avenue (Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro Jr.)
Senate braces for anti-LGBTQ attacks with incoming GOP majority
Particularly since Republicans took the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023, legislative attacks against the LGBTQ community, at least at the federal level, have been blunted by U.S. Senate Democrats exercising their narrow majority in the upper chamber, along with President Joe Biden’s promise to veto any discriminatory bill that should reach his desk.
Next month, however, Republicans will take control of both chambers of Congress as President-elect Donald Trump r turns to th hit ous , marking th first tim since 2018 that the GOP has governed with a trifecta in Washington.
“We expect the Trump administration and House and Senate Republicans to continue their anti-LGBTQ+ attacks on all aspects of life, especially against trans kids,” Josh Sorbe, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Whip and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), told the Washington Blade.
Durbin is among the Democratic senators who spoke out this week against a policy rider added to the National Defense Authorization Act by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.), which would prohibit the military’s health provider Tricare from covering transgender medical treatments for the children of U.S. service members.
n his first t rm, ona Trump na T workplace discrimination, banned trans service memrs, an i ifi trans ki s, or sai , whi Th i n arris a ministration an mocrats co ifi same-sex marriage, declared mpox a national emergency, and built up the LGBTQ+ movement.”
He added, “Democrats will continue to hold the line against misguided, anti-freedom legislation that we anticipate will be introduced.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee, one of the most powerful in Congress, exercises broad legislative jurisdiction and is responsible for oversight of the Executive Branch as w as th initia stag s o confirming th pr si nt’s nominees for vacancies on the federal bench, including those picked to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the 117th Congress, control of the Senate was a 5050 split, with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris casting tie-breaking votes. Democrats won another Senate seat in the 2022 midterms and for the past two years Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has led a 51-49 majority.
Despite the party’s narrow margin of control and starting with less than half the number of vacancies than w r a ai a or Trump to fi wh n h took o fic in 2017, Sorbe noted Senate Democrats are expected to confirm i n’s 2 th an 2 5th u icia nomin s surpassing, y on , th num r o confirmations un r the previous administration and also, by one, the record setting number of LGBTQ jurists appointed by President Obama over two terms.
Th s high y ua ifi , i rs can i at s wi h p ensure the fair and impartial administration of the American justice system,” Sorbe said. Many will decide legal questions with broad implications for LGBTQ communities, including challenges brought against anti-LGBTQ legislation at the local, state, and federal level, or anti-LGBTQ policies enacted by the Trump-Vance administration.
Sorbe highlighted some of the other work Durbin has done to “protect civil rights for all Americans” over the past four years in the majority, pointing to the Judiciary Committee’s 2021 hearing on the Equality Act, legislation that would codify LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections; a 2023 hearing that celebrated “the historic progress made in protecting the right of LGBTQ+ m ricans th first h aring sinc 1 a out th ua Rights Amendment that would “enshrine gender equality into th onstitution oor sp ch s in which th majority whip denounced “the harmful anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being introduced across the country”; and the senator’s co-sponsorship of the Respect for Marriag ct, which so i ifi th ga rights o int rracia and same-sex married couples.
CHRISTOPHER KANE
Honoring the legacy of Coya White Hat-Artichoke
Born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, Coya White Hat-Artichoker was a proud enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate or Rosebud Sioux Tribe. From the age of 15, she dedicated her life to advocating for Indigenous and Two Spirit rights, becoming a fi rc organi r an a isionary a r in mo m nts for justice. As a founding member of the First Nations Two Spirit Collective, Coya worked tirelessly to uplift Two Spirit youth, support Indigenous reproductive justice, and connect these communities to philanthropic spaces to drive transformative change.
Coya’s advocacy for Indigenous reproductive justice was rooted in a deep understanding of its inseparability rom th fight or n ig nous so r ignty h saw this work as part of a 500-year history of resistance to colonization, weaving together the rights to access abortion, raise children in safe and sustainable environments, steward healthy lands and waters, practice Indigenous cultures, speak ancestral languages, and govern sovereign communities. Recently she served as a board member for SisterSong and the American LGBTQ+ Museum. oya was a fi rc a r who rought ication an brilliance, impacting gender and reproductive justice efforts around the world.
In 2020, Coya’s visionary leadership brought the
wor ’s first un icat to n ig nous r pro ucti justice, Building the Fire Fund, into existence. Guided by an Indigenous Advisory Council of women and Two Spir-
it leaders from across Turtle Island, the fund represents a powerful testament to Coya’s dedication and collaborative spirit. Coya co-authored “Tired of Dancing to Their Song: An Assessment of the Indigenous Women’s Reproductive Justice Funding Landscape” with Zachary Packineau. This seminal report provides a critical roadmap for philanthropy to support and grow the emerging fi o n ig nous r pro ucti ustic
In 2023, Coya brought Building the Fire Fund to Solidaire Network, where we are honored to walk alongside the Advisory Council in advancing this vital work. Coya’s passion, wisdom, and dedication will continue to guide and inspire all of us who were privileged to know her and work beside her.
To honor Coya’s legacy and her vision for the Indigenous reproductive justice movement, we invite you to contribute to the Building the Fire Fund. Your support ensures that her transformative work will continue, lighting the way for generations to come.
Coya White Hat-Artichoker’s life was a powerful testament to resilience, love, and unwavering commitment to justice. While her presence will be deeply missed, her legacy will endure as a beacon of hope and strength for all who carry her vision forward.
(Republished with permission the Solidaire Network)
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair DICK DURBIN (D-Ill.) (Blade photo by Michael Key)
COYA WHITE HAT-ARTICHOKER (Screen capture via Solidarity Network)
From TransTape to risk maps, how trans people use technology
Oliver Hamison’s book, ‘Trans Technologies,’ will be published in February
By HENRY CARNELL
In 2021, trans folks on Twitter debated about the ethics and usefulness of a venture-funded app suite called Euphoria, meant to facilitate transitions.
Much of that landscape has disappeared. The Euphoria apps shuttered. Twitter is now X and trans folks are no longer debating on it, though they actively debate on Bluesky.
While the trans world moved on, one trans guy didn’t. Oliver Haimson was fascinated. In 2019, he opened a note on his phone titled “Trans Technology” and started a running list. It had four initial entries:
• MyTransHealth, a Kickstarter-funded health resource site.
• Solace, the first of the Euphoria app suite.
• Transdr, an app ostensibly for transgender dating.
• TransTech Social Enterprises, a technology skill-building community for trans folks
It demonstrated an emerging trend the trans academic was interested in: the intersection between trans people and technology. This was a very new concept, termed by Haimson and three others in a paper published that year.
The four entries spanned the breadth of what trans technology could be. Trans people were harnessing technology to their unique struggles like access to jobs and medical information. And, technologists were seeing trans people as a new market for products, which the Euphoria app founder called a $200 billion industry—a number frequently repeated by conservative commentators. Some founders were trans, others were cis. Some entities were profit-oriented, others were not.
The information studies student was “trying to figure out if this could be an acceptable research area in academic computing spaces.” To his delight, it was warmly received so he kept digging.
Six years and several papers later, Hamison’s list has grown to 100 and has turned from a phone note to a unique body of scholarly work. Now an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, Hamison’s first book, titled Trans Technologies, will be published by MIT Press in February 2025.
The Blade read a copy of Hamison’s manuscript and chatted with him about the state of tech and trans people. The book is drawn from Hamison’s interviews with the creators of all 100 entries on the list.
Hamison emphasizes these 100 are just a sample. “I kind of could have kept going forever,” he says. “I really didn’t intend to talk to that many people, because usually with these interview studies we talked to about 25 people.”
At the end of every interview, Hamison asked participants if there was anyone else who may be a good candidate—a method called snowball sampling—and the project just kept growing.
“I just had to cut myself off at around 100 interviews, because I wanted to actually
move forward with the analysis and writing,” he says.
Many of those that Hamison interviewed may be recognizable. He spoke to trans pioneer Lynn Conway before her death this June. He spoke to trans journalist Erin Reed, known for her informed consent clinic and trans risk maps.
If the names are not recognizable, the projects often are. While Kai Jackson may not be a trans household name, TransTape, a technology highlighted in the book, is ubiquitous in most transmasculine communities. The same could be said with the many interviewee names associated with TransLifeline or Plume.
The technologies profiled were diverse, bound by a definition given to Hamison by artist and theorist Sandy Stone in an interview—“Technology is anything that extends your agency”—which in turn had been drawn from media scholar Marshall McCluhan’s 1964 definition of technology as “any extension of ourselves.” Hamison likes Stone’s wording better.
But ultimately, it was Hamison’s job to define the bounds of trans technology. Was it a piece of technology created by a transgender person? Was it a piece of tech used primarily by transgender people? Was it a piece of tech only concerned with “trans things,” whatever those are?
Drawn from his hours of interviews, Hamison proposed there were two definitions of trans technology.
“One is a more practical definition,” he says. “Trans technology is a kind of technology that can help address some of the needs and challenges that trans people and trans communities face.” He explains that these technologies address the practical needs of the trans community, ranging from underemployment to lack of access to healthcare to risk of violence.
That can’t encapsulate everything though. “There’s also this more theoretical definition,” Hamison says. “A lot of the technologies that I talk about in the book are creating these new trans worlds, new possibilities that might not have been possible before thinking about technology and transness together.”
“Transness is about change and transition and crossing over boundaries and borders,” says Hamison. “There are ways that that could apply to technology.”
Hamison argues that trans people and transness bring something unique and powerful to the tech space. “Technology can open up these new possibilities for trans people, but at the same time, trans identity opens up new possibilities for technology and what it means and what it can do.”
As “exciting and big and interesting as this world is,” Hamison emphasizes that the trans-tech space does not fully represent the diversity of the trans community
“It was pretty clear early on in the study that the people who were creating trans technologies were most likely white, highly educated, [and of a] higher socioeconomic status,” he says. “Many of the people I interviewed have Ph.D.s or other types of graduate degrees, and that doesn’t line up with the broader trans population.”
Per the 2020 Transgender Survey, only 18% of trans people have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. This compares to 37.9% of the U.S. population, per the U.S. Census as of 2021.
“A lot of these creators, even people who are creating really amazing things, are creating based on their own experiences,” Hamison explains. “Many trans technologies are more likely to meet the needs of people who are white and highly educated and of higher socioeconomic status.”
He advocates for a community-based design approach that involves the whole of the trans community. “There are some things that are really needed,” he says, citing newer efforts to monitor violence, “They are important because they are coming from what the community needs, not just the more privileged members of the community.”
Though many technologies Hamison researched address with the practical issues of healthcare, employment, and safety, others grapple with the complex, varied emotional experiences of the trans community.
He cites creator Sasha Winter’s “game jams” where videogame developers come together to make and share games under the topics of “trans fucking rage” and “trans joy.” Developers created more than 100 unique video games for the jams, many of which are available for free or cheap download.
“I think this is such a great example of trans technologies more broadly,” Hamison reflects, “All of us hold this rage and joy together at once.”
OLIVER HAMISON (Photo courtesy Hamison)
President of anti-LGBTQ Catholic group nominated for Vatican ambassador
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated the president of an anti-LGBTQ Catholic group to become the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.
The incoming president on Dec. 20 announced he had nominated Brian Burch, president and co-founder of CatholicVote, for the ambassadorship.
“Brian loves the church and the United States,” said Trump on Truth Social. “He will make us all proud.”
Burch on X said he is “deeply honored and humbled to have been nominated by President Trump to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See.”
“The role of ambassador is to represent the government of the United States in its relations with the Holy See,” said Burch. “The Catholic Church is the largest and most important religious institution in the world, and its relationship to the United States is of vital importance.”
“I am committed to working with leaders inside the Vatican and the new administration to promote the dignity of all people and the common good,” he added. “I ook orwar to th confirmation proc ss an th opportunity to continue to serve my country and the church. To God be the glory.”
Burch in his post also thanked his wife, Sara, and their
nine children for their support.
The National Catholic Reporter reported Burch last year sharply criticized Pope Francis’s decision to allow priests to bless same-sex couples.
CatholicVote’s website repeatedly refers to transgender people in quotes.
A Dec. 5 post on the U.S. v. Skrmetti case notes the justices heard oral arguments on “whether Tennessee can protect children from puberty blockers, which chemically sterilize, and sexual surgeries that mutilate and castrate.” A second CatholicVotes post notes the justices grilled the Justice Department “on challenge to Tennessee protections for children against ‘transgender’ mutilations and sterilizations.”
The Vatican’s tone toward LGBTQ and intersex issues has softened since Pope Francis assumed the papacy in 2013.
Francis, among other things, has described laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust.”
He met with two African LGBTQ activists — Clare Byarugaba of Chapter Four Uganda and Rightify Ghana Director Ebenezer Peegah — at the Vatican on Aug. 14. Sister Jeannine Gramick, one of the co-founders of New Ways Ministry, a Maryland-based LGBTQ Catholic organization, organized a meeting between Francis and a group of trans and intersex Catholics and LGBTQ allies that took p ac at th ponti ’s o ficia r si nc on ct 12.
Francis during a 2023 interview with an Argentine newspaper described gender ideology as “one of the most dangerous ideological colonizations” in the world because “it blurs differences and the value of men and women.” A declaration the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released in March with Francis’s appro a con mn g n r a firming surg ri s an “gender theory.”
MICHAEL K. LAVERS
arish y r continu s his fight or T rights
The Indian LGBTQ community has long grappled with syst mic n g ct an soci ta pr u ic s, ut significant victories like the striking down of Section 377 in 2018 and progressive Supreme Court verdicts have sparked hope. Th fight or ua ity n rth ss r mains ar uous
Amid this struggle, Harish Iyer has stood out as a beacon of courage, leading the movement with unwavering commitment and inspiring others to unapologetically embrace their identities.
Iyer, with a slight smile, noted to the Washington Blade during a recent interview that he was born into pri i g s th first ma chi in a patriarcha soci ty, he explained this status came with inherent advantages. Despite being born into privilege, Iyer’s early life was marked by profound challenges.
At just seven years old, he endured and survived a traumatic experience of rape, an event that deeply impacted his childhood. Iyer said he was gang raped at 11, four years after a relative sexually assaulted him. Iyer told the a th s assau ts impact his confi nc “Children go through sexual assault but they do not understand what is happening with them,” said Iyer. “Because they are children, they do not know its language. We do not call a penis a penis, we do not call a vagina, a vagina. I am 45 years of age, and I am talking about 1987 or 1988. People had very little understanding. When you
do not have language to say what it is, you don’t say about it.”
Iyer said it is easier for girls to talk about sexual assault compared to boys, and as a result it was harder for him to sp ak out a so strugg i ing in two wor s n o mora s an airy ta s, an anoth r fi with harships that he tried to mask.
“I opened up about my abuse at 18, after 11 years of continuous trauma,” said Iyer. “That was a different battle altogether. It was 1998-1999, a time with little awareness about child sexual abuse. When I told my parents, my mother understood that a child could be abused. My father, however, was not supportive and didn’t understand what was happening.”
Iyer shared how these events shaped his thoughts, values, and empathy for others facing similar challenges.
At 22, he began to understand his sexuality and came out to his parents as gay. At 40, he realized his gender cou ui an has i ntifi as g n r ui sinc then.
y r shar his strugg s in fin ing a o as an op n y gay man in India’s conservative society. He now works at Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private banks. Iyer said joining the bank was a unique journey — he did not have any other job opportunities at the time.
“I applied for every job on LinkedIn,” said Iyer. “Axis Bank responded. I thought I’d be unhappy there, but I needed the money, so I applied. The process took a long time, but after several interviews, I was selected. During the interviews, I realized I could be myself. People saw me for who I truly am, and that worked wonders.”
“A week after joining, I started pushing boundaries,” h a Th chi human r sourc s o fic r ca m to h r o fic t r our con rsation, sh h m c os an sai , ou shou not ha to fit in who you ar ’ Within six months, we created a charter with policies for the LGBTQ community. It’s called ‘Come As You Are.’”
in n ia
y r to th a that hi uman sourc s ficer Rajkamal Vempati was upset with him.
She felt he was free to express himself at the company, but wasn’t doing so. Iyer said Axis Bank has a dress code policy for employees — one for men, one for women, and one for LGBTQ employees that allows them to choose the gender in which they want to present themselves. He said he never expected to see such inclusion in a private sector bank in India before joining Axis Bank. n th thir anni rsary o th upr m ourt’s 201 ruling that struck down Section 377, the provision of the country’s penal code that criminalized consensual samesex sexual relations, Axis Bank in 2021 introduced policies and a charter for the LGBTQ community. Iyer, a longtim T acti ist, continu s to fight or ua rights sai is ank cam th first pri at ank in nia to sp cifica y w com custom rs rom th T community.
“I was invited by the Social Justice Ministry for a consultation on LGBTQ+ rights,” noted Iyer. “During the discussion, it was proposed that all banks in India should open their doors to the LGBTQ+ community.”
Iyer was one of those who challenging Section 377.
The Supreme Court struck down the colonial-era law on Sept. 6, 2018. Iyer was also a plaintiff in Supriyo v. Union of India, which sought legal recognition of samesex marriages in India. The Supreme court heard this case in 2023.
“Culture is an evolving phenomenon,” said Iyer. “It is not static. As culture evolves, we as people need to evolve. I would like to believe that my organization is always evolving and we will get better.”
y r to th a h o sn’t ha a sp cific gam p an or th utur s on o is ank’s promin nt figures, however, he feels LGBTQ people are equal citizens in India.
ANKUSH KUMAR
BRIAN BURCH (Screen capture via The Catholic Professional/YouTube)
HARISH IYER (Photo courtesy of Harish Iyer)
GLYN T. DAVIES
MICHAEL HAROLD
MARCIA V. MAYO
QUINN PEEPER
PETER ROSENSTEIN
is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.
• 15 individual units for single occupancy in communal living
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SCHEDULE A TOUR
Have a happy Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa Enjoy the season before Trump’s return to D.C.
This year we will do the unusual — celebrate the first night of Hanukkah on Christmas Day, and the first day of Kwanzaa on Dec. 26. I hope whichever holiday you celebrate it will have brought you all you could ever want.
We are living in a difficult world to say the least. We will have a convicted felon, found liable for sexual assault, a racist and homophobe, and who finds good things about Hitler, as our president come the new year. We will all have to deal with the crazy things he does, and the unqualified nuts he is nominating to his Cabinet. So, before we have to face all that in real time, let us take a moment to enjoy our friends and family (those we were born into, and those we choose).
Let’s take this time of the year to be thankful for all we have, and to think about, and do something, for all those who may not be as fortunate as we are. Doing something can include volunteering your time, and/or donating to an organization whose work you support. There are so many organizations out there whose efforts are important to support. There are national and international organizations like UNICEF and the Red Cross. Then there is the World Central Kitchen founded by Chef José Andrés, which feeds the hungry in areas recovering from natural disasters, and in war zones like Gaza. You can donate to the Trevor Project to ensure members of the LGBTQ community continue to have a place to turn to in times of crisis. You can donate to SMYAL in the DMV to help young people in the LGBTQ community in our area find housing, friends, and peace of mind. Then there is Whitman-Walker Health, which helps the LGBTQ community to achieve better health. There are organizations to help women and children across the spectrum when they find themselves in need of a helping hand. I have always found helping someone else in some way, makes me feel better. That may sound selfish, but I urge you to try it.
The reality is, helping others should not stop you from living your best life. I have always believed you can do both at the same time. Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are a time to take stock of your own life. To remember all the good things god has brought you, and there is no reason not to enjoy them to the fullest. Think about all the fun you have had in the past year, and then plan for more in the future. If you can afford to travel, do that. Getting a better understanding of the world will only help you to better understand the people around you. It may be just trying to get a better balance between your work life and your private time. It could be planning more time with friends and family. Going to the movies or a show. Out to dinner or cooking at home with friends. It may be joining a new group and making some new friends. Maybe a book club or a sports organization if you are so inclined. Maybe sign up for a course and try to learn something new. We are never too old to learn new things.
As we sit together at our holiday table, or in our church, synagogue, or mosque, let us remember no matter how difficult we think life is at the moment for us in the United States, those in many countries have it so much more difficult. Those living in Syria, Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. Those living in other danger zones not of their own making, who are suffering every day, whose lives are at risk every day. For all the ills, or perceived ills, in our country, we are not ducking bombs and reacting to air raid sirens each day. Again, while there are those in our country not feeling it, we do live in the best economy and the richest country in the world. So here at home we need to all strive to make things more equal in so many ways, and each of us needs to figure out how we can do that.
So, during this holiday season let us all pray for peace and prosperity for all. Pray for an end to war and for the people of the world to recognize there is good in everyone.
is a writer based in the D.C. area. He is a transgender man and was featured in National Geographic’s “Gender Revolution” documentary. s r s on th oar o th T mocrats o irginia ontact him at isaac am n 5 gmai com or on nstagram at it ratipapi
Navigating male friendships as a trans man
Cis guys conditioned to chat about poker, women, football
It’s uncommon for a columnist in any publication to write about navigating friendships, but I feel the need to talk about navigating male friendships as a transgender man. In doing so, I will highlight what is wrong with men these days — and what is not wrong — and I can pinpoint various areas where masculinity still remains toxic, and areas where it doesn’t.
h n first start transitioning to a man hat a cisg n r m n th y w r th bane of my existence. I was conditioned to hate cis men because they historically were the ones who repressed trans people. I found though, that when I went on testosterone and started passing as a man all the time, that people suddenly expected me to be nice to cisgender men and to be friends with them.
s a trans man, t m iss ct what it’s ik to fin th right guy ri n t’s first tak a ook at a m n t’s say, or instanc , that 0 o m n ar transpho ic to som gr u n y, am ac with on y making ri n s with 0 o th s r maining m n ut o th s 0 of men, some will not have the same hobbies as me, share the same interests, share the sam ucationa ackgroun , or in th sam ag rack t as m n y 5 o th s m n ar simi ar to m in som way shap or orm th y might ik it ratur , th y might smart, they might have traveled to many countries, they might also have a twin, and they might be roughly the same age, or work in the same industry.
I have had many cis men as friends. But even among those woke, non-transphobic men, th r ar a w issu s that aris Th first is that ha a i ficu t tim ta king a out any surg ri s with th m or a out my ottom ysphoria n this sam in, it is i ficu t to ta k to them about anything trans-related, because trans-related issues do not conform to cisg n r cu tur ’ oun that n th most w m aning, progr ssi m n fin ta king about something like dysphoria awkward. Cisgender men are conditioned to make small talk about the NBA, poker, women, and football.
Perhaps I take issue with how all cisgender men are socialized, then. I’ve found that cisgender, straight men are conditioned to not talk about their emotions or have conversations about love or sex. As a former woman these types of conversations were very commonplace, either in the Yale women cross country’s locker room or in small group settings with female roommates.
t is har to fin a man who can ta k to a out transpho ia or ottom ysphoria n that note, the best “male” friends I have in the current day are actually cisgender men who ar s cr t y trans wom n t’s shocking, at first, to arn that my c os ri n rom co g is secretly a trans woman. But then it’s enlightening, and it makes sense why they were so comfortable with me being trans to begin with. It’s sad, though, that the only “men” I feel the closest to are those who secretly don’t want to be men. It’s not sad in the sense that I don’t want th m to transition ry it o m wants th m to transition ut it’s sa that can’t g t close to other cis men in the same way.
Most of the men I’ve talked about in this piece are straight, cis men, and I have neglected to speak about gay or queer cis men. In a previous piece for the Blade, I spoke of issues in gay men’s culture. I’ve found that there are many cisgender gay men who mean well for trans men, but that in another regard, a lot of cis gay men are socialized to cast social judgments and prioritize being skinny and fashionable instead of developing genuine ri n ships, sp cia y wh n th y ar in th ir 20s an 0s nst a , ’ gra itat towar being friends with straight men mainly because I also harbor an attraction to women, and I do, admittedly, like to occasionally make raunchy and lewd jokes, and I feel less judged by straight m n uch a stat m nt may com across as o , ut th truth is that ha ry few gay male friends.
n any nt, iss cting ma ri n ships as a trans man is i ficu t an mu ti ac t , ut worth it nonetheless. As a trans man, it’s fascinating to study other men, and in particular the ways in which they maintain, or don’t maintain, friendships. I am eternally perplexed by how some men make jokes and cut others out of friendship circles, but also happy that, at the end of the day, both straight and queer cisgender men can be accepting of someone like me.
so to r sist
10 ways to fight Trump’s attacks in th w ar
By SEBASTIAN FORTINO
As LGBTQ Americans prepare for the arrival of the Trump administration and its promised attacks on our community, consider making some New Year’s resolutions to assist in r sisting r ar 10 ways to ight ack in 2025
#10 Join your local equality group. Each state has its own equality group. om ar mor ro ust than oth ers. Some need more help than others. For example, if you live full or part-time in Florida, consider donating your time or money to ua ity ori a in 2025 oca y, th r ar ro ust ua ity groups in Maryland and Virginia and multiple organizations in D.C., including the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community and the Capital Stonewall Democrats.
#9 Donate to a national legal group. As the Trump administration prepares to attack the LGBTQ community, our national legal groups are already at work strategizing a response. From marriage equality to trans military service, our rights will assuredly come under attack in the next few years. am a ga an th ation a nt r or s ian ights ar two of our most prominent legal groups working now to thwart thos attacks
them. See if there are any LGBTQ groups in local schools that need anything from T shirts to ri ags or o unt r to s r as a m ntor
#4 House our youth. According to the True Colors Fund, a non-profit working to n hom ssn ss among T youth, som 0 o ki s on th str ts identify as queer. With America faced with another four years of a decidedly anti-queer administration we hope that percentage won’t increase. If you can, consider fostering or even just mentoring an LGBTQ t n
#8 Subscribe to alternative and niche media. With the Washington Post, LA Times, and even MSNBC kowtowing to Trump, it’s more important than ever to support alternative media. And, of course, don’t forget the Washington Blade and your local LGBTQ n wspap rs you ar a usin ss own r mak sur you a rtis with your oca out ts an work with a gay ri n y cham r o comm rc
#7 Traveling this year? h ck out T community c nt rs, cham rs o commerce, and directories specific to where you are visiting. “We are everywhere” an n i you ar isiting a rura community you may surpris to in an T community c nt r that can r comm n u r own usin ss s wh r you can o g , at, shop, an w com upporting u r own usin ss s mak s a pow r u po itica stat m nt
#6 Support LGBTQ bookstores. Th num r o u r ookstor s is, sa y, win ing n y a w citi s can oast ha ing at ast on s th r a u r c ntric tit you want onsi r or ring on in ir ct y rom an T ookstor
#5 Don’t forget our youth. Coming out and living authentically is far easier now than or pr ious g n rations o young u r p op ow r, with con servatives vowing to dismantle DEI initiatives in government and corporations we n to r min T youth an stu nts that th r is a s at at our ta or
#3 Become your very own lobbyist. Contact your LGBTQ-friendly political leaders and let them know how you feel a out gis ation ing pr s nt or initiated against our community. Is your representative or mayor anti-gay? Email, call, send hardcopy letters letting them know you are not happy with how your local and national tax dollars are ing sp nt against you ost on social media whenever you can. If you live in a rural area consider starting a social media group to keep each other updated on issues. (Yes, even on that app that is now known y th 25th tt r o th a pha t
#2 Don’t forget our LGBTQ seniors and elders. Our LGBTQ seniors are often isolated or disenfranchised due to health, moi ity, acc ss to hic s, incom , and other disparities younger people may not experience. The next administration may further negate their happiness or access to community. Donate your time i possi n i it’s ust isiting with an r y T p rson own th ock who recently lost their partner. Mow their lawn, take them to their doctors, invite th m o r to inn r parti s or ar cu s you shar with p op your own ag Become a friend. Learn something.
#1 Practice self-care. What calms you down, what makes you feel safe? Do it! Is it a day at the spa, an hour with a mental healthcare worker, or even a massage? Do you turn off your phone and take a long walk with your dog? Do you pump up th u y ar an or ak h ars a um s it m ting ri n s at your a orit gay ar or runch spot to nt a out po itica issu s Tak up knitting, pick up thos rawing p nci s again, arn Tai hi n sum, o a th things in a ho y or istraction or pursuit to mak s ns o th p ct angst o th n t our y ars n ast y on’t os hop ach out to that st gay ri n you w nt through your 20s with you ar in your 20s t your p rs know how you’r ing our community is h r or you you ar in crisis an n imm iat h p, ca th national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
President-elect DONALD TRUMP has promised an array of anti-LGBTQ attacks in his new administration, particularly targeting the trans community. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
CALENDAR |
By TINASHE CHINGARANDE
Friday, December 27
GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for meeting new people and making new friends in a casual, facilitated environment. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, December 28
GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ 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 29
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 cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Coffee & Conversation” at 6 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy an evening of Italian-style dining and conversation with other LGBTQ+ folk on the enclosed front patio. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, December 30
GoGay DC will host “Out and About in Shirlington LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Palette 22. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy an evening of Italian-style dining and conversation with other LGBTQ+ folk on the enclosed front patio. Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, December 31
DC Gay Girls Plus will host “New Queer’s Eve” at 9 p.m. at Number Nine. There will be an exclusive upstairs space, tarot readings and a midnight champagne toast. DJ Sunnii will perform. Gold attire is encouraged. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, January 01
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-confi nc , moti ation, r si i nc an pro ucti ity or c tive job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email centercareers@thedccenter.org or visit www.thedccenter.org/ careers.
Thursday, January 02
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org or call 202-682-2245.
OUT & ABOUT
MIXTAPE returns Jan. 4
“MIXTAPE with DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn” will be on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 p.m. at the Atlantis.
This event is D.C.’s legendary LGBTQ dance party. Founded in 2008 by DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn, MIXTAPE quickly became a staple of the city’s queer nightlife, bringing together a vibrant crowd of music lovers, dancers, and everyone in between. Known for its eclectic blend of indie, house, nudisco, and throwbacks, MIXTAPE creates a unique, inclusive experience that brings people back to the dance floor time and again. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the Atlantis website.
SHEA VAN HORN and MATT BAILER are back with Mixtape. (Photo
by David Claypool/Kalorama Photography)
A star performance shines at the heart of ‘Emilia Pérez’
A breathtaking high point in trans visibility on the big screen
By JOHN PAUL KING
If all you know about “Emilia Pérez” going into it is that it began life as the libretto for an opera, it might better prepare you than any mere description of its plot.
That’s because veteran French writer/director Jacques Audiard’s latest work (which premiered at Cannes in 2024 to a lengthy standing ovation and is now streaming on Netfix) is a larger-than-life affair fueled by yearning, passion, irony and fate. Its twists and turns might seem like outlandish melodrama but for its focus on the nuanced inner lives of its characters; that it accomplishes this focus through music – like opera – feels almost a mere coincidence of form, because the tale it unfolds would be as operatic as “Tosca” even if there were not a single note of music on the soundtrack.
There is plenty of music, though. In fact, though it’s a movie for which the overused description “genre-defying” could easily have been invented, “Emilia Pérez” can safely be called a musical; it’s driven through songs by French avant garde vocalist Camille and a score by composer Clément Duco, performed onscreen by its cast and accompanied by visually stunning choreographed sequences by Damien Jalet throughout the story – and it’s quite a story.
Using a gifted but struggling lawyer – Rita (Zoe Saldaña) – as an entry point for the audience, Audiard takes us with her into the dark underworld of a Mexican drug empire when she is summoned to meet with a powerful cartel kingpin named “Manitas” (Karla Sofía Gascón), who is seeking a gender reassignment surgery and is both willing and able to pay her a life-changing sum of money to arrange it. It’s an offer she can’t refuse (yes, literally), and she succeeds in securing a doctor (Mark Inavir) who – after being convinced of the patient’s sincerity – agrees to do the job; she also handles the awkward business of convincing her employer’s wife Jessi (Selena Gomez) and their children of “his” death and moving them to Switzerland to protect them from former rivals who might target them.
That saga, which might easily be enough to fuel an entire flm by itself, is only the frst chapter of an epic journey which then jumps forward several years to fnd Rita surprised by the reappearance of Manitas - now comfortably living as the Emilia of the title – and her new desire to reunite with her children. She decides to help, beginning a genuine friendship with the former drug lord which eventually blossoms into a redemptive campaign to help the families of missing loved ones lost to cartel violence – even as the emotional baggage of a carefully-hidden past (and the ghosts of a former identity still struggling for dominance) begin to reassert themselves within the authentic new life Emilia has tried to build, threatening to drag both women down in a fnal, desperate power play that could cost them both their lives.
Almost literary in the grand scale of its ambition, “Emilia Pérez” packs so much into its narrative that it feels much longer than its two-and-a-quarter hour runtime – but not because it drags. On the contrary, its plot advances quickly, thanks in part to the powerful blend of musical and cinematic storytelling; it’s the richness and density of its emotional terrain, marked by both the dramatic landscapes of our primal urges and the delicate beauty of our noblest aspirations, that makes it seem
epic, a sense of containing so much that it requires more space in our mind, perhaps, than it does time to convey it all. Audiard deftly uses broad strokes to heighten our experience, blending them with a feather-light touch that allows the subtleties of its “colors” to emerge with equal clarity, and draws on a mastery of the medium gained both from growing up as the son of a flmmaker and a nearly four-decade career behind the camera in his own right. The result is a near-kaleidoscopic modern-day fable – steeped in the dappled beauty of Paul Guilhaume’s cinematography – that remains frmly tethered to humanity, even as the story moves toward a denouement that feels almost mythic in stature.
While Audiard is undeniably the unifying force which allows “Emilia Pérez” to achieve its heights, it’s also a flm whose success or failure hinges on its key performers –with the title role, in all its contradictory grandeur, standing out as the essential lynch pin. Gascón flls Emilia’s shoes magnifcently, not only proving what is possible when a trans actor is allowed to bring the full authenticity of their lived experience to a trans character, but revealing a breathtaking talent that transcends the shallow irrelevance of gender distinctions when it comes to valuing an artist’s gifts. Already making history by earning Gascón the frst Golden Globe nomination for a Best Leading Actress award, it’s a performance that feels like a landmark from her frst appearance – as the pre-transition Manitas, a gold grille on his teeth and a coiled menace in his gruff-but-intelligent voice – and only enthralls us more as she takes the character through her epic journey.
Though she is the movie’s natural anchor, she’s joined by a trio of female co-stars that match her every step of the way. Saldaña, given top billing as the flm’s biggest “name,” earns that distinction with an intelligent,
vulnerable performance that showcases her own skills yet never threatens to overshadow Gascón’s, and Gomez steps confdently into her role while still projecting a nervous fragility that keeps the character from losing our empathy. Rounding out the ensemble is Adriana Paz, as a woman who opens up Emilia to the unexpected possibility of love in her life. Together, these four performers were awarded Best Actress Prize as an ensemble at Cannes, where the flm also won the festival’s prestigious Grand Jury Prize.
Since that auspicious debut, “Emilia Pérez” has gathered numerous other accolades, becoming a staple on critics’ “Best of the Year” lists and looking more like an Academy Award hopeful every day – especially in light of its 10 nominations at the Golden Globes. Inevitably, that places its “transness” (both that of its story and of its leading lady) squarely into the public spotlight, since it will doubtless be a point of discussion come Oscar time.
As to that, it might be argued that Audiard’s flm does not provide the most relatable trans representation by making its lead character a cartel boss, or that its story doesn’t really address issues of everyday trans experience – though we would counter that point by observing that one of the goals of queer inclusion in flms is for queer characters to appear within stories that are not necessarily in themselves about being queer. In any case, there’s no denying that Gascón’s star turn is a breathtaking high point in trans visibility on the big screen, and mostly for its dedication to revealing Emilia’s layered humanity – something informed by her transness, to be sure, but not defned by it.
In any case, whether you come to “Emilia Pérez” for its transness or you don’t, it’s a refreshingly unorthodox piece of flmmaking that will leave you dazzled, and that matters more than all the awards in the world.
ZOE SALDAÑA stars in ‘Emilia Pérez.’ (Image courtesy of Netfix)
Cher’s memoir a funny, profane take on celebrity
‘Part
One’ focuses on childhood, abandonment
By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
Mother knows best.
t ast that’s what sh ’ ik you to think caus sh sai it a hun r tim s whi you w r growing up, unti you actua y i n ay, though, i you w r ucky, you arn that oth r i n’t a ways know st, ut sh i h r st ik in th n w ook h r Th moir art n y h r, wh n om h p mak a star
Though sh o sn’t r m m r it, itt h ry arkisian sp nt a w w ks in a atho ic hariti s orphanag wh n she was tiny, because her father had disappeared and her moth r cou n’t a or to tak car o h r h ry , y th way, was th nam on h r irth c rtificat , a though h r moth r m ant to nam h r h ri yn
That first tim wasn’t th ast tim itt h r was t with som on oth r than h r moth r, acki an, a auti u , ta nt strugg ing sing r actr ss who’ n orn into po rty an stay th r much o h r i h n mon y was tight, sh t mporari y ropp h r aught r o with ri n s or ami y, or th itt ami y mo rom hous to hous an stat to stat ong th way, r ocating in an out o a i ornia ga h r opportuniti s to act, sing, an to arn th art o p r ormanc , which is what sh o st
n th m antim , acki an marri an marri again, fi or si hus an s in a sh chang h r nam to orgia, work in th mo i s an on T , an sh ga h r a itt sist r, mo th ami y again, an o o s, an i what it took to k p th ights on s h r gr w up in th sha ow o h r g amorous mothr, sh gain a it o g am h rs , coming sassy an in p n nt, an pron to s paration an i ty, which sh blamed on her abandonment as a small child. In her mothr’s sha ow, sh ’ a ways n surroun y mo i an T stars an , taking acting c ass s, sh m t n mor n th n sh m t a ator onny ono, who was a ri n or h was a o r o, h r ’s th ry, ry happy surpris h r Th moir art n is a ownright un book to read.
you’ r s n author h r in int r i ws or on at night T , what you saw is what you g t h r a ac truth, sarcastic humor, sass, an no pity partying h t s a goo story, n ing this ook with h r nasc nt mo i car r, an sh a s r a rs hanging in anticipation o th stori s sh ’ t in h r n t ook
Th oth r happy surpris is that this m moir isn’t ust a out h r h r sp n s a goo amount o th first ha writing a out h r moth r an h r gran moth r, oth comp icat wom n who ought to k p th ir h a s an thos o th ir o spring a o wat r a rs ookingtween the lines will be enthralled.
ur y, h r Th moir art n is a an’s ight, ut it’s a so a gr at m moir or anyon who particu ar y o s th g nr an o sn’t min a it o pro anity that’s you, th n you got this, a
| $36 | 413 pages
‘Cher: The Memoir Part One’ By Cher c.2024, Dey St.
ark ity a mountain ha n o T inc usi ity
tah
g
taway hosting two T ski nts in coming months
By JOEY AMATO
Nestled in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, Park City is a gem for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and those seeking a world-class dining and relaxation experience. Originally a silver mining town, it has evolved into one of the most popular destinations in the United States, offering not just world-class ski resorts and summer outdoor activiti s, ut a so a rich n o cu tur , fin ining, an isur h th r you ar p anning a winter getaway, visiting the renowned Sundance Film Festival, or just a weekend escape, Park City offers something for everyone. Among the many things that make it a premier destination are events like the Park City Wine Fest. ark ity in st is a pr mi r nt that raws win o rs rom across th country annua y, this mu ti ay sti a is a c ration o fin win s rom aroun th globe, paired with the breathtaking backdrop of the mountains. The event is perfect for both wine connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike, offering something for every palate.
The Wine Fest is not just about tasting a wide variety of wines; it also showcases local cuisine, with restaurants and chefs from Park City presenting gourmet dishes that complement the wines. Wine education is another key aspect of the event, with seminars led by sommeliers, winemakers, and wine experts who share their knowledge on everything from pairing wine with food to understanding different wine regions.
The festival is a true highlight in Park City’s event calendar, combining the beauty of the location with a sophisticated, yet relaxed vibe. Attendees can explore a variety of experiences, including scenic mountain hikes paired with wine tastings, grand tastings at the base of Park City Mountain Resort, and intimate, wine-paired dinners, like the one I attended at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria. The Rustic Reds dinner was a wonderfully sophisticated wine-paired feast led by Wine Academy of Utah’s Jim Santangelo. The fi cours m a gan with a icious amus ouch o ow y tartar , ni sa a , fi t mignon an choco at cak , ach pair p r ct y with a g ass o win hand selected by Santangelo. or thos who appr ciat fin ining, ark ity is hom to a ari ty o outstan ing r staurants, with g t akhous ing on o th st ocat in th stgat ark City Resort & Spa, Edge Steakhouse blends traditional steakhouse fare with an innovative approach to cooking. Known for its exceptional service, high-quality cuts of meat, and fresh seafood, this restaurant offers a dining experience that is both luxurious and satisfying.
What sets Edge Steakhouse apart is its attention to detail. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of cuts, from Wagyu beef to dry-aged steaks, all expertly prepared to
p r ction itiona y, g o rs an t nsi win ist, making it asy to fin th perfect pairing for your meal. The combination of excellent food, a sophisticated atmosphere, and top-notch service has earned Edge Steakhouse numerous awards and recognitions, making it a must-visit for any foodie in Park City.
o isit to ark ity wou comp t without a stop at igh st isti ry, th first ga y ic ns isti ry in tah sinc rohi ition igh st o rs a uni u prience, blending the old-world charm of the American West with modern-day distilling techniques. Located in the heart of downtown Park City, High West is known for its award-winning whiskeys, but it’s also a fantastic place to grab a bite to eat.
High West’s rustic atmosphere is part of its charm, and the distillery offers a range of whiskey varieties, from smooth bourbons to bold ryes, all made using time-honored methods. In addition to tastings, visitors can take tours of the distillery to learn about the history of whiskey-making in Utah and the art of distillation. I had the chance to attend an elegant Woodland Masquerade at the distillery in Wanship, a quick 20-minute drive from Park City. The event contained entertainment, delicious food and of course whiskey.
Park City isn’t just about great food and drinks – it’s also a haven for those looking to r a an r charg n o th stan out o ging options in ark ity is T ark ity, a modern mountain resort located in the heart of Canyons Village. LIFT offers luxury accommodations with a contemporary design, providing guests with all the comforts of home while being just steps away from world-class skiing, hiking, and biking trails.
LIFT Park City is designed with both relaxation and adventure in mind. The resort features spacious residences with fully equipped kitchens, private balconies, and stunning i ws o th mountains u sts can n oy th out oor poo , fitn ss c nt r, an oth r amenities that make it easy to unwind after a day of exploring.
Speaking of relaxing, after a day of outdoor activities, there’s no better way to unwind than with a visit to Serenity Spa. Located within the Westgate Park City Resort & Spa, Serenity Spa offers a wide range of treatments designed to soothe both body and mind. From massages and facials to body wraps and aromatherapy, the spa’s expert therapists provide personalized treatments that leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The spa’s tranquil atmosphere is the perfect antidote to the stresses of everyday life. With its serene decor, calming scents, and peaceful music, Serenity Spa creates a truly relaxing environment where guests can escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Whether you’re indulging in a full day of pampering or just popping in for a quick treatment, Serenity Spa offers a luxurious retreat that will leave you feeling revitalized.
or thos s king a co y an casua ining p ri nc , a T rigo is a oca a orit This family-owned restaurant is known for its delicious Italian-inspired dishes, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Located on Main Street in downtown Park City, Cafe Terigo has a charming, rustic atmosphere that makes it a perfect spot for a leisurely lunch or dinner.
The menu at Cafe Terigo features a variety of Italian and Mediterranean dishes, from woo fir pi as to hous ma pastas Th r staurant is a so known or its cr ati salads, seafood dishes, and delectable desserts. Whether you’re in the mood for a light bite or a hearty meal, Cafe Terigo’s menu offers something for everyone.
ark ity is hom to not on , ut two gay ski w ks Th first, ation tah tak s place Feb. 19-23, 2025, and features Après-ski events, dance parties and casual meetups that raw att n s rom aroun th country u r ki wi tak p ac rom arch 1 25 an is a known to mor o a oca i nt rawing T in i i ua s rom the region.
s my tim in ark ity cam to an n , cou n’t h p ut r ct on th town’s unique charm and diversity of experiences. From the adrenaline of skiing down powdery slopes to the peacefulness of a sunset hike, Park City captures the essence of adventure and tranquility in equal measure. The warmth of its local community, combined with its breathtaking natural beauty, makes this mountain town a place you’ll want to return to again and again.
ur fina ning consist o th ariti s s r s tasting at in o g had the chance to sample a wonderful selection of small-batch and boutique wines from around the country in the most wonderful setting, high atop a mountain. It was the perfect way to end a perfect trip discovering Park City. Whether you’re a ski enthusiast or a nature lover, Park City should be on your list of places to explore.
Enjoy the Journey!
Park City, Utah is home to ski week events in February and March.
HOLIDAY HOURS: CHRISTMAS EVE: 9AM-3PM | CHRISTMAS DAY: CLOSED
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Wig Night!
Trade hosts wig-themed party
fundraiser
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Wig Night! was held at Trade on Friday. The event raised money for G.L.I.T.S. and featured local artist vendors.
Freddie’s Follies
Destiny B. Childs hosts show at Arlington Beach Bar
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday. Performers included Destiny B. Childs, Monet Dupree, Sasha Adams Sanchez, Jasmine Blue and MaKayla Starr.
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