Volume 47, Issue 11, March 11, 2016

MARCH
11,
2016
VOLUME 47
ISSUE 11
Talk of religious liberty

supplants overt anti-gay attacks
By CHRIS JOHNSON
cjohnson@washblade.com
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. If youneed evidence
that the defense of religious liberty has supplanted
overt anti-LGBT rhetoric in the Republican Party,
look no further than remarks from GOP presidential
candidates last weekend.
AMERICAS GAY NEWS SOURCE
Religious liberty, which is considered code to

mean enabling anti-LGBT discrimination, completely
subsumed any explicit talk by the candidates of
opposition to LGBT rights or same-sex marriage during
the 2016 Conservative Political Action Conference.
In defense of holding o on conrming a
replacement for the late U.S. Associate Justice Antonin
Scalia to the Supreme Court until a new president is
elected, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said religious liberty
would bein jeopardy if President Obama is allowed
CONTINUES ON PAGE 12
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
TED CRUZ avoided same-sex marriage at CPAC, but instead

talked about religious liberty.
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY
Gay linguist escapes horrors

of Iraq, settles in D.C.
By MICHAEL K. LAVERS
mlavers@washblade.com
Sham Hasan, a gay former linguist for the U.S. Army, vividly
recalls the day he learned the U.S. government had granted him
a visa that would allow him to leave Iraq.
It was March 25, 2014, when he received a phone call from
the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Hasan on the same day learned
the U.N. Refugee Agency was going to help him leave Iraq.
These two phone calls were the culmination of a process that
began more than three years earlier. Hasan during an interview
with the Washington Blade at a Dupont Circle coee shop was
quick to praise the International Refugee Assistance Project
for helping him navigate the bureaucratic process and lengthy
security and background checks that delayed his visa application.
The day that I got the call I literally stopped functioning
SHAM HASAN (right) in Iraq when he worked for the U.S. Army as a linguist.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HASAN
CONTINUES ON PAGE 13
OH, CANADA
OUR FAMILIES
INCLUSION WINS
Justin Trudeau says

hell march in Pride
parade. Will Obama?
Gay foster parent

talks love for his sons
in our special section.
At last, gay marchers

will take to streets in
NYCs St. Pats parade.
PAGE 10
PAGES 24-28
PAGES 18 & 31
0 2 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
W A SH I N G T O N BLA D E . CO M
W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 0 3
The Home Youll Love

in the neighborhood you cant wait to explore
With wide open living space inside and out, these new Chelsea Heights townhomes offer the
luxury and modern features youve always wanted. All this, just steps from Silver Spring Metro,
Whole Foods, AFI Silver, and some of the best dining and entertainment venues in the area.
New Luxury Townhomes from the $700s to $900s

IMMEDIATE MOVE-INS AVAILABLE
Model Homes Open Daily 11am6pm | 301-565-6700
25 Ellsworth Heights Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910
EYA.com/Blade
DIRECTIONS: From the District, travel north on Georgia Avenue toward Silver Spring.
Turn right onto Colesville Road. Turn right onto Spring Street. Spring Street becomes
Cedar Street. Turn left onto Ellsworth Drive. Turn right on Ellsworth Heights Street.
MHBR 7092
PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. EYA MARKETING LLC.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
0 4 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
LO CA L N E W S
The Trump Hotel is being built within the historic Old Post Oce Building at 12th and
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
WASHINGTON BLADE FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL KEY
Trump Hotel wont displace D.C. Pride festival

D.C. Police Chief CATHY LANIER said LGBT Liaison Unit aliate ocers have been
responding to calls for LGBT-related matters during the midnight shift and at other
times.
D.C. Police LGBT unit

greatly diminished
The chair of the D.C. Anti-Violence Project, which formerly was called Gays
and Lesbians Opposing Violence or GLOV, told a City Council hearing on March 2
that the presence of the police departments LGBT Liaison Unit has been greatly
diminished in recent years.
D.C. AVP Chair Stephania Mahdi presented the groups concerns over the
current direction of the LGBT Liaison Unit in testimony before a police oversight
hearing conducted by the D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary.
In January 2016 the D.C. police department made the problematic decision
to end the LGBT Liaison Units midnight shift, Mahdi told the committee. The
midnight shift has often been the units busiest time period; higher rates of
violent crime and domestic violence occurs during late-night hours, she said.
The unit has also seen a sharp reduction in its full-time sta, she continued.
Furthermore, liaison ocers are being tasked to unrelated patrol duties for a
majority of their shift. One could deduce that ocer response time and focus on
LGBT-related calls for service has been greatly diminished, she said.
Added Mahdi in her testimony: The truth of the matter is the LGBT community
does not feel the same level of support from the Liaison Unit that they have
received in previous years.
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier, who also testied before the committee, said
LGBT Liaison Unit aliate ocers have been responding to calls for LGBT-related
matters during the midnight shift and at other times. The aliate ocers are
assigned to each of the departments seven police districts.
Lanier also said that the full-time LGBT Liaison Unit ocers are on call at
all times and have responded to LGBT-related calls during the midnight shift.
During the past year Lanier has said the department was facing a shortage of
ocers due to a retirement bubble and she has had to reassign ocers in
various specialized units to street patrol duties during part of their daily shifts.
LGBT activists, including ocials with the DC AVP, have expressed concerns
that the LGBT aliate ocers may not have received the training needed to
enable them to carry out liaison unit duties. Activists have said the department
may also have cut back on the number of ocers taking a longstanding LGBT
cultural competency course.
The departments support of a robust dedicated liaison unit, carefully vetted
and trained liaison ocers, support of the LGBT cultural competency course,
and nally the restoration of the LGBT Liaison Units midnight shift are actions
the department should take in the coming months, Mahdi said.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
A decision by the D.C. government to keep one lane open on Pennsylvania Avenue,
N.W., at all times near the soon-to-be-opened Trump Hotel to allow for hotel valet
service has prompted the annual Cherry Blossom Festival to move to a new location
near the Southwest waterfront.
But the president of D.C.s Capital Pride Festival said the one-lane requirement will
not impact that event, which has become the largest single gathering of LGBT people
and their supporters in the mid-Atlantic region each June.
This will not be an issue for Capital Pride, said Bernie Delia, the organizations
president. We occupy the space on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., from 3rd Street, N.W.
to 7th Street, N.W, he said. The concern of the Trump Hotel is valet service for the
hotel. We are blocks away.
The Trump Hotel is being built within the historic Old Post Oce Building at 12th and
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. It is scheduled to open in September.
The Japan-American Society of Washington, which sponsors the Cherry Blossom
street festival, says it decided to move that event because the elimination of one lane
would no longer provide enough space for all of its vendors and exhibit booths.
According to the Washington Post, Cherry Blossom festival organizers decided to
move their event this year, even though it takes place months before the Trump Hotel
is scheduled to open.
Delia said Capital Pride was informed that the section of Pennsylvania Avenue where
its street festival and two stages where entertainers perform would include all six lanes
the full width of the street.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Trump wins D.C. GOP straw poll
Presidential candidate Donald Trump came in rst place March 2, in a straw poll
conducted at the D.C. Republican Partys annual Lincoln Douglas Dinner.
A statement released by the D.C. Republican Committee says Trump received 31
percent of the vote, with GOP presidential candidate Marco Rubio coming in second
with 28 percent. GOP presidential contender Ted Cruz received 16 percent, John Kasich
received 14 percent and Ben Carson received 5 percent.
D.C. GOP Chair Jose Cunningham said in the statement that hundreds of D.C.
Republicans who attended the annual dinner at the Lowes Madison Hotel voted in the
straw poll.
Cunningham noted that thousands of D.C. registered Republicans will have a
chance to vote for the Republican presidential candidate of their choice and how many
delegates from D.C. they receive at a March 12 convention also to be held at the Lowes
Madison.
Republicans participating in the convention will also vote to select who the citys 16
delegates and 16 alternate delegates will be who will attend the Republican National
Convention in July.
At least seven gay candidates who are members of the local D.C. Log Cabin Republicans
group are among 160 candidates competing for the delegate and alternate positions.
You see a similar race developing in the District that weve witnessed in virtually all
the states so far, Cunningham said in referring to the D.C. GOPs March 12 presidential
preference vote.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 0 5
Come discover the most research-informed school

in the Washington, D.C. area. Our mission is to know and
inspire each child in an inclusive community dedicated
to exceptional teaching, learning and service.
Learn more at www.saes.org.

Home of the National Diversity Directors Institute and
Regional Student Diversity Leadership Conference
St. Andrews Episcopal School is a private, coeducational college preparatory day school
for students in preschool (Age 2) through grade 12, located in Potomac, MD.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
0 6 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
LO CA L N E W S
Baltimore mayoral candidates talk LGBT issues

Emotional forum tackles
HIV, homelessness
By STEVE CHARING
More than 100 members of the
Baltimores LGBT community and allies
attended an emotional mayoral forum
hosted by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
and Transgender Community Center of
Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB)
on March 8. The event, which took place
at the University of Baltimores H. Mebane
Turner Learning Commons, featured a
dozen mayoral candidates out of the
29 vying for the oce held by outgoing
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Democratic
candidates
who
participated included: Elizabeth Embry,
chief of the Maryland Attorney Generals
Oce criminal division; Patrick Gutierrez,
former operations manager; DeRay
Mckesson, a gay civil rights activist;
Council member Nick Mosby; State Sen.
Catherine Pugh; Council member Carl
Stokes; academic researcher Cindy Walsh;
and engineer Calvin Allen Young III.
Former Mayor Shelia Dixon, a Democrat
and who is perceived as the frontrunner,
did not attend.
Other participants who will compete in
the general election only include: Green
Party candidate and activist Joshua Harris
as well as unaliated candidates dispute
resolution manager Nicholas Caminiti,
state employee LaVern Murray and
activist Andre Powell.
None of the ve Republican candidates
attended.
CATHERINE PUGH (standing) addresses the

crowd at Tuesdays forum.
WASHINGTON BLADE PHOTO BY STEVE CHARING
The candidates, following opening

statements,
elded
pre-determined
questions regarding their records on
advancing LGBT rights, what they would
do to stop police proling and violence
against
LGBT
people,
particularly
transgender people of color, what
they would do to support homeless
LGBT youth, and what they would
do to ensure equal education and
employment opportunities for LGBT
people, particularly youth, seniors and
transgender people of color.
In addition to responding to those
questions, the candidates explained

other matters relating to governance,
such as the need for new leadership for
opportunity, education and the ills of
crime and poverty
Each candidate oered their personal
commitment to LGBT equality with
some more familiar with the issues than
others. Stokes said he has a long history
with LGBT rights. I am not a friend of
the community but am a part of the
community, he said.
Sen. Pugh cited several legislative
initiatives she led, including group life
insurance policies for domestic partners
and co-sponsoring the Religious Freedom
and Civil Rights Protection Act.
Walsh said she has fought for equal
protection for many years. We have
gay rights but not equal protection, she
explained.
On the other hand, both Caminiti and
Murray indicated that while they support
full equality for all, they admit to not
having much experience with LGBT issues.
The forum was interrupted by activist
Akil Patterson who questioned why none
of the candidates have addressed the
HIV/AIDS crisis among young black gay
and bisexual men. Lynda Dee, founder
of AIDS Action Baltimore criticized the
current and past administrations for not
overtly publicizing HIV/AIDS in Baltimore
and demanded that each candidate
pledge to use a public information
campaign to call attention to HIV/AIDS.
Another audience member, Kinji Scott,
who is running for City Council, said, We
have to do something about HIV in the
African-American community.
Mosby responded to Pattersons

question by pointing out the issue is
preventable and treatable. We must take
the trajectory of young African-American
men seriously, he said.
Harris added that there was $6
million being held up by the citys Health
Department earmarked for the Ryan
White program, which recently had to fold
due to lack of funding. He also said that
sexual orientation and gender identity
ought to be taught in schools as part of
the sex education curriculum.
The candidates elded questions from
the audience on a variety of matters.
Longtime activist Monica Yorkman, a
trans woman, emotionally described
being fearful of police because of her
experiences of being harassed by police
and how she, as a homeless person, had
been afraid to go to a homeless shelter
even more so now as a 62-year-old
transgender person of color.
Many candidates decried lack of
management and accountability in the
current city government. This city is
corrupt, Stokes said. When asked what
issue left behind by the current mayor
that she would like to tackle, Embry
pointed to so little accountability.
Jabari Lyles, president of the GLCCB
was pleased with the forum.
The candidates provided enough
insight to their platform to where our
community can make an informed
decision at election time, Lyles told the
Blade. We have 29 candidates running
for mayor. Only one will win but based on
tonight, we should have 28 leaders that
can still be held accountable.
Gay man seeks Delaware House seat

Daigle would be
rst out gay to join
chamber if elected
By MICHAEL K. LAVERS
A gay man has announced his
candidacy for the Delaware House of
Representatives.
Joe Daigle led his campaign paperwork
on Feb. 11. The North Wilmington resident
who hopes to represent Delawares 7th
Representative District ocially kicked o
his campaign on March 1.
It started like a lot of things from
a personal place, from a point of selfreection, Daigle told the Washington
Blade on Tuesday during a telephone
interview as he discussed his campaign. I

am extremely passionate about building
community.
The 7th Representative District includes
Claymont, Arden and portions of North
Wilmington.
Daigle, 27, will face former state Rep.
David Brady and Ashbourne Hills Civic
Association President Robert Cameron
in the Democratic primary on Sept. 13.
The three men are hoping to succeed
state Rep. Bryon Short (D-Newark), who is
running for Congress.
Daigle would be the rst openly LGBT
person elected to the Delaware House if
he were to win in November. State Sen.
Karen Peterson (D-Stanton) came out in
2013 as she spoke in support of a samesex marriage bill before it passed in the
Delaware Senate.
Daigle, who currently works for JPMorgan
Chase, was a member of the Newark Arts

Alliance board of directors. He stepped
down as president of the Barbara Gittings
Delaware Stonewall Democrats last month
in order to run for the state House.
Daigle and his husband, Dan Cole, are
the rst same-sex couple who had not
previously entered into a civil union to
legally marry in the state. Then-Delaware
Attorney General Beau Biden was among
those who spoke at their wedding that
took place on July 1, 2013, the day the
states same-sex marriage law took eect.
This was one of the most exciting
moments of my life, Daigle told the Blade
shortly after he and Cole exchanged vows
in the Marian Cruger Con Gardens at
the Gibraltar Mansion in Wilmington. I
am so happy to be married to Dan.
Biden, who was the son of Vice
President Biden, died of brain cancer last
May at the age of 46.

His passing was extremely tragic, said
Daigle. It was hard for everyone in the
community and it was equally hard for
us. Its a huge loss for Delaware not only
because he was a great advocate and a
leader, but he was such a genuine guy.
Daigle on Tuesday also discussed the
presidential campaign.
Our
national
attention
on
sensationalism is scary, he told the Blade.
Its very scary that we continue to reduce
politics, leadership and community
to buzzwords and staring down other
groups of people.
Daigle said he is still personally thinking
about whether to endorse former
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or U.S.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for president.
Ive been a fan of both Bernie and
Hillary for years, Daigle told the Blade.
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 0 7
Lose that DOUBLE chin!
Kybella is an FDA approved injectable treatment used to

improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat
below the chin (submental fat), also called double chin.
Kybella Introductory Offer!

SPECIAL: New Patient
$995 for First Treatment
$10/unit Botox Cosmetic!
(Reg. $1295)
Steve Weinberg
Keep your promise to protect each other.
ATTORNEY AT LAW
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

FOR 33 YEARS
PERSONAL INJURY PROBATE
WILLS/ POAs CIVIL LITIGATION
CONSERVATORSHIPS GUARDIANSHIPS
202-861-0077
2141 P STREET NW SUITE 103

WASHINGTON DC 20037
E-MAIL steveweinbergdc@aol.com
LICENSED IN DC, MD AND VA
Serving Our Community for 35 years
A D V E RT I S I N G
Wills & Trusts
Powers
of(bpitts@washblade.com)
Attorney Living Wills
SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN
PITTS
Partnership & Prenuptial Agreements
a d v i C e m e d iat i o N L i t i G at i o N a P P e a L S C o L L a B o r at i o N
PROOF #1
ISSUE DATE: 03.04.16
P R O O F
REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of proof.
Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date
(240) 778-2330 (703) 536-0220

www.PartnerPlanning.com
of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts omnimedia
REVISIONS
llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible
for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users can link through
REDESIGN
the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third
TEXT REVISIONS
parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent,
trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair competition,
IMAGE/LOGO
REVISIONS
defamation, invasion of
or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right
FamiLY | eState PLaNNiNG | emPLoYmeNt
| privacy
immiGratioN
of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and
NO
REVISIONS
ComPLeX LitiGatioN | CiviL riGHtS
| LGBt
| adoPtioN
BuSiNeSS
to hold
brown naff
pitts omnimedia llc |(dba
the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages,
ADVERTISER SIGNATURE
Serving the LGBT
Community
in DC/MD/VA since 1983
claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts
omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.
Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A.
at tor N e YS at L aw d C | m d | va
3 0 1 . 8 9 1 . 2 2 0 0 S P - L aw. C o m
6 9 3 0 C a r r o L L av e , S u i t e 6 1 0 ta k o m a Pa r k m d
By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contract obligations with the
washington blade newspaper. This includes but is not limited to placement,
payment and insertion schedule.
Lawrence S. Jacobs/McMillan Metro, PC
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
0 8 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
De Blasio issues bathroom exec order

NEW YORK New York City Mayor Bill de
Blasio on March 7 issued an executive order
that requires city agencies to allow their
employees and members of the public to
use restrooms consistent with their gender
identity.
Todays order makes it clear that New York
City fully supports the right of every New
Yorker to use the single-sex facility consistent
with their gender identity, said de Blasio in a
press release. New York City is the birthplace
of the ght for LGBT rights, and we continue
to lead in that ght so every New Yorker can
New York City fully supports the
live with dignity.
right of every New Yorker to use
The press release notes the New York
the single-sex facility consistent
with their gender identity, said
City Commission on Human Rights recently
New York Mayor BILL DE BLASIO.
announced that employers, housing providers
PHOTO BY KEVIN CASE; COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
or those who provide public accommodations
can face prosecution under the citys Human
Rights Law if they deny someone access to a restroom based on their gender
identity. Gov. Andrew Cuomos executive order that eectively prohibits antitrans discrimination in New York State took eect in January.
Gay New York City Council members Corey Johnson and Rosie Mendez are
among those who attended the ceremony during which de Blasio signed his order.
NGLCC partners with Major League Baseball

NEW YORK Major League Baseball announced a rst-of-its-kind partnership
with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce that is designed to
help certied businesses become its ocial suppliers.
NGLCC President Justin Nelson discussed the partnership in an exclusive
interview with Fortune.
We take great pride in the fact that this not only puts us closer to Major
League Baseball and the ability to bring innovative suppliers to their operation,
but also that we get to work with incredible advocates and athletes like Billy
Bean, said Nelson.
Bean told Fortune the partnership allows our community to get more
coverage and exposure on the programs that [business owners are] working
very, very hard to expand.
Fortune reported the partnership will be formally announced this week at
MLBs business diversity summit in Phoenix.
News of the partnership comes days after NGLCC ocially launched its latest
international aliate in the Dominican Republic.
NFL prospect asked about sexual orientation

ATLANTA A former member of the Ohio State football team last week said
a coach with the Atlanta Falcons asked him whether he is gay.
The Falcons coach, one of the coaches, was like, So do you like men? said Eli
Apple on March 4 during an interview with Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. It
was like the rst thing he asked me. It was weird. I was just like, no. He was like,
if youre going to come to Atlanta, sometimes thats how it is around here, youre
going to have to get used to it.
I guess he was joking but they just ask most of these questions to see how
youre going to react, added Apple.
Apple said the coach who he did not identify asked the question during
a meeting at the National Football Leagues combine.
The Associated Press reported that Marquand Manuel, a secondary coach for
the team, is the one who asked Apple the question.
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn in a statement said he was really disappointed.
I have spoken to the coach that interviewed Eli Apple and explained to him
how inappropriate and unprofessional this was, said Quinn, according to
Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. I have reiterated this to the entire coaching
sta and I want to apologize to Eli for this even coming up. This is not what the
Atlanta Falcons are about and it is not how we are going to conduct ourselves.
NATIONAL NEWS
Missouri Senate approves

religious freedom measure
Anti-gay resolution
survives 39-hour libuster
By CHRIS JOHNSON
After a 39-hour libuster from Missouri
Democrats attempting to thwart a
religious freedom resolution seen to
enable anti-LGBT discrimination, the
state Senate approved the measure early
Wednesday by a 21-11 vote.
The measure, Senate Joint Resolution
39, now heads to the Missouri House,
where majority approval in that chamber
would send the initiative to ballot for
voters to ratify on Election Day.
The resolution, sponsored by State
Sen. Bob Onder, is a religious freedom
measure seen to enable anti-LGBT
discrimination in Missouri following
the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor
of same-sex marriage nationwide. It
would allow religious organizations and
individuals to deny services to same-sex
couples out of religious objections.
Steph Perkins, executive director of the
Missouri statewide LGBT group PROMO,
was among those who decried passage of
the measure in the Senate.
We agree that religion is a fundamental
right, which is why it is protected in the
First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
and in our existing Human Rights Act,
Perkins said. We are not arguing that
clergy and churches should be denied
their freedom of religion. But those
same religious beliefs cannot be used
as a reason to deny someone the same
services that are oered to the rest of
the public by private businesses. And
that is exactly what SJR 39 aims to do.
Businesses and organizations have
already been rightly concerned about
the consequences of this bill and are
outspoken in their opposition.
The lawmakers leading the libuster
eort were State Senate Minority Leader
Joseph Keaveny, State Sen. Jamilah
Nasheed, State Sen. Jill Schupp and State
Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal.
The 39-hour libuster of the measure
started Monday shortly after 4 p.m.
Central Time. According to media outlets,
Republicans used a rare procedural move
to shut down debate and force a vote on
the measure.
Jerey Mittman, executive director of
ACLU of Missouri, expressed indignation
over the Missouri Senates approval of the
measure, saying Republicans used a rare
procedural move to shut down debate.
Discrimination has no place in our state
and we are resolved to continue to ght
this bill in the House, Mittman said. We
Missouri Gov. JAY NIXON opposes the antigay measure.

PHOTO BY BERNARD POLLACK; COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
salute the senators who courageously

libustered this hateful bill for a recordbreaking 39 hours, and were willing to
keep standing, even as the numbers were
against them. The country is watching and
we will continue to ght until weve landed
on the right side of history.
The law has four parts aimed at allowing
religious people and organizations to deny
wedding services to same-sex couples.
It prohibits the state from imposing
a penalty on a religious organization
that acts in accordance with a sincere
religious belief concerning same-sex
marriage, which includes the refusal to
perform a same-sex marriage ceremony
or allowing a same sex wedding ceremony
to be performed on the religious
organizations property. (A religious
organization under the resolution is
construed broadly to include religious
societies, corporations, schools, social
service providers and hospitals.) It bars
the state from penalizing an individual
who declines, due to sincere religious
beliefs, to provide goods of expressional
or artistic creation for a same-sex
wedding ceremony. It explicitly doesnt
prevent the state from providing lawful
marriage licenses or other marital
benets. Under the resolution, hospitals
couldnt refuse to treat a marriage as
valid for the purposes of a spouses
right to visitation or to make health care
decisions. It allows individuals protected
under this resolution to use the law as
a claim or defense in a legal proceeding
regardless of whether the state is a party
in the dispute.
The resolution explicitly prohibits the
state from forcing clergy to ociate samesex marriages, but theyre already allowed
to opt out of such ceremonies under the
First Amendment tothe U.S. Constitution.
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 0 9
THE BETTER WAY TO A BETTER WINDOW
THE
RICHARD
GROUP
TM
TRG JOB
RBA-16-
Improve your view of

the world with a phone call.
855-242-1791
$
250
ON EVERY WINDOW
OFF $
*
700
OFF
NO
PUB(S):
Washing
DC
TRIM:
9.75 x 11
QUESTIO
Todd Gut
214-891-
NO NO
MONEY DOWN PAYMENTS

FOR 18 MONTHS
ON EVERY PATIO DOOR
CLIENT:
Renewal
Andersen
INTEREST
Interest accrues from the purchase date but is

waived if paid in full within 18 months*
*Minimum purchase of 4 windows or patio doors
The better way to a better window begins with the best people, a superior process, and our
exclusive Fibrex windows. Our Renewal by Andersen Signature Service ensures complete
customer satisfaction from your initial call to final installation. Our innovative Fibrex composite
material windows, exclusive to Andersen, combine recycled wood and special
polymers to provide strength and durability. The fact is, Fibrex is twice as strong
as vinyl, extremely energy-efficient, and incredibly low-maintenance.
Call now for your FREE Window Diagnosis.

Sale ends March19.
Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Windows and Doors. J.D. Power **
W E
M E A S U R E.
W E
B U I L D.
W E
I N S T A L L.
Call 855-242-1791.
Offer ends March 19.
renewalbyandersen.com
*DETAILS OF OFFER Offer expires 3/19/2016. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. $250 off each window, $700 off each patio door, and no money down with 18 months no payments,
no interest when you purchase four or more windows or patio doors between 2/21/16 & 3/19/16 with approved credit. The $250 off window and $700 off patio door must be less than or equal to
the lowest-cost window or patio door in the project. No interest and no payments for 18 months available. Subject to qualifying credit approval. APR of 16.84% as of 3/1/2015, subject to change.
Repayment terms from 0 to 18 months. Interest accrues during the promotional period, but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid in full within 18 months. Savings comparison
is based on the purchase of a single unit at regular list price. Available only at participating locations. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. VA License #2705155684, DC
License #420215000125, MHIC #121441. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. Renewal by Andersen and all other marks where denoted are
trademarks of Andersen Corporation. 2016 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.
**Renewal by Andersen received the highest numerical score among window and door manufacturers in the proprietary J.D. Power 2015 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction Study.SM Study
based on responses from 2,442 consumers measuring 14 brands and measures opinions of consumers who purchased new windows or patio doors in the previous 12 months. Proprietary
study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January-February 2015. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
RBA160009 HP_9_7x11_5.indd 1
2/17/16 11:09 AM
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
1 0 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
NATIONAL NEWS
Trudeau commits to marching in Pride parade

Will Obama follow his lead?
By CHRIS JOHNSON
Canadian
Prime
Minister
Justin
Trudeau won some new LGBT fans
following his recent pledge to march in
an upcoming Pride parade something
President Obama hasnt committed to
doing, despite his strong support for
LGBT rights.
Ahead of Trudeaus state visit to
Washington this week, the Washington
Blade asked during the White House
news brieng if Obama would be open
during his nal year in oceto marching
in a Pride parade, such as the upcoming
Capital Pride parade in June in D.C..
White House Press Secretary Josh
Earnest was non-committal in his
response: I have not heard of a
presidential commitment like that. My
guess is it would not be the rst time that
hes marched in a Pride parade.
When the Blade interjected by saying
Obama hasnt marched in a parade
Canadian Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU

said he would march in the Toronto Pride
parade later this year.
PHOTO BY ALEX GUIBORD; COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA
during his eight years in oce, Earnest

replied, Probably as president, but not
the rst time that has done that.
I dont have any scheduling updates for
you at this point, but if this is something
the president chooses to do, well
denitely let you know, Earnest said.
The Blade is unaware of any time
Obama has marched in a Pride parade
destination...
GOURMET
either during his presidency or during

his previous roles as a U.S. senator or a
state senator in Illinois. If Obama were to
march in a Pride parade, he would be the
rst sitting U.S. president to do so.
Obama and rst lady Michelle Obama
are scheduled on Thursday to welcome
Trudeau and his wife Gregoire Trudeau to
the White House for an ocial visit with a
state dinner.
Last month, Trudeau announced he
would take part in the Toronto Pride
Parade, which is set to take place on July 3.
Marching in the event will make Trudeau
the rst Canadian prime minister to
march in a Pride parade.
Bernie Delia, board president of the
Capital Pride Alliance, said hed welcome
Obamas participation in either the parade
or festival for D.C.s Capital Pride in June.
The president and his administration
have been strong supporters of equality
for members of the LGBT community,
and he and Vice President Biden have
matched their words with deeds and
actions on a number of fronts, including
marriage equality, Delia said. We
welcome all people who share our core
beliefs to join us as we celebrate the

many successes of the community and as
we prepare to undertake the work that is
not yet accomplished.
Delia added that Obamas schedule
and security requirements are two
issues that have likely prevented him
from participating in Capital Pride.
Brett Hayhoe, co-president of the
Australia-based
international
Pride
organization InterPride, said he welcomes
Trudeaus decision to march in Toronto
Pride and would support a similar gesture
from Obama.
Throughout the entire time President
Obama has been in oce, he has constantly
shown support for our community,
including publicly declaring June each year
Pride Month and having a leading hand in
signicant legislative change to remove
discriminatory government policy against
the LGBTI community, Hayhoe said.
Given this sincere support for allcitizens
of the USA, his participation at a Pride
march or parade would be extremely
welcomed by the Pride community. It
would indeed be a tting gesture in his
nal year of tenure.
STUDIOS.
1BEDS.
2BEDS.
FROM THE $300S
TO OVER $1M+
schedule your appointment today!

Make your private appointment today and learn
more about the luxurious homes in Logan Circles
newest condominium community, Logan13.
1311 13th St. NW
67 unique
residences
Delivering
this fall
Featuring a mix of designer floorplans

accentuated with gourmet kitchens with gas
cooktops, oversized windows, 6 wide plank
flooring, recessed lighting, and so much more.
Logan13 located in DCs hottest neighborhood,
is a tasteful adventure from the ordinary. Let our
team help you choose your next destination.
40% sold out

NOW SELLING | CONNECT TODAY
202.660.0108 | liveatlogan13.com
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 1 1
Need More Space?

open sunday 12-2pm
3601 S. 5th St #104
Arlington, VA 22204
$218,900 / 2 bedS 1 bAth
36015th104.mcenearney.com
5340 holmeS run PArkwAy #314

AlexAndriA, VA 22304
$235,000 / 3 bedS 2 bAthS
5340holmesrun.mcenearney.com
1100 QuAker hill dr. #6

$275,000 / 2 bedS 1 bAth
1100quakerhill6.mcenearney.com
open sunday 2-4pm

1016 S. wAyne Street #804
Arlington, VA 22204
$472,900 / 2 bedS 2 bAthS
1016wayne804.mcenearney.com
8516 buckboArd driVe

$759,900 / 6 bedS 3 bAthS
8516buckboard.mcenearney.com
open sunday 2-4pm

2050 JAmieSon AVe #1016
$825,000 / 3 bedS 2 bAthS
2050jamieson1016.mcenearney.com
3303 cArolinA PlAce

$1,499,500 / 5 bedS 4.5 bAthS
3303carolina.mcenearney.com
4120 SeminAry roAd

$1,199,900 / 4 bedS 4.55 bAthS
4120seminary.mcenearney.com
coming soon!
open sunday 2-4pm

1250 S. wAShington Street #605
$1,288,900 / 3 bedS 4 bAthS
1250washington605.mcenearney.com
7745 white heron trAil

$429,000/ 3 bedS 3 bAthS
7745whiteheron.mcenearney.com
2210 ruSSell roAd

$2,195,000 / 5 bedS 3.5 bAthS
2210russell.mcenearney.com
303 SummerS driVe

$939,900 / 3 bedS 3 bAthS
rosemont
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
1 2 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
NATIONAL NEWS
GOP dropping marriage attacks in favor of religious freedom

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
to appoint the successor.

We are one liberal justice away
from the Supreme Court ruling that
government can take our religious liberty
away and force every one of us to violate
our faith on penalty of prison or ne,
Cruz said.
Not explicitly mentioned by Cruz was his
opposition to the Supreme Courts ruling
in favor of same-sex marriage, a decision
in which Scalia dissented. The candidate
raising fears of penalty or jail time sounds
like the ve-day imprisonment ofRowan
County Clerk Kim Davis for enforcing a
no licenses policy in her Kentucky oce
after the ruling.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) hit on the
importance of religious liberty during his
speech before CPAC when talking about
the importance of faith in American life.
To move forward in a better direction,
it does mean re-embracing and following
the First Amendment, for what that
stands for is not just the right to believe
anything you want, but the right to live
out the teachings in every single aspect
your life, Rubio said.
The candidate didnt say anything

about LGBT rights, but his words echo the
defense uttered byBarronelle Stutzman,
a orist in Washington State penalized
under the states civil rights law for
denying owers for a same-sex couples
wedding; Oregon bakers Aaron and
Melissa Klein, who were ned $135,000
after they turned away a lesbian couple
seeking a wedding cake; and Masterpiece
Bakeshop in Colorado, which was found
to have violated the state civil rights law
by denying a cake to a gay couple.
Donald Trump ended up skipping CPAC
to appear at campaign events ahead of the
Super Saturday contests. However, during
a news conference afterhis victory speech,
the candidatedeclined to answer a question
on his opposition to same-sex marriage,
ordering the reporter who made the
inquiry to sit down. Although Trump didnt
mention religious liberty, he didntutter the
word marriage in his response.
Ive made it very strong; we have policy
on it, Trump said. Ive said it very, very
strongly. And I think you know it. And its all
done. How many times do I have to say it?
The shift away from talking about
same-sex marriage in favor of religious
liberty as the general election approaches

reects thatthe electorate at large would
likely be unreceptive to candidates
that oppose LGBT rights. Although a
Reuters/Ipsos poll after the Supreme
Court ruling on same-sex marriage in
2015 found 63 percent of Republicans are
opposed to the ruling, a slimmajority of
51 percent of Americans as a whole said
they support marriage equality.
The language of the candidates is
consistent with the 2012 autopsy report
from the Republican National Committee,
which concluded opposition to gay
people would be a turno to voters who
consider support for LGBT rights a gateway
issue in selecting a presidential candidate.
For the GOP to appeal to younger
voters, we do not have to agree on
every issue, but we do need to make
sure young people do not see the party
as totally intolerant of alternative points
of view, the report says. Already, there
is a generational dierence within the
conservative movement about issues
involving the treatment and the rights
of gays and for many younger voters,
these issues are a gateway into whether
the party is a place they want to be.
But in the end, support for religious liberty

as these candidates articulate it also seeks to
undermine LGBT rights.Nearly 200 anti-LGBT
bills have been introduced in state legislatures
throughout the country, many of which seek
to compromise LGBT rights in the name of
religious liberty. Just this week, Democrats
in the Missouri Legislature libustered a
state constitutional amendment that would
allow religious organizations and individuals
to deny services to same-sex couples on
religious grounds.
Jimmy LaSalvia, a gay independent
who bolted the Republican Party, said
the reality is debate onmarriage equality
is over, but the party base is living in
the past, so the language has turned to
religious liberty.
For most of America the debate about
marriage has moved beyond right versus
left to right versus wrong, LaSalvia said.
The candidates talking about religious
liberty are just arming their voters right to
be wrong. Of course, if all you do is defend
others right to be wrong, then you remind
voters that youre wrong too, so pretending
not to talk about marriage in favor of talking
about religious liberty still reminds voters
that the candidates are wrong on marriage.
Health Insurance Issues? Claim Denied?

Confused about what your plan covers?
C ALL THE
HEALTH CARE
OMBUDSMAN
202.724.7491 OR 877.685.6391 TOLL FREE
We are here Monday Friday | 8:45am 4:45pm
HealthcareOmbudsman.dc.gov
The Knowledge to Guide You.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
MURIAL BOWSER, MAYOR
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
NEWS
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 1 3
From Iraq to Nellies: gay linguist recounts journey

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 01
as a human being, he said. I never, ever

thought that I would leave Iraq after a
three-and-a-half-year battle with the U.S.
government to get my visa.
Hasan told the Blade that he clenched the
package in which his passport and visa were
held as he left the embassy, noting he was
so scared to get hurt or go near a suicide
bomber that might explode at any minute.
He soon left Baghdad and returned to his
safer harbor in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Hasan on May 11, 2014, ew from the
Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah to the
Jordanian capital of Amman. He traveled
from there to Chicago the next day.
I was in a state of mind where I couldnt
process that I was in America, Hasan
told the Blade, recalling the moment he
arrived in the U.S. I was like crazy. I was
like someone who really lost his mind.
I couldnt think of anything else. I was
thinking about my freedom.
Hasan, 29, was born and raised in
Baghdad. His parents are Kurdish, but they
too were born and raised in the Iraqi capital.
Hasan had just completed his second
year at Al-Mustansiriya Universitys
College of Arts in Baghdad in 2006 when
members of the Madhi Army, a Shiite
militia group known as Jaysh al-Mahdi in
Arabic, kidnapped him and his uncle.
Hasan told the Blade that the militants
killed his uncle a member of a Kurdish
political party they accused of working
with U.S. forces to obtain information
about insurgents.
He said the militants forced him to
confess his homosexuality as a sin.
Hasan told the Blade he was released
nearly 10 hours after they kidnapped him.
I was on the list to be killed, Hasan
told the Blade. They wanted to get
information out of me because of my
uncles aliation.
Hasan said that his uncles wife a few
days later received a phone call from
someone who made her listen to verses
of the Quran that indicate a person has
died. He told the Blade his uncles body
has never been found, but his family
suspects the militants beheaded him.
Hes still missing, said Hasan.
Hasan said he and his entire family ed
to Kurdistan after the kidnapping.
He told the Blade that he didnt return
to school for a year because he was
traumatized. Hasan said he was also
recovering from shrapnel-related injuries
to his right knee that he suered when
the militants threw a grenade at him.
I was literally sick, he said. I was living
on medication.
Hasan eventually re-enrolled in college.
He graduated and began working for an
American company that was providing
security to the U.S. Embassy inside
Baghdads Green Zone.
SHAM HASAN (right) with his partner, DAVID MANUEL, and their cats Babel and Ishtar.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HASAN
Hasan said he provided linguistic

services for two months, but quickly
became unhappy because of the security
restrictions.
I was literally in an oce that was
surrounded by two walls, he said.
Hasan decided to transfer to a large
U.S. military base in the city of Basra in
southern Iraq. It was there that he told
the Blade he met the real Sham, who
was a medic.
He was like, Sham, you speak very
good English and the U.S. Army needs
your services more than here, Hasan
told the Blade, recalling the conversation
he had with his chosen namesake. Being
here with this company is doing nothing
and we really need you.
So he was like, Why dont you try to
nd a way to join the Army as a linguist,
he added.
Hasan said he approached a company
that hired Iraqis to work as linguists with
the U.S. Army. He passed the test and the
company hired him.
They asked me what name I would
like to choose to keep my identity safe in
Iraq, Hasan told the Blade. I chose Sham
because Sham inspired me.
Hasan three days later arrived at Imam
Ali Air Base near the predominantly Shiite
city of Nasariyah.
Impossible to live in Iraq

Hasan was working with U.S. military
ocials who were supervising the Iraqi
army. He said he found out about a
program in 2010 that oers immigrant
visas to Iraqi and Afghan linguists and
translators who worked with the U.S.
military in their respective countries.
They were telling me about this
special visa program for those who
provide faithful services and risk their
lives to work with the U.S. Army and the
U.S. government, Hasan told the Blade.
I was like, alright it doesnt hurt to go
to America. I already lost my life back

in Baghdad because of my uncle and
because the group who kidnapped me.
They were pretty much sure that I was
gay and they beat the hell out of me.
It was really impossible to live in Iraq
after being gay and right now Im being
viewed as an indel, he said.
He told the Blade that the ocers
with whom he worked wrote letters of
recommendation in support of his visa
application. In the meantime, Hasan was
working with their Iraqi counterparts.
They were trying to enforce a good
relationship between the base and the
neighboring villages around the area, he
said. We used to get shot at with mortars
every single day. They were losing lives.
Hasan said the ocers with whom
he worked began going out on patrols
a few months later to look for bombs
and rockets and to speak with local
residents. He told the Blade that a man
at a checkpoint walked out of his car,
approached him and spit in his face.
He called me a traitor, said Hasan.
Hes like, Youre an asshole. Why do you
work for them? Why do you facilitate their
mission?
By then I realized there was no way I
could stay in Iraq, he said.
Hasan arrived in South Bend, Ind.,
shortly after his arrival in the U.S. in 2014.
He told the Blade that he knew people
in D.C., but didnt want to make the
resettlement process more complicated.
I was like, Please just get me out of
Iraq and I will be ne there, said Hasan.
They told me that Im going to South
Bend, Ind. I had no idea what South Bend
is, what Indiana is.
Hasan said the resettlement agency
was not ready to have me when he
arrived in Indiana. He told the Blade that
an employee of a local church agreed to
allow him to live with him and his family
for four months.
Imagine I arrive there and here is this
typical American image in my head: A
Midwestern family, blond, blue eyes, very

white, beautiful car, the lawn is mowed
really well, said Hasan. It was like I was
living in a movie that I used to watch on
TV when I was back home with my family.
Hasan told the Blade he woke up the
next morning and saw a deer and a rabbit
in front of his host familys home.
I was like ohmigod, if that was in Iraq,
people would have killed them, he said.
Hasan while in Indiana had a second
surgery on his injured knee. He then
decided that he wanted to move to a
larger city.
That really broke their hearts, but I never
told them that I am gay, said Hasan. I was
really concerned about my homosexuality
and did not really want to ruin that.
When I arrived in America I still had
my Middle East mindset, like how people
view me as a homosexual. It didnt matter
if I was in America, I was still in that type
of mentality.
Hasan eventually came out to his host
family.
They texted me back, they said Sham
we love you no matter who you are, he
told the Blade. That was such a huge
relief to me.
With his host familys support, Hasan
moved to D.C. in September 2014 after a
former sergeant with whom he had worked
in Iraq and his roommates oered him a
couch in their home. He told the Blade
that his rst gay experience came shortly
afterwards when he visited Nellies.
I was so overwhelmed, said Hasan. I
just wanted to sleep with everyone. I mean
imagine coming from Iraq as a gay person,
how would you react. I was like, ohmigod I
am in a room that is full of gays.
Hasan began working with Dog Tag
Bakery, a Georgetown business that
supports veterans.
Hasan last March met PFLAG Director
of Operations David Manuel. The two
now live together with their two cats,
Babylon and Ishtar, who are named in
honor of Hasans homeland.
I never, ever thought that I would leave
Iraq, Hasan told the Blade as he discussed
his relationship. I thought about death
more than I thought about life.
Anti-immigrant
rhetoric shameful
Hasan spoke with the Blade two days
before a suicide bombing at a security
checkpoint in the city of Hillah for which
the so-called Islamic State claimed
responsibility killed more than 40 people.
The interview also took place against the
backdrop of anti-immigrant rhetoric that
Republican presidential candidates have
used on the campaign trail.
In MeMorIaM
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
14 M A R C H 11, 2016
BA LT I MO RE N E W S
Ronald Edwin ShElton

Ronald Edwin Shelton (70) passed away on February 19, 2016
following complications from lung cancer. At his death he was
comforted and surrounded by his partner of eight years and
friends who will all miss the charm, happiness, and fun that
Ron brought to everyone who knew him.
Ron had a long career in finance and banking in Washington,
DC having held positions at the United Virginia Bank, Riggs
National Bank, and the Adams National Bank. He retired as
Manager of Collections from the World Bank-IMF Staff Credit
Union in 2013 after more than 23 years with that institution.
Ron was well-known for his love of film, music, opera, dance
and theater. As a boy in his home town of Templeville,
Maryland, he would create theaters out of cardboard, prepare
coming attractions on the billboards and prepare sets for his
theatrical creations. Through sheer determination, he made his cardboard dreams a reality when he
grew up and moved to Washington, DC in the early 70s.
As a close friend of the Washington Post Theater Critic, the late Richard L. Coe and his wife, Christine,
Ron attended theater tryouts and opening nights in most of the theaters along the Eastern Seaboard.
He was known by theater critics, performers, publicists, and producers as well as the bartenders near
the theaters! A Gin Martini or an Old Fashion and a Playbill were all he needed for a great
evening at the theater, preferably third row center in the orchestra, on the aisle.
Eventually, according to him, he saw more Shakespeare plays than were produced at the Globe
Theater, attended more opening nights than some theater critics, and met more theater personalities
than he ever imagined possible as a young boy. Ron loved to describe his lunches with Helen Hayes,
drinks with Rock Hudson, discussions about Vivien Leigh with Sir Laurence Olivier, sitting at the feet
of Sophia Loren at a cocktail party, gossiping with Christopher Plummer, discovering that Eva Marie
Saint was a charming dinner companion, realizing that Carol Channings husband started every one
of her standing ovations and imitating Ms. Channings spontaneous curtain call dialogue which
he learned from seeing her in more than a dozen of performances of Hello Dolly. He shared his
stories and gossip as well as his enthusiasm for the theater with everyone. He was responsible for
many of us becoming theater lovers. How could we not, as he made it so much fun!
Rons love of theater extended to his own life. While he never performed on stage, he was in the
truest sense of the word an entertainer. He loved to make people laugh, saying it was his destiny
since his Mother picked his middle name, Edwin, after her favorite entertainer Ed Wynn!
Part of Rons charm was that he knew how to make people feel special. At the Banana Cafs lounge
he noticed that the pianists 80 year old Polish grandmother, who spoke no English, was sitting in a
corner obviously bored. Ron said, Im going to ask her to dance. Friends thought he was crazy but
within minutes, the two of them were dancing around the floorhe was waltzing and she appeared
to be doing a polka but with a huge smile on her face. Ron made her evening and everyone elses
as well just by seeing the effect he had on her. Of course, when the song ended, she didnt sit down,
but wanted to keep dancing. It was hilarious to watch Ron try to communicate in sign language that
he needed to go to the bathroom. She relented and returned to her seat but continued smiling at
him the entire evening.
Ron was, indeed, a magical person and a wonderful friend. He often quoted lines of poetry by
Wordsworth, which he knew as dialogue that Natalie Wood spoke to Warren Beaty in the movie,
Splendor in the Grass. They seem particularly appropriate now:
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass; of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind
Ron has left us with many wonderful and sweet memories, as well as people loved and lives touched
by his kind spirit. No one can do more in a life well lived. Now we must find the strength to accept
what he has left behind.
Ron is survived by a loving partner and his sister, Doris Brittingham (Robert), of Smyrna, Delaware as
well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 12th, at Faries Funeral Home, 29 South Main
Street, Smyrna, Delaware with visitation at 1:00 p.m. to be followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm.
A service will follow at the cemetery in Templeville, Maryland, which is approximately 15 miles south
of Smyrna. Afterwards, family and friends will then gather at The InnChesapeake Bay Beach Club,
180 Pier One Road, Stevensville Maryland, to celebrate the life of Ronald E. Shelton.
Advocates push for parentage rights in Md.

FreeState Legal/Equality Maryland, a Baltimore-based statewide civil rights
organization, announced on Feb. 29 that it had led seven friend-of-thecourt briefs (also known as amicus briefs) in the Maryland Court of Appeals
last Thursday that will determine whether Maryland will provide equal legal
recognition to families headed by same-sex couples. The initiative was joined by
a diverse array of more than 45 organizations and legal scholars in support of
FreeState Legal/Equality Marylands appeal on behalf of Michael Conover in the
case, Conover v. Conover.
FreeState Legal/Equality Maryland represents Conover, a transgender man
who, before his gender transition, had a child with his same-sex partner,
Brittany. At the time that their son was conceived by articial insemination of
Brittany, Maryland did not recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples.
The court will hear arguments in the case on April 5 in Annapolis. More
information about the case, including copies of the seven amicus briefs and other
legal lings in the case, is available at freestatelegal.org/conover-v-conover/.
STEVE CHARING
EEOC sues Md. company for discrimination

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission led a lawsuit in federal court
in Baltimore on March 1 against Maryland-based Pallet Companies on behalf of
Yolanda Boone who alleged discrimination based on sexual orientation. Pallet
operates as IFCO Systems North America.
The suit accuses the company of discriminating against Yolanda Boone, a
lesbian whose sexual orientation is known to her co-workers, by subjecting her
to harassment resulting in her being red, and by retaliating against Boone
when she complained about the harassment.
According to the lawsuit, Boone began working on the night shift three
months after beginning her employment at IFCO in 2014. Her manager, Charles
Lowery, who knew about her sexual orientation, began harassing Boone with
such comments as, I want to turn you back into a woman, and You would
look good in a dress, the lawsuit contends. He also quoted biblical passages
stating that a man should be with a woman, not a woman with a woman and
also allegedly held his crotch while staring at Boone, according to the lawsuit.
The EEOC seeks injunctive relief to prohibit IFCO from engaging in unlawful
sex discrimination in the future, as well as back pay, compensatory damages
and punitive damages for Boone.
STEVE CHARING
Town hall assesses past, points to future

Thirty community members attended a town hall meeting on March 2 held by
the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and
Central Maryland (GLCCB). The meeting focused on the GLCCBs response to the
issues raised by the community at last Novembers town hall, updates on plans
for Baltimore Pride, changes at the Center, and upcoming events.
The updates included steps to expand diversity in sta and on the board;
building community trust; the search for a new building to house the GLCCBs
expanding calendar of programs; and amendments to the bylaws to abolish the
position of executive director in favor of direct management of center sta by the
board president and executive committee. In addition, plans were announced to
reinstitute voting membership in the GLCCB that had existed during more than
two and a half decades from the centers founding to encourage community
investment in the center.
Pride updates included the appointment of a faith coordinator for Pride, who
serves as a liaison to the local LGBT-supportive faith community; raising funds
to pay outstanding debts from last year as well as this years festival permit;
and the Pride 2016 budget. Moreover, a series of focus groups will be held with
several LGBT community constituencies to assess how the center can better
meet their needs.
WILLIAM J. REDMOND-PALMER
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 1 5
gay owned and operaTed

At the Surrogacy Group, LLC, we are committed to making sure that the
surrogacy process runs smoothly and effectively for you at an affordable
price. We make every effort to accomplish the surrogacy process with
ease and comfort. Many of our staff members have been through the
surrogacy process themselves so we know what you are experiencing.
call us today!
The Surrogacy group, LLc
839 Bestgate Road Suite 400
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 990- 0018 | www.surrogacygroup.com
1 6 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
visit us this weekend from

12-3pm & learn how you can
save big on brand new home!
Come experience our brand new, modern
condominiums at ONTARIO 17, offering
luxurious finishes with open floorplans located
in the heart of Adams Morgan.
Tour our stunning models and see why so many
are calling ONTARIO 17 home, the best choice
for modern city living.
WE KNOW
CITY LIVING.
N O W P R I C E D F RO M $ 2 4 9 , 9 0 0
I M M E D I AT E M O V E - I N
202-660-0096
ONTARIO17LIVING.COM
b r e a s t a u g M e n tat i o n s k i n c a r e e y e l i F t b r o w l i F t k y b e l l a Fa c e l i F t b r e a s t l i F t
exceeding expectations,
one patient at a time.
15%
off
Botox and fillers
for new patients
with this ad.
MoDel
actual sMartlipo patient of Dr. Michaels
Joseph Michaels, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

11404 Old Georgetown Rd. #206
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 468-5991
3620 Joseph Siewick Dr #301
Fairfax , VA 22033
Phone: (703) 957-8610
www.JosephMichaelsMD.com
We
no
Ky W offe
be
l r
no the
re n-i la la
mo nv tes
a
fo val t sive t
r t re fa
he atm t
ne
ck ent
.
cheMical peels neck liFt body liFt MicroderMabrasion arM liFt breast reduction
Male breast reduction liposuction botox Facial Fillers tuMMy tuck Fat transFer
2550 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009
AwARDS
~
202.319.8541 www.lgbtc.com Se habla espanol
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 1 7
framed artwork
numbered editions
lifestyle boutique
Beltway
7405 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
301.469.7690
Bethesda-Chevy Chase
5258 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20816
301.656.3311
vintage vinyl
floorcloths
Landscape
Design|Build|Maintain
7405 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
301.762.6301
Shop online:
americanplant.net
SHAW IS FULL OF S TORIES

D I S COV ER H OW TO A D D YO U R S
Start writing your next chapter by making your move to 10Eleven,
an amenity rich community featuring 71 unbelievable one and
two bedroom residences. Situated at the nexus of everything
Washington has to offer - access to a wide array of local venues will
be just outside your front door.
LIVE YOUR INDIVIDUALIT Y
Schedule an appointment today to discover how to add your

unique story to 10Eleven. Priced from the high $300s to $1M+
NOW 40% SOLD OUT

For a hardhat tour, call 202.609.9629 or
10ELEVENCONDOS.COM
SALES BY
D E V E LO P E D B Y
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
1 8 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
VIEWPOINT
St. Pats inclusion at last

Remember the struggle that led to
LGBT marchers in NYC parade
By JOHN FRANCIS MULLIGAN
I am really happy that the rst Irish LGBT
group will be marching with a banner in this
years NYC St. Patricks Day Parade.
In the spirit of change and progress some
keep talking about, practically screeching about,
moving forward, celebrating unity and not
identifying how this change came about.
But this lockstep moving forward is like
reconciliation without the truth part. It erases
history. It erases the power of people to create
change collectively. It diminishes the history of
the courage and grit of people that push back,
stand up and speak out. Even when it has affected us by losing our families, safety, housing, jobs and friendships.
The history of the anti-gay NYC St. Patricks Day parade is important. This bigotry
was a coagulation of very powerful forces:
the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York,
the Police Department, the mayors oce, the
courts and the religious right.
A few factors that immediately come to
mind that I want to note:
The Parade Committee saying there was
a waiting list to join the parade and the Irish
Lesbian and Gay Organization would have

to wait our turn. Then, during litigation, the
Parade Committee having to admit they lied:
there was no list and we certainly werent on it.
The Parade Committee and Cardinal
OConnor saying there was absolutely no communication between them about allowing a
gay group in. I remember the documents, that
were turned over in discovery, during litigation
by the Parade Committee that included a fax
between the Parade Committee and Cardinal
OConnor. Again: they lied, they were powerful
and they got away with it.
Mayor Giuliani on the citys website celebrating the arrest of those trying to protest
our exclusion (hours before the parade) as a
quality of life achievement.
The NYPDEmerald Society, afraternalorganization of Irish-American police ocers,
approving a resolution seeking the exclusionofILGOandanyother homosexualand
alternative lifestyle groups from the St Patricksparade.
I remember asking for a meeting with
Hillary Clinton in 2000 as she was running to
become a senator in New York to discuss this
issue. Not being granted a meeting with her,
a few of us from ILGOmet with her then sta
member, BilldeBlasio.Clinton broke the boycott to participate in a parade of hate, rather
than stand with and support members of the

LGBT community.
There are many answers to why this change
has come. In reality it is probably a combination of things. But lets talk about it, hear people take responsibility and not back away or
silence these narratives. We cant celebrateJudeo-Christian values when that is the same
trope that tried to prevent us from being Irish
and queer and is the same club being used to
batter our LGBT community in Uganda and
Jamaica. And lets celebrate the tactic of boycott that preventedelected ocialsand multinational corporations from continuing the
nancial support of the Fifth Avenue parade.
Some of the many Irish values I cherish are
to be contrary, to stand up for what is right,
and to not be afraid when everyone else is
walking down the road to stop and walk the
other way.
Lives are long, change is created, leadership
changes, power is disrupted.
It may have taken us 25 years of struggle to
walk up Fifth Avenue on St. Patricks Day but
we prevailed. Lets celebrate, give fair dues,
remember the history and continue the work.
JOHN FRANCIS MULLIGAN is with the LGBT

advocacy group Irish Queers.
E DIT OR IA L CA RT O O N
VOLUME
47
ISSUE
11
ADDRESS
PO Box 53352
Washington DC 20009
PHONE
202-747-2077
E-MAIL
news@washblade.com
INTERNET
www.washingtonblade.com
PUBLISHED BY
Brown Na Pitts Omnimedia, Inc.
PUBLISHER
LYNNE J. BROWN
lbrown@washblade.com ext. 8075
EDITORIAL
EDITOR
KEVIN NAFF
kna@washblade.com ext. 8088
FEATURES EDITOR
JOEY DIGUGLIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com ext. 8081
SR. NEWS REPORTER
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
lchibbaro@washblade.com ext. 8079
NEWS REPORTER
CHRIS JOHNSON
cjohnson@washblade.com ext. 8083
REPORTER & INTERNATIONAL NEWS EDITOR
MICHAEL K. LAVERS
POP CULTURE REPORTER
MARIAH COOPER
PHOTO EDITOR
MICHAEL KEY
mkey@washblade.com
PHOTO INTERN
ANTWAN J. THOMPSON
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
PETER ROSENSTEIN, MARK LEE,
LATEEFAH WILLIAMS, KATE CLINTON,
KATHI WOLFE, RICHARD J. ROSENDALL
CREATIVE DESIGN/PRODUCTION
AZERCREATIVE.COM
SALES & ADMINISTRATION
DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
STEPHEN RUTGERS
srutgers@washblade.com ext. 8077
SR. ACCT. EXECUTIVE
BRIAN PITTS
bpitts@washblade.com ext. 8089
ACCT. EXECUTIVE
SIRIWAT PATHARAPANUPATH
spath@washblade.com ext. 8078
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
BROOKE JORDAN
bjordan@washblade.com ext. 8094
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING/ADMINISTRATION
PHILLIP G. ROCKSTROH
prockstroh@washblade.com ext. 8092
NATIONAL ADVERTISING
RIVENDELL MEDIA
212-242-6863; sales@rivendellmedia.com
For distribution, contact Lynne Brown at 202-747-2077,
ext. 8075. Distributed by MediaPoint, LLC
All material in the Washington Blade is protected by federal copyright law
and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Washington Blade. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers
and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The
appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily
indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. Although the
Washington Blade is supported by many ne advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial
material is accepted by the Washington Blade, but the paper cannot take
responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject
or edit any submission. A single copy of the Washington Blade is available
from authorized distribution points, to any individual within a 50-mile radius of Washington, D.C. Multiple copies are available from the Washington
Blade oce only. Call for rates. If you are unable to get to a convenient
free distribution point, you may receive a 52-week mailed subscription for
$195 per year or $5.00 per single issue. Checks or credit card orders can be
sent to Phil Rockstroh at prockstroh@washblade.com. Postmaster: Send
address changes to the Washington Blade, PO BOX 53352 Washington,
DC 20009. The Washington Blade is published weekly, on Friday, by
Brown Na Pitts Omnimedia, Inc. Individual Subscriptions are $195
per year for 52 issues (only $3.75 per issue mailed to you USPS). Rates
for businesses/institutions are $450 per year. Periodical postage paid
at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing oces. Editorial positions
of the Washington Blade are expressed in editorials and in editors
notes as determined by the papers editors. Other opinions are those
of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the
Washington Blade or its sta. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words; commentaries should be fewer
than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length,
and must include a name, address and phone number for verication.
Send submissions by e-mail to kna@washblade.com.
2016 BROWN NAFF PITTS OMNIMEDIA, INC.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
V I E W PO I N T
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 1 9
Tracy Morgans transphobic Oscar spoof

Offensive portrayal shows
how far we still have to go
By SUZI CHASE
Among the controversies surrounding
last weeks Oscars, debate raged about
a skit in which comedian Tracy Morgan
spoofed Eddie Redmaynes performance
as a pioneering transgender woman in
The Danish Girl. Morgan is pictured
wearing delicate feminine garments,
stroking his smooth skin while waxing
ecstatic in a feminine voice about eating
a Danish pastry and starring in his rst
dramatic role.
Most reaction has been positive. USA
Todays Erin Jensen declared it to be our
favorite. TMZ called it a brilliant skit
and according to Landon Haaf at our local
ABC aliate WUSA channel 9, it deserves
an Oscar.
A few isolated voices expressed
qualms. MTVs Marcus Patrick Ellsworth
examined what it really asks us to laugh
at, concluding it asks us to giggle at the
sight of Morgan in a dress. Kelli Busey of
Planet Transgender goes further, labeling
the performance transface and calling it
oensive on so many levels.
Calling out oensive humor may be the

hardest line activists walk. Nobody wants
to be accused of inability to take a joke,
or worse, political correctness. Morgans
skit had a social justice message of its
own, compounding that problem. Hes
lampooning the plight of minority actors,
long relegated to stereotypical roles. Its
an important issue, deserving of serious redress. Even pointing out the skits
shortcomings feels like participating in
the oppression.
But it does have shortcomings.
Morgans transgender portrayal reinforces and amplies three of the most
pernicious prejudices held about us. His
self-caresses portray transness as fetishistic, an out-of-control sexual urge, rather
than the need to express a gender identity. The man-in-a-dress image visually
categorizes trans women as male. And his
furtive motions play into the common notion of transgender people as deceitful.
While trans people would like to be capable of laughing at ourselves, this skit
simply cannot be divorced from its national context. We are only a few months
removed from seeing Houstons anti-bias
HERO law defeated amid fears of masculine trans women using female-only
bathroom facilities. Last week, a law forbidding transgender students from using correct restrooms narrowly missed
enactment in South Dakota. And in North
Carolina, calls mount for a special legislative session to reverse Charlottes recent
anti-discrimination ordinance, yes, over
the possibility of trans women using ladies restrooms.
Media must counter, not compound
decades of unfavorable portrayals. These
portrayals matter. When voters and legislators support draconian bathroom rules
or reject civil rights protections, they rely
on internalized images of transgender
people. Does their minds eye show competent professionals like accomplished
author Jennifer Finney Boylan, computer
chip pioneer Lynn Conway, or technology visionary Martine Rothblatt? Or do
they visualize Morgans unsettling performance?
Am I saying we should prohibit humor
involving transgender people? Of course
not. But a thick line separates humor
around transgender people from humor in which a trans person is the joke.
Anyone familiar with Sophie LaBelles hilarious Assigned Male webcomic knows
transgender humor can be funny without
oending. But its harder. As long as its

acceptable to draw easy laughs by putting a man onscreen in drag, writers will
see no incentive to accept the challenge
of creating humor that doesnt rely on degrading images.
The saddest takeaway from the reaction to Morgans Danish Girl sketch is
that it still is acceptable to denigrate the
image of transgender people in the name
of humor. That Morgan and ABC were not
concerned whether it oended us underscores how far we still have to go before
we command the respect and deference
given to other marginalized groups.
True, the general audience has no
problem with it. But the prerogative to
determine whether a given portrayal is
oensive to trans people rests with us
and only us. Cisgender performers, writers, producers and media executives can
have no conception of how tired we are
of seeing ourselves drawn that way. The
fact that they were not even interested in
what oense we might take shows how
much work still lies ahead.
SUZI CHASE is a freelance writer based in

Maryland.
V I E WPO I NT
Gay. And approaching 40.

Am I too old for house
parties and fast dancing?
By BROCK THOMPSON
Next week I enter the last year of my
30s. And I have to say, Ive really enjoyed
the past decade. Think of your 30s as
your 20s, but with more money and a bit
more sense. And Id like to think Im happier now, too.
Nevertheless, I nd getting older a bit
hard, especially knowing that in the gay
community, age is not something we put
a premium on. In many ways were surrounded by those with severe Peter Pan
Syndrome boys that refuse to grow
up. As a community we cherish vigor and
six-pack abs. While I generally think I have
the vigor part covered, I have stopped trying for the six-pack and settled for just an
ab of sorts.
What brought all this worry about aging on exactly? Last Saturday I went to
a house party celebrating the birthday
of a friend of mine. Granted, hes a little
younger than I am, but wiser and more
mature than most. I was chatting to another guest there, a bit of a twink no more
than 21, and after introducing myself he
basically said to me, nice to meet you,
but Im not taking on any new Facebook
friends right now.
Yeah.
The pursuit of happiness can be a real

struggle for many gay men. And we can
throw so many barriers in each others
way. Older gay men are too quickly labeled creepy trolls with little to oer. (And
dont point out the fact that I freely used
the word twink above. Its dierent.)
The pursuit of happiness can be a real struggle for

many gay men. And we can throw so many barriers
in each others way.
Probably a good idea. Dont get me
wrong, I certainly wasnt going to send
him a friend request, and talking to him
any further may very well have triggered
an Amber Alert. But I began to think
am I too old for this? Am I embarrassing
myself by being here? All those thoughts
akin to the rst time I saw my dad fast
dance at a family wedding. Is this whole
thing getting a bit unseemly?
But then again, who cares?
Some suggest that as a community

we lost far too many in the past to AIDS
that we simply dont have enough strong
voices or role models to look to on how
to grow up with style and dignity. That
may very well be part of it. But nding
and keeping happiness as one ages must
be its own formula. As long as you arent
hurting yourself or others, keep moving
forward in your life, ditch the fear of missing out, and just live. As writer William
Dameron pointed out upon his 50th birthday, we have spent a great deal of time
convincing others that being gay isnt a
choice, we should also remember that
getting older isnt a choice either. If we as
a community start accepting all of that,
maybe well all be a bit happier. And while
I may not be aging perfectly, Im perfectly
aware of it. And I will continue the formula of daily moisturizer, cultivating friends
from every generation, activity, and keeping at bay anyone who makes you feel
bad about yourself.
And as I close, this article became less
about how to age gracefully, but maybe
about reminding those to respect gracefully those that age. In many ways, I hope
to be my dad at that family wedding.
Someone who has aged with style and
managed to keep his honor and his kindness, too. And he doesnt put much stock
into what people think. He says having a
gay son helped him out there.
And keeps on dancing. Especially at
family weddings.
BROCK THOMPSON is a D.C.-based freelance
writer.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
2 0 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
VIEWPOINT
Keep it zippered
The danger of losing our
social lters
RICHARD J. ROSENDALL is a writer and activist.

Reach him at rrosendall@starpower.net.
So apparently the Republican nomination for president hinges on the size of

Donald Trumps penis. I am sorry this is
even a topic. Surely almost any other penis is of more interest than Mr. Trumps. I
mean, please, put that thing away.
Trump actually boasted last week that
he could have gotten Mitt Romney to fellate him. (I couldve said, Mitt, drop to
your knees, and he wouldve dropped to
his knees.) I suppose I might consider
one of Romneys sons, assuming hed
stop trying to convert me long enough
to be of use. Or Ben Carson, except his
voice would rapidly put me to sleep, and
wheres the fun in that? See how fast we

can descend into locker room talk?
Some people say Little Marco Rubio is a closet case. If that is true, his recent behavior has been so dreadful that
we should all deny him sex. There was
a precedent for this in the 1990s, when
someone unhappy with Bill Clinton urged
lesbians to deny sex to his cabinet ocers Janet Reno and Donna Shalala.
I think we had better stop this unseemly
speculation before we get to also-rans like
Mike Huckabee and Carly Fiorina. Imagine
waking up from a drunken binge in Vegas
and nding one of them lying next to you,
propped up on an elbow and leering at
you expectantly. Im sorry, I said stop.
The provocation for this juvenile jousting traces back before Rubios campaigntrail antics to Graydon Carter of Vanity
Fair, who once called Trump a short-ngered vulgarian. Trump never disputed
the second part.
Let me end this bawdy banter by recalling the moment in the Benghazi hearing when a Republican congresswoman
demanded to know if Secretary Clinton
spent the fateful night alone. When Hillary burst out laughing at that ridiculous
question, I fell in love as instantly as I did

a half century ago when I watched a deant young boxer say that the heavyweight
champion of the world should be pretty
like him. Granted, its a dierent kind of
love, a chaste, public-spirited love where
no nasty bits factor into it.
I bet you would have said, had someone asked you a month or two ago, that
our national discourse could not get any
worse. Please stop saying that. It only
tempts the gods! But this degraded situation is the result of letting demagogues
get away with branding every social courtesy and civil gesture as a crime of political correctness. That phrase is a reliable
signal that an ugly sentiment is coming.
The virtue of honesty is raised in its defense. Not honesty in the sense of showing a humble regard for the truth, but in
the sense of sharing whatever brutish
thought pops into your head.
The conduct of the Republican primaries makes Lord of the Flies look like a
well-ordered society. But however long
the GOPs nihilist orgy continues, we
will still live in a diverse society whose
peaceful functioning requires mutual respect. If we elect the crude blowhard who
leads the Republican eld, thoughtful, informed national policy will be replaced by
a demagogues whim. Is it really so awful
having a black president or a gay family
down the block that it makes sense to
spray gasoline all over and light a match?
It is a short step from saying anything
to doing anything, as when Trump encourages his crowds to beat up protesters. Since he and his rivals so loudly tout
their Christianity, let me point out that
their Savior says, Whatever you do to the
least of these, you do to me, not Knockest thou the crap out of someone. If both
messages mean the same to you, you
should be neither president nor pastor.
The Lords of Misrule, as we might dub
the Party of Lincoln in its evident death
throes, have overstayed their welcome.
It is time for them to stagger home and
sleep it o, and for the poor bastards
on the morning shift to hose down the
street and prepare for a new day. Better
we all sober up now than wait until after
the election, when we could groggily survey the wreckage and say, Did I really do
that?
Copyright 2016 by Richard J. Rosendall.
All rights reserved.
I N SI D E LG BT W A SH I N G T O N
The Republican Party in turmoil

GOP stands to lose Senate, even
House, if Trump is nominee
PETER ROSENSTEIN is a D.C.-based LGBT rights

and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly
for the Blade.
Never thought Id say this, but I feel for

the Republican Party. Over the years there
have been many Republican candidates for
president who were anathema to me, but
never before have there been more who
are anathema to other Republicans.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) recently
said about Republicans choices, Nominating Donald Trump or Ted Cruz could
prove fatal for this party. Its like being
shot or poisoned. What does it really matter? More recently Mitt Romney, the last
Republican presidential nominee said, If
we Republicans choose Donald Trump as
our nominee, the prospects for a safe and

prosperous future are greatly diminished.
He added Think of Donald Trumps personal qualities: The bullying, the greed, the
showing o, the misogyny, the absurd third
grade theatrics. You know, we have long
referred to him as The Donald. Hes the
only person in the entire country to whom
we have added an article before his name,
and it was not because he had attributes we
admired.
Members of the Log Cabin Republicans in
D.C. are running as delegates to the Republican National Convention on an uncommitted slate. They clearly have a hard time
supporting any of the candidates who collectively are a disaster on LGBT issues.
Hungton Post reported, Senator Ben
Sasse (R-Neb.) who is in his rst term, put
up a lengthy Facebook post Sunday night,
going after the Republican Party frontrunner for the fact that his relentless focus
is on dividing Americans and talking like
hes running for king. Former New Jersey
Republican Gov. Christie Todd Whitman
said, While I certainly dont want four more
years of another Clinton administration or
more years of the Obama administration, I
would take that over the kind of damage I
think Donald Trump could do to this country, to its reputation, to the people of this
country.
I dont remember this kind of dissension
within the Republican Party in the past and
if it occurred it was behind closed doors.
There is a palpable fear in Republicans I
know who believe if Trump is the nominee
the Republican Party will not only lose the
White House and the Senate but possibly
even the House. According to a New York
Times report on Senate Majority Leader
Mitch McConnell (R- Ken.), Mr. McConnell
has begun preparing senators for the prospect of a Trump nomination, assuring them
that, if it threatened to harm them in the
general election, they could run negative
ads about Mr. Trump to create space between him and Republican senators seeking re-election. Mr. McConnell has raised
the possibility of treating Mr. Trumps loss
as a given and describing a Republican Senate to voters as a necessary check on a President Hillary Clinton, according to senators
at the lunches. He has reminded colleagues
of his own 1996 re-election campaign, when
he won comfortably amid President Bill
Clintons easy re-election. Of Mr. Trump, Mr.
McConnell has said, Well drop him like a
hot rock, according to his colleagues.

Although I hope this will lead to the election of Clinton, the country is always better
o when there are two rational political parties that discuss and debate the issues of
the day intelligently, with respect for each
other and the people they are trying to represent. Trump is neither respectful nor displaying any signs of intelligence. His ranting
against Mexicans and Muslims; his anti-LGBT, racist and misogynist rhetoric, all used
to denigrate anyone who disagrees with
him is pathetic. His use of foul language
and innuendo typical of a schoolyard bully
should embarrass all who hear it.
There is much discussion about who is to
blame for the condition of the Republican
Party today. Some believe it is the rise of
the Tea Party; others blame the racism incited by attacks on President Obama. Some
blame the party elders for doing nothing
and stonewalling all legislative eorts to
move the country forward.
It will most likely take years, and some
question if it can ever be accomplished, to
bring the party back to a point where rational conservatives and moderates who
made up the GOP in the past can once
again take it back.
DC Families for DC Kids

For more information about becoming a DC
foster parent please visit fosterdckids.org
or call 202.671.LOVE (5683)
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 2 1
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
2 2 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
VIEWPOINT
Helping us get to an AIDS-free generation

We can all do something to help
KHADIJAH TRIBBLE is a longtime D.C. LGBT

activist. She runs Ground Game, a public aairs
and management consulting rm.
In 1987, the Names Project displayed the

AIDS Memorial Quilt for the rst time on the
National Mall here in the District of Columbia during the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Like many, I
was overwhelmed by what I saw and I knew
something special and scary was happening
at the same time.
The Quilt began its 20-city national tour
the next year to honor the many lives of
individuals who had died from AIDS. Of the
more than 9,000 national volunteers, I was
one of them when the Quilt made a tour
stop in Birmingham. Its been 25 years since
the planting of that HIV advocacy seed to do

something. Over these last two decades Ive
done a few things. Some incredible young
girls whove lived with HIV from birth have
allowed me to mentor and grow with them.
As executive director of a local non-prot, I
have helped children and families use the
generation. This is information for anyone

but for my sisters in particular, I want you to
be in the know about these three things at
least.
HIV TREATMENT WORKS is a CDC campaign featuring people from across the
United States who are living with HIV talking
about how sticking with care and treatment
helps them stay healthy, protect others, and
live longer, healthier lives.
Meet Angie who inspires me to keep telling these stories of regular extraordinary
people living well with HIV. It is possible!
PrEP IS FOR WOMEN TOO. PrEP stands
for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It means taking
presented by MaryAshley
Rhule
with
McEnearney
Associates, Inc.
medicine
before
being
exposed to something
to prevent yourself from getting a disease or
condition. When we talk about PrEP in coneral partners, the impact has been limitless
nection to HIV and women, we are referring
and so are the opportunities to continue
to the idea of HIV-negative women taking HIV
doing something.
drugs to reduce their risk of becoming infectWhile my daily work doesnt involve direct
ed with HIV if they are exposed to it.
service or patient interaction, I consider this
YOU DONT HAVE TO BE HIV POSITIVE
work to be a natural and necessary extenTO DO SOMETHING We all need a little
sion of all that Ive learned in my professionhelp from our friends. Martin Luther King
al and personal experience related to HIV.
said it plainhomes
and simple,
Everyone
can be
Nowadays I spend my time getting
messagt Beautiful new Jr.
construction
with open
floor plans,
garage parking
great because everyone can serve. Lets be
es out to the community that HIV Treatment
t 4 Blocks to the Braddock Metro Station; 3 stops to DC
great together.
Works and how we can get to an AIDS-free
introduced me to an accomplished CDCtrained epidemiologist and one of the nest infectious disease physicians I know. Dr.
Lisa Fitzpatrick, who with her vision, literally
changed the trajectory of my work in HIV.
From hospital operations, to research trials,
to meeting Alicia Keys to working with fed-
Martin Luther King Jr. said it plain and simple,

Everyone can be great because
old
town commons
everyone can
serve.
healing arts to improve their lives. I am most
proud of helping to create a hospital-based
infectious disease clinic that cares for people
living with HIV by treating them with the dignity, respect and compassion they deserve.
Along this journey Ive been privileged
to meet incredible activists like Pat Nalls,
whove touched my heart, informed my
work and sometimes downright tonguewhipped me for getting it wrong. I wouldnt
change a thing. My pathway in this work also
828 madison street

offered at $899,900
| alexandria, va
829 madison str

offered at $939,9
10 Reasons why Old Town Commons is a GREAT place

t 5 Blocks to Potomac River and Mount Vernon Trail
t 7 Blocks to King Street
t Amazing restaurants, bars and shops all within a few blocks

Heart of Historic District Old
Town Alexandria/King St Metro
t Old Fashioned neighborhood feel
$799,900 Zoned CommerCial or residential,

so bring your business
t Regular neighborhood townhouse crawls
Historic 1890s clapboard Victorian style townhouse 3 bedroom, 2 bath with rare floorplan of large master suite with sitting room
Parks,
Public
Tennis
Courts - all 8 Blocks
or less
and two other large bedrooms and bathroom all on thetupper
level.Playgrounds,
Beautiful updated
kitchen
with granite/stainless,
terracotta
floors, and exit to the lovely, fenced backyard perfect for
gardening
or adding a Center
hot tub! across
Beautifulthe
wood
floorswith
on swimming po
t entertaining,
Charles Houston
Recreation
street
two levels, tall ceilings, custom paint, spacious basement
storage
and Redevelopment
room for a small workshop.
Cozy-up
the
t with
Thelaundry,
Braddock
Road
- all new
retail, to
restaurants,
and res
wood burning fireplace, enjoy coffee in the brick walled eat-in kitchen, or sip wine with a good book in the sun filled den with
glass doors looking into the garden. This is an excellent buy for a historic home in this location. Its just a few blocks to the
King St metro, Whole Foods, shops, restaurants, and located within the coveted Lyles-Crouch school district. A home warranty
is being provided by the seller. Numerous recent updates include heating, lighting, kitchen and baths.
618 South Fayette St
southwest Quadrant of historiC old town $519,900
Oops! You missed this one.

But there may be more!
look no further
Super nice and high end updates in this darling 3 level Townhouse in super nice area of Old Town. Off-street Parking, large fenced front and rear yard,
small chefs greenhouse in back, gourmet Chefs kitchen with 6 burner stove and high-end granite, beautiful wood floors, newer windows and HVAC
systems, everything is a short distance including Whole Foods and King St metro. Two bedrooms, one Bath with room to add a second bath on the
finished, walk out lower level which exists to the beautiful backyard. Freshly painted, new fence, landscaped front and back, just darling. A true cooks
delight. Bring your dog to this dog friendly home and neighborhood. This is a real steal at this price.
Available to be seen by appointment, p
If you are looking for property in Old Town Alexandria look no further. I specialize in this area and work for the #1 Listing Company in Old Town. If you want to live here call me, so that I can start networking with owners and agents to
help find you a property coming soon. In a relaxed and fun environment Ill show you homes, educate you on the area, and update you on the hottest places, foodies hang-outs, historic trivia and more! Your experience with me will
be productive and fun! Lifes too short to waste looking for houses online that are already under contract or by going from open house to open house without knowledge of the neighborhoods and amenities. Let me show you lovely
Old Town Alexandrias
places tucked away in historic alleys, on quiet streets, or upcoming hip new areas. Consultations and initial tours are free. And dont forget there are still some great investment areas in Alexandrias upcoming areas.
860.214.7474
living a
MaryAsh
109 S Pitt Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
McEnearney.com
703.549.9292
Licensed A
Top P
maryashley
marhule@M
860 . 2
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 2 3
HIV, lifes a game, and

with treatment, Im
winning it day by day.
Christopher - Washington, DC
Living with HIV since 1987.
HIV
TREATMENT
WORKS
I was only 16 years old when I discovered that I was born with HIV. My mother passed away from the disease, but
until getting tested at a community health fair, I had no idea, that I too, was living with HIV. Within a few months of
my diagnosis, I got on treatment to control my viral load. Since then, Ive stayed on treatment and in good health.
Getting tested saved my life and Ive used my experience to help youth learn about HIV prevention, testing and
fighting stigma. Today, I enjoy friends, family and living life to the fullest. Christopher 1, HIV 0.
Get in care. Stay in care. Live well.

cdc.gov/HIVTreatmentWorks
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
24 M A R C H 11, 2016
G A Y F A MI LY
D.C. foster parent talks

rewards of raising kids
YOUR ONLY REGRET WILL BE THAT YOU DIDNT START SOONER
By PATRICK FOLEY
Family Building through:

Adoption
Donor Agreements
Surrogacy
Serving the LgBt coMMunity for ALMoSt 20 yeArS. noW in Dc, MD & vA!
827 Woodside Parkway Silver Spring, MD 20910

p: 301.221.9651 f: 240.491.9551
jfairfax@jenniferfairfax.com www.jenniferfairfax.com
PATRICK FOLEY, whos gay, has four foster sons.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOLEY
Were fortunate in D.C. to have an

agency that is not only supportive of gay
foster parents, but actively seeks them
out to take in the Districts youth.
If you had told me 30 years ago that I
would end up having more kids than any
of my brothers and sisters, I would have
thought you were out of your mind. As
a gay man, and the oldest in a family of
10 children, the idea of kids of my own
wasnt even on my radar.
Today I have four gay foster sons, ages
16, 19, 20 and 22. The oldest joined my
family six years ago and has technically
aged out of the system, but Ive told
all the boys they cant age out of my
ADVERTISING PROOF
family.Hes pretty much on his own these
SALES REPRESENTATIVE: PHIL ROCKSTROH (prockstroh@washblade.com)
days, but still an important part of our
home. The 20-year-old has been with
REVIEW AD FOR COPY AND DESIGN ACCURACY. Revisions must be submitted within 24 hours of the date of
proof. Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of
the date of proof. Revisions will not be accepted after 12:01 pm wednesday, the week of publication.Brown naff pitts
me for almost four years; the 19-yearNS
omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is
responsible for any legal liability arising out of or relating to the advertisement, and/or any material to which users
GN
old joined the family almost a year ago,
can link through the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or
EVISIONS
any rgihts of third parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any
and the 16-year-old has been with me
copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, music, image, or other proprietary or propety right, false advertising, unfair
/LOGO REVISIONS
competition, defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation,
or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the
SIONS
for about two years. I am now the legal
washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all
liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred
guardian of three of the boys, and in the
by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations
and warranties.
process of adopting the fourth.
People often tell me they could
never take in a teenager because it
would be too dicult. I dont believe
fostering a teenager is harder than a
toddler. Though it certainly calls for a
dierent skill set. I am especially glad to
be providing a safe, supportive home for
730 24th St. NW, Ste. 13 WDC 20037
gay teens.Being in foster care is dicult
Free ParkiNg Foggy Bottom metro
enough without being forced to deny
your true self.
202-333-3304
Lets also dispel the myth that kids in

foster care are bad. Many teenagers
enter foster care because the adults
in their lives have let them down, not
because of something the child has
done. Todays foster care population is
made up of children whose parents are
deceased or in such poor health that they
can no longer care for them. Sometimes
theyre in the system because the family
became homeless and has no safe place
to raise them. Some parents are ghting
their own demons, and need someone to
raise their children while they struggle to
put their lives back in order.These arent
bad kids.
Make no mistake: Raising someone
elses child as if they were your own is
not easy. It is a full-time job on top of the
full-time job youve already got, but the
rewards are beyond anything you could
have imagined. Looking back at my own
childhood, my parents couldnt aord the
best toys, or the best clothes, or many of
the things my own foster sons take for
granted today; but we never for a moment
doubted that we were loved. I believe
every child has a right to be loved.In fact,
the only regret Ive got about becoming a
foster parent is that I didnt start sooner.
Nurture a Child. Support your Community.
Strengthen our City. To learn more about
becoming a foster parent call 202-671-LOVE
(5683) or visit fosterdckids.org Twitter: @
DCCFSA | Facebook: /CFSADC.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
G A Y F A MI LY
M A R C H 11, 2016 25
Our families, our stories
The Beginning is the Most Important Part of the Work Plato
TWO NEW BOOKS GIVE PERSONAL SIDE TO LGBT PARENTING

By DANA RUDOLPH
Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School

is an independent elementary school for grades
Pre-Kindergarten Third Grade.
Modern Families by Joshua Gamson is an informative personal story about his own rainbow
family.
IMAGE COURTESY OF NYU PRESS
Stories have power. Two new

collections of stories about the creation
of LGBT families reinforce that point with
two very dierent approaches.
Modern
Families:
Stories
of
Extraordinary Journeys to Kinship,
by Joshua Gamson (NYU Press: 2015),
is a collection of creation tales about
Gamsons own family and several other
LGBT families he knows, woven together
by insights on the meaning of families
today and the intersecting and sometimes
conicting social, legal and economic
contexts in which we create them.
Gamson, a professor of sociology at the
University of San Francisco, was motivated
to write, he says, by people inquiring
about his own family. Gamson, white and
Jewish, and his biracial husband Richard
had one child with a friend of Gamsons
as their surrogate, and eggs from another
friend. For their second child, they used
a surrogate from an agency and eggs
donated by a friend. While he sometimes
bristled at questions about his family, he
realized that, People really just wanted
to know about origins: how a life and a
family started when not everything was
easy and scripted.
He was surrounded by such stories. In
his immediate social circle were a single
mother by choice who adopted a child from
Ethiopia; a lesbian couple who used one
womans eggs while the other carried the
fetus, fertilized from donor sperm; another
lesbian couple co-parenting two adopted
children (from Nepal and India) with a gay
male couple; and a couple consisting of
a woman and a transgender man, who
started a family through private adoption.
He shares their tales with an engaging,
gently humorous, and at times poetic

style. At the same time, he also teases
out the connections between individual
family stories and the social systems in
which they are immersed.
There is no separation between the
ways we make our families and the
various social hierarchies in which we all
nd ourselves, he says.
His goal is not a systematic study,
but rather an exploration of how these
hierarchies of gender, ethnicity, race
and class may aect our family making
and are illuminated by it in turn. Oftenexpensive assisted reproduction, for
example, facilitates the creation of some
queer families even as it reinforces the
distance between haves and have nots.
This is not an academic book,
however, despite Gamsons credentials.
Gamson places his book between what
he calls repro lit personal, honest
accounts of starting families and repro
crit often critical academic analyses
of the institutional structures of family
creation. The stories of the parents in
his book, he says, cannot be understood
outside their structural context, but also
cannot be understood apart from the
personal, intense, creative drive that
motivated them to become parents in the
rst place. His deft blending of the two
makes his book a must-read for anyone
interested in families today.
CONTINUES AT WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
DANA RUDOLPH is the founder and publisher

of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD Media
Award-winning blog and resource directory for
LGBT parents.
For more information, please visit us online at:

www.beauvoirschool.org.
3500 Woodley Road, NW Washington, DC 20016 www.beauvoirschool.org
PFLAG promotes the equality and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual,

and transgendered persons, their families and friends through:
Support to cope with an adverse society.
Education to enlighten an ill-informed public.
Advocacy to end discrimination and secure equal civil rights.
Trained facilitators lead the Arlington Support Group and confidentiality is maintained. For
further information about the Arlington Support Group, contact us at arl.pflag@gmail.com.
Our groups meet on the second Sunday of each month, from 3 4:30pm at the Unitarian
Universalist Church in Arlington, at George Mason Drive & Route 50.
A.L.Y. is a group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning Youth and Allies in
grades 7-12. Our goal is to give LGBTQ youth a safe place to gather. Trained facilitators lead the
youth group. Confidentiality maintained. For more info, contact: aly.pflagdc@gmail.com.
Our Washington DC Chapter of PFLAG may be reached at 202-638-3852.
strengthening minds
honoring individuality
ensuring equity
LOWELL SCHOOL
Come, learn more about
our programs for children
ages 2 1/2 through 8th grade.
Check out our summer camp, too!
1640 Kalmia Road NW | Washington, DC 20012 | lowellschool.org
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
2 6 M A RCH 1 1 , 2 016
G A Y F A MI LY
Gay-arming summer camp options

OVERNIGHT, ALL-DAY, HALF-DAY AND MORE AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES
By MARIAH COOPER
Campers at Camp RimRock for Girls last summer in West Virginia.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMP RIMROCK FOR GIRLS
The District is still shaking o the winter

blues, but summer in the city is approaching
fast. Local camps are already accepting
registration for children to keep occupied
during summer break. From day camps to
overnight stays, sports and science, musical
theater or even beauty school, there is a
program nearby to keep kids entertained
while they learn a thing or two.
Camp RimRock for Girls (343 Camp
Rim Rock Rd., Yellow Spring, W.Va.)
gives young girls from rising rst grade
through rising 10th grade, the chance to
have fun away from home. Rising second
through 10th can choose General Camp
which includes activities such as sports,
horseback riding, aquatics, performing
arts and arts and crafts. General Camp
sessions are available in two-week
sessions for $2,675 or four-week sessions
for $4,700. Rising fourth through 10th
graders can also choose Riding Specialty
Camp, which focuses on horseback riding,
for a one-week session for $1,850. First
time sleep away campers in rising rst,
second and third grade can try Mini Camp
for one week. Mini Camp sessions are
$1,400 and designed to adjust children to
sleep away camp. For more details, visit
camprimrock.com.
HeadFirst Summer Camps oer
activities at St. Albans School (3001 Mount
Saint Alban, N.W.), Mater Dei School (9600
Seven Locks Rd., Bethesda, Md.) and
Flint Hill School (3320 Jermantown Rd.,
Oakton, Va.) for rising pre-kindergarten
through rising fth graders. The day
camps activities are diverse with options

for multi-sports camp, basketball camp,
baseball camp and soccer camp. Science
and engineering camp is also available
as well as a day camp with more general
activities such as arts and crafts, music
and movement, instructional swimming
and story time. Prices range from $369499 depending on camp session. For a
complete list of sessions and prices, visit
headrstcamps.com.
Synetic Theatre (1800 S Bell St.,
Arlington, Va.) oers two-week camp
sessions from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Campers
will work with senior artistic company
members to stage an original play A
Tale of Two Ghostbusters complete with
musical numbers and an original score.
Regular registration is $707 by May 1.
Late registration is $757. Extended day
care is available in one- or two-week
packages from 3-6 p.m. for an extra fee
of $100 or $200. For more information,
visit synetictheater.org/camps.
Washington Performing Arts music
and dance camps run at various locations
in the District from June 27 through Aug.
12. Capital Jazz Camp is for children in
rising grades three through eight with
prior vocal and instrumental experience.
Capital Strings Camp is for children in
rising grades three through six with no
experience necessary. Capital Voices
Camp is for children in grades fourth
through 12th and requires basic vocal
training experience. Summer Steps with
Step Afrika is for rising campers in grades
fourth through twelfth and requires

basic dance experience. Tuition is $350
per week. For more information, visit
washingtonperformingarts.org.
Circle Yoga (3838 Northampton St.,
N.W.) oers full day camp for children ages
six through 12 and half day for children
ages 4-7. Activities include mindful yoga
and movement, crafts and creative arts,
play at the park, group games, camp
songs, relaxation and journaling. Full-day
camp is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and is $365
per week. Half-day camp is from 9 a.m.noon and is $250 per week. For more
information, visit circleyoga.com.
The YMCA in D.C. oers camp
programs ranging from traditional camp
activities like art, aquatic, dance, sports,
technology and theatre. Specialized
program such as beauty school, creative
writing and gardening are also available.
YMCA also oers a day and overnight
camp, Camp Letts (4003 Camp Letts
Rd., Edgewater, Md.), which includes
outdoor activities such as kayaking and
horseback riding. For more details on
camp programs and for a list of prices,
visit ymcadc.org and campletts.org.
Adventure Theatre oers Summer
Musical Theater Camp for grades rst
through sixth for a two-week session in
Glen Echo Park. Grades six-12 also have a
Summer Musical Theater Training Program
in Wintergreen Plaza for a three-week
session. Campers dance, sing and act with
the help of D.C area theater professionals
and teaching artists in daily rehearsals.
Family and friends of campers are treated

to a performance at the end of the camp
session. Grades six-12 can choose to
study contemporary musicals, Broadway
revivals or movie musicals. Sessions for
grades one-six range from $800-850.
Grades six-12 sessions range from $1,150
through $1,200. For more information, visit
adventurestheatre-mtc.org.
Green Acres School (11701 Danville
Dr., North Bethesda, Md.) oers camp
sessions for rising pre-kindergarten
students through seventh grade. Kreative
Kangaroos for Pre-K students includes
outdoor play, swimming, dancing and
carpentry. Junior camp for kindergarten
through second grade includes cooking,
drama and music, dance and swimming.
Senior camp is for grades three through
six and includes cooking, wood shop,
lmmaking, photography, rock band and
robotics. Pricing and session times vary.
For a complete tuition list and session
times, visit greenacres.org.
Silver Stars Gymnastics has a Silver
Spring (2701 Pittman Dr.) location and
a Bowie (14201 Woodcli Ct.) location.
For a list of pricing and details, visit
gosilverstars.com.
The Beauvoir School (3500 Woodley
Rd., N.W.), Rochambeau: the French
International School (which has campuses
in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Md.) and
the Lowell School (1640 Kalmia Rd.,
N.W.) also have summer camp programs.
Visit them each online for full details.
Serving students age

18 months through Grade 12
Visit barrie.org to learn more
about our leading Montessori program for
students beginning at age 18 months
through Grade 5, and our innovative,
project-based Prep program for students
in Grades 6 through 12.
For more information or to arrange a tour,
please contact our Admission team
at 301.576.2800 or admission@barrie.org
13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, MD 20906
Visit us at the Rainbow Families DC Family Conference
Saturday, April 30 at the Georgetown Day School
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 2 7
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
28 M A R C H 11, 2016
G A Y F A MI LY
Rainbow family
resources
Counting down the days to
ad
Layhill
Ro
ICC/MD
Route 200
Exit 10
e
Av
t
nec
Barrie
ve
tA
icu
13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, MD 20906

barrie.org/camp 301.576.2816
14 miles from Columbia, MD
n
Co
Serving children ages 4 to 14.
Bus
transportation
available
gia
or
Ge
A traditional summer day-camp

experience on 45 wooded acress with
on site ponds, stables, trails, archery,
canoeing, kayaking, and swimming
pool. Please visit barrie.org/camp for
more information and to enroll.
Glenmont
Metro
Station
Randolph Road
Brookside
Gardens
10 miles from Washington, DC
A CONFERENCE, SCHOLARSHIPS, FUN EVENTS AND MORE COMING SOON

By JOEY DiGUGLIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com
These days, there are lots of resources

for LGBT families.
Rainbow Families has its 2016 Family
Conference on Saturday, April 30 from
8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Georgetown Day
School (4200 Davenport St., N.W.). Every
two years, the conference provides local
gay families a space to gather for learning,
networking and fellowship.
The
conference
brings
together
hundreds of parents and families, panelists,
service providers, businesses, schools
and others with workshops, discussion
groups, social events and a resource fair.
A kids camp for children will be held
concurrently. Registration is $40 per adult
for Rainbow Family members and $50 for
non-members. Camp registration is $25
per child (members) and $30 for nonmembers. Spaces must be reserved online
in advance.
The group has a family dance party
planned on Friday, March 25 from 7-9
p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St.,
N.W. no. 105) and several other events
planned throughout the year. Full details
at rainbowfamiliesdc.org.
The deadline to apply for the 2016
SMYAL Youth Leadership Awards, which
will be announced in May, is Friday, April
15. The scholarships are available to LGBT
youth in the D.C. area. Details at smyal.org.
A new study called Not a big deal?
Exploring the accounts of adult
children of lesbian, gay and trans
parents was recently published and
presents the results of researchers who
surveyed 14 adults, 13 of whom were
born to a heterosexual relationships
where one partner was outed as gay,
lesbian or trans. Participants shared their
stories of childhood and the present and
the eects they feel it had on their lives.
The results endorsed previous ndings
of positive inuences such as tolerance,
acceptance, honesty, respect and openmindedness.
Adult children of LGT parents clearly

reject the notion that they have been
damaged by their parents sexuality/
gender identity, the researchers said.
Find the study online at tandfonline.com.
If you happen to be in Dallas, California
Cryobank has a free Gay Womens
Gathering: an Evening on Lesbian
Pregnancy on Wednesday, March 16 at
the Cathedral of Hopes Interfaith Peace
Chapel (5910 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas)
from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The group had an
event in Houston last week.
This series focuses on educating gay
women with critical information they
need when considering pregnancy. A
core focus on family building safety for
LGBT families from legal and medical
perspectives, despite the strides made
in marriage equality, is stressed. Issues
include choosing between known and
unknown sperm donors, conceiving
at home or in a doctors oce, fertility
health and more. IVF specialists from the
Dallas area will be there.
The Gay Womens Gatherings are
my absolute favorite events and weve
had amazing responses from attendees
over the last few years, says Scott
Brown, director of client experience and
communications in a California Cryobank
press release. Were even starting to see
familiar faces from a year or two ago with
the babies they were only dreaming about
when we rst met. Twenty years ago, over
90 percent of our clients were heater
couples. Today, thanks in large part to the
eorts of groups like Path2Parenthood
and these events, more than half are twomommy families.
A drawing for one free vial of sperm
from the donor of your choice, valued
at $595-795, will take place at the event.
Refreshments will be served and gift
bags handed out. Visit path2parenthood.
org for details. No D.C.-area events have
been announced.
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 2 9
Rob Lacaze
28380 St. Michaels Rd .
Easton, MD 21601
410-770-3600
Cell: 410-310-7835 www.RobLacaze.com lacazerob@gmail.com
Where Knowledge and Service Come Together
If you are looking to buy on Marylands beautiful Eastern Shore,

please call Rob Lacaze at 410-310-7835. Rob has already settled 12 transactions
for over 7 million dollars in the first 2 months of 2016, leading all other Talbot County agents.
Marylands EastErn shorE
Beautiful Perry Cabin waterfront 3 Bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Town

home offering spectacular Miles River Views, a deep water
deeded boat slip at the dock. Walking distance to Shops and
Restaurants in historic St. Michaels. $ 610,000.00
Charming Colonial blending the old with the new in desirable

Algonquin neighborhood. Offering water access just a few
doors down. Home sits on double lot, with in-ground pool. Short
distance to restaurants and shopping. No town taxes. Perfect 2nd
home! $324,500.
Magnificent and private Miles River waterfront Estate on 26 acres.

Superbly constructed two story home featuring 5 bedrooms, 5
baths, pool, dock and basement. Ideal location for commuting to
Washington, Easton and St. Michaels. $2,195,000.
Historic Colonial in the lovely small town of Vienna, Maryland.

Expansive unobstructed waterfront views of the River. Offering
4 Bedrooms 2 baths, original heart of pine beautiful flooring, 4
fireplaces, basement and attic. A former Maryland Governors
house. Town River Walk along the shoreline, boat ramp and town
slips. Motivated Seller! $369,000.
Spectacular Sunsets and panoramic views await you from

this high 5 acre fully rip rapped lot off the beautiful Choptank
River. Improved by a charming Eastern Shore Colonial with deep
water dock. Private and partially wooded. $999.900.
Waterfront 3 BR, 3 BA townhouse with westerly views over

the Chesapeake Bay! Charming community with marina and
restaurant close by. HOA covers all lawn care, vacation rentals
possible. Great investment property. Priced to sell! $399,500
3 0 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
GREAT PERFORMANCES
AT MASON
Chesapeake and
Potomac Softball (CAPS)
VISIT US AT CFA.GMU.EDU
Direct from Ireland
Celtic Nights
LGBT Softball Now Registering

for Spring & Summer Seasons
Spirit of Freedom
SUNDAY, MARCH 20 AT 4 P.M.

Celebrate St. Patricks Day with stirring Celtic
music and dance in this new production that
pays tribute to a century of Irish independence.
Spirit of Freedom is a vibrant Celtic tapestry of
joyous music, exuberant dance, and moving
storytelling. A spellbinding and exhilarating
picture of a proud people and their passion.
(Valentine Theater, New York)
$48, $41, $29 ff
SPRiNG SeASoN
Saturdays in April $20/season
Tucker Road Park, Ft. Washington, MD
SummeR SeASoN
Sundays, May through July $60/season
Watkins Park, Upper Marlboro, MD
eARLy ReGiSTRATioN eveNTS
ff = Family Friendly performances that are most suitable for
families with younger children
March 12 5PM-7PM Grand Central, Baltimore, MD

March 15 7PM-9PM Nellies Sports Bar, Washington, DC
TICKETS
$10 off ReGuLAR SummeR ReGiSTRATioN RATe AT TheSe eveNTS!
888-945-2468 OR CFA.GMU.EDU
Located on the Fairfax campus, six miles west of Beltway

exit 54 at the intersection of Braddock Road and Rt. 123.
Photo of Evan Casey, Laura C. Harris and Thaddeus McCants by Christopher Mueller.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy
ADVERTISING
NS
IGN
EVISIONS
/LOGO REVISIONS
SIONS
SALES REPRESENTATIVE: BRIAN PITTS (bpitts@washblade.com)
and warranties.
March 1 April 17
Limited Availability
PROOF
Pride Nights
March 18 & April 8
At last, a place in St. Patricks Day parade

AFTER DECADES OF PROTEST, GAY CONTINGENT WELCOMED INTO NYC TRADITION
By JOEY DiGUGLIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com
ARTS
AND
ENTERTAINMENT
The ocial word announcing that the

board of directors of the St. Patricks Day
Parade, a non-prot that runs the annual
New York City event every March 17, had
invited the LGBT group the Lavender
& Green Alliance to the event is a barebones statement indicating nothing of
the decades of eort that led to the
change of heart.
Since 2016 marks the 100th anniversary
of the Easter Rising, the birth of Irish
Independence, the St. Patricks Day Parade
March 17 is a special opportunity for renewed
commitment to Irish values and tradition and
the Irish role in the 21st century, board chair
John Lahey said in a press release.
Brendan Fay, founder and chair of the
Lavender & Green Alliance, which has held
its own St. Pats For All Parade annually in
Queens since 2000, was granted a quote
in the release.
We celebrate the welcome, he said.
March 17, 2016 will be a great day for
hospitality and inclusion.
There were signs that change was
imminent. At last years St. Patricks Day
Parade, Out@NBC, a gay employee group
at the aliate WNBC-TV 4, which broadcasts
the event locally, was the rst out group
welcomed into the parade although unlike
Lavender & Green, they werent particularly
Irish. Some Alliance members viewed the
NBC groups inclusion while their own was
left out, a slap in the face.
The ongoing rancor had led to
signicant tension. New York City Mayor
Bill de Blasio this year announced the end
of a two-year boycott of the 253-year-old
event, the largest St. Patricks Day parade
in the country. He marched in and spoke
at Sundays St. Pats for All Parade.
The St. Patricks Day Parade is a New
York City tradition but for years, Irish LGBT
New Yorkers could not show their pride,
he told the Associated Press in a March
2 story. Finally they can celebrate their
heritage by marching in a parade that
now represents progress and equality.
The parade, held rain or shine, begins
on Fifth Avenue at 44th Street and ends
on Fifth Avenue uptown at 79th Street. It
typically runs from about 11 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. About 200,000 people are in the
parade each year. About 300 are expected
to march under the Alliance banner.
So why now? Fay told the AP de Blasios
boycott had an eect. He was the rst
mayor in more than 20 years to refuse to
participate, the Associated Press reports.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
VOLUME
47
ISSUE
11
New York City Mayor BILL DE BLASIO speaks at the St. Pats for All Parade on March 6 in New
York. BRENDAN FAY, founder of the Lavender & Green Alliance, is in the rainbow scarf. The
mayor boycotted the St. Patricks Day Parade the last two years for its LGBT exclusion but will go
this year.
PHOTO BY JOHN NALLEY
Fay told the Blade there were many

factors bringing us to this historic
moment, and cites boycotts by other
elected ocials, some of which go back
25 years, pressure from the New York City
Council, letters of support from straight
Irish New Yorkers, pressure from beer
companies like Guinness and Heineken
that threatened to pull out and more.
It was the persistent determination of
activism of a determined and hope-lled
community, Fay says. Not just the LGBT
community, but the Irish community
as a whole.
So why was it such a big deal? And in
New York City, of all places?
The controversy ties in deeply with the
parades Catholic roots. First held in 1762,
the parade marches up Fifth Avenue and
is reviewed from the steps of St. Patricks
Cathedral. In the mid 1800s, the Ancient
Order of Hibernians (AOH), an Irish-Catholic
fraternal organization, became the ocial
sponsor of the parade. Although in 1992,
the National AOH directed all its chapters
to form separate corporations to run
their various parades, the parades roots
in the Roman Catholic Church Ireland

was essentially a pawn in the Protestant
Reformation battles between Italy and
England are strong and deep.
Although the St. Pats for All Parade
has developed into its own thing and
will continue (there were about 100
contingents in the March 6 event), Fay says
the signicance of the Alliances inclusion in
the ocial parade cannot be overstated.
History will be made for the rst time on
March 17, he says. Well be carrying the
green Alliance banner and were all really
feeling the moment. Theres so much joy
in the Irish community of New York City
and back home in Ireland as well.
Dignity New York, an LGBT Catholic
group thats the local chapter of
DignityUSA, members of which Fay is
one have been watching this drama
unfold for years. They say it just took time
for the strong opposition to play out.
Brendan is much more well versed in
the politics of this and all the ins and outs
but I think gradually, you know, the
people who wanted the group to march
nally won out and I think it was a matter
MARCH
11,
2016
PAGE
31
of attrition, says Je Stone, a spokesperson

for Dignity New York. Eventually the older,
more conservative members who were
against it either left or died or whatever
and I understand that Barbara Jones, the
consul general of Ireland in New York, tried
to urge the committee to let them march.
Thats also in line with whats happening
in Ireland, especially now with the prosame-sex marriage vote. The people of that
country have clearly spoken.
Despite studies that show disparities on
all kinds of issues between ocial Catholic
Church teaching and the laity, the antigay theology is well documented. As just
one example, earlier this month the AOH
issued a press release calling for Disney/
ABC to immediately apologize for its new
gay-themed sitcom The Real ONeals.
Although careful not to slam gays, it cites Irish
stereotypes, anti-Catholicism and gay activist/
writer Dan Savage, the shows executive
producer, in a scathing assessment.
Dan Savage has a well-documented
hostility to the Catholic Church, the
statement says. (We) question the
wisdom and motivations of Disney/
ABC giving him a national platform to
perpetuate his intolerance.
Stone says movement on same-sex
marriage, both in Ireland and the U.S.,
welcoming gays into the parade, the
use of more inclusive language among
Catholic leaders and more are all aspects
to the policy change. He also says the
tide has shifted enough that there were
economic considerations as well.
Its just not a good situation for them
when theres all this bitterness and
controversy surrounding the parade, he
says. Its counter to the law in Ireland,
its not good for tourism. I think they
wanted to get this resolved so that the
parade could return to being a symbol
of celebration and of Irish-American
pride and not a source of division and
bitterness that it had become for many
people. The parade lost a lot of sponsors
over this.
Fay says the change makes a powerful
statement.
I think its conveying a message
about equality and what I call cultural
hospitality, he says. Theres an overall
feeling of excitement and just really great
and joyful expectation. Ive really come
to appreciate how important cultural
gatherings and parades are in our lives
and communities.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
3 2 M A RCH 1 1 , 2 016
QU E ERY : 2 0 Q U E ST I O N S F O R ST A CE Y W I LLI A MS- ZE I G E R
How long have you been out and who was

the hardest person to tell?
I have been out for 30 years. I have been
fortunate to have the most wonderful family
and friends that I have had since high school.
I came out and said, Well, thats that and
that was that.
Whos your LGBT hero?
Harvey Fierstein, love him. What a
wonderfully talented and courageous role
model.
PHOTO BY DENIS LARGERON
STACEY WILLIAMS-ZEIGER
By JOEY DiGULIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com
Stacey Williams-Zeiger didnt originally plan a career in real estate, although
shes the only child of a builder and a mortgage broker.
She grew up familiar with open houses but eventually opened her own
auto dealership in her native Maryland. Later, though, she decided to give her
mothers footsteps a try and she is now the president and principal broker of
Zeiger Realty, Inc., which she calls an equality-based business.
Even if you work with an agent who is equality minded, their brokerage
may use money generated from your home sale to ght against you, she
says. Geiger Realty Inc. is your company and everyone with whom you come
into contact will be on your side.
She works in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Details at zeigerrealty.com.
Williams-Zeiger is a Baltimore native and came to Washington 15 years ago
after stints in Aspen, Colo., in the 80s and Miami in the 90s. She lives with
her wife Robyn Zeiger in Silver Spring with their canine kids Tripp, Chico and
Chelsie. She enjoys golf, sailing, guitar and skiing in her free time.
202.747.2077
Whats Washingtons best nightspot, past

or present?
I am in bed by 11 so I will go with the past and
say the Phase of long ago.
Describe your dream wedding.

Santorini, sunset, everyone I love standing
around us. A lone saxophone playing (You
Make Me Feel Like (A Natural Woman). Then
we all jump on donkeys and go down to the
water and head to the catamaran where we
sail the islands until sunrise.
What non-LGBT issue are you most

passionate about?
I am a vegetarian and an animal rights
activist. We donate as much as we can to
various groups that are out there getting
things done.
What historical outcome would you

change?
I would change whatever caused dinosaurs
to go extinct. Then we could send in a
Tyrannosaurus Rex to eat Hitler.
Whats been the most memorable pop

culture moment of your lifetime?
The day John Lennon was killed. It profoundly
changed my view of the world. Ellen coming
out was also huge.
On what do you insist?

Only being around people who make me
a better, happier person and if you call me
and I call you right back within a few seconds,
pick up the phone. Where did you go in two
seconds? It makes me crazy.
What was your last Facebook post or

Tweet?
Republicans are really starting to scare me.
If your life were a book, what would the

title be?
Chasing the Hole in One
If science discovered a way to change

sexual orientation, what would you do?
I would stay gay. I love my life and wouldnt
trade my wife for anything.
What do you believe in beyond the

physical world?
We have a lamp in the corner that for no
reason every so often shakes violently and
then stops on a dime. We both see it so it is
happening. I am coming to the conclusion
that there is denitely something out there
going on.
Whats your advice for LGBT movement

leaders?
Try and keep everyone energized and
informed. We have a long way to go with
true equality being the end game. We all still
have to ght together for everything. Even if
some of us get what we want we have to help
others in the community get rights they are
being denied.
What would you walk across hot coals

for?
To help anyone or any animal that needed
help. And Adele tickets. Yes I want Adele
tickets really bad. I tried so hard. I even did
a video of me on YouTube doing an Adele
Christmas carol that I wrote trying to get her
attention. Did I mention Adele tickets?
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?

That lesbians are either butch or fem. I can be
both. Just like the straight girls. I can change
the oil in my car then put on a dress and
go dancing. I have a nice long straight drive
(thats a golf drive, not what youre thinking)
and I also make some mean banana muns.
Labels need to go in general. For everyone.
Whats your favorite LGBT movie?

La Cage aux Folles, the original and The
Birdcage.
Whats the most overrated social custom?

Being a little bit late for a party. I never know
what time to get anywhere. I am an on-time
kind of person, so I have to not be on time so
I can be fashionably late.
What trophy or prize do you most covet?

My sixth grade softball trophy. I learned early
on winning was more fun.
What do you wish youd known at 18?

I wish I would have known just how fast
this ride was going to be. And I wish I would
have known how much real estate in D.C.
was going to go up. I would have started
buying as many buildings on Connecticut and
Wisconsin as I could and today I would be on
my private island not writing the answers to
these questions.
Why Washington?
The people, the diversity of the
people, the Kennedy Center, arts and
entertainment, the architecture and
history. The capital and sitting on a
beautiful day looking at the cherry
blossoms, the monuments, and for me
personally, the real estate. The real estate
market in D.C. is amazing. I love doing
business in this beautiful city. Geiger
Realty Inc. is an equality-based real estate
brokerage. You may have an LGBTQ
agent, but if that agent does not work for
a brokerage that is founded in equality,
chances are money you generate is going
against you. My company is our company.
And D.C. is the perfect place to be.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
T HE ATE R
M A R C H 11, 2016 33
PHOTO BY SCOTT SUCHMAN; COURTESY OF THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY
PATRICK VAILL as Cassio and JONNO ROBERTS as Iago in Othello.
New STC Othello production

not entirely convincing
By PATRICK FOLLIARD
The green-eyed monster is back and
running amok on Shakespeare Theatre
Companys stage.
No other Shakespeare work deals more
directly with jealousy than Othello. Its
jealousy that reduces the disciplined
title character to a brutish murderer.
In past STC productions, Othello has
been played twice by African-American
actor Avery Brooks and once by Patrick
Stewart, a white actor in an otherwise
almost entirely African-American cast.
This time, Brazilian director Ron Daniels
has cast Faran Tahir, an American actor of
Pakistani descent as the tragic hero.
The action kicks o in Venice where
Othello, a self-made Moorish general and
Christian convert, has secretly married
Desdemona (Ryman Sneed), the fair
daughter of an aristocratic house. Fueled
by racism and rancor, Othellos standard
bearer and supposed best friend Iago
(Jonno Roberts) vows to use Desdemona
to destroy rising young ocer Cassio
(Patrick Vaill) and bring down Othello.
Called to war with longtime enemy
Turkey, the soldiers set o to outpost
island Cypress. Desdemona follows.
Its here that Iagos machinations go
into play. He convinces Othello that his
wife is cuckolding him with handsome
Cassio. Othello suocated in feelings of
insecurity and suspicion, causing him to
fall into paroxysms of jealousy and make
some seriously bad life decisions.
In director Daniels hands, the story
unfolds lucidly every turn of the plot
is clear. But aspects of the production
lack passion. Othello and Desdemonas
connection is rather tepid. It seems
Othellos re is saved for jealousy.
But even so, the moments before
Desdemonas death come o more like
a domestic squabble than a woman
ghting for her life.
As Othello, Tahar (a stage and screen

actor best known for his work on TVs
American Crime) initially appears to
be the avuncular general. When his
men get too rowdy, he quiets them like
a schoolmaster chastising a roomful of
naughty schoolboys. But the longer he
remains in Cypress and longer Iago has
his ear, the more he changes. Othello
eschews his military uniform for a loosetting exotic robe and trades his dignity
for rash behavior.
Roberts has the best handle on the
language and unlike much of the cast,
he never swallows his words. His Iago is
every mans most intimate friend. From
the start, the audience is made aware of
the extent of Iagos treachery and expects
him to come to a bad end. And indeed he
does. After his wife Emilia (Merritt Janson)
connects the dots and reveals Iagos evil
deeds he is sentenced to be tortured in
the most horric ways imaginable.
Daniels has set production just after
World War I. Riccardo Hernandezs
striking set is a bare stage backed by
ve outsized turbines, bright headlights.
Arriving in Cypress, the soldiers raise
a huge banner depicting the Venetian
lion of St. Mark. Costume designer Emily
Rebholz turns out a handsome mix of
military and civilian wear including, Iagos
brown leather trench coat, high riding
boots, formal cutaways and white linen
travel suits evocative of Downton Abbey
season two.
Like always, the challenge with
Othello is to buy into Iagos epic hatred
for Othello, and to believe that a shrewd,
worldly general might be so easily
convinced that his new wife is cheating
on him despite her most sincere and
reasonable protestations. But thats the
nature of jealousy, isnt it?
OTHELLO
Through March 27
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Sidney Harman Hall
610 F St., N.W.
$20-108
202-547-1122
ShakespeareTheatre.org
The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
stated the following statistics about the complications from Type 2 Diabetes:
Diabetes, especially in people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, causes heart disease and is the #1
killer of diabetics
Diabetics are 2-4 times more likely to suffer a stroke vs non-diabetics.
Diabetes can cause blurred vision and can lead to blindness.
Diabetes can lead to kidney damage and dialysis.
This is NOT a complete list.
Please call to see if you qualify for a seat at our next Diabetes Dinner.
*Diabetologia. 2011 Oct; 54(10): 2506-2514
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
34 M A R C H 11, 2015
of
usic
m
e
g th
on
urin ly Part s
t
a
l
fe
o
D
hick
e C ntire
i
x
i
D
cE
a M rooks
b
e
R
th B
e
Gar sy Clin t
Pat Lovet
Lyle
PHOTO COURTESY OF STRIKE FORCE ENTERTAINMENT
ANDY BELL takes a creative left turn on his new solo album.
Erasure singer tackles show

tunes on Torsten album
By CHRIS GERARD
A rousing salute to country

music with special guests the
DC Cowboys!
March 12 8pm
March 19 3pm (ASL) & 8pm
March 20 3pm (ASL)
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW
Tickets: 1-877-435-9849
or visit GMCW.org
ASL tickets or groups of 10 or more: call 202-293-1548
MU SI C
Andy Bell has enjoyed a 30-year run of

hits with his musical partner Vince Clarke
in Erasure, the legendary duo whove
managed to navigate the ckle world of
pop music far longer than most artists
can dream.
Early hits like Sometimes and A Little
Respect are still beloved, and they continue
to release vital new music. Violent Flame
(2014) was their 16th album and they
promoted it with a successful tour before
wildly enthusiastic crowds that included
two nights at the 9:30 Club in D.C. It would
be easy for the dynamic vocalist to spend
his down time from Erasure enjoying the
fruits of his success.
But resting on his laurels doesnt seem
to be in the cards for Andy Bell. His
new solo album Torsten the Beautiful
Libertine is an ambitious collection of
songs featured in the stage show of the
same name, which opened this week at
Londons Above the Stag Theatre (which
bills itself as The UKs LGBT Theatre).
Torsten rst appeared as a character
in a 2014 song cycle written for Bell by
Barney Ashton-Bullock and Christopher
Frost called Torsten the Bareback Saint
that was performed in London and
Edinburgh, and made into an album. The
new show and album also written by
Ashton-Bullock and Frost is a more
fully developed exploration of a decidedly
unique character. On the Above the Stag
website, Torsten is described as an agedefying, polysexual hero who lives an
abnormally long life, and has plenty of
time to reect on all of the connections
sexual and otherwise hes made over
the years. Seeing a neverending parade
of deaths unfold before him renders
Torsten melancholy and unwilling to get
close to anybody to protect himself from
the continued pangs of loss.
If youre expecting the electrifying
dance-pop Bell is known for with Erasure

and on his two prior solo albums (2005s
Electric Blue and 2010s Non-Stop),
seek elsewhere. This is musical theater,
and Bells expressive tenor suits the
medium perfectly. Erasures music has
always been family friendly and generally
upbeat, so its something of a shock
hearing Bell singing pieces like Blow Jobs
for Cocaine and Ooh Baby, Youre so
Queercore, but it works.
The songs deal with various aspects
of Torstens experiences and they are
often grandiose and richly beautiful.
Beautiful Libertine is an early highlight,
emphasizing the always-impressive vocal
range that Bell continues to possess. The
sardonic ballad This Town Needs Jesus
is another standout, with Bell delivering
an impassioned vocal over a piano
accompaniment. Hes clearly invested in
this material and gives one convincing
performance after another.
Some tracks, like Lady Domina Bizarre
and The Slums We Loved, are highly
orchestral, but there are unexpected left
turns. We Were Singing Along to Liza is
a poignantly nostalgic dance track that
will surely inspire a bevy of remixes.
Photos of Daniel is a hauntingly
beautiful reminiscence of better days.
My Precious Ones, which has been
issued as the albums lead single, has the
most standard pop arrangement on the
album. Its a melodic guitar-based track
with terric harmonies.
As with any musical theater piece,
its a challenge to fully realize the vision
conceptualized in Torsten The Beautiful
Libertine without seeing the show.
There are so many ideas thrown at us
over the span of 17 tracks that its hard
to completely absorb it. But even as a
conceptual album, Torsten is always
entertaining and surprising, as the songs
veer in unanticipated directions. Bells
voice shines throughout, the writing is
smart and unpredictable and Torsten
is an interesting character that will
hopefully stick around to chronicle more
triumphs and tragedies and adventures.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
M USI C
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 3 5
PHOTO BY ANGELA TALLEY; COURTESY OF STYLOS RECORDS
Gospel diva SANDI PATTY says new album Forever Grateful and its current tour are her swan songs.
Legendary gospel diva says

goodbye with new album
By JOEY DiGUGLIELMO
joeyd@washblade.com
Its a pretty easy case to make that
Sandi Patty is the nest contemporary
gospel singer of her generation.
Only one other female singer outsold
her Amy Grant, but she was more
singer/songwriter-oriented and couldnt
hold a candle to Patty vocally. The only
artistic rivals she ever remotely had
Karla Worley and Cynthia Clawson are
pretty much forgotten footnotes. She can
outsing and outsell pretty much all the
men in the eld as well.
With Patty currently on her nal tour
(no D.C.-area dates announced as yet)
and her farewell album Forever Grateful
just out, its the beginning of the end of
an era. The singer, a 59-year-old vetime Grammy winner and Gospel Music
Association Hall of Fame inductee, is going
out with a bang and while this is certainly
preferable to so many contemporary
gospel acts who seem to just fall o the
face of the earth, its a bittersweet season.
The good news is that after years
of mediocre covers-heavy albums like
Everlasting (2013) and Songs for the
Journey (2008), with Grateful she has
nally made a record of mostly new
material. It pales in comparison to her
classic 80s work on albums like Morning
Like This (1986) and Make His Praise
Glorious (1988), but its easily her nest
gospel eort since 2003s Take Hold of
Christ. Long-time producer Greg Nelson is

back and with writing credits on four tracks,
its Pattys most self-penned eort ever.
Its also Pattys most stylistically diverse
eort in years. Anthem of Praise is a
sturdy church number by Patty, Michael
W. Smith and David Hamilton that
features a soaring melody and the kind
of worshipful lyrics Patty has long been
known for.
Alleluia (Glory, Honor, Majesty) is a
classically avored worship aria. All I
Got to Do is black gospel and the family
eort Farther Along is a Southern Gospel
standard Patty has known all her life.
Three simple acoustic ballads In
the In Between, Song of the Redeemed
and the title cut are just so-so. Theyre
lovingly sung and suit Pattys low register
fairly well. Despite their sincerity, though,
none are especially memorable. The title
track is the strongest of the three. A simple
prayer, it becomes something of a sonic
bookend to the title cut of her rst major
label eort Sandis Song 37 years ago.
It was not the symphonies or sold-out
stages/I always found you in the quiet
spaces/this is my song for you/this is
the one thing I can bring/youve taken all
thats broken, every bruise/and handed
me a song to sing.
Another three cuts are remakes of
earlier material. An impressive lineup of
fellow singers such as Kristin Chenoweth,
Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen, her old
touring singers First Call and Russ Ta
join her We Are the World-style on the
old warhorse Love in Any Language. The
arrangement is faithful its the vocal
colors that give it punch. Its the material
of a thousand church choir renditions

and holds up well.
Praise Medley features Patty classics
like Let There Be Praise and Hosanna
in a medley shes been using in practically
every concert shes given in the last 15
years. With such heavy live use, it feels
a bit worn into the ground but the Jay
Rouse arrangement featuring a delightful
new orchestration by Phillip Keveren
is still an ecient way to cover a lot of
classic ground quickly.
Pattys husband Don Peslis and several of
their highly talented adult children join her
on the Steven Curtis Chapman-penned Love
Will Be Our Home, a song that hasnt been
sung live since her 1989 tour. Perhaps it was
too much of a reminder of strained times to
sing it for a long time Patty was married to
someone else when she originally recorded
it. But enough time has passed that were
able to take it again at face value and the
harmonies are rich and varied here.
There are a few disappointments.
Overall, the whole aair feels a bit slight,
especially for a farewell album. Ten allnew songs with the remakes used as
bonus cuts would have given the album
a more robust overall feel. A new duet
with long-time partner Larnelle Harris
is a noticeable absence, especially since
their last collaboration (Then Came the
Morning from his 2013 album) didnt
light the world on re the same way their
classic 80s material did. One more barnburner for the ages would have been nice.
And while Patty delivers convincingly
on the aforementioned low-key ballads,
why so much of that? Though shes almost
always stayed in the pop vein, Pattys voice
is capable of operatic thunder and its held

up well. Though the bell-like eortlessness
of her early years has matured, the range
and oomph are all still there (they were
on fabulous display last November at
her D.C. concert, the closing night of her
Everlasting Tour). Why waste time on
quiet, tender little ballads like Song of the
Redeemed when you could be raising the
roof? Its a head scratcher that has plagued
many of Pattys choices and was especially
chronic in the 90s.
It will never happen, especially now,
but I would have loved to have heard
Patty do something truly classical like
the fabulous Divine Redeemer album
soprano Christine Brewer just released
with organist Paul Jacobs (wholl be at the
Kennedy Center March 16, by the way).
Patty only ever irted with the classics
on occasional Christmas-type eorts but
she could have pulled o these works
by Bach, Handel, Puccini and Gounod
magnicently and its a shame she never
sank her teeth into the classical canon.
On some level, I get it. That was just
never her thing. A 2011 richly orchestrated
album of Broadway standards not
particularly my thing was one of her
strongest eorts of recent years. But
when you have a voice that could blow all
the Celine Dions, Lady Gagas and even (in
her prime) Julie Andrewses of the world
out of the water without breaking a sweat,
one sort of yearns to have had heard her
take on more substantive material at
least once sort of like when Katharine
Hepburn played Shakespeare in the 50s.
Ultimately, though, the album is
something for which to be Grateful.
TO ADVERTISE
CONTACT
STEPHEN RUTGERS
202.747.2077
srutgers@washblade.com
LIVE
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
36 MA R C H 11, 2016
O U T & A BO U T
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
the
RONDO RIGS
and
WALKERS RUN
THURSDAY MAR
10
MAJOR &
THE MONBACKS
and the
CONGRESS
FRIDAY MAR
11
SAT, MAR 12
THE JUDY CHOPS

AND BUDS COLLECTIVE
By MARIAH COOPER
WED, MAR 16
AN EVENING WITH
JOHN MAYALL
PHOTO COURTESY OF REEL AFFIRMATIONS
THURS, MAR 17
CELEBRATE ST. PATRICKS DAY WITH
YOUNG DUBLINERS
W/ THE DANNY BURNS BAND

FRI, MAR 18
CHOPTEETH AFROFUNK
BIG BAND
THEHAMILTONDC.COM
Reel Armations gets Beautiful

Reel Armations screens Beautiful Something at Human Rights Campaign
(1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) on Friday, March 11 with screenings at 7 and 9:15
p.m.
Beautiful Something, directed by Joseph Graham, tells the story of four
diverse, gay men during one night in Philadelphia. Attendees will receive gift
bags by Team Rayceen. VIP tickets are $25 and include one complimentary
cocktail, beer or wine and one movie candy or popcorn. General admission
tickets are $12.
For more information, visit reelarmations.org.
Love, hope,
success,
family,
security.
Theres nobody like me to protect the
things we all value. Like a good neighbor,
State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY.
Gay Mens Chorus

goes country
PHOTO COURTESY OF DCIFF
Pianist falls for gardener in Staccato
1101022.1 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL
Local lmmakers featured

in Bethesda Film Fest
The fourth annual Bethesda Film Fest
runs at Imagination Stage (4908 Auburn
Ave., Bethesda, Md.) on Friday, March 18
and Saturday, March 19.
Films included in the festival are all
from local lmmakers from the D.C.,
Maryland and Virginia area. Chop My
Money, In the Path of My Father,
Luchadora, Los Angeles Call to Prayer
and This Little Light of Mine: the Legacy
of Fannie Lou Hamer will run. After each
screening, there will be a discussion with
the lmmakers. Tickets are $10.
For more information, visit bethesda.org.
Some things we all have in

common.
Jonna S Wooten, Agent

Bus: 703-560-7804
www.jonnawooten.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BFF
D.C. Independent Film Festival screens Staccato, an LGBT-themed short

lm at Navy Memorial Burke Theatre (701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) on Sunday,
March 13 at 1:30 p.m.
Staccato is an Irish lm that follows a pianist who becomes distracted by a
young gardner on the grounds while he practices for his piano debut. The lm
will screen alongside other short lms. Tickets are $11 online and at the door.
For more information, visit dci-indie.org.
Gay Mens Chorus of Washington

presents Boots, Class & Sass at Lincoln
Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Saturday,
March 12 at 8 p.m.
The chorus will perform country
songs from Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton,
Johnny Cash, songs from The Best Little
Whorehouse in Texas and Paint Your
Wagon with a live country band. There
will also be clogging, dancing, costumes
and videos. The D.C. Cowboys will reunite
for a special performance. The show will
continue on Saturday, March 19 at 3 and
8 p.m. and Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m.
Tickets range from $25-63. For more
details, visit gmcw.org.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
S P O RTI N I N D. C.
M A R C H 11, 2016 37
Be Lean for Spring!
PHOTO BY LENNIE CARTER
The D.C. Front Runners meet for a run last Saturday morning.
Area ripe with

non-competitive options
to get moving
By KEVIN MAJOROS
Spring is around the corner and so are
the opportunities to engage with the LGBT
sports community in the D.C. area. If you
arent interested in competing, there are
several noncompetitive oerings from
the local clubs.
While the D.C. Front Runners oer a
race circuit, they also host a weekly series
of walks and runs with no obligation to
compete. The schedule is:
Saturdays at 9:30 a.m., a 3-, 4-, or
6-mile fun run starting at 23rd and P
streets, N.W.
Saturdays at 10 a.m., a 3-4 mile walk
starting at 23rd and P streets, N.W.
Sundays at 9 a.m., a 10-plus-mile distance
run starting at 23rd and P streets, N.W.
Tuesdays at 7 p.m., an up to 7-mile
run or 4-mile walk starting at Union Station
Thursdays at 7 p.m., a 10-plus-mile
distance run starting at 23rd and P
streets, N.W.
on federal holidays, a 3-6-mile run or
a 4-mile walk starting at either 23rd and P
streets, N.W. or Union Station.
The Outriders host bike rides in
D.C., Virginia and Maryland which range
from weekend rides of 25 to 60 miles
to casual after-work rides. The rst ride
of the season is Spring into Cycling
on Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. Below
are some examples of rides from the
previous season:
Cycling Through Virginia Horse
Country This scenic and popular
cyclingroute is only an hours drive from
D.C., yet passes through quaint Virginia
horse country villages and bucolic
countryside. The 37-mile route is mostly
rolling hills with a couple of longer climbs.
Arlington Evening Bike Ride A
summer-long series of casual after-work
bike rides that use bike trails and bikefriendly residential streets in and around
Arlington. Rides ranges in length from
13 to 20 miles with an optional post-ride
social dinner at a local restaurant.
A Cutting-Edge 1-on-1 Fitness Center

Upgraded Fitness Equipment, Client Mgt. & Progress on Mobile Device
The Quantico Orienteering Club

oers non-competitive orienteering, an
outdoor sport suitable for all ages and
Where Functionality & Strength Meet Technology
tness levels. It is a scavenger hunt in
which you use a detailed map to nd
checkpoints (controls) that have been
placed at locations marked on the
map. You can attend a local event with
friends and family, take turns at nding
1150 18th Street, NW, Suite 130 I Washington, DC
wilderness checkpoints with your map
and powers of observation, and share
E-mail us: benchgym@gmail.com
your adventures afterward.
Website: www.benchgym.com
Capital Climbers is a group of LGBT
climbers in the D.C. metro area, including
Maryland and Northern Virginia. They
climb outdoors locally and in West
Virginia and meet indoors at Earth
Treks in Rockville, Md., and Sportrock in
Alexandria, Va.
The D.C. Pride Volleyball League has
open social play at Thompson Elementary
School. The spring season runs
Wednesdays from March 16-June 1. From
7-8 p.m., there are skill development
sessions and drills. From 8-10:15 p.m.,
teams form and play.
The Federal Triangles Soccer Club
oers open pick-up games outside of their
league play. They have Friday Night Lights
monthly (usually the last Friday) during
the warmer months. This year schedule is
expected soon. Most games are payed at
Bundy Field. They also have Sunday pick-up
games at West Potomac Park year-round
from 9-11 a.m. Its open to all.
The Adventuring Group leads hikes
ADVERTISING
year-round throughout the area. The
PROOF
next scheduled hikes
are #1
the Whiteoak
Canyon-Cedar Run Hike on Saturday,
March 12 and the Signal Knob
Circuit Hike
REVISIONS
on Saturday, March 19.
REDESIGN
The Atlantic States TEXT
Gay REVISIONS
Rodeo
IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS
Association hosts one-hour
trail rides
NO REVISIONS
By signing this proof you are agreeing to your contr
on the rst Sunday of every month at the
washington blade newspaper. This includes but is n
and warranties.
Piscataway Stables. The rides are limited
to 20 people so call in advance to reserve
your spot. No spurs required.
The season is about to begin for the
Rainbow Spinnakers Sailing Club and
you can ride along as crew or learn how
to become a skipper. The boats are
rented at the Belle Haven Marina for twohour increments on Sundays from noon2 p.m. Club members also oer day sails
on their personal boats.
Join our Personal Training Program
Remembering
Tony Boyd
on his 50th
Birthday
3/15/66 - 3/15/95
Love you, Baby,

Mom, Family,
and Friends
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
3 8 M A RCH 1 1 , 2 016
A RT S & CU LT U RE
HOT HITS & HIDDEN JEWELS

From CultureCapital.com
YOUR LINK TO THE ARTS IN METRO DC
American Idiot
Mar 12-Apr 9. Keegan Theatre.
202-265-3767. keegantheatre.com.
The Tony Award winning hit musical tells the story of three lifelong friends,
forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Based on
Green Days multi-platinum album, American Idiot boldly takes the American
musical where its never gone before.
Naked Girls Reading: Science Fiction

Mar 11. DC Arts Center.
202-462-7833. dcartscenter.org.
By Grabthars Hammer, through time and space, in a galaxy far far away, to
boldly go where no Naked Girl has gone before, join DCAC for Naked Girls
Reading presents Science Fiction. Cherokee Rose returns to the holodeck with
Alice Darling, Cherie Sweetbottom and GiGi Holliday.
THEATRE
WORLD STAGES: The Odyssey: From
Vietnam to America. Mar 11-Mar 12.
Shear Madness. Ongoing.
The Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.
kennedy-center.org.
A Midsummer Nights Dream.
Thru Mar 13. Folger Theatre.
202-544-7077. folger.edu.
Road Show. Thru Mar 13. Road Show
Pride Night. Mar 11. The Flick. Thru Apr
17. Signature Theatre. 703-820-9771.
signature-theatre.org.
Moment. Mar 16-Apr 24. Studio Theatre.
202-332-3300. studiotheatre.org.
Falling Out Of Time. Mar 17-Apr 17.
Theater J. 202-518-9400. theaterj.org.
Marjorie Prime. Thru Apr 10. Olney
Theatre. 301-924-3400. olneytheatre.org.
Jewish Plays Project. Mar 13. JCCNV.
703-537-3000. jccnv.org.
110 in the Shade. Mar 11-May 14. Fords
Theatre. 202-347-4833. fords.org.
1984. Mar 11-Apr 10. Othello. Thru Mar
27. Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Sidney Harman Hall. 202-547-1122.
shakespearetheatre.org.
Atlas Intersections Festival: Arts on
the Horizon Space Bop. Thru Mar
12. Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre:
DREAM LOGIC. Thru Mar 13. Atlas.
202-399-7993. atlasarts.org.
DANCE
National Gallery of Art Ice Skating Rink

Thru Mar 13. NGA Sculpture Garden.
202-216-9397. nga.gov.
Experience the last weekend for ice-skating in the Sculpture Garden while
surrounded by large-scale sculptures by contemporary artists, including Louise
Bourgeois, Sol LeWitt, Tony Smith, Roy Lichtenstein, Roxy Paine, and others.
Conversations at The Kreeger Museum

Mar 14 & Mar 21. Kreeger Museum.
202-337-3050. kreegermuseum.org.
Conversations provides a forum for dialogue and connection through art

and music for individuals with memory disorders and their caregivers. Each
program includes a musical component and is designed to stimulate reection,
reduce stress, and increase communication and sociability. This weeks
program examines Picassos Head of a Woman with a Hat.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEEGAN THEATRE
Buy
Discount Tickets
ticketPLAce.org
Monica Bill Barnes & Company: Happy

Hour. Thru Mar 11. The Kennedy Center.
202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org.
Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia. Mar 12.
GW Lisner Auditorium. 202-994-6800.
lisner.gwu.edu.
Richmond Ballet II. Mar 12. JCCNV.
703-537-3000. jccnv.org.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Ensemble. Mar 12-Mar 13. Dance Place.
202-269-1600. danceplace.org.
MUSIC
Cassandra Allen. Thru Mar 23.
Strathmore. 301-581-5100.
strathmore.org.
Global-Phonic Music Festival:
Lulacruza. Mar 11. Arlington Cultural
Aairs. Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre.
703-228-1850. arlingtonarts.org.
Tribute to Charlie Byrd. Mar 11-Mar 12.
AMP. 301-581-5100.
ampbystrathmore.com.
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor:
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano. Thru Mar
12. Osmo Vnsk, conductor: Nikolai
Lugansky, piano. Mar 17-Mar 19. Organ
Recital: Paul Jacobs. Mar 16. NSO.
kennedy-center.org.
Rob Kapilows What Makes It Great?
Mar 13. Church of the Epiphany.
Montreal Symphony. Mar 14. WPA.
washingtonperformingarts.org.
Heiftez on Tour. Mar 17.
Kreeger Museum. 202-337-3050.

kreegermuseum.org.
Jennifer Koh & Shai Wosner. Mar 13.
JCC of Greater Washington.
301-348-3872. jccgw.org.
Keyboard Conversations with Jerey
Siegel. Mar 13. GMU Center for the Arts.
888-945-2468. cfa.gmu.edu.
Ariel Quartet. Mar 11. Alan Kelly
Gang. Mar 17. The Barns. 877-965-3872.
wolftrap.org.
The Little Organ Book, Part 2. Mar
13. Washington Bach Consort. National
Presbyterian Church. 202-429-2121.
bachconsort.org.
MUSEUMS
National Gallery of Art. Power and
Pathos. Thru Mar 20. Celebrating
Photography at the National Gallery of
Art: Recent Gifts. Thru Mar 27.
202-737-4215. nga.gov.
Folger Shakespeare Library.
Shakespeare, Life of an Icon.
Thru Mar 27. folger.edu.
National Archives. Amending
America. Mar 11-Sep 4. 202-357-5000.
archivesfoundation.org.
Museum of Women in the Arts.
Salon Style: French Portraits from the
Collection. Thru May 1. 202-783-5000.
nmwa.org.
Smithsonian Anacostia Museum.
Twelve Years That Shook And Shaped
Washington: 1963-1975. Thru Oct 23.
202-633-4820. anacostia.si.edu.
National Geographic. Pristine Seas: The
Oceans Last Wild Places. Thru Mar 27.
202-857-7000. nglive.org.
National Portrait Gallery. Mathew
Bradys Photographs of Union Generals.
Thru May 8. 202-633-8300. npg.si.edu.
GALLERIES
The Art League Gallery. Fritz Desroches.
Thru Apr 3. 703-683-1780.
theartleague.org.
Foundry Gallery. Fran Abrams. Thru
Mar 27. 202-232-0203.
foundrygallery.org.
Gallery Neptune & Brown. Erick
Johnson. Thru Mar 26. 202-986-1200.
neptuneneart.com.
VisArts at Rockville. Rachel Hamel.
Thru Mar 20. 301-315-8200.
visartsatrockville.org.
Zenith Gallery. Turning 38... Continuing
to Innovate. Mar 11-Apr 16.
202-783-2963. zenithgallery.com.
Arts Club of Washington. March Art
Exhibition. Thru Mar 26. 202-331-7282.
artsclubofwashington.org.
JCCNV. Local Color and More.
Thru Apr 4. 703-323-0880. jccnv.org.
Fisher Art Gallery. Al-Mutanbbi Street
Starts Here. Thru Mar 13. 703-534-5726.
schlesingercenter.com.
ReCreative Spaces. Prometheus - Solo
Show by Arthur Kwon Lee. Thru Mar 31.
202-907-5934. recreativespaces.com.
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 3 9
THIS COULD BE
YOUR CHANCE
TO OWN A
NEW HOME
IN WASHINGTON, D.C.!
DECORATED MODELS NOW OPEN!

Is your household at least 2-6 people?
Does your combined income meet Parkside
ADU Program Requirements? Then you
might qualify to purchase a townhome
priced below market rate* in cooperation
with the D.C. Department of Housing and
Community Development!Plus, there are no
resale restrictions after the first year
of homeownership!
PARKSIDE ADU PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Household
2
3
4
5
6
Income Range
$69,900 - $104,830
$78,700 - $117,930
$87,400 - $131,040
$96,100 - $144,140
$104,900 - $157,250
Parkside Washington, D.C.
3-STORY GARAGE TOWNHOMES FROM THE MID $300s

Up to 1,602 sq. ft. 3 BR 2.5 BA Deluxe kitchens 9' ceilings
Home offices available Spacious owners suites with walk-in closets
High performance energy savings 1-2 car rear garages
Walk to the
Minnesota Ave
Metro Station!
Transit Score:
74!
Many Desired Options are Included!

Ask about Personalizing Your New Home.
Community Features
Just 4 Metro stops from the Capitol building & close to varied cultural districts
Close to both the Orange and Silver Metro lines, I-295, I-395 & I-495
Open: Monday, 2 pm - 6 pm, Tuesday - Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm.
Brokers Warmly Welcomed. Visit khov4rewards.com to learn more about our REALTOR Rewards Program.
3615 GRANT PLACE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20019

Call for More Information
(301) 683-6455
See Home Designs & More
khov.com/ParksideTownhomes
/khov.MD
/khov_MD
*Homes sold to households with two or more people who meet income requirements listed in Parkside ADU Program Requirementsset forth by the DHCD -dhcd.dc.gov. No resale restrictions after the first year of homeownership.
Purchasers must see Sales Consultant for additional program details. Permission has been granted to use the Department of Housing and Community Development Agency name and/or logo. Contact Agency for more information
at (202) 442-7221. Prices, terms, features, incentives and savings subject to change without notice. James Williams, Broker. Senate Realty, 909 U St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. (202) 742-7290. Licensed by the District of Columbia
#SP98359144.Permission has been granted to use the Senate Realty name and logo on marketing materials by James Williams, President, 909 U St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. (202) 742-7290. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of
U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM
4 0 M A RCH 1 1 , 2 016
CA LE N D A R
E-mail calendar items to calendars@washblade.

com two weeks prior to your event. Space is limited so priority is given to LGBT-specic events
or those with LGBT participants. Recurring
events must be re-submitted each time.
TODAY
Christ Church Episcopal Alexandria
(118 N. Washington St., Alexandria, Va)
hosts a screening of Beautiful Thing for
its LGBT movie night at 7:30 p.m. in the
Fowler House. There will be popcorn and
refreshments. Admission is free. Doors
open at 6:30 p.m. For more details, visit
historicchristchurch.org.
D.C. Bear Crue presents Bearoke with
KJ-Tre at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight
from 6-11 p.m. The rst ve singers get
a free drink ticket. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Entry ends at 9:30 p.m. Drink specials are
until 11 p.m. The specials include $4 rail
drinks until 11 p.m., $4 Bud Lights until
10 p.m., $4 draft pints until 10 p.m. and
$8 draft pitchers until 10 p.m. There will
also be free pizza at 7 p.m. For more
information, visit dcbearcrue.com.
Women in Their 20s, a social
discussion group for LBT and all women
interested in women, meets today at
the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.)
from 8-9:30 p.m. All welcome to join. For
details, visit thedccenter.org.
A LGB support group meets today
from 10-11:30 a.m. at 16220 S. Frederick
Rd., Gaithersburg, Md., for individuals
in Montgomery County. The group
will discuss coming out of marriage,
homophobia, parenting issues, nding
intimate relationships, LGB resources
in the suburbs and more. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
Gamma VA, a support group for men
in mixed-orientation relationships, meets
at 1772 Church St., N.W. today from 7:309:30 p.m. The group is for men who are
attracted to men but are currently or were
at one point in a relationship with a woman.
Meeting locations are in private residences.
For more information about the group and
location, visit gammaindc.org.
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
PostClassical Ensemble performs a
tribute to composer and gay and lesbian
advocate Lou Harrison at the Indonesian
Embassy (2020 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.)
tonight at 7:30 p.m. The ensemble will be
conducted by Angel Gil-Ordonez with Tim
Fain on violin, Michael Boriskin on piano
and speaker Bill Alves. Admission is free but
seating is limited. For more information,
visit postclassical.com/Harrison.
The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd.,
N.E.) hosts Distrkt C, a gay dance party,
tonight from 10 p.m.-8 a.m. DJ GSP and
DJ Mark DeMarko will spin tracks. Adult
lm stars Adam Killa, Bamm Bamm and
Seth Fornea will make appearances.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the
door before midnight, $40 after midnight
and $25 after 4 a.m. For more details, visit
The D.C. St. Patricks Day Parade is Sunday, March 13. The D.C. Center has a gay contingent again this year.
facebook.com/distrktc.
Shamrock Fest is at RFK Stadium
(2400 E Capitol St., N.E.) today from 3-11
p.m. Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly
and Vanilla Ice will perform. There will be
ve stages with more than 30 bands, DJs
and performers. There will also be Irish
dancers, carnival rides and a DJ party
tent. VIP tickets are $74.99 and include
bottomless beer from 3-8 p.m., a souvenir
ShamrockFest koozie, VIP area access
to restrooms and VIP seating. General
admission tickets are $29.99. For more
information, visit shamrockfest.com.
Exposed D.C. presents its 10th annual
photography show at the Historical
Society of Washington at the Carnegie
Library (801 K St., N.W.) through April
1. The exhibit features 47 images from
around the Washington metro area that
focuses on the location as a place people
live and work instead of as a tourist
attraction. All photographs on display
will be for sale. For more details, visit
exposeddc.com.
SUNDAY, MARCH 13
The D.C. Center has an LGBT contingent
in the annual D.C. St. Patricks Day
Parade today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The
45th annual parade begins at noon and
will proceed down Constitution Ave. from
7th to 17th streets, N.W. with marching
bands, military units, dance schools,
oats and other groups. The parade route
is accessible from the Federal Triangle
station. Details at dcstpatsparade.com.
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer
organization, volunteers for D.C. Central
Kitchen (425 2nd St., N.W.) from 9 a.m.noon. Volunteers will cook alongside chefs
who are graduates of D.C. Central Kitchens
job training program. To volunteer RSVP at
jonathan@burgundycrescent.org. For more
information, visit burgundycrescent.org.

Perrys (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts
its weekly Sunday Drag Brunch today
from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95
for an all-you-can-eat buet. For more
details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.
Nellies Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.)
hosts a drag brunch today with shows
at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. For more
information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
MONDAY, MARCH 14
The Rainbow Theatre Project presents
a staged reading of Beautiful Thing, a
1993 play about two teenagers in England
who movie from neighbors to lovers,
by Jonathan Harvey at Source Theatre
(1835 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15. For more information, visit
rainbowtheatreproject.org.
The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.)
hosts coee drop-in hours this morning
from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT
community. Older LGBT adults can
come and enjoy complimentary coee
and conversation with other community
members. For more information, visit
thedccenter.org.
Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave.,
N.W.) holds a support group for gay black
men to discuss topics that aect them,
share perspectives and have meaningful
conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org.
TUESDAY, MARCH 15
Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.)
hosts its weekly FUK!T Packing Party from
7-9 p.m. tonight. For more details, visit
thedccenter.org or greenlanterndc.com.
Bachelors Mill has half-price drinks
all night long from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. tonight.
They also have pool, video gaming
systems and cards. Admission is free. For
more details, visit bachelorsmill.com.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16
Bookmen D.C., an informal mens gay
literature group, discusses Gay American
Autobiography: Writings from Whitman
to Sedaris edited by David Bergman
at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.)
tonight at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. For
details, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge
Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the
Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for social
bridge. No partner needed. For more
information, call 301-345-1571.
Woman to Woman, a support group
for HIV-positive women who love women,
meets at the Womens Collective (1331
Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) today from 5:30-7
p.m. There will be light refreshments. For
details, visit thedccenter.org.
THURSDAY, MARCH 17
Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance
(AGLA) hosts a St. Patricks Day dinner
at Freddies Beach Bar (555 23rd St. S
Arlington, Va.) on the patio tonight from
7-8 p.m. Both couples and singles are
welcome. Guests must be 21 and over
to attend. There is no cover charge. For
more information, visit facebook.com/
ArlingtonLGBT.
Shaws Tavern (520 Florida Ave., NW.)
hosts a St. Patricks Day party today
starting at 3 p.m. There will be green
beer and corned beef sandwiches. Luke
Shaer will play music starting at 3 p.m.
Step dancers from the Boyle School of
Irish Dance begins at 6:30 p.m. followed
by dancing from The Points of Roguery
at 7 p.m. DJ Jill Parsons will play music
upstairs starting at 7 p.m. For details, visit
shawstavern.com.
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 4 1
JuST SolD!
14th AND U
1412 Chaplin St. NW #305

$575,000
Coldwell Banker Dupont/Logan is

thrilled to welcome our newly affiliate agents!
2 BR/2 Ba unit with balcony!

Marble counter tops, high
ceilings. 94 Walk Score!
J JaMeS BRaeu
202.215.2240
WWW.JaMeSBRaeu.CoM
RonalD leRuM
Brett KItCheN
roNALD.LerUM@CBMove.CoM
Brett.KItCheN@CBMove.CoM
301.537.1014
202.355.8811
Coldwell Banker Dupont/Logan

is proud to help LGBt families
find the perfect place to call home!
The most tools, the most technology, the most leads, the best working environment. Sound interesting?
Call me to discuss the advantages of Coldwell Banker. We offer more so our agents can do more for our clients.
Kevin MCDuffie, GRi, ManaGinG BRoKeR

kmcduffie@cbmove.com cbhomes.com
202.439.2435 (c) 1617 14th Street NW
202-387-6180
Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC
LOU CHIBBARO JR. has

CHRIS
JOHNSON
is
MICHAEL K. LAVERS has
reported on the LGBT
Chief Political & White
been a staff writer for the
civil rights movement
House
Reporter
for
Washington Blade since
and the LGBT community
the Washington Blade.
May 2012. The passage
for more than 30 years,
Johnson
attends
the
of Marylands same-sex
beginning as a freelance
daily
White
House
marriage law, the HIV/AIDS
writer and later as a staff
press briengs and is a
epidemic, the burgeoning
reporter and currently as
member of the White
LGBT rights movement
Senior News Reporter
House Correspondents
in Latin America and the consecration of gay
for the Washington Blade. He has chronicled
Association. Hes worked with the Washington
New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson are
LGBT-related developments as they have
Blade since 2008 and was a founding
among the many stories he has covered since
touched on a wide range of social, religious,
employee of the paper when it relaunched
his career began in 2002. Lavers work has
A EDGE
D V EMedia
R T I Network,
S I N G FireP R O O F
and governmental institutions, including the
under local ownership in 2009. Before coming
appeared in the
White House, Congress, the U.S. Supreme
to the Blade, Johnson covered defense
Island News, Village Voice, Hufngton Post
PROOF #1
Court, the military, local and national law
issues for Inside Washington Publishers
and other media outlets. He has also discussed
enforcement agencies and the Catholic
and previously wrote for MIRS newsletter,
LGBT-specic issues on the BBC, New York
Church. Chibbaro has reported onProof
LGBT
publication
state
Times, News Channel 8, WNYC in New York
will be considered finalaandLansing-based
will be submitted for publication
if revisioncovering
is not submitted
within 24 hours of the date
REVISIONS
issues and LGBT participation in local
and
political
news in
A Michigan
City other mainstream and LGBT publications.
llc (dba
the washington blade)
is not responsible
for Michigan.
the content and/or
design of yournative,
ad. Advertiser is responsible
REDESIGN
national
elections since 1976. He has covered
Johnson
graduated
with
honors
Lavers holds a degree in journalism and
the advertisement. Advertiser
represents that
its advertisement
will not
violate anyfrom
criminal the
laws or any rgihts of third
TEXT
REVISIONS
parties,
including, but not limited
to, such of
violations
as infringement
or misapporpriation
of any copyright, patent,
the
AIDS
epidemic since it rst surfaced
in
the
University
Michigan
in
2003
with
a
degree
Spanish from the University of New Hampshire.
IMAGE/LOGO
REVISIONS
defamation, invasion of privacy
rights of celebrity,
violation of anti-discrimination
law or regulation,
early
1980s. In June
2011, Chibbaro became
in orEnglish
and Creative
Writing. In 2013,
the or any other right
NO
the REVISIONS
rst reporter from the LGBT pressto hold
to be
Bladellcwas
toblade)
theharmless
Whitefrom
House
Press
brown naff pitts omnimedia
(dba admitted
the washington
any and
all liability, loss, damages,
claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts
inducted into the Society of Professional
with
Johnson
taking
in covering
omnimedia llc, arising out ofPool
or related
to advertisers
breach
of anythe
of thelead
foregoing
representations and warranties.
Journalists D.C. Professional Chapter Hall
the president. This marked the rst time a gay
of Fame, which recognizes journalists of
newspaper has been invited to join ranks of
distinction who have worked in the news
mainstream outlets covering the president.
business for 25 years or longer.
4 2 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
TiMe for a Change? Call Us Today!!!
OPEN SUNDAY 1-4PM
OPEN SATURDAY 1-3PM & SUNDAY 1-4PM
OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1-4PM
Trinidad - Expansive Unit Overlooking the Wheatley Rec. Ctr. includes

Quartz Counters, Stainless Appliances, Great Closets, HWF, 2 Bedrooms, 2
Baths, Den, Balcony & 1-Car Secure Parking. 1205 Morse St., NE, Unit 3
$649,900
U ST. Corridor - Exquisite, Custom, Contemporary 2011 Renovation of this Bay

Front Row Home w/ Luxurious Finishes, Gleaming Oak Hardwood Floors Throughout,
Designer Fixtures & Bosch Appliances. Bonuses- Legal Rental Unit & Secure Parking.
Centrally located in the U Street Corridor. Convenient! Steps to Metro, Restaurants,
Shops & Lincoln Theatre. 2006 13th St., NW. $1,199,999
PeTworTh - GREAT NEW PRICE! Renovated End Unit Row-House Hardwood Floors throughout, Kitchen with Stainless Appliances and
Granite Counter-tops. Upper level features a Master Bedroom Suite with
Spa Inspired Master Bath and Dressing/Sitting Area. Fully Finished Lower
Level with Rec/Family Room, 4th Bedroom and Den/Office. Rear Yard w/
Large Deck & Parking. 5309 9th St., NW. $599,900
ACTIVE
ACTIVE
obServaTory CirCle - Absolutely Stunning Renovation -3 Bedroom,

2 Baths, Drop-Dead Gorgeous Gourmet Kitchen, 40 Balcony, Hardwood
Floors, Recessed Lighting, PET FRIENDLY!! Unlimited off-street Parking,
Garage Parking Avail. 3900 Watson Place, NW, Unit A 4-H. $1,194,889
Shaw/MT. vernon SqUare - Luxuriously Appointed Unit with Many

Upgrades located in The Whitman Condo. Sunny Eastern Exposure w/ 2 Master
Suites, Powder Room, Den, HWF, SS Electrolux & Bosch Appliances, Granite Counters,
Recessed Lighting plus much more. 2 Garage Parking Spaces, Storage, Concierge,
Fitness Room, Roof-top Pool & Grill Area. 910 M St., NW, Unit 601. $949,601
Therese Cox DaviD Cox Lina MCauLiffe
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
UNDER CONTRACT
16Th ST. heighTS - Charming 4 Level home with Many Original Details,
High Ceilings, Original Oak Hardwood Floors & Moldings. 3 Bedrooms, 2
Baths and potential Rental unit. Fenced Rear Yard & 2 Car Parking.
brighTwood - Beautiful Colonial lovingly maintained with Original

Oak Floors throughout, cozy Wood burning Fireplace in LR and flooded
w/ Sunlight. Contemporary White Kitchen w/ Quartz counters, Cork
Floors and Gas Cooking. Up 1 level are 3 bedrooms and 2 Marble Baths.
Top Floor Bedroom 4 with blinding sunlight. Lower Level- In-Law Suite.
Fenced yard ready for Rover & BBQ plus 1 Car Garage.
TakoMa dC - Elegant & Gracious Detached Colonial with Original

Oak Floors throughout, Eat in Kitchen & Gas Cooking. Four Levels with 6
Bedrooms, 4 Baths, including a First Floor Guest Suite plus a Lower Level
Rec. Room. 30 Wide Rear Deck, Gigantic Yard with Rarely Found 2-Car
Detached Garage. 610 Aspen St., NW. $849,610
202-243-7700, ext. 2996
202-237-8007 I www.CoxandCoxGroup.com
WA SH I N GTO NB LADE.C OM
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 4 3
REALESTATE
Timing your home search

You have about six weeks
before spring frenzy
By TED SMITH
Ive written before about the two Washington home-buying seasons, one in the
spring and one in the fall. These are the
seasons when the supply of homes is
largest, but theyre also the seasons when
median prices are highest. So how should
a homebuyer time their search?
The graph shows two waves of homebuying activity: pending solds (where a
ratified contract is in place) and solds
(where there has been a closing on the
home and transfer of title). Notice that
the line for sold listings parallels the line
for pending solds, but is a month behind.
Thats because it takes about 30 days for
a contract to close after its been ratified
by the buying and selling parties.
The average homebuyer looks at 12
places before making a decision. If youre
in the market to buy right now, you only
have a month and a half through the

end of April before the spring homebuying frenzy begins, pushing median
prices higher because of competition
from other buyers. So get a move on. It
may take you at least a month of looking
to find a home that you like enough to put
under contract.
If you dont find something you like
before the end of April, and youre in no
great hurry to buy, youll do better to wait
until August to resume your search. While
you wont get the relative bargains of the
winter and early spring seasons, youll still
be paying less than if you buy during the
more expensive spring market.
Happy hunting!
Ted Smith is a licensed Realtor with Real Living
| at Home specializing in mid-city D.C. Reach
him at TedSmithSellsDC@rlathome.com and
follow him at Facebook.com/MidCityDCLife,
Youtube.com/TedSmithSellsDC or @TedSmithSellsDC. You can also join him on monthly tours
of mid-city neighborhood open houses, as well
as monthly seminars geared toward first-time
homebuyers. Sign up at meetup.com/DCMidCity1stTimeHomeBuyers/.
2016 Real Estate Business Intelligence, LLC. Data Provided by MRIS as of March 9, 2016
SIMPLE
AFFORDABLE
PROVEN RESULTS
CALL TODAY TOPLACE YOUR AD
202.747.2077
DAVE LLOYD & ASSOCIATES

Top 1% Nationwide
NVAR Life Member Top Producder
703-593-3204
WWW.DAVELLOYD.NET
ENTHUSIASTICALLY
SERVING DC & VIRGINIA
4 4 MA RCH 1 1 , 2 016
Vivian Leigh
on Gourmet Kitchens:
As God is my witness,
Ill never be hungry again.
VALERIE M. BLAKE, Associate Broker, GRI
Dupont Circle Office 202.243.7700 (o) 202.246.8602 (c)

Valerie@DCHomeQuest.com www.DCHomeQuest.com
ARLINGTON N.
eXCepTIONALLy SpACIOuS!
$899,000
Just Listed! 3445 N. GeORGe MAsON dR.

Open and airy mid century modern nestled on a spectacular 11,669
sqft. garden lot complete w/covered carport, tranquil stream and
extensive stone scapes. Enjoy 5,120 sun-drenched base sqft, 4 BRS
+ den or home office, 3 BAS, 3 FPS, hardwoods, oversized windows,
remodeled open concept kitchen with adjoining dining area/family
room, gorgeous remodeled hall bath, master with remodeled bath, and
handy fixed stairs to the floored attic for storage or future expansion.
The above grade walk out LL offers charming knotty pine paneling and
huge windows with enchanting garden views that make you forget that
you are in a lower level...Just perfect for au paire or in-laws!
OpeN SuNdAy 1-4pM
dAVe LLOYd & AssOCiAtes
4701 Old Dominion Drive Arlington, VA 22207
703-593-3204 WWW.dAVeLOYd.Net
715 Washington Ave, Unit 10

Colonial Beach, VA 22443
OPEN HOUSE mArCH 19 1-4P

1-4Pm
IMMACULATE! This beautifully appointed updated condo

offers an easy breezy (literally) lifestyle in Colonial Beach. This
2 bedroom, 2 bath home offers a carefree lifestyle in a well
maintained and welcoming building. Riverfront condo building
features swimming pool, pier (to be built this season), security
and built-in friends. At $179,900, this gem is the least
expensive condo in town.
ADVERTISING
Custom landscape design

Patios, walkways, pool decks
Outdoor fireplaces and kitchens
Planting and water features
Landscape lighting and irrigation
PROOF
301 Lossing Ave,
and warranties.
Colonial Beach, VA 22443

NS
GN
OPEN HOUSE mArCH 12 1-4Pm
EVISIONS
/LOGO REVISIONS
SPACIOUS ELEGANCE! This 4,000 sq ft, hand-crafted,
SIONS
5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home 1 block from the river and 3

blocks from the bay, features an in-ground salt water pool and
2 rentable apartments in the detached building. The house has
tons of room for friends, family and more. The huge bonus
room is perfectly suited to be an exercise or game room. The
wrap-around porch offers a great view of the Potomac
River. At $499,000 it is priced to sell.
Contact me for more info or to schedule a tour:
ENelson@ColdwellBankerElite.com
202-271-6050
233 N. Irving Ave. Colonial Beach, VA 22443

ADVERTISING
PROOF
DEADLINES
SUMMER IN REHOBOTH?
GET YOUR SHARE LINED UP!
SHARE ADS ARE FREE.
Place your housing to share
ad online at washingtonblade.com
and the ad prints free in the paper and online.*
All Classified Ads

- Including Regular & Adult Must Be Received
By Mondays at 5PM
So They Can Be Included
in That Weeks Edition of
Washington Blade and
washingtonblade.com
*25 words or less prints free - anything more is $1/word.
WA SH I NGTO N B LA DE.C OM
BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITY
DEADLINES
All Classified Ads

By Mondays at 5PM
washingtonblade.com
MASSAGE / CERTIFIED
ROSSLYN. Certified
massage therapist
available 12-8 Sun-Tues.
Call or text Garyat 301704-1158 or visit http://
www.mymassagebygary.
com/.DC appointments
available Wed, Fri, Sat.
Please call/text for
details. Thank you.
BEST MASSAGE by male
certified therapist.
Soothing Swedish; deeptissue; stress & pain
release. Safe Atmosphere
in Annandale, VA, almost
right off I-395. Days/Eve/
Wkend. In/Out calls.
Hotels welcome. Call
Marval (703) 568-6348.
RELAX, REGENERATE,
REJUVENATE The 3 Rs
to Health. Experienced
Certified Massage
Therapist helps you w/
the 3 Rs: Swedish, Deep
Tissue, Reiki, Energetics.
Call Bruce (202) 491-8306.
MT 0697.
BODY & SOUL

GET YOUR MIND IN SHAPE
& your body will follow. Stop smoking?
Weight loss? Addictions? Fears &
phobias. Changing your behavior can
be difficult. Hypnosis changes your
behavior at a subconscious level. Call
American Wellness Institute for a free
consultation 202-544-5688.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
RESTAURANT for sale.
8000 sq ft with Bar,
plus 2500 sq ft Living
Quarters. Owners are
retiring. Up to 90%
Financing Possible.
$885,000. Must be PreQualified by Lender
that can do the 90%
.Call me for additional
information. Strata
Realty, MICHAEL HILL
301-992-4777.
COUNSELING
LGBTQ AFFIRMING THERAPY
at Dupont Circle Individuals, couples,
families, adolescents. Over 15
years serving the community. Mike
Giordano, LICSW. 202/460-6384
mike.giordano.msw@gmail.com.
www.WhatIHearYouSaying.com.
COUNSELING FOR GAY MEN.
Individual/couple counseling w/
volunteer peer counselor. Gay Mens
Counseling Community since 1973.
202-580-8861. gaymenscounseling.
org. No fees, donation requested.
LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy Downtown Silver Spring. Group,
couples & individual. Warm,
supportive & interactive. Blue Cross
PPO/Out-of-Network/Sliding Fee
Scale. Jonathan Lebolt, PhD, DCSW,
CGP, Therapy@Doctor-Jon.com, www.
Doctor-Jon.com, 240-507-7696.
EMPLOYMENT
A2Z HAIR STUDIO is an
upscale salon looking
for new & young fresh
faces. We have 3 chairs
available. We are
conveniently located
near the Clarendon
Metro station. There is
also free parking. Email
your resume to: info@
a2zhairstudio.com or
call for an appointment:
703.243.9622. You can also
visit our website: www.
A2ZHairstudio.com.
START YOUR CAREER in financial

advising! Junior Associate for small
financial planning & investment
management firm. Financial
experience optional. ftoler@
tolerfinancialgroup.com.
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 4 5
ENHANCE YOUR AD WITH

OUR UPGRADES
PICTURES BOLD TEXT
LARGE TEXT COLOR
AND MORE
CONTACT US AT
202-747-2077
Place your
housing to share
ad online at
washingtonblade.com
and the ad prints free in
the paper and online.*
LOCKER ROOM ATTENDANTS

NEEDED! The Crew Club, a gay mens
naturist gym & sauna, is now hiring
Locker Room Attendants. We all
scrub toilets & do heavy cleaning. You
must be physically able to handle the
work & have a great attitude doing
it. No drunks/druggies need apply.
Please call Richard at (202) 319-1333.
from 9-5pm, to schedule an interview.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
TAX PREPARATION
SERVICES &
FINANCIAL
PLANNING
We prepare all individual,

small business, estates
& trusts. We assist with
tax planning for newly
married couples along
with other financial
services. All new clients
get a free copy of Lois
Fishman,CFP Money To
Last a LIfetime. Call us
301 330-9455 or email
lois@fishmanfinancial.
com.
LEGAL SERVICES
ADOPTION & ASSISTED
REPRODUCTIVE Law Attorney Jennifer
Fairfax represents clients in DC, MD
& VA. interested in adoption or ART
matters.301-221-9651,JFairfax@
jenniferfairfax.com.
FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM
Representing the GLBT community
for over 35 years. Family adoptions,
estate planning, immigration,
employment. (301) 891-2200.Silber,
Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A. www.
SP-Law. com.
LIMOUSINES / DRIVERS
KASPERS LIVERY SERVICE
BMW 2016 750XI Luxury Sedan
Service; Hourly, Point to Point and
Special Airport Transfer Rates!
Gay and Veteran Owned!
http://www.KasperLivery.com
Phone 202-554-2471
PHOTOGRAPHY
STEVE OTOOLE
PHOTOGRAPHY Fine
Art Photographer for
portraits, weddings
& dating photos for
the internet. Call
(703) 532-3031. www.
steveotoolephotography.
com.
CLEANING
TOO NEAT GUYS INC.
Residential & Commercial cleaning
in DC & Northern VA. Over 20 years
experience, gay owned, licensed,
bonded & insured. Email: tooneat@
comcast.net, (703) 622-5983.
FERNANDOS CLEANING:
Residential & Commercial Cleaning,
Reasonable Rates, Free Estimates,
Routine, 1-Time, Move-In/Move-Out.
(202) 234-7050, 202-486-6183.
MAID TO CLEAN Gay owned,
awesome, trustworthy & reliable!
Serving the DC/VA area. Mention
this ad for $50 off. Maidtoclean.com.
(703) 299-0101.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
GIL PAINTING Co. Bonded,
Licensed & Insured. Interior/
Exterior Painting. Plaster & Dry
Wall. Wallpaper Removal, Power
Washing. Carpentry. Roofing &
Remodeling. www.Gilpainting.
Com.Walter (301) 370-9940
Gilpainting@Comcast.Net.
BRITISH REMODELING HANDYMAN
Local licensed company with over 25
years of experience. Specializing in
bathrooms, kitchens & all interior/
exterior repairs. Drywall, paint,
electric & wallpaper. Trevor 703-3038699.
RICHARDS CARPENTRY & PAINTING
no job too small, local references.
Contact Richard Ellis at 703-8995715.
MOVERS
OUR GUYS AROUND TOWN
MOVERS. Professional Moving &
Storage. Let Our Guys Do The
Heavy Lifting. Mention the Blade
for 10% off of our regular rates.
Call today 202.734.3080. www.
ourguysatmovers.com.
CONTINENTAL MOVERS
Local & Long distance
Moving Services. $80
x hour x two men plus
driving time. Big &
small jobs also. 202 438
1489 / 301 340 0602,
cmora53607@msn.com.
www.continentalmovers.
net.
PAINTERS
FINESSE INTERIOR/
EXTERIOR PAINTING.
Chalkboard & Dry Erase
paint. Wood Staining.
Plaster Repairs. Pressure
Cleaning. Free Estimates.
Elmer 240-462-3760.
TREE SERVICE
BRANCHES - FULL SERVICE Tree
Expert Company. Certified Arborists,
pruning, insect & disease diagnosis,
treatment & removal. 301-589-6181.
www.BranchesTreeExperts.com.
Angies List Award Winner 09, 10,
11, 12.
SHARE / DC
CAPITOL HILL semi-furnished
rooms for rent in well appointed
townhome. 2 1/2 blocks from Eastern
Market Metro. Finished single BR for
$945+utilities. Available immediately.
Call 202-544-5688.
DEADLINES
SUMMER IN REHOBOTH?
GET YOUR SHARE LINED UP!
SHARE ADS ARE FREE.
Place your housing to share
ad online at washingtonblade.com
and the ad prints free in the paper and online.*
All Classified Ads

By Mondays at 5PM
So They Can Be Included
in That Weeks Edition of
Washington Blade and
washingtonblade.com
4 6 ma rch 1 1 , 2 016
THE NATIONS TOP GAY REALTORS!

Instant Free Access to D.C. &
NationsTop LGBT Realtors. FREE
Buyers Representation FREE Sellers
Competitive Market Analysis +
FREE Relocation Kit any City, USA.
Be Represented! Choose your
Perfect Agent On-line at;WWW.
GAYREALESTATE.COM
DEADLINES
ENHANCE YOUR
AD WITH OUR
UPGRADES
PICTURES
BOLD TEXT
LARGE TEXT
COLOR
AND MORE
CONTACT US AT
202-747-2077
RENT / DC
WOMENS PERSONALS
All Classified Ads

By Mondays at 5PM
washingtonblade.com
GWF, SOFT BUTCH, attractive,

blue eyes, brown hair. I walk three
miles every day. I like movies, music,
SW DC WATERFRONT GWM ISO

same to share luxurious home Private
Bath en Suite with guest room. Cable,
WiFi, Utilities, Maid, Parking, W/D,
DW Included. Beautiful Garden &
Outdoor areas to enjoy. Call Bruce
(202) 488-4888.
SHARE / VA
ALEXANDRIA FEMALE looking to
share Home. Women - 2 private
rooms, private bathroom, shared
common area in near Springfield
Metro. $910 month plus shared
utilities. Call 703-981-0900
for more info.
REAL ESTATE AGENTS

DC Realtor
Long & Foster
Buying or selling a home

is stressful enough.
Why not work with a
Realtor committed to a
professional, enjoyable
& attitude-free process?
For our initial meeting,
we could begin with a
phone call, a face to face
meeting, or you could
meet me during one of
my open houses. Should
you elect to go with
another agent, I wish
you the best of luck!
N. Bryan Lipps | Long
& Foster nbryanlipps@
longandfoster.com 202716-5848 (c) DC Lic. #
SP98376616
playing cards, tv & pizza. ISO GWF

attractive, feminine, for friendship &
a long term relationship. If you are
TOP-FLOOR, SUNNY immaculate
Georgetown 1BR. Awash in natural
light, unit features spacious
renovated kitchen, granite counters,
stainless steel appliances, washer/
dryer, gleaming original pine floors.
Access to shared courtyard. $2,250/
month. 202-306-6313.
interested, call Debbie 703-368-3618.
MENS PERSONALS
CARE TO DATE? Genial WM,
MASSAGE SILVER SPRING est 2004.

Where some of the nicest guys
in town come for one of the best
massages in around...sensuous
erotic. Days/Evenings $70/one hour..
parking/metro pick-up. Joe 301-580
-2716.
EROTIC SWEDISH MASSAGE
- healthy clean cut guy, 61, 160 lbs,
Dupont Circle, massage table, noon
NS; ISO local M for possible

relationship. Contact me via the
seller info link in the Blade online
BIG ENGLISH BSMT 1 BR.

Just east of Lincoln Park/
Capitol Hill. Rent inc.
utilities is $1,669. No
pets. Call Joel Martin 202274-1882 or jn1martin@
aol.com.
Respond to my ad online.
classifieds to start a conversation.
DUNGEON MASSAGE?
or Rent our dungeon. Explore
your fantasies! Surprise a BF or
FB. Awesome, clean, discrete. Fully
equipped private DC playroom.
(Tutorial/instruction available). 202544-5688.
to 1:00 a.m., indulge your body. $70

for 1 hour. Bill 202-728-0238. No text
messages.
healthy 50s, writer, active, intelligent,
1 BR 18th & Q -- $1900/month.

Avail. Immediately -- Quiet
unfurnished 1 br (613 sq ft) in Dupont
Circle. Great roof deck, 24 hour
door. Lots of closet space, small pets
okay. 2 blocks to everything! Contact
jeffhops@yahoo.com.
THE MAGIC TOUCH:

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

5 9, 170 lbs, Offering full body
relaxing, release on my professional
table, in a private atmosphere. In/out.
BIG-TALL PRO WRESTLER type
Parking Available, hotels welcome,
Likes to play with smaller muscular
DC/MD/VA, 24/7. Call Lucas, 240-462-
guys. Open-minded WM for WM.
8669, email: fromlucas@yahoo.com.
Please send a face pic for mine.
BODYWORK
New Hot White Guy In Town

Hot guy in town visiting. Great
massage & great time. In/Out, parking
available. 58, Black, Blue, 145 &
Hung. For more info visit,http://
rentmen.com/VisitingNickor call
RENT / REHOBOTH
REHOBOTH - YEAR
ROUND RENTAL HOME
Unfurnished 3 BR, wood
floors, CAC, bike ride
to downtown. Quiet
neighborhood, large
fenced in back yard,
screened in porch,
outdoor shower, + 3 car
parking. 37363 7th St, Bay
Vista Village. $1600.00/
month, + deposit +
utilities. Owner handles
lawn maintenance. Email:
scott@wilmfibre.com.
W AS HI N G T O N BL A D E .C O M
202-476-0766. Good sane normal

educated guy here. Text preferred.
EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOM BODYWORK!

Deep tissue & sensual bodywork for
total stress relief in private studio on
the Hill or in my new Dupont location.
Call Erik 202-544-5688. No texts. In
calls only. Intro Special $99.00.
PLACE YOUR FREE AD ONLINE
WASHINGTONBLADE.COM/CLASSIFIEDS
MA RCH 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 4 7
4 to 8pm every Saturday @ the houSe Beer $5 / door $10 35350 GeorGia ave NW
FREE TO LISTEN
AND REPLY TO ADS
Free Code: W Blade
Real Men
Real Hookups
A D V E RT I S I N G
PROOF #1
REVISIONS
REDESIGN
TEXT REVISIONS
IMAGE/LOGO REVISIONS
NO REVISIONS
FREE TRIAL
THE HOTTEST GAY CHATLINE
1-202-448-0106
More Local Numbers: 800-777-8000
www.guyspyvoice.com
Ahora en Espaol/18+
Proof will be considered final and will be submitted for publication if revision is not submitted within 24 hours of the date
llc (dba the washington blade) is not responsible for the content and/or design of your ad. Advertiser is responsible
the advertisement. Advertiser represents that its advertisement will not violate any criminal laws or any rgihts of third
parties, including, but not limited to, such violations as infringement or misapporpriation of any copyright, patent,
defamation, invasion of privacy or rights of celebrity, violation of anti-discrimination law or regulation, or any other right
to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages,
claims,
or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts
Washington:
omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertisers breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties.
FIND REAL GAY MEN NEAR YOU
(202) 822-1666
Arlington:
P R O O F
1 Month
FREE
with promo code:
BLADE
Baltimore:
(703) 373-1000 (410) 468-4000

www.megamates.com 18+
*Oer expires 30th June 2016.

Volume 47, Issue 11, March 11, 2016

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Volume 47, Issue 11, March 11, 2016

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

MARCH

Talk of religious liberty

AMERICAS GAY NEWS SOURCE

Religious liberty, which is considered code to

TED CRUZ avoided same-sex marriage at CPAC, but instead

Gay linguist escapes horrors

PHOTO COURTESY OF HASAN

Justin Trudeau says

Gay foster parent

At last, gay marchers

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

The Home Youll Love

New Luxury Townhomes from the $700s to $900s

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. EYA MARKETING LLC.

Trump Hotel wont displace D.C. Pride festival

D.C. Police LGBT unit

Trump wins D.C. GOP straw poll

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

Come discover the most research-informed school

Learn more at www.saes.org.

Baltimore mayoral candidates talk LGBT issues

CATHERINE PUGH (standing) addresses the

The candidates, following opening

questions, the candidates explained

Mosby responded to Pattersons

Gay man seeks Delaware House seat

interview as he discussed his campaign. I

Chase, was a member of the Newark Arts

May at the age of 46.

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

Lose that DOUBLE chin!

Kybella is an FDA approved injectable treatment used to

Kybella Introductory Offer!

Keep your promise to protect each other.

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

2141 P STREET NW SUITE 103

Serving Our Community for 35 years

ISSUE DATE: 03.04.16

(240) 778-2330 (703) 536-0220

Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A.

Lawrence S. Jacobs/McMillan Metro, PC

De Blasio issues bathroom exec order

NGLCC partners with Major League Baseball

NFL prospect asked about sexual orientation

Missouri Senate approves

Missouri Gov. JAY NIXON opposes the antigay measure.

salute the senators who courageously

W A SH I N GTO NB LAD E.C OM

THE BETTER WAY TO A BETTER WINDOW

Improve your view of

MONEY DOWN PAYMENTS

ON EVERY PATIO DOOR

Interest accrues from the purchase date but is

*Minimum purchase of 4 windows or patio doors

Call now for your FREE Window Diagnosis.

Trudeau commits to marching in Pride parade

Canadian Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU

during his eight years in oce, Earnest

either during his presidency or during

beliefs to join us as we celebrate the

schedule your appointment today!

1311 13th St. NW

Featuring a mix of designer floorplans