Washington Blade, Volume 56, Issue 12, March 21, 2025

Rep. Garcia on threat of Trump, Musk — and the need to resist, PAGE 10

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Suspect pleads guilty to drug sale that led to deaths of two D.C. gay men

Prosecutors say defendant sold victim fentanyl instead of ketamine

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

A D.C. man pleaded guilty on March 14 in federal court to conspiracy related charges that he distributed large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine in the D.C. metropolitan area, including the sale of fentanyl that resulted in the December 2023 deaths of two D.C. gay men.

A statement released by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia says Jevaughn “Ledo” Mark, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

He is scheduled to be sentenced June 13 by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya S. Chutkan.

The March 14 statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office says Mark was initially charged in an indictment with eight counts of unlawful distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, and distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl between January and March of 2024.

“On June 13, 2024, Jevaughn Mark was charged in a second superseding indictment in connection with distributing fentanyl and cocaine on December 26, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of two men, Brandon Roman and Robert Barletta, at their home in Northwest Washington,” the statement says.

“Pursuant to the plea agreement, Mark admitted to

causing the death of both individuals by selling ‘ketamine’ (which was actually fentanyl) to one victim who shared the drugs with the other victim,” the U.S. Attorney’s statement says. “Both men were found unresponsive the day after Mark sold them the ‘ketamine,’” according to the statement.

Roman, 38, a prominent D.C. attorney and LGBTQ rights advocate, and Barletta, 28, a historic preservation expert and home renovation business owner, were found unconscious when police and emergency medical personnel responded to a 911 call and arrived at Barletta’s home on Dec. 27, 2023, according to police and fire department reports.

The reports show Roman was declared deceased at the scene and Barletta was taken to the Washington Hospital Center, where he died on Dec. 29, 2023.

Both men were patrons at D.C. gay bars and their passing prompted many in the LGBTQ community to call for stepped up prevention services related to drug overdose cases.

At the time Mark was indicted on drug distribution charges in June 2024, prosecutors said undercover D.C. police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents posing as drug buyers approached Mark during their in-

vestigation to purchase Ketamine, which is known on the street as Special K, the U.S. Attorney’s office said in an earlier statement.

“In each instance, the DEA/MPD agents requested to buy ‘Special K’ or Ketamine from Jevaughn Mark,” the earlier statement says. “In every instance, Jevaughn Mark supplied a mixture of fentanyl and other substances, including heroin, but not ketamine,” it says.

That report of Mark’s distribution of fentanyl rather than the requested drug of ketamine prompted an official with the D.C.-based group HIPS, which provides services to drug users and sex workers, to call the deaths of Roman and Barletta a “poisoning” rather than an “overdose.”

Court records show Mark has been held without bond since the time of his indictment and arrest in June 2024.

Town nightclub lawsuit against landlord dismissed in September

Court records show action was by mutual consent

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

A lawsuit filed in April 2024 by Town 2.0, the company that planned to reopen the popular LGBTQ nightclub Town in a former church on North Capitol Street that accused its landlord of failing to renovate the building as required by a lease agreement was dismissed in a little-noticed development on Sept. 6, 2024.

An attorney familiar with civil litigation who spoke to the Washington Blade on condition of not being identified said a stipulation of dismissal indicates the two parties reached a settlement to terminate the lawsuit on conditions that are always confidential and not included in court records.

terms of the lease and later filed a countersuit charging Town 2.0 with violating its requirements under the lease, which the countersuit claimed included doing its own required part of the renovation work in the building, which is more than 100 years old.

A document filed in D.C. Superior Court, where the lawsuit was filed against Jemal’s Sanctuary LLC, the company that owns the church building, shows that a “Stipulation of Dismissal With Prejudice” was jointly filed by the attorneys representing the two parties in the lawsuit and approved by the judge.

Jemal’s Sanctuary is a subsidiary of the Douglas Development Corporation, one of the city’s largest real estate development firms.

The attorney who spoke with the Blade said the term “with prejudice” means the lawsuit cannot be re-filed again by either of the two parties.

The public court records for this case do not include any information about a settlement or the terms of such a settlement. However, the one-sentence Stipulation Of Dismissal With Prejudice addresses the issue of payment of legal fees.

“Pursuant to Rule 41(a) of the District of Columbia Superior Court Civil Rules, Plaintiff Town 2.0 LLC and Defendant Jemal’s Sanctuary LLC, by and through their undersigned counsel, hereby stipulate that the lawsuit be dismissed in its entirety, with prejudice, as to any and all claims and counterclaims asserted therein, with each party to bear its own fees and costs, including attorneys’ fees.”

The Town 2.0 lawsuit called for the termination of the lease and at least $450,000 in damages on grounds that Jemal’s Sanctuary violated the terms of the lease by failing to complete renovation work on the building that was required to be completed by a Sept. 1, 2020 “delivery date.”

In response to the lawsuit, attorneys for Jemal’s Sanctuary filed court papers denying the company violated the

Court records show Judge Maurice A. Ross, who presided over the case, dismissed the countersuit at the request of Town 2.0 on Aug. 20, 2024, on grounds that it was filed past the deadline of a three-year statute of limitations for filing such a claim.

Neither the owners of Town 2.0, their attorney, nor the attorney representing Jemal’s Sanctuary responded to a request by the Washington Blade for comment on the mutual dismissal of the lawsuit.

Town 2.0 co-owner John Guggenmos, who also owns with his two business partners the D.C. gay bars Trade and Number Nine, did not respond to a question asking if he and his partners plan to open Town 2.0 at another location. What was initially known as Town Danceboutique operated from 2007 to 2018 in a large, converted warehouse building on 8th Street, N.W., just off Florida Avenue. It was forced to close when the building’s owner sold it to a developer who built a residential building in its place.

It was the last of the city’s large LGBTQ dance hall nightclubs that once drew large crowds, included live entertainment, and often hosted fundraising events for LGBTQ community organizations and causes.

Shakers posted this Instagram message about a celebration of life for  BRANDON ROMAN and  ROBBIE BARLETTA held last year.

The former St. Phillips Baptist Church at 1001 North Capitol St., N.E., was slated to be the new home of Town 2.0. (Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro Jr.)

Senate passes bill to avert $1.1 billion cut to D.C. budget

Bipartisan effort prompts Dems to back GOP funding measure

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Senate at 6:30 p.m. last Friday passed a free-standing bill proposed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) that calls for amending the Republican-backed budget reconciliation measure to add language eliminating the measure’s call for a $1.1 billion cut in the D.C. budget.

Schumer’s announcement on the Senate floor that the bill, which was introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), had bipartisan support prompted eight other Democratic senators and one independent to join Schumer in voting for a motion enabling the GOPbacked budget measure to clear a Democratic filibuster requiring 60 votes to overcome.

The cloture motion to end the filibuster passed by a close margin of 62 to 38, with 37 Democrats who strongly opposed the GOP budget measure voting against cloture. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the only GOP senator to vote against cloture.

The Senate then voted along partisan lines to approve the budget reconciliation measure that still includes the $1.1 billion D.C. budget cut provision in an action that averted a federal government shutdown that would have begun at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 15.

Schumer pointed out in the Senate debate over the budget measure that the U.S. House of Representatives, which approved the budget measure containing the $1.1 billion D.C. budget cut four days earlier, will now also have to vote on the freestanding bill exempting D.C. from the House-initiated budget cut when it returns from its recess on March 24.

According to Schumer and others supporting the Collins bill, the bill enjoys bipartisan support in the House, which some political observers say is expected to pass the bill.

The Senate passed the Collins bill by voice vote

without a roll call vote being taken after the Senate approved the budget reconciliation measure.

The House budget reconciliation bill passed March 11 broke from longtime past practices for budget bills by declaring D.C. a federal agency and subjecting it to what D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowler and city officials called an unjustified city budget cut that would have a “devastating” impact on D.C. residents.

The unexpected budget cut, if not reversed now by the House, would require the city to make large scale cuts in its current fiscal year 2025 budget that would impact a wide range of city programs, including programs impacting the LGBTQ community, according to observers.

In his remarks on the Senate floor, Schumer said he agreed with his Democratic colleagues who voted against the cloture motion that the GOP backed budget conciliation bill, which is backed by President Donald Trump, is a bad bill that will be harmful to the country.

“For sure the Republican bill is a terrible option,” Schumer said on the Senate Floor on Thursday. “But I believe allowing Donald Trump to take … much more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option,” the Washington Post quoted him as saying.

Among those who chose not to join Schumer in voting for cloture to end the filibuster and allow the GOP budget measure to be approved were U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the Senate’s only openly lesbian member, and the two Democratic senators from Maryland and Virginia.

But each of them spoke out strongly in favor of the Collins bill to exempt D.C. from the $1.1 billion budget cut.

D.C. officials had initially asked senators to amend the budget reconciliation measure itself to take out the provision calling for the D.C. budget cut. But such an amendment would have been far less likely to pass, and it would have required the House to approve it. With a House vote on that not likely to happen until March 24, the deadline would have been missed to avoid a government shutdown.

Although Collins introduced the freestanding bill in cooperation with Schumer and with strong support from U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Senate observers believe the Collins bill would not have received as much support from Senate Republicans if Schumer had not worked out a deal with Senate GOP leaders to garner enough Democratic votes to end the filibuster and secure passage of the GOP budget reconciliation measure.

Doechii to headline WorldPride closing concert

The Capital Pride Alliance announced last week that Doechii will perform at the closing concert for WorldPride weekend.

Doechii, born Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, is a 26-yearold rapper and singer from Tampa, Fla. Since her emergence on the music scene in 2023, she has had five songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Beginning with

“What It Is (Block Boy),” she has quickly risen into the upper ranks of the rap and music industries.

The Capital Pride Alliance, the nonprofit that organizes Washington’s official Pride events and is overseeing the upcoming WorldPride celebration in June, announced on Instagram that the “Alligator Bites Never Heal” performer will headline WorldPride’s free Street Festival & Closing Concert on Sunday, June 8.

This announcement comes just over a month after the self-proclaimed “Swamp Princess” won her first Grammy for Best Rap Album. Her win marks only the third time in history that a woman has won the award—following Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. She also became only the second rapper to be named Billboard’s Woman of the Year earlier this year.

Doechii is bisexual and has spoken about the challenges of being a Black queer woman in the music industry.

“I’m a Black woman from the South, so it’s different,”

Doechii told Pink News in an interview last year. “There’s a lot of racism and homophobia, so it’s hard, it’s very, very hard. Even though I was aware, I didn’t feel as comfortable until I started surrounding myself with more gay friends.”

Doechii’s bold, genre-blending style and unapologetic presence have made her a favorite among LGBTQ fans, who have embraced her music as anthems of self-expression and resilience.

Despite being fairly new to the mainstream music game, Doechii is no stranger to Washington. In June 2024, Doechii performed a special set at D.C.’s gay bar Trade as part of her SWAMP BALL TOUR. That night, a line of fans stretched down 14th Street and around the corner, eager to see the rising star in an intimate setting. For more information about WorldPride concerts, events, and celebrations, visit worldpridedc.org

JOE REBERKENNY

Senate Minority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER (D-N.Y.) has received intense backlash since backing the continuing resolution supported by President Trump. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

DOECHII is scheduled to play WorldPride on June 8.

Garcia warns U.S. government faces a ‘five-alarm fire’ Congressman blasts Senate Leader Schumer for supporting GOP budget

By CHRISTOPHER KANE | ckane@washblade.com

Although U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D) has only served in Congress since 2023, the representative for California’s 42nd Congressional District quickly emerged as a rising star in the Democratic Party who has become known as an especially outspoken critic of President Donald Trump since his return to the White House in January.

Delivering memorable hits on cable news programs, punchy sound bites in congressional hearings, and spirited spats with political opponents on X, Garcia is among a handful of leaders on the left who have been feted for their outspokenness at a time when pushback against the administration by Democrats has widely been criticized as anemic, ineffectual, inconsistent, or insufficiently aggressive.

Last week, the California congressman, who is gay, sat down with the Washington Blade in his office for an interview that was continued by phone on Tuesday in the wake of Friday’s move by nine Senate Democrats and their leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) to avert a government shutdown by supporting the controversial budget proposal advanced by congressional Republicans.

Critics blasted Schumer and the senators who voted with him, arguing that they had voluntarily forfeited leverage that their party will rarely again have the opportunity to exercise — at least, not until the 120th Congress is seated in 2027, and only then if Democrats are able to recapture control of either or both legislative chambers.

Calling the Democratic leader’s decision “out of touch” and “a huge disservice to the American people,” Garcia said he was “incredibly angered and beyond disappointed,” adding “I think that he’s turned his back, in my opinion, on the rank and file base of the party, and certainly on his own members.”

The congressman said he agrees with remarks made in recent days by Senate Democrats who have deemed this battle over the budget “the moment to actually stand up to Donald Trump and Elon Musk in a way that was forceful and strong.”

“Those that voted to support this budget resolution are completely not aligned with the vast majority of Americans and certainly [not with] Democrats who wanted to actually fight Elon Musk and push back much harder,” Garcia said, contrasting Schumer’s leadership with Jeffries who “did the right thing” and was able to bring “the caucus together,” successfully convincing “everyone, I mean, almost unanimously, to vote against the budget.”

More than that, Garcia said Friday’s vote exemplifies a broader failure among some elected Democrats “ especially, maybe, among those that have been in government for a long time” to reckon with the existential risks presented by the Trump administration and powerful allies like Musk.

The congressman said these political leaders “are thinking that somehow this is just another year or just another cycle, and things will just get better and go back to the way they were” because they have failed to recognize the ultimate ambitions of the president, his administration, Musk, and their allies, who endeavor to “fundamentally restructure the way government works, to build a system where you have an authoritarian at the top with enormous amounts of power” unchecked by the federal judiciary or

the legislative branch.

“It’s supreme executive authority,” he said, coupled with “disregard” for the powers ordained by the Constitution to the courts and to the Congress. “That is a very dangerous formula when you’re sitting on top of the wealthiest country in the world with an enormous military and enormous power over what happens in the rest of the world.”

“We live in a very dangerous time and I just don’t feel like everyone is understanding that, including people in our own party,” Garcia added.

The congressman noted that reasonable people might reach different conclusions about whether Trump’s second term has yet presented such a grave threat to America’s political and democratic institutions and the rule of law that the time has come to declare a state of emergency or break the glass, to to speak, to release the fire alarm.

In Garcia’s view, “you have the richest man on the planet who’s getting only richer since the election of Trump, who has an unobstructed ability to go into agency after agency, access people’s personal information, essentially eliminate jobs, directly email federal employees about having to report their activities to him — that is a five alarm fire.”

“That is unconstitutional and it’s a real challenge to the way we operate our government,” he added.

Returning to more familiar territory for inter-party debate the congressman criticized the GOP’s budget package, warning that it might “slash other types of health care, could slash Social Security,” but because it proposes trillions of dollars in cuts, lawmakers will have no option but to “take Medicare and Medicaid apart.”

Together with the “destruction of our agencies” led by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Garcia said the effort by congressional Republicans to trim the budget in ways that will imperil access to critical medical care for populations that depend on it, including “low-income folks, seniors, and working class people” is meant to free up money for “huge tax cuts to Elon Musk, the billionaires, and large corporations.”

More specifically, during an interview Friday with MSN-

BC’s Alex Witt, Garcia warned the funding bill will “cut billions and billions of dollars, for example, for veterans’ health care” while prohibiting Congress from pushing back “on the tariffs that Donald Trump is trying to implement,” giving “a rubber stamp of approval to what Elon Musk is doing raiding our federal agencies,” and gutting programs by agencies like the U.S. Department of Education that serve students with disabilities and special needs.

Garcia further explained that “sending the money to the states as Trump wants to do essentially gives states the ability to send that money to private schools and to provide a system where actually public schools get defunded because private schools won’t take those programs up.”

Speaking with the Blade on Tuesday from Long Beach, the city in the center of CA-42 where he served as mayor from 2014 to 2022, Garcia explained how he was using the House’s district work period to organize opposition against the Trump regime.

After the congressman’s plane touched down from Washington, he took the opportunity to record a video for social media to explain that “We should be investing in our airports and passenger safety, not cutting 400 FAA positions” as the administration did last month.

“We need to hire more air traffic controllers and ensure that flying remains the safest way to travel,” he said.

After Republican leadership encouraged its members to avoid holding in-person meetings with constituents because they had complained and expressed anger about the cutting or suspension of federal agencies, grants, programs, and services, Garcia announced he would hold town halls in GOP districts in California, a strategy that has been touted by other leaders in his party like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic candidate for vice president.

“Not this weekend but the next weekend I’ll be launching in a Republican member’s district in California and doing a town hall there,” Garcia told the Blade. “It will be in a Republican swing district.”

In the meantime, the congressman said he has been visiting with and listening to his constituents. “I just left a school here in southeast L.A. where I met with the principal and a bunch of teachers, and talked about the students that they have in special programs that are receiving funds from the federal government.”

“They were showing me kind of a center where they have, like, toiletries and shoes and backpacks for kids that they’ve received through support from the U.S. Department of Education,” he said. “So there’s just so much need, in talking to folks, and so much anger from people about what’s happening.”

“Earlier today, I was at the Social Security Administration center here in one of the cities I represent, so I am going around talking to people where they are getting their services and people are really frustrated,” Garcia added. “I don’t think people realize that most of these people that depend on a lot of these programs are working families, that they need the support to survive, and yet they have the richest man on the planet cutting their services because he feels like it and he wants a bigger tax cut.”

Continues at washingtonblade.com

U.S. Rep. ROBERT GARCIA (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Former GOP Sen. Alan Simpson dies at 93

Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming, a Republican who long championed LGBTQ rights, died on Friday at age 93.

After serving in the Senate from 1979 to 1997, including a stint as the GOP whip from 1985 to 1995, Simpson continued to maintain an active role in American politics for decades. Much of his work on behalf of LGBTQ issues came through his appointment as honorary chair of the Republican Unity Coalition, gay-straight alliance group within the party, starting in 2001.

The former lawmaker spoke with the Washington Blade’s Lou Chibbaro Jr. for an interview in 2013 about how he was able to reconcile his work in Republican politics with his support for expanding rights and protections for LGBTQ people.

“All I know is we have made great strides for gays and lesbians and transvestites,” he said when asked if he thought Congress would soon approve the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, a bill calling for banning job discrimination against LGBT people.

The legislation did not ultimately pass, but at the time Simpson said he was hopeful the effort would overcome obstruction from some corners of the Republican conference because “other people know these people and they love them.”

“And I’m very pleased,” the former senator added. “Anyone who is on the side of justice

Judge blocks Trump’s trans military ban

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday blocked President Trump’s ban on transgender service members, which was scheduled to take effect on Friday.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued the preliminary injunction, saying the policy violates the Constitution.

“Indeed, the cruel irony is that thousands of transgender service members have sacrificed — some risking their lives — to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them,” Reyes wrote.

The legal challenge to Trump’s transgender military ban executive, Talbott v. Trump, was brought by LGBTQ groups GLAD Law and NCLR.

Judge Reyes wrote that, “thousands of transgender servicemembers have sacrificed—some risking their lives—to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them.”

Judge Reyes found that the ban violates equal protection because it discriminates based on transgender status and sex and because “it is soaked in animus,” noting that its language is “unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact.”

The lead attorneys in the case are GLAD Law Senior Director of Transgender and Queer Rights Jennifer Levi and NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter.

“Today’s decisive ruling speaks volumes,” said Levi. “The court’s unambiguous factual findings lay bare how this ban specifically targets and undermines our courageous service members who have committed themselves to defending our nation. Given the court’s clear-eyed assessment, we are confident this ruling will stand strong on appeal.”

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and freedom and caring about fellow human beings is pleased about what’s going on.”

Simpson explained that his approach to LGBTQ rights was informed by his commitment to fairness and equality for everyone, telling the Blade that he shares these convictions with his wife of (then) 59 years, Ann Schroll Simpson, who survives him.

The couple had come to know gay people over the years, he said. “I had a gay cousin who was a war hero in World War II — a wonderful man.”

Asked whether he has received flak from some fellow Republicans and others over his support for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage, Simpson said, “Everything I’ve done has had flak. I’m 82 now and I’ve effectively pissed off everyone in America. So yeah, but I just say we’re all God’s children. We’re all human beings.”

After leaving the Senate, Simpson’s advocacy for LGBTQ people included helping to convince former President Gerald Ford to join a gay rights organization, a first for a U.S. president; signing on to amicus briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in support cases that that led to the overturning of state sodomy laws and established marriage equality as the law of the land; supporting the movement to overturn the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law; writing to the late former Rev. Fred Phelps in objection to his protests of gay events, including funerals of gay people; and supporting creative works about the anti-gay advocacy of the late former U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the hate crime against murdered gay college student Matthew Shepard.

An obituary published Friday in The New York Times notes Simpson’s work on behalf of immigration reform and reproductive rights including abortion in addition to his stances on LGBTQ issues including his longtime support for same-sex marriage.

Simpson in 2017 published an opinion piece in the paper objecting to efforts by “fringe-right groups and raging extremists” to convince President Donald Trump to sign an executive order “that would allow discrimination against gays, women and religious minorities.”

In 2022, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Joe Biden.

CHRISTOPHER KANE

House Republican misgenders Sarah McBride

U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) deliberately and repeatedly used the honorific “Mr.” for U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), the first transgender member of Congress, sparking a confrontation that derailed a House subcommittee hearing last Tuesday.

After Self, who leads the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subcommittee, misgendered the congresswoman from Delaware, she replied “Thank you, Madam Chair.”

The top Democrat in the room, Massachusetts Congressman Bill Keating, then spoke up to request that the

chair repeat his introduction, which he did, again referring to McBride as “Mr.”

“You are out of order. Mr. Chairman,” Keating said, raising his voice. “Have you no decency? I mean, I have come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent.”

Self then started to adjourn the hearing, telling colleagues “we will continue this” before he was interrupted by the ranking member, who told him, “You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.”

McBride addressed the matter in a post on X, writing, “No matter how I’m treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress. It is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime. I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place.”

Self doubled down again, writing on social media “it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” citing President Donald Trump’s dayone executive order mandating that the federal government treat gender as a binary that cannot and does not deviate from one’s birth sex.

The policy is out of step with mainstream science and medicine, which recognizes that human biology is complex and one’s gender identity is often but not always linked to one’s sex at birth. Critics of the order have also noted that its narrow definitions for sex and gender exclude people who are born intersex, with a combination of male and female biological traits (genitals, chromosomes, hormones.)

CHRISTOPHER KANE

U.S. Rep. SARAH MCBRIDE (D-Del.) attends the joint session of Congress on March 4. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Former U.S. Sen. ALAN K. SIMPSON urged President Trump to reject an anti-LGBT executive order. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

New Hungarian law bans Pride marches

Hungarian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill that would ban Pride events and allow authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify those who participate in them.

The Associated Press reported thousands of protesters gathered outside the Hungarian parliament in Budapest, the country’s capital, after MPs approved the measure by a 136-27 vote margin. The protesters later blocked traffic on the nearby Margaret Bridge over the Danube River.

“Not only does this law introduce discriminatory and simply evil restrictions on freedom of assembly, but it was also adopted in a highly undemocratic manner, through an extraordinary procedure that did not allow for any real debate,” said Tamás Dombos of the Háttér Society, a Hungarian LGBTQ and intersex rights group, in a statement that Outright International released after the vote. “ They proposed it yesterday, and the parliament adopted it today.”

Amnesty International Hungary Director Dávid Vig also criticized the vote.

“This law is a full-frontal attack on the LGBTI community and a blatant violation of Hungary’s obligations to prohibit discrimination and guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” said Vig.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and members of his government in recent weeks said they would ban public Pride marches in Budapest. The 30th Budapest Pride is scheduled to take place on June 28.

“The Hungarian government is trying to restrict peaceful protests with a critical voice by targeting a minority,” said Budapest Pride on Tuesday in a statement the Washington Blade published. “Therefore, as a movement, we will fight for the freedom of all Hungarians to protest!”

Orbán and members of his ruling Fidesz party over the last decade have moved to curtail LGBTQ and intersex rights in Hungary.

A law that bans legal recognition of transgender and intersex people took effect in 2020. Hungarian MPs that year also effectively banned same-sex couples from adopting children and defined marriage in the constitution as between a man and a woman.

An anti-LGBTQ propaganda law took effect in 2021. The European Commission sued Hungary, which is a member of the European Union, over it.

MPs in 2023 approved the “snitch on your gay neighbor” bill that would have allowed Hungarians to anonymously report same-sex couples who are raising children. The Budapest Metropolitan Government Office in 2023 fined Lira Konyv, the country’s second-largest bookstore chain, 12 million forints ($33,001.94), for selling copies of British author Alice Oseman’s “Heartstopper.”

Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman, who is gay, participated in the Budapest Pride march in 2024 and 2023. Pressman was also a vocal critic of Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ crackdown.

“We will not be intimidated, we will not give in to bul-

lying,” said Dombos. “We are celebrating Pride for the 30th time in Budapest this year.”

“There was Pride before the Orbán governments, and there will be Pride after,” he added.

Elections will take place in Hungary in 2026.

Budapest Pride spokesperson Johanna Majercsik earlier this month said the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a Budapest-based human rights NGO, has offered their organization legal advice.

MICHAEL K. LAVERS

African rights group calls for WorldPride boycott

A group that promotes LGBTQ rights in Africa has called for a boycott of WorldPride in D.C.

The African Human Rights Coalition in a press release it issued on Monday said it is “calling on LGBTQI+ Africans and LGBTQI+ people worldwide to refrain from attending WorldPride in the United States of America, because the event is being held in a venue,

Washington D.C., the USA, governed now by an antagonistic fascist regime which presents distinct dangers to foreign LGBTQI+ attendees.”

“While commending WorldPride, Capital Pride Alliance, and InterPride for all the hard work, over several years, to put this event together, no one could have predicted the current state of the USA, and the organizations must revisit this contextuality and with deep concern,” said the African Human Rights Coalition.

The group acknowledged it is “probably impossible to hold (WorldPride) elsewhere at such late notice.” The African Human Rights Coalition nevertheless said WorldPride “must consider withdrawing the event from the USA, and come out with a strong statement condemning the U.S. for the dangerous environment it presents to LGBTQI+ people entering the country, the current human rights infractions, and the decimation of democracy, trans rights and the general attack on LGBTQI+ communities, in the U.S. and around the world.”

“This is not business as usual and not a time for celebration, but rather the time for resistance,” said the African Human Rights Coalition.

WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.

President Donald Trump’s anti-transgender executive orders have sparked growing concern among governments and advocacy groups around the world.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office on March 5 issued a travel advisory for trans and nonbinary people who are planning to visit the U.S. It specifically notes Trump’s executive order that bans the State Department from issuing passports with “X” gender markers.

InterPride, the organization that coordinates WorldPride events, last week issued its own advisory for trans and nonbinary people who want to travel to the U.S. for WorldPride. Egale Canada, one of Canada’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organizations, in February announced its members will not attend WorldPride and any other event in the U.S. because of the Trump-Vance administration’s policies.

The African Human Rights Coalition said it has “reached out to” WorldPride. Capital Pride on Monday told the Washington Blade it was “not aware” of the boycott call, but is “working on a response and doing more digging on this.”

MICHAEL K. LAVERS

Stickers on the door to the Hátter Society’s offices in Budapest, Hungary, in April 2024. Hungarian lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban Pride events in the country. (Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

(Screenshot courtesy of WorldPride’s website)

CHARLES FRANCIS

is president of the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., served for 10 years as a Trustee of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyo.

Alan Simpson: Republican from another country

93-year-old conservative rode with us when no one else would

The senator from Wyoming was authenticity itself — a Western force coming at you like a bobcat with a crooked smile. Indeed, the name of his ranch outside of Cody is the “Bobcat.” It was at the Bobcat near Yellowstone Park, where my friend Sen. Alan K. Simpson (1931-2025) did some of his best thinking about history, politics, and how people live and fight.

When he came to Washington, Al Simpson was steeped in this uniquely Western Bobcat Ranch heritage — from his grandfather, who represented W.F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and prosecuted Butch Cassidy to his mother, a founder of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center that today displays paintings by Thomas Moran and Annie Oakley’s rifles. He was an old-school live-and-let-live conservative Republican, but one with a Western twist — one part sneer, one part laugh-out-loud funny. It was that twist, I believe, that made him unique.

Sen. Simpson stood with his friend Congressman Barney Frank in 1998 on the Capitol steps at the candlelight vigil after the murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie. Shaken by the barbarity of what happened, Simpson denounced Shepard’s killing as an “ugly, ugly butchering. The people of my state and the University of Wyoming want you to know this is not who we are.” Then came a wave of boos and the heckling of Al as a Republican from Wyoming. He told me he never forgot that booing and resolved to continue fighting with us for our equality in the years to come. On this, he was good to his word.

A Houston gay community effort challenged and appealed the sodomy charge of John Lawrence and Tyron Garner in Texas. We believed our organization, a gaystraight alliance, the Republican Unity Coalition (RUC) had a role to play. Alan Simpson stepped forward to serve as our chairman, signing our amicus brief in support of Lawrence and Garner to strike down the Texas sodomy law. He then reached out to his friend “Jerry Ford” (former President Gerald Ford) to join our effort. Ford did so becoming the first and only president to join an LGBTQ advocacy group. In 2003, on the day the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the Lawrence case, Al wrote in an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal, “Homosexuality should be a non-issue for the GOP… sodomy laws are contrary to American values protecting personal liberty and opposing discrimination.” Al was thrilled when the Court voted 6-3 in favor of Lawrence ending the criminalization of homosexuality.

When Al came out in support of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, the Rev. Fred Phelps (“God Hates Fags”) denounced Al as a “senile old fag lover.” Al responded with grace and hilarity in the style of one of his heroes, cowboy humorist Will Rogers. “Dear Rev. Phelps, I just want to alert you to the fact that some dizzy son of a bitch is sending out mailings and emails using your name! I know you are a god fearing, Christian person filled to the brim with forbearance, tolerance and love…and this other goofy homophobe nut must be something opposite.” Al did not pull back from his support for same-sex marriage. He opposed President George W. Bush on his proposal to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Al wrote in the Washington Post, “Several Senate members want to create more anguish by pushing a proposal to amend the Constitution … but a federal marriage amendment would do nothing to strengthen families, just the opposite.”

For the rest of his long life, Al remained supportive of the LGBTQ community and our families. We disbanded the old Republican Unity Coalition, a delusion we once shared to make “homosexuality a non-issue for the Republican Party.” There are no more Alan Simpson Republicans. They are from another country. I happily left the party and married my “pard” as they call partners in Cody. We were married with a reception in Washington, made all the brighter with Al’s attendance and his wife Ann’s blessings. Later, they gave our son his first stuffie.

Alan Simpson’s many obituaries and tributes briefly mention his support of “gay rights” without elaboration. We should all pause to reflect on just how far this 93-year-old Republican rode with us when no one else would.

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

Thank you Mayor Bowser for protecting people of D.C.

Paving BLM Plaza an unfortunate, but necessary, step

It has been difficult to watch as Mayor Muriel Bowser has walked a tightrope to protect the people of D.C. Thus far, she’s doing it very well. She has to deal with both President Felon, his Nazi sympathizing best friend and co-president, and their MAGA acolytes in Congress.

People must understand, even in the best of times, D.C. is beholden to the president and Congress. Even after home rule was granted in 1974, we haven’t had budget or legislative autonomy. Congress gets to review everything our mayor and Council do. We can pass laws, and Congress can override them. They get a 30-day review of everything. So again, in the best of times, it isn’t easy for any mayor to deal with this. Clearly, these are not the best of times.

This past week the mayor and Council members walked the halls of Congress to explain to members, if you force D.C. back to its 2024 budget, which the continuing resolution (CR) does, it screws with the city, to the tune of $1.1 billion, but doesn’t save the federal government a dime. This is all D.C. taxpayers’ money. It will force major cuts, about 16% in D.C. personnel services, across the board. Cuts to the areas even Trump says he wants strengthened, like police and Metro.

The CR has now passed both the House and Senate, without an exemption for D.C., and has been signed by the president. One Republican, who admitted publicly she didn’t realize an exception for D.C. was left out of the CR, was Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Appropriations Committee. She then spoke with the mayor about this. The mayor also spoke with Sen. Schumer, who then negotiated for D.C. prior to his voting for the CR. The deal included Collins introducing a bill to exempt D.C. from the CR immediately after it passed. This bill passed the Senate unanimously. The mayor thanked Collins, as well as Sens. Patty Murray, Angela Alsobrooks, Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, and Mark Warner for their help in advancing the measure to restore D.C.’s Fiscal Year 2025 approved budget. In speaking of the bill, Collins said the president supported the legislation, as did the chair of the House Appropriations Committee. I hope it will be passed by the House when they return. The mayor did her job for the people of the District.

I felt Congress’s control over D.C.’s legislation first-hand when we were trying to pass same-sex marriage. I sat with others, at the time, Councilmember Catania, and Council Chair Gray, to figure out what could get passed that Congress would approve. While the D.C. Council had the votes to pass marriage equality, it was decided to first pass a law saying D.C. would recognize same-sex marriages from other states where it had been approved. Once Congress let that law stand, the Council passed marriage equality for the District. More recently, we have seen Congress balk at a crime bill passed by the D.C. Council, and then the mayor proposed a new bill, more to their liking, and it was passed. Not easy for the mayor, and Council, to deal with. But it is the mayor who is the face of the city, and much of this falls on her shoulders.

Now the mayor has agreed to pave over Black Lives Matter Plaza. In Trump’s first term, Mayor Bowser stood up to him in many ways, large and small. He was just as nasty, but hadn’t made the direct threats to take over the city that he is making now. Part of that is because the people around him now are both smarter, and more venal. So, the threats are real. But his staff is talking to the mayor, and she has figured out giving in to small items, could save the city. One such thing is Trump’s demand, that Black Lives Matter Plaza be removed. There is also the threat from Congress to withhold funds if it is not removed. Many, including me, hate to see it go. Interestingly, in talking to some people, many in the District, including many of our young people, they don’t know, or no longer remember, what the mural meant, and why it is there. But enough of us do remember it came about after the brutal and senseless murder of George Floyd. It was a major symbol of resistance, and demand to reduce police violence against the African-American community.

Also, at that time, the slogan ‘defund the police’ was on the lips of many. Trump’s response was to use what most called excessive force, to clear the way from the White House, through Lafayette Park, when he walked with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Milley, and Secretary of Defense Esper, to get a photo holding a Bible, which everyone knows he never read, in front of St. John’s Church. Milley later apologized for participating in this spectacle. But Trump got his photo op, which was the purpose of the whole episode.

So today, Mayor Bowser is having the plaza paved over to keep the city from losing so much more. She is doing this to try to keep Trump from his threatened executive order, which will do more harm to the District. The mayor also agreed to take down specific tent encampments, set up by the homeless, offering other shelter to them. We know she would never pave over BLM plaza if the threats weren’t serious. The mayor has said the plaza will eventually have another mural, done by school children, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country, that will be celebrated in 2026. That is if we still have a country by then.

The District faces serious budget issues in the coming years because of the mass layoffs of federal workers, and declining revenue from income and property taxes. Those will be there regardless of what Congress does to deal with D.C.’s budget through Sept. 30. We are clearly under the thumb of the MAGA Republicans, who today unfortunately control our country.

Again, I am thankful that my city is being led by Mayor Bowser. She has brought us through difficult times before. She brought us through the first Trump administration, and through the COVID pandemic. Was everything the way each resident would have liked? No. But what she did, and is doing, is done to keep our city free, and to keep our people safe, and healthy. On behalf of many, thank you Mayor Bowser. Know that we stand with you, and you can count on our continued support.

EMSCULPT NEO

EMSCULPT NEO

D.C. drag queens proudly join Trump resistance

Tatiyanna Voche’, Evry Pleasure, and Tara Hoot on their new advocacy work

By JAYLON CURRY-HAGLER

Since the Trump takeover of the Kennedy Center, several shows have been cancelled as a result of the current administration’s anti-LGBTQ policies. Whether it be theater companies withdrawing as a sign of solidarity or Trump himself banning drag performances and other events, the renowned venue is now experiencing a massive overhaul since the president named himself board chair.

With WorldPride coming up in June and one of the country’s highly respected stages separating itself from queer entertainment, the Washington Blade spoke with some of D.C.’s own drag performers about the current situation.

Tatiyanna Voche’, Miss Gay America 2023 and headliner for several shows throughout the DMV, spoke with the Blade about the current state of drag in D.C.

BLADE: Since the beginning of the new Trump administration, have you ever had thoughts that your work as a drag queen would be under threat?

VOCHE’: Oh absolutely! We realized this during his first administration that if you don’t fit a certain mold whether it be the color of your skin, your religious beliefs, how you choose to identify, your sexual preference or hobby, your freedom or hobby is definitely under attack.

BLADE: How does Trump making himself the chair of the Kennedy Center and banning shows there indefinitely make you feel about the future of drag for the next four years?

VOCHE’: Sadly we have been down this road before. Being gay, or drag itself wasn’t so mainstream or cool once upon a time. So I’ll say as a community we are very powerful together. I think most of us are tired of fighting the good fight but we have to continue on the same way generations before us fought for us to be able to do what we do. I do think drag is in jeopardy over the next four years, but when there’s a will, there’s a way.

BLADE: What are your plans moving forward for your performance under the current political climate?

VOCHE’: For me personally, I will continue to spread love throughout the country wherever I go, and lift up as many community members or allies as possible. I ask questions when in a new venue to protect myself (i.e. … where the emergency exits are, always have a plan) and to just be vigilant of your surroundings. Be in groups of people in areas that you don’t feel safe, and don’t engage. We know the kind of people are on the other side of this and the true hate they have in their hearts, we are not that way and we can’t poke the bear for a lack of better words. We will win in the end.

Evry Pleasure also spoke with the Blade. She is an award-winning performer known for shows full of energy, laughter, and glamour. Evry Pleasure was voted DC’s Best Drag Queen at the 2023 D.C. Drag Awards and by the Blade.

BLADE: In times like these, how do you garner joy for yourself and the community?

EVRY PLEASURE: Focusing on my purpose. I do drag because it is a way for me to tell stories, show my creativity, connect with my community, and provide everyone who sees me with a fun time. When I focus on that purpose, and the platform I have to drive change or spread information, I find joy. There is always a way out. Times are hard, but they have been hard in the past, and we have come out of it strong.

BLADE: What do you feel like is the best way to stand up to the current pushback on queerness right now?

EVRY PLEASURE: The first thing we need to do is continue to be unapologetically and visibly queer, showing them that we have been here and will continue to be here even when they are constantly attacking us. The other thing is to find and build commu-

nity. When we are organized, we can work better. We saw it in the March for Drag earlier in March here in D.C., and we have seen it all across the country. When we are together, we are stronger. We can organize and fight back stronger. Following organizations like @Qommitte can help you find more information on how to be involved and support several actions and protests around the DMV area and the country.

The last queen with whom the Blade spoke is Tara Hoot, a highly regarded performer who has been very vocal in the area’s queer scene. The Blade in 2022 voted her one of the Top 5 Drag Queens in D.C.

BLADE: How do you think World Pride will be affected by this takeover of D.C.?

TARA HOOT: So I think the world probably will be affected by the Trump administration. You know, people from around the world want to come to the United States. I mean Canada’s travel to the United States has already plummeted. Would LGBTQ people from around the world feel safe coming to Washington D.C.? That’s a big open question, so we’ll certainly need Washington D.C. and LGBTQ people from the United States to show up and show support for WorldPride and the 50th anniversary of Capital Pride.

BLADE: With opposition to queerness being a main goal of the Trump administration., do you think protests are the biggest way to push back?

TARA HOOT: I think protests are big like marches and things like that right but I also think … calling having my friends that live in states that do have representation. I think planning smaller acts of civil disobedience that make a point and show that we exist I think Is really important. Looking at ACT UP, that organization from the AIDS crisis and kind of they did things like they put a huge condom on the house of Jesse Helms who was a Republican senator who lived in Arlington. So they’re there are our ancestors before us and those who have a thought before us in the LGBTQ community kind of have given us a roadmap of kinds of things at work, things that are successful and ways that we can use civil disobedience. To bring attention to it, but also to bring joy and to bring humor I think that that’s what fascism and Republicans want to take away from us is our love our joy and our exuberance and we have to keep showing up with those things

BLADE: How are you garnering joy for yourself and the community during this administration?

TARA HOOT: So my character didn’t exist before the pandemic. It came out during the pandemic right at the end of the Trump administration, so this is the first time it’s kind of existed. When I started in the world, everybody just felt bad and I didn’t wanna be a drag queen that made people feel bad and dragged them down. I wanted to lift people up and bring some joy so that’s been my mode of operating. I describe my kind of drag characters like Mr. Rogers in address and you know I do storytime events I do bingo. I do trivia. But with my storytime, people think oh those are just for little kids, but the grown-ups are the ones that get the most out of that. They’re the ones who were tearing up and crying a little bit when I’m telling them how brave and strong they can be, how gorgeous they are. You can tell the people need to hear that and me just getting into a drag makes me happy and I can tell that it makes other people happy. That’s how I’m gonna keep bringing the joy.

TARA HOOT attends the March for Drag on March 9. (Photo by DuHon Photography)

RHYTHM INDIA

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

RHYTHM INDIA

Bollywood & Beyond

Saturday, Mar. 22 at 8 p.m.

Witness the dancers of Joya Kazi Unlimited in a celebration of Indian culture and dance

LES ARTS FLORISSANTS

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300

Théotime Langlois de Swarte, violin

Sunday, Mar. 30 at 4 p.m.

Featuring this “mesmerizing” (New Yorker) violin star

CIRQUE MECHANICS

Pedal Punk

Saturday, Apr. 5 at 2 and 8 p.m.

A high-flying thrill ride on wheels

Virginia Opera

LOVING V. VIRGINIA

Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m.

A gripping world-premiere about the historic civil rights case

TICKETS

LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM IN LEWES BEACH!

AVAILABLE Townhome at Tower

CALENDAR |

Friday, March 21

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email adam@thedccenter.org.

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, March 22

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.

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. For more details, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org.

Sunday, March 23

GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation” at 1:30 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for someone looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, March 24

“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 choice. For more details, email adam@thedccenter.org.

Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s read is “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. For more information, email info@thedccenter.org.

By TINASHE CHINGARANDE

Tuesday, March 25

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

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-facilitated discussion group and a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.

Wednesday, March 26

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

LGBTQ Senior Spring Fling Dinner and Dance will be at 6 p.m. at the True Reformer Building. Join Capitol Hill Village, DACL, The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, Iona, and Seabury for its first-ever event of this kind, where there’ll be a DJ, special party favors, and lots of good food. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, March 27

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 Sarah 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.

OUT & ABOUT

HIPS to celebrate 30 years of service

Honoring Individual Power and Strength (HIPS) will celebrate its 30th anniversary by providing essential health and social services on Saturday, April 5 at 6 p.m. at 906 H St., N.E.

This event will be a celebration of the ongoing generosity of local D.C. business, philanthropists, and residents who step up to help us support those most in need in our neighborhoods. At this event you will join other HIPS stakeholders and community members for music and performances from local queer talent and learn more about some of the work the group has accomplished in the past 30 years to ensure everyone in our neighborhoods has access to HIV, viral hepatitis, and STI testing. For more details, visit the HIPS website.

Wizards to host annual Pride Night

Capital Pride Alliance and the Washington Wizards will host “Pride Night” on Thursday, March 27 at 7 p.m. Ticket purchases come with a limited-edition Wizards Pride belt bag. There are limited quantities.

Tickets start at $31 and can be purchased on the Wizards’ website.

The Wizards celebrate Pride Night on March 27. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Celebrated local talent Regina Aquino is

back on the boards

Queer actor starring in Arena Stage’s ‘The Age of Innocence’

By PATRICK FOLLIARD

Actor, director, and now filmmaker, celebrated local talent Regina Aquino is back on the boards in Arena Stage’s “The Age of Innocence,” staged by the company’s artistic director Hana S. Sharif.

Adapted by Karen Zacarías from Edith Wharton’s 1920 masterpiece novel, the work surrounds a love triangle involving New York scion Newland Archer, his young fiancée, and the unconventional beauty Countess Olenska. The Gilded Age-set piece sets up a struggle between rigid societal norms and following one’s own heart.

Aquino — a queer-identified first-generation Filipino immigrant who grew up in the DMV— is the first Filipino American actress to receive a Helen Hayes Award (2019). She won for her work in Theater Alliance’s “The Events.”

In “The Age of Innocence,” Aquino plays Newland’s mother Adeline Archer, a widow who lives with her unmarried, socially awkward daughter Janey. No longer a face on the dinner party circuit, she does enjoy gossiping at home, especially with her close friend Mr. Sillerton Jackson, a “confirmed bachelor” and social arbiter. Together, they sip drinks and talk about what’s happening among their elite Manhattan set.

With stories like “The Age of Innocence” that are so specific about American history, they aren’t always easily imagined by American audiences when performed by a diverse cast.

But when Karen [Zacarías] wrote the play, she imagined it as a diverse cast. What they’re presenting is reflective of all the different people that make up America.

WASHINGTON BLADE: Do you like Mrs. Archer?

REGINA AQUINO: There’s a lot of joy in playing this character. She’s very exuberant in those moments with her bestie Sillerton. Otherwise, there’s not much for her to do. In Wharton’s book, it says that Mrs. Archer’s preferred pastime is growing ferns.

BLADE : But she can be rather ruthless?

AQUINO: When it comes to her family, yes. She’s protective, which I understand. When she feels that her family’s under attack in any way, or the structure of the society that upholds way of life is threatened, she leans hard into that. The rare times that she’s out in society you see the boundaries come up, and the performative aspect of what society means. She can be very mean if she wants to be.

BLADE: Can you relate?

AQUINO: I come from a large Filipino matriarchal family. Mrs. Archer is someone I recognize. When I’m in the Philippines, I’m around people like that. People who will do business with you but won’t let you into their inner circle.

BLADE: Did you ever imagine yourself playing a woman like Mrs. Archer?

AQUINO : No. However, in the past couple of years diversely cast TV shows like “Bridgerton” and “Queen Charlotte” have filled a need for me that I didn’t I know I had.

BLADE: You seem a part of many groups. How does that work?

AQUINO : For me, the code switching is real. Whether I’m with my queer family, Filipinos, or artists of color. It’s different. The way we talk about the world, it shifts. I speak Tiglao in the Philippines or here I may fall into an accent depending on who I’m with.

BLADE: And tell me about costume designer Fabio Tablini’s wonderful clothes.

AQUINO: Aren’t they gorgeous? At the Arena costume shop, they build things to fit to your body. It’s not often we get to wear these couture things. As actors we’re in the costumes for three hours a night but these women, who the characters are based on, wore these corseted gowns all day, every day. It’s amazing how much these clothes help in building your character. I’ve found new ways of expressing myself when my waist is cinched down to 26 inches.

BLADE: Arena’s Fichandler Stage is theatre-in-the-round. Great for costumes. How about you?

AQUINO : This is my favorite kind of acting. In the round there’s nowhere to hide. Your whole body is acting. There’s somebody somewhere who can see every part of you. Very much how we move in real life. I find it easier.

BLADE: While the Gilded Age was opulent for some, it wasn’t a particularly easy time for working people.

AQUINO: The play includes commentary on class. Never mind money. If you’re not authentic to who you are and connecting with the people you love, you’re not going to be happy. The idea of Newland doing what he wants, and Countess Olenska’s journey toward freedom is very threatening to my character, Mrs. Archer. Today, these same oppressive structures are doing everything here to shutdown feelings of liberation. That’s where the heart of this story lands for me.

‘The Age of Innocence’

Through March 30 | Arena Stage 1101 Sixth St., SW | Tickets start at $59 | Arenastage.org

JACOB YEH, REGINA AQUINO (foreground), and LISE BRUNEAU in ‘The Age of Innocence’ at Arena Stage. (Photo by Daniel Rader)

D.C.’s first non-alcoholic LGBTQ bar debuts Spark Social House redefining sober nightlife on 14th and U streets

By JOE REBERKENNY

The intersection of 14th and U Streets has become a focal point of Washington’s growing LGBTQ presence.

As the city’s LGBTQ population has steadily increased, the intersection has reflected this shift. Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has emerged as one of the gayest corners in D.C.

The transformation accelerated with the opening of Bunker, an LGBTQ dance bar that fulfilled the longtime wish of many queer Washingtonians for a new gay dance club after the city lost two beloved venues — Town Danceboutique and Cobalt — before the pandemic. Since then, the corner has only grown more queer.

Three other LGBTQ bars have opened at the intersection of 14th and U since Bunker debuted in 2023: Crush Dance Bar, District Eagle, and, most recently, Spark Social House. Each of these venues offers a distinct environment for Washington’s LGBTQ community to socialize and connect. However, the newest addition to the corner is taking a different approach by removing one key element that ties the others together: Spark is an alcohol-free bar.

Nick Tsusaki, founder of Spark Social House, sat down with the Washington Blade to discuss what sets Spark apart from other LGBTQ spaces in the city, and how his experience working in LGBTQ nightlife has set him up for success.

“I had been bartending at some of these other [gay] bars when I decided, ‘Oh, maybe I could open one too and this could be my whole life,’” Tsusaki said. “I didn’t want to compete against my friends. I tried to think about it, and I noticed alcohol isn’t really me. So I was like, ‘Okay, well, what can I bring to the table that’s filling a gap? And that’s not taking any business from right next door, Crush?’ Those are my friends. And so the way I thought about it was ‘What’s missing in D.C.?’ And it was when I realized ‘Oh, we don’t really have a daytime place to hang out.’

Spark Social House, created by Tsusaki and Shua Goodwin, is Washington’s first LGBTQ alcohol-free bar.

By day, the staff serves coffee and tea, creating a cozy café atmosphere where you can work ‘from home.’ By night, the space transforms into a vibrant sober party spot — complete with DJs, dancing, and an emphasis on expertly crafted mocktails.

“It took us a really long time to figure out what to call it, because there really isn’t another kind of space like this,” Tsusaki said. “That’s why we just ended up going with house. I want you to feel like you’re coming over to our house for a hang out.”

One of the major reasons the pair decided not to include alcohol in Spark was because of Tsusaki’s personal experiences with alcohol when he was younger.

“I myself don’t really drink that much,” Tsusaki said. “Basically, because I’m Asian, I get Asian glow,” he continued, laughing. “I tried so hard in college to fit in. I remember on my 21st birthday I was supposed to go to Town and have fun with all my friends. So I drank and then fell asleep on the couch because my body just doesn’t process alcohol well.”

His lack of a relationship with alcohol only grew after he began working.

“Then for the next eight years of my life, I was almost involuntarily sober because I was in the military. I couldn’t do drugs, and my body couldn’t tolerate alcohol. I just had to figure out how to have fun without that. And then my ex boyfriend, Mason, who is part of the Spark team, is sober. That’s really when I realized, like, ‘This is a huge community that isn’t coming out.’”

People choose sobriety for many reasons; whether to prioritize their health, save money, or simply prefer an alcohol-free lifestyle. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision. One reason that LGBTQ individuals may choose to become sober is because they are more likely to engage with alcohol abuse than their straight counterparts. Alcohol abuse within the LGBTQ community may be as high as 25 percent, compared to 5–10 percent in the general population, according to recent research conducted by the American Addition Center.

“One statistic that I found when I was doing my market research for this was that 38% of American adults don’t drink alcohol for whatever reason,” Tsusaki said. “Having bartended at four bars now around the city, Dacha, Dirty Goose, Shakers, and Crush next door, we would always get asked, ‘Oh, do you have any mocktails?’ And there was always a twang or tinge of shame when people would ask for that.”

Tsusaki hopes that by creating a space dedicated to queer nightlife without alcohol, he can help shift the culture — making it easier for people to embrace sober socializing without shame.

“It’s [LGBTQ nightlife] very difficult for somebody who’s sober. I was always so im-

pressed with how he [Mason] navigated it. Being sober in these spaces can be difficult when you don’t have a buzz going on. And so I figured there’s a lot of people that like that. Alcohol is not a requirement for hanging out with your friends. I don’t have alcohol in my house, so when they come over we just make tea and we hang out and chat. That’s kind of the vibe.”

Another group that is now invited to take space in Spark that had not been given the opportunity to in the past is younger members of the LGBTQ community.

“What’s really cool about being non alcoholic is that we now can have anybody come in,” Tsusaki said. “We’re gonna be 18 and up after 9 p.m. but during the day we’ll be in a space where any queer person under 21, any college student, can come and experience being in a queer space. Anyone under 21 previously didn’t really have access to a queer space. We know that the highest risk of suicide is in LGBTQ youth, from 10 to 14. For me, when I went to Town for the first time when I was 18, that was the first time that I was like, ‘Oh, being gay could actually be cool. Like, this is actually kind of cool. This could be a really fun life.’ I’m excited that other people might be able to have that moment earlier in their life.”

Spark Social House is located at 2009 14th St., N.W, and opens daily at 8 a.m. It closes at 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and midnight on Friday and

David Draper was one of the invited guests to Spark’s soft opening on March 7. While sipping “The Wanda, Not Cosmo” in the sitting room past the bar he told the Blade this is a needed space in Washington’s LGBTQ scene.

“I’m friends with Shua and Nick, and I was grateful to be invited,” Draper said. “I’m also on a new sobriety journey within the last year, and excited. I wanted to support my friends, but also wanted to see this space. Just because you start a sobriety journey doesn’t mean you stop liking to go out. I still enjoy going out, and I am just excited to have a unique space like this.”

The space, Draper went on to explain, will help provide a space for members of the LGBTQ community who had been left to the side of an alcohol-centered culture.

“It makes me feel great. I think a lot of people are looking for options when they’re going out,” he said. “And I think the traditional gay bar is important, and an important part of gay culture and gay life, but I think there’s somewhat of a culture shift, as people have started abstaining from alcohol and other substances. So I think it’s cool to have a space like this”

Jerry Krusinski was sitting across from Draper, sipping on another signature mocktail, the “Jalapeño Business” that uses zero proof tequila.

“I’m pretty newly sober — like just over a month, and so I’m still just kind of exploring what that life means,” Krusinski said. “It’s been really surprising to me how much is actually out there. When you’re not in the sober community, you don’t really see it that much. It’s kind of comforting to see that the world has really kind of embraced it a lot more than I feel like its used to. It leaves me excited for the future.”

Saturday.

(Blade photo by Joe Reberkenny)

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Stellar cast makes for campy fun in ‘The Parenting’

New horror comedy a clever, saucy piece of entertainment

By JOHN PAUL KING

If you’ve ever headed off for a dream getaway that turned out to be an AirBnB nightmare instead, you might be in the target audience for “The Parenting” –and if you also happen to be in a queer relationship and have had the experience of “meeting the parents,” then it was essentially made just for you.

Now streaming on Max, where it premiered on March 13, and helmed by veteran TV (“Looking,” “Minx”) and film (“The Skeleton Twins,” “Alex Strangelove”) director Craig Johnson from a screenplay by former “SNL” writer Kurt Sublette, it’s a very gay horror comedy in which a young couple goes through both of those excruciatingly relatable experiences at once. And for those who might be a bit squeamish about the horror elements, we can assure you without spoilers that the emphasis is definitely on the comedy side of this equation.

Set in upstate New York, it centers on a young gay couple – Josh (Brandon Flynn) and Rohan (Nik Dodani) – who are happily and obviously in love, and they are proud doggie daddies to prove it. In fact, they are so much in love that Rohan has booked a countryside house specifically to propose marriage, with the pretext of assembling both sets of their parents so that each of them can meet the other’s family for the very first time. They arrive at their rustic rental just in time for an encounter with their quirkybut-amusing host (Parker Posey), whose hints that the house may have a troubling history leave them snickering.

When their respective families arrive, things go predictably awry. Rohan’s adopted parents (Edie Falco, Brian Cox) are successful, sophisticated, and aloof; Josh’s folks (Lisa Kudrow, Dean Norris) are down-toearth, unpretentious, and gregarious; to make things even more awkward, the couple’s BFF gal pal Sara (Vivian Bang) shows up uninvited, worried that Rohan’s secret engagement plan will go spectacularly wrong under the unpredictable circumstances. Those hiccups, and worse, begin to fray Josh and Rohan’s relationship at the edges, revealing previously unseen sides of each other that make them doubt their fitness as a couple – but they’re nothing compared to what happens when they discover that they’re also sharing the house with a 400-year-old paranormal entity, who has big plans of its own for the weekend after being trapped there alone for decades. To survive – and to save their marriage before it even happens – they must unite with each other and the rest of their feuding guests to defeat it, before it uses them to escape and wreak its evil will upon the world.

Drawing from a long tradition of “haunted house” tropes, “The Parenting” takes to heart its heritage in this campiest-of-all horror settings, from the gathering of antagonistic strangers that come together to confront its occult secrets to the macabre absurdity of its humor, much of which is achieved by juxtaposing the arcane with the banal as it filters its supernatural clichés through the familiar trappings of everyday modern life; secret spells can be found in WiFi passwords instead of ancient scrolls, the noisy disturbances of a poltergeist can be mistaken for unusually loud sex in the next room, and the shocking obscen -

ities spewed from the mouth of a malevolent spectre can seem as mundane as the homophobic chatter of your Boomer uncle at the last family gathering.

At the same time, it’s a movie that treats its “hook” – the unpredictable clash of personalities that threatens to mar any first-time meeting with the family or friends of a new partner, so common an experience as to warrant a separate sub-genre of movies in itself – as something more than just an excuse to bring this particular group of characters together. The interpersonal politics and still-developing dynamics between each of the three couples centered by the plot are arguably more significant to the film’s purpose than the goofy details of its backstory, and it is only by navigating those treacherous waters that either of their objectives (combining families and conquering evil) can be met; even Sara, who represents the chosen family already shared by the movie’s two wouldbe grooms, has her place in the negotiations, underlining the perhaps-already-obvious parallels that can be drawn from a story about bridging our differences and rising above our egos to work together for the good of all.

Of course, most horror movies (including the comedic ones) operate with a similar reliance on subtext, serving to give them at least the suggestion of allegorical intent around some real-world issue or experience – but one of the key takeaways from “The Parenting” is how much more satisfyingly such narrative formulas can play when the movie in question assembles a cast of Grade-A actors to bring them to life, and this one – which brings together veteran scene-stealers Falco, Kudrow, Cox, Norris, and resurgent “it” girl Posey, adding another kooky characterization to a resume full of them – plays that as

its winning card. They’re helped by Sublett’s just-intelligent-enough script, of course, which benefits from a refusal to take itself too seriously and delivers plenty of juicy opportunities for each of its actors to strut their stuff, including the hilarious Bang; but it’s their high-octane skills that bring it to life with just the right mix of farcical caricature and redeeming humanity. Heading the pack as the movie’s main couple, the exceptional talent and chemistry of Dodani and Flynn help them hold their own among the seasoned ensemble, and make it easy for us to be invested enough in their couplehood to root for them all the way through.

As for the horror, though Johnson’s movie plays mostly for laughs, it does give its otherworldly baddie a certain degree of dignity, even though his menace is mostly cartoonish. Indeed, at times the film is almost reminiscent of an edgier version of “Scooby-Doo”, which is part of its goofy charm, but its scarier moments have enough bite to leave reasonable doubt about the possibility of a happy ending. Even so, “The Parenting” likes its shocks to be ridiculous – it’s closer to “Beetlejuice” than to “The Shining” in tone – and anyone looking for a truly terrifying horror film won’t find it here.

What they will find is a brisk, clever, saucy, and yes, campy piece of entertainment that will keep you smiling almost all the way through its hour-and-a-half runtime, with the much-appreciated bonus of an endearing queer romance – and a refreshingly atypical one, at that – at its heart. And if watching it in our current political climate evokes yet another allegory in the mix, about the resurgence of an ancient hate during a gay couple’s bid for acceptance from their families, well maybe that’s where the horror comes in.

The cast of ‘The Parenting.’ (Image courtesy Max New Line Productions)

I want to leave my perfect boyfriend

Good-looking, caring partner is smothering me

By MICHAEL RADKOWSKY

Hi Michael,

I’m in a relationship I think I don’t want to be in. Ed is very sweet and that’s part of the problem. He is always solicitous of me, caring, kind, agreeable. I don’t want to hurt his feelings, which I certainly would do if I dump him.

We’ve gotten into what is now a serious relationship because of him, not me.  He kept asking me out on one date after another, and I kept saying yes.  He proposed being exclusive, and I said yes.

I was lonely, Ed’s cute and a nice guy, and it felt good to be cared about.

Ed is great at planning a fun life. Dinners, vacations, socializing. My life is way more exciting than it used to be. Ed takes the initiative on everything and he’s very good at it.

But I feel smothered, like I don’t have a say in how I live and what I do. We spend all our time together. And my friends are now “our” friends because he always joins me when I get together with them.

I can’t talk about this with him because I don’t think he can handle it. If he sees the least sign of me being upset, he says, “What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?” with this vulnerable tone in his voice. He’s told me he’s afraid of losing me when I’ve shown any unhappiness.

I’m no longer attracted to him. I don’t know why, he’s as cute as ever.

Sometimes I wonder what’s wrong with me. I have a good-looking, caring boyfriend. So many guys want this. I should be happy. But I’m not.

On the other hand, I’m afraid that if I break up with Ed I will be lonely all over again and maybe never find such a caring person.

Any guidance you have would be appreciated in how to think about this and sort it out.

Michael replies:

This relationship is giving you all sorts of opportunities to become a more solid person.

First point to consider: If you can’t set boundaries, you will spend your life twisting yourself into a pretzel to accommodate others. That’s what is happening now with Ed.

When we are struggling to succeed at an important life skill, as you are here, it’s helpful to think how our personal history may be contributing to our being stuck.

Some possibilities for you to consider: What example

I’ve

gotten into what is now a serious relationship because of him, not me.

did your parents model? Perhaps they had trouble setting boundaries in their relationships, so you didn’t learn how to do so. Or perhaps when you were growing up, you didn’t have much say about what you could or couldn’t do, so you didn’t learn you could speak up about what is important to you.

I’m painting with a broad brush here, just to inspire your own thinking. While our lives aren’t rigidly determined by our pasts, the ways that we learned to relate as we grew up do have a powerful influence on how we live in the present. Having some sense of what has shaped our operating system can help us loosen up and try new ways of behaving.

Second (and related) point: You cannot go through life without ever disappointing anyone or you will (as noted above) start to resemble a pretzel. Yes, you’ll likely upset Ed when you tell him that you’re unhappy in the relationship. But if Ed is going to address his clingy and needy behavior, he needs to hear this.

At their best, relationships challenge us to grow. This relationship is pushing you to tolerate disappointing someone you care about, in the service of saying what you need to say. And guess what? Your letting Ed know where you stand will challenge him to work on his own relational wobbliness. Very cool.

Third point: Why are you not stepping forward with your own ideas about what you want to do and how you want to live? You are letting Ed do all the work. What is up with that?

One obvious explanation: Your difficulty setting a boundary is stopping you from asserting what you want. In other words, your inability to say “no” is leading you to feel

stifled in this relationship. Good news: you have the power to change this.

Another possibility: Maybe you don’t actually have much in the way of interests or ideas for what you would like to do, and Ed is merely filling the void so that the two of you have some kind of life together.

If so, I encourage you to start thinking about what is meaningful to you. Developing a self—figuring out what is important to you, what you care about—is one of the great tasks and great joys of being alive. If you just keep doing what others around you want—boyfriends, friends, family— you may keep feeling resentful and will squander your life. I don’t know if you would actually enjoy being with Ed if you do the work to become a solid person who speaks up about what is important and brings his own agenda to the relationship. While it’s your decision to do so or not, I urge you not to decide based on fear of stepping outside your comfort zone.

And please consider that this work would help you in any future relationship, if you end things with Ed.

One more point: It’s no surprise that you’ve lost interest in having sex with Ed. Being enmeshed with someone as tightly as you describe your fusion with Ed is a desire-killer.  Perhaps this would change if you give yourself some room to breathe.

(Michael Radkowsky, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works with couples and individuals in D.C. He can be found online at michaelradkowsky.com. All identifying information has been changed for reasons of confidentiality. Have a question? Send it to michael@michaelradkowsky. com.)

Green machines on the scene

It’s a good time to buy an electric vehicle

By JOE PHILLIPS

Looking to roll into something new? With all the buzz about 25% tariffs, it’s the perfect time to grab a new ride before prices soar—especially for electric vehicles, which may soon wave goodbye to those oh-so-attractive federal tax credits. Whether you are an eco-conscious commuter or just need a chariot for weekend getaways, these three green machines offer some serious swagger.

FORD MUSTANG MACH-E PREMIUM

$42,000

Range: 250-300 miles (depending on battery pack)

0 to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds

Cargo space: 29.7 cu. ft.

PROS: Zippy. Sporty feel. Ample battery range. CONS: Bit bumpy over potholes. Limited seat adjustments.

IN A NUTSHELL: With sleek curves and a design that’s hotter than a drag queen’s heels on the runway, the Ford Mustang Mach-E blends both power and flair. The exterior colors are vibrant and unapologetically bold, just like the rainbow after a storm. Three trim levels, but opt for the spiffy Premium version—which was what I drove and is a nice step up from the $37,000 base model. It also costs a lot less than the gutsy GT, which tops $55,000.

Inside, the Mach-E is like driving a chic lounge on wheels. Toggling through the 15.5-inch touchscreen feels like navigating through the latest TikTok trends. A panoramic glass roof and faux-leather upholstery come standard, but assorted add-ons—standard features with the Premium trim—include hands-free power liftgate, multicolor ambient lighting and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. There’s also plenty of space for all the essentials: totes, coats and besties.

And let’s not forget about battery range— there’s enough juice here to take you through a whole day of driving without needing a recharge. With Ford’s fast-charging network, it’s easy to be powered up quicker than you can say, “Ride ‘em, cowboy!” Well, almost.

How popular is this EV, which looks more like a hot hatchback than an SUV? Last year, sales spiked 27% and outsold the iconic gas-powered Mustang. So yes, the Mach-E Premium isn’t just any vehicle—it’s an experience that’s, well, electric.

KIA SPORTAGE PHEV X-LINE PRESTIGE

$44,000

MPGe: 84 city/highway combined

0 to 60 mph: 7.1 seconds

Cargo space: 39.6 cu. ft.

PROS: Comfy. Comely cabin. Oodles of passenger room.

CONS: Clunky dual-use dashboard controls. Bit noisy interior.

IN A NUTSHELL: Next up: the 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige, a compact plugin hybrid that combines style, strength and versatility into one dazzling package. If the Mach-E Premium is a glam EV star, I found the Sportage PHEV to be an SUV showstopper.

Under the hood, power comes from an electric motor and gas-powered backup, so you get the best of both worlds—whether cruising on green energy or unleashing your inner diva. The all-electric range is almost 35 miles, and all-wheel drive is standard—which helps keep things steady, no matter the weather.

Inside, it’s pure comfort. While there are two hybrid trim levels, even the base-model—the X-Line—is fairly loaded: LED headlights/taillights, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, power liftgate, nav system, wireless charging pad, smartphone integration and more.

For my weeklong test vehicle, I was spoiled with the X-Line Prestige, which is full of a ridiculous number of amenities and safety gear. Let’s just say the clever cabin design would make the folks at Ferrari blush. Oh, and thanks to the pristine acoustics from the Harmon Kardon audio, I could have sworn the cast of “Hamilton” was right there with me belting out each tune. “Blow Us All Away,” indeed.

MERCEDES AMG C 63 S E

$87,000

MPGe: 40 city/highway combined 0 to 60 mph: 3.3 seconds

Cargo space: 11.6 cu. ft.

PROS: Snazzy. Lightning fast. Haute handling. CONS: Pricey. Quirky steering-wheel controls.

IN A NUTSHELL: Jonesing for an exciting, eco-friendly sedan? Then look no further than the Mercedes AMG C 63 S E plug-in hybrid, which gets the adrenaline pumping each time you slip behind the wheel.

Under the hood, there’s a staggering 671 horsepower—enough to leave competitors in the dust and make them more than a little jealous. This AMG-tuned Mercedes—the quickest C-Class ever—blasts from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, faster than your heart rate when seeing your next crush at a circuit party. And that’s not even the best part—the shapely contours of this sportster are as chiseled as Luke Evans’ check bones.

Inside, the cockpit is like a designer outfit made for a fab night out—high-quality material everywhere, as well as branded sport seats with top-tier upholstery and stitching. One downside: the steering-wheel controls, which look tasteful but can be a tad too touch-sensitive at times.

Still, this elegant ride exudes more than enough bells and whistles to maintain a constant state of euphoria.

FORD MUSTANG MACH-E PREMIUM

KIA SPORTAGE PHEV X-LINE PRESTIGE

MERCEDES AMG C 63 S E

Mr/Ms/Mx Uproar

Second annual competition held at LGBTQ club

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Gay

Men’s Chorus of Washington

performs “Passports”

GenOUT Youth Chorus joins GMCW for Lincoln Theatre show

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

The second annual Mr/Ms/Mx Uproar competition was held at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant on Saturday.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and the GenOUT Youth Chorus performed “Passports” at the Lincoln Theatre on March 15-16.

Buying a home as an LGBTQ couple

What you need to know

By JEFF HAMMERBERG & SCOTT HELMS

For LGBTQ couples, homeownership represents more than just a financial investment — it is a statement of stability, security, and equality. However, navigating the home-buying process can present unique legal and financial challenges. Whether you are buying your first home together or upgrading to your dream house, understanding your rights, responsibilities, and potential pitfalls is essential.

Here’s what LGBTQ couples need to know when purchasing a home in 2025.

Legal Considerations: How Should You Hold Title?

One of the most crucial decisions LGBTQ+ couples face when buying a home is how to hold title, as this impacts legal rights, inheritance, and financial obligations. Here are the three main options:

• Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship – Both partners own the property equally, and if one passes away, the other automatically inherits full ownership.

• Tenants in Common – Each partner owns a percentage of the property (e.g., 50/50 or 70/30). If one partner dies, their share goes to their estate, instead of automatically transferring to the surviving partner.

• Sole Ownership – If only one person is on the title, they hold full legal ownership. This may be beneficial for credit or financing reasons, but it leaves the non-owner partner vulnerable.

LGBTQ+ couples should have a conversation with their gay real estate agent, and/or consult a real estate attorney to determine the best ownership structure based on their relationship and long-term goals.

For LGBTQ couples, homeownership represents a statement of stability.

Financing: Getting Approved for a Mortgage

While same-sex marriage is legally recognized in the U.S., LGBTQ+ couples still experience higher rates of mortgage denials than their heterosexual counterparts. Here’s how to strengthen your loan application:

• Check Your Credit Scores – Both applicants should review their credit reports and address any discrepancies before applying.

• Compare Lenders – Some mortgage lenders are more LGBTQ+-friendly than others. Ask for a referral from your LGBTQ+ real estate professional.

• Consider a Joint or Individual Application – If one partner has significantly better credit or a higher income, it might be beneficial to apply individually for a more favorable interest rate.

Work with an LGBTQ+-friendly lender who understands your financial needs and ensures fair treatment.

Protecting Your Property and Rights

Even if you are legally married, it may be wise to put additional protections in place to avoid potential legal or financial disputes down the road:

• Co-Ownership Agreement – If you are not married or want to clarify ownership percentages, a co-ownership agreement outlines each person’s rights and responsibilities.

• Estate Planning – LGBTQ+ couples should have a will or trust to specify what happens to the property in the event of death. Even with joint tenancy, a will can clarify intentions and prevent family disputes.

• Power of Attorney – In case of emergency, granting each other power of attorney ensures that one partner can make legal or financial decisions on behalf of the other.

Estate planning is not just for the wealthy - having legal documents in place protects your home and loved ones.

Finding an LGBTQ+-Friendly Real Estate Agent

Working with a real estate professional who understands the needs of LGBTQ+ homebuyers can make the process much smoother. Here’s how to find the right agent:

• Look for Experience – Seek agents who specialize in working with LGBTQ+ clients and have knowledge of local housing protections.

• Avoid Discrimination – While the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on sex (interpreted to include sexual orientation and gender identity), biases still exist. Choose an agent who prioritizes inclusivity and fairness.

• Use LGBTQ+ Real Estate Networks – The best way to find a trusted LGBTQ+-friendly real estate agent is through GayRealEstate.com, the Nation’s Oldest and Largest Free Database of LGBTQ+ Real Estate Agents Worldwide. Since its founding, GayRealEstate.com has helped thousands of LGBTQ+ buyers and sellers connect with agents who are not only professional and experienced, but also 100% committed to equality and inclusivity.

Using an agent from GayRealEstate.com ensures that you are working with someone who values fairness, understands LGBTQ+ housing concerns, and is dedicated to finding you the perfect home in a welcoming community.

Choosing an LGBTQ+-Friendly Neighborhood

Finding a home is about more than just the property itself - it is about the community. Consider these factors when searching for the perfect neighborhood:

• LGBTQ+ Inclusivity – Look for cities with nondiscrimination laws, pride events, and visible LGBTQ+ communities.

•Safety – Research crime rates and local laws to ensure your new neighborhood is a safe and welcoming environment.

• Community Support – Some cities have LGBTQ+ resource centers, social groups, and advocacy organizations that make settling in easier.

Tools like the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index rank cities based on LGBTQ+ inclusivity and protections.

Homeownership is an Empowering Step

Buying a home as an LGBTQ+ couple is a milestone worth celebrating. While challenges still exist, being informed and proactive can help you avoid pitfalls, protect your rights, and make smart financial decisions. By working with LGBTQ+-friendly professionals, understanding your legal options, and securing financial protections, you will set yourself up for long-term success and stability.

Whether you are buying your first home or upgrading to your forever house, the key is to be prepared, protected, and empowered throughout the process.

JEFF HAMMERBERG & SCOTT HELMS

are with GayRealEstate.com, the nation’s leading online platform connecting LGBTQ homebuyers and sellers with LGBTQ-friendly real estate agents, ensuring a safe and supportive experience. To find an agent or learn more, visitGayRealEstate.com or call 1-888-420-MOVE.

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FERNANDO’S CLEANING

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People. Individual/Couples counseling with a volunteer peer counselor. GMCC, serving our community since 1973. 202-580-8661 gaymenscounseling.org  No fees. Donation requested.

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Catelyn@ModernFamilyFormation.com

BLADE PUBLISHESLEGAL NOTICES

including probate, small estates & foreign estates. Public notices are required to be published in newspapers of general circulation because these venues (now both print & online) reach the largest number of people in the community, while offering an easily archivable & verifiable outlet to make sure the notice was published when & how it was intended. Further, newspapers display notices in the context of other news & information that people in the community read. Newspapers & their associated websites are the appropriate forums for notices that affect citizens & the general public. Ask the court to publish yours in the Blade. The courts will take care of the set-up process. Another way to support your LGBTQ newspaper!

LIMOUSINES

KASPER’S LIVERY SERVICE

Since 1987. Gay & Veteran Owner/Operator. Lincoln Nautilus! Proper DC License & Livery Insured. www.KasperLivery.com 202-554-2471

FOR RENT/DC

DUPONT CIRCLE

The Imperial House, 1 BR, 1 BA. 651 sq. Ft., 1 Block to Metro, Hdwd floors, includes utilities(excl cable/internet). 24-hour front desk, rooftop deck w/ sweeping city views, W/D & Yoga/ meditation room & bike storage in building. Contact Craig Shireman, Chatel Real Estate, Inc., email: CRAIG@CHATEL.US.

MEN FOR MEN

TALL, DECENT LOOKING, white male iso attractive looking, Hispanic, biracial or European, hung male. Must be absolutely submissive, ready to perform for daddy. Guaranteed pleasure only. Sincere replies 24 hrs a day. 240-457-1292

BODYWORK THE MAGIC TOUCH Swedish, Massage or Deep Tissue. Appts. Low Rates, 24/7, In-Calls. 202-486-6183